Fencing system and post insert for use therewith

Abstract

A fencing system includes a post mount typically mountable on a foundation and having an outer surface extending upwardly therefrom. A post insert mounted adjacent the top of the post mount has an outer surface disposed outwardly of the post mount outer surface to abut an inner surface of a post which defines a cavity in which the post mount and post insert are slidably received. The post insert provides stability to the post such that a rail may be mounted on the post via a rail mounting bracket or otherwise.

1 . A fencing system comprising:
 a post;   an inner surface of the post defining a post cavity;   a post mount which has upper and lower ends and an outer surface extending therebetween; wherein the post mount is adapted to be mounted adjacent the lower end to a foundation and is slidably receivable in the post cavity with the inner surface of the post spaced outwardly from the outer surface of the post mount;   an inner surface of the post mount defining a post mount cavity in the upper end of the post mount;   a post insert comprising a lower section which is insertable downwardly into the post mount cavity and an upper section connected to and extending upwardly from the lower section; and   an outer surface of the upper section disposed outwardly of the outer surface of the post mount and abutting the inner surface of the post.   
   
   
       2 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface of the lower section abutting the inner surface of the post mount. 
   
   
       3 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising a lower end on the lower section which tapers downwardly and inwardly to facilitate downward insertion of the lower section into the post mount cavity. 
   
   
       4 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising a laterally extending wall connected to the lower section and extending outwardly of the outer surface of the lower section. 
   
   
       5 . The fencing system of  claim 4  wherein the upper end of the post mount has an upwardly-facing surface; and the laterally extending wall abuts the upwardly-facing surface. 
   
   
       6 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface of the lower section which comprises a plurality of flat surfaces and a plurality of beveled corners each extending between an adjacent pair of the flat surfaces. 
   
   
       7 . The fencing system of  claim 6  wherein the flat surfaces comprise four flat surfaces; and the beveled corners comprise four beveled corners. 
   
   
       8 . The fencing system of  claim 1  wherein the post insert is formed as an integral one-piece member. 
   
   
       9 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface of the lower section; and a hole formed in the lower section extending inwardly from the outer surface adapted to receive therein a fastener. 
   
   
       10 . The fencing system of  claim 9  further comprising first and second opposed sides on the outer surface of the lower section; and wherein the hole is a through hole extending from the first side to the second side. 
   
   
       11 . The fencing system of  claim 10  wherein the lower section is formed as an integral one-piece member. 
   
   
       12 . The fencing system of  claim 9  further comprising a fastener disposed in the hole. 
   
   
       13 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising an outer surface on the lower section; and a fastener extending from the outer surface of the lower section to the inner surface of the post mount to secure the post insert to the post mount. 
   
   
       14 . The fencing system of  claim 13  further comprising a hole formed in the post mount in which the fastener is disposed. 
   
   
       15 . The fencing system of  claim 14  further comprising a hole formed in the lower section in which the fastener is disposed. 
   
   
       16 . The fencing system of  claim 13  further comprising a hole formed in the lower section in which the fastener is disposed. 
   
   
       17 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising a fastener extending from the post to the upper section to secure the post to the post insert. 
   
   
       18 . The fencing system of  claim 17  further comprising a rail mounting bracket; and wherein the fastener extends from the rail mounting bracket through the post to the upper section to secure the mounting bracket and post to the post insert. 
   
   
       19 . The fencing system of  claim 1  further comprising a rail mounted on and extending laterally outwardly from the post. 
   
   
       20 . The fencing system of  claim 19  further comprising a rail mounting bracket; and wherein the rail is mounted on the post via the rail mounting bracket.