Abstract: A tall tower is divided into an upper section with a tower top and a lower section with a tower bottom. The sections are hinged together. The lower section is hinged to a tower base. A telescoping crane is attached to a lift point on the lower section. The crane is extended to lift the sections to the vertical position with the lower section resting on the base and the tower top of the upper section near ground level. A heavy load is attached to the tower top end using a small ground crane while the tower top of the upper section is near ground level. The telescoping crane is attached to another lift point on the upper section to partially lift the upper section, which is supported in this position. The telescoping crane is relocated and reattached to the lift point on the upper section. The telescoping crane is fully extended to raise the upper section and load to vertical above the lower section.

Abstract: A method of repairing and reinforcing a pier using stones. The method includes installing a watertight caisson around a pier and removing water from the gap between the caisson and pier prior to repairing the pier. The method can also include removing impurities from the pier's surface; arraying a plurality of reinforcing steel bars around the pier; laying stones outside the arrayed steel bars while fixing the stones to the steel bars or the pier, and filling the gap between the pier and the stones with concrete.

Abstract: A wind energy tower erection device is disclosed together with the method of assembling the same and the method of utilizing the device to erect a wind energy tower. The tower erection device successively places tower sections one upon the other until the tower is erected.

Abstract: A working pole such as a luminaire pole is mounted on a steel cylindrical sleeve extending upwardly from a concrete portion of a foundation member. The foundation member is placed in a hole provided therefor and the luminaire pole or other working pole is placed over the sleeve in contact with the concrete portion of the foundation member; grout is poured between the exterior surface of the upwardly extending steel sleeve and the interior surface of the luminaire pole.

Abstract: An articulating derrick having a back face, a pair of opposed sides with each side having at least one leg, and an open face. The back face of the derrick includes a plurality of pairs of back face cross supports. Each cross support has a first and a second opposed end. Each first end is pivotally attached to one of the legs. A bushing pivotally connects the second ends of each pair of cross supports in order to permit movement of the back face between a folded, storage position and an open position.

Abstract: An improved method of making a foundation for a wind turbine comprises: a) forming a pit, b) providing a cylindrical open-bottomed steel can, c) lowering the can into the pit, d) accurately aligning the steel can, e) concreting the steel can in position in the pit, and f) back-filling the interior of the can.

Abstract: A building material apparatus forms a shaped structure about and protects a support. A plurality of blocks are stackable in vertical and horizontal positions such that the blocks stack vertically adjacent for a length of the column and horizontally adjacent for a perimeter of the column. The blocks are made of a material which may be restored to an original condition after being damaged. An inner surface of each block is sized and shaped to cooperate with the column such that the inner surface substantially abuts the column. A plurality of reinforcing members supports the blocks. The reinforcing members have a length based on the vertical length formed by the blocks and are disposed in between discontinuous surfaces of horizontally adjacent blocks. An adhesive material securely joins the plurality of blocks to the reinforcing members.

Abstract: A process for reinforcing a load supporting structure including placing a first layer of at least one distinct pre-cured composite piece around the structure, applying adhesive between the piece and the structure, exerting pressure until the adhesive cures, wherein the piece is performed with a shape complementary to the structure, placing at least one additional layer of at least one distinct pre-cured composite piece around the structure and the first layer, and applying an adhesive between the layers.

Abstract: A method for making a tower for a wind generator made up of a plurality of cylindrical segments, a plurality of transition rings with at least one being frustro-conical, a plurality of L-shaped flanges and a T-shaped flange.

Abstract: A concrete column forming tube is provided for receiving poured concrete therein to produce a concrete column and which eliminates spiral seam lines and other undesirable characteristics on the outside surface of the formed concrete column and provides a construction which may be easily removed from the concrete column. The forming tube includes a spirally-wound cylindrical paper tube including multiple plies of paper adhered together, a centrifugally-cast plastic coating sprayed on an inside wall surface of the spirally-wound paper tube for producing an inside coated surface having a thickness and smoothness sufficient to eliminate spiral seam lines and other undesirable characteristics, and a tear strip positioned between the inside surface of the cylindrical paper tube and the plastic coating before centrifugal-casting and extending longitudinally of the forming tube over the entire length thereof and having a predetermined width and readily detachable from the plastic coating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for elevating items includes telescopically retractable and extendable hollow tubular pole sections that include a locking means to lock at least one section in extended position. The bottom of the pole is adapted for mounting to a support structure.

Abstract: Energy-absorbing utility poles and replacement components comprising a composite material laminate are provided. In one embodiment, the poles of the present invention are designed to bring an impacting vehicle to a controlled stop. It is intended that the products of the presently claimed invention be formed using a pultrusion process that results in a pole having low to moderate diametric crush strength, so as to initiate a flattening and then folding response as the vehicle encounter, the pole. One of the critical features of the present invention is the provision of a socket/slip joint enabling connection of a composite lower section with a wooden upper section such that the connection securely joins the two elements during ordinary conditions, but releases when either the upper or lower element experiences force greater than a predetermined value, as where the pole is struck by a vehicle.

Abstract: Method for erecting an emergency mast (1) for a power line comprising mast elements placed one on top of another, comprising the following steps: arranging a guide device (19) at the location where the emergency mast has to be placed; arranging a first mast element (5) adjacently of the guide device; raising the first mast element by means of the guide device to a height such that a following mast element can be placed under the first mast element; placing a following mast element under the first mast element and connecting the following mast element to the mast element situated thereabove; raising the thus obtained combination by means of the guide device to a height such that a following element can be placed under the combination; repeating the latter two steps until the mast has reached the required height; and removing the guide device.

Abstract: A concrete column forming tube stored and displayed for sale in the flat, and under the urging of a pivotal traverse of an internal ring is projected into the much larger three dimensional shape necessary for forming the concrete column, this reshaping occurring at a site of use having no space limitations.

Abstract: A post. The post includes a rigid support structure. The post includes a plurality of pieces. Each piece has a hole extending through it so the piece can fit into the support structure and remain in place on the support structure. Each piece is stackable upon another piece. A method for installing a post. The method includes the steps of placing a rigid support structure on ground. Then there is the step of aligning a hole of a piece over the support structure. Next there is the step of moving the piece down onto the ground so the support structure extends through the hole and the support structure maintains the piece in place. Then there is the step of aligning a hole of another piece over the support structure. Next there is the step of moving the other piece down onto the piece so the support structure extends through the hole of the other piece and the support structure maintains the piece in place. A method of forming a stone for a post.