Patent ID: 8317226

Claim:
Pole installation apparatus allowing installation of a pole at a site without requiring use of foundations or anchor poles, said apparatus including, in combination: an elongated pole having an upper end, a lower end and a primary axis extending between said upper and lower ends; a base member attached to the lower end of said elongated pole for supporting said elongated pole, said base member including an outer peripheral edge having a pivot edge segment forming a stable support pivot extending substantially orthogonally relative to the primary axis of said pole; counter weight structure incorporated in or connected to said base member at a location spaced from said pivot edge segment for applying forces to said base member at least partially countering the forces exerted by gravity on said pole during movement of said pole between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation and tilting of said pole about said pivot edge segment, said base member being asymmetrical and including an enlarged base member portion, said enlarged base member portion at least partially comprising said counter weight structure and located in opposition to said pivot edge segment, and said enlarged base member portion and said pivot edge segment positioned at opposite sides of said pole; and a weight positioned on and supported by said enlarged base member portion to maintain said pole in a vertical orientation, said weight being selectively removable from said enlarged base member portion to facilitate tilting of the base member about said pivot edge segment.