Abstract:
A wire theft deterrent system includes a first U-shaped portion and a second U-shaped portion for encapsulating wire in a riser that is associated with a telephone pole. The first and second U-shaped portions are both made of stainless steel, so as to be substantially resistant to saw blades and hammers. The first U-shaped portion and the second U-shaped portion are connected to one another by high-security fasteners, each of which passes through an aperture in a flange of the first U-shaped portion and a corresponding aperture in a flange of the second U-shaped portion. The high-security fasteners restrict access to the encapsulated wires, so as to deter wire theft.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/652,778 filed May 29, 2012. The aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to theft deterrent systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to wire theft deterrent systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prices of metals have risen sharply over the last decade. For example, the price of copper on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange increased from less than $1 per pound in 2001 to about $4 per pound in early 2012. Accordingly, copper has become very valuable. 
     As is well known, copper is used in connection with telephone, power, and cable TV wiring. Due to its valuable nature, thieves have been stealing copper wires from telephone, power, and cable TV systems. While the cost of the copper wire is expensive, the repair costs are much higher. According to some estimates, for each dollar of copper wire that is stolen, the repair costs amount from $10 to $25. The repair costs do not factor in the downtime to consumers, who experience interruptions to their telephone, cable, power and internet service. 
     Some thieves mistake copper telephone wire with fiber optic cabling. In such case, repair costs are borne by cable, power, or telephone companies. When fiber optic cabling is stolen or damaged, consumers&#39; television, telephone, power, and internet service is interrupted, which results in inefficiencies and causes consumers to view these companies in an unfavorable manner. 
     The aforementioned telephone, cable, and power system repairs are ultimately passed on to consumers. Accordingly, it would be beneficial for consumers, along with telephone, cable, and power companies, if a mechanism was developed to deter thieves from stealing or attempting to steal copper wire. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is designed to address at least one of the aforementioned problems and/or meet at least one of the aforementioned needs. 
     A wire theft deterrent system includes a first U-shaped portion and a second U-shaped portion for encapsulating wire in a riser that is associated with a telephone pole. The first and second U-shaped portions are both made of stainless steel, so as to be substantially resistant to saw blades and hammers. The first U-shaped portion and the second U-shaped portion are connected to one another by high-security fasteners, each of which passes through an aperture in a flange of the first U-shaped portion and a corresponding aperture in a flange of the second U-shaped portion. The high-security fasteners restrict access to the encapsulated wires, so as to deter wire theft. 
     In one embodiment, the first U-shaped portion has a first flange, a first side wall, an end wall, a second side wall and a second flange. The first and second flanges of the first U-shaped portion each have apertures therein, and the end wall of the first U-shaped portion is parallel to the first flange. The first flange and the first side wall form an exterior angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 150 degrees. Likewise, the second flange and the second side wall form an exterior angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 150 degrees; 
     Similarly, the second U-shaped portion has a first flange, a first side wall, an end wall, a second side wall and a second flange. The first and second flanges of the second U-shaped portion each have apertures therein, and the end wall of the second U-shaped portion is parallel to the first flange. The first flange and the first side wall form an exterior angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 150 degrees, wherein the second flange and the second side wall form an exterior angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 150 degrees. 
     The first U-shaped portion and the second U-shaped portion are connected to one another by a first set of high-security fasteners and a second set of high-security fasteners. Each of the first set of high-security fasteners passes through an aperture in the first flange of the first U-shaped portion and a corresponding aperture in first flange of the second U-shaped portion. Likewise, each of the second set of high-security fasteners passes through an aperture in the second flange of the second U-shaped portion and a corresponding aperture in the second flange of the second U-shaped portion. 
     In one embodiment, the end wall of the first U-shaped portion and the end wall of the second U-shaped portion are parallel to each other. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first side wall of the first U-shaped portion is parallel to the second side wall of the second U-shaped portion. Even further, in one embodiment, the second side wall of the first U-shaped portion is parallel to the first side wall of the second U-shaped portion. 
     In one embodiment, the high-security fastener includes a screw and a nut. More specifically, the screw has a pentagonal recess and a pintle that is centered within the pentagonal recess. In addition, the nut has a pentagonal recess. 
     In one embodiment, a channel nut unit is used to attach and detach the wire theft deterrent system to a pole standoff system that spaces a riser away from a telephone pole. The channel nut unit includes a channel nut and a channel bolt. Rotation of the channel bolt causes rotation of the channel nut, such that the channel nut can be attached to and detached from the pole standoff system, which has a channel therein. The channel bolt is encapsulated by the first U-shaped portion and the second U-shaped portion when in a deterrent configuration. The wire theft deterrent system may only be attached to and detached from the pole standoff system when the channel nut is accessible. 
     Other objects, features, embodiments and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a wire theft deterrent system of the present invention that is used in conjunction with a utility pole and a riser having copper wire therein; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the wire theft deterrent system taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , wherein a riser is located within the wire theft deterrent system and copper wire is located within the riser; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a high-security fastener that may be used in conjunction with the wire theft deterrent system of  FIG. 1 , showing a screw and a nut; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the nut of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of a pole standoff system; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional top view showing a utility pole having a pole standoff system attached thereto, so as to space the wire theft deterrent system (and, hence, the riser) from the utility pole; and, 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing how the wire theft deterrent system and the pole standoff system are attached to one another. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     An exemplary embodiment of a wire theft deterrent system  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The wire theft deterrent system  100  of the present invention is used in conjunction with a utility pole  110  and a riser  120  that runs vertically along at least a portion of the utility pole  110 . The riser  120  has wires  130  therein. The riser  120  may be made of metal or plastic and is used to bundle and protect the wires  130 . 
     In the absence of the wire theft deterrent system  100  of the present invention, thieves gain access to cable, power and telephone wire  130 , which is made of copper, by cutting through (e.g., with a hacksaw) or breaking through (e.g., with a hammer or similar device) the riser  120 . Then, thieves pull the cable, power, or telephone wire  130  through the location in the riser  120  from which they have gained access. The cable, power, or telephone wire  130  is cut and then taken away, so that it can be sold. 
     The inventor of the present invention recognizes that it is very difficult to cut through stainless steel. Thus, if thieves were to try to use a hacksaw in an attempt to quickly cut through stainless steel, the hacksaw&#39;s blades would have no real affect. Accordingly, the inventor has designed a wire theft deterrent system  100  made of stainless steel that can be retrofitted to existing utility poles  110  that use risers  120 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the wire theft deterrent system  100  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the riser  120  is located within the wire theft deterrent system  100  and cable, power, or telephone wire  130  is located within the riser  120 . 
     The wire theft deterrent system  100  includes a first generally U-shaped portion  140  and a second generally U-shaped portion  150 . The first generally U-shaped portion  140  and the second generally U-shaped portion  150  are made of stainless steel. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the first generally U-shaped portion  140  has first and second integral flanges  145 A,  145 B, which correspond with first and second integral flanges  155 A,  155 B of second generally U-shaped portion  150 . Flanges  145 A,  155 A have one or more apertures (not shown) that are aligned with one another, so as to receive one or more fasteners (see also,  FIG. 1 ). Similarly, flanges  145 B,  155 B have one or more apertures (not shown) that are aligned with one another, so as to receive one or more fasteners (see also,  FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, the fastener is a high-security fastener having a screw  160  and a nut  170  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     In addition to the first and second flanges  145 A,  145 B, the first U-shaped portion  140  includes first and second side walls  146 A,  146 B, along with an end wall  148 . The first flange  145 A and the first side wall  146 A are disposed at an (exterior) angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to one another. In one embodiment, the angle is greater than 90 degrees, but less than or equal to 135 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle is greater than 90 degrees but less than 150 degrees. 
     In one embodiment, the end wall  148  and the first flange  145 A are parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the end wall  148  is parallel to both the first flange  145 A and second flange  145 B. 
     Similarly, in addition to first and second flanges  155 A,  155 B, the second U-shaped portion  150  includes first and second side walls  156 A,  156 B, along with an end wall  158 . The first flange  155 A and the first side wall  156 A are disposed at an (exterior) angle of greater than 90 degrees relative to one another. In one embodiment, the angle is greater than 90 degrees, but less than or equal to 135 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle is greater than 90 degrees but less than 150 degrees. 
     In one embodiment, the end wall  158  and the first flange  155 A are parallel to one another. In one embodiment, the end wall  158  is parallel to both the first flange  155 A and second flange  155 B. 
     In one embodiment, first U-shaped portion  140  and second U-shaped portion  150  are substantially identical in shape. In one embodiment, opposing side walls (e.g. first side wall  146 A and second side wall  156 B; second side wall  146 B and first side wall  156 A) are parallel to one another. In one embodiment, end wall  148  is parallel to end wall  158 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a high-security fastener that may be used in conjunction with wire theft deterrent system  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a screw  160  and a nut  170 .  FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the nut  170  of  FIG. 3 . The high security fastener of  FIG. 3  is available from Bryce Fastener (www.brycefastener.com) of Gilbert, Ariz. and is sold under the Penta-Plus trade name. It should be understood that other high security fasteners may also be used in conjunction with the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the screw  160  has a recess  162  with a pentagonal shape. Furthermore, the screw  160  also includes a pintle  164  within the recess  162 . Due to the shape of the recess  162  and the presence of the pintle  164 , removal of the screw  160  is difficult without the use of a specially-shaped tool. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the bottom of the nut  170  also has a recess  172  with a pentagonal shape. When the screw  160  and the nut  170  are attached to one another, the screw  160  may protrude through the recess  172  and, accordingly, act like pintle  164 . In this configuration, removal of the nut  170  becomes difficult without use of a specially-shaped tool. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 2 , the wire theft deterrent system  100  is designed to fit around the riser  120 , which contains cable, power, or telephone wires  130 . During installation, the first generally U-shaped portion  140  is placed around the riser  120 . Then, the second generally U-shaped portion  150  is placed around the riser  120 . Fasteners are used to secure the first generally U-shaped portion  140  to the second generally U-shaped portion  150 . Using a removable, but highly-secure fastener, like the Penta-Plus fastener  160 ,  170  may be advantageous (at least, in some situations) because it permits authorized personnel to access the riser  120  or cable, power, or telephone wires  130  when necessary, while still deterring thieves from accessing the wires  130 . 
     In some situations, a more permanent connection between the first generally U-shaped portion  140  and the second generally U-shaped portion  140  may be warranted. In such cases, pop-rivets (e.g., also made of stainless steel) or similar devices may be used to make the connection. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second generally U-shaped portions  140 ,  150  may be connected to one another on one end by a hinge. 
     Certain jurisdictions require the riser  120  (in which the wires  130  reside) to be spaced apart from the utility pole  110 . In such case, a pole standoff system may be used. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of a pole standoff system  510 , while  FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional top view showing a utility pole  110  having a pole standoff system  510  attached thereto, so as to space the wire theft deterrent system  100  (and, hence, the riser  120 ) from the utility pole  110 . In addition,  FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing how the wire theft deterrent system  100  and the pole standoff system  510  are attached to one another. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , the pole standoff system  510  includes an attachment plate  515 , metal framing  520  configured with first and second channels  525 A,  525 B, a channel nut unit  530  having a channel nut  535  and a channel bolt  540 , and lugs  545 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the attachment plate  515  includes a plurality of apertures  550  which receive lugs  545 , so as to attach the pole standoff system  510  to the utility pole  110 . 
     In one embodiment, the attachment plate  515  and the metal framing  520  are integral with one another. In one embodiment, the attachment plate  515  and the metal framing  520  are fixedly attached to one another. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5-7 , the wire theft deterrent system  100  is attached to the pole standoff system  510  using a channel nut unit  530  located within one of the channels  525 A. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the wire theft deterrent system  100  includes a hole  555  through which the channel bolt  540  passes. 
     The channel nut  535  is placed within channel  525 A and its opening is aligned with hole  555 . The channel nut  535  is held in place in the channel  525 A via a spring (not shown) that bears against the vertical flat surface of the channel  525 , so as to bias the channel nut  535  towards the channel bolt  540  and against the turned-in edges of the metal framing  520 . The channel nut  535  can include recessed areas (not shown) therein, so as to receive the turned-in edges of the metal framing  520 . 
     The head of the channel bolt  540  serves to retain the channel bolt  540  within the wire theft deterrent system  100 . The channel bolt  540  is threaded into the opening of the channel nut  535  by rotating head of the channel bolt  540 , so as to create a connection between the wire theft deterrent system  100  and the pole standoff system  510 . 
     Because the head of the channel bolt  540  is located within the wire theft deterrent system  100 , access thereto may be restricted by screw  160  and nut  170  of the high-security fastener. Accordingly, the wire theft deterrent system  100  and the pole standoff system  510  may not be connected to, or disconnected from, one another unless an individual is able to access the interior of the wire theft deterrent system  100 . 
     Metal framing  520 , channel nuts  535  and channel bolts  540  similar to those shown in the figures and described herein are available from Atkore International of Harvey, Ill. and are sold under the Unistrut® brand name (see www.unistrut.us for certain details). 
     Although two channels  525 A,  525 B are shown in  FIG. 5 , it should be understood that the metal framing  520  is not required to have two channels. Instead, a single channel may be provided. 
     It should be noted that more than one pole standoff system  510  may be connected to the utility pole  110  and to the wire theft deterrent system  100 . 
     In one embodiment, only the first U-shaped portion  140  is used to protect wires, rather than requiring both the first and second U-shaped portions  140 ,  150 . This embodiment may be particularly useful when traversing bridges, such that the combination of the first U-shaped portion  140  and the bridge encapsulate the wires. 
     In one embodiment, the wire theft deterrent system  100  is shaped to receive multiple risers or the like. 
     Several embodiments of the invention have been described. It should be understood that the concepts described in connection with one embodiment of the invention may be combined with the concepts described in connection with another embodiment (or other embodiments) of the invention. 
     While an effort has been made to describe some alternatives to the preferred embodiment, other alternatives will readily come to mind to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not intended to be limited to the details given herein.