GB2557567A

GB2557567A - Utility pole

Info

Publication number: GB2557567A
Application number: GB1613803.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wass Kevin
Original assignee: Siemens PLC
Current assignee: Siemens PLC
Priority date: 2016-08-11
Filing date: 2016-08-11
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-11
Also published as: GB2557567B; GB201613803D0

Abstract

A telescopic utility pole (3, Fig 1c) comprises a base section (1, Fig 1a), a mounting section (2, Fig 1b) and a mechanism (21, Fig 8a) for moving the mounting section (2, Fig 1b) relative to the base section (1, Fig 1a). The mounting section (2, Fig 1b) is adapted to mount a traffic signal 8, or light. The base (1, Fig 1a) and mounting sections (2, Fig 1b) may be of concentric shapes and the base (1, Fig 1a) may have internal voids (19, 20, Fig 4) to contain cables. The mounting section (2, Fig 1b) may further have a fixed upper 10a and moveable lower bracket 10b. The mechanism (21, Fig 8a) for moving the mounting section (2, Fig 1b) may be removable, using a mechanical tool or power source to drive a lead screw (29, Fig 8b), where it is attached to the pole using clamps (21, Fig 8a). The mounting section (2, Fig 1b) may also have projections (17, Fig 3) above its outer surface to prevent binding with the base section (1, Fig 1a), and it may have keyhole slots (33, Fig 9) to receive retaining pins (32, Fig 9) to fix the mounting section (2, Fig 1b) in place.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Siemens pic (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Faraday House, Sir William Siemens Square, Frimley, CAMBERLEY, Surrey, GU16 8QD, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Kevin Wass (56) Documents Cited:

GB 1460025 A CN 201344495 Y US 20120018596 A1

WO 2006/021085 A2 KR 101639968 B1 US 20020075169 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL E01F, E04H, F16B, F16M, F21S, F21V, G08G Other: EPODOC, WPI (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Siemens AG

PO Box 22 16 34, 80506 Munchen, Germany (54) Title of the Invention: Utility pole

Abstract Title: Telescopic traffic light pole with removable lifting mechanism (57) A telescopic utility pole (3, Fig 1c) comprises a base section (1, Fig 1a), a mounting section (2, Fig 1b) and a mechanism (21, Fig 8a) for moving the mounting section (2, Fig 1b) relative to the base section (1, Fig 1a). The mounting section (2, Fig 1 b) is adapted to mount a traffic signal 8, or light. The base (1, Fig 1a) and mounting sections (2, Fig 1b) may be of concentric shapes and the base (1, Fig 1a) may have internal voids (19, 20, Fig 4) to contain cables. The mounting section (2, Fig 1b) may further have a fixed upper 10a and moveable lower bracket 10b. The mechanism (21, Fig 8a) for moving the mounting section (2, Fig 1b) may be removable, using a mechanical tool or power source to drive a lead screw (29, Fig 8b), where it is attached to the pole using clamps (21, Fig 8a). The mounting section (2, Fig 1b) may also have projections (17, Fig 3) above its outer surface to prevent binding with the base section (1, Fig 1a), and it may have keyhole slots (33, Fig 9) to receive retaining pins (32, Fig 9) to fix the mounting section (2, Fig 1b) in place.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1/12

10 16

2/12

FIG 2A

3/12

10 16

FIG 3

co o

FIG 5

5/12

10 16

FIG 6

10a

6/12

10 16

FIG 7

28—'

10 16

8/12

10 16

9/12

FIG 10

10 16

10/12

10 16

11/12

10 16

FIG 12

12/12

10 16

FIG 13

UTILITY POLE

This invention relates to a utility pole, in particular a traffic signal pole.

Utility poles of different types may include equipment which needs to be maintained, but some of that equipment is at a height on the pole, when in use, that gives rise to health and safety concerns because the operative cannot do the maintenance from ground level and is forced to work at height. For example, signal poles for traffic or other users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, with signal lights at the top.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention a telescopic utility pole comprises a base section, a mounting section and a mechanism for moving the mounting section relative to the base section; wherein the mounting section is adapted to mount a traffic signal, or light.

Preferably, the telescopic utility pole base section and mounting section comprise tubular sections comprising concentric shapes designed to slide into one another and prevent rotation of one pole relative to the other.

Preferably, the support comprises a fixed upper bracket and a moveable lower bracket connected to a signal head of the traffic signal, or to a lamp.

Preferably, the base section further comprises partially or fully enclosed voids on the inner surface of the tubular section, along at least part of the length of the base section.

These enable cables to be kept clear of the sliding mounting pole.

Preferably, the mechanism for moving the mounting section comprises a lifting mechanism coupled to the base section and a support for the traffic signal or lamp; and an actuator for engaging the lifting mechanism to move the support relative to the base section.

Preferably, the lifting mechanism comprises one or more clamps to couple the mechanism to the base section and the support.

Preferably, one of the clamps engages with the mounting section, or with the support.

Preferably, the mounting section further comprises one or more projections on the outer surface of the mounting section to enable sliding engagement of the mounting section with the base section.

These help to prevent binding of one section with the other during relative movement. Alternatively, to avoid binding, plastic shims may be sued.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a lead screw.

Preferably, the actuator further comprises a power source or other mechanical advantage tool to drive the lead screw.

Preferably, the lifting mechanism further comprises support members in contact with the ground and in contact with the clamp on the base section.

Preferably, the mounting section further comprises a pair of keyhole slots on opposite sides of the pole, adapted to receive a retaining pin with corresponding reduced diameter sections on which the mounting section rests.

Preferably, the lifting mechanism is adapted to be removable from the utility pole.

Although, the lifting mechanism could be left in place on the pole, this would require a separate mechanism for every pole installed, so it is more cost effective to have a removable lifting mechanism, which is only coupled to the telescopic pole when in required.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method of installing a traffic signal or lamp on a telescopic utility pole according to the first aspect, the method comprising engaging an actuator to raise the mounting section to the intermediate stage; coupling a slideable bottom bracket of a traffic signal mount or lamp mount to the mounting section; and raising the mounting section to its operational location.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a method of maintaining a traffic signal or lamp on a telescopic utility pole according to the first aspect comprises engaging a mechanical advantage mechanism with an actuator to lower the mounting section to an intermediate stage; decoupling from the mounting section a slideable bottom bracket of a traffic signal mount or lamp mount comprising a top bracket and bottom bracket; continuing to lower the mounting section until the top and bottom brackets come into contact; carrying out maintenance on the traffic signal or lamp; reversing the actuator to raise the mounting section to the intermediate stage; re-coupling the slideable bottom bracket to the mounting section; and raising the mounting section until it has returned to its operational location.

Preferably, the method further comprises before lowering the mounting section, lifting the mounting section up sufficiently from its location to align a retaining pin with an opening in a wall of the mounting section and remove the retaining pin; reversing the actuator to lower the mounting section back to its original location; and continuing to lower the mounting section to the intermediate stage.

Preferably, the method further comprises coupling a lifting mechanism to the base section and the mounting section of the telescopic utility pole when in its operational location before engaging the power source with the actuator; and decoupling the lifting mechanism from the base section and mounting section when the utility pole has been returned to its operational location.

An example of a utility pole according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which:

Figures la, lb and lc illustrate component parts of an example of a utility pole according to the invention;

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate a utility pole according to the invention in different operative placements;

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section through one section of a utility pole according to the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a cross-section through another section of a utility pole according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows an example of a utility pole according to the present invention, fully extended, together with an installation tool;

Figure 6 shows the utility pole of Fig. 5 at an intermediate stage, partially extended, together with an installation tool;

Figure 7 shows the utility pole of Fig. 5, fully lowered, together with an installation tool;

Figures 8a and 8b illustrate a lifting mechanism for use with a utility pole according to the invention;

Figure 9 illustrates in more detail a locking mechanism for a utility pole according to the invention;

Figure 10 illustrates in more detail a retainer for a utility pole according to the invention;

Figure 11 illustrates another aspect of the retainer of Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is a flow diagram of a method of installing a utility pole according to the invention; and

Figure 13 is a flow diagram of a method maintaining a traffic signal or lamp using a utility pole according to the present invention.

As discussed above, utility poles of different types may include equipment which needs to be maintained, but some of that equipment, when in use, is at a height on the pole, above that at which the operative can perform maintenance from ground level. Ladders, such as A-frame ladders, have traditionally been used to maintain traffic signal poles, at up to 3.5m above ground level. For higher repeater signals, mobile elevated working platforms (MEWP) are used to install and maintain these traffic signals. MEWPs are large pieces of equipment that require special parking areas on a site, or lane closures, to allow them to gain safe access to the upper signals. As well as the potential dangers to operatives from working at height on traffic signals, such as needing to go up a ladder to get access, other known solutions may not always be practical. For example, connectors may be mounted at a low level, but this only allows access to the terminations, leaving the signals and detectors inaccessible from ground level.

It is desirable to reduce or avoid the use of ladders and working at height by maintenance personal to make maintenance and installation safer. One option is to allow access to signals at the top of a signal pole using a hinged pole, hinged at either its base, or a distance above the base, so that the operative can lower the pole so that the pole can be reached from ground level. However, in urban areas, there is a problem with the space required when the pole is hinged down. For example at restricted junctions, hinged poles require crossing, or carriageway, closures to allow access for maintenance and the orientation of the pole and hinge point when installed is critical to ensure clearance for lowering. In addition, when signals are lowered on a hinged pole they no longer point in the direction required, which makes it difficult to install and align the signals to the correct vehicle or pedestrian approach when lowered and may therefore require the signals to be switched off for maintenance. Hinged columns are widely used on lighting columns because of their relatively simple mechanism and simple cable management design. This also makes them attractive for traffic signal poles..

The present invention addresses the problems of the prior art and avoids the need for working at height, by providing a solution that allows the top section of a pole to be lowered to enable signal maintenance to be carried out from a lower level, without needing to have a large clear area around the pole for when the pole is hinged down. The access point may be located higher up the pole, yet still within reach of an operative on the ground, so that the pole is strong enough without the need for a belled section, or such reinforcement. The improved design may be used with any traffic signal voltage.

Figs, la to lc show an example of a telescopic signal pole according to the present invention. The pole comprises tubular sections comprising concentric shapes designed to slide into one another. The signal pole comprises a base section 1, shown in Fig. la and a mounting section 2, shown in Fig. lb. The base section and mounting section are adapted to be coupled together to form a telescopic signal pole 3, as shown in Fig. lc. It is desirable that there should be a smooth reliable fit between the upper mounting section and the lower base section. In this example, the base section 1 comprises a hollow pole 4 to allow armoured cables 5 to be fed up through the hollow pole 4. A user operated nearside demand or signal unit 6 may be mounted to the outside of the hollow pole 4 and a cable termination unit 7 may be provided at one end of the armoured cable 5, for connecting supply and control cables within the armoured cable to cables from signal heads 8 on the mounting section 2.

Fig. lb shows the mounting section 2 on which the traffic signal heads 8 are mounted. The mounting section illustrated in this example comprises a hollow pole 9 and in the upper part of the pole, the pole is adapted to receive brackets 10 for mounting signal heads 8. The cabling from the signal heads 8 is usually soft cabling, rather than the armoured cable 5 typically used as far as the cable termination 7 in the base section 1. Two sets of three signal heads 8, mounted on opposite sides of the pole are shown in this example, but the number of signal heads, the type and the specific arrangement of them may be adapted to the requirement of each customer. In a preferred embodiment, the inner diameter of the hollow pole 4 of the base section 1 is wider than the outer diameter of the hollow pole 9 of the mounting section 2 in order that the mounting section pole 9 may fit within the base section pole 4. This simplifies the fixing of equipment, such as the demand unit 6, to the base section. However, a wider diameter mounting section pole, with slots to pass around equipment fittings on the base section pole is also possible.

The two sections are coupled together, as shown in Fig. lc, so that the cable termination unit 7 is protected within the mounting section pole on which the signal heads are mounted. By fixing the termination unit 7 to the base section 1 and coupling the mounting section 2 to the base section in such a way that the termination unit is not accessible when the signal section is raised, tampering issues with the low voltage supply are reduced. The soft wires from the signal heads 8 in the mounting section are terminated in the cable termination unit enclosure, so that power and control signals can be supplied to the signal heads 8.

The relative location of the two sections 1, 2 in normal operation and for maintenance is illustrated in Figs.2a to 2c for a single set of four signal heads. The traffic signal pole in its operational set-up is shown in Fig. 2a. The base section 1 of the pole is fitted to a foundation 11, typically using a standard socket 12 embedded in the pavement, or road surface, such as an industry standard retention socket. In an upper section 13 of the mounting pole, flat sections may be provided to allow mounting brackets 10a, 10b to be fitted for mounting the signals 8 without needing to use curved brackets. A lower section 14 of the pole 2 provides additional length to enable the signal heads to be located at a desired height above ground level, according to the setup requirements of the particular traffic signals. The base section 1 is fitted in the socket 12 and the mounting section pole 9 is shown fully extended in Fig.2a with the signal heads 8 at their maximum height above the ground.

When maintenance is required, an operative may lower the mounting section pole 9 and signal heads 8 to an intermediate stage, as illustrated in Fig.2b, with the signal heads fitted to the top of the pole by a fixed mounting bracket 10a in the upper part of the row of signal heads and fitted by a moveable bottom bracket 10b in the lower part of the row of signal heads, so that the lowest signal head 8 is just above the demand unit 6 in this intermediate stage. At this point, most of the bottom section 14 of the mounting section pole 9 has been retracted within the base section pole 4. A final step is shown in Fig.2c, in which the signal heads 8 have been lowered further still, so that some signal heads may be in line with, or even below, the demand unit 6 and even closer to the ground, to make access easy for the operative. This is made possible by the moveable bottom bracket 10b. A substantial part of the upper section 13 of the mounting section pole 9 has also been retracted within the base section pole 4 and the mounting socket 12. The top section of pole only goes underground to the same depth as the fixed base section, so does not require any additional depth in the ground to that required by a standard traffic signal. Although, the upper section of the pole and hence the signal heads could be lowered even further than shown in these examples, so that the upper pole section went well below ground level, rather than just as far in as the base pole 1, this may require the equipment to be removed from the base pole to give sufficient lowering which may not be practical due to the presence of underground services in most locations .

Figs 3 to 13 illustrate how the telescopic signal pole of the present invention is constructed and operates. As previously mentioned, the telescopic pole comprises two hollow pole sections, a base section 1 and mounting section 2, which cooperate in order that one pole can move relative to the other along their longitudinal axes. A telescopic pole arrangement having three tubes would also be possible, although more complex in terms of operation. In its simplest concept, the pole sections may be tubes having a substantially circular cross section, the outer circumference of one of which is less than the inner circumference of the other, or next one of which, but better control of the raising and lowering of the poles and more robustness in situ is achieved with further modifications to this arrangement.

The preferred arrangement is for the mounting section pole 9 to fit inside the base section pole 4 and for these poles to move relative to one another. This arrangement allows equipment, such as the nearside demand unit 6, to be mounted on the outside of the non-moving base section 1, without needing to adapt the design of the mounting section pole 9 to pass as it is moved. Having a smaller diameter on the mounting section pole also allows a reduction in the weight aloft. There may be situations when the mounting section pole 9 is designed to fit around the outside of the base section pole, but some modifications are required in order to let the mounting section pole 4 pass around the fittings that hold the equipment to the base section pole 4 in this case. The following examples will be described for a two section pole with the mounting pole 2 having a smaller overall diameter to allow it to slide into the base pole

1.

In a preferred embodiment, the two sections 1, 2 of the telescopic pole are provided with a shaped cross-section allowing them to cooperate by co-axial movement, but designed to resist twisting of one pole relative to the other. A shape may be applied to the outer surface of the inner pole 4 to match up with a shape applied to the inner surface of the outer pole 9. The outer surface of the outer pole 4 may be substantially circular in cross section for ease of fitting to its foundation 11 using a standard socket. The shapes may take many different forms to prevent rotation, such as a rounded rectangle with an anvil shaped extension at each corner for the cross section of the mounting section and the inverse for the inner cross section of the base section; or a circular inner cross section with four equally spaced inverted truncated cones on its outer surface for the mounting section and the inverse for the base section. For manufacturing purposes, it is most convenient to have the shaped protrusion continue along the full length of the mounting as well as the corresponding indentation to which it fits in the base section, but rotation could be prevented by the addition of discrete protrusions at intervals along the length of the mounting section pole, the protrusions adapted to slide within a continuous track on the inner surface of the base section.

Fig. 3 shows one example of a cross section through a mounting section pole 9 and Fig.4 shows one example of a cross section through a base section pole 4 of a telescopic pole according to the invention, the base section pole being designed to cooperate with the mounting section pole. However, the precise shape may be altered without departing from the invention. In this example, the external cross-section of the inner pole 9 may be provided with shaped corners 15 for indexing, or interlocking, with correspondingly shaped segments 16 of the inside of the outer pole 4. The indexing 15 also acts as a preventer to stop rotation of the mounting section 2 when in its fully extended position, for example due to exposure to wind loads. Small projections 17 on the surfaces of one of the contacting edges, i.e. either the inner surface of the outer pole (not shown), or the outer surface of the inner pole (shown in Fig. 3), may be provided to reduce the actual contact area between the two poles, to avoid binding. The outer pole may have a circular outer cross-section 18 to allow easy planting into the retention socket 12 in the foundation 11, which may be an industry standard pavement retention socket. The outer pole 4 may also be provided with voids 19, 20 to fully, or partially, encircle cables passing along the voids parallel to the centreline of the pole, for example cables from nearside signals 8, or the nearside demand unit 6. The cables may be arranged to pass down the voids in the pole and back up the inner section of the pole outside the voids. It is desirable that the cables from these units should not interfere with the upper section of the pole when it moves within the lower section of the pole. The voids allow the cables to be threaded into, or push-fitted into, the voids and kept out of the way of the moving upper pole section.

The poles may comprise metal tubes, for example extruded aluminium tube. As well as reducing or preventing torsional loads from rotating the upper section 13 of the pole 9, the indexing on the inner section of the aluminium extruded tube of Figs. 3 and 4 helps to mate the poles and so keep the parts of the pole in position when raising and lowering the signals 8 on the mounting section. As referred to above, the preferred arrangement is that the outer section 4 of pole is fixed in position inside a retention socket and this section does not move. The inner and upper section 9, which is the mounting section, is allowed to move up and down inside the fixed lower section 4.

The upper section may be provided with fixed signal mounting brackets 10a fitted to the top section of the pole and moveable signal mounting brackets 10b in the mid to lower part of the signal heads 8.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the telescopic signal pole in more detail. As with Figs.2a, 2b and 2c, they illustrate the signal pole in the three stages of operation, i.e. fully extended, Fig.5, intermediate stage Fig.6 and fully lowered, Fig.7. In addition to the telescopic signal pole itself, a removable lifting mechanism 21, may be provided.

In the fully raised, extended placement, the signal heads 8 are fitted to the top of the upper section 13 of the mounting pole 9 by a fixed bracket 10a and a slideable bottom signal mount 23, 24. The lifting section 9 of the pole locks in to the fixed section 10 of the signal head brackets in at least one position. Coiled cables, or in-line cable managed cables, from the signal heads may be housed in the upper section 13 of the mounting pole 2. A mid pole cap 25 may be provided to protect the mechanism, as described below with respect to Figs.9 and 10. In this example, a nearside signal and demand unit 6 are illustrated, fitted to the outside of the base section 1. When the signal has been lowered to the intermediate stage in Fig. 6, the bottom signal mount 23, 24 is still firmly fixed to the signals and the upper section of the pole. The slideable mount is then released, using a suitable tool, from the upper section of pole and signal mounting brackets to allow the signals to be lowered further by the upper part of the pole 9 sliding through mounting part 24 and the signal bracket sliding through the end of mounting part 23. At its fully lowered position, in Fig. 7, the lower part of the signals 8 passes over the front of the nearside signal equipment 6, so that they are now sufficiently close to the ground for the operative to carry out maintenance from ground level. The mid pole cap 25 supports the slideable mount 23, 24 and that then supports the fixed mount 22 at the top section 13 of the mounting pole.

Elements of the lifting mechanism 21, 26, 28 can be seen in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 and the mechanism is shown in more detail in Fig. 8. A sliding section 27 is mounted to linear slide bearings 26 to raise and lower the signals 8. A lead screw 29 is mounted to lead screw bearings 30 in a base clamp 21, which clamps around the bottom section 1 of the pole. The lifting and lowering operation may be power assisted, for example from a standard cordless drill or other mechanical advantage device, such as a hand operated winch. A rotating lead screw in the lifting tool may be operated by an actuator connected to the battery pack, or by clamping a chuck of the cordless drill to a connection on the lead screw. A connection 31 for such an actuator to operate the lead screw, for example a cordless drill, is provided in the base clamp. Ideally this connection will be mounted at 90 degrees to the pole to aid access by the operator.

Feet 28 fitted beneath the bottom clamp provide additional support and may extend to ground level outside the bottom section of the pole.

The lifting mechanism 21 may be clamped to the outside of the fixed base section pole 1 and cooperate with the moveable base 23, 24 of the signal mounting brackets 10b on a temporary basis for lifting, lowering, and maintenance purposes, then removed once the signal has been returned to its correct placement for normal operation. In order to improve security, a sliding section may initially be raised to lift the upper pole section 9 slightly and allow a retaining, or locking, pin 32 to be removed from a keyhole slot 33, as can be seen in Fig.9. The retaining pin may have a reduced sections 34 which align with the narrow part of the keyhole slot on each side of the pole when the pole is in position. However, the wider diameter of the rest of the retaining pin prevents the pin being removed without lifting the pole to align the pin with the wider section of the keyhole slot. Once the retaining pin has been removed, the lead screw 29 of the lifting mechanism is turned and caused to rotate in the opposite direction to allow the sliding section 27 to be lowered. When the bottom of the lower signal mounting bracket 23, 24 is just above the mid pole cap 25, the lowering process pauses whilst the bottom sliding section 23, 24 is loosened from the top section 13 of pole 9 and from the fixed signal brackets 10. After releasing the bottom sliding section 23, 24, the upper section 13 may continue to be lowered until it reaches its lowest point. During the lowering process, the cabling that is coiled inside the pole is compressed within the pole 1, 2, voids 19, 20 and cable termination housing 7. Once the signal heads 8 and upper pole 9 have reached their lowest point, the traffic signals may be installed, configured, and maintained from ground level. The signals 8 may be raised again, back to their standard placement by reversing the process described.

The mid section cap 25 and base 35, for example as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, that retains the retention pin 32 may contain a seal to prevent foreign bodies entering the system, in between the two sections of pole and may also be provided with wedges 36 which are clamped in place by the cap to reduce any movement in the joint when fixed in position. The tapered wedges limit movement when the upper cap is screwed tight. There may be four sets of wedges around the pole. As a security measure, the retention pin 32 cooperates with a keyhole slot in the inner pole section 9 to prevent the retention pin from being removed without first raising the upper section a little way to allow the pin to be extracted, then lowering the upper section back to its initial location before the full pole lowering process is started.

Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of a method of installing a traffic signal or lamp on a telescopic utility pole according to the invention. The traffic signal or lamp is mounted 50 to a mounting section of a telescopic utility pole. The mounting section is slid 51 inside a base section of the utility pole. The utility pole may be installed 52 in a socket in the foundation, either before or after joining the base section and mounting section.

A tool providing mechanical advantage is used to raise the mounting section to an intermediate stage. At the intermediate stage, the process pauses to allow a slideable bottom bracket of a traffic signal mount or lamp mount to be coupled 54 to the mounting section. The mounting section is then raised to its operational position

Fig. 13 illustrates how maintenance of a traffic signal or lamp installed on a telescopic utility pole according to the invention may be carried out. The tool providing mechanical advantage is installed to the pole and engaged with the lower brackets of the signals to lower the mounting section to the intermediate stage. The slideable bottom bracket of the traffic signal mount or lamp mount comprising a top bracket and bottom bracket is decoupled from the mounting section. Lowering of the mounting section continues until the top brackets reach their final position. The signal or lamp is now at a low enough height for the operative to carry out 43 any maintenance required on the traffic signal or lamp. To return the equipment to its operational location, the actuator is reversed 44 to raise the mounting section to the intermediate stage and the slideable bottom bracket is re-coupled 45 to the mounting section. The mounting section is then raised 46 until it has returned to its operational location.

Before lowering the mounting section, the mounting section up may be lifted up sufficiently from its location to align a retaining pin with an opening in a wall of the mounting section and remove the retaining pin. The actuator may then be reversed to lower the mounting section back to its original location and thereafter the actuator operates to lower the mounting section to the intermediate stage. The method may further comprise the step of coupling a lifting mechanism to the base section and the mounting section of the telescopic utility pole when in its operational location before engaging the power source with the actuator; and de-coupling the lifting mechanism from the base section and mounting section when the utility pole has been returned to its operational location.

The telescopic pole allows traffic signal poles to be lowered to maintainable height whilst keeping the traffic signals pointing in direction of the approaching traffic. This avoids the problem of conflicting or no signals being shown the controlled traffic. The split telescopic nature of the pole enables traffic signals to be lowered sufficiently for ground level maintenance. A single section pole mounted in a subterranean telescopic socket would not allow traffic signals with nearside indicator equipment fitted to be lowered to a suitable level for maintenance from ground level without removing the nearside signals. The depth required underground for this approach would be very restrictive for most installations.

The design of the present invention allows the signals to be lowered to a transition point using the two poles that fit together and once at this transition level, the bottom signal brackets can be released allowing the signals to be lowered further. An alternative, which would not require the transition point, is to only use the fixed mount 22 for mounting traffic signals to the top section of the pole and not connect via the slideable mount 23, 24. However, this would leave the traffic signals without the added stability of the lower mounting brackets. Given the wind induced loads transmitted by traffic signals, such a bracket would need to be very stiff and strong, so this is not a preferred option.

Telescopic signal poles allow for easier setup and alignment of equipment due to them continuing to point in the correct direction, making it easier to assess where they will point when raised to the top level. All installation and maintenance of low level signals can be carried out from ground level, or with a short step, making it much safer to install and maintain. Only high level traffic signals require a ladder for maintenance. Installing and maintaining signals with the signal in the vertical orientation is easier, and safer, than when working on a hinged pole. A telescopic pole ensures that a small maintenance footprint is maintained negating the need for footpath closures and large amounts of signing and guarding.

As the pole is made up of two shorter parts, the upper section can be assembled off site before being transported to site and installed. This leads to a quicker and easier installation. Although, it would be possible to use a full length straight pole and have the signals installed on a dolly winch, or similar, that can be winched up and down the pole, this type of assembly would not totally negate the need for access to the top of the pole under all circumstances and it may be difficult to locate the locking mechanism of the assembly at a low enough level. Using more than two interlocking sections for the telescopic pole is another option, but in most cases this would add complexity, so a two part pole is preferred.

The present invention allows maintenance of standard level, or standard height, traffic signals without the use of a ladder and maintenance of high level signals without the need for a MEWP; or tilting, or folding the signal pole until it is horizontal. The design enables the traffic signals to be lowered to ground level without obstructing a footway or carriage way, or changing the visibility of the signals to traffic. The present invention is suitable for many different configurations of signal head and pole, including nearside units, or indeed for raising and lowering of any pole based equipment. For nearside units, the poles may be up to 6m, typically up to 5.2m above the ground when installed. If not using a nearside unit, then a taller pole, which comes down closer to the ground for maintenance may be used. The base section may be installed and wired to a cable termination unit without needing to have the mounting section in position and the mounting section may then be configured and assembled at ground level before being hoisted into position. The brackets for the signal heads may have a lightweight construction to reduce the weight aloft and may be adapted to allow for an offset head arrangement.

Advantages include, but are not limited to the design reducing working height for signal maintenance, significantly reducing risk of injury, reducing pole weight and reducing manual handling during installation. The access door may be moved to be near to the top of the base section of the pole, so improving bending and torsional strength of the pole. The raised access section provides a better working height for the operative. It is easier for the operative to adjust the signals and detectors correctly, than with a hinged pole. The example illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is for a nearside unit, which limits the extent to which the signal heads on the mounting section may be lowered. However, the mounting section pole and signal heads may be lowered further on crossings which do not use nearside units, or for maintenance of traffic signals which do not incorporate pedestrian or cycle crossings, or for lighting columns to replace the lamps.

Claims

1. A telescopic utility pole comprising a base section, a mounting section and a mechanism for moving the mounting section relative to the base section; wherein the mounting section is adapted to mount a traffic signal, or light.

2. A pole according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic utility pole base section and mounting section comprise tubular sections comprising concentric shapes designed to slide into one another and prevent rotation of one pole relative to the other.

3. A pole according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the support comprises a fixed upper bracket and a moveable lower bracket connected to a signal head of the traffic signal, or to a lamp.

4. A pole according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base section further comprises partially or fully enclosed voids on the inner surface of the tubular section, along at least part of the length of the base section.

5. A pole according to any preceding claim, wherein the mechanism for moving the mounting section comprises a lifting mechanism coupled to the base section and a support for the traffic signal or lamp; and an actuator for engaging the lifting mechanism to move the support relative to the base section.

6. A pole according to claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a lead screw.

7. A pole according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the actuator further comprises a power source or other mechanical advantage tool to drive the lead screw.

8. A pole according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises one or more clamps to couple the mechanism to the base section and the support.

9. A pole according to claim 8, wherein one of the clamps engages with the mounting section, or with the support.

10. A pole according any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the lifting mechanism further comprises support members in contact with the ground and in contact with the clamp on the base section.

11. A pole according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the lifting mechanism is adapted to be removable from the utility pole.

12. A pole according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the mounting section further comprises one or more projections on the outer surface of the mounting section to enable sliding engagement of the mounting section with the base section.

13. A pole according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mounting section further comprises a pair of keyhole slots on opposite sides of the pole, adapted to receive a retaining pin with corresponding reduced diameter sections on which the mounting section rests.

14. A method of installing a traffic signal or lamp on a telescopic utility pole according to any preceding claim, the method comprising engaging an actuator to raise the mounting section to the intermediate stage; coupling a slideable bottom bracket of a traffic signal mount or lamp mount to the mounting section; and raising the mounting section to its operational location.

15. A method of maintaining a traffic signal or lamp on a telescopic utility pole according to any preceding claim, the method comprising engaging a mechanical advantage mechanism with an actuator to lower the mounting section to an intermediate stage; decoupling from the mounting section a slideable bottom bracket of a traffic signal mount or lamp mount comprising a top bracket and bottom bracket; continuing to lower the mounting section until the top and bottom brackets come into contact; carrying out maintenance on the traffic signal or lamp; reversing the actuator to raise the mounting section to the intermediate stage; re-coupling the slideable bottom bracket to the mounting section; and raising the mounting section until it has returned to its operational location.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises before 5 lowering the mounting section, lifting the mounting section up sufficiently from its location to align a retaining pin with an opening in a wall of the mounting section and remove the retaining pin; reversing the actuator to lower the mounting section back to its original location; and continuing to lower the mounting section to the intermediate stage.

17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the method further comprises coupling a lifting mechanism to the base section and the mounting section of the telescopic utility pole when in its operational location before engaging the power source with the actuator; and de-coupling the lifting mechanism from the base section

15 and mounting section when the utility pole has been returned to its operational location.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB1613803.4

1-17