Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Specified terranean relationship – Shaft reinforcement adjacent earth's surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-03-20
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Specified terranean relationship
Shaft reinforcement adjacent earth's surface
C052S296000, C052S749100, C052S749100, C052S749100, C052S745210, C052S749100, C052S749100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202371
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to poles, such as for parking meters, that are reinforced to prevent theft, and an apparatus and method for anchoring the parking meter poles in concrete.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Theft of coins from parking meters has become a serious problem in many cities. Thieves have gotten around previous anti-theft devices by sawing through the pole holding the meter, and taking the meter's head, coins and all, with them. In some cities, there have been large numbers of “decapitated” parking meters.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,531, issued on Oct. 31, 1967, to George H. Watson, discloses a frangible connector assembly for stanchions, poles, and standards, which may be used in parking meter poles, in which an anchoring bolt is embedded in concrete. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it the anchoring tubes are attached to the concrete by epoxy.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,529, issued on Aug. 3, 1976, to Walter F. McNeil, discloses reinforced tubular metallic materials, having recesses cut along their outer surfaces, into which graphite fiber strips are inserted. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it a hardening compound, rather than graphite fiber, is applied over the surface of the parking meter poles, rather than in recesses.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,406, issued on Jan. 22, 1991, to B. Drew Winsor, discloses an anti-theft parking meter anchoring device, for anchoring a parking meter head to the top of a support post. The instant invention is distinguishable, as it reinforces the pole itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,774, issued on Sep. 16, 1997, to Alfred D. Commins, discloses an adjustable support system for joining structural members, in which a threaded rod is secured in concrete by grout or epoxy. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that in it tubes or rods are welded to the base plate, need not be threaded, and in a preferred embodiment have hollow interiors to allow more effective bonding to the hardened epoxy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,228, issued on Sep. 8, 1998, to Tom Lucas, discloses parking meter assemblies designed to prevent theft of coins in the parking meters, by means of reinforced steel sheets around the coin receptacle. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it reinforces the pole to which the head of the parking meter is attached.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, will be seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a pole, such as for a parking meter, that is reinforced by a hardening compound applied to its surface, preferably in vertical strips, and a method of anchoring the pole. The hardening compound is preferably a solder that is applied to the external surface of the pole by welding. Once it cools, this hardening compound cannot be cut with an ordinary hacksaw. For esthetic purposes, and to prevent rust to the pole, a PVC pipe with a slightly greater diameter than the pole is placed over and around the pole. In a preferred embodiment, the pole is welded to a metal plate, with hollow metal cylinders welded to and extending from an opposite surface of the plate. Holes are drilled in a concrete surface, epoxy is inserted into the holes, and the metal cylinders are inserted into the holes before the epoxy hardens. This makes it possible for the pole to be securely attached to the concrete surface, without the need for digging several feet below the surface.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to prevent parking meter theft.
It is another object of the invention to prevent theft of any object attached to a pole.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a convenient means for attaching parking meters to a concrete surface.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a means for securely attaching any upright object to a concrete surface.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2099126 (1937-11-01), Larsen
patent: 3349531 (1967-10-01), Watson
patent: 3621663 (1971-11-01), Otani
patent: 3792680 (1974-02-01), Allen
patent: 3972529 (1976-08-01), McNeil
patent: 4986406 (1991-01-01), Winsor
patent: 5339594 (1994-08-01), Ventura-Berti
patent: 5572846 (1996-11-01), Sosa
patent: 5666774 (1997-09-01), Commins
patent: 5803223 (1998-09-01), Lucas
patent: 5869159 (1999-02-01), Padilla
Kent Christopher T.
Swift Stephen Christopher
Swift Law Office
Thissell Jennifer I.
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