SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed toward a mounting kit that is used for mounting objects such as mailboxes, fences, arbors, signs, birdfeeders or other similar objects in the ground. These objects have hollow, three-sided or form-sided, posts that are often made from plastic. Typically, to mount such an object, a post would have to be secured in the ground by digging a post hole and using cement to secure the post. The kit of the present invention includes a mounting post that is able to be secured by pounding it into the ground. The mounting kit supports an object, such as a mailbox, that has a base portion that is-hollow and has a central cavity. The mounting post-of the present invention fits within the central cavity of the base portion. A gap exists between the mounting post and the inner walls of the central cavity of the object. The mounting kit includes at least one support that is attached to the mounting post and that bridges this gap to engage the object's base portion. The support stabilizes the object and ensures that the object's base will not move in relation to the mounting post. One embodiment of the present invention is specifically directed toward a mailbox mounting kit that is used for mounting a mailbox in the ground.

Another inventive aspect of the present invention is a trim piece that conceals the mounting post. Typically when an object such as mailbox is mounted on a post support, the post is visible through the base portion. One aspect of the present invention is a trim piece that is supported on the mounting post and that conceals the mounting post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mailbox mounting kit in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an assembled view of the kit of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the assembled kit of Fig. 2 shown in use with a mailbox ; Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing a kit in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Fig 5 is a sectional view showing the assembled kit of Fig. 2 in use-with-a- mailbox.

Fig. 6 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a one piece support for mounting on a metal post for use in the present invention; Fig. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the lower support in a rectangular box configuration; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a rectangular box like support on a metal post for mounting in the kit of the present invention; Fig. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the support in a rectangular box configuration, showing the support as a flat metal stamping prior to assembly ; and Fig. 9 shows the support of Fig. 8 in assembled condition prior to mounting on a post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to supporting objects in the ground. The invention is applicable to various such apparatus. As representative of the present invention, Fig.

1 illustrates a mailbox mounting kit 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

The kit 10 is usable with various mailboxes, but is especially adapted for use with an existing plastic mailbox 12 of the type sold under the brand name Step 2. The mailbox 12 has an upper or receiving part (not shown) that receives the mail, and a base 14. The base 14 extends downward from the upper part and has a central cavity 16. The central cavity 16 is designed to accept a 3. 5" x 3. 5" wooden post, commonly known as a 4x4. The mounting kit 10 of the present invention is adapted to fit into the central cavity 16 in the mailbox base 14, as described below, replacing the 4x4.

The mailbox base 14 has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration as shown-in Fig. 3, including-a-front wall or central portion 20-and two side-walls or leg portions 22 and 24 extending from opposite ends of the front wall 20. The three walls 20-24 define between them a generally rectangular or square central cavity 16. The leg portions 22 and 24 have free ends 26 and 27 respectively. An opening 28 into the central cavity 16 is formed between the free ends 26 and 27 of the leg portions 22 and 24.

The mounting kit 10 includes a mounting post 30. The mounting post 30 is designed to be pounded into the ground and support the mailbox base on the ground.

The mounting post 30 in the illustrated embodiment is a round tube about 44"in length and about one and one half inches in diameter, having a cylindrical outer surface 31.

The mounting post 30 is preferably made from galvanized steel. The mounting post 30 has an upper end portion 32, a lower end portion 34, and an intermediate portion 36.

The mounting post 30 has two fastener openings, an upper fastener opening 38 and a lower fastener opening 40, that extend through the mounting post from front to back.

The lower end portion 34 of the mounting post 30 is open to a central cavity 42 of the mounting post.

The upper end portion 32 of the mounting post 30 is closed with a pounding cap 44. The pounding cap 44 has a circular end wall 46 and a side wall 48 that extends over the outer surface of the mounting post 30. The pounding cap 44 may be formed from one planar piece of metal with tabs bent over from the end wall 46 to form the side wall 48. The pounding cap 44 is adapted to receive force from a hammer or other device and transmit that force to the mounting post, to minimize deformation of the mounting post 30. The pounding cap 44 is preferably welded on the mounting post 30.

The kit 10 includes one or more supports for supporting the mailbox base on the mounting post 30. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, there are two supports, an upper support 50 and a lower support 52. Each one of the supports 50 and 52 can be made from one-piece or from more than one piece. in the illustrated embodiment, the upper support 50 is made up of two pieces, an upper front guide plate 54 and an upper rear stabilizing member 56. The lower support 52 is made up of two pieces, a lower front guide plate 58 and a lower rear stabilizing member 60.

The upper front guide plate 54 is a planar, plate-like member that is welded to the upper end portion 32 of the mounting post 30. A fastener opening 62 in the upper front guide plate 54 is aligned with the upper fastener opening 38 in the mounting post 30.

The upper front guide plate 54 is adapted to fit closely in the central cavity 16 of the mailbox base 14. For example, if the central cavity 16 of the base 14 is 3. 5" square, then the upper front guide plate 54 may be three and three-eighths inches wide (from left to right as viewed in Figs. 1-3).

The lower front guide plate 58 is a planar, plate-like member that is welded to the lower end portion 34 of the mounting post 30. The lower front guide plate 58 is adapted to fit closely in the central cavity 16 of the mailbox base 14. For example, if the central cavity 16 of the base 14 is 3. 5" square, then the guide plate 58 may be three and three- eighths inches wide (from left to right as viewed in Figs. 1-3).

The lower front guide plate 58 is longer than the upper front guide plate 54 and has a pointed, or forked, lower end portion 64. The lower end portion 64 of the lower front guide plate 58 is adapted to enter the ground and thereby stabilize the mounting post 30 in the ground.

The upper rear stabilizing member 56 is a three-sided piece with tabs 66 that fit into slots 68 in the upper front guide plate 54. The two pieces 56 and 54 are welded together to form a box-like construction that is secured to and encloses the upper end portion 32 of the mounting post 30. The upper rear stabilizing member 56 has a trim piece fastener opening 70.

The lower rear stabilizing member 60 is a three-sided piece with tabs 72 that fit into-slots 74 in the lower front guide plate--58.- The-two pieces 60-and 58-are welded together to form a box-like construction that is secured to and encloses the mounting post 30. The lower rear stabilizing member 60 has a trim piece fastener opening 76.

The kit 10 also includes a trim piece 78. The trim piece 78 is preferably made from plastic that is the same color as the mailbox base 14. The trim piece 78 has dimensions that are substantially the same as the dimensions of the opening 28 into the central cavity 16. Specifically, the trim piece 78 has a height that is similar to the height of the opening 28 into the central cavity 16 and a width that is essentially the same as the width of the opening 28 into the central cavity. The trim piece 78 is adapted to close the opening 28 into the central cavity 16 in the mailbox base 14, and to cover up the other pieces of the kit 10 including the mounting post.

The kit 10 as provided and sold has most of the parts already secured together.

Specifically, the upper front guide plate 54 and the upper rear stabilizing member 56 are welded together, and welded to the mounting post 30. The lower front guide plate 58 and the lower rear stabilizing member 60 are welded together, and welded to the mounting post 30. The pounding cap 44 is welded on the mounting post 30.

The kit 10 is first secured in the ground, and then the mailbox 12 is attached to the kit. The mounting post 30 is pounded into the ground, by pounding on the pounding cap 44. The lower end portion 34 of the mounting post 30, and the lower end portion 64 of the lower front guide plate 58, enter the ground.

About 20"of the mounting post 30 goes in the ground and about 24"of the mounting post projects from the ground. The amount that projects from the ground is determined by the length of the cavity 16 in the mailbox base 14. The open lower end portion 34 of the mounting post 30, and the pointed lower end portion 64 of the lower front guide plate 58, facilitate the pounding of the mounting post 30 into the ground.

Then, the mailbox base 14 is placed over the kit 10. The mounting post 30 has an outer diameter 80 that is smaller than-any cross dimension-between the inner surfaces of the walls 20,22 and 24 that define the central cavity 16 of the mailbox base 14. Thus, a gap 82 exists in all directions between the cylindrical outer surface 31 of the mounting post 30 and the inner surfaces of the walls 20,22, and 24 that define the central cavity 16. The upper support 50 and the lower support 52 are adapted to bridge the gap 82 between the cylindrical outer surface 31 of the mounting post 30 and the inner surfaces of the walls 20,22 and 24 that define the central cavity 16. The kit 10 is thus received in and fits closely within the cavity 16. The upper front guide plate 54 and the lower front guide plate 58 overlie the front wall 20 of the mailbox base 14.

A pair of fasteners 84 and 86, such as lag screws, are used to secure the mailbox base 14 to the mounting post 30. One fastener 84 is placed through the fastener opening 62 in the upper front guide plate 54 and through the upper fastener opening 38 in the mounting post 30. A second fastener 86 is placed through the lower fastener opening 40 in the mounting post 30.

The guide plates 54 and 58 are closely fitted in the cavity 16 in the mailbox base 14. As a result, the guide plates 54 and 58 stabilize the mailbox base 14, keeping the base from tipping relative to the mounting post 30 that has been pounded into the ground.

A pair of fasteners 88, such as sheet metal screws, are placed through the fastener openings 90 in the trim piece 78 and through the fastener openings 70 and 76 in the upper and lower rear stabilizing members 56 and 60. The fasteners 88 secure the trim piece 78 to the upper and lower rear stabilizing members 56 and 60. The trim piece 78 covers all the other parts of the mounting kit 10 disposed in the cavity 16 and provides an improved cosmetic appearance to the assembled mailbox 12 and mounting kit 10. The trim piece 78 may also be attached in other manners.

Fig. 4 illustrates a mailbox kit 10a in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The-kit 10a is-substantially similar to the kit 10 (Figs. 1-3 and 5) and-parts that are the same or similar are given the same reference numerals with the suffix"a" added.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the upper rear stabilizing member 56 and the lower rear stabilizing member 60 are omitted. As a result, the trim piece 78a can not be mounted to those members. Therefore, the mailbox base 14a is secured to the mounting post 30a with two extended length screws or other fasteners 84a and 86a.

The fasteners 84a and 86a have end portions that project out beyond the mounting post 30a for a substantial distance. The trim piece 78a includes two bosses 94 that project inward. The trim piece 78a is snapped onto the fasteners 84a and 86a, with the fasteners extending into the bosses 94 to support the trim piece.

Alternative embodiments of the present kit are illustrated in Figs. 6-9. Figure 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a one piece support 96. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the lower support 98 in a rectangular box configuration.

Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of support, a rectangular box configuration one piece support 100 as a metal stamping prior to assembly. Figure 9 illustrates the rectangular box configuration one piece support 100 in assembled condition prior to mounting. The alternate embodiments of the present invention may be used with a mailbox having an open panel for receiving the kit, as illustrated, or a closed compartment for receiving the kit. In a closed compartment embodiment of the mailbox, no additional trim panel is required to cover the kit.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications in the invention. For example, as mentioned above, a kit of the present invention can be used to support other types of objects that are hollow or have central cavities, such as a hollow plastic fence post or an arbor leg.

Such improvements, changes, and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.