ABSTRACT
`(57]
`A high-level lighting tower has a generally ring-shaped
`illuminating lamp or floodlight supporting carriage de-
`[52] U.S. Chow 240/64, 52/28, 248/320
`vice operatively supported from a tower head and re-
`[51] Unt. Cleese rere enereeeeeneees F21v 21/38
`
`leasable therefrom to be lowered by a_winch-
`[58] Field of Search............... 240/3, 52, 63, 64, 65,
`controlled cable system providing a multi-point car-
`240/66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71; 52/28, 40, 173,
`riage suspension. Lowering of the carriage to or adja-
`52/300, 720, 721, 750, 111, 648, 301, 649;
`cent to groundlevel is enabled. Individual adjustments
`248/320, 321, 322; 174/40, 43, 44, 45;
`of the carriage cables is provided for. Special adapt-
`318/266, 267, 468
`ability for multi-leg generally tapering towers is af-
`forded. An electricity supply and electrical control
`system for the lights has not only electrical connection
`signalling means but also over-load safety means. An
`attention-getting device such as a beacon light may
`advantageously be mounted upon a peak provided by
`juncture of sloping supporting head arms.
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`283,581
`788,707
`2,502,167
`2,609,170
`3,292,322
`
`8/1883
`de Saisset ........ cece 240/63 X
`5/1905
`sveessneres 240/63
` Coverstone......
`
`BAV95Q MOTE ou... eeeceesteceneeeetneeeee 318/267
`
`9/1952 Farrington...
`.. 240/63 X
`12/1966 Pfaff eee eeeeeeees 240/67 X
`
`United States Patent
`Rohnetal.
`
`1191
`
`3,856,639
`111]
`[45] Dec. 24, 1974
`
`[54] HIGH-LEVEL LIGHT TOWER WITH LIGHT
`LOWERING DEVICE AND CONTROL
`SYSTEM THEREFOR
`
`{75]
`
`Inventors: Ivan D. Rohn, Washburn; Richard
`A. Kleine; Charles A. Wright, both
`of Peoria, all ofIll.
`
`[73] Assignee: Rohm Manufacturing Co., Peoria,
`HL.
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 15, 1969
`
`FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS
`
`41,032
`2,676
`461,636
`
`2/1910 Austria... cee ceseeeeteees 240/63
`
`wee 240/65
`11/1904 Great Britain.............
`Switzerland... eee 240/64
`10/1968.
`
`Primary Examiner—Richard C. Queisser
`Assistant Examiner—Daniel M. Yasich
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van
`Santen, Steadman, Chiara & Simpson
`
`{21} Appl. No.: 884,838
`
`
`
`34 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 1 of 14
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 1 of 14
`
`

`

`PATENTED OEC2 41974
`
`SHEET 1 0F 4
`
`3,856,639
`|
`
` INVENTORS
`
`
`
`VAN D Roww
`RICHARD A. KLEE
`CHartes 4. Weey7
`fnpore
`ATTORNEYS
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 2 of 14
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 2 of 14
`
`

`

`PATENTED DEC 2 41974
`
`3.856.639
`
`SHEET 2 OF 4
`
`
`
`jay’
`
`yy
`ALE Le
`
`UL.
`
`Boo
`
`INVENTORS
`0D. Roww
`VAN.
`KicHARD A. Kleine
`CHarces A. WeiGH7.
`o ony
`ATTORNEYS
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 3 of 14
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 3 of 14
`
`

`

`PATENTED OC 2 41974
`
`3,856,639
`
`SHEET 30F 4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` INVENTORS
`
`VAN dD ROowWN
`RicHaRD A. KLEWE
`CHarLes
`4A. WeigHr
`how, Apoo ATTORNEYS
`
`BY
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`,
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 4 of 14
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 4 of 14
`
`

`

`PATENTED DEC2 41974
`
`|
`
`3,856,633
`
`SHEET 4 OF 4
`
`INVENTORS
`lVvAnN 0. Rown
`RICHARD A. KEEINE
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 5 of 14
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 5 of 14
`
`

`

`1
`HIGH-LEVEL LIGHT TOWER WITH LIGHT
`LOWERING DEVICE AND CONTROL SYSTEM
`THEREFOR
`
`3,856,639
`
`2
`A still further object of the invention is to provide
`new and improved head structure on a high-level light-
`ing structure for supporting a light towering carriage
`and providing efficient means for supporting a beacon
`light at an effective height above the lamps.
`A yet further object of the invention is to provide im-
`proved electrical control for a high-level lighting struc-
`ture equipped with light lowering means.
`Other objects, features and advantages of the inven-
`tion will be readily apparent from the following de-
`scription of certain preferred embodiments thereof,
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
`although variations and modifications may be effected
`without departing from thespirit and scopeofthe novel
`concepts of the disclosure, and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a fragmentalside elevational view of a high-
`level instrument supporting structure in the form of a
`light tower embodying features of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational
`view of the connector between the winch cable and the
`light lowering device manipulation cables;
`FIG. 2A shows a modification;
`FIG. 3 is a fragmentary illustrative elevational view
`showing mannerin which connection and separation of
`the hangers is effected in the contact suspension gear
`meansfor the light lowering device;
`FIG. 4 is anillustrative top plan view of the tower
`head structure and the light lowering device showing a
`three-point suspension;
`FIG.5 is a similar top plan view showing a four-point
`suspension arrangement with a quadrilateral ring car-
`riage;
`FIG.6 is a similar top plan view showing a generally
`triangular ring carriage;
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentalside elevational view
`of the tower andlight lowering device, with the device
`lowered to groundlevel;
`FIG. 7A is a fragmentary view of a modification;
`FIG. 8. is a schematic electrical operating diagram;
`and
`FIG. 9 is a schematic electrical diagram auxiliary to
`FIG.8 of an indicator lamp andinterlock electrical cir-
`cuit.
`On reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, a high-level instru-
`ment supporting structure comprising a light tower 10
`is depicted as of the multi-leg type which tapers from
`a stable base of substantial width to a substantially nar-
`rowertop section. A plurality of legs 11, herein shown
`as three, but which may be four, or more if necessary,
`desirably comprising tubular or angular, or solid steel
`or aluminum material, are substantially rigidly con-
`nected by a suitable arrangement of diagonal brace
`bars 12. At their base ends the legs 11 are anchored to
`a suitable foundation such as respective concrete foun-
`dation posts or sunken piers 13. On the upper end of
`the tower is mounted a light carrying head 14 con-
`structed and arranged to support a desired array of
`floodlights 15 mounted on a generally ring-shaped in-
`strumentcarriage. 17. Support for the floodlights on the
`carriage 17 is provided by respective stubs 18 rigid with
`the carriage (FIGS.4, 5, 6 and 7) which may extend ra-
`dially outwardly from the carriage or upwardly,or in
`both directionsalternately, as preferred and in keeping
`with the numberof floodlights required for any given
`installation or to vary the direction or area of coverage
`of the lighting for any given sector within the range of
`the tower. The carriage 17 may be made from tubular
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 6 of 14
`
`15
`
`20
`
`This invention relates to high-level instrument sup-
`porting structures, and is more particularly concerned
`with such structures in the form of towers having new
`and improvedlight supporting and lowering means and
`a contro! system therefor.
`High-level outdoorlighting structures such as towers
`are particularly useful for area lighting such as at high-
`way interchanges, parking areas, sport field lighting,
`industrial area lighting, whever relatively large areas
`are to be lighted for visibility, nighttime security pur-
`poses, and the like. Such structures in the form of masts
`and towers for supporting the lights are commonly up
`to 200 feet in height and may be even higher. Servicing ~
`of the lamps and auxiliary equipment supported by the
`top of the structure presents a problem in that where
`the lampsare fixed in place they can be reached only
`be.a service man climbing to the top of the structure.
`Although pole mounted lamps have sometimes been
`provided with means to lower the lamps from the tops
`of the poles, multi-lamp arrangements have generally
`been deemed to require rather elaborate guiding and
`control arrangements, and there has been somediffi-
`culty with maintaining headframes level whenraising,
`and preventing wind whip damage during raising and
`lowering, or tipping due to unbalanced loads.
`Multi-leg light towers present a peculiar problem as
`to adaptation of a lowering device for the lamps, be-
`cause of the generally upwardly tapering shape of such
`towers. Because of that shape the upper portion of the
`tower in eachinstanceis the narrowest, andit is in that
`area where wind whipping is most likely to cause diffi-
`culty when the lowering device is detached from the
`tower head connections during lowering and raising.
`Further,
`the generally ring-shaped lowering device
`must be. of a large enoughsize or transverse dimension
`to clear the base and wider portion of the towerresult-
`ing in such a greatdifferential in size of the device rela-
`tive to the upper and narrowerportion of the tower that
`it is virtually impossible to provide anysort of stabiliza-
`tion by guide meansin that area.
`An important object of the present invention is to
`overcome the foregoing and other disadvantages,
`shortcomings, inefficiencies and problems and to pro-
`vide a new and improved high-level lighting structure,
`i.e., tower with novel light lowering device and control
`system therefor.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a new
`and improved light lowering device especially suitable
`for multi-leg towers.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a new
`and improved suspension for support of a lampcarry-
`ing ring adapting it to be raised and loweredsafely, es-
`pecially having regard to the dangers of wind whipping
`or tipping due to unbalancedload.
`Still another object of the invention is to provide a
`new and improved high-level
`instrument supporting
`structure with a carriage adapted to lowertheinstru-
`ments to or adjacent to groundlevel for servicing.
`Yet another object of the invention is to provide a
`new and improved meansfor raising and lowering a
`floodlight supporting carriage in relation to a high-level
`lighting structure.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`30
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 6 of 14
`
`

`

`3,856,639
`
`3
`material or angular cross section bar stock in angular
`sections 17a joined rigidly together end-to-end to pro-
`vide a quite rigid ring able to withstand strong deflec-
`tional stresses without damage. To facilitate assembly
`of the carriage ring it may be constructed in two or
`more complementary portions, herein shown as two
`halves provided with joining flanges 19 which are
`fixedly secured together as by meansof bolts 20. While
`as shownin FIG.4,the carriage ring 17 is decagonalin
`shape, it may be of any other greater or less preferred
`angular shape such, for example, as quadrilateral as
`shown at 17’ in FIG. 5, triangular as shown at 17’ in
`FIG. 6, or other geometric shape suitable for the pur-
`pose.
`According to the present invention, the carriage 17
`is constructed and arrangedto enable its assembly, and
`servicing of the floodlights 15, at or adjacent to ground
`level and then raising of the carriage into supportedre-
`lation to the head structure 14, as well as lowering of
`the carriage from the head structure as desired orre-
`quired, whereby to avoid the necessity of climbing to
`the top of the tower to gain access to the floodlights.
`Further, this raising and lowering is adapted to be ac-
`complished with at
`least minimum liability of wind
`whipping damage, even though the tower 10 is of the
`substantially tapered form from wider base to much
`narrower head endportion. To this end, the transverse
`dimensions or diameter of the carriage ring 17 are
`ample for it to encircle the base end portion of the
`tower in good working clearance relation whenthe car-
`riage is at ground level as shownin FIG. 7.
`To support the carriage, the head structure 14 com-
`prises a plurality of equally spaced radiating arms
`greater than two, comprising three in FIGS. 4 and 6 and
`four in FIG. 5 and arranged in a generally spiderlike re-
`lation extending from the center line or axis of the
`tower to outer supporting terminal ends on a diameter
`at least as great as the maximumcarriage ring diameter
`or transverse dimensions. As best seen in FIG. 4, each
`of the arms 21 is desirably constructed of a pair of co-
`extensive channel-shaped bars 22 disposed in back-to-
`back spaced relation, with a flat co-extensive top panel
`bar 23 secured to the top flanges of the bars 22 as by
`meansofbolts 24 to provide a rigid arm on which the
`top panel bar 23 provides a rain shield. Rain shedding
`is further facilitated by having the arms 21 sloping out-
`wardly and downwardly from a center connecting plate
`25. Support of the arms 21 on the upper ends of the
`tower legs 11 is effected as by meansof respective leg
`extensions 27 rigid with the undersides of the respec-
`tive arms, connected together by brace bars 28 and se-
`cured by meansof attachmentorbolt on flanges 29 to
`the tower legs.
`For raising and lowering the carriage 17 relative to
`the head arms 21, a cable system is provided compris-
`ing respective suspension cables 30 for each of the
`arms 21 secured at one terminal end to the carriage 17
`in alignment with that portion of the carriage which un-
`derlies the outer terminal end portion of the respective
`arm. From the carriage 17, each of the cables 30 ex-
`tends ove a pulley 31 mounted rotatably in the space
`between the outer end portions of the bars 22 ofthe as-
`sociated arm 21 on a respective horizontal axle 32.
`Thence, the cable extends longitudinally through the
`arm to andis trained over a pulley 33 mountedrotat-
`ably between the inner end portions of the arm bars 22
`on a horizontal axle 34. From there, each of the cables
`
`4
`30 extends downwardly within the head structure 14 to
`a common connector 35 to which is connected an oper-
`ating cable 37 attached to the drum of a winch 38
`fixedly mounted within the center of the base of the
`tower on a foundation 39. Operation of the winch 38
`is adapted to be effected hydraulically or electrically by
`meansof a suitable motor 39 which maybe an electric
`motor but is desirably a hydraulic motor motivated by
`a suitable hydraulic pump 40 which is driven by means
`of an electrical motor 41. The arrangement may be
`such that the pump and motor unit and/or winch may
`be portable and connected to the winch motor 39 when
`it is necessary to operate the winch.
`Connection of the carriage suspending cables 30 with
`the operating cable 37 is desirably such that not only
`will the cables 30 be operated in unison, but such that
`they are adapted to be individually adjusted longitudi-
`nally in order to effect accurate, non-skewingortilting,
`but substantially perfectly level support of the carriage
`ring. For this purpose, the connector35 is desirably or
`generally ring-shape and each of the cables 30 is at-
`tached to a turnbuckle 42 (FIG. 2) having a clevis 43
`on its lower end attached to an upper edge of the con-
`nector properly equidistantly spaced from the compan-
`ion clevises. At its upper end each of the turnbuckles
`42 has a thimble 44 about which the lower end portion
`of the respective wire rope of the associated cable 30
`is engaged and the end portion spliced onto itself and
`secured by one or more, herein a pair of, anchoring
`sleeves 45 located as close as practicable to the thimble
`44 so as to require a minimum of head room under the
`head structure 14 whenthe carriage 17 has been com-
`pletely lowered, although by the downwardly and out-
`wardly oblique disposition of the supporting arms 21
`(FIG. 7) their cantilever ends are sufficiently lower
`than the inner ends of the arms to provide substantial
`head room for the purpose. Connection of the operat-
`ing cable 37 to the connectorring 35 is preferably ef-
`fected through a swivel 47 attachedat its upper end to
`a depending central fin 48 rigidly on the lower end of
`the connector sleeve. Attachment of the wire rope
`cable 37 to the lower end of the swivel 47 is by wrap-
`ping the end portion of the cable over a thimble 49, and
`splicing such end portion onitself, with anchoring rings
`50 holding the splice. Through this arrangement, not
`only can the individual cables 30 be adjusted for opti-
`mum level support of the carriage, but a centered load
`with respect to the equidistantly spaced cables 30is ap-
`plied by the operating cable 37, and freedom from
`torque strains is assured by the self-adjustment capabil-
`ity of the swivel 47.
`Meansare provided for hanging the elevated carriage
`17 from the arms 21 to relieve the cable system from
`the dead load except whenraising or lowering the car-
`riage. For this purpose, respective separable hangers 51
`are mounted in association with each of the arms 21
`and the carriage 17. Each of the hangers 51 comprises
`a member52 attached to the upperside of the carriage
`ring 17 and thereon an upwardly extending central hol-
`low guide pin 53 whichis engageablein a suitable guide
`socket in a depending block portion 54 of a member 55
`carrying a protective downwardly opening hood 57 and
`fixedly secured by means of a mounting bracket 58 to
`the underside of the cantilever end portion of the asso-
`ciated supporting head arm 21. The respective cable 30
`extends centrally downwardly through the member 55,
`the socket in the depending portion 54 and the guide
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 7 of 14
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 7 of 14
`
`

`

`3,856,639
`
`— 0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`5
`6
`pin 53 and is anchored to the hanger member52.In the
`shown in FIG. 1. The electrical circuit for the floodlight
`final incrementof raising of the carriage 17, it is caused
`lampsas well as for the lamp for the beacon 68, and for
`to overrunalimited desirable distance after the respec-
`the motor 41 are connected through the junction box
`tive guide pins 53 mate with the sockets of the depend-
`with a suitable power source.
`ing portion 54 and a boss 59 extending inwardly on the
`On.or in connection with the junction box 72, or as
`upper end portion of an upstanding hanger coupling
`otherwise preferred, a suitable indicator panel and con-
`arm 60 pivotally mounted on the member 52 is de-
`trol switch mountingis provided including indicating or
`flected by a cam surface 61 to then engage a cam sur-
`signalling means to advise when the carriage 17 has
`face 62. Thence, as shown in dash flow lines for the
`been raised to its maximum desirable height. More par-
`boss in FIG. 3, the boss 59 rises to a reversely deflecting
`‘ticularly, respective indicator or signalling lights 73
`cam surface 63 into overlying relation to a supporting
`(FIGS. 8 and 9) are provided under the control of de-
`cradle-64 into which the boss 59 drops by a slight back-
`tector means. comprising respective microswitches 74
`ing off of the carriage. Thereupon the carriage is sup-
`(FIGS. 3, 8 and 9) which are normally open but are
`ported in dead load relation by the arms 21 indepen-
`adapted to be closed both whenthe carriage 17 is over-
`dently of the cables, and the cables may beslightly
`run upwardly to the desirable limit for orienting the re-
`slacked off to relieve tension therefrom and possible
`spective coupling bosses 59 with respect to the associ-
`stretching as might result from long continued dead
`ated hanger cradle 64, and also to be closed when the
`load.
`carriage 17 is raised to the desirable limit during a dis-
`Whenthe carriage 17 is to be lowered, separation of
`connect operation. For this purpose, the microswitch
`the hangers is accomplished byinitially raising the car-
`74 is desirably mounted on the depending portion 54
`riage to same overrun distance to lift the respective
`of the upper part of the assembly 51 and a stop 75 is
`hanger lugs 59 from their cradles 64 to engage a re-
`mounted on the lower portion 52 of the assembly in
`lease-deflecting cam surface 65 which, as shownin dot-
`such relative position with respect to the microswitch
`dash flow lines in FIG. 3, causes the lug 59 to be de-
`that in the desirable uppermost limit in each instance,
`flected laterally such that when the carriage is then
`the microswitch will be closed, thereby causing the re-
`lowered the lug will clear the cradle and underride it on
`spective indicator lights 73 to be energized andto indi-
`a decline 67 in the continuing descent of the carriage
`cate the fact of reaching the upper limit. This assures
`and until the lug passes the cam surface 61. The car-
`the operator that a proper connection orientation or
`riage is then free to be lowered all the way to ground
`disconnect orientation has been established with re-
`level or to any convenient elevation near the ground as
`spect to the combination hanger connector assemblies
`may be desired for servicing of the floodlights 15.
`51.
`Desirably, though not necessarily, a beacon light 68,
`In addition to i!lumination of the indicator lamps 73,
`such as a fixed red light or a rotating beacon,
`is
`‘ closing of the microswitches 74 is desirably effective to
`mounted at the peak of the supporting head 14 as on
`operate overload safety means for the motor 41. Tothis
`the connector plate 25. This is an advantageous spot
`end, a motor holding circuit 77 is provided. As the re-
`for the beacon because it is substantially above the
`spective microswitches 74 close, and the indicator
`floodlights 15.
`lights 73 are energized, there are also energized respec-
`If desired, the carriage 17 may support an illuminated
`tive relays K1, K2 and K3. Closing of these relays close
`sign insteadof or in addition to the floodlights 15. If de-
`respective contacts K1-c, K2-c and K3-c, energizing an
`sired, in addition to or instead of the beacon light 68,
`indicator lamp 78. and relay K4, opening a normally
`a sign structure may be mounted on the supporting
`closed contact K4-c in the holding circuit 77, stopping
`head structure 14 with suitable illuminating meansei-
`the motor 41. This assures that the cables, the connec-
`ther.carried by the signitself, by some part of the head
`tor hanger assemblies and associated mechanism and
`structure 14, or the carriage 17. It will be appreciated
`apparatus of the tower and light supporting structures
`that considerable flexibility and adaptability is present
`will be safe from overload conditions that might be im-
`in the disclosed structure. Instead of individual flood-
`posed by overrunning of the motor when the carriage
`lights 15 circumferentially spaced aboutthe ring of the
`17 has been raised to its maximum desirable limit both
`carriage 17, a bank of floodlights may be carried by the
`when effecting a connection orientation and when ef-
`carriage on one part thereof or on different parts
`fecting a disconnect. Starting of the motor can be ef-
`thereof, as preferred.
`fected by manually operating a motorstart switch 79.
`In addition to their function as hangers, the assem-
`That either the locked condition or the lowering condi-
`blies 51 also serve as electrical connectors for the
`tion is in effect and the motorholding circuit is restored
`lampsofthe floodlights 15. For this purpose, the lower
`is evidenced by deenergizing of the indicator lights 73
`members 52 of the assemblies 51 are provided with
`and the indicatorlight 78.
`electrical contacts 69 (FIG. 3) which are engaged by
`In order to test the indicator panel before each use,
`complementary electrical contacts 70 carried by the
`a normally open test switch 80 should be closed while
`members55 in the assembled relationship of the mem-
`the motor 41 is running. Closing of the switch 80 ener-
`bers. There are as many ofthe sets of contacts 69 and
`gizes a relay K5 which closes contacts K5-1, K5-2 and
`70 as necessary on each of the combination hanger and
`K5-3, simulating closing of all of the three micro-
`electrical coupling assemblies 51 as necessary for the
`switches 74. This produces all of the conditions de-
`particular installation.
`scribed when the microswitches 74 close, and all the
`In FIG.8 is depicted .an electrical circuit wherein the
`four indicator lights 73 and 78 will light and the motor
`assemblies 51 are represented by the block diagrams 51
`holding circuit 77 will open. After ascertaining that the
`with electrical power connection by way of an auto-
`circuits are all functioning, the switch 80 is opened and
`matic photocell control 71 and a junction box 72 which
`normaloperation effected by restarting the motor 41 to
`latter, at least, may be mounted in a convenient place
`adjacent the bottom of one of the tower legs 11 as
`raise or lower the carriage 17.
`
`40
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 8 of 14
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 8 of 14
`
`

`

`3,856,639
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`7
`8
`From the foregoingit will be appreciated that an effi-
`ably engageable with stationary anchoring means such
`cient and advantageoushigh level instrument support-
`as an anchoreye bolt 87 secured to an anchor block 88
`ing structure such as a tower lighting system has been
`at or below groundlevel. Thereby, the cable 37 can be
`provided embodying a hollow lighting tower having im-
`detached from the swivel 47' and wound onthe porta-
`proved structural, hanger, suspension and operating
`ble winch for use at another light tower after the an-
`chor cable 84 has been hooked onto the anchor bolt
`features attaining great stability and safety not only in
`the locked, hanger-supported operating position of the
`87. Whenthe carriage 17 is to be lowered, the cable 37
`carriage but also in and during raising and lowering
`is trained under a pulley 89 and attached to the swivel
`thereof. Rigidity of the angularly related sectional in-
`47’. Then the swivel 47’ and the upper cable system is
`strument carriage ring and the three or more point
`pulled down to disengage the carrier hangers and per-
`equilateral suspension both in the locked-in and cable-
`mit the anchor cable 84 to be unhooked, whereafter
`supported conditions of the ring effectively resist wind
`lowering and thereafter raising of the light carriage may
`pressure deflection or whipping and enable accurate
`proceed as hereinbefore described.
`leveling. During raising and lowering of the carriage,
`While the carriage suspension system and method
`the disclosed suspension affords excellent resistance to
`have been shown and describedwith relation to a frame
`wind-induced torque, horizontal and vertical deflec-
`type structural tower, it should be understood that cer-
`tions. This has special significance for multi-leg, skele-
`tain of the inventive concepts here disclosed are useful
`ton structure, generally tapering tower installations
`in other applications, such as on pole type towers or
`where guidance structures in the most wind-vulnerable
`poles. Additionally, while the illustrated carriage sus-
`upper and narrowest reaches of the tower is impracti-
`pension system and method are disclosed for the pur-
`cal. Contributing to stability and efficiency are the bal-
`pose of service lights on a towerorpole, it is also con-
`anced optimumly adjustable manipulating cable system
`templated that other type instruments can beinstalled
`and the pretesting and overload safety features. A
`on the carriage where servicing may be required.
`unique supporting head structure on the lighting struc-
`Weclaim as our invention:
`ture provides for the corelation of the instrument car-
`1. In combination with an illuminating instrument
`riage hangers and the cable system in a manner to en-
`tower;
`able lowering the carriage to the groundforservicing.
`a head structure having a plurality of lateral support-
`In addition, the supporting head structure provides a
`ing arms; means securing said arms to the tower;
`peak advantageous for mounting of beacon light or
`said arms comprising respective assemblies of angu-
`other light or attention-getting means.
`lar bars securedrigidly together and sloping down-
`Although especially suitable for multi-leg skeleton
`wardly and outwardly relative to the axis of the
`frame towers at least some features of the invention
`tower,
`may be employed in pole or mast types of towers.
`a carriage having lights or instruments mounted
`In addition to, or instead of, the headroom space af-
`thereon; and
`forded by the supporting head 14 the arrangement
`meansfor suspending the carriage from the arms to
`shown in FIG. 7A may be employed to enable the ca-
`provide at
`least
`three points of suspension for
`bles 30 to have a reach such that the carriage 17 can
`maintaining the carriage in a stabilized condition
`rest on the ground whenfully lowered. For this purpose
`and to permit the carriage to be moved upto an op-
`a pit 81 of suitable depth below groundlevel within the
`erating position and down for servicing of the in-
`tower base has mountedin its lowest part a pulley 82
`struments at groundlevel.
`about which the operating cable 37 runs from the verti-
`2. A combination accordingto claim 1, in which said
`cal to the winch 38 which is mountedatalaterally dis-
`bars of each arm are of generally C-shape cross section
`placed convenient position. The depth at which the
`and secured together in generally back-to-back rela-
`pulley 82 is mounted may be such as to afford addi-
`tion.
`tional length in the cables 30 at least equal to the length
`3. A combination according to claim 2, including a
`of the connector 35 plus the distances to the most re-
`top plate generally coextensive with and securedto said
`mote cable retaining sleeves 45 and 50. A drain 83 may
`bars and covering the joint therebetween.
`be provided in the bottom of the pit 81.
`4, A combination according to claim 1, wherein said
`With this arrangement,the toporlight-carrying head
`arms have contiguous inner end portions, and plate
`14 may be constructed flat instead of peaked,if pre-
`meanssecured to said inner end portions.
`ferred, becausethe pit will compensate for lack of head
`5. In combination with a high-level
`lighting tower
`room and enable lowering the light supporting carriage
`having a supporting head anda light lowering device,
`to the ground. Of course, where the situation is such as
`with interlocking hanger means on said head and said
`to preclude or for any reason lowering of the carriage
`device:
`to groundlevel is not desired, the head 14 may beflat
`means operative to raise said device to said hanger
`or horizontal across or over the arms 21.
`means;
`Meansmaybe provided, as shownin FIG.2A,for an-
`overload safety control meansfor said raising means
`choring the lower end of the cable system after the in-
`including a detector operated by said device when
`strumentcarriage has beenfully raised, and permitting
`it reaches a highest desirable relative position with
`the winch for the cable 37 to be portable with the
`respect to said supporting head;
`winch motor, as for example, by having both the winch
`said hanger means comprising a plurality of hangers;
`and motor transportably mounted on a service vehicle
`such as a truck. To this end, anchoring meansare desir-
`ably provided below the connector 35, for example, an
`anchor cable 84 having its upper end attached to the
`swivel 47’ and carrying on its lower end connecting
`meanssuch as an attachment or hook device 85 releas-
`
`said meansoperative to raise said device comprising
`an electrically controlled motor;
`said overload safety control means comprising an
`electrical circuit for controlling said motor includ-
`
`30
`
`35
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 9 of 14
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1024 - Page 9 of 14
`
`

`

`9
`ing 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;
`
`i
`
`—_ in
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`35
`
`an interlock circuit including an indicator light and
`a relay and operative only whenall of said switch-
`controlled relays are energized;
`a motor holding circuit; and
`a normally closed contact in said holding circuit
`openedby energizing ofsaid interlock circuit relay.
`
`6. A combination according to claim 5, including a
`testing. circuit having a normally open switch and a
`relay therein adapted to be energized byclosing ofsaid
`normally open switch to effect energizing ofall of said
`indicator lights and relays.
`7. 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 en-
`circling the tower in free spaced relation and hav-
`ing 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 over-
`hanging portionsof 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 at-
`tached to the carriage in balanced circumferen-
`tially spaced relation for raising and lower