Fixative device for decorative finial

Abstract

A fixative device for a decorative finial capable of being press fit onto a picket or post includes a pair of contact tabs arranged to bridge across a bend or corner formed by the inner surface of the free end of a tubular picket or post. A fit may be provided by a channel and protrusion or o-ring. A plurality of contact tabs, each having two contact surfaces may accommodate manufacturing defects and variations in the wall thickness of tubular, extruded posts.

1 . A device for fixing a bottom end of a decorative finial on a post having a tubular, open end, the device comprising:
 a first corner tab extending from the bottom end of the decorative finial; and   a second corner tab extending from the bottom end of the decorative finial, disposed on an opposite side of the decorative finial from the first corner tab;   wherein the first corner tab and the second corner tab each comprise a member having a first contact surface on a first side of the member and a second contact surface on a second side of the member opposite of the first contact surface, such that each of the first contact surface and the second contact surface of each of the first corner tab and the second corner tab are capable of engaging an inner surface of the open end of the post, the first contact surface of each of the first corner tab and the second corner tab making contact on one side of a corner in the open end of the post and the second contact surface making contact on the other side of the corner opposite of the first contact surface, securing the device on the post, when the device is fitted on the end of the post.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a tubular portion extending outwardly from the bottom end of the decorative finial and being disposed such that the tubular portion defines a gap between the tubular portion and each of the first contact surface and the second contact surface of each of the first corner tab and the second corner tab. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular portion is shaped as a square or a rectangle, having four sides and four corners, for fitting over the open end of the post, a first corner of the four corners is opposite of a second corner of the first corners, the first corner tab being disposed diagonally across the first corner, and the second corner tab being disposed diagonally across the second corner. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one additional corner tab, extending from the bottom of the decorative finial, and each of the at least one additional corner tabs being disposed diagonally across one additional corner of the four corners other than the first corner and the second corner. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one additional corner tab comprises a third corner tab and a fourth corner tab, opposite of the third corner tab and disposed diagonally across a fourth corner of the tubular portion. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the gap between the tubular portion of the device and each of the first contact surface and the second contact surface of each of the first corner tab and the second corner tab has a minimum gap width substantially less than a minimum gap width of the a gap between the tubular portion of the device and each of the first contact surface and second contact surface of each of the third corner tab and the fourth corner tab. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the distance between the first contact surface of the first corner tab and the first contact surface of the second corner tab is greater than the distance between the first contact surface of the third corner tab and the first contact surface of the fourth corner tab. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the member of each of the first corner tab and the second corner tab has a first minimum width defined at the narrowest point between the first contact surface and the second contact surface of each of the first corner tab and the second corner tab, and the first minimum width is greater than a second minimum width defined at the narrowest point between the first contact surface and the second contact surface of each of the third corner tab and the fourth corner tab.