# US 5,704,188 A · Post structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,704,188 A - Document ID: US5704188A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/477,815 - Filed: 1995-06-07 - Granted: 1998-01-06 - Earliest claimed: 1995-06-07 - Assignees: Associated Materials, LLC - Inventors: Mark L. Coulis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704188A ## CPC - E04C 3/36: of materials not covered by groups E04C3/32 or E04C3/34; of a combination of two or more materials - E04H 12/2292: {Holders used for protection, repair or reinforcement of the post or pole (E04H12/2276 takes precedence)} - E04H 17/20: Posts therefor - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract A post structure which includes a support pole, a casing, and spring clips for securing the casing to the pole. The spring clips each include a spiral portion which grips the pole, and arms which project outward to engage the inner sidewalls of the casing. The spring clips are constructed to permit the casing to be moved downwardly over the spring clips during installation. However, the spring clips effectively anchor the casing to the pole to prevent any upward movement of the casing for removal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A post comprising: a support pole having one end embedded in a support medium and a remaining portion extending above the support medium; a casing surrounding said support pole; and at least one clip received within said casing for securing said casing to said support pole, said clip having a one-piece construction including a mounting portion having a spiral configuration to grip said support pole, and a plurality of outwardly projecting arms extending in different directions to engage and hold said casing in an assembled position on said support pole, said clip being the sole component for interconnecting and supporting the casing to the remaining portion of said support pole. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, wherein each said arm includes a distal end which projects generally in the direction of the support medium and is biased outwardly against an inner surface of said casing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, in which said arms of said clip have different lengths. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, in which said mounting portion extends in a spiral around said support pole for at least 360 degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, in which said mounting portion extends in a spiral around said support pole for about 450-540 degrees. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, in which said mounting portion extends in a spiral around said support pole for about 540 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, in which a plurality of clips are provided to secure said casing to said support pole. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A post in accordance with claim 7, in which said casing includes a first end proximate the support medium and a second end remote from the support medium, and wherein a pair of clips are mounted near the first end of said casing and a pair of clips are mounted near the second end of said casing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A post in accordance with claim 8, in which the arms of each pair of clips are arranged to project radially in different directions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A post in accordance with claim 7, in which said casing has a polygonal configuration with a plurality of corners, and said arms of said clips engage at least a plurality of said corners. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, in which said casing further includes spaced apart holes for receiving cross rails therein. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support pole and said casing each has a longitudinal axis, and wherein said longitudinal axis of said casing is offset from said longitudinal axis of said support pole. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A post in accordance with claim 12, in which opposite sides of said casing each include at least one hole, said holes being offset from said support pole so that a cross rail can pass through said casing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A post in accordance with claim 1, in which said casing is composed of a plastic material. ### Claim 15 A fence post comprising: a support pole having a longitudinal axis and one end embedded in a support medium; a casing surrounding said support pole, said casing having a longitudinal axis that is offset from said longitudinal axis of said support pole, and holes defined in opposite sides of said casing, said holes being offset from said support pole so that a cross rail can pass through said casing; and at least one clip for securing said casing to said support pole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A fence post in accordance with claim 15, in which said clip includes a mounting portion having a spiral configuration to grip said support pole, and a pair of outwardly projecting arms to engage and hold said casing in an assembled position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A fence post in accordance with claim 16, wherein each said arm includes a distal end which projects generally in the direction of the support medium and is biased outwardly against an inner surface of said casing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A fence post in accordance with claim 17, in which said arms of said clip have different lengths. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A fence post in accordance with claim 18, in which said mounting portion extends in a spiral around said support pole for at least 360 degrees. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A fence post in accordance with claim 15, in which a plurality of clips are provided to secure said casing to said support pole. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) A fence post in accordance with claim 15, in which said casing is composed of a plastic material. ### Claim 22 A post comprising: a support pole having one end embedded in a support medium; a casing surrounding said support pole; and at least one clip for securing said casing to said support pole, said clip including means for permitting movement of said casing relative to said clip in a direction toward the support medium and preventing movement of said casing away from the support medium. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A post in accordance with claim 22, in which said clip includes a mounting portion having a spiral configuration to grip said support pole, and a pair of outwardly projecting arms to engage and hold said casing in an assembled position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A post in accordance with claim 23, wherein each said arm includes a distal end which projects generally in the direction of the support medium and is biased outwardly against an inner surface of said casing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) A post in accordance with claim 23, in which said mounting portion extends in a spiral around said support pole for at least 360 degrees. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) A post in accordance with claim 22, in which said casing is composed of a plastic material. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) A post in accordance with claim 22, in which a plurality of clips are provided to secure said casing to said support pole. ### Claim 28 A spring clip for securing a casing to a support pole comprising a one piece elongate member formed to define a medial mounting portion having a spiral configuration about an axis to enable gripping of a support pole, and a plurality of outwardly projecting arms adapted to engage and hold said casing in an assembled position, each said arm including a first segment projecting generally radially from said mounting portion and a second segment projecting from said first segment in the same general direction as said axis, said second segments each extending generally in the same direction from said first segments. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A spring clip in accordance with claim 28, in which said arms of said spring clip have different lengths. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) A spring clip in accordance with claim 28, in which said mounting portion extends in a spiral for at least 360 degrees. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) A spring clip in accordance with claim 28, in which said second segment projects from said mounting portion at an angle of greater than 90.degree.. ### Claim 32 A fence post comprising: a support pole having one end embedded in a support medium and a remaining portion extending above the support medium; a casing surrounding said support pole; at least one clip received within said casing for securing said casing to said support pole, said clip including a mounting portion having a spiral configuration to grip said support pole, and a pair of outwardly projecting arms to engage and hold said casing in an assembled position on said support pole, said clip being the sole component for interconnecting and supporting the casing to the remaining portion of said support pole; and means for securing cross rails to said post. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) A spring clip in accordance with claim 28, in which said spiral configuration is resiliently expandable in a radial direction to enable placement of the clip over a pole. ### Claim 34 A post comprising: a support pole having one end embedded in a support medium; a casing surrounding said support pole; and at least one clip for securing said casing to said support pole, said clip including non-cutting means for gripping said support pole, and means for permitting movement of said casing toward the support medium and preventing movement of said casing away from the support medium.