The invention relates to a device for supplying a filling substance to fill a void in a pile or pole, more particularly a device as stated in the introductory part of claim 1 .

Background Wooden piles of electricity supply and telecommunication networks are subject to wood pecker attacks. Prior art shows various attempts to teach a remedy to such damages.

From US patent specification 4.905.441 it is known to pour a substance into a void through an opening by using a supply container with a pouring nozzle and then add a foaming agent to fill the void with foamed material. This method will not provide suffcient strength due to the porous nature of the filling substance. From Norwegian Patent Specification No. 171,689 of the inventor it is known to cover the opening with a covering disk and drill a downwardly inclined access opening through the wood downward to the void. The drilling demands an extra operation. Additionally, the drilling will leave fissures which may give access to water and introduce the risk for fouling. This solution also is not completely satisfactory.

Object The main object of the invetion is to provide a device for filling voids in piles with a filling substance the device being easy to use and simple to manufacture.

It is a further object to provide a device which may be used on piles having different diameters and with a coarse surface. The device should obviate the need to clamp the supply container of filling substance thereby, allowing this to be placed for emptying in a simple manner.

The invention

Said objects may be met by manufacturing the device as stated in claim 1.

This tool will allow for the filling of voids in piles substantially faster and cheaper than previously. The invention provides the means for a substantial improvement in maintenance work related to damaged wooden piles.

Further features of the invention are stated in claims 2-6.

Example

The drawings shows an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention, while

Fig. 2 shows a vertical section through a pile with a device mounted for introduction of filling substance.

The device according to the invention comprises an initially planar shield 11 able to be bent around and placed on a wooden pile 12 with a void (Fig. 2). The shield 11 can be attached with nails or with clamping straps arranged around the pile. In the upper part of the central area of the shield 11, a tubular upwardly curved filling nozzle is arranged this nozzle extending to the upper edge of the shield 11. The nozzle 14 is preferably integrated with the shield 11. Alternatively, a filling tube may be attached, e.g. by gluing or welding to a diskshaped shield. The shield may e.g. be vacuum formed of a sheet material, with a short connecting end for connecting of a piece of hose.

To attach the shield 11 to a pile with fissures, dents, or minor roughness, the inner rim of the shield 11 is provided with a sealing bead, e.g. a bead of sealing substance provided from a cartridge, a tube or similar. Alternatively, a foam plastic ribbon may be glued to the shield.

In use the shield 11 is attached to a pile 12 (Fig. 2). Preferably, the shield is nailed to the pile or clamped with a clamping strap. Following attachment the free end of the filling nozzle 14 is engaged with a hopper or bottle with filling substance (not shown). The filling substance can be a suitable hardening resin delivered in flowable condition for

addition of a hardening or curing agent prior to use. If a hopper is used, this will be filled from a supply container lifted to the hopper level.

The bottle with filling substance or the hopper may have a conical end introduced in the end of the filling nozzle 14 and maintained in position during the filling. In some cases, no particular attachment of the bottle or the hopper is necessary, but it is advantageous to keep the bottle or the hopper attached to the pile.

When filling voids 13 of particularly large volume, corresponding volumes of filling substance is needed. It is then necessary to lift substance with curing agent added. When the void is filled, some additionally filing substance to subsequently fill fissures and pores is needed. The curing may take from some few hours when treating sun heated piles, and some days in colder weather. Shorter curing time is undesirable, as the freedom at the filling is sacrificed.

When the curing is finished, the filling nozzle 14 may be cut, or the shield may be removed as a whole to leave a smooth surface of the pile. Filling a void will leave a pile which is stronger in the filled area than the remaining parts of the pile. This is due to the fact that the filling substance as such is strong and by entering into the walls, a close connection with the adjoining parts of the void occurs.