GB2206138A

GB2206138A - Tiltable column with pedestal

Info

Publication number: GB2206138A
Application number: GB08806981A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred Robin Tims; Michael Clive Cottiss; Rodney John White
Original assignee: TOWERMASTER STEELWORK Ltd
Current assignee: TOWERMASTER STEELWORK Ltd
Priority date: 1987-06-20
Filing date: 1988-03-23
Publication date: 1988-12-29
Also published as: GB8714492D0; GB8806981D0

Abstract

A folding column consisting of a column 1 and a pedestal 2 having mounting 3 which normally lock the column 1 in a vertical position. When the column 1 is to be tilted the column is first raised (as shown in the Figure) and supported by discs 13 mounted on stub axes 14 so that the column can pivot about its pin 11 in the pedestal slot 12. <IMAGE>

Description

FOLDING COLUMN This invention relates to folding columns.

Folding columns are known for street lighting in which a column is pivoted to a pedestal so that the top of the column can be raised or lowered by tilting about the pedestal to allow easy access to the top of the column when at ground level. A hydraulic ram is usually used to raise and lower such a column. An example of such a column is described in UK Patent, Specification No. 1460025.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved folding column arrangement.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a folding column comprising a column which locks onto a supporting pedestal and is pivotable thereto when in a relatively raised and unlocked position to permit the column to tilt for lowering and raising the column, in which the pedestal is arranged to locate an independent support which fits between the bottom of the column and the pedestal to hold the column in its raised and unlocked position.

The independent supports, preferably each comprise a disc-shaped member locatable on respective stub axles secured to the pedestal.

The pedestal and lower part of the column are preferably square in cross-section and may have mountings for attachment of a hydraulic ram to raise and lower the column.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of erecting or lowering a folding column comprising the steps of raising an erected column to a position where the column is unlocked from a pedestal, attaching an independent support to the pedestal, slightly lowering the column onto the support, tilting the column relative to the pedestal to a lowered position and then reversing the sequence again to erect the column.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a part of a folding column in position on a pedestal; Figure 2 shows a side view of the folding column of Figure 1 in a raised position; Figure 3 shows a side view of the folding column of Figure 1 as it initially tilts towards its lowered position; and Figures 4(a) to 4(f) show a latching arrangement for use with the folding column.

In Figure 1, a lower part of a hollow column 1 is shown placed over a pedestal 2 shown in dotted lines. The column 1 and pedestal 2 are both square in cross-section. The base of the column 1 rests on mountings 3 on the pedestal 2 and is lockable in position using bolts (not shown) through first lugs 4 on both sides of the column 1 co-operating with second lugs 5 on both sides of the pedestal 2.

The column 1 encloses the top of the pedestal 2 on all four sides but a front side 6 of the column 1 is open from lip 7 just below the top of the pedestal 2. Lugs 8 and 9 are provided on the column 1 and pedestal 2 for connection to opposite ends of one or more hydraulic ram (not shown) used to raise and lower the column 1. The column 1 is attached to the pedestal 2 on both sides at a movable pivot point 10, by a pin 11 connected to the column 1. The pin 11 extends through slots 12 on each side of the top of the pedestal 2. The slots 12 allow the column 1 to be raised or lowered by a distance determined by the length of the slots 12. The pin 11 is shown at the bottom of the slots 12.

In Figure 2 the column 1 has been raised to a position where the lip 7 clears the top of the pedestal 2 and the base of the column 1 is clear of the mountings 3. The pin 11 is now shown at the top of the slots 12.

Disc-shaped independent supports 13 are freely attached to stub axles 14 welded on each side of the pedestal 2 so that the supports 13 can rotate. The column 1 is then slightly lowered so that the weight of the column 1 is taken up by the supports 13.

In Figure 3 the hydraluic ram has been retracted to some extent so that the column 1 is tilted towards its lowered position. The supports 13 rotate as the base of the column 1 tilts, until the base of the column 1 disengages with the supports 13. This will happen when the column 1 is at about 15 to the vertical. The whole weight of the column 1 is then transferred from the supports 13 to the hydraulic ram and the column is lowered to take up a horizontal or near horizontal lowered position so that the top of the column is readily accessible to personnel at ground level.

The column may therefore be raised or lowered allowing an appliance on the top of the column to be serviced.

Referring to Figures 4(a) to 4(f), a latching mechanism is shown which is mounted inside the pedestal 2 to operate automatically when the column 1 is raised and lowered. Figure 4(a) shows a latch 20 pivotally mounted on the pedestal 2 and resting on the pin 11. The column 1 is in its lowermost and erected position secured at its base within the mountings 3 (see Figs. 1 and 2). There may be and preferably are two latches 20, one adjacent each end of the pin 11.

When the column 1 is raised by the hydraulic ram, the latch 20 is pushed aside as the pin 11 moves upwards and then the latch falls down under the pin 11 to rest against stop 21, see Fig. 4(b). The column 1 is then lowered to rest and be supported by the latch 20 (see Fig. 4(c)) and the column 1 can then pivot about the pin 11 to tilt towards its lowered position. During tilting the pin 11 will rise to the top of the slot 12 as shown in Fig. 4(d) to allow the latch 20 to swing to rest against a second stop 22.

When the column 1 is again raised up to the vertical position, th-e pin 11 can move down the slot 12 from the position shown in Fig 4(c) to bear against the undersurface of the latch 20, see Fig. 4(f), to swing the latch 20 to the rest position shown in Fig. 4(a).

Normally the latch 20 is used as an alternative to using the insertable supports 13 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 but may be used in addition if desired.

The described columns have particular applications for flood lighting playing areas as well as industrial sites. The lighting is often controlled by electrical control gear and convenientally this is housed separately. The described column has a large hollow lower part which can house appropriate electrical control and switching gear. This can be mounted in a seperable tray or box which is arranged to slide into and be secured inside the column 1. When the column is in its lowered position, the box can slide safely and easily out of the column for prior assembly or subsequent repair and servicing of its components.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A folding column comprising a column which locks onto a supporting pedestal and is pivotable thereto when in a relatively raised and unlocked position to permit the column to tilt for lowering and raising the column, including an independent support for the column which supports the column relative to the pedestal to hold the column in its raised and unlocked position.

2. A folding column according to Claim 1, in which the independent support is removable and in use fits between the bottom of the column and engages the pedestal.

3. A folding column according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the inedependent support comprises one or more disc shaped members locatable on respective stub axles secured to the pedestal.

4. A folding column according to Claim 1, in which the column has a pin extending laterally there-through to provide a pivot for tilting of the column and the independent support comprises a latch pivotably mounted on the pedestal arranged to support the pin when the column is in its raised position.

5. A folding column according to Claim 4, in which the latch is positioned so as to engage against the pin and be swung out of the path of the pin as the pin moves upwardly and arranged in use to fall away under the pin when the pin has moved past the latch against a stop to provide a support for the pin, and the column in said raised position, when resting against the stop.

6. A folding column according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the pedestal and the lower part of the column are square in cross-section.

7. A folding column substantially as described with reference to any or more of Figs. 1 to 4(f).