Abstract:
This disclosure relates to apparatuses and systems for reinforcing poles. In particular, it relates to reinforcement apparatuses and their use in bridging or splinting decaying or rotting vertical poles, especially wooden utility poles, in which the apparatuses have inward angled flanges.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This disclosure relates to apparatuses and systems for reinforcing poles. In particular, it relates to reinforcement apparatuses and their use in bridging or splinting decaying or rotting vertical poles, especially wooden utility poles. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Power lines and various other public utilities, such as cable, fiber optic cable, and related equipment such as transformers are traditionally supported by long poles. Typically, these utility poles are made of wood and have a length of about 40 feet, which enables the lines and wires to remain overhead and significantly above the street and ground level. These utility poles withstand not only the weight of the cables, wires and attached transformers, but must also withstand the strong transverse gusts of wind. As a result, these long wooden poles are typically buried about six (6) feet under ground and pressure-treated with a preservative for protection against rot, fungi and insects. 
         [0005]    After some years in service, however, wooden utility poles tend to experience decay and rotting just below and/or slightly above ground level. Also, a utility pole may become damaged from other means, such as a car accident or lightning. This decay or damage often structurally weakens the pole, such that the pole may not be sufficiently strong to withstand the transverse wind and wire tensions. Under these conditions, wind forces can result in a pole breaking and toppling, sometimes without warning. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it is necessary to replace older wooden poles periodically. Replacing poles, however, is a very costly and inefficient process. Because the wires need to be removed when replacing the poles, oftentimes, the replacement results in an interruption of utility and/or cable service for individuals in the area. Furthermore, the demand for replacement poles, in combination with the demand for new poles, has become increasingly difficult to meet. This demand presents environmental concerns related to deforestation and the potentially toxic effects of preservative chemicals used to treat the poles. 
         [0007]    Pole reinforcing or reinstatement has been commonly used for these affected in-service rotting, decaying, or damaged poles, which would otherwise require a new pole replacement, resulting in substantial savings while still greatly extending pole life. This technique involves a high strength elongated steel member (referred to as a “reinforcement apparatus”) driven beside a pole into the ground for some depth and above the grade for some length. The reinforcement apparatus is designed such that it extends along and flush against the pole, and is then coupled to the pole, in effect splinting or bridging across the weakened area of the pole. This design and technique provides the pole with support against transverse wind forces and wire tensions. 
         [0008]    These prior designs and techniques, however, have problems of their own. For example, prior reinforcement apparatuses have flanges turning outward from the center of the reinforcement apparatus. As a result, the installed reinforcement apparatus has often consumed and monopolized an unnecessarily large portion of the pole. Also, when a distal force, such as coupling, was applied to the apparatus, there has been a concern that the apparatus may wrap itself around the utility pole. Furthermore, these prior known reinforcement apparatuses have been essentially linear. When driven into the ground, the linear design has led to the reinforcement apparatus being forced away from the pole upon installation. Both the outward flange and the linear reinforcement apparatus further result in a weak connection with the pole and thus often require additional parts to secure the reinforcement apparatus thereto. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for a stronger and more efficient apparatus and system for reinforcing utility poles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of this section is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0011]    Because of these and other problems in the art, described herein are, among other things, an apparatus and method for reinforcing poles. 
         [0012]    In a first embodiment of the invention, the apparatus for reinforcing a pole comprises an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end and a vertical length there between and a proximal side and distal side with a horizontal length therebetween. The elongated member further has a main body comprises of a back wall and two edge walls extending from the back wall; two flanges, each of the flanges connected together with an edge wall; and an open horizontal cross-section. In this embodiment, the flanges are angled inward toward the back wall such that the angle between the flanges and the edge walls is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. Moreover, the elongated member has a trough shape down the vertical length. 
         [0013]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement apparatus described above has a main body for the elongated member which is an open polygonal shape. Further, that main body has at least five (5) sides and may comprise between five (5) and eleven (11) sides. 
         [0014]    In an additional embodiment of the invention, the cross-section of the elongated member of the reinforcement apparatus described above has an axis of symmetry midway between the flanges and through the main body. Further, the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the top end of the elongated member can be greater than the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the bottom end of the elongated member such that the elongated member is tapered on the distal side. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement apparatus comprises an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end and a vertical length there between and a proximal side and distal side with a horizontal length therebetween. Further, the elongated member having an open polygonal shaped main body comprised of at least three sides including: a back wall and two edge walls extending from the back wall; two flanges, each of the flanges connected together with an edge wall; and an open horizontal cross-section. In this embodiment, the flanges are angled inward toward the back wall such that the angle between the flanges and the edge walls is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. Moreover, the elongated member is open on the proximal side. 
         [0016]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement apparatus described above has a cross-section for the elongated member with an axis of symmetry midway between the flanges and through the main body. 
         [0017]    In an additional embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement apparatus described above has a length between the proximal side and the distal side at the top end of the elongated member which is greater than the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the bottom end of the elongated member such that the elongated member is tapered on the distal side. The main body can have at least five (5) sides and may comprise between five (5) and eleven (11) sides. 
         [0018]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, there exists a system for reinforcing a utility pole, with that system comprising a utility pole and a reinforcement apparatus secured to the utility pole for reinforcing the utility pole. This reinforcement apparatus can be like those described above. More specifically, the reinforcement apparatus may comprise an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end and a vertical length there between and a proximal side and distal side with a horizontal length therebetween. The elongated member further has a main body comprises of a back wall and two edge walls extending from the back wall; two flanges, each of the flanges connected together with an edge wall; and an open horizontal cross-section. In this embodiment, the flanges are angled inward toward the back wall such that the angle between the flanges and the edge walls is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. Moreover, the elongated member has a trough shape down the vertical length. In such a system, the reinforcement apparatus can be secured to the utility pole with banding, made of steel or other sufficiently strong materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an elevational perspective view of an embodiment of a reinforcement apparatus installed on a utility pole. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  installed on a utility pole. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a reinforcement apparatus. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a reinforcement apparatus. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a reinforcement apparatus. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  installed on a utility pole. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  installed on a utility pole. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an embodiment similar to  FIG. 4  but with an added plate. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the installed embodiment of  FIG. 9  but with an added plate. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an embodiment similar to  FIG. 5  but with an added plate. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The following detailed description illustrates by way of example and not by way of limitation. This present disclosure describes a simple apparatus used to reinforce poles. Generally, the apparatus disclosed herein is defined as a reinforcement apparatus and essentially comprises a single main component part—an elongated member. This member is partially driven into the ground flush against the utility pole and then coupled to a utility pole by banding in order to reinforce the pole. As used herein, utility pole is synonymous with telephone pole. Although the embodiments described herein will generally be focused on the apparatus&#39;s use in reinforcing utility poles, it should be recognized that the apparatus has application to any other pole, including flagpoles, lampposts, traffic poles and the like. 
         [0032]    As will be described more fully, in an embodiment, the elongated member has a proximal side and a distal side. As used herein, the term proximal side according to the present invention is that side of the elongated member which is flush against the utility pole and, as described more fully below, is the open side of the elongated member with the flanges and forming the trough shape down the vertical length. The distal side, on the other hand, is the side opposite the proximal side. These terms (proximal and distal) have the same meanings when viewing the embodiments from either a side view or a cross-sectional view. The elongated member also has a top end and a bottom end, with the bottom end driven into the ground and the top end above the ground. 
         [0033]    Generally, in an embodiment, the elongated member has a cross-section with a main body between a pair of symmetrical flanges with the flanges angled inward toward the center of the main body. As will be described in more detail below, the main body is thus an open shape, making the elongated member a trough shape down the vertical length, and can take a variety of forms. Preferably, though, the main body is an open polygonal shape, defined herein such that the main body is open on the proximal side and generally in the shape of a half of a polygon, with varying number of sides, and in the form of a trough down the vertical length of the elongated member. The main body and the two flanges are preferably substantially symmetrical, such that a line of axis, midway between the two flanges, splits the main body and the flanges into two substantially mirrored-images. While not essential, the symmetrical nature of the main body aids in creating a stronger, more durable and rigid elongated member as the force between the utility pole and the elongated member is exerted more uniformly throughout the elongated member. 
         [0034]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show an embodiment of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) in operation and secured to the utility pole ( 10 ). The utility pole ( 10 ) is typically about 40 feet (ft.) in length with at least approximately 6 feet (ft.) buried below the ground level ( 13 ) (with ( 14 ) generally depicting the ground). The length of the utility pole ( 10 ) will often range from about 30 feet (ft.) to 60 feet (ft.), with a buried depth of ten (10) percent of the total height plus 2 feet (ft.). In most situations, the utility pole ( 10 ) has become weakened at or around the ground level ( 13 ). The utility pole ( 10 ) is also subjected to loads from wires ( 12 ) and transverse forces from the wind ( 11 ). The reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is thus used to strengthen and reinforce the utility pole ( 10 ). 
         [0035]    In a preferred operation, the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is driven into the ground level ( 13 ) and positioned flush against the utility pole ( 10 ) with some length of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) above the ground level ( 13 ) and some length below the ground level ( 13 ), in effect bridging or splinting the utility pole ( 10 ) at its weakest point at the ground level ( 13 ). The reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is comprised of an elongated member ( 20 ) with a pointed bottom end ( 22 ) to aid in driving the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) in the ground ( 14 ). Typically, the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is placed flush against the pole ( 10 ) and driven into the ground level ( 13 ) and parallel to the pole ( 10 ). Furthermore, when viewed from the side, as depicted in  FIG. 2  and as described more fully below, in one embodiment, the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is tapered from the top end ( 21 ) to the bottom end ( 22 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ). As a result of this taper, when driving the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) below the ground level ( 13 ), a force ( 17 ) from the ground ( 14 ) is exerted onto the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ), pushing the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) flush against the utility pole ( 10 ) both above and below the ground level ( 13 ), as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0036]    A preferred length of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) suitable for most applications is approximately ten (10) feet. In a preferred method, the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is inserted approximately five (5) feet below the ground level ( 13 ), with the remaining five feet above the ground level ( 13 ). These lengths (i.e., the length of the apparatus and length above and below ground level), however, are by no means necessary and one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that other lengths would be suitable and could depend on the application. For example, the length of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) may be shorter or longer depending on the associated length of the utility pole ( 10 ). Furthermore, the length of insertion of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) into the ground ( 14 ) could vary greatly depending on a variety of factors, such as the surface material of the ground level ( 13 ) and the ground ( 14 ) generally (e.g., mud, concrete, rocks, etc.), the amount of reinforcement needed, and time and costs available for insertion. 
         [0037]    The elongated member ( 20 ) of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is also preferably made from a single steel alloy sheet having a yield strength on the order of approximately 60,000 psi. This single steel alloy sheet generally has a thickness between 1 and 10 mm, and preferably between 2 and 8 mm. The steel sheet is then cut and molded in the above and below described configurations. Again, however, the type of material (steel) and the specific strength are by no means necessary. Instead, the type of material and the strength should merely be sufficient to withstand the forces exerted on the utility pole (e.g., transverse winds and wire tension), and may include other metals or high strength plastic, as one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate. 
         [0038]    Once underground, the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is secured to the utility pole ( 10 ), preferably with banding ( 16 ). As depicted in the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the banding ( 16 ) can be secured at one or more places. In a preferred method, the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is secured with steel banding, preferably having a yield strength on the order of approximately 60,000 psi. The banding ( 16 ) is preferably secured at both the top end ( 21 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ) and near the ground level ( 13 ). While banding ( 16 ) is disclosed as the preferred method of securing the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ), one of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize that other means and types of banding could also be utilized, such as mechanically fastening with bolts or screws, or mechanical fastening in combination with the banding ( 16 ). However, banding ( 16 ) is often less expensive and time consuming than fastening with bolts or screws, and is thus the preferred means and method of securing. 
         [0039]    Returning now to  FIG. 2 , the tapered nature of an embodiment of the elongated member ( 20 ) of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) will be discussed in greater detail. The elongated member ( 20 ) is tapered in that the horizontal length (L 1 ) between the proximal side ( 23 ) and the distal side ( 24 ) at the top end ( 21 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ) is greater than the horizontal length (L 2 ) between the proximal side ( 23 ) and the distal side ( 24 ) at the bottom end ( 22 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ). This tapering occurs on the distal side ( 24 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ), as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The nature of the taper shape of the elongated member ( 20 ) in effect makes the reinforcing apparatus ( 15 ) a wedge and ensuring that the proximal side ( 23 ) keeps contact with the utility pole ( 10 ) for the length of the elongated member ( 20 ). In other words, when driving the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) below the ground level ( 13 ), a force ( 17 ) is exerted onto the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ), pushing the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) flush against utility pole ( 10 ) both above and below the ground level ( 13 ), as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This taper, while preferred, is by no means necessary. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the proximal side ( 23 ) and the distal side ( 24 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ) may instead be substantially parallel. 
         [0040]    As noted above, the bottom end ( 22 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ) is also preferably pointed. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the vertical length of the proximal side ( 23 ) at the bottom end ( 22 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ) is shorter than the vertical length of the distal side ( 24 ). In other words, when placed in a vertical position, the length of the proximal side ( 23 ) is shorter than the length of the distal side ( 24 ). With a pointed end, the elongated member ( 20 ) can easily break the ground ( 14 ), increasing efficiency and aiding in driving the elongated member deep into the ground ( 14 ) and below the ground level ( 13 ). 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3-7 , the cross-section of an embodiment of the elongated member ( 20 ) of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) will be described in more detail. Generally, the cross-section has two flanges ( 40 ) connected together by a main body ( 30 ). The cross-section preferably has an axis of symmetry (Y) midway between the flanges ( 40 ) and through the center of the main body ( 30 ). The flanges ( 40 ) are connected to and angled inward towards the main body ( 30 ) such that the angle (A 1 ) between the main body ( 30 ) and the flanges ( 40 ) is greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees, as suggested in  FIGS. 4-7 . The inward turning nature of the flanges ( 40 ) provides for a more compact cross-section, requiring less space on the utility pole ( 10 ) than previous designs. Also, the inward turning flanges ( 40 ) are beneficial in that the elongated member ( 20 ) is less likely to wrap around the utility pole when a distal force, such as banding or mechanical fastening, is applied to the distal side ( 24 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ). Furthermore, the flanges ( 40 ) also tend to conform to the curvature of the utility pole ( 10 ) as the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is driven into the ground ( 14 ), as shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  11 . As a result, the flanges ( 40 ) remain substantially in contact with the utility pole ( 10 ) for the entire length of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ), creating a stronger reinforcement for the utility pole ( 10 ). 
         [0042]    The main body ( 30 ) can take a variety of different forms. Preferably, the form of the cross-section is an open polygonal shape, as shown in  FIGS. 4-6  and described more fully below. In the embodiments in  FIGS. 4-6 , the main body ( 30 ) is comprised of a varying number of generally described “sides”; specifically, two edge walls ( 31 ) either connected together with the back wall ( 32 ), as in  FIG. 6 , or connected by a varying and differing number of intermediate sides (( 33 ) through ( 35 ), described more fully below) and a back wall ( 32 ), as in  FIG. 4-5 , with the axis of symmetry (Y) at the center of the main body ( 30 ). The total number of sides in the depicted embodiments is in no way limiting. The main body could comprise more sides than disclosed below, as one skilled in the art would readily recognize that doing so would increase the shape rigidity and help reduce buckling of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ). 
         [0043]    In the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , there are five sides: two edge walls ( 31 ), a back wall ( 32 ) and two intermediate sides ( 33 ). The axis of symmetry (Y) is located at the center of the back wall ( 32 ). The angles (A 2 ) between the edge walls ( 31 ) and the intermediate sides ( 33 ) and the angles (A 3 ) between the intermediate sides ( 33 ) and the back wall ( 32 ) are all obtuse. In another embodiment in  FIG. 5 , there are seven sides: two edge walls ( 31 ), a back wall ( 32 ), two first intermediate sides ( 34 ), and two second intermediate sides ( 35 ). Again, the axis of symmetry (Y) is located at the center of the back wall ( 32 ). The angles (A 4 ) between the edge walls ( 31 ) and the first intermediate sides ( 34 ), the angles (A 5 ) between the first intermediate sides ( 34 ) and the second intermediate sides ( 35 ), and the angles (A 6 ) between the second intermediate sides ( 35 ) and the back wall ( 32 ) are all obtuse. In yet another embodiment in  FIG. 6 , there are only three sides: two edge walls ( 31 ) and a back wall ( 32 ). Again, the axis of symmetry (Y) is located at the center of the back wall ( 32 ). In this embodiment, the angles (A 7 ) between the edge walls ( 31 ) and the back wall ( 32 ) are approximately 90 degrees. 
         [0044]    In each of the open polygonal shapes of the embodiments in  FIGS. 4-6 , the main body ( 20 ) has a back wall ( 32 ) and generally an odd total number of sides. Neither of these characteristics, however, is necessary. For example, in another embodiment not depicted, the main body ( 30 ) could have four total sides, with two intermediate sides connected to the edge walls ( 31 ), with the axis of symmetry (Y) at the connection between the two intermediate sides. 
         [0045]    While the open polygonal shape is preferred, it is by no means necessary, as one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate. For example, the main body ( 30 ) could also alternatively take the form of a semi-circle, with the back wall ( 32 ) smoothly connecting with the two edge walls ( 31 ) to form an arc, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Although not depicted, the main body could also take the form of a combination of alternating semi-circles, essentially forming an “M” with curves rather than angles, while still maintaining the trough shape down the vertical length of the elongated member ( 20 ). In either of these configurations, again, the angle (A 1 ) between the flanges ( 40 ) and the main body ( 30 ), is greater than 0 degrees but less than 90 degrees, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0046]    In addition, in another embodiment, a plate ( 50 ) may be added and attached on the distal side ( 24 ) of the elongated member ( 20 ). Generally, this plate ( 50 ) runs the entire length of the elongated member ( 20 ), but this is by no means necessary. Preferably, this plate ( 50 ) is attached to the back wall ( 32 ) of the main body ( 30 ) in any of the above described open polygonal shapes, as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . This plate ( 50 ) advantageously increases the strength of the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ). 
         [0047]    Once driven into the ground ( 14 ) and flush against the utility pole ( 10 ), the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) is secured to the utility pole ( 10 ), preferably with banding ( 16 ). As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , this banding ( 16 ) wraps around the outside of the main body ( 30 ), and then around the utility pole ( 10 ). In the open polygonal shaped cross-sections,  FIGS. 4-6 ,  8  and  9 , the banding ( 16 ) directly contacts the intermediate sides ( 33 )-( 35 ) and the back wall ( 32 ) of the main body ( 30 ), as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . As noted above, banding ( 16 ) is the preferred method of securing the reinforcement apparatus ( 15 ) to the utility pole ( 10 ), but it is not the only method or means; for example, mechanical fastening could also be used in the alternative or in conjunction with the banding ( 16 ). 
         [0048]    While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.