Delineating pole having an anchoring base and spring cartridge for snow based applications

• US 7,871,221 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2010
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPM SpA
• Original Assignee: MBW Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Menzel, Christoph P., Barss, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Addie; Raymond W
• Application Number:
  US12/842,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20100290834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 179 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404 9- 11
• US Class Current: 404/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/062 Slalom gate poles, posts or marking sticks for sport fields
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 5/805 with deformable anchoring members

Abstract

An anchoring base for a delineating pole using the reconfiguration of protruding resilient mechanical members to facilitate insertion and resist the subsequent extraction force on the pole. The mechanical members extend outwards relative to the insertion rod longitudinal axis, and bend or configure upon insertion of the anchoring base, into a first position that facilitates insertion while impeding and resisting axial extraction forces, and upon subsequent rotation of the anchoring base, the mechanical members bend or reconfigure into a second position such that the extraction resistance force is significantly reduced. The anchoring base design may be used in conjunction with a spring cartridge having a plurality of interlocking members forming a rigid mechanical structure during rotation.

Claims

1. An anchoring base for a delineator pole for snow based applications comprising an insertion rod having a longitudinal axis, said insertion rod including a plurality of resilient mechanical members extending outwards relative to said insertion rod longitudinal axis, said plurality of resilient mechanical members bending or configuring upon insertion of said anchoring base, into a first position or configuration that facilitates insertion while impeding and resisting axial extraction forces, and upon subsequent rotation of said anchoring base, said plurality of mechanical members bending or reconfiguring into a second position or configuration reducing said anchoring base extraction resistance force.

2. The anchoring base of claim 1 including:

a flange; and

a connector portion having a first end attached to said insertion rod and a second end attached to said flange, said connector including a plurality of resilient mechanical members.

3. The anchoring base of claim 1 including having said plurality of resilient mechanical members comprise flexible metal, wire, plastic, fibers, or rubber segments.

4. The anchoring base of claim 1 wherein said insertion rod comprises a wire brush structure.

5. The anchoring base of claim 1 wherein said plurality of resilient mechanical members includes flexible discs.

6. The anchoring base of claim 5 including slots or perforations in said flexible discs.

7. The anchoring base of claim 1 wherein said flexible resilient mechanical members comprise substantially flat segments with straight edges extending radially outwards from said insertion rod.

8. The anchoring base of claim 1 including a stabilizer for limiting lateral movement of said anchoring base.

9. The anchoring base of claim 8 wherein said stabilizer comprises a widening portion at a bottom end to reduce lateral motion after insertion.

10. An anchoring base for a delineator pole for snow based applications comprising an insertion rod having a longitudinal axis, said insertion rod including a plurality of resilient mechanical members extending a length radially outwards relative to said insertion rod longitudinal axis, said resilient mechanical members including a substantially flat portion, having a width or thickness less than said length, and aligned longitudinally and circumferentially, substantially in rows about said anchoring base, said plurality of resilient mechanical members bending or configuring upon insertion of said anchoring base, into a first position or configuration that facilitates insertion while impeding and resisting axial extraction forces, and upon subsequent rotation of said anchoring base, said plurality of mechanical members bending or reconfiguring into a second position or configuration reducing said anchoring base extraction resistance force.

11. A delineator pole for snow-based applications comprising:

an anchoring base including an insertion rod having a longitudinal axis, said insertion rod including a plurality of resilient mechanical members extending outwards relative to said insertion rod longitudinal axis, said plurality of resilient mechanical members bending or configuring upon insertion of said anchoring base, into a first position or configuration that facilitates insertion while impeding and resisting axial extraction forces, and upon subsequent rotation of said anchoring base, said plurality of mechanical members bending or reconfiguring into a second position or configuration such that said anchoring base extraction resistance force is reduced; and

a spring cartridge comprising;

a flexible tendon;

at least one spring; and

a plurality of rings or collars having interlocking members, such that each ring interlocks with an adjacent ring to form a rigid mechanical structure during rotation.

12. A method of extracting a delineating pole comprising a shaft, a spring cartridge, and an anchoring base having a plurality of resilient mechanical members, said method comprising:

reconfiguring said plurality of resilient mechanical members within a snow pack by rotating said delineating pole at said shaft or said at spring cartridge when said spring cartridge includes interlocking members to form a rigid mechanical structure during rotation with said anchoring base; and

applying a vertical extracting force to said delineating pole.

13. An anchoring base for a delineator pole for snow based applications comprising:

an insertion rod having a longitudinal axis, said insertion rod including a plurality of resilient mechanical members extending outwards relative to said insertion rod longitudinal axis, wherein said plurality of resilient mechanical members comprises a plurality of bristles or bristle tufts, said plurality of resilient mechanical members bending or configuring upon insertion of said anchoring base, into a first position or configuration that facilitates insertion while impeding and resisting axial extraction forces, and upon subsequent rotation of said anchoring base, said plurality of mechanical members bending or reconfiguring into a second position or configuration reducing said anchoring base extraction resistance force; and

a spring cartridge comprising;

at least one spring; and

a plurality of rings or collars having interlocking members.