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AU2004101020A4 - A Frangible Pole - Google Patents

A Frangible Pole Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2004101020A4
AU2004101020A4 AU2004101020A AU2004101020A AU2004101020A4 AU 2004101020 A4 AU2004101020 A4 AU 2004101020A4 AU 2004101020 A AU2004101020 A AU 2004101020A AU 2004101020 A AU2004101020 A AU 2004101020A AU 2004101020 A4 AU2004101020 A4 AU 2004101020A4
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
pole
ground sleeve
ground
sleeve
millimetres
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
AU2004101020A
Other versions
AU2004101020B4 (en
Inventor
Clifton Leon Hitch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CLIFTON HITCH
Original Assignee
CLIFTON HITCH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CLIFTON HITCH filed Critical CLIFTON HITCH
Priority to AU2004101020A priority Critical patent/AU2004101020B4/en
Publication of AU2004101020A4 publication Critical patent/AU2004101020A4/en
Assigned to HARRIS, PHILLIP reassignment HARRIS, PHILLIP Request for Assignment Assignors: Hitch, Clifton
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU2004101020B4 publication Critical patent/AU2004101020B4/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Description

0 0 N A Frangible Pole 0 Z Field of the Innovation.
This innovation is directed to a frangible pole and particularly to a frangible sign pole that can be used on highways, airports and elsewhere.
0 o Background Art.
o The dangers associated with vehicles striking a pole are well known. Highways and 1 roadways are provided with signs, poles and the like which are positioned on the side of the road. If such a sign/pole is struck by a car, death and injury can result.
For this reason, there have been many attempts made to provide some form of safety pole or safety sign. Thus, it is known to provide a pole which is relatively lightweight and which can simply break or shatter when struck by a car thereby reducing injury to the car occupants. However, the main disadvantage with this type of arrangement is the time that is required to replace the pole.
To overcome this disadvantage, many attempts have been made to provide some form of pole that can be more easily replaced should the pole become damaged or destroyed. The main focus has been on the ability to quickly replace the pole. Thus, it is well known to provide a first member that stays in the ground, and a pole that is fixed to the first member by some form of sacrificial pin and the like. If the pole is struck, the sacrificial pin will break, the pole and pin will be destroyed but the first member stays intact. It is considered that the pole and sacrificial pin can be more easily replaced if the ground member (the first member) is protected.
There have been many variations to this type of arrangement, but each still requires some form of sacrificial pin or other member that is broken or sheared when the pole is struck. The main disadvantage is that it still takes some time to replace the pole that has a sacrificial pin or other member, as assembly and attachment of the sacrificial pin can take some time.
2 0 0 N There would be an advantage if it were possible to provide some form of replaceable o pole which did not require a sacrificial pin or other member.
z 0 Another consideration, particularly for poles that support large signage, is that the pole must be able to take wind load on the sign without breaking. Some sacrificial o members will break under high wind loads which is not desirable.
O It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this T reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the 0 O 10 common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.
Object of the Innovation.
It is an object of the innovation to provide a frangible pole that may overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice.
In one form, the innovation resides in a pole assembly, the assembly comprising a ground sleeve that is at least partially inserted into the ground, and a pole that can slide at least partially within the ground sleeve to hold the pole in place, the pole being provided with circumferential longitudinal flutes at least in the position where the pole contacts an upper edge of the ground sleeve.
It is found that the arrangement of circumferential flutes on the pole enables the pole to be sheared off when struck with little or no damage to the ground sleeve.
Typically, the pole is sheared at or adjacent the upper edge of the ground sleeve.
Also, a sacrificial pin and the like is not required. The arrangement of the flutes seems to enable the pole to be broken without substantial damage to the ground sleeve and in a manner that is safer to vehicles that may strike the pole compared with a metal pole that is simply concreted directly into the ground.
The flutes should be at least where the pole contacts the upper edge of the ground sleeve. However, as it is preferred that the pole is extruded from aluminium, it may be effective to simply extrude the pole with the flutes extending along the entire 3
O
0 length of the pole.
O
Z It is preferred that the flutes extend entirely about the pole and on the outer surface of the pole. The flutes may be spaced apart from each other by a distance of between 2- 20 millimetres. The flutes may have a depth of between 1-5 millimetres, and a width o of between 3-15 millimetres. The flutes may be substantially rectangular when o viewed in plan.
To assist in providing the pole with frangible properties, it is preferred that the pole is 10 manufactured from a material that can shear when struck by a load. It is found that Cl aluminium is a suitable material and it is therefore preferred that the pole is manufactured from aluminium. However, it is envisaged that other metals and possibly metal alloys may have desirable properties including alloys containing zinc, nickel, lead, copper, iron and the like.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pole is made from structural grade 6261 or T6 aluminium.
It is also preferred that the pole is hollow to reduce weight and materials.
Another advantage in using aluminium is that the pole has less weight than a typical steel pole and therefore more poles can be loaded onto a truck, and the poles can be handled more easily. Also, aluminium is more resistant to corrosion and environmental degradation compared to steel poles.
The length of the pole can vary depending on its use. The typical length will be anywhere between 1-6 metres or even longer and it is not considered that the innovation should be limited to any particular length of the pole.
The pole will usually be cylindrical, however there may be an advantage in providing the pole with other configurations such as slightly oval, rectangular, or other irregular shapes.
s- 4
O
O
If the pole is cylindrical, the outside diameter of the pole may be anywhere between Z 50-150 millimetres and preferably between 60-130 millimetres and most preferably between 60-120 millimetres.
o The wall thickness of the pole will vary depending on the diameter of the pole, the o wind loading on the pole, the size and weight of the signage or other item that is O attached to the pole, etc. However, it is envisaged that the wall thickness will be between 3-7 millimetres and preferably between 3-6 millimetres and most preferably 0 O 10 between 3.75-5.5 millimetres.
The pole may be provided with an upper end cap to prevent water from entering into the pole. This cap may be made of plastic, rubber, metal and the like.
The ground sleeve may be made of any suitable material and it is preferred that the ground sleeve is made of metal such as aluminium. The ground sleeve will typically have an internal diameter or cross-section which is slightly larger than the external diameter or cross-section of the pole to enable the pole to slide into the ground sleeve.
Suitably, the pole will be cylindrical and therefore the ground sleeve will also be cylindrical. The ground sleeve may have a length of between 20-100 centimetres depending on the size of the pole, etc. The ground sleeve will have an internal diameter of between 50-150 millimetres but the diameter should be to enable the pole to slide within the ground sleeve.
In use, the ground sleeve is positioned in the ground and typically in such a manner that the upper edge of the ground sleeve is slightly spaced above the ground, the spacing typically being between 3-10 centimetres.
The ground sleeve can have a wall thickness of between 3-10 millimetres although this can vary to suit.
The ground sleeve may be provided with a fastener to lock the pole into the ground 0 N sleeve. The fastener may comprise a bolt, although no limitation should be placed on o the innovation merely by describing a bolt and the fastener may comprise a screw, a Z clamp, a wedge, a locking pin and the like.
0 If desired, a separate wedge may be provided to further hold the pole within the O ground sleeve, although this wedge is not the same as a sacrificial pin as it does not O break or shatter in a sacrificial manner.
The ground sleeve may be provided with means to prevent or to resist rotation of the pole within the ground sleeve. If the pole is cylindrical and the ground sleeve is cylindrical, one way in which this can be achieved is to provide a small bead or projection in the ground sleeve and which can engage in a flute on the pole thereby preventing the pole from rotating within the ground sleeve. If necessary, more than one such bead or projection can be provided.
If the ground sleeve is made of extruded aluminium, the bead or projection can form part of the extrusion.
Brief Description of the Drawings.
An embodiment of the innovation will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a pole assembly comprising a fluted pole within a ground sleeve.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the ground sleeve.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the pole.
Best Mode.
Referring to the illustrations and initially to figure 1, there is illustrated a frangible pole assembly which comprises a pole 10 and a ground sleeve 11. It should be appreciated that in the illustrations, the length of the pole 10 and the length of the 6 0 N ground sleeve 11 have been shortened. Typically, pole 10 will have a length of Sanywhere between 1-6 metres and ground sleeve 11 will have a length of anywhere Z between 20-100 centimetres.
0 Pole 10 is made of extruded aluminium and particularly of 6261 T5 or T6 aluminium.
0 O The pole is cylindrical and hollow and has a wall thickness of between 3.75-5.5 O millimetres depending on the length of the pole and the use of the pole.
O
O 10 The pole contains a circumferential array of flutes 12 in the outside of the pole. The flutes (see also figure 3) comprise longitudinal channels extending into the outer face of the pole. The channels extend entirely along the length of the pole and have a width of between 2-5 millimetres and a depth of between 1-4 millimetres. The channels are somewhat rectangular when viewed in plan.
The pole has an external diameter of between 60.9-114 millimetres, again depending on the length of the pole and the load that will be applied to the pole.
The ground sleeve 11 is cylindrical and hollow and has a wall thickness of between 3- 10 millimetres. The internal diameter of ground sleeve 11 is slightly larger than the external diameter of the pole such that the pole can be positioned within the ground sleeve.
The ground sleeve contains a thickened portion 13 to support a steel bolt 14 that is used to bolt pole 10 in place once the pole has been positioned within the ground sleeve.
In use, the ground sleeve is concreted or otherwise fixed into the ground surface with approximately 10 centimetres projecting above the ground.
To prevent pole 10 from rotating within the ground sleeve, the ground sleeve is provided with two inwardly extending longitudinal beads 15 (see figure 2) which "se- 7 0 0 I extend into the flutes of pole 10 when the pole sits within sleeve 11.
O
Z In practice, the arrangement of the flutes on the pole is such that should the pole be 0 struck, it will shear at the upper edge 16 of ground sleeve 11 and will break away.
The shear action is caused by the flutes and also by the type of metal from which the o pole is made.
o If the pole is sheared away, it is a simple matter to extract the bottom part of the pole which remains within the sleeve and then to simply insert a new pole into the sleeve.
0 There is no need to provide any sacrificial pin arrangement.
Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.
It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the innovation.

Claims (3)

  1. 2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pole is made of 6261 T5 or T6 aluminium.
  2. 3. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pole is cylindrical and hollow and has a wall thickness of between 3.75-5.5 millimetres, the flutes extending entirely along the pole.
  3. 4. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ground sleeve contains a locking bolt to lock the pole to the ground sleeve, the ground sleeve further containing an anti-rotation means to prevent the pole from rotating within the ground sleeve. A pole assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the illustrations. DATED this 30 t h day of November 2004 CLIF]'ON LEON HITCH By his Patent Attorneys Cullen Co.
AU2004101020A 2004-11-30 2004-11-30 A Frangible Pole Expired AU2004101020B4 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2004101020A AU2004101020B4 (en) 2004-11-30 2004-11-30 A Frangible Pole

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2004101020A AU2004101020B4 (en) 2004-11-30 2004-11-30 A Frangible Pole

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2004101020A4 true AU2004101020A4 (en) 2004-12-23
AU2004101020B4 AU2004101020B4 (en) 2012-06-14

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2004101020A Expired AU2004101020B4 (en) 2004-11-30 2004-11-30 A Frangible Pole

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AU (1) AU2004101020B4 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2012207010B2 (en) * 2012-07-09 2015-11-05 Delnorth Pty. Ltd. A Frangible Pole with Wear Shoe
AU2013201109B2 (en) * 2013-02-26 2016-05-19 Delnorth Pty. Ltd. A Frangible Pole Assembly

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2345657A1 (en) * 1976-03-23 1977-10-21 Chisholm Douglas Road sign mounting coupling - has threaded stem received in ribbed socket with shearable wall areas
US4148455A (en) * 1977-07-12 1979-04-10 Zimm-Zamm Aktiengesellschaft Stands for tubular articles
US4765277A (en) * 1987-03-05 1988-08-23 Bailey Robert A Telescopic pole system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2004101020B4 (en) 2012-06-14

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FGI Letters patent sealed or granted (innovation patent)
PC Assignment registered

Owner name: HARRIS, PHILLIP

Free format text: FORMER OWNER WAS: HITCH, CLIFTON

FF Certified innovation patent
MK22 Patent ceased section 143a(d), or expired - non payment of renewal fee or expiry