Abstract:
A post cap assembly having a body including a generally vertical side defining an interior volume. A one locating member projecting into the interior volume and having a stop formed thereon for positioning the post cap on a support. Furthermore, the post cap having an upper portion to selectively receive a light source. The light source reflected down over and substantially illuminating only the sides of the post cap through apertures selectively formed in eaves on the tops of the sides.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This present invention relates generally to post caps, and more particularly to lighted post caps for residential use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For many landscaping and architectural purposes, lighted fixtures and structures are placed to help illuminate paths and to add aesthetic appeal. In particular, lights may generally include lanterns placed on posts, small candles, or small low voltage lighted stakes. Other accompaniments may be added to these lighted structures to increase their aesthetic appeal or the usefulness of the light structure. 
     Often, however, low voltage lighting systems are placed on stakes which are low to the ground and provide a low spread of illumination for a pathway or to light particular landscaping features. Taller or larger lamps are also known which are conventionally mounted in one location and provide a great amount of light that radiates generally spherically from the light source to cover a large area in the case of a flood light or a narrow directed beam in the case of a spotlight. Furthermore, such items as lawn torches provide a more temporary light source and also include an open flame or a hot light source. 
     Commonly known light sources especially for residential structures are particularly related to lighting an area or another structure. In addition, commonly known light sources require a separate, free standing mounting pole or post upon which to place the light source. Furthermore, the mounting pole or post is usually in addition to any other structures which may be placed around a residence or other landscape and may further obstruct the landscape for which the light source is needed. Additionally, the light source is visible at all times whether energized or not. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the structure and construction of a post cap which includes an open area inside the post cap structure. The inner open area of the post cap structure is adapted to receive a light source which emits a curtain of light onto the post cap through openings created in the post cap. The post cap is provided with a removable shutter for selectively adapting the post cap for unlit or lit applications. 
     One advantage of the present invention is the ability to selectively use the post cap in an illuminated or unilluminated capacity. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is its adaptability to being placed on numerous types of posts. Therefore, this advantage removes the necessity of placing an additional post in a particular landscape or area for the inclusion of an illuminating source. 
     A further advantage includes the ability of the present invention to receive conventional low-voltage light sources, thus negating the need to rewire current light sources which may already be in a landscape. 
     Another advantage includes the fact that the selectability between a simple post cap cover and an illuminating source is selectable by the final consumer of the post cap. 
     Yet, a further advantage is that when the post cap of the present invention is not illuminated, the light source is not visible. However, upon illuminating the light source, the light curtain effect is created. Additionally, the light source is never visible, only the light emitted is visible. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the post cap according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a post cap without a cover according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross section of a post cap with a cover taken along Line A—A in FIG. 2 according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross section of a post cap with a lid taken along Line B—B in FIG. 2 according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross section of a post cap with a lid taken along Line C—C of FIG. 2 installed on a post according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     With references to FIGS. 1-4, the post cap of the present invention is illustrated. In particular, a post cap, shown generally at  2 , includes walls  4  having an interior  6  and an exterior  8 . The walls  4  extend generally vertically from a bottom portion  10  to a top portion  12 . With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be understood that the walls  4  are not necessarily planar. In particular, the walls  4  of the present invention may include ornamental or decorative features such as moldings which are understood to be independent of the utilitarian aspects of the present invention. As presently preferred, the four walls as illustrated in particular in FIG. 2 are formed in two halves. With particular references to FIGS. 3 and 4, a first section of walls may include a female or receiving member  14  while a second section of walls may include a male locking member  16 . In this way, sections of the post cap  2  may be affixed to one another post production. Furthermore, a singular die may produce two mirror images that may be locked together. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the post cap  2  may be formed as a unitary piece or in a number of pieces greater than two. 
     The walls  4  terminate at the top portion  12  in an eave or horizontal flange  20 . The flange  20  extends generally perpendicular to the walls  4  over the exterior of the wall  8 . On the outside perimeter of the flange  20  is formed therewith a secondary wall  22 . The secondary wall  22  extends generally parallel to the walls  4  of the post cap  2 . A cap  24  is formed to be selectively placed over the top portion  18  of post cap  2 . The outer perimeter of the cap  24  includes edges  26  generally parallel to the secondary wall  22 . The edges  26  of the cap  24  are only minimally greater in dimension than the secondary wall  22 , therefore there is a snug or a snap fit over the secondary walls  22 . Although not shown, it is understood, that the secondary wall  22  and the edge  26  of the cap  24  may also include other releasable catch or locking mechanisms to further secure the cap  24  to the secondary walls  22 . 
     The flange  20  includes a shutter or removable portions  30  which may be selectively removed from the flange  20 . With particular reference to FIG. 2, weakened regions  32  at either end of the removable portion  30  allow the removable portion  30  to be broken away from the flange  20 . In this way, an aperture  34  is formed in the flange  20 . The aperture may have any appropriate aspect ratio, but generally has an aspect ratio equal to or greater than 0.5:1. Thus, even when the cap  24  is placed over the post cap  2 , the aperture  34  creates an open area between the interior and exterior of the post cap  2 . Furthermore, a lens  40  may be placed upon the flange  20  of the post cap  2 . This lens  40  acts as a barrier between the outside and the inside of the post cap  2 . As presently preferred, the lens  40  is made of a translucent material to allow light from the inside of the post cap  2  to emanate towards the outside of the post cap  2 . 
     Extending inwardly from the inside  6  of the walls  4  are locating members or ribs  50 . Such locating members  50  are to position me post cap  2  on top of a post (shown at  80  in FIG.  4 ). The locating members  50  act as stops to locate the post cap  2  onto the post at a designated position. In addition, the locating members  50  also provide a base upon which a mounting member  60 , described herein, may rest when inserted into the post cap  2 . Each of the ribs  50  include a top surface  52  and a bottom surface  54 . The top surface  52  provides a base to receive a platform or mounting member  60  for mounting a light source  70 . The bottom surfaces  54  provide an area upon which the post cap  2  may rest when placed on a post (shown at  80  in FIG.  4 ). Furthermore, the top side  52  defines the bottom of the top volume  62  of a post cap  2  while the bottom surface  54  defines the upper limit of a bottom volume  64  of the post cap  2 . 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the top side  52  of the rib  50  receives a mounting member  60  which receives a light source  70 . The mounting member  60  may be variably designed to include mounting areas for several different types of lights. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting member  60  includes a bayonet mount for commonly available bayonet light sources. In particular, low voltage lights  72  which are mounted on common landscaping bayonet mounts  74  may be placed through the mounting members  60  and affixed thereto allowing wires  76  to be routed through the bottom  10  of the post cap  2 . In this way, the light  74  is able to illuminate the top volume  62  of the post cap  2 . When the cap  24  is placed on the post cap  2  and the light source  70  is illuminating the top volume  62  of the post cap  2  and further when a removable section  30  has been removed from the flange  20 , light is allowed to emanate through the aperture  34 . If the lens  40  is placed upon the flange  20 , the lens  40  acts as a diffuser for the light source  70  from the interior of the post cap  2 . In this way, the light source from the interior of the post cap  2  illuminates the exterior  8  of the walls  4  of the post cap  2 . In particular, since the cap  24  of the post cap  2  includes vertically extending walls  26  and is reflective on its interior surface, the light from the light source  72  is reflected downwards over the exterior edge  8  of the walls  4 . This is preferably referred to as a “light curtain” being formed on the exterior  8  of the walls  4 . 
     With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-5, and a particular reference to FIG. 5, the mounting position of the post cap  2  is illustrated. In particular, the post cap  2  is adapted to be mounted to a post  80 . The post  80  is received through the bottom portion  10  of the post cap  2  and abuts against the bottom side  54  of the ribs  50 . Therefore, the bottom side  54  of the ribs  50  stop the advancement of the post  80  into the post cap  2 . Furthermore, the top volume  62  of the post cap  2  is then left open for the insertion of a light source  70 . A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will include a flange  90  extending generally parallel to the outside of the post  80 . This preferred embodiment is for particular use when the post  80  is formed of PVC or other polymeric material. The flange  90  receives an adhesive material for adhering the post cap  2  to the post  80 . A second preferred embodiment includes a bore  92  through the bottom  10  of the post cap  2 . The bore  92  would be placed on the post cap  2  when the post  80  is formed of a wood material. The bore  92  would receive a nail or other fastening means to affix the post cap  2  to the post  80 . 
     Once the post cap  2  is affixed to the top of a post  80 , a light source  70  may be inserted into the post cap  2  and mounted on the mounting member  60 . However, it is to be understood that this is a selection which may be made by a final consumer. In particular, a consumer may purchase or receive the post cap  2  with the intent that initially a light source  70  will not be used. However, the post cap  2  may then later be adapted to be used with a light source  70 . The cap  24  is selectively removable as are the removable portions  30 . In this way, the consumer is given a greater variety of choices as to whether have a lighted post cap or simply a decorative post cap to place on top of a post  80 . 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. For example, it is to be understood that the post cap  2  may have its dimensions varied greatly to receive different size posts while including all the features herein described. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.