APPARATUS FOR ATTACHING OBJECTS TO POLES

DISPOSITIF SERVANT A FIXER DES OBJETS A UN POTEAU

English Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An apparatus for attaching objects to poles consisting
of a frame structure defining an enclosure. The frame
structure has a movable gate member whereby access is provided
to the enclosure enabling the frame to be placed around a pole.
A movable pressure member is attached to the gate member such
that, upon activation, the pressure member moves to exert a
pressure upon the pole clamping the pole between the pressure
member and the frame. An attachment bracket is used to attach
an object to the frame.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An apparatus for attaching objects to poles, comprising:
a. a frame structure defining an enclosure, the frame
structure having a movable gate member whereby access is
provided to the enclosure enabling the frame to be placed
around a pole;
b. a movable pressure member attached to the gate member
such that upon activation the pressure member moves to exert
a pressure upon the pole clamping the pole between the pressure
member and the frame; and
c. means for attaching an object to the frame.
2. The apparatus for attaching objects to poles as defined in
Claim 1, the frame having a generally triangular nose portion
3. The apparatus for attaching objects to poles as defined
in Claim 1, the gate member having a substantially centrally
positioned threaded aperture and the movable pressure member
being a screw clamp which extends transversely through the
aperture, the screw clamp having a contact member at one end
which extends into the enclosure and a handle at an opposed end
whereby the screw clamp is turned to bring the contact member
into contact with the pole.
4. An apparatus for attaching objects to poles as defined in
Claim 1, the frame structure being generally "U" shaped with
openings at each end adapted to receive the gate member, the
gate member having a shoulder at each end, the shoulders
confining movement of the gate member and preventing the gate
from being withdrawn from one of the openings in the frame
structure when the pressure member engages the pole.




5. An apparatus for attaching objects to poles as defined in
Claim 2, the triangular nose portion and the contact member
being padded thereby preventing marring of the pole.



6. An apparatus for attaching objects to poles, comprising:
a. a frame structure defining an enclosure, the frame
having a generally triangular nose portion, the frame structure
having a movable gate member positioned opposite the generally
triangular nose portion whereby access is provided to the
enclosure enabling the frame to be placed around a pole, the
gate member having a substantially centrally positioned
threaded aperture;
b. a movable pressure member attached to the gate member
such that upon activation the pressure member moves to exert
a pressure upon the pole clamping the pole between the pressure
member and the triangular nose portion of the frame, the
movable pressure member being a screw clamp which extends
transversely through the threaded aperture in the gate member,
the screw clamp having a contact member at one end which
extends into the enclosure and a handle at an opposed end
whereby the screw clamp is turned to bring the contact member
into contact with the pole; and
c. an attachment bracket secured to the frame whereby an
object is attached to the frame.

7. An apparatus for attaching objects to poles as defined in
Claim 6, the frame structure being generally "U" shaped with
openings at each end adapted to receive the gate member, the
gate member having a shoulder at each end, the shoulders
confining movement of the gate member and preventing the gate
from being withdrawn from one of the openings in the frame
structure when the pressure member engages the pole.

8. An apparatus for attaching objects to poles as defined in
Claim 6, the triangular nose portion and the contact member
being padded thereby preventing marring of the pole.




9. An apparatus for attaching objects to poles, comprising:
a. a frame structure defining an enclosure, the frame
having a generally triangular nose portion, the frame structure
having a movable gate member positioned opposite the generally
triangular nose portion whereby access is provided to the
enclosure enabling the frame to be placed around a pole, the
frame structure being generally "U" shaped with openings at
each end adapted to receive the gate member, the gate member
having a shoulder at each end and a substantially centrally
positioned threaded aperture;
b. a movable pressure member attached to the gate member
such that upon activation the pressure member moves to exert
a pressure upon the pole clamping the pole between the pressure
member and the triangular nose portion of the frame, the
movable pressure member being a screw clamp which extends
transversely through the threaded aperture in the gate member,
the screw clamp having a contact member at one end which
extends into the enclosure and a handle at an opposed end
whereby the screw clamp is turned to bring the contact member
into contact with the pole such that the shoulders of the gate
member confine movement of the gate member and preventing the
gate member from being withdrawn from one of the openings in
the frame structure;
c. the triangular nose portion and the contact member
being padded thereby preventing marring of the pole; and
d. an attachment bracket secured to the frame whereby an
object is attached to the frame.

Description

2080~6

The present invention relates to an apparatus for
attaching objects to poles.

5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Every municipality has innumerable poles within its
boundaries; power poles, light standards, etc. It is often
desirable to attach or suspend objects from these poles. Signs
are attached to inform the public of parking restrictions.
Banners are suspended to celebrate municipal activities. Plant
holders are attached to beautify the municipality.

The installation and subsequent removal of objects from
poles for festivals and the like is labour intensive and time
consuming. Such installation requires workers to work at a
height above traffic level with tools, which poses a potential
danger to the public.

SUMMaRY OF THE INVENTION
What is required is an apparatus for attaching objects to
poles which enables an object to be affixed to a pole in a
timely manner without the use of tools.

According to the present invention there is provided an
apparatus for attaching objects to poles which is comprised of
a frame structure defining an enclosure. The frame structure
has a movable gate member whereby access is provided to the
enclosure enabling the frame to be placed around a pole. A
movable pressure member is attached to the gate member such
30 that, upon activation, the pressure member moves to exert a
pressure upon the pole clamping the pole between the pressure
member and the frame. Means are provided for attaching an
object to the frame.

Although beneficial results may be obtained through use
of the apparatus as described, poles come in a variety of sizes
and shapes; circular, hexagonal, octagonal, square, etc. It
is preferred that the apparatus be capable of fitting all
shapes and sizes of poles. Even more beneficial results may

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therefore be obtained when the frame has a generally triangular
nose portion, thereby adapting the frame for a "universal"
application to poles of varying size and shape.

The apparatus as described is capable of fitting a wide
range of poles sizes and shapes. The triangular nose portion
can accommodate poles of varying thickness and of varying
shape. The apparatus has also proven suitable for use with
tapered poles.
It is preferred that the gate member has a substantially
centrally positioned threaded aperture and the movable pressure
member is in the form of a screw clamp which extends
- transversely through the aperture. The screw clamp has a
contact member at one end which extends into the enclosure and
a handle at an opposed end whereby the screw clamp is turned
to bring the contact member into contact with the pole. The
screw clamp style of movable member, is simple to install on
poles. Installation merely involves assembling the frame
around the pole and then tightening the screw clamp by means
of the handle. No tools are required. This reduces
installation time resulting in a significant saving in labour
costs. It also eliminates the need to work at a considerable
height with tools, which alleviates the potential public safety
hazard.

It is preferred that the gate member extend through
openings in the ~rame structure. The gate member has a
shoulder at each end which confine movement of the gate member
and prevent the gate from being withdrawn from one of the
openings when the pressure member engages the pole. This is
an extremely simple and inexpensive gate structure. No special
gate locking mechanism is required; the pressure exerted by the
pressure member maintains the gate in position.


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It is also preferred that the triangular nose portion and
the contact member be padded. This avoids scarring the paint
finish of metal poles, which exposes the pole to rust.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent from the following description in which reference is
made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus for attaching
objects to poles constructed in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention, attached to a circular pole.
FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated
in FIGURE 1 attached to a hexagonal pole.
FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated
in FIGURE 1 attached to an octagonal pole.
FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated
in FIGURE 1 attached to a square pole.
FIGURE 5 is a side elevation view of an apparatus for
attaching objects to poles constructed in accordance with the
present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment, an apparatus for attaching
objects to poles generally identified by reference numeral 10,
will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 5.

Apparatus 10 has a frame structure 12 consisting of a
generally "U" shaped body 14 which together with a gate member
24 defines an enclosure 20. "U" shaped body 14 has a first end
16 and a second end 18. Gate member 24 extends between first
end 16 and second end 18 of "U" shaped body 14. Frame
structure 12 has a generally triangular nose portion 22. Gate
member 24 is movable to provide access to enclosure 20 whereby
frame structure 12 is placed around a pole 26. A movable
pressure member 28 is attached to gate member 24. An
attachment bracket 30 is secured to frame structure 12 whereby
an object (not shown) is attached to frame structure 12. It

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is preferred that gate member 24 have a substantially centrally
positioned threaded aperture 32, and that movable pressure
member 28 is a screw clamp which extends transversely through
aperture 32. Screw clamp (movable pressure member) 28 has a
first end 34 which extends into enclosure 20 and a second end
36. A contact member 38 is positioned at first end 34. A
handle 40 is positioned at second end 36. It is preferred that
first end 16 and second end 18 of "U" shaped body 14 have
openings 42. Gate member 24 extends through openings 42. Gate
member 24 has opposed ends 46 and 48. A shoulder 44 is
positioned at each of ends 46 and 48. It is also preferred
that triangular nose portion 22 and contact member 38 having
padding 50.

The use and operation of apparatus 10 will now be
described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 5. Gate member
24 is removed to provide access to enclosure 20 so that frame
structure 12 is placed around a pole 26. Gate member 24 is
removed by pushing gate member 24 toward triangular nose
portion 22 until shoulders 44 are clear of frame structure 12
adjacent openings 42, and then removing ends 46 and 48 of gate
member 24 from `openings 42, one at a time. Once frame
structure 12 has been placed around pole 26, endæ 46 and 48 of
gate member 24 are placed back into openings 42. Shoulder 44
should be oriented to they face away from triangular nose
portion 22. This is important to the locking of gate member
24 as will hereinafter be further described. Referring to
FIGURES 1 through 4, triangular nose portion 22 engages pole
26 regardless of the size or shape of pole 26. By turning
handle 40, screw clamp style pressure member 28 is turned to
bring contact member 38 into contact with pole 26, thereby
clamping pole 26 between screw clamp style pressure member 28
and triangular nose portion 22 of frame structure 12. Padding
50 serves a dual function of preventing slippage and preventing
marring of any paint finish on pole 26. Shoulders 44 engage
"U~ shaped body 14 adjacent openings 42 to confine movement of
gate member 24 and prevent gate member 24 from being withdrawn

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from one of openings 42 when screw clamp style pressure member
28 engages pole 26. No special gate locking mechanism is
required as pressure exerted by screw clamp style pressure
member 28 maintains gate member 24 in position. Once frame
structure 12 is in position an object can be attached by means
of attachment bracket 30.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
apparatus 10 is suitable for use with a wide variety of shapes
and sizes of poles 26. It will also be apparent to one skilled
in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated
embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the claims.

Representative Drawing