Tree styled monopole tower

• US 6,286,266 B1
• Filed: 02/28/1994
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nestor T. Popowych, Tower 50 Family Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FWT Inc.
• Inventors: Popowych, Nestor T., Moore, Roy J., Kao, Louis Ken-Hon, Sriver, Harold H. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Beth A.
• Application Number:
  US08/202,444
• Time in Patent Office: 2,752 Days
• Field of Search: 52/40, 527/27, 527/264, 527/21, 527/361, 527/362, 527/363, 527/381, 526/510.1, 526/510.2, 526/510.7, 428/7, 428/10, 428/8, 428/20, 428/9, 428/18, 428/19
• US Class Current: 52/40
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/08 of metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/24 Cross arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence

Abstract

A modified monopole tower is described, consisting primarily of a galvanized steel truncated pyramidal monopole capped by cellular phone apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, the monopole head is ringed by three coronae of steel female receptors which are welded to the pyramidal head of the tower. Artificial palm fronds are attached to the receptors primarily by mechanical means. The modified monopole tower is designed to function optimally under all weather conditions, while beautifying the landscape with attachment of indigenous tree components.

Claims

1. A telecommunications tower, comprising in combination:

a tapered steel monopole having a base and a top, the top having a diameter smaller than the base, the monopole having a polygonal side wall containing a plurality of flat facets;

at least one telecommunication antennae mounted to the monopole adjacent to the top;

a layer of artificial bark secured to and surrounding the monopole to provide the monopole with the appearance of a tree trunk;

artificial tree foliage mounted to the monopole and extending outward from the bark to disguise the tower as a tree; and

a plurality of receptors secured to and protruding outward from the monopole; and

wherein the artificial tree foliage comprises;

a plurality of main stem members, each of which has a base end that slidingly mates with one of the receptors;

artificial leaves carried by the main stem member;

securing means for securing each of the stem members to one of the receptors; and

a plurality of safety straps, each having one end connected to the main stem member and one end connected to the monopole, to retain the main stem member and leaves with the monopole in the event of a failure of the securing means.

2. A telecommunications tower, comprising in combination:

a tapered steel monopole having a base and a top, the top having a diameter smaller than the base, the monopole having a polygonal side wall containing a plurality of flat facets;

at least one telecommunications antennae mounted to the monopole adjacent to the top;

an artificial layer of bark secured to and surrounding the monopole to provide the monopole with the appearance of a tree trunk;

a plurality of receptors, each having a base end welded to the monopole and a cylindrical outer portion protruding laterally outward from the monopole;

a plurality of main stem members, each of which has a base end that mates in a male/female connection with the outer portion of one of the receptors;

artificial leaves carried by the main stem member; and

securing means for securing each of the stem members to one of the receptors; and

a plurality of safety straps, each having one end connected to the the main stem member and one end connected to the monopole, to retain the main stem member and the leaves with the monopole in the event of a failure of the securing means.

3. A telecommunications tower, comprising in combination:

a tapered steel monopole having a base and a top, the top having a diameter smaller than the base, the monopole having a polygonal side wall containing a plurality of flat facets;

a casting of artificial bark having an interior which fits closely around the monopole and an exterior which simulates natural palm tree bark, the interior of the casting being adhesively secured to the monopole to provide an appearance of a palm tree trunk;

a plurality of receptors, each having a base end welded to the monopole and a tubular outer portion protruding laterally outward from the monopole;

a plurality of artificial palm frond stems, each of which has a base end that fits within the outer portion of one of the receptors, each of the stems having artificial palm frond leaves mounted thereto to disguise the tower as a palm tree;

a fastener extending transversely through each of the outer portions of each of the receptors and the base end of each of the stems for securing each of the stems to one of the receptors;

at least one telecommunications antennae mounted to an upper portion of the monopole; and

a plurality of safety straps, each having one end connected to the stem and one end connected to the monopole, to retain the main stem and the leaves with the monopole in the event of a dislocation of the stem from the receptor.