Pole Cover

Abstract

A pole cover assembly and a method for mounting the assembly onto a pole. The assembly includes a pole cover that has a first portion with a first longitudinal end. A base portion extends from the first portion and the base portion has a base portion depth and an inside diameter that is greater than an outside diameter of the first portion to accommodate a first longitudinal end of an adjacent pole cover therein and define a circumferential clearance gap around the adjacent pole cover. A longitudinal slit runs a length of the pole cover and separates axially extending arc segments of the pole cover. The arc segments overlap one another when disposed on the pole.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A pole cover assembly for mounting onto a pole comprising:
 a pole cover having:   a first portion having a first longitudinal end;   a base portion extending from said first portion and said base portion having a base portion depth and an inside diameter being greater than an outside diameter of said first portion for accommodating a first longitudinal end of an adjacent pole cover therein and defining a circumferential clearance gap around the adjacent pole cover;   a longitudinal slit running a length of said pole cover and separating axially extending arc segments of said pole cover, said arc segments overlapping one another when disposed on the pole.   
     
     
         2 . The pole cover assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said base portion has a free end with a circumferential lip that is directed radially inwards for closing said clearance gap. 
     
     
         3 . The cover assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting fastener disposed centrally with respect to a length of said pole cover, said mounting fastener passing through said pole cover into the pole for setting a height position of said pole cover on the pole. 
     
     
         4 . The pole cover assembly according to  claim 2 , further comprising closing fasteners provided along the length of said pole cover affixing said arc segments to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The pole cover assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the assembly includes said adjacent cover, said mounting fastener positioned in the pole to set a position of said pole cover so that said first longitudinal end of said adjacent pole cover is disposed at a middle of said base portion depth. 
     
     
         6 . The pole cover assembly according to  claim 5 , further comprising a cap portion disposed at said first end of pole cover and overlapping said pole cover. 
     
     
         7 . The pole cover assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the base portion depth is at least as great as a sum of the amount or thermal expansion at a desired nigh temperature limit above 70° F. for a length the pole cover in a desired service temperature range of the pole cover plus the amount of thermal contraction at a desired low temperature limit below 70° F. for the length of the pole cover in the desired service temperature range of the pole cover. 
     
     
         8 . The pole cover assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said pole cover has longitudinally extending corrugations that have a height at least as great as a wall thickness of said pole cover to define a space next to the pole that accommodates an underlying arc segment of said arc segments. 
     
     
         9 . The pole cover assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a corrugation peak defines an overlying arc segment of said arc segments. 
     
     
         10 . A method for covering a pole with a pole cover comprising:
 providing a plurality of pole covers each having:   a first portion having a first longitudinal end, a base portion extending from the first portion and the base portion having a base portion depth and an inside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the first portion, a longitudinal slit running a length of the pole cover and separating axially extending arc segments of the pole cover;   opening a first pole cover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over a diameter of the pole and placing the first pole cover into a position where the arc segments overlap and inserting closing fasteners into the arc segments for fastening the arc segments to one another; positioning the first pole cover on the pole and inserting a mounting fastener through the pole cover into the pole for mounting the first pole cover onto the pole;   opening a second pole cover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over a diameter of the pole into a position above the first pole cover where the arc segments of the second pole cover overlap and inserting closing fasteners into the arc segments of the second pole cover for fastening the arc segments of the second pole cover to one another; and   axially positioning the second pole cover on the pole with the base portion overlapping the first pole cover with the first longitudinal end of the first pole cover disposed at a middle the base portion depth of the second pole cover and inserting a second mounting fastener through the pole cover into the pole for mounting the second pole cover onto the pole.   
     
     
         11 . A method for covering a pole with a pole cover comprising providing a plurality of pole covers each having:
 a first portion having a first longitudinal end, a base portion extending from the first portion and the base portion having a base portion depth and an inside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the first portion, a longitudinal slit running a length of the pole cover and separating axially extending arc segments of the pole cover;   opening a first pole cover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over a diameter of the pole and placing the first pole cover into a position where the arc segments overlap and inserting closing fasteners into the arc segments fastening the arc segments to one another;   axially positioning and securing the first pole cover on the pole to mount the first pole cover onto the pole;   opening a second pole cover at the slit and spanning the slit to fit over a diameter of the pole into a position above the first cover where the arc segments of the second pole cover overlap and inserting closing fasteners into the arc segments of the second pole cover for fastening the arc segments of the second pole cover to one another; and   axially positioning and securing the second cover on the pole with the base portion overlapping the first pole cover with the first longitudinal end of the first pole cover disposed at a middle of the base portion depth of the second pole cover to mount the second pole cover onto the pole.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first pole cover or the second pole cover are secured on the pole by a mounting fastener disposed centrally with respect to a length of said pole cover, the securing step including passing the mounting fastener through said at least one of the first pole cover or the second pole cover into the pole for setting a height position of said pole cover on the pole. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first pole cover or the second pole cover is secured to the pole by a frictional engagement with the pole.