Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-24
2001-09-04
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
C052S749100, C052S749100, C052S749100, C052S745210, C052S749100, C052S170000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282861
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. 265,106, issued on Sep. 26, 1882, to Robert Bristow Lee, discloses a device for forming lattice pillars, in which wire is wrapped around a cylindrical object in a spiral pattern. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that the hard-facing is welded to the pole in vertical strips.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,842,547, issued on Jan. 26, 1932, to Victor F. Hammel, discloses a cylindrical structure, in which a post or pole is supported by helically arranged bars or rods. Again, the instant invention is distinguishable, in that the hardfacing is welded to the pole in vertical strips.
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, by means of a locking pin that passes through transverse holes in the bottom of the parking meter head and the top of the support post. The instant invention is distinguishable, as it uses welding to secure the parking meter head on the support post, and does not require a locking pin.
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 coil receptacle. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it reinforces the pole to which the head of the parking meter is attached, and strengthens the connection of the pole to the head by welding.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,262, issued on Sep. 15, 1998, to Gordon A. Nagle, discloses a post and a method of emplacing the post in concrete. The instant invention is distinguishable, in that it uses epoxy to bind the metal cylinders in the base plate to a concrete surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,387, issued on Oct. 27, 1998, to Allan P. Henderson and Miller B. Patrick, discloses a pier foundation under high unit compression, in which metal rods are embedded in concrete, but without the use of epoxy, as in the instant invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,540, issued on Mar. 9, 1999, to Jerome Neil Morstein, discloses a utility pole base pan with drain, involving the embedding of metal bolts in concrete, without the use of epoxy, as in the instant invention.
Canadian Patent No. 885,158, issued on Nov. 9, 1971, to Joseph D. George, discloses a matter of installing poles in a concrete surface, in which grout is used rather than epoxy.
French Patent No. 2,624,903, published on Jun. 23, 1989, to Louis Daniel Champy and Christian Biaille, discloses a reinforced concrete base unit for a one-piece pylon, again involving the embedding of metal in concrete without the use of epoxy.
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 the 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. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment, circular transverse holes are made in the top of the pole using a plasma cutter, and expander jaws are then welded to the interior of the pole, to securely attach the head of the parking meter to the pole.
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.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide a means for more securely attaching the head of a parking meter to its supporting pole.
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: 265106 (1882-09-01), Lee
patent: D. 396655 (1998-08-01), Anderson
patent: 1842547 (1932-01-01), Hammel
patent: 3349531 (1967-10-01), Watson
patent: 3972529 (1976-08-01), McNeil
patent: 4798273 (1989-01-01), Ward II
patent: 4986406 (1991-01-01), Winsor
patent: 5666774 (1997-09-01), Commins
patent: 5803223 (1998-09-01), Lucas
patent: 5806262 (1998-09-01), Nagle
patent: 5826387 (1998-10-01), Henderson et al.
patent: 5878540 (1999-03-01), Morstein
patent: 6098361 (2000-08-01), Roten et al.
patent: 885158 (1971-11-01), None
patent: 2624903 (1989-06-01), None
Kent Christopher T.
Swift Stephen Christopher
Swift Law Office
Thissell Jennifer I.
LandOfFree
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