ELECTRICAL LINES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of maintenance work on energized (live) overhead electrical lines and to means of carrying out such work in a safe and efficient manner.

Background of the Invention

With increasing demand for energy in our society, so increases the number of power lines and equipment. Poles of towers may be targets of abuse and their increased number requires more frequent replacement or simply due to use or decay, they often have to be replaced.

High voltage transmission and distribution lines are typically strung between a series of spaced-apart support towers or poles. The conductors are connected to insulators mounted on or suspended from cross arms extending at the upper end of transmission or

distribution poles, or conductor support points built into transmission towers. Periodically it is necessary to replace or repair the poles or towers, cross arms and insulators to maintain the electrical circuit in good working order. It is preferable if this maintenance and repair work can be performed without de-energizing the conductors in order to avoid an interruption of service to consumers, or to avoid the necessity of purchasing power from an alternative source, or other system disruptions.

That said, hot line repair work is a potentially hazardous undertaking. Safety regulations require that linemen maintain a minimum work clearance or "limit of approach" from energized conductors. The limit of approach varies depending upon the voltage of the conductors in question. Conventional procedures used by linemen to temporarily support energized conductors in order to enable repair of damaged or obsolete components involve the use of insulated wire tongs, lift poles and rope blocks in labour-intensive, complex rigging arrangements. Conventional fiberglass insulated tools are limited to use only in good weather. Any accumulation of moisture which may impair their insulating property requires that the job be stopped, and that the conductors be placed in an insulator which is rated for all-weather use.

Several auxiliary cross arms have also been proposed in the past for temporarily

supporting conductors, thereby reducing the need for labour-intensive "stick work" by linemen. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,795, which issued to Sharpe on 27 Nov., 1990, relates to an auxiliary cross arm consisting of an insulated boom fitted with polymer insulators and conductor hooks for releasably engaging energized conductors. The Sharpe boom is suspended from a crane above the transmission lines to be serviced.

Auxiliary cross arms for temporarily lifting and supporting energized conductors from below are also well known. Such cross arms typically have sleeves which are connectible to the boom jibs of derrick or bucket trucks.

Devices called "hot sticks" are insulated rods that are constructed so as to effectively, but cumbersomely, manipulate live power lines. These hot sticks are long rods, usually operated from the ground.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides, in one aspect, an electrical wire lifting and securing device comprising a board having a top, a bottom, a right side and a left side, each of said top, bottom, right side and left side having exposed surfaces and wherein such exposed surfaces are non-electrically conductive; and at least one wire engaging mounting slot along at least one of the right side and the left side, wherein said slot comprises a channel extending from an opening inwardly and downwardly and terminating in a wire securing holding chamber and wherein said channel is of a shape and dimension to accommodate passage of a wire.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, an adjustable electrical wire lifting and securing system which comprises a wire lifting device comprising a board having a top, a bottom, a right side and a left side; each of said top, bottom, right side and left side having exposed surfaces and wherein such exposed surfaces are non-electrically conductive, and at least one or a plurality of wire engaging mounting slots spaced along at least one of the right side and the left side, wherein each slot comprises a channel extending from an opening inwardly and downwardly and terminating in a wire securing holding chamber and wherein said channel is of a shape and dimension to accommodate passage of a wire; and a winch with a winch line removably engaged to the top end of the device, wherein the winch may be attached to an arm of a boom truck and wherein said winch is adjustable in height by way of a winch line.

The present invention provides in another aspect, a method of replacing a pole (old pole to new pole) holding at least one electrical wire, without cutting off power supply, which comprises:

a) securing in place a new pole;

b) attaching a wire lifting device to a winch line, said line being engaged with a

moveable boom, said device comprising a board having a top, a bottom, a right side and a left side; each of said top, bottom, right side and left side having exposed surfaces and wherein such exposed surfaces are non-electrically conductive, and at least one or a plurality of wire engaging mounting slots spaced along at least one of the right side and the left side, wherein each slot comprises a channel extending from an opening inwardly and downwardly and terminating in a wire securing holding chamber and wherein said channel is of a shape and dimension to

accommodate passage of a wire; said device being substantially in vertical alignment with said pole; c) moving said device into proximity with at least one wire on the old pole; d) slipping wire into slot, down channel and into holding chamber;

e) unhooking/disengaging wire from old pole by way of boom and winch

manipulation;

f) maneuvering device [holding wire) to new pole; and

g) raising and lowering wires into position on new pole, such that lowering device

disengages wire from bulbous holding chamber, channel and slot.

The present invention provides in another aspect, a method of repairing a pole [transfer of line from a broken pole to same but repaired pole] holding at least one electrical wire, without cutting off power supply, which comprises

a) attaching a wire lifting device to a winch line, said line being engaged with a

moveable boom, said device comprising a board having a top, a bottom, a right side and a left side; each of said top, bottom, right side and left side having exposed surfaces and wherein such exposed surfaces are non-electrically conductive and at least one or a plurality of wire engaging mounting slots spaced along at least one of the right side and the left side, wherein each slot comprises a channel extending from an opening inwardly and downwardly and terminating in a wire securing holding chamber and wherein said channel is of a shape and dimension to

accommodate passage of a wire; said device being substantially in vertical alignment with said broken pole;

b) moving said device into proximity with at least one wire on the broken pole;

c) slipping wire into slot, down channel and into holding chamber;

d) unhooking wire from broken pole by way of boom and winch manipulation;

e) holding wire in place in device;

f) repairing broken pole; and

g) raising and lowering wires into position on repaired pole, such that lowering device disengages wire from holding chamber, channel and slot. The device as provided herein offers significant advantages over previously known and used line lifting apparatus. The full extent of these advantages will be appreciated upon reading the disclosure. There has been devised a simple device which achieves significant advantages for linesmen and power lines workers Without the use of complex line holding devices, with moving parts which are prone to failure and breakages, the board herein provides a simple, reusable, safe and secure means to capture and hold live wires during pole repair or replacement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front view of a device in operation during pole replacement; FIG. 2 is a front view of a device showing board with slots, channels; FIG. 3 is. an isometric view of a board, fitted for stop gate/latch attachment; FIG. 4 is a front view of a board, showing detail of recessed routering; FIG. 5 is a view of a channel, in isolation;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a "double" board, with slots and channels on two sides;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a board comprising stop gates;

FIG. 8A is a. front view of a gate/latch, in isolation;

FIG 8B is an isometric view of the latch/gate of FIG 8A, in isolation;

FIG. 9 is a. schematic side view of a board, held by a shackle attached to a winch line and wherein power cables (wires) are disposed within holding chambers;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a device;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the device of Figure 10; FIG 12A is a front view of a device;

FIG 12B is an end view of the device of FIG 12A;

FIG 13A is aside view of a board wherein the insert is entirely coated by a non-conductive material;

FIG 13B is a perspective view of the board of Figure 13A, wherein the insert is entirely coated by a non-conductive material;

FIG 14 is a perspective view of the board of FIG 13A;

FIG 15A is a front view of a board wherein the insert is entirely coated by a non-conductive material and showing preferred dimensions;

FIG 15B is a side view of the board of Figure 15A;

FIG 16 shows a front view of a board with slide lever latches;

FIG 17 shows a front view of a board with six wire retaining channels;

FIG 18 shows a front view of a board with removable/replaceable channels; and

FIG 18A shows two of boards of FIG 18 linked together.

The figures depict an embodiment of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the invention. The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured

I. Terms

The term "product" means any machine, manufacture and/or composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "method" means any process, algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a "step" or "steps" of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term ^' process ^' or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a 'step' or 'steps' of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

The term "invention" and the like mean "the one or more inventions disclosed in this application", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "an aspect", "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the

embodiment", "the embodiments", "one or more embodiments", "some embodiments", "certain embodiments", "one embodiment", "another embodiment" and the like mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "variation" of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

A reference to "another embodiment" or "another aspect" in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "including", "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "plurality" means "two or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term "herein" means "in the present application, including anything which may be incorporated by reference", unless expressly specified otherwise.

The phrase "at least one of, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase "at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel" means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel. The phrase "at least one of, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things does not mean "one of each of the plurality of things.

Numerical terms such as "one", "two", etc. when used as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase "one widget" does not mean "at least one widget", and therefore the phrase "one widget" does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on", unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on". The phrase "based at least on" is equivalent to the phrase "based at least in part on".

The term "represent" and like terms are not exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the term "represents" do not mean "represents only", unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "the data represents a credit card number" describes both "the data represents only a credit card number" and "the data represents a credit card number and the data also represents something else".

The term "whereby" is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term "whereby" is used in a claim, the clause or other words that the term "whereby" modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

The term "e.g." and like terms mean "for example", and thus does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in a sentence "the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over the Internet", the term "e.g." explains that "instructions" are an example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet, and also explains that "a data structure" is an example of "data" that the computer may send over the Internet. However, both "instructions" and "a data structure" are merely examples of "data", and other things besides "instructions" and "a data structure" can be "data".

The term "respective" and like terms mean "taken individually". Thus if two or more things have "respective" characteristics, then each such thing has its own characteristic, and these characteristics can be different from each other but need not be. For example, the phrase "each of two machines has a respective function" means that the first such machine has a function and the second such machine has a function as well. The function of the first machine may or may not be the same as the function of the second machine.

The term "i.e." and like terms mean "that is", and thus limits the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence "the computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the

Internet", the term "i.e." explains that "instructions" are the "data" that the computer sends over the Internet.

Any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numbers within the range. For example, the range "1 to 10" shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g. 1.1, 1.2, . . . 1.9).

Where two or more terms or phrases are synonymous (e.g., because of an explicit statement that the terms or phrases are synonymous), instances of one such term/phrase does not mean instances of another such term/phrase must have a different meaning. For example, where a statement renders the meaning of "including" to be synonymous with "including but not limited to", the mere usage of the phrase "including but not limited to" does not mean that the term "including" means something other than "including but not limited to".

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of the present application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of the present application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). An Abstract has been included in this application merely because an Abstract of not more than 150 words is required under 37 C.F.R.sctn.l.72(b). The title of the present application and headings of sections provided in the present application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way. Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural and logical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

No embodiment of method steps or product elements described in the present application constitutes the invention claimed herein, or is essential to the invention claimed herein, or is coextensive with the invention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated to be so in this specification or expressly recited in a claim.

II Overview and Details

The invention comprises a device that aids in safety when repairing or replacing electrical poles, most preferably with regard to open wire secondary and triplex (bundling]. As such, the device is highly useful for both residential as well as commercial voltages.

Turning to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements: there is provided generally at 10 in Figure 1 a live wire in situ lifting and holding system comprising a board 12, winch line 14, and boom 16 attached to or engaged with truck 17. The old pole is be replaced is noted as 18 and the new pole as 20. A human line worker 22 may oversee and operate the system from aerial lift bucket 24. Wire 26 represents a neutral line while wires 28 and 30 are lines 1 and 2, being live wires. Wire 27 shown as primary power line. Wires 26, 28 and 30 in solid lines show the original position of each wire on old pole 18. Hatched line depictions of wires 26, 28 and 30 show lifting and holding of each wire by board 12, prior to engagement in final position on new pole 20. Figure 1 depicts board 12 and winch line 14 in two different positions: at engagement with wires 26, 28 and 30 and "lifting" wires 26, 28 and 30. Such lifting enables replacement of old pole 18 with new pole 20. With new pole 20 in place, winch line 14 guides board (disposed therefrom) into position to release wires 26, 28 and 30 into secure position on pole 20.

Figure 2 is a front view of board 12 comprising three slots indicated generally at 32. Each slot is provided with opening 34, channel 36 and holding chamber 38. Top end 44 of the board is shown at T and bottom end 48 of the board is shown at B. Channel 36 is defined by upper wall 40 and lower wall 42. It is to be understood that lower wall will be shorter than upper wall, in each slot, due to the fact that the slot inclines downwardly from the vertical, from opening 34 to holding chamber 38. Such an angle of incline may vary but will serve to assist in the ingress and egress of wires through the channels and into the holding chambers and will serve to prevent accidental disengagement of wires during the steps of holding, lifting and lowering.

Figure 3 represents an isometric view of board 12 with three slots, each comprising: opening 34 extending inwardly from side 50, channel 36 and holding chamber 38. In a preferred form, channel 36 is defined by upper wall 52 and lower wall 54, the former of which is longer than the latter. The slot inclines downwardly from the horizontal, from opening 34 to holding chamber 38 creating an "angle offset" from the horizontal. In this embodiment, and as shown in further detail in Figure 4-8, board 12 may be provided with a pivotably openable and closable gate 56 adjacent to opening 34. To this end, there is included hinge abutment 60. Gate 56 is illustrated best in Figures 7, 8A and 8B although Figures 3-6 illustrate the modifications to upper wall 52 by way of recession in order to accommodate gate 56 (for example, inclusion of hinge abutment 60). Board 12 additionally provides an aperture 13 onto which winch line 14 is attached. Upper wall 52, in this embodiment, includes recessed portion 58 of upper wall 52 and hinge abutment 60.

Figure 4 depicts, in front view, board 12 with three slots, each comprising: opening 34 extending inwardly from side 50, channel 36 and holding chamber 38. In one (non- limiting) aspect of the invention a preferred "cut away" or depth of routering of upper wall 52 [from "normal") to achieve recessed portion 58 is preferably 3/16 to 3/8", more preferably ¼". By way of this partial recession in upper wall 52, gate 56 in opening, closing and further securing wire may be achieved. It is to be understood that other dimensions are both workable and acceptable under the terms of the claims.

Figure 5 provides preferred but by no means limiting illustration of the modified slots as depicted in Figures 4-8 inclusive. Within hinge abutment 60 there is provided a pin receiving passage 61 there through. There is also shown recessed portion 58 of upper wall 52.

Figure 6 provides a further front view of board 12 but within this embodiment, there is provided a double sided board which is advantageous for power systems that have parallel wires running on both sides of the utility poles. As such, in this embodiment, slots extend inwardly and downwardly from both side 50 and side 51

Figure 7 specifically depicts gate 56 in situ within opening 34. In a closed position, gate 56 provides a barrier to opening 34. Preferably gate 56 comprises an upper arm 64 and a lower arm 66 joined at pin 63 (threadable through pin receiving passage 61) to form a V - shaped closure. In regards to the gate or latch system, as shown herein, it is to be understood that the inclusion thereof is entirely optional. Due to the design of the channels and orientation within the board, gravity will hold the wires (conductors) in place within chambers 38. However, for instances where extra security is desired, the board fitted with the gate/latch mechanisms may be preferred. Latches are "locked up" in resting mode until an operator (lineman) unclicks them for use. When necessary work is completed, the operator will open the gates/latches and release the wires/conductors.

Figure 8 illustrates in more detail, gate 56, in isolation. Outer surface 66 includes pin receiving passage 61 and edge 65. Upon placement of gate 56 within opening 34, edge 65 abuts lower wall 42 providing a closure. It is instructive to view Figure 9 in conjunction with Figure 1. Figure 9 depicts board 12 (in side view) hanging from winch line 14 via shackle 11, wherein board is securely holding lines 26, 28 and 30.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of board 70 comprising three slots indicated generally at 72. Each slot is provided with opening 74, channel 76 and holding chamber 78. Top end 80 of the board is shown at T and bottom end 82 of the board is shown at B. Channel 76 is defined by upper wall 84 and lower wall 86. It is to be understood that lower wall will be shorter than upper wall, in each slot, due to the fact that the slot inclines downwardly from the vertical, from opening 74 to holding chamber 78. Hole or aperture 88 is provided such that, in operation, winch line 14 can pass and where through a bottom bolt links. Handle 90 defining handle opening 92 is provided at one end of board 70 for convenience in carrying the device when not in use. Preferred but by no means limiting dimensions are noted within Figure 10.

Figure 11 shows a front view of the device of Figure 10.

Figure 12A and Figure 12 B show a front and end view (respectively) of the device of Figure 10 with notations for the sample dimensions as provided in Example 3.

Figure 13A is a perspective view of board generally indicated at 96 comprising three slots indicated generally at 98. Each slot is provided with opening 100, channel 102 and holding chamber 104. Top end of the board is shown at 106 and bottom end is shown at 108. Each channel 102 is defined by upper wall 110 and lower wall 112. It is to be understood that lower wall will be shorter than upper wall, in each slot, due to the fact that the slot inclines downwardly from the vertical, from opening 100 to holding chamber 104. Hole or aperture 114 is provided such that, in operation, a winch line can pass and where through a bottom bolt links. Handle 116 defining handle opening 118 is provided at one end of board 96 for convenience in carrying the device when not in use. Reinforcing insert 120, shaped in accordance with the board is shown in Figure 13 in partial stripped away view. In operation, reinforcing insert 120 would be covered with non-conductive material 122.

Figure 14 depicts board at 96 (same of Figures 13A and 13B) and wherein non-conductive material 122 covers the entirety thereof. Figure 15A and Figure 15B depict front and end view of the board of Figure 14, with notations for the sample dimensions as provided in Example 4.

Preferably, the board of the present invention comprises a reinforcing insert and most preferably such insert provides a counter-protuberance 124 extending away from each holding chamber. This is shown best in Figures 13-15. Wherein holding chambers 104 extend inwardly from the "left side" of the board, a substantially aligned extension, bulge or protuberance, comprising the reinforcing insert, extends outwardly from the "right side" of the board. What this protuberance 124 achieves, in a preferred form, is a wider support frame adjacent to the holding chamber, which ensures even greater safety in holding and carrying heavier conductors. This preferred arrangement accommodates heavier loads and provides superior weight distribution.

Preferably, the reinforcing insert is fully encased or covered with a non-conductive material. Most preferably, the insert is steel and the non-conductive material is

polyurethane although other materials may be used.

Figure 16 is a front view of a board generally indicated at 126 comprising three slots. Each slot is provided with channel 134 and holding chamber 136. Top end of the board is shown at T and bottom end is shown at B. Hole or aperture 132 is provided such that, in operation, a winch line can pass and where through a bottom bolt links. Handle 128 defining handle opening 130 is provided at one end of board 126 for convenience in carrying the device when not in use. Figure 16 shows another aspect of a closing gate/latch system. In this system, gate 138 covers channel 134 in a closed position. Each gate 138 is connected to handle 128 via actuating lines 140 and 142. An operator can slide a lever within handle 128 which opens and closes all gates via actuating lines 140 and 142.

Figure 17 is a front view a board generally indicated at 144 comprising six slots. Each slot is provided with channel 152 and holding chamber 154. Top end of the board is shown at T and bottom end is shown at B. Hole or aperture 150 is provided such that, in operation, a winch line can pass and where through a bottom bolt links. Handle 146 defining handle opening 148 is provided at one end of board 144 for convenience in carrying the device when not in use.

Figure 18 is front view of a board generally indicated at 156 comprising three slots 166 into which replaceable/ removable channels or "liners" generally indicated at 172 may be inserted and likewise removed. Hole or aperture 162 is provided such that, in operation, a winch line can pass and where through a bottom bolt links and/or so additional boards may be connected thereto [see Figures 18A). Handles 158 defining handle openings 160 are provided at one end of board 156 for convenience in carrying the device when not in use.

Each slot 166 comprises a channel defined by upper wall 168, lower wall 170 and slot end 182. On board 156 and adjacent slot end 182 is mating hole 186 (to mate with removable channel 172 at connection point 188). It is to be understood that lower wall of slot 166 will be shorter than upper wall, in each slot, due to the fact that the slot inclines downwardly from the vertical, from an opening of slot 166 to end 182.

Removable channel 172 substantially matches slot 166 in shape and as such is of a shape and dimension to securely fit within slot 166. Removable channel 172 comprises upper arm 174, lower arm 176 and removable channel end 184. Interior of removable channel 172 provides wire/conductor engaging channel 190. Each channel 190 is defined by upper wall 178 and lower wall 180. It is to be understood that lower wall will be shorter than upper wall, in each slot, due to the fact that the slot inclines downwardly from the vertical, from opening 196 of channel 190 to wire/conductor holding chamber 198. Figure 18A shows two boards generally indicated at 156 and 194 which are connected at joining means 194. In one aspect joining means 194 employs hole or apertures: 164 (on upper board) and 162 (on lower board) to effect such removable engagement.

It has been found that a coated board with reinforcing insert is much stronger and less likely to contort or shift under heavier loads. For example, such a coated, reinforced board has been found to handle more than five times the amount of intended weight (this is five times the safe working load capacity). It is also able to handle temperatures up to minus 50 degrees without deterioration due to brittleness. .

In a most preferred aspect, the board weighs less than 5 pounds and is about 24 inches long and about 6 inches wide.

In one aspect of a preferred form of the invention, the board comprises any broad spectrum nonconductive material. Preferably board is formed of and defines a unitary, seamless work piece. More preferably, the board comprises high density polyurethane with steel inserts. Alternatively, the board may comprise high density polyethylene (HDPE). High- density polyethylene (HDPE) which is a polyethylene thermoplastic made from petroleum. HDPE is harder and more opaque so it can handle higher temperatures than other materials. HDPE is preferred to steel or PVC tubes because it is more durable and more importantly safer compared to steel or PVC. It is preferred that the board be from 0.5 inch to 2 inches thick, most preferably 1 inch thick. In another aspect, as described above, the board comprises an insert or "core" of reinforcing material, for example unitary work piece of steel which is coated and/or enclosed with a non-conductive material, for example, polyurethane or HDPE.

Ill Operation/ Application of Device (see Figure 1)

1) Old pole out

2) New pole in

3) Prop up old pole with ropes 4) Attach primary power

5) Wires are harnessed in tool - tool is held by the winch line from boom truck

6) Unhook 3 wires

7) Cut pole

8) Boom truck lifts tool up to new position on new pole

9) Attach 3 wires to their new holes on the new pole

Preferably, the winch line is a strongly braided rope that has a hole in it. Winch line 14 goes through this hole and the bottom bolt links through hole 13 in board 12.

The preambles of the claims that follow recite purposes, benefits and possible uses of the claimed invention only and do not limit the claimed invention.

Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatus include a computer/computing device operable to perform some [but not necessarily all) of the described process.

Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of a computer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include a computer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the present systems, methods and components can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, methods, components and concepts to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. For example, the various methods described above may omit some acts, include other acts, and/or execute acts in a different order than set out in the illustrated embodiments. Further, in the methods taught herein, the various acts may be performed in a different order than that illustrated and described. Additionally, the methods can omit some acts, and/or employ additional acts.

These and other changes can be made to the present systems, methods and articles in light of the above description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.

EXAMPLES:

Example 1 Finite Element Analysis

Weight and stress placed on the board was measured. This particular analysis used 200 pounds per latch for a total of 600 pounds with a simulated winch on the top hole.

The most relevant analysis is the Static Displacement Diagram and figures. This measures the displacement when loading the board with 200 pounds per latch along with the top handle by way of winch simulator. This particular load displaced the board by

approximately .009mm. This is negligible displacement and will not have any impact on the board. The urethane will maintain the original shape of the steel while shielding the steel from transferring any electrical current from line to line.

Example -2 Dimensions

Sample but by no means limiting dimensions of the slot elements are noted in Figure 2: (in exploded view) as:

Upper wall 40-2.5"

Lower wall 42—1.5 "

Holding Chamber-2" diameter Sample but by no means limiting dimensions of the board are noted in Figure 2: Thickness (depth) 1"

Length 32.5"

Height 6"

Distance between slot in closest proximity to top end 44 and actual top end 44 -4"

Distance between slot in closest proximity to bottom end 48 and actual top end 48 -6" Distance between slots in closest proximity to top end 44 and bottom end and centre slot - 9".

Example 3

Sample but by no means limiting dimensions of the board with reference to Figures 12A and 12B

A 6"

B 6 1/2"

C 3 1/4"

D Di 1 1/2"

E R 2 1/4"

F 40 degrees

G 1"

H 23 3/4"

1 R 1/4"

J 1 3/8"

K 1/2"

L 6 1/2"

Example 4

Sample but by no means limiting dimensions of the board with reference to Figures 15A and 15B

A 4 1/2"

B 24"

C 2 3/4"

D R 3/16"

E R 2 1/4"

F R 2 3/4"

G R 2" H Rl 1/4"

I 61/2"

J Di 11/2'

K R 21/4"

L Dill/2'

M Di21/4'

N Di 31/2"

0 R 11/16'

P 3/4"

Q 1/8"

R R 1/8"

S 6"