Multifunction utility pole

• US 20030233806A1
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Published: 12/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Con-Cast Pipe Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sky Cast, Inc.
• Inventors: DeGasperis, Antonio, Kuebler, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 7,059,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/838
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/003 Access covers or locks therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/12 of concrete or other stone-like material, with or without internal or external reinforcements, e.g. with metal coverings, with permanent form elements

Abstract

A multifunction utility pole comprising a base portion suitable for installation in the ground or mounting on a surface, the base portion including a housing for a first utility, a pole portion extending above the base portion, the pole portion including a fixture for a second utility; and a wiring path extending through the base portion and the pole portion, to provide access for wiring to the second utility, wherein the utility pole is capable of simultaneously accommodating the first and second utilities.

Claims

1. A multifunction utility pole, comprising:

a) a base portion suitable for installation in the ground or mounting on a surface, said base portion including a housing for a first utility;

b) a pole portion extending above said base portion, said pole portion including a fixture for a second utility, and

c) a wiring path extending through said base portion and said pole portion, to provide access for wiring to said second utility;

wherein said utility pole is capable of simultaneously accommodating said first and second utilities.

2. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said base portion includes an internal cavity sized and shaped to receive said housing.

3. The utility pole according to claim 2, wherein said base portion is enlarged relative to said pole portion.

4. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said base portion includes at least one access opening to receive utility cables.

5. The utility pole according to claim 4, wherein said base portion includes a below-ground portion, and said at least one access opening is in said below-ground portion.

6. The utility pole according to claim 4, wherein said base portion contains at least two access openings, wherein one access opening is sized and shaped to receive electrical power cables and the other at least one access opening is sized and shaped to receive communication signal cables.

7. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a utility box, and said first utility is located inside said utility box.

8. The utility pole according to claim 7, wherein said housing further includes a box extension to receive cables directed to said first utility.

9. The utility pole according to claim 7, wherein said utility box includes a slidable rack, and said first utility is installed on said slidable rack.

10. The utility pole according to claim 7, wherein said utility box has a cover to permit access to said first utility.

11. The utility pole according to claim 7, wherein said utility box is a rigid enclosure constructed from 14 gauge steel.

12. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said wiring path is offset around said housing inside said base portion.

13. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said wiring path provides a path for electrical power cables to provide electrical power to said second utility.

14. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said wiring path is electrically isolated from said housing.

15. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said wiring path comprises a conduit in said base portion and a raceway in said pole portion.

16. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said utility pole contains reinforcing cables, and wherein said reinforcing cables are offset around said housing inside said base portion.

17. The utility pole according to claim 16, further including retainer brackets to guide said offset reinforcing cables around said housing.

18. The utility pole according to claim 17, wherein said retainer brackets are attached to said housing.

19. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said first utility includes a communication panel that distributes communication or television signals.

20. The utility pole according to claim 1, wherein said second utility is a street lamp.

21. A method of manufacturing a multifunction utility pole, said method comprising:

a) providing a mold for a utility pole having a base portion and a pole portion, said base portion containing an internal cavity sized and shaped to receive a housing;

b) installing a housing in said internal cavity;

c) installing reinforcing cables extending from said base portion to said pole portion, said reinforcing cables being offset around said housing in said base portion;

d) installing a conduit, said conduit being electrically isolated from said housing;

e) pouring flowable concrete into said mold;

f) closing said mold;

g) prestressing said reinforcing cables;

h) spinning said mold for a predetermined time until said concrete takes the shape of the mold; and

i) removing said mold.

22. A method of providing communication services to a neighborhood of consumers, said method comprising:

a) providing a multifunction utility pole having a utility fixture and communication equipment, said communication equipment having a predetermined capacity;

b) connecting a communication cable from said communication equipment to a proximate communication consumer; and

c) repeating step (b) until said communication equipment reaches said predetermined capacity.