Bracing apparatus, system, and method for installation of sub-surface utility anchors

Abstract

A bracing apparatus, system, and method for the installation of sub-surface utility anchors as used for utility poles, and other infrastructure which requires a sub-surface foundational element is disclosed. The bracing apparatus may be configured to interconnect to a mounting flange or mounting surface of a utility anchor, wherein the bracing apparatus allows the lifting of a utility anchor from a horizontal orientation to a suspended vertical orientation for placing the utility anchor vertically into a hole prepared for the installation of the utility anchor. The bracing apparatus comprises a leveling means wherein the bracing apparatus resides above grade and the leveling means bears on the surrounding ground surface, is adapted to raise or lower the utility anchor in relation to the grade level, and is adapted to achieve a level configuration of the mounting flange or mounting surface of the utility anchor and thus achieve a plumb or near-plumb orientation of an above-ground infrastructure mounted to the utility anchor.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A bracing apparatus for the installation of a sub-surface utility anchor comprising:
 a support pillar having at least two passageways therethrough, wherein each passageway is aligned with a fastening feature of the sub-surface utility anchor;   at least two hanger rods each comprising an upper and lower end, wherein each hanger rod is adapted to interconnect to one of the fastening features of the sub-surface utility anchor and pass through an aligned passageway of the support pillar;   at least two support arms each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is interconnected to the support pillar and wherein the first end of at least one support arm is hingedly interconnected to the support pillar; and   at least two jacks each interconnected to one of the second ends of each arm, wherein each jack is configured to adjust vertically upward and downward.   
     
     
         22 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising a leveling indicator related to a mounting flange or mounting surface of the utility anchor. 
     
     
         23 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the leveling indicator comprises one of a visual analog level indicator, a visual digital level indicator, or a digital level sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the hanger rods comprise all-thread rods. 
     
     
         25 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the hanger rods are adapted to adjust vertically upward and downward. 
     
     
         26 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising at least two adjustment nuts, wherein each nut is threadably interconnected to the upper end of one of the hanger rods and is adapted to mechanically constrain the hanger rod to the support pillar. 
     
     
         27 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 26  wherein each hanger rod is adapted to interconnect to one of the fastening features of the sub-surface utility anchor by a threaded coupling nut. 
     
     
         28 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 27  wherein each jack is adapted to adjust the height and the angular orientation of a top surface of a sub-surface utility anchor that is suspended by the bracing apparatus. 
     
     
         29 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 21  wherein each jack is adapted to adjust the height and the angular orientation of a top surface of a sub-surface utility anchor that is suspended by the bracing apparatus. 
     
     
         30 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the support pillar comprises a single vertical tube and a top plate. 
     
     
         31 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 27  wherein each jack is adapted to adjust the height and the angular orientation of a top surface of a sub-surface utility anchor while it is suspended by the bracing apparatus. 
     
     
         32 . A bracing apparatus for the installation of a sub-surface utility anchor comprising:
 a support pillar comprising an upper end with at least three passageways aligned with a fastening feature of the sub-surface utility anchor;   three hanger rods, each comprising an upper end and a lower end, wherein each hanger rod is adapted to hang within a passageway of the support pillar and to interconnect to one of the fastening features of the sub-surface utility anchor;   at least three support arms, each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is interconnected to the support pillar; and   at least one jack interconnected to one of the second ends of one of the arms, wherein the jack is configured to adjust vertically upward and downward.   
     
     
         33 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 32  wherein each of the at least three support arms comprises an upper member and a lower member and wherein the first end of at least one of the support arms is hingedly connected to one of the support pillar. 
     
     
         34 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 32  further comprising a leveling indicator related to the mounting flange or mounting surface of a utility anchor. 
     
     
         35 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the leveling indicator comprises one of a visual analog level indicator, a visual digital level indicator, or a digital level sensor. 
     
     
         36 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the hanger rods comprise all-thread rods. 
     
     
         37 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the hanger rods are adapted to adjust vertically upward and downward. 
     
     
         38 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 32  further comprising three adjustment nuts, wherein each nut is threadably interconnected to the upper end of one of the hanger rods and is adapted to mechanically constrain the hanger rod to the upper end of the support pillar. 
     
     
         39 . The bracing apparatus of  claim 32  wherein the at least one jack is adapted to adjust the height and the angular orientation of a top surface of a sub-surface utility anchor while it is suspended by the bracing apparatus.