# US 11,905,924 B2 · Spreader box

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- Number: US 11,905,924 B2
- Document ID: US11905924B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/653,416
- Filed: 2022-03-03
- Published: 2023-09-07
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-03-03
- Applicants: Barr Engineering Co.
- Inventors: Brian K. Tri
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11905924B2

## CPC

- F03D 13/20: Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
- F03D 13/206: {between the tower and the foundation}
- F05B 2230/604: using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centering, e.g. pins
- F05B 2240/912: on a tower
- F05B 2260/301: Retaining bolts or nuts
- Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
- F03D: WIND MOTORS
- F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A spreader box for securing a tower having a flange to a pedestal having an embedded first bolt and second bolt includes a first surface coming into contact with the pedestal, a second surface coming into contact with the flange and a third surface and a fourth surface. The first, second, third and fourth surfaces form a hollow box-like shape. The spreader box also includes a first through-hole through the first and second surfaces for receiving the first bolt therethrough and a second through-hole through the first and second surfaces for receiving the second bolt therethrough.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spreader box for securing a tower having a flange to a pedestal having an embedded first bolt and second bolt, the spreader box comprising:
a first surface coming into contact with the pedestal;
a second surface coming into contact with the flange;
a third surface and a fourth surface, the first, second, third and fourth surfaces forming a hollow box-like shape;
a first through-hole through the first and second surfaces for receiving the first bolt therethrough; and
a second through-hole through the first and second surfaces for receiving the second bolt therethrough;
wherein during installation the spreader box is placed between the flange and the pedestal to spread out load from the flange to the pedestal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The spreader box of claim 1, further comprising at least one slot in the second surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The spreader box of claim 1, further comprising grout contained within the box like shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The spreader box of claim 1, wherein the box like shape has a depth of between 2 and 12 inches.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The spreader box of claim 1, wherein the box like shape has a depth of between 12 and 36 inches.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The spreader box of claim 1, wherein the spreader box is comprised of steel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The spreader box of claim 1, wherein the spreader box is one continuous piece extending around the entire circumference of the flange of the tower.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The spreader box of claim 7, wherein the spreader box extends around the entire circumference of the tower and is made up of multiple pieces of steel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The spreader box of claim 1, wherein the spreader box only partially extends around an entire circumference of the flange.

### Claim 10

A spreader box for securing a tower having a flange to a pedestal having an embedded first bolt and second bolt, the spreader box comprising:
a first surface coming into contact with the pedestal;
a second surface coming into contact with the flange;
a third surface and a fourth surface, the first, second, third and fourth surfaces forming a hollow box like shape;
a first through-hole through the first and second surfaces for receiving the first bolt therethrough;
a second through-hole through the first and second surfaces for receiving the second bolt therethrough;
at least one slot in the second surface;
grout contained within the box-like shape; and
wherein during installation the spreader box is placed between the flange and the pedestal to spread out load from the flange to the pedestal.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The spreader box of claim 10, wherein the box like shape is comprised of steel.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The spreader box of claim 10, wherein the spreader box is one continuous piece extending around the entire circumference of the flange of the tower.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The spreader box of claim 12, wherein the spreader box extends around the entire circumference of the tower and is made up of multiple pieces of steel.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The spreader box of claim 10, wherein the spreader box only partially extends around an entire circumference of the flange.

### Claim 15

A method of securing a tower having a flange to a pedestal having an embedded first bolt and second bolt, the method comprising:
placing a spreader box on the pedestal aligning the first bolt with a first through-hole in the spreader box, such that the first bolt goes through the first through-hole and extends beyond the spreader box, and aligning the second bolt with a second through-hole in the spreader box, such that the second bolt goes through the second through-hole and extends beyond the spreader box;
placing grout on the pedestal;
placing the flange on the spreader box and aligning the first bolt with a third through-hole in the flange such that the first bolt goes through the first through-hole in the flange and extends beyond the flange and aligning the second bolt with a fourth through-hole in the flange such that the second bolt goes through the second through-hole and extends beyond the flange;
filling the spreader box with grout; and
securing the flange to the pedestal by tightening nuts to the first bolt and the second bolt.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein a layer of grout is placed between the pedestal and the flange prior to placing the flange.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the spreader box extends around an entire circumference of the flange.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the spreader box only partially extends around an entire circumference of the flange.