Gate Post Stiffener

Abstract

A gate post stiffener being formed in the shape of a C. The C-shaped stiffener may extend the entire length of the gate post. The open side allows for easy insertion of rails. The C-shape provides two consecutive sides for the attachment of two-sided hardware, providing a strong connection between the post, the C-shaped gate post stiffener, and hardware, which is critical to the integrity of the post.

1 . A reinforcing component for a plastic hollow gate post having hardware thereon and connected to rails comprising:
 a longitudinally extending body having a cross-section in the shape of a C having one open side and three closed sides in adjacent alignment, whereby the body is sized to fit tightly within the gate post, whereby the open side of the C-shaped body allows for rails to be inserted therein, and whereby the three closed sides provide attachment for hardware to two adjacent sides.   
   
   
       2 . The reinforcing component of  claim 1  wherein the C-shaped body is fabricated of galvanized metal. 
   
   
       3 . The reinforcing component of  claim 1  wherein the galvanized metal comprises steel. 
   
   
       4 . The reinforcing component of  claim 1  wherein the C-shaped body is fabricated by bending and rolling a piece of metal. 
   
   
       5 . A hollow gate post for connection to rails comprising:
 hollow, elongated vertical post body of square or rectangular cross-section fabricated in one piece of plastic material;   reinforcement component disposed in the elongated post body along the entire length, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a longitudinally extending body having a cross-section in the shape of a C having one open side and three closed sides in adjacent alignment, whereby the reinforcement member body is sized to fit tightly within the hollow gate post, whereby the open side of the C-shaped body allows for rails to be inserted therein, and whereby the three closed sides provide attachment for hardware to two adjacent sides; and   hardware attached to the exterior of the hollow post and through to the reinforcement component.   
   
   
       6 . The hollow gate post of  claim 5  wherein the hardware comprises a bracket comprising two projecting sections formed at approximately 90 degrees to one another to attach to consecutive sides of the hollow post and the reinforcement component. 
   
   
       7 . The hollow gate post of  claim 6  whereby the bracket is attached to a corner of the hollow post on two consecutive sides of the post and to a corner of the reinforcement component on two consecutive sides. 
   
   
       8 . A fence comprising:
 a gate; and   a stationary fence section, whereby the stationary fence section comprises one or more hollow posts, and whereby at least one of the hollow posts is positioned proximate the gate;   whereby the hollow post positioned proximate the gate comprises a hollow, elongated vertical post body of square or rectangular cross-section fabricated in one piece of plastic material, a reinforcement component disposed in the hollow, elongated post body along the entire length, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a longitudinally extending body having a cross-section in the shape of a C having one open side and three closed sides in adjacent alignment, whereby the reinforcement member body is sized to fit tightly within the hollow gate post, whereby the open side of the C-shaped body allows for rails to be inserted therein, and whereby the three closed sides provide attachment for hardware to two adjacent sides; and   hardware attached to the exterior of the hollow post and extending through the reinforcement component for attachment to the hollow post and the reinforcement component.   
   
   
       9 . The fence of  claim 8  wherein the hardware comprises a bracket comprising two projecting sections formed at approximately 90 degrees to one another to attach to consecutive sides of the hollow post and the reinforcement component.