High-level light tower with light lowering device and control system therefor

Claim 2

IN COMBINATION WITH AN ILLUMINATING INSTRUMENT TOWER; A HEAD STRUCTURE HAVING A PLURALITY OF LATERAL SUPPORTING ARMS; MEANS SECURING SAID ARMS TO THE TOWER; SAID ARMS COMPRISING RESPECTIVE ASSEMBLIES OF ANGULAR BARS SECURED RIGIDLY TOGETHER AND SLOPING DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY RELATIVE TO THE AXIS OFTHE TOWER, A CARRIAGE HAVING LIGHTS OR INSTRUMENTS MOUNTED THEREON; AND MEANS FOR SUSPENDING THE CARRIAGE FROM THE ARMS TO PROVIDE AT LEAST THREE POINTS OF SUSPENSION FOR MAINTAINING THE CARRIAGE IN A STABILIZED CONDITION AND TO PERMIT THE CARRIAGE TO BE MOVED UP TO AN OPERATING POSITION AND DOWN FOR SERVICING OF THE INSTRUMENTS AT GROUND LEVEL.

Claim 3

A combination according to claim 1, in which said bars of each arm are of generally C-shape cross section and secured together in generally back-to-back relation.

Claim 4

A combination according to claim 2, including a top plate generally coextensive with and secured to said bars and covering the joint therebetween.

Claim 5

A combination according to claim 1, wherein said arms have contiguous inner end portions, and plate means secured to said inner end portions.

Claim 6

In combination with a high-level lighting tower having a supporting head and a light lowering device, with interlocking hanger means on said head and said device: means operative to raise said device to said hanger means; overload safety control means for said raising means including a detector operated by said device when it reaches a highest desirable relative position with respect to said supporting head; said hanger means comprising a plurality of hangers; said means operative to raise said device comprising an electrically controlled motor; said overload safety control means comprising an electrical circuit for controlling said motor including a normally open respective switch associated with each of said hangers; a respective indicator light and a relay connected to be energized by each of said switches respectively; an interlock circuit including an indicator light and a relay and operative only when all of said switch-controlled relays are energized; a motor holding circuit; and a normally closed contact in said holding circuit opened by energizing of said interlock circuit relay.

Claim 7

In combination with a high-level lighting tower having a supporting head and a light lowering device, with interlocking hanger means on said head and said device: means operative to raise said device to said hanger means; overload safety control means for said raising means including a detector operated by said device when it reaches a highest desirable relative position with respect to said supporting head; said hanger means comprising a plurality of hangers; said means operative to raise said device comprising an electrically controlled motor; said overload safety control means comprising an electrical circuit for controlling said motor including a normally open respective switch associated with each of said hangers; a respective indicator light and a relay connected to be energized by each of said switches respectively; an interlock circuit including an indicator light and a relay and operative only when all of said switch-controlled relays are energized; a motor holding circuit; and a normally closed contact in said holding circuit opened by energizing of said interlock circuit relay.

Claim 8

A combination according to claim 5, including a testing circuit having a normally open switch and a relay therein adapted to be energized by closing of said normally open switch to effect energizing of all of said indicator lights and relays.

Claim 9

In combination with a high-level lighting tower having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the tower, said uppermost reach being of substantially narrower dimensions than the base portion of the tower: a light mounting carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the tower in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said tower base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for gound level servicing; a supporting head structure on the tower providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to the tower axis and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach and at least equal to the radius of the carriage ring; and means extending from said suspension points attached to the carriage in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure, attaining great stability and effectively resisting wind-pressure-induced torque, deflection or whipping even though no part of the carriage receives stabilizing help from the tower itself.

Claim 10

In combination with a high-level lighting tower having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the tower, said uppermost reach being of substantially narrower dimensions than the base portion of the tower: a light mounting carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the tower in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said tower base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for gound level servicing; a supporting head structure on the tower providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to the tower axis and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach and at least equal to the radius of the carriage ring; and means extending from said suspension points attached to the carriage in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure, attaining great stability and effectively resisting wind-pressure-induced torque, deflection or whipping even though no part of the carriage receives stabilizing help from the tower itself.

Claim 11

A lighting tower according to claim 7, including means for operating said raising and lowering means provided with overload control means having detectors at said suspension points.

Claim 12

In combination with a high-level lighting structure: a light mounting carriage of generally ring-shape freely encircling the structure free from contact of any part of the carriage with at least the upper portion of the structure; a supporting head structure on the lighting structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to the tower axis and to said carriage; and means extending from said suspension points attached to the carriage in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure, attaining great stability and effectively resisting wind-pressure-induced torque, deflection or whipping even though no part of the carriage receives stabilizing help from the tower itself; said supporting head structure comprising downwardly and outwardly sloping cantilever arms providing said suspension points, said arms joining over the center of the tower and providing a peak at a substantial elevation above said suspension points adapted for supporting an attention-getting device.

Claim 13

In combination with a high-level lighting structure: a light mounting carriage of generally ring-shape freely encircling the structure free from contact of any part of the carriage with at least the upper portion of the structure; a supporting head structure on the lighting structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to the tower axis and to said carriage; and means extending from said suspension points attached to the carriage in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure, attaining great stability and effectively resisting wind-pressure-induced torque, deflection or whipping even though no part of the carriage receives stabilizing help from the tower itself; said supporting head structure comprising downwardly and outwardly sloping cantilever arms providing said suspension points, said arms joining over the center of the tower and providing a peak at a substantial elevation above said suspension points adapted for supporting an attention-getting device.

Claim 14

A lighting tower according to claim 9, including a plate structure joining the peak ends of said arms.

Claim 15

In combination in a high-level, centrally hollow lighting structure tapering from a stable base of substantial diamter to an upper end portion of smaller diameter: a generally ring-shaped light mounting carriage encompassing said structure in freely spaced relation and of an inside diameter large enough to clear, and rest upon the ground about, said base portion; a supporting head structure on said upper end portion of the lighting structure providing at least three radially extending cantilever arms in circumferentially balanced spaced relation and extending into overlying relation to said carriage; a raising and lowering cable system for said carriage including respective cables having terminals attached to said carriage; means for operating said cables from the base portion of the lighting structure; pulleys at outer ends of said arms for running of said cables thereover spaced radially from the axis of said upper end portion at least equal to the radius of said carriage at the points of attachment of the terminals thereto; means connecting said cables together within said lighting structure for unison operation by said operating means; said head structure having a clearance for said connecting means over the hollow center of the lighting structure at a substantial height relative to the outer ends of said arms; and pulleys on said head structure over said clearance about which said cables are trained and enabling reception of said connecting means in said clearance for lowering of said carriage to the ground at the base of the lighting structure.

Claim 16

In combination in a high-level, centrally hollow lighting structure tapering from a stable base of substantial diamter to an upper end portion of smaller diameter: a generally ring-shaped light mounting carriage encompassing said structure in freely spaced relation and of an inside diameter large enough to clear, and rest upon the ground about, said base portion; a supporting head structure on said upper end portion of the lighting structure providing at least three radially extending cantilever arms in circumferentially balanced spaced relation and extending into overlying relation to said carriage; a raising and lowering cable system for said carriage including respective cables having terminals attached to said carriage; means for operating said cables from the base portion of the lighting structure; pulleys at outer ends of said arms for running of said cables thereover spaced radially from the axis of said upper end portion at least equal to the radius of said carriage at the points of attachment of the terminals thereto; means connecting said cables together within said lighting structure for unison operation by said operating means; said head structure having a clearance for said connecting means over the hollow center of the lighting structure at a substantial height relative to the outer ends of said arms; and pulleys on said head structure over said clearance about which said cables are trained and enabling reception of said connecting means in said clearance for lowering of said carriage to the ground at the base of the lighting structure.

Claim 17

A combination according to claim 11, including means for individually adjusting the length of each of said cables relative to said connecting means to assure a level relationship of said carriage relative to the outer ends of said arms.

Claim 18

A combination according to claim 11, said supporting head structure providing a peak over said clearance and at a substantial height above the outer ends of said arms and adapted to support an attention-getting device such as a beacon.

Claim 19

In combination in a high-level, centrally hollow lighting tower having base and head portions: a supporting head structure on said head portion of the tower providing a plurality of cantilever suspension arms; a generally ring-shaped light mounting carriage encompassing said tower in spaced relation under said arms; a raising and lowering cable system for said carriage including respective cables having terminals attached to said carriage; means for operating said cables from the base portion of the tower; pulleys at outer ends of said arms for running of said cables thereover, means connecting said cables together within said tower for unison operation by said operating means; said head structure having a clearance for said connecting means over the hollow center of the tower at a substantial height relative to the outer ends of said arms; and pulleys on said head structure over said clearance about which said cables are trained and enabling reception of said connecting means in said clearance for lowering of said carriage to the ground at the base of the tower; each of said arms comprising a pair of co-extensive bars in spaced parallel relation providing a cable-run gap between the outer ends of the arms to the inner ends of the arms and said pulleys being mounted rotatably in said gap.

Claim 20

In combination in a high-level, centrally hollow lighting tower having base and head portions: a supporting head structure on said head portion of the tower providing a plurality of cantilever suspension arms; a generally ring-shaped light mounting carriage encompassing said tower in spaced relation under said arms; a raising and lowering cable system for said carriage including respective cables having terminals attached to said carriage; means for operating said cables from the base portion of the tower; pulleys at outer ends of said arms for running of said cables thereover, means connecting said cables together within said tower for unison operation by said operating means; said head structure having a clearance for said connecting means over the hollow center of the tower at a substantial height relative to the outer ends of said arms; and pulleys on said head structure over said clearance about which said cables are trained and enabling reception of said connecting means in said clearance for lowering of said carriage to the ground at the base of the tower; each of said arms comprising a pair of co-extensive bars in spaced parallel relation providing a cable-run gap between the outer ends of the arms to the inner ends of the arms and said pulleys being mounted rotatably in said gap.

Claim 21

A combination according to claim 14, including a gapclosing plate on and secured to the tops of said bars and co-extensively therewith.

Claim 22

In combination in a hollow high-level lighting tower having a base which is of larger diameter than an upper end portion: a generally ring-shaped light mounting carriage encompassing said tower in freely spaced relation and being of inside diameter large enough to clear said base portion and rest upon the ground about said base portion; a supporting head structure on said upper end portion of the tower providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation and located a radial distance from the axis of the tower equal to the diameter of said carriage; respective cables extending from said suspension points for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure; means between said suspension points and a central portion of said head structure for supporting said cables in running relation so that the cables extend downwardly within the tower; a single operating cable extending vertically in said tower; means connecting said respective cables to said operating cable within said tower; and means for operating said single cable from a position adjacent to ground level; said head structure having a downwardly opening clearance extending upwardly therein to a height substantially above said suspension points and receptive of said cable-connecting means to enable paying out of said cables far enough to lower the carriage to ground level.

Claim 23

In combination in a hollow high-level lighting tower having a base which is of larger diameter than an upper end portion: a generally ring-shaped light mounting carriage encompassing said tower in freely spaced relation and being of inside diameter large enough to clear said base portion and rest upon the ground about said base portion; a supporting head structure on said upper end portion of the tower providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation and located a radial distance from the axis of the tower equal to the diameter of said carriage; respective cables extending from said suspension points for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure; means between said suspension points and a central portion of said head structure for supporting said cables in running relation so that the cables extend downwardly within the tower; a single operating cable extending vertically in said tower; means connecting said respective cables to said operating cable within said tower; and means for operating said single cable from a position adjacent to ground level; said head structure having a downwardly opening clearance extending upwardly therein to a height substantially above said suspension points and receptive of said cable-connecting means to enable paying out of said cables far enough to lower the carriage to ground level.

Claim 24

A combination according to claim 16, said connecting means comprising a connector attached to the upper end of said single cable and respective turnbuckles attached to the connector and extending upwardly therefrom and respectively attached to said respective cables for individual adjustment of the respective cables to enable optimum leveling of the carriage relative to said suspension points.

Claim 25

In combination with a high-level supporting structure for lights or instruments having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing: a supporting head structure on the instrument supporting structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the high-level instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially rom the axis of said uppermost reach; and means extending from said suspension points attached at points of attachment to the carriage, the suspension points being aligned with the attachment points and being in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for selectively raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure in operating and servicing positions.

Claim 26

In combination with a high-level supporting structure for lights or instruments having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing: a supporting head structure on the instrument supporting structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the high-level instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially rom the axis of said uppermost reach; and means extending from said suspension points attached at points of attachment to the carriage, the suspension points being aligned with the attachment points and being in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for selectively raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure in operating and servicing positions.

Claim 27

A combination according to claim 18, including, said raising and lowering means being in part operative within an interior hollow area of said high-level instrument supporting structure between said base portion and said head structure and including rotary ground-anchored structure accessible within said base portion.

Claim 28

A combination according to claim 19, including means on said head portion for running guidance of suspension cables in the raising and lowering of said carriage, an operating cable axially within said interior hollow area engaged with said rotary ground-anchored structure within the base portion, means of substantial length connecting said suspension cables and said operating cable, and means providing between said running guidance means and said ground-anchored structure ample clearance for a cable reach of sufficient length to enable said suspension cables to raise and lower said carriage to and between said operating and servicing positions.

Claim 29

A combination according to claim 20, wherein said last-mentioned means provides a headroom clearance in said head structure for sAid cable connecting means when the carriage is in a ground lying position.

Claim 30

A combination according to claim 20, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pit below ground level within said base portion to receive said connecting means when said carriage is in said operating position.

Claim 31

In combination with a high-level supporting structure for lights or instruments having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing; a supporting head structure on the structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the high-level instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach; and means extending from said suspension points attached at points of attachment to the carriage, the suspension points being aligned with the attachment points and being in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for selectively raising said carriage relative to said head structure into an operating position and for lowering said carriage into a working position where the carriage lies on the ground about said base portion.

Claim 32

In combination with a high-level supporting structure for lights or instruments having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing; a supporting head structure on the structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the high-level instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach; and means extending from said suspension points attached at points of attachment to the carriage, the suspension points being aligned with the attachment points and being in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for selectively raising said carriage relative to said head structure into an operating position and for lowering said carriage into a working position where the carriage lies on the ground about said base portion.

Claim 33

In combination with a high-level instrument supporting structure including illuminating lights and having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument mounting carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing; a supporting head structure on the structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to the axis of the highlevel instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach; and means extending from said suspension points attached at points of attachment to the carriage, the suspension points being aligned with the attachment points and being in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure.

Claim 34

In combination with a high-level instrument supporting structure including illuminating lights and having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument mounting carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing; a supporting head structure on the structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to the axis of the highlevel instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach; and means extending from said suspension points attached at points of attachment to the carriage, the suspension points being aligned with the attachment points and being in balanced circumferentially spaced relation for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure.

Claim 35

A combination according to claim 24 including raising and lowering means being in part operative within an interior hollow area of said high-level instrument supporting structure between said base and head portions and including rotary ground-anchored structure accessible within said base portion.

Claim 36

A combination according to claim 25, including means on said head portion for running guidance of suspension cables in the raising and lowering of said carriage, an operating cable axially with said interior hollow area engaged with said rotary ground-anchored structure within the base portion, means of substantial length connecting said suspension cables and said operating cable, and means providing between said running guidance means and said ground-anchored structure ample clearance for a cable reach of sufficient length to enable said suspension cables to raise and lower said carriage to and between said operating and servicing positions.

Claim 37

A combination according to claim 26, wherein said lastmentioned means provides a headroom clearance in said head portion for said cable connecting means when the carriage is in a ground lying position.

Claim 38

A combination according to claim 26, wherein said lastmentioned means comprises a pit below ground level within said base portion to receive said connecting means when said carriage is in said operating positioN.

Claim 39

In combination in a high level centrally hollow supporting structure for lights or instruments having base and head portions: a supporting head structure on said head portion; a generally ring-shape instrument mounting carriage dimensioned to encompass said instrument supporting structure including said base portion in free clearance relation; cooperative means on said supporting head structure and said carriage for maintaining the carriage in operating position on the head portion; said head structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being an overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said head portion; and means for raising and lowering said carriage between said operating position and a ground level servicing position including cables operable from within said instrument supporting structure and extending from said suspension points and attached at points of attachment to the carriage aligned with the suspension points and in balanced circumferentially spaced relation thereto.

Claim 40

In combination in a high level centrally hollow supporting structure for lights or instruments having base and head portions: a supporting head structure on said head portion; a generally ring-shape instrument mounting carriage dimensioned to encompass said instrument supporting structure including said base portion in free clearance relation; cooperative means on said supporting head structure and said carriage for maintaining the carriage in operating position on the head portion; said head structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being an overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said head portion; and means for raising and lowering said carriage between said operating position and a ground level servicing position including cables operable from within said instrument supporting structure and extending from said suspension points and attached at points of attachment to the carriage aligned with the suspension points and in balanced circumferentially spaced relation thereto.

Claim 41

An instrument supporting structure according to claim 29, including rotary ground-anchored structure accessible within said base portion and operative to actuate said cables for raising and lowering said carriage.

Claim 42

A high level hollow instrument supporting structure according to claim 30 including means on said head structure and said head portion for running guidance of said cables in the raising and lowering of said carriage, an operating cable axially within the hollow instrument supporting structure engaged with said rotary ground-anchored structure within the base portion, means of substantial length connecting said cables with said operating cable, and means providing between said running guidance means and said ground-anchored structure ample clearance for a cable reach of sufficient length to enable said cables to raise and lower said carriage to and between said positions.

Claim 43

An instrument supporting structure according to claim 31, wherein said last-mentioned means comprise a headroom clearance in said head portion for said cable connecting means to permit laying of the carriage onto the ground about said base portion.

Claim 44

An instrument supporting structure according to claim 31, wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pit below ground level within said base portion to receive said connecting means when said carriage is in said working position.

Claim 45

In combination with a high-level supporting structure for lights or instruments having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing; a supporting head structure on the instrument supporting structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the high-level instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach; a cable system for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure in operating and servicing positions; said instrument supporting structure being hollow and said cables extending down within the supporting structure; connector means secured to ends of the cables within the supporting structure; a winch-operated cable removably attachable to the connector means; anchoring meand adjacent to but separate from said base; and an anchoring cable separate from said winch-operated cable extending from said connector means and having means for releasablY connecting the anchoring cable to said anchoring means to permit release and removal of said winch-operated cable from said connector means.

Claim 46

In combination with a high-level supporting structure for lights or instruments having an uppermost reach and a base portion for ground support of the structure: an instrument carriage of generally ring-shape encircling the structure in free spaced relation and having inside dimensions thereacross to clear said structure base portion and thereby enable lowering of the carriage about the base portion for ground level servicing; a supporting head structure on the instrument supporting structure providing at least three carriage suspension points disposed in balanced circumferentially spaced relation to an axis of the high-level instrument supporting structure and to said carriage and being on overhanging portions of said head structure and spaced radially from the axis of said uppermost reach; a cable system for raising and lowering said carriage relative to said head structure in operating and servicing positions; said instrument supporting structure being hollow and said cables extending down within the supporting structure; connector means secured to ends of the cables within the supporting structure; a winch-operated cable removably attachable to the connector means; anchoring meand adjacent to but separate from said base; and an anchoring cable separate from said winch-operated cable extending from said connector means and having means for releasablY connecting the anchoring cable to said anchoring means to permit release and removal of said winch-operated cable from said connector means.