US2237202A - Light tower - Google Patents

Description

April i 1 s. G. S'II'RATTAN 2.237.202

LIGHT TOWER Filed April 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l 68/ 5Zra2ian April 1 1941. s. e. STRATTAN.

LIGHT TOWER Filed April 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z2 ll/ll April 1, 1941. s. G. STRATTAN LIGHT TOWER Filed April 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 5'. a. 52mm Patented Apr. 1, 1941 UlTED STATS r LIGHT rowan.

Sibert G. Strattan, Mount Vernon, Ill. Application April 25, 1939, Serial No. 270,033

3 Claims.

base which may be connected to the standard by collapsible or removable brace members.

A further object of this invention is to provide a stand or tower of this kind which is provided with releasable locking members adapted to hold the telescoping sections in extend-ed position so as to relieve the elevating means of the strain of supporting the stand sections in elevated or e. tended position.

To the above objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction,- combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, modifications and variations may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a tower constructed according to an embodiment of this invention showing the tower in fully extended position,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section partly in elevation of the light supporting portion of the tower,

- Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the lower portion of the tower,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the upper portion of the tower,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the lower portion of the tower in extended position,

' Figure 7 is a detail side elevation of the tower in collapsed position,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 2,

I Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 2, I

Figure 10 is a sectional View partly in elevation taken on the line Ill-l l] of Figure 2,

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line I l-l l of Figure 2, and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l2l 2 of Figure ,2.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l5 designates generally a standard comprising a stationary lower section in the form of a tubular member It, a shiftable intermediate section in the form of a tubular member I! and a shiftable upper section in the form of a tubular member l8. The member i6 is of larger diameter than the member H. The latter is of larger diameter 0 than the member l8. The member I! telescopes into the member It. The member l8 telescopes within the member ll. The member I! is extendible with respect to the member l6 and the member I3 is extendible with respect to the member H. The member [1 is provided at its lower end with a ring l9 which is fixed to the periphery of the tubular member I! and is adapted to slidably engage the inner surface of the lower member l6. member H at a point upwardly from the lower ring l9 and these two rings l9 and constitute guide means for slidably supporting the inter mediate member I? in the lower member I 6.

The member I8 is provided adjacent its lower end with a guiding ring 2| which is fixed to the tubular member is and a second guiding'ring 22 is fixed to the tubular member l8 upwardly from the lower ring 2 I. i

The stationary member I 6 is provided on the interior thereof at a point upwardly from the lower end with a winding drum 23 which is secured to a shaft 24 extending diametrically across the lower member l6 and projecting outwardly thereof. A crank 25 is adapted to be removably engaged with either end of the shaft 24, the projecting ends of the shaft 24 being provided with squared faces for engagement with a nut socket carried by the crank 25. The drum 23 at one side thereof is providedwith a ratchet 26 and a pivoted pawl 21 is adapted to engage the ratchet 25. The pawl 21 is mounted on a shaft 28 and a handle 29 projects exteriorly of the member through a slot readily held in lapsing of the the lower standard section l5. An elevating cable or flexible member 30 is wound about the drum 23 and extends upwardly within the tubular member It, being trained over a pulley or 29a so that the pawl 21 maybe a released position to permit col- A second ring 20 is fixed to the tubular standard sections I1 and I8 into sheave 3| which is carried by a bracket supporting member 32 fixed to the upper end of the lower member IS. A pulley or sheave 33 is rotatably carried by the intermediate. section or member adjacent the lower end thereof which projects through an opening 34 provided in a wall of the member H.

The elevating cable is extended downwardly from the pulley or sheave 3| and then trained about the pulley 33 and from there extends upwardly into the interior of the-intermediate section H. The ring l9 carried by the intermediate section I1 is provided with a slot or recess 35 through which the cable 30 extends and the ring 20 is provided with a similar slot or recess 36 through which the cable 30 extends. may also be provided with a second slot 31 spaced from the slot 36 so that the run of the cable from the pulley 3| to the pulley 33 may freely pass-the ring 20. The upper end of the intermediate section or member I1 is provided with a pulley 38 rotatably carried by a bracket or bearing member 39 and the cable 38 extends upwardly from the pulley 33 on the outside of the upper member IS.

The ring 2| is provided with a slot or groove 48 through which the cable 30 extends and the ring 22 is provided with a slot or groove 4| in which the cable 38 is slidable. The cable 30 is extended downwardly from the pulley 38 on the outside of the upper section or member I8 and is then passed through an opening 42 provided in the upper section or member l8 between the two rings 2| and 22. The cable 38 is then anchored or fixed to the upper section or member I8 by clamping means 43. Through an elevating construction of this kind winding of the cable 38 on the drum 23 will simultaneously raise the two sections I! and I8 to an extended position. The stationary lower section or member l6 adjacent the upper end thereof is provided with a set screw 44 which extends through a reinforcing ring 45 provided on the upper end of the lower member I6 and this set screw 44 is adapted to engage the upper ring 20 of the intermediate section I8 so as to prevent complete removal of the intermediate section The intermediate section or member H is provided at the upper end thereof with a reinforcing ring 46 through which a stop member 41 in the form of a set screw is adapted to engage. The set screw or stop member 41 is adapted to project into the interior of the intermediate section or member I! and engage the upper ring 22 of the upper member l8 so as to prevent complete withdrawal of the upper member l8.

The stationary lower section or member l6 at a point adjacent the upper end thereof is provided with a spring-pressed holding dog 48 which is mounted between a pair of ears 49 fixed to the stationary lower section or member IS. A spring 50 is secured at one end to an eye 5| carried by the dog 48 and at the other end to an eye 52 which is fixed to the reinforcing ring 45. A releasing cord 53 is secured at one end to the eye 5| and extends loosely downwardly on the outer side of the stationary lower section or member l6 so that the dog 48 may be swung to a released position to permit collapsing of the intermediate section or member IT. The dog 48 when in operative position is adapted to engage beneath the upper ring 20 so as to support the intermediate section or member in its extended position.

The intermediate section or member H at a point adjacent the upper 1 end thereof is provided with a holding dog 54 which is rockably mounted be- The ring 20 r tween a pair of ears 55 fixed to the exterior of the, intermediate section or member H. The dog 54 is constantly urged to a locking position by means of a spring 58 which at one end engages an eye 51 carried by the dog 54 and at the other end engages an eye 58 fixed to the reinforcing ring 48. The dog 54 is adapted to engage beneath the upper guiding ring 22 carried by the upper section or member IS. A releasing cord 58 is secured at one end to the eye 51 and extends loosely downwardly on the exterior of the standard.

The stationary lower section or member l6 has secured thereto a ring or sleeve 68 by means of a bolt or fastening member 6|. A base plate 62 is welded or otherwise fixed to the lower end of the sleeve and a plurality of L-shaped angle members 63 are secured to the sleeve 60 and also to the base plate 62. A plurality of collapsible base members or legs generally designted as 64 are pivotally secured between each pair of angle members 63. The legs or base members 64 each comprises a pair of oppositely disposed elongated angle members or bars 65 extending inwardly at an inclination from their inner to their outer ends and which are held in spaced apart relation by means of connecting bars 66. The connecting bars or braces 66 are welded between each pair of angle members 65. A bolt 61 extends through one leg or side of each angle member 65 and through a pair of angle members 63 so as to pivotally secure the inner ends of the base or supporting members 55 to the angle members 63. A shoe or plate 68 is secured to the outer ends of each pair of angle members 65 being preferably welded to the lower horizontal side of each angle member 65.

In the present instance, there are four of the base legs 54 and these legs 64 are held ina substantially horizontal extended position by means of brace members 69 in the form of elongated rods provided at their lower ends with a right angularly disposed tubular member 10. A bolt ll extends through the vertical side of each angle member 65 and through the tubular bracing portion 10 at a point adjacent the outer ends of the angle members 35. The upper end of each brace 69 is provided with an eye 12 which is adapted to engage between a pair of ears 13 fixed to the lower standard member IS. A band 14 is welded or otherwise fixed to the outside of the lower member I6 and the opposite ends of the band 14 are bent outwardly forming the ears 13. There are fourof these bands 14 secured circumferentially about the lower member I6 at a point upwardly from the lower end thereof. A bolt or fastening member 15 extends through the ears l3 and through the eye 12 so as to releasably hold the upper ends of the bracing members 69 in operative position.

A light supporting'bracket generally designated as 16 is mounted on the upper end of the upper section or member i8 and comprises a ring or annular member 11, a hub or sleeve 18 and radially disposed spokes '|9 connected to the hub or sleeve 18 and the annular member 11. The sleeve 18 is adapted to loosely engage over the upper end of the upper member l8 and is provided with a top wall having an opening 8|- through which an upwardly extending bar 82 removably engages. The top wall 80 of the sleeve I8 is adapted to engage on the upper end of the tubular member 18 and the bar 82 is adapted to extend downwardly through the opening 8| and may be locked by means of a cotter pin or other fastening member 83. A plurality of clrcum ferentially spaced apart reflectors 84 are secured to bracket members 85 fixed to the annulus 11 and are inclined downwardly so as to project light rays downwardly and outwardly from the tower.

Preferably, these reflectors 84 are of frustoconical configuration. A plurality of chains 86 are connected to hooks 81 which are fixed to the annulus T! and the upper ends of the chains 86 are provided with hooks 88 engaging in openings 89 provided in a top plate 90 which is fixed to the upper end of the bar 82.

The stationary lower section or member at a point adjacent the upper end thereof is provided with a sleeve 9| provided with a plurality of outwardly extending eyes or loops 82. These loops 92 are adapted to receive towing or fastening devices so as to permit mounting of the collapsed tower on a wheeled truck or trailer and then connecting a pulling cable to the eyes or loops 52.

In the use and operation of this tower, the tower is initially set up from a collapsed position similar to that shown in Figure 7 by connecting the braces 58 with the outer ends of the base legs 64 and with the ears (3. The drum 23 may then be rotated by means of the crank 25 soas to pull the intermediate section I! and the upper section I 8 upwardly. As the ring 20 of the intermediate section I! passes the dog 48, the dog 48 will engage beneath the ring 20 so that the intermediate section or member i! will thereby be held against downward movement. At the same time the ring 22 passes the dog 54 andthis dog 54 engages beneath the ring 22 and holds the upper section or member 18 against downward movement. rior to the movement of the telescoping sections I? and Hi to an extended position the light supporting member 76 may be mounted on the upper end of the upper or section member I8. The sleeve 18 may be fixed in any suitable manner to the upper end of the upper or section member l8 so that the light supporting member 76 will not be free to rotate on the upper or section member l8.

When it is desired to collapse the tower, the releasing cords 53 and 59 may be pulled downwardly so as to swing the dogs 48 and 54 to a released position. The dog 21 may also be swung to a released position by means of the handle 29.

The drum 23 may then be rotated to unwind the cord or cable 30 and thus permit the telescoping standard sections I! and I8 to gravitatingly move downwardly to a collapsed position. A light tower constructed according to this invention can be easily and quickly mounted in any suitable location and the base members 64 are of sufiicient length so as to prevent tipping over of the tower under the action of any wind. If desired, suitable anchoring means may be provided to prevent the tower from tipping over under substantially high winds. The upper ring of each pair of rings constitutes an abutment. The dogs 48, 54 in connection with the releasing cords 53, 59 respectively provide what may be termed latching elements which coact with the rings providing the abutments.

What I claim is:

1. A collapsible tower comprising a base, a lower tubular member rising from said base, an intermediate tubular member slidable in said lower member, an upper tubular member slidable in said intermediate member, a winding drum carried by said lower member, a flexible member engaging about said drum, a sheave rotatably carried by said lower member above the upper end thereof, a sheave rotatably carried by and disposed within said intermediate member in proximity to the lower end of the latter, a sheave rotatably carried by said intermediate member above the upper end thereof, means fixedly securing one end of said flexible member to said upper member, said flexible member being trained about each of said sheaves whereby rotation of said drum in one direction will move said intermediate and upper members to an extended position, and a pair of spaced apart guiding rings fixed on the outer peripheries of said intermediate and upper members.

2. A collapsible tower comprising a base, a lower tubular member rising from said base, an intermediate tubular member slidable in said lower member, an upper tubular member slidable in said intermediate member, a winding drum carried by said lower member, a flexible member engaging about said .drum, a sheave rotatably carried by said lower member above the upper end thereof, a sheave rotatably carried by and within said intermediate member in proximity to the lower end thereof, a sheave rotatably carried by said intermediate member above the upper end of the latter, means fixedly securing one end of said flexible member to and within said upper member, said flexible member being trained about each of said sheaves whereby rotation of said drum in one direction will move'said intermediate and upper members to an extended position, and a pair of spaced apart guiding rings fixed on the outer peripheries of the said intermediate and upper members, each of said guiding rings having at least one groove through which said flexible member is adapted to slidably engage. 3. A collapsible tower comprising a base, a standard rising upwardly from said base and formed of a stationary lower section secured to the base, a tubular intermediate section disposed in telescopic relation with respect tosaid lower section and a tubular upper section disposed in telescopic relation with respect to said intermediate section, a flexible winding element, said stationary and intermediate sections provided with means for respectively slidably connecting said element to and over the top of said stationary section, to and within the intermediate section adjacent the lower end of the latter and to and over the top of said intermediate section, said element extending into said upper section through the lower portion of the body of the latter, means within the upper section for anchoring the upper end of said element to said upper section in proximity to the bottom of the latter, and a latchable revoluble winding means for said element arranged in the said lower section and providing on the revolving thereof in one direction for said element to extend saidintermediate section upwardly with respect to said lower section and to extend said upper section upwardly with respect to said intermediate section.

SIBERT G. STRA'I'IAN.

Images