FOLDING ANCHOR BASE FOR METAL LIGHTING OR VIDEO SURVEILLANCE COLUMN

Abstract

A hinged anchoring base for a metal column intended for lighting, video surveillance, or other elevated devices, characterized by comprising a lower anchoring plate with through holes for fixing to a foundation by means of bolts, an upper plate structurally integral with the column shaft, and a hinge assembly joining both plates and comprising at least one axle element substantially horizontally positioned, allowing relative rotation between a lowered position and a vertical service position, said hinge assembly being configured to maintain a permanent mechanical connection between the column and the lower plate throughout the installation, lifting, and maintenance process.

Description

Folding anchoring base for metal lighting or video surveillance column TECHNICAL SECTOR This Utility Model refers to a metal structure anchored to the ground, in particular to column fixing systems intended for public lighting, video surveillance or other elevated devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, metal columns intended for lighting or video surveillance are installed using a base plate attached to the column shaft, fixed on bolts previously embedded in a foundation. Installation requires raising the column to a vertical position while aligning the plate holes with the anchor bolts. This operation involves considerable physical effort, a risk of instability, and, in many cases, the need for auxiliary equipment such as cranes or other lifting devices. Folding posts are available that allow the column to be tilted for maintenance. However, their initial installation also requires placing the column fully upright on the bolts, allowing for free balancing during assembly. There is no known in the state of the art a base that allows eliminating this initial balancing maneuver while keeping the column permanently linked to the base previously anchored to the foundation. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a folding base that replaces the conventional fixed base of the column and allows lifting and lowering by controlled rotation around a substantially horizontal axis, with the column remaining mechanically attached to the anchored base throughout the installation and maintenance process. This eliminates the need for free balancing maneuvers during initial installation, improving operator safety, reducing the physical effort required, and minimizing the need for auxiliary lifting equipment. The folding base comprises a lower anchoring plate (1) intended to be fixed to a foundation by means of bolts, an upper plate (2) structurally integral with the column shaft (3), an articulation assembly (4) that joins both plates and comprises at least one axis element disposed substantially in a horizontal position, allowing relative rotation between a lowered position and a vertical service position, locking means (5) independent of the articulation axis and configured to immobilize the column in a vertical position, fixing means (6) between the lower plate and the foundation bolts, as can be seen in Figures 3A and 3B. The articulation assembly is configured so that the column remains permanently linked to the lower plate once it is anchored, both in the lowered and upright positions. The lower plate preferably has a geometry and arrangement of holes equivalent to conventional fixed bases, allowing its replacement without modification of the existing foundation. The top plate can be attached to the shaft by welding or other equivalent structural joining means, so that both elements behave as a single structural assembly. The dimensions, thicknesses and materials may vary depending on the expected structural loads, without this implying a substantial modification of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Fig.1A: Perspective view of the lower anchor plate to the base. Fig.1B: Plan view of the lower anchor plate to the base. Fig.1C: Side view of the lower anchor plate to the base. Fig.1D: Additional side view of the lower anchor plate to the base. Fig. 2A: Perspective view of the upper plate attached to the column shaft. Fig. 2B: Plan view of the upper plate attached to the column shaft. Fig.2C: Side view of the upper plate attached to the column shaft. Fig. 2D: Additional side view of the upper plate attached to the column shaft. Fig. 3A: Side view of the folding base and column assembly in the lowered position. Fig. 3B: Side view of the folding base and column assembly in the raised and secured vertical service position.

Claims

1. A hinged anchoring base for a metal column intended for lighting, video surveillance, or other elevated devices, characterized by comprising a lower anchoring plate with through holes for fixing to a foundation by means of bolts, an upper plate structurally integral with the column shaft, and a hinge assembly joining both plates and comprising at least one axle element substantially horizontally positioned, allowing relative rotation between a lowered position and a vertical service position, said hinge assembly being configured to maintain a permanent mechanical connection between the column and the lower plate throughout the installation, lifting, and maintenance process.

2. A hinged base according to claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises opposing lateral elements integral with the lower and upper plates respectively, through which a through axle passes. 3.A folding base according to any of the preceding claims, comprising locking means independent of the articulation axis and configured to immobilize the column in a vertical position.

4. A folding base according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper plate incorporates stiffening elements welded to the shaft for transmitting structural forces to the lower plate.

5. A folding base according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower plate comprises a plurality of through-holes arranged in an anchoring pattern corresponding to the bolt arrangement of a pre-existing foundation intended for the attachment of a conventional fixed base.

6. An assembly consisting of a metal column and a folding base according to any of the preceding claims.