MOUNTING SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for mounting to a post including: (1) a mounting surface perpendicular to the post having a planar top side and an opposing bottom side; and (2) a hollow structure extending from the bottom side of the mounting surface and having an interior opening, wherein the hollow structure further includes: (a) a lower end positioned distal the mounting surface, (b) a first lip positioned about a first perimeter of the interior opening, and (c) a second lip positioned about a second perimeter of the interior opening, wherein the length of the first perimeter is greater than the length of the second perimeter, and wherein the first lip is positioned between the second lip and the lower end and the second lip is positioned between the first lip and the mounting surface.

Claims

1. A system for mounting to a post comprising: a mounting surface perpendicular to the post having a planar top side and an opposing bottom side; and a hollow structure extending from the bottom side of the mounting surface and having an interior opening, wherein the hollow structure further comprises: a lower end positioned distal the mounting surface, a first lip positioned about a first perimeter of the interior opening, and a second lip positioned about a second perimeter of the interior opening, wherein the length of the first perimeter is greater than the length of the second perimeter, and wherein the first lip is positioned between the second lip and the lower end and the second lip is positioned between the first lip and the mounting surface-; wherein the first lip and the second lip are formed as graduated inner diameter lips within the interior opening of the hollow structure, and wherein each lip extends inwardly from an interior surface of the hollow structure to define a reduced diameter portion of the interior opening.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first perimeter is annular.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising the post, wherein the post has a first end positioned within the interior opening and comprises a polyvinyl chloride pipe.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the post has an outer perimeter greater than the second perimeter and less than the first perimeter.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first perimeter is rectangular.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising the post, wherein the post has a first end positioned within the interior opening and comprises a wooden elongate member.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a flange extending from the bottom side of the mounting surface, perpendicular to the mounting surface.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the flange further comprises a plurality of mounting apertures formed through an entirety of a thickness of the flange.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising: a mounted structure proximate the mounting surface; and a fastener positioned to secure the mounted structure to one of the plurality of mounting apertures.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a mailbox proximate the mounting surface; and a fastener positioned to secure the mailbox to the mounting surface.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a bird feeder proximate the mounting surface; and a fastener positioned to secure the bird feeder to the mounting surface.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the mounting surface further comprises a drainage aperture extending through an entirety of a thickness of the mounting surface from the top side to the bottom side.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein an outer perimeter of the hollow structure comprises a frustoconical profile.

14. A system for mounting to a post comprising: a mounting surface perpendicular to the post having a planar top side and an opposing bottom side; a hollow structure extending from the bottom side of the mounting surface and having an interior opening, wherein the hollow structure further comprises: a lower end positioned distal the mounting surface, a first lip positioned about a first perimeter of the interior opening, and a second lip positioned about a second perimeter of the interior opening, wherein the length of the first perimeter is greater than the length of the second perimeter, and wherein the first lip is positioned between the second lip and the lower end and the second lip is positioned between the first lip and the mounting surface, wherein the first lip and the second lip are formed as graduated inner diameter lips within the interior opening of the hollow structure, and wherein each lip extends inwardly form an interior surface of the hollow structure to define a reduced diameter portion of the interior opening; and the post having a first end positioned within the interior opening and having an outer perimeter greater than the second perimeter and less than the first perimeter.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the first perimeter is annular.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the post comprises a polyvinyl chloride pipe.

17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a flange extending from the bottom side of the mounting surface, perpendicular to the mounting surface.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the flange further comprises a plurality of mounting apertures.

19. The system of claim 14 further comprising: a mailbox; and a fastener positioned to secure the mailbox to the mounting surface.

20. A system for mounting to a post comprising: a mounting surface perpendicular to the post having a planar top side and an opposing bottom side; a hollow structure having an outer perimeter comprising a frustoconical profile extending from the bottom side of the mounting surface and having an interior opening, wherein the hollow structure further comprises: a lower end positioned distal the mounting surface, a first lip positioned about an annular first perimeter of the interior opening, and a second lip positioned about a second perimeter of the interior opening, wherein the length of the first perimeter is greater than the length of the second perimeter, and wherein the first lip is positioned between the second lip and the lower end and the second lip is positioned between the first lip and the mounting surface, wherein the first lip and second lip are formed as graduated inner diameter lips within the interior opening of the hollow structure, and wherein each lip extends inwardly from an interior surface of the hollow structure to define a reduced diameter portion of the interior opening; the post having a first end positioned within the interior opening, comprising a polyvinyl chloride pipe, and having an outer perimeter greater than the second perimeter and less than the first perimeter; a flange extending from the bottom side of the mounting surface, perpendicular to the mounting surface; a plurality of mounting apertures formed through an entirety of a thickness of the flange; a mounted structure proximate the mounting surface; and a fastener positioned to secure the mounted structure to the mounting surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a system for mounting to a post according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the system of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the system of FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the system of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a system for mounting to a post according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0022] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the system for mounting to a post according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the system for mounting to a post according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0025] Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.

[0026] In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as above, below, upper, lower, and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.

[0027] Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as generally, substantially, mostly, and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.

[0028] An embodiment of the invention, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text, provides a system for mounting to a post 100. The system may include a mounting surface 110 and a hollow structure 120 extending downwardly from the mounting surface 110. A post 160 may have a first end positioned within the hollow structure 120 and a second end secured to the ground. A mounted structure 130 may be affixed to the mounting surface 110.

[0029] When the mounting surface 110 is placed upon the post 160, the mounting surface 110 may be perpendicular to the post 160 as shown in FIGS. 6 & 7. The mounting surface 110 may have a planar top side 111 and an opposing bottom side 112. The planar top side 111 may face upwardly, away from the ground. A mounted structure 130 may be positioned upon the mounting surface 110.

[0030] A hollow structure 120 may extend downwardly from the bottom side 112 of the mounting surface 110. The hollow structure 120 may define an interior opening 121. The exterior perimeter of the hollow structure 120 may form a frustoconical profile. When placed on a post 160, the first end of the post 160 may be inserted into a lower end 122 of the hollow structure 120 and positioned within a lower portion of the interior opening 121 of the hollow structure 120. A first lip 126 and a second lip 127 may be positioned about interior perimeters of the interior opening 121. The first lip 126 may be located around a first perimeter of the interior opening 121. The second lip 127 may be located around a second perimeter of the interior opening 121. The length of the first perimeter may be greater than the length of the second perimeter. An embodiment of the system 100 may have more than two such lips formed around the interior opening 121. The lip closest to the lower end 122 of the interior opening 121 shall having the largest perimeter. Successive lips shall each have smaller perimeters as they rise closer to the mounting surface 110. Such a configuration allows for the hollow structure 120 to be used with posts of varying perimeter measurements. Posts 160 with outer perimeters greater than the second perimeter and smaller than the first perimeter may be placed into the interior opening 121 of the hollow structure 120 and interfere with the second lip 127. The end of the post 160 inserted into the hollow structure 120 provides a ridge upon which the lip may rest. Posts 160 with outer perimeters greater than the first perimeter may also be used with the system. In such an embodiment, the post may be placed into the interior opening 121 of the hollow structure 120 and interfere with the first lip 126.

[0031] The perimeters of each lip formed on an interior surface of the hollow structure 120 may be sized to contact the end of posts 160 having different circumferences. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the first lip may have a perimeter sized to rest upon an end of a 2 diameter post inserted into the lower end 122 of the interior opening 121. Again, by way of example, and not as a limitation, the second lip may have a perimeter sized to rest upon an end of a 1 diameter post inserted into the lower end 122 of the interior opening 121. In such an exemplary embodiment, the smaller 1 diameter post would extend beyond the first lip without interference to contact the second lip. A 2 diameter post inserted into the interior opening 121 of the exemplary embodiment would contact the first lip 126 and be unable to pass further into the hollow structure 120.

[0032] In one embodiment, the interior opening 121 may define an annular perimeter. In such an embodiment, one end of a cylindrical post, pole, tube, pipe, or the like may be positioned in the interior opening 121. In another embodiment, the interior opening 121 may define a rectangular perimeter. In such an embodiment, one end of an elongate rectangular prism post, pole, tube, pipe or the like may be positioned in the interior opening. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the post, pole, tube, pipe, or the like may be formed from polyvinyl chloride, wood, metal, plastic, or the like.

[0033] The mounting surface 110 may include a flange 113 extending around at least a portion of an exterior perimeter of the mounting surface 110. The flange 113 may extend downwardly from the bottom side 112 of the mounting surface 110, perpendicular to the planar top side 111. A plurality of mounting apertures 114 may be formed through an entirety of a thickness of the flange 113 from a first side to a second side. A fastener 140 may be positioned through one or more of the plurality of mounting apertures 114 to secure a mounted structure 130 to the mounting surface 110.

[0034] In one embodiment, the mounting surface 11 may include a drainage aperture 150 extending through an entirety of a thickness of the mounting surface 110 from the top side 111 to the bottom side 112.

[0035] The mounted structure 130 may be any item that is mounted atop a pole. By way of example, and not as a limitation, the mounted structure 130 may be a mailbox 131, bird feeder 132, bird house, book depository, bat box, basketball hoop, or any similar structure.

[0036] Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan.

[0037] While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0038] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.