Abstract: A method of manufacturing a marker post includes the steps of preheating a tubular barrel adjacent to a lower end thereof to soften same and deforming the tubular barrel lower end to form a flange assembly. The pre-softened tubular barrel is received in a barrel holder. A mandrel assembly is reciprocated into and out of engagement with the barrel lower end. The mandrel assembly reshapes the barrel lower end to form the flange assembly.

Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.

Abstract: A marker post comprising an embodiment or aspect of the invention includes a body with upper and lower ends, a bore extending between the ends and a sidewall enclosing the bore. A top panel is mounted on the body upper end and encloses the bore thereat. A base is mounted on the body lower end and includes a perimeter positioned outwardly from the sidewall. An embodiment or aspect of the mold assembly for rotary molding the marker post includes first and second mold halves enclosing a mold cavity with body and base subcavities. In one embodiment or aspect of a marker post manufacturing method of the invention, the body and base are integrally rotary molded in first and second mold halves, which are separated for extracting the rotary-formed marker post.

Abstract: A structural member comprises a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material. A gas producing substance or foaming agent is mixed with the base material and provides a lower density within the interior of the member. The structural member can comprise one or more of the components of a utility pole assembly, such as the crossarms, bracing, insulators and pole. A method of producing the structural member includes the steps of mixing additives with plastic pellets for feeding into an extruder. The extruded structural members are formed, cooled, pulled and cut to desired lengths.

Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.

Abstract: A reel for use with flaccid material, such as cables, conduits or the like, includes flanges that are connected together by an adjustable hub. The hub is formed of a plurality of crossbeams that are releasably connected to the flanges whereby the reel can be disassembled for shipping and/or storage and re-assembled in a wide variety of configurations to have a variety of hub dimensions and a variety of compartments.

Abstract: A utility pole crossarm assembly includes a crossarm comprising a plastic base material with fiber reinforced plastic fill material and a foaming agent. The crossarm is adapted for bolting on a utility pole and for being supported thereon by a pair of diagonal cross braces.