This application relates generally to driveway markers used to delineate the edge of a driveway or other path and, more particularly, to driveway marker mounts adapted to permit driveway markers to move out of the upright position under applied force and move back to the upright position when the applied force is removed.
Driveway markers in the form of cylindrical poles that can be inserted into the ground along the border of a driveway or other path are common. In some cases, spring and insert assemblies are used to enable the driveway markers to move out of the upright position under applied force and move back to the upright position when the applied force is removed. However, in such driveway marker systems, the pole, insert and spring are commonly integrated together and not adapted for separation. In addition, existing driveway marker systems only fit a single pole size. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a driveway marker system that is adapted to more than one pole size. A driveway marker system that eliminates the need for springs could also be beneficial.
In one aspect, a mounting system for driveway marker poles includes a mount body including an upper end with an opening for receiving driveway markers, the opening leading to an internal axial passage, wherein the internal axial passage includes at least a first axial segment adjacent the opening and a second axial segment below the first axial segment, wherein the first axial segment has a first perimeter dimension sized for receiving and holding a driveway marker pole having a first diameter, wherein the second axial segment has a second perimeter dimension, which is smaller than the first perimeter dimension and sized for receiving and holding a driveway marker pole having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.
In another aspect, a mounting system for driveway marker poles includes a mount body, a coil spring and a ground spike. The mount body includes an upper end with an opening for receiving a driveway marker, the opening leading to an internal axial passage. The mount body includes a lower portion sized to slidingly engage within an upper segment of the coil spring with an interference to retain the mount body to the coil spring. The ground spike includes a threaded upper end with an exterior thread configured to threadedly engage into a lower segment of the coil spring.
In a further aspect, a mounting system for driveway marker poles is provided, where the device includes a mount body including an upper end with an opening for receiving driveway markers, the opening leading to an internal axial passage. In the mounting device, at least one of (i) the mount body is formed of a material having a durometer of between about Shore 70A and about Shore 85A (between 75A and 80A) and/or (ii) the internal axial passage includes a first axial segment adjacent the opening and a second axial segment below the first axial segment, wherein the first axial segment has a first perimeter dimension sized for receiving and holding a first driveway marker pole having a first diameter, wherein the second axial segment has a second perimeter dimension, which is smaller than the first perimeter dimension and sized for receiving and holding a second driveway marker pole having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.
In another aspect, a mounting system for driveway marker includes a mount body including an upper end with an opening for receiving driveway markers, the opening leading to an internal axial passage, wherein the mount body includes an upper portion that includes the internal axial passage, a middle portion and a lower base portion, wherein the lower base portion includes a through opening for receiving a ground spike, wherein the middle portion is configured to enable flexing of the upper portion relative to the base portion.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The internal axial passage 34A includes an upper axial segment 36A adjacent the opening and a lower axial segment 38A below the axial segment 36A. The axial segment 36A has a perimeter dimension sized for receiving and holding a driveway marker pole having a first diameter, and the axial segment 38A has a different, smaller perimeter dimension, which is sized for receiving and holding a driveway marker pole having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. In this manner, the same mount body is capable of receiving and holding two different driveway pole sizes. For example, the first pole diameter may be on the order of 0.300 to 0.313 inches and the second pole diameter may be on the order of 0.245 to 0.255 inches, but other variations are possible.
Here, both axial segments 36A and 38A are substantially cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical or with a slight taper or draft, indicated by angle θ, of from zero degrees up to about three degrees, or with a similar taper or draft in the opposite direction). In particular, the wall surfaces defining the respective axial segments 36A and 38A are each a substantial right circular cylinder shape (e.g., right circular cylinder shape or offset therefrom by a modest taper of no more than about three degrees). Thus, axial segment 36A has a substantially circular perimeter shape, with diameter D36A, in end view (circular shape defined in a plane transverse to the axis 26A), and the axial segment 38A has a substantially circular perimeter shape, with smaller diameter D38A. In one example, diameter D38A is less than 90% of diameter D36A (e.g., D38A is less than 85% of D36A), but other variations are possible.
The mount body 14A includes a lower portion 40A configured for positioning within the upper end or segment 16A of the coil spring (e.g., slidingly engaging into the opening of the upper segment with an interference to retain the mount body to the coil spring) and an upper rim portion 42A defining a lower surface 44A for engaging with a top of the coil spring in order to limit progression of the mount body into the coil spring. Here, a diameter of the upper annular rim is no more than 2.2 times an external diameter of a spring insert section of the mount body (e.g., the lower portion of the mount body). Here, the lower portion 40A includes an external surface 46A (e.g., substantial right circular cylinder shape) with a plurality spaced apart axial ribs 48A (e.g., four ribs are shown, but the number could vary). The ribs 48A are configured and dimensioned such that axial pullout force necessary to remove the lower portion 40A from coil spring is greater than an axial pullout force necessary to remove a driveway marker from the internal axial passage 34A. In this manner, a driveway marker can be pulled out of the mount body without pulling the mount body out of the spring (e.g., when the spring and mount body are spiked to the ground).
Any one of the above mount bodies could be packaged and sold as a kit, in combination with the coil spring, or with both the coil spring and the ground spike, for use with driveway marker poles that can be purchased separately. Of course, the kit could also include a pole.
Here, both axial segments 94A and 96A are substantially cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical or with a slight taper or draft, indicated by angle θ1, of from zero degrees up to about three degrees). The end view perimeter shape of the substantially cylindrical internal axial passage 90A along both substantially cylindrical axial segments 94A and 96A is polygonal (e.g., four-sided with curved corner in the illustrated version, but other polygonal shapes being possible) rather than circular. However, any one of the above described axial passage configurations for the mount bodies 14A-14G could be incorporated into the mount body 80A (including the various shapes and the presence or absence of axial ribs or flap segments).
The upper portion 82A includes a pair of lateral slots 110A and 112A that lead, respectively, to the axial segments 94A and 96A. These slots may be used to insert a tool (e.g., a screwdriver) to assist in removing a driveway marker pole from the internal axial passage 90A.
The middle portion 84A, and/or the connection of the upper portion 82A to the middle portion 84A, is configured to enable flexing of the upper portion 82A relative to the base portion 86A (e.g., per arrow 114A). In order to prevent excessive flexing or bending, the illustrated middle portion 84A is formed with a series of vertically spaced apart annular stiffening ribs 116A. Additional rigidity is achieved, if needed, by the use of axial stiffening ribs 118A between each sequential pair of annular ribs 116A. Here, four circumferentially spaced apart axial stiffening ribs 118A between each sequential set or pair of annular ribs 116A are utilized, but the number could vary. Notably, the axial ribs 118A running between the pairs of sequential annular ribs 116A are circumferentially offset or staggered from each other as shown to enable flex of the annular ribs in the regions where the adjacent axial ribs are not located. It is recognized, however, that in some embodiments, the axial ribs could all be aligned. In other embodiments, the axial ribs could be eliminated and/or both the annular ribs and axial ribs could be eliminated.
The lower base portion 86A is enlarged relative to the middle and upper portions and includes a through opening 120A for receiving a ground spike 200 in order to secure the mount body 80A to the ground at a location where a driveway marker pole is desired. Access to the opening 120A is provided by a recessed section 122A of the lower base portion 86A Here, the middle portion 84A and the upper portion 82A are substantially aligned over the through opening 120A of the lower base portion 86A (e.g., an axis 124A of the through opening 120A is substantially aligned with the axis 92A). Per
Here, both axial segments 94B and 96B are substantially cylindrical (e.g., cylindrical or with a slight taper or draft of from zero degrees up to about three degrees). The end view perimeter shape of the internal axial passage 90B along both substantially cylindrical axial segments 94B and 96B is polygonal (e.g., four-sided with curved corner in the illustrated version, but other polygonal shapes being possible) rather than circular. However, any one of the above described axial passage configurations for the mount bodies 14A-14G could be incorporated into the mount body 80B (including the various shapes and the presence or absence of axial ribs or flap segments).
The upper portion 82B includes a pair of lateral slots 110B and 112B that lead, respectively, to the axial segments 94B and 96B. These slots may be used to insert a tool (e.g., a screwdriver) to assist in removing a driveway marker pole from the internal axial passage 90B.
The lower base portion 86B is enlarged relative to the middle and upper portions and includes a through opening 120B for receiving a ground spike 200 in order to secure the mount body 80B to the ground at a location where a driveway marker pole is desired. Here, the lower base portion includes a laterally offset foot 140B that enables the through opening 120B to be laterally offset from the middle portion 84B and the upper portion 82B (e.g., the axis 124B of the through opening 120B is offset from the axis 92B). This configuration enables easier access to the opening 120B for a user to place the ground spike 200 during installation.
Here, the middle portion 84B is shown with a substantially cylindrical shape with smooth external surface. However, the middle portion 84B could include the annular rib and/or axial rib configuration of mount body 80A as described above.
Either of the above mount bodies could be packaged and sold as a kit, in combination with the ground spike, for use with driveway marker poles that can be purchased separately. Of course, the kit could also include a pole.
It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible.
For example, while the internal axial passage of each of the above described embodiments of the mount body each include two distinct axial segments corresponding to two distinct driveway marker pole sizes, embodiments adapted for more than two pole sizes are contemplated. In this regard, reference is made to the schematic embodiment shown in
Moreover, while internal passage axial segments that are substantially cylindrical are primarily described, variations in which the axial segments are not substantially cylindrical are also possible.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62843370 | May 2019 | US | |
62843188 | May 2019 | US |