Pre-fabricated outdoor column

Abstract

A pre-fabricated outdoor column assembly with an outer wall having the appearance of masonry. The pre-fabricated column assembly includes a tubular member with an insert disposed inside the tubular member. The insert has an opening for receiving a mounting post and is disposed in spaced apart relation to the ends of the tubular member such that a first space between the insert and the tubular member and a second space between the insert and the tubular member are formed.

1 . A pre-fabricated outdoor column assembly, comprising: 
 an elongate tubular member having at least one inner wall, at least one outer wall, a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the at least one outer wall having the appearance of masonry; and,    an insert having a first end and a second end, the insert disposed inside the tubular member, the insert disposed adjacent to the at least one inner wall of the tubular member, the insert disposed in spaced apart relation to the first and second ends of the tubular member such that a first space between the insert and the first end of the tubular member and a second space between the insert and the second end of the tubular member are formed, the insert having a opening sized to receive a mounting post    
   
   
       2 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member further comprises an opening for receiving a mailbox into the first space in the tubular member.  
   
   
       3 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the insert further comprises a raceway extending from the first end of the insert to the second end of the insert such that a conduit extending from the first space to the second space is capable of being disposed through the raceway.  
   
   
       4 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the opening in the insert is defined by at least one first wall defining a first opening for receiving the post and at least one second wall forming a raceway disposed adjacent to the first wall such that conduit can be run inside the insert along an outside surface of the mounting post  
   
   
       5 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer wall of the tubular member is coated with an elastomeric hard shell coating.  
   
   
       6 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the hard shell coating comprises a polyurea based coating.  
   
   
       7 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the coating is applied by spraying.  
   
   
       8 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is formed by rotocasting.  
   
   
       9 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is formed by molding.  
   
   
       10 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap having a light fixture disposed therein, the cap capable of being attached to the column assembly at the first end of the tubular member.  
   
   
       11 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting post is an elongate vertical post disposed in the ground  
   
   
       12 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting post is an elongate vertical post attached to a concrete surface.  
   
   
       13 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the column assembly has an elongate opening in the tubular member and has a corresponding opening in the insert such that one end of signage is capable of being attached to the mounting post.  
   
   
       14 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting post is a standard 4″×4″ post  
   
   
       15 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of brick.  
   
   
       16 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of paneled stucco.  
   
   
       17 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of stone.  
   
   
       18 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an illuminated house number display disposed in the column assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical outlet disposed in the column assembly.  
   
   
       20 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is formed from four walls joined at ninety degree, keyed corners.  
   
   
       21 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member further comprises an opening for receiving a newspaper box.  
   
   
       22 . A pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly, comprising: 
 an elongate tubular member having at least one inner wall, at least one outer wall, a first end, and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the at least one outer wall having the appearance of masonry, the at least one inner wall of the tubular member defining an opening extending from the first end to the second end of the tubular member;    an insert disposed inside the tubular member in spaced apart relation to the first and second ends of the tubular member such that a first space between the insert and the first end of the tubular member and a second space between the insert and the second end of the tubular member are formed, the insert having a first end and a second end, the insert having at least one first inner wall defining an opening extending from the first end to the second end, the opening sized to receive a mounting post, the insert having at least one second inner wall defining a raceway such that conduit may be disposed through the insert from the first space to the second space; and,    a cap sized to fit onto the first end of the tubular member.    
   
   
       23 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the tubular member further comprises an opening for receiving a mailbox into the first space in the tubular member.  
   
   
       24 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the mailbox is attached to the top surface of the mounting post.  
   
   
       25 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the insert further comprises a raceway extending from the first end of the insert to the second end of the insert such that a conduit extending from the first space to the second space is capable of being disposed through the raceway.  
   
   
       26 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the opening in the insert is defined by at least one first wall defining an opening for receiving the post and at least one second wall forming a raceway disposed adjacent to the first wall such that conduit can be run inside the insert along an outside surface of the mounting post.  
   
   
       27 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one outer wall of the tubular member is coated with an elastomeric hard shell coating  
   
   
       28 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the hard shell coating comprises a polyurea based coating.  
   
   
       29 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the coating is applied by spraying  
   
   
       30 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the tubular member is formed by rotocasting.  
   
   
       31 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the tubular member is formed by molding.  
   
   
       32 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising a cap having a light fixture disposed therein.  
   
   
       33 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the mounting post is an elongate vertical post disposed in the ground.  
   
   
       34 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the mounting post is an elongate vertical post attached to a concrete surface.  
   
   
       35 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the column assembly has an elongate opening in the tubular member and has a corresponding opening in the insert such that one end of signage is capable of being attached to the mounting post.  
   
   
       36 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the mounting post is a standard 4″×4″ post.  
   
   
       37 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of brick.  
   
   
       38 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of paneled stucco.  
   
   
       39 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of stone  
   
   
       40 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising an illuminated house number display disposed in the column assembly.  
   
   
       41 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising an electrical outlet disposed in the column assembly.  
   
   
       42 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the tubular member is formed from four walls joined at ninety degree keyed corners.  
   
   
       43 . The pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the tubular member further comprises an opening for receiving a newspaper box.  
   
   
       44 . A method of constructing an outdoor column, comprising: 
 providing an elongate tubular member having at least one inner wall, at least one outer wall, a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, the at least one outer wall having the appearance of masonry;    providing an insert having a first end and a second end and at least one inner wall defining an opening extending from the first end to the second end;    attaching the insert inside the tubular member adjacent to the at least one inner wall of the tubular member, the insert disposed in spaced apart relation to the first and second ends of the tubular member such that a first space between the insert and the first end of the tubular member and a second space between the insert and the second end of the tubular member are formed, the tubular member and insert forming a prefabricated, outdoor column;    excavating a hole in the ground;    anchoring a vertical post to the hole;    placing the prefabricated, outdoor column over the post such that the post is received by the opening in the insert; and,    attaching the prefabricated, outdoor column to the post.    
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the tubular member first comprises an opening for receiving a mailbox into the first space in the tubular member.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the mailbox is attached to a top surface of the mounting post.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the insert further comprises a raceway extending from the first end of the insert to the second end of the insert such that a conduit extending from the first space to the second space is capable of being disposed through the raceway.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the opening in the insert is defined by at least one first wall defining an opening for receiving the post and at least one second wall forming a raceway disposed adjacent to the first wall such that conduit can be run inside the insert along an outside surface of the mounting post.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one outer wall of the tubular member is coated with an elastomeric hard shell coating.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the hard shell coating comprises a polyurea based coating.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the coating is applied by spraying.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the tubular member is formed by rotocasting.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the tubular member is formed by molding.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising a cap having a light fixture disposed therein, the cap capable of being attached to the first end of the tubular member.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the mounting post is an elongate vertical post disposed in the ground.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the mounting post is an elongate vertical post attached to a concrete surface.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the pre-fabricated column has an elongate opening in the tubular member and has a corresponding opening in the insert such that one end of signage is capable of being attached to the mounting post.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the mounting post is a standard 4″×4″ post.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of brick.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of paneled stucco.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one outer wall has the appearance of stone.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising an illuminated house number display disposed in the pre-fabricated outdoor column assembly.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising an electrical outlet disposed in the pre-fabricated, outdoor column assembly.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the tubular member is formed from four walls joined at ninety degree keyed corners.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the tubular member further comprises an opening for receiving a newspaper box.  
   
   
       66 . A prefabricated outdoor column assembly, comprising: 
 a hollow body having an outer wall, a top surface and a bottom surface, the outer wall having the appearance of masonry, the body having a first cavity disposed between the bottom and top surfaces, the first cavity having an opening associated with the bottom surface and sized to receive a mounting post, the body having a second cavity larger than the first cavity and disposed between the first cavity and the top surface, the body having a passageway in open communication between the outer wall mid the second cavity, the passageway capable of receiving a structure.