IN-GROUND POLE RECEPTACLE

Abstract

An in-ground pole receptacle can be driven into or buried in the ground by a homeowner or other individual who is familiar with the routing of underground sprinkler pipes. The pole receptacle has a stake component with a cylindrical chamber that serves as a receptacle for the lower end of a flagpole or other pole and a top plate component that prevents grass from growing around the opening of the cylindrical chamber. The holder is further equipped with a hinged cap or resilient plug secured to the top plate component that is used to cover the opening of the chamber so that soil and debris can be excluded from the chamber when the pole is not installed therein. The stake component and the top plate component can be formed separately or they can be unitary.

Description

This application has a priority date based on the filing of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/531,578, titled IN-GROUND FLAGPOLE HOLDER, by the same inventor, on Sep. 6, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to flagpole holders. More particularly, it relates to pole and flagpole receptacles which are embedded in the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a common practice for Boy Scout troops and other civic organizations to rent U.S. flags, for use on national holidays, to subscribers in a community, for a annual fee. Typically, the flagpole is driven into the ground in front of the subscriber's home. Unfortunately, the flag installers normally have no map of the sprinkler system pipes below the surface. Consequently, it is not unusual for the flag installer to break or sever one of these sprinkler system pipes, resulting in a huge leak and at least one unusable sprinkler system circuit. There is a need for not only an in-ground flagpole receptacle, but also in-ground receptacles for poles of other types. Volleyball nets are frequently set up temporarily for parties. With receptacles for volley ball net poles already properly positioned in the ground, the need to drive poles into the ground and brace them with ropes and stakes will be eiliminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an new in-ground holder, for flagpoles and other temporary poles, that can be driven into or embedded in the ground by the homeowner or other individual who is familiar with the routing of underground sprinkler pipes. Several embodiments of the pole and flagpole holder are shown and described.

A first main embodiment flagpole holder has a stake component with a cylindrical chamber that serves as a receptacle for the lower end of a flagpole. In addition, the stake component has an annular flange at an upper opening of the chamber and a generally conical portion at the bottom end of the chamber. The annular flange is preferably made by flaring an upper edge of the pipe or tube in a stamping and flaring operation. The conical portion is preferably made by crimping three evenly-radially-spaced double-thickness fins around the lower portion of section of mild steel tubing as the conical portion is formed around a conical die positioned within the interior of the tubing. A top plate component has a central aperture that is sized to slide over the conical portion and up a cylindrical portion of the stake component until it abuts the annular flange. The top plate component can either remain unsecured to the stake component, or it can be secured to the stake component by welding or by bonding with an adhesive agent, such as epoxy. For stake components that are to be embedded in concrete, the conical portion can be dispensed with and replaced with a laminar circular slug that is welded to the bottom of the pipe or tube. The in-ground pole and flagpole holder is further equipped with a resilient plug that is used to plug the upper entrance to the chamber of the stake component so that soil and debris can be excluded from the chamber when the flagpole is not installed therein. The resilient plug can be attached to the top plate component with a chain, cord, or cable.

For a second main embodiment of the in-ground pole and flagpole holder, the top plate component is modified so as to eliminate the need for the resilient plug. Instead, top plate component is equipped with a hinged, normally-closed, spring-loaded cap, which seals the ground-level opening of the stake component. A resilient sealing pad, which is adhered to the lower surface of the spring-loaded cap, prevents soil and other debris from entering the cylindrical chamber when the cap is closed over the opening.

For any of the three embodiments of the invention, the top plate component may be made in various shapes, thickness and sizes. The stake component need not be cylindrical, by may also be of square cross section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment stake component for an in-ground pole receptacle;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a second embodiment stake component for an in-ground pole receptacle;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the circular laminar slug that is welded to the bottom of the second embodiment stake component;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment stake component for an in-ground pole receptacle;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment stake component for an in-ground pole receptacle;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a resilient plug used in combination with a first embodiment top plate component of an in-ground pole receptacle;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a first embodiment top plate component;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an assembled first embodiment in-ground pole receptacle having a first embodiment top plate component and a stake component with a first embodiment generally conical lower portion;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an assembled second embodiment in-ground pole receptacle having a first embodiment top plate component and a stake component with a flat-capped lower portion;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a second embodiment top plate component;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a hinged cap used in combination with the second embodiment top plate component;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of hinge pin used in combination with the second embodiment top plate component;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a partially-assembled third or fourth embodiment in-ground pole receptacle having a second embodiment top plate component and either a first or second embodiment stake component; and

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a fully-assembled third or fourth embodiment in-ground pole receptacle.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawing figures. It should be understood that the drawings are intended to be merely illustrative of the invention, and may not be drawn to scale.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment stake component 100 for an in-ground pole receptacle is preferably made of mild steel tubing that is galvanized after it is fully formed. The stake component 100 has an upper flange 102 that is formed in a stamping and forming operation. The stake component 100 also has a lower body portion 101 that has a pointed lower end. The pointed lower end has a generally conical shape consisting of three single-thickness partial conical panels 104A, 104B and 104C 103 and three double-thickness fins 105A, 105B and 105C, all of which are formed by a crimping and forming process. The pointed end can easily be driven into soil that is generally free of rocks and gravel. The stake component 100 has a cylindrical chamber 103 that is open at flanged top end, and closed at the lower pointed end. The opening of the cylindrical chamber 103 is intended to receive the lower portion of a flagpole or other support pole after the stake component 100 has been driven into the ground.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment stake component 200 for an in-ground pole receptacle has a cylindrical portion 201 having an upper flange 202, a cylindrical interior 203 that is sized to receive the lower portion of a flagpole or other support pole, and a lower end that is capped by a circular laminar slug 204. The flange 202 is preferably formed in a stamping and forming operation. The circular laminar slug 204 is preferably welded to the bottom of the cylindrical portion 201 of the second embodiment stake component 200. The second embodiment stake component is intended to be embedded in concrete or soil and is not intended to be driven into the ground.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the circular laminar slug 204 used to cap the bottom of the cylindrical portion 201 is shown.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the first embodiment stake component for an in-ground pole receptacle has a pointed lower end with a generally conical shape. The pointed lower end is preferably formed by a crimping and forming process, and consists of three single-thickness conical section panels 104A, 104B and 104C 103 and three double-thickness fins 105A, 105B and 105C. The pointed end can easily be driven into soil that is generally free of rocks and gravel.

Referring now to FIG. 5 the circular laminar slug 204 that caps the bottom of the second embodiment stake component 200 for an in-ground pole receptacle is clearly visible in this view.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a resilient plug 600 is used to plug the top of the stake component 100 or 200 after installation in the ground, thereby preventing soil and debris from entering into the hollow chamber. The resilient plug 600, which is injection molded as a unitary piece of resilient polymer material, has a cylindrical cap 601, a generally cylindrical main body 602, a plurality of flexible flanges 603 which extend from the main body 602, and which form a seal with the interior wall of the stake component 100 or 200 when the resilient plug 600 is installed therein, and an attachment projection 604 with an aperture 605.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a first embodiment top plate component 700 is preferably stamped from mild steel sheet metal and then galvanized. It will be noted that top plate component 700 has a central aperture 701 and a small aperture 702 located near the periphery thereof. The central aperture 701 enables the top plate component 700 to slide over the lower pointed end of the first embodiment stake component 100 or the blunt lower end of the second embodiment stake component 200 until it contacts the upper flange 102 or 202, respectively. The top plate component 700 can be welded to the stake component 100 or 200 at the factory, or it can be shipped apart from the first embodiment stake component 100 or the second embodiment stake component 200. Preferably, the first embodiment top plate component 700 is packaged unassembled from the stake component 100 or 200 so as to enable more efficient packaging of the in-ground pole receptacle. The first embodiment top plate component 700 will, then, be installed on the stake component 100 by a purchaser, who may or may not decide to bond the first embodiment top plate component 700 to the stake component 100 or 200 using an material such as epoxy or powdered-steel-filled epoxy. The first embodiment top plate component 700 may be left free to rotate about the stake component 100 or 200. The function of the first embodiment top plate component 700 is to prevent the growth of grass or other vegetation around the opening of the cylindrical chamber 103 or 203 so that the in-ground pole receptacle can be more easily located after it has been installed in the ground.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an assembled first embodiment in-ground pole receptacle 800 includes a first embodiment top plate component 700 installed on a first embodiment stake component 100. A chain 801, one end of which is attached to the small aperture 702 and the other end of which is attached to the aperture 605 in attachment projection 604, is used to interconnect the first embodiment top plate component 700 and the resilient plug 600.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an assembled second embodiment in-ground pole receptacle 900 includes a first embodiment top plate component 700 installed on a second embodiment stake component 200. All other features are identical to the first embodiment in-ground pole receptacle 800 of FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a second embodiment top plate component 1000 is preferably stamped and formed from mild steel sheet metal and then galvanized. It will be noted that top plate component 1000 has a central aperture 1001 and a pair of stamped and upwardly-bent hinge supports 1002A and 1002B. Hinge support 1002A has a hinge pin aperture 1003A and hinge support 1002B has a hinge pivot aperture 1003B. The central aperture 1001 is sized to that the top plate component 1000 can slide over the lower pointed end of the first embodiment stake component 100 or the blunt lower end of the second embodiment stake component 200 until it contacts the upper flange 102 or 202, respectively. The top plate component 1000 can be welded to the stake component 100 or 200 at the factory, or it can be shipped apart from the stake component. Preferably, the second embodiment top plate component 1000 is packaged unassembled from the stake component 100 or 200 so as to enable more efficient packaging of the in-ground pole receptacle. The first embodiment top plate component 1000 will, then, be installed on the stake component 100 by a purchaser, who may decide to bond the first embodiment top plate component 1000 to the stake component 100 or 200 using an material such as epoxy or powdered-steel-filled epoxy. If the purchaser does not want to both with adhesive bonding of the top plate component 100 to the stake component 100 or 200, the first embodiment top plate component 700 may be left free to rotate about the stake component 100 or 200. One of the functions of the second embodiment top plate component 1000 is to prevent the growth of grass or other vegetation around the opening of the cylindrical chamber 103 or 203 so that the in-ground pole receptacle can be more easily located after it has been installed in the ground.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a hinged cap 1100, used in combination with the second embodiment top plate component, is preferably stamped and formed from mild steel sheet metal. After stamping and forming, it is preferably galvanized to protect it against corrosion. The cap 1100 has a circular cover portion 1101 and a rear hinge portion 1102. The rear hinge portion 1102 has a pair of upwardly-bent pivot ears 1103A and 1103B. Pivot ear 1103A has a hinge pin aperture 1104A, and pivot ear 1103B has a hinge pin aperture 1104B.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a hinge pin used to pin the hinged cap 1100 to the second embodiment top plate component 1000 is a cylindrical rod made of plated steel, stainless steel, or brass.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a first or second embodiment stake component 100 or 200 has been slipped through the central aperture 1001 of the second embodiment top plate component 1000 so that the flange 102 or 202 rests on the upper surface of the top plate component 1000. After assembly, epoxy or metal filled epoxy or a weld applied to the lower surface of the top plate component 1000 and the outer surface of the stake component 100 or 200 may be used to secure the top plate component 100 to the stake component 100 or 200. Alternatively, the two pieces may remain assembled, but unsecured to one another.

Referring now to FIG. 14, is a fully-assembled third or fourth embodiment in-ground pole receptacle includes either a first or second embodiment stake component 100 or 200, the second embodiment top plate component 1000, the hinged cap 1100, the hinge pin 1200, and a coil spring 1401 that maintains the hinged cap 1100 in a normally-closed configuration. A circular resilient pad 1402, that is adhesively adhered to the bottom of the circular cover portion 1101 of the hinged cap 1100, prevents dirt and water from entering the cylindrical chamber 103 or 203 of the first and second embodiments 100 or 200, respectively. The hinged cap 1100 is attached to the top plate component 1000 by placing the hinged cap 1100 between hinge supports 1002A and 1002B, with hinge pin apertures 1003A, 1104A, 1003B and 1104B in concentric alignment. The hinge pin 1200 is then slid through hinge pin apertures 1003A and 1104A, the spring 1401 is installed on the hinge pin 1200, and then, with the spring configured as shown in the drawing, the hinge pin is slid through the remaining hinge pin apertures 1003B and 1004B. The hinge pin installation operation could, of course, be performed in the opposite direction. The ends of the hinge pin can then be epoxied to the hinge supports 1002A and 1002B. Alternatively, a hitch pin or a clevis pin of the appropriate diameter and length may replace the plain hinge pin 1200.

Although only several embodiments of the in-ground flagpole holder have been heretofore shown and described, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed. For example, the central aperture of either embodiment top plate component may be internally threaded and the upper end of either embodiment stake component may be externally threaded so that the two components can threadably engage one another. Alternatively, a more elaborate twist and lock mechanism may be used to couple the stake component to the top plate component. It should be understood that the depicted embodiments are intended to minimize manufacturing costs, thereby making the product affordable to a great many consumers. Although all embodiments of the invention employ a generally cylindrical stake component, a stake component having a square cross section, or even a triangular cross section may also be used if the top plate component is also similarly modified. It is also possible to make both the top plate component and the stake component as a unitary piece through either injection molding using a structural polymer material such as ABS or through casting using a metal such as iron or brass.

Claims

1. An outdoor in-ground pole receptacle comprising:

a top plate component having a central aperture;

a stake component having a cylindrical chamber closed at a lower end and provided with an outward-facing annular flange at an open upper end thereof, said stake component sized to fit through said central aperture so that said annular flange rests on an upper surface of said top plate; and

a cover which fits over said open upper end of said stake component to prevent dirt and debris from entering said cylindrical chamber.

2. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 1, which further comprises:

a hinge pin; and

wherein said top plate has a pair of upwardly-bent hinge supports, each of which has a hinge pin aperture, said cover has upwardly-bent pivot ears, each of which has a hinge pin aperture, and said cover is positioned between said upwardly-bent hinge supports with the hinge pin apertures all concentrically aligned, and said hinge pin is inserted through all of said hinge pin apertures, thereby connecting said cover to said top plate component.

3. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 2, which further comprises a coil spring that slides over said hinge pin and biases said cover in a normally-closed position.

4. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 2, which further comprises a resilient pad adhesively adhered to a lower surface of said cover, said resilient pad acting to seal dirt and debris from entering said cylindrical chamber when said cover is in said normally-closed position.

5. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 1, wherein said stake component has a generally conical lower end that enables the stake component to be driven into soil.

6. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 1, wherein said stake component has a blunt end formed by a circular laminar slug that is welded to a bottom portion of said cylindrical chamber.

7. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 5, wherein said generally conical lower end of said stake component is formed by a crimping and forming process that creates three single-thickness, partial conical panels and three equally-spaced, double-thickness fins, each of which is positioned between a pair of adjacent partial conical panels.

8. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 1, wherein said cover is a plug molded from resilient polymeric material, said plug being attached to said top plate component with a flexible tether.

9. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 8, wherein said flexible tether is a length of chain.

10. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 2, wherein said top plate component and said cover are both formed using a stamping and forming processes.

11. An outdoor in-ground pole receptacle comprising:

a top plate component stamped and formed from laminar metal having a central aperture and a pair of upwardly-bent hinge supports equally spaced from said central aperture, each hinge support having a hinge pin aperture;

a stake component having a cylindrical chamber closed at a lower end and provided with an outward-facing annular flange at an open upper end thereof, said stake component sized to fit through said central aperture so that said annular flange rests on an upper surface of said top plate; and

a cover also stamped and formed from laminar metal, said cover having upwardly-bent ears, each with a hinge pin aperture, the upwardly-bent ears being positioned between said hinge supports; and

a hinge pin that interconnects said cover and said top plate component by passing through the hinge pin apertures of said top plate component and those of said cover.

12. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 11, which further comprises a coil spring that slides over said hinge pin and biases said cover in a normally-closed position.

13. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 12, which further comprises a resilient pad adhesively adhered to a lower surface of said cover, said resilient pad acting to seal dirt and debris from entering said cylindrical chamber when said cover is in said normally-closed position.

14. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 11, wherein said stake component has a generally conical lower end that enables the stake component to be driven into soil.

15. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 11, wherein said stake component has a blunt end formed by a circular laminar slug that is welded to a bottom portion of said cylindrical chamber.

16. An outdoor in-ground pole receptacle comprising:

a top plate component having a central aperture and a pair of upwardly-projecting hinge supports equally spaced from said central aperture, each hinge support having a hinge pin aperture;

a stake component having a cylindrical chamber closed at a lower end and provided with an outward-facing annular flange at an open upper end thereof, said stake component sized to fit through said central aperture so that said annular flange rests on an upper surface of said top plate; and

a cover having upwardly-projecting ears, each with a hinge pin aperture, the ears being positioned between said hinge supports; and

a hinge pin that interconnects said cover and said top plate component by passing through the hinge pin apertures of said top plate component and those of said cover.

17. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 16, which further comprises a coil spring that slides over said hinge pin and biases said cover in a normally-closed position.

18. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 17, which further comprises a resilient pad adhesively adhered to a lower surface of said cover, said resilient pad acting to seal dirt and debris from entering said cylindrical chamber when said cover is in said normally-closed position.

19. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 16, wherein said stake component has agenerally conical lower end that enables the stake component to be driven into soil.

20. The outdoor pole receptacle of claim 16, wherein said stake component has a blunt end formed by a circular laminar slug that is welded to a bottom portion of said cylindrical chamber.