Abstract: A step mounting assembly adapted for demountably securing a removable step member to a hollow utility pole. The step mounting assembly utilizes a backing plate having an obverse and a reverse face. An aperture penetrates the backing plate to receive the shank portion of a mounting bolt with the head thereof disposed in opposition to the obverse face of the mounting plate. A projection extends outwardly from the reverse face of the unique backing late at least partially to circumscribe the aperture that penetrates the backing plate. A spacer lug extends outwardly from the obverse face of the backing plate, the spacer lug being located in proximity to the aforesaid aperture. A washer is interposed between the bolt head and the spacer lug. An elongated bar nut is adapted to engage the threaded shank on the mounting bolt while the bar nut is captured within the projection disposed on the reverse side of the unique backing plate.

Abstract: A hollow, tapered, fiber-reinforced plastic utility pole, and a method for making the pole. The pole is designed by a computer-modelling technique that simulates applying resin-coated, reinforcing strands over the outer surface of a mandrel. A plurality of test stations are incrementally spaced from the tip portion to the butt portion of the pole simulated on the mandrel. The thickess-to-diameter ratio must be equal to or greater than an established constant at each station or additional circuits of resin-coated, reinforcing strands deemed to have been applied, as required. One then calculates the stress resistance at each successive station to determine if the acceptable stress is greater than the stress resistance required. Whatever additional circuits of resin-coated, reinforcing strands are necessary are then deemed to have been applied.

Abstract: A breakaway utility pole (9, 109) mounting structure. The mounting structure presents a base portion (11', 16 or 20) within which the end portion (10, 110) of the pole (9, 109) is telescopically received. The base portion (11', 16 or 20) of the mounting structure extends below ground level, and an adhesive material (17, 117) bonds the pole end portion (10, 110) to the base portion (11', 16 or 20). The adhesive material (17, 117) is adapted to fail when the pole (9, 109) is subjected to an impact at a predetermined distance above ground level from a vehicle of predetermined minimum weight moving at a predetermined minimum speed.

Abstract: A breakaway utility pole (9, 109) mounting structure. The mounting structure presents a base portion (11', 16 or 20) within which the end portion (10, 110) of the pole (9, 109) is telescopically received. The base portion (11', 16 or 20) of the mounting structure extends below ground level, and an adhesive material (17, 117) bonds the pole end portion (10, 110) to the base portion (11', 16 or 20). The adhesive material (17, 117) is adapted to fail when the pole (9, 109) is subjected to an impact at a predetermined distance above ground level from a vehicle of predetermined minimum weight moving at a predetermined minimum speed.