AU2011226803B2

AU2011226803B2 - An Articulated Pole

Info

Publication number: AU2011226803B2
Application number: AU2011226803A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Colin John Jauncey
Original assignee: Industrial Galvanizers Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Industrial Galvanizers Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-23
Filing date: 2011-09-21
Publication date: 2017-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-21
Also published as: AU2011226803A1

Abstract

An articulated pole having a fixed pole section and a pivoted arm pivotally connected to the fixed pole section by a pivot, the pivoted arm including an upper section above the pivot and a lower section below the pivot, the pole including means to translate the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm towards the pivot. A winch can be provided to control the rotation of the pivoted arm. Figure 7. 00 C) 0 oo N oc T- N wI 0 (w oc U- - n o CD C6

Description

C11126 1 2011226803 12 May 2017

An articulated pole

Field of the invention [001] This invention relates to an articulated pole.

[002] The invention is particularly suited for manufacture of articulated utility poles and for retrofitting to installed articulated poles.

Background of the invention [003] Articulated poles are poles which have a fixed base and a pivoted upper arm which permits the top of the pole to be lowered for maintenance. A known articulated pole has a fixed base pole, and a counterbalanced pivoted upper arm at the upper end of the base pole. When in the upright position, the pivoted arm extends above and below the pivot. Apparatus such as floodlights can be installed at the upper end of the pivoted arm. Such poles can be of the order of 15m high or taller. The pivot can be installed approximately midway up the pole.

[004] The pivot arrangement is constrained to permit the pole to pivot to one side of the base pole, the lower portion of the pivoted arm engaging with the base pole to prevent rotation in the opposite direction beyond the upright position.

[005] The pivoted arm is dimensioned such that, when the pole is installed and fully erected, the lower end of the pivoted arm can be reached from the ground or a raised work platform, and a rope attached thereto to enable a maintenance worker to controllably lower and raise the pivoted arm.

[006] The counterbalance arrangement is such that the upper section of the pivoted arm is slightly heavier than the lower portion of the pivoted arm.

[007] The pivot point is offset to the rotation side of the centre line of the fixed pole section. In the known pole, the pivoted arm has its centre of gravity on the opposite side of the centre line to the pivot. A counterweight to approximately balance the weight of the apparatus can be provided on the lower section of the pivoted arm.

[008] In the fully erected or upright position, the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm is located on the stable side of the pivot, ie, on the side of the pivot opposite the rotation and at a radial distance therefrom. The radial distance will normally include both vertical and horizontal components. Thus, the centre of gravity 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 2 forms an over-the-centre gravitational stabilizer, as the centre of gravity must rotate upwards to cross over the vertical through the pivot (the tipping point) before the pivoted arm can be lowered. The weight of the pivoted arm thus provides a restoring moment of rotation about the pivot which tends to hold the pivoted arm in place in the upright position. When it is desired to lower the pivoted arm, the maintenance worker must thus overcome this restoring moment. Thus the maintenance worker must apply force to the lower section of the pivoted arm to rotate the centre of gravity above the pivot point. The force required is determined by the radial distance between the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm and the pivot point and the angle of the radius line between the centre of gravity and the pivot point, as well as the angle and length of the lower section of the pivot arm and the angle of the rope to the lower section of the pivot arm. The moment is Rm = M*R*(sin Θ), where Rm is the rotational moment, M is the weight of the arm, R is the distance between the pivot and centre of gravity, and Θ is the angle between the vertical and the line between the pivot and centre of gravity. In known articulated poles, the pivoted arm needs to rotate between approximately 45° and 80° before it crosses the tipping point.

[009] Once the centre of gravity crosses the pivot point (the tipping point), the pivoted arm will continue to rotate under its own weight. The maintenance worker must then apply a retarding force to the pivoted arm to control the rotation of the pivoted arm. If the arm is rotated too rapidly, the force required to control its rotation can be substantial as this force is proportional to the square of the rotational velocity and this is amplified as the arm rotates further beyond the tipping point. It is also important that the rotation be brought to a stop smoothly, as an abrupt halt may damage the electrical apparatus, such as lights.

[010] It is desirable to provide means to facilitate control of the rotation of the pivoted arm.

Summary of the invention [011] The present invention provides an articulated pole having a pivoted arm and including a winch having a cable attached to the lower section of the pivoted arm.

[012] The winch can be attached to the fixed pole section of the articulated pole.

[013] The winch can be removable from the pole. 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 3 [014] The invention also provides an articulated pole having a fixed pole section and a pivoted arm pivotally connected to the fixed pole section by a pivot, the pivoted arm including an upper section above the pivot and a lower section below the pivot, the pole including means to translate the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm towards the pivot.

[015] The pivot can be offset.

[016] The centre of gravity of the pivoted arm can provide a restoring moment in the upright position.

[017] The means to translate the centre of gravity can include an offset section of the pivoted arm.

[018] The means to translate the centre of gravity can include a first counterweight on the upper side of the pivoted arm.

[019] The first counterweight can be at least partially located on the opposite side of the pivot to the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm.

Brief description of the drawings [020] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [021] Figure 1 is an illustration of an articulated pole of the prior art, in the fully erected position; [022] Figure 2 is shows detail of the pivot arrangement of the pole of Figure 1; [023] Figure 3 is an illustration of the pole of Figure 1 in a partially lowered position; [024] Figure 4 is shows detail of the pivot arrangement of the pole of Figure 3; [025] Figure 5 is an illustration of a pole according to an embodiment of the invention in the fully erected position; [026] Figure 6 is a detail view of the pivot region of Figure 5; [027] Figure 7 illustrates the pole of Figure 5 with the pivoted arm in the horizontal position; 2011226803 12 May 2017 [039] [040] cooperate [041] Figure 20. [042] Figure 20. [043] [044] [045] [046] [047]

Cl 1126 4 [028] Figure 8 is a detailed view of the pivot region of Figure 7; [029] Figure 9 is a schematic illustration comparing the relative positions of the centres of gravity of a known pole with those of a pole according to an embodiment of the invention; [030] Figure 10 illustrates a pole of an alternative arrangement; [031] Figure 11 shows the pole of Figure 10 with the pivoted arm in the horizontal position; [032] Figure 12 illustrates a counterweight suitable for use with the pole of Figure 10; [033] Figure 13 is a plan view of the counterweight attached to a pole; and [034] Figure 14 shows detail of the pivot region of Figure 11.

[035] Figure 15 shows an articulated pole arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[036] Figure 16 illustrates a pole of another alternative arrangement.

[037] Figure 17 is a partial elevated view of the fixed lower section of the pole shown in Figure 16.

[038] Figure 18 is a cross section view of the fixed lower section shown in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a cross section view of a winch mounting portion.

Figure 20 illustrates the lower section of a pivoted arm adapted to with the winch shown in Figure 28.

Figure 21 is a partial side elevation view of the pivoted arm shown in

Figure 22 is a partial end elevation view of the pivoted arm shown in

Figure 23 is cross section of the pivoted arm shown in Figure 20. Figure 24 is a cross section view of a bracket.

Figure 25 is a side elevation view of the bracket shown in Figure 24. Figure 26 is a plan view of a lifting beam.

Figure 27 is a side view of the lifting beam shown in Figure 26. 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 5 [048] Figure 28 is a perspective view of a winch for cooperating with the winch mounting portion shown in Figure 19.

[049] Figure 29 illustrates the pole shown in Figure 16, with the pivoted arm fully lowered.

[050] The numbering convention used in the drawings is that the digits in front of the full stop indicate the drawing number, and the digits after the full stop are the element reference numbers. Where possible, the same element reference number is used in different drawings to indicate corresponding elements.

[051] It is understood that, unless indicated otherwise, the drawings are intended to be illustrative rather than exact representations, and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The orientation of the drawings is chosen to illustrate the features of the objects shown, and does not necessarily represent the orientation of the objects in use.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [052] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate features of a known articulated pole 1.002.

[053] The pole has a fixed lower section 1.004 and a pivoted upper arm 1.006. The pivot 1.014 is located at the top of the fixed section 1.004 in the general location of the mid-point of the pole. The pivot is offset to the left of the fixed pole. Apparatus such as light fitting 1.020 is located at the top of the pole.

[054] In Figure 3, the pivoted upper arm 3.006 includes an upper section 3.007 above the pivot 3.014, and a lower section 3.008 below the pivot. A counterweight 3.012 can be provided on the lower portion 3.008 of the pivoted arm to nearly balance the weight on either side of the pivot. However, the upper section 3.007 is designed to be heavier than the lower section 3.008 so the top will have a counter-clockwise moment.

[055] The lower section 3.008 of the pivoted arm 3.006 can have an open channel or “U” cross section adapted to fit and receive therein, the outside of the fixed section 1.004. The “U” section can be tapered as shown in Figure 3 and will generally match the profile of the fixed section 1.004, although it may have any cross sectional shape. The lower section 3.004 and the upper section 3.007 of the pivoted arm can have any suitable cross section. For example the cross section can be octagonal, hexagonal, or square. 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 6 [056] As shown in Figure 2, the weight of the pivoted section is distributed so the centre of gravity 2.015 of the pivoted section lies on the opposite side of the centre line 2.013 of the pivoted section from the pivot 2.014. With the pole fully erected, there is a horizontal distance D1 between the pivot 2.014 and the centre of gravity 2.015. The centre of gravity 2.015 is constrained to move in a circular arc about the pivot 2.014. Thus, the weight of the pivoted section tends to produce a clockwise rotational moment proportional to D1 which tends to hold the pivoted section in place in the upright position because the upright position is the limit of rotation in the clockwise direction, as the lower portion of the pivoted section is in engagement with the fixed section of the pole. The maintenance worker must overcome this restoring moment in order to lower the top of the pivoted arm.

[057] In Figure 4 shows detail of the pivot area with the pivoted section partially lowered and in the horizontal position. The centre of gravity 4.015 of the pivoted section is now located at a horizontal distance D2 to the left of the pivot 4.014. In this position, the centre of gravity causes a counter-clockwise moment about the pivot. However, the pivoted arm is not impeded in this direction until the far end strikes the ground or the fixed pole 1.004. The maintenance worker must use the rope 3.009 to control the rotation once the centre of gravity passes over the pivot point. The maximum rotational moment will occur when the centre of gravity is horizontally aligned with the pivot.

[058] Figures 5 to 8 illustrate features of an articulated pole according to an embodiment of the invention. The pole has a fixed section 5.004 and a pivoted arm 5.006 connected to pivot 5.014. The axis of the pivoted arm is offset in relation to the axis of the fixed pole 5.004 by angled section 5.016 which makes the upper part of the pivoted pole 5.006 offset from the fixed pole 5.004. The fixed pole 5.004 has the pivot 5.014 at its upper end. As in Figure 7, the pivoted section 5.006 is able to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction from the upright position. The offset section 5.016 shifts the major proportion of the upper part of the pivoted arm to the left as illustrated in Figure 5. As the pivot is also offset to the left, this offset brings the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm closer to the pivot.

[059] The offset section 5.016 is shown as an angled section which is angled to the vertical or to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the fixed pole. However, the offset section could alternatively be at right angles to the main axis of the pivot arm. 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 7 [060] The desired effect of reducing turning moment can be achieved by reducing the radial distance between the centre of gravity and the pivot. Although it is preferred that the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm provide a restoring moment when the pole is in the upright position, this is not essential, as the lower section of the pivoted arm can be releasably attached to the fixed portion of the pole in the upright position. Thus, the centre of gravity can be transposed to be vertically above, or even slightly to the left of, the pivot.

[061] As seen in Figure 6, the offset brings the centre of gravity 6.017 closer to the pivot 6.014 than in the arrangement of Figures 1 & 2. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the centre of gravity 6.017 is shifted to the same side of the centre line as the pivot 6.014. However, the centre of gravity is still located to the right of the pivot 6.014 by a distance D3, and this produces a restoring moment tending to hold the pivoted section upright. D3 is significantly smaller than D1, so assuming equal weights for the pivoted arms of the known system and the pole of Figure 5, the maintenance worker has a significantly smaller moment to overcome than in the known arrangement of Figure 1.

[062] Figure 7 shows the pivoted arm of the pole of Figure 5 in the partly lowered horizontal position. As shown in Figure 8, the centre of gravity 8.017 is now on the left of the pivot 8.014 and at a horizontal distance D4, and produces a turning moment which the maintenance worker must control.

[063] Figure 7 also illustrates a winch 7.024 that is attached to the lower portion of the fixed section 7.004 and the winch cable 7.029 is attached near the end of the lower portion 7.008 of the pivoted arm. This provides the maintenance worker with additional control when lowering and raising the pivoted arm. The winch 7.024 is a detachably mounted winch so that the maintenance workers bring the winch with them and attach it to a pole. The pole at its base can provide brackets or formations for receiving the winch and keeping it secured to the pole while the maintenance work is done.

[064] Figure 9 is a comparative illustration of the locations of the centres of gravity and pivot for the known arrangement of Figure 1 and the embodiment of Figure 5 in the upright and horizontal positions. The radius R1 (distance between the centre of gravity 9.015 and the pivot 9.014) for the known arrangement is larger than the radius R2 for the embodiment of Figures 5 to 8. 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 8 [065] Figure 9 shows that the radius R1 of the known arrangement between the pivot 9.014 and the centre of gravity 9.015 of the known arrangement in the upright position forms an angle a with the vertical, while the radius R2 makes an angle β. The restoring moments are proportional to the corresponding horizontal distances D1 & D3.

[066] Figure 9 also shows the differences in angular position of the centres of gravity in the upright and horizontal positions. When the radius R1 has rotated to position 9.015b, the known pivot arm s horizontal. However, the turning moment will continue to increase until R1 is horizontal. Thus the force required to be exerted by the maintenance worker will increase significantly (radius R1) and for a rotational angle of a after the beam crosses the horizontal.

[067] However, with the embodiments described herein, the rotational moment again continues to increase from position 9.017b until R2 is horizontal, but this is through a significantly smaller angle β and with a shorter radius R2 compared with the known pivot arm.

[068] Illustrated in Figures 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 is another pole arrangement. This pole arrangement is suitable for retro-fitting to articulated poles of the known type, or for original equipment manufacture. Figure 10 illustrates a pole of the known type in the upright position with an additional counterweight 10.030 attached to the upper section 10.007 of the pivoted arm above the pivot 10.014. The centre of gravity of the pivoted arm 10.006 is displaced towards the pivot 10.014 by the additional counterweight 10.030. In the horizontal position, (Figure 11) the depending weights 12.024, 12.036 of counterweight 11.030 can pass on either side of the fixed section 11.004 of the pole, as best seen at 14.004, 14.036, 14.040 in the detail view of Figure 14 .

[069] Figures 12 & 13 illustrate the additional counterweight 12.030. It includes a cross member 12.031 with bent arms 12.034, 12.036 at either end. Weights 12.038, 12.040 are attached to the ends of the bent arms and are transverse to the plane of the bent arms. When the pole is in the upright position, the bent arms can be in a substantially horizontal plane, the weights 12.038, 12.040 depending substantially vertical from the bent arms. The weight of the additional counterweight 12.030 is sufficient to displace the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm closer to the pivot 10.014. As seen in the plan view Figure 13, the weight is attached to the upper section 13.007 of the pivoted arm. 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 9 [070] Figure 15 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in a pulley 15.52 is attached to an extension arm or “outrigger arm” 15,054 at a distance from the winch and on the rotational side of the pivot arm. The outrigger arm is attached at a location to avoid interference with the rotation of the pivoted arm.

[071] As shown in Figure 15, the load on the rope or cable 15.009 varies with the divergence angle Φ of the rope from the normal to the pivoted arm. The rope attachment point describes an arc of a circle 15.050 as the pivoted arm rotates about the pivot. The load on the rope is increased inversely to the cosine of the angle Φ compared with the load on a rope which is aligned with the normal to the pivot arm.

[072] Consider first the case where the winch is attached to the fixed pole 15.004 and the rope 15.009 is directly attached to the lower end of the pivoted arm. When the pivoted arm is horizontal, the rope 15.009 makes an angle ΦΑ with the normal to the pivot arm. When the pivoted arm rotates to position B, the rope 15.009.1 now makes an angle ΦΒ with the normal to the pivot arm. Since ΦΒ > ΦΑ, the load on the rope at point B is thus substantially increased compared with the notional rope load at right angles to the pivot arm.

[073] Turning now to the case where the rope passes round the pulley 15.052, it can be seen that the angle Φο between the rope 15.009.2 and the normal to the pivoted arm is less than ΦΒ. Accordingly, the actual load on the rope is decreased when the rope is passed around the remote pulley 15.052.

[074] The length of the outrigger arm can be, for example, of the order of 2 to 3 metres.

[075] Alternatively, the winch can be attached to an anchor point at a distance from the pole or to a vehicle.

[076] At any angle, the tension in the rope is determined by the length of a line Y through the pivot and perpendicular to the rope in accordance with the formula Rm / Y, where Rm is as described above.

[077] In a further embodiment, for manual control of the pivoted arm with a rope, a pulley wheel can be attached to the lower section of the pivoted arm and a rope run through the pulley, one end being attached to the fixed pole, the free end being controlled manually.

[078] A stopper bracket can be fixed to the fixed pole below the pivot to limit the rotation of the pivoted section of the pole to a predetermined angle, for example 165°. 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 10 [079] To lower the pole using the winch attached to the pole, the maintenance worker first attaches the winch to the fixed pole section and attaches the winch cable to the end of the lower section of the pivoted arm, and then unfastens the lower section of the pivoted arm from the fixed pole section and walks the end out from the base of the pole until the pivoted arm reaches the “topple point” when the centre of gravity the pivoted arm passes over the pivot, while paying out the winch cable. When the centre of gravity passes the topple point, the maintenance worker can hold the cable to restrain the pivoted arm and then use the winch handle to continue to pay out the cable to lower the arm under control.

[080] If the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm is to the “left” of the pivot in the upright position, there is no need to walk the end out because the pivoted arm is already beyond the topple point.

[081] When raising the pole to the upright position, the maintenance worker can wind in the winch cable until the end of the pivoted arm is within reach and then manually bring the lower end of the pivoted arm to the fixed pole section and refasten the attachment means.

[082] Illustrated in Figures 16 to 19 and 29 is another pole arrangement. Figure 16 depicts the pivoted lower arm 16.008 of the pole partially raised. Figure 29 depicts the pivoted lower arm 29.008 of the pole fully lowered. The pivoted upper arm 16.006 can have a shifted centre of gravity, similar to the pole shown in Figure 10. The fixed lower section 16.004 of the pole 16.002 includes a winch mount 16.060. The maintenance worker can attach a separate winch to the winch mount 16.060.

The winch mount 16.060 is located on the same side of the pole as the lower portion 16.008 of the pivoted upper arm 16.006.

[083] As shown in Figure 17, the winch mount 17.060 is located at a lower portion 17.011 of the fixed section 17.004. The winch mount 17.060 includes a shaft 17.062 which extends transversely through the fixed section 17.004, passing through the central longitudinal axis of the fixed section 17.004, and ending at a location proud of the outer surface of the fixed section 17.004. A mounting means 17.064 such as a mounting flange is attached to the end of the shaft.. The mounting flange 17.064 is centrally aligned with respect to the outer face of the fixed section 17.004. The mounting means 17.064 provides a larger surface area than the cross section of the shaft 17.062. As seen in Figures 18 and 19, the shaft 17.062 and mounting means 17.064 can each have a square profile. The mounting means 19.064 is provided with a number of through holes 19.065 provided evenly around the 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 11 perimeter of the mounting means 19.064, for mounting the winch thereto with bolts and nuts. The holes can be threaded if desired.

[084] In addition to, or instead of the winch mount 17.060 described above, the fixed section 17.004 can include lifting lugs 17.061 located at or near a base of the fixed section 17.004. The winch cable can instead be attached to the lug 17.061 when the pivoted arm is rotated. Also the lifting lugs 17.061 allow the fixed section 17.004 to be lifted and moved by e.g. a crane, so that it can be installed or removed.

[085] Figures 20 to 23 depict the lower end 20.008 of the pivoted arm 20.006. The upper portion of the pivoted arm 20.006 can have one or more of the same features as described above with respect to other pole arrangements. The lower end 20.008 of the pivoted arm 20.006 is provided with a pair of brackets 21.066, for attaching to a bracing beam (this could also be described as a lifting beam), as illustrated in Figures 26 and 27, which is in turn attachable to the winch cable.

[086] The brackets 21.066 are attached, for example, by welding, on two opposed sides of the lower end of the pivoted arm 20.006. Each bracket 21.066 can have a safe working load of about, for example, 2 tonnes. The bracing beam of Figures 26 and 27 will have a similar safe working load as the brackets 21.066. Because of the location of the brackets 20.006, the load from the winch cable is applied to the sides of the pivoted arm 20.006 rather than the middle of the pivoted arm.

[087] The brackets 21.066 can be attached to the pivoted arm 20.006 such that they are angled from the longitudinal axis of the pivoted arm 20.006, with the tips of the brackets 21.066 pointing downwardly and away from the longitudinal axis of the pivoted arm 21.006, as illustrated in Figure 21. The angle between the axis of the bracket 21.066 and the axis of the pivoted arm 21.006 can be about, for example, 55 degrees. This enables the bar portion 24.084 of the brackets 21.066 to be spaced from the wall of the pivoted arm 20.006 so that a large degree of relative rotation of a cable or hook means is allowed at the brackets 21.066, as the pivoted arm 20.006 pivots through its designed for angular travel.

[088] As best seen in Figures 22 and 23, the pivoted arm 22.006 can further be provided with a reinforcing means such as a bar 22.071 constructed from a square hollow tube in this instance. The reinforcing means 22.071 is attached to the pivoted arm 22.006 at a location to help prevent the sides of the pivoted arm 22.006 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 12 from moving toward each other under the load applied to the brackets 22.066. For example the reinforcing means 22.071 can be attached to the face 22.073 of the pivoted arm 22.006 which interconnects the two opposed sides to which the brackets 22.066 are attached. Also the reinforcing means 22.071 can be located at generally the same distance from the lower end 20.008 of the pivoted arm as the brackets 22.066. As shown in Figure 23, there can be internal reinforcing means such as gusset plates 23.075 to further reinforce the pivoted arm 22.006. The gusset plates 23.075 can be attached to the interior surface of the pivoted arm 23.006, to support the pivoted arm 23.006 in the transverse direction. They can be located adjacent at the same level as the reinforcing means 23.071.

[089] As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the pivoted arm 22.006 can have one or more slots 21.077, which are adapted to align with welded in place nuts, or plates having threaded apertures on the inside of the fixed lower section 20.004, when the pivoted arm 22.006 is not raised. The slots 21.077 and the nuts, or apertured plates can receive security screws 22.079. The security screws 22.079 attach the pivoted arm 22.006 to the fixed lower section 20.004 when the pole is not in meant to swing.

[090] As shown in Figures 24 and 25, the brackets 24.066 can have a U-shaped cross section, including two side panels 24.080 which extend transversely from a middle panel 24.082. The side panels 24.080 are parallel to each other and can be identical. A bar portion 24.084, which has its longitudinal axis generally parallel to the surface of the middle panel 24.082, extends between side panels 24.080. The bar portion 24.084 can be welded to the side panels 24.080. Alternatively it can be part of a capped bolt or screw which extends through aligned through-holes 25.068 in the side panels 25.080. As shown in Figure 25, each side panel 25.080 has a base portion 25.088 that is adjacent the middle panel 24.082.

The base portion 25.088 can taper into a rounded and narrower tip portion 25.090, which in use points away from the pivoted arm 20.006.

[091] A bar, shaft, flat, sheet metal plate 21.070 or the like, can be welded to the sides of the pivoted arm 20.006 at locations adjacent the brackets 21.066 to assist in the reinforcing of the lower end of the pivoted arm 20.006.

[092] Figures 26 and 27 depict a bracing or lifting beam 26.072 adapted to be attached to the brackets 21.066. The lifting beam 26.072 includes a beam portion 26.074, which can be hollow. It is shown in Figure 27 as having a square cross section, but it may have another shape. A cable attachment portion 26.086, in the form of a flange, plate, or bracket, is connected to a central region of the beam 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 13 portion 26.072. As depicted in Figure 27, the cable attachment portion 27.086 is made from a bracket of the same arrangement as the brackets 21.066, with the middle panel of the cable attachment portion or bracket 26.086 being welded to the beam portion 26.074. The winch cable can be attached to the cable attachment portion 26.086 via e.g. a releasable clasp, hook, or the like.

[093] Each end of the beam portion 26.074 is pivotably attached to a chain link 26.076. The chain links 26.076 each end in an attachment device 26.078, such as a hook or a lobster claw clasp, which closes or hooks onto the bar portion 24.084 of a corresponding bracket 24.066, thus attaching the lifting beam 26.072 to the brackets 21.066. The chain link 26.076 and the attachment device 26.078 can also be pivotably attached.

[094] Figure 28 depicts a winch 28.024 adapted to cooperate with the pole arrangement and lifting beam described above. The winch 28.024 includes a spool 28.090 around which the winch cable 28.029 is wound. Cable 28.029A and 28.029B respectively show the cable positions when the pivoted portion 20.006 is raised to a higher and a lower position. The spool 28.090 is driven by a motor 28.092, which is located on one side of the spool 28.090. A pole mounting means 28.094 is located on the opposite side of the spool 28.090. The pole mounting means 28.094 includes a stem 28.095, the end of the stem being attached to a flange or plate 28.096. The flange or plate 28.096 can be of the same or similar size and shape as, and is adapted to align with, the mounting means 17.064 of the winch mount 17.060 provided on the fixed section 17.004 of the pole. However the flange or plate 28.096 is not limited to any specific configuration, as long as the flange or plate 28.096 and mounting means 17.064 can be secured together. For example, the flange 28.096 has through holes 28.097 which align with the holes 19.065 provided on the mounting means 17.064, so that the flange 28.096 and the mounting means 17.064 can be secured together by, for example, screws or bolts.

[095] The winch 28.024 can be mounted on a trolley 28.098 so as to be readily transportable. The trolley 28.098 includes a frame, platform, or carriage 28.100 which supports the winch components. The trolley 28.098 also includes wheels 28.102 and a handle 28.104 which are mounted to the frame, platform or carriage 28.100. The trolley 28.098 can further include a supporting leg 28.106 below the frame, platform, or carriage 28.100, so that the trolley can be freestanding.

[096] In this specification, reference to a document, disclosure, or other publication or use is not an admission that the document, disclosure, publication or 2011226803 12 May 2017

Cl 1126 14 use forms part of the common general knowledge of the skilled worker in the field of this invention at the priority date of this specification, unless otherwise stated.

[097] In this specification, terms indicating orientation or direction, such as “clockwise”, “counter-clockwise”, “up”, “down”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “left”, “right” “upright”, “transverse” etc. are not intended to be absolute terms unless the context requires or indicates otherwise. These terms will normally refer to orientations shown in the drawings.

[098] Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

[099] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

[0100] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

Claims

1. An articulated pole having a fixed pole section and a pivoted arm pivotally connected to the fixed pole section by a pivot, the pivoted arm including an upper section above the pivot and a lower section below the pivot, said upper section including a major portion having a main axis, and an offset portion which is provided at an angle to said main axis, so as to translate the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm towards the pivot, wherein the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm is located to provide a restoring moment when the pole is in the upright position.
2. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pivot is offset compared to a centreline of said fixed pole section, toward the rotation side of said upper section.
3. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, further including a first counterweight on the upper section of the pivoted arm.
4. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first counterweight is at least partially located on the opposite side of the pivot to the centre of gravity of the pivoted arm. 5 An articulated pole as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, including a winch having a cable attached to the lower section of the pivoted arm.
6. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 5, wherein the winch is attached to the fixed pole section of the articulated pole.
7. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower portion of the pivoted arm includes brackets for enabling attachment to the cable of the winch.
8. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 7, wherein there are two brackets, each provided on one side of the pivoted arm so that the brackets are opposed to each other.
9. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lower portion of the pivoted arm further includes a reinforcing means.
10. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reinforcing means is a bar member located at an outer surface of the pivoted arm.
11. An articulated pole as claimed any one of claims 7 to 10, further including internal reinforcing means attached to an internal surface of the pivoted arm.
12. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 11, wherein the internal reinforcing means are gussets transversely attached to the internal surface of the pivoted arm.
13. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the brackets are oriented in an oblique direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pivoted arm.
14. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein when the pivoted arm is rotated, a beam is adapted to be connected to the brackets.
15. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 14, wherein the beam includes a beam portion which connects to the brackets.
16. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 15, wherein ends of the beam portion are each attached to an attachment device that can pivot with respect to the brackets.
17. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 16, wherein the beam and the attachment device are pivotably connected.
18. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the beam includes an attachment portion that is adapted to connect to the winch cable.
19. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixed pole section includes a winch mount for attaching to the winch.
20. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 19, wherein the winch mount includes a winch mounting means that is attached to a stabilising shaft.
21. An articulated pole as claimed in claim 20 wherein the winch mounting means includes a flange, there being attachment holes in a perimeter of the flange.
22. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein when the pivoted arm is rotated the winch cable is attached to a lifting lug provided on or adjacent the fixed section.
23. An articulated pole as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pivoted arm and said fixed pole section are secured against relative movement thereto by means of security screws.