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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/784,836 filed on Mar. 22, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is well understood that the installation of a post in the ground can be a labor intensive process. Such is particularly understood in the construction, landscaping and fence industries, where posts are used in the construction of railings, barriers and/or gates.  
         [0003]     Ground installations of a post that avoid the use of added materials, such as concrete or securing brackets, simply embed a portion of a post into the ground. One method of inserting a post into the ground involves the installer excavating or digging a hold in which to secure the post. The base of the post in then inserted into the hold and the excavated material is packed around it. However, digging a hole is time consuming and often loosens too much of the earth needed to surround and secure the post.  
         [0004]     Another method employs digging only a shallow hole and then driving or forcing the post into the ground. While this can be done by large industrial machinery, it is commonly done with a sledgehammer or similar implement. The post is aligned in the shallow hole in the desired configuration and then hammered into the ground. This method is generally fast and does not loosen the surrounding earth. However, the severe impact on the top of the post can often cause damage to the post. To avoid such damage, installers can attempt to place a temporary board or piece of wood on top of the post before hammering, but this leads to a cumbersome and unstable configuration. Holding the board in place requires a spare hand, which then makes swinging a sledgehammer difficult. Even if the installer manages to balance a board on top of the post, it is prone to falling off before being hammered or even popping off after impact. In this way, the temporary board configuration can cause injury to anyone or anything in the proximity of the installation, including the post itself or the installer.  
         [0005]     Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or high density polyethylene is used for making posts and more particularly hollow or tubular fence posts. The tubular design of these posts makes them well suited to being hammered or driven into the ground. Earthen material gets packed into the inside of the embedded portion of the hollow post providing added support. However, the PVC or high density polyethylene, while strong and durable, are still prone to shattering, splintering, cracking, or weakening when hit by a blunt instrument. Also, as in the case of an ornamental fence, a post can have a delicate outer coating that is easily marred or scratched.  
         [0006]     Therefore, it is desirable to provide a device and/or method for installing posts that overcomes the shortcomings described above and particularly protects the post during installation and allows the post to be installed quickly and without added materials.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     the present invention provides a post installation device and method. The invention has particular application to ground installations of fence and/or gate posts and can prevent damage to the post during the installation process.  
         [0008]     One aspect of the present invention is a device for protecting a post during installation in the ground using an impact instrument. The device comprise a strike surface for receiving the instrument impact. The strike surface is disposed on a first side of the device. The device also comprises a seat for mounting on the upper portion of the post. The device generally covers the upper portion of the post when positioned thereon. Also, the seat is formed by at least one depression disposed on a second side of the device. At least part of the depression is shaped to receive the upper portion of the post inserted therein.  
         [0009]     Additionally, the first and second sides of the device can be directly opposed from one another. The depression can be formed as a groove, such that the width of the groove is slightly larger than a wall thickness of the upper post portion. The seat can include more than one depression, wherein each depression can have an overall shape corresponding to a post having a different geometry. Also, the seat can engage at least one non-horizontal post surface. Further, the seat can engage an inner and/or an outer surface of the post when mounted thereon to securely hold the device on the upper portion of the post. The inner and outer surfaces can be opposed to one another. The second side can include more than one generally planar surface immediately adjacent the depression, wherein one of the planar surface extends further away from the first side than the other planar surface.  
         [0010]     Another aspect of the present invention is a device comprising a strike surface for receiving the impact from the installation instrument. The device also comprises a stabilizing surface opposite to the strike surface portion for removeably maintaining the device seated on the post during installation. The stabilizing surface has a mounting portion which engages at least two opposed sides of the post to maintain the device on the post during installation.  
         [0011]     Additionally, at least one of the opposed sides of the post can be an inner surface of the post. The mounting portion can surround a perimeter of at least an upper portion of the post when mounted thereon. Also, the mounting portion can extend inside at least an upper portion of a tubular post. Further, the mounting portion can be formed by a series of grooves which are configured to mate with posts having different geometries. Further still, the mounting portion can be formed by a cavity which closely resembles the geometry of an ornamental post. The post in question can be hollow and have a geometry selected from the list of square, rectangular and circular.  
         [0012]     Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for installing at least one post in the ground. The method includes the steps of aligning a first post in a desired installation orientation over the ground. Also, the method includes mounting a protective strike member on an upper portion of the first surface. The protective strike member includes a striking surface and a mounting surface. The mounting surface includes a mounting means to maintain the member positioned on the upper portion of the first post. The method also includes striking the striking surface protective member with an impact instrument to drive a bottom end of the first post into the ground.  
         [0013]     Additionally, the method can include the steps of aligning a second post in a desired installation orientation over the ground. The second post can have geometry different from the first post. Also the method can include mounting the protective strike member on an upper portion of the second post. Then striking the striking surface of the protective member to drive a bottom end of the second post into the ground. The method can further include the step of removing the strike member once the desired portion of the post is embedded into the ground. Also, the method can include placing a decorative cap on the upper portion of the first post, after the strike member is removed. Further still, the mounting means of the method can include a plurality of grooves which engage inner and/or outer surfaces of the first post. The mounting means can also include a surface which engages an inner and/or outer surface of the first post. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device mounted on the top of a post, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2   a  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 2   b  is an elevation view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 2   c  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 2   d  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3   a  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the device in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3   b  is an elevation view of the device of  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0021]      FIG. 3   c  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0022]      FIG. 3   d  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0023]      FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of the device adapted to be mounted on top of the gothic-style post of  FIG. 4   b , in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of the top of a gothic-style post.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a yet a further alternate embodiment of the device having a circular periphery and a square post receiving seat in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of yet a further alternate embodiment of the device having concentric post receiving seats of different shapes in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet a further alternate embodiment of the device having concentric post receiving seats of different size in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of yet a further alternate embodiment of the device having concentric post receiving seats of different size and shape in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of yet a further alternate embodiment of the device having concentric post receiving seats of different size and in an offset configuration in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is an elevation view of another alternative device having a recessed inner surface area.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is an elevation view of yet another alternative device having a protruding inner surface area. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     The device of the present invention facilitates a quick and simple installation technique that secures a post in a desired configuration. It also protects the structural integrity and cosmetic appearance of a post during a ground installation.  
         [0033]     While the illustrated embodiment of this invention is shown as a ground installation of a post, it should be understood that the device and method of the present invention can be used in varied installation environments. Thus, any desired location for a post installation, in a surface material or composition that can have a post driven into it, could have benefit from the device and method of the present invention. Furthermore, the composition of earth can very drastically in ground installations. Thus, references herein to earth or the ground include all types and combinations of earth including, but not limited to dirt, soil, rock, clay, sand, fluid, or other materials alone or in combination. Additionally, while a generally horizontal ground configuration is common for such installations, it should be understood that slanted or other ground configurations would benefit from the present invention as disclosed herein.  
         [0034]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a post  10  is shown with a protective strike block  100  mounted thereon. In particular, the post  10  is shown as a tubular structure with a square cross-section. Thus, the post  10  has an inner surface  14  and outer surface  16  that define a wall thickness in between. The wall  15  of the post  10  are relatively thin as compared to the width of the overall post  10 . Such tubular posts  10  are commonly manufactured from a number of different UV stabilized engineered polymers including, for example, high density polyethylene. However, the present invention could be applied to both tubular and non-tubular posts of virtually any material. Also even strong impact resistant post materials can have delicate coatings, such as a decorative finish, that could benefit from the use of a protective strike block  100  during installation.  
         [0035]     Sledgehammer  50  is an example of an impact instrument preferably used to impart a significant force against the strike block  100 , which is transferred and dispersed evenly to the top portion  18  of the post  10 . The force then drives the lower portion  12  of the post  10  into the ground  5 , or further into the ground  5  if already embedded. While a sledgehammer  50  is shown, almost any blunt instrument could be used as long as it can impart sufficient force to drive the post  10  into the ground  5 .  
         [0036]     The strike block  100  is preferably adapted to mate snuggly with the top portion  18  of the post  10 . The strike block is preferably make from a durable, impact resistant polymer such as high density polyethylene, but numerous materials or combination of materials could be used. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the strike block can be made from any suitable material including, but not limited to plastics, metals, wood, elastomers or any other protective material to closely fit over the top portion of the post and receive an impact. Also, the strike block  100  can be molded or machined to form the desired recesses, grooves and overall shape.  
         [0037]     Thus, the strike block  100  is used during the installation of a post  10  by mounting the block  100  on top of a post  10  and aligned the post in a desired installation orientation over the ground  5 . Then striking the upper surface of the strike block  100  with the sledgehammer  50  to drive a bottom end  12  into the ground. Thereafter, if other posts need to be installed, the same process is repeated. However, if the other posts have different geometries than it is preferred that the block  100  have an appropriate seat to accommodate the different posts, as discussed below. Additionally, after the post  10  driven to a desirable depth in the ground, the strike block  100  can be removed and a decorative cap can be secured thereto.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2   a  through  2   d  illustrate further details of the protective strike block  100 , shown in  FIG. 1 . In particular, the top surface  110  is adapted to receive the impact from a tool or blunt instrument. While the surface  110  can be constructed to be substantially flat and smooth, it could alternatively be concave in shape to receive the impact from the blunt instrument or have a textured or rough surface incorporated thereon. Such a textured or rough surface could aid in preventing the sledgehammer  50  from sliding relative to the surface  110  during impact. As yet a further alternative, the texture or help protect the integrity of the strike block  100  itself. The strike block  100  preferably disperses the force of the impact, with a more even distribution, to the top  15  of the post  10 .  
         [0039]     The strike block  100  shown in  FIG. 2  also includes a stabilizing surface opposite the strike surface  110 . The stabilizing surface includes a post receiving seat  190  in the form of a groove made to receive the shape and thickness of the top  18  of post  10 . Preferably, the strike block  100  is snuggly mated with the post top  18 . As is understood in the art, the depth and thickness of the seat  190  can be altered as desired to suit a particular application. While inner walls of the seat  190  can be altered as desired to suit a strike block  100  to the end of the post  10 , they also structurally reinforce at least the upper portion  18  of the post  10  while being driven into the ground  5 . Thus, the upper edges of the post  10  are less prone to chipping, cracking or weakening. The seat  190  can also be textured or coated to prevent marring or scratching of the upper portion  18  of the post  10 . Additionally, the seat  190 , in the form of a groove, is particularly adapted to mate with a tubular post with a particular geometry (i.e., a square cross-section of a particular size and width). Thus, the width of the groove is preferably slightly larger than a wall thickness of a particular tubular post, ensuring a snug fit. Preferably, the strike block  100  has lower surface areas  82 ,  188  between which lies the seat  190 . While the lower surface areas  182 ,  188  are shown to be flush with one another, it should be understood that they could be made offset from one another. Thus, one of the lower surface areas  182  or  188  could lie further away from the strike surface  110  than the other to facilitate mounting (see reference to  FIG. 10  and  11  below).  
         [0040]     As demonstrated further below, the strike block  100  and the receiving seat  190  can be made to mate with posts of any shape, as well as non-tubular posts. However, an embodiment mating with a non-tubular post would preferably not include the inner lower surface area  188 , and thus the seat  190  would be a recess the size of the post top with which it was intended to mate (see below with reference to  FIG. 4   a  and similar embodiments).  
         [0041]      FIG. 3   a  through  3   d  illustrate details of an alternative disk-shaped or circular protective strike block  200 . This embodiment includes all of the features of the first embodiment, but is simply configured to mate with a tubular post having a circular cross-section. Thus, as above, the strike block  200  includes a strike surface  210  and a receiving seat  290 . The receiving seat  290  lies between an outer surface area  282  and an inner surface area  288 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 4   a  illustrates details of an alternative protective strike block  300  with a receiving seat  390  designed to mate with a gothic post top  38  (shown in  FIG. 4   b ). This embodiment is preferably suited for a solid post top. Thus, this example demonstrates that the protective strike block of the present invention could be made to accommodate the shape of virtually any post.  
         [0043]      FIG. 5  illustrates details of yet a further alternative disk-shaped protective strike block  400  adapted to the mounted on a tubular post with a square cross-section, such as post  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . This embodiment demonstrates that the overall shape of the strike block need not match the shape of the post seat  190 ,  290 , as illustrated in some of the earlier embodiments.  
         [0044]      FIG. 6-9  show alternative embodiments that include a strike block with multiple groove-style seats to accommodate tubular posts having different geometry. In particular,  FIG. 6  shows protective strike block  500  that includes a square post receiving seat  590  and a circular post receiving seat  592  disposed concentrically to one another. In this embodiment, the different geometries of the grooves that define the two receiving seats  590 ,  592  intersect. The seat  590 ,  592  are surrounded by the lower surface areas  582 ,  584 ,  588 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 7  illustrates a protective strike block  600  that includes two square post receiving seats  690 ,  692  of different geometry and disposed concentrically to one another. As above, the seats are surrounded by the lower surface areas  682 ,  684 ,  688 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates a protective strike block  700  that includes a square post receiving seat  790  and a circular post receiving seat  792  disposed concentrically to one another but not intersecting. As above, the seats are surrounded by the lower surface areas  782 ,  784 ,  788 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 9  illustrates a protective strike block  800  that includes two square post receiving seats  890 ,  892  of different geometry and disposed concentrically to one another. In this embodiment, the grooves that define the two receiving seats  890 ,  892  intersect. Also as above, the seats are surrounded by the lower surface areas  882 ,  884 ,  888 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 10  shows another alternative protective strike block  900  including a strike surface  910  and only one post receiving seat  990 . In this embodiment, the outer surface  988  extends beyond the inner surface  982 . An offset inner and outer surface  982 ,  988  configuration can facilitate mounting onto a post.  
         [0049]      FIG. 11  shows yet another alternative protective strike block  1000  including a strike surface  1010  and only one post receiving seat  1090 . In contrast to the embodiment in  FIG. 10 , in this embodiment the inner surface area  982  extends beyond the outer surface area  988 .  
         [0050]     The embodiments illustrated herein show examples of the numerous variations of receiving seats that can be configured in a protective strike block in accordance with the present invention. More than two receiving seats could be formed into the strike block and the shape of the seats can very to any desired configuration. Also, it is clear that the shape of the seat(s) need not correspond to the shape of the strike block. Further, when two or more receiving seats are provided, the depth of each seat need not be the same. Further still, both upper and lower surfaces of the strike block could alternatively be formed with seats, where one surface is used as the strike surface when the other surface has a post inserted therein.  
         [0051]     While the invention has been described in connection with one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific mechanisms and techniques which have been described or shown are for illustrative purposes only to provide a basic understanding of the invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications may be made to the invention described without deviating from the scope of the invention.

Summary:
One aspect of the present invention is a device for protecting a post during installation in the ground using an impact instrument. The device comprises a strike surface for receiving the instrument impact. The strike surface is disposed on a first side of the device. The device also comprises a seat for mounting on an upper portion of the post. The device generally covers the upper portion of the post when positioned thereon. Also, the seat is formed by at least one depression disposed on a second side of the device. At least part of the depression is shaped to receive the upper portion of the post inserted therein.