Abstract:
A device and method that contains an electro-mechanical break away sensor that de-energizes power or stops the flow of electricity to a pole upon a vehicle colliding with the pole or otherwise activation of the sensor. The sensor is omni directional and operates regardless of direction of impact from the vehicle or activation and has the ability to disconnect power when the pole falls due to a shear impact such as when there is a collision or the pole falls due to tension created by wind or weight failure. The sensor may also be activated by an authorized user such as one that is performing maintenance on the pole.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   This invention relates to electrical devices, and more particularly, to an electrical device in a break away base for a pole that contains or supports a second electrical device. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Most if not all of the states and municipalities in the continental United States have poles such as light poles, sign post, or traffic signal poles that contain or support an electrical device. Often, the poles are equipped with a base that is intended to break-away when impacted by an errant vehicle. The breakaway base reduces the severity of the accident by reducing the errant vehicle&#39;s maximum change in momentum and allows the errant vehicle to continue on its path instead of being brought to a sudden stop. 
   Within the break-way base there is typically a pull apart wire disconnect wherein during a collision the wires are disconnected by a wire pull apart style disconnect device that depends on the wire terminal strength to pull the wires apart. The pulling apart of the wires turns off power or otherwise stops the flow of electricity to the wires going up to the electrical device attached to the pole. Unfortunately, often the wires have an extended length prior to and after they are pulled apart and once the wires are pulled apart, power is not removed from the wiring at the pole&#39;s foundation or foundation side of the disconnect. If the hot end of the wiring extending from the foundation side were to get wet, nicked, or snagged by the errant vehicle, there could be an immediate danger of electric shock or fire. 
   What is needed is a system or method that does not depend on the wire terminal strength to pull the wires apart, does not have an extended length prior to and after pulling the wires apart, and reduces or eliminates the likelihood that the wiring at the pole&#39;s foundation could become energized and cause an immediate danger of electrical shock or fire. It would also be beneficial if the system or method could be relatively easily activated or triggered by an authorized user to stop the flow of electricity to the pole during maintenance yet enable power to be restored to the pole in a relatively quick, cost efficient manner once the maintenance was completed. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention solves the above-described problem by providing a device and method that contains an electro-mechanical break away sensor that de-energizes power or stops the flow of electricity to a pole upon a vehicle colliding with the pole or otherwise activation of the sensor. The pole may be a light pole, sign post, traffic signal pole, or any other breakaway element used in roadway design wherein it would be desirable to stop the flow of electricity at the foundation or conduit level of the pole. The sensor is omni directional and operates regardless of direction of impact from the vehicle or activation and has the ability to disconnect power when the pole falls due to a shear impact such as when there is a collision or the pole falls due to tension created by wind or weight failure. In addition, the sensor may also be activated or triggered by an authorized user such as one that is performing maintenance on the pole. 
   In one embodiment, the sensor is at least partially contained in a flat junction box or j-box. The term “pancake” will be used to describe a flat junction box, j-box, and other similar devices that could contain the sensor. In one embodiment, the pancake has a round profile with a flat bottom and a convex top such that when a vehicle drives over the pancake, the vehicle does not dislodge or excessively move the pancake. The pancake may have almost any profile that can contain the necessary elements to disconnect power or electricity to the pole but not dislodge or excessively move when an errant vehicle drives over it. 
   In one embodiment, the sensor is a lever operationally attached to a micro switch such that the micro switch is designed to be deactivated or triggered by the physical motion of the lever. The lever extends vertically up from the micro switch through the top cover of the pancake and may be magnetically retained to the pancake. In another embodiment, the housing for the micro switch contains a recess that accepts the bottom portion of the lever. The recess reduces a casual or unintentional displacement of the lever and activation or deactivation of the switch. 
   In use, when the lever is placed on the micro switch, current is allowed to flow from the wiring in the conduit to the pole. The lever extends high enough such that a falling or sheared pole will knock the lever off of the micro switch and thereby stop the flow of electricity to the wires in the pole at the pole&#39;s foundation. 
   Activation of the lever is based on the length of the lever extending perpendicularly from the micro switch and the width of the bottom of the lever where it sits or rests on the micro switch. The height of the lever is tall enough and the width of the bottom is small enough such that a small movement at the top portion of the lever induces a large displacement at the bottom of the lever. Consequently, the system does not require a large pole displacement to knock the lever off the micro switch thereby triggering the micro switch and stopping the flow of electricity. This is an improvement over the prior art because the present invention only needs a relatively small movement to disconnect the power whereas in the prior art, the wires needed to be stretched to full length and then pulled apart before the power was disconnected. 
   In addition, the system not only acts as a breakaway switch but can also provide a legitimate disconnect means for maintenance operations wherein the power or electricity flowing to the pole is turned off simply by removing the lever. Then, when power needs to be restored, the lever is simply placed back on the micro switch. The system reduces the time between the power off state of the pole when compared with conventional pull-the-plug-apart technology and the present invention can be used to relatively easily disconnect and reset power to the pole multiple times. 
   In other embodiments, the micro switch is deactivated or triggered by other means, including but not limited to a beam such as a laser wherein once the beam is broken, the micro switch is activated, magnetic means, a chain attached to a switch, or any other means able to detect a collision with the light pole and in response deactivated or triggered the micro switch or other switch or electromechanical or electrical means that may be used to stop the flow of electricity to the light pole. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a pancake wire way base in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a pancake wire way base without a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an plan view of a pancake wire way installed on a light pole in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the pancake wire way base installed in a light pole in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is pancake wire way  102 . Pancake wire way  102  contains pancake cover  104 , pancake base  106 , sensor lever  112 . Pancake cover  104  has a profile that allows pancake cover  104  to securely fit over pancake base  106  and in one embodiment, pancake cover  104  has a convex shape to help prevent pancake wire way  102  from being dislodged or significantly moved when a vehicle passes over it. In one embodiment, pancake cover  104  contains lock  114  such that once pancake cover  104  is in place, it can be locked or secured so that pancake cover  104  cannot be removed by an unauthorized user. Lock  114  may be a key lock, combination lock, or some other type of lock that can secure pancake cover  104  to pancake base  106 . Pancake base  106  is made of a rigid or semi rigid material that is able to withstand moisture and in one embodiment, pancake cover  104  creates a watertight or relatively watertight seal with pancake base  106 . Pancake base  106  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 2 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , pancake base  106  contains conduit wire hole  202 , wire way retainer  204 , perpendicular protrusion  208 , wire way  210 , inlet holes  212 , micro switch box  214 , switch box terminals  216 , micro switch  218 , outlet holes  220 , and mounting means  222 . Mounting means  222  helps secure pancake base  106  to the ground or base of the pole and prevents movement of pancake wire way  102  during use. Mounting means  222  may be screws, bolts, or some other means that allows pancake base  106  to be secured to the ground or base of the pole. 
   Conduit wire hole  202  acts as a guide when installing pancake wire way  102  and is large enough to allow existing wire  224  from existing conduit  226  to be brought into pancake base  106 . In one embodiment, pancake base  106  fits over existing conduit  226 . In another embodiment, pancake wire way  102  is not located over existing conduit  226  and wires  224  extend from existing conduit  226  to pancake wire way  102 . Wire way retainer  204  houses at least a portion of wire  224  and are wire way retainers that temporarily secure wire  224  while cover  104  is being installed. 
   Once conduit wire  224  is brought through conduit wire hole  202 , it may be wound around at least one perpendicular protrusion  208  to take up any extra slack in conduit wire  224 . Typically, when a break away pole is installed, extra wiring is pulled from conduit  226  to allow for slack in the line. The extra slack ensures that enough wire exists for any maintenance that might be needed at a later date. However, in the prior art, after the wire is separated by the break away device, the slack, or extra length of wire  224  can create a problem by having the live end of wire  224  extend a relatively large distance from conduit  226 . In the present invention, by wrapping the slack around perpendicular protrusion  208  and containing the slack inside pancake wire way  102 , there is enough wire  224  if needed for maintenance, yet the live end of wire  224  does not extend outside of pancake wire way  102 . 
   After wire  224  is wound around at least one perpendicular protrusion  208 , it is run along wire way  210  and into inlet holes  212  on micro switch box  214 . Wire way  210  extends from conduit wire hole  202  to the outside of pancake base  106  and is used to contain any remaining slack after wire  224  is wound around at least one perpendicular protrusion  208 . In one embodiment, pancake base  106  does not contain at least one perpendicular protrusion  208  and if there is excess wire  224 , it may be looped several times around the inside of pancake base  106  along wire way  210 . 
   In another embodiment, wire stays  228  are inserted over wire  224  after wire  224  is run along wire way  210 . Wire stays  228  help keep wire  224  contained in wire way  210 , especially when pancake cover  104  is being inserted over pancake base  106 . Through the use of conduit wire hole  202 , perpendicular protrusion  208 , and wire way  210  the handling and storage of wire  224  is organized and contained within wire way  210 . After wire  224  is run along wire way  210 , it is inserted into inlet holes  212  on micro switch box  214 . 
   Switch box  214  contains switch box terminals  216  and micro switch  218 . Once wire  224  is through inlet holes  212 , wire  224  is connected to switch box terminals  216 . Switch box terminals  216  provide a secure connection for wire  224  from conduit  226 . Switch box terminals  216  are operationally connected to micro switch  218 . In one embodiment, switch box  214  is waterproof, relatively water proof, rain resistant, or moisture resistant. 
   In one embodiment, switch box terminals  216  and micro switch  218  are waterproof, relatively water proof, rain resistant, or moisture resistant. In another embodiment, micro switch  218  is rubber encased separate from the field wiring waterproofing such that the field wiring does not affect micro switch&#39;s  218  waterproof integrity. In another embodiment, micro switch  218  is encased in a flexible rubber bag wherein the flexible rubber bag is similar to a common balloon. In this embodiment, micro switch  218  can be operated though the flexible rubber bag and sensor lever  112  may be held in contact with micro switch  218  via magnetic means or other means that may hold sensor lever  112  in contact with micro switch  218 . 
   Micro switch  218  is an electric switch that is designed to be actuated by a sensor such as sensor lever  112  and contains connections for wires  108  and  110 . When deactivated or triggered, micro switch  218  stops the flow of electricity from conduit wire  224  to wires  108  and  110 . Sensor lever  112  extends vertically up from micro switch  218  and through pancake cover  104 . In other embodiments, micro switch  218  is actuated by other means, including but not limited to a beam such as a laser, magnetic means, a chain attached to a switch, or any other means able to detect a collision with a pole and in response trigger micro switch  218  and stop the flow of electricity to wires  108  and  110 . 
   When sensor lever  112  is placed on micro switch  218 , current is allowed to flow from wire  224  in conduit  226 , through switch box terminals  216  and micro switch  218  to wires  108  and  110  and to the electrical device on or supported by pole  302  shown in  FIG. 3 . The electrical device may be a street light, sign posts, traffic signals, or any other electrical device supported by a breakaway element wherein it would be desirable to stop the flow of electricity to the electrical device at the conduit level. 
   Activation of sensor lever  112  is based on the length of sensor lever  112  extending perpendicularly from micro switch  218  and the width of the bottom of sensor lever  112  that sits or rests on micro switch  218 . Sensor lever  112  is high enough such that a falling or sheared pole  302  knocks sensor lever  112  off of micro switch  218  and deactivates or triggers micro switch  218 . Once this happens, the electrical connection to wires  108  and  110  is interrupted and the current flow through wires  108  and  110  is stopped. Because pole  302  is more likely to be sheared off rather than tip over, in one embodiment, the height of sensor lever  112  is at least about 8.5 inches or high enough to ensure the bumper from an errant vehicle contacts and knocks sensor lever  112  off of micro switch  218 . 
   In addition to stopping the flow of electricity to pole  302  in response to a collision, pancake wire way  102  can also relatively easily stop the flow of electricity during maintenance of pole  302  simply by removing sensor lever  112  and deactivating or triggering micro switch  218 . Then when the maintenance is completed and power needs to be restored to pole  302 , sensor lever  112  is simply placed back on micro switch  218  and electricity is allowed to flow through wires  108  and  110 . In one embodiment, after the flow of electricity has been stopped, micro switch  218  must be reactivated by an administrator of the system. For example, after a collision with pole  302  from an errant vehicle and deactivation of micro switch  218 , sensor lever  112  can only be placed back onto micro switch  218  by an administrator. 
   To ensure that only an administrator can reset or reactivate the system, a reset mechanism such as a reset button is present wherein only an administrator knows the location or method to activate the reset mechanism or the reset mechanism is housed in pancake wire way  102  and can only be accessed after lock  114  has been opened. By having a reset mechanism that can only be accessed or activated by an administrator, the risk of accidental reactivation of the power to pole  302  is greatly reduced. 
   To use pancake wire way  102 , first a conduit is located and the wires inside the conduit are accessed, Step  402 ,  FIG. 4 . Then the conduit wires are brought through pancake base  106 , Step  404 . Next, any slack in the wire from the conduit is secured in wire way  210 , Step  406 . If micro switch box  214  is present, the wire from the conduit is operationally connected to micro switch box  214 , typically via switch box terminals  216 , Step  408 . Next, switch box terminals  216  are operationally connected to micro switch  218 , Step  410 . If micro switch box  214  is not present, or micro switch box  214  does not contain switch box terminals  216 , the wire from the conduit is operationally connected to micro switch  218 . After the wire is connected to micro switch  218 , micro switch  218  is operationally connected to the wire in the pole, Step  412 . Then, pancake cover  104  is attached to pancake base  106 , Step  414 . Finally, sensor lever  112  is joined to micro switch  218  such that micro switch  218  is activated and electricity can flow from the wire in the conduit, through micro switch  218 , and to the wiring in the pole, Step  416 . 
   It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.