Parking meter pole retrofit adaptor

Abstract

A pole retrofit adaptor includes a flange, a base segment and a distal or end segment. The base segment and distal end segment intersect along a plane forming an oblique angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The segments can be inserted into an internal diameter of an existing pole that is cut off near the ground. A fastener such as a draw bolt extends through the flange and both segments. Tightening the draw bolt causes the distal end segment to laterally displace relative to the base segment, which locks the adaptor into the inner diameter of the existing pole segment. A pole can be mounted atop the flange of the adaptor. A plurality of threaded studs can be provided to the flange for facilitating securing of the pole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pole mounting adaptor device, comprising:
 a flange defining an upper side and a lower side;   a base portion defining an upper end joined to the lower side of the flange and a distal end opposite the upper end;   a distal end section defining a proximal end contacting the distal end of the base portion and a remote end opposite the proximal end; and   a bolt extending completely though the flange and base portion, and engaging the remote end of the distal end section,   wherein the distal end of the base portion and the proximal end of the distal end section each define a planar surface oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the bottom side of the flange.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bolt engages the remote end of the distal end section by way of a threaded nut provided to the remote end of the distal end section. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bolt comprises a head and a threaded body portion, the device further comprising a washer disposed between the head of the bolt and the upper side of the flange. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of the base portion is rigidly secured to the flange. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper end of the base portion is welded to the flange. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of threaded studs extending proximally from the upper side of the flange. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion and distal end section each have a same outer diameter dimension. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flange defines a diameter that is larger than a diameter of each of the base portion and the distal end section. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bolt defines a head portion and an elongated body portion, and wherein each of the base portion and distal end section have an inner diameter dimension that is larger than an outer diameter dimension of the elongated body portion of the bolt. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end section offsets laterally as the bolt draws the distal end section towards the flange. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the oblique angle is in a range of 15 to 60 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . A pole mount system, comprising:
 a flange defining an upper side and a lower side;   a base portion defining an upper end joined to the lower side of the flange and a distal end opposite the upper end;   a distal end section defining a proximal end contacting the distal end of the base portion and a remote end opposite the proximal end; and   a bolt extending completely through the flange and base portion, and engaging the remote end of the distal end section,   wherein the distal end of the base portion and the proximal end of the distal end section each intersect along a plane offset from a horizontal plane such that the distal end section offsets laterally as the bolt draws the distal end section towards the flange.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a pole secured to the flange. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pole is secured to the flange via a plurality of threaded studs secured to the flange which extend through a base plate of the pole. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the base portion and distal end section define a circular cross-sectional outer shape. 
     
     
         16 . A method of retrofitting a pole to an existing pole section, the method comprising:
 cutting off the existing pole adjacent to ground level;   inserting a distal end section and a base portion of an adaptor into an internal diameter of the existing pole until a flange of the adaptor contacts at least one of the ground or an upper end of the existing pole after the existing pole is cut off;   drawing the distal end section towards the flange to offset the distal end section laterally with respect to the base portion until the adaptor is secured within the inner diameter of the existing pole.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising disposing a new pole atop the flange and securing the pole to the flange. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising disposing a plurality of washers over one of a plurality of threaded studs secured in the flange before disposing the new pole atop the flange in order to straighten the new pole with respect to a vertical plane. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising tightening a bolt to cause the distal end section to move towards the flange while sliding against the base portion in a plane forming an oblique angle with respect to a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising restraining the flange from rotating while the distal end section is drawn towards the flange.