Method and apparatus for improving the strength of a utility pole

A support pole, comprising:

• an elongated pole member comprising an upper end, a lower end comprising a bottom edge, and a plurality of sides members extending along a longitudinal axis for the pole member between the upper and lower ends;
• at least one slit provided in each of the plurality of side members, each slit extending upward from the bottom edge of the lower end of its respective side member;
• wherein the slit comprises a bottom end and a top end;
• wherein each side member of the pole is angularly displaced outward laterally away from the longitudinal axis a first amount from a point substantially adjacent the top end of the slit to the lower end bottom edge of each side member, wherein the angular displacement adjacent the top end of the slit provides a first cross-sectional area for the pole member at the bottom edge that is greater than a second cross-sectional area for the pole member above the top end of the slit;
• and
• a plurality of reinforcing members, each reinforcing member covering at least one slit and coupled to one of the sides of the elongated pole member.

A support pole, comprising:

• an elongated pole member comprising an upper end, a lower end comprising a bottom edge, and a plurality of side members extending along a longitudinal axis for the pole member,
• at least one slit provided in a plurality of the side members, each slit extending from a bottom edge of its respective side member upward a predetermined length substantially towards the upper end;
• wherein the slit comprises a bottom end and a top end;
• and
• wherein each side member is angularly displaced laterally away from the longitudinal axis at a first rate from an area substantially adjacent to the top end of each slit to the bottom edge of each side member and angularly displaced laterally away from the longitudinal axis at a second rate from an area below the upper end of the pole member down to the area substantially adjacent to the top end of each slit, and
• wherein the first rate of angular displacement is greater than the second rate of angular displacement.