Pole straightening system and method

Abstract

The system and method of this invention uses brackets which are secured around a telephone, utility or like pole. An upper bracket is clamped around the upper region of the pole. A lower bracket is clamped around the lower region and an intermediate bracket is clamped at the proximate mid-point of the pole. A cable is secured to the upper and lower brackets and passes around a pulley located at the intermediate bracket. The cable is placed in tension between the upper and lower brackets. A turnbuckle attached to the cable is moved to increase the cable tension, causing a righting movement at the upper end of the deformed/bent pole, forcing the pole to a substantially upright, vertical position. The constant tension of the cable then maintains the pole in this position. If necessary, the turnbuckle can be tightened periodically, to continually maintain the pole in the upright position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Telephone and utility poles are commonly used to support wires and electrical and other types of equipment. Such poles are routinely positioned along roadways, in fields, parking lots, industrial settings, and a variety of other locales.

[0002] However, a problem which is very often present with these poles relates to their becoming deformed or bending during use. This may occur due to top heavy conditions caused by the weight of equipment supported at the upper ends of the poles, by wires pulling on the pole, by damage caused to the poles by passing vehicles, by weather conditions, such as wind and the formation of ice, or by other injurious means. Guy wires are sometimes used to straighten poles or ensure they not fall over or break apart. However, guy wires are not always effective, since they often loosen or come apart. They also are not that easily installed and present a tripping hazard, as they usually extend outwardly from the poles. Moreover, a measure of space around the poles is needed for the placement of guy wires. Such is not an effective or efficient way of righting bent poles. There is thus a need for a system and method which can quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently straighten a deformed or bent pole and maintain it in an upright, vertical position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a system and method to straighten poles and maintain them in upright, vertical position.

[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method to straighten poles and maintain them in upright, vertical positions, regardless of the weighted load supported by the poles.

[0005] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method to straighten poles and maintain them in upright, vertical positions by means of a cable and bracket configuration which provides a righting moment which, by tension, maintains the poles in position.

[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method to straighten poles and maintain them in upright, vertical positions which comprises only a few, simple components, is easy to install, and effective in maintaining the poles in position.

[0007] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method to straighten poles and maintain them in upright positions which allows for quick and easy installation and use on many poles, in order to ensure that they remain in vertical, upright positions.

[0008] The system and method of this invention uses brackets which are secured around a telephone, utility or like pole. An upper bracket is clamped around the upper region of the pole. A lower bracket is clamped around the lower region and an intermediate bracket is clamped at the proximate mid-point of the pole. A cable is secured to the upper and lower brackets and passes around a pulley located at the intermediate bracket. The cable is placed in tension between the upper and lower brackets. A turnbuckle attached to the cable is moved to increase the cable tension, causing a righting movement at the upper end of the deformed/bent pole, forcing the pole to a substantially upright, vertical position. The constant tension of the cable then maintains the pole in this position. If necessary, the turnbuckle can be tightened periodically to continually maintain the pole in the upright position.

[0009] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its design, construction, and use, together with the additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the brief description of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a view of a bent, deformed pole.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a view of a straightened pole employing the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bracket of the present invention which is to be used at the upper and lower regions of the pole.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bracket of the present invention which is to be used at the intermediate region of the pole.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the bracket shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] FIG. 1 depicts pole 1 as being deformed or bent. This is a common occurrence, especially with wood poles, pulled into this position by overhead connecting wires, top heavy equipment mounted on the poles, or other injurious circumstances. Pole 1 is straightened into a substantially vertical position, as shown in FIG. 2, by the herein described novel system and method.

[0017] Bracket 2 is secured at the upper region of pole 1. Bracket 4 is secured at the mid-region of pole 1. Bracket 6 is secured at the lower region of pole 1. It is contemplated that brackets 2 and 6 will be substantially the same in configuration. Bracket 2, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, comprises dual halves 8 and 10, connected by bolts 12 and 14 secured by nuts 13 and 15, respectively. Teeth 16 are circumferentially positioned within bracket 2. When surrounding pole 1 and upon tightening of bolt/nut combinations 12, 13 and 14, 15, teeth 16, extending outward from the inner surface of halves 8 and 10, bite into the pole, securing bracket 2 onto the pole. FIG. 3 shows a representation of teeth 16 of bracket 2 embedded into the outer surface of pole 1. Connecting band 18 provides a measure of flexibility to bracket 2, making the bracket easily adaptable for a variety of diameter poles. Handle 20 is also provided for added ease of installation. Clevis 21, or similar connecting device, is attached around bolt 14.

[0018] Bracket 6, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is to be used at the mid-region of pole 1. It is similar to bracket 2, in that it is in two halves 22 and 24, with teeth 26 to be imbedded into pole 1. Bolt/nut combinations 28, 29 and 30, 31 serve to tighten bracket 6 around pole 1. Band 32 provides size flexibility to bracket 6 and handle 36 is provided. Bracket 6 also comprises a conventional center opened pulley 34 mounted on bolt 30. Pulley 34 is mounted such that it is free to rotate around bolt 30, between halves 22 and 24 of bracket 6.

[0019] Cable 40 is position paralleled to and along pole 1, as seen in FIG. 2. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, cable 40 has ends looped ends 42 and 44, which are to loop around devises 21 and 51, to be secured to brackets 2 and 6, respectively. Cable 40 is also configured to wrap around pulley 34 located within bracket 4, which serves to ensure proper alignment and movement of the cable along pole 1. The upper section 46 of cable 40 is connected to the top end of a conventional turnbuckle 50, while lower section 48 of cable 40 is connected to the lower end of the turnbuckle.

[0020] In set-up and operation, brackets 2, 4, and 6 are secured to a bent or deformed pole 1, such as is shown in FIG. 2. Upper cable section 46 of cable 40 is passed through and around pulley 34 on bracket 4. Looped end 42 is mounted onto and secured to clevis 21, which itself is attached to bracket 2 and hung from bolt 14. Looped end 44 is similarly secured to bracket 6 via clevis 51, and cable 40 and turnbuckle 50, connecting upper cable section 46 and lower cable section 48, are aligned with pole 1, as depicted in FIG. 2.

[0021] Tension is then applied to cable 40 by tightening turnbuckle 50. It can be appreciated that as turnbuckle 46 is so moved, the tension forces created within the cable effect a righting or bending moment to the upper region of pole 1, causing the pole to straighten into the upright vertical position shown in FIG. 2. The continued tension force provided by cable 40 maintains pole 1 in this position. If, over time, cable 40 stretches or deforms, turnbuckle 46 can be tightened to reposition pole 1 to maintain the vertical.

[0022] It is contemplated that cable 40 can be wire strand, metal cable, or other comparable material, able to withstand tension forces. Cable 40 will be coated with nylon or other comparable insulation. Turnbuckle 50 is to be made of galvanized steel to avoid electrical hazard.

[0023] While the pole bracket system is represented herein by toothed brackets 2, 4, and 6, comparable attachment devices may be used to secure the brackets to pole 1. Also, although cable 40 is shown connected to clamps 2 and 6 by looped ends through clevises, adjusting rods connected to the ends of the cable can be secured to brackets 2 and 6 by locking nuts, or other known means can be used to secure the ends of the cable to the brackets.

[0024] Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without the party from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for straightening a vertically extending utility pole, said system comprising:

(a) straightening means for maintaining the pole in a substantially vertical position;

(b) support means secured to the pole and attached to the straightening means, the straightening means remaining in constant tension, thereby maintaining the pole substantially upright, in vertical tension; and

(c) means to increase the tension of the straightening means sufficient to maintain the pole substantially upright, in vertical tension.

2. The system as in claim 1 in which the straightening means comprises a cable extending substantially the length of the pole.

3. The system as in claim 1 in which the support means comprises brackets which secure ends of the straightening means.

4. The system as in claim 1 comprising a guide means for aligning the straightening means.

5. The system as in claim 1 in which the means to increase the tension comprises a turnbuckle.

6. The system as in claim 1 in which the straightening means comprises ends and means to attach the ends to the support means.

7. The system as in claim 4 in which the guide means comprises a pulley through which the straightening means extends.

8. A system for strengthening a vertically extending utility pole, said system comprising:

(a) strengthening means for maintaining the pole in a substantially vertical position, said straightening means extending substantially the length of the pole;

(b) support means secured to the pole and attached to the straightening means, the straightening means remaining in constant tension, thereby maintaining the pole substantially upright in vertical tension; and

(c) means to increase the tension of the strengthening means sufficient to maintain the pole substantially upright, in vertical tension.

9. The system as in claim 8 in which the straightening means comprises a cable positioned substantially paralleled to and extending substantially the length of the pole.

10. The system as in claim 8 in which the support means comprises brackets which secure ends of the straightening means.

11. The system as in claim 8 further comprising guide means for aligning the straightening means.

12. The system as in claim 8 in which the means to increase the tension comprises a turnbuckle.

13. The system as in claim 8 in which the straightening means comprises ends and means to attach the ends to the support means.

14. The system as in claim 11 in which the guide means comprises a pulley through which the straightening means extends.

15. A system for straightening a vertically extending utility pole comprising:

(a) a tensioned cable positioned substantially paralleled to and extending substantially the length of the pole;

(b) brackets secured to the pole, ends of the cable being attached to the brackets to maintain the cable in tension and the pole substantially upright, in vertical tension; and

(c) means to increase the tension of the cable sufficient to maintain the pole substantially upright, in vertical tension.

16. The system as in claim 15 in which two brackets are secured to the pole, each bracket being attached to an end of the cable.

17. The system as in claim 15 in further comprising a guide bracket which comprises a pulley through which the cable extends.

18. The system as in claim 15 in which the means to increase the tension of the cable comprises a turnbuckle.

19. A system for straightening a vertically extending utility pole with an upper end and a lower end, said system comprising:

(a) a bracket secured near the upper end of the pole;

(b) a bracket secured near the lower end of the pole;

(c) a cable extending substantially the length of the pole, one end of the cable being secured to the upper bracket of the pole and another end of the cable being secured to the lower bracket of the pole, the cable being in constant tension between the two brackets and maintaining the pole in substantially upright, vertical tension; and

(d) means connected to the cable to increase the tension of the cable sufficient to maintain the pole substantially upright in vertical tension.

20. The system as in claim 19 further comprising a third bracket having a pulley through which the cable extends.

21. The system as in claim 19 wherein the means connected to the cable for increasing the tension comprises a turnbuckle.

22. The system as in claim 19 further comprising means to attach the cable to the upper and lower brackets of the pole.

23. A method for straightening a vertically extended utility pole with an upper end and a lower end, comprising the steps of:

securing a bracket at the upper end of pole;

securing a bracket at the lower end of the pole;

attaching a cable between the upper and lower brackets;

applying tension to the cable attached between the two brackets;

continuing the application of tension to the cable sufficient to position the pole in a substantially upright, vertical tension; and

maintaining the pole in substantially upright, vertical tension, by the continuing application of tension.