Patent ID: 7171793

Claim:
A pole and base system for holding an array of pre-aimed, high intensity light fixtures in an elevated position comprising: a base comprising a single, elongated piece, a length of greater than about 8 feet and structural characteristics to support a pole and array of light fixtures thirty feet or higher above ground, and including a lower section comprising a majority of the length of the base adapted for insertion into the ground and an upper section adapted to extend above the ground when the base is inserted in the ground and having a taper decreasing about 0.12 to 0.16 inch per foot from at or near a bottom of the upper section to at or near a top of the upper section; a pole comprising a length of around 30 feet or greater, a relatively thin wall, and at least one structural characteristic different from the base, an upper end, a lower open end, and an interior bore extending axially and inwardly from the lower open end, the interior bore having an inside diameter and taper generally matching the outside diameter of the upper section of the base and said pole being mateably slip-fitted over at least a portion of the upper section of the base, the length of the pole being substantially longer than the length of the base; one or more cross arms attached at or near the upper end; an array of pre-aimed light fixtures mounted to said one or more cross arms; one or more connection members connecting the said one or more cross arms to the pole; and the upper section of the base positioning the lower open end of the pole, when slip-fitted onto the base, at least one foot above the ground but substantially nearer the ground than to the upper end of the pole when the pole is installed in operative position on the base and the lower section of the base is in operative position in the ground.