Temporary arm support

Abstract

A device and method for temporarily supporting and securing the cross-arm of a utility pole during operations that require a cross-arm retaining means to be loosened or removed. One exemplary embodiment of a support device of the present invention comprises an attachment member and a support member. The attachment member may be releasably secured to an upright post portion of the utility pole by means of, for example, a band clamp, or a fastener, such as a lag screw. The support member is designed to engage a portion of the cross-arm and secure it in position. Once secured, the necessary operation may be performed without the risk of the cross-arm tipping or falling. After the performance of the operation, the cross-arm retaining means is tightened or reinstalled, and the support device may be removed from the utility pole.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An installable and removable cross-arm support device for temporarily supporting a new, or previously installed cross-arm of a utility pole, comprising: 
 an attachment member adapted to engage an upright post portion of said utility pole;    a support member connected to said attachment member, said support member adapted to engage a portion of said cross-arm while simultaneously allowing for the subsequent installation/removal of a new or previously installed cross-arm fastening means used to secure said cross-arm to said upright post; and    a releasable securing device for releasably affixing said attachment member to said upright post;    wherein said support member is able to temporarily support said cross-arm in relation to said upright post for a period of time during which said cross-arm is not otherwise secured to said upright post; and    wherein said cross-arm support device can be removed from said utility pole once said cross-arm is affixed or reaffixed to said upright post by said cross-arm fastening means.    
     
     
         2 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment member and said support member are constructed of metal.  
     
     
         3 . The support device of  claim 2 , wherein said metal is aluminum.  
     
     
         4 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment member and said support member are constructed of wood.  
     
     
         5 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein said attachment member and said support member are constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The support device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more adjustable risers, said adjustable risers adapted to produce a force against said cross-arm after said attachment member has been releasably affixed to said upright post.  
     
     
         7 . The support device of  claim 6 , wherein the force produced by said one or more adjustable risers is sufficient to at least partially remove the weight of said cross-arm from said cross-arm fastening means, thereby facilitating removal thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The support device of  claim 1 , wherein said releasable securing device is a clamp, said clamp having a strap for wrapping around both of said attachment member and said upright post.  
     
     
         9 . The support device of  claim 8 , wherein said clamp is attached to said attachment member.  
     
     
         10 . The support device of  claim 1 , further comprising a hole in said attachment member for allowing the passage of a fastener used to secure said attachment member to said upright post.  
     
     
         11 . The support device of  claim 10 , wherein said releasable securing device is a fastener.  
     
     
         12 . The support device of  claim 10 , wherein said fastener is a screw.  
     
     
         13 . The support device of  claim 10 , wherein said fastener is used in conjunction with a clamp.  
     
     
         14 . The support device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one notch in said support member for allowing access to said cross-arm fastening means after said support member is engaged with said cross-arm.  
     
     
         15 . The support device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture in said attachment member for reducing the weight thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The support device of  claim 15 , wherein said aperture further functions as a handle.  
     
     
         17 . An installable and removable cross-arm support device for temporarily supporting a new, or previously installed cross-arm of a utility pole, comprising: 
 a unitary attachment and support member, said unitary attachment and support member further comprising: 
 a substantially rigid member of some length having a first side adapted to engage an upright post portion of said utility pole and a substantially parallel second side, said substantially rigid member dimensioned to extend outward from said upright post farther than does said cross-arm; and  
 a notch formed in a substantially horizontally oriented top side of said substantially rigid member by the removal of a section thereof, such that at least a portion of said second side extends upward a greater distance than does said first side;  
 wherein said notch is dimensioned to receive a portion of the length of said cross-arm, substantially along a lower longitudinal edge thereof; and  
   a releasable securing device for releasably affixing said unitary attachment and support member to said upright post;    wherein said support member is able to temporarily support said cross-arm in relation to said upright post for a period of time during which said cross-arm is not otherwise secured to said upright post.    
     
     
         18 . The support device of  claim 17 , wherein said unitary attachment and support member is constructed of metal.  
     
     
         19 . The support device of  claim 18 , wherein said metal is aluminum.  
     
     
         20 . The support device of  claim 17 , wherein said unitary attachment and support member is constructed of wood.  
     
     
         21 . The support device of  claim 17 , wherein said unitary attachment and support member is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         22 . The support device of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more adjustable risers attached to said unitary attachment and support member, said adjustable risers adapted to produce a force against said cross-arm after said unitary attachment and support member has been releasably affixed to said upright post.  
     
     
         23 . The support device of  claim 22 , wherein the force produced by said one or more adjustable risers is sufficient to at least partially remove the weight of said cross-arm from a cross-arm fastening means, thereby facilitating removal thereof.  
     
     
         24 . The support device of  claim 17 , wherein said releasable securing device is a clamp, said clamp having a strap for wrapping around both of said unitary attachment and support member and said upright post.  
     
     
         25 . The support device of  claim 24 , wherein said clamp is attached to said unitary attachment and support member.  
     
     
         26 . The support device of  claim 17 , further comprising a hole passing through said substantially rigid member for allowing the passage of a releasable securing device used to secure said unitary attachment and support member to said upright post.  
     
     
         27 . The support device of  claim 26 , wherein said releasable securing device is a fastener.  
     
     
         28 . The support device of  claim 27 , wherein said fastener is a screw.  
     
     
         29 . The support device of  claim 27 , wherein said fastener is used in conjunction with a clamp.  
     
     
         30 . The support device of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one aperture in said portion of said second side that extends upward a greater distance than does said first side, for allowing access to a cross-arm fastening means after said notch in said unitary attachment and support member is engaged with said cross-arm.  
     
     
         31 . The support device of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one aperture in said substantially rigid member for reducing the weight thereof.  
     
     
         32 . The support device of  claim 31 , wherein said aperture further functions as a handle.  
     
     
         33 . A cross-arm support device for temporarily supporting a new, or previously installed cross-arm of a utility pole, comprising: 
 an attachment and support member, said attachment and support member comprising a single, substantially rigid member of some length, having a first vertical face adapted to engage an upright post portion of said utility pole, and a substantially parallel second vertical face, said substantially rigid member dimensioned to extend outward from said upright post farther than does said cross-arm, said substantially rigid member also having a substantially horizontal top face that is adapted, in conjunction with said second vertical face, to receive at least a portion of said cross-arm substantially along a lower longitudinal edge thereof; and    a releasable securing device for releasably affixing said attachment and support member to said upright post;    wherein said support member is able to temporarily support said cross-arm in relation to said upright post for a period of time during which said cross-arm is not otherwise secured to said upright post.