Metal fence post protective cap

Abstract

A metal fence post protective cap made of a flexible plastic material to fit snuggly on top of a T shaped cross section and uniformly spaced studs extending from one surface. The cap is formed with channels to receive the T shaped cross section and the studs with all of the channels being closed at the top. The T shaped cross section receiving channels are completely open at the bottom of the cap but the bottom of the stud receiving channel is partially closed with a retainer portion which engages and outer portion of a stud to resist accidental removal of the cap from the post. The retainer portion merges with a small lead in opening acting as a guide to align studs with the stud receiving channel during installation of the cap on the post.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A protecting cap for installation on top of an elongated metal fence post, the combination of the post and protecting cap comprising:
 a post having a longitudinal axis with a web and a pair of opposed flanges extending from the axis and forming a T shaped cross section and having a row of uniformly spaced studs extending on a side of the T cross section opposite to the web; and   a unitary cap of resilient material having a length no less than the length of a stud and a space between adjacent studs, and having wall portions conformable to the cross section of the post forming a stud receiving channel and channels alignable with the web and the flanges of the post, and having a top wall closing the channels, the lower ends of the channels being fully open;   a retainer portion closing a laterally outer part of a lower end of the stud receiving channel and being operable to engage an outer part of a stud in the stud receiving channel to resist removal of the cap from an installed position on the post; and   a guide portion open to the stud receiving channel at the laterally inner end of the retainer portion to align the stud receiving channel with a portion of a stud at a top of the post during installation of the cap, at least a portion of the guide portion being spaced from the post when the cap is positioned on the post.   
   
   
       13 . The protective cap of  claim 12  wherein the retainer portion extends downwardly and inwardly from an outer portion of the stud receiving channel to close a substantial portion of its opening. 
   
   
       14 . The protective cap of  claim 13  wherein the guide portion is formed in the opening to the stud receiving channel adjacent to the retainer portion to align with the studs. 
   
   
       15 . The protective cap of  claim 12  wherein the resilient material is plastic material. 
   
   
       16 . The protective cap of  claim 15  wherein the plastic material is a polyvinyl plastisol. 
   
   
       17 . A protective cap for installation on top of a metal fence post the combination of the cap and post comprising:
 a T fence post having an elongated web and flanges forming the legs of the post, and a surface on a side of the post having uniformly spaced studs disposed opposite to the web; and   a unitary flexible cap having a length to cover at least a stud at the top of the post and side walls conforming to the cross section of the post with a closed top wall, the side walls defining a stud receiving channel and channels to receive the web and the flanges, the channels being open at the bottom of the cap;   the cap including a retainer portion closing an outer portion of the channel at the bottom of the cap and positioned to engage an outer portion of the first full stud in the stud receiving channel to resist removal of the cap from an installed position on the post; and   the cap including a guide portion formed adjacent to the retainer portion, the guide portion being in alignment with an inner portion of the opening to the stud receiving channel and forming an opening at the lower end of the retainer portion that communicates with the stud receiving channel to act as a guide engageable with the opposed sides of a stud at the top of the post to align the retainer portion with the studs during installation of the cap on the post.   
   
   
       18 . The protective cap of  claim 17  wherein the retainer portion is formed at an angle extending downwardly and inwardly. 
   
   
       19 . The protective cap of  claim 17  wherein the top wall is thicker than the side walls. 
   
   
       20 . The protective cap of  claim 17  wherein the cap is molded of a plastic material. 
   
   
       21 . The protective cap of  claim 20  wherein the plastic material is a polyvinyl plastisol.