Foundation systems and utility pole installations and methods including same

Abstract

A foundation system for mounting a utility pole includes a foundation base member, a plurality of anchor piles, and a plurality of anchor adapters. The foundation base member is configured to support the utility pole. The foundation base member includes a plurality of preformed holes defining an array of preformed through holes. The plurality of anchor piles is configured to be driven into the ground. The plurality of anchor adapters is configured to secure the foundation base member to the anchor piles. The plurality of preformed through holes are arranged to receive the anchor adapters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foundation system for mounting a utility pole, the foundation system comprising:
 a foundation base member configured to support the utility pole, the foundation base member including a plurality of preformed holes defining an array of preformed through holes;   a plurality of anchor piles configured to be driven into the ground; and   a plurality of anchor adapters configured to secure the foundation base member to the anchor piles;   wherein the plurality of preformed through holes are arranged to receive the anchor adapters.   
     
     
         2 . The foundation system of  claim 1  wherein the foundation base member is a grate. 
     
     
         3 . The foundation system of  claim 1  wherein:
 each anchor adapter includes a wedge connector configured to be received in a pile bore of a respective one of the anchor piles and to secure the anchor adapter to the respective anchor pile. 
 
     
     
         4 . The foundation system of  claim 3  wherein each wedge connector includes:
 a threaded rod; 
 at least one wedge member; and 
 a drive nut threadedly mounted on the threaded rod and operable to displace the wedge member. 
 
     
     
         5 . The foundation system of  claim 4  wherein:
 the at least one wedge member includes an elongate slot; 
 the threaded rod extends into the wedge member through the elongate slot; and 
 the slot permits the wedge member to translate radially relative to the threaded rod. 
 
     
     
         6 . The foundation system of  claim 4  wherein:
 each wedge connector includes a first wedge member and a second wedge member each having a sloped bearing face; 
 the sloped bearing face of the first wedge member slidably engages the sloped bearing surface of the second wedge member; and 
 the drive nut is drivable to displace the first wedge member relative to the second wedge member and thereby force at least one of the first and second wedge members radially outward to press against an inner surface of the respective pile bore. 
 
     
     
         7 . The foundation system of  claim 6  including:
 a retainer nut on the thread rod and coupling the thread rod to the second wedge member; and 
 a cage member that prevents rotation of the retainer nut relative to the second wedge member. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method for installing a foundation system for mounting a utility pole, the method comprising:
 providing a foundation base member including preformed through holes; thereafter   driving anchor piles into the earth until a prescribed minimum torque is achieved;   installing respective anchor adapters on each anchor pile;   positioning a foundation base member over the anchor adapters such that each anchor adapter aligns with a respective one of the preformed through holes of the plurality of preformed holes of the foundation base member, the foundation base member configured to support the utility pole; and,   securing the foundation base member to the anchor piles.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of preformed holes defines an array of preformed through holes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the foundation base member is a grate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of inserting a wedge connector of an anchor adapter into a respective one of the anchor piles and securing the anchor adapter to the respective anchor pile. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein each wedge connector includes:
 a threaded rod; 
 at least one wedge member; and 
 a drive nut threadedly mounted on the threaded rod and operable to displace the wedge member. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein:
 the at least one wedge member includes an elongate slot; 
 the threaded rod extends into the wedge member through the elongate slot; and 
 the slot permits the wedge member to translate radially relative to the threaded rod. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein:
 each wedge connector includes a first wedge member and a second wedge member each having a sloped bearing face; 
 the sloped bearing face of the first wedge member slidably engages the sloped bearing surface of the second wedge member; and 
 the drive nut is drivable to displace the first wedge member relative to the second wedge member and thereby force at least one of the first and second wedge members radially outward to press against an inner surface of the respective pile bore. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the wedge connector includes:
 a retainer nut on the thread rod and coupling the thread rod to the second wedge member; and 
 a cage member that prevents rotation of the retainer nut relative to the second wedge member. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein each wedge connector includes a tension indicator operative to indicate a tension load on the threaded rod. 
     
     
         17 . A foundation system for mounting a utility pole, the foundation system comprising:
 a foundation base member configured to support the utility pole;   a plurality of anchor piles configured to be driven into the ground; and   a plurality of anchor adapters configured to secure the foundation base member to the anchor piles;
 wherein each anchor adapter includes a wedge connector configured to be received in a pile bore of a respective one of the anchor piles and to secure the anchor adapter to the respective anchor pile. 
   
     
     
         18 . The foundation system of  claim 17  wherein each wedge connector includes:
 a threaded rod; 
 at least one wedge member; and 
 a drive nut threadedly mounted on the threaded rod and operable to displace the wedge member. 
 
     
     
         19 . The foundation system of  claim 18  wherein:
 the at least one wedge member includes an elongate slot; 
 the threaded rod extends into the wedge member through the elongate slot; and 
 the slot permits the wedge member to translate radially relative to the threaded rod. 
 
     
     
         20 . The foundation system of  claim 18  wherein:
 each wedge connector includes a first wedge member and a second wedge member each having a sloped bearing face; 
 the sloped bearing face of the first wedge member slidably engages the sloped bearing surface of the second wedge member; and 
 the drive nut is drivable to displace the first wedge member relative to the second wedge member and thereby force at least one of the first and second wedge members radially outward to press against an inner surface of the respective pile bore.