Abstract:
The specification and drawing figures describe and show a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus includes a sleeve. The sleeve is formed with a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots. The sleeve is removably engageable with one end of a pole on which it is desired to mount one or more devices. Connectors are included that fit adjustably and removably into the plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots. In addition, at least one bar is included. Each bar is formed with a plurality of apertures. The apertures permit variably positioning the bar on the connectors. A cap also is provided. The cap is connected to one end of the sleeve and engageable with one end of the pole. The mounting apparatus includes a variety of ways to secure the mounting apparatus to a pole. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure, but this abstract is not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of any claim.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part from co-pending nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/783,808 filed Feb. 21, 2004, the specification of which is incorporated by reference into this document. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY  
         [0002]    The apparatus and method disclosed in this document pertain generally to mounting apparatus. More particularly, the new and useful systems disclosed and claimed in this document pertain to an apparatus for variably positioning one or more devices on a pole. The mounting apparatus is particularly, but not exclusively, useful for variably positioning a solar panel on a pole.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Devices such as solar panels, transmitters, receivers, telescopes, radar units, satellite dishes, and a host of other devices present unique problems associated with mounting such devices on a pole. When mounted on one end of a vertical pole, the apparatus must be capable of resisting wind, rain, significant variations in ambient temperatures, and a host of other challenges presented by the elements. Limitations among mounting apparatus currently available for installing devices on one end of a pole include complexity of design and installation. Current limitations also include non-standard dimensions of hardware used to assemble and secure devices on mounting brackets attached to poles. In addition, there exists an evident inability to integrate the cap of the system claimed in this document with the top of a pole. Current apparatus also fail to allow installation of a device in a 360-degree radius or orientation around a longitudinal axis through the center of a pole on which the device or devices are mounted, and allow no adjustment of the position of a device on or along an axis or plane transverse to the longitudinal axis through a pole, i.e., in directions “up” or “down” from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the center of the pole. Exemplary solutions for mounting solar panels on surfaces and objects are shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/910,655, filed Jul. 20, 2001, and in U.S. Continuation-in-Part patent application Ser. No. 10/116,384, filed Apr. 4, 2002, and in Continuation-in-Part patent application Ser. No. 10/783,808, filed Feb. 21, 2004, naming as the sole inventor one of the inventors named in this document, the specifications of which are incorporated into this document by reference. However, a need exists in the industry for a new, useful and improved mounting apparatus directed to the challenging problems of mounting a device on an exposed end of a pole.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    In one embodiment of the mounting apparatus disclosed and claimed in this document, a sleeve is provided. The sleeve may be monolithically formed and shaped, or may be assembled from interlockable channels. The sleeve may be formed with one or more slots. The sleeve is removably engageable with one end of a pole on which it is desired to mount one or more devices (“exposed end” of a pole). The ends of a pole are identified in this document as the exposed end, which is the end on which a device is to be mounted, and the “installed end,” the end that generally is secured to the ground or to a structure to hold the pole in position. Connectors are included that adapt both adjustably and removably to the slots. In addition, at least one bar is included. The bar is formed with a plurality of apertures strategically located to permit variably positioning the bar on the connectors and, accordingly, in relationship to the pole. The bar is formed with at least one aperture. A cap also is provided. The cap is connected to one end of the sleeve. At least one side of the cap is engageable with the exposed end of the pole. The mounting apparatus includes a variety of ways to secure the mounting apparatus to a pole.  
           [0005]    As indicated, in one embodiment the sleeve of the mounting apparatus is formed from at least two interlockable channels that are substantially identical in shape, configuration, and dimensions. As used in this document, the term “interlockable channels” means that the two substantially identical channels include structural elements permitting a combination of any two channels to be assembled into a sleeve. In one non-exclusive embodiment, each channel includes opposing edges. One edge is formed as a duct, and the opposing edge is beaded to slide and mesh into a duct to form a sleeve. Because the channels are substantially identical in shape, configuration, and dimensions, a first channel may be inverted in orientation in relation to a second channel, and the two channels interlocked by sliding the opposing beaded edges into the opposing ducts.  
           [0006]    In yet another embodiment, a system for mounting a variety of devices on the exposed end of a pole includes a sleeve that also is removably engageable with the exposed end of a pole. The sleeve includes a bracket. The bracket is monolithically formed in the sleeve. Either a slot or a plurality of slots is formed adjacent to one border of the bracket. One or more bores is formed adjacent the opposing border of the bracket. In another embodiment, a groove may be scored or formed on a surface of the sleeve or bracket for locating one or more points at which to form the bores. A bar is provided that may be connected to the bracket is a variety of positions. A cap may be attached to one end of the sleeve.  
           [0007]    In operation of any embodiment, any of a variety of devices may be attached to the system, including but not limited to a solar panel, a transmitter, a receiver, and a satellite dish, among others.  
           [0008]    It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus, combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the mounting apparatus will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and appended claims. The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important features of the invention to better understand the detailed description that follows, and to better understand the contributions to the art. The mounting apparatus is not limited in application to the details of construction, and to the arrangements of the components, provided in the following description or drawing figures, but is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions. Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended neither to define the mounting apparatus, which is measured by the claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims. The novel features of the mounting apparatus are best understood from the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1A of the drawing is a perspective view of one embodiment of the mounting apparatus in an operable environment, with multiple slots;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A with the addition of a cap;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1C is a top view of the interlocking channels of one embodiment;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2A is perspective view of another embodiment of the mounting apparatus with multiple brackets;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A with the addition of a cap;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing positioning of at least one arm;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment having a single bracket shown in FIG. 1A with the addition of a cap;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A with two slots;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the system on which a satellite dish is attached;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the system rigged for mounting a solar panel; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an array of solar panels to be mounted on the apparatus and pole. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    As shown in FIGS. 1-7, a mounting apparatus  10  is provided that, in its broadest context, includes a sleeve  12 . To the extent that subscripts to numerical designations in this document are followed by the lower case letter “n,” as in “ a - n ,” the letter “n” is intended to express a large number of possible repetitions of the element designated by that numerical reference and subscripts. Thus, sleeve  12  is formed with at least one slot  14   a - n . Sleeve  12  also is formed to be mountable on a pole  16  by being slidably and removably engageable with one end  18  of pole  16 . One or more connectors  20  are included. Each connector  20   a - n  fits into slot  14   a - n . In addition, at least one bar  22  is included. Bar  22  is formed with at least one aperture  24 . In one embodiment, a plurality of apertures  24   a - n  are provided; in another embodiment, a plurality of circular apertures  24   a - c  are provided; in another embodiment, a central aperture  24   a  and two opposing elongated apertures  24   b,c  on either side of circular central aperture  24   a  is provided; in another embodiment, an elongated aperture  24  is provided. All embodiments of aperture  24  allow a user to position bar  22  on connectors  20   a - n  in a 360-degree direction around the longitudinal axis through the center of pole  16 , and to position a device  26  on one or more bars  22   a - n  in a variety of positions on a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis through the center of pole  16 . A cap  28  also is provided. In addition, the combination of the use of a central connector  20  in aperture  24  ensures that during installation, removal, and realignment of bar  22 , bar  22  does not become disengaged from pole  16  while other adjustments to the system are undertaken. Cap  28  is connectable to proximal end  30  of sleeve  12  in a variety of ways such as welding. Also, mounting apparatus  10  also includes means  32  for securing mounting apparatus  12  to pole  16 .  
         [0021]    Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, sleeve  12  includes a plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots  14   a - n . Plurality of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots  14   a - n  may be monolithically formed in sleeve  12 . As shown perhaps best by cross-reference between FIGS. 1A and 5, sleeve  12  may include a single shoulder  34   a  having opposing space-apart substantially parallel slots  14   a - b  as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 1A, a plurality of shoulders  34   b,c  having spaced-apart substantially parallel slots  14   a - d , also may be provided. Slots  14   a - n  are shaped and dimensioned to hold connectors  20   a - n . More specifically, one embodiment of connectors  20   a - n , as perhaps best shown in FIG. 1A, include heads, threaded ends, nuts, and washers that are more particularly described below. Slots  14   a - n  and the heads of connectors  20   a - n  are self-locking. The term “self-locking” as used in this document means that a person installing a device  26  on exposed end  18  of pole  16  may tighten or loosen nuts installed on the protruding end of threaded ends of connectors  20   a - n  using a single wrench applied to the nuts. Slots  14   a - n  act as a restraining wrench on the head of the connector. As shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 1A and 5, shoulders  34   a,b  are formed monolithically in exterior surface  36  of sleeve  12 . As also shown in FIG. 1B, a cap  28  is included.  
         [0022]    In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and  5 , one or more teeth  38   a,b  and one or more elbows  40   a,b  is formed monolithically in shoulders  34   a - c.  The leading surfaces  42   a - c  of one or more teeth  38  and elbows  40  combine to extend substantially equidistant from cavities  44 , and assist in securing mounting apparatus  10  to outer surface  46  of pole  16 .  
         [0023]    As also shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 1A and 5, interior surface  48  of sleeve  12  is shaped and configured to be removably engageable with outer surface  46  a pole  16 . As shown, outer surface  46  of pole  16  and interior surface  48  of sleeve  12  are substantially cylindrical. However, as a person skilled in the art will recognize, the cross-sectional configuration of sleeve  12  and pole  16  may be circular, semi-circular, square, triangles, oblong, or any of a variety of shapes and configurations. The cross-sectional configurations of sleeve  12  and pole  16  are not limitations on mounting apparatus  10 .  
         [0024]    In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and  5 , one or more connectors  20   a - n  fit into and may be removed from slots  14   a - n . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, one or more connectors  20   a - n  may be selected from a wide array and group of connectors. As shown, one or more connectors  20   a - n  are bolts  50   a - n  having heads  52   a - n  engageable with slots  14   a - n,  and a threaded end  54   a - n  for engagement of a nut  56   a - n  and washers  58   a - n . One or more connectors  20   a - n  also may include rivets and screws, among other connectors.  
         [0025]    As also shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 1A and 1C, sleeve  12  may be formed from at least two interlockable channels  60   a,b.  Interlockable channels  60   a,b  are substantially identical in shape, configuration, and dimensions. Interlockable channels  60   a,b  include edges  62   a,b.  Edges  62   a,b  are formed with a longitudinal duct  64   a,b.  Interlockable channels  60   a,b  also include edges  62   c,d.  Edges  62   c,d  are formed with a beaded edge  66   a,b  slidably engageable with longitudinal duct  64   a,b.  The design and manufacturing of two interlockable channels  60   a,b,  as shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 1A and 1C, contributes to interlockable channels  60   a,b  being assembled into sleeve  12 . Because interlockable channels  60   a,b  are substantially identical in shape, configuration, and dimensions, interlockable channel  60   a,  for example, may be inverted in orientation in relation to interlockable channel  60   b,  and the two channels may interlocked by sliding opposing beaded edges  66   a,b  into opposing longitudinal ducts  64   a,b.    
         [0026]    As shown in FIGS. 3, 6,  7 A- 7 B, mounting apparatus  10  also includes at least one bar  22 . At least one bar  22  is, as perhaps best shown by cross-reference to FIG. 3, may be formed either with one or more elongated apertures  24 , or with a plurality of variously shaped and configured apertures  24   a - n . Apertures  24   a - n  allow bar  22  to be positioned in a variety of angles and orientations on pole  16 . As shown in FIG. 3, by selective placement of one or more connectors  20   a - c  in slots  14   a - c  at different relative locations with respect to each other. The differing relative positioning of bar  22  on one or more connectors  20   a - c,  and the securing of bar  22  on one or more connectors  20   a - c  with nuts  56   a - c  and washers  58   a - c,  contributes to orienting bar  22  relative to pole  16  in a wide arc of possible positions in relation to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the center of pole  16 . A non-exclusive range of orientation angles in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the center of pole  16  is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, and is represented by Angle A.  
         [0027]    In the embodiment shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 2A-2B and  4 , mounting apparatus  10  is a system  10 ′ for mounting a device  26  on exposed end  18  of pole  16 . As shown, system  10 ′ includes a sleeve  12 ′ removably engageable with exposed end  18  of pole  16 . Sleeve  12 ′ includes a bracket  68 . Bracket  68  is monolithically formed in sleeve  12 ′. In one embodiment of bracket  68 , a slot  14 e is formed adjacent to one opposing border  70   a  of bracket  68 . In addition, one or more bores  72   a - n  are formed adjacent the other opposing border  70   b  of bracket  68 . The shape and dimension of bores  72   a - n,  regardless of the embodiment, is not material to mounting apparatus  10 . Bores  72   a - n  may be, for example, circular, or may be square to accommodate a carriage bolt. A bar  22 , as shown in FIG. 3, is repositionably connectable to bracket  68 . As also shown, a cap  28 ′ is attached to rim  74  of sleeve  12 . Cap  28 ′ is positionable against exposed end  18  of pole  16 . As also shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and  4 , a groove  76  may be scored or formed on exterior surface  36 ′ of bracket  68 . Groove  76  is substantially parallel to the at least one slot  14   e  and adjacent one end  70   a  of monolithically formed bracket  68 , as perhaps best shown in FIG. 2A. Groove  76  is useful in identifying a point or points for forming bores  72   a - n  in bracket  68 , through which one or more connectors  20   a - n  may be inserted for holding and positioning bar  22  as best shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0028]    System  10 ′ also includes means  78  (not shown) for variably positioning bar  22  on bracket  68 , and means  78  include as non-exclusive components connectors  20   a - n . As shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 1, 6, and  7 A- 7 B, means  78  for variably positioning bar  22  on bracket  68  includes at least one or more connectors  20   a - n  that may be bolts having heads  50   a - n  engageable with slots  14   a - n,  and a threaded end  54   a - n  for engagement of a nut  56   a - n  and washers  58   a - n . One or more connectors  20   a - n  also may include rivets and screws, among other connectors. Likewise, system  10 ′ includes means  80  for attaching device  26  to bar  22 , as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Means  80  for attaching device  26  to bar  22  also includes at least one or more connectors  20   a - n  that may be bolts having heads  50   a - n  engageable with slots  14   a - n , and a threaded end  54   a - n  for engagement of a nut  56   a - n  and washers  58   a - n . One or more connectors  20   a - n  also may include rivets and screws, among other connectors. Means  80 , as perhaps best shown in FIG. 7A, also may include U-bolts connecting on or more extensions  82   a - n  to arms  22   a,b.  As shown in FIG. 6, mounting apparatus  10  is useful in mounting a device  26  on pole  16 . As shown, device  26  is a satellite dish  82 . As shown in FIG. 7, device  26  may be a solar panel array  84 . As a person skilled in the art will appreciate, device  26  may also be any of a number of positionable transmitters and positionable receivers. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, means  32  for securing mounting apparatus  10  to pole  16  are provided. As shown, means  32  for securing mounting apparatus  10  to pole  16  include at least one or more locking screws  82  but as will be evident to one skilled in the art, means  32  may be any of a variety of components for securing mounting apparatus  10  to pole  16 .  
         [0029]    As also will be evident to one skilled in the art, sleeve  12 , bracket  68 , and bar  22  may be made from a wide variety of materials including at least aluminum, steel, other metals, resins, and plastics, among other materials.  
         [0030]    As shown in FIGS. 1-7, all embodiments of mounting apparatus  10  are mountable on pole  16 . As used in this document, the term pole  10  refers in general to a long usually cylindrical object, such as a shaft, pillar, stanchion, rod, tube, post, mast, or similar anchor support or body used for mounting a device  26  on exposed end  18  of such a pole  16 , including solar panels  86 , satellite dishes  88 , and a host of other devices such as transmitters and receivers. As a person skilled in the art will recognize, however, pole  16  may not be cylindrical, and the shape of neither sleeve  12  of mounting apparatus  10 , nor of pole  16 , is a limitation of mounting apparatus  10 .  
         [0031]    In operation of any embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7, the structural components of mounting apparatus  10 , co-operating in combination, allow installation of a device  26  on pole  16  in any sector of 360-degree radius or orientation around the longitudinal axis through the center of pole  16  on which device  26  is mounted, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and  7 A- 7 B. In addition, the structural components of mounting apparatus  10 , co-operating in combination, allow installation of a device  26  on pole  16  in a significant array of positions in an arc identified by the forward end  90  or trailing end  92  of bar  22 , allowing adjustment of the position of device  26  along the axis transverse to the longitudinal axis through a pole, or, in other words, in directions of the bar  22  “up” or “down” from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the center of the pole  16 , as shown best in FIG. 3.  
         [0032]    For example, sleeve  12  is rotatably positonable on end  18  of pole  16 . Sleeve  12  is therefore positionable in any sector of 360-degree radius or orientation around the longitudinal axis through the center of pole  16  on which device  26  is mounted. Cap  28  abuts rim  74  of sleeve  12 , thus helping to hold sleeve  12  in a first position. To achieve positioning of device  26  “up” or “down” from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the center of the pole  16 , one or more slots  14   a - n  are provided either in a shoulder  34   a - n  or bracket  68   a - n . Slots  14   a - n  allow positioning connectors  20   a - n  anywhere within slots  14   a - n . In different embodiments, bores  72   a - n  are provided instead of slots  14   a - n , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Connectors  20   a - n  are removably insertable in bores  72   a - n . Using groove  76  as a drilling guide, bores  72   a - n  may be located anywhere along groove  76 , which also helps provide a significant arc through which bar  22  may be mounted on connectors  20   a - n  for orienting bar  22 , and therefore device  26 , in the desired plane and angle in relation to pole  16 . Through the combined use of means  78  for attaching device  26  to bar  22 , and means  82  for securing mounting apparatus  10  to pole  16 , the varying orientations of device  26  are achieved.  
         [0033]    The mounting apparatus  10  shown in drawing FIGS. 1 through 7 includes more than one embodiment that are not exclusive, but merely illustrative of the disclosed but non-exclusive embodiments. In addition, claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and steps in the claims. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are intended to cover the structures described as performing the recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not be structural equivalents, in the environment of the subject matter of this document a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.