Utility Pole Top Reinforcement Using Elongate Brace and Bolt Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility poles, including meter poles, deteriorate over time, particularly at their upper ends, leading to structural integrity loss and high replacement costs, with existing technologies lacking effective solutions for upper end reinforcement at a cost lower than replacement.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcing apparatus comprising an elongate brace with bolt-accommodating openings, washer plates, and elongate bolts that secure the brace to the pole, providing structural support to the upper end, with optional spring locks and additional nuts for enhanced stability, allowing the pole to be reinforced without full replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the upper end of utility poles is reinforced using traditional methods, then structural integrity is improved, but the cost approaches or exceeds replacement costs
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement system is divided into separate components: an elongate brace element, washer plates, elongate bolts, and nuts. This segmentation allows for targeted reinforcement of the pole's upper end without requiring complete pole replacement, reducing overall cost while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The washer plates are positioned within the elongate brace structure, with bolt-accommodating openings aligned between the brace and washer plates. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple fastening functions into a compact configuration, reducing material usage and installation complexity compared to traditional reinforcement methods.
2Reliability
If utility poles are replaced instead of reinforced, then structural integrity is restored, but costs increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the deteriorated upper end portion of the pole for reinforcement, rather than replacing the entire pole. The elongate brace and associated fastening components are applied specifically to the compromised area, restoring reliability while avoiding the substantial cost of complete pole replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement components are designed to provide localized strengthening at the pole's upper end where deterioration occurs. The elongate brace with its specific geometry and the aligned bolt-accommodating openings create a concentrated reinforcement zone that addresses the local structural weakness without requiring global pole replacement.
3Ease of operation
If reinforcement components are simplified, then ease of installation is improved, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate brace and washer plates feature asymmetric designs with specifically positioned bolt-accommodating openings that are centered on longitudinal axes of symmetry. This asymmetric configuration optimizes both installation ease and structural stability by distributing loads effectively while maintaining straightforward alignment during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into integrated components: the elongate brace provides both structural support and alignment guidance, while the washer plates combine fastening and load distribution functions. The aligned bolt-accommodating openings in both components create a unified fastening system that simplifies installation while ensuring structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for reinforcing an upstanding utility/meter pole having a worn top includes an elongate brace adapted to bear against the pole near a top end of the pole. A washer plate is disposed in overlying relation to the elongate brace. A front support is secured to an opposite side of the pole by an elongate bolt that extends diametrically through the pole and is engaged by a nut to secure the brace and front support in sandwiching relation to the pole. A second embodiment reinforces a cross arm of a pole and a third embodiment ensleeves a pole at its uppermost end in a cylindrical body that serves as a prosthesis for a disintegrating pole top.