Utility standard repair devices and methods

Abstract

A square riser with corner threaded rods is used to repair utility standards. The riser threaded rods are bolts with washers welded to the bolt heads. The utility standard base is removed from its footing with four threaded rods, the riser slid down over the footing threaded rods and welded to them. Nuts on the footing threaded rods are used to level the riser. The riser can if desired be filled with poured concrete, to strengthen and protect it. The utility standard base is then slid down over the riser threaded rods and secured by nuts. A sleeve made of two paired half shells snugly fitting the bottom of the utility standard above the base can be welded to the utility standard. Reinforcing brackets are sometimes welded to the middles of the half shells and to the standard base. On occasion both methods of repair may be combined. It is far cheaper to repair than replace utility standards. The methods and material meet all North American standards for utility standard repair.

I claim  
     
         20 . Half shell of repair sleeve for metal utility standard, comprising sheet metal having top, side and bottom edges, an exterior surface and an interior surface said interior surface conforming snugly to half of the perimeter of the bottom of said utility standard.  
     
     
         21 . Half shell of  claim 20 , wherein said half shell has a tack welding aperture adjacent the middle of said half shell.  
     
     
         22 . Half shell of  claim 20 , wherein said half shell is tapered upward to conform to a tapered utility standard.  
     
     
         23 . Half shell of  claim 20 , wherein said half shell is semicylindrical.  
     
     
         24 . Half shell of  claim 20 , wherein said half shell is semipolygonal.  
     
     
         27 . Method of repairing a utility standard comprising the step of welding to said utility standard against the bottom thereof, two half shells of sheet metal having top, side and bottom edges, an exterior surface and an interior surface, each said interior surface conforming snugly to half of the perimeter of the bottom of said utility standard.  
     
     
         28 . Method of  claim 27 , wherein said standard has a projecting base, comprising the additional step of butt welding brackets vertically up the middle of each half shell, and horizontally outward on said base.  
     
     
         29 . Method of  claim 27 , comprising the initial step of welding a first bottom circumferential bead around the bottom of said utility standard abutting its base.  
     
     
         30 . Method of  claim 29 , comprising the steps of placing said half shells with their bottom edges abutting said bottom circumferential bead, and tightening them in place.  
     
     
         31 . Method of  claim 29  comprising the step of spot welding said half shells to each other and said standard, while tightened in place.  
     
     
         32 . Method of  claim 31 , comprising the steps of spot welding said half shells to each other and said standard at the top corners, bottom corners, and about the midpoints of the side edges, and to said standard at the midpoints of top and bottom edges.  
     
     
         33 . Method of  claim 32 , comprising the steps of welding a top circumferential bead along the top edges of said half shells, and welding a further bottom circumferential bead along the bottom edges of said half shells.  
     
     
         35 . Method of  claim 33 , comprising the step of welding butt beads along the side edges of said half shells.  
     
     
         36 . Method of  claim 35  comprising the step of placing brackets vertically up the middle of said half shells and horizontally outward horizontally outward on said base and welding butt beads between said brackets and said half shells and between said brackets and said base.  
     
     
         44 . Repaired utility standard, said standard having a footing and a base integral with said standard, said standard having welded thereto above and abutting said base two half shells of sheet metal having top, side and bottom edges, an exterior surface and an interior surface, each said interior surface conforming snugly to half of the perimeter of the bottom of said utility standard.  
     
     
         45 . Standard of  claim 44  having brackets welded vertically up the middle of said half shells and welded horizontally outward to said base.  
     
     
         46 . Standard of  claim 44 , wherein said half shells are welded to said standard by a top circumferential bead along the top edges of said half shells, and by a bottom circumferential bead along the bottom edge of said half shells, and butt welds along and joining said side edges of said half shells.  
     
     
         47 . Standard of  claim 46 , having brackets butt welded vertically up the middle of said half shells and butt welded horizontally outward to said base.  
     
     
         49 . Standard of  claim 44  comprising a footing having four upright threaded rods forming a horizontal square, a riser fitted over said footing, said riser comprising a square base comprising four sides joined at four corners, said riser base being sized so as to fit outside and touch said footing threaded rods, said footing threaded rods being welded to said riser, said riser having riser upright threaded rods attached at each upper corner and aligned with said corners of said riser base, said utility standard having a base having therein four apertures spaced apart to receive said footing threaded rods, said riser threaded rods passing through said utility base apertures, nuts engaging said riser threaded rods and securing said utility standard in position.  
     
     
         53 . Standard of  claim 49 , having brackets welded vertically up the middle of said half shells and welded horizontally outward to said base.