IE20030729U1 - Monopole structural assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A joint arrangement (1) for the construction of a monopole comprises interconnectable upper and lower pipes (6,8), the lower end of the upper pipe being adapted to fit within the upper end of the lower pipe. The upper pipe (6) comprises an annular collar (10), two flanges (16) and a plurality of longitudinal ribs (12) provided at intervals around the circumference of the lower end thereof. A plurality of connectors (18) are mounted on the upper pipe and receive interconnecting bolts (20) which pass through apertures (22) provided in the lower pipe to extend into the connectors (18) thereby securing the upper and lower pipes together.

Description

Monopole Structural Assembly The present invention relates to a monopole structural assembly and, in particular, to a joint arrangement for the construction of a monopole.

Monopoles are used to carry dishes and antennae for the telecommunications industry and are generally considered more aesthetic than the conventional lattice tower. However, in order to manufacture known monopoles expensive machinery is required so that a large market cost effective. is neededr to make such manufacture Consequently, in. smaller countries, suchr as Ireland, monopoles are imported rather than manufactured, since manufacture is not cost effective for a small market.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the disadvantages associated with the costly manufacture and importation of monopoles and in order to provide an improved monopole arrangement which overcomes the above—mentioned disadvantage.

According to the invention there is provided a joint arrangement for the construction of a monopole comprising interconnectable upper and lower pipes, the lower end of the upper pipe being adapted to fit within the upper end of the lower pipe, the upper pipe comprising an annular collar, one or more longitudinal ribs provided at intervals around the circumference of the lowermost end of the upper pipe, two flanges located around the upper pipe above the collar and a plurality of connectors mounted thereon for receiving OPEN TO PUBUC INSPECTION interconnecting bolts so that when the upper pipe is located in the lower pipe interconnecting bolts may be passed through corresponding apertures provided in the lower pipe to extend into the connectors thereby securing the upper and lower pipes.

Preferably, the outside diameter of the collar substantially corresponds to the outside diameter of the lower pipe.

Preferably, the joint arrangement comprises four longitudinal ribs. Preferably, such ribs extend. from adjacent the underside of the annular collar‘ to the lower end of the upper pipe. Preferably, the ribs are substantially rectangular elongate strips with a tapered end.

Preferably, the ribs project outwardly from the upper pipe so that the outside diameter defined by the ribs substantially corresponds to the inside diameter of the lower pipe.

Preferably, the undersides of the flanges abut the upper surface of the collar. Preferably, each flange is a close fit on the pipe at its upper edge and flares outwardly towards its lower edge. Preferably, each flange comprises a substantially semi—circular plate with a sloped outer face.

Preferably, a connector is located adjacent the upper and lower regions of each rib. Preferably, each connector comprises a nut and a washer mounted within a housing recessed through the wall of the upper pipe. lE03n729 Preferably, the lower pipe comprises a guide mounted on the inside wall thereof at the upper end of the pipe for receiving a rib of the upper pipe. Preferably, the guide comprises a pair of ridges at least part of which are adapted to lie along opposing longitudinal edges of a rib.

The invention further provides a monopole incorporating one or more joint arrangements of the invention.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. l is a side view of one side of the joint arrangement of the invention with the upper and lower parts separated; Fig. 2 is a side View :of another side (H? the joint arrangement of figure l with the upper and lower parts separated; Fig. 3 is an underplan view of the upper part of the joint arrangement of figure 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lower part of the joint arrangement of figure 2; Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to figure 1 with the upper and lower parts connected; E03a7zg Fig. 6 is a side View corresponding to figure 2 with the upper and lower parts connected; Fig. '7 is a plan view’ of the annular collar‘ of the joint arrangement of figure 1; (a), (b) side and end views respectively of a and (c) are front, rib of the Figs. 8 joint arrangement of figure 1; Figs. 9 (a) and (b) are underplan and side views respectively of a flange of the joint arrangement of figure 1; Figs. 10 (a), (b) and (c) are plan, side and end views respectively of a connector of the joint arrangement of figure 1; Figs. 11 is (a) and. (b) are plan and side views respectively of a housing of the connector of figure ; and Figs. 12 to 15 are side views of a monopole assembly incorporating a joint arrangement of the invention viewed from the front, right side, rear and left side respectively.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, a joint arrangement 1 of the invention for the construction of a monopole comprises interconnectable upper and lower parts 2, 4.

The upper part 2 comprises a pipe 6, the lower end of which incorporates a portion of the joint arrangement.

The lower part 4 comprises a pipe 8, having a larger |EU50729 diameter than the upper pipe 6, the upper end of which incorporates a portion of the joint arrangement.

The lower end of the upper pipe 6 is adapted to fit within the upper end of the lower pipe 8, as shown in figures 5 and 6, to form the assembled joint.

An annular collar 10 is provided around the upper pipe 6 and may be fillet welded 11 in position at a given distance, typically about 50 cm, from the lower end of pipe 6.

Referring to figure 7, the outside diameter of the collar is designed to corresponds with the outside diameter of the lower pipe 8 and the inside diameter of the collar substantially corresponds to the outside the with a clearance diameter of pipe 6 upper allowance.

A series of longitudinal ribs l2, typically four, are provided at regular intervals around the circumference of the lowermost end of the upper pipe 6 and extend from adjacent the underside of the annular collar 10 to the lower end of pipe 6.

Referring to figure 8, the ribs are substantially rectangular elongate strips with a tapered end 13 and a of longitudinally pair spaced through apertures l4.

Typically, the ribs are fillet welded to the pipe 6.

The ribs 12 project outwardly from the pipe 6 so that the outside diameter defined by the ribs substantially corresponds to the inside diameter of the lower pipe 8. fiE@3u729 The difference betweeni the outside diameters of the collar l0 and the ribs 12 corresponds to the thickness of the lower pipe 8. are located of the Two flanges around. the upper pipe 6 above position collar l0 so that the underside of the flange abuts the upper surface of the collar as shown in figure 2. Each flange is a close fit on. the pipe at its upper edge and flares outwardly towards its lower edge as shown in figure l.

Referring to figure 9, each flange comprises a substantially semi—circular plate with a sloped outer face l7. The flanges are secured to the upper pipe by suitable means. l8 mounted The upper pipe includes eight connectors thereon for receiving interconnecting bolts 20. connectors 18 are located adjacent the upper and lower regions of each rib 12. A flat washer 21 is mounted on each bolt 20 and the upper pipe is located in the lower pipe so that the bolts 20 may be passed through corresponding apertures 22 provided in the lower pipe to extend into the connectors l8.

Referring to figures l0 and ll, each connector l8 comprises a plain nut 24 and a spring washer 26 mounted within a housing 28 recessed through the wall of the upper pipe. The housing includes a bracket 29 having a pair of apertures 30 through which two bolts 32 are located and secured with lock nuts 33.

|E030729 In use, the interconnecting bolts 20 engage the nut 24 so that the washer 26 is compressed against the inner wall of the upper pipe and the upper and lower pipes are securely connected together by the eight connectors 18 and bolts 20. and 4, lower pipe 8 comprises a guide 34 mounted on the inside wall thereof a rib l2 of the Referring to figures 2 at the upper end of the pipe. In use, upper pipe locates within the guide 34.

The guide 34 comprises a pair of ridges 36 each having a first part 37 adapted to lie along opposing longitudinal edges of a rib l2 and a second part 38, adjacent the upper edge of the pipe, which is flared radially outwardly to facilitate location of a rib within the guide.

Referring to figures 5 and 6, in use, the upper pipe 6 is located within the lower pipe 8 by aligning a rib l2 within the guide 34 and sliding the upper pipe down the then until the edge of the lower abuts collar l0. pipe The bolts upper underside of the 20 are engaged with the connectors 18 to securely interconnect the upper and lower pipes.

As seen from figure 6, the resultant joint is concealed and is aesthetically appealing with a smooth transition between the outer surfaces of the upper pipe 6, flange 16, collar l0 and lower pipe 8. to 15, one or more Referring to figures in use, joint arrangements l are incorporated into a Hmnopole HEMDIZQ . A typical monopole for use in the telecommunications industry comprises an upper pipe 56 supporting a top flange 54 and a lower pipe 58 supported by a base flange 52. 56, 58 The upper and lower pipes are interconnectedu by the joint arrangement 1. inlet 60, 64.

The monopole is provided with a cable a cable outlet 62 and a plurality of hatches The method of fabrication of the monopole joint typically comprises the following steps: ) The upper and. lower pipes 6, 8 are cut to the required length.

OD. The collar 10, flange 16, guide 34 and connector are prefabricated.

(HD. The ribs 12 are made but the apertures 14 are not drilled.

(B0. The collar 10 is positioned on the upper pipe 6 at about 50 cm from the end of the pipe but is not tacked or welded at this stage.

(V) Four ribs 12 are then welded to the end of the upper pipe 6 at 90° intervals.

(W) The end of the lower pipe 8 is marked out at 90° intervals for about 50cm.

(WD. The two guide ridges 36 are welded to the inside of the lower pipe.

|Ea3o729 (Vfi) The end of the upper pipe 6 is inserted 50 cm into the lower‘ pipe 8 such that one of the ribs 12 slides between the two guide ridges 36.

(K) At this stage, a straight line should be pulled the length. of both. pipes parallel to the lower pipe to check for straightness, which should be within 1mm per metre.

(X) The collar‘ 10 is then Inoved to the end of the lower pipe and is tacked to the upper and lower pipes.

(XD. Eight apertures are then drilled right through the lower pipe 8, the ribs 12 and the upper pipe 6 to ensure perfect alignment of the apertures. (mg. The tacks connecting the collar 10 to the lower pipe are then cut so that the upper pipe, collar and ribs are removed as an integral unit. (may The collar, ribs and flange 16 are then welded to the upper pipe.

(XW) The eight connector housings 28 are welded to the inside of the upper pipe ensuring central location over the corresponding apertures. (xv) The nuts 24, washers 26 and. bolts 32 are then assembled in the connector housings. lEu307 The joint arrangement of the invention is structurally in the assembled sound yet is concealed from view monopole. A monopole incorporating joint arrangement of the invention is easy to manufacture with simple machinery and is generally acceptable to planning departments. The joint arrangement allows pipes to be easily transported and assembled to form a monopole.

It will be understood that the references to upper and lower used throughout the description refer to a particular orientation of the joint during normal use and are intended for clarity only and should not be considered restrictive.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended. to be restricted. to the details of the above embodiment, which is described by way of example only.

Claims (1)

1. Claims A. joint arrangement for the construction of a monopole comprising interconnectable upper and lower pipes, the lower end of the upper pipe being adapted to fit within the upper end of the lower pipe, the upper pipe comprising an annular collar, one or more longitudinal ribs provided at intervals aroundr the circumference of the lowermost end of the upper pipe, two flanges located around the upper pipe above the collar and a plurality of connectors mounted thereon for receiving interconnecting bolts so that when the upper pipe is located in the lower pipe interconnecting bolts may be passed through corresponding apertures provided in the lower pipe to extend into the connectors thereby securing the upper and lower pipes. A joint arrangement according to claim. 1 comprising four longitudinal ribs extending from adjacent the underside of the annular collar to the lower end of the upper pipe, the ribs projecting outwardly from the upper pipe so that the outside diameter defined by the ribs substantially corresponds to the inside diameter of the lower pipe. A joint arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the undersides of the flanges abut the upper surface of the collar and each flange comprises a substantially semi—circular plate with a sloped outer face such that each flange is a close fit on the pipe at its upper edge and flares outwardly towards its lower edge. A. joint arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein a connector, comprising a nut and a washer mounted within a housing recessed through the wall of the upper pipe, is located adjacent the upper and lower regions of each rib. A joint arrangement according to any preceding claim wherein the lower pipe comprises a guide mounted on the inside wall thereof at the upper end of the pipe for receiving a rib of the upper pipe.