Utility pole and tower safety and protection device

• US 20060169470A1
• Filed: 11/03/2005
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Betty Munis, Dennis Lee Bell, James H. Jenner, Janice L. Bowen, Michael L. Miller, Richard C. Huffsmith, Thomas P. Lowe, William L. Dirkes
• Original Assignee: Betty Munis, Dennis Lee Bell, James H. Jenner, Janice L. Bowen, Michael L. Miller, Richard C. Huffsmith, Thomas P. Lowe, William L. Dirkes
• Inventors: Bell, Dennis Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,589,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/40.CC
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/02 Devices for adjusting or maintaining mechanical tension, e.g. take-up device
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 7/18 Devices affording mechanical protection in the event of breakage of a line or cable, e.g. net for catching broken lines

Abstract

A Utility Pole and Tower Safety and Protection Device includes a utility pole with a crossbar to support utility conductors. The crossbar is attached to the pole with a release mechanism. A pressure transducer is attached to the release mechanism and automatically controls the release and descent of the crossbar at a predetermined load limit. A shear pin may also be used if a mechanical system is desired. An alarm system is attached to the pole and linked to a relay station announces when the system is activated. Power and continuity to the utility conductors is terminated when the system is activated, virtually eliminating the risks of a downed utility conductor. The device protects power and utility lines from breakage due to external forces, such as weather or trees. When the external force is removed, the device is reset by winching the crossbar into position and resetting the release mechanism.

Claims

1. A utility pole and tower safety and protection device comprising:

a release mechanism attached between the a utility pole and a utility conductor assembly.

2. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor attached to the release mechanism.

3. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 1, further comprising an alarm linked to the release mechanism.

4. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 3, where the alarm is linked to a relay station.

5. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 1, further comprising a descent mechanism attached between the utility pole and the utility conductor assembly.

6. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 3, where the alarm further comprises an audible and visual alarm system.

7. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 1, where the release mechanism is a shear pin.

8. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 1, further comprising a lifting mechanism attached to the utility pole and the utility conductor assembly.

9. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 8, where the lifting mechanism is a winch and cable.

10. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 1, further comprising a service disruption mechanism attached between a release mechanism and a utility conductor.

11. The utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 1, where the service disruption mechanism is a magnetic switch.

12. A method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device, comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring an external load upon a utility conductor assembly;

(b) when the external load is at or above the protection threshold, activating a release mechanism;

(c) activating a service disruption mechanism; and

(d) lowering the utility conductor assembly to the ground.

13. The method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 12, where step (a) further comprises the step of:

(a1) establishing a maximum external load for the utility conductor assembly.

14. The method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 12, where step (b) further comprises the step of:

(b1) activating an alarm.

15. The method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 12, where step (b) further comprises the step of:

(b1) signaling a relay station.

16. The method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 12, where step (c) further comprises the step of:

(c1) terminating a utility transmission through the utility conductor.

17. A method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device, comprising the steps of:

(a) inspecting a utility conductor assembly;

(b) when the utility conductor assembly is acceptable, raising the utility conductor assembly up the utility pole;

(c) connecting a release mechanism to the utility conductor assembly;

(d) establishing continuity through the utility conductor; and

(e) initiating a utility transmission through the utility conductor.

18. The method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 17, where step (a) further comprises the step of:

(a1) determining a cause for a disconnected utility conductor.

19. The method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 17, where step (a) further comprises the step of:

(a1) removing an excessive external load from a utility conductor.

20. The method of operating a utility pole and tower safety and protection device of claim 17, where step (c) further comprises the step of:

(c1) replacing a shear pin.