UTILITY OR METER POLE TOP REINFORCEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus for reinforcing an upstanding utility/meter pole having a worn top includes an elongated brace adapted to bear against the pole near a top end of the pole. A washer plate is disposed in overlying relation to the elongated brace. A front support is secured to an opposite side of the pole by an elongated bolt that extends diametrically through the pole and is engaged by a nut to secure the brace and front support in sandwiching relation to the pole. Additional embodiments are designed to reinforce cross arms secured to the utility pole.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reinforcing a horizontally disposed cross arm mounted to an upstanding utility pole, comprising: an elongated front wall having a first aperture with a size and shape to receive an existing through bolt passing through the upstanding utility pole and the cross arm, and a second aperture configured to receive a through bolt passing through the cross arm and the front wall; an upper flange extending from an upper half of the front wall in a lateral direction; a lower flange extending from a lower half of the front wall in the lateral direction; an open cavity created between the upper flange and the lower flange at least partially along the extent of the elongated front wall, wherein the open cavity is configured to receive existing nuts or bolts secured to the cross arm; and the upper flange having at least two laterally spaced insulator apertures that are axially aligned with two laterally spaced insulator apertures on the lower flange.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the cavity having a height less than a height of the cross arm.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the upper and lower flanges having at least two laterally spaced sets of insulator apertures, wherein each set includes two or more insulator apertures.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising each flange having a minimum of twenty inches between the at least two laterally spaced insulator apertures.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an access opening laterally spaced between eighteen and thirty-two inches from the first aperture, wherein the access opening is configured to provide access to an existing nut or bolt securing a support beam to the cross arm.

6. An apparatus for reinforcing a horizontally disposed cross arm mounted to an upstanding utility pole, comprising: an elongated front wall having a first aperture with a size and shape to receive an existing through bolt passing through the upstanding utility pole and the cross arm, and a second aperture configured to receive a through bolt passing through the cross arm and the front wall; an upper wall extending from an upper half of the front wall in a lateral direction; a lower wall extending from a lower half of the front wall in the lateral direction; the upper flange having at least two laterally spaced insulator apertures that are axially aligned with two laterally spaced insulator apertures on the lower flange; and whereby the apparatus is configured to attach to a side wall of the cross arm without interfering with insulators previously attached to the cross arm while also providing a vertical attachment for securing the insulators to the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an open cavity between the upper and lower walls, wherein the open cavity has a height equal to or less than four and a half inches.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising the upper and lower walls having at least two laterally spaced sets of insulator apertures, wherein each set includes two or more insulator apertures.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising each flange having a minimum of twenty inches between the at least two laterally spaced insulator apertures.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an access opening laterally spaced between eighteen and thirty-two inches from the first aperture, wherein the access opening is configured to provide access to an existing nut or bolt securing a support beam to the cross arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed disclosure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of a first embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along line 2A-2A in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

[0038] FIG. 2B is a view similar to the sectional view of FIG. 2A but depicts a second embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 2C is a view similar to the sectional view of FIG. 2A but depicts a third embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back support brace of the first, second, and third embodiments;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the elongated front support that is common to the first three embodiments;

[0042] FIG. 5A is a front elevational view of the fourth embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 5B is a rear elevational view of the fourth embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a certain embodiment of the vertical cross arm support member;

[0045] FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along line 6B-6B in FIGS. 5A and 5B;

[0046] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vertical cross arm support member;

[0047] FIG. 7B is a side view of an embodiment of the vertical cross arm support member;

[0048] FIG. 7C is a rear view of an embodiment of the vertical cross arm support member;

[0049] FIG. 7D is a top view of an embodiment of the vertical cross arm support member;

[0050] FIG. 7E is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the vertical cross arm support member secured to a portion of a horizontal cross arm; and

[0051] FIG. 7F is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vertical cross arm support member secured to a portion of a horizontal cross arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0052] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a first illustrative embodiment of the novel structure, denoted 10 as a whole, when installed on a utility or meter pole 12 having at least one insulator 14 secured thereto. The structure is perhaps more fully disclosed in FIG. 2.

[0053] In FIG. 2A, conventional insulator 14 having base 14a is secured to pole 12 near the uppermost end thereof by elongated bolt 16. Front support 18 conforms to the shape of pole 12 and its upper end provides support for insulator base 14a. Front support 18 has an elongated vertical extent as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0054] Conventional, pre-existing washer 20 near the top of FIG. 2A has an arcuate shape to conform to the shape of pole 12 and is held against the pole by conventional, pre-existing nut 22. Said washer and nut are diametrically opposed to conventional, pre-existing insulator base 14a.

[0055] The novel structure includes elongated brace 24 having laterally spaced apart legs 24a, 24b that bear against the top of pole 12 in diametrically opposed relation to elongated front plate 18 as depicted. Legs 24a, 24b are formed integrally with base 26 of elongated brace 24. At least two bolt-accommodating openings 28 are formed in said base 26, said openings being centered on a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said elongated brace. Each opening 28 is in open communication with an associated washer-accommodating opening 30. A plurality of openings 28 is formed along the vertical extent of elongated brace 24 as indicated in FIG. 1B. Each opening 28 may be provided as a circular opening or as an elongated slot as indicated in said FIG. 1B and as indicated in FIG. 3 as well.

[0056] Reinforcing base 26 is square at its outer or outboard surface, i.e., the surface that does not contact pole 12. Washer plate 32 conforms to that square configuration and overlies said outer surface as depicted. Nut 34 screw-threadedly engages bolt 16 and secures washer plate 32 and hence brace 24 to the top of the pole in diametric opposition to insulator 14 and elongated front support 18. Each washer plate 32 thus performs the function of a washer.

[0057] Said elongated brace 24 and washer plates 32 are depicted in perspective view in FIGS. 1A and 3. Openings 28 are provided in plural locations in both circular and slotted form to accommodate various pole structures. Open slots 28a at the opposite ends of elongated brace 24 are used to accommodate pre-existing bolts as needed.

[0058] It will be observed in the embodiment of FIG. 2A that each nut 34 is provided at the time of pole repair, i.e., conventional nut 22 remains in its original position.

[0059] Novel front support 18, depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 4 has an elongated structure. It has a first end that underlies insulator 14 and a second end that is longitudinally spaced apart from the first end and which therefore does not underlie the insulator.

[0060] Front support 18 is arcuate in transverse section and its upper end is slotted as at 18a to accommodate elongated bolt 16 which is not depicted in FIG. 4. Circular or slotted openings 18b are formed therein as depicted to accommodate bolts as needed for fastening front support 18 to the front or insulator side of pole 12.

[0061] Front support 18 and elongated brace 24, which provides back support, are disposed in diametrically opposed relation to one another and hold pole 12 in sandwiched relation between them.

[0062] FIG. 2B depicts a second embodiment where conventional nut 22 is removed from bolt 16 and then re-engaged thereto. In this second embodiment, each washer plate 32 has a recessed channel 32a formed in the center thereof as depicted. Channel 32a includes centrally-apertured bottom wall 32b and said bottom wall is substantially flush with washer-accommodating opening 30. Bottom wall 32b thus performs the function of a washer and reinforces conventional washer 20

[0063] Each spring lock 36 fits within channel 32a and abuts channel bottom plate 32b. Conventional nut 22 is returned to its screw-threaded engagement with bolt 16 to bear against spring lock 36. This second embodiment has the advantage of not requiring second nut 34 of the first embodiment.

[0064] FIG. 2C depicts a third embodiment where conventional nut 22 remains as in the first embodiment in screw-threaded engagement with bolt 16, and where additional nut 34 of the first embodiment is also used.

[0065] In this third embodiment, each washer plate 32 has a raised ridge 33 that includes centrally-apertured top wall 33a as depicted in FIG. 2C. Conventional nut 22 and spring lock 36 are disposed in bearing relation to conventional washer 20. Each washer plate 32 is then placed into overlying relation to base 26 of elongated brace 24 in registration with each opening 28 as needed. A second spring lock 38 is placed into overlying relation to each top wall 33a and is secured thereto by a nut 34.

[0066] A fourth embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B. This embodiment has utility in connection with upstanding poles 12 having a cross arm 44, with or without braces 44a. The perspective view of FIG. 6A depicts a certain embodiment of cross arm support member 46. Apertures 48 are formed in elongated support base 50 and may take the form of a circular opening or an elongated slot as depicted. A ninety-degree bend forms vertical flange 52 enabling attachment of vertical cross arm support member 46 to cross arm 44 as depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, through bolts 57 pass through apertures 48 on flanges 52 into cross arm 44 to secure vertical cross arm support member 46 to cross arm 44.

[0067] As depicted in FIG. 5A, bolt 56 is inserted into pole 12 through aperture 48 to secure cross arm support member 46 to said pole. Cross arm support member 46 is positioned on pole 12 so that flange 52 serves as a support surface for cross arm 44 at generally the mid-length region of said cross arm. Flanges 52 provide support for cross arm 44 and inhibits rotation of said cross arm in a vertical and horizontal plane.

[0068] As depicted in FIG. 5B, bolts 56, which secure cross arm support member 46 to pole 12 preferably extend diametrically through the pole and when used with suitable nuts and washers secure cross arm support member 46 to pole 12. Further bolts may be used to further secure said cross arm support member 46 to pole 12, said cross arm support member 46 being provided with multiple apertures along its extent and slots at its opposite ends for that purpose. A certain embodiment may include an elongated brace, similar to elongated brace 24 shown in FIG. 3, diametrically opposed from cross arm support member 46 to sandwich pole 12. The sandwiching of pole 12 between cross arm support member 46 and the elongated brace provides additional support for flanges 52.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 7, an embodiment of the cross arm support member, generally denoted by reference numeral 100, includes an elongated body having a generally C-shaped cross-section. Support 100 was designed to reinforce the attachment of insulators 14 (shown in FIGS. 7E-7F) to a cross arm 44 (shown in FIGS. 7B, 7E, and 7F). The design specifically allows an installer to first secure support 100 to cross arm 44 without requiring the installer to first detach insulators 14 from cross arm 44. This order of operation is substantially safer than first detaching insulator 14, and in turn a high voltage electrical line, prior to securing support 100 to cross arm 44.

[0070] As depicted in FIG. 7A, support 100 includes a plurality of apertures and accesses. Support 100 includes at least one attachment apertures 102 to receive hardware, such as attachment bolt 57 for securing support 100 to cross arm 44, as depicted in FIG. 7B. Support 100 preferably includes a plurality of attachment apertures spaced along front wall 107 of support 100. Multiple attachment apertures allow an installer to vary the attachment points based on the location of the wood rot in cross arm 44.

[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 7C-7F, support 100 includes aperture 48, which may take the form of a circular opening or an elongated slot formed in front wall 107. As illustrated in FIG. 7E-7F, a prior existing through bolt 56 passes through utility pole 12 and horizontal cross arm 44 before being received by aperture 48. Existing through bolt 56 is used to secure support 100 to utility pole 12 and horizontal cross-arm 44 using washer 32, nut 22, and preferably spring lock 36. Depending on the length of through bolt 56, washer 32 may take any of the shapes depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0072] Support 100 preferably also includes access 104. Access 104 has a size and shape to receive the existing bolt or nut that secures existing support beam 44a to cross arm 44. In addition, access 104 preferably has a size and shape to receive tools for engaging the existing bolt or nut. Access 104 is preferably spaced between eighteen and thirty-two inches from aperture 48, which is the typical range for the distance between upstanding utility pole 12 and the location at which support beam 44a is secured to cross arm 44.

[0073] In an embodiment, the existing through bolt securing support beam 44a to cross arm 44 may be secured to support 100 using washer 32, nut 22, and preferably spring lock 36 in generally the same manner for securing through bolt 56 to support 100. In addition, depending on the length of the existing through bolt, washer 32 may take any of the shapes depicted in FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0074] The main goal of support 100 is improve safety by enabling the support to be secured directly to cross arm 44 without having to first remove insulators 14 and in turn the high voltage lines attached to said insulators. For that reason, support 100 is designed to be secured to the side of cross arm 44 as depicted in FIGS. 7B and 7E-7F. When in end view, FIG. 7B, support 100 has a height (vertical extent in FIG. 7B) generally equal to the height of cross arm 44. A standard wooden cross arm is three to five inches wide and four to six inches tall. Therefore, an embodiment of support 100 has a height of about four to six inches.

[0075] An embodiment includes a cavity created generally about the midpoint of the height of support 100 to receive existing nuts or bolts that do not align with or do not pass through access 104 or aperture 48. The width (horizontal direction in FIG. 7B) of the cavity is preferably around two inches to accommodate the typical bolt and nut sizes used on utility poles.

[0076] The height of the cavity is less than the height of cross arm 44 to ensure that flanges 103, 105 do not wrap around to the top and bottom surfaces of cross arm 44, which could cause the flanges to contact the existing insulators and may inhibit proper attachment of support 100 to cross arm 44. Therefore, the cavity preferably has a height equal to or less than six inches (i.e. equal to or less than the height of the cross arm).

[0077] As depicted in FIGS. 7 an embodiment of support 100 has a generally C-shaped cross-section established by front facing wall 107 with upper flange 103 and lower flange 105 respectively integrated into the upper and lower ends of front facing wall 107. The cross-sectional shape, however, may be any shape that includes the open cavity generally located about the midpoint of the height of support 100 when in end view. Furthermore, it is considered that the cavity may extend the full length or a partial distance along the length (in the direction of the width of the paper in FIGS. 7C-7D) of the support 100.

[0078] The upper and lower flanges each include insulator apertures 101. The insulator apertures 101 on upper flanges 103 are axially aligned to the insulator apertures 101 on lower flanges 105. As such, insulators 14 can be removed from rotted/deteriorating cross arm 44 and secured to support 100 using, for example, washer 20 and nut 22 as depicted in FIG. 7F. Regardless of the cross-sectional shape, the upper wall 103 and lower wall 105 will include a plurality of insulator apertures. Therefore, upper and lower walls/flanges 103, 105 have a width great enough to include insulator apertures 101.

[0079] Furthermore, upper and lower walls/flanges 103, 105 preferably include at least two laterally space sets of insulator apertures 101. FIGS. 7 depict two sets of three insulator apertures 101. Having multiple insulator apertures 101 in each set is intended to provide an installer with some flexibility in the exact location at which insulator 14 is secured to support 100. In addition, the sets are laterally spaced at least twenty inches, which is the industry-established minimum safe distance between insulators 14. The safety standards governing this spacing can change and, therefore, the minimum distance between insulator apertures 101 on two distinct sets of insulator apertures may vary according to safety standards.

[0080] As depicted in FIGS. 7E and 7F, support 100 preferably extends half of the length of cross arm 44. Support 100, however, may have any length to reinforce any section/portion of cross arm 44 including the entire length of cross arm 44.

[0081] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing disclosure, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing disclosure or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0082] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.