US2884302A - Impregnation of wooden poles - Google Patents

Description

, April 28, 1959 J. SOMMER IMPREGNATION 0F WOODEN POLES Filed July 1. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 uvmswrop JOHANNES SOMMER ATTORN EYS April 28, 1959 SQ MER- 2,884,302

I IMPREGNATION OF WOODEN POLES Filed July 1. 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,wrz-wm? JOHANNES SOMMER ATTORNEYS uniedswcs P m This invention relates to improvements in the impregnation of wooden poles. The invention more particularly relates to the impregnation of wooden poles such as poles which support electric power lines, telephones, and the like, in order to keep the same in repair.

The impregnation of wooden poles for overhead elec- I tric power lines or the like before their use in order to protect the same against rot is known. It is also known to reimpregnate these wooden poles afterfa certain period of use in order to maintain the same in repair. This maintenance reimpregnation is particularly difiicult on thehigh or upper portions of the pole, as, for example, at the pole top and upper end surface, inasmuch as these places are not readily accessible.

In the known processes for the maintenance, of the wooden poles, the poles had to be climbed for the reimpregnation of the upper parts. For this purpose the high voltage current had to be shut off in order to avoid accidents. The shutting off. of the current was highly disadvantageous and involved, interruptions of the current supply, etc. 1 3

, In accordance with one known method for the maintenance of wooden poles, nails were driven into the top surface of the poles with their heads protruding. The 'end surface of the pole was then covered with an impregnatingpaste, which was maintained in place by the pro- In accordance with another known method, an end The upper end of the pole additionmembercontaining the impregnation agent was nailed on the top of the pole. I Y

, These known methods, however,were too cumbersome and expensive to be practical. 1 I I It has also been proposed to pipe liquid-impregnating agents to the top surface of the pole or-against someother high surfaceof the pole from the grounds by means of a pressure conduit connected ,with .a liquid container. This proposal eliminates the, necessity .of climbing the pole. It has,however, been-found that it maybe necessary to also. apply non-liquid wood-impregnating agents which may not be etfected. with the liquid conduits.

One object of this invention is the application of woodirnpregnation agents .to the upper end portions. of wooden poles without the above-mentioned disadvantages. This, I

andfstill .further objects will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with thedrawings, in which; I v

.Fig l is aperspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention showing the same ust prior to the application of impregnation agent toja flat top surf-ace of a pole; f Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in. Fig. 1, showingthe same applying the impregnation agent to the ,top ofa wooden pole having a wedge-shaped or gable-shaped top surface;

.H-Patented Apr. 28, 1959 Fig. 3 is a partial vertical section of an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention for applying the impregnation agent to a pole having a conically-shaped top surface;

Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical section of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and positioned over the pole top;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 positioned on the pole top; 1

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical section of a furtherembodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; and t Fig. 8 is a side elevation partially in section showing the impregnation agent as applied to the pole top with the device of Fig. 7.

In accordance withthe invention, a pliant layer provided with the wood-impregnating agent is stuck to the upper portion of the pole, as, for example, the pole top by means of an elongated handle arrangement.

The pliant layer may, for example, consist of jute fabric, absorbent paper or the like, and preferably 'of crepe filter paper. The lower surface of the pliant layer is preferably provided with paste wood-impregnating agent to allow the adhesion of the same to the wooden pole. The pliant layer is preferably applied with an apparatus having an elongated handle with a reverse bend at its upper end. A hood or cap arrangement is provided at the end of the reverse bend, to which the pliant layer may. be attached. The attachment of the pliant layer to the hood arrangement is effected with an adhesive force which is less than the adhesive force which will be efiected between the pliant layer and the pole when the pliant layer is pressed against the pole. This, for example, may be efiected by sticking the pliant layer to the hood with a smallersurface area of the same wood-impregnating paste which is used to adhere. the layer to the pole.

In this manner it is possible to apply non-liquid Woodimpregnating agents as, for example, wood-impregnation agents in the form of paste or coated powder to the upper end surfaces of poles or other elevated outer-pole surfaces with particular ease and speed without the necessity of the cumbersome climbing of the pole and the dangers inherent therewith. The previous cumbersome nailing arrangement is also completely eliminated in accordance with the invention and the additional expense of nails, protectivesleeves, etc., is avoided.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 has an elongated handle 2 in the form of a pole, such as a hollow pole or the like, with a reverse bend at its upper end terminating at 3. A hood or cap arrangement is connected'to the end 3 through a ball and socket joint arrangement 40 or any other conventional universal joint. The ball joint 40 is directly connected to the end 3 by means of a sleeve and removable pin 41, which allows the same to be detached. The hood or cap arrange:- ment consists of two semicircular plates 7 and 8 hinged together at the hinged joint 9. The plates define a lower adherence surface 43. The axis of the hinged joint 9a-b bisects the circular disc 4 by the two halves." The two halves 7 and 8 are connected to a cross-bar lfiattached to the ball and socket joint 40 by means of vertical connecting rods Hand 18 and pivot joints 19 and 20, respectively. The rods 17 and 18 extend through the coil springs 21 and 22. The rods 17 and 18 may slide upwardly through the cross-plate 16 and the downward movement is limited by the nuts 23, 24, respectively. p

The parts of the hinge 10 and llwhich are connected to the .hinge pin have attached thereto the guide 1'0ds12 and 13 which slidably extend through holes in the cross-' bar16. Springs'14'and IS-resiliently urge the plate away from the-cross-bar.

By limiting nuts 23 and 24, the hinged parts 7 and 8 are held at such a distance from the guide parts 16 that their lower surface is always in a fiat plane when the plate is' not placed upon such beveled pole end surfaces that their hinged parts 7 and 8 adapted themselves to the beveled pole end surfaces. If the plate shown in Fig. 1 with the hinged parts 7 and 8 is lowered in the direction indicated by the arrows onto the flat top surface 4 of the wooden pole 5, the coil springs 14, 15, 21, and 22 are compressed so that the setting on of the plate with the hinged parts 7 and 8 onto the top surface 4 of the pole always takes place in an elastic manner. If, on the other" hand, the hinged parts 7 and 8 of the plate are lowered onto a gable-shaped top surface of a pole, as shown in Fig. 2, the hinged parts 7 and 8 adapt themselves to the beveled top surfaces 25 and 26 of the pole 27. This placing on of the plate with the hinged parts must, however, take place in such a manner that the axis -a-b of the hinge joint coincides with the uppermost ridge edge of the gable-shaped pole top surface. When the instrument is placed on such a pole top surface, the coil springs 14, 15, 21, and 22 are not only compressed in such a manner that theplacing on of the plate with its hinged parts 7 and 8 takes place in an elastic manner, but the coil springs 14 and 15 are compressed, the guide pins 12 and 13 move upwards and the coil springs 21 and 22 force the hinged parts 7 and 8 downward, as can *be noted from Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 3-6, which is used for conical pole tops, has the curved hinged sectors 28, 29, 30, and 31. These hinge parts have such a curvature that they approximately fit comically-shaped pole tops. On each of the hinged parts 28, 29, 30, and 31, there is a cam projection 32. In the horizontal position of the hinge parts 28, 29, and 31, a cap 33 is placed over these cam projections so that these hinge parts are held by thecap 33 in their horizontal position. The cap 33 has adownWard-directed feeler 34, which, upon being placed on Lhe tip 35 of the pole, releases the hinge parts 28, 29, 30, and 31, which are under the action of springs 36 in such a manner that these parts swing downward against the top 37 of the pole. In Fig. 5 of the drawing, the cap 33 and the feeler 34 'are shown in their raised position which is assumed when the'instrument has been placed on the conical top of the pole 38. The cap 33 is preferably fastened by a holding member, for example, by a thin piece of wire '39, to the rod of the apparatus, so that it is not lost.

-The handle 2,"which is to be moved upward, and possibly also the instrument containing the wood-impregnating agent, can be insulated against electric current. In the event that the instrument holding the wood-impregnating agent consists of electrically conductive material, the outer surfaces of this instrument can also be insulated in the conventional manner. The coil springs 14, 15, 21 and 22 can be surrounded with rubber tubes so that these springs are not retarded with respect to their movement and are insulated on all sides from electric current.

The handle 2 can consist of collapsible and connectible parts, for" example, be developed in such a manner that the handle or the rod 2 consists of parts which can be detachably connected with each other by means of sleeves known per se. However, it is also possible to form the rod of parts which can be inserted in one another or which can be connected with one another so as to obtain the length of the handle desired in each case.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, the rod which is shown above the line C-D in Fig. 6 has been omitted in order that the parts located below same can be more readily recognized in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 4 and 6 of the drawing, the wood-impregnating agent 6 shown in Fig. 3, together with the piece of paper 42 lying over it, are not shown, so that other parts can be more readily noted. I

When carrying out the method and when using paste wood-impregnating agent, a flexible layer of, for example, jute fabric, absorptive paper, or the like, and preferably a crepe filter paper of suitable size is advantageously coated at various spots on one side with wood-impregnating paste. The piece of paper 42, coated in this manner, is then applied against the lower adherence surface 43 of the apparatus, for example, below the lower surfaces 43 of the hinge parts 7 and 8 of Fig. 1, so that the piece of paper 42 adheres firmly to the same. The instrument can, in this connection, be so turned that the lower surface 43 of'the hinge parts 7 and 8 lies towards the top, as, for example, by being detached from the rod 2 or the handle 2 after the pin 41 has been removed. Thereupon the piece of paper 42, which is held to the adherence surface 43 of the apparatus by the spotwise applied impregnation paste, is then provided with the paste wood-impregnating agent 6 suitable for the impregnating process in question, as, for example, with about 250 grams of such a wood-impregnating agent. The instrument is then again connected with the handle 2 and with the aid of the handle, the instrument, together with the downward-directed paste covering 6, is lowered onto the top 4 of the pole or onto some other high outer surface of the pole. Since the quantity of paste 6 of about 250 grams applied in this manner exerts a greater sticking action on the top 4 of. the pole, than the smaller quantity of paste applied at individual spots between the piece of paper 42 and the lower surfaces 43 of the hinge parts 7 and 8, the instrument can be lifted from the top of the pole readily by means of handle 2, so that the wood-impregnating agent 6 remains stuck to the pole together with the piece of paper 42. The piece of paper 42 then covers the top of the paste coating 6.

In the same way'conical pole tops can 'beprovided with the paste wood-impregnating agent in accordance with Figs. 3, 5, and 6. When carrying out the process and using covered wood-impregnating agent, the surface of the covering can be coated at diiferent spots with woodimpregnating paste, and the covering, together with its content, is then forced simply from below against the adherence surfaces 43 of the apparatus, so that the covering remains adhereing to the same. Paste is then applied to the lower surface of the covering, the quantity of the paste being such that this wood-impregnating paste holds the covering and its content firmly to the top of the pole when the apparatus is lifted off.

Crepe filter paper is preferable as the material forming the pliable layer, since it readily permits the passage of rain .water therethrough while the crepe surface holds back the rain water and allows the same to trickle down slowly with sufiicient time to act on the wood-impregnating agent so as to detach it. Furthermore, a crepe filter paper is relatively inexpensive. I

It is advisable, when using covered powered woodimpregnating agents, to carry out the method in accordance with the invention in such a manner that the surface of the covering containing the wood-impregnating agent consisting, for example, of crepe filter paper, is bonded by a wood-impregnating paste preferably at different spots, to the lower surface or surfaces of the hood or disc of the apparatus used for the application while the other lower surface of the covering is provided with a paste wood-impregnating agent which is applied by means of the device directly to the end surface of the poles or the other high outer pole surfaces. The quantity of this latter portion of the paste wood-impregnating agent should be such that the same will remain stuck to the wood with the covering containing the wood-impregnating powder and detach from the apparatus used for the application.

In this manner it is possible to suitably apply powder and saline wood-impregnating agents in addition to wood- 'impregnating paste to theupper surfaces-of the wooden impregnating agents have properties which are of special advantage and which may differ'from those of the woodimpregnating agents bonded with the paste. Furthermore, wood-impregnating agents or wood-impregnating salts may be introduced into the coverings which are applied with the paste in quantities readily adapted to the impregnation process in question, as, for example, by means of known filling machines having connected weigh ing devices. Such covered impregnating agents are par ticularly advantageous from a standpoint of shipment and in connection with use before the impregnation process.

Analogously, the method can be carried out with the use of the apparatus also when using molded bodies with wood-impregnating agents.

In this way the possibility is afiorded of imparting the wood-impregnating agent a shape and dimension suitable for the impregnating process even without covering. For gable-shaped end surfaces, the molded product can be so developed that it is flexible on a central line. This flexibility can be achieved, for example, in the manner that the molded article is made flexible on one side for example, by a layer of jute or paper, so that it fits closely upon being applied, to a beveled end, surface of a pole. In the same way the molded body can also be so shaped that it adapts itself to conical pole end surfaces, it being made flexible along several central lines.

In accordance with the invention, the apparatus for carrying out the method has been further developed in the manner that the instrument arranged on the end of the rod 2 for holding the impregnating agent consists of a holder, preferably a hood, on which an elastic cushion, for example, of foam rubber, is so arranged that it rests snugly against-a free pole top or some other high outer consists, for example, of foam rubber, adapts itself in a particularly advantageous manner to these surfaces.

By such an embodiment of the apparatus, the ability of the cushion to adapt itself, particularly when placed on conical or gable-shaped pole tops, is favored.

In Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 of the drawing there is shown diagrammatically one embodiment of this device in accordance with the invention.

The device shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing has a rod 2, on the upward extending end 3 of which an instrument holding the wood-impregnating agent 6 over the top 37 of the wooden pole 38 is arranged.

This instrument consists of a hood 44 on which there is arranged an elastic cushion, for example, of foam rubber, which consists of several elastic discs 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49. The elastic disc 46 is provided at its center with a recess 50 and the elastic disc 48 is provided at its center with a recess 51, the recess 50 being smaller than the recess 51.

The elastic discs 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49 of the cushion are surrounded by a pliant covering 52, which consists, for example, of soft leather, so that these elastic discs to 49 are thereby held together so as to form a closed cushion. This covering 52 is held together at one end in a detachable manner, for example, by a string 53, so that, after the removal of the string 53, the elastic discs 45 to 49 can be removed from the covering 52 for cleaning, replacement, etc. The covering 52 can be surrounded by a sleeve 54 of flexible rubber. This sleeve 6 54 in this connection rests against the inner surface of the hood 44.

The hood 44 has a coupling 55, which serves to produce a connection, preferably a detachable connection of the hood 44 with the end 3 of the rod 2, for example, by a suitable thread, so that the hood 44 can be screwed ofi.

By means of this device shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing, the method can be carried out in a particularly advantageous manner. When carrying out the method and using paste wood-impregnating agent, the crepe filter paper 56 of suitable size is preferably coated at individual spots on one side with wood-impregnating paste. The thus coated piece of paper 56 is then pressed against the lower adherence surface 57 at the lower surface of the covering 52 of the cushion, so that the piece of paper 56 adheres firmly here.

The apparatus, in this connection, can assume such a position that the adherence surface 57, and thus also the rod 2, are directed upwards. However, the hood 44*can also be unscrewed from the end 3 of rod 2 and the hood 44, together with the cushion, then brought by itself into such a position that the adherence surface 57 faces upward. Thereupon, the piece of paper 56, which is held to the adherence surface 57 of the cushion by the woodimpregnating paste which has been applied at various spots, is provided at its other side with the paste woodirnpregnating agent 6 sufiicient for the impregnating proc ess in question, as, for example, with about 250 grams of such a wood-impregnating agent. The instrument is then lowered by means of the rod 2 serving as handle, with the paste covering 6 facing downward onto the end surface 37 of the pole or someother high outer surface of the pole. Since the quantity of paste 6 of about 250 grams, which is applied, has a greater adhering action to the top 37 of the paste than the smaller quantity of paste applied in individual spots present between the piece of paper 56 and the lower adherence surface 57 of the cushion, the instrument can be readily removed upwards by means of the handle 2, so that the wood-impregnating agent 6, jointly with the piece of paper 56, remains adhering to the top 37 of the pole. The piece of paper 56 then covers the paste coat 6 from the top, as can be noted in Fig. 8 of the drawing. I p

In the same way, gable-shaped or flattops of poles can also be provided with the paste wood-impregnating agent 6.

In carrying out the method, and when using covered paste impregnating agents, the surface of the covering can be coated at various spots. with wood-impregnating paste and the covering and its contents then simply pressed against the lower adherence surface 57 of the cushion, so that the covering remains adhering to same. To the lower surface of the covering there is then applied paste in such a quantity that this wood-impregnating paste firmly holds the covering and its contents to the top of the t pole when the instrument is lifted off.

The method can be carried out analogously by means of the apparatus also when using moldings with woodimpregnated agents.

When the hood 44 is lowered with the cushion onto the free top 37 of the pole, the cushion adjusts itself elastically to this top surface of the pole. By means of the recesses 50 and 51 in the elastic discs 46 and 48, respectively, the ability of the cushion to accommodate itself is favored, and a bead-like accumulation 58 of the pasteimpregnating agent 6 is formed on the top of the pole, so that the necessary quantity of impregnating agent is also present on the top of the pole.

I claim:

1. Method for impregnating the upper exposed end of an upright wooden service pole normally requiring climbing to reach the upper portion thereof, which comprises elevating a layer of pliant material having a surface coated with wood-impregnating agent paste from substantiallyground level to above the top ofsaid pole by means of an elongated handle, positioning said coated-surface in .contact with the top surface of said pole by means of said handle to thereby causesticking of the coated surface .andsaid layer of pliant material to the pole top, and withdrawing the handle, leaving the impregnating agent paste together with the layer of pliant material covering the same, stuck to the pole top.

2. Method according to claim 1 in which said layerof pliant material is a covering of pliant material containing wood-impregnating agent.

3. Method according to claim 1 in which said layer of pliant material has a shape dimensioned to fit the pole top.

4. Method according to claim 1, in which said layer of pliant material is attached to said elongated handle for said elevating and positioning by sticking the same to a surface connected to the handle at individual spots with wood-impregnating agent paste.

- 5. Method according to claim 4 in which said layer of pliant material is a layer of crepe filter paper.

6. Apparatus for impregnating the exposed upper end of an upright wooden service pole normally requiring climbing to reach theupper portion thereof, comprising an elongated handle of sufiicient length to reach the pole top from ground level, a reverse bend at one end of said handle, a member at the reverse bent end of said handle defining a lower surface adapted to mate with the top of the service pole and removably hold a layer of pliant material having a surface thereof coated with the Woodimpregnating agent paste.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said memher is attached to said handle through a universal joint.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said member comprises anelastic deformable pad defining said surface and connected to the reverse bent end of said handle with said surface extending substantially normal to said handle.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said member comprises a substantially flat disc defining said surface, said disc being divided into two halves by a hinge joint allowing the disc halves to be folded toward each other.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 including at least one rod member connected to said hinge joint and at least one rod member connected to each disc half, said rod members extending substantially normal to the plane of said discs, a holder connecting said rod members to .said handle, said rod member connected to said hinge joint being slidablymounted with respect to said holder and including spring means resiliently biasing said disc halves to their open unfolded position. a a

11. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which said member comprises a multiple number of-wedge-shaped plates pivotably connected to and radially extending from a central member.

12. A apparatus according to claim 11 including spring means resiliently urging said wedge-shaped plates to pivot downwardly toward each other, and releasable catch means releasably holding said plates in a substantially flat plane.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which said releasable catch means includes a centrally-positioned finger member extending downwardly past said central member and adapted to release said wedge-shaped plates for pivoting downwardly toward each other upon the up ward movement of said finger member with respect to said central member.

14. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said member comprises a hood connected to the reverse bent head of said handle and including a body of elastic deformable material positioned in said hood, said body having a lower substantially fiat surface extending substantially normally to said handle.

.15. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Quarles Nov. 20, 1934 Miller Dec. 30, 1941 Johnson Aug. 22, 1950

Claims (2)

1. METHOD FOR IMPREGNATING THE UPPER EXPOSED END OF AN UPRIGHT WOODEN SERVICE POLE NORMALLY REQUIRING CLIMBING TO REACH THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF, WHICH CONPRISES ELIVATING A LAYER OF PLAINT MATERIAL HAVING A SURFACE COATED WITH WOOD INPREGNATING AGENT PASTE FROM SUBSTANTIALLY GROUND LEVEL TO ABOVE THE TOP OF SAID POLE BY MEANS OF AN ELONGATED HANDLE, PISITIONING SAID COATED SURFACE IN CONTACT WITH THE TOP SURFACE OF SAID POLE BY MEANS OF SAID HANDLE TO THEREBY CAUSE STICKING OF THE COATED SURFACE AND SAID LAYER OF PLIANT MATERIAL TO THE POLE TOP, AND WITHDRAWING THE HANDLE, LEAVING THE IMPREGNATING AGENT PASTE TOGETHER WITH THE LAYER OF PLAINT MATERIAL COVERING THE SAME, STUCK TO THE POLE TOP.

6. APPARATUS FOR INPREGNATING THE EXPOSED UPPER END OF AN UPRIGHT WOODEN SERVICE POLE NORMALLY REQUIRING CLIMBING TO REACH THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF, COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HANDLE OF SUFFICIENT LENGTH TO REACH THE POLE TOP FROM GROUND LEVEL, A REVERSE BEND AT ONE END OF SAID HANDLE, A MEMBER AT THE REVERSE BENT END OF SAID HANDLE DEFINING A LOWER SURFACE ADAPTED TO MATE WITH THE TOP OF THE SERVICE POLE AND REMOVABLY HOLD A LAYER OF PLIANT MATERIAL HAVING A SURFACE THEREOF COATED WITH THE WOODIMPREGNATING AGENT PASTE.

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