Access panel for swivelling joint

Abstract

A swivelling joint includes an access panel. The access panel is arranged to seat inside a panel locating shroud, the panel locating shroud being generally U-shaped, and having an open lower end to mitigate against water ingress into the access panel.

Description

“ACCESS PANEL FOR SWIVELLING JOINT”Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a swivelling joint for use in light poles and similar structures. The swivelling joint is expected to be used in light poles in excess of 2m in height, or light poles having a light located outside of easy reach. It is anticipated that the swivelling joint may be used in other poles such as flag poles, or in raised elongate structures such as mountings for securing cameras.Background to the Invention

[0002] The Swivelpole™ is described in the International Patent Application published as WO0125687, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This product consists of a light pole having a swivelling joint along its length. The swivelling joint allows for safer and easier changing and repair of lights than had previously been available.

[0003] In recent years the original Swivelpole™ has been largely superseded by a swivelling joint sold under the trade mark Maxis™. The Maxis™ joint shows all of the advantages of the original Swivelpole™, but is both significantly easier to manufacture and less prone to water ingress.

[0004] The Maxis™ joint has proved highly successful. A minor drawback of the Maxis™ joint is that it requires electrical wiring passing through the joint to be connected prior to installation of the joint. This can be awkward, and require excess ‘slack’ wiring which must then be coiled or otherwise secreted within the joint and / or supporting pole.

[0005] Attempts to include an access panel into the Maxis™ joint have resulted in an undesirable path for water ingress.

[0006] The present invention has been developed in light of these concerns.Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a swivelling joint including a first member, a second member, and a third member; the first member being associated with a first leg, the first leg having a longitudinal direction, the first member having a first bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the first leg, the first bearing 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 second bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the second leg, the second bearing member including an opening in communication with the second leg; the third member having an opening within which either the first leg or the second leg can be received; the first, second and third bearing members being generally located sequentially, with the first bearing member or the second bearing member being located between the third bearing member and the other of the first or second bearing member; the first member including an access panel removably mounted to a side wall of the first leg, the access panel having an upper edge, a lower edge, and two side edges; the first member including a panel locating shroud, the panel locating shroud including an upper lip which extends in a generally outward direction above the upper edge of the access panel, and two side protrusions which extend in a generally outward direction alongside the side edges of the access panel; wherein the panel locating shroud has an open lower end.

[0008] It will be appreciated that water running along the swivelling joint is diverted by the panel locating shroud from an edge of the access panel. It will be further appreciated that water falling on the access panel will beencouraged to run off along the open lower end, with no opportunity for water to pool adjacent the access panel.

[0009] Where the swivelling joint is arranged such that the first bearing member is located between the second bearing member and the third bearing member, the swivelling joint may be described as including a first member, a second member, and a third member; the first member being associated with a first leg, the first leg having a longitudinal direction, the first member having a first bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the first leg, the first bearing 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 second bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the second leg, the second bearing member including an opening in communication with the second leg; the third member having an opening within which the first leg can be received; the first bearing member being located generally between the second bearing member and the third member; the first member including an access panel removably mounted to a side wall of the first leg, the access panel having an upper edge, a lower edge, and two side edges; the first member including a panel locating shroud, the panel locating shroud including an upper lip which extends in a generally outward direction above the upper edge of the access panel, and two side protrusions which extend in a generally outward direction alongside the side edges of the access panel; wherein the panel locating shroud has an open lower end.

[0010] Where the swivelling joint is arranged such that second bearing member is located between the first bearing member and the third bearingmember, the swivelling joint may be described as including a first member, a second member, and a third member; the first member being associated with a first leg, the first leg having a longitudinal direction, the first member having a first bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the first leg, the first bearing 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 second bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the second leg, the second bearing member including an opening in communication with the second leg; the third member having an opening within which the second leg can be received; the second bearing member being located generally between the first bearing member and the third member; the first member including an access panel removably mounted to a side wall of the first leg, the access panel having an upper edge, a lower edge, and two side edges; the first member including a panel locating shroud, the panel locating shroud including an upper lip which extends in a generally outward direction above the upper edge of the access panel, and two side protrusions which extend in a generally outward direction alongside the side edges of the access panel; wherein the panel locating shroud has an open lower end.

[0011] Where the first leg is cylindrical, the generally outward direction will be a generally radial direction.

[0012] Where the first leg is cylindrical, the access panel may have a radius of curvature similar to that of the first leg. The access panel may extend circumferentially through about 90°.

[0013] Preferably, the panel locating shroud surrounds a mounting surface for the access panel, the mounting surface extending from the side wall of the first leg. The mounting surface may provide a smooth surface against which the access panel can be mounted in a near water-tight manner. The mounting surface preferably surrounds an access port in the first leg. The access port may be generally square in shape.

[0014] The access port may include side walls and end walls, which extend through a side wall of the first leg. The side walls are preferably parallel to each other, and parallel to a radially extending nominal plane that passes through a midline of the access port. The end walls are preferably horizontal, and perpendicular to the side walls.

[0015] The side walls and end walls may have a thickness greater than that of the first leg.

[0016] The mounting surface may have a lower shoulder. Preferably the lower shoulder extends from the side wall of the first leg at an angle of about 90°. The lower shoulder may provide a surface against which the panel can be fixed.

[0017] The access panel may be mounted to the mounting surface by two bolts, a first bolt extending into an upper shoulder of the mounting surface and a second bolt extending into the lower shoulder of the mounting surface, this may allow for relatively easy location and tightening of the access panel in a correct orientation.

[0018] The access panel may include a resilient seal arranged to bear against the mounting surface. This may assist in preventing water ingress.

[0019] The first leg and / or the second leg may terminate in a pole receiving aperture, arranged for attachment to a pole portion.

[0020] The first or second bearing member may have an annular outer flange. The annular outer flange may have a plurality of recesses spaced around its periphery.

[0021] The other of the first or second bearing member may have a generally square outer periphery, and side walls which extend downwardly from the outer periphery.

[0022] The third bearing member may be arranged to locate within the downwardly extending side walls. The third bearing member preferably has a circular internal aperture, arranged to locate around the first or second leg.

[0023] At least one of the first and second bearing members may be joined to the respective first or second leg by a flared connection portion.

[0024] It is preferred that the third bearing member is connected to an outermost of the first and second members by a plurality of bolts, the bolts arranged to pass outside a perimeter of the innermost of the first and second members.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible, and consequently the particularity of the following discussion is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective of a swivelling joint in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a side view of the swivelling joint of Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the swivelling joint of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross section through the swivelling joint of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 5 is a perspective of an access panel from within the swivelling joint of Figure 1 ; and

[0031] Figure 6 is a rendered perspective of a first member of the swivelling joint of Figure 1 .Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0032] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a swivelling joint 10 having a first member 20, a second member 50, and a third member 80.

[0033] The first member 20 is associated with a first leg 22, which is oriented in a longitudinal direction. The first leg 22 terminates at a pole receiving aperture 24, which forms a cylindrical sleeve arranged to connect to a pole (such as the base of a light pole). The first leg 22 has a cylindrical engagement portion 26 near the pole receiving aperture 24, the cylindrical engagement portion 26 having a larger outer diameter than the remainder of the first leg 22. The cylindrical engagement portion 26 has three threaded apertures for receiving grub screws 28, the grub screws 28 acting to lock the first leg 22 onto the pole.

[0034] The first member 20 has a first bearing member 32 located at an upper end of the first leg 22, remote from the pole receiving aperture 24. The first bearing member 32 has an annular outer flange 34, the outer flange 34 defining a plane oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first leg 22. An offset angle can be defined as the angle between the longitudinal axis of the first leg 22 and a line perpendicular to the plane of the outer flange 34. In the embodiment of the drawings the offset angle is 45°.

[0035] The outer flange 34 has a generally circular outer periphery 36, the diameter of which can be defined as Di.

[0036] The outer flange 34 has a plurality of recesses 38 spaced around the outer periphery 36. In the embodiment of the drawings the outer flange34 has an uppermost portion 40 without recesses located therein, and eight recesses 38 equally spaced around the remainder of the outer periphery 36.

[0037] A cylindrical locating shoulder 42 extends upwardly from an internal rim of the outer flange 34. The cylindrical locating shoulder 42 has an axis perpendicular to the plane of the outer flange 34.

[0038] It will be appreciated that an internal surface of the cylindrical locating shoulder 42 represents an opening of the first bearing member 32, which is in communication with the inside of the first leg 22.

[0039] The second member 50 is associated with a second leg 52, which is oriented in the longitudinal direction when in the orientation shown in the drawings. The second leg 52 terminates at a pole receiving aperture 24, which forms a cylindrical sleeve arranged to connect to a pole (such as the top of a light pole). The second leg 52 has a cylindrical engagement portion 26 near the pole receiving aperture 24, the cylindrical engagement portion 26 having a larger outer diameter than the remainder of the second leg 52. The cylindrical engagement portion 26 has two threaded apertures for receiving grub screws 28, the grub screws 28 acting to lock the second leg 52 onto the pole.

[0040] The second member 50 has a second bearing member 54 located at a lower end of the second leg 52. The second bearing member 54 has an upper surface 56 having a generally square outer periphery. The upper surface 56 locates in a plane oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the second leg 52. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the second leg 52 and a line perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface 56 is the same offset angle as that of the first member 20.

[0041] The length of square of the upper surface 56 is slightly greater than Di.

[0042] The second bearing member 54 has side walls 58 which extend downwardly from the outer edges of the upper surface 56.

[0043] The second leg 52 is joined to the second bearing member 54 via a flared connection portion 60, which connects the second leg 52 to the upper surface 56 of the second bearing member 54.

[0044] The third member 80 is formed from a plate. It has a generally square outer periphery 82, sized to locate immediately inside the side walls 58 of the second bearing member 54. It has a generally circular internal aperture 84, sized to locate about the first leg 22.

[0045] The arrangement is such that the swivelling joint 10 can be assembled with the outer flange 34 of the first bearing member 32 bearing against an internal face of the second bearing member 54, and with the third member 80 bearing against a downwardly facing surface of the outer flange 34. It will be appreciated that the first bearing member 32 and the third member 80 are both located within the side walls 58 of the second bearing member 54.

[0046] The second member 50 and the third member 80 are connected by connecting bolts 86. The second member 50 has four bolt-receiving apertures 90 passing through the upper surface 56 of the second bearing member 54, a bolt-receiving aperture 90 located near each corner of the upper surface 56.

[0047] The third member 80 has four internally threaded bolt-receiving apertures 92, one located in each corner of the third member 80.

[0048] It will be appreciated that when a respective connecting bolt 86 is passed through each of the bolt-receiving apertures 90 and received in a respective internally threaded bolt-receiving aperture 92 then the second member 50 will be connected to the third member 80. It will further beappreciated that the connecting bolts 86 are located outside the outer periphery 36 of the first bearing member 32.

[0049] When the connecting bolts 86 are tightened, each of the second bearing member 54 and the third member 80 bear against the first bearing member 32. The resulting friction restricts rotation of the second member 50 relative to the first member 20.

[0050] When the connecting bolts 86 are loosened, the second member 50 is able to rotate about the first member 20, around an axis which is oriented at the offset angle relative to the longitudinal direction.

[0051] Two pin receiving apertures 94 extend through the upper surface 56 of the second bearing member 54, positioned such that when the second bearing member 54 is located over the first bearing member 32 then the pin receiving apertures 94 align with a recess 38 in the outer flange 34. Two pin receiving recesses 96 extend from the generally circular internal aperture 84 of the third member 80. It will be appreciated that a securing pin 98 can be inserted through an aligned pin receiving aperture 94, recess 38 and pin receiving recess 96 to further prevent rotation of the second member 50 relative to the first member 20.

[0052] The first member 20 includes an access panel 100 on a rear side thereof. The access panel 100 is mounted within the first leg 22, beneath the uppermost portion 40 of the outer flange 34.

[0053] The access panel 100 is part cylindrical, being curved with a radius of curvature similar to that of the first leg 22. The access panel 100 curves through about 90°.

[0054] The first leg 22 has a mounting surface 102 on which the access panel 100 is arranged to locate. The mounting surface 102 surrounds an access port 104 in the first leg 22. The access port 104 is generally square in shape. The access port 104 has a vertical midline.

[0055] The access port 104 includes side walls 106 and end walls 108, which extend through a side wall of the first leg 22. The side walls 106 are parallel to each other, and parallel to a radially extending nominal plane that passes through the midline of the access port 104. The end walls 108 are horizontal, and perpendicular to the side walls 106.

[0056] The side walls 106 and end walls 108 have a thickness greater than that of the first leg 22. In this way the mounting surface 102 extends outwardly from a side wall of the first leg 22.

[0057] The mounting surface 102 has an upper shoulder 110 and a lower shoulder 112, each bordered by a respective end wall 108 of the access port 104. Each of the upper shoulder 110 and lower shoulder 112 has an internally threaded aperture 114 located in line with the vertical midline of the access port 104.

[0058] The lower shoulder 112 extends from the side wall of the first leg 22 at an angle of 90°.

[0059] The first member 20 includes a panel locating shroud 120 formed from an upper lip 122 and two side protrusions 124. The upper lip 122 extends in a generally radial direction above the upper shoulder 110 of the mounting surface 102. The side protrusions 124 extend in a generally radial direction outside side portions 116 of the mounting surface 102.

[0060] The panel locating shroud 120 is open at a lower end 126.

[0061] The access panel 100 has a curved upper edge 130, a curved lower edge 132, and two straight side edges 134. The access panel 100 has boltreceiving apertures 136 located along a midline of the access panel 100, one located near the upper edge 130 and one located near the lower edge 132.

[0062] The access panel 100 is mounted to the mounting surface 102 by means of two attachment bolts 140, each attachment bolt 140 passing through a bolt-receiving aperture 136 and being received in an internally threaded aperture 114.

[0063] When the access panel 100 is thus mounted, it will be appreciated that the upper edge 130 locates inside the upper lip 122 of the panel locating shroud 120, and the side edges 134 locate within side protrusions 124 of the panel locating shroud 120.

[0064] The lower edge 132 locates atop the lower shoulder 112, and is thus spaced from a side wall of the first leg 22.

[0065] It will be appreciated that any water falling above or to the side of the access panel 100 is prevented from flowing to an edge of the access panel by the panel locating shroud 120.

[0066] Any water falling directly on the access panel 100 is able to flow away past the open lower end 126. The arrangement of the lower shoulder 112 prevents water pooling near the lower edge 132 of the access panel 100.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the access panel 100 has an internal rubber seal 142 which seals against the mounting surface 102.

[0068] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A swivelling joint including a first member, a second member, and a third member; the first member being associated with a first leg, the first leg having a longitudinal direction, the first member having a first bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the first leg, the first bearing 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 second bearing member that is oriented at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the second leg, the second bearing member including an opening in communication with the second leg; the third member having an opening within which either the first leg or the second leg can be received; the first, second and third bearing members being generally located sequentially, with the first bearing member or the second bearing member being located between the third bearing member and the other of the first or second bearing member; the first member including an access panel removably mounted to a side wall of the first leg, the access panel having an upper edge, a lower edge, and two side edges; the first member including a panel locating shroud, the panel locating shroud including an upper lip which extends in a generally outward direction above the upper edge of the access panel, and two side protrusions which extend in a generally outward direction alongside the side edges of the access panel; wherein the panel locating shroud has an open lower end.

2. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the panel locating shroud surrounds a mounting surface for the access panel, the mounting surface extending from the side wall of the first leg.

3. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting surface has a lower shoulder which extends from the side wall of the first leg at an angle of about 90°.

4. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 3, wherein the access panel is mounted to the mounting surface by two bolts, a first bolt extending into an upper shoulder of the mounting surface and a second bolt extending into the lower shoulder of the mounting surface.

5. A swivelling joint as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the access panel includes a resilient seal arranged to bear against the mounting surface.

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