US 8,172,438 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`Konop
`(45) Date of Patent:
`May8, 2012
`
`
`US008172438B2
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(54) LOW-PROFILE COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTING
`SYSTEM
`Inventor: Chad Konop, Oshkosh, WI (US)
`(75)
`(73) Assignee: Magnum Power Products, LLC,
`Waukesha, WI (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 179 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/608,805
`.
`22)
`Filed:
`Oct. 29, 2009
`(22)
`File
`ees
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2010/0220489 Al
`Sep. 2, 2010
`+
`as
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/109,266, filed on Oct.
`29, 2008.
`
`51)
`
`51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`B601/00
`(52) U.S.C occ 362/485; 362/523; 362/192
`
`(56)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 362/459,
`362/485, 523, 192
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`eset r :
`joe aeaa 3eaR
`
`2/2003 Allen etal...
`369/485
`6,517,225 BL*
`6,805,462 B1* 10/2004 Smith et al. ou. 362/192
`:
`es
`cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — David V Bruce
`(74) Attorney, Agent, orFirm — Brian G.Gilpin; Godfrey &
`Kahn, S.C.
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A portable lighting system includes a powerpack,a fuel tank
`and a collapsible mast mountedto a trailer. A lighting fixture
`with one or morelighting elements is mounted to a distal end
`ofthe mast. The mast maybeplacedin a lowered position for
`transportation or placed in a raised position for illumination
`
`of a desired area.
`
`4 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
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`Petitioner Ensign
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`May8, 2012
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 8,172,438 B2
`
`1
`LOW-PROFILE COLLAPSIBLE LIGHTING
`SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`The present application claimspriority to U.S. Provisional
`Application Ser. No. 61/109,266, filed on Oct. 29, 2008, the
`disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Conventional transportable lighting systems have been
`mountedto trailers for easy mobility. These lighting systems
`are also known to include an on-board powersource so that
`the system is essentially self-contained. Such lighting sys-
`tems can be movedto a desired location and setup to provide
`lighting as needed in locations where power and/or lighting
`sources may be neither easy to access or available atall.
`On-board power sources for larger lighting systems, such as
`might be usedto illuminatea job site or other location, may be
`generators coupled to a prime mover such as an internal
`combustion engine. Such on-board power sources may be
`configured to not only provide powerto the integrated light-
`ing but may also be configured to provide connections to
`powerother devices at the illuminated site or location.
`While conventional systems so configured are known,
`there are certain aspects of these conventional designs to
`which improvements are desirable.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawing figures, which are incorpo-
`rated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate
`several aspects ofthe invention and together with the descrip-
`tion, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief
`description of the figures is as follows:
`FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a portable lighting
`system according to the present disclosure, with the lighting
`system configured for transportation.
`FIG.2 is a second perspective view of the lighting system
`of FIG. 1
`FIG.3 is a first side view ofthe lighting system of FIG.1.
`FIG.4 is a hitch end view ofthe lighting system of FIG.1.
`FIG. 5 is a secondside view ofthe lighting system of FIG.
`
`1.
`
`FIG.6 is a rear end view ofthe lighting system of FIG.1.
`FIG.7 is a first perspective view of the lighting system of
`FIG.1, with the lighting system configured forilluminating a
`site.
`
`FIG.8 is a second perspective view ofthe lighting system
`of FIG.7.
`
`FIG.9 is a hitch end view ofthe lighting system of FIG.7.
`FIG. 10 is a first side view ofthe lighting system of FIG.7.
`FIG. 11 is a rear end view of the lighting system of FIG.7.
`FIG. 12 is a secondside view ofthe lighting system of FIG.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`As shownin FIGS. 1 to 6, a lighting system 100 incorpo-
`rates a collapsible lighting assembly 102 with a generator and
`internal combustion engine assembly 104, a fuel tank and
`system controller assembly 106 and a frame and support
`assembly that maybe retracted as shown to permit movement
`of the system. Lighting assembly 102 is configured to lay
`closely along a lower frame element 108 extending between
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`assembly 104 and assembly 106. Lighting assembly 102 may
`include an extendable/retractable mast 114 that may be piv-
`otably mounted between assemblies 104 and 106.
`A retractable support 110 is mounted to a forward end of
`frame element or central member 108. A plurality of light
`fixtures 112 may be mounted to a distal end of mast 114
`opposite the pivotable mounting. When positioned as shown
`in FIGS. 1 to 6, the highest vertical portion of fixtures 112
`maybeat or below the highest point of one or both of assem-
`blies 104 and 106. Such a positioning permits a low profile
`towing configuration to be achieved. Lower profile towing
`configurations may provide a lower center of gravity of the
`towed lighting system and mayalso provide a greater fuel
`efficiency during towing by having a reducedfrontal cross-
`section.
`Conventional designs for transportable and collapsible
`lighting systems have had a centerline mounted power source
`(such as an engine/generator powerpack) inside an enclosure
`witha collapsible mast mountedto or extending across the top
`of the enclosure whenin a transport position. In this configu-
`ration, the weightofthe light and mast assembly is positioned
`relative high above the ground, even when collapsed in a
`transport position. An embodiment such asillustrated in the
`attached FIGS. provides for a much lower mounting position
`for the collapsed lighting mast. This lower positioning pro-
`vides greater stability for the trailer and a reduced frontal
`cross-section which may in turn reduce cost oftransportation
`(improvedfuel efficiency for the transport vehicle) and permit
`moving the trailer through smaller openings for positioning
`the light to illuminate a particular site.
`Another advantage to having mast 122 (see FIG. 7 below)
`collapse to lie along lower member 108 for transportation is
`the possible reduction in structural supports and therefore
`weight. It is often desirable to have a trailer to be as light as
`possible to reduce towing weight and thus the size and power
`ofthe required towing vehicle. By having mast 122 mounted
`low to the framework ofthetrailer, there is no need to include
`structural members extended upward from the lower frame
`assemblyto a top ofthetrailer for mounting the mast and light
`assembly. The assemblies 104 and 106 may be constructed
`with covers or shrounds which only need to provide shelter
`and protection to the internal components and do not need to
`be heavy enough to support the weight of the mast and light
`assembly. One advantage of such lower weight of the overall
`lighting system would be to keep the weight low enough to
`nottrigger a requirement(regulatory or otherwise) to include
`brakes on the traileritself.
`
`Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 12, lighting system 100 is
`shown in a fully elevated position with light fixtures 112
`deployed for use. Extendable frame elements 114 extend
`from sides of lighting system 100, each with a retractable
`support 116 mounted to a distal end. A rear extension 118 of
`lower frame element 108 extendsto the rear of lighting sys-
`tem 100 andalso includesa retractable support 116. Supports
`116 may be pivoted from the transport position shown in
`FIGS. 1 to 6 to the deployed support position shown in FIGS.
`7 to 12 oncelighting system 100 is positioned as needed to
`illuminate a site. Alternatively, the supports 116 could be
`mountedto permitvertical adjustmentofthe units as opposed
`to having the lower legs pivot upward for transportation. This
`maybein place ofor in addition to the ability ofthe lower legs
`and their attached feet 117 to be extended from within an
`upper outer housing 119.
`lighting assembly 102 is
`As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12,
`extended vertically from its transport position adjacent to
`lower support member 108. With lightfixtures 112 deployed
`for use, fixture support 120 is visible along a lower portion
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1037 - Page 14 of 16
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`US 8,172,438 B2
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`122a of an extendable mast 122. Fixture support 120 and
`fixtures 116 are configured so that the fixtures may be secured
`to the support to limit movementand reduce possible damage
`to the fixtures during transportation. Also mounted to this
`lower portion 122ais a trailer hitch assembly 124sothatthis
`hitch assembly is elevated from the ground and unable to be
`attached to a vehicle when the light tower is mast 122 is
`extended. Having the hitch assembly so mounted serves as a
`safety feature preventing movement of the lighting system
`whenthe mast is deployed. Once commoncauseof accidents
`and/or injury on jobsites can be accidental electrocution
`caused by workers on the ground coming into contact with
`overhead powerlines. If the hitch assembly 124 is in the air
`away from attachmentto a vehicle when the mastis elevated,
`a workeris prevented from moving lighting system 100 with
`mast 122 extended, reducing the possible contact with over-
`head powerlines or other communicationslines.
`Elements 114 and extension 118 maybeslidably mounted
`to lighting system 100 and expandable to provide an adequate
`width of support for mast 122 and lighting assembly 102
`whenfully vertically extended. The actual width of support
`required may be dependenton the weight and size ofthe mast
`and light fixtures and the maximum wind speedin which the
`mast is permitted to be extended. Supports 110 and 116 may
`be provided with extendable lower support legs and bases to
`engage the groundat varying distances below the endsofthe
`elements 114 and extension 118. These will permit secure and
`level usage of lighting system 100 on uneven or irregular
`terrain.
`
`Referring now to FIG.8, a hand crank 126 maybe provided
`to actuate the extension or lowering of mast 122 to a desired
`height. It is anticipated that other types of mechanical assists
`or other devices may be used to assist in the extension or
`retraction of mast 122. Lower member 108 may include a
`cradle 128 to receive mast 122 in a lowered and collapsed
`position and permit securing the mast and light assembly for
`transport. Since hitch 124 is attached to lower portion 122a of
`mast 122, it is desirable to have a secure and positive attach-
`ment between lower member 108 and mast 122 duringtrans-
`port.
`As shownin FIGS. 8 and9, lighting assembly 102 may be
`pivotably mounted between assemblies 104 and 106 and con-
`figured to rotate about a pivot axis positioned low between
`assemblies 104 and 106. A pivot support and assembly 132
`may be provided for connection of mast 122 and also for
`mounting of crank 126. An upper support 134 for mast 122
`may be providedto secure mast 122 in the vertical position for
`extension. As shown, mast 122 may bereceived within a
`sleeve 130 of assembly 132 to permit repair or replacement of
`mast 122 without requiring disassembly ofthe entire pivoting
`mounting structure. In addition, when new masts or light
`assemblies are desired to alter the nature oflighting provided
`by lighting system 100, mast 122 and the lightfixtures may be
`moreeasily exchanged.
`It is anticipated that crank 126 may be mounted to and
`movable with the pivoting assembly 132 if desired without
`straying from the present disclosure. An arrangementpermit-
`ting a higher location for upper support 134 may also be
`provided where the support maybe positioned higher than the
`upper extent of assemblies 104 and/or 106 along mast 122.
`Such an upwardly extended mounting may permit greater
`allowable vertical extension of mast 122 or may permit
`greater weight to be mounted to an upper end of mast 122.
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`Anydescription of the arrangement or grouping of com-
`ponents for the control and power generation elements of
`lighting system 100 within assemblies 104 and 106 is merely
`illustrative and is not intended to limit the disclosure to just
`the configuration shown. Components may be grouped into a
`single assembly with assembly 102 mounted alongside the
`combined assembly. Hitch 124 maybe alternatively mounted
`to lower member 108 to provide a low profile transportation
`package but one which does not havethe built-in safeguard
`against movementofthe unit with the mast extended. A wide
`variety of general area lighting and/or spot lighting assem-
`blies may be mounted to mast 122 as required forthe particu-
`lar site to be illuminated. A combination of diffused area
`
`lighting and spot lighting may be provided together on mast
`122 as well.
`
`Lighting system 100 may also be provided with auxiliary
`poweroutlets and inputs. The outlets could permit system 100
`to be used as an auxiliary power source alone or in conjunc-
`tion providing lighting for a site. Inputs wouldallow the lights
`of system 100 to be powered by external power in the event of
`the powerpack of system 100 going off line. In addition, some
`sites may havesuitable and sufficient powerto drive the lights
`of system 100 and may not permit the operation of the pow-
`erpack for noise or pollution reasons.
`The embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein have
`
`been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader
`with novel aspects of the present invention. Although pre-
`ferred embodiments have been shown and described, many
`changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by
`one having skill in the art without unnecessarily departing
`from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Having
`described preferred aspects and embodiments of the present
`invention, modifications and equivalents ofthe disclosed con-
`cepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it
`is intended that such modifications and equivalents be
`included within the scope of the claims which are appended
`hereto.
`
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`1. A transportable lighting system comprising:
`a trailer with a frame upon which are mounted a power pack
`with a prime mover and a generator, a fuel tank, a con-
`troller, and a collapsible mast;
`the collapsible mast movable between a loweredtranspor-
`tation position anda raised illumination position;
`the collapsible mast including at least one illumination
`fixture mounted adjacent a distal end of the mast, the
`fixture connected to the power pack to provide powerto
`operate the fixture;
`wherein whenthe mastis in the lowered position, the mast
`lies generally along the frameofthe trailer alongside the
`powerpack;
`the mast further including a lower section to which is
`mounted a hitch assembly, wherein the hitch is acces-
`sible for attachment to a vehicle for moving the trailer
`whenthe mastis in the lowered position and thehitch is
`rendered inaccessible when the mast in is the raised
`
`position.
`2. A transportable lighting system comprising:
`a trailer with a frame upon which are mounted a power pack
`with a prime mover and a generator, a fuel tank, a con-
`troller, and a collapsible mast;
`the frame having a central member;
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`5
`the power pack being mountedto thetrailer on one side of
`the central memberandthe fuel tank being mounted to
`the other side of the central member;
`the collapsible mast movable between a lowered transpor-
`tation position anda raised illumination position;
`the collapsible mast including at least one illumination
`fixture mounted adjacent a distal end of the mast, the
`fixture connected to the power pack to provide power to
`operate thefixture;
`wherein when the mastis in the lowered position, the mast
`lies generally along the central memberofthe frame of
`the trailer and between the powerpack andthe fuel tank.
`3. A transportable lighting system comprising:
`atrailer with a frame upon which are mounted a power pack
`with a prime moverand a generator, a fuel tank, a con-
`troller, and a collapsible mast;
`
`6
`the collapsible mast movable between a loweredtranspor-
`tation position anda raised illumination position;
`the collapsible mast including at least one illumination
`fixture mounted adjacent a distal end of the mast, the
`fixture connected to the power pack to provide powerto
`operate the fixture;
`wherein whenthe mastis in the lowered position, the mast
`lies generally along the frameofthe trailer alongside the
`powerpack and below a highest pointof the trailer.
`4. The lighting system ofclaim 3, further comprising one of
`the powerpack andthe fuel tank defining a highest point of
`the system whenthe mastis in the lowered position.
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