POLE COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A STREET POLE, SIGN AND OTHER OBJECTS FOR IMPROVING VISIBILITY AND AESTHETIC APPEAL
20230151631 · 2023-05-18
Inventors
Cpc classification
E01F9/60
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
Abstract
The present invention discloses a pole cover assembly for covering a pole. The first sleeves or base sleeves, second sleeves or middle sleeves, and third sleeves or top sleeves or top cap. The pole cover assembly may also contain additional spacer sleeves. The pole cover assembly includes first sleeves, the second sleeves, and the third sleeves which come in front and rear semi-cylindrical tubes that snap together via inconspicuous tabs. Further, each of the first sleeves, the second sleeves, and the third sleeves include a series of disks that accommodate most type of poles i.e., square, round, and U-channel poles. The pole cover assembly acts as a cover for the poles and can snap around almost all types and sizes of poles. The pole cover assembly beautifies and brings visibility to any pole.
Claims
1. A pole cover assembly for covering a pole, said pole cover assembly comprising: a sleeve comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical tubes; disks provided at an interior of each of said semi-cylindrical tubes, wherein each disk of said disks comprises a cut-section having a square section, a circular section and a U-channel section; and tabs provided at distal ends along the length of each of said semi-cylindrical tubes, wherein said semi-cylindrical tubes align and receive a pole, wherein said pole comes in a square, tubular, rectangular or U-channel shape, wherein said disks receive said pole, and wherein said tabs of said semi-cylindrical tubes connect and position said sleeve around said pole as a cover.
2. The pole cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said tabs position at equal or varied distance from one another along the length of each of said semi-cylindrical tube.
3. The pole cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said semi-cylindrical tube comprises ridges at an outer side for providing a decorative appeal.
4. The pole cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said semi-cylindrical tube comprises an elongated section at an outer side for providing decorative appeal.
5. The pole cover assembly of claim 1, wherein each disk of said disks may comprise a cushion member, wherein said cushion member mounts between said disk and said semi-cylindrical tube, and wherein said cushion member withstands an impact transmitted from said semi-cylindrical tube onto said disk.
6. The pole cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising a base, wherein said base aligns and connects at the bottom of said sleeve.
7. The pole cover assembly of claim 6, wherein said base comprises a circular disk, wherein said circular disk comprises a second cut-section having a second square section, a second circular section and a second U-channel section, and wherein said circular disk aligns with said disk of said sleeve.
8. The pole cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said tabs comprises holes, wherein said holes allow insertion of a screw to prevent separation of said semi-cylindrical tubes, maintain the structural integrity of said tabs and prevent said tabs from breaking.
9. The pole cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said tabs comprises tab connecting portions, and wherein said tab connecting portions extend from an outer surface of said tabs and help to connect said tabs of said semi-cylindrical tube placed at an opposite side.
10. A pole cover assembly for covering a pole, said pole cover assembly comprising: a first sleeve, wherein said first sleeve indicates a base sleeve; a second sleeve, wherein said second sleeve indicates a top sleeve, wherein each of said first sleeve and said second sleeve comprises a pair of semi-cylindrical tubes; disks provided at an interior of each of said semi-cylindrical tubes, wherein each disk of said disks comprises a cut-section having a square section, a circular section and a U-channel section; and tabs provided at distal ends along the length of each of said semi-cylindrical tubes, wherein said second sleeve positions over said first sleeve, wherein said semi-cylindrical tubes align and receives a pole, wherein said pole comes in a square, tubular, rectangular or U-channel shape, wherein said disks receive said pole, and wherein said tabs of said semi-cylindrical tubes connect, and said first sleeve and said sleeve act as covers for said pole.
11. The pole cover assembly of claim 10, further comprising a third sleeve comprising a pair of second semi-cylindrical tubes, wherein said third sleeve indicates a middle sleeve positioned between said first sleeve and said second sleeve, wherein said second semi-cylindrical tubes comprises second tabs.
12. The pole cover assembly of claim 11, wherein said second tabs position at equal or varied distance from one another along the length of each of said second semi-cylindrical tube.
13. The pole cover assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said semi-cylindrical tubes comprises ridges at an outer side for providing a decorative appeal.
14. The pole cover assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said semi-cylindrical tubes comprises an elongated section at an outer side for providing decorative appeal.
15. The pole cover assembly of claim 10, wherein each disk of said disks may comprise a cushion member, wherein said cushion member mounts between said disk and said semi-cylindrical tube, and wherein said cushion member withstands an impact transmitted from said semi-cylindrical tube onto said disk.
16. The pole cover assembly of claim 10, further comprising a base, wherein said base comprises a circular disk, wherein said circular disk comprises a second cut-section having a second square section, a second circular section and a second U-channel section, and wherein said circular disk aligns with said disk of said sleeve.
17. The pole cover assembly of claim 10, wherein said tabs comprises holes, wherein said holes allow insertion of a screw to prevent separation of said semi-cylindrical tubes, maintain the structural integrity of said tabs and prevent said tabs from breaking.
18. The pole cover assembly of claim 10, wherein said tabs comprises tab connecting portions, and wherein said tab connecting portions extend from an outer surface of said tabs and help to connect said tabs of said semi-cylindrical tube placed at an opposite side.
19. A method of providing a pole cover assembly for covering a pole, said method comprising the steps of: providing a sleeve comprising a pair of semi-cylindrical tubes; providing disks at an interior of each of said semi-cylindrical tubes, each of said disk comprising a cut-section having a square section, a circular section and a U-channel section; providing tabs at distal ends along the length of each of said semi-cylindrical tubes; aligning said semi-cylindrical tubes for receiving a pole, said pole having a square, tubular, rectangular or U-channel shape, receiving said pole at said disks; and connecting said tabs of said semi-cylindrical tubes and positioning said sleeve over said pole as a cover.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: providing a base at the bottom of said sleeve, said base having a circular disk; providing a second cut-section having a second square section, a second circular section and a second U-channel section at said circular disk; and aligning said circular disk with said disk of said sleeve.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Further features and advantages of the present subject matter will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
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[0038] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Before the present features and working principle of a pole cover assembly is described, it is to be understood that this subject matter is not limited to the particular device as described, since it may vary within the specification indicated. Various features of a pole cover assembly might be provided by introducing variations within the components/subcomponents disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present subject matter, which will be limited only by the appended claims. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0040] It should be understood that the present subject matter describes a pole cover assembly for covering a pole. The pole cover assembly includes first sleeves or base sleeves, second sleeves or middle sleeves, and third sleeves or top sleeves or top cap. Other spacer sleeves of varying heights may also be added to the construction of each assembly. The first sleeves, the second sleeves, and the third sleeves come in front and rear halves that snap together via inconspicuous tabs. Further, each of the first sleeves, the second sleeves, the third sleeves, and spacer sleeves, include a series of internal disks that accommodate most type of poles i.e., square, round, and U-channel poles. The pole cover assembly acts as a cover for the poles and can snap around almost all types and sizes of poles. The pole cover assembly beautifies and brings visibility to any pole or post.
[0041] Various features and embodiments of a pole cover assembly for covering a pole are explained in conjunction with the description of
[0042] The present subject matter discloses a pole cover assembly for covering a pole.
[0043] In the present subject matter, each front half 28 of first sleeves 20, pair of second sleeves 24, and third sleeves 26 have similar shape and size with that of rear half 29 of first sleeves 20, pair of second sleeves 24, and third sleeves 26. Front halves 28 and rear halves 29 snap together and appear as a complete structure.
[0044] In one exemplary embodiment, pole cover assembly 12 includes a base. The base provides additional stability to the first sleeves and comes in contact with the ground.
[0045] In one implementation, disks 41 further include first buttons 46 and first holes 48 for connecting first sleeves 20, as shown in
[0046]
[0047] In accordance with the present embodiment, first sleeve 50 presents elongated semi-cylindrical tube 52 made of plastic. Elongated semi-cylindrical tube 52 encompasses first end 53 and second end 54. First end 53 indicates a top end and second end 54 indicates a bottom end of elongated semi-cylindrical tube 52. Elongated semi-cylindrical tube 52 encompasses disks 56 (i.e., semi-circular disks) at the top and the bottom. Each disk 56 includes cut-section 57 having a square section 58a, circular section 58b and U-channel section 58c. Disks 56 having cut-sections 57 connect and help to receive poles 14 having elongated rod 96 of different shapes such as square poles, round poles, or U-channel poles depending on the need. The top and bottom disks 56 include second holes 60 and second buttons 62. Second holes 60 and second buttons 62 at second end 54 helps to connect first sleeve 50 to base 22 via first buttons 46 and first holes 48.
[0048]
[0049] As presented above, middle sleeves include one or more pair of second sleeves 24. Further, one or more pair of second sleeves 24 come in the same shape and size and are stacked over one another. In the present subject matter, when one or more pair of second sleeves 24 are stacked, disks 74 at the bottom of above positioned second sleeves 24 intersect with disks 74 at the top of second sleeves 24 positioned below, as shown in
[0050] In another example, tabs 82 at the end of semi-cylindrical tube 70 include holes 88 as shown in
[0051] As specified above, pole cover assembly 12 includes third sleeves 26 i.e., top sleeves.
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[0053] Subsequently, first sleeves 20, second sleeves 24, and third sleeves 26 are snapped together via inconspicuous tabs such that pole cover assembly 12 covers elongated rod 96 of pole 14, as shown in
[0054] Although the example illustrated in the above description shows the pole as a traffic sign post, it is obvious to use the presently disclosed pole cover assembly for covering other poles such as shopping cart corrals, billboards, playgrounds, mailboxes, fences, handrails, light poles, utility poles, piping, flagpoles, parking meter poles, exposed pipes, trees, columns, etc., without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0055] In case of maintenance or removal, tabs are depressed and first sleeves 20, second sleeves 24, and third sleeves 26 are removed exposing elongated rod 96 of pole 14.
[0056] Although the above description is explained considering the sleeve halves come in a cylindrical shape, it is possible to provide each of the first sleeves (base sleeve), second sleeves (middle or center sleeve), and third sleeves (top sleeve or cap) in different shapes and sizes depending on the need without departing from the scope of the present subject matter. For example, the pole cover assembly can include a tapered base, tapered center, and tapered cap. In another example, the pole cover assembly can include a fluted base, a fluted center, a standard cap. The pole cover assembly can also include various spacer sleeves to account for varying pole heights. Further, the pole cover assembly can include tight square smooth sections with multi-coloured, and retroreflective surfaces.
[0057] In one implementation, the sleeves include a narrow plastic strip that snaps around the exterior of any sign, thus creating a decorative border that also brings attention to the sign. The strip is notched so as to be flexible allowing it to accommodate signs with different angles. The strip includes a deep groove on one side which fits along the edge of the sign. The plastic is manufactured so that the strip holds tightly and is not easily removable. The plastic is manufactured with retroreflective material so as to be visible at night. The plastic can be manufactured in any color. A decorative border can also be added to the strip to include logos or shapes. In this way a community may, for example, create a mold of its logo as a combined piece with the plastic strip and place it atop its street signs. Decorative shapes could be combined with the strips and placed all the way around a STOP sign or any other type of sign.
[0058] The presently disclosed pole cover assembly can be designed for almost any style of pole, including shopping cart corrals, billboards, playgrounds, mailboxes, fences, handrails, light poles, signal poles, utility poles, piping, flagpoles, parking meter poles, exposed pipes, trees, columns, etc. Further, each of the sleeves can be manufactured with specific designs and colours including logos and lettering depending on the need. Additional signs can be added to the outside of the pole cover assembly by drilling through the sleeves and attaching a long-threaded bolt to the inner aluminium pole. Signs may also be added by screwing directly into the plastic sleeves.
[0059] The presently disclosed pole cover assembly can come in a variety of colors to provide more visibility. This can be achieved by alternating the colors of the sleeves e.g., orange/white, red/white, or combination thereof. In addition, the pole cover assembly can be changed as per occasion such as Christmas or Valentine's day, or depending on the brands e.g., blue for Walmart™, red for Target™, etc.
[0060] As specified above, the sleeves are made of HDPE material. As such, in case of an accident e.g., a vehicle hits the pole cover assembly, the sleeves crack or crumple without becoming a flying projectile. Even if the sleeves crack and become airborne, the small pieces do not penetrate the windshield of the vehicle or become lethal unlike metallic poles.
[0061] Still further improvements to the preferred embodiment are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. For instance, electronic circuitry may be placed within the covers to include sensors, cameras, electricity, Internet, etc. Pole Covers are a great way to hide these components. The internal ribs of the preferred embodiments provide a highly attractive space as well to locate this equipment. Or, a telescoping power pole further providing a solar panel for powering such circuitry. The presently disclosed system may further provide, for example, a 12″ cover for such telescoping power poles when fully retracted.
[0062] Other improvements within the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter may include a spacer which may be offered for sale to provide an extending hook(s) to hold a hanging planter or a flag pole. Still other possibilities for extra pieces as well, may include a mounting bracket for speakers, banner flags, doggie waste bags, etc. The top cap could also include LED lights that shine up to illuminate the sign. Conversely, there could be LED lights in the toppers that shine down and illuminate the sign. A separate spacer may be designed to fit under the base to account for uneven terrain. For example, a wedge piece could be attached to the bottom for a sign on a slope to prevent unsightly gaps between the bottom and the ground.
[0063] A person skilled in the art appreciates that the pole cover assembly may come in a variety of sizes depending on the need and comfort of the user. Further, different materials in addition to or instead of materials described herein may also be used and such implementations may be construed to be within the scope of the present subject matter. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed pole cover assembly.
[0064] In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present subject matter. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject matter.
[0065] In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the subject matter, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0066] The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and subject matter disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed subject matter.