Abstract: A decorative post includes an elongated outer polymer shell having at least one longitudinal groove extending a majority of a length of the elongated shell sized and shaped to hold a decorative fence panel. The decorative fence post also includes an elongated reinforcing member disposed in the outer polymer shell, and substantially extending a length of the fence post. A foam filler is disposed inside the outer polymer shell between the shell and the reinforcement member. An aperture is disposed in the outer polymer shell near an end of the reinforcing member, and a void extends from the aperture into the foam filler adjacent to and exposing an end of the reinforcing member. The void defines a slip zone at the end of the reinforcing member into which the reinforcing member extends as the outer shell shrinks longitudinally during post mold cooling.

Abstract: The opposite plastic walls 20a and 20b can be made from a polymeric resin material such as thermoplastic or thermoset resin, and/or can be made from olefins, styrenes, nylons, or mixtures of these polymeric families. In one aspect, the opposite plastic walls can be formed from an olefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or the like. In another aspect, the opposite plastic walls can be formed from a styrene, such as acrylonitrile or butadiene styrene, or the like. In still another aspect, the opposite plastic walls can be formed from a mixture of olefins and styrenes. The polymeric resin material can also be made from recycled olefin, styrene, or nylon products. It will also be appreciated that the material of the walls can include additives, such as glass, fiber, talc, UV resistive or protective materials, etc. In one aspect, plastic granules of different colors can be combined to obtain a wall color that is a composite color to more readily simulate another material.

Abstract: A molded article includes a rotationally-molded body of polymer material, and a reinforcing member substantially encased within and in direct contact with the polymer material. Both the polymer material and the reinforcing member have their own unique post-molding shrinkage characteristics. A slip zone, defining a void in the body of polymer material, is formed around the end of the reinforcing member, such that post-molding shrinkage of the polymer material imposes substantially no stress on the end of the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member has a surface coating that substantially eliminates adhesion with the polymer material, so as to enable displacement of the reinforcing member with respect to contacting polymer material, and thereby reduce post-molding deformation of the molded article.

Abstract: A decorative post includes an elongated outer polymer shell having at least one longitudinal groove extending a majority of a length of the elongated shell sized and shaped to hold a decorative fence panel. The decorative fence post also includes an elongated reinforcing member disposed in the outer polymer shell, and substantially extending a length of the fence post. A foam filler is disposed inside the outer polymer shell between the shell and the reinforcement member. An aperture is disposed in the outer polymer shell near an end of the reinforcing member, and a void extends from the aperture into the foam filler adjacent to and exposing an end of the reinforcing member. The void defines a slip zone at the end of the reinforcing member into which the reinforcing member extends as the outer shell shrinks longitudinally during post mold cooling.

Abstract: A decorative fence panel including opposite plastic walls that have opposite facing exterior surfaces. Each wall has a grid of traversing elongated channels formed by inward bending in the walls to define a decorative profile of a fence. A plurality of separate and discrete connections is disposed across the decorative fence panel. The connections are formed between the opposite walls by select intersections of the grids of traversing channels of the opposite walls. The connections form a plurality of continuous material nodes of thermal energy transfer paths between the opposite walls to transfer thermal energy between the opposite walls.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a support leg hingedly attached to a support surface includes a base, attached to the support surface, with a plurality of angularly spaced, radial teeth, and a coupler, attached to the support leg, having a plurality of angularly spaced, radial teeth configured to mate with the teeth of the base. A selectively releasable engagement mechanism is configured to engage and disengage the teeth of the base with the teeth of the coupler, to allow selective rotation of the support leg between an extended position and a folded position, and to lock the leg in the extended or folded position.

Abstract: A molded article includes a rotationally-molded body of polymer material, formed in a mold, with an elongate reinforcing member, having an end, substantially encased within the body of polymer material during molding thereof. A slip zone, defining a void in the body of polymer material, is formed around the end of the reinforcing member, such that post-molding shrinkage of the polymer material imposes substantially no stress on the end of the reinforcing member.

Abstract: A molded article includes a rotationally-molded body of polymer material, and a reinforcing member substantially encased within and in direct contact with the polymer material. Both the polymer material and the reinforcing member have their own unique post-molding shrinkage characteristics. The reinforcing member has a surface that substantially eliminates adhesion with the polymer material, so as to enable displacement of the reinforcing member with respect to contacting polymer material, and thereby reduce post-molding deformation of the molded article.

Abstract: A plastic table structure includes a tabletop comprising a thin polymer shell layer surrounding an expanded foam core. The multiple layers of the finished tabletop are molded concurrently in a one pass biaxial or centrifugal rotational molding process, and cured in an oven. The rotational molding process advantageously allows the shell and foam core polymer materials to be distributed into all portions of the mold. In one embodiment, a structural frame is disposed in the mold, and the foam core encases and surrounds the frame. The structural frame may be made of steel, wood, composite materials, or other materials.