Adjustable Monopole Support Structure

Abstract

A support assembly includes a plurality of support arms coupled to a pole or tower structure. The plurality of support arms project radially from the pole or tower structure in a spaced relationship. A plurality of adjustable foot assemblies are coupled to respective distal ends of the plurality of support arms. Each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies is configured for coupling to an embedded helical pier. Each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies is capable of movement in each of three dimensions relative to the respective support arm to which it is coupled during installation of the support assembly.

1 . A support assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of support arms coupled to a pole or tower structure,   wherein the plurality of support arms project radially from the pole or tower structure in a spaced relationship;   a plurality of adjustable foot assemblies coupled to respective distal ends of the plurality of support arms,   wherein each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies is configured for coupling to an embedded helical pier, and   wherein each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies is capable of movement in each of three dimensions relative to the respective support arm to which it is coupled during installation of the support assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pole or tower structure comprises:
 a monopole; and   a base structure configured to support the monopole,   wherein the plurality of support arms are coupled to the base structure.   
     
     
         3 . The support assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a plurality of mounting plates coupled to the base structure,   wherein the plurality of support arms are coupled to the plurality of mounting plates.   
     
     
         4 . The support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality mounting plates are configured as a plurality of doublers, with each doubler comprising two of the plurality of mounting plates,
 wherein the plurality of support arms are coupled to the plurality of doublers.   
     
     
         5 . The support assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of support arms each comprise:
 a pair of polygonal plates coupled together by a plurality of support gussets,   wherein the polygonal plates each include a foot assembly mounting slot for enabling movement of the adjustable foot assembly in a first direction relative to the respective support arm during installation.   
     
     
         6 . The support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies comprise:
 a foot structure having a bottom and at least one side,   wherein the bottom of the foot structure includes an anchor bolt mounting slot for enabling movement of the helical pier in a second direction relative to the foot structure during installation,   wherein the at least one side includes a mounting hole configured to align with the foot assembly mounting slots in the polygonal plates,   wherein the foot structure is coupled to the respective support arm via a bolt or pin inserted into the mounting hole and the foot assembly mounting slots.   
     
     
         7 . The support assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         8 . The support assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first direction is radially aligned with the respective support arm to which the adjustable foot assembly is coupled. 
     
     
         9 . The support assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies further comprise:
 a pier cap configured to securely receive an exposed end of a respective of the helical piers; and   an anchor bolt assembly configured to couple the pier cap to the foot structure via the anchor bolt mounting slot.   
     
     
         10 . The support assembly of  claim 9 ,
 wherein the pier cap comprises:
 a sleeve portion to receive the an exposed end of the respective of the helical piers; 
 a top plate enclosing an end of the sleeve portion; 
 and a pier cap nut coupled to the top plate and aligned with an aperture in the top plate; and 
   wherein the anchor bolt assembly comprises:
 a threaded anchor bolt; 
 a jam nut; 
 a leveling nut; and 
 a top nut, 
   wherein the pier cap nut is configured to receive one end of the threaded anchor bolt,   wherein the jam nut is configured to secure the threaded anchor bolt to the pier cap via the,   wherein the foot structure is configured to receive the other end of the threaded anchor bolt via the anchor bolt mounting slot,   wherein the leveling nut is moveable along the threaded anchor bolt in a third direction to set a distance between the foot structure and the pier cap, and   wherein the top not is configured to secure the threaded anchor bolt to the foot structure at the set distance.   
     
     
         11 . The support assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the third direction is perpendicular to both the first and second directions. 
     
     
         12 . The support assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of support arms comprise the plurality of mounting plates, and
 wherein each of the plurality of mounting plates include a foot assembly mounting slot for enabling movement of at least one of adjustable foot assemblies in a first direction relative to the respective mounting plate during installation.   
     
     
         13 . The support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies comprises:
 a foot structure having a bottom and a side,   wherein the bottom of the foot structure includes an anchor bolt mounting slot for enabling movement of the helical pier in a second direction relative to the foot structure during installation,   wherein the side includes a mounting hole configured to align with the foot assembly mounting slots in a respective mounting plate,   wherein the foot structure is coupled to the respective mounting plate via a bolt or pin inserted into the mounting hole and the foot assembly mounting slot.   
     
     
         14 . The support assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         15 . The support assembly of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies further comprises:
 a pier cap configured to securely receive an exposed end of a respective one of the helical piers; and   at least one anchor bolt assembly configured to couple the pier cap to the foot structure via the anchor bolt mounting slot.   
     
     
         16 . The support structure of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the each of the adjustable foot assemblies comprises two foot structures coupled to the respective mounting plate in a back to back manner via the foot assembly mounting slot.   
     
     
         17 . The support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pole or tower structure, the plurality of support arms, and the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies comprise galvanized steel. 
     
     
         18 . A foundation system for an electrical utility structure, comprising:
 a base platform for supporting the electrical utility structure;   a plurality of mounting plates secured to the base platform in a radially spaced configuration;   a plurality of support arms coupled to respective mounting plates for supporting the electrical utility structure; and   a plurality of adjustable foot assemblies coupled to respective ends of the plurality of support arms,   wherein the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies are coupled to exposed ends of embedded helical piers upon installation of the foundation system,   wherein the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies allow for positioning of the helical pier in each of three dimensions.   
     
     
         19 . The foundation system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of support arms comprises a foot assembly mounting slot,
 wherein the respective adjustable foot assembly is coupled to the respective support arm via a bolt or pin inserted through the foot assembly mounting slot to allow relative movement in a first direction between the adjustable foot assembly and the support arm.   
     
     
         20 . The foundation system of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of adjustable foot assemblies comprises an anchor bolt mounting slot,
 wherein the respective helical pier is coupled to the respective adjustable foot assembly via an anchor bolt coupled to the respective helical pier and inserted through the anchor bolt mounting slot to allow relative movement between the helical pier and the adjustable foot assembly in a second direction.   
     
     
         21 . The foundation system of  claim 20 , wherein the anchor bolt comprises a leveling nut for enabling setting of a distance between the helical pier and the adjustable foot assembly.