United States Patent
`3,696,241
`15}
`Meyeret al.
`[45]
`Oct. 3, 1972
`eeeII
`
`[54] LIGHT FIXTURE TOWER
`(72]
`Inventors: Roy E. Meyer; Daniel L. Stember,
`both of Red Wing, Minn.
`[73] Assignee: Meyer Manufacturing,
`Wing, Minn.
`July 16, 1970
`(22] Filed:
`[21] Appl. No.: 55,416
`
`Inc., Red
`
`{52] U.S. Ch...sesseecaceeseeseaeseaeesssssaseveceraeeses240/84
`[51]
`Int. Ch iscccsssessssacessessF21s 3/10
`[58] Field of Search... cccccceccccscsscesesece240/84
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`283,581
`348,291
`
` Saisset v0...240/63 X
`8/1883
`8/1886 Noe... ecscescesseseceees240/69
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Advertising Brochure from Osram (G.E.C.) Street
`Lighting Limited. 3 pp. Sept. 68
`
`Primary Examiner—Jerry W. Myracle
`Attorney—Williamson, Palmatier & Bains
`
`{57]
`ABSTRACT
`A tower and support for mounting electric light fix-
`tures at elevations up to and exceeding 100 feet above
`ground level;
`the fixtures being supported on a
`separate fixture frame supported on cables confined
`within the tower and to be lowered for maintenance
`and service work on the fixtures; the power supplying
`cable being anchored to the counterweight andtravel-
`ing upwardly with the counterweight and support ca-
`bles and being detachably connected to the power
`source at the base of the tower.
`
`
`
`
`
`7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 1 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 1 of 8
`
`

`

`PATENTED OCT 3
`
`1972
`
`3,696,24])
`
`SHEET 1 OF 4
`
`
`
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`
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`
` INVENTORS
`
`ROY E. MEER,
`DAMIEL L.. STEMBER
`BY
`BpoiLcoradtvoLill
`© faint,
`ATTORWEVS
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 2 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 2 of 8
`
`

`

`PATENTEDOCT3 i972
`
`3,696,24]
`
`SHEET 2 OF 4
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`J BY DAMIEL L.STEMBER
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`ATTORIMVEVS
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 3 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 3 of 8
`
`

`

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`3,696,241
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 4 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 4 of 8
`
`

`

`PATENTEDocT3
`
`1972
`
`3,696,24]
`
`SHEET & OF 4
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`INVENTORS
`ROY £. MEKFER,
`py CAMEL L. STEMBER
`
`AT TORNEVS
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 5 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 5 of 8
`
`

`

`1
`LIGHT FIXTURE TOWER
`
`3,696,241
`
`BACKGROUNDOF INVENTION
`Tall light towers, of the type used for illuminating
`athletic fields and stadiums have supported manylight
`fixtures in stationary position at elevations well in ex-
`cess of one hundredfeet in the past, but it has been
`necessary for workmento ascendthe towerin order to
`service these lights, and, of course, expensive special
`equipment must be provided for ascending the tower
`safely, and for moving about on the framework when
`the workmanhas reached the top ofthe tower.
`Recently, the advances in lighting units have made it
`possible to illuminate entire highwayintersections or
`expressway interchanges with just a few extremely high
`intensity light fixtures supported at an extremely high
`elevation. Likewise,
`there is a need for supporting
`other illuminated devices such as signs and advertising
`display at extremely high locations to signal
`the
`presence of motels and service stations to expressway
`travelers who cannot otherwise see such establishment
`located remotely from the highways. All such equip-
`mentinvolving lighting elements needs frequent servic-
`ing, but such servicing cannot be inexpensively and
`quickly accomplished with previously known equip-
`ment.
`
`SUMMARYOFTHE INVENTION
`-. A towerfor supporting lightfixtures at so high a loca-
`tion as to be extremely hazardous for workmen to
`reach and maintain the lighting equipment. The light
`fixtures are supported on a frame separate from the
`tower which'may be lowered to the ground for servic-
`ing the equipmentcarried thereby. The fixture frameis
`normally in an elevated position andis iriterlocked to
`support armsat the top of the tower to prevent swaying
`of the frame; and the fixture is carried by cables con-
`nected to a counterweight at the ground.
`Raising the counterweightresults in lowering the fix-
`ture framefor servicing. Powerforthelights is supplied
`through a power cable anchored to the counterweight
`and detachably connected to a power source at the
`base of the tower. A lift cable trained over a sheaveat
`the top of the tower facilitates raising the counter-
`weight, and lowering the fixture frame, by a winch at
`the tower base.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partly broken away, of
`the tower and support apparatus, and illustrating the
`fixture frame partly loweredin dottedlines.
`FIG.2 is a perspective view, partly broken away, and
`illustrating the present invention.
`FIG.3 is an enlarged top plan view ofthe top of the
`tower and support apparatus.
`FIG. 4 is a detail section view taken approximately at
`4—4in FIG. 3 with portions of the apparatus broken
`awayforclarity of detail.
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail section view taken ap-
`proximately at 5—5 in FIG. 3.
`FIG.6 is an enlarged section view taken on a vertical
`plane through the base of the tower and footing
`therefor.
`FIG.7 is an enlarged detail section view taken ap-
`proximately at 7—7 in FIG.6.
`
`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`10
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`2
`FIG 8 is a diagrammatic sketch illustrating the
`several cables andtheir arrangements within the tower.
`FIG.9 is a perspective view partly broken away and
`illustrating a modified form of the tower and support
`apparatus.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`The tower 10 is tubular in construction and is
`fabricated from flat sheet steel into a multi-sided tubu-
`lar shape which tapers convergently from the base to
`the top of the tower. The tower 10 has a base plate 11
`secured by anchorbolts 12 to the concrete footing 13
`which extend down into the ground. Transverse and
`diagonal bracing 12a is provided for the anchorbolts
`within the footing.
`The top 14 of the toweris fabricated separately as
`seen in FIG. 4 and is affixed to the main tower by
`flanges and bolts.
`Support arms 15 are affixed as by welding to the top
`of the tower and project horizontally therefrom in
`multi-directions. The arms 15 are tubular, and the
`inner ends thereofalign with slots or openings 16 in the
`adjacent towersidewall. Bracing plates 14a are prefer-
`rably providedto assist the arms in carrying the load.
`Sheaves 17 and 18 are carried on fixed mounting
`pins or shafts 19 and 20 adjacent the outer and inner
`ends of each of the arms 15. Support cables 21 are
`trained or carried over the sheaves 17 and 18, and are
`securely attachedby fittings 22 to the fixture frame 23.
`The support cables 21 extend downwardly from the
`sheaves 18 throughoutthe entire length of the tower
`10, and are fastened byfittings 24 to the counterweight
`25, whichis sufficient to keep thefixture frame 23 up
`against the arms15 as illustrated.
`Thefixture frame 23 is rigid and tubular, and has a
`rectangular cross section in the form illustrated. The
`frame mightalso have a roundcross section. As bestil-
`lustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixture frame is hex-
`agonally shaped so as to encompass the tower 10 and
`its top 14, but ofcourse may have other configurations.
`The fixture frame 23 carries the electric light fixtures
`26 on brackets 26a, and, as illustrated, the frame car-
`ries three such. fixtures; however,
`it should be un-
`derstood that any numberoffixtures maybe carried on
`the frame and in such position and orientation as is
`desired, according to the purpose for which theinstal-
`lation is made. The fixture frame 23 confines the dis-
`tribution circuits 26.1 for the fixtures 26.
`Poweris supplied to the distribution circuits and fix-
`tures 26 from a power cable 27 whichis trained over
`and supported by a pulley or sheave 28 supported on a
`covered bracket 29 whichis affixed to the top 14 of the
`tower. Oneend of the power cable 27is affixed, physi-
`cally; to the fixture frame 23 and is connectedelectri-
`cally to the distribution circuits 26.1; and the other end
`of the power cable 27 extends down throughthe entire
`length of the tower 10 andto the base thereof at which
`point the power cable is anchored, physically, to the
`counterweight 25. A rigid receptacle box and recepta-
`cle 27.1 is affixed to the counterweight 25 to cooperate
`with a plug 30 in a detachable electrical coupling to the
`powersource 31at the base of the tower.Asillustrated,
`the power source maybea short length offlexible cable
`connected through conduits and receptacles 31.1 to
`the switch gear and bus bars which supply high voltage
`electric currentforthe fixtures 26.
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 6 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 6 of 8
`
`

`

`3,696,241
`
`3
`An auxiliary power receptacle 26.2 is mounted on
`the fixture frame 23 and electrically connected to the
`distribution circuits 26.1 for facilitating the application
`of powerto the lighting fixtures 26 when the fixture
`frame has been lowered to the base of the tower, at
`which condition the plug 30 will have been withdrawn
`from the receptacle 27.1,
`thus facilitating upward
`movement of the counterweight and power cable 27
`during loweringofthefixture frame.
`Normally the fixture frame 23 is held up against the
`transverse arms 15 and is prevented from swaying by
`the interaction between the sockets 32 on the arms 15,
`and the inserts or projections 33 confined in the
`sockets 32 and affixed on mountingplates 34 whichare
`welded to the frame ring 23. The inserts 33 are
`received in the sockets 32 during the normal upward
`travel of the fixture frame 23 toward the arms 15.so
`that the fixture frame and the electric light fixtures 26
`are prevented from swayingrelative to the tower 10 in
`their normalposition.
`The counterweight 25 comprises an elongate rigid
`sleeve 35 constructed of steel pipe and substantially
`filled with steel bars or rods so that the counterweight
`25 will be heavier than the fixture frame 23 together
`with the fixtures 26 thereon. Thesteel sleeve 35 nor-
`mally projects downwardly into a well 36 formed in the
`footing 13 for the tower 10. The well 36 has a closed
`bottom and an opentopto slidably receive the counter-
`weight 25 therein.
`The counterweightalso includes a guide plate 37 and
`an anchoring plate 38, both affixed to the cover plate
`35.1 of the sleeve 35 by long bolts 38a so that the
`anchorplate 38is rigid with respect to the sleeve 35.
`Plate 38 has upwardly projecting apertured ears
`facilitating anchoring the support cables 21 thereon.
`The receptacle box 27.1 is affixed to the plates 37 and
`38 for anchoring the lower endofthe powercable 27.
`Theplate 37 hasa pairof transversely outwardly pro-
`jecting ears 37.1 rigidly connected thereto and aper-
`tured to slidably receive the guide cable 39 so as to
`prevent the counterweight 25, as a whole, form revolv-
`ing or rotating as it is raised and lowered in the tower
`10. The guide cables 39 are affixed as byfittings 40 to
`the stationary well 36 adjacent the base of the tower,
`and areaffixed as by fittings 41 to the top annularplate
`42 which is attached by weldingto the top ofthe tower
`so that the cables 39 remainessentially stationary atall
`times.
`Normally, the counterweight holds the fixture frame
`23 in its elevated position, and, in order to lower the
`fixture frame 23, the ‘counterweight is raised in the
`tower 10 through the use of a lift cable 43 which is
`trained over and suspended from a pulley or sheave 44
`mounted in a covered bracket 45 at the top of the
`tower 10.
`Oneendofthelift cable 43 is attached byfitting 43.1
`to the anchorplate 38 of the counterweight 25, and the
`other end oflift cable 43 is, in the form illustrated,
`wound on the drum 44 of winch 45 whichis carried on
`the bracket plate 46 whichis affixed as by welding to
`the interior of the tower 10, immediately adjacentthe
`hand hole 47 which is normally covered by a cover
`plate 48. The winch 45 maybeofanysuitable type, and
`may actually be removably mounted in the tower, but
`in the form shown, the winch 45 has a gearbox 45.1
`which may be supplied with mechanical power for
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`25
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`operating the winch by an auxiliary portable electric
`motor which maybe broughtto the site by a workman
`and then detachably coupled to the input drive shaft
`45.2 for operating the winch. Such a portable motor
`may be the type of motor which is ordinarily used for
`heavy duty drilling, but provided with a special
`coupling at the chuck.
`It will be readily understood that by simply operating
`the winch45,thelift cable 43 is wound on the winch
`drum, and the counterweightis lifted, substantially
`throughoutthe entire height of the tower 10 for lower-
`ing the fixture frame 23 and thefixtures 26.
`The counterweight 25is provided with a plurality of
`guide wheels 49, being mountedin suitable brackets at-
`tachedto the anchorplate 38 so that the counterweight
`will be guided freely along theinterior of the upper por-
`tion of the tower wherein theinterior dimensions are
`considerably less than the dimensionsof the towerillus-
`trated in FIG. 7, such that the counterweight will not
`dragalongthe interior surfacesof the tower.
`In the modified form of the inventionillustrated in
`FIG.9,it is illustrated principally that the shape of the
`fixture frame 23’ may be varied considerably from the
`shape of the frameillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The
`fixture frame 23 may have sources of light such as
`fluorescent tubes 26’ incorporated therein and mayin-
`corporate translucent panels 23a’ for carrying advertis-
`ing displays and the like. The tower 10 illustrated in
`FIG, 9 is essentially the same as that described herein-
`before and is provided with similar mounting armsat
`the top so as to supportand stabilize the fixture frame
`23’ and prevent it from swaying or otherwise moving
`relative to the tower, except whenit is desired to lower
`the fixture frame. The fixture frame 23’ will have an
`opening 23d’ in the bottom of it so as to freely pass
`downwardly along the tower whenthefixture frameis
`lowered.
`the fixture frame 23 is ordinarily
`In operation,
`retained at the top of the tower 10. The counterweight
`25, reposingin the well 36, maintains the tension on the
`support cables 21 so that the sockets and inserts 32 and
`33 are coupled and the fixture frame andfixtures are
`Tetained in stationary position relative to the tower.
`Power is supplied to the electric fixture 26 from the
`cable 27 which is supplied with powerat the receptacle
`box 27.1 from the source of powerprovided by the plug
`30 and flexible cable 31. Normally the hand hole cover
`48is in placeas illustrated in FIG. 2, and the tower and
`lighting apparatus appears to be an integral unit.
`However, whenit is desired to service the light fix-
`tures 26 at the top of the tower,
`the cover 48 is
`removed and a source of mechanical poweris attached
`to the input shaft 45.2 of the winch, to prepareforrais-
`ing the counterweight. The plug 30 is removed from the
`receptacle box 27.1 so as to uncouple the power cable
`27 from the source of power and to free the counter-
`weight for upward movement.
`As the winch 45 is operated, the lift cable 43 is
`wound onto the drum 44 and the counterweight 25 is
`lifted. As the counterweight moves upwardly in the
`tower 10, cables 21 lower the fixture frame 23 to the
`dotted line position shown in FIG. 1 and then to the
`base of the tower 10 wherethe fixtures 26 are readily
`accessible for replacement or repair. While the fixture
`frame andlightfixtures are near the base of the tower,
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 7 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 7 of 8
`
`

`

`5
`the test procedures on the fixtures 26 may be accom-
`plished by supplying electric powerto the receptacle
`26.2 onthe fixture frame.
`When the maintenance of the fixtures has been ac-
`complished, the winch 45 is operated in reverse to pay
`off the lift cable 43 from the drum, whereby to lower
`the counterweight25 in the tower 10 and cause lifting
`of the fixture frame 23 into the normal operating posi-
`tion illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The counterweightis
`prevented from rotating in the tower 10 by the guide
`cables 39. Transverse movement ofthe fixture frame
`23, during lifting, is minimized becauseit is being lifted
`by three separate cables, and, as the fixture frame ap-
`proachesthe arms 15, the lengths of support cables 21
`suspended from the pulleys 17 is very short and, as a
`result, the inserts 33 are accurately guided into the
`sockets 32 for retaining the fixture frame against any
`transverse swing or wobbling movement. When thefix-
`ture frame 23 has reached its uppermost position
`against the arms 15as illustrated, the source of power
`will be coupled to the cable 27, simply by inserting the
`plug 30 into the receptacle box 27.1. Detachment of
`the source of mechanical powerfrom the winch 45, and
`replacementof the cover plate 48 are thefinal steps in
`putting this light tower backinto service.
`Thelight tower, which maybe well over one hundred
`feet high, would normally present very serious hazards
`for a workman to climb up to the fixtures for servicing,
`but,
`in view of the present invention which permits
`lowering the fixtures to the ground forservicing, the
`maintenanceof these towers can be quick and inexpen-
`sive, and need not involve any unusual hazards nor-
`mally associated with tower work. The counterweight,
`reposing in the well, holds the fixture frame up against
`the rigid transverse arms, and the support cables 21
`which interconnect the frame with the counterweight
`are not subjected to any substantial wear as they are
`never wound on drumsnorare they exposedto exterior
`weathering. The power is supplied to an distributed
`within the fixture frame, and the power cable can be
`readily and easily physically and electrically uncoupled
`or disconnected as the counterweight and support ca-
`bles are allowed to move up the tower as the fixture
`frame and fixtures are lowered forservicing. Lowering
`of the fixture frame is accomplished simplybylifting
`the counterweight through the use of the winch at the
`base of the tower.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. Apparatus supporting electric fixtures at an
`elevated location so high as to be dangerous to work-
`men and difficult to reach and maintain, comprising an
`elongate, vertical, tubular tower having a top, a base
`and a hollowinterior, said tower secured at its base on
`a supporting surface, at least three transverse tubular
`support armsaffixed at one end thereof to the top of
`thé tower and extending at their other ends a substan-
`tial
`distance
`outwardly
`therefrom in
`different
`directions, an opening in the underside of each support
`arm at the other end thereof, a first rotatable sheave
`mounted within the other end of each support arm ad-
`jacent to and above said opening, a second sheave
`rotatably mounted within each said support arm at said
`
`3,696,241
`
`6
`one end thereof, a counterweight within said tubular
`tower, an annular fixture frame disposed in substantial
`foweratthebapondHeaa8,felgtionshipto,said
`tures supportedon said frame,self-aligning interfitting
`socket and tapered projecting meanson said frame and
`on each said arm at the other end thereof spaced in-
`wardly from and in juxtaposition with said opening in
`eachsaid arm, support cable means secured at one end
`to said frame and extending upwardly over said first
`sheavein eachsaid arm andthrough said armsand over
`said second sheave and thence downwardly through
`said tower and secured at the other end thereofto said
`counterweight, so that said fixture frame is continu-
`ously positively held upwardly against the underside of
`said support arms with said interfitting socket and pro-
`jecting means interengaged to prevent swaying or
`transverse movement of said fixture frame but per-
`mitting lowering of said fixture frame around said
`tower whendesired, pulley means mounted to the top
`of said tower, and power cable means connected with a
`sourceofelectrical energy at the base of the tower and
`extending upwardly through said tower and over said
`pulley means, said power cable being operatively con-
`nected with the electric fixtures supported on said
`frame.
`2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein meansare opera-
`tively connected with said counterweight for raising
`and lowering the counterweight
`in said tower
`to
`thereby raise and lower said fixture frame, said power -
`cable being connected to said counterweight, and
`detachable connection meansat the base of the tower
`for coupling the powercable to a power supply.
`3. Apparatusas in claim 2, wherein a pair oflinear
`guide means extend upwardly through said tower
`between the top and base thereof, and meansare on the
`counterweight operatively engaged with said linear
`guides to preventrotation of the counterweight during
`travel thereof in the tower.
`4. Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein a well is beneath
`the base of the tower for receiving the counterweight
`when the counterweightis in its normal, lowered posi-
`tion, and said operable meansforraising and lowering
`the counterweightincludes a sheave rotatably mounted
`at the top of the tower, a lift cable trained over the
`sheave and connected at one end thereof to the coun-
`terweight, a winch at the base of the tower and the
`other endofsaidlift cable connected to said winch for
`lifting the counterweight and lowering the fixture
`frame.
`5. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said fixture frame
`comprises a plurality of straight
`tubular members
`jointed togetherat adjacent ends to form a hexagonally
`shaped frameat the outer ends ofsaid arms.
`6. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein advertising panel
`meansare securedto said frame for displaying advertis-
`ing material.
`7. The fixture supporting apparatus according to
`claim 1 and the counterweight carrying anelectrical
`receptacle connected to the power cable,
`and the power source having a connectorplugtofit
`the receptacle.
`*x*
`ok
`ok
`*
`x
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 8 of 8
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1023 - Page 8 of 8
`
`