Abstract:
A three-dimensional marking display to partially enclose conventional outdoor lighting poles whereby the display includes a circular or multisided wrap having a top affixed to the upper edge of the wrap and a bottom affixed to the lower edge of the wrap for attachment to the upright lighting pole element.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the following four U.S. provisional patent applications, which are hereby incorporated by reference: Ser. No. 61/415,305 filed Nov. 18, 2010; Ser. No. 61/419,815 filed Dec. 4, 2010; Ser. No. 61/419,851 filed Dec. 5, 2010 and Ser. No. 61/429,158 filed Jan. 2, 2011. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a system and the means for assembling three-dimensional marketing displays. More specifically, the invention relates to circular advertising displays which are installed around light poles and light pole concrete bases commonly found in commercial parking lots. These advertising displays may be circular, square or other geometric cross-sectional shape. 
     Light poles and other similar objects are often mounted on, encased in or otherwise supported by concrete base foundations. These foundations often extend vertically out of the surrounding pavement or ground level to form a concrete base to provide a means of preventing vehicles from inadvertently striking and damaging the light poles. The light poles and bases are widely used to support light fixtures to illuminate parking lots of retail stores and employee parking or operational yards at industrial location. These poles and bases create opportunities for advertising, marketing or communications messaging. The pole or base can provide structural support for the display and protection from vehicle damage to an otherwise stand-alone sign. 
     One method of creating a three-dimensional marketing display is by wrapping the base with a printed semi-rigid but flexible material, such as thin plastic sheet material which is taller than the base, thereby creating space available for the marketing message of greater area than if otherwise limited by the pole base height. A separate top element may be constructed from semi-rigid but flexible or similar material, such as thin plastic sheet material. Such top element may be secured to the wrap by several methods. This top element provides structural support for the extended upper edge of the printed wrap, and provides closure for the printed wrap to prevent it from collecting unwanted matter, such as blown leaves, debris or being confused as a trash receptacle. The top element may either be also fastened to the pole for additional support of the printed wrap, or may be cut short of the pole for ease in installation. 
     The printed wrap may follow the outside perimeter of a round base, or a square pole base. Alternatively, other cross-sectional geometries may be used for the wrap independent of the base geometry. 
     An alternative embodiment provides for the printed wrap to be suspended from the pole instead of being wrapped around the base. In this embodiment, the printed wrap may be supported by a top element and a bottom element, both of which are attached to the light pole. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Planar marketing displays have been widely used attached to stationary objects such as light poles, trash cans, gasoline pumps and other fixtures. These designs require the display to be constructed from material of sufficient strength or incorporate support structures to resist undesired flexure from wind forces. When two-sided displays are used, these designs also suffer from being partially obstructed by the object to which they are mounted. This is often solved by installing two or more such displays on opposite sides of the mounting structure. These impediments create excessive manufacturing costs. 
     Marketing display wraps are also commonly wrapped around round barrels, stacks of automotive tires and other circular objects. In all of these designs, the printed wrap is supported directly by being wrapped snugly against or mechanically attached to the object being wrapped. As such, these displays suffer by being limited to the height of the object being wrapped. 
     Woytowich et al. patent application US2007/0116515 shows an invention for Protective Utility Pole Base Covers. This design suffers from multiple components required for assembly. The construction process commonly used for building light pole bases uses a round fiberboard or steel formwork to cast the concrete shape. After removing the formwork, workers commonly will cover defects in the concrete surface by rubbing the concrete with cement mortar or by applying cement stucco to the surface of the base. As such, the finished diameter of the pole base varies from pole to pole. As such, the design by Woytowich et al. suffers from having to either be custom designed for various diameters bases, or be sized to fit loosely around the base. Custom design drives the cost of manufacturing significantly, and a loose fit can cause out of plumb or moving covers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,972,026 to Warner et al. teaches a design for a Light Pole Base Cover comprised of two components which snap together. While this invention provides a covering for the base plate of light poles mounted on concrete bases, it suffers from an intricate design of interlocking offset tabs which are expensive to manufacture. 
     McGlinch patent application US 2008/0000192 shows a Concrete Pole Base Cover comprised of complicated assembly of multiple components. This design suffers from high cost of manufacturing and assembling multiple components. It also suffers from size variation limitations described above for the design by Woytowich et al. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The design of the present invention overcomes problems associated with the prior art by requiring a minimal number of components and utilizes efficient, thin and flexible material formed in circular or other geometric cross-sectional shapes for structural rigidity to resist wind forces. In the preferred embodiment, graphic art comprising a marketing or advertising message is printed on a thin, flexible sheet of material, hereinafter referred to as “wrap.” The thickness of the wrap material is such that when formed in a circular or other geometric cross-section will cause the portion of the display extending above the concrete base to withstand undesired deformation from anticipated wind forces. The wrap is wrapped tightly around the concrete base of a light pole, and extends vertically above the top surface of the concrete base. The leading and trailing edges of the wrap are overlapped slightly and mechanically secured with adhesive, tape or fasteners such as staples. The design accommodates a range of variations in the diameter of the concrete base due to the overlap seam. 
     In a first alternative embodiment, a separate component hereinafter referred to as “top” is provided to further strengthen the extended upper edge of the wrap. The top is mechanically secured to the wrap by any well known process such as adhesive, tape or other fasteners such as staples. The top also serves to partially close down the open orifice of the display to discourage undesired use as a trash receptacle. The top may be fabricated from a planar sheet of thin flexible material, such as high density polyethylene, which is assembled in the shape of a truncated cone with an overlapped seam. The seam may be mechanically secured by use of adhesive, tape, or fasteners such as staples. The slope of the truncated cone shape and dimension of the overlap seam will vary to accommodate the range of variations in the diameter of the concrete base. A series of two or more tabs around the outside periphery of the top, which when bent to create an obtuse angle with the top, are used to secure the top to the wrapped display. 
     A feature of this invention includes a tab design on the top which, when bent to the obtuse angle, creates an opening in the tab to accommodate a stapling tool to be inserted through the tab to install a staple securing the tab to the wrap. 
     Another feature of this invention includes a series of one or more slits cut in wrap, which when wrapped around the concrete base, creates an openings in the wrap to accommodate a stapling tool to be inserted through the wrap to install a staple securing the overlapped edges of the wrap. 
     A variety of other tab configurations may be used for creating the overlap between the top and the wrap for the first alternative embodiment. In some designs the tabs are created on the top, and in others are created on the wrap. Access holes in either the top or wrap may be provided for inserting a stapling tool, pliers or the installer&#39;s fingers to press the tabs on the top or wrap together where adhesive is used. 
     In a second alternative embodiment, a the top may be molded in the form of one or more sections, with overlapped seams from a material such as thermoformed plastic. 
     In a third alternative embodiment, the top is secured to the upper edge of the wrap with a molding strip. In this design, the molding may either be preformed in a circular configuration or flexible to be bent by the installer in a circular shape. The truncated cone top material is slipped into a groove in the upper portion of the molding as it is formed into a circular shape or in the preformed molding. The circular formed molding with the attached truncated cone top is slipped over the upper edge of the wrap such that the wrap edge fits into a second groove in the molding. Friction fit between the molding and top, and the molding and wrap may be used to securely connect the components. Alternatively, adhesive or pointed integral barbs in the groove may be used to connect the components. 
     In a fourth alternative embodiment, the truncated cone top is fastened to the light pole. Tabs around the interior perimeter of the top are bent to form an acute angle between the tabs and surface of the top. One or more rubber bands, clamps, straps, or other suitable devices may be used to secure the internal bent tabs to the light pole. Various tab configurations described hereinbefore may be used to attach the outer periphery of the top to the upper edge of the wrap. 
     In a fifth alternative embodiment, the marketing display is elevated above the concrete base for better visibility when vehicles are parked nearby and reduce vandalism. In this embodiment, the top is constructed as described in the fourth embodiment, and an additional truncated cone component hereinafter referred to as “bottom” is similarly attached to the lower edge of the wrap and to the light pole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective drawing and shows the present invention in the preferred embodiment design. 
         FIG. 2  is a cutaway top perspective drawing of the preferred embodiment design shown in  FIG. 1  to reveal the concrete pole base. 
         FIG. 3  is a cutaway top perspective drawing showing the first alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view drawing of the top of the first alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective drawing showing the design of the top component of second alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway top perspective drawing of the third alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a section detail view of the molding connection of the third alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a cutaway top perspective drawing showing the assembled top and wrap for one of the various tab connection configurations. 
         FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  are section detail views of the various tab connection configurations for the first alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view drawing of the top design which could be used with the various tab connection configurations shown in  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , or  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top perspective drawing of the wrap design which could be used with the various tab connection configurations shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view drawing of the top design which could be used with the various tab connection configurations for the first alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view drawing of another top design which could be used with the various tab connection configurations for the first alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 , or  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 18  is cutaway top perspective drawing showing an installed three dimensional marketing display having a square cross-sectional shape. 
         FIG. 19  is a plan view drawing of the top design which could be used with the configurations shown in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is cutaway top perspective drawing of the fifth alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 21  is a top perspective drawing of the detail of the connection between top and wrap of the fifth alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  is a top perspective drawing of the detail of the connection between bottom and wrap of the fifth alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  is a plan view drawing of a top of the fourth alternative embodiment or top and bottom of the fifth alternative; when used on a light pole having a square cross-sectional shape. 
         FIG. 24  is a plan view drawing of a top of the fourth alternative embodiment or top and bottom of the fifth alternative; when used on a light pole having a round cross-sectional shape. 
         FIG. 25  is a plan view of the wrap of the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. 
         FIG. 26  is a detail view of the slits used for the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. 
         FIG. 27  is a top perspective drawing of the present invention showing the installed wrap of the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. 
         FIG. 28  is a detail view of the slits on an installed wrap used for the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view and shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention and includes wrap  1 , which may be constructed from a sheet of stiff but flexible material, such as thin polystyrene plastic. Wrap  1  is wrapped tightly around the pole base and is joined together by means of attachment flap  4 . In this design, wrap  1  creates an open structure on the top side, and is not connected to pole  2 . The overlapped ends of wrap  1  are secured together by mechanical attachment methods well known, such as adhesive tape, adhesive, staples, rivets or hook/loop fasteners. 
       FIG. 2  is a cutaway top perspective view of the design shown in  FIG. 1  to reveal the base  3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cutaway top perspective drawing showing the first alternative embodiment. This design is similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  and includes top  38 . Top  38  serves to provide lateral support for the upper edges of wrap  1 . Top  38  also serves to partially or fully close off the open structure of that shown in  FIG. 1 . In this design, the perimeter of the top  38  has one or more tabs  39  which have been bent to an angle to align them with the upper edge of wrap  1 . Hole  40  is useful to facilitate or ensure a tight connection between tab  39  and wrap  1 . Suitable well known methods may be used to connect top  38  to wrap  1 , such as staples, adhesive or adhesive tape. Attachment flap  18  varies in width to accommodate variations in the diameter of base  3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the layout of top  38  of the first alternative embodiment. Top  38  is fabricated from sheet material and is subsequently rolled during installation into the form of a truncated cone to form installed top  38  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Slit  41  and slit  42  facilitate the bending of tab  39 . Hole  40  allows for insertion of a tool or the installer&#39;s fingers to facilitate attachment to wrap  1  (not shown in this view). Alternatively, in lieu of hole  40 , slit  43  may be used to create an opening for insertion of a tool or finger when tab  39  is bent downwardly. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective drawing showing the design of the second alternative embodiment. It is shown slightly distorted by flexing for clarity. The distortion is continued to open up a gap between the ends of top  44  to enable installation around a pole. This design uses a three dimensional molded, cast or formed top. It may be made of thermoformed plastic, injection molded plastic or other suitable material and process. It may be made in one or more pieces (one piece is shown). It may also have any of a variety of raised or depressed rings co-centric with the center opening for stiffness. Top  44  may be aligned as shown in  FIG. 10  or  FIG. 11 . Lip  45  may be modified with lip  45  protruding substantially vertically up (in lieu of substantially vertically down as shown) and aligned as shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 . Hole  40  is useful to facilitate a tight mechanical connection between lip  45  and wrap  1 . Attachment flap  18  overlap is shown separated due to the distortion, but after installation will be connected by suitable connecting methods, such as staples, adhesive or adhesive tape. 
       FIG. 6  is a cutaway top perspective drawing showing the third alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, top  8  is fabricated from a sheet of flexible material as shown in  FIG. 16  and attached to wrap  1  by means of connector  5 . In this design, connector  5  may be fabricated in a circular fashion shown, or it may be fabricated straight and formed during installation into the circular fashion shown. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional detail of the connection in the third embodiment design shown in  FIG. 6 . Connector  5  includes slit  10  which accepts the lower edge of top  8  and slit  11  accepts the upper edge of wrap  1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cutaway top perspective drawing showing one of various tab configurations for connection  9  of the preferred embodiment. This design is similar to that shown in  FIG. 3 , except in the method of connecting top  8  and wrap  1 . In this design, the perimeter of top  8  has several tabs  13  which have been bent to an angle to align with the upper edge of wrap  1 . Suitable methods for connecting tab  13  and wrap  1  may be used, such as staples, adhesive or adhesive tape. A variety of other connection  9  configurations for the top  8  to wrap  1  may alternatively be used. Some of these connection configurations are shown in  FIG. 9  through  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 9  is a sectional detail view of one of the various the tab connection configurations for the design shown in  FIG. 8  for the first alternative embodiment. Tab  13  is an extension of top  8  and is attached to the upper edge of wrap  1  with adhesive, staples, adhesive tape or other well known mechanical fastening methods. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional detail view of one of the various the tab connection configurations for the design shown in  FIG. 8  for the first alternative embodiment. Tab  13  is an extension of top  8  and is attached to the upper edge of wrap  1  with adhesive, staples, adhesive tape or other well known mechanical fastening methods. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional detail view of one of the various the tab connection configurations for the design shown in  FIG. 8  for the first alternative embodiment. Tab  13  is an extension of top  8  and is attached to the upper edge of wrap  1  with adhesive, staples, adhesive tape or other well known mechanical fastening methods. 
       FIG. 12  is a sectional detail view of one of the various the tab connection configurations for the design shown in  FIG. 8  for the first alternative embodiment. Tab  14  is an extension of wrap  1  and is attached to the perimeter edge of top  19  with adhesive, staples, adhesive tape or other well known mechanical fastening methods. 
       FIG. 13  is a sectional detail view of one of the various the tab connection configurations for the design shown in  FIG. 8  for the first alternative embodiment. Tab  14  is an extension of wrap  1  and is attached to the perimeter edge of top  19  with adhesive, staples, adhesive tape or other well known mechanical fastening methods. 
       FIG. 14  is a plan view drawing of the layout of top  8  for one of the various the tab connection configurations for the design shown in  FIG. 8  for the first alternative embodiment. Top  8  is cut from sheet material and is subsequently rolled into the form of a truncated cone to form installed top  8  as shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . Multiple tabs  13  are created around the perimeter of top  8  and are formed by multiple slits  12 . Corresponding fold lines  35  provide the means of bending the material to the geometry necessary to connect with the wrap  1  (not shown), as shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . Attachment flap  18  is provided for the connection of the two ends of top  8  when installed as shown in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . Flap  18  is connected by a well known and suitable mechanical means, such as staple, adhesive or adhesive tape. 
       FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of the wrap  1  for the first alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  before the top  19  (not shown) is installed. Slits  36  create several tabs  26  which are folded along the folds  37  to create the geometry necessary to connect with wrap  1  in the embodiments shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 16  is a plan view of the layout of top  19  for the first alternative embodiment. Top  19  is cut from sheet material and is subsequently rolled into the form of a truncated cone to form installed top  19  as shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 17  is a plan view of the layout of top  8  for the first alternative embodiment. The elements of this embodiment are similar to those the description of  FIG. 14  above, except that alternate tabs  13  have been eliminated and create gaps  20 . 
       FIG. 18  is cutaway top perspective view showing an installed three dimensional marketing display having a square cross-sectional shape similar to the first alternative embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a four-sided wrap  21  and top  22  are shown. Tabs  23  are used to secure wrap  21  to top  22 . Other embodiments include connection details shown in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 . Further embodiments include similar designs which incorporate multiple-sided wraps and tops, such as five-sided, six-sided, seven-sided, eight-sided etc. 
       FIG. 19  is a plan view of the layout of top  22  for a three dimensional marketing display having a square cross-sectional shape similar to the first alternative embodiment. Top  22  is cut from sheet material and is subsequently folded into a truncated pyramid along folds  25 . Flaps  23  are created by bending the material along folds  24  to the geometry necessary to connect to wrap  21  (not shown). Further embodiments using the concept shown may be made for multiple-sided tops described above 
       FIG. 20  is a top perspective view and shows the fifth alternative embodiment of present invention in an application where no concrete base exists. Top  47  is secured to and supported by pole  2 . Top  47  has one or more tabs  51  which are connected to the pole  2  by band  7 . Band  7  may be constructed from elastic material, such as latex tubing, with its ends connected by s-hooks or other suitable well known methods. Alternatively, another type of band, such as a flexible metal or plastic clamp commonly used for automobile radiator clamp, may be used. Bottom  49  is secured to and supported by pole  2  in a similar manner. The differences in the installation of top  47  and bottom  49 , is tab  39  on the top  47  is bent downwards, while the tab  39  on the bottom  49  is bent upwards, so that each may be attached to wrap  1 . 
       FIG. 20  also represents the fourth alternative embodiment of the present invention in an application where a concrete base does exist (not shown) and additional lateral support for wrap  1  is desired. In this embodiment, wrap  1  is tightly wrapped around base  1  as in the preferred embodiment or as in the first alternative embodiment. Bottom  49  is omitted for this fourth alternative embodiment. 
       FIG. 21  is a top perspective view of the detail of the connection between top  47  and wrap  1  as shown in  FIG. 20  for the fifth alternative embodiment and the fourth alternative embodiment. Tab  39  is bent downward through strap  53 , causing tab  46  to rotate upwards, and creates opening  54  which is defined by slit  48 . Opening  54  allows access to facilitate a method of fastening between top  47  and wrap  1  by stapling tab  39  to the upper edge of wrap  1 , or for squeezing tab  39  to the top edge of wrap  1  with fingers or a tool when an adhesive or adhesive tape is placed between these two elements. 
       FIG. 22  is a top perspective drawing of the detail of the connection between bottom  49  and wrap  1  as shown in  FIG. 20  for the fifth alternative embodiment. Tab  39  has been bent upward through strap  53 , causing tab  46  to rotate downwards. Although not shown, opening  54  (not shown) is created similar to as described for  FIG. 21  above. 
       FIG. 23  is a plan view of the layout of top  47  and bottom  49  for the fourth and fifth alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  when installed with a pole  2  (not shown) having a round cross sectional shape. Slit  41  and slit  42  create tab  39 . Slit  48  creates tab  46 . Slit  41 , slit  42  and slit  48  create straps  53  which serve as hinge connection between tab  39  and top  47  or bottom  49 . Tabs  51  are folded downward along folds  29 . After tabs  51  are folded, the resulting shape of the center opening approximates a crude circle. 
       FIG. 24  is a plan view of the layout of top  47  and bottom  49  for the fourth and fifth alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  when installed with a pole  2  (not shown) having a square cross sectional shape. Slit  41  and slit  42  create tab  39 . Slit  48  creates tab  46 . Slit  41 , slit  42  and slit  48  create straps  53  which serve as hinge connection between tab  39  and top  47  or bottom  49 . Tabs  51  are folded downward along folds  29 . After tabs  51  are folded, the resulting shape of the center opening approximates a square. 
       FIG. 25  is a plan view of the wrap of the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. Wrap  1  has one or more slits. 
       FIG. 26  is a detail view of the slits used for the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. Slit  43  is terminated into hole  54  which is provides stress relief for the material of wrap  1 . 
       FIG. 27  is a top perspective drawing of the present invention showing the installed wrap of the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. The leading and trailing ends of wrap  1  are fastened with one or more staples  55  through lap  4 . 
       FIG. 28  is a detail view of the slits on an installed wrap used for the preferred embodiment, first alternative embodiment, third alternative embodiment, fourth alternative embodiment and fifth alternative embodiment where the connection method for the lap (not shown) uses a tool such as a stapler to install a mechanical fastener such as staples. As wrap  1  is wrapped tightly around base  3  (not shown), tab  58  remains substantially tangent to base  3 , and creates opening  56 . Opening  56  permits the insertion of tool  57  which may be used to install a staple  55  or other mechanical fastener. Hole  54  provides stress relief to reduce tearing of wrap  1  caused by the insertion of tool  57  into opening  56 .