Device and Method for Straightening and Supporting a Leaning Pole or Post

Abstract

A set of two or more wedge-shaped braces are used to straighten and support a leaning pole or post, such as a utility pole that has been impacted by a vehicle or a storm. A first brace is inserted and driven down on the side of the hole toward which the pole is leaning, until the pole is restored to an upright position. A second brace is then inserted and driven down on the opposite side of the hole to support the pole in the upright position. If needed, additional braces are inserted and driven down into the hole around the circumference of the pole. The pole can thereby be supported in the upright position without backfilling the hole with soil or stone.

1 . A set of two or more wedge-shaped braces for cooperatively straightening and supporting a leaning pole or post, each brace comprising:
 an inclined flat rectangular front face, a flat rectangular back face, a flat rectangular base  5  face, two flat triangular side faces, and a vertex angle formed by the intersection of the front face and the back face;   wherein each brace has a length in the range of 1 to 3 feet, and wherein the vertex angle of each brace is in the range of 5 to 20 degrees; and   wherein the two or more braces are sequentially insertable around the circumference of  10  the pole or post so as to restore the pole or post to an upright position and so as to cooperatively support the pole or post in the upright position.   
     
     
         2 . The set of braces according to  claim 1 , wherein for each brace the side faces are right-rectangular, such that the intersection of the back face and the base face forms a base angle that is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The set of braces according to  claim 2 , wherein for each brace the base angle is beveled. 
     
     
         4 . The set of braces according to  claim 3 , wherein for each brace the base face is reinforced with a metallic plate. 
     
     
         5 . A method for using a two or more wedge-shaped braces, each having a flat base and an acute vertex, to straighten and support a leaning pole or post in a hole, the method comprising:
 pulling or pushing the pole or post away from a leading edge of the hole, toward which the pole or post is leaning;   inserting a first brace with its vertex downward between the pole or post and the leading edge of the hole;   driving the first brace downward between the pole or post and the leading edge of the hole, by applying impact force to the base of the first brace, thereby pushing the pole or post away from the leading edge of the hole and into an upright position;   after the pole or post is in the upright position, inserting the second brace with its vertex downward between the pole or post and a trailing edge of the hole, which is opposite to the leading edge of the hole;   driving the second brace downward between the pole or post and the trailing edge of the hole, by applying impact force to the base of the second brace, thereby supporting the pole or post in the upright position in cooperation with the first brace; and   in order to further straighten or support the pole or post, sequentially inserting one or more additional braces around the circumference of the pole or post and sequentially driving each of the additional braces downward into the hole by applying impact force to the base of each additional brace.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein each of the wedge-shaped braces further comprises an inclined flat rectangular front face, a flat rectangular back face, and two flat triangular side faces, and wherein the base comprises a flat rectangular base face, and wherein the vertex comprises a vertex angle formed by the intersection of the front face and the back face, and wherein each brace has a length in the range of 1 to 3 feet, and wherein the vertex angle of each brace is in the range of 5 to 20 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein for each of the wedge-shaped braces the side faces are right-rectangular, such that the intersection of the back face and the base face forms a base angle that is 90 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein for each of the wedge-shaped braces the intersection of the back face and the base face is beveled. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein for each of the wedge-shaped braces the base face is reinforced with a metallic plate.