WO2005049967A1

WO2005049967A1 - Pole assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2005049967A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/004791
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheryl Cullen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-13
Filing date: 2004-11-15
Publication date: 2005-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2006-05-13

Abstract

The invention relates to pole-dancing pole assemblies for securing between a floor and ceiling. The pole assembly comprises: (i) a pole member (10, 12); (ii) an upper engagement member (14) releasably connectable to the upper end of the pole member (10, 12); and (iii) a lower engagement member (22) which is axially adjustable relative to the lower end of the pole member (10, 12). The upper engagement member (14) may engage the pole member (10, 12) with a fixed structure such as a ceiling joist and the lower engagement member (22) engages a supporting surface such as a floor. The pole member may comprise an upper pole member (10) and a lower pole member (12), said members being coaxially and releasably connectable at their respective ends which are remote from the upper and lower engagement members (14, 22). The connection of the upper and lower pole members (10, 12) may be by means of a spigot joint. In use, the pole assembly may be quickly assembled and disassembled. Moreover, when not in use, the pole assembly can be stored discreetly. The adjustable nature of the pole assembly also means that it can be used in different venues having varying floor to ceiling heights.

Description

Pole Assembly

The present invention relates to pole assemblies, particularly, but not exclusively, to pole-dancing pole assemblies secured, in use, at their respective ends to a floor and a ceiling.

It is known to secure dancing poles between a floor and a ceiling in, for example, night-clubs and other adult entertainment venues. However, due to variations in ceiling heights and the fact that the poles are of a fixed length, such poles must be custom made .

Custom made poles therefore suffer from the disadvantage that it is not usually possible to use the same pole in numerous venues where floor to ceiling heights are likely to differ substantially from the length of the pole.

Whilst a fixed-length dancing pole may be appropriate in circumstances in which a permanent fixture is envisaged, such a pole is clearly unsuitable for venues where it is necessary or desirable to periodically dismantle and reassemble the pole. Pole dancing has typically been confined to night- clubs and other adult entertainment venues and existing poles are generally only suitable for use in one of a number of different venues for the aforementioned reasons. Moreover, given their typical length, fixed length poles are difficult to store and transport discreetly when not in use.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pole assembly for pole dancing comprising a pole member, an upper engagement member releasably connectable to said pole member at its upper end for engaging said member with a fixed structure; said pole member further comprising a lower engagement member at its lower end for engaging a floor, said lower engagement member being axially adjustable relative to the pole member.

Preferably, the pole member comprises an upper pole member and a lower pole member, said members being coaxially and releasably connectable at their respective ends which are remote from the engagement members.

Preferably, one of the upper and lower pole members is provided with a spigot connection at its end which is remote from its corresponding engagement member, said spigot connection being receivable within the other of the upper and lower members. Preferably, one or both of the upper and lower pole members are composed of two or more parts being coaxially and releasably connectable to each other.

Preferably, the upper and lower pole members are tubular.

Preferably, the upper and lower pole members are made of metal .

Preferably, the metallic material is mild steel.

Preferably, the metallic material is chrome plated.

Alternatively, the upper and lower pole members are made of a plastics material .

Preferably, the upper and lower pole members have a wall thickness of 1.5mm.

Preferably, the fixed structure is a ceiling joist.

Preferably, the upper engagement member includes a grub screw socket and the pole member comprises one or more apertures adapted to receive a corresponding number of grub screws.

Preferably, the lower engagement member is selectively lockable in a desired position relative to the pole member thus preventing axial movement arising from axial forces and determining the overall length of the pole assembly. Preferably, the lower engagement member is threadably received within the pole member.

Optionally, the assembly includes one or more locking pins and/or a catch arrangement for preventing axial movement of the lower engagement member .

Preferably, the range of axial movement of the lower engagement member relative to the pole member is 100mm.

Preferably, the ground-engaging end of the lower engagement member is enlarged in order to provide an increased contact area with the ground.

Preferably, the lower engagement member is comprised of tubular metallic or plastics material having a wall thickness which is greater than that of the upper and lower members.

Preferably, handle means are provided on the pole assembly to facilitate relative rotational movement between the pole member and the lower engagement membe .

Preferably, the handle means is located on the lower engagement member.

Preferably, the handle means comprises a lever member adapted to be received within two diametrically opposing apertures formed in the wall of the lower engagement member.

Preferably, the length of the lever member is greater than the diameter of the lower engagement member .

Preferably, the lever member is removeable from the lower engagement member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of assembling the pole assembly of the first aspect comprising the steps of: (i) fixing the upper engagement member to the fixed structure; (ϋ) fixing the pole member to the upper engagement member; and (iϋ) moving the lower engagement member until it engages with the ground.

Preferably, the pole assembly is assembled such that its longitudinal axis is vertically orientated.

Preferably, the lower engagement member is moved from a position within the pole member during assembly to a second extended position in use in which it engages with the ground.

Preferably, the lower engagement member is lockable in its second extended position to prevent axial movement arising from axial forces. Preferably, the step of moving the lower engagement member until it engages with the ground is achieved by rotating the lower engagement member such that it moves away from the pole member.

Preferably, the step of rotating the lower engagement member is achieved by manually rotating a lever member provided on the lower engagement member.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to Fig. 1 which shows a cross-sectional view of a pole assembly.

Fig. 1 shows a pole assembly comprising coaxially connected tubular upper and lower pole members 10, 12, said members being typically chrome plated steel and having a wall thickness of 1.5mm. Other materials are possible, for example, stainless steel, alloys, other coated metals or reinforced plastics. It is envisaged that the respective upper and lower pole members will be unitary members, however, it will be appreciated that the pole members may be composed of two or more parts in order that the individual component parts of the pole assembly are shorter for ease of storage and transportation.

An upper engagement member 14 is releasably connectable to the upper end of the upper pole member 10. The upper engagement member 14 comprises a neck portion 16 and a flange portion 18. The flange portion 18 is connectable to a fixed structure such as a ceiling joist. The upper end of the upper pole member 10 is connectable within the neck portion 16 and fixed therein by one or more grub screws 20 passed through apertures formed in the neck portion 16 and received within one or more corresponding apertures formed in the upper end of the upper pole member 10.

A tubular lower engagement member 22 comprises an enlarged ground engaging end 24 and a threaded end 26. The threaded end 26 is threadably received within the lower end of the lower pole member 12 and axially moveable therein (by way of rotation) over a range of 100mm. The lower engagement member 22 may have a wall thickness which is greater than that of the upper and lower pole members 10, 12 for added strength.

In order to facilitate rotation of the lower engagement member 22 relative to the lower pole member 12, a handle means is provided to reduce the amount of manual force required during installation and dismantling. The handle means is positioned on the lower engagement member and comprises a lever member 32 in the form of a metal rod which is slidably and removeably receivable within two diametrically opposed apertures 34 formed in the wall of the lower engagement member 22. The end of either the upper or lower pole member 10, 12 remote from its corresponding engagement member has a spigot connection 28 which is receivable within the other of the upper and lower members 10, 12. The spigot connection 28 is preferably made of zinc plated mild steel and defines, in use, a strengthened overlapping region 30 having a combined wall thickness of 3mm. It will be appreciated that the pole assembly may be formed of three or more sections (i.e. upper and lower pole members 10, 12 and lower engagement member 22) each having spigot and/or threaded connections with corresponding overlapping regions.

In use, the pole assembly is assembled in a vertical orientation by first fixing the flange portion 18 of the upper engagement member 14 to a ceiling joist or other fixing point via two or more screws (depending upon the joist width) . The flange portion 18 may be adapted to be easily releasable from its fixing point in order that it is portable along with the remainder of the pole assembly.

The lower engagement member 22 is then rotated in a first direction such that it moves into the lower pole member 12. The upper and lower members 10, 12 are subsequently fitted together by sliding the spigot connection 28 of one of the upper and lower pole members into the other of the upper and lower pole members until it is fully inserted. Once fully inserted, the spigot connection 28 is fully concealed within the upper pole member 10 such that the outer diameter of the pole assembly is substantially equal over its entire length. The spigot connection 28 may be maintained by a friction fit (or other suitable means) and the resulting overlapping region 30 creates a strengthened join between the upper and lower pole members 10, 12. The joint shown in Fig. 1 is preferably a contact joint.

The upper end of the upper pole member 10 is then inserted into the neck portion 16 and retained therein by one or more grub screws received in one or more corresponding aligned apertures in the neck portion 16 and upper pole member 10 respectively.

The lower engagement member 22 is then rotated in an opposite direction to that described above such that it moves out of the lower pole member 12 until its ground engaging end 24 engages the ground. It will be appreciated that references throughout the description to the 'ground' also include floors or any other such supporting surface. The lever member 32 may be used to assist in the manual rotation of the lower engagement member 22. Once in its ground engaging position, further axial movement of the lower engagement member 22 arising from axial forces is prevented by virtue of friction imparted to the threads of the threaded end 26. Alternatively or additionally, locking pins or catch arrangements could be employed to prevent any axial movement .

The enlarged end of the ground engaging end 24 acts to distribute axial and lateral forces and, together with the equal and opposite opposing forces from the ceiling and ground, promotes stability of the pole assembly in use.

It will be appreciated that the pole assembly of the present invention can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled and can be used in different rooms or venues having varying floor to ceiling heights. Indeed, the pole assembly is suitable for use in both domestic and commercial settings with perhaps only the necessity of increasing the pole length to meet the requirements of significantly taller ceilings found predominantly in non-domestic settings.

Furthermore, the pole assembly, once disassembled, can be more easily and discreetly stored when not in use. The upper engagement member 14 is optionally removeable from the ceiling joist or may be left in position if regular use is envisaged in the same room. Alternatively, the upper engagement member may be in the form of a friction engaging means such as a rubber pad, thus obviating the need for a physical connection to the ceiling. Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, any suitably strong material, such as plastics materials, could be used to form the upper and lower pole members and the upper and lower engagement members .

Instead of using grub screws to fix the upper end of the upper member 10 in the neck portion 16 of the upper engagement member 14, the upper end of the upper pole member 10 could be provided with a threaded end to be received within a corresponding threaded aperture in the neck portion 16. Alternatively, the upper end of the upper pole member 10 could be retained within the neck portion 16 by a friction fit or only by virtue of axial forces once fully assembled between the ground and ceiling. Such arrangements would provide a quicker connection.

Similarly, instead of being a friction fit, the ends of the upper and lower pole members 10, 12 remote from the upper and lower engagement members 14, 22 could be connected via a threadable connection.

The lower engagement member 22 could be provided with a limit stop to prevent it from disconnecting from the lower end of the lower pole member 12 when fully extended to its maximum range.

Whilst the present invention has been described as having a single unitary upper member and a single unitary lower member, it will be appreciated that the upper and lower members themselves may be composed of several releasably connectable parts. The pole assembly could instead be formed from a single member in combination with a lower engagement member having a larger range of axial movement .

Whilst the maximum range of movement of the lower engagement member 22 is described above as being 100mm, this could obviously be selected depending upon the particular venues in which use of the pole assembly is envisaged (i.e. depending upon the floor to ceiling height) .

Although the pole assembly has been described above with reference to a fixed upper engagement member and an axially adjustable lower engagement member, it will be appreciated that the respective engagement members could be swapped (i.e. the whole pole assembly could be fitted upside-down) without affecting the use of the pole asse bly. In a further alternative arrangement, both the upper and lower engagement members may be axially adjustable relative to the pole member.

The lever member 32 could be formed in varying lengths and materials, depending upon the overall length of the pole assembly. A textured surface may be provided on the lever member 32 to assist manual gripping during installation and dismantling of the pole assembly.

Claims

1. A pole assembly for pole dancing comprising a pole member, an upper engagement member releasably connectable to said pole member at its upper end for engaging said member with a fixed structure; said pole member further comprising a lower engagement member at its lower end for engaging the ground, said lower engagement member being axially adjustable relative to the pole member.

2. A pole assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pole member comprises an upper pole member and a lower pole member, said members being coaxially and releasably connectable at their respective ends which are remote from the engagement members.

3. A pole assembly according to claim 2, wherein one of the upper and lower pole members is provided with a spigot connection at its end which is remote from its corresponding engagement member, said spigot connection being receivable within the other of the upper and lower members.

4. A pole assembly according to any of claims 2 or 3, wherein one or both of the upper and lower pole members are composed of two or more parts being coaxially and releasably connectable to each other.

5. A pole assembly according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the upper and lower pole members are tubular.

6. A pole assembly according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the upper and lower pole members are made of metal .

7. A pole assembly according to claim 6, wherein the metallic material is mild steel.

8. A pole assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the metallic material is chrome plated.

9. A pole assembly according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the upper and lower pole members are made of a plastics material.

10. A pole assembly according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the upper and lower pole members have a wall thickness of 1.5mm.

11. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixed structure is a ceiling joist.

12. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper engagement member includes a grub screw socket and the pole member comprises one or more apertures adapted to receive a corresponding number of grub screws.

13. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower engagement member is selectively lockable in a desired position relative to the pole member thus preventing axial movement arising from axial forces and determining the overall length of the pole assembly.

14. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower engagement member is threadably received within the pole member.

15. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the assembly includes one or more locking pins and/or a catch arrangement for preventing axial movement of the lower engagement member.

16. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the range of axial movement of the lower engagement member relative to the pole member is 100mm.

17. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the ground-engaging end of the lower engagement member is enlarged in order to provide an increased contact area with the ground.

18. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower engagement member is comprised of tubular metallic or plastics material having a wall thickness which is greater than that of the upper and lower members.

19. A pole assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein handle means are provided on the pole assembly to facilitate relative rotational movement between the pole member and the lower engagement member .

20. A pole assembly according to claim 19, wherein the handle means is located on the lower engagement member .

21. A pole assembly according to claim 20, wherein the handle means comprises a lever member adapted to be received within two diametrically opposing apertures formed in the wall of the lower engagement member.

22. A pole assembly according to claim 21, wherein the length of the lever member is greater than the diameter of the lower engagement member.

23. A pole assembly according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the lever member is removeable from the lower engagement member.

24. A method of assembling the pole assembly of the first aspect comprising the steps of: (i) fixing the upper engagement member to the fixed structure; (ii) fixing the pole member to the upper engagement member; and (ϋi) moving the lower engagement member until it engages with the ground.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the pole assembly is assembled such that its longitudinal axis is vertically orientated.

26. A method according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the lower engagement member is moved from a position within the pole member during assembly to a second extended position in use in which it engages with the ground .

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the lower engagement member is lockable in its second extended position to prevent axial movement arising from axial forces.

28. A method according to any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the step of moving the lower engagement member until it engages with the ground is achieved by rotating the lower engagement member such that it moves away from the pole member.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the step of rotating the lower engagement member is achieved by manually rotating a lever member provided on the lower engagement member.