Method and apparatus for increasing the capacity and stability of a single-pole tower

Abstract

A support structure for use with an existing single pole tower. The single pole tower has a pole anchored to a foundation and supports a first load. The support structure has a number of sleeves surrounding the pole. A first one of the sleeves is anchored to the foundation. A second load is attached to a second one of the sleeves.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A support structure for use with an existing single pole tower, said single pole tower comprising a pole anchored to a foundation and supporting a first load, said support structure comprising: 
 a plurality of sleeves;    said plurality of sleeves surrounding said pole;    a first one of said plurality of sleeves anchored to said foundation; and    a second load;    said second load attached to a second one of said plurality of sleeves.    
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprise a metal.  
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 2 , wherein said metal comprises a structural pipe and wherein said structural pipe comprises a minimum yield stress of about 42 ksi.  
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of sleeves comprises a first half and a second half.  
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 4 , wherein each of said halves comprises a first side and a second side.  
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 5 , wherein said first side comprises a first sleeve tab and said second side comprises a second sleeve tab.  
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 6 , wherein said first sleeve tab and said second sleeve tab comprise a plurality of apertures positioned therein.  
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises a first end and a second end.  
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises a first flange plate at least partially encircling said first end and a second flange plate at least partially encircling said second end.  
     
     
         10 . The support structure of  claim 9 , wherein said flange plates comprise a plurality of apertures positioned therein.  
     
     
         11 . The support structure of  claim 9 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a third sleeve.  
     
     
         12 . The support structure of  claim 11 , wherein said second flange plate of said second end of said first sleeve is anchored to said foundation.  
     
     
         13 . The support structure of  claim 11 , wherein said first flange plate of said first sleeve comprises a dimension to accommodate said second flange plate of said second sleeve.  
     
     
         14 . The support structure of  claim 11 , wherein said first flange plate of said second sleeve comprises a dimension to accommodate said second flange plate of said third sleeve.  
     
     
         15 . The support structure of  claim 11 , wherein said first end of said third sleeve comprises a cover plate.  
     
     
         16 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises a plurality of load transfer pins.  
     
     
         17 . The support structure of  claim 16 , wherein each of said plurality of load transfer pins comprises a bolt and one or more nuts.  
     
     
         18 . The support structure of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of load transfer pins extends from said sleeves to said pole so as to stabilize said loads.  
     
     
         19 . The support structure of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of load transfer pins comprises a radial spacing around a vertical center axis of said sleeves.  
     
     
         20 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of said sleeves comprises a plurality of access ports positioned therein.  
     
     
         21 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said second load comprises a telecommunications array.  
     
     
         22 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said telecommunication array comprises a plurality of telecommunication arrays.  
     
     
         23 . A support structure for supporting a first load and for use with an existing single pole tower, said single pole tower comprising a pole anchored to a foundation and supporting a second load, said support structure comprising: 
 a first sleeve fixedly attached to said foundation; and    a second sleeve fixedly attached to said first sleeve;    said first load fixedly attached to said second sleeve;    said first and said second sleeves surrounding said pole.    
     
     
         24 . The support structure of  claim 23 , wherein said second sleeve is fixedly attached to said first sleeve via one or more joinder sleeves.  
     
     
         25 . A support structure for supporting a load and for use with ah existing single pole tower, said single pole tower comprising a pole anchored to a foundation, said support structure comprising: 
 a plurality of sleeves;    said plurality of sleeves surrounding said pole;    a first one of said plurality of sleeves anchored to said foundation;    a second one of said plurality of sleeves supporting said load; and    a plurality of load transfer pins positioned along said plurality of said sleeves;    said plurality of load transfer pins extending from said sleeves to said pole so as to stabilize said load.    
     
     
         26 . A support structure for supporting a load, comprising 
 a single pole tower;    said single pole tower anchored to a foundation; and    a sleeve;    said sleeve surrounding said single pole tower;    said sleeve anchored to said foundation; and    said sleeve supporting said load.    
     
     
         27 . The support structure of  claim 26 , wherein said sleeve comprises a plurality of sleeves.  
     
     
         28 . The support structure of  claim 27 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises a first sleeve anchored to said foundation.  
     
     
         29 . The support structure of  claim 28 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises a second sleeve supporting said load.  
     
     
         30 . The support structure of  claim 29 , wherein said plurality of sleeves comprises one or more joinder sleeves positioned between said first sleeve and said second sleeve.  
     
     
         31 . The support structure of  claim 26 , further comprising a second load and wherein said single pole tower supports said second load.  
     
     
         32 . The support structure of  claim 26 , further comprising a plurality of load transfer pins positioned along said sleeve.  
     
     
         33 . The support structure of  claim 32 , wherein said plurality of load transfer pins extend from said sleeve to said single pole tower so as to stabilize said load.  
     
     
         34 . A method for placing an additional load on a single pole tower, said single pole tower comprising a pole anchored to a foundation, said method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning one or more sleeves around said pole;    anchoring said one or more sleeves to said foundation; and    supporting said additional load on said one or more sleeves.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said one or more sleeves comprise a plurality of sleeves and wherein said anchoring step comprises anchoring a first one of said plurality of sleeves.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said supporting step comprises supporting said additional load on a second one of said plurality of sleeves.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of attaching said first and said second sleeve by one or more joinder sleeves.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the step of attaching a plurality of load transfer pins to said one or more sleeves so as to stabilize said additional load.