2009-26982 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2009-26982
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING,
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-367 (d) OF THE MIAMI BEACH
CITY CODE, THE PURCHASE OF GORILLA POLES AND
BASES FROM BYTEWISE SOLUTIONS, INC, AS THE SOLE
SOURCE LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR, IN AN ANNUAL AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $60,000.
WHEREAS, as a result of the implementation of the City of Miami Beach multi-
space meter parking system, there has been a significant reduction of single space meters;
and
WHEREAS, for the purpose of reserving metered spaces, via the space rental
program or special event/street closure, in areas that have the multi-space meters, the
Parking Department utilizes gorilla poles and bases in lieu of the traditional bagging of
single space meters to reserve these spaces; and
WHEREAS, the gorilla post is a patented device which employs the use of three (3)
super-magnets in the base and a lightweight PVC pole that accommodates signage with
the desired message; and
WHEREAS, unlike other similar threaded pole applications that are installed and
removed by simply unscrewing them, this magnetic gorilla pole requires the use of an
exclusive tool for removal; and
WHEREAS, Pacific Cascade Parking Equipment Corp. holds the patent for the
gorilla post system of products, for which Bytewise Solutions, Inc, is the locally authorized
distributor; and
WHEREAS, due to the nature of the space rental requests, the varied locations,
frequency and times of use, permanent signage is not a viable solution for this purpose;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-367 (d) of the Miami Beach City Code, the City
may enter into contracts for goods and/or services where only one source for the product
or service is evident; and
WHEREAS, the Administration has complied with the documenting requirements for
sole source purchases, pursuant to Section 2-367 (d) of the Miami Beach City Code.
aooy- ~ ~9g~.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission approving, pursuant to Section 2-367 (d) of the Miami Beach City Code, the
purchase of gorilla poles and bases from Bytewise Solutions, Inc, as the sole source local
distributor in an annual amount not to exceed $60,000.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 28t" day of January, 2009.
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
ATTEST:
Iln~x Per...
Robert Parcher, CITY CLERK
JMG/TH/SF/RAR
T:\AGENDA\2009Wanuary 28\Regular\Bytewise Solutions RESO poles.doc
M tti Herrera Bower, MAYOR
8t; FO ELUTION
~ I ii 99
y ome ate
COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
A Resolution approving pursuant to Section 2-367 (d) of the Miami Beach City Code, the purchase of
gorilla poles and bases from Bytewise Solutions, Inc, as the sole source local distributor, in an annual
amount not to exceed $60,000.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Improve Parking Availability; Improve processes through information technology.
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.):
77% of residents rated availability of parking across Miami Beach as too little or much too little.
Issue:
Shall the Mayor and City Commission approve the Resolution?
Item Summary/Recommendation:
The implementation of this multi-space meter program has resulted in the reduction of single space
meters. For the purpose of reserving metered spaces, via the space rental program, in areas that
have the multi-space meters, the Parking Department utilizes gorilla poles and bases in lieu of the
traditional bagging of single space meters to reserve these spaces.
Pacific Cascade Parking Equipment Corp. holds the patent for the Gorilla Post system of products for
which Bytewise Solutions, Inc, is the locally authorized distributor.
Due to the nature of the space rental requests, the varied locations, frequency and times of use,
permanent signage is not a viable solution for this purpose.
Board Recommendation:
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account
Funds• 1 60,000.00 Parking Operations Fund 480
2
3
OBPI Total 60,000.00
Financial Impact Summary:
Funds are currentl a ro raated.
Clerk's Office
Saul Frances. Parkin
Sign-Offs:
islative Trackin
Departmen Director Ass' tant City Manager City Manager
r.~nnce~n n~nnnn~ ~
~.v,vuvun~cvvywanuary co v~CyUld~1[3yIBWlS@~60/LlUOnS JUMYOI@S.000
~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ AGENDA ITEtitlt C 7~
DATE ~ a8'-'O`I~
m MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beath, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, vaww.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City ommission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: January 28, 2009
suB~ECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING, PURSUANT TO
SECTION 2-367 (d) OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, THE
PURCHASE OF GORILLA POLES AND BASES FROM BYTEWISE
SOLUTIONS, INC, AS THE SOLE SOURCE LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR, IN
AN ANNUAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60,000.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the Resolution.
BACKGROUND
The City of Miami Beach Parking System includes a total of 388 multi-space meters.
The implementation of this multi-space meter program has resulted in the reduction
of single space meters.
For the purpose of reserving metered spaces, via the space rental program or
special event/street closure, in areas that have the multi-space meters, the Parking
Department utilizes gorilla poles and bases in lieu of the traditional bagging of single
space meters to reserve these spaces.
The gorilla post is a patented device which employs the use of three (3) super-
magnets in the base. The base has a lightweight PVC pole that accommodates
signage with the desired message. The second component is a circular steel plate
that is secured to the street or sidewalk via epoxy or a tapcon installation. The
plates are numbered by the Parking Department to the corresponding space
number on-street or off-street.
Additionally, unlike other similar threaded pole applications that are installed and.
removed by simply unscrewing them, this magnetic gorilla pole requires the use of
an exclusive tool for removal. Pacific Cascade Parking Equipment Corp. holds the
patent for the gorilla post system of products, for which Bytewise Solutions, Inc, is
the locally authorized distributor. (See attached letter and patent information).
January 28, 2009
Commission Memo - Bytewise Solutions, lnc. -Sole Source
Page 2 of 2
Due to the nature of the space rental requests, the varied locations, frequency and
times of use, permanent signage is not a viable solution for this purpose.
CONCLUSION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of
Miami Beach, Florida, approve, pursuant to Section 2-367 (d) of the Miami Beach
City Code, the purchase of gorilla poles and bases from Bytewise Solutions, Inc, as
the sole source local distributor, in an annual amount not to exceed $60,000.
JMG/TH/SF/RAR
T:\AGENDA\2009Wanuary 28\Regular\Bytewise Solutions MEM Poles.doc
~~:.~~f~.~ ~r~r~~x~r.<~
December O1, 2008
Iic. Cit~~,~ of ~Iiai1>i leach and B~rtewise
Bear Sirs:
Pacific Cascade Parlcin~ Eduip>nent Corp. holds tha patent Tor the Gorilla Post systefn of
products (U.S. Paient ~ufnber 6,739,567 and other patents are pending inside and outside
of L.S.) for ~~l~ich 13yte~vise is o).rr sole dish•ibutar for your city.
Please feel five to contact ine if'tl~ere is additional information I can. provide.
S incerel ~j,
C""`
Lyle 1'e ers
Managex of Gorilla Post Systelu
Pacific Cascade Parking Ecluipnzent Corp. dba Parking 7_,one
800.292.7275 x211
Email: Ly1eP a;Parlci~i~2one.com
14208 I~?1ri~ 3rd Ct Ste 200
Vaucati:ver; ~'A USf198685-5759
Fax 3Ct1-574-9325
PaeifiG Cascade Gcn•}aoration
I•z4tlt ?i.1~'. ;iraf f;;~>urs, Suite 2t)(), ~3z14C)U\'i;7", 11'ushint;ton 9!~t>:4.5 ~ 5<J
3fit)•~i=i•~137 ? i':~x 3G0.3 i 4•~3J2:i
IBIANMItlllllllll~ IIYI~IIIIII~ IIRNWII~ IIIIflR
(1') Unit~c~ States ~'atent
t'u rt is
(it,) I'atr;nt No.: US 6,739,567 131
(a~~ r.)ate of ~'r>tent: ~Iav ~5, 2{1Q~
(i^,) SI;F'.~ItFtftF:.1 ~iAC:Nt•;'i'3C t1`t°111CH1iFti'7'
ASSIt F3I.Y
(?5} invctttor: Llark A. Curtis, Vanc.ru4~cr, 1l't\ (L+'S)
(73) ,'~.~sigttce: i'aeiiie t:aszade Pnl•king Gclu}}fluent
G)rpot•ati,)n, \~uncouver, 4~'A {U:5)
(*) ivvticc_ Sttbjcrt t{i an}' dix.laimcr, the term at ttris
pat4nt is c~tenctcd c.r adjusted under 3:i
('1) elppl. ~o.= 1(}{27~.'7!Jil
{3~) l~~ilcd: t:?ct. 11, 2iN}~
(l} Int. Cl.' ............................................... }~ 16141 13,rt}ti
i_ ...................
(: ?} U.ti. CI. Z~i8/i•i5 ~82t71i S; '_=i}i<%4}9;
_48;_i'?9; ?~t8Cih3, 2J;ti,``9t1t3; >?'1:)tCi. ~t;
=it)6OO.(Ii; 4t)i6Ct7.01
(~?~) Field t)C 5ertrrh ................................. 3~ts;9t153, 91(1,
?a4'S•iS, :i1~7, >39, 1ZS, 2(ICi S 6't±; 5'_,1G:i,
f71t.~. 4; 4L?,btl?.t71, GE1Ci_Ol
(Sri) References CitE~ci
U.S. Pt~PEt\''1' 1.7C1CU;~SEN'"1'S
c
~k
~ L
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. 9(}•I `'r4at50[t
IU,?
l'~
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;
,
t '
t i t) 1l'4)n ~2 y~~
3.?>:~)73 r\ 1r19?t h3ille~rt~crn~1 .......... ........ 52.5)8
?.572,.<3 .1 3ii9?t `,ficrrc~~ct ............ .... +.
.., ti'2~fi
,h 3?,75? A '7: t9?3 Shenrclu,k ............ ......... 3O3r2
4,tri~),93J e> ;1.14?' tln}'amiztt
4,t5d>37 A >ii974 Andcrsua ............. ...... i2%,',9ti
•9,711 ),35tj A !()'1986 Aegg+
$,i13~7,it'i7 t~ 8:'1991 C~ertcx
$,t1i.s.r,Rt s~1 ~ 2.19+'7"2 13rictnn ............... ...... 238'>4;3
$.16t1•lll. :~ 71+'lyq? 1{uucn ...............
.....
.238'538
_
>..'.S'<<. `)t>3 A '?I44d ltult ct al . ............ ...... 2t()'22-3
5,-t~l,i3;~. ;~ t.'1.y96 t{EOeVlil .................. ......... 5?., i)
>,1~4.45: A ' 411096 f..:.rttcrl' ,... ..
........ ..... 4tt32
....
7,Sti „343 A 1.19579 Mauer et at . .......... ......... gti3?2
ti,it-17 i ,~yi l .1 .3."[71)(1 Shrphcrd it al.
fi.sY98,:iGi A ti ~K71)t7 Kutc^ e1 al.
ti.141 °YZ$ A i t';_'C)iX) 1't;itt ............. .... .... >2='2^.)ti
ti, i'-3})St3 Rt - 3~7Ct~)i is r ............... - ..... ,a da,'3'i2.2
6.'2dt;•t>85~ t31 t,'2rtfil }laddaJ et al. . ...... .., 52;298
ti;L~'~,83` Rt ' tr 2CH)I Chantcf .......... .............. aE73r'?.
6,2fi+).ti3G i3I ~1rZ(1Oi R'hite et ai.
{~„ii~~~ t, ~(, ijt IiY 2t)U1 ~tientvs$
1~+~,;,,~,..~;?r, N2 = 5'~i it1~ Barnes et al.... .....- ,2i;54;i
ti,°t22.'~ 111 7.7.{H?2. ktrdan ............ ..... ........ 4i:U~>
6,72 ~+r, 131 82Gi72 ivlc( r:,ektrt ..... ..... 14ti;to
Li,d47,895 tit tUf2C)02 Salmon ........... ............... gtt3,'2
ti,37?.?d`7 131 1 {,^2r}t72 kciscr ............ ............. 2-0l3iii
ri,~4tt,I46 B1 ' •t~~f)ti3 l;its«~ortfi ...... .___. 248hi8
(J•I'1lluii iy~f3Llf'.~flO1vS
L#S 2Ciil'3-C)l.fr(i?7> (i3rt>att~~etl ct al.) }vrst+. ?i"lU', `•tiniversat
Sign lldlder".'
~3\f(' A°tatnctics C;or}toratic7n, "~t<,nclarcl 19agn~::1ss~tn-
bit4s," Selz. 3t1, ?OU2, cme page, ~~2tx11.
" cited by cYamint:r
1'rir)tary 1;'.r,tmi)ter--d2atvtu~ t], }2amirtz
As.;ist,rxt Ft-er77)drrer-rlnty J Sterling
('}~) Attt)rnt=t .1ge);7, c>r F`irr)t-Cttrisicnscn C3't'onncrr
.li>hnxan hindncss F'LL•C.
rs ;~) t4F3s•r~t~cF`
1)eu;riih;d is a remcivablc ask ntl>i}' fcsr use ort a fixed
sur€ace. The a.~tiembiy includes n ptxrt ha~7ng a base {d2) and
an attachment as~;mbly (S). 'l"hc attachment as•tien;l?ly
includes a base plate (li)) and a magnet assc ntbty (12), bath
capable t71' cart}ring t, magnetic current. The magna assem-
bly utchici~s a hotwt3g ('Z{i) and ti magnet (22) tlispased
~~•ititin the fxiusitrg. Tri us,:, the magnet assembly is placed
adjacent the t?ase plate, the magnetic i'arcts attrnctirtg and
ttolciin}; them tttgether.'lhe: magnet is pt)sitiuned apart i'ntrn
the kmsa plate while Ihu housing rnntacts the base- Platt; to
Pttrm the mag„uet circuit. >\tt auarhmcnt plate (3(t) is cc)n-
neeted to the housing upper tivatl adjai~;nt its outer surt:tcc.
i'he aaachrnent plate inclutes one pr more aut4tiarcHp pro-
icclin~ atlachmcnt bolts (26). +1s rise»tbled, Ilte baits
engage carreslxn)ding opening (+#8) in the part bast {a2).
.~.1 C.7aims, ~ F)ratwinl; fihecLs
U.S. Patent ~r~y as, zfu~4 s~~~a 1 ~~t~ ~
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U.S. Patent
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US 0,739,567 131.
SR]',ii2.A131..1~. 1~] 1( '~ 1 1`]C :Ki~'G~C Hs~t Eisti'T
A4Sl~i [llt.l'
2
ing of the base plate. 17uring use, this tngapement heflts k,
maintain this attathmcm plan and rnagrtet axscmb}y au the
hatic plate.
FI11,17 t)T' "I'1[E l~l?Li\"1`IC)\
-1'tte present invention ralittes to sup}u>rts, and mcsrc
Itariictdarly, t+:> a frangiti,t mat:nctit a+umhty for use irz
attachirrg~ a }?ost, stanchion, 1?ole, standard. divider,
delineatc,r, ar Ilte like, in a tied bask.
13ACKtaRC1Ur\t) t)1' 17}L t'~b'GN't`lO~i
Cities often have a need far a temporary sign that can he
used t+> alert drivers as to tivhen it is unacceptrblc to park
their veltictts at a }?articular Itxatioa, c.g., due to a parade,
~?ststruction ~+°ark, velsicle 1~'saelin~'un;aacling, tic. ]n the
pact, traditianat parking meters u=ere available on which
workes~, could place "lvo Packing" hooch ctr covers. `I~ese
meters are being tlintinated irr many cities in favor <sf single,
ccmrally located parking pay statiatts.
`llsus, a need gists Tor is temporary structure to sup(zcsrt a
sign err other indicator at a 1?articutar hcigttt and location. 7:a
ntctt this need, a preferred arrangement wctukl be capable of
auaclsing a past, stanchion, }?ale, standard, cir the tike, tc? a
I3~ed base. ktcalh=, the sintcmre would he t,asv tcz install and
calve?vi by autharizccl pvrx?nnzrl, bet difficult to disturb ltv
unautharireel persons. In addition, it wtzuid be advantageous
for xmze applicatic?ns, if the device cezuld preferably with-
stand the impact of t?cing inadvertently hit b}= a vchitile. 't'ktu
present invention it dires.ted ut fulfilling [hest needs anti
atL:;rs as described below.
SC;h7'ti].~RY C)i' Tlli: INVEN'I~ItJN
In accordance with aspcct~s of the present imenurtn, a
remavablc a:~scmbly leer nu cxt a ltxed surface is clescribcid.
"1'he rrs~ mbly includes a postwith a hale and an attachment
assemhl)=. In i,rnc ernboclirnent, the past is a self-ribhtiog
imlract-reerrverv past. ~1n optional shroud is available tar
plaeenxut bchvecn the attadttttent platy usrd €he- base oI the
po.<s.
'llte attachment a~tiensf?ly nieludrs a base: plate ealstble oC
c rrryirsg a magnetic current and capable of utga~usg the
livicel surfacc.'lht a ruagrset assembly irscluefcs a hut4tiing and
a magna clispasetl +vithin the hausittg. Tha housinst is
tisrmed of a magnetizable nrateriat and inehtdes an upper
wail aeith an outer surtitcc.:~s 1'csrrtsed, magnctit current
frerrn the magtzet causes alt attraativc titrtc l?ehvee^ the
hi,usiuc; atsd the base plan, rite magnet itself: being pctsi-
tiancd apart bunt else base plan while the housing a~ntatts
tnt base phrte.,`~tt artarhruent plate is attached to the housing
uppu w ill, adiaccnt its outer surface. ~tlse attachment lilatu
includes c;nc ar more otdwardly }?rojetiiag attacl'uncrst bt?Its.
These bc,lts Engage the base <r t(te past, as asse:ntblcd.
In atcardance with other aspect; of this invention, in _
:uscthtr emhadintcnt, tlic magnet fs a ring magnet anel the
l:ousiog has a circular cup shape. Aliarnatively, an arrange-
r tent is dexrihtd in which the magnet is a bar ntagnct and
fat haussng t..rs a rectangular th:arsnel sha}~?u. As assemt?led,
tae bar tazaLnct is lacatted ccslincsrrly in else housing. i'urthcr,
icsttissu-atic,ns may be lr,nncd iu which ntuhipl:r bar ntag-
rc~rs aru3 channel h,?usi~tgs art used, each having a unieuc
cnicntatiou.
hs aca?rdnnce eo~;tls fur3her aspects of this inveutian, the
base plate includes ar, c,t>ening and Ihe. auachrnertt plate. ,
sr hsres a bulk extending dzrwnw=artl frr?ut the anr~caut~~nt
lsl~ft, Qsriru~h lire tna~net asccmbly, and cssgaLirsg tilt afxa-
~ F.bRILF 172~SC'121P`t7t7N OP~ "I'1~I: t>RA~VI:VGS
. The foregc?irzg as}tccis chit n?and of the attenc9•tm aclv.zn-
tagcs of this invention wilt becatne more rca~tlily ap}?rcciatex3
by rel~erentc to the fallowing dctailod dcscriptian, whcss
taken in conjunctiau the the acec?mpanyinb drawings,
ttt wttcrein:
1°'1G. 1 is a perspective view of a separable rztagnc:tic
attachment assembly formed in accordance with the pre ant
inv;ntian;
FIG. 2 is art exploded detail view ~tirth a partial tutaway
rs sttian of one ernbo~dintent of an ask;mbty fnnncd in
actottlance with tha present invtntic?n;
F~I(. 2I3 is an expiitded detail vow of another entbodi-
nrcnt of an assa:mbh= formed in accordance; te>uh tlta }?resent
inrrcntiun:
TIti. ~3 is a c:ra~s-sectional side view of the cstst?adinrent
of ht(~. ?A; and
FK]. 4 is :r pcrs}zr:ctivc view Curther illuatr;rtirt~; llte
emhoairnent of h1G_ ?li.
'{ t)['I:111..i;1.) I)LSC'RII'f10N C)I-1'1IL
i'RfFERi2L:D [?~]13t)T)Ih]Gty"1'
Referring to T1G.1, the pre ent invention is an attachment
assembly fi particularly lustful for sccurirt}; e Bast, stanchion,
40 }x?le,standard, ox tire, like, to a I''ixed base. As usixl herein, the
term "post" is used };etteratly to mean any type of Ieratprzrary
abjctl, and particularly eI<.ragated r~rjects. L;xantples inr.lude
pasts that held signs, posts used in sports applications, arsd
pasts used in creating tcarprnary fences ar barriers. Numcr-
;; tens other a}?pliratictns arc passible. As de]ineaied by tltc
claims, the astienzbly tray also be used ~s•ith csther objects
(clon};alecl or othonvise) for which it is desirable us have a
Buick and easy means aT se}aarahly attatttinf; the ak?ject la a
tease.
,t) Referring to F7(aJ. 2A amt 2f1, the ats.~;-mbly ittotudes a
base plate It) and a ma};net asscmblti• 13. r1 post or other
vbjcct is connectable to the ntagnct assembly, preferably in
a manner that one is separable Gant the rtther. In these=
ernl?odintents, dzc bast; plate fs a circular seta) disc. having a
:; beveled cuter praripher}•, R is approximately 5 inches in
diarnctcr .md "sr,-inch in thickness. Y'ha kzasu plate is per-
rnancntl}= aclhcred to (ar ti7rmed inioj a sidewalk or other
hard smooch surface. The upper surface L6 of [tae base: plate.
ill is preferably oracle t:zf a nonskid material. ~1"his is par-
cf, titularly useful if there is a uetcf to meet safety standards liar
public. tzu Fire base plate t0 includes an ofx:ning i8 at its
tcnCcr. In one embodiment, the csptning is a '4-inch by
'.~-snch st}uarc.
[n the arrangements of 1=1C.iS. 2A once 3, tlx: ntaQttct
~S as asitl>h~ 12 inclucks e col?-shaped metal housing 2f) acct a
rin} ma);nct 22. The ring magnet 22 is adlacrec! onto the
upper inside surface of the housing.'iltc lower }x?rti;>n of list
hottsirsp, is al?cn. In this w=ay, dtt housing Iran a shafk?ey
upside-ekswn bowl sha}se.1'tsc upper surface of the- housing
~, includes a num?ur of upwardly extending attachrnc~nt bolls
~b.:~A:ensrat halt 2S cxtenrls rigwuwarcily from tfa rasiddle
at the bausint;. In the emhc~dirneni sherevn, the attachment
bahs~ti as-d the centrallx>lt 2tt are farmedte^ appasitciclcs
at an attachmem plate :]0. Alt opening 'in the censmr al the
=s` housing 111otivs the e:entral halt to cxtenci dawnu:ird thcre-
thrcmgh..Ls will be al?prceiateel t:ronz ttto~ckilhci iu she art,
Ctrher toufi~nuntions are pa~cible_
U5 G,73~,~Ci7 131.
hz tlC~. 21i, [hc naa};nei assenttah^ 12 inchtclt stltaratc
t_C-slrzpcd ]ttausings 2ti' (teat coed( ctnttain their soya rrtagoet
22'. ~tlte ttextsings 2i1` face dowztward, Intl-ta-end, in u
circulararrangement. Anattachment plate 3tl is cctnn~ teci to
Ihet. upCcr surfa::ca of the housings. (,)nc uC the acivantttges i,f
tttt arrangcaneut c+l` 1=1G..a.33 is that it pro.-ides a magnetic
arrangentLnt that is ciiflicult to aecidentaily remove frcarn the
base plate. 13eeause the ut agttets sere provided itr oppc>sing
oriuntatitans, sttt;aruzg forces art minimized. "phis furtiu:
allows the: ztse c,f particularly ~€rong tnagucts, such as
tart;-earth rnagnt is (e.~; , netkivtrrirrna axragnets).
In either arrangement, the: housing i`s preferably made cal
a material that can carry a magnetic current„ e.g., steel. This
allows the (musing to attract oast attach to the base; plate
dz,ring use, as opp<'sed to the ataagnea ur rna};ttets a€tactaing
direa:tl}• to the base plate. in i;cncral, such arrangement is
referred to aas a "cup magnet" arrangement, since it is the
"cup" itself that is physically crannectvcl to a magnet((;
S11Ffa CC.
In scxue cmboclime;nts, tha strcagth of ttte inagneis will he
siLniticant. if sort( nzastne€s sr~ attached directly trt tfle G:ice
plate, the task of manually separating these parts netay
beconzc u:,o clitTcutt for tltc average user. In ['IC;. 2r1, the
notch 34 is available: in the attse;ntbly housing to allow a usc;r
to pry the magnet assembly from [he have }altte.. 11u: ring
magnet is 1>reerably [orated oC a rare-earth or ceratnir
m:ttcrial.
As mentioned alx,vc, the rttt:rrhtnant asscnrlaly of the
presses( lave-noun is particularly usaful fur separably aan-
uecting a lxast 14 to a ((zest base:, to l~(G. 1, a sign alt) is
sl~tow€a relc;asably conneeteci to a sidewalk. In this
arran6;etnent, tits prefeu+:cl post is a ann•entional itnpact-
rc;covery post. 'C`he impact-recovery }gust (deludes a spring-
k>adetl base X32 and an upright }x~,ic d~. °i'he base ~2 incltdes
.t ^unat.aer of lxaltholes48 positioned to align wish the magttat
as embh•°s attachment bobs.
1i3 assemhtt: the sign u€ f'IG. 1, the bast 42 is bolted ontt't
the at€achntcnt bolts 2C,, with an optional rubber shroud ~ti
positioned ttacrebecwcxn. `hhe a'nnhinatiun is then locverecl
onto the (dose plate 10 that is adhered to the sidewalk, or
other essentially smooth sutid surface. In this entlxtdimtat,
the magnet 22 does noC ciircctly touch the bast:. plate 10.
A'lagnetic fumes hehveen ifte lotivcr edges oC the housing 2t1
arn3 tltc; ban:. plate ltl are sttflicicnt to maintain the- magnci
asscanhl}• can efts bast. plate. An opening 53 in efts shrauci is
available fur u~ itt }xeling the magnet assembly horn the
base plate. Sec E=ICr. 2r~. A lever-type prying rlcvice is
instrted into the, (opening ~3 oast rcxatablc about a fulcnrrn
contacting the. adjacent ground. '1`he user }tries the magnet
assembly aw:a}• frcam the lion: plate.
R'hilc the preft:rred ernlaculitnc;nt of Iht invention leas been
illustrrtet9 and described, it wilt be sltprcciared that t^arrious
laanr7es can he rnadt therein without departing Croat the
spirit and scope of [he invcalir,n.
llx; embadimcttt4 oi~ itte invcmi.a^ In yyhich ~tn e.xelusivc
1 roperty nr lariviic~e is clattnetl arc (cirned as toltows:
1. ,1 removable: assembly (tar use; on <t fixed ~ttrt~{ce, the
ass<mhh• cr,otprisin;;
{a~) a post; and
tka) an attacbmcaat =rsjemlaly iocludinz;
(ij a base plate capahlc of carr4•ing a zzaagnetic current
:last .apttbie of engaging the iixed surface; anti
(ii) t r.tat;net tiscnthh• incrludin[; a housing 4onnected
Ito the, post and a nttagttct clispttsed within the hcau4-
in~,: the boos(((t; being fonncal oll a m:ucriai capabtc
;at art}°in,; a anagneUC cttrrcnt; wheraha during use;,
the. housins contacns the t?a~ plate so that majnetic
current from the ntagoet causes an attractive torte
between the housing and the bast ptatc, the magnet
itse.ll'. being positioned apart from the base plate.
.~.. "Ths: <rstic;rnhly a:;cc>rding to claim '1, tvherein Iht pcta
inci:urles a loose having at least one opening and housing
includes a lateral a}alter wall with :rn outer surface; the
a setrtltly furtlturcx'atnprisingan attaehntetu plateattachcd to
the taousing upper wall adjacent iLS outer surface the ate:tukt-
t,; metst plate including at (last true c~ntuvardty protecting
anacltrnent bolt; wherein, as assembl+~;d, the at least ouc
attacfttnent bob engages the ttt least one o}a;nio}; of the 1?ase:.
3. '(tae agx:mbly according 1ta claim 2, where((( the hose
includes at least font openings oast the aitachmcnt plate
ty inchuiesat least four ourivardl}• projeetirtg au:tchrnent bolts
ada}ated to engage the rte least four upctvngs of teat taas~.
4. The assetrthlg accc?rtiing to a(aiua 2, further wmprisitag
a shroud lucatui between the. attacfimtent plate and the post
loose; the shroud irtcludin§ at Icast one o}acning through
in wtticit the at least one attachment Malt estentis.
F.. `l'ite asstmbty according to claim 1, wherein the magnet
is a rtrtg tuagnet and the housing has a circular cup slaalzc;
wherein as assetnhled, the ring, magnet is lucatui coaxially
in Ilte 1Naltsm~.
_,~ (i. "I'tac acx:mbly according tc'a claim 2, wherein the attach-
ment platy is wcldcrl to the upper watt of the housing-
7. "1`he assembly ascending tia claim 1, whcrvin the magnet
is a bar magnet and the huttsing has a rectangular rhanncl
shape; wherein as asseanbled, the bar magnet is lex:atcd
,ty aafi.ncarly in the housing.
S. The a~semfaly° according to claim 7, where((( the magma
assembly includes at (cast Ihrtc bar manets }aoshirntcd
within separate rectangular housings„ the housings being
arranged in ditTering orientations to iollaw a gent:rall}
,;; circular path.
9. The atx;mlaly according. to Maim 7, wht;rein the auach-
ment latate is welded ter the rtplser watt of the housing.
1t-. 'l3ac akscmbt}° acc<trciing to Taint 1, wherein the }xast
is an impart-reccreery host capatalc of salf-righting; after
qp impact.
L.1. "I'hc assemb-v according to claim 1, wherein the
magnet is adhcretl ua the inside uC the housing.
12. -1`he assembly acrc,rdiniy+ to claim 1, wherein tlrc bast
peals is made of a tnatcrial inchtciing at least steel.
». 13. -I"he a~se;mbly according to claim l,lvhtre:in the base
plate includes an upper surface with an capering and the
ascend>ly Further includes a hob extending downward from
the housing and engaging the opening of the base plate;
Gvhercin during u~; thix cngagemertt hcl~s tc, maintain the
ct, attachnrcni plug. and nlagnct assembly un the basa plate.
l~. `I'hc asscmb[y ac~rarling to slabs 1, 4vhcrei^ the
auaciunent a;;~;mialy includes an opening cuprrblc t,f receiv-
ing a ltr~"ing ciee~i:re f<~r use in e~,lettsins the ma•gnei assentbi}~
from the b:tsr. 1?late.
1S. i~ removable ~xntbl}• Pur ua tan a fixed surface, the
usiemhly a:antprisins„
(aj an ((apace-recovery post having a (,oast, thi base:
including a nuzttbtr ref openings; and
(la} an auac6nteut assemhl}' incaudima,
(i} a bay plate capab}c of carryins, a ma;nctir current
tnrd capable uC engaging the, toed surface;
(ii) a magnet assernhly inrluclin}; :t housing oast a
m:i;nt:t disp::ssrcl within the housing; the hutting
being fomaed oCa magnetiz~llalc. aatateriai anti inducl-
ing an upper wall with an muter surface; wherein as
.IoinG<i, nza~nc tic current from the rttngnzrt coons ;rr.
attractive k°~rce bctcveen tine housins and the b:isc
US (i,73~);5(i7 131.
5
plate, ahc rnagnct i€sclf Ixint; Irersitirutetl apart from
the kaasc plate whdc the trorrsing c~rn(acls the base
Iriale; and
(iiij .,n attachment Irtate auachcrl to the housing upln;r
~e~all adjaunt its Dote-r aurCaee; ttaa arUaehrncnt p=tte
inahtairas; :r nunakacr old nrrtwardly projecting auax;h-
ment molts; wherein, a5 asseembled, the attachment
iacrlts eng.tge antl arc lixccily hell within the openirtes
cif the frost base.
16. ~Ilre a~~~ualaly accc7>ding to claim Ili, tivherein the rte;
rrr;,gnet :rssurttbly rent:+ins rtttaclaecl to the b rse plate uiaern
impat~t to thi: past.
t7. 'I~kae as5emk71y' accr.~rding to claim i, ~vhcrcia the
tnannei rv~caab]}~ is capable of rvtnaining attachcel Eo the
b.rse plait rgaoa inrpaet to the- pz'ast. ~?
a8. ~i'he assx:mbly accc>rdinn to claim 1, further ccrnapris-
ing means for limiting lateral meavcment of [he magnet
assembly relattvc to Ehc ba.4c: plate.
[9, l Ire asscmtaly according to claim 1, wherein rftc base
pkrte is =i flat disc with an upper surface, ttac treautitr+g ~~
ec'rutacting the uplx:r surface during use,
211.'I'he asserntaly accc~rdirag to claim 79, wherein the outer
edges crf the base: plate are bzs~eleel,
f
«7. ,~ renxavaiale a~scrnbly Izrr uu on a filed surface, tha
assctnb{t conri~rrising:
(rt) an inap;r:a-recavcrv past huvin~; a h:isa, 16e hasr
ia~Euding a number cif openings; and
(b} arr atutchment :rtisemblg inciudang
(i) ~ flat 1 ax: plate w=ith an upper surfau, dre base: plate
capable of carrying a rn:rgnctir curre;ut and capat~lc
<~f attachment to fiat fixed surface;
(ii) a rnagtaet assembly includiue a housing aucl a
pemtanant magnet dispaxd within th4 hausitr~;; dur-
irtg use, an attractive [orcc c;xiting be;tw•een Ilse
magnet assettably and the base; plato thereby main-
taining nne to the other: and
(iii) an atlaehurcat lalatc attaclacd to ttru ftcxtsiaL :rnd
including a number of crut~vardly prrrjectittg attacla-
mem bolts; wherein, as astiCmbled, the attachment
trtr{ts engage and arc Iixe dl>' held withua the open taps
cif the post base.
h ~ ~ «