Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.

Abstract: A pole reinforcement truss is disclosed. The truss can be configured to attach to a pole in a longitudinal direction of the pole. The truss can include an elongate body having a pair of opposite ends connected by a pair of longitudinal edges, a first side portion including one of the longitudinal edges, a second side portion including the other of the longitudinal edges, and a center portion connecting the first side portion and the second side portion. The first side portion can include a first substantially straight section and a second substantially straight section separated by a first bend having a first angle that is greater than 45 degrees, and the second side portion can include a third substantially straight section and a fourth substantially straight section separated by a second bend having a second angle that is greater than 45 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device, system, and method for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure by automated profiling of the hardness of the structure. More particularly, the present invention is directed towards a probing device comprising a blade coupled to a resistance mechanism and a mechanical sensor for measuring the hardness of wood in a structure; a system comprising such a device, and a computing device coupled to the device that outputs the hardness measurements of the device; and a method for operating such a device and determining the condition of wood by identifying changes in hardness in a wooden structure.

Abstract: A pole reinforcement truss has an open cross-sectional configuration characterized by opposite side flanges that diverge with respect to one another as they extend from respective opposite side edges of the truss body. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional configuration has an intermediate curved bend through an excluded bend angle and a pair of curved bridge bends on opposite sides of the intermediate curved bend each through an included bend angle, wherein all three curved bends have the same radius of curvature. The truss maintains its geometry in an improved manner after the onset of yielding, thereby increasing ultimate strength of the pole-truss assembly.

Abstract: A pole reinforcement truss has an open cross-sectional configuration characterized by opposite side flanges that diverge with respect to one another as they extend from respective opposite side edges of the truss body. In a preferred cross-sectional configuration, five curved bends of equal obtuse angle and radius of curvature are used to define the side flanges, a pair of bridge portions, and a pair of apex portions in symmetrical arrangement. The truss maintains its geometry in an improved manner after the onset of yielding, thereby increasing ultimate strength of the pole-truss assembly.

Abstract: In a computer having a display device, an entry device, and a computer processor for executing a computer program, a method of pole analysis comprising the steps of: providing a computer executable program; running the computer executable program on the computer processor; inputting data pertaining to pole loading into the computer; determining the loading on the pole; and outputting the results. A computer system for determining loads on a pole, the system comprising a computer processor; computer executable instructions for being run on the computer processor; a computerized memory for storing pole data; computer executable instructions for determining pole loading; a means for outputting the results. A computer program product for determining the loading on a pole.

Abstract: A reinforcing apparatus for supporting a utility pole against the bending forces of transverse wind components is described. The apparatus comprises an intermediate section extending to and meeting with spaced apart flanges. The intermediate section and the flanges are configured such that the elastic axis and shear center of the reinforcing apparatus is closer to the longitudinal axis of the pole and the point of load transfer from the pole than realized by prior art reinforcing apparatus. The intermediate section may have a variety of shapes, such as a "U" shape, "V" shape, or channel shape. The reinforcing apparatus may be constructed of high yield strength steel and is secured to the pole by means of one or more bands, or by means of bolts, screws or other fastening means.

Abstract: A housing structure consisting of a plurality of wall panels connected to each other by mullions with a snap-locking engagement, with the side walls connected to each other at their corners by corner posts with a snap-locking engagement, and a roof consisting of a plurality of panels snapped together by means of mullions with a snap-locking engagement, a snap-locking connection between the roof and the side walls and a snap-locking connection between the side walls and the base.

Abstract: A variable inlet vane adjusting construction including a plurality of vanes pivotally mounted about a hub, an adjusting ring circumferentially slidable on the hub, a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial slots on the adjusting ring, a bearing of substantially solid rectangular configuration in each of the slots and in engagement with the sides of the slots, a plurality of pin members each having first and second ends with the first ends being mounted for universal movement on each of said bearings and the second ends fixedly mounted on levers which are in turn fixedly secured to the vanes.