Fiberglass pole and method and apparatus for fabricating same

Abstract

Abstract A hollow resin bonded glass fiber column of unique cross section suitable for use as a utility pole, light standard or the like is disclosed including unique means for forming the pole. A rotatable finned mandrel is wrapped with a waxed surfaced paper and then sprayed with a mixture of chopped glass, resin and catalyst which is initially pressed thereon by a roller and then wrapped with continuous bands of fiberglass roving, re-rolled, covered with a fiberglass veil, rolled again and allowed to cure. The finned mandrel which makes relatively thin line contact with the inside of the pole and the wax surfaced paper allows the curved pole to be easily slipped endwise from the mandrel. In one embodiment a metal mandrel having eight radially extending fins has been successfully used to form fiberglass poles of octagonal cross section. The intermittent pressing and rolling of the resin and glass on the mandrel during formation produces a pole having eight angularly distinct surface panels with planar outer surfaces and inner surfaces which are arcuately bowed toward the center of the pole such that the thickness of each of the panels varies across its width to provide an exceptionally strong pole. Base members and lateral support arms for use in conjunction with the poles are also disclosed.

Inventors

• 👤 S Mcclain
• 👤 H Doman
• 👤 R Entus

Bibliographic Details