Pole reinforcement truss
View Patent ↗A pole reinforcement truss has an open cross-sectional configuration characterized by opposite side flanges that diverge with respect to one another as they extend from respective opposite side edges of the truss body. In a preferred cross-sectional configuration, five curved bends of equal obtuse angle and radius of curvature are used to define the side flanges, a pair of bridge portions, and a pair of apex portions in symmetrical arrangement. The truss maintains its geometry in an improved manner after the onset of yielding, thereby increasing ultimate strength of the pole-truss assembly.
1. A combination comprising:
a utility pole having a generally vertical longitudinal axis; and
a truss attached to the utility pole for reinforcing the utility pole, wherein the truss comprises:
an elongated body having a pair of opposite ends connected by a pair of longitudinal edges, wherein the longitudinal edges extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the utility pole;
the body having an open cross-sectional configuration characterized by a pair of side flanges each extending from a respective one of the longitudinal edges in a direction diverging from the other side flange, and an intermediate section connecting the pair of side flanges, wherein the intermediate section of the cross-sectional configuration includes:
a pair of bridge portions associated one with each of the pair of side flanges, each bridge portion extending in a direction forming an obtuse angle with the direction of the associated flange; and
a pair of apex portions associated one with each of the pair of bridge portions, each apex portion extending in a direction forming an obtuse angle with the direction of the associated bridge portion, wherein the pair of apex portions converge toward one another and fastener holes are provided through each of the pair of apex portions.
2. A combination comprising:
a utility pole having a generally vertical longitudinal axis; and
a truss attached to the utility pole for reinforcing the utility pole, wherein the truss comprises:
an elongated body having a pair of opposite ends connected by a pair of longitudinal edges, wherein the longitudinal edges extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the utility pole;
the body having an open cross-sectional configuration characterized by:
a pair of straight apex portions forming an excluded angle A 1 with one another;
a pair of straight bridge portions each forming a first included angle A 3 with an associated one of the pair of apex portions;
a pair of straight side flanges each forming a second included angle A 2 with an associated one of the pair of bridge portions;
wherein the angles A 1 , A 2 , and A 3 are chosen to satisfy the following relationship:
180 −A 2 −A 3+½ *A 1>0
in which angles A 1 , A 2 , and A 3 are expressed in degrees, and wherein the excluded angle A 1 , the first included angle A 3 , and the second included angle A 2 are equal to one another.
3. The truss according to claim 2 , wherein the excluded angle A 1 , the first included angle A 3 , and the second included angle A 2 are all equal to 100°.