US20080000192A1

US20080000192A1 - Concrete pole base cover

Info

Publication number: US20080000192A1
Application number: US11/478,226
Authority: US
Inventors: Bradley J. McGlinch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-29
Filing date: 2006-06-29
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Also published as: CA2592642A1

Abstract

A cover for a concrete pole base of a pole assembly includes a cylinder-shaped wall and an upper wall at least partially closing the open upper end of the cylinder-shaped wall. The upper wall has an opening for receiving the post of the pole assembly, which is anchored to the ground by the concrete base. The cylinder-shaped wall has an inner diameter and a height sized to cover and enclose the concrete base. The upper wall has a plurality of nested regions of reduced wall thickness to form score lines to facilitate cutting the cover to increase adjust the height or the diameter of the opening to accommodate different pole assemblies.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a cover for a concrete base, for example, a concrete pole base, and, more particularly, to a cover for a concrete lamp pole base.
It is common practice to mount a pole, such as a lamp pole, on a concrete base, which is embedded or otherwise mounted to the ground. However, over time the appearance of these concrete bases tends to degrade from stains from either rust that accumulates at the pole mounting plate and/or the concrete anchor bolts that mount the pole to the concrete base or from iron deposits from sprinkler water distributed by sprinkler systems. In an effort to hide these unsightly stains, some concrete bases are painted. However, once painted, the bases have to be maintained and repainted periodically to maintain their aesthetic appearance.
Consequently, there is a need for a method or device that can conceal concrete bases to hide these stains or other markings which may appear on the bases, such as graffiti, but without requiring any significant maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a cover for a concrete pole base that may be mounted on the base after the base is installed in the ground. The cover is made from a material that is not subject to rusting and, preferably, also not subject to staining or that can at least be washed to remove any dirt or debris that may adhere to the outer surface of the cover to maintain the overall aesthetic appearance of the pole and base.
In one form of the invention, a cover for a concrete pole base includes a cylinder-shaped wall, with an open upper end and an open lower end, and an upper wall that at least partially closes the open upper end of the cylinder-shaped wall. The upper wall includes an opening for receiving the post. The cylinder-shaped wall has an inner diameter and a height sized to cover and enclose the concrete base. The upper wall also includes a plurality of concentric regions of reduced wall thickness to form score lines to facilitate cutting the cover to increase the diameter of the opening to accommodate different pole sizes.
In one aspect, the opening in the upper wall is a round or a square opening. In another aspect, the regions of reduced wall thickness are formed by grooves or recesses. In yet another aspect, the upper wall is flat.
According to other aspects, the cylinder-shaped wall comprises a round cylinder-shaped wall or a multi-sided cylinder-shaped wall. Further, the cylinder-shaped wall may have a plurality of vertically spaced regions of reduced wall thickness to form score lines to facilitate cutting the cover to decrease the height of the cylinder-shaped wall to accommodate different base heights.
In a further aspect, the cylinder-shaped wall and the upper wall comprise plastic wall.
An additional feature that may be provided includes an outwardly extending flange, which is provided at the open lower end of the cylinder-shaped wall. The flange projects outwardly from said cylinder-shaped wall to form a perimeter flange or skirt around the cylinder-shaped wall. For example, the skirt may discourage the growth of grass around the outer perimeter of the cylinder-shaped wall. The flange may include an upwardly extending lip, which extends into the open lower end of the cylinder-shaped wall between the concrete base and the cylinder-shaped wall to thereby anchor the flange about the concrete base with the cylinder-shaped wall.
In yet a further aspect, the cylinder-shaped wall may be formed from two half-cylinder-shaped walls, which interlock together to form the cylinder-shaped wall. For example, each of the half-cylinder-shaped walls includes a vertical edge, with each of the vertical edges including at least one connector for interlocking the half-cylinder-shaped walls together. In addition, each of said vertical edges may include a lip that overlaps with a corresponding lip on the vertical edge of the other half-cylinder-shaped wall.
In another form of the invention, a pole assembly and concrete pole base cover includes a post and a concrete base, with the post being anchored to the concrete base by a plurality of concrete anchors bolts. The concrete base has a cylinder-shaped concrete body with a top surface spaced above the ground when installed, a lower end for anchoring in the ground, and an intermediate portion extending above the ground from the lower end. The concrete anchor bolts anchor the post to the base at the top surface of the base. The cover includes a cylinder-shaped wall with an open lower end and an open upper end, which is sized to fit over the anchors bolts and the concrete base and to extend over the top surface and cover the intermediate portion of the cylinder-shaped concrete body wherein the cylinder-shaped wall extends to the ground. The cover also includes an upper wall at least partially closing the open upper end of the cylinder-shaped wall. The upper wall includes an opening for receiving the post. The cylinder-shaped wall has an inner diameter and a height sized to cover and enclose the anchor bolts and the intermediate portion of cylinder-shaped concrete body.
In one aspect, either the upper wall or the cylinder-shaped wall has a plurality of regions of reduced wall thickness to form score lines to facilitate cutting the cover. For example, the upper wall may have score lines to facilitate cutting the cover to increase the size of the opening to accommodate different post sizes.
In another aspect, the pole and pole cover may also include an outwardly extending flange similar to the flange described above.
According to another aspect, the cylinder-shaped wall is formed from two half-cylinder-shaped walls that interlock together to form said cylinder-shaped wall.
In yet another form of the invention, a concrete pole base cover includes a cylinder-shaped wall, with an open upper end and an open lower end, and an upper wall that at least partially closes the open upper end of the cylinder-shaped wall. The upper wall includes an opening for receiving the post of a pole assembly. The cylinder-shaped wall has an inner diameter and a height sized to cover and enclose the concrete base that anchors the post to the ground. In addition, a skirt is provided that extends around the cylinder-shaped wall. For example, the skirt may discourage the growth of grass around the outer perimeter of the cylinder-shaped wall.
In one aspect, the skirt includes an outwardly extending flange with an upwardly extending lip, which extends into the open lower end of the cylinder-shaped wall between the concrete base and the cylinder-shaped wall to thereby anchor the skirt about the concrete base with the cylinder-shaped wall.
In yet a further aspect, the cylinder-shaped wall may be formed from two half-cylinder-shaped walls, which interlock together to form the cylinder-shaped wall. Similarly, the skirt may be formed from two skirt halves.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a cover for a concrete pole base, such as a concrete light pole base, that will protect the base from damage or corrosion due to sprinkler water, flying debris from lawn mowers, and will also cover defects or stains in the base.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the cover and pole of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the cover and pole of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one half of the cover of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the cover half of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cover half of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the cover half of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the connectors at the cover half edge;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the cover edge lip overlapping with the opposed cover half;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cover halves when interlocked at cross-section XVIIIA-XVIIIA;

FIG. 9 is a similar view to FIG. 4 illustrating a plurality of score lines formed by the plurality of spaced recesses arranged in a vertical array;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the inside cover of the top of the cover illustrating concentric regions of reduces wall thickness to provide scroll lines for cutting the cover to thereby increase the central opening of the cover;

FIG. 11 is a similar view to FIG. 10 illustrating a square opening in a square-shaped series of concentric regions of reduces wall thickness;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cover of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the cover of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the cover of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of one half of the cover of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are enlarged detail views of details XVI-XVI of FIG. 15 and of details XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a plan view illustrating the cover halves with an overlapping flange arrangement at their respective joints;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a skirt for the cover of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the skirt of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a right side view of the skirt of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 22 is a front side view of the skirt of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates a cover of the present invention, which is particularly suitable for use on a pole assembly P, especially a lamp pole assembly, to cover the pole assembly's concrete base B and pole base plate M and optionally the concrete anchor bolts A that anchor the post to the base. As will be more fully described below, cover 10 will protect the concrete base from damage or corrosion due to sprinkler water, flying debris from lawn mowers, and will also cover defects or stains in the base.
In the illustrated embodiment, cover 10 includes a split housing construction with first and second cover halves 12 and 14, each having a substantially identical construction so that they may be molded or formed from the same mold. When mounted about pole assembly P and base B, cover 10 preferably covers the full length of the exposed portion of base B, which is typically cast in place and partially embedded in the ground G, so that cover 10 extends to or just above or just below the surface of the ground G. The post of the pole assembly P is typically welded to base plate M, which in turn is anchored to base B by concrete anchor bolts A. However, it should be understood that the post may be mounted to base B using other mounting devices.
The cover halves 12 and 14 are interconnected together by a plurality of connectors that are either formed or provided on or about the cover halves. In the illustrated embodiment, cover halves 12, 14 include projecting structures, such as tabs 24, and receiving structures, such as receptacles 26, that are formed at the edges 16, 18, 20, 22 of their respective cover halves. For example, edges 16 and 20 may be molded with projecting tabs 24, while edges 18 and 22 may be molded with receptacles 26. Alternately, as shown, each edge may be molded with tabs and receptacles in an alternating pattern so that when oriented about the base the tabs on one of the cover halves will extend into and engage the receptacles on the other cover half.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, tabs 24 project outwardly from the respective edges 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the cover halves, while receptacles 26 are located inwardly of the respective edges of the cover halves. Further, receptacles 26 may be located slightly inwardly of the edge of the respective cover halves so that when the cover halves are interlocked together, the edges of the respective cover halves may overlap, as will be more fully described below. In the illustrated embodiment, receptacles 26 are formed from channel-shaped bodies that are either molded or formed on the inside surface 12 a, 14 a of the cover halves or are welded or adhered to the inner surface of the respective cover halves after the cover halves are formed, such as by molding.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 8A, each edge of the cover halves optionally includes a projecting lip 30, 32. Lip 30 is formed on the outer surface of one edge of the cylinder-shaped wall cover half, while lip 32 is formed and recessed inwardly on the other edge of the cylinder-shaped wall so that when the two cover haves are joined together lips 30 will be received over and adjacent lips 32 to form an overlapping arrangement at the joined edges of the respective cover halves. Again referring to FIG. 8, when the edges of the respective cover halves are joined with their respective lips overlapped and aligned, the respective tabs 24 will align with and insert into the receptacles 26. Optionally, tabs 24 may be formed with projecting structures to engage recesses formed in the receptacles or may be secured in place by fasteners 34. For example, the tabs may be formed with a forked arrangement with two depending spring arms, with each arm having a wedge or triangular-shaped portion, or cammed surface, formed thereon that aligns with grooves or openings formed in the upper and lower wall of the receptacle but which compress when initially inserted into the receptacle and then are released when they are aligned with the recesses or openings to thereby interlock the tab with the receptacles to form a bayonet-like connector. Alternately, for example, the tabs may fully extend through the receptacles with the engaging structures formed on the spring arms engaging the ends of the receptacles' bodies rather than openings or recesses in the receptacles' bodies.
It should be understood that the configuration and arrangement of the various connectors that may be used to join the cover halves vary considerably. For example, the cover halves may have pin/socket connectors that provide, for example, a snap fit connector. In addition, the cover halves may be hinged at one set of edges, for example by a living hinge, with their other edges provided with connectors, such as described above. Alternately, the cover halves may be secured together by one or more straps that extend around the cover halves. It should be understood that the connectors provided and described herein are not exhaustive and are exemplary only.
As best seen in FIGS. 1-4, and 7-11, cover 10 may include regions 36 of reduced wall thickness. For example, these regions of reduced thickness may be provided at vertically spaced locations on the inner surface of the respective cover halves as best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 7-9, with these areas of reduced wall thickness forming score lines to guide cutting of the cover to reduce the height of the cover. In this manner, the cover may be sized to suit the particular application at the installation or manufacturer's site. Similarly, upper wall 40 may be provided with a plurality of regions 36 of reduced wall thickness that are arranged in a concentric or nested fashion to form a plurality of score lines that can be used to facilitate cutting of the upper wall 40 to increase the diameter of the opening 42, which receives the post. Further, the size of opening 42 may be such that it has a larger diameter than the post in a range or ¼ inch to ½ inch to allow drainage through the cover.
Referring to FIG. 11, it should be understood that upper wall 40 may include a non-circular opening, such as a multisided opening including a square opening 42′. In which case, the regions of reduced wall thickness may be formed by nested square-shaped lines or square-shaped regions of reduced wall thickness. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the regions of reduced wall thickness may be formed from a continuous groove or recess or may be formed from a plurality of spaced grooves or recesses to form partial perforations, or full perforations though this may not be as desirable.
In the illustrated embodiment, cover 10 includes a cylinder-shaped wall 44, which is formed from the semi or half-cylinder-shaped walls 44 a and 44 b of cover halves 12 and 14. The lower open end 46 of cylinder-shaped wall 44 is sized to extend around the full circumference of the concrete base B and, further, may be optionally sized to provide a close fit with concrete base B or to provide a gap, for example, to facilitate the installation of a skirt described more fully below. Upper open end of cylinder-shaped wall 44 is closed by upper wall 40, which includes opening 42 to receive post P. In the illustrated embodiment, upper wall 40 includes a central wall portion 48, which is generally horizontal or orthogonal to cylinder-shaped wall 44, and an annular or perimeter wall portion 50 that extends around central wall portion 48 and which connects cylinder-shaped wall 44 to central wall portion 48. Annular wall portion 50 is optionally inclined, for example, at an angle to discourage items, such as customer's cans or bottles, from being deposited on the top of the cover. For example, a suitable inclination may be in a range of 10° to 30°, optionally in a range of 15° to 20° and, more preferably, about 17°. Further, as noted above, upper wall 40 may include a plurality of regions of reduced wall thickness to form score lines, which may be formed in the inner surface of wall 40 or may be formed on the upper surface of wall 40. Further, these score lines are preferably located in central wall portion 48, though they may extend into the angled annular wall portion 50. Although illustrated in reference to a round or circular cover, it should be understood that the shape of the wall may assume other cylinder shapes including multi-sided cylinder shapes, such as a square, hexagon, octagon-shaped, or the like. Further, although described in reference to identical cover halves, it should be appreciated that the cover may be formed from non-identical or non-symmetrical or non-mirror image cover halves, though it would be understood that with such a modification, the cost to form the respective cover would increase.
Referring to FIGS. 12-18, the numeral 110 designates another embodiment of the cover of present invention. Cover 110 is of similar construction to cover 10; however, upper wall 140 is generally flat and perpendicular or orthogonal to cylinder-shaped wall 144. Further, in addition to opening 142 for receiving the post, upper wall 140 includes a plurality of bolt holes or openings 160, which accommodate the anchor bolts to anchor post P to base B.
Referring to FIGS. 15-16, each cover half 112, 114 includes a projecting lip 130 and 132 similar to lips 30 and 32 to provide an overlapping arrangement between the cover halves when the cover halves are interlocked together. Alternately as seen in FIG. 18, and as noted above, one of the mold halves 112 may include outer lips 130′ while the other mold half, for example 114, may include inwardly spaced or offset lips 132′ so that the edge of the cover 114 is received within cover 112. Similarly, upper wall 140 may include similar overlapping lips 162 and 164.
Covers 10, 110 may be formed from a moldable material, such as a polymer, including polyurethane, plastic, fiberglass, or a wood composite material, or may be formed from wood or a composite material. Alternately, covers 10, 110 may be formed from a non-rusting metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel. In preferred form, covers 10 and 110 are formed from a moldable material, such as a polymer, so that various designs, wording, trademarks, or textures or colors the like may be incorporated into the cover. For example, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a logo may be formed in the cylinder-shaped wall 144 (or 44) to provide additional advertising space on the post. Also, the cover can be molded with two or more colors, such as by two-shot molding. Further, as noted, to reduce costs, the cover halves may be formed so that they are substantially identical.
While described as having a split construction, the covers of the present invention may be formed from a single member. For example, the cover may form the mold or form for the concrete base. In this application, the cover would more closely resemble cover 110 with the upper wall having a plurality of anchor bolt holes or openings, but with each opening optionally having associate therewith a collar that is threaded or otherwise configured to hold the anchor bolts while concrete is being poured into the cover, for example through the post opening in the upper wall.
As would be understood, the covers of the present invention protect the concrete base B from the elements and, further, cover any stains or any imperfections in the concrete base itself. The covers can also hide surface imperfections in the concrete base, such as the honeycomb effect that is created during the concrete molding process due to impressions left from the forms or holes caused by air bubbles in the concrete, both of which produce unsightly surface defects. These defects are typically removed or reduced by sanding or otherwise finishing the outer surface of the concrete base. Therefore, the covers of the present invention can eliminate the need for the finishing step when forming the base, which can save significant installation costs.
Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, and 19-22, covers 10, 110 may be combined with a skirt or flange 210, which covers the ground adjacent base B. In the illustrated embodiment, flange 210 is formed from two flange halves 210 a and 210 b, with each including an outwardly extending flange 212 with upwardly extending lip 214 that extends between cover and, more specifically, between cylinder-shaped wall 44, 144 and base B. Similar to cover halves 12, 14, 112, and 114, flange halves 210 a and 210 b each include projecting lips 216, 218 at their joining edges, which overlap with each other. In this manner, when installed about base B and with lips 214 extending up between cover 10 or 110 and base B, flange portions 212 will project outwardly generally in an orthogonal direction relative to cylinder-shaped wall 44, (144) to provide a region around the base and around the cover in which grass will not grow or at least have its growth inhibited. As will be understood, the size of the flange 212 may be varied as desired and may be sized to eliminate the need for a weed-whacker to remove the grass around the cover and base B. Optionally, flange portion 212 may include mounting openings 220 for anchoring the respective flange halves 210 a and 210 b to the ground.
Additionally, when formed from a polymer or wood, covers 10 and 110 may incorporate a protective ring, such as a metal ring, including an aluminum or stainless steel ring, that protects the lower portion, such as the lower 3″ of the cover, from damage. For example, damage can occur from a weed-whacker where the skirt is not utilized or from rocks or debris that may be kicked up from a lawn mower. The ring may have a channel-shaped lower portion that receives the lower open end of the cover to thereby secure the ring in place.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a cover that protects a concrete base of a pole assembly from degradation due to impingement from water spray or salt that may be dispersed by sprinkler systems or a salt truck. Further, the cover may provide an aesthetic appearance to base B while covering the base's imperfections due to stains that often occur with concrete bases or due to the base forming process. In addition, the cover eliminates the need for the final finishing step of the base after the base has been poured and the form of the base has been removed. Further, the cover is adapted to be sized on site to accommodate different pole shapes and sizes and also may be adapted on site to suit different base heights.
While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A concrete pole base cover for a concrete pole base of a pole assembly, the concrete pole base for anchoring the post of the pole assembly to the ground, the post being anchored to the concrete base with concrete anchors bolts, said concrete pole base comprising:

a cylinder-shaped wall having an open lower end and an open upper end; and

an upper wall at least partially closing said open upper end of said cylinder-shaped wall, said upper wall having an opening for receiving the post, said cylinder-shaped wall having an inner diameter and a height sized to cover and enclose the concrete base, and said cylinder-shaped wall having a plurality of vertically spaced regions of reduced wall thickness to facilitate adjustment to the height of the cylinder-shaped wall to accommodate different base heights.

2. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, wherein said opening comprises a round or a square opening.

3. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, wherein said regions form annular recesses in said cylindrical wall.

4. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, wherein said upper wall comprises a flat upper wall.

5. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder-shaped wall comprises a round cylinder-shaped wall or a multi-sided cylinder-shaped wall.

6. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, wherein said upper wall has a plurality of nested regions of reduced wall thickness to form score lines to facilitate cutting the cover to decrease the diameter of said opening to accommodate different pole sizes.

7. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder-shaped wall and said upper wall comprise polymer walls.

8. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, further comprising an outwardly extending flange at said open lower end, said flange projecting outwardly from said cylinder-shaped wall to form a skirt around said cylinder-shaped wall.

9. The concrete pole base according to claim 8, in combination with the pole and concrete base.

10. The concrete pole base according to claim 9, wherein said flange includes an upwardly extending lip, said lip extending into said open lower end between the concrete base and the cylinder-shaped wall to thereby secure said flange about the concrete base with said cylinder-shaped wall.

11. The concrete pole base according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder-shaped wall is formed from a plurality of semi-cylindrical shaped walls, said semi-cylindrical shaped walls interlocking together to form said cylinder-shaped wall.

12. The concrete pole base according to claim 11, wherein each of said semi-cylindrical shaped walls has vertical edges, said vertical edges each including at least one connector for interlocking said semi-cylindrical shaped walls together.

13. The concrete pole base according to claim 12, wherein each of said vertical edges has a lip overlapping with a corresponding lip on the vertical edge of the other corresponding semi-cylinder shaped wall.

14. A pole assembly and concrete pole base cover comprising:

a post and a concrete base, said post being anchored to said concrete base with a plurality of concrete anchor bolts, said concrete base having a cylinder-shaped concrete body with a top surface spaced above the ground when installed, a lower end for anchoring in the ground, and an intermediate portion extending above the ground from the lower end, and said concrete anchor bolts anchoring said post to base at said top surface;

a cylinder-shaped wall having an open lower end and an open upper end, said cylinder-shaped wall being sized to fit over said anchor bolts and said concrete base and extending over said top surface and covering said intermediate portion of said cylinder-shaped concrete body wherein said cylinder-shaped wall extends to or near the ground when installed; and

an upper wall at least partially closing said open upper end of said cylinder-shaped wall, said upper wall having an opening receiving said post, said cylinder-shaped wall having an inner diameter and a height sized to cover and enclose said anchor bolts and said intermediate portion of cylinder-shaped concrete body.

15. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 14, wherein either said upper wall or the cylinder-shaped wall has a plurality of regions of reduced wall thickness to facilitate adjustments to the height of the cover.

16. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 14, wherein said upper wall has a plurality of nested regions of reduced wall thickness to form score lines to facilitate cutting the cover to increase the size of the opening to accommodate different size posts.

17. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 14, wherein said upper wall comprises a flat upper wall.

18. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 14, wherein said opening has a larger diameter than said post in a range or ¼ inch to ½ inch to allow drainage through said cover.

19. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 14, wherein said opening comprises a round or a square opening.

20. The pole assembly and concrete pole base according to claim 14, wherein said upper wall comprises a flat wall.

21. The pole assembly and concrete pole base according to claim 14, further comprising an outwardly extending flange at said open lower end, said flange projecting outwardly from said cylinder-shaped wall to form a perimeter flange around said cylinder-shaped wall, said flange including an upwardly extending lip, said lip extending into said open lower end between said concrete base and said cylinder-shaped wall to thereby secure said flange about said concrete base with said cylinder-shaped wall.

22. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 21, wherein said outwardly extending flange is generally orthogonal to said cylinder-shaped wall.

23. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 14, wherein said cylinder-shaped wall is formed from a plurality of semi-cylindrical shaped walls, said semi-cylindrical shaped walls interlocking together to form said cylinder-shaped wall.

24. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 23, wherein each of said semi-cylindrical shaped walls has vertical edges, said vertical edges each including at least one tab and at least one receptacle, said tabs extending into and cooperating with said receptacles to thereby interlock said semi-cylindrical shaped walls together.

25. The pole assembly and concrete pole base cover according to claim 24, wherein each of said vertical edges has a lip overlapping with a corresponding lip on the vertical edge of the other corresponding semi-cylindrical shaped wall.

26-28. (canceled)

29. A concrete pole base cover for a concrete pole base, the concrete pole base for anchoring a post to the ground, the post being anchored to the concrete base with concrete anchor bolts, said concrete pole base comprising:

a cylinder-shaped wall having an open lower end and an open upper end;

an upper wall at least partially closing said open upper end of said cylinder-shaped wall, said upper wall having an opening for receiving the post, said cylinder-shaped wall having an inner diameter and a height sized to cover and enclose the concrete base; and

a skirt, said skirt extending around and projecting outwardly from said cylinder-shaped wall.

30. The concrete pole base cover according to claim 29, wherein said skirt includes an outwardly extending flange with an upwardly extending lip, said upwardly extending lip extending into said open lower end of said cylinder-shaped wall between the concrete base and said cylinder-shaped wall to thereby secure said skirt about the concrete base with said cylinder-shaped wall.

31. The concrete pole base cover according to claim 30, wherein said flange includes a plurality of openings for receiving anchors to anchor the skirt to the ground around said cylinder-shaped wall.

32. The concrete pole base cover according to claim 29, wherein said cylinder-shaped wall comprises a plurality of semi-cylindrical shaped walls.

33. The concrete pole base cover according to claim 29, wherein said skirt comprises two skirt halves.