CA2932678A1 - Apparatus for supporting a utility pole and method of using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

There is described an apparatus for supporting a utility pole during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility pole. The apparatus comprises a vehicle mount for releasably mounting the apparatus on a vehicle. It further comprises a utility pole holder substantially extending along the direction of the utility pole to be supported, and a pole supporting system which forms a mechanical interface between the utility pole holder and the vehicle mount. A
support, extending from the apparatus, is adapted for touching ground so as to transmit substantial weight of the apparatus to the ground. Upon releasing the apparatus from the vehicle with the utility pole being held, the apparatus is substantially held in place by the support.

Description

, , APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A UTILITY POLE AND METHOD OF USING
THE SAME
BACKGROUND
(a) Field [0001] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to utility or power poles. More particularly, the subject matter relates to apparatuses for supporting utility/power poles during service, reparation and/or replacement thereof and to methods of using the same.
(b) Related Prior Art

[0002] A utility pole is a column or post used to support overhead power lines and various other public utilities, such as cable, fibre optic cable, and related equipment such as transformers and streetlights. It can be referred to as a transmission pole, telephone pole, telecommunication pole, power pole, hydro pole, telegraph pole, or telegraph post, depending on its application.

[0003] It sometimes may take a long period of time, after an accident, or after a thunderstorm, to repair and/or replace such utility poles. Even if not repaired quickly, it is important to provide the utility pole to remain substantially vertical to avoid other major problems (i.e., the electrical equipment at the upper most end of the utility pole may break, touch the ground or fall down).

[0004] In many scenarios, after a road accident or a thunderstorm for example, operators may want to perform service, reparation and/or replacement of such utility poles.

[0005] There exists many apparatuses and methods in the industry to perform such tasks.

[0006] For example, international publication no. WO

describes a crane arrangement primarily designed for the repair and replacement of power poles. The arrangement includes a truck having two cranes deployed on the truck bed, where one crane is provided to hold power lines and where the other one is to manipulate the power pole.

[0007] As for another example, Canadian patent no. 2,530,342 describes a tracked vehicle with a front blade for clearing roads and a rear mounted crane to set and rig a utility pole in remote locations.

[0008] Indeed, in many scenarios, installation, reparation and/or replacement of such utility poles will be performed using one or more drag winches and one or more boom assemblies mounted on tow vehicles.

[0009] Accordingly, a motor driven vehicle needs to remain in place during the whole operation, even if it takes days, weeks and/or months. Such operation is not user friendly for the driver and/or the owner of the vehicle and is for sure not timely and costly efficient.

[0010] Moreover, the devices and/or methods mentioned above do not provide the operator with a convenient working space surrounding the circumference of the utility/power pole (i.e., one may want to perform excavation tasks to put the utility pole in place before installing it).

[0011] There is therefore a need for improved apparatuses and methods for supporting utility/power poles during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility/power pole that does not require a vehicle to stay on spot for the whole operation and that further allows a convenient working space to the operator about the circumference of the utility pole.
SUMMARY

[0012] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for supporting a utility pole during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility pole, the apparatus comprising: a main frame; an attachment system extending from the main frame for mounting on a vehicle; a support extending from the main frame for supporting weight of the main frame in place when the apparatus is not mounted on the vehicle; a pole supporting system extending from the main frame for supporting the utility pole in a substantially vertical orientation during the service, the reparation and/or the replacement of the utility pole.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the support is adjustable in height to vertically translate the main frame, thereby having the pole supporting system pivot to keep the utility pole in the substantially vertical orientation.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the support is retractable when the apparatus is mounted on the vehicle.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the pole supporting system comprises an elongated member comprising attachments thereon which are adapted to interface with the utility pole.

[0016] According to an embodiment, there is further provided a horizontal translation system located between the main frame and the utility pole to be supported, to move the utility pole horizontally with respect to the main frame.

[0017] According to an embodiment, there is further provided a vertical translation system located between the main frame and the utility pole to be supported, to move the utility pole vertically with respect to the main frame.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the attachment system comprises hooks that engage with a vehicle attachment system of a vehicle.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for supporting a utility pole during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility pole, the apparatus comprising: a vehicle mount for releasably mounting the apparatus on a vehicle; a utility pole holder substantially extending along the direction of the utility pole to be supported; a pole supporting system which forms a mechanical interface between the utility pole holder and the vehicle mount; a support, extending from the apparatus, adapted for touching ground so as to transmit substantial weight of the apparatus to the ground.

[0020] wherein upon releasing the apparatus from the vehicle with the utility pole being held, the apparatus is substantially held in place by the support.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the pole supporting system comprises a horizontal translation device.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the pole supporting system comprises a vertical translation device.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an angle adjusting device for changing an angle of the pole supporting system.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the angle adjusting device is the bottom support, which is height-adjustable and located not directly under the pole supporting system thereby allowing a change of the angle of the pole supporting system when the height of the bottom support is adjusted.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the vehicle mount is for mounting on a vehicle attachment system of a vehicle.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the vehicle mount comprises a hook.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the vehicle mount is a pair of hooks for engagement with a movable member of the vehicle attachment system.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the utility pole holder comprises a bracket to hold the utility pole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0030] Fig. 1 is a picture illustrating a loader vehicle in accordance with an embodiment;

[0031] Fig. 2 is a picture illustrating a vehicle attachment system of a loader vehicle in accordance with another embodiment;

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of an apparatus for supporting a utility pole during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility pole in accordance with another embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic rear elevation view of the apparatus for supporting the utility pole of Fig. 3;

[0034] Fig. 5 is a schematic front elevation view of the apparatus for supporting the utility pole of Fig. 3;

[0035] Fig. 6A is a picture illustrating an attachment system of an apparatus for supporting a utility pole in accordance with another embodiment;

and

[0036] Fig. 6B is a picture illustrating another attachment system of an apparatus for supporting a utility pole in accordance with another embodiment.

[0037] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In embodiments, there are disclosed apparatuses for supporting utility/power poles during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility/power poles and methods of using the same.

[0039] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a loader vehicle 10 in accordance with an embodiment. The loader vehicle 10 includes wheels 12, a driver cab 14 and a vehicle attachment system 16 mounted in front of the vehicle 12. It is to be noted that the vehicle attachment system 16, in other scenarios, may be found to be mounted in the back of the loader vehicle 10. In Fig. 1, the vehicle attachment system 16 is shown to be cooperating with a blower device 18. The vehicle attachment system 16, shown , to cooperate with the blower device 18, may further cooperate with other equipment. Even if the apparatuses and methods of the present description are described as to cooperate with a loader type vehicle, it is to be mentioned that other types of vehicles 10 may be used for receiving the apparatuses for supporting utility/power poles that will be described below.

[0040] Referring now to Fig. 2 and according to another embodiment, there is shown in more details the vehicle attachment system 16. The vehicle attachment system 16 includes a fixed member 20 mounted on the chassis of the loader vehicle 10. The vehicle attachment system 16 further includes a movable member 22 pivotably attached on and extending from the fixed member 20 about pivot axis 24. The movable member 22 may act as a hook portion such as to receive the blower device 18 or any other piece of equipment, as it will be described below. The vehicle attachment system 16 may be powered by hydraulic equipment and/or electric equipment (not shown) and connected to the loader vehicle 10 such as to be operable from the driver cab 14. It is to be noted that there exists on the market a plurality of different vehicle attachment systems 16, depending on the type of loader vehicle 10 used.

[0041] Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and according to another embodiment, there is shown an apparatus 26 supporting a utility/power pole 28 during its service, reparation and/or replacement. As shown in Fig. 3, the apparatus 26 includes a main frame 30 and an attachment system 32 which extends from the main frame 30. The attachment system 32 is for mounting the main frame 30 on a vehicle, such as the loader vehicle 10. The apparatus 26 further includes supports 34 which downwardly extends from the main frame 30 for supporting the main frame 30 when the apparatus 26 is in use (i.e., when the apparatus 26 is used for the service, the reparation and/or the replacement of the utility/power pole 28). The apparatus 26 for supporting the utility/power pole further includes a pole supporting system 36 which outwardly extends from the main frame 30. The pole supporting system 36's main goal is to support the utility pole 28 in a substantially vertical orientation 38 during the service, the reparation and/or the replacement of the utility pole 28.

[0042] The main frame 30 may adopt any suitable configuration such as to be easily transported by the loader vehicle 10 (i.e., in accidental terrains for example) and such as to be able to support the load of the pole supporting system 36 and the utility pole 28 itself (and to be able to support the load of additional equipment).

[0043] The main frame 30 may further include mating connectors (not shown) for cooperating with corresponding mating connectors (not shown) mounted on the attachment system 32. The mating connectors on the main frame 30 and the corresponding mating connectors on the attachment system 32 may help an operator to releasably mount a particular attachment system 32 on the vehicle attachment system 16 of a loader vehicle 10. Accordingly, an operator may be easily able to replace an attachment system 32 on the main frame 30 by another attachment system 32 (i.e., attachment system 32 of Fig.

is slightly different from attachment system 32 of Fig. 6B), and it would therefore be possible to mount the apparatus 26 on any vehicle attachment system 16 of any loader vehicle 10.

[0044] Referring now to Figs. 3-5 and 6A, 6B, there is shown that the attachment system 32 may include a frame member 40, a first hook portion 42 which upwardly extends from the frame member 40, and a second hook portion 44, distant from the first hook portion 42, which also upwardly extends from the frame member 40. As better shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, each one of the first and second hook portions 42, 44 defines a receiving surface 46, 48. The receiving surfaces 46, 48 will interface with the movable member 22 of the vehicle attachment system 16 of Fig. 2. The frame member 40 of the attachment system 32 further includes openings 50, 52 together defining a passage. Such openings may be used in securing the attachment system 32 with the vehicle attachment system 16 (Fig. 2).

[0045] According to an embodiment, the supports 34, which downwardly extends from the main frame 30 may be extendible between a non-extended position (e.g., it is retractable when the apparatus 26 is supported and displaced by the loader vehicle 10) and an extended position (when the apparatus 26 is in its used position, i.e., is not supported by the loader vehicle 10 anymore), in which the supports 34 need to act as outriggers. The apparatus 26 may include one support 34 extending from one side of the main frame 30 and one support 34 extending from the other side of the main frame 30. Alternatively, the apparatus 26 may include two supports 34 extending from one side of the main frame 30 and two supports 34 extending from the other side of the main frame 30.
Further alternatively, the apparatus 26 may include one support 34 on a first side on the main frame 30, one support 34 on the other side of the main frame 30, one support 34 in front on the main frame 30 and one support 34 in the back of the main frame 30, such as to equilibrate the load that will be required by the pole supporting system 36 to support the utility/power pole 28 during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility/power pole 28. The support 34 therefore transmits the weight (i.e., load) to the ground. By adjusting the height of the support 34, the weight is supported in a way that equilibrates the pole supporting system 36 and the utility pole 28 in the vertical direction. Since the support 34 is not located directly under the pole supporting system 36 (there is a lateral offset), the height adjustment of the support 34 acts as an angle adjuster for the pole supporting system 36 and the utility pole 28.

[0046] Still referring to Figs. 3-5, there is shown that the pole supporting system 36 includes a substantially elongated member 54 connected to the main frame 30. The substantially elongated member 54 is the utility pole holder. It extends in substantially the same direction as the utility pole 28. The pole supporting system 36 acts as a mechanical interface between its substantially elongated member 54 and the main frame 30. The pole supporting system 36 further includes a first attachment element 56 mounted on the substantially elongated member 54 and a second attachment element 58, distant from the first attachment element 56, and also mounted on the substantially elongated member 54. The first and second attachment elements 56, 58 are configured such as to attach around a utility/power pole 28 (such as to be able to horizontally support and/or vertically support the utility/power pole 28).

[0047] According to different embodiments, the first and second attachment elements 56, 58 may include, without limitation, bracket elements, clamp elements, conventional attachment elements such as ropes, chains, and the like.

[0048] For example, where the first and second attachment elements 56, 58 are attachment brackets, an attachment bracket may include a first bracket portion extending from the substantially elongated member 54 for interfacing with a first side of the utility pole 28 and a second bracket portion for interfacing with a second side of the utility pole 28 and for releasably connecting with the first bracket portion. According to this example, a fastener would be used to secure the second bracket portion with the first bracket portion.

[0049] According to another example, where the first and second attachment elements 56, 58 are clamp elements, a clamp element may include a first clamp member extending from the substantially elongated member 54 for interfacing with a first side of the utility pole 28 and a second clamp member extending from the substantially elongated member 54 for interfacing with a second side of the utility pole 28.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the first attachment element 56 may be positioned on the pole supporting system 36 such as to interface with a lower section of the utility/power pole 28. On the other hand, the second attachment element 58 may be positioned on the pole supporting system 36 such as to interface with an upper section of the utility/power pole 28. A further attachment element (not shown) may be used to interface with an under surface of the utility/power pole 28 (depending on the scenario).

[0051] Still referring to Figs. 3-5, there is shown that the pole supporting system 36 further includes an extension member 60 for connecting in an extendible manner the substantially elongated member 54 which receives the first and the second attachment elements 56, 58, and the main frame 30. The extension member 60 includes a first end 62 connecting to the frame member and a second end 64 connecting to the substantially elongated member 54. The extension member 60 is extendible between a non-extended position (where the apparatus 26 is in transportation by the loader vehicle 10 or where an operator does not necessarily needs the space surrounding the base of the utility/power pole 28) and an extended position (where the apparatus 26 is in operation and where an operator needs the space on the ground surrounding the base of the utility/power pole 28 for repairing or replacing an existent utility/power pole 28).

[0052] Still referring to Figs. 3-5, there is shown that the extension member 60 includes a first fixed member 66 directly mounted on the main frame 30 and a second movable member 68 slidably mounted to the first fixed member 66. Therefore, the second movable member 68 will slide along the first fixed member 66 such as to provide the extension member 60 to extend between its non-extended position and its extended position depending on the needs of the operator of the apparatus 26 during the service, the reparation and/or the replacement of the utility/power pole 28. It acts as a horizontal translation device that provides horizontal translation movement to the utility pole 28. The first fixed member 66 can also be slidably mounted on the main frame 30 at its first end (e.g., via a rail), the connection thereby acting as a vertical translation device that provides vertical translation movement to the utility pole 28.

[0053] According to an embodiment, it is to be mentioned that, in use, the substantially elongated member 54 may be let in a substantially horizontal orientation such as to provide the utility pole 28 in that particular orientation.

However, according to different scenarios (for example if the terrain in not parallel and the operator needs to install the utility pole substantially perpendicular to the road surface), it would be possible to pivot the second movable member 68 of the extension member 60 relative to the first fixed member 66 of the extension member 60. For example, it would be possible to upwardly incline (the top of the utility pole 28 would be closer to the apparatus 26 than the bottom of the utility pole 28) the second movable member 68 at 45 relative to a vertical or alternatively, it would be possible to downwardly incline (the bottom of the utility pole 28 would be closer to the apparatus 26 than the top of the utility pole 28) the second movable member 68 at 45 relative to that vertical.

[0054] According to an embodiment, it is to be mentioned that the extension member 60 may be slidably mounted to the main frame 30 such as to provide vertical displacement of the extension member 60 relative to the main frame 30. This configuration would allow the operator to displace substantially vertically the utility pole 28 relative to the ground surface.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the supports 34 supporting the main frame 30, the first and second attachment elements 56, 58 extending from the substantially elongated member 54 and/or the extension member 60 may be manually operated by an operator. Alternatively, the supports 34 supporting the main frame 30, the first and second attachment elements 56, 58 extending from the substantially elongated member 54 and/or the extension member 60 may be connected to a motor mounted on the main frame 30 or alternatively on the motorized equipment of the loader vehicle 10, such as to provide them in their "in use" positions by driven/motorized equipment.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the apparatus 26 may be used to support conventional utility poles 28 (about 12m to 37m high).

[0057] According to an embodiment, the apparatus may be used to support utility poles 28 that are at a distance of about 10-20 m from the main frame 30 of the apparatus 26, such as to let the surrounding environment, at the bottom of the utility pole 28, free of equipment, such as to allow the operators to perform their tasks.

[0058] According to an embodiment, it is to be mentioned that the apparatus 26 described above, even if described to be for supporting utility poles 28, may be used for supporting masts of wind turbines, gasoline pipes, or any other substantially elongated posts or poles that need to be supported during maintenance, reparation and/or replacement.

[0059] In use, an operator, may connect the apparatus 26 to the vehicle attachment system 16 of its loader vehicle 10 (via the attachment system 32) before travelling to the environment where a utility/power pole 28 needs to be replaced, repaired or installed. Once the operator arrives on spot, he can position the apparatus 26 at an optimized position relative to the utility/power pole 28 (not too close to the environment surrounding the utility pole 28, excavation operations may be performed about the circumference of the utility pole 28 for example), using the loader vehicle 10. Once the apparatus 26 is correctly position on site, the operator/driver, will disconnect the attachment system 32 of the apparatus 26 from the vehicle attachment system 16 mounted on the loader vehicle 10. The loader vehicle 10 is then not in an obligation to stay on spot during maintenance, reparation and/or installation of the utility pole 28 as the apparatus 26 is operable independently from the loader vehicle 10 or any other suitable vehicle. The operator will then extend the supports 34 in their extended positions such as to equilibrate the load that the main frame 30 will receive when supporting the utility pole 28 or when extending its extension member 60 away from the main frame 30. When the supports 34 are correctly interfacing with the ground surface and supporting the main frame 30, the operator may decide, if the substantially elongated member 54 is too far from the utility pole 28, to extend the extension member 60 in its extension position such as to bring the substantially elongated member 54 (and its first and second attachment elements 56, 58) closer to the utility pole 28. The operator may then attach the first and second attachment elements 56, 58 to the utility pole 28 such as to support the utility pole 28. The operator may decide to incline the second movable member 68 of the extension member 60 relative to the first fixed member 66 such as to incline the utility pole 28. Alternatively, the operator may want to vertically displace the extension member 60 relative to the main frame 30 such as to allow the utility pole 28 now attached to the first and second attachment elements 56, 58 to displace vertically.

[0060] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure.
Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS:

1 . An apparatus for supporting a utility pole during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility pole, the apparatus comprising:
- a main frame;
- an attachment system extending from the main frame for mounting on a vehicle;
- a support extending from the main frame for supporting weight of the main frame in place when the apparatus is not mounted on the vehicle;
- a pole supporting system extending from the main frame for supporting the utility pole in a substantially vertical orientation during the service, the reparation and/or the replacement of the utility pole.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support is adjustable in height to vertically translate the main frame, thereby having the pole supporting system pivot to keep the utility pole in the substantially vertical orientation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the support is retractable when the apparatus is mounted on the vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pole supporting system comprises an elongated member comprising attachments thereon which are adapted to interface with the utility pole.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a horizontal translation system located between the main frame and the utility pole to be supported, to move the utility pole horizontally with respect to the main frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vertical translation system located between the main frame and the utility pole to be supported, to move the utility pole vertically with respect to the main frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment system comprises hooks that engage with a vehicle attachment system of a vehicle.

8. An apparatus for supporting a utility pole during service, reparation and/or replacement of the utility pole, the apparatus comprising:
- a vehicle mount for releasably mounting the apparatus on a vehicle;
- a utility pole holder substantially extending along the direction of the utility pole to be supported;
- a pole supporting system which forms a mechanical interface between the utility pole holder and the vehicle mount;
- a support, extending from the apparatus, adapted for touching ground so as to transmit substantial weight of the apparatus to the ground.
wherein upon releasing the apparatus from the vehicle with the utility pole being held, the apparatus is substantially held in place by the support.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pole supporting system comprises a horizontal translation device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pole supporting system comprises a vertical translation device.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises an angle adjusting device for changing an angle of the pole supporting system.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the angle adjusting device is the bottom support, which is height-adjustable and located not directly under the pole supporting system thereby allowing a change of the angle of the pole supporting system when the height of the bottom support is adjusted.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the vehicle mount is for mounting on a vehicle attachment system of a vehicle.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the vehicle mount comprises a hook.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vehicle mount is a pair of hooks for engagement with a movable member of the vehicle attachment system.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the utility pole holder comprises a bracket to hold the utility pole.