Fence post extension system and method

Abstract

A fence post extension for extending a length of an existing fence post. The fence post extension has a tubular body and a coupling sleeve. The tubular body has an end section configured to be inserted into an interior space of the exiting fence post via an open end section of the existing fence post. The coupling sleeve is configured to be mounted to the end section of the existing fence post and to surround a portion of the inserted tubular body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fence post extension system for extending a length of an existing fence post, the system comprising:
 a fence post extension including a tubular body having an end section configured to be inserted into an interior space of the exiting fence post via an open end section of the existing fence post; and   a coupling sleeve configured to be mounted to the end section of the existing fence post and to surround a portion of the inserted tubular body.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tabs extending from one or more corresponding outer surface portions of the tubular body for frictionally engaging inner surfaces in the interior space of the existing fence post. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the tabs are formed of the same material as the tubular body. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body has a unitary construction and is formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling sleeve has a unitary construction and is formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling sleeve comprises a unitary body provided with a preselected profile corresponding to a profile of each of the tubular body and existing fence post, the unitary body comprising a plurality of sides, a central open area configured for allowing the passage therethrough of the tubular body when the coupling sleeve is mounted to the existing fence post, and an overhang section extending from the plurality of sides in the direction of the central open area. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the unitary body further comprises a plurality of L-shaped extension sections provided at corresponding corner regions of the coupling sleeve and extending downwardly from an edge portion of the overhang section, each extension section being spaced from another adjacent extension section by a slotted portion forming an opening or slot configured to align with and accommodate portions of respective optional fasteners used to secure the fence post extension to the existing fence post. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the unitary body further comprises projection elements extending from respective surfaces of the extension section so as to confront inner surfaces of the sides, each of the projection elements having a free edge spaced apart from the corresponding inner surfaces so as to form space regions, each free edge having a sloped or angled surface extending from an inner surface of the overhang in a diverging manner so that the space regions formed between the free edges and corresponding inner surfaces are provided with a generally triangular, wedge-shaped profile configured to receive and accommodate therein the end section of the existing fence post. 
     
     
         9 . A kit comprising a fence post extension system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A fence assembly equipped with the fence post extension system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A fence post extension for extending the length of an existing fence post, the fence post extension comprising: a tubular body having an end section configured to be inserted into an interior space of the exiting fence post via an open end section of the existing fence post, the end section being provided with means for frictionally engaging inner surfaces of the interior space of the existing fence post to securely mount the fence post extension to the existing fence post. 
     
     
         12 . The fence post extension system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for frictionally engaging the inner surfaces of the interior space of the existing fence post comprises one or more tabs extending from one or more corresponding outer surface portions of the tubular body. 
     
     
         13 . The fence post extension of  claim 12 , wherein the tabs are formed of the same material as the tubular body. 
     
     
         14 . The fence post extension of  claim 12 , wherein the tubular body and tabs are of unitary construction and formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         15 . A coupling sleeve for a fence post extension system, the coupling sleeve comprising: a plurality of sides; a central open area; an overhang section extending from the plurality of sides in the direction of the central open area; a plurality of L-shaped extension sections provided at corresponding corner regions of the coupling sleeve and extending downwardly from an edge portion of the overhang section, each extension section being spaced from another adjacent extension section by a slotted portion forming an opening or slot; and a plurality of projection elements extending from respective surfaces of the extension sections so as to confront inner surfaces of the sides, each of the projection elements having a free edge spaced apart from the corresponding inner surfaces so as to form space regions, each free edge having a sloped or angled surface extending from an inner surface of the overhang in a diverging manner so that the space regions formed between the free edges and corresponding inner surfaces are provided with a generally triangular, wedge-shaped profile. 
     
     
         16 . The coupling sleeve of  claim 15 , wherein the coupling sleeve has a unitary construction and is formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         17 . The fence post extension of  claim 11 , further comprising a coupling sleeve integral with an outer surface of the tubular body for coupling the tubular body to the open end section of the existing fence post. 
     
     
         18 . The fence post extension of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling sleeve comprises at least one extension section including at least one hole for receiving a fastener to integrally connect the coupling sleeve to the outer surface of the tubular body. 
     
     
         19 . The fence post extension of  claim 17 , wherein the end section of the tubular body has at least one pair of slots for receiving therein a portion of a fence rail when the end section of the tubular body is inserted into the interior space of the exiting fence post. 
     
     
         20 . The fence post extension of  claim 19 , further comprising one or more tabs extending from one or more corresponding outer surface portions of the tubular body for frictionally engaging inner surfaces in the interior space of the existing fence post; wherein the tubular body and the coupling sleeve are formed in one piece from a single piece of material; and wherein the end section of the tubular body has at least one pair of slots for receiving therein a portion of a fence rail when the end section of the tubular body is inserted into the interior space of the exiting fence post.