IP Library Granted Patent US 12,352,377
Granted Patent B2
US 12,352,377 · App. 18/329,105 · Granted Jul 8, 2025

Helical strake attachment for tubular structural members

Inventors: Bernie Christman (Elmwood, WI); Brandon G. Boe (Ellsworth, WI); Daniel J. Sterny (Beldinville, WI); Richard M. Slocum (Cordova, TN); Mark H. Fairbairn (Red Wing, MN); Jason Van Wyhe (Barronett, WI); Harold W. Fonville, II (Memphis, TN); Troy Van Brunt (Maiden Rock, WI); Aubrey L. Jackson (Collierville, TN); Richard J. Hunter (Dallas, TX); David M. Ramsay (Elmwood, IL)
Assignee: MEYER UTILITY STRUCTURES, LLC
F16L55/0335F16L55/041F16L55/07F15D1/10F16L1/123F16L57/00F16M13/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,352,377
App. No.
18/329,105
Granted
Jul 8, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A helical strake pole system that includes a tubular pole having a longitudinal axis and threaded attachment points. The system further includes a helical strake fin disposed circumferentially around a portion of the tubular pole along the longitudinal axis. The system further includes couplers disposed on the tubular pole. The couplers are configured such that each coupler has a first portion with a slot configured to receive an upper portion of the helical strake fin and a second portion configured to removably coupled to a threaded attachment point of the tubular pole. In addition, each coupler is configured to position a portion of the helical strake fin substantially perpendicular to a surface of the tubular pole.

Claims (55)

1. A helical strake system, comprising:

a cylindrical object having a longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of adjustable attachment points;

a helical strake fin disposed circumferentially around a portion of the cylindrical object along the longitudinal axis;

a plurality of couplers disposed on the cylindrical object, wherein:

each coupler comprises:

a first portion comprising a slot configured to receive an upper portion of the helical strake fin; and

a second portion configured to be removably coupled to an adjustable attachment point of the cylindrical object; and

each coupler configured to position a portion of the helical strake fin substantially perpendicular to a surface of the cylindrical object.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the second portion of the coupler is coupled to:

a respective first adjustable attachment point on one side of the helical strake fin; and

a respective second adjustable attachment point on an opposing side of the helical strake fin.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the slot in the first portion of each coupler is configured to:

substantially cover one side of the helical strake fin disposed within the coupler; and

partially cover an opposing side of the helical strake fin disposed within the coupler.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the slot in the first portion of each coupler is configured to:

substantially cover one side of the helical strake fin disposed within the coupler; and

substantially cover an opposing side of the helical strake fin disposed within the coupler.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of each coupler comprises a set screw configured to apply a force onto a portion of the helical strake fin.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the second portion of each coupler comprises a second slot configured to receive a lower portion of the helical strake fin.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

each coupler comprises a threaded portion; and

the position of the first portion of each coupler is adjustable along the threaded portion.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the first portion of each coupler is configured to rotate about the threaded portion.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the second portion of each coupler is configured rotate about the threaded portion.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the threaded portion of each coupler is a bolt configured to attach the coupler to the adjustable attachment point of the cylindrical object.

11. A helical strake pole assembly method, comprising:

positioning a helical strake fin circumferentially around a portion of a cylindrical object along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical object, wherein the cylindrical object comprises a plurality of adjustable attachment points;

attaching a plurality of couplers to the cylindrical object, wherein:

each coupler is configured to position a portion of the helical strake fin substantially perpendicular to a surface of the cylindrical object; and

attaching a coupler to the cylindrical object comprises:

positioning a first portion of the coupler to interface with the helical strake fin, wherein the first portion comprises a slot configured to receive an upper portion of the helical strake fin; and

removably coupling a second portion of the coupler to an adjustable attachment point of the cylindrical object.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein attaching the coupler comprises attaching the second portion of each coupler to:

a respective first adjustable attachment point on one side of the helical strake fin; and

a respective second adjustable attachment point on an opposing side of the helical strake fin.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the slot in the first portion of each coupler is configured to:

substantially cover one side of the helical strake fin disposed within a coupler; and

partially cover an opposing side of the helical strake fin disposed within the coupler.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the slot in the first portion of each coupler is configured to:

substantially cover one side of the helical strake fin disposed within the coupler; and

substantially cover an opposing side of the helical strake fin disposed within the coupler.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein attaching the coupler comprises adjusting a set screw in the first portion of the coupler, wherein adjusting the set screw applies a force onto a portion of the helical strake fin.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second portion of each coupler comprises a second slot configured to receive a lower portion of the helical strake fin.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein:

each coupler comprises a thread portion; and

attaching the coupler comprises adjusting the position of the first portion of the coupler with respect to the threaded portion.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first portion of each coupler is configured to rotate about the threaded portion.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second portion of each coupler is configured rotate about the thread portion.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein:

the threaded portion of each coupler is a bolt; and

attaching each coupler comprises attach each coupler to the adjustable attachment point of the cylindrical object using the bolt.

Assignments (3)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 10, 2024
From: ARCOSA MARINE PRODUCTS, INC.; MEYER UTILITY STRUCTURES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 069144/0827 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 25, 2024
From: TRINITY MEYER UTILITY STRUCTURES, LLC
To: MEYER UTILITY STRUCTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 069048/0371 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2024
From: FAIRBAIRN, MARK H.; CHRISTMAN, BERNIE; BOE, BRANDON G.; STERNY, DANIEL; RAMSAY, DAVID M.; SLOCUM, RICHARD M.; VAN WYHE, JASON; FONVILLE, HAROLD W., II; VAN BRUNT, TROY; JACKSON, AUBREY L.; HUNTER, RICHARD J.
To: TRINITY MEYER UTILITY STRUCTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 068695/0244 →