Utility or meter pole top reinforcement method and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for reinforcing an upstanding utility/meter pole having a worn top includes an elongate brace adapted to bear against the pole near a top end of the pole. A washer plate is disposed in overlying relation to the elongate brace. A front support is secured to an opposite side of the pole by an elongate bolt that extends diametrically through the pole and is engaged by a nut to secure the brace and front support in sandwiching relation to the pole. A second embodiment reinforces a cross arm of a pole and a third embodiment ensleeves a pole at its uppermost end in a cylindrical body that serves as a prosthesis for a disintegrating pole top.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting a horizontally disposed cross arm mounted to an upstanding utility pole, comprising:
 a first vertical part that is adapted to be secured to a pole;   a horizontal part formed integrally with said first vertical part at an upper end of said first part;   said horizontal part extending away from said pole and having a depth substantially equal to a depth of said cross arm; and   a second vertical part formed integrally with said horizontal part at a free end of said horizontal part and projecting upwardly therefrom;   whereby said horizontal part is adapted to abut and support a bottom wall of said cross bar; and   whereby said second vertical part is adapted to abut a front wall of said cross bar to prevent rotation of said cross bar in a horizontal plane about a longitudinal axis of said upstanding pole.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an aperture formed in said first vertical part of said cross arm support member, said aperture adapted to receive a bolt that extends through said aperture to secure said first vertical part and hence said cross arm support member to said pole.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an elongate brace adapted to abut said pole in diametrically opposed relation to said cross arm support member;   said bolt adapted to secure said cross arm support member to said pole extending diametrically through said pole and securing said elongate brace to said pole;   whereby said pole is sandwiched between said cross arm support member and said elongate brace.