IE20040276U1 - Telecommunications tower component - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A component (1) for a telecommunications tower comprises a climbing ladder (2) adapted to allow a rigger to climb a tower and a plurality of cable support brackets (4) secured to the climbing ladder. Each cable support bracket comprises an elongate section (10) having a plurality of apertures (12). The elongate sections extend outwardly from and transversely to a stanchion (6) of the climbing ladder.

Description

Telecomunications Tower Component The present invention relates to a component for a telecommunications tower and, in particular, to climbing ladders and cable supports for a telecommunications tower.

Telecommunications towers are used to carry dishes and l0 antennae for the telecommunications industry. The dishes and antennae require a large number of cables to run up along the tower to the position of the dish or antenna.

One known method of arranging and supporting the cables on a tower is simply to have the cables run up along the tower legs with specially made cable attachments provided along the length of the tower legs for securing the cables.

In another known method, specially designed cable ladder structures are used. The cables are secured to the ladder structure which is specifically designed to support and secure the cables.

A climbing ladder is generally provided on a tower to enable tower riggers or climbers, such as engineers, to climb the tower to access equipment. The climbing ladder is designed to have the inherent structural strength required to support a rigger whereas the cable ladder structure does not and simply supports and guides the cables.

These two known methods of arranging and supporting the cables on a tower have similar disadvantages. In particular, the cables supported on the tower legs or on a cable ladder structure tend to be difficult to access and generally require the rigger to climb off the climbing ladder to access the cables. This involves an inherent risk to the rigger. In addition, these methods are relatively costly to manufacture and install.

A more cost effective solution which allows easy access to the cables is sometimes used wherein the cables are simply extended up along the rungs of the climbing ladder. However, this practice is very dangerous since the cables impede the rigger’s access up and down the climbing ladder.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the disadvantages associated with such known methods of securing cables on a telecommunications tower and. in order to provide an improved system, which may overcome one or more of the above—mentioned disadvantages.

In particular, the invention seeks to provide a component for a telecommunications tower, which facilitates easy access to cables while ensuring the safety of riggers and which is cost effective to manufacture and install.

According to the invention there is provided a component for a telecommunications tower comprising a climbing ladder adapted to allow a rigger to climb a lE040276 tower and a plurality of cable support brackets secured to the climbing ladder, the climbing ladder comprising two substantially parallel stanchions and a plurality of rungs extending transversely between the stanchions, and each cable support bracket comprising an elongate section having a plurality of apertures therein, wherein the elongate section extends outwardly from and transversely to a stanchion.

Preferably, the cable support brackets are provided in pairs along the length. of the climbing ladder, the elongate section of one bracket of each pair extending from. one stanchion and the elongate section. of the other‘ bracket of each pair‘ extending froni the other stanchion at the same level along the length of the stanchions.

Preferably, the elongate section of each bracket extends from a stanchion in the opposite direction to the rungs.

Preferably, each bracket comprises an angle bracket having a substantially L—shaped cross—section and a series of apertures is provided spaced apart and aligned along the length of the elongate section.

Preferably, the elongate section of each bracket is aligned with a rung and the spacing between elongate sections extending from a stanchion is substantially a times the number of spacing between predetermined consecutive rungs, more preferably four times spacing between consecutive rungs. lE040275 The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a telecommunications tower component of the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the component of figure 1; Fig. 3 is a front View of part of a telecommunications tower incorporating the component of figure 1; Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) are front views showing different brackets which. may be used in the component of the invention; and Fig. 5 is a cross~sectional view through the telecommunications tower of figure 3 showing attachment of the component to the tower.

Referring to figure l, a telecommunications tower component 1 of the invention comprises a climbing ladder 2 designed to have the inherent structural strength required to support a rigger and a plurality of cable support brackets 4 secured. to the climbing ladder. The climbing ladder 2 comprises two substantially parallel stanchions 6 and a plurality of rungs 8 extending transversely between the stanchions.

The cable support brackets 4 comprise an elongate section lO having a plurality of through apertures 12 therein. The elongate sections 10 extend outwardly from stanchions 6. and transversely to the Thus, the brackets 4 extend out on either side of the climbing area.

As shown in figure 1, typically, the cable support brackets 4 are provided in pairs along the length of the climbing ladder 2 such that the elongate section 10 of one bracket of each pair extends from one stanchion 6 and the elongate section 10 of the other bracket of each pair extends from the other stanchion 6 at the same level along the length of the stanchions.

Typically, the elongate section l0 of each bracket extends from a stanchion 6 in the opposite direction to the rungs 8. Typically, the elongate section 10 of each bracket is aligned with a rung 8 and the spacing between elongate sections extending from a stanchion is number of times the substantially a predetermined spacing between consecutive rungs, for example four times the spacing between consecutive rungs, as shown in figure 1.

Referring to figure 2, the brackets 4 are angle brackets having an L—shaped cross—section with the elongate section l0 at right angles to a further section 14.

In use, cables can be simply attached along the brackets 4 so that the cables extend. up the tower adjacent the climbing ladder‘ 2 but do not interfere with the use of the climbing ladder‘ by riggers. In particular, the apertures 12 are adaptedc to receive cable clamps (not shown), for example standard REM (trade mark) clamps. Such clamps are typically metal IE 040275 clamps with a threaded bar or the like to fit into and be retained in a hole and have a clamping device for securing cables. In use, a clamp can be located in each aperture as required and each clamp is designed to hold several cables. different forms of Referring to figures 4(a) to 4(c), elongate section 10 of the brackets 4 may be used.

Typically, a series of apertures 12, for example four, is provided spaced apart and aligned along the length of the elongate section 10. A portion 16 of the elongate section 10 located between the stanchion 6 and the first aperture 12 does not have an aperture. The extent of this portion 16 is chosen so that, in use, the arrangement of cables supported by the brackets is maintained at a given spacing from the climbing ladder in order to avoid obstruction.

Typically, the support brackets comprise metal and are welded to the stanchions so that they are integrally secured to the climbing ladder.

Referring to figures 3 and 5, the combined climbing ladder and cable support component 1 of the invention is secured to a telecommunications tower 20 at suitable locations along the height of the tower by pairs of braces 18 extending from the component, at the region As seen in of the stanchions, to a leg of the tower. figure 5, a typicala tower 20 Comprises a triangular cross—section and the component 1 of the invention is located and secured inside the tower.

E04 0275 Typically, a plurality of components of the invention are installed. consecutively along the length. of the tower, on one of the tower legs, so that the climbing ladder and cable support facilities are provided along the full height of the tower. For example, on a typical tower five consecutive components or one component per section of tower may be provided.

Thus, the component of the invention provides a combined telecommunications tower climbing ladder and cable support and has several benefits. Since all necessary cables can be mounted in the one position, clear of the climbing ladder rungs, the arrangement is much safer for tower riggers. The cables can be easily installed and maintained since they are located beside the person climbing the ladder. Unlike other cable arrangement methods, there is no requirement to climb off the climbing ladder to access cables thereby providing improved safety and reducing installation and In addition, maintenance time. the component of the invention is much cheaper to manufacture.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment, which is described by way of example only.

Claims (1)

1. Claims A component for a telecommunications tower comprising a climbing ladder adapted to allow a rigger to climb a tower and a plurality of cable support brackets secured to the climbing ladder, the climbing ladder comprising two substantially parallel stanchions and a plurality of rungs extending transversely between the stanchions, and each cable support bracket comprising an elongate section having a plurality of apertures therein, wherein the elongate section extends outwardly from and transversely to a stanchion. A component for a telecommunications tower according to clahn 1 wherein the cable support brackets are provided in pairs along the length of the climbing ladder, the elongate section of one bracket of each pair extending from one stanchion and the elongate section of the other bracket of each pair extending fromr the other stanchion at the same level along the length of the stanchions. A component for a telecommunications tower according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate section of each bracket extends from a stanchion in the opposite direction to the rungs. A component for a telecommunications tower according to any preceding claims wherein each bracket comprises an angle bracket having a substantially L-shaped cross—section and a series of apertures is provided spaced apart and aligned along the length of the elongate section. A component for a telecommunications tower according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate section of each bracket is aligned with a rung and the spacing between elongate sections extending from a stanchion is substantially a predetermined number of times the spacing between consecutive rungs, more preferably four times the spacing between consecutive rungs.