Utility pole cross-arm and associated pole-top hardware

• US 20040084582A1
• Filed: 07/08/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bluescope Steel Limited
• Original Assignee: Bluescope Steel Limited
• Inventors: Kralic, John Frank
• Application Number:
  US10/614,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/219.3
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/24 Cross arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1228 on a boom

Abstract

A cross-arm 5 for a utility pole 4 for use in low to medium voltage electricity distribution and transmission is disclosed. The cross-arm is metallic and coated with an insulatory coating. The steel cross-arm 5 is mounted to the utility pole 4 by way of a steel saddle 6 which incorporates a similar insulatory coating. The saddle extends about one of the pole or the cross-arm and is secured at its opposite ends to the other of the pole or cross-arm and is arranged to be elastically strained so as to cause the two members to be in clamping engagement. A tape 7 may be located between the cross-arm and the utility pole to provide a further insulatory barrier.

Claims

1. A cross-arm for a utility pole for use in low to medium voltage electricity distribution and transmission, the cross-arm being metallic and coated with an insulatory coating.

2. A cross-arm according to claim 1, wherein the cross-arm is formed as a hollow steel section.

3. A cross-arm according to claim 1, wherein the coating is a polymeric material.

4. A cross-arm according to claim 3, wherein the coating is applied by an electrolytic powder coating process, using a powder of the polymeric material.

5. A cross-arm according to claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is nylon.

6. A cross-arm according to claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is thermoplastic.

7. A cross-arm according to either claim 3, wherein the polymeric material is an epoxy.

16. A cross-arm assembly comprising a cross-arm according to claim 1 and a fastening system operative to fasten the cross-arm to a utility pole.

17. A cross-arm assembly according to claim 16, wherein the fastening system is according to claim 8.

18. A cross-arm assembly according to claim 16, wherein the fastening system includes a seat which locates under the cross-arm and which is securable to the utility pole.

19. A cross-arm assembly according to claim 18, wherein the seat is formed from a metal section coated with an insulatory coating.

20. A cross-arm assembly according claim 16, further comprising an extension arm which extends upwardly from the cross-arm.

21. A cross-arm assembly according to claim 20, wherein the extension arm is metallic and coated with an insulatory coating.

22. A cross-arm assembly according to claim 21, wherein the extension arm is formed as a hollow steel section and incorporates a coupling at its upper end operative to receive an electricity distribution wire and a second coupling at its lower end which is operative to be connected to the cross-arm.

23. A cross-arm assembly according to claim 16, further comprising an insulating medium which locates between the pole and the cross-arm so as to provide an insulation barrier between the pole and cross-arm.

8. A fastening system for fastening a cross-arm to a utility pole, the fastening system comprising clamping means that is securable to one of either the pole or the cross-arm, the clamping means being operative to extend about the other of the pole or cross-arm to which it is secured and apply a clamping force to that member so as to fasten the cross-arm and pole together.

9. A fastening system according to claim 8, wherein the clamping means is in the form of a saddle which incorporates end portions securable to either the pole or the cross-arm and a mid portion which is operative to extend around the other of the pole or the cross-arm to which it is secured so as to apply a clamping force to that member.

10. A fastening system according to claim 9, wherein the end portions of the saddle are secured to either the pole or the cross-arm by mechanical fastening.

A fastening system according to claim 8, further comprising fastening means extending between the clamping means and the pole or cross-arm about which it extends.

13. A fastening system according to claim 8, wherein the clamping means is metallic and coated with an insulatory coating.

14. A fastening system according to claim 13, wherein the coating is a polymeric material.

15. A fastening system according to claim 13, wherein the coating is applied by an electrolytic powder coating process, using the powder of a polymeric material.

12. A fastening system according to claim 11, wherein the fastening means is a mechanical fastener.

24. A utility pole incorporating a cross-arm assembly according to claim 16.

24-1. A method of securing a cross-arm to a utility pole for use in low to medium voltage electricity distribution and transmission;

the method comprising the steps of;

providing clamping means arranged to clamp the cross-arm to the utility pole;

locating the clamping means over one of the cross-arm or the utility pole; and

securing the clamping means to the other of said cross-arm or utility pole whereby on securing the clamping means, the clamping means clamps the one member to the other member to which it is secured.

26. A method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of:

fastening the clamping means to the one member.

27. A method according to claim 25, further comprising the steps of providing an insulating medium and locating that medium between the pole and the cross-arm to provide an insulating barrier between the pole and the cross-arm.