CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Patent Application No. 14/039,986 filed on September 27, 2013, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to pole mounting systems, and more particularly to pole mounting systems enabling poles to be removably and selectively mounted.

BACKGROUND

[0003] There are a wide variety of applications for which the removable mounting of poles is desirable. For example, it may be desirable to position a deck umbrella at various locations around a deck or swimming pool.

[0004] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0132779 (Johnson et al.) describes an umbrella mounting system in which a plurality of open cylindrical bases are mounted at various locations around a dock or deck, so that a deck umbrella can be repositioned to provide the most effective shade at a given time of day. The base of the deck umbrella is secured within an inner cylindrical sleeve, which is in turn secured within an outer cylindrical sleeve which can be received by one of the cylindrical bases. Although this arrangement allows the deck umbrella to be easily repositioned, no mechanism is provided for securing the outer cylindrical sleeve within the open cylindrical base, and wind beyond a certain force may lift the umbrella out of the open cylindrical base.

[0005] In addition to deck umbrellas, removable mounting of poles to a surface is also desirable in other contexts. For example, removable mounting of poles can facilitate the deployment of selectively positionable fencing, reconfigurable sports goals and nets, as well as pole-mounted cameras and other observational equipment. [0006] One difficulty associated with removable mounting of poles is that in general, making it easier to install a pole at a given location also makes it more likely that the pole may be accidentally displaced, and conversely, the more effectively the pole is secured against accidental displacement, the less convenient it is to install and remove.

[0007] For example, Canadian Patent Application No. 2,269,940 (Fretts) teaches a support system for a pole (primarily a utility pole) comprising an anchor including a support member having an internal frusto-conical recess which receives the tapered end of a pole. Holes may be drilled through the support member and lag bolts inserted through the holes and into the pole to secure the pole to the support member. While this effectively secures the pole to the anchor, it makes it cumbersome to install the pole and to remove it if it becomes necessary to do so. SUMMARY

[0008] This document describes pole mounting systems which allow easy engagement and disengagement of a pole base and a support mounting while enabling the pole base, and a pole carried thereby, to be securely retained by the support base when the pole base is interengaged therewith. [0009] A pole mounting system comprises a support mounting and a pole base. The support mounting comprises a body having a receiving aperture opening into a receiving recess in the body. The receiving recess tapers conically inwardly toward a distal end of the receiving recess, relative to the receiving aperture, and at least one helical guide channel is formed in a wall of the receiving recess and extends axially away from the receiving aperture. Each helical guide channel has a channel entrance at the receiving aperture and has a terminal reverse bend at a distal end thereof, relative to the receiving aperture. The pole base comprises an insertion end tapering conically inwardly toward a tip thereof and having at least one guide post extending laterally therefrom. The channel entrance(s) and the guide post(s) have corresponding circumferential positions and the insertion end and the receiving recess are of complementary shape. In use, to releasably secure the pole base to the support mounting, the insertion end of the pole base is inserted through the receiving aperture into the receiving recess with each guide post aligned with the channel entrance of a corresponding one of the at least one helical guide channels, the pole base is then rotated relative to the support mounting in a first rotational direction to drive each guide post along the

corresponding helical guide channel to the terminal reverse bend thereof, the insertion end of the pole base is then advanced axially further into the receiving recess to move each guide post into the terminal reverse bend of the corresponding helical guide channel, and the pole base is then rotated axially relative to the support mounting in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to drive each guide post along the terminal reverse bend of the corresponding helical guide channel until an outer surface of the insertion end engages the wall of the receiving recess.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, when the outer surface of the insertion end engages the wall of the receiving recess, each guide post is spaced from a terminus of the terminal reverse bend of the corresponding helical guide channel.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, there are two diametrically opposed helical guide channels and two diametrically opposed guide posts.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the channel entrance is generally axially arranged.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving recess and the insertion end are frusto- conical.

[0014] The pole base may form part of a pole, or the pole base may have a receiving end opposite the insertion end, with the receiving end having a receptacle for securely releasably receiving an end of a pole.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the insertion end is longitudinally crenate.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving recess and the insertion end each have about a 10 degree longitudinal taper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 shows an assembled top perspective view of an exemplary pole mounting system;

FIGURE 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the pole mounting system of Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 shows a side elevation view of a first exemplary pole base of the pole mounting system of Figure 1 ; FIGURE 4 A is a top perspective view of a tubular extension of the pole base of Figure 3;

FIGURE 4B is a front elevation view of the tubular extension of Figure 4 A;

FIGURE 4C is a top plan view of the tubular extension of Figure 4A;

FIGURE 4D is a side cross-sectional view of the tubular extension of Figure 4A, taken along the line 4D-4D in Figure 4C; FIGURE 4E is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the tubular extension of Figure 4A;

FIGURE 5 A is a side elevation view of a base portion of the pole base of Figure 3, without its guide posts;

FIGURE 5B is a bottom plan view of the base portion of Figure 5 A;

FIGURE 5C is a top plan view of the base portion of Figure 5 A; FIGURE 5D is a side cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 5 A, taken along the line 5D-5D in Figure 5B;

FIGURE 6A is an exploded top perspective view of the base portion of Figure 5 A, with the guide posts;

FIGURE 6B is an assembled top perspective view of the base portion of Figure 6A; FIGURE 6C is a side cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 6A, taken along the line 6C-6C in Figure 6B;

FIGURE 7 A is a side elevation view of a guide post of the base portion of Figure 6A; FIGURE 7B is a perspective view of the guide post of Figure 7A;

FIGURE 8 A is a perspective cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 5 A;

FIGURE 8B is a cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 5 A, taken along the line 8B-8B in Figure 5A; FIGURE 8C is a detailed bottom plan view of the base portion of Figure 5 A;

FIGURE 9A is a top perspective view of an exemplary support mounting of the pole mounting system of Figure 1 ;

FIGURE 9B is a side cross-sectional view of the support mounting of Figure 9A, taken along the line 9B-9B in Figure 9A; FIGURE 9C is a side elevation view of the support mounting of Figure 9A showing interior features thereof in dashed lines;

FIGURE 9D is a top plan view of the support mounting of Figure 9A;

FIGURE 9E is a side cross-sectional view of the support mounting of Figure 9A, taken along the line 9E to 9E in Figure 9D; FIGURE 9F is a detailed unrolled view of a portion of the wall of the receiving recess of the support mounting of Figure 9A, showing the helical guide channel formed therein;

FIGURE 9G is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the support mounting of Figure 9 A, taken along the line 9G-9G in Figure 9D, showing the channel entrance to the helical guide channel of Figure 9F; FIGURE 9H is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the support mounting of Figure 9 A, taken along the line 9H-9H in Figure 9D, showing the terminal reverse bend of the helical guide channel of Figure 9F; FIGURES 10A and 10B show interengagement of the pole base of Figure 3 with the support mounting of Figure 9A;

FIGURE 11 A shows one of the guide posts at various positions within its respective helical guide channel during interengagement of the pole base of Figure 3 with the support mounting of Figure 9A;

FIGURE 1 IB shows the position of the guide posts within the reverse bends of the respective helical guide channels when the outer surface of the insertion end of the pole base of Figure 3 engages the wall of the receiving recess of the support mounting of Figure 9A;

FIGURE 12A is an exploded top perspective view of a first exemplary receiver formed by welding the support mounting of Figure 9A to a generally planar bracket;

FIGURE 12B is a top perspective view of the receiver of Figure 12A;

FIGURE 12C is a front elevation view of the receiver of Figure 12A;

FIGURE 12D is a top plan view of the receiver of Figure 12 A;

FIGURE 13A is an exploded top perspective view of a second exemplary receiver formed by welding the support mounting of Figure 9A to a generally L-shaped corner bracket;

FIGURE 13B is a top perspective view of the receiver of Figure 13A;

FIGURE 13C is a side elevation view of the receiver of Figure 13 A;

FIGURE 13D is a top plan view of the receiver of Figure 13 A;

FIGURE 13E is a bottom plan view of the receiver of Figure 13 A; FIGURE 14A is a top perspective view showing an exemplary collar secured within an umbrella aperture in a deck;

FIGURE 14B is a top perspective view of the collar of Figure 14A; FIGURE 14C is a side elevation view of the collar of Figure 14A; FIGURE 14D is a top plan view of the collar of Figure 14A; FIGURE 14E is a bottom plan view of the collar of Figure 14A;

FIGURE 14F is a side cross-sectional view of the collar of Figure 14A, taken along the line 14F-14F in Figure 14D;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective cut-away cross-sectional view showing the receiver of Figure 13 A secured beneath an umbrella aperture in a deck;

FIGURE 16 is a side view showing the receiver of Figure 13A secured beneath an umbrella aperture in a deck; FIGURE 17 is a top perspective cut-away view showing the support mounting of Figure 9A and the collar of Figure 14A embedded in concrete.

FIGURE 18A is an exploded top perspective view of a second exemplary pole base;

FIGURE 18B is an assembled top perspective view of the pole base of Figure 18A;

FIGURE 19 is a side elevation view of the pole base of Figure 18 A; FIGURE 20A is a top perspective view of a tubular extension of the pole base of Figure 18 A;

FIGURE 20B is a front elevation view of the tubular extension of Figure 20A;

FIGURE 20C is a top plan view of the tubular extension of Figure 20A;

FIGURE 20D is a side cross-sectional view of the tubular extension of Figure 20A, taken along the line 20D-20D in Figure 20C; FIGURE 20E is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the tubular extension of Figure 20 A;

FIGURE 21 A is a side elevation view of a base portion of the pole base of Figure 18 A, without its guide posts; FIGURE 2 IB is a top plan view of the base portion of Figure 21 A;

FIGURE 21 C is a bottom plan view of the base portion of Figure 21 A;

FIGURE 2 ID is a side cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 21 A, taken along the line 21D-21D in Figure 21C; FIGURE 2 IE is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 21 A;

FIGURE 22 is a perspective view showing an umbrella whose pole has an integral pole base including a base portion;

FIGURE 23A is a side elevation view of a third exemplary base portion for a pole base, shown without its guide posts; FIGURE 23B is a top plan view of the base portion of Figure 23 A;

FIGURE 23C is a bottom plan view of the base portion of Figure 23 A;

FIGURE 23D is a side cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 23 A, taken along the line 23D-23D in Figure 23C;

FIGURE 23E is a cross-sectional view of the base portion of Figure 23 A, taken along the line 23E-23E in Figure 23 A;

FIGURE 23F is a detailed view of a portion of the end view shown in Figure 23C;

FIGURE 23G is a detailed view of a portion of the threading shown in Figure 23A;

FIGURE 24A is a top front perspective view of a third exemplary receiver having a generally L-shaped corner bracket; FIGURE 24B is a top rear perspective view of the receiver of Figure 24A;

FIGURE 24C is a front elevation view of the receiver of Figure 24A;

FIGURE 24D is a rear elevation view of the receiver of Figure 24 A; FIGURE 24E is a side elevation view of the receiver of Figure 24 A;

FIGURE 24F is a top plan view of the receiver of Figure 24A;

FIGURE 24G is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 24G-24G in Figure 24F;

FIGURE 25A is a top front perspective view of a fourth exemplary receiver having a generally planar bracket;

FIGURE 25B is a top rear perspective view of the receiver of Figure 25 A;

FIGURE 25C is a front elevation view of the receiver of Figure 25 A;

FIGURE 25D is a top plan view of the receiver of Figure 25 A;

FIGURE 25E is a bottom plan view of the receiver of Figure 25 A; FIGURE 24F is a rear elevation view of the receiver of Figure 25 A;

FIGURE 25G is a side elevation view of the receiver of Figure 25 A;

FIGURE 25H is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 25H-25H in Figure 25D;

FIGURE 26A is a top perspective view of an exemplary support mounting adapted to be embedded in concrete when the concrete is poured; FIGURE 26B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 26B-26B in Figure 26E;

FIGURE 26C is a top plan view of the support mounting of Figure 26A;

FIGURE 26D is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 26D-26D in Figure 26C;

FIGURE 26E is a side elevation view of the support mounting of Figure 26A;

FIGURE 26F is a top perspective cut-away view showing the support mounting of Figure 26A and the collar of Figure 14A embedded in concrete.

FIGURE 27A is a top perspective view of an exemplary end fitting; FIGURE 27B is a top perspective cross-sectional view taken along the line 27B-27B in Figure

27C;

FIGURE 27C is a top plan view of the end fitting of Figure 27A; FIGURE 27D is a bottom plan view of the end fitting of Figure 27A; and FIGURE 27E is a rear elevation view of the end fitting of Figure 27A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Reference is now made to Figures 1 and 2, which show an exemplary pole mounting system 100. The main components of the exemplary pole mounting system 100 are a first exemplary support mounting 102 and a first exemplary pole base 104. The support mounting 102 and pole base 104 are preferably formed from a suitable alloy, such as aluminum alloys or stainless steel alloys. Figure 1 shows an assembled view of the exemplary pole mounting system 100 and Figure 2 shows an exploded view.

[0019] As can be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment the pole base 104 comprises a base portion 106 having an insertion end 118 that interengages with the support mounting 102 and a hollow tubular extension 108 for receiving the end of a pole 110 (Figures

1 and 3) such as the shaft of a patio umbrella. In the exemplary embodiment, the base portion 106 and the tubular extension 108 are secured to one another by welding the inferior end 112 of the tubular extension 108 to the superior end 114 of the base portion 106. Other techniques for securing the tubular extension to the base portion may also be used, as described further below.

[0020] The base portion 106 includes two diametrically opposed guide posts 116 (see Figures

2 and 3) extending from the inferior end 118 of the base portion 106, which defines an insertion end 118 of the pole base 104. The insertion end 118 tapers conically inwardly toward a tip 120 of the insertion end 118. The end of the tubular extension 108 remote from the base portion 106 is open so as to form a receiving end 124 of the pole base 104 opposite the insertion end 1 18. The open receiving end 124 has a receptacle 126 (Figures 1 and 2), namely the interior of the tubular extension 108, for receiving the end of the pole 110, and includes a thumbscrew 128 (Figures 1 and 2) for securely and releasably retaining the end of the pole 110 in the receptacle 126. In the illustrated embodiment, a thumbscrew aperture 130 is formed in the side wall of the tubular extension 108 adjacent the receiving end 124 and a thumbscrew nut 132 is welded to the outside of the tubular extension 108 in registration with the thumbscrew aperture 130 (Figure 2) to threadedly receive the thumbscrew 128. Figures 4A through 4E show various views of the tubular extension 108.

[0021] Figures 5 A to 6C and 8A to 8C show various views of the base portion 106 of the pole base 104. As can be seen, the outer surface 134 of the insertion end 118 is longitudinally crenate, and in particular is scalloped; the scalloping extends beyond the conically tapering insertion end 118 onto a cylindrical intermediate portion 138 of the base portion 106. Details of exemplary scalloping are shown in Figures 8B to 8C.

[0022] As best seen in Figures 5D and 6C, a drainage passage 136 extends through the base portion 106 from the superior end 114 of the base portion 106 to the insertion end 118 thereof. The drainage passage 136 narrows progressively from the superior end 114 of the base portion 106 to the insertion end 118 thereof.

[0023] As noted above, two diametrically opposed guide posts 116 extend laterally from the conically tapering insertion end 118; in the illustrated embodiment each of the guide posts 116 has a rounded end 142 as shown in Figures 7A and 7B and is press-fit into one of a pair of diametrically opposed holes 144 (Figures 6A and 8A) formed in the conically tapering insertion end 118. Other techniques for securing the guide posts 116 to the insertion end 118 may also be used.

[0024] The pole base 104, in particular the insertion end 118 thereof, is interengageable with the support mounting 102, an exemplary embodiment of which will now be described in greater detail.

[0025] Referring now to Figures 9A to 9F, the exemplary support mounting 102 comprises a generally cylindrical body 150 having a receiving aperture 152 at a superior end 154 thereof.

Although the body of the support mounting is advantageously outwardly cylindrical, it may have other suitable outward shapes as well. The receiving aperture 152 opens into a receiving recess 156 in the body 150, The receiving recess 156 tapers conically inwardly toward a distal end 158 of the receiving recess 154, relative to the receiving aperture 152, so that the receiving recess 154 is widest at the receiving aperture 152 and narrowest at the distal end 154; that is, the end of the receiving recess 156 that is remote from the receiving aperture 152. Importantly, the conically tapering shape of the receiving recess 156 is complementary to the conically tapering shape of the insertion end 118 of the pole base 104 to facilitate

interengagement of the pole base 104 with the support mounting 102, as described in greater detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving recess 156 and the insertion end 118 are both frusto-conical and both have about a 10 degree longitudinal taper.

[0026] A drainage passage 160 (Figures 9B to 9D) is formed in the inferior end 162 of the body 150 and communicates with the distal end 158 of the receiving recess 1 4; the drainage passage 160 in the body 150 cooperates with the drainage passage 136 through the base portion 106 to facilitate drainage of fluids (e.g. rainwater) entering the open receiving end 124 of the tubular extension 108.

[0027] Two diametrically opposed helical guide channels 164 are formed in the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156; these helical guide channels 164 cooperate with the guide posts 116 as described further below. Each helical guide channel 164 has a generally axially arranged channel entrance 168 at the proximal end thereof, relative to the receiving aperture 152, and extends axially away from the receiving aperture 152. Thus, each channel entrance 168 is open at the receiving aperture 152 and the helical guide channels 164 wind helically around the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156 from the receiving aperture 152 toward the distal end 158 of the receiving recess 154. Since both the guide posts 116 and the helical guide channels 164 are diametrically opposed, the channel entrances 168 and the guide posts 116 have corresponding circumferential positions to enable the guide posts 116 to be inserted into the helical guide channels 164 by way of the channel entrances 168. Each helical guide channel 164 has a terminal reverse bend 170 at the distal end 172 (Figures 9B to 9E) thereof, relative to the receiving aperture 152.

[0028] Turning now to Figures 1 OA to 1 IB, interengagement of the pole base 104 and the support mounting 102 will now be described. To releasably secure the pole base 104 to the support mounting 102, the insertion end 118 of the pole base 104 (only the base portion 106 if which is shown in Figures 10A and 10B) is inserted through the receiving aperture 152 into the receiving recess 156, as shown in Figure 10A. Figure 11A shows one of the guide posts 116 at various positions within its respective helical guide channel 164. As can be seen in Figure 10A, when the insertion end 118 of the pole base 104 is inserted into the receiving recess 156, each guide post 116 is aligned with the channel entrance 168 of a corresponding helical guide channel 164. Position "A" in Figure 11A shows the guide post 116 in the channel entrance 168 of the corresponding helical guide channel 164. The pole base 104 is then rotated axially relative to the support mounting; that is, rotated about the common axis of the helical guide channels 164. Rotation of the pole base 104 in this first rotational direction drives each guide post 116 along the corresponding helical guide channel 164 to the terminal reverse bend 170 thereof. Position "B" in Figure 11A shows the guide post 116 moving along the corresponding helical guide channel 164. Once the guide posts 116 reach the respective terminal reverse bends 170, further rotation of the pole base 104 in the first rotational direction is inhibited because the guide posts 116 engage the outer edges 174 of the respective helical guide channels 164 at the elbows 176 of the reverse bends 170. Position "C" in Figure 11A shows the guide post 116 having reached the terminal reverse bend 170 of the respective helical guide channel 164. The insertion end 118 of the pole base 104 is then advanced axially further into the receiving recess 156, which moves each guide post 116 into the terminal reverse bend 170 of the respective helical guide channel 164, at which point further direct axial movement of the insertion end 118 into the receiving recess 156 is obstructed by engagement of the guide posts with the lower edges 178 of the respective helical guide channels 164 at the elbows 176 of the reverse bends 170. The pole base 104 is then rotated axially relative to the support mounting 102 in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction to drive each guide post 116 along the terminal reverse bend 170 of the corresponding helical guide channel 164 until the outer surface 134 of the insertion end 118 engages the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156. This final rotation is typically slight, and may occur by gravity as the weight of the pole base 104 causes the guide posts to slide downwardly along the reverse bends 170. [0029] With the pole base 104 secured to the support mounting 102 as shown, that is, with the outer surface 134 of the insertion end 1 18 engaging the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156 and the guide posts 116 within the respective terminal reverse bends 170, the pole base 104 will be resistant to unintentional removal from the support mounting 102. Removal of the pole base 104 from the support mounting 102 requires rotation of the pole base 104 in the first rotational direction to drive the guide posts 116 into the elbows 176 of the reverse bends 170, followed by axial movement of the pole base 104 outwardly relative to the receiving recess 156, followed by rotation of the pole base 104 in the second rotational direction to drive each guide post 116 along the corresponding helical guide channel 164 to the channel entrance 168 thereof. As such, where the pole base 104 is used to support, for example, a patio umbrella, the likelihood that wind forces could separate the pole base 104 from the support mounting 102 is reduced, since separation requires rotation of the pole base 104 relative to the support mounting 102 in two opposite directions. If wind force were to rotate the pole base 104 in the first rotational direction, after the guide posts 116 move into the elbows 176 of the reverse bends 170, further rotation of the pole base 104 in the first rotational direction is inhibited because the guide posts 116 engage the outer edges 174 of the respective helical guide channels 164 at the elbows 176, so the pole base 104 remains secured to the support mounting 102. Conversely, rotation of the pole base 104 in the second rotational direction, as well as axial movement of the pole base 104 away from the support mounting 102, is resisted by engagement of the guide posts 1 16 with the shoulders 180 formed by the elbows 176 of the reverse bends 170, so that the pole base 104 remains secured to the support mounting 102.

[0030] Reference is now made specifically to Figure 1 IB, which shows by representative example the position of the guide posts 116 within the respective helical guide channels 164, specifically the reverse bends 170 thereof, when the outer surface 134 of the insertion end 118 (not shown in Figures 11 A and 1 IB) engages the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156. As can be seen, in a preferred embodiment, when the outer surface 134 of the insertion end 118 engages the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156, each guide post 116 is spaced from the terminus 182 of the reverse bend 170 of the corresponding helical guide channel 164. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each guide post 116 is spaced from the terminus 182 of the reverse bend 170 of the corresponding helical guide channel 164 by a distance of about ¼ inch. It is expected that over time, engagement of the outer surface 134 of the insertion end 118 with the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156 will lead to wear on one or both parts. The spacing of the guide posts 116 from the terminus 182 of the reverse bend 170 accommodates this anticipated wear, preventing a situation in which the guide posts 116 reach the terminus 182 of the reverse bend 170 before the outer surface 134 of the insertion end 1 18 engages the wall 166 of the receiving recess 156, which would result in instability.

[0031 ] Support mountings may be secured in any location where it is desired to releasably secure a pole. For example, a plurality of support mountings may be suitably distributed about a deck, swimming pool or patio to releasably receive one or more umbrellas. Figures 12A to 12D show a first exemplary receiver 1200 formed by a support mounting 102 welded to an exemplary generally planar bracket 1202 which includes a curved trough 1204 to accommodate the support mounting 102 and four through-holes 1206 for receiving fasteners. Similarly, Figures 13A to 13E show a second exemplary receiver 1300 formed by a support mounting 102 welded to an exemplary generally L-shaped corner bracket 1302 which includes two opposed curved troughs 1304 to accommodate the support mounting 102 and four through-holes 1306 for receiving fasteners. The brackets 1202, 1302 shown in Figures 12A to 12D and 13A to 13E, respectively, may be used to position the support mounting 102 beneath and in registration with umbrella apertures in a deck. In other embodiments, receivers may be cast as a single monolithic element, and more or fewer through-holes may be provided. Figures 24A to 24G and 25A to 25H show, respectively, third and fourth exemplary receivers 2400 and 2500. The exemplary receiver 2400 in Figures 24A to 24F combines a support mounting 2402 with a generally L-shaped corner bracket 2404 having four through-holes 2406 for receiving fasteners and the exemplary receiver 2500 in Figures 25A to 25H combines a support mounting 2502 with a generally planar bracket 2504 having four through-holes 2506 for receiving fasteners. The support mountings 2402, 2502 shown in

Figures 24A to 24G and 25 A to 25H are similar to the support mounting 102 described above except that the inferior portions 2450L, 2550L of their respective bodies 2450, 2550 are generally frusto-conical in shape, while the superior portions 2450U, 2550U of their respective bodies 2450, 2550 are cylindrical, rather than the bodies being cylindrical over their entire length as with the first exemplary support mounting 102. As such, like reference numerals denote like features except with the prefix 24 or 25, respectively, and the suffixes "L" and "U" are used for the respective inferior portions 2450L, 2550L and superior portions 2450U, 2550U of the respective bodies 2450, 2550. Unlike the receivers 1200 and 1300 shown in Figures 12A to 12D and 13A to 13E, the receivers 2400 and 2500 shown in Figures 24A to 24G and 25 A to 25H are preferably formed monolithically by casting.

[0032] Figures 14A to 14F show an exemplary collar 1408 which may be secured within such an umbrella aperture 1410 in a deck 1412. The collar 1408 comprises a cylindrical tubular body 1414 that is open at both ends, with an outwardly projecting annular flange 1416 at one end thereof. Figures 15 and 16 show a receiver 1200 secured beneath an umbrella aperture 1510 in a deck 1512 by way of wood bolts 1518 passing through the through-holes 1206 in the planar bracket 1202, with a collar 1408 secured in the umbrella aperture 1510 and a pole base 104 releasably received by the support mounting 102. Optionally, a removable cap (not shown) may be fitted within the collar 1408 to close the umbrella aperture 1510 when the support mounting 102 underneath is not in use. [0033] Support mountings 102 and collars 1408 may also, for example, be embedded in concrete 1720 as shown in Figure 17. The support mountings 102 and collars 1408 may be embedded at the time that the concrete is poured as shown in Figure 17, or may be inserted into a hole bored in the concrete and secured using a suitable bonding agent, with spring clips or other apparatus used to space the support mounting from the wall of the hole to enable bonding agent to be poured into the hole and set.

[0034] Figures 26A through 26F show an exemplary support mounting 2602 that is specifically adapted to be embedded in concrete at the time that the concrete 1720 (Figure 26F) is poured. The support mounting 2602 shown in Figures 26A through 26F is similar to the support mountings 2402, 2502 shown in Figures 24A to 24G and 25A to 25H, respectively, with the inferior portion 2650L of its body 2650 being generally frusto-conical in shape while the superior portion 2650U of its body 2650 is cylindrical. As such, like reference numerals denote like features except with "26" replacing "24" or "25". The support mounting 2602 shown in Figures 26A through 26F differs from the support mountings 2402,

2502 shown in Figures 24A to 24G and 25A to 25H primarily in that the support mounting 2602 shown in Figures 26A through 26H includes two spaced-apart outwardly projecting crenellated annular flanges 2684 extending from the inferior portion 2650L of its body 2650. The crenellated annular flanges 2684 are rotationally offset from one another, and are adapted for retaining the support mounting 2602 in the concrete 1720 (Figure 26F). Figure 26F shows the support mounting 2602 embedded in the concrete 1720 in conjunction with a collar 1408.

[0035] As noted above, other techniques besides welding may be used for securing the tubular extension to the base portion to form a complete pole base. Figures 18A to 21C show a second exemplary embodiment of a pole base 1804 formed from a base portion 1806 and a hollow tubular extension 1808. The second exemplary pole base 1804 is similar to the first exemplary pole base 104, with corresponding reference numerals used for corresponding features except with the prefix "18" instead of "1". The base portion 1806 and tubular extension 1808 shown in Figures 18A to 21C differ from the base portion 106 and tubular extension 108 shown in Figures 1 to 6C and 8A to 8C in that the base portion 1806 and tubular extension 1808 shown in Figures 18A to 21 C are secured to one another by threaded interengagement rather than by welding. In particular, the inferior end 1812 of the tubular extension 1808 is internally threaded (see Figures 20D and 20E) and the superior end 1814 of the base portion 106 is correspondingly externally threaded (see Figures 18A and 21 A to 2 ID) so that the two parts can be secured to one another to form a complete pole base 1804, as shown in Figures 18B and 19). The tubular extension 1808 shown in Figures 18A to 20E also differs from the tubular extension 108 shown in Figures 1 to 4E in that the tubular extension 1808 shown in Figures 18A to 20E does not have a thumbscrew nut; instead the thumbscrew aperture 1830 is internally threaded to receive the thumbscrew (not shown in Figures 18A to 20E).

[0036] Figures 23A through 23E show a third exemplary embodiment of a base portion 2306, with the guide posts omitted, which may be used with a suitably dimensioned threaded hollow tubular extension similar to the tubular extension 1808 shown in Figures 18A to 20E. The exemplary base portion 2306 shown in Figures 23A through 23E is similar to the second exemplary base portion 1806, with corresponding reference numerals used for corresponding features except with the prefix "23" instead of "18". The exemplary base portion 2306 shown in Figures 21 A through 23E differs slightly in shape and relative dimensions from the second exemplary pole base 1804, but differs primarily therefrom in that, instead of a drainage passage 1836 in the form of a bore, the exemplary base portion 2306 shown in Figures 21A through 21E has a generally hollow interior comprising a hollow cylindrical portion 2396 at the superior end 2314 and a hollow frusto-conical portion 2398 disposed inferiorly of the cylindrical portion 2396, with the tip 2320 of the insertion end 2318 being open for drainage.

[0037] Additional techniques for securing the tubular extension to the base portion, besides welding and threading, may also be used.

[0038] Preferably, pole bases according to the present disclosure include an end fitting secured at the open receiving end of the tubular extension. An exemplary end fitting 2700 is shown in Figures 27A through 27E. The end fitting 2700 is formed of a suitable resilient material, and comprises an annular end cap 2702 in which is formed an annular channel 2704; the receiving end of the tubular extension is friction fit or interference fit into the annular channel 2704 to secure the end fitting 2700 to the tubular extension. A thumbscrew cushioning tab 2706 depends from the annular end cap 2702 on the same side of the end fitting 2700 as the channel 2704; the end fitting 2702 is secured to the tubular extension so that the thumbscrew cushioning tab 2706 is in registration with the thumbscrew aperture of the pole base. Thus, when a pole is received in the pole base, the thumbscrew cushioning tab 2706 will be interposed between the thumbscrew and the pole. An alignment arrow 2708 or other indicator, circumferentially co-located with the thumbscrew cushioning tab 2706, may be formed in or otherwise marked on the annular end cap 2702 to facilitate alignment of the thumbscrew cushioning tab 2706 with the thumbscrew aperture.

[0039] The pole bases (e.g. pole bases 104, 1804) described above include a receptacle (e.g. receptacles 126, 1826) formed by the open receiving end (e.g. receiving ends 124, 1824) of the tubular extension (e.g. tubular extensions 108, 1808) to receive the end of a pole. In other embodiments, a pole may be provided with an integral pole base whose base portion is similar in structure to the base portions 106, 1806, 2306 described above. Figure 22 shows an exemplary pole 2290, in this case an umbrella pole, which comprises a shaft 2292 having at a mounting end 2294 thereof a base portion 2206 adapted for interengagement with a support mounting 102, 2402, 2502, 2602 as described above; the base portion 2206 and the mounting end 2294 of the shaft 2292 together form a pole base 2204, which in turn forms part of the pole 2290. The base portion 2206 may be, for example, an instance of the first exemplary base portion 106 that is welded to the mounting end 2294 of the shaft 2292, or an instance of the second exemplary base portion 1806 or third exemplary base portion 2306 that is threadedly received within internal threads (not shown) at the mounting end 2294 of the shaft 2292. Alternatively, the base portion 2206 and the shaft 2292 may be integrally formed as a monolithic structure.

[0040] Throughout the Figures, reference letters have been used to denote various dimensions for exemplary embodiments. The chart below sets out the corresponding approximate numerical dimensions of the exemplary embodiments, in inches unless otherwise indicated. These dimensions are merely exemplary and not exhaustive, and no limitation is implied. For example, the provision of exemplary measurements does not imply that all exemplary parts are dimensioned to cooperate with all other exemplary parts without adaptation. For example, the exemplary dimensions provided for the base portion 2306 shown in Figures 23 A to 23G are not compatible with the threaded tubular extension 1808 shown in Figures 18A to 20E. Appropriate modification and adaptation of the exemplary dimensions provided herein is within the capability of one skilled in the art, now informed by the present disclosure.

j 2.000 k 10.250

1 2.000 m 1.663 n 15 degrees

0.125

0

(radius)

P 3.500 q 0.636 r 2.431 s 6.115 t 3.000

1.750 u

(diameter)

1.000

V

(diameter) w 0.250

0.500

X

(diameter) y 0.250 z 2.816 aa 0.172 bb 0.882

0.100 cc

(radius) dd 0.298

0.156 ee

(diameter) ff 0.389 gg 0.600 0.250 hh

(diameter)

1.750 ii

(diameter)

0.723 jj

(minor radius)

0.832 kk

(major radius)

0.139

11

(radius)

0.093 mm

(radius)

0.175 nn

(minor radius)

0.200

00

(major radius)

0.033 P

(radius)

0.024 qq

(radius) rr 4.500

2.000 ss

(diameter) tt 1.900 uu 130 degrees

1.38 w

(diameter)

WW 0.328

XX 0.050 yy 0.050 zz 1.128

0.256 aaa

(diameter)

0.130 bbb

(radius) ccc 1.128 ddd 1.000 eee 0.800 fff 8 degrees ggg 42 degrees

0.130 hhh

(radius)

0.200 iii

(radius)

2.500 jjj

(diameter)

2.170 kkk

(diameter)

111 0.250 mmm 2.250 nnn 2.000 ooo 1.000

PPP 1.500 qqq 0.750 rrr 0.500 sss 0.500 ttt 0.750 uuu 0.750 wv 0.790 www 0.040 XXX 0.040 yyy 0.040

2.500 zzz

(diameter) aaaa 2.170

(diameter) bbbb 0.750 cccc 2.250

(diameter) dddd 2.250

(diameter) eeee 19.250 ffff 10.000 gggg 9.250 hhhh 0.500 iiii 1.000 jjjj 10.250 kkkk 2.250

1111 1.663 mmmm 3.028 nnnn 1.107 oooo 15 degrees

PPPP 2.431 qqqq 6.115 rrrr 2.250

(diameter) ssss 0.156

(diameter) tttt 0.500

(diameter) uuuu 1.750 (diameter)

WW 1.000

(diameter) www 1.000 xxxx 0.250 yyyy 1.750 zzzz 1.000 aaaaa 3.250 bbbbb 7 degrees ccccc 0.500 ddddd 45 degrees eeeee 0.250 fffff 45 degrees ggggg 2.816 hhhhh 0.172 iiiii 3.684

JJJJJ 10 degrees kkkkk 3.513

11111 0.156 mmmmm 0.400 nnnnn 2.000

(diameter) ooooo 1.632

(diameter)

PPPPP 0.354

(diameter) qqqqq 2.000 rrrrr 1.916 sssss 1.833 ttttt 6.250 uuuuu 1.250 vvvw 1.663 wwwww 0.125

(radius) xxxxx 0.560 yyyyy 2.250 zzzzz 0.920 aaaaaa 0.778 bbbbbb 3.080 cccccc 1.632

(diameter) dddddd 0.101 eeeeee 0.784 ffffff 2.302 gggggg 0.354

(diameter) hhhhhh 13 degrees nun 5.466

JJJJJJ 10 degrees kkkkkk 0.143

(radius)

111111 0.092

(radius) mmmmmm 0.354

(diameter) nnnnnn 0.034

(radius) 000000 0.050 (radius)

PPPPPP 0.252 qqqqqq 0.288 rrrrrr 0.074 ssssss 0.200

(pitch) tttttt 0.101 uuuuuu 0.042 www 0.005

(radius) wwwwww 0.831 xxxxxx 0.722 yyyyyy 2.166 zzzzzz 0.208 aaaaaaa 1.750 bbbbbbb 0.045 ccccccc 1.034 ddddddd 4.000 eeeeeee 10 degrees fffffff 0.455 ggggggg 0.384 hhhhhhh 20 degrees

1111111 0.310

JJJJJJJ 0.500

(diameter) kkkkkkk 0.523

1111111 2.211 mmmmmmm 0.557 nnnnnnn 0.125 (radius) ooooooo 0.264

PPPPPPP 0.050

(radius) qqqqqqq 0.250 rrrrrrr 1.000 sssssss 2.500 ttttttt 3.000 uuuuuuu 2.166 vvvwvv 0.208 wwwwwww 1.750 xxxxxx 0.058 yyyyyyy 1.034 zzzzzzz 4.000 aaaaaaaa 10 degrees bbbbbbbb 0.455 cccccccc 0.384 dddddddd 20 degrees eeeeeeee 0.310 ffffffff 0.500

(diameter) gggggggg 0.523 hhhhhhhh 2.224

11111111 0.553

JJJJJJJJ 0.125

(radius) kkkkkkkk 0.050

(radius) 11111111 0.125 (radius) mmmmmmmm 0.216 nnnnnnnn 0.050

(radius) oooooooo 0.250

PPPPPPPP 1.000 qqqqqqqq 2.500 rrrrrrrr 3.000 ssssssss 2.166 tttttttt 0.208 uuuuuuuu 1.750 vvvvvvw 1.053 wwwwwwww 0.200

(radius) xxxxxxxx 4.000 yyyyyyyy 0.455 zzzzzzzz 0.198 aaaaaaaaa 0.895 bbbbbbbbb 0.500 ccccccccc 1.063 ddddddddd 0.200

(radius) eeeeeeeee 0.323 fffffffff 20 degrees [0041] The table below sets out a listing of the reference numerals used herein, as well as the part or feature identified by that reference numeral, for ease of reference. No limitation is implied by this table.

144 Holes in base portion of first exemplary pole base for guide posts

150 Cylindrical body of first exemplary support mounting

152 Receiving aperture of first exemplary support mounting

154 Superior end of first exemplary support mounting

156 Receiving recess of first exemplary support mounting

158 Distal end of receiving recess of first exemplary support mounting

160 Drainage passage in first exemplary support mounting

162 Inferior end of cylindrical body of first exemplary support mounting

164 Helical guide channels in first exemplary support mounting

166 Wall of receiving recess of first exemplary support mounting

168 Channel entrance of helical guide channel of first exemplary support

mounting

170 Terminal reverse bend of helical guide channel of first exemplary support mounting

172 Distal end of helical guide channel of first exemplary support mounting

174 Outer edge of helical guide channel of first exemplary support mounting at elbow of reverse bend

176 Elbow of reverse bend of helical guide channel of first exemplary support mounting

178 Lower edge of helical guide channel at elbow of reverse bend of helical guide channel of first exemplary support mounting

180 Shoulder formed by elbow of reverse bend of helical guide channel of first exemplary support mounting

182 Terminus of reverse bend of helical guide channel of first exemplary support mounting

1200 First exemplary receiver

1202 Generally planar bracket of first exemplary receiver 1204 Curved trough of bracket of first exemplary receiver

1206 Through holes in bracket of first exemplary receiver

1300 Second exemplary receiver

1302 Generally L-shaped corner bracket of second exemplary receiver

1304 Curved trough of bracket of second exemplary receiver

1306 Through holes in bracket of second exemplary receiver

1408 Exemplary collar

1410 Umbrella aperture in deck

1412 Deck

1414 Tubular body of collar

1416 Outwardly projecting annular flange of collar

1510 Umbrella aperture in deck

1512 Deck

1518 Bolts

1720 Concrete

1804 Second exemplary pole base

1806 Base portion of second exemplary pole base

1808 Hollow tubular extension of second exemplary pole base

1812 Inferior end of tubular extension of second exemplary pole base

1814 Superior end of tubular extension of second exemplary pole base

1816 Guide posts of second exemplary pole base

1818 Inferior end/insertion end of base portion of second exemplary pole base

1820 Tip of insertion end of second exemplary pole base

1824 Receiving end of pole base of second exemplary pole base 1826 Receptacle in pole base of second exemplary pole base

1830 Thumbscrew aperture of second exemplary pole base

1834 Outer surface of insertion end of base portion of second exemplary pole base

1838 Cylindrical intermediate portion of base portion of second exemplary pole base

1836 Drainage passage in base portion of second exemplary pole base

1844 Holes in base portion of second exemplary pole base for guide posts

2204 Pole base of umbrella pole

2206 Base portion on shaft of umbrella pole

2290 Umbrella pole

2292 Shaft of umbrella pole

2294 Mounting end of shaft of umbrella pole

2306 Third exemplary base portion

2318 Inferior end/insertion end of third exemplary base portion

2314 Superior end of third exemplary base portion

2320 Tip of insertion end of third exemplary base portion

2334 Outer surface of insertion end of third exemplary base portion

2344 Holes in third exemplary base portion for guide posts

2396 Hollow cylindrical portion of interior of third exemplary base portion

2398 Hollow frusto-conical portion of interior of third exemplary base portion

2400 Third exemplary receiver

2402 Support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2404 L-shaped corner bracket of third exemplary receiver

2406 Through-holes in L-shaped corner bracket of third exemplary receiver 2450 Body of support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2450L Inferior portion of body of support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2450U Superior portion of body of support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2452 Receiving aperture of support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2454 Superior end of support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2456 Receiving recess of support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2458 Distal end of receiving recess of support mounting of third exemplary

receiver

2460 Drainage passage in support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2462 Inferior end of body of support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2464 Helical guide channels in support mounting of third exemplary receiver

2466 Wall of receiving recess of second exemplary support mounting

2468 Channel entrance of helical guide channel of second exemplary support mounting

2470 Terminal reverse bend of helical guide channel of second exemplary support mounting

2472 Distal end of helical guide channel of second exemplary support mounting

2482 Terminus of reverse bend of helical guide channel of second exemplary support mounting

2500 Fourth exemplary receiver

2502 Support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2504 Planar bracket of fourth exemplary receiver

2506 Through-holes in planar bracket of fourth exemplary receiver

2550 Body of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2550L Inferior portion of body of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver 2550U Superior portion of body of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2552 Receiving aperture of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2554 Superior end of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2556 Receiving recess of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2558 Distal end of receiving recess of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2560 Drainage passage in support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2562 Inferior end of body of support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2564 Helical guide channels in support mounting of fourth exemplary receiver

2566 Wall of receiving recess of second exemplary support mounting

2568 Channel entrance of helical guide channel of second exemplary support mounting

2570 Terminal reverse bend of helical guide channel of second exemplary support mounting

2572 Distal end of helical guide channel of second exemplary support mounting

2602 Exemplary support mounting adapted to be embedded in concrete when the concrete is poured

2650 Body of fourth exemplary support mounting

2650L Inferior portion of body of fourth exemplary support mounting

2650U Superior portion of body of fourth exemplary support mounting

2652 Receiving aperture of fourth exemplary support mounting

2654 Superior end of fourth exemplary support mounting

2656 Receiving recess of fourth exemplary support mounting

2658 Distal end of receiving recess of fourth exemplary support mounting

2660 Drainage passage in fourth exemplary support mounting 2662 Inferior end of body of fourth exemplary support mounting

2664 Helical guide channels in fourth exemplary support mounting

2666 Wall of receiving recess of fourth exemplary support mounting

2668 Channel entrance of helical guide channel of fourth exemplary support

mounting

2670 Terminal reverse bend of helical guide channel of fourth exemplary support mounting

2672 Distal end of helical guide channel of fourth exemplary support mounting

Outwardly projecting crenellated annular flanges of fourth exemplary

2684 support mounting

2700 Exemplary end fitting

2702 Annular end cap of exemplary end fitting

2704 Annular channel formed in annular end cap of exemplary end fitting

2706 Thumbscrew cushioning tab of exemplary end fitting

2708 Alignment arrow on exemplary end fitting

[0042] Although illustrated embodiments have been described above in the context of deck and patio umbrellas, this is merely one exemplary context in which pole mounting systems as described herein may be employed. Pole mounting systems as described herein may be used in other contexts, for example for the removable mounting of fence posts, sports equipment such as basketball nets and soccer goals, posts for supporting cameras or other observation equipment, as well as other types of posts.

[0043] Several embodiments have been described by way of example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.