GB2408753A

GB2408753A - Pole holder and erector

Info

Publication number: GB2408753A
Application number: GB0327953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-12-03
Filing date: 2003-12-03
Publication date: 2005-06-08
Also published as: GB0327953D0

Abstract

An assembly 1 for use in erecting a two part pole 6,7 into an upright position, the assembly comprising a pole 6, an anchor 2 for anchoring the assembly into the surface and a support member 3 for supporting the pole 7 when upright, the support member being provided with a pivot 5 about which the pole 6 is pivoted, characterised in that the support member 3 extends above the pivot 5 to provide additional support for the upper part of the pole 7 which, when in an upright position, is located above the pivot 5.

Description

POLE ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a pole assembly for use in erecting a pole into an upright position in relation to a surface, methods of use thereof and a kit comprising the component parts of the assembly.

Background to the invention

The erection of a pole, such as a flag pole, a kite pole, a radio-mast, a fishing rod or a banner into an upright position is often fraught with technical difficulties, and such difficulties are intensified if an individual wishes to erect the pole. In such a situation there are a number of problems that must be overcome, particularly that the base of the pole may move around whilst the pole is being manoeuvred from the opposing e..d end that the weight of the pole may be too heavy from the individual to lift easily.

US 3,941,083 attempts to address these problems. A flag pole is disclosed that is balanced about pivot bearings of a stationary base so that the flag pole can be effortlessly tilted down into a horizontal position enabling the flag to be removed or attached. The problem of the base moving has been addressed by providing a stationary base consisting of a pair of parallel, vertical, spaced apart bars which at their lower ends are imbedded into a concrete block. This requires that the base is permanently secured into the ground and is thus not mobile. Kites are often used by farmers as bird-deterrents, these kites fly above metal kite poles which prevents them needing to be repeatedly re-launched. A number of such kites are used within a field and they need to be moved regularly into different positions in order to continue to be effective as bird deterrents. In this example, if the base is embedded in concrete, significant amounts of the field would have to be disturbed so that there are sufficient number of bases to allow such regular re-positioning of the kite poles. Furthermore in the case of radio-masts, which are typically used by the military, the radio-masts may be erected by or on a vehicle in varying situations and thus it is not appropriate that the base needs to be embedded in concrete.

US 3,941,083 does provide an alternative stationary base which can be placed above ground and thus is more mobile, but as is stated in the description, the flag pole has to be provided with an immense counterweight and additionally the pivot pins are each supported at one end by a pair of levers with immense counterweights at their ends. .

Although the base may be mobile, it would appear by the provision of these - counterweights mat it would also be extremely heavy for an individual to carry.

.'e. ' In US 3,941,083 no support is given to the pole above the pivot. In blustery weather conditions the pole may repeatedly sway resulting in the long term in damage. . ...: The stationary base in US 3,941,083 is designed for one dimension of pole and is therefore not multi-functional.

There is therefore a need to provide an individual with a mobile means to erect a pole of any size and shape in any location and to minimise the damage caused to the pole by swaying over time.

Statements of the invention

Thus according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly for use in erecting a pole into an upright position in relation to a surface, the assembly comprising a pole, an anchor for anchoring the assembly into the surface and a support member for supporting the pole when upright, the support member being provided with a pivot about which the pole is pivoted, characterized in that the support member extends above the pivot to provide additional support for an upper part of the pole which, when in an upright position, is located above the pivot and furthermore the support member is provided with a engaging means with which to engage with the upper part of the pole.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the pole is reversibly detachable with the; - pivot. There are a variety of rlleal,s in which the pole Con be attached to the pivot, for e..

example by a screw-thread mechanism. . . : - . In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the pole is adapted to cooperate with a second pole. Preferably this cooperation is achieved by one of the poles being a male member and the other pole being a female member, although other means of co-operation are available and would be known to one skilled in the art. In this embodiment the first pole functions as a socket which links the pivot with the second pole. As the first pole is reversibly detachable from the pivot, an appropriate size and shape of the first pole (socket) can be selected for the second pole.

Preferably the pole is selected from the group consisting of; a flag pole, a kite pole, a radio-mast, a fishing-rod.

It is necessary to anchor the assembly to the surface on which the pole is to be erected. This allows an individual to manocuvre the pole into position without having the worry of the base of the pole moving around. The use of the word 'to' herein used relates to the assembly being anchored either into a surface (e.g anchored into a grass field) or anchored onto a surface (e.g anchored onto the roof of a vehicle).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the anchor is reversibly detachable from the support member.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the anchor is an elongate spike.

This enables the anchor to be driven into a surface. The provision of a striking plate, .'. .

located preferably at the top of the spike, ,cilitatcs the driving of the spike into the surface when using a hammer. Alternatively, the spike could be used to secure the, . : e.- assembly to the side of an object, such as the side of a vehicle, with the vehicle being provided with a suitable bracket for retaining the spike. . . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the anchor may be in the form of a base-plate which can readily be secured above a surface by for example screws. For example secured to the bonnet of a vehicle for the erection of a radio-mast.

Poles can be manufactured in a variety of lengths and materials, parameters which can affect rigidity. If the base of the pole is secured only to the anchor, there is nothing preventing the pole from swaying in the wind and thus becoming damaged over time.

The support member therefore supports the pole above the pivot and thus minimises the amount of sway. The length of the support member may vary depending on the length of the pole being erected. A range of lengths of support members may be available, or alternatively the support member may be telescopic. The support member may further be provided with a slide hammer attachment.

A means of engaging the pole with the support member is provided. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the engaging means is reversibly detachable with the support member. This allows the engaging means to engage with the pole at varying points along the support member and also allows varying sizes of engagement means to be used with varying girths of pole. The engaging means may also be used to maintain the pole at a predetermined upright angle, which is not necessarily 90 in relation to the surface. . . In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention the engaging means is a..

retaining crossbar.

::::.

The assembly is preferably manufactured from a metal, preferably from stainless steel, which is light-weight and easily lifted by an individual. Alternatively the assembly is manufactured from mild steel or aluminium.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of erecting a pole into an upright position comprising the steps of; i) providing an assembly according to the invention herein described; ii) manocuvring the pole about the pivot until a pre-determined upright position is reached; iii) engaging the pole with the support member.

Preferably the poles is selected from the group consisting of; a flag pole, a kite, a radio-mast, a fishing-rod, a placard. s

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising a support member provided with a pivot, a pole adapted to connect with the pivot, an engaging means to engage the pole with the support member when the pole is in an upright position and an anchor for anchoring the support member into a surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the kit comprises a plurality of poles of .

varying sizes and shapes to act as a socket between the pivot and a second pole. . .

In further preferred embodiment of the invention the kit, comprises a plurality of 2 support members of lengths. : ..:

In still further preferred embodiment of the invention the kit comprises a bracket for retaining the anchor next to a surface.

In a still further aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly, method or kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: Illustrates the intact assembly anchored within the ground Figure 2: Illustrates the anchor in more detail. s

Figure 3: Illustrates the engagement of a pole with the support member.

Figure 1: The assembly 1 is shown anchored into the ground by the anchor 2, which is in the form of an elongate spike. An elongate, substantially square support member 3 extends in a substantially vertical direction away from the anchor. This support member can vary in height and generally ranges from 1-2m. The position of the support member is slightly staggered from the position of the anchor although there may be a small degree of overlap between the two structures. This staggered positioning enables a substantially rectangular striking plate 4 to be positioned at the top of the anchor 2, extending out over the anchor and away from the support member. This plate can be struck when the anchor is being driven into the ground by a hammer. A pivot 5 is attached to the support member on the opposing side to the anchor. When the assembly is anchored into the ground this pivot 5 is slightly raised from ground level. A solid pole 6 is reversibly detachable with this pivot 5. This solid pole 6 acts as a female member to cooperate with a hollow pole 7 which acts as a male member. When the pole is in an upright position, it can engage with the support member by the provision of an engaging means 8, for example a retaining crossbar.

Referring now to Figure 2, the anchor 2 is illustrated in more detail.

Referring now to Figure 3, the engaging means 8, in the form of a retaining crossbar is illustrated in further detail. This engaging means is secured to the support member 3 and engages with the second pole 7, thereby maintaining the pole in an upright position and minimising swaying movements. A. .. - . ë-.. he a . Act. .. . e. ä

Claims

Claims 1. An assembly for use in erecting a pole into an upright position

in relation to a surface, the assembly comprising a pole, an anchor for anchoring the assembly into the surface and a support member for supporting the pole when upright, the support member being provided with a pivot about which the pole is pivoted, characterized in that the support member extends above the pivot to provide additional support for an upper part of the pole which, when in an upright position, is located above the pivot and furthermore the support member is provided with a engaging means with which to engage with the upper part of the pole. :.

IS
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pole is reversibly detachable :. .

with the pivot. :
3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pole is adapted to .: cooperate with a second pole.
4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein one of the poles is a male member and the other pole is a female member.
5. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the poles is selected from the group consisting of; a flag pole, a kite, a radio-mast, a fishing-rod, a placard.
6. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the anchor is reversibly detachable from the support member.
7. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the anchor is an elongate spike.
8. An assembly according to claim 7, wherein the spike is provided with a striking plate for use in driving the spike into the surface with a hammer.
9. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support member is telescopic. A. -
10. ^ -l asscr*ly according to My Of claims 1 to 9, wherein the engaging means is e.e reversibly detachable with the support member. :..' - -
1 1. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the engaging means . ..

is a retaining crossbar.
12. A method of erecting a pole into an upright position comprising the steps of; i) providing an assembly according to the claim 1 tot 1; ii) manoeuvring the pole about the pivot until a pre-determined upright position is reached; iii) engaging the pole with the support member.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein one of the poles is selected from the group consisting of; a flag pole, a kite, a radio-mast, a fishing-rod.
14. A kit comprising a support member provided with a pivot, a pole adapted to S connect with the pivot, an engaging means to engage the pole with the support member when the pole is in an upright position and an anchor for anchoring the support member to a surface.
15. A kit according to claim 14, comprising a plurality of poles of varying sizes and shapes.
16. A kit according to claim 15 or 16, comprising a plurality of support members ë of lengths. .

IS
17. A kit according to any of claims 15 to 16, comprising a bracket for retaining . .

the anchor next to a surface.

..'.:
18.An assembly, method or kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.