Patent ID: 7635114
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A decorative post configured to be disposed in a support surface to support a decorative fence or wall panel, comprising: a) an elongated outer polymer shell having at least two opposite longitudinal grooves extending a majority of a longitudinal length of the elongated shell and configured to hold a fence panel; b) an elongated reinforcing member disposed in the outer polymer shell between the longitudinal grooves, and substantially extending a length of the outer polymer shell; c) a foam filler disposed inside the outer polymer shell between the shell and the reinforcement member; d) an aperture disposed in a sidewall of the outer polymer shell near an end of the reinforcing member; and e) a void in the foam filler adjacent to and exposing the end of the reinforcing member through the aperture, and defining a slip zone between the end of the reinforcement member and an inner surface of the foam filler defined by the void into which the end of the reinforcing member extends as the outer shell shrinks longitudinally during post mold cooling.