AU2017100111A4

AU2017100111A4 - Surveillance equipment tower

Info

Publication number: AU2017100111A4
Application number: AU2017100111A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jonathan Van Wyk
Original assignee: Atf Services Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Vision Intelligence Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2017-01-30
Publication date: 2017-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-02
Also published as: AU2017100111B4; AU2015221469A1; US20160060890A1; AU2015101924A4

Abstract

Surveillance equipment tower Abstract A surveillance equipment tower (10) includes a base (12), a base support (14), a pivot support (16) pivotally connected to the base support (14) at a fulcrum (44). The surveillance equipment tower (10) is operable by pivoting movement of the pivot support (16) between a lowered configuration and an erected configuration. Holes 65 are provided through the base support (14) and the pivot support (16) for receiving a locking pin to lock the tower (10) in the erected configuration. A locking lug (60) is provided on the pivot support (16) and a locking lug aperture (55) is provided in the base support (14) to also lock the tower (10) in the erected configuration. A cable lug (54) is provided on the pivot support (16) and a cable lug aperture (55) is provided in the base support (14) for attaching a cable to assist in pivoting the tower (10) between the lowered and erected configurations. 34 Fig. 1

Description

2017100111 30 Jan 2017 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990

Innovation Patent Specification

Title: Surveillance equipment tower Applicant(s): ATF Services Pty Ltd Inventor(s): Jonathan Van Wyk Agent: ©COTTERS Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys

The following is a full description of the invention which sets forth the best method known to the applicant of performing it. 2 2017100111 30 Jan 2017

Surveillance equipment tower

Related applications [0001] This application is related to Australian Provisional Patent Application 5 No. 2014903516 entitled "Equipment tower" and filed on 3 September 2014, and Australian Patent Application No. 2015221469 entitled "Equipment tower" and filed on 2 September 2015, the entire content of each of which is incorporated as if fully set forth herein.

Technical Field io [0002] The present invention relates to a portable surveillance equipment tower for mounting equipment such as a solar panel and camera and/or light at an elevated height.

Background of the Invention [0003] Construction, industrial or mining worksites often require the installation of temporary lighting and/or surveillance equipment at an elevated height. Temporary or i5 movable lighting and/or surveillance is also required in many other remote or isolated applications.

[0004] As work progresses or finishes, the equipment may need to be relocated to follow the work location or be removed altogether. Mobile towers mounted on a wheel base or tripod are commonly provided for temporary installations. Such installations are typically 20 complex constructions that are expensive to manufacture, transport and assemble.

[0005] Maintenance may also need to be carried out on the equipment during its deployment. Towers that allow the equipment to be lowered for maintenance typically have complex and expensive built-in mechanisms for raising and lowering the equipment. This results in the towers being expensive to manufacture and also means that the equipment on 25 the tower can be lowered and tampered with on site by unauthorised users.

Object of the Invention [0006] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative. 3 2017100111 30 Jan 2017

Summary of the Invention [0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a surveillance equipment tower operable between a lowered configuration and an erected configuration, the surveillance equipment tower comprising: 5 a base; a base support mounted to the base; and a pivot support pivotally connected to the base support at a fulcrum, the equipment tower being operable between the lowered and erected configurations by pivoting the pivot support about said fulcrum, a distal end of said pivot support being adapted to support io equipment mounted thereon and a proximal end of the pivot support having a cable lug; wherein the base support and the pivot support have corresponding holes that are coaxially aligned in the erected configuration and are adapted to receive a locking pin to releasably secure the pivot support to the base support in the erected configuration and prevent pivoting movement of the pivot support; i5 wherein the pivot support has a locking lug and the base support has a locking lug aperture, the locking lug being configured to pass through the locking lug aperture as the pivot support is pivoted into the erected configuration, so that in the erected configuration, the locking lug projects through the locking lug aperture and is adapted to receive a lock to releasably secure the pivot support to the base support in the erected configuration and 20 prevent pivoting movement of the pivot support; and wherein the base support has a cable lug aperture, the cable lug configured to pass through the cable lug aperture as the pivot support is pivoted into the erected configuration, the cable lug being adapted to receive a cable to assist in controlling the pivoting movement during operation between the lowered and erected configurations. 25 [0008] In one preferred arrangement, the holes in the pivot support and the base support extend in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the fulcrum and wherein the locking lug projects in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the fulcrum.

[0009] In another preferred arrangement, equipment is mounted on the distal end of the pivot support and the equipment comprises at least one camera and at least one solar panel 30 for powering the camera.

[0010] In one preferred implementation, the base is a concrete block and the base support is mounted to the concrete block, the base having lifting lugs embedded in the concrete block to allow the base to be lifted and relocated using a crane. 4 2017100111 30 Jan 2017 [0011] In one arrangement, the equipment tower further comprises a mounting for a detachable winch.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0012] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific 5 example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0013] Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of an equipment tower in an erected configuration; [0014] Fig. 2 is a side view of the equipment tower of Fig. 1 in a maintenance configuration; [0015] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of an equipment tower io moving between an erected and a maintenance configuration; [0016] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the base of the equipment tower of Fig. 1; [0017] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to Fig. 4 of the base of the equipment tower of Fig. 1; [0018] Fig. 6 is a detail view from the cross-sectional view of Fig. 4; and is [0019] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view of a base support of the equipment tower of

Fig. 1.

Detailed Description [0020] A surveillance equipment tower 10 is depicted in Fig. 1 in an erected configuration. The equipment tower 10 has a base 12 having a base support 14, a pivot support 16 and an 20 equipment support 18 supporting equipment components 20 in the form of a solar panel 22, a camera 24 powered by the solar panel, and a light 26.

[0021] The base 12, shown in further detail in Figs. 4 to 7, is a concrete block 28 supporting the base support 14 that includes battery seats 30 for supporting batteries 32 on the base 12 that are provided for powering the equipment components 20. The base 12 25 includes a conduit 34 through the concrete block 28 to accommodate electrical wires extending from the battery seats 30 to the base support 14 for coupling to the equipment components 20.

[0022] The base support 14 is secured to the base 12 at a proximal end 40 in an upright orientation relative to the base 12 by way of embedded bolts 36 in the base 12. The base 30 support 14 is an elongate member that extends upwardly from the proximal end 40 of the 5 2017100111 30 Jan 2017 base support 14 to a distal end 42 of the base support 14. The base support 14 is typically a generally square post having a C-section profile, as depicted in Fig. 7. A lockable door 63 is provided at the proximal end 40 of the base support 14 to obscure and protect any cabling passing from the base 12 into the base support 14 and to lock the pivot support 16 in the 5 erected configuration shown in Fig. 1.

[0023] The pivot support 16 is an elongate member that is pivotally connected to the base support 14 at a fulcrum 44, having a pivoting axis, located between a proximal end 46 of the pivot support 16 and a distal end 48 of the pivot support 16. On the base support 14, the fulcrum 44 is located at the distal end 42 of the base support 14. io [0024] The equipment components 20 are mounted, by way of the equipment support 18, to the pivot support 16 at the distal end 48 of the pivot support 16. The equipment support 18 is slidably mounted to the pivot support 16 for slidable movement relative to the pivot support 16. An end of the equipment support 18 is telescopically received in the distal end 48 of the pivot support 16 and secured in place by bolts 50. The pivot support 16 and is the equipment support 18 preferably have a hollow square sectional profile, allowing the equipment support 18 to be mounted to the pivot support 16 in any of four perpendicular axial orientations. The equipment support 18 may also have multiple longitudinal positioning options allowing it to be selectively located and secured in a number of different longitudinal locations as it slides telescopically within the pivot support 16. This allows the equipment 20 support 18 to be selectively securable to the pivot support 16 in a plurality of different positions during sliding movement relative to the pivot support 16.

[0025] The solar panel 22 is mounted on the equipment support 18 and is pivotally mounted to the equipment support 18 so as to be pivotally adjustable to vary its operational angle of inclination. The camera 24 and light 26 are also mounted on the equipment 25 support 18 and are powered by the solar panel 22. The equipment tower 10 may be provided with one or more of, or all of, the solar panel 22, camera 24, light 26 and/or other equipment, such as battery packs, as is required for the particular application. In other embodiments, multiple solar panels 22, cameras 24 and/or lights 26 may be installed on the equipment support 18. 30 [0026] A detachable winch 52 having a retractable cable 54 is provided for mounting on the equipment tower 10 via a winch mounting 56, typically a pair of transversely projecting lugs, on the base support 14. The winch 52 is releasably securable to the equipment tower 10, typically by being bolted to the winch mounting 56 on the base support 14. The 6 2017100111 30 Jan 2017 cable 54 is attachable to the pivot support 16. A cable lug aperture 55, or apertures, in the base support 14 is provided to allow the cable 54 to pass through the base support 14 and to be detachably connected to a cable lug 58 on the proximal end 46 of the pivot support 16. When the winch 52 is secured to the equipment tower 10 and the cable 54 is attached to the 5 pivot support 16, operation of the winch 52 controls the pivoting movement of the pivot support 16.

[0027] One or more locking lugs 60 are provided on the pivot support 16, which project in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivoting axis of the fulcrum and which project through the cable lug aperture 55, or individual corresponding locking lug apertures, in the io base support 14 in the erected configuration and are adapted to receive a padlock to releasably secure the pivot support 16 to the base support 14 in the erected configuration to prevent the pivoting movement of the pivot support 16. In the erected configuration, the cable lug 58 projects through a cable lug aperture 55 in the base support 14.

[0028] A stop flange 62 is provided at the distal end 42 of the base support 14 to limit the i5 pivotal movement of the pivot support 16 in the maintenance configuration.

[0029] A security bracket 64 is attached to the equipment support 18 to deter animals and people from climbing the equipment tower 10.

[0030] In order to lower the equipment components 20 for installation or maintenance, the equipment tower 10 is operable, by pivoting the pivot support 16 relative to the base 20 support 14, between an erected configuration, shown in Fig. 1 in which the equipment components 20 are elevated, and a lowered configuration, shown in Fig. 2 in which the equipment components 20 are lowered.

[0031] Firstly, the lockable door 63 is unlocked and opened, as shown in Fig. 2, and the padlock is removed from the locking lugs 60. Unwinding the cable 54 then allows the 25 proximal end 46 of the pivot support 16 to pivot upwardly away from the base support 14, thereby lowering the distal end 48 of the pivot support 16 and the equipment support 18 towards the lowered configuration. Winding on the cable 54 draws the proximal end 46 of the pivot support 16 downwardly towards the base support 14, thereby raising the distal end 48 of the pivot support 16 and the equipment support 18 and drawing the equipment tower 30 10 towards the erected configuration.

[0032] This range of motion is depicted in the schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the equipment tower 10 shown in Fig. 3. The pivot support 16 pivots 7 2017100111 30 Jan 2017 relative to the base support 14 through an angle greater than 90° and typically through an angle of about 120°. As depicted in this embodiment, a battery or battery pack 70 may be included in the equipment 20 mounted to the equipment support 18. This does away with the need for battery seats, conduits or cabling to be provided in the base 12 and pivot 5 support 16. Also as depicted in this embodiment, the equipment tower 10 may be designed for the winch 52 to attach onto the base support 14 below the cable lug 58 in the erected configuration.

[0033] In addition to the locking lugs 60, coaxial holes 65 are provided through the base support 14 and pivot support 16, in a direction parallel to the pivoting axis of the fulcrum 44, io for receiving a locking pin to lock the pivot support 16 to the base support 14 in the erected configuration and prevent the pivoting movement of the pivot support 16. The locking pin needs to be removed from the holes 65 before operating the tower 10 from the erected configuration to the lowered configuration. The combination of the lock on the locking lug 60 and the locking pin in the holes 65, extending in perpendicular directions, tightly i5 secures the tower 10 in the erected configuration and minimises stresses and strains on the locking pin and locking lugs.

[0034] In the lowered configuration shown in Fig. 2, the pivot support 16 rests on the stop flange 62 and the equipment tower 10 is accessible at ground level, allowing equipment components 20 to be replaced or repaired or allowing the equipment support 18 to be 20 disassembled from the pivot support 16 and replaced with a replacement equipment support and associated equipment.

[0035] Figs. 4 to 7 are different cross-sectional views of the base 12 and show in greater detail certain features of the base 12. The conduit 34, which is formed in the concrete block 28, extends between both battery seats 30 and the base support 14. The conduit 34 25 allows power cables to run from the batteries 32 through the concrete block 28 and into the base support 14. As depicted in Fig. 6, the batteries 32 may be provided in battery boxes 33. The embedded bolts 35 are provided to secure the base support 14 to the base 12.

[0036] As depicted in Fig. 5, two rectangular hollow section (RHS) beams 66 are secured to 30 the bottom of the concrete block 28 in recesses to allow the base 12 to be lifted and relocated using a forklift. Further, lifting lugs 68 are embedded in the concrete block 28 to allow the base 12 to be lifted and relocated using a crane. 2017100111 30 Jan 2017 8 [0037] The surveillance equipment tower 10 described herein is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, transport and assemble. Each of the main components, being the base 12, the base support 14, the pivot support 16, the equipment support 18, the equipment components 20 and the detachable winch 52 can be manufactured individually and provided 5 in a modular fashion. The equipment tower 10 can be easily transported in a disassembled state and assembled on site easily and quickly. This modular construction arrangement allows the equipment tower 10 to be manufactured, transported and installed inexpensively. It also allows components of the equipment tower 10 to be easily replaced if damaged.

[0038] By providing a detachable winch 52, which is only required during installation or io maintenance of the equipment tower 10, manufacturing costs are saved. Removing the winch from the equipment tower 10 also prevents unauthorised personnel from lowering the equipment tower 10 and tampering with the equipment 20. Instead, the equipment tower provider is required to conduct any maintenance on the equipment tower 10.

[0039] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it is will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A surveillance equipment tower operable between a lowered configuration and an erected configuration, the surveillance equipment tower comprising: a base; a base support mounted to the base; and a pivot support pivotally connected to the base support at a fulcrum point, the equipment tower being operable between the lowered and erected configurations by pivoting the pivot support about said fulcrum point, a distal end of said pivot support being adapted to support equipment mounted thereon and a proximal end of the pivot support having a cable lug; wherein the base support and the pivot support have corresponding holes that are coaxially aligned in the erected configuration and are adapted to receive a locking pin to releasably secure the pivot support to the base support in the erected configuration and prevent pivoting movement of the pivot support; wherein the pivot support has a locking lug and the base support has a locking lug aperture, the locking lug being configured to pass through the locking lug aperture as the pivot support is pivoted into the erected configuration, so that in the erected configuration, the locking lug projects through the locking lug aperture and is adapted to receive a lock to releasably secure the pivot support to the base support in the erected configuration and prevent pivoting movement of the pivot support; and wherein the base support has a cable lug aperture, the cable lug configured to pass through the cable lug aperture as the pivot support is pivoted into the erected configuration, the cable lug being adapted to receive a cable to assist in controlling the pivoting movement during operation between the lowered and erected configurations.
2. The surveillance equipment tower of claim 1 wherein the holes in the pivot support and the base support extend in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the fulcrum and wherein the locking lug projects in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the fulcrum.
3. The surveillance equipment tower of either one of claim 1 and claim 2, wherein equipment is mounted on the distal end of the pivot support and the equipment includes at least one camera and at least one solar panel for powering the camera.
4. The surveillance equipment tower of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base is a concrete block and the base support is mounted to the concrete block, the base having lifting lugs embedded in the concrete block to allow the base to be lifted and relocated using a crane.
5. The surveillance equipment tower of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a mounting for a detachable winch.