US2747243A - Pole construction - Google Patents

Description

May 29, 1956 R. J. HoYLE, JR

POLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 28. 1953 mw, 4M Anm.:

-INVlEgTOIL Hey Rober J.

United States Patent C POLE CONSTRUCTION Robert I. Hoyle, Jr., Syracuse, N. Y., assigner, by mesne assignments, to The MacGillis te Gibbs Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 28, 1953, Serial No. 382,564

8 Claims. (Cl. 20-99) This invention relates generally to a portable pole or mast construction suitable for use in supporting communication and power service lines. More specifically, the invention pertains to a sectional pole structure wherein the sections thereof are collapsible to facilitate disassembly of the pole to be transported and subsequent assembly thereof at the site of erection.

Numerous attempts have been made in the past to provide a lightweight pole structure for temporary use in supporting communication and electric service lines. This type of pole is used by the U. S. Army Signal Corps, wherein such a light duty pole finds service, for example, in eld communications work. A light duty pole must of necessity be of a weight light enough to be readily transported, and further, be capable of being easily disassembled to avoid the necessity of having to transport an unwieldy, long pole structure. Although this type of pole may be basically intended for temporary duty, it must be of such a construction that it will reliably perform the duty for which it is to be used, and thus not be subject to excessive deterioration during the time which it may be put into service.

In prior fabricated pole structures finding utility as light-duty poles, attempts have been made to: utilize metal, plywood tubing and timber truss constructions to meet the needs for such a pole structure. While some of these prior structures have met with a certain amount of success in the use to which they have been put, for the most part they have proved to be expensive in their construction, both as to cost of material used and complexity of structure, and/or unwieldy from the standpoint of transporting the pole from one point of use to another.

Accordinvly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved sectional pole which is characterized by simplicity of construction to make for ease of transportation and low initial cost.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fabricated wood pole structure which will have high load carrying characteristics in its assembled state, but which may be readily collapsed to occupy a minimum of space when disassembled for transportation thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sectional pole construction, the sections of which are of a tapered box cross section and are provided with diagonal cross bolts to rigidly retain the pole in its assembled state.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fabricated pole comprising longitudinal side members with the edges of adjacent members secured by hinge means to form a polygonal cross section, the cross section being collapsible by reason of the hinge means, and securing means cooperating with the hinge means to prevent the pole from collapsing when in use.

With the foregoing and 'other objects in view, which Will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of Vconstruction hereinafter described and claimed. It is understood that changes in the precise ICC embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the pole construction of this invention:

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the pole of Figure l with portions being broken away to more clearly illustrate the details of construction.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2. j

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional View showing the pole construction with the securing bolts removed, in its collapsed state.

Referring to Figure l, the pole construction of this invention is shown to comprise a hollow upper section A and a hollow lower section B, with the adjacent ends of these two sections telescopically interengaged to make up the complete length of the pole structure. Each of the sections A and B are uniformly tapered throughout their length with the larger end of lower section B adapted to be embedded in the ground for a sucient length to support the pole vertically when used for communication or power line service. The two sections of the pole as shown in the illustrated embodiment of this invention have similarly constructed polygonal cross sections, except that the upper end of the lower section B is made with the interior dimensions sufficiently larger than the outer dimensions of the lower end of the upper section A so as to telescopically receive the lower end of such upper section A.

Although the pole of the illustrated embodiment is constructed of only two sections, it will readily be appreciated that any number of sections may be used in assembling the pole within the scope of this invention. Thus for a short pole a single section might be satisfactory, whereas a longer pole might require as many as three or four sections. Likewise, where transportation space is limited, it might be desirable to construct a pole of a plurality of relatively short sections which would in their disassembled condition be short enough to be readily transportable on smaller vehicles. All of these alternatives are within the contemplation of the collapsible pole structure of this invention.

The upper section A is formed from four side members 1, Z, 3 and 4. These side members are positioned with the edges of adjacent members in mutually contacting relation. A plurality of hinges 5 are secured to the adjacent side members by suitable screws 6. The hinges 5 thus serve to retain the side members 1, 2, 3 and 4 with the adjacent edges in mutually contacting relation to form a hollow square cross section for the pole.

The use of the hinges 5 in securing the side members in assembled relation permits the sections of the pole to be collapsed when it is desired to move the pole to a new point of use. VIn attaching the hinges so as. to permit such collapsing of the pole section, the pintle pins of the hinges S which connect the abutting edges of side members 1 and 2, and 3 and 4, respectively, have their axes coincident with `the inner corners of the hollow square cross section. The pintle pins of the remaining hinges which serve to connect the abutting edges of theside members 1 and 4, and 2 and 3, respectively, lie in the outer surface of the hollow square cross section between the contacting edges of the side members l and 4, and 2 and 3. With this construction it will readily be seen that the side members 1 and 4, on collapsing of the pole section, will be pivoted by hinges S to lie parallel to the opposite side members 2 and 3.

To retain the upper section A in its assembled state, a plurality of diagonal bolts 7 are provided to extend between the opposite corners .of the hollow square cross section. Pairs of such bolts 7 extend in crossed relation, one above the other, at a plurality of transverse planes along the length of the upper section A. It will readily be appreciated that tightening of the nut on the threaded end of such bolt 7 will tend to draw the side members together and thus firmly retain the sidev members in the assembled form of the hollow square cross section.

The lower section BY of the pole is constructed similarly to the upper section A. Thus the lower section has longitudinal side members 11, 12, 13 and 14, with a plurality of hinges 15 connecting the adjacent abutting edges of the side members to form a hollow square cross section. The hinges 15 are secured to the adjacent edges of the side members by suitable screws 16.

The pintle pins of the hinges 15, which connect the side members 11 and 12, and 13 and 14, respectively, are coincident with the inner corners of the hollow square cross section. The pintle pins of the hinges 15 connecting the side members 11 and 14, and 12 and 13, respectively, lie in the outer surface of the hollow square cross section between the abutting edges of the side members which the respective hinges connect.

With this relationship of the hinges connecting the side members, it will be seen that as shown in Figure the side members 11 and 14 may be collapsed by pivoting on the hinges 15 to lie parallel to the opposite members 12 and 13.

To retain the lower section B in its assembled state, a plurality of diagonal bolts 17 are connected to join the opposite corners of the hollow square cross section. These bolts have a head 18 and washer 19 thereon to engage the bottom of recess 20 which is formed in the corner of the side member 14. The bolt then extends through a hole 21 diagonally across the hollow interior space of the section through a similar hole 22 in the diagonally opposite corner of side member 12. A nut 23 and washer 24 are threaded on to the end of the bolt 17 to engage the bottom surface of recess 25 formed in the corner edge of member 12. Thus tightening of the nut 23 will apply force to retain the side members in their assembled state in the hollow cross section form.

Pairs of bolts 17 extend diagonally in crossed relation in a plurality of transverse planes spaced along the length of the lower section B similarly to the bolt arrangement in upper section A. By such a relationship between the bolts, a compressive force is applied to the opposite corners of the hollow square cross section to rigidly retain the pole in its assembled state.

It will be noted that a plurality of recesses such as 20 and 25 are provided in the corner edges of the side members at each location of a cross bolt in the two sections A and B of the pole construction. These recesses provide a seating surface for the washer and bolt head or nut on the diagonal bolts and insure that the head or nut will not unduly protrude beyond the corner of the pole. In each instance of such a recess on the corner edge of a side member, a hole for the bolt 7 or 17 extends from the center of the bottom surface of the recess. To facilitate climbing the pole structure when installed in place, the bolts 7 and 17 may have a step portion extending from the head thereof which will extend outwardly from the corner of the pole to serve as a footstep for the pole at the positions of diagonal bolts 7 and 17 along the length of the pole.

The use of diagonal bolts 7 and 17 to retain the pole in its assembled state is only illustrative of a suitable securing means which is preferred for creating a strong, rigid pole section. However, it is contemplated that other suitable devices may be used to prevent collapse of the pole without departing from the invention. Such a substitute securing means might be found in threaded connectors normal to the side members, or other similar fasteners well-known to those in the construction elds.

In the illustrated embodiment the pole sections are made up of four side members. However, within the scope of this invention, the collapsible sections may be constructed of any desired number of side members with the adjacent edges thereof connected by hinge means to permit collapsing of the pole section. Thus, for example,

if desired, the sections might be constructed to behexagonal or octagonal in the assembled form with hinges connecting the edges of adjacent side members to permit collapsing the structure to be flat for transporting the sections. Also it will be readily appreciated that within the scope of this invention the side members may be of plywood instead of ordinary lumber as shown.

As hereinbefore noted, the sections A and B of the pole construction are telescopically engaged to form the full length of the pole. In assembling the sections, the upper section A is slid upwardly through the` hollow interior of the lower section B until the respective ends of the two sections are in the aligned position shown in Figure 2. To rigidly connect the two sections in this relation, two transverse bolts 30 are inserted through aligned holes in the side members of the two sections. Each of the bolts 30 has a head 31 with a washer plate 32 positioned beneath the head. The bolt extends through the two interengaged sections with a nut 33 and washer plate 34 threaded onto the opposite end thereof to rigidly connect the two sections.

To withstand the compressive force applied by threading nut 33 on to the bolt 30, a pair of spacing blocks 35 and 36 are positioned internally of the hollow square cross section of upper section A, with the bolts 30 extending through holes in the respective blocks 35 and 36. It will thus be seen that drawing up the nut 33 on each of the bolts 30 will eiect a rigid union of the sections A and B in their telescoped relation, to provide the cornpleted pole structure. Although in the embodiment illustrated a pair of blocks 35 and 36 have been shown, it will be readily appreciated that a single block accommodating both bolts 30 could be used within the scope of this invention.

It will be appreciated that after the upper section A has been moved through the hollow interior of lower section B, the diagonal bolts 17 may be inserted across the hollow square cross section B to rigidly secure thissection in its assembled state. In locating the spacing blocks 35 and 36 or the single block substituted therefor, these blocks or block will be inserted in the lower end of section A prior to assembly with section B and held in proper position with a nail or other suitable locating means until the two sections are assembled and bolts 17 and 30 inserted in place.

Since the pole in use will have the lower end thereof embedded in the ground and the upper portion exposed to weather conditions, prior to the assembly of the side members into the respective sectional form, the wood which is used in making up such members is subjected to preservative treatment. Such a treatment prior to assembling the pole can be eifected to insure a high degree of preservative penetration into the wood used in making up the pole to prevent the possibility of insect attack or moisture decay. With such a prior preservative treatment the assembled pole will not be vulnerable to attack by wood-destroyingV fungi and insects, and thus insure a rigid strong pole having a long usable life span.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A fabricated pole comprising a plurality of side members extending longitudinally of said pole with the edges of adjacent members in abutting relation forming a hollow polygonal cross section, hinge means connecting the abutting edges of the adjacent members together and permitting collapsing of such hollow polygonal cross section, and securing means extending through opposite side members retaining said side members in the hollow polygonal cross section form.

2. A fabricated pole comprising longitudinal side members uniformly tapered throughout their length, hinge means secured to the edges of adjacent side members pivotally connecting the side members parallel to each other in a hollow polygonal cross section, said hinge means being connected to the side members and permitting collapsing of the pole so that the side members lie in parallel planes, and securing means extending diagonally across the polygonal cross section to prevent the pole from collapsing.

3. A fabricated pole comprising comprising a section having longitudinal side members with the edges of adjacent members n mutually contacting relation forming a hollow square cross section for the pole, first hinge means with the pivotal axes thereof coinciding with the inner diagonally opposite pair of corners of the hollow square cross section and connecting the adjacent edges of the side members which form such corners, second hinge means with the pivotal axes thereof lying in the outer surface of the hollow square cross section between the contacting edges of the side members which form the other pair of diagonally opposite corners and connecting such side members, whereby said side members may be pivoted with respect to each other to collapse the hollow square cross section so that said side members lie parallel to each other.

4. A fabricated pole as recited in claim 3 further having securing means extending between the diagonally opposite corners retaining said pole in the hollow square cross section form.

5. A fabricated pole as recited in claim 3 wherein a plurality of sections are telescopically interengaged forming a pole of extended length.

6. A fabricated pole comprising a plurality of hollow sections with the adjacent ends of said sections telescopically interengaged, connecting means extending through the telescoped ends of said sections retaining the sections in their interengaged relation, each section having a plurality of longitudinal side members with the edges of adjacent members in abutting relation forming a hollow polygonal cross section for the pole, hinge means interconnecting the abutting edges of said side members, and securing means extending diagonally of each hollow section urging the diagonally opposite corners of the section toward one another.

7. A fabricated pole as recited in claim 6 wherein said connecting means comprises at least one threaded connector extending through the side members and normal thereto, and a spacing block positioned within the inner hollow telescoped section at the location of said threaded connector.

8. A fabricated pole comprising longitudinal side members with the edges of adjacent members in mutually contacting relation forming a hollow polygonal cross-section for the pole, hinge means connecting the edges of the adjacent members permitting collapsing of said hollow polygonal cross-section, and securing means retaining said pole in the hollow polygonal cross-section form, including pairs of threaded connectors extending diagonally through the hollow polygonal cross-section in crossed relation at a plurality of spaced transverse planes along the length of the pole.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,140 Haskett June 21, 1898 1,141,919 Auchu June 8, 1915 1,333,195 Watson Mar. 9, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS 659,410 Germany May 4, 1938

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