A system and method for forming a composite part. The apparatus comprises a sleeve that molds a composite material. The sleeve has a first face and a second face. The second face has features to mold the composite material. The first face comprises a first inclined surface having an angle less than about 90 degrees and greater than about 0 degrees.

A method of and apparatus for forming one or more flanges or formations, which may conveniently be inwardly facing, on or in a hollow continuously wound structural member, such as a hollow pole, the method including the steps of providing a tapered mandrel on which to continuously wind a loop of filament or filaments to form a hollow structural member, providing an end-forming plate at at least one end of the mandrel, placing one or more formers on the outside of the mandrel adjacent to and spaced from the or each end plate by a required amount to form one or more flanges when the member has been fully wound and set within a resin, and subsequently removing the continuously wound structural member from the mandrel.

A modular composite utility pole has a plurality of sections, each with a tapered hollow tube having a plurality of plies, wherein a first end has a larger diameter than a second end, wherein each section is adapted to join at least one adjoining section at a joint wherein the first end of an upper section overlaps the second end of a lower section, the lower section having a ledge proximate to the second end of the lower section, with a fastener passing through the joint via apertures in the sections, and wherein, when the modular composite utility pole is erected, the joint is self-located by the joint features, and wherein substantially all vertical load is transferred between sections via the a surface of the second end of the upper section resting upon the ledge of the lower section. Also disclosed are individual sections and methods of making them.

A container, that includes a transparent portion, which reveals an interior portion of the container, an access aperture communicating with the interior portion of the container, and a lid adjacent the access aperture. A first liquid component is placed into the interior portion. A second liquid component is poured into the interior portion. The lid of the container is closed to fully enclose the first and second liquid components. The components are agitated until the first and second liquid components are a mixture of uniform color, without an appearance of marbling and swirling, when viewed through the transparent portion of the container. The lid is opened to expose the mixture of uniform color. The mixture of uniform color is poured from the container into a receiving structure. The mixture of uniform color is transformed into a closed-cell polyurethane structure within the receiving structure.

A utility pole crossarm conversion apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second portions. The second portion is oriented opposite the first side. An indentation is positioned on the first side. A second portion is affixed to the second side. The first portion includes a chamfered edge. The indentation is bilaterally concaved and includes an apex angled at 45-90. The indentation is configured to receive a tip of a fastener of a utility pole cross arm clamp coupled to a composite utility pole extension arm. The indentation is medially positioned on the first side. The indentation initiates centrally on the first side and extends transversely across the first side to the chamfered edge. The first portion includes a metal. The second portion includes an elastic polymer. The apparatus includes an overall quadrilateral structure. The apparatus is configured to be frictionally coupled to a composite crossarm via the second portion.

The present invention provides an improved fire resistant composite pole and a method for producing the same. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the composite utility pole of the present invention includes a composite structure having integrally bonded layers of resin impregnated fiberglass extending along the length of the pole. According to a preferred embodiment, the composite structure of the pole includes an intumescent layer which includes: high temperature mineral fibers, exfoliating graphite, organic binders. and alumina trihydrate (ATH).

A unique carbon fiber structure that achieves the strength and durability of steel tower alternatives at 90% less weight and a lower total installed cost, providing affordable carbon fiber telecommunication towers that are engineered for peak strength to weight performance wherein the carbon fiber structure is a vertical elongated tower body of decreasing area with an internal installation shaft provided therein to house one or more radio base stations wherein the tower may be made of multiple cylindrical or cone shaped hollow segments with a shaved upper portion whereby the segments are created with carbon fiber and fiberglass hoop windings.

A utility pole crossarm conversion apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second portions. The second portion is oriented opposite the first side. An indentation is positioned on the first side. A second portion is affixed to the second side. The first portion includes a chamfered edge. The indentation is bilaterally concaved and includes an apex angled at 45-90. The indentation is configured to receive a tip of a fastener of a utility pole cross arm clamp coupled to a composite utility pole extension arm. The indentation is medially positioned on the first side. The indentation initiates centrally on the first side and extends transversely across the first side to the chamfered edge. The first portion includes a metal. The second portion includes an elastic polymer. The apparatus includes an overall quadrilateral structure. The apparatus is configured to be frictionally coupled to a composite crossarm via the second portion.

A method of providing a post includes providing an inner member, and providing an outer tubular layer of polymer or plastic around the inner member, the outer tubular layer including an outer surface having a surface roughness Ra of at least 3 m. A post is also provided.

A method of forming a support pole, comprising splitting one or more canes of bamboo, or similar tubular plant material, into a plurality of split lengths; inserting a bundle of the split lengths from one or more canes into an outer tube (4); tilting the outer tube (4) at an angle from horizontal and injecting a matrix material into the outer tube (4) so as to fill in between the split lengths and encapsulate the split lengths to form a substantially solid core. The method may comprise injecting the matrix material at multiple injection points (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d) along the length of the tube (4).