Utility pole cross-arm and associated pole-top hardware

Abstract

A cross-arm 5 for a utility pole 4 for use in low to medium voltage electricity distribution and transmission is disclosed. The cross-arm is metallic and coated with an insulatory coating. The steel cross-arm 5 is mounted to the utility pole 4 by way of a steel saddle 6 which incorporates a similar insulatory coating. The saddle extends about one of the pole or the cross-arm and is secured at its opposite ends to the other of the pole or cross-arm and is arranged to be elastically strained so as to cause the two members to be in clamping engagement. A tape 7 may be located between the cross-arm and the utility pole to provide a further insulatory barrier.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A cross-arm for a utility pole for use in low to medium voltage electricity distribution and transmission, the cross-arm being metallic and coated with an insulatory coating.  
     
     
         2 . A cross-arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the cross-arm is formed as a hollow steel section.  
     
     
         3 . A cross-arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating is a polymeric material.  
     
     
         4 . A cross-arm according to  claim 3 , wherein the coating is applied by an electrolytic powder coating process, using a powder of the polymeric material.  
     
     
         5 . A cross-arm according to  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is nylon.  
     
     
         6 . A cross-arm according to  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is thermoplastic.  
     
     
         7 . A cross-arm according to either  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material is an epoxy.  
     
     
         8 . A fastening system for fastening a cross-arm to a utility pole, the fastening system comprising clamping means that is securable to one of either the pole or the cross-arm, the clamping means being operative to extend about the other of the pole or cross-arm to which it is secured and apply a clamping force to that member so as to fasten the cross-arm and pole together.  
     
     
         9 . A fastening system according to  claim 8 , wherein the clamping means is in the form of a saddle which incorporates end portions securable to either the pole or the cross-arm and a mid portion which is operative to extend around the other of the pole or the cross-arm to which it is secured so as to apply a clamping force to that member.  
     
     
         10 . A fastening system according to  claim 9 , wherein the end portions of the saddle are secured to either the pole or the cross-arm by mechanical fastening. 
 A fastening system according to  claim 8 , further comprising fastening means extending between the clamping means and the pole or cross-arm about which it extends.    
     
     
         12 . A fastening system according to claim  11 , wherein the fastening means is a mechanical fastener.  
     
     
         13 . A fastening system according to  claim 8 , wherein the clamping means is metallic and coated with an insulatory coating.  
     
     
         14 . A fastening system according to  claim 13 , wherein the coating is a polymeric material.  
     
     
         15 . A fastening system according to  claim 13 , wherein the coating is applied by an electrolytic powder coating process, using the powder of a polymeric material.  
     
     
         16 . A cross-arm assembly comprising a cross-arm according to  claim 1  and a fastening system operative to fasten the cross-arm to a utility pole.  
     
     
         17 . A cross-arm assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the fastening system is according to  claim 8 .  
     
     
         18 . A cross-arm assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the fastening system includes a seat which locates under the cross-arm and which is securable to the utility pole.  
     
     
         19 . A cross-arm assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the seat is formed from a metal section coated with an insulatory coating.  
     
     
         20 . A cross-arm assembly according  claim 16 , further comprising an extension arm which extends upwardly from the cross-arm.  
     
     
         21 . A cross-arm assembly according to  claim 20 , wherein the extension arm is metallic and coated with an insulatory coating.  
     
     
         22 . A cross-arm assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the extension arm is formed as a hollow steel section and incorporates a coupling at its upper end operative to receive an electricity distribution wire and a second coupling at its lower end which is operative to be connected to the cross-arm.  
     
     
         23 . A cross-arm assembly according to  claim 16 , further comprising an insulating medium which locates between the pole and the cross-arm so as to provide an insulation barrier between the pole and cross-arm.  
     
     
         24 . A utility pole incorporating a cross-arm assembly according to  claim 16 .  
     
     
         24 . A method of securing a cross-arm to a utility pole for use in low to medium voltage electricity distribution and transmission; the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing clamping means arranged to clamp the cross-arm to the utility pole;    locating the clamping means over one of the cross-arm or the utility pole; and    securing the clamping means to the other of said cross-arm or utility pole whereby on securing the clamping means, the clamping means clamps the one member to the other member to which it is secured.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to claim  25 , further comprising the step of: 
 fastening the clamping means to the one member.    
     
     
         27 . A method according to claim  25 , further comprising the steps of providing an insulating medium and locating that medium between the pole and the cross-arm to provide an insulating barrier between the pole and the cross-arm.