# US 2014/0190093 A1 · Methods and apparatuses of supporting and bracing a pole > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190093 A1 - Document ID: US20140190093A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/738,122 - Filed: 2013-01-10 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-10 - Inventors: Kevin M. Bushore - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190093A1 ## CPC - E02D 27/42: Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys {(sockets or holders for poles or masts per se E04H12/22)} - E04H 12/20: Side-supporting means therefor, e.g. using guy ropes or struts - E04H 12/22: Sockets or holders for poles or posts {(for sports articles, e.g. floor sockets A63B71/023; for road signs E01F9/673)} - E04H 12/2238: {to be placed on the ground (Christmas tree stands A47G33/12)} - E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)} - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) ## Abstract An apparatus comprising: a pole erected relative to a ground surface and defining a pole axis; a first anchor drive rod connected to the pole and extended, parallel to the pole axis, from the pole to below the ground surface; and a second anchor drive rod connected to the pole and extended, at a non zero angle to the pole axis, from the pole to below the ground surface. Methods of bracing and supporting the pole are also discussed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of supporting a pole that is erected relative to a ground surface and defines a pole axis, the method comprising: inserting a first anchor drive rod and a second anchor drive rod below the ground surface; and connecting each of the first anchor drive rod and the second anchor drive rod to the pole; in which the first anchor drive rod is parallel to the pole axis and the second anchor drive rod is at a non zero angle to the pole axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the first anchor drive rod and the second anchor drive rod are both foundation anchors sized for the pole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 in which the first anchor drive rod and the second anchor drive rod are helical piers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which inserting further comprises screwing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 in which inserting further comprises monitoring torque applied to the second anchor drive rod during insertion and stopping insertion after the torque applied exceeds a predetermined value. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which connecting further comprises connecting the second anchor drive rod to the pole through a bracket. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which soil adjacent the pole is unstable soil. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 in which the unstable soil is one or more of permafrost, soils with ice lensing, muskeg, soil with organics, water saturated soils, silts, clay, peat, hog fuel, wood chips, and weak alluvial soils. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 in which the second anchor drive rod is connected at a vertical connection distance from the ground surface and at an angle with respect to the pole sufficient to laterally brace the upper end of the pole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising erecting the pole relative to the ground surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the first anchor drive rod is connected adjacent to a base of the pole. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which connecting further comprises connecting the second anchor drive rod to restrict relative movement, in all axes of direction, between the pole and the second anchor drive. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 in which the pole is a utility pole. ### Claim 14 A method of bracing a pole that is erected relative to a ground surface and defines a pole axis, in which a first anchor drive rod is connected to the pole and extended below the ground surface parallel to the pole axis, the method comprising: inserting a second anchor drive rod below the ground surface at a non zero angle to the pole axis; and connecting the second anchor drive rod to the pole. ### Claim 15 An apparatus comprising: a pole erected relative to a ground surface and defining a pole axis; a first anchor drive rod connected to the pole and extended, parallel to the pole axis, from the pole to below the ground surface; and a second anchor drive rod connected to the pole and extended, at a non zero angle to the pole axis, from the pole to below the ground surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 in which the first anchor drive rod and the second anchor drive rod are foundation anchors. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16 in which the first anchor drive rod and the second anchor drive rod are helical piers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a bracket connecting the second anchor rod and the pole. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18 in which the bracket has a guide, and the bracket has at least a configuration in which the guide allows relative axial displacement between the bracket and the second anchor drive rod. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The apparatus claim 15, in which the pole is a utility pole.