The present invention relates to antitheft systems for an electrical cable in a utility pole and to utility poles having one or more of said antitheft systems.

BACKGROUND ART

Utility poles are commonly used to carry electrical power lines, including distribution lines and sub transmission lines. In urban areas, utility poles may be used for supporting telephone lines, fibre optic cables, etc. Utility poles may also be used for supporting a variety of utility devices, such as e.g. traffic lights, street illumination, video cameras, etc. A significant amount of electrical cables may therefore be present inside a utility pole for supplying electricity to the utility devices supported by the pole. Electrical cables may run the utility poles internally along their entire length or part of their length. Moreover, cables may extend from one utility pole to another, e.g. following an underground path, for conducting electricity between different utility poles. Hence, at least some of said electrical cables may be significantly long.

Theft of copper and in particular theft of electrical cables is a growing concern.

It is known for an electrical cable (in a pole) to be pulled by an end of the cable in such a way that a relatively long portion of the cable can be extracted from its location and therefore stolen. This long portion of the cable may be a cable portion extending internally along a significant part of the pole length and/or extending to other poles through underground passages.

In some cases, the cable may be pulled by a car or any other relatively powerful vehicle, in which case a relatively large pulling force may result exerted onto the cable, so many known antitheft systems may fail in said circumstances simply because they are broken in the process or they are dragged along with the rest of the cable.

If a relatively long cable is stolen, the company owning the installation (including the utility pole(s), cable(s), etc.) may suffer significant losses. The company owning the installation may be a public company, such as e.g. a public electric company, or a private company. Examples of private companies may be private petroleum companies having utility poles in their refineries, or private mining companies having utility poles in their mines. These losses may be in terms of costs associated with the stolen material itself (including the electrical cable), damaged material such as e.g. supporting elements (in case of a "forceful" theft), repair actions aimed at installing new cable(s), power supply interruption, etc. An example of "forceful" theft may be such as explained before based on using a vehicle to exert a strong pulling force to the cable.

Different kinds of antitheft systems for cables in a utility pole are known. Some of them are based on retaining the cable at one point or region of the cable by exerting a pressure on said region of the cable. This pressure is normally exerted by two pressing pieces sandwiching said region of the cable. Examples of this approach may be found in e.g. the following patent documents: US2012230004, US201 1095162A and US2008289870A.

These antitheft systems may be effective if a relatively small pulling force is exerted to the cable to extract it from the installation. However, a larger pulling force exerted (e.g. by a car) to the cable may overcome the pressure exerted by the pressing pieces and, therefore, the cable may be finally extracted from its location and stolen. This situation may be solved by increasing the pressure exerted by the pressing pieces on the cable, such that the retention of the cable may be improved. However, this option may result in an excessive pressure that may finally damage the cable. In these circumstances, the company owning the installation may suffer some costs associated with repairing or replacing the cable that has been damaged by the antitheft system itself. The present invention aims at further improving the antitheft systems and utility poles of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, an antitheft system is provided for an electrical cable in a utility pole. This antitheft system comprises a clamping arrangement having a first retaining passage and a second retaining passage. The first retaining passage is configured to retain by pressure a first region of the electrical cable and is oriented in such a way that, in use, the first region of the electrical cable extends in a first direction. The second retaining passage is configured to retain by pressure a second region of the electrical cable and is oriented in such a way that, in use, the second region of the electrical cable extends in a second direction different from the first direction.

If "protection" of a plurality of cables is desired, the antitheft system may comprise equivalent first and second retaining passages for each of said cables. In some examples, the antitheft system may comprise more than two retaining passages for a cable in such a way that, in use, the different regions of the cable retained by said retaining regions extend along directions different from each other.

With this approach, the pressure exerted by prior art systems at a single region of the cable may be distributed between two or more different regions of the cable in the proposed antitheft system. Therefore, a similar or even increased overall retention may be achieved in the proposed system but with smaller local pressures on the cable in comparison with prior art systems. This may reduce the risk of damaging the cable. Furthermore, the proposed retention of different regions of a cable such that said regions extend in different directions may also improve the cited effect of increasing the retention of the cable. For example, a retention by pressure in such a way that a first region extends horizontally (i.e. is retained horizontally) and a second region extends vertically (i.e. is retained vertically) may cause an extra force component opposing a pulling force aimed at stealing the cable.

According to the previous example, a vertical pulling force may be relatively effective for overcoming the "vertical" retention of the cable, because the orientation of the pulling force and the orientation of the vertical retaining passage may be substantially coincident. However, the "horizontal" retention may improve the retention of the cable because the orientation of the horizontal retaining passage may be substantially perpendicular to the pulling force. This may generate an extra force component perpendicular to the pulling force that may improve the opposition to the vertical pulling force.

This extra force component may permit having local pressures on corresponding regions of the cable which may be relatively small, such that the risk of damage of the cable may be substantially minimized.

In some implementations, either the first direction or the second direction may be a substantially vertical direction. According to some examples, the first direction and the second direction may be directions inclined with respect to each other with an angle of between 45 and 135 degrees, and more preferably of substantially 90 degrees, between them. Therefore, in an exemplary configuration, the first direction may be substantially vertical and the second direction may be substantially horizontal.

In examples of the antitheft system, the clamping arrangement may further comprise a cutting blade arranged in such a way that, in use, the cutting blade cuts the electrical cable when a pulling force on the electrical cable overcomes the retention provided by the first and second retaining passages. Accordingly, when the retention of the cable is overcome, the cable is cut by the blade at a region that may be close to the outside of the pole, and as a result only a short length of the cable can be extracted from its location and therefore stolen. The length of the cable comprised between the region at which the cable is cut and innermost positions of the installation remains at its location, so said "inner" length of the cable cannot be stolen. This feature may thus minimize losses in case of theft or attempt of theft based on pulling the cable with a force that overcomes the retention caused by the retaining passages.

According to examples of the antitheft system, the first retaining passage may be formed by a first pair of pressing pieces, and the second retaining passage may be formed by a second pair of pressing pieces. The first pair of pressing pieces may be configured in such a way that, in use, said first pair of pressing pieces retains by pressure the first region of the electrical cable in a substantially sandwiched manner. The second pair of pressing pieces may be configured in such a way that, in use, said second pair of pressing pieces retains by pressure the second region of the electrical cable in a sandwiched manner.

In some configurations, the abovementioned cutting blade and one of the pressing pieces (forming either the first or the second retaining passage) may be the same single piece, or are integrally formed. This may permit reducing the amount of material required to fabricate the antitheft system, so the fabrication costs may be less with this feature.

In some examples, the antitheft system may further comprise a stopper. This stopper may be configured to be fixed to a third region of the electrical cable in such a way that, in use, the stopper hits against the clamping arrangement when a pulling force on the electrical cable overcomes the retention caused by the first and second retaining passages. This stopper may be configured to be strongly fixed to the third region of the cable in such a way that the stopper can be considered as an integral part of the cable. When the stopper hits the clamping arrangement, a secondary retaining force opposing the pulling force may be generated due to the locking of the stopper against the clamping arrangement.

This secondary retaining force caused by the interaction of the stopper and the clamping arrangement may be overcome if the stopper detaches from the cable or, if not, when the clamping arrangement is pulled out from its position. Hence, a configuration may be provided in such a way that this secondary retaining force cannot be easily overcome, so that this feature based on the stopper may provide a significant efficacy to the antitheft system. According to some examples, the antitheft system may further comprise a plate configured in such a way that, in use, the plate is fixed inside the utility pole and supports the clamping arrangement. In examples of the antitheft system, the plate may support the clamping arrangement at a side of the plate opposite to an inner space of the utility pole accessible by a person. This may complicate the access by a thief to the clamping arrangement, such that the cable cannot be liberated easily from the clamping arrangement by the thief. Therefore, this feature may add some further efficacy to the antitheft system.

The plate may also be configured in such a way that, in use, the plate substantially completely covers an inner section of the utility pole. This way, if properly installed, the plate may form a top or bottom wall delimiting an inner space of the utility pole accessible by a person. The plate may also comprise a hole configured in such a way that, in use, the electrical cable can pass through the hole. This may permit e.g. that a cable can extend from positions above the accessible inner space to positions below the accessible inner space by passing through said hole. These last features combined with that the plate can support its clamping arrangement at a side opposite to the accessible inner space, may make the access by a thief to the clamping arrangement even more difficult. Therefore, these proposed examples of the antitheft system may add even more effectiveness to the system.

In some examples, two plates equal or similar to some of the ones mentioned before may be used to form an accessible inner space substantially closed above and below, which may constitute an electric connection box inside the utility pole.

An aspect of this may be that, in case of theft or attempt of theft, only the length(s) of the cable(s) inside the accessible inner space can be manipulated by a potential thief. Hence, in case of theft, only repair of the connections inside the connection box within the utility pole may be required, whereas, in some prior art installations, disassembly of a possibly significant part of the utility pole may be required.

Another aspect may be that external connection boxes, which are typically used in (at least some) prior art installations, may be avoided. Therefore, cheaper and more secure configurations may be formed, since the cost of said external boxes may be avoided and access to the connection box inside the utility pole may be more difficult than access to said external boxes. In a second aspect, a utility pole is provided comprising one or more electrical cables inside the utility pole and one or more of the previously described antitheft systems for preventing the theft of said cable(s). If more than one cable is to be prevented from being stolen, each of said antitheft systems may comprise corresponding first and second retaining passages for each of the cables.

In some examples, the utility pole may comprise an inner space accessible by a person, a first antitheft system as anyone of the preceding antitheft systems, and a second antitheft system as anyone of the preceding antitheft systems. The first antitheft system may be arranged at an upper position with respect to the accessible inner space of the utility pole. The second antitheft system may be arranged at a lower position with respect to the accessible inner space of the utility pole.

Therefore, cables running the utility pole to e.g. top positions of the pole and/or to e.g. underground locations (or to even other poles) may be prevented from being stolen with this last configuration. The first antitheft system may prevent theft of the part of the cables above the accessible inner space, and the second antitheft system may prevent theft of the part of the cables below the accessible inner space. According to some examples, the utility pole may further comprise at least one elongated support fixed inside the utility pole. The elongated support may be fixed in such a way that an upper plate and a lower plate may be supported by the elongated support at respective ends of the elongated support. The upper plate may have the role of supporting the clamping arrangement of the first antitheft system, and the lower plate may have the function of supporting the clamping arrangement of the second antitheft system.

This elongated support may be fixed to corresponding internal wall(s) of the utility pole through e.g. welding, screws, bolts, etc. This elongated support may act as a rib which may add stiffness to the pole itself and to the overall structure of plates supporting the first and second antitheft systems. These plates may be equal or similar to any of the plates explained before in the context of diverse exemplary antitheft systems. In various examples, the utility pole may further comprise one or more flanges with a V-shaped or U-shaped groove fixed inside the utility pole in such a way that a plate supporting the clamping arrangement of at least one of the antitheft systems is at least partially supported by said one or more flanges.

These flanges with V-shaped or U-shaped groove may be fixed to internal wall(s) of the utility pole by e.g. welding, screws, bolts, etc. Moreover, each of said flanges may be arranged in such a way that a peripheral region of a corresponding plate can be fitted into its V-shaped or U-shaped groove. This may facilitate the installation of the "supporting" plate(s) inside the pole properly. In some examples, these flanges may be combined or not with one or more of the elongated supports mentioned before. Said combination may provide a good balance between stiffness and ease of installation of the overall structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will be described in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figures 1 a - 1 c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a first example;

Figures 2a - 2c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a second example;

Figures 3a - 3c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a third example;

Figures 4a - 4c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a fourth example; Figures 5a - 5c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a fifth example; Figures 6a - 6b schematically represent different sectional perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a sixth example; and

Figure 7 schematically represents a sectional perspective view of an antitheft system in use, according to a seventh example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

Figures 1 a - 1 c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a first example. The antitheft system 100 is shown in Figures 1 a and 1 b retaining two cables 101 , 102 and comprising a clamping arrangement having a first retaining passage 1 14 and a second retaining passage 1 13 for each of the cables 101 , 102. The first retaining passage 1 14 may be configured to retain by pressure a first region of the electrical cable 1 01 , 102 and oriented in such a way that, in use, the first region of the electrical cable 101 , 102 extends in a first direction 1 1 1 . In the particular case shown, this first direction 1 1 1 is a substantially horizontal direction.

The second retaining passage 1 13 may be configured to retain by pressure a second region of the electrical cable 101 , 102 and oriented in such a way that, in use, the second region of the electrical cable 101 , 102 extends in a second direction 1 12. In the particular case shown, this second direction 1 12 is a substantially vertical direction and, therefore, substantially perpendicular to the first direction 1 1 1 .

In other examples, the antitheft system 100 may be configured to retain only one cable or more than two cables. In alternative examples, more than two retaining passages may be present for pressing respective regions of a same cable in such a way that said regions extend in different directions from each other. The first retaining passage 1 14 may be formed by a first pair of pressing pieces 103, 106 configured in such a way that, in use, said first pair of pressing pieces 103, 106 retains by pressure the first region of the electrical cable 101 , 102 in a sandwiched manner. The pressing pieces 103 and 106 may be coupled to each other through e.g. corresponding screws or bolts 108.

The second retaining passage 1 13 may be formed by a second pair of pressing pieces 103, 104 configured in such a way that, in use, said second pair of pressing pieces 103, 104 retains by pressure the second region of the electrical cable 101 , 102 also in a sandwiched manner. The pressing pieces 103 and 104 may be coupled to each other through e.g. corresponding screws or bolts 1 10. The pressing piece 103 may have a region (not shown) with a form/size such that the second region of the cable 101 , 102 is sandwiched/pressed between said region of the pressing piece 103 and the pressing piece 104. This pressure exerted on the cable by the pressing pieces 103 and 104 may be regulated by tightening/loosening the corresponding screws or bolts 1 10.

In the particular configuration shown in Figures 1 a and 1 b, the pressing piece 103 is common to both pairs of pressing pieces 103, 106 and 103, 104.

The clamping arrangement may further comprise a cutting blade 109 arranged in such a way that, in use, the cutting blade 109 cuts the electrical cable 101 , 102 when a pulling force 1 18 on the electrical cable 101 , 102 overcomes the retention by the first and second retaining passages 1 14, 1 13.

In the particular implementation of Figures 1 a and 1 b, the cutting blade 109 and the pressing piece 106 are integrally formed.

The antitheft system 100 may further comprise a plate 105 configured in such a way that, in use, the plate 105 is fixed inside the utility pole 1 1 5 (see Figure 1 c) and supports the clamping arrangement. The plate 105 may be configured in such a way that, in use, the plate 105 supports the clamping arrangement at a side of the plate 105 opposite to an inner space 1 16 (see Figure 1 c) of the utility pole 1 15 accessible by a person. The clamping arrangement may be coupled to the plate 105 through corresponding screws or bolts 107.

The plate 105 may be configured in such a way that, in use, the plate 105 substantially completely covers an inner section of the utility pole 1 15 (see Figure 1 c). The plate 105 may comprise a hole (not shown in Figures 1 a - 1 c) configured in such a way that, in use, the electrical cable 101 , 102 can pass through the hole.

Figure 1 c represents a cutaway perspective view of a first antitheft system 100a and a second antitheft system 100b in use in a utility pole 1 15. The utility pole 1 15 is shown having a door 1 17 that gives access to people to an inner space 1 16 of the utility pole 1 15.

The first antitheft system 100a may be arranged above and outside the accessible inner space 1 16 of the utility pole 1 15. The first antitheft system 100a is shown retaining two cables 101 a, 102a, and with its clamping arrangement supported by a plate 105 at a side of the plate 105 opposite to (i.e. above) the inner space 1 16 of the pole 1 15. The plate 1 05 of the antitheft system 100a may substantially completely cover an inner section of the pole 1 15.

The second antitheft system 100b may be arranged below and outside the accessible inner space 1 16 of the utility pole 1 15. The second antitheft system 100b is shown retaining two cables 101 b, 102b, and with its clamping arrangement supported by a plate 105 at a side of the plate 105 opposite to (i.e. below) the inner space 1 16 of the pole 1 15. The plate 105 of the antitheft system 100b may substantially completely cover an inner section of the pole 1 15.

Therefore, the plates 105 of the first and second antitheft systems 100a, 100b may close the accessible inner space 1 16 above and below. When the clamping arrangements of the first and second antitheft systems 100a, 100b are outside the accessible inner space 1 16 (as shown in Figure 1 c), the access by a thief to the clamping arrangements may be specially complicated. Thus, only those (possibly short) parts of the cables 101 a, 102a, 101 b, 102b inside the inner space 1 16 can be manipulated and therefore stolen by a thief.

The plates 105 of the first and second antitheft systems 100a, 100b may be fixed to an inner wall of the utility pole 1 15 in a variety of manners. Some of said manners will be discussed in other parts of the description with reference to other figures.

In alternative examples, the clamping arrangements of the first and second antitheft systems 100a, 100b may not be fixed inside the utility pole 1 15 through plates 105 as the ones described above. Other approaches and/or structures may be used instead. For example, the clamping arrangements may be directly coupled (without intermediary elements) to an inner wall of the pole 1 15 and fixed thereto through welding, bolts, screws, etc.

Figures 2a - 2c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a second example. The antitheft system 200 illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b is very similar to the system 100 shown in Figures 1 a and 1 b. One difference is that the antitheft system 200 (of Figures 2a and 2b) does not comprise a cutting blade 109. Instead, the antitheft system 200 comprises a different type of auxiliary security mechanism. In particular, the antitheft system 200 comprises a stopper 220 configured to be fixed to a region of the electrical cable (possibly as an integral part of the cable) in such a way that, in use, the stopper 220 hits against the clamping arrangement when a pulling force 218 on the electrical cable overcomes the retention caused by the clamping arrangement.

In the particular case of Figures 2a and 2b, the stopper 220 is shown arranged in such a way that if the pulling force 218 (aimed at stealing the cable) overcomes the retention caused by the clamping arrangement, the stopper 220 would hit corresponding pressing pieces 203, 206 of the clamping arrangement. The stopper 220 may comprise a first piece 250 with a groove or similar adapted to house a portion of the cable. This groove may have a form such that the cable is inserted flexed to some extent into the groove. For example, this groove may have an at least partially rounded or curved form. The stopper 220 may further comprise a second piece 251 , with e.g. a substantially sheet shape, configured to be coupled with the first piece 250 in such a way that the cable is at least partially stuck between the first and second pieces 250, 251 . The stopper 220 may further comprise a corresponding bolt and nut 252 for fixing the second piece 251 against the first piece 250 with the cable sandwiched/pressed between them. The pressure exerted on the cable by the first and second pieces 250, 251 may be increased by tightening the bolt and nut 252 and decreased by loosening the bolt and nut 252.

Figure 2c represents a cutaway perspective view of a first antitheft system 200a and a second antitheft system 200b in use in a utility pole 215. In this particular case, said systems 200a, 200b are of the same type than the system 200 (of Figures 2a and 2b). Moreover, said systems 200a, 200b are arranged inside the pole 215 according to a configuration similar to the one shown in Figure 1 c. Figures 3a - 3c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a third example. The antitheft system 300 of Figures 3a and 3b is very similar to the systems 1 00, 200 shown in Figures 1 a, 1 b, 2a and 2b. In this case, the system 300 does not comprise a cutting blade but comprises a stopper 320 as an auxiliary security mechanism.

The clamping arrangement of the system 300 is different from the clamping arrangement of the other systems 100, 200. The clamping arrangement of the system 300 comprises a different configuration of pressing pieces 303, 306 in comparison with the pressing pieces of the systems 100 and 200.

In the particular case of Figures 3a and 3b, the clamping arrangement comprises only two pressing pieces 303, 306 forming corresponding first retaining passage 314 and second retaining passage 313. The first retaining passage 314 is formed by the pieces 303 and 306. In particular, a region 303a of the piece 303 and the piece 306 may be configured to retain the cable by sandwiching it between them.

The second retaining passage 313 is shown formed by the pressing piece 303 alone. This piece 303 has a region with a hole 321 through which the cable can pass and two parts 322a, 322b with a relative resilience between them that permits varying the size of the hole 321 .

A smaller size of the hole 321 may result in a suitable pressure to retain the cable, whereas a larger size of the hole 321 may permit passing the cable through it without opposition. The size of the hole 321 may be reduced by tightening a bolt 323 aimed at that end, and the size of the hole 321 may be enlarged by loosening said bolt 323. Figure 3c represents a cutaway perspective view of a first antitheft system 300a and a second antitheft system 300b in use in a utility pole 315. In this particular case, said systems 300a, 300b are of the same type than the system 300 (of Figures 3a and 3b). Moreover, said systems 300a, 300b are arranged inside the pole 315 according to a configuration similar to the ones shown in Figures 1 c and 2c. Figures 4a - 4c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a fourth example. The clamping arrangement shown in Figures 4a and 4b is different from but functionally equivalent to the clamping arrangements of Figures 1 a, 1 b, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b. No auxiliary security system, such as e.g. a stopper or a cutting blade, is shown in this particular case.

One difference with respect to the configurations of the preceding Figures is that the first and second retaining passages are equally or similarly configured. These similar configurations are based on a common angle piece 460 and respective first and second end pieces 461 , 462. The first and second end pieces 461 , 462 are also equal or similar in configuration.

The angle piece 460 has a first and a second arm portion 460a, 460c which are connected at a vertex portion 460b of the angle piece 460. The first and second arm portions 460a, 460c have equal or similar form and size and are substantially orthogonal to each other.

The first retaining passage is formed by the first arm portion 460a and the first end piece 461 , which are coupled to each other through suitable bolts or screws 463 in such a way that the cable is stuck (and therefore retained by pressure) between the first arm portion 460a and the first end piece 461 . This pressure on the cable may be regulated by tightening/loosening said bolts/screws 463. Similarly, the second retaining passage is formed by the second arm portion 460c and the second end piece 462, which are coupled to each other through suitable bolts or screws 464 in such a way that the cable is stuck (and therefore retained by pressure) between the second arm portion 460c and the second end piece 462. This pressure on the cable may also be regulated by tightening/loosening said bolts/screws 464. Figure 4c represents a cutaway perspective view of a first antitheft system 400a and a second antitheft system 400b used in a utility pole 415. In this particular case, these systems 400a, 400b are of the same type than the system 400 (of Figures 4a and 4b). These systems 400a, 400b are arranged inside the pole 415 according to a disposition similar to the ones shown in Figures 1 c, 2c and 3c.

Figures 5a - 5c schematically represent different perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a fifth example. The clamping arrangement shown in Figures 5a and 5b is similar to the clamping arrangement of Figures 4a and 4b. No auxiliary security system, such as e.g. a stopper or a cutting blade, is shown in this particular case.

The clamping arrangement of Figures 5a and 5b is similarly based on a common angle piece 560 and first and second end pieces 561 , 562. The angle piece 560 similarly comprises first and second arm portions 560a, 560c. The first end piece 561 is also coupled to the first arm portion 560a through corresponding bolts 563. The second end piece 562 is also coupled to the second arm portion 560c through corresponding bolts 564. One difference with respect to the clamping arrangement of Figures 4a and 4b is that the first and second arm portions 560a, 560c are connected at a vertex portion 560b which has a substantially rounded or curved shape. Another difference is that the first and second end pieces 561 , 562 have a thickness significantly smaller than the first and second end pieces 461 , 462 of Figures 4a and 4b.

Figure 5c represents a cutaway perspective view of a first antitheft system 500a and a second antitheft system 500b used in a utility pole 515. In this particular case, these systems 500a, 500b are of the same type than the system 500 (of Figures 5a and 5b). These systems 500a, 500b are arranged inside the pole 515 according to a disposition similar to the ones shown in Figures 1 c, 2c, 3c and 4c.

Figures 6a - 6b schematically represent different sectional perspective views of an antitheft system in use, according to a sixth example. Figure 6a illustrates a sectional view of a utility pole 615 with a first antitheft system 600a and a second antitheft system 600b in its inside according to a disposition similar to the ones shown in Figures 1 c, 2c, 3c, 4c and 5c. No auxiliary security system, such as e.g. a stopper or a cutting blade, is shown in this particular case. The systems 600a and 600b are similar to the ones shown in previous Figures and are shown fixed inside the pole 615 through several elongated supports 630 aimed at that purpose. These elongated supports 630 may be fixed to inner wall(s) of the pole 615 through e.g. welding, screws, bolts, etc., in such a way that each of the antitheft systems 600a, 600b may be supported by the elongated supports 630 at a corresponding end 630a, 630b of the elongated supports 630.

In the specific case of Figure 6a, the first (or upper) system 600a is shown comprising a clamping arrangement 633a attached to a plate 634a which is fixed to a first end 630a of the elongated support 630 through suitable bolt 631 a and nut 632a. Similarly, the second (or lower) system 600b is shown comprising a clamping arrangement 633b attached to a plate 634b which is fixed to a second end 630b (opposite to the first end 630a) of the elongated support 630 through suitable bolt 631 b and nut 632b.

Figure 6b illustrates an enlarged view of the first (or upper) antitheft system 600a and corresponding upper ends 630a of the elongated supports 630. Figure 7 schematically represents a sectional perspective view of an antitheft system in use, according to a seventh example. This antitheft system 700 is similar to the systems previously described with reference to other Figures, so it is shown comprising a corresponding clamping arrangement 733 and plate 734. The plate 734 is shown fixed inside a utility pole 715 through an elongated support 730 (similar as the elongated support as described with respect to figure 6) at a first side of the plate 734 and a flange with a V-shaped or U-shaped groove 740 at a second side of the plate 734.

The flange with V-shaped or U-shaped groove 740 may be fixed to an inner wall of the utility pole 715 through e.g. welding. Similarly to the configuration of Figures 6a and 6b, the plate 734 may be fixed to a corresponding end 730a of the elongated support 730 through suitable bolt 731 and nut 732.

Although only a number of examples have been disclosed herein, other alternatives, modifications, uses and/or equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are also covered. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.