Abstract:
A column base assembly for erecting temporary column structures, a base assembly held firmly in place by a vehicular tire resting thereon. The base assembly provides an easily erected column structure usable in a variety situations where a temporary structure can be erected near to a parked vehicle, such as signs, lights, sheds, tents or awnings. The base assembly provides a sturdy and stable column base erectable on hard surfaces, eliminating the need for staking.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a base assembly for a column structure, particularly to an unanchored, simply-supported base assembly which is prevented from overturning by the weight of a vehicular tire pressing down upon a base plate of the base assembly, pressing the base plate against the ground or other datum. 
     The invention is particularly adapted for temporary support columns which would remain securely in place as long as the vehicle, which provides the tire which holds the base plate down, is stationary at the site. Typical uses for such a base assembly would be for columns holding signage or awnings adjacent to an automobile at an automobile show; for supporting a banner or display on a column adjacent an automobile at an automobile sale lot; for supporting a shelter over a boat residing on a trailer, the trailer providing the tires which hold down the base assembly which supports the columns of the structure, or for erecting a temporary shelter, such as a tent, adjacent to, or over, a vehicle. 
     Temporary columns for displaying signage or holding awnings or canopies usually require that the column base plates be staked or otherwise anchored into the ground. Also, guy-wires directed from the top of the columns to adjacent areas where they are staked into the ground are sometimes used. These type of anchoring systems are more difficult to use, especially where the ground is an asphalt or concrete surface where stakes can not be easily driven. The present invention provides a base assembly which requires no penetrations of such hard surfaces. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for an easily manufactured and field assembled column structure adjacent to a vehicle. 
     Objects of the present invention are: 
     to provide an inexpensive and effective base assembly for securely erecting temporary columns; 
     to provide a base assembly which requires no staking into the ground to prevent overturning; 
     to provide a base assembly which can be broken down into small lightweight components which can be loaded into a small volume such as the trunk of an automobile; 
     to provide a convenient assembly for a table to hold tools or other articles adjacent to a vehicle; 
     to provide a convenient base assembly for erecting a tent adjacent to a vehicle; 
     to provide a convenient base assembly for erecting temporary signage on a hard surface area such as a parking lot; 
     to provide a convenient base assembly for erecting a canopy or awning arrangement over, or adjacent to, a vehicle; 
     to provide a convenient base assembly to hold a column adjacent to a vehicle, the column holding signage, lights, or loud speaker accessories; and 
     to provide a convenient base assembly for erecting a column an adjustable distance away from a cooperating vehicle tire. 
     The objects are inventively achieved in that a base assembly is provided which: 
     comprises a lightweight assembly easily manufactured and assembled, featuring a base plate and a vertical receiving tube attached to the base plate, the base plate laying flat on the ground with the vehicular tire resting on top of the base plate, the receiving tube thereupon upright for receiving a column therein with a set screw for locking the column inside the receiving tube; 
     comprises in one embodiment a table top which has an inverted receiving tube attached to a bottom of the table top and oriented downward, for receiving a top of the column therein, the table top providing a table surface for setting tools, or other articles, thereon for convenience while a user or mechanic is working on a car or performing other activities near to a vehicle; 
     provides a secure base assembly for erecting tents or awnings adjacent to a vehicle, where tent or canopy columns can be installed at each wheel on one side of a vehicle, forming columns from which the tent or awning can be erected outwardly, thus a tent or awning can be erected quickly and easily with a minimum amount of staking, which is beneficial in hard ground areas or rocky areas; 
     provides an easy method to install a temporary canopy structure over a vehicle wherein four such base assemblies can be utilized, one at each tire of a four tired vehicle, allowing for four upright columns from which can be constructed a box shaped canopy enclosure for the vehicle residing therein; 
     comprises in one embodiment, lugs and rings mounted to the base plate for attaching knee braces and guy-wires to laterally support tall columns; 
     comprises in a second embodiment, a base plate held beneath a vehicle tire and a separate satellite base holding a column, the satellite base held in place by telescoping arms projecting from the base plate onto the satellite base, and the column reinforced against overturning by guy-wires from the column down to the arms. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the base assembly holding a column holding a table top adjacent to a vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the base assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front-view of the base assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a column structure using the base assembly of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 shows an alternate use of column structure of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a second alternate use of the column structure of FIG. 4 using two vehicles and two column structures; 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a third alternate use of the column structure of FIG. 4 using at least two column structures, and using one vehicle; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a fourth alternate use of the column structure of FIG. 4 using two base assemblies and two column structures and one vehicle; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the base assembly; 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the base assembly of FIG. 9, and further showing in detail the awning assembly of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the base assembly; and 
     FIG. 12 is a front partial elevational view of a third alternate embodiment of the base assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows a base assembly 10 held firmly to the ground by a tire 20, itself connected to a vehicle 24. The base assembly 10 holds a column 28 at its lower end, the column 28 holding a table top 30 via a coupling 32. The coupling 32 is connected to the table top 30, such as by welding (not shown). The table top 30 can hold a variety of articles such as a tool box 34. 
     The table top 30 provides a convenient and secure location for placing tools while a mechanic is working under the hood of an automobile, or a convenient and secure location for any articles which by their nature are used adjacent to a vehicle. The table top 30 can in fact be a duplicate of the base assembly 10 but installed in an inverted orientation. Thus, manufacturing a separate table top is eliminated with resulting cost savings with regard to duplication of parts. A user can purchase two base assemblies 10 and use them for erecting two columns (as described in detail below) or use the respective second one inverted as a table top 30 as shown in FIG. 1. 
     The base assembly 10 comprises a base plate 40, a substantially flat plate, whereupon is connected a receiving tube 44 which holds a set screw 46. The receiving tube 44 is connected to the base plate 40, such as by welding at 48, or by any other known means. The receiving tube 44 is laterally supported by a first diagonal brace 50 and a second diagonal brace 52 which connect a top portion of the receiving tube 44 with the base plate 40. Also provided attached to the base plate 40 are receiving rings 56, 58 to be used for receiving guy-wires such as in the embodiment discussed later with respect to FIG. 4. A first lug 64 and a second lug 66 are also provided, attached to the base plate 40, for providing an attachment location for knee braces 88a, 88b also discussed with respect to FIG. 4. The base plate further provides a first tire guide 74 and a second tire guide 76 which help the vehicle driver roll the tire 20 onto the base plate in the proper location initially, and thereafter help in preventing slippage of the base plate 40 from beneath the tire 20. The first &#34;bump&#34; or feel tells the driver the tire 20 has passed onto the plate, and the second &#34;bump&#34; or feel from the second tire guide 76 tells the driver he is progressing too far, and off the base plate 40. 
     FIG. 2 shows the same elements as described with respect to FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 shows the same elements as described in FIG. 1, however the set screw is shown in more detail. The set screw 46 comprises a L-shaped screw member threadingly received inside a nut 84, the nut 84 welded to an outside of the receiving tube 44. By projecting the set screw 46 through the nut and through an aligned hole 44a through the receiving tube 44, and thereby abutting a forward end of the set screw 46 against the column 28, the column 28 is locked inside the receiving tube 44. 
     FIG. 4 shows another application of the invention. In this application, the base assembly 10 is also utilized with a column 28, and is held firmly in place by a tire 20. However, a pair of knee braces 88a, 88b (88b shown in FIG. 8) are utilized in a column structure 85. The knee braces 88a, 88b are attached to the column 28 at a clamp 90 and are attached at the base plate 40 at lugs 64, 66. The two knee braces 88a, 88b and the column 28 received inside the receiving tube 44 of the base assembly 10 form the column structure 85 having a tripod-arrangement which prevents tipping of the pole with respect to the horizontal plane. 
     The arrangement of FIG. 4 is shown utilized in conjunction with a tent 86. The tent shown is a typical military shaped tent having short sides 86a, 86b, front flaps 86c, 86d, sloping roof panels 87a, 87b, as well as a back portion not shown in this front elevational view. The back portion would typically be a solid fabric of a shape equivalent to the additive area of the two front flaps. The tent 86 is held upright by at least one guy-wire 100. The guy-wire is configured into a first segment 102, a second segment 104, and a third segment 106. The third segment 106 terminates at a stake 110 driven into the ground on a side of the tent 86 opposite the tire 20. The tent 86 comprises a horizontal beam 107 spanning from a front of the tent 86 to the back of the tent, and located in the corner formed by roof panels 87a, 87b. The tent 86 or column structure 85 provides a strut member 92 which connects the beam 107 with the column 28, using a strut clamp 93. Thus, at least one base assembly 10, at the tire 20 on the vehicle 24, in conjunction with a minimum amount of stakes, can effectively hold the tent erect. In the preferred embodiment the column structure 85 supports only a front end of the tent 86 with a duplicative column structure 85a supporting a rear end of the tent 86 (not shown). Additionally, duplicative guy-wire segments support the rear of the tent 86 in identical fashion with that shown in FIG. 4. The strut 92 would hold up a front end of the beam 107 and a duplicative strut 92a would hold up a rear end of the beam 107. Likewise, a second guy-wire 100a could be utilized on the duplicative column structure 85a to hold the beam 107, and hold the tent erect to a duplicative stake 110a. It is also readily apparent that each column structure 85, 85a could utilize two guy-wires attached to each base assembly 10 in a spaced apart fashion to provide lateral resistance to column overturning at each base plate 40. 
     FIG. 5 shows a second application of the base 10 and the column structure 85 wherein a single column structure can be utilized to hold accessories such as a loud speaker 120, a light 124 and/or a pennant 128. 
     FIG. 6 shows how two column structures 85, 85a engaged by two vehicle wheels 20, 20a can be utilized to hold a wire 142 between the two structures 85, 85a. The wire 142 could hold many items hanging therefrom, such as banners, signs, fencing, a volleyball net, etc. FIG. 6 shows that each column structure 85, 85a utilizes a diagonal guy-wire 102a spanning from a ring 56, 58 to a column clamp 130. As more clearly shown in FIG. 8, the use of two diagonal guy-wires 102a, 102b attached to spaced apart rings 56, 58 provides increased lateral overturning resistance. Column clamp 130 is a known type of collar clamp. 
     FIG. 7 shows another application of the invention wherein two column structures 85, 85a utilizing base assemblies 10 at a rear end of a vehicle, in this arrangement a boat-holding trailer 150, form a rear structural bent 152 of a shed 154. At a front end of the arrangement, two additional base assemblies 10 could be utilized with corresponding column structures to form an identical structural bent 152a (not shown). Thus, four columns are erected, one at each wheel of the vehicle 150. Side structure can be added to tie the two bents 152, 152a together and provide rigidity to the skeleton of the shed 154. The four columns hold a roof structure 170 which provides weather protection for the vehicle. Additionally, sides can be attached around the outside of the shed 154. A lightweight canvas, plastic or other appropriate material would well suit the temporary nature of this structure. 
     FIG. 8 shows another arrangement of the column structures 85, 85a. In this arrangement the column structures 85, 85a are utilized on the same side of an automobile, at each tire, to support the columns 28 which hold an awning 228 projecting away from the automobile 200. This arrangement can be utilized to provide a shady place to sit during various outdoor activities. The awning assembly is described further with respect to FIG. 10. The column structure 85 shows the use of the diagonal guy-wires 102a, 102b for column lateral stability. 
     FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the base assembly referred to as the satellite base assembly 300. In this embodiment, the satellite base assembly comprises a base plate 310 whereon is mounted tubular guides 314, 316. The tubular guides 314, 316 can have a variety of cross sections, but are substantially hollow with open ends 314a, 316a respectively. The tubular guides 314, 316 act in a fashion similar to the guides 74, 76 but serve another function as well. The satellite base assembly 300 comprises telescoping arms 320, 324 which structurally tie the base plate 310 to a satellite plate 350. The satellite plate 350 is shown in this particular embodiment as a round plate, but other shapes could also work. The telescoping arms 320, 324 have offset base portions 330, 334 which insert into the guide tubes 314, 316 respectively through the open ends 314a, 316a. The telescoping arms 320, 324 project from the base plate 310 outward to the satellite plate 350 and beyond. The telescoping arms &#34;crisscross&#34;, with one telescoping arm 324 resting on top of the respective other telescoping arm 320. Additionally, the telescoping arms have extension arms 362, 364 which can be extracted outwardly to increase the overall length of the telescoping arms. At one end of the telescoping arms 320, 324 are attached guy-wire rings 370, 372 and at a remote end of the extension arms are attached additional guy-wire rings 366, 368. As shown more clearly in FIG. 10, a plurality of guy-wires are utilized to stabilize the column 28 against overturning. The guy-wires 380a and 382a are shown connecting guy-wire ring 372 to a column clamp 384 attached to the column 28 by a second set screw 390. Also, a guy-wire 382a is shown attaching the guy-wire ring 368 to the column clamp 384. Likewise, a guy-wire would attach the guy-wire ring 370 and 366 to the clamp 384. Thus, four guy-wires are utilized to provide a column 28 greatly resistant to overturning. 
     FIG. 11 shows a second alternate embodiment 400 of the base assembly wherein an elongated base plate 402 is provided with increased length so that a column 406 can be located in the front of the vehicle 24 rather than to the side. The elongated base plate 402 includes a bridge section 404 which the inventor anticipates will accomplish two functions. The bridge section 404 should help to reduce stresses in the base plate 402 caused by a high overturning moment near the connection of the base plate 402 and the receiving tube 44, and also should provide some flexibility for adjusting for ground height differences between the location of the tire 20 and the location of the receiving tube 44. Uneven surfaces can be more easily accommodated due to the inherent flexibility of the arcuate bridge portion 404. 
     The second alternate embodiment 400 of the base assembly utilizes a majority of the same components as the base assembly 10. The receiving tube 44 with the set screw 46 are utilized. The diagonal braces 50, 52 are also utilized (brace 52 not shown in FIG. 11). The knee braces 88a, 88b can be utilized as well as the diagonal guy-wires 102a, 102b (knee brace 88b and diagonal guy-wire 102b shown in FIG. 8). An alternate column 406 is shown in FIG. 11. The alternate column 406 is a telescoping column made up of a first column segment 406a and a second column segment 406b. The first column segment 406a has a greater diameter than the second column segment 406b, wherein the second column segment 406b can be telescopically received within the first column segment 406a. A set-clamp 408 serves two functions. First, the set-clamp 408 anchors the two knee braces 88a, 88b to the column 406. Second, the set-clamp 408 has a third set screw 408a which is threadingly received by the set-clamp 408, penetrates through a hole provided in the wall of the first column segment 406a and abuts, or alternatively also penetrates, the second column segment 406b. Thus, the telescoping column assembly provides a quickly assembled column which can be disassembled into relatively small components for storage in, for example, an automobile trunk. The guy-wires 102a, 102b are secured to the second column segment 406b at the guy-wire clamp 384 which is secured to the column with a second set screw 390. 
     FIG. 12 shows an alternate detail to the ring and lug configuration of FIG. 1. Rather than using a ring 56 and a lug 64, those two elements are combined in a single angle lug 420 wherein a first face 432 holds the knee brace 88a at a connection 424, and a second leg 434 has an aperture 436 therethrough to hold a knot 438 from the guy-wire 102a. This results in a simplification of the base assembly. 
     The base assembly and included knee braces, struts and telescoping arms can be constructed of materials appropriate for the function. More heavy duty applications would require metals such as steel or aluminum, whereas other jobs can be accomplished using plastics or even wood. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, those of skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.