Apparatus for Concealing a Portion of a Post

Abstract

An apparatus for concealing a portion of a post, having a first pair of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define a first layer that surrounds a first sub-portion of the post, and a second pair of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define a second layer that surrounds a second sub-portion of the post. The second pair of concealment members is sized and shaped to interlock with the first pair of concealment members so as to secure the first layer to the second layer in a stacked vertical relationship.

1 . An apparatus for concealing a portion of a post, comprising:
 (a) a first pair of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define a first layer that surrounds a first sub-portion of the post;   (b) a second pair of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define a second layer that surrounds a second sub-portion of the post;   (c) wherein the second pair of concealment members is sized and shaped so as to be interlocked with the first pair of concealment members so as to secure the first layer to the second layer in a stacked vertical relationship.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the second pair of concealment members is configured to slidably engage with the first pair of concealment members to interlock the first layer to the second layer. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the second pair of concealment members has a lower flange member, and each of the first pair of concealment members has an upper channel configured to slidably receive the lower flange member of the second pair of concealment members so as to interlock the first layer and the second layer. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second pair of concealment members may be oriented so as to inhibit disengagement of the first pair of concealment members from each other when the first layer is interlocked with the second layer. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second pair of concealment members are rotated 90 degrees relative to the first pair of concealment members when interlocked thereto so as to inhibit disengagement of the first pair of concealment members from each other. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (a) a third pair of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define a third layer that surrounds a third sub-portion of the post;   (b) wherein the third pair of concealment members is sized and shaped so as to be interlocked with the second pair of concealment members so as to secure the third layer to the second layer in a stacked vertical relationship.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each concealment member has a rectangular U-shape with a cross-member and a pair of spaced apart parallel arms extending from the cross-member, each arm having an end portion configured to engage the end portion of another concealment member. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the concealment members includes at least one vent hole configured to allow fluid communication between an interior compartment defined by at least one of the layers and ambient air. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a resilient pad positionable between the first layer and a supporting surface. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each concealment member has an outer surface sized and shaped so that an outer perimeter of each layer generally corresponds to an outer post surface of the post. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the outer surface of each concealment member is sized and shaped so that the outer perimeter of each layer is recessed from the outer post surface of the post. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each concealment member has a semi-circular C-shape. 
   
   
       13 . A concealment member for use in concealing a portion of a post, comprising:
 (a) a body sized and shaped so that a first set of concealment members may be coupled together to define a first layer that surrounds a first sub-portion of the post and a second set of concealment members may be coupled together to define a second layer that surrounds a second sub-portion of the post;   (b) the body having a lower flange member and an upper channel;   (c) wherein the upper channel of each of the first set of concealment members is sized and shaped to slidably receive the lower flange member of at least one of the second set of concealment members so as to interlock the first and second layers together in a stacked vertical relationship.   
   
   
       14 . The concealment member of  claim 13 , wherein the body is configured so that it may be oriented to inhibit disengagement of adjacent concealment members from each other when interlocked thereto. 
   
   
       15 . The concealment member of  claim 13 , wherein the first set of concealment members comprises a first pair of concealment members and the second set of concealment members comprises a second pair of concealment members. 
   
   
       16 . The concealment member of  claim 13 , wherein each concealment member has a rectangular U-shape with a cross-member and a pair of spaced parallel arms extending from the cross-member, each arm having an end portion configured to engage the end portion of another concealment member. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for concealing a base portion of a post, comprising:
 (a) a first set of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define a first layer that surrounds a first sub-portion of the post;   (b) a second set of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define a second layer that surrounds a second sub-portion of the post;   (c) wherein the second set of concealment members is sized and shaped so as to be interlocked with the first set of concealment members so as to secure the first layer to the second layer in a stacked vertical relationship.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each of the second set of concealment members has a lower flange member, and each of the first set of concealment members has an upper channel configured to slidably receive the lower flange member of the second set of concealment members so as to interlock the first layer and the second layer. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the second set of concealment members are sized and shaped so as to be oriented to inhibit disengagement of the first set of concealment members from each other when interlocked thereto. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 (a) at least one additional set of concealment members sized and shaped to be coupled together to define at least one additional layer that surrounds at least one additional sub-portion of the post;   (b) wherein the at least one additional set of concealment members is sized and shaped so as to be interlocked with the second set of concealment members so as to secure the at least one additional layer to the second layer in a stacked vertical relationship.