Utility pole
A tubular utility pole for supporting a load, adapted for direct burial of a preselected end thereof in a soil material. The pole includes a body having a substantially constant cross-section substantially along a length thereof. The body includes a steel tube with holes therein to permit attachment of the load to the body.
1 . A tubular utility pole for supporting a load, the pole being adapted for direct burial of a preselected end thereof in a soil material, the pole comprising:
a body having a substantially constant cross-section substantially along a length thereof, and
the body comprising a steel tube with holes therein to permit attachment of the load to the body.
2 . A tubular utility pole according to claim 1 additionally comprising a bearing plate positioned on the body at the preselected end, to retard the settlement of the pole into the soil material.
3 . A tubular utility pole according to claim 1 in which said steel is coated.
4 . A tubular utility pole according to claim 3 in which said steel is coated with a coating selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, and an alloy of zinc and aluminum.
5 . A tubular utility pole according to claim 1 in which the preselected end of the body is provided with a layer of material adapted for retarding corrosion of the body.
6 . A method of producing the tubular utility pole of claim 1 , comprising:
(a) roll-forming a coil of strip steel to a predetermined configuration such that the strip has at least two edges adapted to mate with each other;
(b) seam welding said at least two edges together to form the body;
and
(c) cutting the body to a predetermined length.
7 . A method according to claim 6 additionally comprising:
(d) attaching a bearing plate to the body at the preselected end, to retard settlement of the pole in the soil material.
8 . A method according to claim 7 additionally comprising:
(e) providing the preselected end of the support pole with a layer of material adapted for retarding corrosion of the body.