1. A post protector comprising two substantially identical vertical halves, each said vertical half including a body having a top portion and bottom portion separated vertically; a horizontal flange connected to the top portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end; a horizontal flange connected to the bottom portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end congruous to the geometric indentation of the flange at the top portion; fastening means for connecting the two vertical halves together, such that when the two halves are joined together the edges of each half and the end sections of the flanges contact to form an elongated protector having a central opening for receiving and protecting a post.
2. The post protector of claim 1, wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a rectangular shape.
3. The post protector of claim 1, wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a circular shape.
4. The post protector of claim 1, wherein each body has a curved horizontal cross-section.
5. The post protector of claim 1, wherein each body has a rectangular horizontal cross-section.
6. The post protector of claim 1, wherein the fastening means includes holes and threaded fasteners.
7. The post protector of claim 1, wherein the vertical halves form a dome shape.
8. The post protector of claim 1, wherein the vertical halves each have an inwardly indented center section, such that when the two halves are connected together the indented center sections form a continuous indented center section extending the entire horizontal circumference of the body and defining an area between the top and bottom portions adapted to deflect any cutting means from passing over said top portion or below said bottom portion.
9. The post and post protector system of claim 8, wherein the indented section has a concave vertical cross section.
10. The post and post protector system of claim 8, wherein the indented section has a V-shaped vertical cross section.
11. A post and post protector system comprising an elongated post; and a post protector comprising two substantially identical vertical halves, each said vertical half including a body having a top portion and bottom portion separated vertically; a horizontal flange connected to the top portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end; a horizontal flange connected to the bottom portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end congruous to the geometric indentation of the flange at the top portion; fastening means for connecting the two vertical halves together, such that when the two halves are joined together the edges of each half and the end sections of the flanges contact to form an elongated protector having a central opening for receiving and protecting a post.
12. The post protector of claim 11, wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a rectangular shape.
13. The post protector of claim 11, wherein the geometric indentations of the top and bottom flanges are of a circular shape.
14. The post protector of claim 11, wherein each body has a curved horizontal cross-section.
15. The post protector of claim 11, wherein each body has a rectangular horizontal cross-section.
16. The post protector of claim 11, wherein the fastening means includes holes and threaded fasteners.
17. The post protector of claim 11, wherein the vertical halves form a dome shape.
18. The post protector of claim 11, wherein the vertical halves each have an inwardly indented center section, such that when the two halves are connected together the indented center sections form a continuous indented center section extending the entire horizontal circumference of the body and defining an area between the top and bottom portions adapted to deflect any cutting means from passing over said top portion or below said bottom portion.
19. A fence assembly comprising a plurality of posts; a plurality of cross pieces; and a plurality of post protectors, wherein each post protector comprising two substantially identical vertical halves, each said vertical half including a body having a top portion and bottom portion separated vertically; a horizontal flange connected to the top portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end; a horizontal flange connected to the bottom portion, extending inwardly, and having a geometric indentation at its distal end congruous to the geometric indentation of the flange at the top portion; fastening means for connecting the two vertical halves together, such that when the two halves are joined together the edges of each half and the end sections of the flanges contact to form an elongated post having a central opening for receiving and protecting a post.
20. The post protector of claim 19, wherein the vertical halves each have an inwardly indented center section, such that when the two halves are connected together the indented center sections form a continuous indented center section extending the entire horizontal circumference of the body and defining an area between the top and bottom portions adapted to deflect any cutting means from passing over said top portion or below said bottom portion.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A fuel evaporative emission control apparatus, comprising:
a first communication passage for communication between an intake passage of an engine of a vehicle and a canister;
a second communication passage for communication between the canister and a fuel tank;
a third communication passage for communication between the canister and outside air;
a first openingclosing portion, provided in the first communication passage, for opening and closing the first communication passage;
a second openingclosing portion, provided in the second communication passage, for opening and closing the second communication passage;
a third openingclosing portion, provided in the second communication passage on a side of the canister with respect to a junction of the second communication passage with the first communication passage, for opening and closing the second communication passage;
a fourth openingclosing portion, provided in the third communication passage, for opening and closing the third communication passage;
a tank pressure detection portion that detects a pressure within the fuel tank; and
a determination portion that executes a first leak presenceabsence determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the tank pressure detection portion, with the first openingclosing portion being closed, the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the third openingclosing portion being closed.
2. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a pressure generation portion that generates a pressure within the canister via the third communication passage; and
a canister pressure detection portion that detects the pressure within the canister,
wherein if the determination portion does not determine by the first leak presenceabsence determination that there are leaks of fuel evaporative gases in the fuel tank,
the determination portion further executes a second leak presenceabsence determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the canister pressure detection portion, when the third openingclosing portion is switched from a closed state to an open state, with the pressure generation portion being at a standstill, the first openingclosing portion being opened, the second openingclosing portion being closed, and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed.
3. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
when the pressure of the canister rises or lowers to a preset second threshold value within a predetermined time during the second leak presenceabsence determination, the determination portion determines that there are no leaks of fuel evaporative gases.
4. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
if the determination portion determines by the first leak presenceabsence determination that there are leaks of fuel evaporative gases in the fuel tank,
the determination portion further executes, after the first leak presenceabsence determination,
a first leak location determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the canister pressure detection portion, when the pressure is generated within the canister by the pressure generation portion, with the second openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being opened, and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed, and
a second leak location determination for determining a location of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the canister pressure detection portion, when the pressure is generated within the canister, with the second openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being switched to a closed state.
5. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
if the determination portion determines by the first leak presenceabsence determination that there are leaks of fuel evaporative gases in the fuel tank,
the determination portion further executes, after the first leak presenceabsence determination,
a first leak location determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the canister pressure detection portion, when the pressure is generated within the canister by the pressure generation portion, with the second openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being opened, and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed, and
a second leak location determination for determining a location of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the canister pressure detection portion, when the pressure is generated within the canister, with the second openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being switched to a closed state.
6. A fuel evaporative emission control apparatus, comprising:
a first communication passage for communication between an intake passage of an engine of a vehicle and a canister;
a second communication passage for communication between the canister and a fuel tank;
a third communication passage for communication between the canister and outside air;
a first openingclosing portion, provided in the first communication passage, for opening and closing the first communication passage;
a second openingclosing portion, provided in the second communication passage, for opening and closing the second communication passage;
a third openingclosing portion, provided in the second communication passage on a side of the canister with respect to a junction of the second communication passage with the first communication passage, for opening and closing the second communication passage;
a fourth openingclosing portion, provided in the third communication passage, for opening and closing the third communication passage;
a pressure generation portion that generates a pressure within the canister via the third communication passage;
a canister pressure detection portion that detects the pressure within the canister; and
a determination portion which executes a first leak location determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the canister pressure detection portion, when the pressure is generated within the canister by the pressure generation portion, with the first openingclosing portion being closed, the second openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being opened, and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed, and if it is determined, by the first leak location determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are present, executes a second leak location determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on a detection result of the canister pressure detection portion, when the pressure is generated within the canister, with the third openingclosing portion being switched from an open state to a closed state.
7. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
in executing the first leak location determination, the determination portion determines that leaks are present when the detection result of the canister pressure detection portion fails to reach a preset first pressure.
8. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
in executing the second leak location determination, the determination portion determines that leaks occur on a side of the canister with respect to the third openingclosing portion when the detection result of the canister pressure detection portion fails to reach a preset second pressure, and determines that leaks occur on a side of the fuel tank with respect to the third openingclosing portion when the detection result of the canister pressure detection portion exceeds the second pressure.
9. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
in executing the second leak location determination, the determination portion determines that leaks occur on a side of the canister with respect to the third openingclosing portion when the detection result of the canister pressure detection portion fails to reach a preset second pressure, and determines that leaks occur on a side of the fuel tank with respect to the third openingclosing portion when the detection result of the canister pressure detection portion exceeds the second pressure.
10. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising
a tank pressure detection portion that detects a pressure within the fuel tank,
wherein the determination portion executes, prior to the first leak location determination, a leak presenceabsence determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on detection results of the canister pressure detection portion and the tank pressure detection portion, and if it is not determined, by the leak presenceabsence determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, executes the first leak location determination.
11. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising
a tank pressure detection portion that detects a pressure within the fuel tank,
wherein the determination portion executes, prior to the first leak location determination, a leak presenceabsence determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on detection results of the canister pressure detection portion and the tank pressure detection portion, and if it is not determined, by the leak presenceabsence determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, executes the first leak location determination.
12. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising
a tank pressure detection portion that detects a pressure within the fuel tank,
wherein the determination portion executes, prior to the first leak location determination, a leak presenceabsence determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on detection results of the canister pressure detection portion and the tank pressure detection portion, and if it is not determined, by the leak presenceabsence determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, executes the first leak location determination.
13. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising
a tank pressure detection portion that detects a pressure within the fuel tank,
wherein the determination portion executes, prior to the first leak location determination, a leak presenceabsence determination for determining presence or absence of leaks of fuel evaporative gases based on detection results of the canister pressure detection portion and the tank pressure detection portion, and if it is not determined, by the leak presenceabsence determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, executes the first leak location determination.
14. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
in executing the leak presenceabsence determination, the determination portion does not determine that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, but executes the first leak location determination,
when the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, lowers to a preset first threshold value within a predetermined time, or
even in a case where the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, does not lower to the preset first threshold value within the predetermined time, when upon subsequent switching of the third openingclosing portion from a closed state to an open state, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, the first openingclosing portion and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed, and the pressure generation portion being stopped, the pressure of the canister does not rise or lower to a preset second threshold value within a predetermined time.
15. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
in executing the leak presenceabsence determination, the determination portion does not determine that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, but executes the first leak location determination,
when the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, lowers to a preset first threshold value within a predetermined time, or
even in a case where the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, does not lower to the preset first threshold value within the predetermined time, when upon subsequent switching of the third openingclosing portion from a closed state to an open state, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, the first openingclosing portion and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed, and the pressure generation portion being stopped, the pressure of the canister does not rise or lower to a preset second threshold value within a predetermined time.
16. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
in executing the leak presenceabsence determination, the determination portion does not determine that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, but executes the first leak location determination,
when the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, lowers to a preset first threshold value within a predetermined time, or
even in a case where the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, does not lower to the preset first threshold value within the predetermined time, when upon subsequent switching of the third openingclosing portion from a closed state to an open state, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, the first openingclosing portion and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed, and the pressure generation portion being stopped, the pressure of the canister does not rise or lower to a preset second threshold value within a predetermined time.
17. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
in executing the leak presenceabsence determination, the determination portion does not determine that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, but executes the first leak location determination,
when the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, lowers to a preset first threshold value within a predetermined time, or
even in a case where the pressure of the fuel tank, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, and the first openingclosing portion and the third openingclosing portion being closed, does not lower to the preset first threshold value within the predetermined time, when upon subsequent switching of the third openingclosing portion from a closed state to an open state, with the second openingclosing portion being opened, the first openingclosing portion and the fourth openingclosing portion being closed, and the pressure generation portion being stopped, the pressure of the canister does not rise or lower to a preset second threshold value within a predetermined time.
18. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
if it is determined, by the leak presenceabsence determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, the first leak location determination is not executed, but the second leak location determination is executed.
19. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein
if it is determined, by the leak presenceabsence determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, the first leak location determination is not executed, but the second leak location determination is executed.
20. The fuel evaporative emission control apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
if it is determined, by the leak presenceabsence determination, that leaks of fuel evaporative gases are absent, the first leak location determination is not executed, but the second leak location determination is executed.