Interlocking Plastic Panel Protectors for Mailbox and Fence Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mailbox, fence, and deck posts suffer from unsightly indentations and reduced lifespan due to lawn maintenance equipment, and challenges in attaching indicia like addresses without damaging the posts.
Innovation Solution
Interconnecting C-shaped plastic panels with open sockets and catch edges to form a barrier around posts, providing a durable, interchangeable, and decorative solution that protects against nicks, cuts, and scuffs, while allowing for easy attachment of addresses and designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated line trimmers are used to cut grass and weeds about the base of posts, then lawn maintenance efficiency is improved, but the posts suffer from unsightly indentations, grooves, and cuts that reduce their lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
A protective device is introduced as an intermediary between the trimmer line and the post. The device includes a resilient member that contacts the post and a guide member that directs the trimmer line away from the post surface, preventing direct contact and damage while allowing the trimmer to continue its cutting function
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member is positioned to contact the post before the trimmer line can strike it, absorbing and deflecting the impact. This cushioning effect prevents the line from cutting into the post surface, protecting it from damage before the harmful contact occurs
2Ease of operation
If tape type lettering is used to mark addresses on wooden posts, then ease of application is improved, but the lettering does not stick to the wooden surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The surface properties of the protective device are modified to be more receptive to adhesive bonding. The outer surface of the device provides better adhesion characteristics compared to raw wooden posts, allowing tape type lettering and numbering to stick effectively without requiring nails or fasteners that could damage the underlying post
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, apparatus, kits, systems and methods for protecting sides of wood, plastic or metal posts from damage with easily attachable plastic panels. The panels can provide marking surfaces for addresses on mailbox posts, as well as a surface for applying desirable colors and indicia designs thereon. The panels can each have one side edge with a C shape with open socket, and an opposite side edge with an arrow tip and catch. The panels can attach to one another by having orienting and positioning the arrow tip and catch on top of and into the open socket of the C shape edge. Alternatively, the panels can attach to one another by pushing the side edge with the arrow tip and catch sideways into the open socket of the C shape side edge so that arrow tip and catch snap within the socket of C shape side edge. Plural panels can be attached about a base of a post such as a rectangular or circular cross-section mailbox post or fence post or deck post, and the like.