Structural reinforcement member and method of utilizing the same to reinforce a longitudinal section of an antenna support tower

Abstract

An assembly for reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole, includes at least two load transfer rings formed by sleeve segments having radically opposed mating ends. The rings are adapted to fit onto the outer surface of the pole so as to circumferentially encompass the pole. The sleeve segments are connected at their ends by a nut and bolt assembly, wherein tightening of the nut and bolt assembly creates a radial clamping force to squeeze the load transfer rings onto the outer surface of the pole for holding the rings in fixed relation thereon. Elongated stiffener members are fixedly attached to the load transfer rings by a nut and bolt assembly or by welding. The load transfer rings may also be partially welded to the exterior of the pole if structural load bearing demands require additional capacity.

1 . An assembly for reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole, the pole extending generally from a fixed base plate, comprising: 
 At least two load transfer rings, each being formed by at least two sleeve segments having radically opposed mating ends, said load transfer rings adapted to fit onto the outer surface of said pole so as to circumferentially encompass said pole;    Means for holding said load transfer rings in fixed relation to the outer surface and longitudinal axis of the pole;    At least one stiffener member fixedly attached to at least two of said load transfer rings.    
   
   
       2 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein one of said load transfer rings is fixedly attached to the pole base plate.  
   
   
       3 . An assembly for reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole, the pole extending generally from a fixed base plate, comprising: 
 At least two load transfer rings, each being formed by at least two sleeve segments having radically opposed mating ends, said load transfer rings adapted to fit onto the outer surface of said pole so as to circumferentially encompass said pole,    Said sleeve segments connected at said radically opposed mating ends by a nut and bolt assembly, wherein tightening of said nut and bolt assembly creates a radial clamping force to squeeze said load transfer rings onto said outer surface of said pole for holding said load transfer rings in fixed relation thereon and prevent movement along the longitudinal axis of the pole;    At least one elongated stiffener member fixedly attached to at least two of said load transfer rings being held in fixed spaced apart relation to one another on said outer surface of the pole.    
   
   
       4 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 one of said load transfer rings being a base load transfer ring that is fixedly attached to the pole base plate, and,    at least one of said elongated stiffener members being fixedly attached to said base load transfer ring and to at least one other of said load transfer rings held in fixed spaced apart relation to said base load transfer ring on said outer surface of the pole.    
   
   
       5 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said base load transfer ring is fixedly attached to the pole base plate by a nut and bolt assembly.  
   
   
       6 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said base load transfer ring is fixedly attached to the pole base plate by welding said base load transfer ring to the pole base plate.  
   
   
       7 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said base load transfer ring is fixedly attached to the pole base plate by an adhesive epoxy bonding compound intermediate said base load transfer ring and the pole base plate.  
   
   
       8 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one elongated stiffener member is fixedly attached to said sleeve segments forming said load transfer rings by a nut and bolt assembly.  
   
   
       9 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one elongated stiffener member is fixedly attached to said load transfer rings by welding said stiffener member to said sleeve segments.  
   
   
       10 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one elongated stiffener member is fixedly attached to said load transfer rings by an adhesive epoxy bonding compound intermediate said stiffener member and said sleeve segments.  
   
   
       11 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein at least one of said load transfer rings is at least partially welded to said outer surface of the pole for holding said transfer ring in fixed relation thereto.  
   
   
       12 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one elongated stiffener member is a reinforcing rod.  
   
   
       13 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein said at least one elongated stiffener member is an angle iron.  
   
   
       14 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4  wherein said sleeve segments have a flange formed thereon for mating with a flange formed on said elongated stiffener member to provide a reinforced mounting base for said nut and bolt assembly to hold said stiffener member to said load transfer rings.  
   
   
       15 . A reinforcing assembly as in  claim 4  wherein said sleeve segments have a protrusion formed thereon for mating with said elongated stiffener member to provide a reinforced mounting base for said nut and bolt assembly to hold said stiffener member to said load transfer rings.  
   
   
       16 . A method of reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole comprising: 
 providing at least two load transfer rings, each being formed by at least two sleeve segments having radically opposed mating ends, said load transfer rings adapted to fit onto the outer surface of said pole so as to circumferentially encompass said pole;    connecting said sleeve segments at said radically opposed mating ends by a nut and bolt assembly, wherein tightening of said nut and bolt assembly creates a radial clamping force to squeeze said load transfer rings onto said outer surface of said pole for holding said load transfer rings in fixed relation thereon;    providing at least one elongated stiffener member fixedly attached to at least two of said load transfer rings by a nut and bolt assembly.    
   
   
       17 . A method for reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole as in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 Welding, at least partially, at least one of said load transfer rings to said outer surface of said pole for holding said transfer ring in fixed relation thereto.    
   
   
       18 . A assembly method for reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole as in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 providing a reinforcing rod for said at least one elongated stiffener member.    
   
   
       19 . A assembly method for reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole as in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 providing an angle iron for said at least one elongated stiffener member.    
   
   
       20 . A assembly method for reinforcing a longitudinal section of a pole as in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 forming on said sleeve segments a flange for mating with a flange formed on said elongated stiffener member to provide a reinforced mounting base for said nut and bolt assembly to hold said stiffener member to said load transfer rings.