U.S. patent application number 10/724329 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for pole reinforcing structures.
Invention is credited to Rankine, Chris, Yttrup, Peter John.
Application Number | 20050108979 10/724329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34592465 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050108979 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yttrup, Peter John ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
Pole reinforcing structures
Abstract
A pole reinforcing element having oppositely disposed channels
interconnected by a web. The oppositely disposed channels are
formed in a geometric shape selected from the group consisting of
cylinders, rectangles, and other geometric shapes so that the pole
reinforcing element has a high structural rigidity and can provide
substantial support to a utility pole to be reinforced.
Inventors: |
Yttrup, Peter John; (Baron
Heads, AU) ; Rankine, Chris; (Burbank, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P
14th Floor
801 S. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
CA
90017-5554
US
|
Family ID: |
34592465 |
Appl. No.: |
10/724329 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/837 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04C 2003/0447 20130101;
E04C 2003/0439 20130101; E04G 23/0218 20130101; E04C 2003/0456
20130101; E04G 23/0225 20130101; E04C 3/07 20130101; E04C 2003/0465
20130101; E04C 2003/0473 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/720.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 003/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pole reinforcing element comprising: oppositely disposed
geometric channels; and a web extending between and connecting to
said oppositely disposed geometric channels, said web and said
geometric channels being two to five meters in length and formed
from a material having a thickness in the range of 3 mm to 12
mm.
2. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the shape of
the oppositely disposed geometric channels is cylindrical.
3. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the shape of
the oppositely disposed geometric channels is rectangular.
4. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the shape of
the oppositely disposed geometric channels is triangular.
5. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1, wherein the web extends
from a top of the geometric channels to a mid point above a base of
said geometric channels.
6. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein the web connects
to the geometric channels in a plane bisecting the center of the
geometric channels.
7. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein the web connects
to the geometric channels in a plane offset from the center of the
geometric channels.
8. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein the web connects
to the geometric channels at a point tangential to the geometric
channels.
9. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein the thickness of
the material of the web is not equal to the thickness of the
material of the geometric channels.
10. The pole reinforcing element of claim 4 wherein the rectangular
shaped geometric channel is partially open at one of its
vertices.
11. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein said web has a
width in the range of 10 cm to 25 cm.
12. The pole reinforcing element of claim 9 wherein said geometric
channels have a width in the range of between 6 cm to 15 cm.
13. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein said geometric
channels have a width in the range of between 6 cm to 15 cm.
14. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein said geometric
channels have a length in the range of 2 meters to 5 meters.
15. The pole reinforcing element of claim 1 wherein said geometric
channels have a length in the range of 2.4 meters to 2.7
meters.
16. The pole reinforcing element of claim 12 wherein said web has a
length in the range of 2 meters to 5 meters.
17. A pole reinforcing element comprising: oppositely disposed
hollow geometric channels two to five meters in length formed from
structural steel having a shape selected from the group consisting
of round, oval, square, rectangle and triangle; and a web extending
between and connecting to said oppositely disposed geometric
channels, said web being two to five meters in length.
18. A method of reinforcing a utility pole comprising: providing a
utility pole reinforcing element having oppositely disposed hollow
geometric channels two to five meters in length formed from
structural steel having a shape selected from the group consisting
of round, oval, square, rectangle and triangle and a web extending
between and connecting to said oppositely disposed geometric
channels, said web being two to five meters in length; driving said
utility pole reinforcing element into the ground leaving at least a
portion of the pole reinforcing element extending above the ground
proximate the utility pole; and securing said pole reinforcing
element to said utility pole with at least one strap, bolt or
similar securement element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention is directed to the field of
reinforcing elements to be used within the service utilities
industries to reinforce utility poles and the like.
[0003] 2. General Background and State of the Art
[0004] Wooden utility poles are in common use for stringing power
cables, television cables, telephone wires and other types of
cables or wires over long distances. While these types of poles may
have a substantial life expectancy, they may eventually need to be
replaced as a result of age, deterioration or physical damage or to
comply with safety regulations. As an alternative to a replacement,
which may cause disruption of utility services, reinforcing
elements are known which can be lodged into the ground proximate to
the utility pole, and then secured to the utility pole in order to
reinforce the base structure of the utility pole, thereby
increasing the useful life of the utility pole. A representative
reinforcing element is illustrated, for example, in U.S. Design
Pat. No. 425,631 issued May 23, 2000. The reinforcing element of
the U.S. Pat. No. 425,631 design is formed from a bent sheet of
steel which may be partially or fully wrapped around a utility pole
and driven into the ground to lend support to the utility pole. The
design according to the U.S. Pat. No. 425,631 provides support by
bracing and therefore stabilizing the utility pole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to a utility pole
reinforcing element which features a stronger, more structurally
sound design having almost completely enclosed or enclosed channels
at outer edges of the reinforcing element which when secured to
utility poles provides a more structurally resilient reinforcing
element for the utility pole. The present invention is depicted in
the appended drawings and more fully described in the following
detailed description of the invention and as set forth in the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a utility pole
reinforcing element of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the reinforcing
element of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a first alternative
embodiment of a reinforcing element.
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the first
alternative embodiment of FIG. 3.
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the second alternative
embodiment of the reinforcing element.
[0011] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the second
alternative embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0012] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a third alternative
embodiment of the reinforcing element.
[0013] FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of the third
alternative embodiment of FIG. 7.
[0014] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a fourth alternative
embodiment of the reinforcing element.
[0015] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of the fourth
alternative embodiment of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a pole reinforcing
element 10 according to the present invention. The pole reinforcing
element 10 includes two hollow cylinders 12 and 14 interconnected
by a web 16 that extends from the top 18 to the base (not shown) of
the pole reinforcing element 10. The cylinders 12 and 14 and the
web 16 are preferably formed from structural grade steel. The steel
is preferably galvanized prior to fabrication or galvanized or
painted with an environmentally resistant coating after
fabrication. The steel components have a thickness in a range of 3
mm to 12 mm. The thickness of the cylinders 12 and 14 may be
greater than or less than the thickness of the web 16. The length
of the pole reinforcing element 10 can be in a range of 2 to 5
meters in length. However, a length in the range of 2.4 to 2.7
meters for most standard size utility poles is adequate. The width
of the web 16 section of the pole reinforcing element 10 can be in
the range of 10 cm to 25 cm although larger widths may be
appropriate for larger size utility poles. The diameter or width of
the cylinders 12 and 14 is preferably in the range of 6 cm to 15
cm.
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the pole
reinforcing element 10 according to FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG.
2, the web 16 connects to the cylinders 12 and 14 in a manner such
that if the plane of the web was extended, it would pass through
the centerline of the cylinders 12 and 14. It will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art, however, that the line of attachment
of the web 16 to the cylinders 12 and 14 may be offset from the
centerline of the cylinders.
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a first alternative
embodiment of the pole reinforcing element 10', which also includes
hollow cylinders 12 and 14. The web 16' of FIG. 2, however,
generally connects tangentially to the cylinders 12 and 14. This
construction is more clearly shown by the cross-sectional view of
FIG. 4. For the first alternative embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the
materials, thicknesses, lengths and widths described above with
respect to FIG. 1 are also applicable.
[0019] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a second alternative
embodiment of a pole reinforcing element 20. In this embodiment,
the web 22 interconnects oppositely disposed channels 24 and 26.
The channels 24 and 26 are generally constructed in a hollow
rectangular shape, although a square configuration would be
applicable. The web 22 is illustrated in the cross-sectional view
of FIG. 6 as connecting the channels 24 and 26 generally in the
center of the long axis of the channels 24 and 26. However, the web
22 could also be offset from the centerline or even connected to
the ends of the channels 24 and 26. With respect to the
construction of the pole reinforcing structure 20 depicted in FIGS.
5 and 6, the types of materials, thicknesses, lengths and widths
described above with respect to the first embodiment would also
apply to this design.
[0020] From the three foregoing embodiments of the present
invention, it may be appreciated that other types of geometric
channel shapes could be attached to the lateral sides of the web.
For example, triangular, oval or other types of polygonal columns
or channels could be utilized. For ease of fabrication, however,
the rectangular or cylindrical channels are preferred.
[0021] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a third alternative
embodiment of a pole reinforcing element 30. The configuration of
FIG. 7, which is also depicted in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
8, depicts generally triangular shaped elements 32 and 34 connected
to the lateral external ends of an angled web 36. The triangular
shaped elements 32 and 34 may or may not be closed, although
preferably they are close to being closed or completely bounded.
The web element 36 may be straight or, as depicted in the figures,
may have a bend in the center section to form a flattened "V"
shape. For the configuration according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the
materials, thicknesses, lengths and widths discussed above with
respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 are also equally applicable to this
design.
[0022] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the invention which is also shown in the
cross-sectional view of FIG. 10. In this embodiment, a pole
reinforcing element 40 includes a web 46 that connects to two
hollow channels 42 and 44 as described in the foregoing embodiments
of the invention. The web 46, however, only extends partially from
the top 48 of the channels 42 and 44 to a mid point 50 above the
base 52 of the channels 42 and 44. This configuration will allow
the channels 42 and 44 to more readily be driven into the ground
next to the utility pole, and only a portion, or no portion, of the
web 46 may be driven into the ground.
[0023] In use, the various embodiments of the present invention may
be placed against a utility pole or in proximity to a utility pole,
either individually or in pairs. They may be placed such that the
pole is positioned adjacent to the web of the pole reinforcing
elements. The pole reinforcing elements are then driven into the
ground. A hammer, pile driver or similar device may be used to
place the pole reinforcing element. Alternatively, a device to
vibrate the pole reinforcing element into the ground may be used as
is known in the art. After the pole reinforcing element is fixed in
the ground, metal strapping elements and/or bolts may be used to
secure the pole reinforcing element to the utility pole.
[0024] Generally, the pole reinforcing element is driven into the
ground to approximately one-half of its length. However, the ground
or soil conditions, the integrity of the base of the utility pole
and other environmental factors may be considered in determining
the length of the pole reinforcing element and the division between
the length driven into the ground as opposed to the length
extending above the ground available to secure the utility pole.
Moreover, for the embodiment with the web only partially extending
from the top to some mid point before reaching the base of the
geometric channels, a greater percentage of the length of the pole
reinforcing element including the web may remain protruding from
the ground.
[0025] It may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
utility pole can be secured at multiple locations on the lower
portion of the utility pole, and that preferably the utility pole
is secured both proximate to the ground and proximate to the top of
the pole reinforcing element in addition to being secured at
intermediate locations on the free standing portions of the utility
pole and pole reinforcing element. As an alternative, the utility
pole and the pole reinforcing element can be continuously wrapped
from the bottom portion extending from the ground all the way to
the top of the pole reinforcing element to maximize the securement
of the pole reinforcing element to the utility pole.
[0026] Having described the preferred and alternative embodiments
of the present invention, it is recognized that those skilled in
the art will be able to make modifications of the design, which
remain contemplated by the present invention in the scope of the
claims appended hereto. Accordingly, the invention is to be
understood as being represented by the foregoing specification but
limited only by the appropriate scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *