Anti-spin mounting pole and method of forming

Abstract

An anti-spin mounting pole for holding a communications device mounted thereon generally stable relative to a desired position when the lower end portion of the resultant pole is installed in a concrete base, such anti-spin mounting pole formed from an elongated pole having a generally uniform cross-sectional configuration defining a nominal outer perimeter and having one or more compressed areas formed along the lower end portion of the pole to alter thereat the initial generally uniform cross-sectional configuration and effect an enhanced out-of-round condition defining an anti-spin portion that includes a pair of oppositely directed ears extending outwardly beyond the nominal outer perimeter of the elongated pole.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An anti-spin mounting pole for a mounting system for use in a communications system wherein the mounting pole is intended to hold a communications device mounted thereon and to maintain such mounted device generally stable relative to a given desired position, the mounting system including a base area into which a lower end portion of the mounting pole is insertable and around which lower end portion a base material is solidified to form a pole mount channel having a cross-sectional configuration closely conforming to the cross-sectional configuration of the lower end portion of the mounting pole to hold the mounting pole in place, said anti-spin mounting pole comprising:
 an elongated pole having opposed upper and lower ends and associated end portions and a generally uniform cross-sectional configuration defining a nominal outer perimeter for said elongated pole,   a first compressed area thereafter formed in said lower end portion of said elongated pole near said lower end thereof to alter thereat the initial generally uniform cross-sectional configuration, said first compressed area effecting an enhanced out-of-round condition along a portion of said lower end portion of said elongated pole defining a first anti-spin portion,   said enhanced out-of-round condition of said first anti-spin portion establishing in at least said first compressed area a pair of generally oppositely directed ears extending outwardly beyond said nominal outer perimeter of said elongated pole,   said elongated pole with said first anti-spin portion formed thereon being positionable in a generally vertical position with the lower end portion thereof installed in the base area with a base material solidified about said first anti-spin portion thereof to anchor said mounting pole in place within the solidified base material with the upper end portion of said mounting pole extending upwardly to receive the device to be mounted thereupon, and   said first anti-spin portion determining for the area of the formed pole mount channel adjacent thereto the cross-sectional configuration of the formed pole mount channel in the base material as such base material solidifies with the formed pole mount channel adjoining the lower end portion of the mounting pole to lock said lower end portion and said first anti-spin portion thereof in a stable position resistant to rotation of said mounting pole within the formed pole mount channel with said projecting ears resisting spin.   
     
     
         2 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 1  wherein:
 said elongated pole includes one or more portions, defined as nominal pole portions, that generally retain the initial configuration of the elongated pole, 
 a first nominal pole portion being located above said formed first anti-spin portion, and 
 said formed first anti-spin portion includes said first compressed area and at least a first transition portion adjacent said first compressed area, said first transition portion being enhanced out-of-round and extending between said first compressed area and said first nominal pole portion. 
 
     
     
         3 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 1  wherein:
 said generally uniform cross-sectional configuration of said elongated pole has a generally maximal cross-sectional dimension, and 
 said enhanced out-of-round condition of said first anti-spin portion establishes in at least said first compressed area a width w AS1  greater than said generally maximal cross sectional dimension. 
 
     
     
         4 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 1  wherein said elongated pole is initially generally an elongated tube, said tube having inner and outer walls spaced from one another, a central opening, and a generally uniform wall thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 4  wherein, at said first compressed area, said elongated pole is compressed to form frontside and backside portions thereat, with said inner wall of said frontside portion generally abutting said inner wall of said backside portion, and to substantially close said central opening in said elongated tube. 
     
     
         6 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 5  wherein:
 said enhanced out-of-round condition of said first anti-spin portion establishes in at least said first compressed area a depth d AS1  approximating 2t and a width w AS1  approximating (C−4t)/2, where C is the initial generally uniform outer circumference of the perimeter of the elongated tube and t is the initial generally uniform wall thickness of the elongated tube. 
 
     
     
         7 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 4  wherein:
 said elongated pole is generally cylindrical with a generally uniform nominal outer diameter, 
 said first compressed area is so formed in said lower end portion of said elongated pole near said lower end thereof to alter thereat the initial generally uniform nominal outer diameter, and 
 said enhanced out-of-round condition of said first anti-spin portion establishing in at least said first compressed area a width w AS1  greater than said nominal outer diameter of said elongated pole, a depth d AS1  less than said nominal initial outer diameter of said pole, and a cross-sectional configuration generally approximating a flattened oval. 
 
     
     
         8 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 7  wherein:
 said elongated pole includes one or more portions, defined as in-round portions, that generally retain the initial configuration of the elongated pole, 
 a first in-round portion being located above said formed first anti-spin portion, and 
 said formed first anti-spin portion includes said first compressed area and at least a first transition portion adjacent said first compressed area, said first transition portion being out-of-round and extending between said first compressed area and said first in-round portion. 
 
     
     
         9 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 8  wherein said first transition portion has a width that generally decreases from the width at the first compressed area to the generally uniform outer diameter of the first in-round portion and a depth that generally increases from the depth at the first compressed area to the generally uniform outer diameter of the first in-round portion. 
     
     
         10 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 9  wherein said first compressed area is immediately adjacent said lower end of said mounting pole. 
     
     
         11 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 9  wherein said first compressed area is spaced above said lower end of said mounting pole on said lower end portion of said mounting pole. 
     
     
         12 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 11  wherein:
 said mounting pole includes a second in-round portion being located below said formed first anti-spin portion, and 
 said formed first anti-spin portion also includes a second out-of-round transition portion adjacent said first compressed area between said first compressed area and said second in-round portion. 
 
     
     
         13 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 12  wherein said second transition portion has a width that generally decreases from the width at the first compressed area to the generally uniform outer diameter of the second in-round portion and a depth that generally increases from the depth at the first compressed area to the generally uniform outer diameter of the second in-round portion. 
     
     
         14 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 13  wherein said heights of said first and second transition portions on said mounting pole are essentially equal to one another. 
     
     
         15 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 7  wherein, at said first compressed area, said elongated pole is compressed to form frontside and backside portions thereat, with said inner wall of said frontside portion generally abutting said inner wall of said backside portion, and to substantially close said central opening in said elongated tube. 
     
     
         16 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 15  wherein said width w AS1  approximates (ΠD O −4t)/2 and said depth d AS1  approximates 2t, where D O  is the initial generally uniform outer diameter of the elongated tube and t is the initial generally uniform wall thickness of the elongated tube. 
     
     
         17 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 16  wherein said first compressed area is compressed to generally have a blade shape. 
     
     
         18 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 7  including:
 a second compressed area formed in said lower end portion of said lower end portion, said second compressed area spaced from said first compressed area and altering thereat the initial generally uniform outer diameter and the initial generally uniform cross-sectional configuration of said elongated pole, said second compressed area effecting an enhanced out-of-round condition along a portion of said lower end portion of said elongated pole defining a second anti-spin portion, 
 said enhanced out-of-round condition of said second anti-spin portion establishing in at least said second compressed area a width w AS2  greater than said nominal initial outer diameter of said elongated pole, a depth d AS2  less than said nominal initial outer diameter of said pole, and a cross-sectional configuration generally approximating a flattened oval, 
 said elongated pole with said first and second anti-spin portions formed thereon being positionable in a generally vertical position with the lower end portion thereof installed in the base area with a base material also solidified about said second anti-spin portions thereof to anchor said mounting pole in place within the solidified base material with the upper end portion of said mounting pole extending upwardly to receive the device to be mounted thereupon, and 
 said second anti-spin portion determining for the area of the formed polemount channel adjacent thereto the cross-sectional configuration of the formed polemount channel in the base material as such base material solidifies with the formed polemount channel adjoining the lower end portion of the mounting pole to lock said lower end portion and said first and second anti-spin portions thereof in a stable position resistant to rotation of said mounting pole within the formed polemount channel. 
 
     
     
         19 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 18  wherein:
 at said first and second compressed areas, said elongated pole is so compressed to form frontside and backside portions thereat such that the major axes of the flattened oval configurations of said first and second compressed areas generally extend from side-to-side between said frontside and backside to define said respective widths w AS1  and W AS2  of said first and second compressed areas, and 
 said first and second compressed areas are so compressed that the major axes of the flattened oval configurations of said first and second compressed areas are disposed at a rotational offset from one another. 
 
     
     
         20 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 19  wherein said rotational offset is approximately 90°. 
     
     
         21 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 18  wherein:
 said second compressed area is spaced below said first compressed area along said elongated pole, 
 said elongated pole includes one or more portions, defined as in-round portions, that generally retain the initial configuration of the elongated pole, 
 a first in-round portion being located above said formed first anti-spin portion, 
 said formed first anti-spin portion includes said first compressed area and upper and lower transition portions adjacent said first compressed area, with said upper transition portion of said first anti-spin portion extending between said first compressed area and said first in-round portion and said lower transition portion of said first anti-spin portion extending from said first compressed area towards said second anti-spin portion, 
 said formed second anti-spin portion includes said second compressed area and at least an upper transition portion adjacent said second compressed area, with said upper transition portion of said second anti-spin portion extending from said second compressed area towards said first anti-spin portion, and 
 said transition portions being enhanced out-of-round relative to said in-round portions and having widths that generally decrease from the widths of the compressed areas with which they are associated and depths that generally increase from the depths of the compressed areas with which they are associated. 
 
     
     
         22 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 21  wherein said lower transition portion of said first anti-spin portion and said upper transition portion of said second anti-spin portion meet and together form an intermediate transition portion between said first and second compressed areas, said intermediate transition portion being enhanced out-of-round relative to said in-round portions. 
     
     
         23 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 22  wherein said second compressed area is immediately adjacent said lower end of said mounting pole. 
     
     
         24 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 22  wherein said second compressed area is spaced above said lower end of said mounting pole on said lower end portion of said mounting pole. 
     
     
         25 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 24  wherein:
 said mounting pole includes a lower in-round portion being located below said formed second anti-spin portion, and 
 said formed second anti-spin portion also includes a lower out-of-round transition portion adjacent said second compressed area between said second compressed area and said lower in-round portion. 
 
     
     
         26 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 25  wherein said lower transition portion of said second anti-spin portion has a width that generally decreases from the width at the second compressed area to the generally uniform outer diameter of the lower in-round portion and a depth that generally increases from the depth at the second compressed area to the generally uniform outer diameter of the lower in-round portion. 
     
     
         27 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 26  wherein said compressed areas have generally like configurations and dimensions. 
     
     
         28 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 27  wherein said compressed areas are compressed to generally have a blade shape. 
     
     
         29 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 28  wherein said blade shapes are rotationally offset from one another. 
     
     
         30 . The anti-spin mounting pole of  claim 4  wherein, at said first compressed area, said elongated pole is compressed to form frontside and backside portions thereat, with said inner wall of said frontside portion generally abutting said inner wall of said backside portion, and to substantially close said central opening in said elongated tube. 
     
     
         31 . A method of forming an anti-spin mounting pole for a mounting system for use in a communications system wherein the mounting pole is intended to hold a communications device mounted thereon and to maintain such mounted device generally stable relative to a given desired position, the mounting system including a base area into which a lower end portion of the mounting pole is insertable and around which lower end portion a base material is solidified to form a pole mount channel having a cross-sectional configuration closely conforming to the cross-sectional configuration of the lower end portion of the mounting pole to hold the mounting pole in place, said method comprising
 providing an elongated pole that has opposed upper and lower ends and associated end portions and a generally uniform cross-sectional configuration defining a nominal outer perimeter for said elongated pole,   compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole in said lower end portion of said elongated pole to effect a resulting elongated pole having a first compressed area formed therealong and a remaining generally unaltered stretch along said resulting elongated pole, with at least a portion of said generally unaltered stretch being along said upper end portion of said resulting elongated pole and remaining suitable for the mounting of a communication device thereon,   the compression applied at said localized first area to effect said first compressed are being sufficient to alter thereat the initial generally uniform cross-sectional configuration and to effect an enhanced out-of-round condition along a first portion of said lower end portion of said resulting elongated pole defining a first anti-spin portion,   said enhanced out-of-round condition of said first anti-spin portion establishing in at least said first compressed area a pair of oppositely directed ears extending outwardly beyond said nominal outer perimeter of said elongated pole,   said resulting elongated pole with said first anti-spin portion formed thereon thereafter being positionable in a generally vertical position with the lower end portion thereof installed in the base area with a base material solidified about said first anti-spin portion thereof to anchor said mounting pole in place within the solidified base material with the upper end portion of said mounting pole extending upwardly to receive the device to be mounted thereupon, and   said first anti-spin portion determining for the area of the formed pole mount channel adjacent thereto the cross-sectional configuration of the formed pole mount channel in the base material as such base material solidifies with the formed pole mount channel adjoining the lower end portion of the mounting pole to lock said lower end portion and said first anti-spin portion thereof in a stable position resistant to rotation of said mounting pole within the formed pole mount channel.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein:
 said step of providing a generally elongated pole includes providing an elongated tube having inner and outer walls spaced from one another, a central opening, and a generally uniform wall thickness, and 
 said step of compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole includes compressing said elongated tube at said localized first area to form frontside and backside portions thereat, with said inner wall of said frontside generally abutting said inner wall of said backside portion, and to substantially close said central opening in said elongated tube. 
 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein:
 said step of providing a generally elongated pole includes providing a generally cylindrical tube having a generally uniform outer diameter, and 
 said step of compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole includes compressing said elongated tube at said localized first area to alter thereat the initial generally uniform outer diameter of said elongated pole such that said first compressed area has a general blade shape, with the width w AS1  of such blade shape being greater than said nominal initial outer diameter D O  of said provided elongated pole and approximating (πD O −4t)/2 and the depth d AS1  of such blade being less than said nominal initial outer diameter D O  of said provided elongated pole and approximating 2t, where t is the initial generally uniform wall thickness of the elongated tube. 
 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31  including:
 also compressing a localized second area along said elongated pole in said lower end portion of said elongated pole to effect a second compressed area formed along said resulting pole, said second compressed area spaced from said first compressed area, 
 the compression applied at said localized second area being sufficient to alter thereat the initial generally uniform cross-sectional configuration and to effect an enhanced out-of-round condition along a second portion of said lower end portion of said resulting elongated pole defining a second anti-spin portion, 
 said enhanced out-of-round condition of said second anti-spin portion establishing in at least said second compressed area a pair of oppositely directed ears extending outwardly beyond said nominal outer perimeter of said elongated pole, 
 said resulting elongated pole with said first and second anti-spin portions formed thereon being thereafter positionable in a generally vertical position with the lower end portion thereof installed in the base area with a base material also solidified about said second anti-spin portion thereof to anchor said mounting pole in place within the solidified base material with the upper end of said mounting pole extending upwardly to receive the device to be mounted thereupon, and 
 said second anti-spin portion determining for the area of the formed pole mount channel adjacent thereto the cross-sectional configuration of the formed pole mount channel in the base material as such base material solidifies with the formed pole mount channel adjoining the lower end portion of the mounting pole to lock said lower end portion and said first and second anti-spin portions thereof in a stable position resistant to rotation of said mounting pole within the formed pole mount channel. 
 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein:
 said step of providing a generally elongated pole includes providing an elongated tube having inner and outer walls spaced from one another, a central opening, and a generally uniform wall thickness, and 
 said steps of compressing localized first and second areas along said elongated pole include compressing said elongated tube at said localized first and second areas, respectively, to form frontside and backside portions thereat, with said inner wall of said frontside generally abutting said inner wall of said backside portion, and to substantially close said central opening in said elongated tube. 
 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein:
 said step of providing a generally elongated pole includes providing a generally cylindrical tube having a generally uniform outer diameter, and 
 said steps of compressing localized first and second areas along said elongated pole include compressing said elongated tube at said localized first and second and second areas, respectively, to alter thereat the initial generally uniform outer diameter of said elongated pole such that said first and second compressed areas have general blade shapes, with the respective widths w AS1  and w AS2  of such blade shapes being greater than said nominal initial outer diameter D O  of said provided elongated pole and approximating (πD O −4t)/2 and the respective depths d AS1  and d AS2  of such blades being less than said nominal initial outer diameter D O  of said provided elongated pole and approximating 2t, where t is the initial generally uniform wall thickness of the elongated tube. 
 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the steps of compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole and compressing a second localized area along said elongated pole are performed sequentially. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the steps of compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole and compressing a second localized area along said elongated pole are performed substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34  wherein:
 said step of compressing a first localized area along said elongated pole includes applying compressive force according to a first given orientation relative to said elongated pole, 
 said step of compressing a second localized area along said elongated pole includes applying compressive force according to a second given orientation relative to said elongated pole, and 
 said second given orientation rotationally offset from said first given orientation relative to said elongated pole. 
 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein:
 the steps of compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole and compressing a second localized area along said elongated pole are performed sequentially, and 
 said method further includes, between the steps of compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole and compressing a second localized area along said elongated pole, an intermediate step of advancing said elongated pole along the axis thereof and rotating said elongated pole to position said elongated pole for the application of compressive force according to a second given orientation relative to said elongated pole. 
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said rotational offset is approximately 90°. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39  wherein said steps of compressing a localized first area along said elongated pole and compressing a second localized area along said elongated pole include the application to said first and second localized area of compressive forces rotationally offset from one another.