WO2008128283A1

WO2008128283A1 - Device for rotating poles

Info

Publication number: WO2008128283A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000544
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin James Smith
Original assignee: Rota Kant Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-04-20
Filing date: 2008-04-18
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: AU2008241358A1

Abstract

A method for rotating poles comprising the steps of supporting a first end of a pole a distance above the ground; winding a cable around the pole to form a plurality of loops; attaching the cable to a drive means, said drive means adapted to retract and extend the cable; and actuating the drive means to cause retraction and extension of the cable, wherein retraction or extension of the cable causes the pole to rotate.

Description

Device for Rotating Poles

Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to a method and device for rotating poles, hi particular, the present invention relates to a method and device for rotating poles such as those used for carrying electrical power lines and the like during the installation of fittings.

Background Art.

In many parts of the world electrical power lines, telecommunications lines and the like are carried aboveground on poles. Traditionally, these poles have been constructed from wood, but more recently materials such as cement and metal have also been used for their construction.

Prior to being raised into position, poles will typically be provided with a number of fittings, such as cross bars for carrying cables, street lights, footholds for maintenance workers and so on. Traditionally, the attachment of the fittings is achieved by suspending what in use will be the uppermost end of the pole just above the ground with the lower end of the pole resting on the ground. The pole may then be manually rotated to provide access to the entire outer surface of the pole.

Manual rotation of the pole has typically been achieved using a kant hook. Kant hooks are designed to clamp to the outside of the pole, allowing the handle of the kant hook to be used as a lever to effect rotation of the pole.

The use of a kant hook to rotate poles has a number of significant drawbacks. Rotating the pole using the kant hook is a physically demanding task, particularly if the pole has a deflection along its length or if the end of the pole resting on the ground is not smoothly rounded, hi such instances, it may require more than one person to effect rotation of the pole, hi addition, there is a risk that a kant hook will slip or disengage from the pole when in use, particularly at times when a great deal of force is being applied. This has the potential to cause serious injury to the user of the kant hook.

The disadvantages identified are of particular significance when a kant hook is being used by less experienced operators. Thus, it is preferred that only very experienced and highly skilled operators should use kant hooks. However, experienced operators have become increasingly difficult to find, meaning that many employers have no choice but to employ less experienced workers, thereby increasing the likelihood that injury may occur.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and device for rotating poles which may overcome at least some of the abovementioned disadvantages, or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the present invention resides in a method for rotating poles comprising the steps of: a. Supporting a first end of a pole a distance above the ground; b. Winding a cable around the pole to form a plurality of loops; c. Attaching the cable to a drive means, said drive means adapted to retract and extend the cable; and d. Actuating the drive means to cause retraction and extension of the cable, wherein retraction or extension of the cable causes the pole to rotate.

Preferably, the first end of the pole comprises the end that, when the pole is erected for use, will become the uppermost end of the pole. The first end of the pole may be supported above the ground using any suitable method, such as, but not limited to, making use of a support device (for instance, a sling) which is in turn adapted for engagement with a support (for instance, a crane hook or the tines of a forklift or the like).

The type of cable used for winding around the pole may comprise rope, synthetic cables, chain, wire, multi-strand metal cable and the like. While the type of cable used is not critical, it is desirable that the cable is strong enough to rotate the pole without fraying or breaking. In addition, the cable may be of a type suited to being retracted and extended by the drive means.

Preferably, the cable is wound around the outer surface of the pole at a point between the first end of the pole and an opposed second end of the pole. More preferably, the cable is wound around the pole at a point closer to the first end of the pole than the second end of the pole. Still more preferably, the cable is wound around the pole adjacent the first end of the pole.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cable may be wound directly onto the surface of the pole. In these embodiments of the invention, the free end of the cable may be secured to the pole using any suitable technique, m a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of windings of cable may be wound onto the pole. The free end of the cable may then be wound in the reverse direction to create a loop in the cable to which the free end of the cable may be attached using any suitable technique. In some embodiments of the invention, the free end of the cable is tied or otherwise secured to the loop. Preferably, however, the free end of the cable is provided with attachment means adapted to attach the free end of the cable to the loop. The attachment means may be of any suitable form, such as, but not limited to, one or more projections, teeth, hooks, lands, straps or the like, or any combination thereof. Preferably, as the pole rotates, the cable is pulled tight against the surface of the pole.

hi other embodiments of the invention, a pole engagement means may be placed against the surface of the pole prior to winding the cable. In such embodiments, one or more loops of the cable are desirably wound around the pole engagement means. The pole engagement means may be used to more securely engage a free end of the cable against the surface of the pole. The free end of the cable may be affixed to the pole by any suitable technique, such as, but not limited to, clamping the end of the cable against the pole, hi another embodiment, the cable is attached to the pole engagement means.

The pole engagement means may comprise any suitable size and shape, however it is preferred that the pole engagement means is positioned spaced apart from the sling or like support means used to support the first end of the pole. In some embodiments of the invention, the pole engagement means may comprise a plate.

The pole engagement means may further comprise any suitable means for affixing the pole engagement means to the surface of the pole in such a manner that the pole engagement means does not slip or move during rotation of the pole. During rotation of a wooden pole, for instance, the pole engagement means may further comprise a plurality of teeth or similar sharp or pointed projections adapted to engage with the surface of the pole. In use, the teeth or similar projections may penetrate the surface of the pole in order to obtain a fixed engagement between the pole and the pole engagement means. However, during rotation of a pole constructed from metal or concrete, the pole engagement means may comprise a high friction surface, such as a rubberized backing, adhesive strip and the like in order to sure that the engagement with the pole is maintained during rotation of the pole. Preferably, the high friction surface is placed against the surface of the pole.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pole engagement means may comprise locating means to allow the user to hold the pole engagement means in position while the cable is being wound around the pole, or to change the position of the pole engagement means in use. Preferably, the locating means is a handle.

The drive means may comprise any suitable means for causing the extension and retraction of the cable when in use. Preferably, the drive means comprises a winch.

In one embodiment of the invention, the drive means may be connected to a power source. The power source may comprise any suitable power source, such as a battery, a generator, an inverter, mains power and the like. Alternatively, the drive means may be hydraulically or pneumatically operated. Connecting the drive means to a power source allows the rotation of the pole to be effected mechanically. The drive means may be operated by the user using any suitable method, such as providing the drive means with a control panel, a remote control, a switch and the like. In some forms of the present invention, the drive means may be provided with a cable guide. The cable guide may be adapted to ensure that, during retraction of the cable, the cable is laid evenly and correctly onto a cable drum or the like associated with the drive means. The cable guide may comprise any suitable form that allows the even winding of the cable onto the cable drum. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide may comprise a plate, said plate comprising an aperture through which the cable may be threaded. The cable guide may be attached to, or spaced apart from, the drive means.

Under some conditions, such as when working with heavy or badly curved poles, rotation of the pole may be more difficult to achieve. In these circumstances extra leverage may be required to rotate the pole, hi order to produce the desired rotation it may be necessary to use an extension means, such as, but not limited to, an extension block, hi use, the extension block may be placed in any suitable position against the outer surface of the pole. Preferably, however, the extension block is initially positioned so as to be approximately parallel to the ground or to extend laterally from the pole. The extension block may comprise any suitable shape or size, and may be made from any suitable material, such as metal, rubber, wood, plastic and the like. However, it is preferred that the extension block is shaped so as to project outwardly from the surface of the pole in order to provide additional leverage to assist in rotating the pole.

The extension block may be positioned to be held in place against the pole by one or more of the loops of cable, hi a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension block may be held in place by a single loop of cable. More preferably, the single loop of cable holding the extension block in place may be a loop of cable closest to the drive means. The extension block may be repositioned as necessary as the pole is rotated.

hi another form, the present invention resides in an apparatus for rotating poles, comprising a cable for winding around the pole to form a plurality of loops, drive means adapted to cause retraction and extension of the cable and pole engagement means attached to the cable for holding an end of the cable in place against the pole. The pole engagement means may comprise any suitable form that provides a fixed engagement between the pole and the pole engagement means during rotation of the pole. The pole engagement means may comprise a plate of any shape, such as, but not limited to, a square, rectangle or circle. Preferably, the pole engagement means may further comprise locating means for allowing the user to hold the pole engagement in position while setting up the apparatus, hi some embodiments of the invention, the locating means comprises a handle.

The pole engagement means may be provided with any suitable means for achieving a fixed engagement with the surface of a pole, hi the embodiments of the invention where a wooden pole is being rotated, the pole engagement means may be provided with a plurality of teeth or other pointed or sharp projections. These projections may penetrate the surface of the pole, thereby holding the pole engagement means in place during rotation of the pole.

hi alternative embodiments of the invention, whereby metal or concrete poles are being rotated, the pole engagement means may be provided with a high friction surface to prevent the pole engagement means from slipping on the surface of the pole. Such high friction surfaces may include rubberized backing, adhesive strips and the like.

The number of times a pole may be rotated in a single direction is limited only by the amount of cable wound around the pole. However, it is preferred that the pole may be able to rotate at least 360° in either direction in order to allow the user to gain access to all parts of the surface of the pole.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for rotating poles according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of an apparatus for rotating poles according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates an end view of an apparatus for rotating poles according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates an end view of an apparatus for rotating poles according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for rotating poles according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Best Mode.

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown an apparatus 10 for the rotation of poles according to one embodiment of the present invention. A wooden pole 11 is supported by a pair of slings 12 such that a first end 13 of the pole 11 is supported a predetermined distance above the ground. A cable 14 is wound around the pole 11 so as to form a plurality of loops 15 around the pole 11.

hi the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, pole engagement means in the form of a plate 16 is used to clamp a free end 17 of the cable 14 to the surface of the pole 11. The teeth 18 on the plate 16 may penetrate the surface of the pole 11, for instance by hammering. When the teeth 18 are engaged with the surface of the pole 11, the plate 16 will be prevented from slipping or moving during rotation of the pole 11. The plate 16 is provided with a handle 19 to make positioning the plate 16 more simple.

Figure 2 of the drawings illustrates a plan view of the apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pole 11 is supported by a pair of slings 12 which are attached to the hook 20 of a crane (not shown). A winch 21 is also attached to the hook 20. The winch comprises a drum (not shown) around which a cable 14 is wound, hi the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the winch is connected to a power source in the form of a battery 22. The winch is also provided with a control unit 23 for actuating the winch to wind the cable 14 on or off the drum (not shown). The winch further comprises a guide 24 through which the cable 14 passes to ensure that when the cable 14 is extended or retracted when in use, the cable 14 winds evenly onto the drum (not shown). The guide is in the form of a downwardly extending arm having a cable guide at its lower end.

Figure 3 illustrates an end view of the apparatus when in use according to one embodiment of the present invention. The pole 11 is supported by a pair of slings 12. A cable 14 is wound around the pole 11. Pole engagement means in the form of a plate 16 clamps a free end (not shown) of the cable 14 to the surface of the pole 11, and a plurality of loops of cable 14 may then be wound around the plate 16. If the pole 11 is constructed from wood, the plate 16 may comprise teeth (not shown) to provide a fixed engagement between the plate 16 and the surface of the pole 11. Alternatively, if the pole 11 is constructed from metal or concrete, the plate 16 may comprise a high friction surface (not shown), such as rubberized backing or an adhesive strip, for engagement with the surface of the pole 11.

Figure 4 illustrates an end view of the apparatus when in use according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The pole 11 is supported by a pair of slings 12. A cable 14 is wound around the pole 11 and pole engagement means in the form ofa platelό.

However, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4 an extension block 25 is held in place against the outer surface of the pole 11. hi its initial position the extension block 25 is located at approximately 90° to the vertical. This provides the apparatus with the maximum amount of leverage when required to rotate a badly bent pole or one with ends that are not smoothly rounded. In order to provide this maximum leverage when the pole 11 begins to rotate, the cable 14 is wound around the extension block 25. As the pole 11 rotates, the extension block 25 will move from its initial position. However, the extension block 25 may be manually moved back to its original position when additional leverage is again required.

hi Figure 5, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, hi this Figure an apparatus 10 for the rotation of poles is shown. A pole 11 is supported by a pair of slings 12 such that a first end 13 of the pole 11 is supported a predetermined distance above the ground. A cable 14 is wound around the pole 11 so as to form a plurality of windings 15 around the pole 11.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, the free end 17 of the cable 14 is wound around the pole 11 in the reverse direction to the plurality of windings 15, thereby creating a loop 26 in the cable 14. The free end 17 of the cable 14 is provided with means in the form of a hook 27 to enable to the free end 17 to be connected to the loop 26. As the pole 11 is rotated, the cable 14 will tighten against the surface of the pole 11, thereby preventing slippage or movement of the pole 11 as it rotates.

It has now surprisingly been found that the apparatus and method of the present invention provides a safe, inexpensive and reliable way of rotating poles while installing fittings such as cross bars and street lights. The apparatus and method for rotating poles substantially reduces the risk of injury to workers associated with the use of kant hooks to rotate poles manually, hi addition, the apparatus and method of the present invention eliminates the physical exertion required when manually rotating poles, ensuring that only one person is required to rotate even heavy or badly deflected poles.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

Claims

Claims.

1. A method for rotating poles comprising the steps of: a. Supporting a first end of a pole a distance above the ground; b. Winding a cable around the pole to form a plurality of loops; c. Attaching the cable to a drive means, said drive means adapted to retract and extend the cable; and d. Actuating the drive means to cause retraction and extension of the cable, wherein retraction or extension of the cable causes the pole to rotate.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the cable is wound around the pole adjacent the first end of the pole.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the cable is wound directly onto the surface of the pole.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of windings of cable are wound directly onto the surface of the pole, and wherein a free end of the cable is wound around the pole in a reverse direction to said plurality of windings to create a loop in the cable.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the free end of the cable is secured to the loop.

6. A method according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the free end of the cable is provided with means for securing the free end of the cable to the loop.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said means is a hook.

8. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein pole engagement means are placed against the surface of the pole prior to winding the cable around the pole.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said plurality of loops of cable is wound around the pole engagement means.

10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the pole engagement means is adapted to engage a free end of the cable against the surface of the pole.

11. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the pole engagement means comprises means for reducing the likelihood of slippage when the pole engagement means is in use.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the means for reducing the likelihood of slippage comprises a plurality of projections or a high friction surface adapted for engagement with the surface of the pole.

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive means comprises a winch.

14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive means is provided with a cable guide adapted to ensure that the cable is laid evenly on a cable drum associated with the drive means.

15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an extension block is placed against the surface of the pole to provide additional leverage when rotating the pole.

16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pole is adapted to rotate at least 360° in either direction.

17. An apparatus for rotating poles, comprising a cable for winding around the pole to form a plurality of loops, drive means adapted to cause retraction and extension of the cable and pole engagement means attached to the cable for holding an end of the cable in place against the pole.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein at least one loop of cable is wound around said pole engagement means.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the pole engagement means comprises means for reducing the likelihood of slippage when the pole engagement means is in use.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the means for reducing the likelihood of slippage comprises a plurality of projections or a high friction surface adapted for engagement with the surface of the pole.

21. An apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the drive means comprises a winch.

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the apparatus further comprises an extension block adapted to be placed against the surface of the pole to provide additional leverage when rotating the pole.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein the apparatus is adapted to allow rotation of the pole at least 360° in either direction.