Systems and Methods for Repairing Utility Poles

Abstract

A pole splint, generally for use with a broken wooden utility pole, which can provide for a strong repair at a pole breakpoint and which uses relatively little manpower and equipment to install, even under difficult conditions. The splint generally comprises two panels which are designed to be interconnected with elongated connectors. The connectors will generally interact with one of the panels through the use of a nut and washer, and may connect with the other panel through a nut and washer or via a chain formed of chain links.

1 . A utility pole splint comprising:
 two panels, each of said panels comprising:
 an elongated center portion having two ends and a length therebetween, the center portion being generally semicircular in cross section between two edges; and 
 two flanges, each connected with one of said two edges of said center portion and extending outward therefrom, each of said flanges including a plurality of holes; and 
   a plurality of elongated connectors, each of said elongated connectors being capable of interacting with at least one of said plurality of holes;   wherein said elongated connectors are used to interconnect holes from a first of said two panels with a second of said two panels.   
     
     
         2 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated connectors include a threaded portion and interconnect with at least some of said plurality of holes via washers and nuts. 
     
     
         3 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of said plurality of holes are keyhole-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein said keyhole-shaped holes are on a first of said flanges and non-keyhole-shaped holes are on a second of said flanges. 
     
     
         5 . The splint of  claim 4 , wherein said elongated connectors include a chain formed of chain links on one end and a threaded portion on an opposing end. 
     
     
         6 . The splint of  claim 5 , wherein said chain links connect with one of said keyhole-shaped holes and said threaded portion connects with one of said non-keyhole-shaped holes via a washer and nut. 
     
     
         7 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein said central portion includes a hole therethrough which can be used as a handle. 
     
     
         8 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein said central portion includes a handle attached thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein said central portion includes at least one mounting hole for accepting a nail or screw therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said flanges is further connected to said central portion by a plurality of gussets. 
     
     
         11 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein said flanges are coplanar. 
     
     
         12 . The splint of  claim 1 , wherein said flanges are parallel. 
     
     
         13 . A method for repairing a broken utility pole, the method comprising:
 providing two splint panels, each of said panels comprising:
 an elongated central portion having two ends and a length therebetween, the central portion being generally semicircular in cross section between two edges; and 
 two flanges, each of the flanges connected with an edge of said central portion and extending outward therefrom, each of said flanges including a plurality of holes; and 
   a plurality of elongated connectors, each of said elongated connectors being capable of interacting with at least one of said plurality of holes;   placing a first of said splint panels on one side of said broken utility pole such that a break point of said utility pole is contacted by said central portion of said first splint panel between said two ends of said first splint panel;   placing a second of said splint panels on an opposing side of said broken utility pole such that said break point of said utility pole is contacted by said central portion of said second splint panel between said two ends of said second half; and   interconnecting said plurality of holes from said first splint panel with said plurality of holes of said second splint panel with said plurality of elongated connectors.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said elongated connectors include a threaded portion that interconnects with at least some of said plurality of holes via washers and nuts. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein some of said plurality of holes are keyhole-shaped. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said keyhole-shaped holes are on a first of said flanges and non-keyhole-shaped holes are on a second of said flanges. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said elongated connectors include a chain formed of chain links on one end. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said chain links connect with said keyhole-shaped holes.