Abstract:
A pole mounting system can be configured as a center drawn mounting system which allows the user to securely mount and adjust the inner stanchion in various rotational orientations about the vertical axis. The system also allows any electrical wiring or other conduit to be run up inside of the pole. Once the inner stanchion is fastened in place, the outer stanchion fits over top with a first disc on the outer stanchion interlocking with a disc recess on the inner stanchion, thereby preventing the outer stanchion from twisting with respect to the inner stanchion. Once a locking bolt is in place, the parking meter is fastened to the top of the outer stanchion. The present system is tamper resistant because the electrical wiring or conduit and the mounting hardware are not externally accessible once installation is completed.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/980,035 filed on Apr. 15, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to poles for mounting parking meters and similar devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There is a need to mount parking meters at a given height above the ground to facilitate the ease of use by users parking their vehicles. Typically a parking meter is mounted on a pole. Conventional poles are simply a length of hollow steel tube. The metal tube is typically sunk into a recess formed in the concrete while it is still wet so that the hardened concrete retains the pole in place. Alternatively, a bottom mounting flange can be secured to the pole at the bottom end thereof, and the flange is fastened to bolts protruding from the cement slab. 
     The conventional pole systems present multiple drawbacks. First, it is difficult or impossible to run electrical power and communication lines or wiring up through the pole to the meter if the meter requires such connectivity. Second, the rotational alignment of the pole with respect to the meter cannot be changed. Thus, the meter may not be capable of being ideally aligned with respect to the street, or the pole must be replaced when the meter is replaced. Also, exposed mounting hardware at the base of the pole is vulnerable to vandals and thieves who may unbolt and steal the meter. Thus, there is a need for an improved pole mount, mounting system and method of mounting a parking meter. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a unique pole mounting system for parking meters and the like. The pole mounting system can be configured as a center drawn mounting system which allows the user to securely mount and adjust the inner stanchion in various rotational orientations about the vertical axis. The system also allows any electrical wire or other conduit to be run up inside of the pole. Once the inner stanchion is fastened in place, the outer stanchion fits over top with a first disc on the outer stanchion interlocking with a disc recess on the inner stanchion, thereby preventing the outer stanchion from twisting. Once a locking bolt is in place and the meter is fastened to the top of the stanchion, there is no accessing any of the electrical or mounting hardware, which makes it tamper resistant. 
     The disclosure includes a parking meter mounting system. The system can include an inner stanchion comprising an elongated body having an upper end and an opposing lower end, and an outer stanchion, comprising an elongated hollow tubular body having an open top end and a bottom end, wherein the inner stanchion is disposed inside of the hollow tubular body. A support plate can be secured to the elongated body of the inner stanchion adjacent the lower end thereof. A receiving disc can be disposed atop the support plate, the receiving disc including an open interior defined by an inner circumference. An interlocking disc can be secured to the bottom end of the hollow tubular body of the outer stanchion, the interlocking disc having an outer circumferential shape configured to register with the inner circumference of the receiving disc to define multiple fixed rotational orientations of the outer stanchion about a vertical axis thereof. At least one aperture can be defined through the support plate to permit the passage of an electrical wiring. A gap also can be formed between the elongated body of the inner stanchion and the hollow tubular body of the outer stanchion of sufficient dimension to permit passage of the electrical wiring from the support plate to the top end of the upper stanchion. 
     The disclosure also includes a mounting device. The mounting device can include an inner stanchion, comprising an elongated body having an upper end and an opposing lower end, and an outer stanchion, comprising an elongated hollow tubular body having an open top end and a bottom end, wherein the inner stanchion is disposed inside of the hollow tubular body. A support plate can be secured to the elongated body of the inner stanchion adjacent the lower end thereof. A receiving disc can be disposed atop the support plate, the receiving disc including an open interior defined by an inner circumference. An interlocking disc can be secured to the bottom end of the hollow tubular body of the outer stanchion, the interlocking disc having an outer circumferential shape configured to register with the inner circumference of the receiving disc to define multiple fixed rotational orientations of the outer stanchion about a vertical axis thereof. A mounting block can be disposed inside the hollow tubular body adjacent the open top end thereof, wherein the mounting block is releasably secured to the inner stanchion. 
     The disclosure further includes a method of mounting a parking meter. The method can include securing an interlocking disc to a bottom end of an outer stanchion and disposing an outer stanchion over an inner stanchion assembly. An the interlocking disc of the outer stanchion can be disposed within one of a multiple of fixed rotational orientation positions defined in a recessed region of an inner stanchion assembly to secure the outer stanchion from future rotational movement. A mounting block can be disposed inside of the outer stanchion adjacent a top end thereof. The mounting block can be secured to the inner stanchion assembly. The parking can be secured atop the outer stanchion. 
     The above summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, or describe each embodiment, aspect, implementation, feature or advantage of the invention. The detailed technology and preferred embodiments for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It is understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a pole system along line A-A in  FIG. 3 , according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an inner stanchion of a pole system along line A-A in  FIG. 7 , according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an outer stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of an outer stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an outer stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an outer stanchion of a pole system along line A-A in  FIG. 11 , according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a receiving disc of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of a receiving disc of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of a support plate of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of a support plate of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a base plate of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of a base plate of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of an interlocking disc of an outer stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of an interlocking disc of an outer stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 21  is an end view of a base tube of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of a base tube of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a base tube of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of a connecting rod of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 25  is an end view of a connecting rod of an inner stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 26  is a side view of an outer tube of an outer stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 27  is an end view of an outer tune of an outer stanchion of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a base cover of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 29  is a top view of a base cover of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 30  is a side view of a base cover of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of a base cover of a pole system along line A-A in  FIG. 30 , according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a mounting block of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 33  is a top view of a mounting block of a pole system according to certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of a mounting block of a pole system along line A-A in  FIG. 33 , according to certain example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explained with reference to various example embodiments. Nevertheless, these example embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific example, environment, application, or particular implementation described herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodiments are only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. The invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Dimensions and proportions of the various components can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention, unless specifically recited as limiting in a given claim. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the pole mounting system  100  generally comprises an inner stanchion  102 , an outer stanchion  104  disposed over the inner stanchion, and a base cover  106  disposed over a base plate  118  of the inner stanchion. A mounting block  108  is disposed inside the top end of the outer stanchion  104  and is bolted to the inner stanchion  102  via an interlocking bolt  110 . 
     A gap G is defined inside of the outer stanchion  104  between the inner surface of the outer stanchion and the outer surface of the inner stanchion to permit electrical wiring or conduit and other physical wires or conduit in the ground can to extend through the pole mounting system so that the meter mounted atop the pole system can be connected to said conduit or wiring. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , the inner stanchion  102  includes an elongated body  103  with a standoff  105  disposed at a top end thereof. The opposing lower end of the body  102  is secured to a support plate  112 . A receiving disc  114  is disposed atop the support plate  112 . These two components together define a recessed region  109  to receive an interlocking disc  120  of the outer stanchion  104  as will be explained later herein. The support plate  112  is also coupled to a top end of a base tube  116 . The base tube  116  is also secured atop a base plate  118 . The bottom side of the base plate  118  makes contact with the ground. 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 9-12 , the outer stanchion  104  comprises an elongated hollow tubular body  111  with an open top end and an interlocking disc  120  disposed at the bottom end thereof. The interlocking disc  120  is sized and shaped to be disposed in the recessed region  109  and register with the inner circumferential shape of the receiving disc  114  in a plurality of rotational orientations. A mounting block  122  is disposed inside of the outer stanchion  104  adjacent the top end of the body  111 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-14 , the receiving disc  114  of the inner stanchion  102  includes an inner circumference  124  shaped to define multiple fixed rotational orientations about the vertical axis. In the  FIG. 14 , the shape is shown to be octagonal, which will provide eight distinct possible orientations about the vertical axis. The inner perimeter shape  124  can be varied (e.g. hexagonal and pentagonal) to provide for more or fewer set points without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, the shape need not be a uniform polygon, but can be an eccentric shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15-16  the support plate  112  includes a generally flat upper surface  113  for defining a cam surface to support the bottom surface of the interlocking disc  120  of the outer stanchion  104 . A plurality of apertures  126  are defined through the support plate  112  to permit the passage of electrical and network wiring, or other physical connection conduits, through the hollow center of the outer stanchion  104  to a meter disposed atop the outer stanchion  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17-18  the base plate  118  comprises a generally flat disc body  119  with a centrally located opening  127  through the disc body  119  and a plurality of apertures  128  arrayed around the disc body  119  and extending through the disc body  119 . The apertures  128  are circumferentially elongated to allow bolts or other fastening members or means to extend upward from the concrete slab and protrude upward through the plate apertures  128 , which are then secured in place with respect to the base plate  118 . Thus, the base plate  118  permits some degree of rotational adjustment before being secured rigidly to the ground (e.g. concrete sidewalk) so that it cannot move. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19-20 , the interlocking disc  120  of the outer stanchion  104  generally comprises a flat disc body  121  with a central opening  130  defined therethrough. The center opening  130  permits passage of the previously noted network and power conduits. The outer perimeter  132  is shaped and sized to interlock with the inner circumference  124  of the receiving disc  114 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21-23 , base tube  116  comprises a ring-shaped body having a central opening. The planes of the respective top  123  and bottom ends  125  are parallel to one another. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 24-25 , the connecting rod or elongated body  103  of the inner stanchion  102  comprises an elongated solid body with a circular cross-sectional shape. However, the body could also be made hollow and/or have a non-circular cross-sectional shape (e.g. semi-circular and polygonal). The length of the rod  103  depends on the height above the ground that the meter will be mounted. The width and shape of the body  103  can be varied to accommodate conduit within the outer stanchion  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26-27 , the body  111  of outer stanchion  104  comprises an elongated hollow tubular shape with a circular cross-section. However, the body  111  could also be formed of a non-circular cross-sectional shape (e.g. semi-circular and polygonal). The length of the body  111  depends on the height above the ground that the meter will be mounted. The width and shape can be varied to accommodate conduit. One or more meter mounting holes  144  can be defined in the body  111  adjacent the upper end of the outer stanchion  104  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  for securing the meter in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 28-31 , the base cover  106  includes a top aperture  138  sized to permit passage of the outer tube  136 , but not the interlocking disc  120 . The diameter of the aperture  138  is preferably very similar to the outer diameter of the body  111  of the outer stanchion  104 . The cover  106  includes a domed upper surface  129  and recessed bottom surface  131 . The bottom surface defines an enclosed area between the base cover  106  and the base plate  118  when the pole mounting assembly  100  is assembled. Thus, the cover  106  covers over and protects the fasteners used to fasten the base plate  118  to the ground. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 32-34 , the mounting block  108  comprises a rectangular body  133  with a plurality of apertures  140  and  142  defined therein. The block  108  is sized to fit inside of the inner diameter of the outer stanchion  104  and leave gaps between the block body  133  and inner surface of the outer stanchion so that electrical conduit and other connections can pass though to the meter. 
     The block body  133  includes a central aperture  140  passing through the body from top to bottom. The central aperture  140  is sized to permit passage of the locking bolt  110  through the body  133 . The central aperture  140  also can be shaped to receive a head portion of the locking bolt  110 . First and second parking meter locking apertures  142   a  and  142   b  are disposed laterally adjacent the central aperture  140 . The meter locking apertures  142   a  and  142   b  are configured to provide a means to securely couple the meter head to the pole assembly  100 . 
     A wide variety of parking meters or other mechanical and electrical devices can be mounted to the present pole device or system  100 . The system  100  can be used in any instance where a mechanical or electrical device needs to be secured to the ground and securely mounted at an elevation above the ground while electrical or other conduit passes internally though the outer stanchion. 
     The various components described herein can be formed from any suitable rigid material, such as metal, fiber glass, plastics, etc. In one example, the parts are formed of steel. The parts can be plated, coated or painted as is known in the art for various functional (e.g. rust protection) and aesthetic reasons. 
     In use, the inner stanchion  102  is assembled. Any electrical/communications wiring is fed up through the center of the base plate  118  and the base plate  118  is fastened to the concrete (ground). The outer stanchion  104  is disposed over the inner stanchion  102  and the interlocking disc  120  is secured in a given orientation with respect to the inner stanchion  102 . The base cover  106  can be welded to the outer stanchion prior to assembly of the pole system. The cover  106  thus covers the mounting hardware when the outer stanchion  104  is installed. The mounting block  108  is also pre-welded or secured into the top end of the outer stanchion  104  before system assembly. The locking bolt  110  is tightened to lock the outer stanchion  104  in a fixed rotational position about the vertical axis. After the stanchions  102  and  104  are in place, then the meter is disposed over the upper end of the outer stanchion  104  and coupled to the mounting block  108  and the outer stanchion  104 . Note that there are additional mounting holes  144  defined adjacent the upper end of the outer stanchion as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  for securing the meter in place. 
     The rotational alignment of the meter about the vertical axis can be adjusted by loosening the stanchion locking bolt  110  enough to back the interlocking disc  120  out of engagement with the receiving disc  114 . Then the outer stanchion  104  can be rotated with respect to the inner stanchion  102 . The locking bolt  110  is then tightened to again secure the outer stanchion in place  104 . The meter is then fastened to the pole assembly  100  as noted above. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, such scope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover, features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed and matched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein) without departing from the scope of the invention.