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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/334,383, filed Nov. 29, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced provisional application is inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced provisional application. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002] Not Applicable. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. The Field of the Invention  
           [0004]    The present invention relates generally to post mounting devices, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to an internal compression mount system for hollow posts.  
           [0005]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0006]    Traditionally wooden posts were mounted to a deck by notching the bottom of the post to receive a joist of the deck. The use of plastic and other composite materials for the production of fence products led to the use of hollow fence posts made from the composite materials. However, the hollow configuration of composite fence posts makes them difficult to mount on a flat surface such as a deck or concrete.  
           [0007]    A number of hollow fence post mounting systems have been developed. However, the prior art mounting systems are characterized by systems where only the base of the system is attached to the surface. These systems are ineffective because outward forces applied near the top of the fence cause undue stress on the surface and the base of the post mount. These stresses can loosen the attachment means of the post mount systems or damage the base of the mounting system.  
           [0008]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,951 (granted Aug. 29, 1995 to Scott et al.) discloses a bracket to be attached to a solid surface. The bracket allows a vinyl fence post to be fitted over it and locked in place to provide a rigid post without pouring concrete in the post. The bracket is secured to the solid surface with bolts. An expansion mechanism is provided at the top of the bracket including a tensioning bolt, which when tensioned, forces the expansion mechanism to expand and grip the fence post to hold the post on the bracket. However, since the bracket is attached to the solid surface using bolts at the bottom of the bracket, the top portion of the bracket is not under compression and can therefore move more easily.  
           [0009]    Other attempts have been made to address the drawbacks in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,928 (granted Nov. 7, 2000 to Platt) discloses a post mount for affixing a post having a cavity to a floor. The post mount is bolted to the floor using bolts and compression pins. A bolt extends though the center of the post mount, passes through the floor and is secured to the floor with a nut. The post mount is then inserted into the cavity of the post to affix the post to the floor. However, the post mount is designed with a pair of fins at each corner that contact the post in a manner that concentrates loads along the fins.  
           [0010]    The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that are addressed by the present invention. The present invention minimizes, and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein.  
           [0011]    The features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention without undue experimentation. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a side view of a compression mount for hollow posts attached to a base surface in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a top view of a compression mount and a hollow post in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side, break-away cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the compression mount of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a compression mount for hollow posts of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a bottom plate and shim;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom plate of FIG. 5;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment bottom plate; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment shim.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.  
         [0022]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.  
         [0023]    In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.  
         [0024]    As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.  
         [0025]    As used herein, “consisting of” and grammatical equivalents thereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim.  
         [0026]    As used herein, “consisting essentially of” and grammatical equivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed invention.  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a side view is shown of a post mounting system, indicated generally at  10  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The post mounting system  10  may include a compression mount  12  having a substantially “I” shaped cross section as shown most clearly in FIG. 2. The compression mount  12  may be configured to support loads placed upon it through a hollow post  32 . It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the compression mount  12  may vary within the scope of the present invention. However, the compression mount  12  may be configured to fit snugly within the hollow post  32  and to maximize its load bearing capabilities. The compression mount  12  may have planar sidewalls  13  that provide a surface area to contact the post  32 . This allows for forces to be evenly distributed over the compression mount  12  and prevents the loads from being focused on a particular area of the post  32  or the compression mount  12 . The sidewalls  13  may be separated by a brace portion  15 . The brace portion  15  may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls  13  and may define a cavity  17  for receiving shafts  18 .  
         [0028]    The compression mount  12  may be rigidly attached to a bottom plate  20 . The bottom plate  20  may be attached to the compression mount  12  by any manner know to those skilled in the art such as welding or by forming the bottom plate  20  integrally with the compression mount  12 . The bottom plate  20  may include openings  21  for receiving leveling bolts (not shown) to enable the compression mount  12  to be properly leveled on the base  14 . Other leveling devices such as shims (not shown) may be used to level the bottom plate  20  with respect to the base  14 . The base  14  may be a floor or deck for example, or any other structure to which a post  32  is to be securely attached.  
         [0029]    The post mounting system  10  may also includes a top plate  16  for attaching to a top of the compression mount  12 . The top plate  16  may include openings for receiving shafts  18  on opposing sides of the compression mount  12 . Shafts  18  may be dimensioned to extend the entire length of the compression mount  12 , and may be threaded to receive nuts  24  thereon. The number and position of the shafts  18  may be configured to provide beneficial strength characteristics for the compression mount  12 . However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the shafts  18  may be provided in different quantities and locations within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0030]    The post mounting system  10  may also include a mounting plate  22  configured to be mounted beneath the compression mount  12 . The mounting plate  22  may include openings to receive the shafts  18  and may provide support for the nuts  24  to prevent the nuts  24  from becoming embedded in the base  14 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a post mounting system  10  in an assembled condition with a gap where the base  14  may be positioned. In use, holes may be drilled into the base  14  to accommodate the shafts  18 . The shafts  18  may be inserted through the top plate  16 , through the entire length of the compression mount  12 , through the bottom plate  20 , through the base  14  and the mounting plate  22 . Nuts  24  may be secured on the end of the shafts  18  and tightened such that the shafts  18  may be drawn into the nuts  24  and the compression mount  12  may be placed in compression and secured to the base  14 . Nuts  24  may be of the locking variety to prevent the shafts  18  from becoming loosened. The post mounting system  10  may be leveled by adjusting bolts inserted through the openings  21  in the bottom plate  20  or by inserting shims between the base  14  and the bottom plate. A hollow post  32  may be slid over the compression mount  12  to position and hold the post  32  in place. Additional fasteners such as brackets or screws (not shown) may be used to secure the post  32  to the compression mount  12 .  
         [0032]    Reference will now to made to FIG. 3 to describe a second embodiment of the present invention. As previously discussed, the embodiments of the invention illustrated herein are merely exemplary of the possible embodiments of the invention, including that illustrated in FIG. 3.  
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 contains many of the same structures represented in FIGS. 1, 2, and  4  and only the new or different structures will be explained to most succinctly explain the additional advantages which come with the embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3. The second embodiment of the invention shows how the post mounting system  10  may be used on a hard surface  30  such as concrete. In this embodiment, the shafts  18  may be threaded into a wedge  26  or other securing means such as epoxy  28 , rather than the nuts  24 . The securing means may be secured to the hard surface  30  in any manner known to those skilled in the art, such as by fasteners, adhesives, friction or expansion members for example. The tightening of the shaft  18  into the securing means in the concrete  30  provides a compression of the post mounting system  10  similar to that shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a top perspective view of an embodiment of a bottom plate  20   a  is shown. The bottom plate  20   a  may include a groove  40  formed in the upper surface  42 . The groove  40  may be configured for receiving the compression mount  12 . Accordingly, the groove  40  may have a similar shape as the compression mount  12  as viewed from the top (see FIG. 2). It will be appreciated that the groove  40  may be configured to hold the compression mount  12  in place with respect to the bottom plate  20   a  to prevent lateral movement of the compression mount  12  with respect to the bottom plate  20   a.    
         [0035]    The bottom plate  20   a  may also include a plurality of shaft openings  44  for receiving the shafts  18 , and adjustment bolt openings  21   a  for receiving adjustment bolts (not shown) to level the bottom plate  20   a.  Shims  50  may also be used to level the bottom plate  20   a.  It will be appreciated that the shims  50  may be used in combination with the adjustment bolts, or the shims  50  may be used without the adjustment bolts, within the scope of the present invention. The shims  50  may be configured as a wedge for inserting in shim slots  52  to adjust the position of the bottom plate  20   a  with respect to the base  14  so that the hollow post  32  may be installed in the desired orientation. It will be appreciated that a single shim  50  or a plurality of shims  50  may be used within the scope of the present invention to adjust the bottom plate  20   a  to the desired orientation.  
         [0036]    The bottom plate  20   a  may also include a drain hole  54  passing through the bottom plate  20   a.  The drain hole  54  may allow moisture to be drained so that water does not accumulate on top of the bottom plate  20   a  within the hollow post  32 . This allows the mounting system  10  to function without problems such as undue warping or deterioration that may be caused by water accumulation. Moreover, the bottom plate  20   a  may also include seepage channels  56  to transport the water from the drain hole  54  to an exterior of the bottom plate  20   a.    
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 7, a top view of a further alternative embodiment bottom plate  20   b  is shown. As previously discussed, the embodiments of the invention illustrated herein are merely exemplary of the possible embodiments of the invention, including that illustrated in FIG. 7. The bottom plate  20   b  may have corner shim slots  58  encompassing adjustment bolt openings  21   b.  The position of the corner shim slots  58  at the corners of the bottom plate  20   b  may facilitate leveling of the bottom plate  20   b.  A slotted shim  60 , as best shown in FIG. 8, may be inserted into the corner shim slots  58  to level the bottom plate  20   b.  The slotted shim  60  may have a shim slot  62  for providing a space for the adjusting bolts to be passed. Accordingly, the slotted shim  60  may be used at the corners of the bottom plate  20   b  without interference with the adjusting bolts, and fewer slotted shims  60  may be required to level the bottom plate  20   b  as compared to other embodiments.  
         [0038]    The embodiment of the bottom plate  20   b  shown in FIG. 7 may also include polygonal openings  64  for receiving polygonal heads of adjustment bolts. However, it will be appreciated that the bottom plate  20   b  may have openings of various different configurations to be compatible with any variety of adjustment bolts known in the art.  
         [0039]    It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein is merely one example of a means for securing the shaft to the base, and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for securing the shaft to the base which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for securing the shaft to the base, including those structures, apparatus or systems for securing the shaft to the base which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means for securing the shaft to the base falls within the scope of this element.  
         [0040]    In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a method of attaching a post to a base includes the steps of:  
         [0041]    (a) drilling a plurality of holes in the base;  
         [0042]    (b) passing a plurality of shafts through a compression mount member and through the plurality of holes in the base;  
         [0043]    (c) tightening a securing member on the shafts to secure the compression mount member to the base and place the compression mount member in compression; and  
         [0044]    (d) sliding a post over the compression mount member.  
         [0045]    In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a post mount device which slidably receives a hollow post. The present invention also provides a post mount device in which the top and bottom of the device are mounted to the mounting surface, such that even the top of the post mount device is under compressive forces. The present invention also provides a post mount device which is self leveling for attachment to a flat surface and which allows for even distribution of loads to the post.  
         [0046]    It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein.

Summary:
An internal compression mount for attaching hollow posts to a base surface. A substantially “I” shaped post mount is fixedly attached to a bottom plate. The bottom plate and post mount may be leveled on the base surface with shims and leveling bolts. Threaded shafts may be inserted through a top plate, through the post mount, through the bottom plate, the base surface and through a mounting plate. The threaded shafts receive nuts, which are tightened to produce a compressive force on the post mount between the top plate and the mounting plate below the base surface. The compressive force between the base of the post mount and the mounting plate grasps the base surface in a vice like manner and securely affixes the post mount to the base surface. A hollow post can then slide in place over the post mount.