Swivelling Joint

Abstract

Abstract A swivelling joint for use in a pole such as a light pole is disclosed. The swivelling joint connects a first member mounted to a lower leg of a pole with a second member mounted to an upper leg of the pole. The second leg has a skirt which sits around an annular portion of the first member, with a bearing member located between the first and second members. The bearing member can be moved from outside the second member between a locked position where the joint is fixed, and a released position where the joint can rotate. 20 23 23 30 81 1 9 Se p 20 23 2023233081 19 Sep 2023

Description

[0106] When the bolts 162 are turned in the other direction, the opposite effect takes place. The engaging portions 174 are released from active engagement with the annular groove 136, and are pulled outwardly as the body portion 170 adjacent the internally threaded aperture 172 moves inwardly. Rotation of the second member 114 relative to the first member 112 about the offset axis is now permitted. The body portions 170 remain located within the annular groove 136, preventing complete disconnection of the second member 114 from the first member 112. This is shown in Figure 17.

[0107] It will be appreciated that a first position of the swivelling joint 110, where the first leg 118 and the second leg 124 are substantially parallel, represents the main orientation of the swivelling joint 110. In this orientation there is a generally cylindrical hollow void passing through the centre of the swivelling joint 110 in this orientation, formed by the hollow body portions 134, 159. In practice, this void is likely to have electrical cabling passing through it. It is considered a significant advantage of the present invention that this cabling is not obstructed by any mechanical linkages passing though the void.

[0108] In one version (not shown), this embodiment includes an encircling spring around the bearing members 160, acting to urge the engaging portions towards the annular groove 136. This spring assists in tightening of the engaging portions 174.

[0109] Although not shown in the drawings, it is considered that a locking means similar to that shown in the first embodiment could be readily added to the second embodiment. 2023233081   19 Sep 2023

[0110] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 25, in which there is shown a swivelling joint 210 having a first member 212, connected to a second member 214.

[0111] The first member 212 is associated with a first leg 218, which is oriented in a longitudinal direction. The first leg 218 terminates at a pole receiving aperture 220, which forms a cylindrical sleeve arranged to connect to a pole (such as the base of a light pole) by suitable means such as clamping or welding.

[0112] The second member 214 is associated with a second leg 224, which is oriented in a longitudinal direction. The second leg 224 terminates at a pole receiving aperture 226, which forms a cylindrical sleeve arranged to connect to a pole (such as the top portion of a light pole) by suitable means such as clamping or welding.

[0113] The arrangement is such that when the swivelling joint 210 is in a first position, as shown in Figure 18, the first leg 218 and the second leg 224 can both be vertical, and aligned along a common longitudinal axis.

[0114] It will be appreciated that the first and second legs 218, 224 may be poles, rather than merely having sleeves for connection to poles.

[0115] The first member 212 has an annular base 222 which is connected to the first leg 218 by means of a tapered connection portion 228. The annular base 222 has an upwardly extending cylindrical projection 240 which has an upper annular bearing face 230.

[0116] The upper annular bearing face 230 defines a plane oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first leg 218. The angle of orientation may be considered by defining an offset angle between the longitudinal axis of the first leg 218, and a line perpendicular to the plane of the upper annular bearing face 230. The offset angle is an acute angle. In the embodiment shown, the offset angle is 45°. 2023233081   19 Sep 2023

[0117] The upper annular bearing face 230 is circular, with a diameter nearly twice that of the first leg 218. The upper annular bearing face 230 has a central opening 232.

[0118] The arrangement is such that the tapered connection portion 228 forms a hollow body portion 234, which expands from a first diameter at the first leg 218 to a second diameter at the central opening 232. The second diameter is nearly twice the size of the first diameter.

[0119] The annular base 222 includes a cylindrical outer surface 235 immediately abutting the tapered connection portion 228, and an annular shoulder 236 located between the cylindrical outer surface 235 and the upwardly extending cylindrical projection 240.

[0120] The annular shoulder 236 extends radially away from the cylindrical outer surface 235 to form an annular outer lip 238. The annular outer lip 238 includes a number of ‘cut out’ portions or recesses 244 spaced around its periphery. In the embodiment shown there are six recesses 244 spaced around the annular outer lip 238.

[0121] The annular shoulder 236 extends inwardly of the cylindrical outer surface 235 to form an annular inner lip 242. The annular inner lip 242 has an inner face 243 oriented towards the tapered connection portion 228. In the preferred embodiment shown, the inner face 243 is frusto-conical, with a cone angle of about 135°, and oriented such that the distance from the tapered connection portion 228 to the inner face 243 increases away from the cylindrical outer surface 235.

[0122] The inner face 243 is a bearing surface, oriented towards the hollow body portion 234.

[0123] The cylindrical projection 240 extends upwardly from the annular shoulder 236. The cylindrical projection 240 has an external diameter which is about 85% of the external diameter of the cylindrical outer surface 235. 2023233081   19 Sep 2023

[0124] The cylindrical projection 240 has a frusto-conical internal shape, with an internal diameter increasing from the annular shoulder 236 to the upper annular bearing face 230. The cone angle of this shape is about 45°.

[0125] The second member 214 has a tapered portion 246 extending away from the second leg 224. The tapered portion 246 extends to an outer periphery 247 which is located on a plane oriented at an offset angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the second leg 224. The offset angle of the outer periphery 247 is similar to that of the upper annular bearing face 230: about 45° in this embodiment.

[0126] An outer wall or skirt 248 depends from the outer periphery 247 in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the outer periphery 247. The skirt 248 has an internal diameter equal to the external diameter of the cylindrical projection 240 of the first member 212. The skirt 248 of the second member 214 thus defines a circular recess within which the cylindrical projection 240 of the first member 212 can locate.

[0127] The tapered portion 246 produces a hollow body portion 259 internally of the second member 214, which expands from a first crossdiameter at the second leg 224 to a second diameter at the outer periphery 247. The second diameter is about twice the size of the first diameter.

[0128] The second member 214 includes three bolt receiving apertures 258 spaced at 120° intervals near the periphery of the tapered portion 246. The bolt receiving apertures 258 are located radially internally of the skirt 248 by a short distance. The bolt receiving apertures 258 are normal to the tapered portion 246; that is, are at an angle of about 22.5° relative to the longitudinal direction of the second leg 224, and are oriented towards a central axis of the second member 214 such that the distance from the skirt 248 to each of the bolt receiving apertures 258 increases away from the tapered portion 246. 2023233081   19 Sep 2023

[0129] The swivelling joint 210 includes a generally frusto-conical bearing member 260 having a cone angle of 135°. The bearing member 260 is generally annular in shape, with an external diameter similar to the internal diameter of the cylindrical outer surface 235 of the first member 212, and an internal diameter about one third of its outer diameter. The bearing member 260 is sized so as to locate in the hollow body portion 234 of the first member 212, with an outer rim of the bearing member 260 locating under the annular inner lip 242.

[0130] The bearing member 260 does not have a circular outer periphery. Instead, its outer periphery is shaped in such a fashion that the bearing member 260 can be inserted into the hollow body portion 234 of the first member 212.

[0131] The bearing member 260 has three internally threaded bolt receiving apertures 256 spaced at 120° intervals near the periphery of the bearing member 260. The bolt receiving apertures 256 are perpendicular to an upper surface of the bearing member 260; that is, they are inclined at 22.5° relative to a central axis of the bearing member 260. The radial position of the bolt receiving apertures 256 is matched to that of the bolt receiving apertures 258 of the second member 214 as described below.

[0132] The swivelling joint 210 is assembled by manoeuvring the bearing member 260 into the hollow body portion 234 of the first member 212, such that an outer rim of the conical upper surface of the bearing member 260 abuts the annular inner lip 242. The second member 214 can then be located over the first member 212, with the cylindrical projection 240 of the first member 212 locating within the circular recess defined by the skirt 248 of the second member 214. The upper annular bearing face 230 of the first member 212 is in contact with the circular recess of the second member 214 along a connection annulus.

[0133] During this stage of assembly, the second member 214 can rotate freely about the cylindrical projection 240. It can therefore be rotated until 2023233081   19 Sep 2023 the bolt receiving apertures 258 of the second member 214 align with the bolt receiving apertures 256 of the bearing member 260. It will be appreciated that these bolt receiving apertures 256, 258 are all aligned at 22.5° to a central axis of the swivelling joint 210, and that their respective radial positions allow the bolt receiving apertures 256, 258 to be axially aligned when the second member 214 is rotated to the correct position.

[0134] Adjustable connection means in the form of bolts 262 can be inserted through the bolt receiving apertures 258, and received in the threads of the bolt receiving apertures 256. This arrangement is shown in cross-section in Figure 24. The bolts 262 act as connection means connecting the first and second members 212, 214, and preventing the second member 214 being lifted from the first member 212.

[0135] Tightening of the bolts 262 causes the outer rim of the bearing member 260, which acts as an annular outer bearing surface, to bear upwardly against the annular inner lip 242.

[0136] The swivelling joint 210 is thus moveable between two configurations: a first configuration in which the bolts 262 are tight, and a second configuration in which the bolts 262 are loose.

[0137] In the first configuration the bearing surface of the bearing member 260 is held tightly against the bearing surface of the first member 212. The resulting friction prevents relative rotation of the bearing member 260 and the first member 212, and thus prevents relative rotation of the first member 212 and the second member 214.

[0138] In the second configuration the action of the bearing member 260 against the annular inner lip 242 prevents the separation of the first member 212 from the second member 214. The absence of pressure - and significant friction - between the bearing member 260 and the annular inner lip 242 allows free rotation of the bearing member 260 and thus the second member 214 relative to the first member 212. The swivelling joint can 2023233081   19 Sep 2023 therefore act in a similar fashion to the Swivelpole joint of PCT publication number WO0125687.

[0139] It will be appreciated that the interplay between the cylindrical projection 240 of the first member 212 and the circular recess of the second member 214 not only provides a ‘track’ about which rotation can occur, but also acts as a water impeding ring to prevent the ingress of water into the hollow body portion 234 of the first member 212. The bolts 262 are all located radially internally of this water impeding ring, and therefore are kept relatively free from water and other contaminants.

[0140] It will be appreciated that the first position of the swivelling joint 210, where the first leg 218 and the second leg 224 are substantially parallel, represents the main orientation of the swivelling joint 210. In this orientation there is a generally cylindrical hollow void passing through the centre of the swivelling joint 210 in this orientation, formed by the hollow body portions 234, 259. The limiting feature of the size of the void is the internal diameter of the bearing member 260. In practice, this void is likely to have electrical cabling passing through it. It is considered a significant advantage of the present invention that this cabling is not obstructed by any mechanical linkages passing though the void.

[0141] The angling of the bolts 262 at 22.5° to a central axis of the swivelling joints 210, and the matching use of angled and frusto-conical surfaces, assists in locating the bolts 262 as far away from the central axis as possible, while keeping the bolts 262 within the water impeding ring. This assists both in force distribution and in ease of operation of the bolts 262. It will noted, however, that this angling is not essential to the operation of the invention, and although an angle of 22.5° is considered the easiest for manufacturing purposes it is by no means the only useful angle at which the bolts 262 can be inclined. Similarly, although the bolt 262 acts through surfaces generally perpendicular to it, this is not essential to the operation of the invention. 2023233081   19 Sep 2023

[0142] The swivelling joint 210 includes a locking means, to enable the swivelling joint 210 to be secured in a desired rotational position during tightening or loosening of the bolts 262. This locking means is formed by the use of a locking pin 280 within aligned locking apertures 284 of the second member 214 and recesses 244 of the first member 212.

[0143] The locking apertures 284 of the second member 214 are located on a periphery of the second member 214 outside the skirt 248, and therefore outside of the water impeding ring.

[0144] The recesses 244 of the first member 212 are formed as axially aligned recesses extending inwardly from the annular outer lip 238 of the first member 212.

[0145] In the embodiment shown the locking pin 280 is U-shaped, with one arm of the pin 280 secured within a pin holding aperture 286 adjacent a locking aperture 284 of the second member 214.

[0146] When the second member 214 is in a desired rotational position relative to the first member 212, at least one locking aperture 284 of the second member 214 will be aligned with a recess 244 of the first member 212. The locking pin 280 can be located within the aligned locking aperture 284 and recess 244 to maintain the swivelling joint 210 in this desired position.

[0147] It will be appreciated that the locking apertures 284 and recesses 244 are designed to be free-draining, so that any water or other contaminants can readily drain away.

[0148] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A swivelling joint including a first member and a second member;the first member being associated with a first leg, the first leg having a longitudinal direction, the first member having a bearing face that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the first leg, the bearing face of the first member including an opening in communication with the first leg;the second member being associated with a second leg, the second leg having a longitudinal direction, the second member having a bearing face that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the second leg, the bearing face of the second member including an opening in communication with the second leg;a connection means acting to prevent axial movement of the first member relative to the second member;a locking means arranged to selectively permit or restrict rotation of the first member relative to the second member;at least one of the first member and the second member having a tapered connection portion between the associated leg and the associated bearing face.

2. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening of the bearing face of the first member is circular.

3. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening of the bearing face of the first member is oval shaped.

4. A swivelling joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the opening of the bearing face of the second member is circular.

5. A swivelling joint as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening of the bearing face of the second member is oval shaped.

6. A swivelling joint as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking means includes a locking pin.2023233081   19 Sep 20237. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the first and second members includes a locking pin housing located on an outer surface thereof, the locking pin housing including an activating means for selectively engaging or disengaging the locking pin.

8. A swivelling joint including a first member, a second member, and a bearing member;the first member being associated with a first leg, the first leg having a longitudinal direction, the first member having a hollow body portion, the first member having a bearing face that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the first leg;the second member being associated with a second leg, the second leg having a longitudinal direction;the bearing member being connected to both the first member and the second member by a connection means, the bearing member having a bearing face;the bearing face of the bearing member being opposed to the bearing surface of the first member;the swivelling joint including a locking means to selectively permit or restrict rotational movement of the first member relative to the second member;the hollow body portion having a cross sectional dimension greater than that of the first leg.

9. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bearing face of the first member is annular.

10. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bearing face of the first member is formed as an annular shoulder at an outer edge of the hollow body portion.

11. A swivelling joint as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the bearing member includes a central aperture.

12. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bearing surface of the bearing member is an outer periphery of the bearing member.2023233081   19 Sep 202313. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bearing member includes connection means receiving apertures located internally of the outer periphery.

14. A swivelling joint as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the connection means is formed by a plurality of externally threaded bolts arranged to pass at least partially through the first member, the second member, and the bearing member.

15. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bolts are angularly spaced around the swivelling joint.

16. The swivelling joint may include locking apertures in the first member and the second member, arranged to receive a locking pin.

17. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 16, wherein one of the first and second members includes a locking pin housing located on an outer surface thereof, the locking pin housing including an activating means for selectively engaging or disengaging the locking pin.

18. An elongate member for locating articles remote from a base position having a swivelling joint as claims in any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. An elongate member as claimed in claim 18, having length of at least 1,5m.

20. A light pole being an elongate member as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19.

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