Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-13
2001-06-26
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Brackets
Specially mounted or attached
C248S218400, C248S219300, C361S674000, C408S212000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250596
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to poles for elevating items, and in particular to apparatus and methods of attaching cross-arms to vertical poles.
2. Problems in the Art
Different ways to attach cross-arms to vertical poles have evolved over the years. Wooden poles remain one popular method of elevating structures. Cross-arms are generally attached to wooden poles by clamps which surround the solid wooden pole. Clamps are also used to attach cross-arms to concrete and hollow metal poles. Some of the problems with the use of clamps include the risk that the clamping hardware will deteriorate or fatigue over the years. This includes the possibility of the clamping hardware loosening and making the cross-arm subject to failure. It is also time-consuming and sometimes difficult to install cross-arms with clamps. Many times the installation must occur after the vertical pole has been anchored in the ground. The installer must therefore be elevated to the location that the cross-arm is to be placed and many times has to work from substantial heights with cross-arms that are heavy and unwieldy. Installation of cross-arms is also subject to the risk that the installer will not be completely accurate in the installation process, including insuring the correct alignment of the cross-arm to the pole, which many times can be critical. One example where such alignment is critical is when the cross-arm holds sports lighting fixtures which collectively, for several poles and several lighting fixtures, optimally will have precise aimings based on pre-calculations of height and orientation of the cross-arm.
Because of the afore-mentioned difficulties, the owner of the present invention developed what will be called a “spacer” that could be attached at one end to the pole and at the other end to a cross-arm. An example of this development can be seen in FIG.
3
. Spacer
2
consists of a hollow body having one end having a curved cut-out which matches the exterior of the pole. The other end is square-cut and matches a flat side of the cross-arm. The spacer
2
could be welded to the metal pole and the metal cross-arm. The structure then does not bear the risk of a loosening of clamping hardware and is very strong.
Another benefit of spacer
2
is the fact the it holds the cross-arm a distance away from the pole. This frees up even the portion of the cross-arm right in front of the pole to be used to suspend items, including the mounting structure for a lighting fixture. Thus, a portion of the cross-arm that otherwise could not be easily utilized with some other mounting systems, can be utilized.
In the example shown in
FIG. 3
, spacer
2
could be utilized with a pre-fabricated vertical pole section
4
made of hollow metal and having an upper end
6
and a lower end
8
. Aperture
7
along pole top
4
would be put in the position where each cross-arm
3
was to be located. Spacers
2
, being hollow, would then be welded between pole top
4
over an aperture
7
, and then to a cross-arm
3
which in turn would have an aperture
7
′, which would be surrounded by the other end of spacer
2
. In this manner, not only could a pole top with cross-arms be pre-assembled at the factory, but the cross-arms and pole top could also be pre-wired through the hollow interior of section
4
, through aperture
7
, through hollow spacers
2
, and through apertures
7
′ in cross-arms
3
. This lends itself to pre-construction of an entire pole top, including the items to be elevated, for example, electrically powered sports lighting fixtures that would be attached as indicated at reference numeral
1
to various spaced-apart locations along cross-arms
3
(other locations not shown).
Spacers
2
at
FIG. 3
therefore achieve the function of allowing a strong factory-assembled connection between pole top
4
and the cross-arms
3
, along with the ability to pre-wire the same. The pole top
4
, with pre-installed and pre-wired cross-arms
3
, could be shipped pre-assembled to location. The bottom
8
of pole top
4
could then be slip-fit over the top of the main part of the pole to be erected, with sports lighting which could be many tens of feet tall (including over a 100 feet tall).
Such a combination is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,537, issued Feb. 4, 1997, co-owned by the owner of the present application, and the contents thereof are incorporated by reference herein.
Although the structure shown in
FIG. 3
works well for its intended purpose, in certain situations the structure, over long periods of time, has developed fractures at or near the junction of spacers
2
and hollow metal pole or pole top
4
. Although it is not precisely known how and why such fractures occur, one explanation is that in certain environmental conditions, oscillation of cross-arms is believed to occur. Over time the oscillations or vibrations are believed to be transferred through spacers
2
to the relatively thin walled tubular pole
4
. It is believed that spacers
2
can act somewhat like punching tubes which fracture the vertical tube
4
at their junction. It is believed that such fatigue problems are caused by a repeating or long-term cyclic vibration. Many times this is believed to be set up when, for example, lighting fixtures on the order of
30
″ diameter are supported on the cross-arms and the wind causes such vibration.
It is therefore believed that there is room for improvement with respect to the method of spacing cross-arms
3
from pole
4
as shown in
FIG. 3
, or, at least, room for trying to eliminate any punching action by spacers
2
relative to the pole.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for connecting and spacing a cross-arm relative a pole section which improves over or solves the problems and deficiencies in the art.
Further options, features, and advantages of the invention include an apparatus and method which:
1. Reduces or eliminates punching action by a spacer between cross-arm and pole.
2. Provides more support of the cross-arm relative to the spacer and the pole relative to the spacer.
3. Reduces or eliminates any punch-through problems between cross-arms and pole.
4. Is durable and long-lasting.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for attaching one or more cross-arms to a vertical pole where the cross-arm is held at a somewhat spaced apart position from the pole. With respect to the apparatus, the invention comprises a spacer having a first portion including a aperture for receipt of the vertical pole. A second portion, for attachment to a cross-arm, extends from the first portion transversely relative to the aperture.
With regard to the method of the invention, a spacer member is attached in a manner so that it surrounds a part of the pole. A portion of the spacer member extends transversely away from the pole and a cross-arm is attached to the extended part of the member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention associated with a pole top section.
FIG. 2
is a partially exploded view of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a partially exploded view similar to
FIG. 2
, but showing a prior spacer between pole and cross-arm.
FIG. 4
is an enlarged side elevational view of a spacer according to Preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a top plan view of FIG.
4
.
FIG. 6
is an enlarged side elevational view of
FIG. 1
with a top cover for the pole top section shown in exploded fashion.
FIG. 7
is a top plan view of
FIG. 6
with the top cover removed and not shown.
FIG. 8
is a front elevational view of FIG.
6
.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 337168 (1993-07-01), Gordin et al.
patent: D. 411096 (1999-06-01), Gordin et al.
patent: 453286 (1891-06-01), Lieb
patent: 595600 (1897-12-0
Boyle Timothy J.
Gordin Myron K.
King Anita M.
Musco Corporation
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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