Wooden one-piece fence post cap

Abstract

A one piece fence post cap is disclosed. The fence post cap includes a roof wall and a plurality of side walls formed from a single piece of wood. The side walls are defined by a recess formed in the piece of wood. The recess is shaped to closely receive a top end of a fence post. The recess can be formed by machining the recess into the piece of wood. The fence post cap can be press-fit, nailed, screwed, adhesively, or otherwise secured to the top end of the fence post. The recess can be suitably shaped to receive fence posts of various shapes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 898,636, filed on Jan. 30, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to post caps for post fences and other structures that use posts, and more specifically to such post caps that are made from wood.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0003]Wooden posts are used in a variety of different applications. For example, such posts are used in fences, in deck railings, and other types of barrier. In many such applications, a bottom end of the post is sunk into the ground with or without the use of concrete to reinforce the post. The remainder of the post extends vertically above the ground to support a structure mounted thereto such as cross members of a fence. A top end of the post is often times decorated with a post cap to cover up the internal grain of the wood that is visible ther...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a one-piece wooden fence post cap that overcomes the durability problems of multi-piece wooden fence post caps and the drawbacks of synthetic fence post caps. The fence post cap includes a roof wall and a plurality of side walls formed from a single piece of wood. The side walls are defined by a recess formed in the piece of wood. The recess is shaped to closely receive a top end of a fence post. The fence post cap can be securely attached to the top end of the fence post using various methods such as press-fit, nailed, screwed, adhesively, or other means. The recess can be suitably shaped to receive fence posts of various shapes."

Problems solved by technology

However, such multiple piece post caps are prone to fall apart after several seasons of exposure to inclement weather.

This occurs because of deterioration of the wood since water can freeze in the open joints between the wooden pieces forcing the pieces apart, and the staples slowly lose grip on the wood of the pieces they are holding together.

Unfortunately, there are several drawbacks to these and other synthetic fence post cap systems.

One drawback is the nature of the synthetic materials.

The synthetic material are just that, synthetic, and thus lack the appeal of natural wood products, weather and wear in a manner differently than the wood they are mounted on, and do not take paints or stains in the same manner as the wooden posts.

Another drawback of the synthetic post caps is their susceptibility to break.

This is a very difficult object to achieve, particularly in the wide variety of elements and temperatures the fence post caps are subjected to.

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