Piling and pole protective wrap system

Abstract

A multi-layer protective wrap system for wood or metal pilings and poles comprising multiple organic polymer layers (an inner seal wrap, an optional foam conformation layer, and an outer compression shell) secured to the pilings by a bar-and-band system provides resistance to decay, thereby extending the life of pilings/poles in both new and retrofit installations. The 2- or 3-layer wrap system not only extends the life of pilings/poles by protecting them from new infestation by organisms, but also starves existing organisms of the oxygen they require to survive. In addition, because the inventive wrap system seals the piling/poles, it prevents leaching of creosote or other protective coating materials into the environment, reducing the threat of toxicity. This permits industry current standard practice of impregnating pilings with creosote to act as a third or fourth layer inside the 2-3 layers of the inventive wrap system.

1 . A multi-layer wrap system for protection of pilings and poles against infestation of organisms, and against weathering and service damage, particularly in wet environments comprising: 
 a) a first, seal wrap layer comprising a sheet of flexible, strong, impervious polymer material wrapped around said piling or pole in at least areas of exposure of said piling or pole to attack by said organisms, said wrap overlapping on itself by a sufficient amount to insure a conforming seal without gaps against the surface of said piling or pole and terminating in an outer marginal edge;    b) a second, compression layer wrap applied over said first seal layer, said second wrap layer overlapping on itself by a sufficient amount to insure said second wrap can be secured to itself without gaps exposing said first layer and terminating in an outer marginal edge;    c) at least one retaining bar placed over the marginal edge of said second compression layer wrap;    d) securing members, selected from spaced bands under compression and bolts secured in said piling or pole, engaging said retaining bar and compressing said compression layer wrap tightly around said piling or pole and said first, seal wrap layer; and    e) said wrap system functioning to conformingly seal and starve oxygen from organisms in or on said piling or pole and to provide an outer protective shell that protects from service damage.    
   
   
       2 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 1  which includes a third, intermediate gasket wrap layer comprising a sheet of plastic foam wrapped around said seal layer to overlap on itself, which gasket layer assists in conforming said seal layer to irregularities in said piling or pole and which is secured in place by said outer compression layer.  
   
   
       3 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 1  wherein the marginal edge of said seal layer is overlain with a strip of plastic foam secured in place by said outer compression layer.  
   
   
       4 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 3  wherein said outer compression layer extends vertically downwardly from a datum line and terminates above a soil or mud line and said compression layer rests on a plurality of short, vertical spaced retaining bars in contact with said seal layer and that extend below said soil or mud line, said short retaining bars being secured to said piling or pole by bolts, and said compression layer being secured to said piling or pole by vertically spaced bolts placed adjacent said outer marginal edge of said compression layer.  
   
   
       5 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 2  wherein at least one of said seal layer overlap and said gasket layer overlap is secured to itself by tape or glue before application of said outer compression layer.  
   
   
       6 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 2  wherein said gasket layer is closed cell foam.  
   
   
       7 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 2  wherein said retaining bar is secured to said piling or pole by bolts secured into said piling or pole through said bar and wrap layers.  
   
   
       8 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 1  which includes in place of or in addition to said retaining bar at least one pair of opposed retaining channels connected to each other by bolts passing through said piling or pole.  
   
   
       9 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 2  which includes in place of or in addition to said retaining bar at least one pair of opposed reinforcing steel channel members connected to each other by bolts passing through said piling or pole.  
   
   
       10 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 1  which includes in place of or in addition to said retaining bar at least two pairs of opposed vertical rub bars secured to said piling or pole at a level bridging high and low water levels, said rub bars protecting said outer compression layer from damage by dock structures to which said piling or pole is tethered.  
   
   
       11 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 1  which includes at least one of a top or a butt cap member for protection of and assisting the encapsulation of the piling or pole top or butt.  
   
   
       12 . A multi-layer wrap system as in  claim 1  wherein said seal layer extends to and around the butt of said piling or pole, excess seal layer sheet material is folded up and around adjacent the butt end of said piling or pole, and said compression layer engages and retains said folded excess seal layer material folded around the butt end of said piling or pole.  
   
   
       13 . Method of protecting pilings or poles from weathering, attack from organisms, and against leaching of preservatives applied to said pilings or poles into the environment comprising the steps of: 
 a) wrapping a first, seal layer comprising a sheet of flexible, strong, impervious polymer material around said piling or pole in at least areas of exposure of said piling or pole to attack by said organisms, and overlapping said seal layer on itself by a sufficient amount to insure a conforming seal without gaps against the surface of said piling or pole and terminating in an outer marginal edge;    b) wrapping a second, compression layer over said first seal layer, and overlapping said second compression layer on itself by a sufficient amount to insure said second layer can be secured to itself without gaps exposing said first layer and terminating in an outer marginal edge;    c) placing at least one retaining bar to bridge over the marginal edge of said second compression layer wrap;    d) emplacing securing members, selected from spaced bands under compression and bolts secured in said piling or pole, to engage said retaining bar to compress said compression layer tightly around said piling or pole and said first, seal wrap layer; and    e) said wrap system functioning to conformingly seal and starve oxygen from organisms in or on said piling or pole and to provide an outer protective shell that protects from service damage and reduces leaching into said environment.    
   
   
       14 . Method as in  claim 13  which includes the added step of wrapping a third, intermediate gasket layer, comprising a sheet of plastic foam, around said seal layer to overlap on itself, said gasket layer assists in conforming said seal layer to irregularities in said piling or pole and is secured in place by said outer compression layer.  
   
   
       15 . Method as in  claim 13  which includes the added step of overlaying the marginal edge of said seal layer with a strip of plastic foam secured in place by said outer compression layer.  
   
   
       16 . Method as in  claim 14  which includes the steps of: extending said outer compression layer vertically downwardly from a datum line to terminate above a soil or mud line; emplacing a plurality of short, vertical spaced retaining bars in contact with said seal layer and extending said short retaining bars to below said soil or mud line; securing said short retaining bars to said piling or pole by bolts; resting a lower margin of said compression layer in contact with upper ends of said short retaining bars, and securing said compression layer to said piling or pole by vertically spaced bolts placed adjacent said outer marginal edge of said compression layer.  
   
   
       17 . Method as in  claim 14  which includes the added step of securing at least one of said first seal sheet and said gasket wrap marginal edges to itself with tape before wrapping said compression layer.  
   
   
       18 . Method as in  claim 13  which includes the step in place of or in addition placing said retaining bar, placing and securing at least two pairs of vertical rub bars at substantially 90° to each other on sides of said piling or pole at a level bridging high and low water levels, said rub bars protecting said outer compression layer from damage by dock structures to which said piling or pole is tethered.  
   
   
       19 . Method as in  claim 14  which includes the step in place of or in addition placing said retaining bar, placing and securing at least two pairs of vertical rub bars at substantially 90° to each other on sides of said piling or pole at a level bridging high and low water levels, said rub bars protecting said outer compression layer from damage by dock structures to which said piling or pole is tethered.  
   
   
       20 . Method as in  claim 13  which includes the step of extending said seal layer to and around the butt of said piling or pole; folding excess seal layer sheet material up and around adjacent the butt end of said piling or pole; and engaging and retaining said excess folded seal layer material folded around the butt end of said piling or pole beneath said compression layer.