Protector for chemically treated wooden utility pole and surrounding environment

Abstract

The invention provides a utility pole that comprises an upper end and a lower end, with the lower end having a butt end. The butt end of the pole is encased in a substantially non-corrodible metallic cladding, that is formed from a sheet of the metal, so that the cladding protects the buried end of the pole from attack by microorganisms in the surrounding soil, when the pole end is buried. Further, the metallic cladding substantially prevents migration of any biocidal chemicals from the pole into the surrounding environment. In certain embodiments, the metallic cladding may also be connected, through a ground conductor, to form an electrical grounding means for the pole.

1 . A utility pole comprising: 
 (a) an upper end and a lower end, the lower end comprising a butt end; and    (b) a substantially non corrodible, snug fitting, metal cladding, the cladding surrounding the butt end of the pole; 
 wherein, when the butt end of the pole is buried, the metal cladding substantially prevents migration of chemicals from the pole into surroundings, and the metallic cladding protects the butt end of the pole from attack by microorganisms.  
   
     
     
         2 . The utility pole of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic cladding comprises copper or tin.  
     
     
         3 . The pole of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic cladding has a thickness ranging from about 0.025 mm to about 6.35 mm.  
     
     
         4 . The pole of  claim 2 , wherein the cladding comprises copper, and the cladding has a thickness from about 0.025 mm to about 6.35 mm.  
     
     
         5 . The pole of  claim 4 , wherein the cladding is in the range from about 0.275 to about 0.55 mm thick.  
     
     
         6 . The pole of  claim 1 , further comprising a grounding element extending from the upper end of the pole to the cladding so that the cladding is an electrical ground for the pole.  
     
     
         7 . A utility pole comprising: 
 (a) an upper end and a lower end, the lower end comprising a butt end; and    (b) a snug fitting, metal cladding comprising copper or tin, the cladding having a thickness in the range from about 0.025 mm to about 6.35 mm, the cladding surrounding the butt end of the pole; and    (c) a grounding element extending from the upper end of the pole to the cladding so that the cladding is an electrical ground for the pole; 
 wherein, when the butt end of the pole is buried, the metal cladding substantially prevents migration of chemicals from the pole into surroundings, and the metallic cladding protects the butt end of the pole from attack by microorganisms.  
   
     
     
         8 . The pole of  claim 7 , wherein the cladding comprises copper.  
     
     
         9 . The pole of  claim 7 , wherein the cladding comprises tin.  
     
     
         10 . A utility pole comprising: 
 (a) an upper end and a lower end, the lower end comprising a butt end; and    (b) a substantially non corrodible, snug fitting, metal cladding, the cladding surrounding the butt end of the pole, the cladding of sufficient thickness to retain integrity over an expected lifespan of the pole; 
 wherein, when the butt end of the pole is buried, the metal cladding substantially prevents migration of chemicals from the pole into surroundings, and the metallic cladding protects the butt end of the pole from attack by microorganisms in soil.  
   
     
     
         11 . The pole of  claim 10 , wherein the metal comprises copper or tin.  
     
     
         12 . The pole of  claim 10 , further comprising a grounding element extending from the upper end of the pole to the cladding so that the cladding is an electrical ground for the pole.  
     
     
         13 . The pole of  claim 10 , wherein the metallic cladding comprises copper and the thickness of the cladding is in the range about 0.025 mm to about 6.35 mm