US3823832A

US3823832A - Portable pole

Info

Publication number: US3823832A
Application number: US00311687A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Cobb
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-04
Filing date: 1972-12-04
Publication date: 1974-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-16

Abstract

A portable pole for use as a line support and the like, includes an elongated generally upright standard adapted to have a lower end portion thereof supported on or extending into a support surface and a cross member mounted on the standard adjacent the lower end portion and engageable with the support surface and a pair of inclined lateral brace members, each extending between and connected to the standard and to a respective opposite end of the cross member. A brace structure has an upper end portion pivotally mounted on the standard at a position above the lateral brace members and has a lower end portion engageable with the support surface at a location spaced from the cross member and a connector mounted on the standard adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving and supporting an elongated line extending from the standard in a direction substantially normal to the cross member.

Description

United States Patent [191 Cobb PORTABLE POLE [76] Inventor: Roy L. Cobb, 716 Bennington,

Kansas City, Mo. 64125 [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 311,687

[52] US. Cl 2ll/ll9.0l, 248/156, 248/158 [51] Int. Cl. D06f 53/00 [58] Field of Search ..21l/119.01,119.1,1'1902, 211/ll9.03, 178 R, 182; 248/156, 353, 439,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,423,643 7/1922 Buchan... 248/166 2,524,490 10/1950 Swett 248/158 X 2,638,231 5/1953 Tardie et a1. 211/1 19.01 2,691,203 10/1954 Wilder 211/182 X 2,896,347 7/1959 Hortman 38/103 X 2,927,755 3/1960 Goforth 248/156 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 734,243 5/1966 Canada 248/156 1 July 16, 1974 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishbum, Gold & Litman 5 7] ABSTRACT A portable pole for use as a line support and the like,

includes an elongated generally upright standard adapted to have a lower end portion thereof supported on or extending into a support surface and a cross member mounted on the standard adjacent the lower end portion and engageable with the support surface and a pair of inclined lateral brace members, each extending between and connected to the standard and to a respective opposite end of the cross member. A brace structure has an upper end portion pivotally mounted on the standard at a position above the lateral brace members and has a lower end portion engageable with the support surface at a location spaced from the cross member and a connector mounted on the standard adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving and supporting an elongated line extending from the standard in a direction substantially normal to the cross member.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PORTABLE POLE The present invention relates to portable poles and more particularly to a portable pole for use in supporting clothes lines, badminton nets, and the like.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a portable pole which is versatile in use, such as for supporting a clothes line, badminton net, dog-run line, and the like; to provide such a portable pole adapted to be erected on a ground surface, such as in lawns, parks and the like, with a portion extending therein or erected on a hard or impervious surface, such as asphalt, concrete, roof decks and the like; to provide such a portable pole which effects minimum damage to lawns, parks,.and the like, when erected on a ground surface; to provide such a portable pole which is collapsible to a minimum space; and to provide such a portable pole which is light in weight, easily and quickly assembled and relocated, stable in use, economical to manufacture, adapted to support large weight, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification andinclude an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the portable pole.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable pole embodying features of the present invention and shown in place on a ground surface.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one side of the portable pole.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the other side of the portable pole.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the portable pole.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 2 and showing a novel fitting for connecting a brace structure to the portable pole.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 66, FIG. 2 and showing the novel fitting connecting lateral brace members to the pole.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 77, FIG. 2 and showing a connection of components of a lateral brace.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the portable pole mounted on a hard or impervious surface.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the arts to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally'designates a portable pole for use as a support for a clothes line, badminton net, and the like. The portable pole includes an elongated generally upright standard 2 adapted to have a lower end portion 3 thereof extending into a support surface 4, such as in soil, a lawn, or the like and a cross member 5 mounted on the standard 2 adjacent the lower end portion 3 and engageable with the support surface 4. The pole is laterally braced relative to the cross member as by a pair of generally inclined

lateral brace members

6 and 7 each extending between and connected to the standard 2 and to

opposite ends

8 and 9 respectively of the cross member 5. The portable pole 1 includes a brace structure 10 having an upper end portion 11 thereof pivotally mounted on the standard 2 at a position above the

lateral brace members

6 and 7 and having alower end portion 12 engageable with the support surface 4 at a location spaced from the cross member 5. The portable pole I has a connector 14 mounted on the standard 2 adjacent an upper end 15 thereof for receiving and supporting an end portion of an elongated line 16 extending from the standard 2 in a direction substantially normal to the cross member 5 and toward the brace structure 10.

The standard 2 is an elongated member preferably tubular for strength and lightness in weight and has a plurality of apertures 17 in the lower end portion 3 of the standard 2. It is desirable that the lower end portion 3 be adapted to be driven into a ground surface, such as in soil, lawns, parks and the like. It is also desirable that the standard 2 have a finished appearance, therefore, a suitable cap 18 is mounted on the upper end 15 of the standard 2.

The cross member 5 isalso an elongated member,

preferably tubular for lightness in weight and has a center aperture (not shown) intermediate the

opposite ends

8 and 9 thereof. The cross member 5 is mounted on or connected to'the standard 2 by a suitable fastening device, such as a bolt 19 extending through the center aperture in the cross member 5 and through one of the apertures 17 in the lower end portion 3 of the standard 2. A suitable nut is mounted on the bolt 19 to hold the cross member 5 in a position substantially normal to the standard 2. The bolt 19 permits the cross member to be folded to a position substantially parallel with the standard 2.

The cross member 5 has apertures in the

opposite ends

8 and 9, as best seen in FIG. 7, for receiving a suitable fastening device, such as

bolts

20 and 21, each having a nut thereon for connecting the

lateral brace member

6 and 7 to the

opposite ends

8 and 9 respectively of the cross member 5.

It is also desirable that the ends of the cross member 5 have a finished appearance, therefore,

suitable caps

22 and 23 are mounted on the

opposite ends

8 and 9 respectively of the cross'member 5 and are sized to be cleared by the

lateral brace members

6 and 7.

The

lateral brace members

6 and 7 are preferably elongated tubular members for strength and lightness in weight. The

lateral brace members

6 and 7 each have apertures in respective opposite ends thereof, as bestseen in FIG. 7, with the apertures being adapted to be aligned with the respective aperture in the respective opposite ends 8 and'9 of the cross member 5 and adapted to receive the

respective bolt

20 and 21 for pivotally connecting the

lateral brace members

6 and 7 to the respective ends of the cross member 5, thereby permitting folding of the

lateral brace members

6 and 7 to a position adjacent and substantially parallel with the cross member 5.

It is also desirable that the

lateral brace members

6 and 7 have a finished appearance particularly at the 3 upper ends thereof, therefore,

suitable caps

24 and 25 are mounted on the upper end of each of the

brace members

6 and 7.

The upper end portions of the

lateral brace members

6 and 7 are pivotally connected to a clamping device 26 adapted to clampingly engage the standard 2 and to support the upper ends of the

lateral brace members

6 and 7. The clamping device 26 is illustrated in FIG. 6 as having a body portion 27 adapted to conform to the shape of the standard 2 and surround same. The clamping device 26 also has

arm portions

28 and 29 extending outwardly from the'body portion 27 and having aligned apertures (not shown) therein adapted to receive a suitable fastening device, such as a bolt 30 and nut 31, adapted to effect clamping engagement between the body portion 27 and the standard 2 by moving the

arm portions

28 and 29 toward each other.

Suitable pins or

shafts

32 and 33 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the body portion 27 and are adapted to extend through the aperture in the upper end of the respective

lateral brace members

6 and 7. The pins or shafts. 32 and 33 each have the free end thereof threaded to receive

suitable nuts

34 and 35 respectively whereby the upper ends ofthe

lateral brace members

6 and 7 may be secured in a selected position.

The brace structure 10 is illustrated as including a pair of generally parallel laterally spaced

members

36 and 37 each having the upper end thereof pivotally mounted on a suitable clamping device 38 which is illustrated in FIG. and is similar in construction of the clamping device 26. The illustrated

members

36 and 37 each have apertures in respective opposite ends thereof with the aperture in the'upper end of the

members

36 and 37 being adapted to receive a respective one of a pair of pins or

shafts

39 and 40 extending from the clamping device 38 for pivotally mounting the

members

36 and 37 respectively thereon whereby the brace structure may be folded to a position adjacent and substantially parallel with the standard 2.

It is also desirable that the upper ends of the

members

36 and 37 have a finished appearance, therefore,

suitable caps

41 and 42 are mounted on the upper ends of the

members

36 and 37 respectively, as best seen in FIG. 5.

The brace structure 10 includes a base member 43 mounted on the lower ends of the

members

36 and 37 and adapted to engage the support surface 4 at a position spaced from and substantially parallel with the cross member 5. The illustrated base member 43 has a pair of apertures intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to be aligned with the apertures in the lower ends ofthe

members

36 and 37 respectively and to receive suitable fastening devices; such as

bolts

44 and 45 respectively, having suitable nuts thereon adapted to secure the base member 43 and the

members

36 and 37 together. It is also desirable that the ends of the base member 43 have a suitable finished appearance, therefore,

caps

46 and 47 are mounted on the respective opposite ends of the base member 43.

The connector 14 is illustrated as having a body portion 48 adapted to conform to the shape of the standard 2 at the upper end thereof. The connector 14 preferably has arm portions extending from the body portion 48 and adapted to receive a suitable fastening device, such as a bolt having a nut thereon, adapted to move the arm portions toward each other thereby effecting clamping engagement of the body portion 48 with the upper end portion 15 of the standard 2. An eye portion 49 is suitably connected to the arm portion as by the bolt extending through said arm portions of the connector 14. The elongated line 16'is suitably connected to the eye portion 49 of the connector 14.

In using a portable pole constructed as illustrated and described, the cross member 5 is mounted on the lower end portion 3 of the standard 2 by means of the bolt 19 and the standard is positioned in the desired location and when used on a ground surface, such as in soil, lawns, parks and the like, the cross member 5 is spaced upwardly from the lower end of the standard 2. The lower end portion 3 of the standard 2 is driven into the soil, as by standing on the cross member 5. The standard 2 is driven into the soil until the cross member is in engagement with said ground surface. The lower end of each of the

lateral brace members

6 and 7 are connected to the

opposite ends

8 and 9 of the cross member 5. The clamping device 26 is adjusted in position along the standard 2 at a selected location to receive the other or upper ends of the

brace members

6 and 7 on the pins or

shafts

32 and 33. The bolt 30 is positioned in the

arm portions

28 and 29 with the nut 31 being tightened to secure theclamping device 26 in position on the standard 2. The clamping device 38 is then moved along the standard 2 to a position such that the base member 43 of the brace structure 10 will engage the surface of the soil at a location spaced from and preferably substantially parallel with the cross member 5. The clamping member or device 38 is then suitably secured in said selected position.

It is desirable to resist movement of the portable pole l in response to a pull on the elongated line 16. Therefore, a first stake 50 is driven into the soil at a position adjacent the intersection of the cross member 5 and standard 2. The stake 50 is inclined at an acute angle relative to the standard 2 and with the top of the stake 50 extending substantially in an opposite direction to that of the elongated line 16. A pair of

end stakes

51 and 52 are driven into the soil adjacent the opposite ends 8 and 9 respectively of the cross member 5 and extend in an opposite direction to the first stake 50. The end stakes 51 and 52 are preferably positioned adjacent the connection of the

lateral brace members

6 and 7 respectively. The

stakes

50, 51, and 52 are also preferably in engagement with the cross member 5 to thereby substantially prevent movement of said cross member. The portable pole l is now ready to receive the elongated line 16 and toresist a pull on same after being attached to the connector 14.

The portable pole ;l is adapted to be mounted on and supported on a hard or impervious surface as best seen in FIG. 8 wherein the cross member 5 is mounted on the standard 2 at the lower end thereof. Suitable weights, such as sand bags 53, are placed on the hard or impervious surface and inen'gagement with and over the cross member 5 thereby resisting movement of the standard 2 and cross member 5.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A portable line supporting pole comprising:

a. an elongated generally upright standard forming a pole adapted for supporting one end of a line connected thereto and extending therefrom;

b. an elongated cross member mounted on said standard and positioned adjacent a lower end portion of said standard, said cross member being adapted to engage a support surface and having opposite ends spaced laterally from said standard;

c. a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members each extending between said standard and a respective one of the opposite ends of said cross member and each connected to said standard in upwardly spaced relation to said cross member and to said cross member adjacent ends thereof;

d. a brace structure having an upper end portion mounted on said standard at a portion above said lateral brace member, said brace structure having a lower unattached end portion adapted to engage the surface at a location spaced from said cross member;

e. said brace structure having a pair of elongated generally parallel members each having an upper end positioned on a respective opposite side of said standard;

f. said brace structure having means pivotallymounting the upper end of each of said pair of members on said standard whereby said pole is collapsible with said brace structure movable to a positionad jacent and substantially parallel with said standard; and

g. means mounted on said standard adjacent an upper end thereof for connecting and supporting an end of an elongated flexible line member extending from said standard in the same direction as said brace structure extends therefrom, said direction being substantially normal to said cross member.

2. A portable pole as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said standard has the lower end portion thereof extending downwardly beyond said cross member and adapted to extend into the support surface;

b. a plurality of stakes extend into the support surface adjacent said cross member;

c. the plurality of stakes are each in engagement with said cross member and inclined relative thereto to extend thereover and hold same down relative to the support surface; and

d. said stakes are each inclined relative to said standard and positioned on respective opposite sides of said cross member in a manner to resist movement of said cross member relative to the support surface.

' 3. A portable pole as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means pivotally mounting the upper end of each of said pair of mem bers on said standard is movable along said standard whereby the spacing of said upper end of said brace structure is adjustable relative to the support surface to adjust the angle of inclination of the brace structure.

4. A portable pole as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said pivotal mounting means includes:

1. a clamping member adapted to clampingly engage said standard and having opposed portions extending therefrom and each pivotally supporting the upper end of a respective one of said pair of parallel members; and

2. a base member connected to the lower end of each of said pair of parallel members, said base member being adapted to engage the support surface at a position substantially parallel with and spaced from said cross member; an

b. a clamping member clampingly engages said standard and has a pair of opposed portions extending therefrom and each pivotally supporting a respective end of a respective one of said lateral brace members.

5. A portable line supporting pole comprising:

a. an elongated generally upright tubular standard having an upper end and a lower end and forming a pole adapted for supporting one end of a linecon nected thereto and extending therefrom, said upper end having a closure thereon;

b. an elongated cross member mounted on said standard and positioned adjacent the lower end of said standard, said cross member being adapted to engage a support surface and having opposite ends spaced laterally from said standard; I j

c. a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members each having one end thereof connected to a respective one of the opposite ends of said cross member;

d. means mounted on said standard in upwardly spaced relation to said cross member for connecting the other end of each of said lateral brace members to said standard;

e. a pair of elongated generally parallel tubular members each having an upper endand a lower end;

f. means adjustably mounted on said standard and above the other end of each of said lateral brace members for pivotally connecting the upper end of each of said pair of parallel members to said standard for relative pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said cross member for movement of said parallel members from a collapsed to an extended position;

g. a base member-connected to the lower end of each of said pair of parallel members, said base member being adapted to engage the support surface at a position substantially parallel with and spaced from said cross member when in pole erected position; and

h. means mounted on said standard above said pair of parallel members and adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving and supporting an end of an elongated flexible line member extending from said standard in the same direction as said parallel members extend from said standard, said direction being substantially normal to said cross member.

6. A portable pole as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

b. a plurality of stakes extend into the support surface adjacent and in engagement with said cross member; and v c. said stakes are each inclined relative to said standard and positioned on respective opposite sides of said cross member and extend thereover in a manner to resist movement of said cross member relative to the support surface.

7. A portable pole as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for connecting said lateral brace members to said standard and said means for pivotally connecting effect movement of same toward each other thereby effecting clamping engagement of said body portion with said standard; and

(1. means extending from said body portion for pivotally supporting and connecting respective members to said standard.

Claims

1. A portable line supporting pole comprising: a. an elongated generally upright standard forming a pole adapted for supporting one end of a line connected thereto and extending therefrom; b. an elongated cross member mounted on said standard and positioned adjacent a lower end portion of said standard, said cross member being adapted to engage a support surface and having opposite ends spaced laterally from said standard; c. a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members each extending between said standard and a respective one of the opposite ends of said cross member and each connected to said standard in upwardly spaced relation to said cross member and to said cross member adjacent ends thereof; d. a brace structure having an upper end portion mounted on said standard at a portion above said lateral brace member, said brace structure having a lower unattached end portion adapted to engage the surface at a location spaced from saiD cross member; e. said brace structure having a pair of elongated generally parallel members each having an upper end positioned on a respective opposite side of said standard; f. said brace structure having means pivotally mounting the upper end of each of said pair of members on said standard whereby said pole is collapsible with said brace structure movable to a position adjacent and substantially parallel with said standard; and g. means mounted on said standard adjacent an upper end thereof for connecting and supporting an end of an elongated flexible line member extending from said standard in the same direction as said brace structure extends therefrom, said direction being substantially normal to said cross member.

2. A portable pole as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said standard has the lower end portion thereof extending downwardly beyond said cross member and adapted to extend into the support surface; b. a plurality of stakes extend into the support surface adjacent said cross member; c. the plurality of stakes are each in engagement with said cross member and inclined relative thereto to extend thereover and hold same down relative to the support surface; and d. said stakes are each inclined relative to said standard and positioned on respective opposite sides of said cross member in a manner to resist movement of said cross member relative to the support surface.

2. a base member connected to the lower end of each of said pair of parallel members, said base member being adapted to engage the support surface at a position substantially parallel with and spaced from said cross member; an b. a clamping member clampingly engages said standard and has a pair of opposed portions extending therefrom and each pivotally supporting a respective end of a respective one of said lateral brace members.

3. A portable pole as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means pivotally mounting the upper end of each of said pair of members on said standard is movable along said standard whereby the spacing of said upper end of said brace structure is adjustable relative to the support surface to adjust the angle of inclination of the brace structure.

4. A portable pole as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said pivotal mounting means includes:

5. A portable line supporting pole comprising: a. an elongated generally upright tubular standard having an upper end and a lower end and forming a pole adapted for supporting one end of a line connected thereto and extending therefrom, said upper end having a closure thereon; b. an elongated cross member mounted on said standard and positioned adjacent the lower end of said standard, said cross member being adapted to engage a support surface and having opposite ends spaced laterally from said standard; c. a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members each having one end thereof connected to a respective one of the opposite ends of said cross member; d. means mounted on said standard in upwardly spaced relation to said cross member for connecting the other end of each of said lateral brace members to said standard; e. a pair of elongated generally parallel tubular members each having an upper end and a lower end; f. means adjustably mounted on said standard and above the other end of each of said lateral brace members for pivotally connecting the upper end of each of said pair of parallel members to said standard for relative pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said cross member for movement of said parallel members from a collapsed to an extended position; g. a base member connected to the lower end of each of said pair of parallel members, said base member being adapted to engage the support surface at A position substantially parallel with and spaced from said cross member when in pole erected position; and h. means mounted on said standard above said pair of parallel members and adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving and supporting an end of an elongated flexible line member extending from said standard in the same direction as said parallel members extend from said standard, said direction being substantially normal to said cross member.

6. A portable pole as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. said standard has the lower end portion thereof extending downwardly beyond said cross member and adapted to extend into the support surface; b. a plurality of stakes extend into the support surface adjacent and in engagement with said cross member; and c. said stakes are each inclined relative to said standard and positioned on respective opposite sides of said cross member and extend thereover in a manner to resist movement of said cross member relative to the support surface.

7. A portable pole as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for connecting said lateral brace members to said standard and said means for pivotally connecting the upper end of each of said pair of parallel members to said standard each includes: a. a body portion adapted to surround and engage said standard; b. a pair of arm portions extending from said body portion; c. means engaging said arm portions and adapted to effect movement of same toward each other thereby effecting clamping engagement of said body portion with said standard; and d. means extending from said body portion for pivotally supporting and connecting respective members to said standard.