Portable, collapsible practice golf flagstaff with stowable ground spike

• US 4,407,505 A
• Filed: 03/02/1982
• Issued: 10/04/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward Kendziorski
• Original Assignee: Edward Kendziorski
• Inventors: Kendziorski, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US06/353,919
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 116/173, 116/174, 116/175, 273/34 R, 273/177 R, 273/177 A, 273/177 B, 273/181 A, 273/35 R, 273/29 BB, 273/411, 273/181 R
• US Class Current: 473/173
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/357 for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 Golf cups or holes

Abstract

A portable, collapsible flagstaff suitable for use to support a practice golf flag is disclosed, wherein the flagstaff comprises at least an upper, middle and bottom segment which are detachably connected to one another; a weighted cylindrical base at the foot of the bottom segment; a spike projecting from the bottom of the base for anchoring the flagstaff in the ground; and a cylindrical cavity in the base in which the spike can be stowed when the flagstaff is in the storage configuration. Also disclosed is a storage configuration wherein the middle and upper segments of the flagstaff are mounted on a bottom keeper plate resting upon the top of the base, and all of the segments are secured together at their upper termini by a top keeper plate or by a 3- or 4-tube top keeper element, and the spike is stowed in an inverted position within the cavity in the base. An elongated "D"-shaped flat-mounting bracket is shown whereby a flag can be pivotably mounted upon the upper segment of the erect flagstaff.

Claims

1. A portable, collapsible flagstaff suitable for use to support a practice golf shag flag or putting flag, comprising a segmented tubular, vertically elongated flagstaff having at least an upper, middle and bottom segment, which segments are detachably connected to one another to form the length of the flagstaff;

a weighted cylindrical base at the foot of and concentrically mounted on said bottom segment, permanently attached thereto; and

a spike for removably anchoring said flagstaff in the ground;

said weighted base being adapted either to store in its interior said spike when the flagstaff structure is disassembled for carriage or storage, or to provide mounting means by which said spike can be attached to the bottom of said weighted base for anchoring said flagstaff to the ground when assembled for use.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said tubular segments are comprised of a metal taken from the group consisting of stainless steel and aluminum.

3. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said flagstaff has three detachably connected tubular segments.

4. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said flagstaff has four detachably connected tubular segments.

5. The structure recited in claim 3 wherein the lengths of the two upper segments are the same and are approximately 1/4-inch less than the length of the portion of the bottom segment rising from the weighted base at the foot of said bottom segment.

6. The structure recited in claim 4 wherein the lengths of the three upper segments are the same and are approximately 1/4-inch less than the length of the portion of the bottom segment rising from the weighted base at the foot of said bottom segment.

7. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said tubular segments are attached to one another by means of compatibly threaded female and male termini.

8. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said tubular segments are attached to one another by means of smooth surfaced male and female termini, the outer diameter of the male terminus being slightly less than the inner diameter of the female terminus so that said male terminus can be tightly but manually-removably inserted into said female terminus.

9. The structure recited in claims 3 or 4 wherein the uppermost tubular segment of said flagstaff bears flag-mounting means thereon.

10. The structure recited in claim 9 wherein said flag-mounting means comprises a narrow, elongated "D"-shaped implement fashioned from a moderately heavy gauge metal wire and wherein horizontal portions of said "D" at the top and bottom thereof extend perpendicularly away from the left-hand vertical side of said "D" and terminate in annular collar rings, the planes of which are perpendicular to the plane of said "D", and the inner diameters of which are such as to permit the collar ring at the end of said extension of the bottom horizontal portion of said "D" to slide over the upper segment of said flagstaff, and to permit the collar ring at the end of said extension of the top horizontal portion of said "D" to rest pivotably on the upper terminus of the upper segment of said flagstaff.

11. The structure recited in claim 10 wherein said moderately heavy gauge metal wire is one-eighth inch in diameter and comprised of a metal taken from the group consisting of galvanized steel, stainless steel, and copper.

12. The structure recited in claim 10 wherein a flag is mounted on said flag-mounting means.

13. The structure recited in claim 11 wherein a flag is mounted on said flag-mounting means.

14. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said weighted base comprises a lead-filled, interior-threaded cylindrical metal shell having:

(1) permanently and immovably embedded therein at one end thereof, to approximately one-half the length of said shell, the bottommost portion of said bottom tubular segment of the flagstaff, said bottommost portion being filled with lead and disposed concentrically in said shell along the longitudinal axis thereof;

(2) partially embedded in said shell at the end opposite from said bottom tubular segment, a lead-filled, exterior-threaded cylindrical nipple, which is partially threaded into said shell to the extent of about one-half the length of said nipple, and one end of which protrudes from said shell, said nipple and said bottom tubular segment each being concentric with the other and with said shell; and

(3) a small, cylindrical center hole bored through the lead filling of said nipple, said bottommost portion of said bottom tubular segment, and said shell along the longitudinal axes thereof so as to provide a passage through said nipple and said shell and into the hollow interior of said bottom tubular segment above the lead filling of said bottommost portion thereof, said hole being of sufficient diameter to allow said spike to be inserted into and stowed therein.

15. The structure recited in claim 14 wherein said metal shell is comprised of a metal having a higher melting point than lead, and has walls of sufficient thickness to maintain structural rigidity when exposed to molten lead.

16. The structure recited in claim 15 wherein said metal shell is comprised of aluminum.

17. The structure recited in claims 15 or 16 wherein said bottom segment of the flagstaff terminates within said shell in an annular flange.

18. The structure recited in claims 15 or 16 wherein a cylindrical metal end cap having a circular closure at one end and an interior-threaded female opening at the other end is threaded onto the end of said nipple protruding from said shell, the threaded interior walls of said cap being of sufficient length to accommodate the portion of said nipple protruding from the end of said shell and the portion of said spike resting thereon when said spike is positioned for anchoring said flagstaff to the ground, said circular closure having bored through the center thereof a hole of the same diameter as and concentric with said hole bored through the lead filling of said nipple and shell and said bottommost portion of said bottom tubular segment, so that said passage formed by said hole is extended through said circular closure of said cap.

19. The structure recited in claim 18 wherein said metal cylindrical cap is comprised of the same metal as said shell.

20. The structure recited in claim 18 wherein said circular closure of said cap is comprised of a hardened, powdered-metal filled, water-proof mastic material.

21. The structure recited in claim 20 wherein said mastic material comprises a composite of a cross-linked epoxy resin and powdered steel.

22. The structure recited in claim 20 wherein said spike comprises an elongated, tapered metal mandrel terminating in a point at one end and in an annular flange at the opposite end, the maximum diameter of said spike, excepting said annular flange, being slightly less than the diameter of said hole bored into the center of the circular closure of said end cap and the lead filling of said nipple and said shell and said bottommost portion of said bottom tubular segment, so as to permit easy movement of said spike in said hole, and the diameter of said annular flange being greater than that of said hole and approximately the same as the outer diameter of said nipple, and wherein said structure is adapted so that said end cap can alternatively be used to fasten said spike within said shell for storage or to fasten said spike to said weighted base--tapered end pointing downwardly away from said base--so as to allow for insertion of said spike into the ground to support said flagstaff in an upright position.

23. The structure recited in claim 22 wherein said spike is comprised of a metal taken from the group consisting of stainless steel and chromium-plated carbon steel.

24. The structure recited in claim 22 wherein said spike is stored within said shell.

25. The method of assembling the structure recited in claim 24 comprising performing the following steps on the structure recited in claim 22:

(1) inserting said spike--pointed end first--into said hole in the lead filling at the end of the portion of the nipple protruding from said shell and moving said spike through said hole until said annular flange at the end of said spike comes into contact with the orifice of said hole in the lead filling at the end of said protruding portion of said nipple, thereby preventing further insertion of said spike; and

(2) tightly threading said end cap onto said protruding portion of said nipple so as to securely hold said spike within said shell.

26. The structure recited in claim 22 wherein said spike is fastened to said base--tapered end pointing downwardly away from said base--so as to allow for insertion of said spike into the ground.

27. The method of assembling the structure recited in claim 26 comprising performing the following steps on the structure recited in claim 22:

(1) placing said annular flange at the end of said spike flush against the surface of the lead-filling at the end of the portion of said nipple protruding from said shell, so that the tapered end of said spike points downwardly away from said shell;

(2) placing the hole in the interior surface of said circular closure of said end cap over the pointed end of said spike with the interior-threaded female opening of said end cap facing said nipple;

(3) sliding said end cap over said spike until said end cap comes into contact with said protruding portion of said nipple; and

(4) tightly threading said end cap onto said protruding portion of said nipple so as to secure said spike to said base with the pointed end extending downwardly and away from the bottom of said base.

28. The method of assembling the structure recited in claim 26 comprising performing the following steps on the structure recited in claim 22:

(1) inserting the pointed end of said spike into the hole in the interior surface of said circular closure of said end cap;

(2) sliding said spike through said hole until the leading surface of said annular flange at the end of said spike comes into flush contact with the interior surface of said circular closure; and

(3) tightly threading said end cap onto the portion of said nipple protruding from said shell until the bottom surface of said protruding portion of said nipple comes into flush contact with the rear surface of said annular flange within said end cap, so as to secure said spike to said base with the pointed end extending downwardly and away from the bottom of said base.

29. In storage configuration, a portable, collapsible flagstaff having a bottom, middle and upper tubular segment, comprising:

(1) A weighted cylindrical base having an elongated spike removably stored therein;

(2) Said bottom tubular segment permanently attached to said base and rising perpendicularly above it;

(3) Resting upon the top surface of said base, a metal, oval-shaped bottom keeper plate approximately 1/4-inch in thickness, having a circular hole at the center thereof of a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said bottom tubular segment, so that said segment can easily pass through said hole, wherein the length of said bottom segment has been passed through said hole so as to permit said bottom keeper plate to rest atop said base;

(4) Two cylindrical stud bolts permanently attached to said bottom keeper plate along the transverse axis thereof, on either side of and equidistant from said circular hole and projecting perpendicularly above said bottom keeper plate so that, when said middle and upper tubular segments are mounted on said stud bolts, said middle and upper segments and said bottom segment rise perpendicularly and upright above said bottom keeper plate in a close, side-by-side relationship;

(5) Mounted upon said stud bolts, said middle and upper tubular segments, which are identical to one another and which have the same outer and inner diameters as said bottom tubular segment and the same length as that portion of said bottom tubular segment which rises above said bottom keeper plate upon said base;

(6) Upon the upper termini of said three tubular segments, means of adapting said termini to receive and be secured to a three-holed top keeper plate;

(7) Resting upon said adapting means upon said upper termini of said three tubular segments, a metal, top keeper plate approximately 1/4-inch in thickness, in the shape described by the linear translation of a circle, having spaced along its transverse axis three circular holes of approximately the same diameter, each of which holes is disposed directly over said adapting means atop one of said three segments; and

(8) Means fastening said top keeper plate to said adapting means upon said upper terminus of said bottom tubular segment, and securing said three tubular segments in storage configuration.

30. The structure recited in claim 29 wherein said tubular segments are comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and aluminum.

31. The structure recited in claim 29 wherein said bottom keeper plate and said upper keeper plate are comprised of aluminum.

32. The structure recited in claims 30 or 31 wherein said weighted base is partially filled with lead.

33. The structure recited in claim 29 wherein said means for adapting the upper termini of said three tubular segments comprises:

(1) a cylindrical, metal, male coupling element having at one end a smooth exterior surface, the diameter of which is slightly less than the inner diameter of said upper termini of said tubular segments so as to permit said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said male coupling element to be inserted into said termini, and having at the opposite end a reduced, exterior-threaded cylindrical male protuberance;

(2) threaded onto the entire length of said protuberance, a tubular metal female coupling element having essentially the same outer diameter as said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said cylindrical male coupling element, and a smooth exterior surface, and, along its entire interior surface having threading compatible with that of said protuberance--the length of which female coupling element is sufficiently greater than that of said protuberance as to leave ample threading remaining within said female coupling element after the entire length of said protuberance has been screwed therein; and

(3) screwed into said remaining threading of said female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments, short, cylindrical, partially-threaded metal studs having threading along approximately half their length and a smooth exterior surface along the remaining length, so as to leave (a) smooth-surfaced cylindrical stubs of said partially threaded studs protruding from said interior-threaded female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments and (b) said-interior threaded female coupling element, unmodified by said cylindrical, partially-threaded stud, atop said bottom tubular segment.

34. The structure recited in claim 33 wherein said means for securing said top keeper plate to said three tubular segments comprises a hand-turnable threaded bolt, the threading of which is compatible with the interior threading of said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segments, so that said top keeper plate can be fastened to said bottom segment and secured to said three segments by inserting said bolt through the middle hole in said top keeper plate and screwing it into the threaded interior of said female coupling element atop said bottom segment.

35. The structure recited in claim 33 wherein a short, cylindrical stud threaded along its entire length--said threading being compatible with the interior threading of said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment--is screwed into the interior of said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment so that the leading surface of said stud within said female coupling element is in flush contact with the leading surface of said protuberance of said male coupling element threaded within said female coupling element, and the remainder of said threaded stud projects above the orifice of said female coupling element a sufficient length to permit a nut to be threaded thereon after said threaded stud has been passed through the middle hole in said top keeper plate.

36. The structure recited in claim 35 wherein said means for securing said top keeper plate to said three tubular segments comprises a hand-turnable nut, the threading of which is compatible with the threading of said threading stud projecting above the orifice of said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment, so that said top keeper plate can be fastened to said bottom tubular segment and secured to said three segments by threading said nut down upon the portion of said threaded stud projecting through said middle hole in said top keeper plate.

37. The structure recited in claim 35 wherein the upper terminus of the bottom tubular segment, in lieu of the combination of said male coupler, female coupler, and short cylindrical stud threaded along its entire length, is adapted to receive said top keeper plate by a double coupling element having the shape and dimensions of said combination but comprising a unitary element as opposed to a combination of elements, wherein the smooth-surfaced cylindrical shaft of said double coupling element is inserted into and permanently affixed to the upper terminus of said bottom segment.

38. The structure recited in claim 37 wherein said means for securing said top keeper plate to said three tubular segments comprises a hand-turnable nut, the threading of which is compatible with the reduced, exterior-threaded cylindrical protuberance of said double coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment, so that said top keeper plate can be fastened to said bottom tubular segment and secured to said three segments by threading said nut down upon the portion of said threaded cylindrical protuberance projecting through said middle hole in said top keeper plate.

39. In storage configuration, a portable, collapsible flagstaff having a bottom, middle and upper tubular segment, each segment having a smooth interior surface, comprising:

(1) A weighted cylindrical base having an elongated spike removably stored therein;

(2) Said bottom tubular segment permanently attached to said base and rising perpendicularly above it;

(3) Resting upon the top surface of said base, a metal, oval-shaped bottom keeper plate approximately 1/4-inch in thickness, having a circular hole at the center thereof of a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said bottom tubular segment, so that said segment can easily pass through said hole, wherein the length of said bottom segment has been passed through said hole so as to permit said bottom keeper plate to rest atop said base;

(4) Two cylindrical stud bolts permanently attached to said bottom keeper plate along the transverse axis thereof, on either side of and equidistant from said circular hole--said stud bolts being situated a sufficient distance from said circular hole to permit said upper and middle tubular segments to be mounted thereon without coming into contact with said bottom segment rising above said keeper plate through said circular hole, and projecting perpendicularly above said bottom keeper plate so that, when said middle and upper tubular segments of said flagstaff are mounted on said stud bolts, said middle and upper segments and said bottom segment rise perpendicularly and upright above said bottom keeper plate in a close, side-by-side relationship;

(5) Mounted upon said stud bolts, said middle and upper tubular segments, which are identical to one another and which have the same outer and inner diameters as said bottom tubular segment and the same length as that portion of said bottom tubular segment which rises above said bottom keeper plate upon said base;

(6) Coupled to the upper terminus of each of said three tubular segments, adapting means comprising (a) a cylindrical, metal, male coupling element having at one end a smooth exterior surface, the diameter of which is slightly less than the inner diameter of said upper termini of said tubular segments so as to permit said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said cylindrical male coupling element to be inserted into said upper termini, and having at the opposite end a reduced, exterior-threaded, cylindrical male protuberance, wherein said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said male coupling element is inserted into and permanently affixed to said upper termini of said three tubular segments;

(b) threaded onto the entire length of said reduced, threaded male protuberance, a tubular cylindrical, metal female coupling element having the same outer diameter as that of said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said cylindrical male coupling element, and a smooth exterior surface, and, along its entire interior surface, having threading compatible with that of said protuberance--the length of which female coupling element is sufficiently greater than that of said protuberance as to leave ample female threading remaining within said female coupling element after the entire length of said protuberance has been screwed therein; and

(c) screwed into said remaining threading in said female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments, short, cylindrical, partially threaded metal studs having threading along approximately half their length and a smooth exterior surface along the remaining length, so as to leave (a) smooth-surfaced, cylindrical stubs of said partially threaded studs protruding from said interior-threaded female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments and (b) said interior-threaded female coupling element, unmodified by said cylindrical, partially-threaded stud, atop said bottom tubular segment;

(7) Slipped over and mounted upon the smooth exterior surfaces of said female coupling elements atop said three tubular segments, a three-tube top keeper element comprising an elongated, approximately 1/16-inch thick metal base plate in the shape described by the linear translation of a circle, upon one side of which three substantially identical, open, cylindrical metal tubes are permanently bonded to said base plate in a close, side-by-side relationship so that said tubes project perpendicularly away from said base plate, the outer diameter of said tubes being approximately the same as that of said tubular segment and their inner diameter being slightly greater than the outer diameter of said female coupling elements atop said three tubular segments so as to allow said tubes to be slipped over said female coupling elements; and

three equi-diameter circular holes cut into said base plate along its transverse axis, each of said holes being concentric with one of said three open, cylindrical tubes so as to form three cylindrical passages through said base plate into the centers of the hollow interiors of said three cylindrical tubes--the diameter of said holes being slightly greater than the diameter of said smooth-surfaced, cylindrical stubs of said partially threaded stubs protruding from said interior-threaded female coupling elements atop said upper and middle tubular segments so that said stubs can pass easily through said holes--wherein said tubes are spaced along said base plate exactly as said stud bolts and said circular hole at the center of said bottom keeper plate are spaced along said bottom keeper plate, thereby allowing the two tubes of said three-tube keeper element on either side of the tube rising from the middle of said base plate to be slipped over said female coupling elements atop said upper and middle tubular flagstaff segments, and said tube arising from the middle of said base plate to be slipped over said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment, until said smooth-surfaced cylindrical stubs protruding from said female coupling elements atop said upper and middle tubular segments pass through said cylindrical passages in said base plate and protrude above said base plate, and said hole in the middle of said base plate rests directly over the threaded female opening in said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment; and

(8) A hand-turnable, threaded bolt passed through said hole in the middle of said base plate and screwed into said remaining threading in said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment.

41. The structure recited in claims 39 or 40 wherein said tubular segments are comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and aluminum.

42. The structure recited in claim 41 wherein said male coupling elements inserted into the upper termini of said tubular segments are permanently affixed thereto.

43. The structure recited in claims 39 or 40 wherein said bottom keeper plate is comprised of aluminum and said three-tube top keeper element is comprised of stainless steel.

44. The structure recited in claim 43 wherein said male coupling elements inserted into the upper termini of said tubular segments are permanently affixed thereto.

45. The structure recited in claim 39 or 40 wherein said weighted base is partially filled with lead.

46. The structure recited in claim 45 wherein said male coupling elements inserted into the upper termini of said tubular segments are permanently affixed thereto.

51. The structure recited in claim 39 or 40 wherein said male coupling elements inserted into the upper termini of said tubular segments are permanently affixed thereto.

52. The structure recited in claim 51 wherein said male coupling elements are permanently bonded to said upper termini of said tubular segments by an epoxy cement.

53. The structure recited in claim 51 wherein said male coupling elements are spot welded to said upper termini of said tubular segments.

54. The structure recited in claims 42, 44 or 46 wherein said male coupling elements are permanently affixed to said upper termini of said tubular segments by an epoxy cement.

55. The structure recited in claims 42, 44 or 46 wherein said male coupling elements are spot welded to said upper termini of said tubular segments.

40. In storage configuration, a portable, collapsible flagstaff having a bottom, middle and upper tubular segment, each segment having a smooth interior surface, comprising:

(1) A weighted cylindrical base having an elongated spike removably stored therein;

(2) Said bottom tubular segment permanently attached to said base and rising perpendicularly above it;

(3) Resting upon the top surface of said base, a metal, oval-shaped bottom keeper plate approximately 1/4-inch in thickness, having a circular hole at the center thereof of a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of said bottom tubular segment, so that said segment can easily pass through said hole, wherein the length of said bottom segment has been passed through said hole so as to permit said bottom keeper plate to rest atop said base;

(4) Two cylindrical stud bolts permanently attached to said bottom keeper plate along the transverse axis thereof, on either side of and equidistant from said circular hole--said stud bolts being situated a sufficient distance from said circular hole to permit said upper and middle tubular segments to be mounted thereon without coming into contact with said bottom segment rising above said keeper plate through said circular hole, and projecting perpendicularly above said bottom keeper plate so that, when said middle and upper tubular segments of said flagstaff are mounted on said stud bolts, said middle and upper segments and said bottom segment rise perpendicularly and upright above said bottom keeper plate in a close, side-by-side relationship;

(5) Mounted upon said stud bolts, said middle and upper tubular segments, which are identical to one another and which have the same outer and inner diameters as said bottom tubular segment and the same length as that portion of said bottom tubular segment which rises above said bottom keeper plate upon said base;

(6) Coupled to the upper terminus of each of said three tubular segments, adapting means comprising

(a) a cylindrical, metal, male coupling element having at one end a smooth exterior surface, the diameter of which is slightly less than the inner diameter of said upper termini of said middle and upper tubular segments so as to permit said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said cylindrical male coupling element to be inserted into said upper termini, and having at the opposite end a reduced, exterior-threaded, cylindrical male protuberance, wherein said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said male coupling element is inserted into said upper termini of said three tubular segments;

(b) threaded onto the entire length of said reduced, male protuberance, a smooth-exterior-surfaced, tubular, cylindrical, metal female coupling element having the same outer diameter as that of said smooth-exterior-surfaced end of said cylindrical male coupling element, and, along its entire interior surface having threading compatible with that of said reduced, male protuberance--the length of which female coupling element is sufficiently greater than that of said protuberance as to leave ample female threading remaining within said female coupling element after the entire length of said protuberance has been screwed therein;

(c) screwed into said remaining threading in said female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments, short, cylindrical, partially threaded metal studs having threading along approximately half their length and a smooth exterior surface along the remaining length, so as to leave smooth-surfaced, cylindrical stubs of said partially threaded studs protruding from said interior-threaded female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments; and

(d) screwed into said remaining threading in said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment, a short, cylindrical stud having threading along its entire length--said threaded stud being screwed into said female coupling element until the leading surface of said stud comes into flush contact with the leading surface of said reduced protuberance of said male coupling element within said female coupling element, the remainder of said threaded stud projecting above the orifice of said female coupling element approximately the same distance that said smooth-surfaced stubs of said partially threaded studs project above said female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments;

so as to leave said smooth-surfaced, cylindrical stubs of said partially threaded stubs protruding from said interior-threaded female coupling elements atop said middle and upper tubular segments, and said remainder of said cylindrical threaded stub projecting above said female coupling element atop said bottom tubular segment;

(7) Slipped over and mounted upon the smooth exterior surfaces of said female coupling elements atop said three tubular segments, a three-tube top keeper element comprising an elongated, approximately 1/16-inch thick metal base plate in the shape described by the linear translation of a circle, upon one side of which three substantially identical, open, cylindrical metal tubes are permanently bonded to said base plate in a close, side-by-side relationship so that said tubes project perpendicularly away from said base plate, the outer diameter of said tubes being approximately the same as that of said tubular segments and their inner diameter being slightly greater than the outer diameter of said female coupling elements atop said three tubular segments so as to allow said tubes to be slipped over said female coupling elements; and

three equi-diameter circular holes cut into said base plate along its transverse axis, each of said holes being concentric with one of said three open, cylindrical tubes so as to form three cylindrical passages through said base plate into the centers of the hollow interiors of said three cylindrical tubes--the diameter of said holes being slightly greater than the diameter of said smooth-surfaced cylindrical stubs of said partially threaded studs atop said middle and upper tubular segments, and the maximum diameter of said threaded stud atop said bottom tubular segment--wherein said tubes are spaced along said base plate exactly as said stud bolts and circular hole at the center of said bottom keeper plate are spaced along said bottom keeper plate;

thereby allowing the three tubes of said three-tube keeper element to be slipped over said female coupling element atop said tubular segments until said smooth-surfaced stubs of said partially threaded studs atop said middle and upper tubular segments, and said threaded stud atop said bottom tubular segment, pass through said holes in said base plate and emerge on the other side thereof;

(8) A hand-turnable nut threaded tightly down upon the portion of said threaded stud above said bottom tubular segment projecting through said hole in the middle of said base plate so that said nut is in flush contact with the surface of said base plate.

47. The structure recited in claim 40 wherein the upper terminus of said bottom tubular segment, in lieu of the combination of said male coupling element, female coupling element, and short cylindrical stud threaded along its entire length, is adapted for coupling with said three-tube top keeper element by a double coupling element having the shape and dimensions of said combination but comprising a unitary element as opposed to a combination of elements, wherein the smooth-surfaced cylindrical shaft of said double coupling element is inserted into and permanently affixed to the upper terminus of said bottom tubular segment, and said hand-turnable nut is threaded tightly down upon the portion of the reduced, threaded, cylindrical male protuberance of said double coupler projecting through said hole in the middle of said base plate so that said nut is in flush contact with the surface of said base plate.

48. The structure recited in claim 47 wherein said male coupling elements inserted into the upper termini of said middle and upper tubular segments and said smooth-surfaced cylindrical shaft of said double coupling element inserted into the upper terminus of said bottom tubular segment, are permanently affixed to said tubular segments.

49. The structure recited in claim 48 wherein said male coupling elements and said smooth-surfaced cylindrical shaft of said double coupling element are permanently bonded to said upper termini of said segments by an epoxy cement.

50. The structure recited in claim 48 wherein said male coupling elements and said smooth-surfaced cylindrical shaft of said double coupling element are spot welded to the upper termini of said segments.