Abstract:
An apparatus includes a lockable, adjustable pole support rail allowing a user to adjust a mounted pole to vertical on sloping terrain. The apparatus has multiple embodiments and useful applications, in that it can be attached to a vehicle&#39;s hitch receiver, or can be self-supporting utilizing fold-out stabilizing or attachable legs, for example. In addition, the apparatus may include wheels, thus permitting ease of transport to or from a vehicle. The pole can be deployed with a range of attachments or devices depending on the application. Exemplary applications include a photography camera, a surveillance camera, an infra-red camera, an antenna, loudspeakers, lighting equipment, signage, weather monitoring equipment, inspection equipment, and detection equipment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/842,813 filed Sep. 7, 2006 and entitled “Pole Support System,” the specification of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a pole support system, and more particularly to a portable pole support system that can adapt to uneven terrain to provide a level support for a variety of items. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    Poles are used to elevate devices or support a variety of equipment, ranging from communication applications to lighting. Portability of such poles has traditionally constrained wider applications for poles. One improvement in this area is the development of telescopic poles. However, for most telescopic pole consumers, raising a pole to elevation is a time consuming endeavor requiring thoughtful selection of terrain and careful attention to pole angle to obtain a near vertical pole orientation, thus allowing the user a maximum safe extension. For example, if a pole is improperly extended and is not vertical, a fulcrum effect exists which creates torque about its base. This torque presents a danger to the user and equipment due to possible mechanical failure of the pole or pole support. Many poles are height limited or use cumbersome guy wires to prevent high torque loads, thus reducing their usefulness. 
         [0004]    Conventional telescopic pole systems suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, one conventional type of pole support rigidly attaches a pole directly to a non-adjustable vehicle hitch or trailer. This approach cannot adapt to a sloping, terrain. That is, the rigidness cannot be adjusted to a vertical orientation. In addition, a trailer mounted pole stabilizer, in general, is large and heavy, and thus, less easily transported and positioned. Further, a larger storage area is required for such a stabilizer. Additionally, a pole mounting plate has been utilized, whereby the plate is positioned under a vehicle wheel to provide a rigid base. This approach is impractical on sloping terrains because the pole assumes an angle perpendicular to the terrain. 
         [0005]    There is thus a need for a device, system and/or method that provides a lightweight, compact, adjustable, fast erecting, vehicle mountable or self-supporting and easily transportable pole stabilizing method and apparatus that is capable of operating on uneven terrain. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides, in part, a pole support and method that can adjust to a vertical position irrespective of the slope or grade of the terrain. The present invention further provides, in part, a dual pivoting pole support having members that can pivot about non-parallel axes so as to provide true, multi-dimensional leveling. The present invention further provides, in part, a pole mounting system for assisting in remote surveillance whereby a pole mounted camera or other device and multiple support parts can be directed by remote computer so as to adapt for local conditions without requiring personnel on-site. In addition, the pole support system may articulate to position the pole vertically, either automatically by leveling gyroscope or computer, or manually, whereby the operator uses an input device to send signals; which through actuators, manipulate the pole to a vertical orientation on sloping terrain. 
         [0007]    Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a right front perspective schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is-a front schematic view of the device of  FIG. 1 , shown without pole member and leveling apparatus, and with a stabilizer support and guide member. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention, showing a secondary support plate and pivot shaft member coaxial to base support member. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of components of the device shown in  FIG. 3 , with components being broken away. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a left side view in partial cross-section of the device shown in  FIG. 3 , taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a pole member secured thereto. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top plan schematic view of particular elements of the device of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top plan schematic view of the device shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of a surveillance system implemented using the pole support system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a right front perspective schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    An apparatus, method, and system for supporting a pole are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention. 
         [0021]    Although the embodiments of the invention are discussed with respect to a telescopic pole, it is recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments of the inventions have applicability to any type of physical structure that may be substituted for the pole (e.g., an antenna). 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7  and  11 , one embodiment of the pole support  10  of the present invention includes a base support member  12  having a feed end  14  and a pole mounting end  16 . The feed end  14  is adapted to be securable to a vehicle trailer hitch receiver in one embodiment of the present invention, and can be provided with one or more stabilizing supports that telescope from the end thereof. In this embodiment, the feed end  14  is provided in substantially rectangular form in cross-section so as to be easily secured to a vehicle trailer hitch receiver (not shown). The feed end can include bore holes  18  extending therethrough to facilitate pin-type retention of the base support member in the trailer hitch or similar retaining device. It is foreseeable that the feed end  14  can be constructed so as not to be substantially rectangular in cross-section so as to adapt to other mounting surfaces and equipment. Such embodiments can be provided either through machine forming of the feed end  14  or through providing a separate feed end member that is subsequently attached at a first end to the base support member  12  such as by mechanical or welding means, for example. The pole mounting end  16  can be provided with wheels  19  to facilitate portability of the device of the present invention. 
         [0023]    As further shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7  and  11 , the base support member  12  extends from the feed end  14  to the pole mounting end  16  in a substantially straight direction. In one embodiment of the present invention, the base support member  12  ultimately rests in a substantially horizontal position in a plane just above the ground. A support tube member  20  is secured to the base support member  12  at a position between the feed end  14  and the pole mounting end  16 , and the support tube member  20  extends in a substantially perpendicular direction from the axis A of the base support member  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the support tube member  20  has a bottom end portion that is fixedly secured to an upper wall  17  of the base support member  12  by a spot or seam weld, for example. The support tube member  20  further includes a top end portion (not shown) that acts to support a platform  24 . The support tube member  20  has a front facing wall  22  and a pole facing wall  23 , wherein the front facing wall  22  supports a first end  25  of a pole guide and support member  30 , as described more completely hereinafter. 
         [0024]    As further shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7  and  11 , the pole support  10  includes a pole mounting rail member  40  mounted to the base support member  12  at a position proximate the pole mounting end  16 . The pole mounting rail member  40  comprises a substantially rectangular body having multiple openings near the top  42  and bottom  44  ends. A topmost opening  41  is provided just below the top  42  and can be used to receive a bolt or similar hardware element that can extend through the opening  41  and into a pole base  50  to help retain the pole  55  or other item being mounted in the pole support. A bottom-most opening  46  is provided just above the bottom end and can be used to receive a bolt or shaft that extends through the opening  46  and the wheels, acting as an axle as well as a pivot point for the rail member  40 . A secondary opening  43  proximate the lower end of the rail member can receive a separate bolt that can then extend into and be secured with the pole base  50 . The pin, bolt, shaft or other item inserted through openings  41 ,  43  into pole base  50  act to join rail member  40  and pole base  50  such that movement of the rail member  40  also moves pole base  50 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the shaft in opening  46  extends underneath the pole base. The pivot shaft  46  is mounted substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the base support member  12  so as to allow rotation of the pole mounting rail member  40  (and connected pole base) in a back and forth direction, such that the pole mounting rail member axis B can form an acute angle with the axis A of the base support member in one setting and an obtuse angle with axis A in another setting. It will be appreciated that various adaptations, including shims, can be inserted between the wheels and the rail member, or between the rail member and the pole base in order to provide a secure, stable, movable device in accordance with the desired aspects of the present invention. 
         [0025]    A middle-area opening  45  is provided in pole mounting rail member  40  below the topmost opening  41  and above the opening  43  and is used to securely receive a lock knob  48  and bolt or similar device employed in connection with the pole guide and support member, described more completely hereinafter. By securing the pole mounting rail member  40  to the pole  55  using appropriate hardware that extends through the openings  41 ,  43  and into the pole  55  or pole base  50 , the present invention allows the pole axis P to rotate with the axis B of the pole mounting rail member. Thus, when the pole mounting rail member  40  is adjusted back and forth using pole guide and support member, the pole rotates with it. 
         [0026]    The pole guide and support member  30  is fixedly mounted at its first end  25  to the support tube member  20  as described above. Such mounting can occur, for example, by seam welds on either side of the front facing wall  22  of the support tube member  20 . The pole guide and support member  30  also serves to support the platform  24 , to which it may also be secured by a seam weld, for example. The platform  24  is provided to allow a user to stand at an elevated position to easily reach the top of the pole to engage and disengage equipment or devices, for example. The pole guide and support member  30  can be flat plate or channel shaped in cross-section having a top  32  and bottom  34  ridge joined by a substantially flat midsection  36 . The pole guide and support member  30  is substantially parallel to the base member  12  in  FIGS. 1-3 . The flat midsection  36  can be provided with an arcuate slit  38  formed by cutting through the midsection. The pole guide and support member  30  and slit  38  can be extended in an arc fashion in order to accommodate aggressive terrain angles, as shown in  FIG. 11 . In this alternative embodiment, the slit is provided so as to permit rotation of the pole to ground level to facilitate mounting whatever device is desired atop or on the pole. In such an embodiment, it will be appreciated that the platform  24  may not be required. In such an embodiment, it will further be appreciated that, while portions of the pole guide and support member  30  are substantially parallel to the axis of the base support member  12 , the pole guide and support member  30  also includes portions that are somewhat curved consistently with the arcuate slit  38  maintained therein. 
         [0027]    With regard to materials and dimensions employed, it will be appreciated that the present invention can employ a variety of materials, such as steel or other metal in tubular or solid form, for example. Each of base member  12 , support tube member  20 , rail member  40  and pole guide and support member  30  can range from several inches in a diminutive embodiment to as many as ten feet in one embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, these elements are comprised of tubular (hollow) mild steel and each ranges from one to five feet in length, with the base member  12 , support tube member  20  and rail member  40  being substantially square in cross-section with a width and height of approximately 1 to 6 inches. 
         [0028]    A locking knob  48  or similar hardware device is positioned through the arcuate slit  38  and into the pole mounting rail member  40 , and when tightened, maintains the pole guide and support member  30  in tight engagement with the pole mounting rail member  40 , such that the pole mounting rail member cannot move fore and aft of the pole guide and support member  30 . When the knob  48  is loosened, the pole mounting rail member  40  is then capable of traveling fore and aft to the full extent of the arcuate slit  38 . In this way, when the pole support is placed on an uphill or downhill angle relative to a level position, the pole mounting rail member can then be moved so as to be in an upright and level position for supporting a camera, a light, communications equipment or other items upon the pole  55 . In one embodiment of the present invention, an externally threaded bolt is secured to (by welding, for example) and extends from rail member  40  through pole guide and support member  30 , and the locking knob  48  includes a neck that is internally threaded so as to receive the threaded bolt. In this way, the bolt is permanently extended through the arcuate slit  38  and the rail member is in constant engagement with the pole guide and support member  30  as a result. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a bubble level  60  can be temporarily mounted to the pole  55  so as to ensure the pole is maintained at a level position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 11 . The bubble level  60  can be mounted as part of a stabilizing attachment  62  which includes straps  64  for maintaining secure connection to the pole  55 . In the event a telescoping pole  55  is employed, as shown in  FIG. 6 , for example, a pneumatic pump (not shown) or other means for powering the raising and lowering of the pole can be employed. The pump may be hand operated, stored compressed air, electrically powered or have other means to raise the pole. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pump is mounted to the pole base  50  on the side of the pole that is opposite the pole mounting rail member  40 . In another embodiment, the pole can be raised section by section, utilizing an appropriate locking method to lock each section in place as it is raised. 
         [0030]    The knob  48  and slit  38  within the midsection  36  of the pole guide and support member  30  limit the pivoting movement of the pole mounting rail member  40 . It will be appreciated that other elements, such as a retaining bar, latch, lever and cam, or chain and hooks ratcheting connection or other suitable device can be used to maintain the position of the pole mounting rail  40 , relative to the pole guide and support member  30 . These will act to limit the pivoting movement of the pole mounting rail member  40 . Still other elements, such as one or more block members mounted to the back face of the midsection  36  of the pole guide and support member can limit the pole mounting rail member&#39;s pivotability. In addition, one could utilize an acme screw and nut to position the pole mounting rail throughout its range of motion, and to limit its movement once the desired pole angle is reached. The slit  38  creates a continuous range of available locking points that can be used to limit the pivoting movement of the pole mounting rail member  40 . Other mechanisms employed in accordance with the present invention to limit the pivoting movement of the pole mounting rail member can either be non-discrete as with the slit, or discrete whereby a certain number of settings can be incrementally used to increase or decrease the angle at which the rail member  40  extends from the base support member  12 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , for example, one or more stabilizers  70  can be provided to help stabilize and support the device and any pole or other element mounted thereto. In one embodiment of the present invention, the stabilizers  70  are collapsible and capable of folding out to an extended, full support position. Stabilizer support plates  72  can be connected to the base support member  12  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7  to help guide the stabilizers  70  during operation. Stabilizers  70  can be employed in a variety of deployments, such as, for example, when no vehicle is available to receive the feed end  14  of the base support member  12 . In such a case, the feed end  14  and the top ends  74  of the stabilizers  70  can act as the feet of a tripod to stabilize the ground support for the present invention. The stabilizers  70  are pivotable about a shaft member  75  secured within the stabilizer support plates  72 . It will be appreciated that the stabilizer(s) can be used in conjunction with a single pole, a telescopic pole or a combination of poles. It will further be appreciated that the guide can be provided with a locking mechanism  76  allowing the stabilizer to be locked in the desired position. In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more removable type stabilizers can be bolted to the support members to provide stability for the device  10 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the device  10  can be bolted or attached to a separate free-standing stabilizing base, which can be foldable or otherwise manipulated so as to be easily transportable. In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the stabilizers  70  can be provided with weights attached to the ends thereof, or openings that allow one or more spikes to extend therethrough and into the ground, so as to assist in providing stability to the device. In another embodiment of the invention, one or more stabilizers could be added to enhance stability of the device when attached to a vehicle. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are myriad other ways in which the device of the present invention can be stabilized. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 3 through 5  illustrate the embodiment of the present invention incorporating an additional pivot shaft and locking mechanism to facilitate lateral movement and adjustment of the pole support in other desired positions. As shown therein, the base support member includes a primary portion  12  and a supplementary portion  80 . The primary portion  12  includes a feed end  14  as in  FIG. 1 , but the supplemental base member portion  80  and tube member  20  rotate as one unit with respect to support member  12 . This rotation is about shaft  84 , which is substantially coaxial with axis A. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one end  82  of a shaft  84  can be mounted in a pre-drilled opening in base support member  12 , while the other end  86  of the shaft  84  can be mounted in a pre-drilled opening  88  in base member supplementary portion  80 . This permits rotation of the support tube member combination  91  (support tube member, base member supplementary portion and pole mounting rail member) in both directions as indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 4 . It will be appreciated that, while the base support member  12 , support tube member  20  and pole mounting rail member  40  may be fashioned using hollow metal materials so as to be sturdy, yet lightweight, the present invention can incorporate fully solid metal parts, or a combination of solid metal and hollow metal parts. For purposes of casting and/or drilling openings as described above for receiving the shaft  84 , the present invention can either incorporate solid metal parts or can infuse ballast material into a portion of the hollow openings of these elements so as to allow for creating the smaller shaft cavity. Separately, it will be appreciated that the present invention can incorporate other methods of providing pivoting connections described above, such as through ball joints, for example. 
         [0034]    A secondary support plate  90  is mounted to the base support member  12  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . While shown atop base support member  12  in  FIG. 5 , the secondary support plate  90  can also straddle the base support member for added stability. Further, the secondary support member can take shapes other than rectangular as shown in  FIG. 5 . The support plate  90  can be positioned substantially perpendicular to the base support member  12  and is provided with a generally arcuate slot  92  which can allow a threaded bolt  94  or other similar element (e.g., lock knob) to pass through. The end of the threaded bolt  94  can cooperate with a locking nut  95  and/or an opening in the support tube member  20  to provide a solid locking engagement such that the support tube member combination  91  cannot change position relative to the support plate  90 . Once the threaded bolt is unthreaded from the support tube member (or lock knob is loosened, for example), the support tube member combination  91  can then rotate within the range of the arcuate slot  92 . Since the shaft member  84  is mounted coaxially with the axis A of the base support member, the support tube member combination can thereby rotate side-to-side in a plane substantially perpendicular to axis A. 
         [0035]    Thus, in this embodiment of the present invention, the pole support can move toward and away from the base support member as well as side to side around the base support member. This arrangement allows for adjustment of the pole orientation in multiple dimensions to accommodate more sophisticated types of terrain. For example, if a vehicle and appropriate hitch are provided for use with the present invention, and the vehicle is parked directly up or down a hill, the embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 1  may be used to orient a pole in a substantially vertical and level position. On the other hand, if the vehicle is not parked directly uphill or downhill, but rather at an angle, then the embodiment of the present invention in  FIGS. 3-5  would be employed to achieve substantially vertical pole orientation. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate an alternative embodiment for securing the pole and/or pole base to the pole guide and support member  30 . As shown therein, the pole guide and support member  30  comprises at least one pair of pole backing guide rails  33 A and  33 B secured to the front side  22  of the support tube member  20  in substantially parallel relation and forming a gap  37  therebetween. A second pair of pole backing guide rails (indicated at  35  in  FIG. 9 ) can be provided and secured to a back side of the support tube member  20 . A substantially U-shaped collar member  77  extends around the pole being mounted, with the two ends  78  of the collar member extending through the gap  37  and secured to the pole guide and support member  30  by appropriate locking members  79 . In the instance of this embodiment where a second pair of guide rails  35  is employed, the U-shaped collar member  77  may extend into the corresponding gap at or near the bottom of the “U” for additional support and more proper alignment in order to limit unnecessary wear on either the collar member  77 , the pole or the locking mechanisms. The ends  78  can be provided with threads in one embodiment of the present invention, and the lock knobs can have threaded openings to enable mounting about the threaded ends  78 . In another embodiment of this version of the invention, a first end of the collar is provided with a washer and nut combination on the other side of member rails  33 A and  33 B from the lock knob. When the lock knob extends through the washer and tightens against the nut, it thereby secures the collar member  77  to the rails. The second end of the collar is provided with an externally threaded neck and a lock knob with internal threads so that the second end pulls the pole to the rail members. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the pole mounting support plates  40  can be secured directly to the support tube member  20 . 
         [0037]    The pole mounting system of the present invention can be employed within a wide-area remote surveillance and/or sensing system according to one implementation of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 10 , for example, multiple visual and other sensing systems  100  (both wired and wireless, as well as photographic, video imaging and sensing devices (e.g., wind speed, wind direction, precipitation sensors, temperature sensors, radar, etc.)) utilize a wireless access device  102  to communicate with a wireless network  105 . In the wireless video camera system, the video camera atop the pole support system can be controlled by wireless or wired means as is known in the art. 
         [0038]    The wireless network  105  can be any type of communication network, such as a cellular network, satellite, cable, fiber optic, wireless local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), etc. An appropriate wireless access device is employed depending on the particular wireless network and technology. The wireless network can be provided with connectivity to a public data network  110  (e.g., the Internet), thereby permitting a remote host to control the surveillance system, which comprises the various video, photo and sensing systems. Remote control can be provided through conventional means, such as, for example, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen and/or voice-activated controls, for example. 
         [0039]    In addition to controlling the system(s) mounted to the poles, remote direction programming can be provided in accordance with the present invention for directing the motion and alignment of the positional elements described above (e.g., the pole guide and support member, the lock knobs, the pole mounting rail member, the stabilizers, etc.). In this embodiment, automatic pole leveling components can be provided in the form of a level sensor, gyroscope or other similar device that sends a signal to mechanical (e.g., worm gear or acme screw type), pneumatic and/or hydraulic actuators to move the pole. In one embodiment of the present invention, a camera can provide remote images of a bubble level to enable the remote user to manually and remotely adjust the positioning of the pole support elements. Accordingly, the present invention can be remotely functional and capable of maintaining in a level position in environments where the terrain may change over time (e.g., mud that gets wet may sink portions of the support, requiring adaptation to get the pole back to level). In another example, when the device  10  is affixed to a vehicle, remote leveling of the pole can be accomplished remotely from within the vehicle. 
         [0040]    The processes described herein for providing the surveillance system may be implemented via software, hardware (e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
         [0041]    The present invention can be powered by fuel cell, solar power or more traditional power sources. The present invention can further incorporate a secondary safety mechanism to prevent unwanted pole movement. The present invention can further incorporate an anti-tamper system (e.g., electric shock, chemical, audible) to prevent abuse of the system when free standing without on-site personnel. 
         [0042]    It will be well understood that the present invention can have, but is not limited to, many potential applications to a variety of real-world problems, including border security, perimeter patrol (e.g., for a prison or secured access area), gunfire detection, thermal imagery, sporting event videos and/or photography, crime detection, general (e.g, traffic) and specific (e.g., illegal hunting) law enforcement activities, for example. 
         [0043]    In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that flow. The specification and the drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.