US3289369A

US3289369A - Light standard base hold down

Info

Publication number: US3289369A
Application number: US388877A
Authority: US
Inventors: Samuel S Marcus
Original assignee: SPRING CITY FOUNDRY CO
Current assignee: SPRING CITY FOUNDRY CO
Priority date: 1964-08-11
Filing date: 1964-08-11
Publication date: 1966-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 1983-12-06

Description

Deco B966 5. s. MARCUS m LIGHT STANDARD BASE HOLD DOWN Filed Aug. 11, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l 20 M Mg 1 12 GROUND 2 2 LEVEL INVENTOR.

SAMUEL S. MARCUS ATTORNEY 9 19% s. s. MARCUS BEWfiHQ LIGHT STANDARD BASE HOLD DOWN Filed Aug. 11, 1964 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR.

SAMUEL S MARCUS BY q M 72AM ATTORNEY United States Fatent Ofiiice 3,289,369 Patented Dec. 6, 1966 3,289,369 LIGHT STANDARD BASE HOLD DOWN Samuel S. Marcus, Villanova, Pa., assignor to Spring City Foundry Company, Spring City, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 11, 1964, Ser. No. 388,877 8 Claims. (Cl. 52--295) This invention relates to outdoor highway and street type lighting standards. In particular, it relates to those lighting standards which are adapted to have a transformer provided within the base of the standard. With more particularity, this invention relates to structure by which the base containing the transformer is fastened to the foundation means. The term transformer base hold down refers to all the interacting elements in an erected light standard relating to the function of holding the standard on its foundation means. It is understood that the hold down may include parts of elements having other functions. In a broader sense, this invention may be said to relate to hold down means.

The expanded hollow portion of a light standard as conceived in the present invention is the base, and is adapted to contain the transformer necessary for the operation of the light. In this patent, this structure is referred to a the transformer base. The transformer itself, and the structure of the light standard apart from the hold down do not form a part of this invention.

Light standards having transformer bases are known in the art. Of course, therefore, there have been hold down means, broadly considered, which mount the base and the entire standard on a foundation. Such previously known hold down means have generally required a plurality of fastenings. Such previously known hold down means have involved difficulties in alignment, even stressing, or ease and rapidity of assembly and disassembly. The present invention is intended as an improvement over such known devices for the purpose, for example, of improving the factors mentioned above.

It is an object of this invention to provide a light standard transformer base hold down means.

It is another object of this invention to provide a light standard transformer base hold down means including at least part of a foundation means, a plinth, a transformer base, and a spider.

It is another object of this invention to provide a transformer base hold down means wherein a threaded bolt is provided in the foundation means, a plinth is provided and a spider is provided within said transformer base and coacts with said base, said plinth, and said bolt.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a self-aligning transformer base hold down in which no relative rotation between the coacting elements can occur during assembly.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a transformer base hold down in which a single fastening means provides for assembly or disassembly.

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent in the following specifications and claims.

The invention is best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a light standard showing the environment of the invention;

FIGURE 2a is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2b is a cross-sectional view, partly fragmented, of an alternate embodiment of the invention, taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2n, partly in cross-section, partly fragmented;

FIGURE 4a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3, looking upward from ground level and showing the underside of the plinth;

FIGURE 4b is a cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment of FIGURE 2b, looking upward. from ground level and showing the underside of the plinth;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing the underside of the spider of the embodiment of FIGURES 2b and 4b; and

FIGURE 6 is an elevation view of the spider of the embodiments of FIGURES 2b, 4b, and 5.

A light standard, generally designated 20 is shown in FIGURE 1 as including a base or transformer base generally designated 10 and resting on a plinth 12. The horizontal line indicates ground level.

The structure of the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 2a, 3, and 4a, can best initially be understood by reference to FIGURE 3. The upright shaft or tube 22 of light standard 20 is seen to extend upward from the base 10. The base 10 which may typically be made of cast iron or cast or otherwise fabricated steel, comprises a casing 14 having a closed top, typically having walls slanting inwardly as they rise and having a generally square horizontal cross-section but with the sides. bowed outwardly, as shown in FIGURE 2a. A transformer 24 may typically be provided in the upper portion of this hollow base. The nature of the transformer 24 or similar mechanism, and the means for attaching it and shaft 22 to base 10 are not of interest in this invention. Base 10 is also provided with a foot portion 14a, preferably integral with the casing 14. There are a plurality of foot portions or feet 14a, as shown in FIGURE 2a, each one being shown at a corner of the base 10. A foot 14a is provided for each leg of the spider 16, which is described below. Each foot 14a extends inwardly from casing 14 for only part of the diameter of the bottom of transformer base 10. As shown in FIGURE 3, this foot is generally somewhat thicker in section than the casing 14. Its upper surface has an incline or slope from the casing toward the center of the base.

A plinth 12 is provided, resting at ground level and conveniently of a square shape with rounded corners as seen from above, as shown in FIGURE 2a. It has a slight inward wall taper, and is somewhat Wider than the widest portion of base 10.

The plinth 12 may be hollow and may be made of the same materials as base 10. As shown in FIGURE 2a, the plinth is provided with a plurality of short extensions rising from its upper surface. These extensions are casing guides 12a. As shown, there are four casing guides 12a, one adjacent each edge of plinth 12. As is apparent, these casing guides 12a are proportioned and shaped to accommodate casing 14 which fits with a fairly snug fit between the guide.

The shape of the upper (horizontal) portion of plinth 12 is best shown in FIGURE 4a. Au aperture is provided in the upper surface of plinth 12. The exact shape of aperture 12c is not critical, except that certain features must exist along its edge. A plurality of spider guides 12b are provided along the edge of aperture 120. In the embodiment shown, the spider, which is described further below, has four legs. Therefore, there are four spider guides 12b. Each spider guide comprises an extension of the surface of plinth 12 further into the aperture 120. It is a characteristic of each guide that at least one side of it is configured to snugly mate with a matching part on a spider leg. As shown, one side of each spider guide 1212 is a straight short section substantially di-ametrical of the plinth 12. Furthermore, at least two of these straight short sections of spider guides 12b face each other. As shown in FIGURE 4a, the straight sides of the left spider guides face each other'as do the straight sides of the right pair of spider guides.

One foot 140 of base 10 is provided for each spider guide 1212. Each foot 14a extends inwardly to a distance less than the inward extension of its corresponding spider guide 12b. Preferably, as shown in FIGURES 2a and 3, a foot 14a extends inwardly so that it just reaches the edge of aperture 120 of the plinth, when assembled on it, but does not extend inwardly as far as any part of the corresponding spider guide 121).

A foundation means is provided, at least partly below ground level. This foundation means is best shown in FIGURE 3. The exact structure of all parts of the foundation means is outside the scope of this invention, but a typical such means is shown and described herein.

The foundation means may include an underground tube 18 extending vertically from ground level. This tube 18 is provided with a concrete fill 19. A bolt 17 is imbedded vertically in the concrete fill 19. Bolt 17 is preferably provided at an imbedded portion thereof with an expanded portion 17a. The bolt 17 extends above ground level and is provided at the upper end thereof with an exterior screw thread. This screw thread is high enough so that when the plinth, transformer base, and spider are assembled one above the other, at least some portion of the thread extends above the spider.

A spider 1.6 is provided, and may be made of cast iron as a unitary element, for example. A central aperture 16a is provided therethrough. A plurality of legs 16b extend generally horizontally outwardly away from the central aperture 16a. As illustrated, there are four such legs, arranged 90-degrees apart. Thus, in the embodiment shown, one leg corresponds to each casing foot 14a and to each spider guide 1217.

At the outermost end of each spider leg 16!), the leg is expanded to form a pad 160. The horizontal configuration of pad 160 is shown in FIGURE 2a, and the vertical configuration is shown in FIGURE 3. The lower surface of each pad 160 is sloped so as to correspond with the slope of the foot portion 140 on which it is adapted to rest. A leg extension or guide pin 16d is provided on each leg 16b. Each guide pin extends downwardly from its leg. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the length of each leg extension 16d is such that when the plinth, transformer base, and spider are assembled one on top of the other, each guide pin 160. extends downwardly far enough to engage its corresponding spider guide 1211.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2a, 3, and 4a, the horizontal cross-section of each guide pin 16d is substantially square. As best shown in FIGURE 4a, one straight side of each guide pin 16d snugly fits against the straight side of its corresponding spider guide 12b.

After the foundation means is provided, the erection of the standard may be completed. In this patent, the term foundation means generally includes all those elements shown below ground level as well as the bolt 17, which also coacts directly as part of the hold down. The plinth 12 is placed on the ground centered over the bolt 17. The transformer base 10, which may or may not have the remaining upper portion of the light standard 20 attached thereto, is then placed on the plinth in a centered position with a foot portion 14a near a corresponding spider guide 12b on the plinth.

Then, the spider 16 is placed over the foot portions 141:. The spider may be introduced into transformer base 10 and manipulated within it through 'an access opening (not shown) in the transformer base. Such access doors :are well known in this art. Alternatively, the spider may be manipulated through the top of the base It), as through the opening intended to accommodate shaft 22.

The spider 16 is positioned so that its pads 160 each rest on a foot portion 14a, and so that each guide pin 16d mates or coacts with a spider guide 121). In the embodiment of FIGURES 2a, 3, and 4a, this mating or coacting is accomplished by having one side of each guide pin 16d firmly butting against a straight side of a spider guide 12b, .2 best .shown in FIGURE 4a. Each foot portion 14a, in addition to mating with pad 160, also abuts a guide pin 16d. Thus, it will be seen that the plinth, transformer base, and spider are all properly aligned and centered. In addition, no rotation can occur between the spider and the plinth because of the way in which the guide pins 16d bear against the spider guides 12b, as has been explained in connection with FIGURE 4a.

Fastening means are now applied to hold the spider tightly down. These fastening means in the embodiment shown include a fiat washer 17b which fits over bolt 17, a lock washer 170 which rests on top of the fiat washer, and a nut 17d which is screwed over the washers on the thread of bolt 17. This nut is tightened down, and the entire assembly is thereby completed in one fastening step with complete alignment and centering being assured. It is apparent that for disassembly, the procedure is reversed. The fastening means generally includes in this embodiment the nut, washers, and threaded end of the bolt.

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIGURES 2b, 4b, 5, and 6. The light standard 20 and the foundation means are the same as in the first described embodiment. There are differences in the structure of the plinth, t-ransformer base, and the spider. The differences in the transformer base lie in the structure of the foot portions thereof.

The spider of this embodiment is best shown in FIG- URES 5 and 6. The spider I6 is provided with a plurality of legs 16y, here shown in a preferred form of four such legs arranged -degrees apart. The central section of the spider is provided with a vertical central aperture 16z therethrough. At the ends of each leg 16y, the leg is expanded in a generally horizontal direction to form a pad 16x. This pad 16x has an under surface with a slope corresponding to the slope of the upper surface of foot portion 142, which is attached to casing 14. As thus far described, these elements of this embodiment are the same as the corresponding elements as described above in connection with the first embodiment.

Each leg 16y of the spider is provided with a downwardly extending guide pin or leg extension 16v. As shown, each such guide pin 16v is circular in horizontal cross-section, and each pin depends from a pad 16x.

The structure of plinth 12' is best shown in FIGURE 45. The general structure of plinth 12 is like that of plinth 12, as described in connection with the first embodiment, except as differences are specified. The upper surface of plinth 12 (shown from below in FIG- URE 4b) is provided with an aperture 12x therein. A plurality of spider guides 12y are provided around said aperture 12x at spaced points. In this embodiment, the spider guides are four holes through the upper surface of plinth 12' spaced equidistantly around said aperture 12x. Thus, every guide pin 16v is provided with a matching spider guide 12y.

Foot portions 142 correspond in general location, number, and configuration with foot portions 14a, as described above in connection with the first embodiment. They differ, however, in that they are each provided with a notch My, as best shown in FIGURE 2b, where one of the legs 163 is fragmented away to expose notch 14y. Notch 14y extends horizontally from the innermost surface of foot portion l iz toward one of the corners of casing 14'. Each notch 14y extends far enough so as to preferably just clear the corresponding hole or spider guide 12y in plinth 12. Thus, just as in the first embodiment, the guide pin 16d bore against foot portion 14a along a vertical surface, so in the second embodiment guide pin 16v bears against foot portion 141 along a vertical intersection.

In assembly of the elements of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGURES 2b, 4b, 5 and 6, after the foundation means is provided, as has been explained above, the plinth 12' is placed over it with bolt 17 passing upwardly through approximately the middle of aperture 12x. Casing 14' with its foot portions 14z is placed over the plinth so that each notch 14y exposes one of the holes 12y. Spider 16' is then put in place, in the same manner as described in connection with the first embodiment, except that each guide pin 16v passes through a corresponding notch 14y and through a corresponding hole or spider guide 12y. The same self-aligning, self-centering, nonrotating fit is thus obtained. In the same manner as has been described above in connection with the first embodiment, fastening means are then applied to hold down the spider. In FIGURE 2b, a nut 17d is seen bearing on a lock washer 17c. The nut 17d is threaded over the threads on the upper end of bolt 17, as has been de scribed.

It is apparent that in both embodiments, a single tightening of one nut on one bolt firmly and accurately assembles the entire structure, with all parts being prop erly aligned and with stresses being equally distributed. The second embodiment has the advantage of positively holding the plinth, base, and spider in a set and firm horizontal alignment against rotation. This is because guide pin 16v engages notch My as Well as hole 12y. The first embodiment of FIGURES 2a, 3, and 4a, does not hold the transformer base as securely against rotation because there is not as positive an engagement of guide pin 16d with the corresponding foot portion Ma.

The scope of this invention is to be determined by the appended claims and not limited to the foregoing description and drawings which are illustrative.

I claim:

1. A base hold doWn comprising:

(a) a foundation means, part of said foundation means comprising part of a fastening means,

(b) a plinth over and around each part of foundation means, said plinth having an upper surface, an aperture therein, and a spider guide therein,

(c) a base comprising a casing and a foot portion at the bottom of said casing, said foot portion extending horizontally inwardly across only part of the bottom of said casing,

(d) a spider having a vertical central aperture, a leg extending horizontally away from said central aperture, a pad at the end of said leg remote from said central aperture, said pad bearing on said foot portion, a guide pin extending downwardly from said leg, said guide pin bearing against said foot portion and mating with said spider guide in said plinth,

(e) fastening means, said fastening means bearing on part of said foundation means and on the top of said spider, whereby said base is securely fastened to the top of and aligned with said plinth.

2. A light standard transformer base hold down comprising:

(a) a foundation means at least partly below ground level, part of said foundation means comprising part of a fastening means,

(b) a plinth at said ground level over and around at least part of said foundation means, said plinth having an upper surface, an aperture therein, and a spider guide therein,

(c) a transformer base comprising a casing and a foot portion at the bottom of said casing, said foot portion extending horizontally inwardly across only part of the bottom of said casing,

(d) a spider having a vertical central aperture therein, a leg extending horizontally away from said central aperture, a pad at the end of said leg remote from said pad bearing on said foot portion, a guide pin extending downwardly from said leg, said guide pin bearing against said foot portion and mating with said spider guide in said plinth,

(e) fastening means, said fastening means bearing on part of said foundation means and on the top of said spider, whereby said transformer base is securely fastened on top of and aligned with said plinth.

3. A light standard transformer base hold down comprising:

(b) a plinth set at ground level and over and around at least part of said foundation means, said plinth having an upper surface, an aperture therein, and a plurality of spider guides spaced around said aperture,

(c) a transformer base comprising a casing and a plurality of foot portions at the bottom of said casing, each foot portion extending horizontally inwardly across only part of the bottom of said casing,

(d) a spider, having a vertical central aperture, a plurality of legs extending horizontally away from said central aperture, a pad at the end of each said leg remote from said central aperture, each said pad bearing on one of said foot portions, a guide pin extending downwardly from each said leg, each guide pin bearing against one of said foot portions and mating with one of said spider guides in said plinth,

(e) fastening means, said fastening means bearing on part of said foundation means and on the top of said spider, whereby said transformer base is securely fastened to the top of and aligned with said plinth.

4. A light standard transformer base hold down as set forth in claim 3, wherein said foundation means includes a vertical bolt extending at least partly above ground level, and said fastening means comprises a threaded upper end on said bolt, and a nut fitting over said threaded end.

5. A light standard transformer base hold down as set forth in claim 4, wherein said spider legs are horizontally equidistantly spaced.

6. A light standard transformer base hold down as set forth in claim 5, wherein said foot portion has an upper sloped surface, each said pad has an under sloped surface, and said sloped surfaces are mated.

7. A light standard transformer base hold down as set forth in claim 6, wherein said spider guides are each holes in said upper surface of said plinth near said aperture, said guide pins are configured to fit snugly into said holes, and each said foot portion is provided with a notch aligned with and superimposed on a said hole, said notch fitting partly around said guide pin.

8. A light standard transformer base hold down as set forth in claim 6, wherein said spider guides comprise inward extensions from said aperture on said upper surface of said plinth, each said spider guide having at least one straight side, and said guide pins each having at least one straight side bearing against a mating straight side of said spider guide, each said guide pin depending from said leg inwardly of said foot portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,627,640 5/1927 Ebel et a1. 52--295 1,776,682 9/1930 King 52-295 X 1,903,907 4/1933 Riemenschneider 52--295 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. R. S, VERMUT, Assistant Examiner,

Claims

1. A BASE HOLD DOWN COMPRISING: (A) A FOUNDATION MEANS, PART OF SAID FOUNDATION MEANS COMPRISING PART OF A FASTENING MEANS, (B) A PLINTH OVER AND AROUND EACH PART OF FOUNDATION MEANS, SAID PLINTH HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE, AN APERTURE THEREIN, AND A SPIDER GUIDE THEREIN, (C) A BASE COMPRISING A CASING AND A FOOT PORTION AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID CASING, SAID FOOT PORTION EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY INWARDLY ACROSS ONLY PART OF THE BOTTOM OF SAID CASING, (D) A SPIDER HAVING A VERTICAL CENTRAL APERTURE, A LEG EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY AWAY FROM SAID CENTRAL APERTURE, A PAD AT THE END OF SAID LEG REMOTE FROM SAID CENTRAL APERTURE, SAID PAD BEARING ON SADI FOOT PORTION, A GUIDE PIN EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID LEG, SAID GUIDE PIN BEARING AGAINST SAID FOOT PORTION AND MATING WITH SAID SPIDER GUIDE IN SAID PLINTH, (E) FASTENING MEANS, SAID FASTENING MEAND BEARING ON PART OF SAID FOUNDATION MEANS AND ON THE TOP OF SAID SPIDER, WHEREBY SAID BASE IS SECURELY FASTENED TO THE TOP OF AND ALIGNED WITH SAID PLINTH.