In general, the examples of the disclosure relate to guy wire support structures. More particularly, the examples of the disclosure relate to an anchor for guy wires. Most particularly, the examples of the disclosure relate to a guy wire anchor assembly that includes at least one projection extending outwardly from the guy wire anchor shaft, and a poured concrete form including a wall section that is poured around the shaft embedding the projection therein.
A set of guy wires, guy line or guy rope also known simply as a guy, is a tensioned cable designed to stabilize a freestanding structure. Guy wires are often used with masts, wind turbines, utility poles, cell phone towers, and the like. One end of the guy is attached to the structure and the other end is provided with an anchor to secure the free end of the guy and place the guy in tension. The most common type of anchor is a pier or caisson that is driven into the earth having an eye or other attachment point for the free end of the guy. Another common form of anchor is a dead man anchor that uses a buried concrete block, log, or other similar structure that has the guy attached generally pointed to the structure. Often, a stake-like anchor is used to secure the free end of the guy to the dead man structure.
The wireless telecommunications industry has been growing steadily for a number of years. Guyed towers are one of the structures which are widely used in telecommunication industry. A guyed tower typically consist of a guy mast, guy wires, tower base, and guy anchors. Guy wires attach to different levels along its height, and connect to the ground by using guy anchors. Guyed towers rely on guy wires to provide vertical and horizontal supports or resistances to transfer lateral forces to the ground through guy anchors. The members which are connected guy anchor block (or dead man) and guy wires are called anchor shafts. Anchor shafts are used to transfer loads from guy wires to anchor blocks. Therefore, the strength of the anchor shafts is a key factor to ensure the safe of a guyed tower.
Anchor shafts are typically made of steel. The type of shaft shapes could be solid rods, angles, channels, I-beams, flat bars. Since anchor shafts are embedded below grade surface, they are fully exposed to soil. The shafts of guy anchors typically corrode over time. The shaft corrosion primarily affects the area of the shaft where exposes to soil. Corrosion may be caused by the nature of soil, by groundwater, by the electrolytes generated by a battery cell formed between copper grounding and the shafts, or by other factors.
Corrosion may lead to a significant loss of material in the anchor shaft over several years. The loss in section area of the shafts can result in the insufficiency in the tensile strength of the shafts to transmit force to the anchor block. If the strength is inadequate to resist the force from guy wires, the shafts will fail and cause the collapse of the tower.
If a guyed tower collapses, it could damage the facilities in the tower compound area and the properties nearby the tower, and even poses a great risk to human life. The replacing of a collapsed guyed tower is expensive and time consuming.
So that those having ordinary skill in the art, to which the present disclosure pertains, will more readily understand how to employ the novel system and methods of the present disclosure, certain illustrated embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein-below with reference to the drawings, wherein:
An example generally includes a securement system for a guy wire, the securement system comprising a first securement member and a second securement member, the first securement member and second securement member extending parallel to each other defining an anchor axis therebetween. The first securement member and second securement member are spaced from each other to define an anchor gap. The first securement member and second securement member each include an anchor coupler portion and a securing portion. The example also includes a first securing assembly extending laterally outward from the securing portion of the first securement member and a second securing assembly extending laterally outward from the securing portion of the second securement member, where the first securing assembly and second securing assembly each include at least one bearing surface that extends normal to the anchor axis.
According to another example, a securement system for a guy wire comprises an anchor assembly including a guy wire coupler and a securement member extending axially outward from the guy wire coupler, the securement member defining an anchor axis, a securing assembly including at least one projection extending outward relative to the shaft, and a block receiving at least the securing assembly therein, the block having an outer surface, wherein the guy wire coupler protrudes from the outer surface of the block; and a base pad extending laterally outward from the block to define at least one channel adjacent to at least one side of the block.
Yet another example provides a method of securing a guy wire comprising providing a securement system including a at least one securement member having an anchor portion and a securing portion, the securing portion defining an anchor axis, and at least one securing surface extending outward from the securing portion, placing the securing portion within a curable material, and curing the curable material to form a block with the securing portion encased therein, wherein the anchor portion extends outward of the block.
A variety of structures may be supported by guy wires. The guy wire or simply a guy is attached to the structure at one end and an anchor at the opposite end. The anchor keeps the guy in tension to support the structure. Typically multiple guy wires are used to support the structure and accommodate varying loads on the structure including but not limited to wind loading and the like. As noted, in a typical guy anchor, the anchor is driven into the ground or otherwise exposed to dirt and soil. Water runoff, minerals in the soil, and electrolytic circuits created in the soil can cause corrosion that weakens the anchor over time. A securement system is provided to improve or replace traditional anchors is provided. The securement system may be used as part of a guy assembly to support a structure and generally includes a securing members with projections that better anchor the guy. In additional examples, the portions of the securing members having the projections are embedded in a molded material such as a concrete to secure the guy and prevent the anchor from coming in contact with soil. These and other examples are described more completely below.
A guy assembly is generally indicated by the number 100 in the accompanying drawings. The guy assembly generally includes at least one guy wire 110. Guy wire 110 includes a first end 111 and a second end 112. The first end 111 may be attached to a structure S supported by the guy wire assembly 100. The second end 112 of guy wire 110 is anchored to place the guy wire in tension to support the structure S. Guy wire 110 may extend at any angle between the structure S and an anchor assembly depending on the expected loading of the structure S and other supporting devices that may be used in conjunction with guy wire 110. In the depicted example, structure S is supported by multiple guy wires 110 spaced circumferentially at a selected angle α (
Structure S may be any free standing structure that requires support. Typical structures include generally slender, free standing structures, such as masts, poles, towers, and the like. By slender, it is meant that the height of the structure is generally greater than the width, or diameter. In the example, structure S is a telecommunications tower and is generally indicated by the number 120. Tower 120 may include a mast 125 having a base 130 and a tip 135. Various equipment, generally indicated at 140, may be supported on structure S including but not limited to communications equipment 145, such as, antennae, transmitters, receivers, digital signal processors, controllers, GPS receivers and the like.
Guy wires 110 may be attached to different levels along the height of mast 125 and connect to the ground G using a guy anchor. The guy wires 110 help the tower 120 resist lateral and vertical uplift forces by anchoring the tower to the ground G. To anchor the guy wire 110, an anchor assembly generally indicated by the number 150 may include a guy coupler 155 and an anchor shaft 160. The guy coupler 155 attaches to second end 112 of guy wire 110. Coupler 155 may include a structure to facilitate attachment of the guy wire 110 to the anchor assembly 150. For example, coupler 155 may include a plate 156 to which the guy wire is attached by a suitable fastener, including but not limited to, a bolt, a weld, a clasp, an eye, and the like. In the example, plate 156 may be provided with one or more receivers to facilitate use of a fastener to attach the guy 110 to the plate 156. For example, as best shown in
Guy 110 may be attached to guy coupler 155 in various ways depending on the type of coupler used. In general, guy 110 is attached to guy coupler by a guy fastener 161, which may include a weld, a bolt, a clasp, and the like. Guy may be fastened directly to guy coupler 155 by threading a portion of guy cable through an opening and securing it to itself, welding an end of guy 110 to guy coupler 155, bolting an end to guy coupler 155, or clamping an end of guy 110 to guy coupler with a clasp. Alternatively, attachment may include intermediate components that attach guy 110 to coupler 155. In these instances, guy fastener includes the intermediate component that facilitates attachment of guy to guy coupler 155.
In the example shown in
As noted, guy wires 110 are often anchored to the ground by anchors that are driven into the ground. The anchors are typically made of steel and corrode from exposure to minerals, waters and electrolytic charges within the soil. To address corrosion, anchor shafts are often replaced with new anchors such as pier foundations or concrete dead men. These approaches generally require replacing all of the guy wires or re-attaching existing guy wires to new anchors.
According to an example of the disclosure, a securement system, generally indicated by the number 200 is provided. Securement system 200 includes at least one securement member that extends axially outward relative to a guy coupler. As discussed more completely below, securement system 200 may be retrofit to an existing anchor or replace an existing anchor. Therefore, guy coupler may be an existing guy coupler 155 on an anchor to which the system 200 is retrofit or guy coupler 155 may be part of system 200.
With reference to
Securement member 210 may include an anchor portion 220 at one end that attaches to a guy coupler 155 on an existing anchor in a retrofit example. Alternatively, system 200 may include an anchor to which securement member 210 is attached as shown. Or, as a further alternative, securement member 210 may be provided with an integral guy coupler according to another example (
As further shown in the example depicted in
It will be understood that other projections 260 may be used to form bearing surface 235. Bearing surface 235 is used to assist the anchor in resisting forces created by the guy wire 110. The anchor shaft 160 without bearing surface 235 relies on friction forces to resist tension forces created by guy wire 110. Bearing surface 235 provides further resistance by providing a surface that more directly resists forces created by guy wire 110. Bearing surface 235 may extend generally normal to anchor axis A to provide a surface that bears against surrounding structures to and provide a reaction force opposite tension forces along guy wire 110. The projections shown in the figures generally include a bearing surface 235 that is flat and formed normal to axis A, but any shape that helps resist forces on anchor are suitable. Therefore, the examples shown should not be considered limiting.
With reference to
Block 300 may also include a back wall 330 extending laterally outward from at least one side of block 300 at second end 302. Back wall 330 may extend to the same extent as base pad 320. Back wall 330 may also have the same height as upstanding portion 315, as shown. Alternatively, back wall 330 may extend to a greater or lesser extent than base pad 320 or a greater or lesser height than upstanding portion 315. In the example, back wall 320 extends upwardly from base pad 320 closing channel 325 at the second end 302 of block 300. As shown, back wall 330 is located at an opposite end relative to securement member 210 and guy coupler 155. Tension applied to guy coupler 155 via guy 110 is, thus, further resisted by the weight of the dirt D or fill within channel 325 against back wall 330.
As best shown in
As discussed, when securing guy wire 110, block 300 may be buried, or dirt D or other fill may be placed within channel(s) within block 300 to weigh it down and help resist forces transmitted through the guy wire 110 to securement system 200. By embedding at least the securing portion 225 within block 300, contact between the soil and securing members 210 or shaft 160, which are prone to corrosion, is minimized. It will be understood that form may be brought to the site such that an existing anchor may be retrofit with a securement system 200 that includes block 300. Alternatively, block 300 may be cast offsite with securement member 210 embedded therein and brought to the site for attachment to the guy wire 110.
In the example shown in
With reference to
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A securement system for a guy wire, the securement system comprising: a first securement member and a second securement member, the first securement member and second securement member extending parallel to each other defining an anchor axis therebetween, wherein the first securement member and second securement member are spaced from each other to define an anchor gap, and wherein the first securement member and second securement member each include a anchor coupler portion and a securing portion; a first securing assembly extending laterally outward from the securing portion of the first securement member and a second securing assembly extending laterally outward from the securing portion of the second securement member; wherein the first securing assembly and second securing assembly each include at least one bearing surface that extends radially outward to the anchor axis.
The securement system of example 1, wherein the bearing surface extends normal to the anchor axis.
The securement system of example 1, the first securing assembly includes a pair of 1-shaped members, each 1-shaped member having a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg is attached to the securing portion of the first securement member and the second leg extends outward from the first leg to form the at least one bearing surface; and the second securing assembly includes a second pair of l-shaped members, each 1-shaped member having a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first leg is attached to the securing portion of the second securement member and the second leg extends outward from the first leg to form the at least one bearing surface.
The securement system of example 1 further comprising a securing block formed about the securing portion of the first securement member and second securement member, the securing block having an upper surface, wherein the first securing assembly and second securing assembly are encased within the securing block below the upper surface, and wherein the anchor coupler portion of each of the first securement member and second securement member extends upward and outward from the upper surface of the securing block; the securing block including a base pad extending laterally outward from the securing block to define at least one channel adjacent to at least one side of the securing block.
The securement system of example 4, further comprising a back wall extending laterally outward from one end of the securing block and upward from the base pad to close the at least one channel at one end.
The securement system of example 5, wherein the anchor coupler portion extends away from the back wall.
The securement system of example 4 wherein the securing block is centered on the base pad, the base pad defining a first channel adjacent to one side of the securing block and a second channel adjacent to a second side of the securing block.
The securement system of example 1 further comprising an anchor assembly including a guy coupler having an anchor shaft extending axially outward therefrom, wherein the first securement member and second securement member attach to the guy coupler and the anchor shaft extends into the anchor gap.
The securement system of example 1 further comprising a guy wire coupled to the first securement member and the second securement member.
The securement system of example 9, wherein the first securement member and the second securement member are attached to an anchor plate extending therebetween, and the guy wire is secured to the anchor plate.
The securement system of example 10, wherein the anchor plate includes a pair of first receivers and a pair of second receivers spaced laterally from each other an equal distance from the anchor axis, and wherein the first securement member is attached to the anchor plate by a pair of fasteners received within the pair of first receivers; and wherein the second securement member is attached to the anchor plate by a pair of second fasteners received within the pair of second receivers.
A securement system for a guy wire, the securement system comprising: an anchor assembly including a guy wire coupler and a securement member extending axially outward from the guy wire coupler; the securement member defining an anchor axis, a securing assembly including at least one projection extending outward relative to the shaft; and a block receiving at least the securing assembly therein, the block having an outer surface, wherein the guy wire coupler protrudes from the outer surface of the block; and a base pad extending laterally outward from the block to define at least one channel adjacent to at least one side of the block.
The securement system of example 12 further comprising a back wall extending laterally outward from one end of the block and upward from the base pad to close the at least one channel at one end.
The securement system of example 13, wherein the guy wire coupler extends outward from the block away from the back wall at an acute angle relative to the upper surface.
The securement system of example 12, wherein the anchor axis extends at an acute angle relative to the upper surface of the block.
The securement system of example 12, wherein the at least a portion of the shaft and securing assembly are encased in the block.
A method of securing a guy wire comprising: providing a securement system including a at least one securement member having an anchor portion and a securing portion, the securing portion defining an anchor axis, and at least one securing surface extending outward from the securing portion; placing the securing portion within a curable material and curing the curable material to form a block with the securing portion encased therein, wherein the anchor portion extends outward of the block.
The method of example 17, wherein the block is attached to a base pad extending laterally outward relative to the block to form a channel adjacent to at least one side of the block.
The method of example 18 further comprising attaching a back wall at one end of the block, wherein the back wall extends upward relative to the base pad to close one end of the channel.
The method of example 17, wherein the form defines an upper surface of the block and wherein the anchor axis extends at an acute angle relative to the upper surface.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190040646 A1 | Feb 2019 | US |