Method and arrangement for utility pole reinforcement

Abstract

Method and arrangement for reinforcing an elongated pole ( 3 ) including a plurality of anchorages ( 28,29 ), each of which are locatable at a different vertical position on pole ( 3 ) and having a tension member ( 30 ) configured to be coupled between at least a pair of said anchorages ( 28, 29 ) for increasing the load capacity of the receiving pole ( 3 ) when thereby fortified. Exemplarily, utility pole ( 5 ) is configured to receive above-ground appurtenances. In a complimentary embodiment, the arrangement further includes a compression member ( 36 ), which may take the same form as the tension member ( 30 ), but with oppositely acting forces imposed therein.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A reinforcement arrangement for an utility pole, said arrangement comprising: 
 a plurality of anchorages, each of said anchorages configured to be located at a different vertical position on an utility pole; and    a tension member configured to be coupled between at least a pair of said anchorages for increasing the load capacity of a receiving utility pole when thereby fortified.    
     
     
         2 . A reinforced utility pole arrangement comprising: 
 an utility pole configured to receive above-ground appurtenances;    a plurality of anchorages, each of said anchorages located a different vertical position on said utility pole; and    a tension member configured to be coupled between at least a pair of said anchorages for increasing the load capacity of a receiving utility pole when thereby fortified.    
     
     
         3 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 said plurality of anchorages located at on exterior surface of said utility pole.    
     
     
         4 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 said plurality of anchorages coupled to an exterior surface of said utility pole.    
     
     
         5 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 said plurality of anchorages fastened to an exterior surface of said utility pole.    
     
     
         6 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 said utility pole comprising a plurality of stacked pipe sections; and    an overlap-joint formed between adjacent stacked pipe sections; and    a portion of at least one of said plurality of anchorages extending across said overlap-joint thereby fixing said adjacent stacked pipe sections against relative movement.    
     
     
         7 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a tension member guide positioned on said utility pole at a vertical location between said pair of said plurality of anchorages, said tension member guide adapted to receive a tension member therethrough.    
     
     
         8 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 said tension member guide adapted to permit translating vertical movement of a tension member therethrough and to limit lateral movement of said tension member relative to said guide.    
     
     
         9 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 said tension member being oriented to have a varying eccentricity with respect to said utility pole.    
     
     
         10 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 each of said tension members being connected to at least one of said anchorages and unidirectionally secured against translational movement relative thereto.    
     
     
         11 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a compression member configured to be coupled between at least a pair of said anchorages for increasing the load capacity of a receiving utility pole when thereby fortified.    
     
     
         12 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a compression member guide positioned on said utility pole at a vertical location between said pair of said plurality of anchorages, said compression member guide adapted to receive a compression member therethrough.    
     
     
         13 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 said compression member guide adapted to permit translating vertical movement of a compression member therethrough and to limit lateral movement of said tension member relative to said guide thereby preventing buckling of said compression member when under compression.    
     
     
         14 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 said compression member being oriented to have a varying eccentricity with respect to said utility pole.    
     
     
         15 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 each of said compression members being connected to at least one of said pair of anchorages and being unidirectionally secured against transactional movement relative thereto.    
     
     
         16 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 each of said compression members being connected to at least one of said pair of anchorages and being bidirectionally secured against translational movement relative thereto.    
     
     
         17 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 at least one of said anchorages being positioned upon a collar, said collar surrounding and fastened about said utility pole.    
     
     
         18 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of said anchorages being positioned upon a collar, said collar surrounding and fastened about said utility pole.    
     
     
         19 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 said plurality of said anchorages positioned upon said collar being located at substantially the same vertical position relative to said utility pole.    
     
     
         20 . A reinforcement device for use on an elongated structure, comprising: 
 a plurality of anchor brackets;    a plurality of elongated rods, said plurality of elongated rods positioned coaxially along the elongated structure and carried by said plurality of anchor brackets; and    a plurality of rod guides.    
     
     
         21 . The reinforcement device of  claim 20 , wherein said plurality of elongated rods are substantially laterally secured and generally longitudinally freed relative to the elongated structure by said plurality of rod guides.  
     
     
         22 . The reinforcement device of  claim 20 , wherein said elongated structure is an upright pole, wherein said plurality of anchor brackets is a plurality of upper anchor brackets and a plurality of lower anchor brackets, and wherein each said elongated rod of said plurality of elongated rods is secured between a first upper anchor bracket and a second lower anchor bracket.  
     
     
         23 . The reinforcement device of  claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of fixing bolts, said plurality of fixing bolts securing said plurality of anchor brackets are secured to said elongated structure.  
     
     
         24 . The reinforcement device of  claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of nuts, said plurality of nuts threadedly secured on said plurality of elongated rods proximate to said plurality of anchor brackets.  
     
     
         25 . A method of reinforcing an elongated structure, comprising the steps of: 
 a) obtaining a plurality of anchor brackets, a plurality of elongated rods, a plurality of rod guides, and a plurality of fixing bolts;    b) utilizing said plurality of fixing bolts to secure said plurality of anchor brackets to the elongated structure;    d) coaxially positioning each said rod of said plurality of elongated rods proximate to the outer surface of the elongated structure;    e) securing a first end of each said rod of said plurality of elongated rods into a first anchor bracket of said plurality of anchor brackets;    f) securing a second end of each said rod of said plurality of elongated rods into a second anchor bracket of said plurality of anchor brackets; and    g) laterally securing each said rod of said plurality of elongated rods into at least one of said plurality of rod guides.    
     
     
         26 . The method of reinforcing an elongated structure of  claim 25 , wherein each said anchor bracket of said plurality of anchor brackets has a plurality of apertures defined therethrough and further comprising the steps of: 
 a′) positioning each said anchor bracket of said plurality of anchor brackets proximate to the elongated structure and utilizing said plurality of apertures as a template;    a″) drilling a plurality of mating holes in the elongated structure;    and wherein said plurality of fixing bolts are secured in said plurality of mating holes.    
     
     
         27 . The method of reinforcing an elongated structure of  claim 25 , wherein each said rod guide of said plurality of rod guides has a plurality of hole apertures defined therethrough and at least one guide aperture defined therein, and further comprising the steps of: 
 a′) positioning each said rod guide of said plurality of rod guides proximate to the elongated structure and utilizing said plurality of apertures as a template;    a″) drilling a plurality of mating holes in the elongated structure;    wherein said plurality of fixing bolts are secured in said plurality of mating holes, and wherein each said rod of said plurality of rods is positioned proximate to said at least one guide aperture, wherein longitudinal movement of said rod is accommodated and lateral movement of said rod is limited by said at least one guide aperture.    
     
     
         28 . The method of reinforcing an elongated structure of  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of: 
 g) obtaining a plurality of nuts;    h) securing a first nut of said plurality of nuts upon a first end of an elongated rod of said plurality of elongated rods;    i) securing a second nut of said plurality of nuts upon a second end of an elongated rod of said plurality of elongated rods;    j) applying a pre-tension to said elongated rod of said plurality of rods by tightening said first and second nuts.