Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
RUSS001PCT
Non-Provisional Patent Application
HELICAL ANCHOR FOUNDATION SYSTEM
BACKGROUND
[0001] The latest generation of mobile broadband networks (i.e., 5G) can
function
through small cells that are integrated into light poles along city streets.
These light
poles provide light to the city streets and also function as access points to
a mobile
broadband network. However, conventional methods to replace an existing light
pole
require an existing foundation to be removed in order to install a new light
pole that
is cellular integrated. Removing an existing foundation may take several weeks
to
accomplish due to concrete foundations needing to be dug up, new forms put in
place and time for new concrete to cure. Alternatively, a new foundation may
be dug
in a new location. However, installing a light pole in a new location can
esthetically
ruin the look of evenly spaced poles along a street. Therefore, it would be
desirable
to implement a light pole replacement system that is faster than conventional
methods and allows for the spacing of existing light poles to remain
esthetically
correct.
SUMIVIARY
[0002] Some embodiments described herein relate to a light pole replacement
system.
The light pole replacement system comprises a foundation plate to support a
replacement
light pole, a plurality of anchor tubes, threaded rods, and tension bolt
adapters. The
plurality of anchor tubes is placed into the ground based on a determined
placement of the
plurality of anchor tubes Holes are created in the foundation plate based on a
location of
the plurality of anchor tubes and the foundation plate is placed over the
plurality of
anchor tubes with the threaded rods and the tension bolt adapters in the
plurality of
anchor tubes to couple the foundation plate to the plurality of anchor tubes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional light pole.
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RUSS001PCT
Non-Provisional Patent Application
[0004] FIG 2 illustrates an excavation associated with a light pole
replacement system in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates a light pole replacement system in accordance with
some
embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of a light pole replacement system in
accordance with
some embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of a light pole replacement system
attached in
accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are
set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will
be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be
practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, and
components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the
embodiments.
[0009] The present embodiments described herein relate to a light pole
replacement
system. In particular, the present embodiments relate to a light pole
replacement system
that allows for faster installation of a replacement light pole than
conventional methods
with the replacement light pole remaining in a same position as a previous
light pole. In
some instances, the replacement light pole may be installed in a single day
because it may
go over the area of an existing foundation, or footing, and may include the
flexibility to
work around locations of existing buried utilities. In some embodiments, the
replacement
light pole may comprise a cellular integrated light pole (e.g., a light pole
that include a
cellular communication antennae or antennas). Building codes associated light
poles are
different than building codes associated with cellular integrated light poles
and when a
light pole is cellular integrated, its primary function is considered to be
that of a cellular
pole and thus the it is installed based on a different building code.
[0010] Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional light pole 100 is illustrated.
The
conventional light pole 100 includes a base 105 that is mounted to a concrete
foundation
110 and the conventional light pole 100 may reside on, or next to, a sidewalk
or pavement
120. Electrical conduit 115/125 may be run through the foundation 110, next to
the
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RUSS001PCT
Non-Provisional Patent Application
foundation 110, or in an area surrounding the foundation 110 to provide
electrical or other
services to the light pole 100.
[0011] Referring now to FIG. 2, to install a replacement light pole, a user
may excavate
l'-6' of earth to create an excavated area 210 around an existing light pole
to facilitate the
breaking out of an existing foundation 205. The existing foundation may be
broken out
anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet below a finished grade 220 where the existing
electrical
conduit 215 may be kept in place. In some embodiments, the electrical conduit
215 may
house wires carrying electronically and/or communication wires for carrying
communication signals.
[0012] Referring now to FIG. 3, alight pole replacement system 300 is
illustrated
according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a foundation 315 has
been
broken out to below ground level 330 with electrical conduits 345 still
intact. A user may
locate placement of anchors 310 to be installed around existing utilities such
as electrical
conduits and/or water lines. Anchors 310, and their associated anchor tubes
305, may be
installed into the ground (e.g. driven into the ground or installed using
other methods of
installing anchors). The user may monitor torque and depth of the anchors 310
and their
associated anchor tubes 305. In some embodiments, the anchors 310 may include
helical
anchors 310 and the tubes 305 associated with the helical anchors that may be
cut to
length as determined by the user. A helical anchor may include an extendable
deep
foundation system with helical bearing plates coupled (e.g., welded or
fastened) to a tube
or shaft for transferring a load from the tube to the surrounding earth
through the use of
the bearing plates. In some embodiments, the tubes 305 may be cut to a
determined length
based on a finished grade associated with the existing light pole. The anchors
310 and
their associated tubes 305 may installed between 2 and 20 feet below a
finished grade
associated with the existing light pole.
[0013] A tension bolt adapter 335 may be inserted into each respective tube
305.
Referring to FIG. 5, a tension bolt adapter 540 inserted into a tube 530 is
illustrated
according to some embodiments. The tension bolt adapter 540 may include a top
portion
510 to receive a threaded rod 505, and an opening 535 to receive one or more
fasteners
545 (e.g., bolts). The top portion 510 may include a threaded pocket or
opening to receive
the threaded rod. The opening 535 to receive one or more fasteners 545 may
receive the
one or more fasteners when they extend perpendicular to a length of the tube.
The one or
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Non-Provisional Patent Application
more fasteners 545 may secure the tension bolt adapter 540 to the tube 530. In
some
embodiments, a protective covering 525 may be placed over the threaded rod to
keep
moisture and dirt from entering the tube 530. The covering 525 may be secured
to the
tube 530 via a fastener 515 (e.g., a bolt). The threaded rod 505, after being
inserted into
the tension bolt adapter 540, may be cut to length as determined by a user.
The threaded
rod 505 may be inserted through, and secured to, a foundation plate 520 to
support a
replacement light pole and the threaded rod 505 may be secured to the
foundation plate
520 by a nut or other fastener. In some embodiments, the foundation plate may
rest on the
protective covering 325. Thus, when the tubes are cut to a same height, the
foundation
plate is leveled by sitting on top of the protective covering 325 or tubes.
[0014] Referring back to FIG. 3, anchor tube 305 locations may be transferred
to a
foundation plate 320 and the foundation plate 320 and holes may be created in
the
foundation plate. For example, the holes may be field drilled, knocked out, or
punched.
For example, since the anchor tubes may be located in different positions
based on
existing utilities, holes in the foundation plate may not be able to be
determined
beforehand. The foundation plate 320 with field drilled holes may be placed
over the
anchor tubes 305 with threaded rods 325 with tension bolt adapter 335 in the
tubes 305.
In some embodiments, the foundation plate 320 may rest on the tubes 305. Thus,
when
the tubes are cut to a same height, the foundation plate 320 is leveled by
sitting on top of
the tubes 305. The foundation plate 320 may be set on, or above, the anchor
tubes 305,
leveled and then bolted to the treaded rods 325 using the threaded rods 325.
To connect
the replacement light pole to the foundation plate 320, breakaway bolts may be
installed
in the foundation plate 320. The breakaway bolts may be secured in a set of
holes that are
optimized for a determined offset from a curb or regular bolts (e.g., grade 8
bolts) if
outside a travel lane or a clear zone. The regular bolts may comprise grade 5
or harder
bolts.
[0015] For example, and now referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a foundation
plate
400 is illustrated. The foundation plate 400 may include a first plurality of
holes 410 to
receive threaded rods such as threaded rods 325 as described in FIG. 3. The
first plurality
of holes 410 may be determined onsite and the location of the first plurality
of holes 410
may be based on a determined location of existing utilities. Furthermore, the
foundation
plate 400 may include a second plurality of holes 410 that surround or are
aligned with an
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Non-Provisional Patent Application
opening 415 The opening 415 may receive electrical conduit containing power or
communication services and the second plurality of holes 410 may receive
breakaway
bolts to secure a replacement light pole to the foundation plate 400.
[0016] In some embodiments, the light pole replacement system described herein
may
function as a retrofit system. In some embodiments, the light pole replacement
system
described herein may be used for installing cellular integrated light poles or
simply
cellular poles where light poles did not previously exist.
[0017] This written description uses examples to disclose multiple
embodiments,
including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in
the art to
practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and
performing any incorporated methods. Aspects from the various embodiments
described,
as well as other known equivalents for each such aspects, can be mixed and
matched by
one of ordinary skill in the art to construct additional embodiments and
techniques in
accordance with principles of this application.
[0024] Those in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and
modifications of the
above-described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope
and
spirit of the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the claims may be
practiced
other than as specifically described herein.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-06-23
