NO20162052A1 - Device for securing a pole to a foundation - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for securing a pole with a vertical axis to a foundation. The device includes a plurality of angular brackets. Each angular bracket has a horizontal surface and a substantially vertical surface, the substantial vertical surface being secured to an external surface of the pole. A base plate is mounted horizontally on the foundation. The horizontal surface of each angular bracket is arranged to be secured to the base plate in a manner that allows the distance from the angular brackefs substantially vertical surface to the axis of the pole to be adjusted, resulting in the device being adaptable to fit a variety of pole thicknesses, straight or coned poles, massive or tubular poles, and poles made of various materials. This may e.g. obtained by providing the base plate with a plurality of bolt hoops and the horizontal surface of each angular bracket with an elongated bolt hoist, and bolts extending between each of the bolt hoists in the base plate and a corresponding elongated bolt hoist in the horizontal surface or each angular bracket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for securing a vertical pole to a foundation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a general need of securing a vertical pole, such as a power pole, telephone pole, light pole, etc., to a foundation, typically on the ground.

NO-334 925 describes a pole base for securing a pole to a foundation. This pole base is rotational symmetric, the pole is mounted concentrically with the pole base, and the pole base includes a plurality of brackets separated by planes that extend radially through a rotational axis. Each bracket includes a bracket body to be secured to the pole, the body being connected to a radially directed flange bearing against the foundation. The bracket body slants inwards in axial direction away from the flange. This pole base allows for varying base diameters, however, this leads to that the brackets must be positioned in a predetermined manner. Vertically protruding bolts must be carefully located at positions in the foundation, the positions being dependent on the diameter of the pole. Hence, in this background art, the intended pole diameter must be predetermined before the installation of vertical bolts in the foundation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an improved device for securing a vertical pole to a foundation, which remedies or at least alleviates certain drawbacks of pole securing devices in the background art.

The device according to the invention has been set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a pole secured to a first foundation by the use of a device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a pole secured to a second foundation by the use of a device according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating a device for securing a pole to a foundation.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating an angular bracket.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating a base plate.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating another device for securing a pole to a foundation.

Figure 7 is a schematic drawing illustrating poles of different types, each being secured to various foundation types, by the use of a device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a pole 50 secured to a first foundation by the use of a device 100 according to the invention.

The foundation includes a plurality of vertical bolts, studs, threaded rods, or similar fastening means anchored into the ground. In the situation illustrated in figure 1, the foundation is anchored directly in rock 20 below the surface 10 of the ground. This foundation includes four vertical bolts, studs, threaded rods, or similar fastening means anchored at a sufficient depth below the surface 10 of the ground, into the rock 20, and protruding vertically up from the surface 10, allowing fastening of the device 100 above the surface 10 of the ground.

Other numbers of bolts or other fastening means are possible. Generally, the number of bolts corresponds to the number of bolt holes in a base plate 110 and the number of angular brackets 120, as will be described later.

The depth and other characteristics of the foundation, including the number and length of bolts, will depend on a plurality of conditions, including the weight and length of the pole to be installed, geological characteristics of the rock 20, expected static and dynamic load. Such characteristics may further depend on the assumed use of the pole, expected meteorological conditions, etc. The bolts, studs or similar fastening means are configured in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the layout of bolt holes in a base plate 110 which will be described later.

One such bolt has been illustrated at 130. A nut 132 and optionally a washer above the nut 132, may be arranged on a portion of the bolt 130 that protrudes above the surface 10 of ground. Similar nuts and optionally washers may be arranged on corresponding parts of the remaining bolts. The nuts may be positioned and adjusted in such a way that they form a horizontal base upon which the base plate 110 may rest.

Another nut 134, and optionally a washer under the nut 134, is positioned on the bolt 130 on the upper side of the base plate 110 and a horizontal angular bracket 120, in order to secure the device 100 to the bolt 130. Similar nuts and optionally washers are arranged on corresponding parts of the remaining bolts.

The pole 50 may be a steel pole and has been illustrated with a polygonal (e.g., octagonal) cross-section. Alternatively, the cross-section may be circular, or having another cross-sectional shape. Poles of other materials, such as other metals and alloys, various types of wood, and composite materials, may also be used with the device 100. The pole 50 may be massive or tubular.

Figure 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a pole 60 secured to a second foundation by the use of a device 100 according to the invention.

In the situation illustrated in figure 2, the surface 40 of the ground represents the surface of a shallower stratum 30 of soil and/or sand, while rock 20 is present in a deeper stratum of the subsurface. In this exemplary situation, the foundation is adapted to be anchored in the deep rock 20 and further through a concrete cylindrical block 32 which has been molded in a cylindric bore that has been drilled or excavated of the soil/sand stratum 30. The foundation includes four fastening means, such as vertical bolts, studs, or threaded rods, in the same way as described above with reference to figure 1, the fastening means protruding vertically up from the surface 40, allowing fastening of the device 100 above the surface 40 of the ground.

The pole 60 has been illustrated as a steel pole with a circular cross-section.

However, in the same way as has been described for the situation illustrated in figure 1, poles of other materials, such as other metals and alloys, various types of wood, and composite materials, may also be used with the device 100. The pole 60 may be massive or tubular. Also, other cross-sectional shapes of the pole 60 are possible, e.g. a polygonal cross-section.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating a device 100 for securing a pole to a foundation.

The pole, although not shown in figure 3, has a vertical axis, illustrated at A. The axis A is also a vertical axis of the device 100. The device 100 is symmetrical about the axis A.

The device 100 comprises a plurality of angular brackets 120. In the illustrated example illustrated in figure 3, the device 100 comprises four angular brackets. A bracket has been illustrated separately in figure 4.

Each angular bracket has a horizontal surface 122 and a substantially vertical surface 124. The concept of a substantially vertical surface 124 of the angular bracket has been explained in closer detail below with reference to figure 4. The horizontal surface 122 is facing downwards, while the substantially vertical surface 124 is facing in a direction towards the axis A, i.e., towards the position of the pole when the pole is installed. More specifically, the substantially vertical surface 124 of the angular bracket 120 is arranged to be secured to an external surface of the pole.

The device 100 further comprises a base plate 110 to be mounted horizontally on the foundation. As illustrated, the base plate 110 is circular. However, the base plate may alternatively have another suitable shape, such as square or another polygonal shape.

The horizontal surface 122 of each angular bracket 120 is arranged to rest upon and to be secured to the base plate 110, more particularly on the upper side of the base plate 110.

Each angular bracket 120 is secured to the base plate in a manner that allows the distance from the angular bracket’s 120 substantially vertical surface 124 to the axis A of the pole to be adjusted. This results in that the device 100 is adaptable to fit a variety of pole thicknesses.

Various designs may be provided to obtain the above-mentioned adjustments of the distance from the angular bracket’s 120 substantially vertical surface 124 to the axis A of the pole. Advantageously, as illustrated in figures 3, 4 and 5, the base plate 110 of the device 100 may be provided with a plurality of bolt holes, e.g., circular bolt holes, and the horizontal surface 122 of each angular bracket 120 may be provided with an elongated bolt hole. Further, in this aspect, the device 100 may further comprise bolts extending vertically between each of the bolt holes in the base plate 110 and a corresponding elongated bolt hole in the horizontal surface 122 of each angular bracket 120. Advantageously, the elongated bolt hole is elongated in a radial direction in the horizontal surface 122 of each angular bracket 120.

Each angular bracket 120 may be secured to the base plate 110 by means of a nut tightened on a corresponding bolt.

The bolts that extend vertically through the base plate 110 and the angular brackets 120 are advantageously bolts such as those mentioned above with reference to figures 1 and 2. Thus, the bolts are vertically anchored in the foundation and protrude upwards from the surface of the ground.

The device 100 may advantageously include an even number of angular brackets 120, such as two, four or six angular brackets 120. Advantageously, each angular bracket 120 is arranged pairwise opposite another angular bracket 120 on the base plate 110. In this case, a pair of opposite angular brackets are arranged at an angular displacement of 180 degrees around the axis A.

Advantageously, the angular brackets 120 are arranged angularly evenly around a central point of the base plate.

As illustrated, the device 100 includes four angular brackets 120, which are arranged at angles of 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees around the axis A, i.e., around the central point of the base plate 110.

In the case of six angular brackets 120, the angular brackets 120 may advantageously be arranged at angles of 0, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 degrees around the around the axis A, i.e., around the central point of the base plate 110.

In a simplified configuration, the plurality of angular brackets 120 may include only two angular brackets 120. By example, the two angular brackets 120 may be arranged opposite one another on the base plate 110, e.g., at an angular displacement of 180 degrees around the axis A, i.e., around the central point of the base plate 110.

In another simplified configuration, the number of angular brackets 120 may be three. In the case of three angular brackets 120, the angular brackets 120 may advantageously be arranged at angles of 0, 120, and 240 degrees around the around the axis A, i.e., around the central point of the base plate 110.

In any one of the described embodiments or aspects, the substantially vertical surface 124 of the angular bracket 120 may be provided with a plurality of bolt holes to provide its securing to the external surface of the pole by bolts.

Advantageously, the bolt holes in the substantially vertical surface 124 of the angular bracket 120 are arranged in groups of two bolt holes, the groups being arranged along the length of the substantially vertical surface 124 of the angular bracket 120. In particular, the holes within each group may be arranged with a vertical offset which is shorter than half a vertical distance between groups of bolt holes.

The vertical distance between each group of two bolt holes may be in the interval of 250 mm through 350 mm, or in the interval of 280 mm through 320 mm. In a particular embodiment, the vertical distance between each group of two bolt holes may be 300 mm.

The vertical distance between the two bolt holes within a group of bolt holes may be in the interval of 30 mm through 70 mm, or in the interval of 40 mm through 60 mm. In a particular embodiment, the vertical distance between each group of two bolt holes may be 50 mm.

Advantageously, the upper end of the angular bracket 120 extends a distance above the uppermost bolt hole in the angular bracket 120, the distance being in the interval 200 mm through 390 mm, or in the interval 260 mm through 330 mm. In a particular embodiment the upper end of the angular bracket 120 extends 295 mm above the uppermost bolt hole in the angular bracket 120.

This configuration wherein the bolt holes within each group is arranged with a vertical offset which is shorter than half a vertical distance between groups of bolt holes is particularly useful in the case of four angular brackets 120 arranged pairwise opposite to each other, as it makes it possible to introduce bolts through the poles and through the bolt holes in the substantially vertical surfaces 124 of the angular brackets 120, while avoiding crossing bolts that might otherwise interfere with each other.

Advantageously, the bolt holes in the substantially vertical surface 124 of the angular bracket 120 are horizontally elongated.

In any one of the described embodiments or aspects, the base plate has a circular, central opening, provided for aligning the base plate to a point on the foundation.

The device 100, including the base plate 110 and the angular brackets 120, may be made of any suitable, rigid, durable material, typically a metal, such as steel, in particular galvanized steel. The bolts are also usually made of steel.

Each angular bracket 120 may e.g. be made from steel plate which has been bended along a line that delimit its substantially vertical surface 124. A horizontal plate which has an underside that defines the horizontal surface 122 of the angular bracket 120 is then attached to the lower end of the bent steel plate, e.g., by welding.

The angular bracket may e.g. have a length in the interval of 800 through 1700 mm, or in the interval of 1000 through 1500 mm, or in the interval of 1200 thtough 1300 mm. In a particular embodiment, the length of the angular bracket may be 1245 mm. The thickness of the steel plate used for the angular bracket may be in the interval of 6 through 10 mm, or in the interval of 7 through 9 mm. In a particular embodiment, the thickness of the steel plate used for the angular bracket may be 8 mm. The thickness of the steel plate used for the horizontal plate of the angular bracket, which has the horizontal surface 122 on its underside, may be in the interval of 20 through 30 mm, or in the interval of 22 through 28 mm. In a particular embodiment, the thickness of the steel plate used for the horizontal plate may be 25 mm.

The base plate 110 may have a diameter in the interval of 420 through 620 mm, or in the interval of 480 through 560 mm. In a particular embodiment, the diameter of the base plate 110 may be 520 mm. The thickness of the steel plate used for the base plate 110 may be in the interval of 20 through 30 mm, or in the interval of 22 through 28 mm. In a particular embodiment, the thickness of the steel plate used for the base plate 110 may be 25 mm.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating an angular bracket 120.

The angular bracket 120 corresponds direclty to the angular bracket shown in figure 3 and has already been described above with reference to figure 3.

As has been described above with reference to figure 3, each angular bracket has a horizontal surface 122 and a substantially vertical surface 124.

The angle indicated at 126 defines the substantially vertical surface 126.

In an embodiment, the angle 126 may be 90 degrees. In this case the substantially vertical surface 124 will be vertical.

In order to provide for slightly coned poles, which have a larger diameter at its bottom than at a position at a certain height above its bottom, the angle 126 may be more than 90 degrees. For instance, the angle 126 may be in the interval of 90 through 93 degrees, or in the interval of 91 through 92 degrees. In a particular embodiment, the angle 126 may be 91,5 degrees. Due to the resilient properties of the material and constructional details of the angular bracket, such an angle 126, larger than 90 degrees, may in some cases be suitable even if the pole is not coned.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating a base plate 110.

The base plate 110 has a circular shape and is provided with four circular bolt holes, arranged symmetrically about a vertical axis intersecting the center of the circular base plate 110. The base plate 110 is also provided with a central, circular hole, which is concentric with the base plate 110.

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective drawing illustrating another device for securing a pole to a foundation.

The device for securing a pole to a foundation shown in figure 6 corresponds to the one shown in figure 3, except that the substantially vertical leg of the angular bracket is longer, since this variant is adapted for a longer and/or heavier pole. Each angular bracket 120 in this device is provided with four groups of elongated bolt holes, each group having two elongated bolt holes.

Figure 7 is a schematic drawing illustrating poles of different types, each being secured to various strata or combinations of strata in the ground, each by the use of a device 100 according to the invention.

In figure 7, in the situations shown at (a), (b) and (c), the surface 40 of the ground represents the surface of a shallower stratum 30 of soil and/or sand, while rock 20 is present in a deeper stratum of the subsurface. In the situation shown at (d), the surface 10 of the ground represents the surface of a solid rock stratum 20.

In the situations shown in figure 7, at (a) and (b), the foundations of the poles 80 and 70 include concrete cylindrical blocks which have been molded in a cylindric bore, drilled or excavated of the soil/sand stratum 30. In each case, the foundation also includes four fastening means, such as vertical bolts, studs, or threaded rods, in the same way as described above with reference to figures 1 and 2.

In figure 7, at (a), a pole 80 may be a tubular pole made of a composite material, for instance with a circular cross-section.

In figure 7, at (b), a pole 70 may be a massive tubular pole made of wood, for instance with a circular cross-section.

In the situation shown in figure 7, at (c), the surface 40 of the ground represents the surface of a shallower stratum 30 of soil and/or sand, while rock 20 is present in a deeper stratum of the subsurface, corresponding to what has been described above with reference to figure 2.

In figure 7, at (c), a pole 50 may be a tubular pole made of steel, for instance with a circular cross-section, corresponding to what has already been described with reference to figure

In the situation shown in figure 7, at (d), the surface 10 of the ground represents the surface of rock 20. The foundation includes vertical bolts, studs, threaded rods, or similar fastening means anchored directly into the rock 20, corresponding to what has been described above with reference to figure 1.

In figure 7, at (d), a pole 60 may be a tubular pole made of steel, for instance with a circular cross-section.

The disclosed device for securing a pole to a foundation is versatile and adaptable to fit a variety of pole thicknesses, straight or coned poles, massive or tubular poles, and poles made of various materials, including composite materials, wood, steel and other metals/alloys. In particular, the adjustable properties of the device allows efficient and reliable securing of a wooden pole that may have root crevices or similar irregularities on its lower or bottom area, which may lead to an assymmetrical or imperfect shape of the lower part of the pole.

Various modifications and alterations will be evident to the skilled person. The scope of the invention is not restricted to the specific embodiments illustrated in the figures and described above. Rather, the scope of the invention has been defined by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. Device for securing a pole to a foundation, the pole having a vertical axis, the device comprising:

a plurality of angular brackets, each angular bracket having a horizontal surface and a substantially vertical surface,

the substantially vertical surface of the angular bracket being arranged to be secured to an external surface of the pole,

characterized in that

the device further comprises a base plate to be mounted horizontally on the foundation,

the horizontal surface of each angular bracket is arranged to be secured to the base plate,

each angular bracket is secured to the base plate in a manner that allows the distance from the angular bracket’s substantially vertical surface to the axis of the pole to be adjusted,

resulting in that the device is adaptable to fit a variety of pole thicknesses.

2. Device according to claim 1,

wherein the base plate is provided with a plurality of bolt holes,

the horizontal surface of each angular bracket comprises an elongated bolt hole, the foundation comprising bolts extending between each of the bolt holes in the base plate and a corresponding elongated bolt hole in the horizontal surface of each angular bracket.

3. Device according to claim 2,

wherein each angular bracket is secured to the base plate by means of a nut tightened on the bolt.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3,

wherein the elongated bolt hole is elongated in a radial direction in the horizontal surface of each angular bracket.

5. Device according to one of the claims 1-4,

including an even number of angular brackets, each angular bracket being arranged pairwise opposite another angular bracket on the base plate.

6. Device according to claim 5,

wherein the angular brackets are arranged angularly evenly around a central point of the base plate.

7. Device according to claim 6,

including four angular brackets, arranged at angles of 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees around the central point of the base plate.

8. Device according to one of the claims 1-7,

wherein the substantially vertical surface of the angular bracket is provided with a plurality of bolt holes to provide its securing to the external surface of the pole by bolts.

9. Device according to claim 8,

wherein the bolt holes in the substantially vertical surface of the angular bracket are arranged in groups of two bolt holes, the groups being arranged along the length of the substantially vertical surface of the angular bracket, the bolt holes within each group being arranged with a vertical offset which is shorter than half a vertical distance between groups of bolt holes.

10. Device according to claim 9,

wherein the bolt holes in the substantially vertical surface of the angular bracket are horizontally elongated.

11. Device according to one of the claims 1-10,

wherein the base plate has a circular opening provided for aligning the base plate to a point on the foundation.