Deformable energy-absorbing utility pole

Abstract

The present invention relates to an energy-absorbing deformable utility pole that comprises a hollow pole, and an insert placed within the pole. The insert is positioned in an area of the pole that is most affected by an impacting vehicle and the length of the insert is such that it substantially includes the affected area of the pole. During an impact, the utility pole provides for a more gradual deceleration of the vehicle, compared to previously known utility poles, resulting in a reduced level of damage to the vehicle and its occupant(s). The invention also provides for a process for increasing the energy absorption of a deformable utility pole by placing an insert composed of a deformable material within the pole in the area most likely to be affected by an impact with a vehicle, and wherein the length of the insert substantially includes the affected area of the pole.

1 . A utility pole comprising:
 a hollow pole with a top, a bottom and an inner surface, wherein said pole is composed of a first material capable of deforming upon impact with a vehicle;   a concentric annular insert that fits within said hollow pole, wherein said insert has:   a top, a bottom, a length, an outer surface with an area, and an inner surface;   wherein the insert is positioned in a section of the pole that is contacted and affected by said impact and the length of said insert substantially includes said section of the pole; and   wherein said insert is composed of a second material capable of deforming upon said impact with the pole;   wherein the bottom of said pole is attached to a surface when said utility pole is placed in a working position.   
     
     
         2 . The utility pole according to  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of said insert is substantially in contact with the inner surface of said pole. 
     
     
         3 . The utility pole according to  claim 1  wherein the insert fits tightly within the hollow pole. 
     
     
         4 . The utility pole according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert is about 300 to about 600 mm in length. 
     
     
         5 . The utility pole according to  claim 4 , wherein the insert is about 600 mm in length. 
     
     
         6 . The utility pole according to  claim 1 , wherein the first material of the hollow pole and the second material of the insert are the same. 
     
     
         7 . The utility pole according to  claim 1 , wherein the first material and the second material have a tensile strength of about 50.000 ksi and has a thickness of about 2 mm to about 3 mm. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The utility pole according to  claim 7  wherein the second material of the insert is about 2 mm in thickness. 
     
     
         10 . The utility pole according to  claim 1 , wherein said insert is positioned such that the bottom of said insert is around about 300 mm above the surface to which said pole is attached when said pole is in its working position. 
     
     
         11 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The utility pole according to  claim 1 , further comprising a base to which the bottom of said pole is attached when the utility pole is placed in its working position, wherein said base provides for attachment of said utility pole to said surface. 
     
     
         15 . A process for increasing the energy absorption of a utility pole comprising the following steps:
 providing a hollow pole with a top, a bottom and an inner surface, wherein said pole is composed of a first material capable of deforming upon impact with a vehicle, and wherein said pole is attached to a surface when placed in a working position; and   placing a concentric annular insert that fits within said hollow pole, wherein said insert has a top, a bottom, a length, an outer surface with an area, and an inner surface; wherein the insert is positioned in a section of the pole that is contacted and affected by said impact and the length of said insert substantially includes said section of the pole; and wherein said insert is composed of a second material capable of deforming upon said impact with the pole.   
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 15  the outer surface of said insert is substantially in contact with the inner surface of said pole. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein the insert fits tightly within the hollow pole. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein the insert is around about 300 to around about 600 mm in length. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein the first material of the hollow pole and the second material of the insert are the same. 
     
     
         21 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein the first material and the second material have a tensile strength of about 50,000 ksi and has a thickness of about 2 mm to about 3 mm. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The process according to  claim 21 , wherein the second material of the insert is about 2 mm in thickness. 
     
     
         24 . The process according to  claim 15 , wherein said insert is positioned such that the bottom of said insert is about 300 mm above the surface to which said pole is attached when said pole is in its working position. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The process according to  claim 15 , further comprising one or more attachment members attaching said insert to said utility pole, wherein said attachment members may be the same or different. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The process according to  claim 15 , further comprising a base to which the bottom of said pole is attached when the utility pole is placed in its working position, wherein said base provides for attachment of said utility pole to said surface.