Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND ASSEMBLIES
FOR COVERING AN END OF A POST
FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to covering an end of a post.
RELATED ART
Some covers for ends of posts are limited to one or a very small range of post
sizes.
Such covers must be manufactured in a large number of different sizes to cover
different sizes
of posts, or such covers may not closely fit the end of a post, or both.
Some other covers for ends of posts require fasteners that permit moisture
leakage
through the covers, which may allow posts (such as wood posts, for example) to
rot.
SUMMARY
According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of covering an end of
a
post, the method comprising: positioning a portion of an inward-facing surface
of a first cover
body against the end of the post; when a first portion of a fastener is
received in an opening at
an upper side of the first cover body and when a second portion of the
fastener is received in a
recess defined by the inward-facing surface portion of the first cover body,
fastening the
fastener to the end of the post to fasten the first cover body to the end of
the post; and coupling
a second cover body to the first cover body, independently of the fastener, to
cover the
opening of the first cover body.
Positioning the portion of the inward-facing surface of the first cover body
against the
end of the post may comprise positioning respective portions of a plurality of
generally planar
inward-facing surfaces of the first cover body against the end of the post.
Positioning the portion of the inward-facing surface of the first cover body
against the
end of the post may comprise positioning the portion of the inward-facing
surface of the first
cover body against respective corner edges of the post between respective
lateral surfaces of
the post and an end surface at the top end of the post.
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Fastening the fastener to the end of the post may comprise fastening the
fastener to the
end of the post generally parallel to an axis of the first cover body
surrounded by the portion
of the inward-facing surface.
Coupling the second cover body to the first cover body may comprise receiving
an
upward-facing projection of the first cover body in a downward-facing recess
in the second
cover body.
Coupling the second cover body to the first cover body may comprise receiving
a
downward-facing projection of the second cover body in an upward-facing recess
in the first
cover body.
Coupling the second cover body to the first cover body to cover the opening of
the first
cover body may comprise covering a width greater than a width of the opening
of the first
cover body.
According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a system for covering an
end of a
post, the system comprising a first cover body comprising: a first opening on
a first side of the
first cover body and sized to receive a fastener; a second opening, on a
second side of the first
cover body opposite the first side of the first cover body, and sized to
receive the end of the
post; and an inward-facing surface defining a recess open at the first and
second openings. The
system further comprises a second cover body configured to be coupled to the
first cover
body, independently of any other body, to cover the first opening.
The system may further comprise the fastener. The fastener may be sized to
extend
though the first opening and into the recess to be fastened to the end of the
post to fasten the
first cover body to the end of the post when the end of the post is received
in the recess
through the second opening and a generally planar end surface of the post is
positioned against
a portion of the inward-facing surface of the first cover body.
The inward-facing surface of the first cover body may comprise a plurality of
generally
planar inward-facing surfaces of the first cover body.
At least a portion of the inward-facing surface of the first cover body may
surround an
axis of the first cover body and may extend obliquely to the axis of the first
cover body.
The first opening may be oriented to align the fastener generally parallel to
the axis of
the first cover body.
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The first cover body may comprise a projection. The second cover body may
comprise
a recess. The second cover body may be configured to be coupled to the first
cover body by
receiving the projection of the first cover body in the recess in the second
cover body.
The first cover body may comprise a recess. The second cover body may comprise
a
projection. The second cover body may be configured to be coupled to the first
cover body by
receiving the projection of the second cover body in the recess in the first
cover body.
The first opening may have a first width. The second cover body, when coupled
to the
first cover body to cover the first opening, may cover the first opening by a
second width
greater than the first width.
According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a cover assembly covering
an end
of a post, the cover assembly comprising a first cover body comprising: a
first opening on a
first side of the first cover body and sized to receive a fastener; a second
opening on a second
side of the first cover body opposite the first side of the first cover body;
and an inward-facing
surface defining a recess open at the first and second openings, wherein the
end of the post is
received in the recess through the second opening and the end of the post is
positioned against
a portion of the inward-facing surface of the first cover body. The cover
assembly further
comprises: a fastener fastened to the end of the post, wherein a portion of
the fastener is in the
first opening of the first cover body to fasten the first cover body to the
end of the post; and a
second cover body coupled to the first cover body, independently of any other
body, to cover
the first opening.
The inward-facing surface of the first cover body may comprise a plurality of
generally
planar inward-facing surfaces of the first cover body.
The portion of the inward-facing surface of the first cover body may surround
an axis
of the first cover body and may extend obliquely to the axis of the first
cover body.
The fastener may be generally parallel to the axis of the first cover body.
The first opening may have a first width. The second cover body may cover the
first
opening by a second width greater than the first width.
According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a method of covering an
end of a
post, the method comprising engaging respective portions of a plurality of
guides of a first
cover body with respective ones of a plurality of vertex regions adjacent
respective ones of a
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plurality of vertices at the end of the post, wherein the plurality of guides
surround a central
axis of the first cover body, and wherein engaging the respective portion of
at least one of the
plurality of guides comprises engaging the respective portion of at least one
of the plurality of
guides with the respective at least one of the plurality of vertex regions
along a respective at
least one range of positions extending obliquely to the central axis of the
first cover body.
Each of the plurality of vertices may be defined by an intersection of: a
respective pair
of adjacent ones of a plurality of corner edges, each of the plurality of
corner edges between a
generally planar end surface of the post and a respective one of a plurality
of generally planar
lateral surfaces of the post; and a respective one of a plurality of lateral
edges, each of the
plurality of lateral edges between a respective pair of adjacent ones of the
plurality of lateral
surfaces of the post.
The first cover body may comprise a plurality of inward-facing surfaces
extending
obliquely to the central axis of the first cover body.
Each of the plurality of guides may be defined by adjacent portions of a
respective pair
of adjacent ones of the plurality of inward-facing surfaces.
Each of the plurality of guides may comprise two generally parallel and spaced-
apart
members defining a respective channel extending obliquely to the central axis
of the first
cover body.
Engaging the respective portions of the plurality of guides of the first cover
body with
the respective ones of the plurality of vertex regions may comprise aligning
the central axis of
the first cover body generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the
post.
Engaging the respective portions of the plurality of guides of the first cover
body with
the respective ones of the plurality of vertex regions may comprise aligning
the first cover
body rotationally about the central axis of the first cover body in a pre-
defined rotational
orientation relative to the post.
The method may further comprise, when a portion of a fastener is received
through an
opening of the first cover body, fastening the fastener to the end of the post
such that the first
cover body is fastened to the end of the post
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Fastening the fastener to the end of the post may comprise fastening the
fastener to the
end of the post such that the fastener is generally parallel to the central
axis of the first cover
body.
The method may further comprise coupling a second cover body to the first
cover
body, independently of any other body, to cover the opening of the first cover
body.
According to another embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus for covering
an end
of a post, the apparatus comprising: a first cover body comprising a means for
aligning the
first cover body relative to the post, wherein the means for aligning
comprises a plurality of
means, surrounding a central axis of the first cover body, for guiding
respective ones of a
plurality of vertex regions adjacent respective ones of a plurality of
vertices, at the end of the
post, along respective ranges of positions extending obliquely relative to the
central axis of the
first cover body; and a means for fastening the first cover body to the end of
the post.
The first cover body may comprise a plurality of inward-facing surfaces
extending
obliquely to the central axis of the first cover body.
Each of the plurality of means for guiding may be defined by adjacent portions
of a
respective pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of inward-facing surfaces.
Each of the plurality of means for guiding may comprise two generally parallel
and
spaced-apart members defining a respective channel extending obliquely to the
central axis of
the first cover body.
The plurality of means for guiding may be configured to align the central axis
of the
first cover body generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the post
as the plurality of
guides engage the respective ones of the plurality of vertex regions.
The plurality of guides may be configured to align the first cover body
rotationally
about the central axis of the first cover body in a pre-defined rotational
orientation relative to
the post as the plurality of guides engage the respective ones of the
plurality of vertex regions.
The means for fastening may comprise a fastener positionable through an
opening of
the first cover body to fasten the first cover body to the end of the post
when the plurality of
guides engage the respective ones of the plurality of vertex regions.
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The opening of the first cover body may be oriented to align the fastener
generally
parallel to the central axis of the first cover body when the fastener is
fastened to the end of
the post.
The apparatus may further comprise a second cover body configured to be
coupled to
the first cover body, independently of any other body, to cover the opening of
the first cover
body.
According to another embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus for covering
an end
of a post, the apparatus comprising a first cover body comprising a plurality
of guides
surrounding a central axis of the first cover body, each of the plurality of
guides configured to
guide a respective one of a plurality of vertex regions adjacent a respective
one of a plurality
of vertices, at the end of the post, along a respective range of positions
extending obliquely
relative to the central axis of the first cover body.
The first cover body may comprise a plurality of inward-facing surfaces
extending
obliquely to the central axis of the first cover body.
Each of the plurality of guides may be defined by adjacent portions of a
respective pair
of adjacent ones of the plurality of inward-facing surfaces.
Each of the plurality of guides may comprise two generally parallel and spaced-
apart
members defining a respective channel extending obliquely to the central axis
of the first
cover body.
The plurality of guides may be configured to align the central axis of the
first cover
body generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the post as the
plurality of guides
engage the respective ones of the plurality of vertex regions.
The plurality of guides may be configured to align the first cover body
rotationally
about the central axis of the first cover body in a pre-defined rotational
orientation relative to
the post as the plurality of guides engage the respective ones of the
plurality of vertex regions.
The apparatus may further comprise a fastener positionable through an opening
of the
first cover body to fasten the first cover body to the end of the post when
the plurality of
guides engage the respective ones of the plurality of vertex regions.
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The opening of the first cover body may be oriented to align the fastener
generally
parallel to the central axis of the first cover body when the fastener is
fastened to the end of
the post.
The apparatus may further comprise a second cover body configured to be
coupled to
the first cover body, independently of any other body, to cover the opening of
the first cover
body.
Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in
the art
upon review of the following description of illustrative embodiments in
conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded top perspective view of a system for covering an end of
a post
according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partially broken elevation view of a post, a first cover body, and
a fastener
of the system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an assembled elevation view of the system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1 along the line 5-5 in
FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an exploded top perspective view of a system for covering an end of
a post
according to another embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the system of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an assembled elevation view of the system of FIG. 6.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 6 along the line 9-9 in
FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view of a system for covering an end of
a post
according to another embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the system of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of a cover body of the system FIG 10.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 10.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a system according to one embodiment for covering
an end
(which in the embodiment shown in an upper end shown generally at 100) of a
post 102 is
shown generally at 104. The system 104 includes a first cover body 106, a
second cover body
108, and a fastener 110.
In the embodiment shown, the post 102 is a wood post having a generally square
cross-
section, although posts in other embodiments may differ. In this context,
"generally square"
refers to a surface that may not be perfectly square, but that may function
substantially similar
to a square surface, and more generally, -generally" herein contemplates
variations that may
or may not be described herein and that may function substantially similar to
those described
herein. Therefore, the post 102 has a generally planar and generally square
end surface 112
(which is an upper-end surface in the embodiment shown), generally planar
lateral surfaces
114, 116, 118, and 120, and corner edges 122, 124, 126, and 128 between the
lateral surfaces
114, 116, 118, and 120 respectively and the end surface 112.
The first cover body 106 may be made from plastic, metal, or one or more of
various
other materials, and has a first side shown generally at 130, and a second
side shown generally
at 132 opposite the first side 130. In the orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
the first side 130
is an upper side, and the second side 132 is a lower side. The first cover
body 106 has four
generally triangular members 134, 136, 138, and 140 in a generally pyramidal
shape such that
generally planar inward-facing surfaces 142, 144, 146, and 148 of the members
134, 136, 138,
and 140 respectively surround and face an axis 150 (which is a generally
vertical axis in the
orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and which is a central axis in the
embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2) of the first cover body 106 and extend obliquely to the axis
150. The surfaces
142, 144, 146, and 148 are inward-facing because they face each other and face
centrally
towards the common central axis 150.
At the first side 130, the first cover body 106 defines a first opening shown
generally at
152, and a generally annular contact surface 154 surrounds the first opening
152. A generally
cylindrical inner surface 156 surrounds the axis 150 and the first opening
152. The surface 156
is also generally parallel to the axis 150, so when a portion of the fastener
110 is received in
the first opening 152, the surface 156 (and thus the first opening 152) aligns
the fastener 110
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generally parallel to the axis 150. Peripheral edges of the members 134, 136,
138, and 140 on
the second side 132, and opposite the first opening 152, surround and define a
second opening
shown generally at 158 on the second side 132. The second opening 158 has a
width greater
than a width of the end 100 of the post 102, so the second opening 158 is
sized to receive the
end 100 of the post 102. The inward-facing surfaces 142, 144, 146, and 148
define a recess
shown generally at 160, which is open on the first side 130 at the first
opening 152 and open
on the second side 132 at the second opening 158. The first cover body 106
also includes a
projection 162 projecting away from the members 134, 136, 138, and 140 in a
direction away
from the recess 160 such that an exterior generally cylindrical surface 164
also surrounds the
first opening 152 and separates the surface 154 from the members 134, 136,
138, and 140. In
the orientation shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the projection 162 is an upward-facing
projection.
The fastener 110 in the embodiment shown is a nail (made from steel, for
example)
including a nail shaft 166 and a nail head 168. The nail shaft 166 has a width
less than a width
of the first opening 152, so a portion of the nail shaft 166, and thus a
portion of the fastener
110, may be received in the first opening 152, and the first opening 152 is
thus sized to receive
a portion of the nail shaft 166 and thus a portion of the fastener 110.
However, the nail head
168 has a width greater than the width of the first opening 152, so when a
portion of the nail
shaft 166 is received in the first opening 152, a portion of the nail head 168
may contact at
least a portion of the surface 154 to co-operate with the first cover body 106
to fasten the first
cover body 106 to the end 100 of the post 102 as described below.
The second cover body 108 may be made from plastic, metal, or one or more of
various other materials, and includes a generally cylindrical member 170 and
an end-cover
member 172 covering one end of the generally cylindrical member 170. The
generally
cylindrical member 170 is open at an opening shown generally at 174 opposite
the end-cover
member 172, and a generally cylindrical inner surface 176 of the generally
cylindrical member
170 defines a recess shown generally at 178 and open at the opening 174. In
the orientation
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recess 178 is a downward-facing recess. The
surface 176 is sized
to contact the surface 164 in a frictional fit such that the second cover body
108 may be
coupled to the first cover body 106 by receiving the projection 162 in the
recess 178. The
surfaces 164 and 176 are thus complementary surfaces. The frictional fit of
the surfaces 164
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and 176 permits the second cover body 108 to be coupled to the first cover
body 106
independently of the fastener 110 and of any other body, although in other
embodiments, the
second cover body may be coupled to the first cover body independently of the
fastener and of
any other body in other ways. The generally cylindrical member 170 has a width
greater than
the width of the first opening 152. Therefore, when the second cover body 108
is coupled to
the first cover body 106, the second cover body 108 covers the first opening
152 and a portion
of the fastener 110 that would otherwise be exposed on the first side 130 of
the first cover
body 106.
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a method of covering the end 100 of the post 102
involves
positioning a portion of the inward-facing surface 142 against the corner edge
122, a portion
of the inward-facing surface 144 against the corner edge 124, a portion of the
inward-facing
surface 146 against the corner edge 126, and a portion of the inward-facing
surface 148
against the corner edge 128, so that the portion of the inward-facing surface
142 contacts the
corner edge 122, the portion of the inward-facing surface 144 contacts the
corner edge 124,
the portion of the inward-facing surface 146 contacts the corner edge 126, and
the portion of
the inward-facing surface 148 contacts the corner edge 128 as shown in FIGS. 3-
5.
Collectively, the portion of the inward-facing surface 142, the portion of the
inward-facing
surface 144, the portion of the inward-facing surface 146, and the portion of
the inward-facing
surface 148 are a portion of an inward-facing surface (including the inward-
facing surfaces
142, 144, 146, and 148) of the first cover body 106 that surrounds the axis
150, that extends
obliquely to the axis 150, and that is positioned against, and contacts, the
end 100 of the post
102.
The corner edges 122, 124, 126, and 128 are a periphery of the end surface 112
of the
post 102, so the portion of the inward-facing surface (including the inward-
facing surfaces
142, 144, 146, and 148) of the first cover body 106 is positioned against, and
contacts, the
periphery of the end surface 112 of the post 102. Further, as shown in FIG. 5,
the first cover
body 106 defines sufficient clearance in the recess 160 to receive the end 100
of the post 102
in the recess 160 with the periphery (defined by the corner edges 122, 124,
126, and 128) of
the end surface 112 of the post 102 positioned against the portion of the
inward-facing surface
defined by the portion of the inward-facing surface 142, by the portion of the
inward-facing
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surface 144, by the portion of the inward-facing surface 146, and by the
portion of the inward-
facing surface 148 as described above.
As the portion of the inward-facing surface 142 is positioned into contact
with the
corner edge 122, the portion of the inward-facing surface 144 is positioned
into contact with
the corner edge 124, the portion of the inward-facing surface 146 is
positioned into contact
with the corner edge 126, and the portion of the inward-facing surface 148 is
positioned into
contact with the corner edge 128, as described above, portions of some or all
of the inward-
facing surfaces 142, 144, 146, and 148 align the first cover body 106 relative
to the post 102.
More particularly, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 142 and 144
define a
guide, a portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the
end 100 of the
post 102, that vertex defined by the corner edges 122 and 124 and by a lateral
edge between
the generally planar lateral surfaces 114 and 116, and when a portion of that
guide engages
that vertex region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range
of positions
between the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 142 and 144, which
is a range of
positions that extend obliquely to the axis 150. A "vertex region" may thus
refer to surfaces or
edges that are near a vertex and that may be engaged by guides such as those
described herein.
Further, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 144 and 146 define a
guide, a
portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the end 100
of the post 102,
that vertex defined by the corner edges 124 and 126 and by a lateral edge
between the
generally planar lateral surfaces 116 and 118, and when a portion of that
guide engages that
vertex region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range of
positions between
the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 144 and 146, which is a
range of positions
that extend obliquely to the axis 150.
Further, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 146 and 148 define a
guide, a
portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the end 100
of the post 102,
that vertex defined by the corner edges 126 and 128 and by a lateral edge
between the
generally planar lateral surfaces 118 and 120, and when a portion of that
guide engages that
vertex region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range of
positions between
the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 146 and 148, which is a
range of positions
that extend obliquely to the axis 150.
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Further, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 148 and 142 define a
guide, a
portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the end 100
of the post 102
and defined by the corner edges 128 and 122 and by a lateral edge between the
generally
planar lateral surfaces 120 and 114, and when a portion of that guide engages
that vertex
region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range of
positions between the
adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 148 and 142, which is a range
of positions that
extend obliquely to the axis 150.
In summary, the aforementioned guides are configured to guide a respective one
of a
plurality of vertex regions adjacent a respective one of a plurality of
vertices, at the end 100 of
the post 102, along a respective range of positions extending obliquely
relative to the axis 150.
Further, the aforementioned guides surround the axis 150 and extend obliquely
to the axis 150.
Further, at least one such guide may engage at least one such respective
vertex region to align
the first cover body 106 relative to the post 102 by causing the axis 150 to
be generally
parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the post 102 (that is, an axis of
the post 102 extending
between and generally parallel to the lateral surfaces 114, 116, 118, and 120)
and by causing
the first cover body 106 to be in a pre-defined rotational orientation
relative to the post 102
(that is, at least one rotational orientation about the axis 150 in which the
aforementioned
vertex regions adjacent the aforementioned vertices at the end 100 of the post
102 are in
respective ones of the aforementioned guides).
Then, referring to FIG. 3, the nail shaft 166 may be positioned against the
end surface
112 of the post 102 such that a first portion shown generally at 180 of the
nail shaft 166 is
received in the first opening 152 and a second portion shown generally at 182
of the nail shaft
166 is received in the recess 160. Then, the fastener 110 may be fastened to
the end 100 of the
post 102, for example by hammering the nail head 168 towards the surface 154
with the nail
shaft 166 and thus the fastener 110 generally parallel to the axis 150, as
shown in FIG. 5.
When the fastener 110 is fastened to the end 100 of the post 102, and when a
portion of
the nail head 168 contacts at least a portion of the surface 154, the fastener
110 fastens the first
cover body 106 to the end 100 of the post 102, as shown in FIG. 5. Then, as
shown in FIGS. 4
and 5, the second cover body 108 may be coupled to the first cover body, by
receiving the
projection 162 in the recess 178 in a frictional fit. In the embodiment shown,
the first cover
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body 106 and the second cover body 108 collectively cover a width greater than
a width of the
end 100 of the post 102, which may protect the end 100 of the post 102 from
accumulation of
moisture and from damage that may be caused by accumulation of moisture, for
example.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a system according to another embodiment for
covering an
end (which in the embodiment shown is an upper end) shown generally at 184 of
a post 186 is
shown generally at 188. The system 188 includes a first cover body 190, a
second cover body
192, and a fastener 194. The post 186 is substantially the same as the post
102 and has a
generally planar and generally square end surface 196 (which is an upper-end
surface in the
embodiment shown), generally planar lateral surfaces 198, 200, 202, and 204,
and corner
edges 206, 208, 210, and 212 between the lateral surfaces 198, 200, 202, and
204 respectively
and the end surface 196.
The first cover body 190 may be made from plastic, metal, or one or more of
various
other materials, and has a first side shown generally at 214, and a second
side shown generally
at 216 opposite the first side 214. In the orientation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
the first side 214
is an upper side, and the second side 216 is a lower side. The first cover
body 190 has four
generally triangular members 218, 220, 222, and 224 in a generally pyramidal
shape such that
generally planar inward-facing surfaces 226, 228, 230, and 232 of the members
218, 220, 222,
and 224 respectively surround and face an axis 234 (which is a generally
vertical axis in the
orientation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and which is a central axis in the
embodiment shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7) of the first cover body 190 and extend obliquely to the axis
234. The surfaces
226, 228, 230, and 232 are inward-facing because they face each other and face
centrally
towards the common central axis 234.
At the first side 214, the first cover body 190 defines a first opening shown
generally at
236, and a generally annular contact surface 238 (shown in FIG. 9) surrounds
the first opening
236. The first opening 236 also extends generally parallel to the axis 234 and
thus aligns the
fastener 194 generally parallel to the axis 234. The first opening 236 and the
surface 238 are
recessed away from an extreme edge 240 (a top edge in the orientation shown in
FIGS. 6 and
7) on the first side 214 and toward the second side 216 in a recess shown
generally at 242 and
defined by a generally cylindrical inner surface 244 surrounding the axis 234.
In the
orientation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the recess 242 is an upward-facing recess.
Peripheral
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edges of the members 218, 220, 222, and 224 on the second side 216, and
opposite the first
opening 236, surround and define a second opening shown generally at 246 on
the second side
216. The second opening 246 has a width greater than a width of the end 184 of
the post 186,
so the second opening 246 is sized to receive the end 184 of the post 186. The
inward-facing
surfaces 226, 228, 230, and 232 define a recess shown generally at 248, which
is open on the
first side 214 at the first opening 236 and open on the second side 216 at the
second opening
246.
The second cover body 192 may be made from plastic, metal, or one or more of
various other materials, and includes a generally cylindrical member 250 and
an end-cover
member 252 covering one end of the generally cylindrical member 250. The
generally
cylindrical member 250 has a generally cylindrical outer surface 254 and
defines a projection
(a downward-facing projection in the orientation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) from
the end-cover
member 252. The surface 254 is sized to contact the surface 244 in a
frictional fit such that the
second cover body 192 may be coupled to the first cover body 190 by receiving
the projection
or generally cylindrical member 250 in the recess 242. The surfaces 244 and
254 are thus
complementary surfaces. The frictional fit of the surfaces 244 and 254 permits
the second
cover body 192 to be coupled to the first cover body 190 independently of the
fastener 194
and of any other body, although in other embodiments, the second cover body
may be coupled
to the first cover body independently of the fastener and of any other body in
other ways. The
end-cover member 252 has a width greater than the width of the first opening
236, so when the
second cover body 192 is coupled to the first cover body 190, the second cover
body 192
covers the first opening 236 and a portion of the fastener 194 that would
otherwise be exposed
on the first side 214 of the first cover body 190.
The fastener 194 is substantially the same as the fastener 110 and is a nail
(made from
steel, for example) including a nail shaft 256 and a nail head 258. In other
embodiments, the
fastener 110 or the fastener 194 may be one or more other fasteners such as a
screw, a bolt, a
pin, a dowel, a rivet, or a screw anchor, for example, or a combination of
bodies such as a
threaded fastener and an anchor such as a wedge anchor or other screw anchor,
for example.
The nail shaft 256 has a width less than a width of the first opening 236, so
a portion of
the nail shaft 256, and thus a portion of the fastener 194, may be received in
the first opening
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236, and the first opening 236 is thus sized to receive a portion of the nail
shaft 256 and thus a
portion of the fastener 194. However, the nail head 258 has a width greater
than the width of
the first opening 236, so when a portion of the nail shaft 256 is received in
the first opening
236, a portion of the nail head 258 may contact at least a portion of the
surface 238 to co-
operate with the first cover body 190 to fasten the first cover body 190 to
the end 184 of the
post 186 as described below.
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, a method of covering the end 184 of the post 186
involves
positioning a portion of the inward-facing surface 226 against the corner edge
206, a portion
of the inward-facing surface 228 against the corner edge 208, a portion of the
inward-facing
surface 230 against the corner edge 210, and a portion of the inward-facing
surface 232
against the corner edge 212, so that the portion of the inward-facing surface
226 contacts the
corner edge 206, the portion of the inward-facing surface 228 contacts the
corner edge 208,
the portion of the inward-facing surface 230 contacts the corner edge 210, and
the portion of
the inward-facing surface 232 contacts the corner edge 212 as shown in FIGS. 8
and 9.
Collectively, the portion of the inward-facing surface 226, the portion of the
inward-facing
surface 228, the portion of the inward-facing surface 230, and the portion of
the inward-facing
surface 232 are a portion of an inward-facing surface (including the inward-
facing surfaces
226, 228, 230, and 232) of the first cover body 190 that surrounds the axis
234, that extends
obliquely to the axis 234, and that is positioned against, and contacts, the
end 184 of the post
186.
The corner edges 206, 208, 210, and 212 are a periphery of the end surface 196
of the
post 186, so the portion of the inward-facing surface (including the inward-
facing surfaces
226, 228, 230, and 232) of the first cover body 190 is positioned against, and
contacts, the
periphery of the end surface 196 of the post 186. Further, as shown in FIG. 9,
the first cover
body 190 defines sufficient clearance in the recess 248 to receive the end 184
of the post 186
in the recess 248 with the periphery (defined by the corner edges 206, 208,
210, and 212) of
the end surface 196 of the post 186 positioned against the portion of the
inward-facing surface
defined by the portion of the inward-facing surface 226, by the portion of the
inward-facing
surface 228, by the portion of the inward-facing surface 230, and by the
portion of the inward-
facing surface 232 as described above.
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As the portion of the inward-facing surface 226 is positioned into contact
with the
corner edge 206, the portion of the inward-facing surface 228 is positioned
into contact with
the corner edge 208, the portion of the inward-facing surface 230 is
positioned into contact
with the corner edge 210, and the portion of the inward-facing surface 232 is
positioned into
contact with the corner edge 212, as described above, portions of some or all
of the inward-
facing surfaces 226, 228, 230, and 232 align the first cover body 190 relative
to the post 186.
More particularly, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 226 and 228
define a
guide, a portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the
end 184 of the
post 186, that vertex defined by the corner edges 206 and 208 and by a lateral
edge between
the generally planar lateral surfaces 198 and 200, and when a portion of that
guide engages
that vertex region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range
of positions
between the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 226 and 228, which
is a range of
positions that extend obliquely to the axis 234.
Further, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 228 and 230 define a
guide, a
portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the end 184
of the post 186,
that vertex defined by the corner edges 208 and 210 and by a lateral edge
between the
generally planar lateral surfaces 200 and 202, and when a portion of that
guide engages that
vertex region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range of
positions between
the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 228 and 230, which is a
range of positions
that extend obliquely to the axis 234.
Further, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 230 and 232 define a
guide, a
portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the end 184
of the post 186,
that vertex defined by the corner edges 210 and 212 and by a lateral edge
between the
generally planar lateral surfaces 202 and 204, and when a portion of that
guide engages that
vertex region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range of
positions between
the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 230 and 232, which is a
range of positions
that extend obliquely to the axis 234.
Further, adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 232 and 226 define a
guide, a
portion of which may engage a vertex region adjacent a vertex at the end 184
of the post 186,
that vertex defined by the corner edges 212 and 206 and by a lateral edge
between the
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generally planar lateral surfaces 204 and 198, and when a portion of that
guide engages that
vertex region, that guide may thus guide that vertex region along a range of
positions between
the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 232 and 226, which is a
range of positions
that extend obliquely to the axis 234.
In summary, the aforementioned guides are configured to guide a respective one
of a
plurality of vertex regions adjacent a respective one of a plurality of
vertices, at the end 184 of
the post 186, along a respective range of positions extending obliquely
relative to the axis 234.
Further, the aforementioned guides surround the axis 234 and extend obliquely
to the axis 234.
Further, at least one such guide may engage at least one such respective
vertex region to align
the first cover body 190 relative to the post 186 by causing the axis 234 to
be generally
parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the post 186 (that is, an axis of
the post 186 extending
between and generally parallel to the lateral surfaces 198, 200, 202, and 204)
and by causing
the first cover body 190 to be in a pre-defined rotational orientation
relative to the post 186
(that is, at least one rotational orientation about the axis 234 in which the
aforementioned
vertex regions adjacent the aforementioned vertices at the end 184 of the post
186 are in
respective ones of the aforementioned guides).
Then, the nail shaft 256 may be positioned against the end surface 196 of the
post 186
such that a first portion of the nail shaft 256 is received in the first
opening 236 and a second
portion of the nail shaft 256 is received in the recess 248. Then, the
fastener 194 may be
fastened to the end 184 of the post 186, for example by hammering the nail
head 258 towards
the surface 238 with the nail shaft 256 and thus the fastener 194 generally
parallel to the axis
234, as shown in FIG. 9. Instead of hammering the nail head 258 directly, a
tool (not shown)
may be positioned on the nail head 258 and the tool may be hammered to hammer
the nail
head 258 in the recess 242 and towards the surface 238.
When the fastener 194 is fastened to the end 184 of the post 186, and when a
portion of
the nail head 258 contacts at least a portion of the surface 238, the fastener
194 fastens the first
cover body 190 to the end 184 of the post 186, as shown in FIG. 9. Then, as
shown in FIGS. 8
and 9, the second cover body 192 may be coupled to the first cover body, by
receiving the
projection or generally cylindrical member 250 in the recess 242 in a
frictional fit. In the
embodiment shown, the first cover body 190 and the second cover body 192
collectively cover
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a width greater than a width of the end 184 of the post 186, which may protect
the end 184 of
the post 186 from accumulation of moisture and from damage that may be caused
by
accumulation of moisture, for example.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a system according to another embodiment for
covering
an end (which in the embodiment shown is an upper end) shown generally at 262
of a post 264
is shown generally at 260. The system 260 includes a first cover body 266, a
second cover
body 268, and a fastener 270.
The post 264 is substantially the same as the posts 102 and 186. Accordingly,
the post
264 and has a generally planar and generally square end surface 272 (which is
an upper-end
surface in the embodiment shown) and generally planar lateral surfaces 274,
276, 278, and 280
surrounding a vertical and central longitudinal axis 289 of the post 264.
The post 264 also has corner edges 282, 284, 286, and 288 between the lateral
surfaces
274, 276, 278, and 280 respectively and the end surface 272. The post 264 also
has lateral
edges 290, 292, 294, and 296 defined between pairs of adjacent ones of the
lateral surfaces,
namely between the lateral surfaces 280 and 274, 274 and 276, 276 and 278, and
278 and 280
respectively.
The end 262 of the post 264 also has vertices 298, 300, 302, and 304. The
vertex 298 is
defined by an intersection of the lateral edge 290, the corner edge 288, and
the corner edge
282. The vertex 300 is defined by an intersection of the lateral edge 292, the
corner edge 282,
and the corner edge 284. The vertex 302 is defined by an intersection of the
lateral edge 294,
the corner edge 284, and the corner edge 286. The vertex 304 is defined by an
intersection of
the lateral edge 296, the corner edge 286, and the corner edge 288. The
vertices 298, 300, 302,
and 304 are thus defined by an intersection of: a respective pair of adjacent
ones of a plurality
of corner edges, each of the plurality of corner edges between a generally
planar end surface
of the post and a respective one of a plurality of generally planar lateral
surfaces of the post;
and a respective one of a plurality of lateral edges, each of the plurality of
lateral edges
between a respective pair of adjacent ones of the plurality of lateral
surfaces of the post. The
end 262 of the post 264 also has vertex regions 450, 452, 454, and 456
adjacent, respectively,
the vertices 298, 300, 302, and 304.
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The first cover body 266 may be made from plastic, metal, or one or more of
various
other materials, and has a first side shown generally at 306, and a second
side shown generally
at 308 opposite the first side 306. In the orientation shown in FIGS. 10 and
11, the first side
306 is an upper side, and the second side 308 is a lower side. The first cover
body 266 has four
generally triangular members 310, 312, 314, and 316 in a generally pyramidal
shape such that
generally planar inward-facing surfaces 318, 320, 322, and 324 (shown in FIG.
11) of the
generally triangular members 310, 312, 314, and 316 respectively surround and
face an axis
326 (which is a generally vertical in the orientation shown in FIGS. 10 and
11, and which is a
central axis in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) of the first cover
body 266 and
extend obliquely to the central axis 326. The surfaces 318, 320, 322, and 324
are inward-
facing because they face each other and face centrally towards the central
axis 326.
At the first side 306, the first cover body 266 has a generally circular
extreme edge 332
between a generally cylindrical inner surface 330 and a generally planar
contact surface 331.
The extreme edge 332 defines a first opening shown generally at 328. The inner
surface 330
extends between the extreme edge 332 and a generally annular contact surface
339 (shown in
FIG. 13) defining a second opening 334. The generally annular contact surface
339 and the
second opening 334 are recessed away from the extreme edge 332 on the first
side 306 and
towards the second side 308. Together, the inner surface 330 and the generally
annular contact
surface 339 define a recess shown generally at 336 that is open on the first
side 306 at the first
opening 328 and open on the second side 308 at the second opening 334.
Peripheral edges of the generally triangular members 310, 312, 314, and 316 on
the
second side 308, and opposite the first and second openings 328 and 334,
surround and define
a third opening shown generally at 335 on the second side 308. The third
opening 335 has a
width greater than a width of the end 262 of the post 264, so the third
opening 335 is sized to
receive the end 262 of the post 264. The inward-facing surfaces 318, 320, 322,
and 324 extend
obliquely to the central axis 326, away from the first and second openings 328
and 334, and
towards the third opening 335, defining a recess shown generally at 337 that
is open on the
first side 306 at the second opening 334 and open on the second side 308 at
the third opening
335.
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Refening to FIGS. 11 and 12, the first cover body 266 also has a pyramidal
edge 338
between the generally triangular members 310 and 312, a pyramidal edge 340
between the
generally triangular members 312 and 314, a pyramidal edge 342 between the
generally
triangular members 314 and 316, and a pyramidal edge 344 between the generally
triangular
members 316 and 310.
The first cover body 266 also has members 354 and 356 generally parallel to
and
spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the pyramidal edge 338 and
projecting into
the recess 337 from the generally planar inward-facing surfaces 318 and 320
respectively to
define a channel shown generally at 347 between the members 354 and 356. As
described
below, the members 354 and 356 function as a guide shown generally at 346.
The first cover body 266 also has members 358 and 360 generally parallel to
and
spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the pyramidal edge 340 and
projecting into
the recess 337 from the generally planar inward-facing surfaces 320 and 322
respectively to
define a channel shown generally at 349 between the members 358 and 360. As
described
below, the members 358 and 360 function as a guide shown generally at 348.
The first cover body 266 also has members 362 and 364 generally parallel to
and
spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the pyramidal edge 342 and
projecting into
the recess 337 from the generally planar inward-facing surfaces 322 and 324
respectively to
define a channel shown generally at 351 between the members 362 and 364. As
described
below, the members 362 and 364 function as a guide shown generally at 350.
The first cover body 266 also has members 366 and 368 generally parallel to
and
spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the pyramidal edge 344 and
projecting into
the recess 337 from the generally planar inward-facing surfaces 324 and 318
respectively to
define a channel shown generally at 353 between the members 366 and 368. As
described
below, the members 366 and 368 function as a guide shown generally at 352. The
members
354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364, 366, and 368, the channels 347, 349, 351, and
353, and the
guides 346, 348, 350, and 352 all surround and extend obliquely to the central
axis 326.
The second cover body 268 may be made from plastic, metal, or one or more of
various other materials and is substantially the same as the second cover body
192.
Accordingly, the second cover body 268 includes a generally cylindrical member
370 and an
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end-cover member 372 covering one end of the generally cylindrical member 370.
The
generally cylindrical member 370 has a generally cylindrical outer surface 374
and defines a
projection from the end-cover member 372. The outer surface 374 is sized to
contact the inner
surface 330 of the first cover body 266 in a frictional fit such that the
second cover body 268
may be coupled to the first cover body 266 by receiving the projection or the
generally
cylindrical member 370 in the first opening 328 and the recess 336. The
surfaces 330 and 374
are thus complementary surfaces. The frictional fit of the outer surface 374
and the inner
surface 330 permits the second cover body 268 to be coupled to the first cover
body 266 in the
recess 336 independently of the fastener 270 and of any other body, although
in other
embodiments, the second cover body 268 may be coupled to the first cover body
266
independently of the fastener and of any other body in other ways.
The end-cover member 372 has a width greater than widths of the first opening
328
and the second opening 334, so when the second cover body 268 is coupled to
the first cover
body 266, the second cover body 268 covers the first opening 328, the second
opening 334,
and a portion of the fastener 270 that would otherwise be exposed on the first
side 306 of the
first cover body 266. Additionally, the end-cover member 372 includes a
generally annular
contact surface 373 that is configured to contact the contact surface 331 of
the first cover body
266 when the first cover body 266 is coupled to the second cover body 268.
The fastener 270 is substantially the same as the fasteners 194 and 110 and is
a nail
(made from steel, for example) including a nail shaft 376 and a nail head 378.
In other
embodiments, the fastener 110, 194, or 270 may be one or more other fasteners
such as a
screw, a bolt, a pin, a dowel, a rivet, or a screw anchor, for example, or a
combination of
bodies such as a threaded fastener and an anchor such as a wedge anchor or
other screw
anchor, for example. The nail shaft 376 has a width less than the widths of
the first opening
328 and the second opening 334, so a portion of nail shaft 376, and thus a
portion of the
fastener 270, may be received in the first and the second openings 328 and
334, and thus both
the first and second openings 328 and 334 are sized to receive a portion of
the nail shaft 376
and thus a portion of the fastener 270. However, the nail head 378 has a width
less than the
width of the first opening 328 but a width greater than the width of the
second opening 334, so
when a portion of the nail shaft 376 is received in the first and second
openings 328 and 334, a
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portion of the nail head 378 may contact at least a portion of the annular
contact surface 339 to
co-operate with the first cover body 266 to fasten the first cover body 266 to
the end 262 of
the post 264 as described below.
Referring to FIGS. 10-13, a method of covering the end 262 of the post 264
involves
positioning a portion of the inward-facing surface 318 proximate the corner
edge 282, a
portion of the inward-facing surface 320 proximate the corner edge 284, a
portion of the
inward-facing surface 322 proximate the corner edge 286, and a portion of the
inward-facing
surface 324 proximate the corner edge 288, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. When
the first cover
body 266 is positioned as described above, a portion of the vertex region 452
may be received
in the channel 347, and surfaces and edges of the vertex region 452 engage
surfaces defining
the channel 347 such that the guide 346 guides the vertex region 452 along a
range of
positions extending along the channel 347 and thus obliquely to the central
axis 326.
Further, when the first cover body 266 is positioned as described above, a
portion of
the vertex region 454 may be received in the channel 349, and surfaces and
edges of the vertex
region 454 engage surfaces defining the channel 349 such that the guide 348
guides the vertex
region 454 along a range of positions extending along the channel 349 and thus
obliquely to
the central axis 326.
Further, when the first cover body 266 is positioned as described above, a
portion of
the vertex region 456 may be received in the channel 351, and surfaces and
edges of the vertex
region 456 engage surfaces defining the channel 351 such that the guide 350
guides the vertex
region 456 along a range of positions extending along the channel 351 and thus
obliquely to
the central axis 326.
Further, when the first cover body 266 is positioned as described above, a
portion of
the vertex region 450 may be received in the channel 353, and surfaces and
edges of the vertex
region 458 engage surfaces defining the channel 353 such that the guide 352
guides the vertex
region 458 along a range of positions extending along the channel 353 and thus
obliquely to
the central axis 326.
In summary, the guides 346, 348, 350, and 352 are configured to guide a
respective
one of the plurality of vertex regions 452, 454, 456, and 450 along a
respective range of
positions extending obliquely relative to the central axis 326. Further, at
least one such guide
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may engage at least one such respective vertex region to align the first cover
body 266 relative
to the post 264 by causing the central axis 326 to be generally parallel to
the central
longitudinal axis 289 of the post 264 and by causing the first cover body 266
to be in a pre-
defined rotational orientation relative to the post 264 (that is, at least one
rotational orientation
about the central axis 326 in which the aforementioned vertex regions at the
end 262 of the
post 264 are in respective ones of the aforementioned guides).
Then, the nail shaft 376 may be positioned against the end surface 272 of the
post 264
such that a first portion of the nail shaft 376 is passed through the first
opening 328, a second
portion of the nail shaft 376 is received in the recess 336, and a third
portion of the nail shaft
376 is passed through the second opening 334. Then, the fastener 270 may be
fastened to the
end 262 of the post 264, for example by hammering the nail head 378 towards
the annular
contact surface 339 with the nail shaft 376 (thus the fastener 270) generally
aligned to the
central axis 326 of the first cover body 266 and the central longitudinal axis
289 of the post
264, as shown in FIG.13. Instead of hammering the nail head 378 directly, a
tool (not shown)
may be positioned on the nail head 378 and the tool may be hammered to hammer
the nail
head 378 in the recess 336 and towards the annular contact surface 339.
When the fastener 270 is fastened to the end 262 of the post 264, and when a
portion of
the nail head 378 contacts at least a portion of the annular contact surface
339, the fastener 270
fastens the first cover body 266 to the end 262 of the post 264, as shown in
FIG. 13. Then, as
shown in FIG 13, the second cover body 268 may be coupled to the first cover
body 266, by
receiving the projection or the generally cylindrical member 370 in the recess
336 in a
frictional fit such that the second cover body 268 covers the first and second
openings 328 and
334. In the embodiment shown, the first cover body 266 and the second cover
body 268
collectively cover a width greater than the width of the end 262 of the post
264, which may
protect the end 262 of the post 264 from accumulation of moisture and from
damage that may
be caused by accumulation of moisture, for example.
Embodiments such as those described herein may cover ends of posts more
effectively
than other covers for ends of posts. For example, embodiments such as those
described herein
may cover ends of posts of various different sizes because numerous different
portions of
inward-facing surfaces (such as the inward-facing surfaces 142, 144, 146, 148,
226, 228, 230,
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and 232) may contact corner edges (such as the corner edges 122, 124, 126,
128, 206, 208,
210, and 212) of differently sized posts. Specifically, in embodiments such as
those described
herein, corner edges of smaller posts may contact inward-facing surfaces (such
as the inward-
facing surfaces 142, 144, 146, 148, 226, 228, 230, and 232) closer to an axis
(such as the axis
150 or 234), and corner edges of larger posts may contact such inward-facing
surfaces farther
from such an axis.
Also, in embodiments such as those described herein, guides (such as guides
defined
by the adjacent portions of the inward-facing surfaces 142 and 144, of the
inward-facing
surfaces 144 and 146, of the inward-facing surfaces 146 and 148, of the inward-
facing
surfaces 148 and 142, of the inward-facing surfaces 226 and 228, of the inward-
facing
surfaces 228 and 230, of the inward-facing surfaces 230 and 232, or of the
inward-facing
surfaces 230 and 226, or the guides 346, 348, 350, and 352) may engage vertex
regions
adjacent respective vertices at ends of differently sized posts along a range
of different
positions. For example, in embodiments such as those described herein, vertex
regions
adjacent respective vertices at ends of smaller posts may engage respective
guides at positions
closer to an axis (such as the central axis 150, 234, or 326) and vertex
regions adjacent
respective vertices at ends of larger posts may engage respective guides at
positions farther
from such an axis.
Also, in embodiments such as those described herein, portions of inward-facing
surfaces (such as the inward-facing surfaces 142, 144, 146, 148, 226, 228,
230, and 232) may
contact entire or substantially entire corner edges (such as the corner edges
122, 124, 126, 128,
206, 208, 210, and 212), and may thereby seal or substantially seal end
surfaces (such as the
end surfaces 112 and 196) of posts to prevent or substantially prevent
moisture from entering
spaces above such end surfaces, which may reduce or prevent rot of such posts.
Still further,
embodiments such as those described herein may form more effective seals than
other covers
for ends of posts because frictional fits between first cover bodies (such as
the first cover
bodies 106 and 190) and second cover bodies (such as the second cover bodies
108 and 192)
may permit effective seals that may be less likely to be damaged or misaligned
than bodies
that depend on position or orientation of any other body such as a fastener
for example.
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Although the inward-facing surfaces 142, 144, 146, 148, 226, 228, 230, and 232
are
generally planar, alternative embodiments may include non-planar inward-facing
surfaces to
create air gaps between the inward-facing surfaces and corner edges of a post.
Such air gaps
may allow moisture to escape the inside of the cover bodies.
Without limiting any of the embodiments described herein, ornamental designs
of the
cover assemblies shown in the drawings are also disclosed. In some ornamental
designs, the
posts form no part of the ornamental designs. In some ornamental designs, the
fasteners form
no part of the ornamental designs. Some ornamental designs consist of the
ornamental features
of the cover assemblies visible from above in the orientations shown in the
drawings.
Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such
embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the
invention as
construed according to the accompanying claims.
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