| 1. | A method of erecting a pole which includes the steps of forming at least one pile at a selected location in the ground with an anchor extending from the pile, forming a plinth on the ground over the pile, positioning a first base over the plinth, at least partially securing the first base to an upper end of the anchor which extends from the pile and the plinth, and securing a lower portion of the pole to bracing structure on the first base. |
| 2. | A method according to claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the pole is at least partially received in a recessed formation in the first base. |
| 3. | A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a second base is secured to a second anchor extending from the plinth and the lower portion of the pole is secured to a second bracing structure on the second base. |
| 4. | A method according to claim 3 wherein the lower portion of the pole is at least partially received in a recessed formation in the second base. |
| 5. | A support for a pole which includes a base plate, at least one fixing formation on the base plate, bracing structure which extends from a first surface of the base plate which, in use, faces upwardly, and a securing formation on the bracing structure. |
| 6. | A support according to claim 5 wherein base plate includes a recessed formation wherein a portion of the pole is at least partially receivable, the bracing structure being engaged with the recessed formation. |
| 7. | 5 7. |
| 8. | A support according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the bracing structure includes an elongate angle section which extends substantially at right angles from an upper surface of the base plate. |
| 9. | A support according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the securing formation includes spaced eyelets which, in use, receive fasteners used to secure the pole to 10 the bracing structure. |
| 10. | A support according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the fixing formation includes a slot. |
| 11. | A support according to any one of the claims 5 to 9 which includes at least one retaining member to engage the bracing structure with the pole. |
| 12. | 15 11. |
| 13. | A support accordingly to claim 10 wherein the retaining member includes a U bolt. |
| 14. | A structure which includes an upwardly extending pole and a support according to any one of claims 5 to 11, the pole being engaged with and secured to the bracing structure. |
| 15. | 20 13. A structure which includes an upwardly extending pole, first and second support formations secured to the pole, each of the first and the second support formations having a respective base, bracing structure engaged with and extending upwardly from the base and a securing formation on the bracing structure which secures at least a lower portion of the pole to each respective support formation. |
| 16. | 25 14. A structure according to claim 13 wherein the bracing structure on each base 5 includes an elongate angle section which extends substantially at right angles to the upper surface of the respective base. |
| 17. | 15 A structure according to claim 13 or 14 wherein at least one of the support formations overlies a plinth which rests on the ground. |
| 18. | 16 A structure according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein at least one of the 10 support formations is engaged with an anchor extending from the plinth. |
| 19. | 17 A structure according to claim 16 wherein the anchor is engaged with a pile which extends into the ground. |
| 20. | 18 A method of supporting a pole which includes the steps of forming at least one pile in the ground with a first anchor extending from the pile, forming a plinth on the 15 ground over the pile, positioning a first base over the plinth, at least partially securing the first base to an upper end of the first anchor which extends from the pile and the plinth, and securing a lower portion of the pole to a first bracing structure on the first base. |
The costs incurred in the replacement of old timber poles represent a substantial portion of the maintenance costs of electric, telecommunications and similar networks making use of timber poles.
Often the replacement of an old pole is required as the base of the pole decays over time as a result of, for example, water flow and insect attack.
Reinforcing and support of a decayed pole might in various situations negate the need to replace the pole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides, in the first instance, a method of erecting a pole which includes the steps of forming at least one pile at a selected location in the ground with an anchor extending from the pile, forming a plinth on the ground over the pile, positioning a first base over the plinth, at least partially securing the first base to an upper end of the anchor which extends from the pile and the plinth, and securing a lower portion of the pole to bracing structure on the first base.
A second base may be secured to a second anchor extending from the plinth and the method may include the step of securing the lower portion of the pole to a second 5 bracing structure on the second base. The lower portion of the pole may be at least partially received in a recessed formation in the first base and a recessed formation in the second base.
The invention also extends to a support for a pole which includes a base plate, at least one fixing formation on the base plate, bracing structure which extends from a 10 first surface of the base plate which, in use, faces upwardly, and a securing formation on the bracing structure.
The base plate may include a plurality of peripheral sections which, in use, extend downwardly.
The bracing structure may be engaged with a recessed formation in the base plate 15 wherein the pole is at least partially receivable.
The support may include a reinforcing member between the base plate and the bracing structure.
The bracing structure may include an elongate angle section which extends substantially at right angles to an upper surface of the base plate.
20 The securing formation may include spaced eyelets which, in use, receive fasteners used to secure the pole to the bracing structure.
The fixing formation may include a slot.
The support may include at least one retaining member to engage the bracing structure with the pole.
The retaining member may include a U-bolt or a second elongate angle section.
The invention further extends to a structure which includes an upwardly extending pole, first and second support formations secured to the pole, each of the first and the second support formations having a respective base, bracing structure engaged with and extending upwardly from the base and a securing formation on the bracing structure which secures at least a lower portion of the pole to each respective support formation.
Preferably each base includes a respective recessed formation wherein the lower portion of the pole is at least partially received.
The bracing structure may include an elongate angle section which extends substantially at right angles to an upper surface of each respective base.
At least one of the support formations may overlie a plinth which rests on the ground.
Preferably at least one of the support formations is engaged with an anchor extending from the plinth.
The anchor may be engaged with a pile which extends into the ground.
The plinth may overlie the pile.
The invention further extends to a method of supporting a pole which includes the steps of forming at least one pile in the ground with a first anchor extending from the pile, forming a plinth on the ground over the pile, positioning a first base over the plinth, at least partially securing the first base to an upper end of the first anchor
which extends from the pile and plinth, and securing a lower portion of the pole to a first bracing structure on the first base.
The method may include the step of a positioning a second base over the plinth and securing the second base to a second anchor extending from the plinth.
The method may include the step of securing the lower portion of the pole to a second bracing structure on the second base.
The lower portion of the pole may be at least partially received in a recessed formation in the first base and in a recessed formation in the second base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a structure according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a support used in the specification of the structure of Figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates a first support 110 and a second support 112 which are used to support a timber pole 114.
The pole 114 is erected in a known manner and a lower end 115 of the pole 114 extends downwardly into the ground. Normally the present invention finds particular application in reinforcing a timber pole which has been planted for a considerable 5 period and which, for a variety of reasons, is decaying or deteriorating, especially at or below ground level.
The first and second supports are substantially similar and only the first support 110 is described in detail.
As is shown in Figure 2 the first support 110 has a steel base plate 116. A length of 10 angle iron 120 is welded to the base plate 116 and extends substantially at right angles to an upper surface 122 of the base plate 116. A gusset 124 is welded between the length of angle iron 120 and the base plate 116 to reinforce the structure.
A recess 126, of substantially the same shape as the other surface of the length of 15 angle iron, is formed in the periphery of the base plate 116. The length of angle iron 120 is attached to the base plate 116 at the recess 126 so that the interior of the angle iron is not obstructed by the base plate.
A slot 128 is formed in the base plate 116.
Two opposite sides of the periphery of the base plate 116 have downwardly 20 depending flanges 130.
Two similar brackets 132 and 134 respectively are attached to the length of angle iron 120. Each bracket has two eyelets 136 and 138 at respective ends of the bracket.
The base plate 116 of the second support 112 has a hole 140 instead of a slot 128 25 (see Figure 1).
5 In use first and second piles 142 and 144 with respective protruding anchors 146 and 148 are formed, in a known manner, in the ground 150 at the base of the pole 114, on opposite sides of the pole 114.
As is used herein"pile"includes a conventional pile and a construction which results from drilling a relatively small diameter, hole in the ground, and then grouting or 10 otherwise fixing a rock bolt or cable in the hole.
A concrete plinth 152 is cast on the ground, over both piles 142,144 and around the pole 114.
The second support 112 is placed over the plinth 152 and the second anchor 148 is passed through the hole 140. The second support 112 is secured in position by 15 means of a nut 144 which is threadedly engaged with the second anchor 148.
It is to be understood that the second pile 144 and second anchor 148 are spaced from the pole 140 so that the length of angle iron 120 on the second support 112 fits snugly against the pole 114 which is at least partially located in the recess 126.
The first support 110 is placed over the plinth 152 with the first anchor 146 passing 20 through the slot 128. A nut 156 is threadedly engaged with the first anchor 146. The nut 156 is initially not completely tightened.
Fasteners 158 in the form of bolts are passed through the respective eyelets 136 and 138 in the brackets 132 and 134. Each bolt 158 extends between a bracket on the first support 110 and on opposing bracket on the second support 112.
25 Nuts 160 are used to secure the bolts 158 to the brackets 132 and 134. As the nuts
are tightened the first support 112 is drawn towards the second support 114 and into close engagement with the pole 114 which is thereby clamped between the lengths of angle iron.
Movement of the base plate 116 of the first support 110 towards the second support 112 is allowed as the first anchor 146 is movable relatively within the slot 128, to a limited extent. When the respective lengths of angle iron 120 are tightly engaged with the base of the pole 114 the nut 156 is tightened to fix the first support 110 to the plinth 152 and the first pile 142.
A support structure 170 is therefore created which supports and reinforces the pole 114. The support structure is particularly useful in instances where the pole has started to decay. By providing the additional support and reinforcing the life of the pole may be extended substantially.
In an alternative form of the invention each base plate has a respective slot 128 through which the respective anchor (146 or 148) passes. This allows each of the supports to be movable, to a limited extent, towards the pole 114 once the nuts 144 and 156 have been initially fitted.
A new pole can also be erected in the manner described. The first and the second supports then provide reinforcement for and support of the new pole and this may reduce the depth to which the lower end of the pole is to be inserted into the ground.
In another form of the invention a single base 116 is secured to a plinth 152 and to two anchors 146 extending from the plinth 152. Both anchors 146 extend from respective piles 142. U-bolts (not shown) are used instead of the bolts 158 to secure
the pole 114 to the length of angle iron 120 extending from the base 116.
Alternatively a second length of angle iron (not shown) similar to the length of angle iron 120 is used to clamp the pole 114 between the length of angle iron 120 and the second length of angle iron by means of U-bolts (not shown) or bolts 158.
In this form of the invention there is no need for a second base 116.
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