Patent Application
20080172952
In general, the present invention relates to structural members. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved arm connections for structural members such as electrical transmission and distribution poles that support electrical conductors above ground.
Structural members such as electrical transmission poles have been used for decades to run electrical conductor high above the ground to span great distances. The method has proven less costly and less time consuming than running electrical conductors underground where numerous obstructions are encountered and rights of way needed. Arms are connected to the structural members to hold the electrical conductors away from the structural member high above the ground. The arms are also typically long and heavy since they must support the weight of multiple electrical conductors at all times and especially during storms. Ice can also build up on the conductors and add even more weight to the conductors and arms.
Currently the arms are welded to a bracket that has a plurality of apertures through each side. The bracket abuts, on its inside surface, two thru-vangs that extend through the center of the structural member and are welded thereto. Each thru-vang also has a plurality of apertures through each side that align with the apertures in the U-shaped bracket. Once the apertures of the brackets and thru-vangs are aligned, the arms are connected onto these structural members by the use of numerous large bolts. Contractors typically install the bolts while the structure is lying on the ground. The numerous bolts are so large (typically 1.5 inches or greater in diameter), the abutting thru-vangs and arm brackets so thick (typically 2 inches or more) that the connection of the arm to the thru-vangs is time consuming and requires great force. Tightening of the bolts necessitates the use of heavy torquing wrenches are used to tighten the bolts. The odd size of the bolts makes them difficult to purchase on the open market if one is lost. What's more, the number of bolts required for a secure arm connection takes a considerable amount of time. Last, there may be insufficient clearance for the torquing wrenches to be received inside the bracket, further delaying securement of the arms.
The present invention eliminates the above difficulties and disadvantages by providing a structural member that has at least one arm connection. The arm connection includes a first thru-vang extending laterally through the structural member and has a plurality of apertures disposed therein. The first thru-vang is secured to the structural member by welding. A second thru-vang is adjacent the first thru-vang and has a plurality of apertures therein. The second thru-vang extends laterally through the structural member and is welded thereto for securement. While it is disclosed that the thru-vangs extend laterally through the structural member, they can also be orientated in the vertical direction such that they extend longitudinally at least partially through the structure. Further, the plurality of apertures disposed in the first and second vangs may be threaded to receive a threaded bolt or pin therein.
At least one cross brace is joined between the first thru-vang and the second thru-vang for structural support. Preferably two cross braces are used and positioned such that they are spaced away from the structural member to allow for easier welding of the thru-vangs and/or the cross braces. Alternatively, a plurality of conduits are joined between each of the plurality of apertures of the first thru-vang and the second thru-vang for structural support and to aid in insertion of the plurality of pins. The plurality of conduits may be at least partially threaded to receive a threaded bolt or rod therein.
A plurality of pins are received through the plurality of apertures in the first thru-vang and the plurality of apertures in the second thru-vang which are axially aligned. Disposed on each end of the pins are threaded bolt and nuts that retain the pins within the bracket/vang apertures. A cotter or hitch pin could also be used for the pins.
An arm bracket is coupled to the first thru-vang and the second thru-vang by the plurality of pins such that each of the plurality of pins extends between the first thru-vang and the second thru-vang. Finally, an arm is secured to the arm bracket for suspending electrical conductors above the ground.
The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will now be discussed in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and appended claims, which are to be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which identical reference characters designate like elements throughout the views.
Shown in
The present invention, as shown in
A second thru-vang 22 is adjacent the first thru-vang 20 and has a plurality of apertures 24 disposed therein. The second thru-vang 22 extends laterally through the structural member 10. Like the first thru-vang 20, the second thru-vang 22 is constructed of steel and is welded to the structural member 10 for securement. To install the second thru-vang 22 into the structural member 10, laterally spaced oval or rectangular apertures are cut in the structural member 10. The second thru-vang 22 is inserted through the apertures so that it extends partially on either side of the structural member 10 and then the second thru-vang 22 is welded on both sides where it extends from the cut apertures.
While it is disclosed that the thru-vangs extend laterally through the structural member 10, they can also be orientated in the vertical direction such that they extend longitudinally at least partially through the structure. Thru-vangs 20, 22 can also be of any general shape. Further, the plurality of apertures 24 disposed in the first and second vangs 20, 22, respectively, may be threaded to receive a threaded bolt or pin therein.
Turning now to
Alternatively, as shown in
As stated above, a plurality of pins 40 are provided for establishing and securing the arm connection 14 of the structural member 10. Disposed on each end of the pins are preferably threaded bolts 28 and nuts 30, which are of standard size and can be easily tightened and replaced if one should get lost during shipping of the structural member 10 or during installation of the arms 12 if it is dropped in a field or in the mud. An aperture is disposed in each end of the pins 40 to receive the bolts 28 therethrough. It is appreciated that a cotter or hitch pin could also be used in place of the elongated pins 40 of the present invention.
An arm bracket 16, which is preferably U-shaped, is secured to the arm 12 by welding. The arm 12 is preferably constructed of steel along with bracket 16. The arm 12 suspends electrical conductors above the ground so that the electrical conductors can be ran over long spans. The arm bracket 16 is coupled to the first thru-vang 20 and the second thru-vang 22 by the plurality of pins 40 such that each of the plurality of pins 40 extends between the first thru-vang 20 and the second thru-vang 22. Specifically, to establish the arm connection 14, the bracket 16 is aligned with the first and second thru-vangs 20, 22, respectively, such that the apertures of each are aligned. A pin 40 is received through one of the plurality of apertures 24 in the bracket 16, through an aligned aperture in the first thru-vang 20, through an aligned aperture in the second thru-vang 22, and then through a similarly aligned aperture in the second thru-vang 22. Last, the threaded bolts 28 and nuts 30 are tightened on each end on the pin 40. This is repeated for each set of aligned apertures to form the arm connection. The threaded bolts 28 and nuts 30 retain the pins 40 within the arm connection 14 by preventing sliding of the pins 40 in the axial direction while downward forces of the arm bracket 16 are asserted on pins 40.
Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims.
