Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
A UTILITY STRUCTURE HAVING A UTILITY POLE AND
A CLOSURE APPARATUS
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention involves an access door cover system which provides a convenient and
5 efficient way of providing reliable efficient and removable cover of access ports in utility
poles while providing a high degree of vandal re~icpnre.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most modern utility poles are n~qn-lfnetllred of hollow metal and carry electrical
wiring within their interior lumen. These poles are primarily electric light poles, but also can
10 involve other types of wiring. The proper in~tqllqtion and ".~ nne of these utility poles
typically re luires that an access port be provided near the ground level of the pole to provide
access to electrical comle;lions just inside of the access port. The access port is typically
provided with a cover of ~pl~,xi..l~lely the same size as the port and screws to hold the port
in place. The cover is ç~entiq-l to prevent unauthorized access through the port to prevent
vqn-i-q~ m of the electrical connections within the port and also to prevent accidental injury
as a result of unauthorized access.
Among the many difficulties with the convention door-plate type of portal closure is
that there is no standdrdiLaLion of the door sizes. As a result, there is a large number of
dif~elll sizes and shapes of portals and the doors that coll~l,ond with them. Furthermore,
because of the very hostile el~vilonlll~lll in which the utility poles exist, the normal screw
l~nel~ which are used to hold the doors in place are frequently removed by vandals or lost
while the authori~d personnel are ".~i,.l;.ining the poles. It is frequently necessary to replace
the proper size screws with improper sizes and also to replace the lost portal closures with
illlpl-o~lly sized closures. In addition, over a period of time, screw and bolts oxidize and
become fro~n to the shield and must be sheared off by authorized personnel for servicing.
When this occurs, the shield is simply secured in place by tape which can be removed easily
by vandals. Finally, because of all these problems and inconveniences, it is frequently the
case that the portal is left open (intentionally, or accidentally) which provides an access to
potentially dangerous electric current.
Thus, one serious problem which existed in prior art portal closures is the means for
f~ctening the door over the portal. The normal system of using screws is both inconvenient,
inefficient, and potentially dangerous.
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The second priority conce~ g the prior art portal closures is that the null~rous sizes
of portals, and therefore closures, creates serious inefficiencies and problems.These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated
in a novel manner by the present invention.
It is, ~IGlcrolG, a pliul- i~lc object of the invention to provide a utility pole cover
system which provides a reliable, efficient, and vandal-lesi;,~ll method of rGVGl:jibly sealing
the access port on a utility pole.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a utility pole portal cover system
which provides a reliable and highly visible system for locking the access door over the
access port.
A further object of the present invention is the p~vision of a utility pole access port
door which is of generally l~.liVGl~al application to all of the various sizes of access ports
particularly found in utility poles.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a utility pole access port door
which has a ~ ;n~ ~;ve look and which, ~l~ rGrolG, is less likely to become lost than traditional
access port doors.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a utility pole access port door
which provides a long life of useful service with a ,..;ni-..--... of ..~h~l~ndnce
With these and other objccts in view, as will be appalc.lt to those skilled in the art,
20 the il~ l~n residcs in the colll4~tion of parts set forth in the specification and covered by
the claims appended hereto.
SUMMARY OF l HE INVENTION
This invention is a utility pole access port door system which providcs a reliable,
efficient and vandal-lGsis~l means for closing the access port on a utility pole to prevent
25 v~ntl~ m and accidell~l entry through the access port. In the ~illlpl~t version of the system,
the plill.aly aspect of the invention is the repl~ce...~ of ~ndard screw-type ~ lGI el~i with
a lockable metal band scaling system which is collllllclcially available and relatively easy and
inG~erl~ive to use. The bands could be used to hold a conventional access port door in place
in a pellllanclll and e~enti~lly vandal-proof manner. In a more effective version of the
30 present invention, the traditional access port door is replaced by a cup-like structure which
is especially (leci~ned to be alt~ch~d to the outside of the pole and to surround and seal the
access port. This cup-like structure is specifically designed with grooves on its front surface
and ridges on its side edges which hold the above-mentioned metal band attachment system
21 62652
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and protect it from common forms of vandalism which might be used to discolLnect the
door trom its position over the access port. The access port door is also s[-eci~ically
desigIled to minimize its value as a climbing element for vandals attempting to climb the
utility pole. More specifically, the surfaces are designed to provide min mal horizoIltal
sllrfaces when the door is in place.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a utility structure comprisin,: a
utility pole having an outer cylindrical surface, an interior chamber and an access pOlt to
the chamber; a removable cover which has a closed position when mounted Otl the Ollter
cylindrical surface of said utility pole for closing said access port; a metal strap for
surrounding said utility pole and engaging said cover in said closed position; locking
meaIls for securing said strap in a tight band against the utility pole and sai(l cover for
hxedly maintaining said cover in said closed position; and said removable cover
comprising: a central wall portion which is adapted to lie in front of said access port
wllen said cover is in said closed pOSitiOIl on said utility pole; a pair of opposite side wall
portions each of said side wall portions having a concave curved inner surface wllich
extends along a radial curve which is generated from a vertical axis, each of said side wall
portions having a substantially straight outer surface which is substantially tallgential to
said radial curve and to the cylindrical outer surface of said utility pole, tlle imler and
o~lter surt:aces of each of said side wall portions extending from said central wall portion
alld converging toward a free end, so that when said cover is in said closed pOSitiOII on
tlle utility pole, the cylindrical surface of the utility pole is closely engaged by said
concave curved inner surfaces at opposite sides of the access port of the utility pole so
t}lat there is a mirLimum gap between the strap and said outer surface of the lltility pole
between the points where the strap extends from the cover to the outer cylindrical surface
ot' said utility pole, said central and side wall portions of said cover detiniIlg a contilll1olls
outer surface which has a substantially horizontal groove for receiving said strclp so that
tlle portion of said strap W}liC}I engages said cover lies entirely within said groove.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a closure and utility pole
apparatus comprising: a utility pole having an outer vertical cylindrical sllrface, cul
illterior chamber and an access port in said outer cylindrical surface to sai(l interior
cllamber; a removable cover which has a closed position whell moullted oll the outer
c~ driccll sllrface of a utility pole for closing the access port of the lltilitv pole, s.lid
21 62652
removable cover comprising: a central wall portion which has an outer surface and wllic}l
lies in front of the access port of a utility pole when said cover is in said closed pOSitiOII
on said utility pole; and a pair of opposite side wall portions on opposite sides of said
central portion, each of said side wall portions having a concave inner surface wllich
S closely engages the cylindrical outer surface of the utility pole and a relative]y straig}lt
outer surface which is tangent to the outer cylindrical surface of said utility pole ~uld
converges with said inner surface at a free end at the outer cylindrical surface of said
utility pole, the outer surface of said central portion and said opposite side wall pOltiOllS
defining a continuous outer surface which has a substantially horizontal groove whicl
extends from the cylindrical outer surface of said utility pole at the free end of one of said
opposite side wall portions to the surface of said utility pole at the free end of the otller
of said opposite side wall portions; and a strap which is adapted to lie in said groove and
extend around said cover and said utility pole; and locking means for securing said strap
in a tight band against the utility pole and said cover for fixedly maintainill;, said cover
in said closed position.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The character of the invelltion, however, may be best understoo<l by referel~ce to
one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, ill whicll:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a utility pole which has an clCCeSS port,
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the utility po]e sllowillg theaccess opening closed by the closure apparatus ofthe present invention,
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the utility pole showillg the access opellillg
closed by the closure apparatus of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3and looking in the direction ofthe arrows,
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the removable cover portion of the closure apparatus
of the present invention,
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the cover,
FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the cover,
FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the cover,
FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the cover looking from the left rear corner of the
cover,
FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the line X-X of FIG. 6 and
looking in the direction of the arrows,
FIG. I l is a vertical cross-sectional view along the line XI-XI of FIG. 6 and
looking in the direction of the arrows,
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a locking buckle for the strap, and
FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the utility pole ilhlstratilllJ the
technique for securing the metal strap into the locking buckle.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, the closure appalalus of the present invention is generally
in~ ted by the IcÇel~llce mlm.o.r~l 15 and is shown applied to a utility pole 16. The utility
pole 16 has a chamber 18 which co~ ins Pl~tri~l wiring 22 and an access port 20 to the
5 chamber 18. FIG. 2 shows the closure app~dlus 15 in a closed position in front of the
access opening 20. FIG. 1 shows the access opel~ing without a closure al)pal~lus 15 so that
the wiring 22 within the challlber 18 is exposed.
The closure appal~lus 15 in~l~.des a rt;ll,~,~dble cover, generally inf~ ted by the
rerelt;nce numeral 24, which is held tightly against the outer surface of the utility pole 16 in
10 front of the access ope~g 20 by a pair of bands generally i~ d by the It;r~lence numeral
26. Each band 26 consists of a length of metal strap 28 having two free ends which are
secured together by a locking buckle which is generally ;..~l;c~ by the ~erelellce numeral
30, see also FIGS. 12 and 13 for details of the locking buckle. The cover 24 is plt;relably
made of a tough lhellllopl~lic m~t~ri~l such as high molecular weight polyethylene. The
cover could also be made of metal, if desired.
Referring also to FIGS. 5-11, the l~ o~able cover 24 coll-~lises a central wall area
32 and a pair of oppo~ side wall areas 34 and 36 which define a r~aldly facing
pelil,h~l edge 38. Each of the side wall areas 34 and 36 has a concave inner surface 35
which fits snugly against the outer cylindrical surface of the utility pole 16 and a recess 37.
The cover 24 has a generally convex front surface 40 and a generally co~cave I~Wa d
surface 42. The front surface 40 has a pair of spaced, generally holi~ull~l grooves 44. The
bands 26 are positioned within the grooves 44 so that the outer surface of each band is
e.ssqnti~lly flush with the outer surface 40 of the cover 24. When the cover 24 is in the
closed position as shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the central wall area 32 is spaced from the
access opening 20 and the side wall areas 34 and 36 are ~ub~ltially tangent to the outer
surface of the utility pole 16. This relationship prevents a gap from being formed between
the band and the outer surface of the utility pole at the ends of the wâll areas 34 and 36 at
the point where the bands extend from the peripheral edge 38 and utility pole 16. The lack
of a gap prevents vandals from hl~l ling a screw driver or other prying tool between the band
and the utility pole for working the band away from its clamping er,gage",ent with the cover.
The fact that the bands lie within the grooves 44 also prevents the bands from being forced
out of clamping engagement with the cover by applying pl~s~ure to the upper and lower
edges of the bands. The overall design of the cover 24 enables the cover to engage the utility
2 1 ~ t~ .3 ~
pole at points outside of the pe~iyhely of the access opening 20 so that the rear pe~iyhe~l
edge 38 of the cover engages the outer cylindrical surface of the utility pole in a ~ubs~ lly
snug fit to prevent prying of the cover itself by vandals. This also enables a single cover to
be used for all utility poles which vary greatly with respect to the size and shape of the access
5 op~ gs.
Rere..ing particularly to FIGS. 12 and 13, the closure appaldlus 15 of the present
invention is applied to a utility pole 16 by first placing the cover 24 in front of the access
op~l~ing 20 so that the side wall areas 34 and 36 engage the outer yeliphely of the pole 16.
The cover 24 is then secured in position by the bands 26 which are formed with the use of
10 a b~ding tool which is generally in~ lP~l by the ~t;rc-re~ce numeral 46 and a locking buckle
which is generally in~lir~~d by the lt;r~l~nce numeral 30.
The tool 46 coulylises a frame 48, a cutting head 50 which is fixed to one end of the
frame and a guide bracket 51 which is fixed to the opposi~ end of the frame. A cla.llping
head 52 is loosely suyr~lled on the frame 48 for sliding thereon and is fixed to one end of
a ~ aded rod 68. The opposi~ end of the rod 6& extends freely through a bore 66 in the
guide bracket 51 and is threaded into a lLu~,aded bore 71 and a handle 70 which is located
outside of the frame 48. The rod 68 also extends freely through a bore 69 in a bearing ring
72 which is located b~n the handle 70 and the guide bracket 51. When the bearing ring
72 is in an d,uUil~g position b~ ween the bracket 51 and the handle 70, rotation of the handle
20 70 in one dil~lion causes the llu~ded rod 68 to a.lvdnce ~ . ;se toward the handle and,
thereby draws the cla-l-yi~g head 52 toward the bracket 51 for a yul~se to be described.
The cutting head 50 has a slot 54 which has a central enlarged portion 53. A cutter
bar 56 is located within the enlarged yortion 53 for rotation about a vertical axis so that its
cutting edge crosses the longitll-linql axis of the slot 54. A handle 57 is ope dlively connected
25 to the cutter bar 56 through a ho-i~--ldl slot not shown in the cutter head 50 for rotating the
cutter bar about its vertical axis of rotation.
The clalllpihlg head 52 has a curved slot 58 for receiving a metal strap as illustrated
in FIG. 13. A gripper handle 60 is located within a huli~ollldl slot 67 in the head 52 and is
rotatably cnnn~led to the head 52 by a pin 62 for rotation about the vertical axis of the pin.
30 The inner end of the handle, indicated by the ~~re-~nce numeral 55, extends into the slot 58
and bears against a strap which is located in the slot for holding the strap in position within
the slot. The end 55 is ,.".i..l;.ined in the cld~ )ing, or holding position by a spring 64. The
inner end 55 of the handle is moved away from its clamping position against the bias of the
2 1 6 ? ~ 52
spring 64 by rotating the outer end of the handle 60 in a cloc~wise direction as viewed in
FIG. 13.
Referring particularly to FIG. 12, a locking buckle 30 co~ lises a pair of inner ribs
74 and 76 and an outer rib 78 which has serrations 79 along its ~ongitl~dinql edge which faces
S the rib 74. A pair of spaced ears 80 are located near the rib 76 and extend ll~vel~ly of
the general plane of the buckle 30.
The bands 26 for se~;uling the cover 24 to the utility pole are formed in the following
. one end of a st-q-inl~s steel strap 20 is bent on itself to form a loop 75 around the
rib 74 of the locking buckle 30, see FIG. 13. The other free end of the strap is then inserted
10 b~l~n the ribs 74 and 78 and the buckle is slid along the strap until the loop at the other
end of the strap is looped around ~e rib 74. The strap is then looped around the cover and
the utility pole after the cover has been pos;';on.-d against the utility pole in front of the
access o~ning 20. The straight free end of the strap is then passed belw~n the ribs 76 and
78 of the buckle 30 and then ~ ed to the slots 54 and 58 as illustrated in FIG. 13. The
15 handle 70 is then rotated to draw the clallllJmg head 52 toward the handle and to draw the
strap through the buckle 30 to form a tight band around the utility pole. At this point, the
outer end of the cutting head 50 will be very close to the buckle 30. At this point the tool
46 is rotated in a counter-cl~wise dil~lion as viewed in FIG. 13 so that the strap is bent
over the rib 78 and bc;lweell the ears 80 so that it lies against itself. The handle 57 is then
20 rotated in a counter~lo~wise dil~n as viewed in FIG. 13 for rotating the cutting bar 56
and cutting the strap. The ears 80 are then ll-lh ~~fll to the plane of the buckle 30 so that they
lie against the cut end of the :~pp.ng which has been looped back on itself.
As it becomes ,-ece~ to service the light pole, the cover can be removed by
IGIIIUViilg the straps with a cold chisel and a h~.. e~ . After servicing, the cover is rebq-nded
as described above.
It is obvious that minor ch. nges may be made in the form and construction of the
invention without depallillg from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to
confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to
include all such as plopelly come within the scope c!-qimed
The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to
secure by Letters Patent is:
