Service line distribution base
View Patent ↗A service line distribution base ( 10 ) comprises a ground anchor ( 18 ) having an upstanding cruciform portion adapted to extend into the ground. A cabinet ( 20 ) suited to support a utility pole ( 14 ) extends upwardly from the ground anchor ( 18 ). The cabinet ( 20 ) defines and internal space for receiving buried wire conduits ( 28 ) incorporated to the cruciform ground anchor ( 18 ). The cruciform shape of the ground anchor ( 18 ) advantageously permits to incorporate a greater number of wire conduits ( 28 ) into the base of a utility pole as compared to conventional concrete bases.
1. A modular utility pole comprising a pole segment extending axially upwardly from a separate service line distribution base, the distribution base located at a bottom portion of the pole near ground level and supporting the pole segment removably mounted thereon, a contour of the modular utility pole along the service line distribution base being defined by an envelope circumscribing an internal support structure of a cabinet, the cabinet extending axially upwardly from a ground anchor and defining an internal chamber housing distribution equipment, the envelope of the cabinet having at least one door for providing access to the distribution equipment for interconnecting subscribers to at least one service line, the ground anchor having an upstanding portion at least partly buried in the ground, and wire conduits extending generally upwardly along said ground anchor and containing buried wires, the internal chamber having a bottom opening receiving the wires for connection to the distribution equipment, wherein the internal support structure of the cabinet comprises a central upstanding plate extending across the internal chamber from the ground anchor to a top end of the internal chamber, and a top cover mounted on top of the central upstanding plate, the pole segment being bolted to the top cover and supported by the central upstanding plate, wherein said upstanding portion has a substantially cruciform shape, and wherein said ground anchor further includes a collar extending around an upper end of said upstanding portion.
2. A modular utility pole as defined in claim 1 , wherein said collar circumscribed an axially open space generally in line with said bottom opening of said internal chamber, and wherein said open space is divided in sections by said cruciform upstanding portion.
3. A modular utility pole as defined in claim 1 , wherein said upstanding portion is provided at a top end portion thereof with mounting plates for allowing said cabinet to be mounted on top of said ground anchor, said mounting plates being distributed on an imaginary perimeter bounding an axially open space in communication with said bottom opening of said cabinet, and wherein the cabinet has corresponding mounting plates connected to the central upstanding plate, thereby providing for a double plate anchoring system between the cabinet and the ground anchor.
4. A modular utility pole as defined in claim 1 , wherein said upstanding portion includes first and second upstanding members crossing each other, and wherein at least one elongated opening is provided at an intersection of said members.
5. A modular utility pole as defined in claim 4 , wherein first and second elongated openings are respectively defined in said first and second upstanding members at a location where said members cross each other.
6. A modular utility pole as defined in claim 4 , wherein cutouts are provided in the distal side edges of the first and second upstanding members.
7. A modular utility pole as defined in claim 1 , wherein strengthening members extend diagonally between the bottom ends of each pair of adjacent segments of the upstanding cruciform portion of the ground anchor.