Patent ID: 6363680
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: E04F,E04H

Abstract:
A composite post for use in construction, comprising:a plastic outer shell having a first end section, a second end section opposite said first end section, and a middle section intermediate said first and second end sections, said middle section having at least one portion having an internal transverse dimension which is larger than an internal transverse dimension of each of said first and second end sections, said first and second end sections each having a substantially rectangular cross-section shape, a substantially same cross-section size, and a substantially same shell wall thickness; and an elongate wood reinforcing element disposed within said outer shell and extending from said first end section to said second end section but not extending out of said first end section or said second end section, said wood reinforcing element having a substantially rectangular cross-section shape conforming to the substantially rectangular cross-section shape of said first and second end sections, wherein at least a portion of said first and second end sections snugly surround portions of said wood reinforcing element so that said wood reinforcing element substantially fills said first and second end sections, and wherein at least a portion of said middle section is radially separated from said reinforcing element forming a gap therebetween.