Fence/railing post cap system

Abstract

A fence/railing post cap system for use with a fence/railing post includes a decorative and utilitarian structure which enables removal and storage of a cap of the system to accommodate reception of beverage containers and the like within a base of the system and which provides for a pole with accessory structures therein to be mounted on the base by passing through an opening in the cap when the cap is in position on the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fence/railing post cap system for mounting onto the top of a fence/railing post, said post having a predetermined cross-section and a hollow cavity therein, said system comprising:
 a base defining a bottom member for positioning onto said post top and at least one side wall extending normally upwardly from said bottom member to form an interior hollow space;   said bottom member defining a walled extension projecting normally downwardly, said extension defining a closed lower end and an open upper end opening into said interior hollow space;   a plurality of leg members extending normally downwardly from said base;   means in operative relationship with said leg members for holding said base in predetermined relationship with said post; and   a cap sized and configured for removable positioning onto said base.   
     
     
         2 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein said cap includes;
 a top and at least one rim extending normally downwardly from said top, said rim defining a plurality of inwardly facing protuberances; 
 wherein said at least one base side wall defines a plurality of outwardly facing concave dimples; and 
 said protuberances and said dimples sized, configured and positioned for enabling said protuberances to snap-fit into said dimples for holding said first cap in position on said base. 
 
     
     
         3 . A system as in  claim 2  wherein said cap top defines a centrally located opening therein. 
     
     
         4 . A system as in  claim 3  further including a closure element for removable positioning within said centrally located opening. 
     
     
         5 . A system as in  claim 4  further including:
 a pole having a bottom end and a top end, said pole sized and configured for removable positioning through said centrally located opening when said closure element has been removed from said opening and for positioning within and support by said walled extension; and 
 an accessory structure mounted on the top end of said pole. 
 
     
     
         6 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein said post has a substantially square cross-section, wherein said base defines four side walls orthogonally connected together, and wherein said leg members are four in number orthogonally connected together. 
     
     
         7 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein said post has a plurality of openings within sides of said post and wherein said holding means include a plurality of projections extending inwardly from said leg members for engaging said post openings to hold said base in fixed relationship with said post. 
     
     
         8 . A system as in  claim 1  wherein said post is a hollow open-topped post and wherein said holding means include:
 a plurality of normally substantially horizontal alternating ridges and grooves positioned inwardly on said leg members; and 
 a plurality of spring loaded clips fixedly positioned on tops of said post walls, said clips each having a tongue extending normally downwardly for engaging said ridges and grooves to hold said base in fixed position with respect to said post. 
 
     
     
         9 . A system as in  claim 1  further including a plurality of fastening members connecting said base to said post top. 
     
     
         10 . A fence/railing post cap system for mounting onto the top of a fence/railing post, said post having a predetermined cross-section and a hollow cavity therein, said system comprising:
 a base defining a bottom member for positioning onto said post top and at least one side wall extending normally upwardly from said bottom member to form an interior hollow space;   a plurality of leg members extending normally downwardly from said base;   means in operative relationship with said leg members for holding said base in predetermined relationship with said post; and   a cap sized and configured for removable positioning onto said base.