Precast light pole foundation

Abstract

A precast pole foundation having an elongated concrete body having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least two parallel concrete bolts extend from the upper surface of the concrete body. At least one cavity is disposed along the body of the concrete body for receiving a conduit. The pole foundation is preferably cylindrical and can be used to support a light pole, a utility pole, a sign pole of any such structure. At least a portion of the concrete body is reinforced with at least one reinforcing bar embedded therein.

Claims

1. A precast pole foundation comprising: an elongated concrete body that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, the side surface being in contact with each of the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the upper surface defines an opening in the upper surface that extends downward into the elongated concrete body, and wherein the side surface defines at least one opening in the side surface for receiving a conduit; an anchor system that defines a first channel and a second channel, wherein each of the first channel and the second channel is located below the upper surface, wherein each of the first channel and the second channel extends radially near the upper surface, wherein the first channel is positioned across the opening in the upper surface from the second channel, wherein a first end of the first channel is positioned near the opening, and wherein a second end of the first channel, opposite the first end, is bounded; and a first bolt that extends from the first channel and a second bolt that extends from the second channel, wherein a portion of the first bolt is located in the first channel and a portion of the second bolt is located in the second channel, and wherein each of the first bolt and the second bolt extends above the upper surface; wherein in use and prior to the first bolt and the second bolt being spaced apart a predetermined distance from one another, a portion of the first bolt is inserted into the first channel and is free to move within the first channel but is blocked from removal from the first channel at the second end of the first channel by the bounded second end of the first channel.

2. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, wherein when in use, the portion of the first bolt is inserted into the first channel and is free to move along a dimension within the first channel, and the portion of the second bolt is inserted into the second channel and is free to move along a dimension within the second channel.

3. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening in the side surface is proximate a midpoint of the side surface.

4. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening in the side surface comprises a first opening in the side surface and a second opening in the side surface.

5. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, wherein the precast pole foundation is configured to support a pole, the pole selected from the group consisting of a light pole, a utility pole, and a sign pole.

6. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, further comprising at least one reinforcing bar embedded within the elongated concrete body.

7. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, wherein the elongated concrete body has a generally cylindrical shape.

8. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, further comprising a lift anchor for lifting the precast pole foundation.

9. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, wherein the side surface includes a chamfer near the upper surface.

10. The precast pole foundation of claim 1, wherein the upper surface has a circular shape.

11. A precast pole foundation comprising: an elongated concrete body that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface, the side surface being in contact with each of the upper surface and the lower surface, wherein the upper surface defines an opening in the upper surface that extends downward into the elongated concrete body, and wherein the side surface defines at least one opening in the side surface for receiving a conduit; an anchor system that defines a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel, wherein each of the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel is located below the upper surface, wherein each of the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel extends radially near the upper surface, wherein the first channel is positioned across the opening in the upper surface from the second channel, wherein the third channel is positioned across the opening in the upper surface from the fourth channel, and wherein a first end of the first channel is positioned near the opening, and wherein a second end of the first channel, opposite the first end, is bounded; and a first bolt that extends from the first channel, a second bolt that extends from the second channel, a third bolt that extends from the third channel, and a fourth bolt that extends from the fourth channel, wherein a portion of the first bolt is located in the first channel, a portion of the second bolt is located in the second channel, a portion of the third bolt is located in the third channel, and a portion of the fourth bolt is located in the fourth channel, and wherein each of the first bolt, the second bolt, the third bolt and the fourth bolt extends above the upper surface; wherein in use and prior to the first bolt and the second bolt being spaced apart a predetermined distance from one another, a portion of the first bolt is inserted into the first channel and is free to move within the first channel but is blocked from removal from the first channel at the second end of the first channel by the bounded second end of the first channel.

12. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, wherein when in use, the portion of the first bolt is inserted into the first channel and is free to move along a dimension within the first channel, the portion of the second bolt is inserted into the second channel and is free to move along a dimension within the second channel, the portion of the third bolt is inserted into the third channel and is free to move along a dimension within the third channel, and the portion of the fourth bolt is inserted into the fourth channel and is free to move along a dimension within the fourth channel.

13. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, wherein the at least one opening in the side surface is proximate a midpoint of the side surface.

14. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, wherein the at least one opening in the side surface comprises a first opening in the side surface and a second opening in the side surface.

15. The precast pole foundation in accordance of claim 11, wherein the precast pole foundation is configured to support a pole, the pole selected from the group consisting of a light pole, a utility pole, and a sign pole.

16. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, further comprising at least one reinforcing bar embedded within the elongated concrete body.

17. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, wherein the elongated concrete body has a generally cylindrical shape.

18. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, further comprising a lift anchor for lifting the precast pole foundation.

19. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, wherein the side surface includes a chamfer near the upper surface.

20. The precast pole foundation of claim 11, wherein the upper surface has a circular shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the precast concrete pole foundation in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pole foundation shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3a is a top plan view of the upper surface of the pole foundation showing placement of two of the concrete bolts a first distance apart;

(5) FIG. 3b is a top plan view of the upper surface of the pole foundation showing placement of two of the concrete bolts a second distance apart; and

(6) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pole foundation showing a tee bolt affixed to the lower surface thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(7) In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed a precast pole foundation having an elongated concrete body. At least two parallel concrete bolts extend from the upper surface of the concrete body. At least one cavity is disposed along the body of the concrete body for receiving a conduit. The pole foundation is preferably cylindrical and can be used to support a light pole, a utility pole, a sign pole of any such structure.

(8) Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the precast concrete pole foundation 10. In the preferred embodiment, foundation 10 is cylindrically shaped with a diameter of 24, although any reasonable diameter can be used. Foundation 10 and has an upper surface 12 and a lower surface 14. For precasting material, concrete is preferred due to its strength and relative ease of forming and handling.

(9) Embedded in upper surface 12 of foundation 10 is a bolt circle 16, described in further detail hereinbelow.

(10) Two cavities 18a, 18b are formed in the body of foundation proximate a midpoint thereof, as shown. These two cavities can receive one or more conduits, not shown, of varying shapes and dimensions. The cavities 18a, 18b are known in the trade as conduit block outs.

(11) Referring now also to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view of pole foundation 10. Extending from bolt circle 16 are parallel spaced apart concrete bolts 20 preferably constructed of steel. Any number of bolts 20 can be provided, the minimal number being two. Bolts 20 are offset or spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance, as required by the pole, not shown, that foundation 10 is to support. Conventional spacing of bolts 20 is 5 or 1-3, although any reasonable dimension can be used. Extending downwardly and embedded into concrete foundation 10 from bolt circle 16 are 6 steel anchors, such a manufactured and sold by Halfen Gmbh & Co.

(12) Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, top plan views of the upper surface of pole foundation 10 are shown, indicating placement of two concrete bolts 20. FIG. 3a shows the distance between bolts 20 being approximately 5, whereas FIG. 3b shows the distance between bolts 20 being approximately 1-3. Any custom dimensions can be ordered and provided to contractors between and including these two shown dimensions.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown is a cross-sectional view of pole foundation 10 showing an optional tee bolt 26 affixed to the lower surface 14 thereof. Tee bolt 26 is also manufactured by Halfen Gmbh & Co. as Model Nos. M20 or M24.

(14) Disposed at a central part of the body of foundation 10 is a 4-ton swift lift anchor 28 with two corresponding, oppositely-disposed keylock lifters 30 placed proximate thereto for lifting foundation 10 when desired.

(15) Also optionally embedded in the body of foundation 10 is at least one reinforcing bar (rebar) 32. A no. 6 rebar is preferred for the dimensions of foundation 10 herein disclosed.

(16) Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, this invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of this disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which does not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

(17) Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.