Apparatus and System for Reinforcing Poles

Abstract

This disclosure relates to apparatuses and systems for reinforcing poles. In particular, it relates to reinforcement apparatuses and their use in bridging or splinting decaying or rotting vertical poles, especially wooden utility poles, in which the apparatuses have inward angled flanges.

1 . A reinforcement apparatus for reinforcing a pole, the reinforcement apparatus comprising:
 an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end and a vertical length there between and a proximal side and distal side with a horizontal length therebetween;   the elongated member having:
 a main body comprised of:
 a back wall; and 
 two edge walls extending from the back wall; and 
 
 two flanges, each of the flanges connected together with an edge wall; and 
 an open horizontal cross-section; 
   wherein the flanges are angled inward toward the back wall such that the angle between the flanges and the edge walls is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees; and   wherein the elongated member has a trough shape down the vertical length.   
     
     
         2 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the top end of the elongated member is greater than the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the bottom end of the elongated member such that the elongated member is tapered on the distal side. 
     
     
         3 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the main body is an open polygonal shape. 
     
     
         4 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the open polygonal shaped main body comprises at least 5 sides. 
     
     
         5 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the open polygonal shaped main body comprises between 5 and 11 sides. 
     
     
         6 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of the elongated member has an axis of symmetry midway between the flanges and through the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the top end of the elongated member is greater than the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the bottom end of the elongated member such that the elongated member is tapered on the distal side. 
     
     
         8 . A reinforcement apparatus for reinforcing a pole, the reinforcement apparatus comprising:
 an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end and a vertical length there between and a proximal side and distal side with a horizontal length therebetween;   the elongated member having:
 an open polygonal shaped main body comprised of at least three sides including:
 a back wall; and 
 two edge walls extending from the back wall; 
 
 two flanges, each of the flanges connected together with an edge wall; and 
 an open horizontal cross-section; 
   wherein the flanges are angled inward toward the back wall such that the angle between the flanges and the edge walls is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees; and   wherein the elongated member is open on the proximal side.   
     
     
         9 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the cross-section of the elongated member has an axis of symmetry midway between the flanges and through the main body. 
     
     
         10 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the horizontal length between the proximal side and the distal side at the top end of the elongated member is greater than the horizontal length between the proximal and the distal side at the bottom end of the elongated member such that the elongated member is tapered on the distal side. 
     
     
         11 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the open polygonal shaped main body comprises at least 5 sides. 
     
     
         12 . The reinforcement apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the open polygonal shaped main body comprises between 5 and 11 sides. 
     
     
         13 . A system for reinforcing a utility pole, the system comprising:
 a utility pole; and   a reinforcement apparatus secured to the utility pole for reinforcing the utility pole, the reinforcement apparatus comprising:
 an elongated member having a top end and a bottom end and a vertical length therebetween and a proximal side and distal side with a horizontal length there between; 
 the elongated member having:
 a main body comprised of:
 a back wall; and 
 two edge walls extending from the back wall; and 
 
 two flanges, each of the flanges connected together with an edge wall; and 
 an open horizontal cross-section; 
 
 wherein the flanges are angled inward toward the back wall such that the angle between the flanges and the edge walls is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees; and 
 wherein the elongated member has a trough shape down the vertical length. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the reinforcement apparatus is secured to the utility pole with banding. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the banding is comprised of steel.