AU2004201611B8 - Decorated column - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): WE-EF LEUCHTEN GMBH & CO. KG Invention Title: DECORATED COLUMN The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -2 DECORATED COLUMN Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a decorated column which 5 can be used as a mast, flag pole or the like. Background of the Invention Conventional masts made of wood or metals have been in use for a long time. Wood, while providing natural beauty and 10 aesthetic touch and feel, still has disadvantages in strength and durability. Moreover, wood is becoming more rare and expensive. Depending on lengths and sizes, the longer and larger it is, the more expensive and scarce it will be.. In addition, one should not forget the fact that 15 wood is a natural degradable material so it will deteriorate to unacceptable state if used in severe conditions. This is particularly true for outdoor use of wood such as flag poles, mast lighting poles or any decorative column. 20 On the contrary, metals which are comparatively cheaper than wood provide excellent strength and durability. Still, they lack natural beauty as wood. However, in the applications where aesthetic factor is of prime interest, 25 wood has priority over metals at the cost of high expense and less durability. Attempts have been made to provide a mast which can still provide natural beauty of wood with lower cost. One 30 solution is to provide a mast comprising several pieces of wood combined. Figure 3 shows a high mast made of four pieces of wood, each of which is cut into a quarter of a circle. Each piece of wood is fitted into the fitting groove of the other adjacent piece. Together they combine 35 to complete a circular cross-section pole. H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Colurn.doc 15/04/04 -3 However, there are still drawbacks from such approaches. Wood can be divided into only a limited number of pieces, preferably 4-6 pieces. Therefore, pieces of wood to be fitted into circular section are still quite large and 5 need precise and sophisticated machine tools to form. Moreover, unreliable and complicated means whether they are mechanical or chemical are still required to hold pieces of wood together. In addition to this, there is no provision for expansion and contraction of wood. The 10 problem is more severe when this kind of composite wood is subjected to heat and moisture of an outdoor environment. In the end, the composite wood tends to disintegrate or separate apart. 15 Consequently, a need has developed for a decorated column, which is adaptive for providing aesthetic appearance yet be strong and durable, the decorated column that is easier and cheap in production, requiring no means for fixing and no tools in assembling. Yet the decorated columns should 20 provide clearance for contraction and expansion of assembled material. Summary of the Invention The invention therefore provides a decorated column 25 comprising: a core made of a first material, said core having a plurality of ribs circumferentially arranged around its periphery at predetermined intervals, said ribs comprising a pair of flanges inclined at an angle to a central axis 30 of the respective rib, each said flange including one of a recess and protrusion extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the flange, a plurality of slots being formed by the space between a right flange of one rib and a left flange of an adjacent rib; 35 an external enclosure made of a second material consisting of a plurality of profiles, each of said profiles including exterior and interior surface, said 2176018_1 (GHMatters) 6/02/10 - 4 exterior surface being wider than the interior surface, said exterior and interior surface being joined by side surfaces, each side surface having the other of said recess and protrusion, said recess having a curvature 5 fittingly matching a curvature of said protrusion; and said profiles being slidingly inserted into said slots, and each profile being held in place by engagement of the protrusions with the recesses. 10 Thus, according to the present invention, a decorated column can be provided in which a core can be made from any suitable material to provide structural integrity, and the profile provided from any suitable material to provide the required decoration. In one example, the core can be 15 formed from metal and the profile from wood, thereby combining both the structural strength of the metal material and also the attractive appearance of wood. However, the core and profile may be made from different materials, depending on the environment in which the 20 column is to be used and the aesthetic appearance which is required. The structure of the invention thereby enables profiles of different material to be used to provide the required appearance, and also different materials to be used for the formation of the core to provide the required 25 degree of strength given the particular application of the column. The plurality of profiles also provide clearance for contraction and expansion and the ability to slide the profiles into the slots means that the pole can be assembled without the need for tools. 30 Preferably the core is of any geometrical cross-section. Preferably the core has a circular or oval cross-section. 35 Preferably the first material is metal or synthetic material. 21760181 (GHMatters) 8/02/10 - 5 Preferably the second material is natural or synthetic material. Preferably the first material is aluminium and the second 5 material is wood. Preferably the recesses are provided on the sides of the profiles and the protrusions on the flanges of the ribs. 10 Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wood decorated column according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section view of a wood decorated column according to the present invention; 15 Figure 3 is a conventional wooden pole made of four pieces of wood assembled together. Description of the Preferred Embodiment In accordance with one embodiment of the present 20 invention, the wood decorated column includes a core and an external enclosure characterised in that the core is made of a first material. The core provides a plurality of ribs circumferentially arranged around its periphery at a predetermined interval. The ribs also include a pair of 25 flanges inclined at a small angle to the central axis of the ribs. The flange includes at its end a protrusion extending substantially perpendicular to the flange axis. A plurality of slots is formed from the space between the right flanges and the corresponding left flanges of the 30 next adjacent right ribs. An external enclosure is made of a second material consisting of a plurality of profiles. Each profile includes an exterior and interior surface. The exterior 35 surface is wider than the interior surface and is a substantially curved surface. The exterior and interior surfaces integrally join together at substantially the H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Column.doc 15/04/04 -6 middle of the thickness of the profiles forming two grooves on each side of the profiles. The grooves have a curvature that fittingly matches with the curvature of said protrusion. 5 The profiles are slidingly inserted into the slots. The narrow cross-section of the profiles is engaged and held in place by the protrusions of the corresponding flanges. 10 Referring now to the drawings in detail and initially to Figure 1 thereof, a perspective view of the wood decorated column according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. An aluminium core 1 provides a plurality of ribs 9 with which a plurality of 15 wood pieces 2 slidingly engage. In this example, twelve slots 11 are provided between adjacent ribs 9 on the periphery of core 1 and twelve pieces of wood slidingly engage with them. One slot on the top of the wood decorated column in Figure 1 is intentionally left half 20 blank to show the wooden profile sliding into its position. Viewing from the exterior, the aluminium core is intentionally hidden from eyesight. So, the external appearance of the wood decorated column is substantially a continuous string of wood held together by the engagement 25 of wood pieces 2 and an aluminium core 1. There is left only a comparatively small clearance between each wooden profile. The engagement between the core 1 and wood pieces 2 will 30 be explained in detail. Referring to Figure 2, the hollow core 1 is made of metals, preferably extruded aluminium or an alloy of it. The hollow core 1 has the ribs 9 circumferentially arranged around its periphery at predetermined intervals. Each rib 9 stems out as a pair 35 of flanges 3 and 3'. Flanges 3 and 3' are identical in shape and dimension. The main feature of the flanges 3 and 3' are small protrusions 4 and 4' at their ends. The H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Column.doc 15/04/04 -7 protrusions 4 and 4' are substantially perpendicular to the flange axis 5 and 5'. Each left and right flange is inclined at a small degree to its central axis 6. A space between the left flange 3' and the right flange 3 of the 5 next adjacent rib 9 form a slot 11. The number of ribs 9 provided depends on the size of the wood decorated column. Preferably, the number of ribs 9 ranges from 8-16. The profile of the wood pieces 2 is formed from machine 10 tools. The wooden profile 2 consists of two surfaces. An exterior surface 13 has a wider surface area than an interior surface 14 and has a substantially curved surface. The interior surface 14 of the wooden profile is substantially straight. The exterior surface 13 and the 15 interior surface 14 are integrally joined together at the middle of the thickness of the wooden profile where a groove 15 is formed on each side surface of the wooden profile. The curvature of the grooves 15 matches with the curvature of the protrusion 4 of the flanges 3, 3'. The 20 assembly of the wooden profiles into the wood decorated column can be done with no tool. The wooden profiles 2 are slidingly inserted into the slots 9 formed between. the left and right flanges of adjacent ribs 9. The narrow cross-section area of the wood profile is engaged-and held 25 in place by the protrusions 4 and 4' of the corresponding flanges 3, 3'. The core of a wood decorated column is typically made of metal., preferably aluminium manufacture by extrusion. The 30 extrusion die has to be especially designed to adapt wooden profiles. The extended core may be black anodized to retreat visually between the wooden profiles. The manufacturing of the wooden profiles 2 is done 35 separated from the core. The wooden profiles 2 can be produced through milling by machines also used for the production of other wooden profiles. H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Column.doc 15/04/04 -8 Production of the components to be assembled as wood decorated columns can assure several advantages comparing with conventional poles in the following categories. 5 - Long lasting - Straightness (no bending through heat or rain or wind) - Integrity (no crack) 10 - Wood colour stability (by special wood treatment) Accordingly, it can be seen that a relatively simple manufactured and assembled wood decorated column is provided which allows for aesthetic appearance as well as 15 strength and durability. As hollow and as thin as it can be, the metal core still provides strength and durability as well as a light weight. At the same time, aesthetic appearance is provided by the exterior surface of the wooden profiles. In addition, ease in production of the 20 components is provided by standard manufacturing machines. The assembly of the wood decorated column is readily accomplishable by the simple sliding insertion of the wooden profiles into the slots provided on the exterior ribs of the central core which can be executed with no 25 tool at all. Besides an end-cap, no other fixing means, whether they are mechanical, chemical or any other means, are required. A small slot between each wooden profile provided by the design dimension of the ribs and wooden profiles provides clearance for expansion and contraction 30 of the material. Unlike with conventional wooden poles, the replacement of wooden profiles can be done piece by piece providing ease for maintenance and material replacement. 35 Numerous variations can be applied to the invention only limited to imagination. For example, the core can be manufactured in any other geometrical or non-geometrical H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Column.doc 15/04/04 -9 shape. Besides a circular shape, oval, rectangular, square or any other shape whether it is symmetrical or asynmmetrical shape can be manufactured with the design of ribs and slot dimension and also the matching wooden 5 profile modified to suit with the core surfaces. Materials also provide another area of variations. Core materials can be manufactured with other materials besides metals. Other synthetic.materials such as plastic can 10 find suitable application with the invention. Small size columns with varying shapes can be manufactured by extrusion of plastic. Besides, more materials can be selected for exterior profiles. While wooden profiles provide natural beauty, numerous combinations of colour, 15 texture, and design can be accomplished by the use of other synthetic materials such as plastic or any other synthetic materials as inserted profiles. (The decorated column with profiles of other materials than wood will be hereafter referred to as a "decorated column"). 20 The wood decorated column according to the invention can find application in many ways. Lighting poles for mounting of lighting luminaries normally made of aluminium or galvanized steel can now conceal their metal appearance 25 with wooden profiles or other decorative materials inserted around their exterior surfaces, especially the high mast lighting system where wood decoration around the lighting pole is almost inapplicable before. Flag poles normally using solid wood can now switch to wood decorated 30 columns of the invention to provide a pole no longer limited in height any more, and the area where one can find more applications of the decorated column than in any other areas is the decoration works, which numerous designs can be applied depending only on imagination. 35 It is understood, of course, that while the forms of the invention herein shown and described include the best mode H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Column.doc 15/04/04 - 10 contemplated for carrying out the present invention, they are n-ot intended to illustrate all possible forms thereof. It will also be understood that the words used are descriptive rather than limiting, and that various changes 5 may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed below. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 10 requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further 15 features in various embodiments of the invention. H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Column.doc 15/04/04

Claims (11)

1. A decorated column comprising: a core made of a first material, said core having a 5 plurality of ribs circumferentially arranged around its periphery at predetermined intervals, said ribs comprising a pair of flanges inclined at an angle to a central axis of the respective rib, each said flange including one of a recess and protrusion extending substantially 10 perpendicular to an axis of the flange, a plurality of slots being formed by the space between a right flange of one rib and a left flange of an adjacent rib; an external enclosure made of a second material consisting of a plurality of profiles, each of said 15 profiles including exterior and interior surface, said exterior surface being wider than the interior surface, said exterior and interior surface being joined by side surfaces, each side surface having the other of said recess and protrusion, said recess having a curvature 20 fittingly matching a curvature of said protrusion; and said profiles being slidingly inserted into said slots, and each profile being held in place by engagement of the protrusions with the recesses. 25

2. The decorated column as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the core is of any geometrical cross-section.

3. The decorated column as claimed in claim 1 30 characterised in that the core has a circular or oval cross-section.

4. The decorated column as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the first material is metal 35 or synthetic material. 2176018_1 (GHtatters) 8/02/10 - 12 5. The decorated column as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the second material is natural or synthetic material.

5

6. The decorated column as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the first material is aluminium and the second material is wood.

7. The decorated column as claimed in any one of claims 10 1 to 6 wherein the recesses are provided on the sides of the profiles and the protrusions on the flanges of the ribs.

8. The use of a decorated column as claimed in any one 15 of the preceding claims as a lighting pole.

9. The use of a decorated column as claimed in any one of the preceding claims as a flagpole. 20

10. The use of a decorated column as claimed in any one of the preceding claims as a decorative work.

11. A decorated column substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the 25 accompanying drawings. H:\Luisa\Keep\Speci\We-ef Patent - Decorated Column.doc 15/04/04