WO2006058378A1

WO2006058378A1 - Light pole lowering device

Info

Publication number: WO2006058378A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001813
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Peter Rule
Original assignee: George Peter Rule
Priority date: 2004-12-02
Filing date: 2005-12-01
Publication date: 2006-06-08

Abstract

A light pole lowering device (100) for a light pole (60) developed in the context of facilitating the maintenance of a lighting fixture (200). The device comprises a backing element (20); a bracket (30) pivotally connected to the backing element (20) and adapted to secure the light pole (60); and an auto-engaging locking means (40) for locking the rotation of the bracket (30) in relation to the backing element (20) in at least one predetermined configuration whereby, in use, the light pole (60) can be manipulated between an erect configuration and a configuration that allows maintenance of the light pole (60).

Description

Light Pole Lowering Device Field of the Invention

The field of the invention relates to a light pole lowering device developed in the context of providing light poles that can be lowered to conduct maintenance.

The present application claims priority from Australian provisional patent application 2004906870 filed on 2 December 2004.

Background to the Invention Safety on industrial sites is important and the maintenance of pole mounted light fittings can present a significant hazard. In order to maintain a fixed light pole, access equipment such as a ladder or cherry picker has to be used to access the light fitting at the top of the pole. The use of such access equipment presents a potentially dangerous situation. Such an access operation is prohibited under some mine safety regulations.

Prior art attempts to gain access to pole mounted light fittings have required the undoing of bolts at a centre hinged joint and then swinging the pole down to gain access to the light fitting. The bolts used in these hinged poles can have a tendency to seize. They also have the disadvantage that they require tools to be used to lower the pole and thus represent a two handed operation.

It would therefore be advantageous if there was a light pole lowering device that allowed safe access for maintenance and that ameliorated at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a light pole lowering device for a light pole comprising a backing element; a bracket pivotally connected to the backing element and adapted to secure the light pole; and an auto-engaging locking means for locking the rotation of the bracket in relation to the backing element in at least one predetermined configuration whereby, in use, the light pole can be manipulated between an erect configuration and a configuration that allows maintenance of the light pole.

The light pole lowering device has the advantage that the maintenance of the pole can be performed without the need for access equipment such as ladders. It also has the advantage that it can be operated without the use of tools.

Preferably, rotation of the bracket relative to the backing element occurs in a single plane. This has the advantage of ensuring that the light pole does not swing away from or towards the person performing maintenance which would make the job more dangerous and lowering of the light pole more difficult to control.

The auto-engaging locking means has the advantage that the pole will lock into the predetermined configuration once the pole is positioned in this configuration. This leaves both hands free to control the raising or lowering of the pole.

In some embodiments, the locking means auto-engages in two predetermined configurations, the erect configuration and the configuration that allows maintenance of the light pole. This enables the locking mechanism to securely lock the pole in its erected configuration as well as allowing controlled lowering of the pole until it locks into its maintenance configuration. Similarly, it simplifies erection of the pole, with the pole locking into its erect configuration once raised into position.

Embodiments of the invention can have the bracket locking at various intervals. For example, in one embodiment the bracket locks at 90 degree intervals. In other embodiments, the bracket can lock at 30 or 45 degree intervals.

Other embodiments have the locking means including at least one biased pin. In specific embodiments, the at least one biased pin engages spaced apart holes in the backing element. Alternatively, the biased pin engages spaced apart holes in the bracket.

In a particular embodiment, the at least one biased pin is in the form of a U- shaped handle with both ends of the handle forming pins that engage to lock. This provides a further contribution to the safety of the device. The dual pin arrangement provides redundancy in a situation where one pin fails. Also, the engagement of two pins increases the resilience of the light pole lowering device when subjected to excessive loading.

In another embodiment of the invention, the light pole lowering device has a lockout means for preventing accidental or unauthorised operation of the locking means. The lockout means can take various forms. In one form it is a mechanism that must be released before the locking means can be operated. In another form, it can include this functionality together with a facility for fitting of a pad lock or incorporating a key based locking element.

In a particular embodiment, the lockout means pivots from a locked state that prevents actuation of the locking means to an unlocked state that allows actuation of the locking means. In a specific embodiment of this, the lockout means is a U- shaped arm that in the locked state covers the locking means and prevents its operation.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a lighting fixture comprising a light pole and a light pole lowering device according to the first aspect. In embodiments of the lighting fixture, the light pole lowering device can be welded or bolted to a base upon which the lighting fixture is mounted. Similarly, the light pole can be welded or bolted to the bracket of the light pole lowering device and the light pole could be a portion of an existing pole or a new pole sold together with the light pole lowering device. The base can be, for example, a base pole that is sold together with the light pole lowering device or it can be an existing piece of equipment to which the light pole lowering device is attached.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of installing a lighting fixture according to the second aspect, comprising the steps of anchoring the light pole lowering device; and attaching the pole to the bracket.

In particular embodiments of this further aspect, the pole is vertical in its erect configuration. In other particular embodiments, the pole is horizontal in its maintenance configuration. However, other configurations are possible, for example, where the pole is inclined at 30 degrees to the horizontal in one of the predetermined configurations.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of maintaining a lighting fixture comprising the steps of: releasing a locking means to allow pivotal movement of a light pole relative to a backing element; and lowering the light pole into a position where the locking means re-engages to lock the light pole relative to the backing element such that maintenance can be performed on the lighting fixture.

In embodiments of this aspect, the method can also include the step of operating a lockout means to enable releasing of the locking means. This lockout means prevents accidental or unauthorised operation of the locking means.

In particular embodiments, the light pole is lowered from a vertical position to a horizontal position. In alternate embodiments, these positions can be varied to suit the application.

Summary of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a light pole lowering device assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2A shows a front view of a lighting fixture according to an embodiment of the invention with the backing plate in an erect configuration;

FIG. 2B shows a side view of the lighting fixture of FIG. 2 A;

FIG. 2C shows a front view of the lighting fixture of FIG. 2 A with the backing plate in transition between an erect configuration and a maintenance configuration;

FIG. 2D shows a front view of the lighting fixture of FIG. 2 A with the backing plate in the maintenance configuration;

FIG. 2E shows a detailed view of the Detail E of the lighting fixture of FIG. 2B; and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative backing plate according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention In the embodiments described below, like reference numerals refer to like parts. Also, in some instances where there is a plurality of similar components or features positioned symmetrically, only some of the components or features may be labelled in the figures. The embodiments are described in the context of conducting maintenance on pole mounted light fittings.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a light pole lowering device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The light pole lowering device 100 comprises an optional mounting plate 10, a backing element in the form of a backing plate 20; a bracket 30; a locking means 40 including a U- shaped handle 48; and a lockout means 50 including a U-shaped arm 59.

The backing plate 20 can be directly mounted to a base 90, for example, a handrail, a post or wall or girder. To facilitate mounting of the backing plate 20 to a base, the backing plate 20 is provided with a plurality of mounting apertures 22 arranged generally around the periphery of the backing plate 20 and configured to receive a corresponding plurality of mechanical fastening means. For example, in the case where the backing plate 20 is to be mounted directly to a handrail and the mechanical fastening means takes the form of a plurality of U-bolts, the arms of the U-bolts may pass through the mounting apertures 22 such that the arcuate portion of the U-bolt loops around the handrail. Alternatively or additionally, the backing plate 20 may be welded to the base.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the light pole lowering device 100 includes a mounting plate 10 which provides the base to which the backing plate 20 is anchored. The mounting plate 10 is provided with a plurality of mounting plate apertures 12 correspondingly arranged to align with the plurality of mounting apertures 22 in the backing plate 20. The backing plate 20 is secured to the mounting plate 10 using a corresponding plurality of mechanical fastening means 29, for example bolts. Advantageously, the mechanical fastening means 29 may be removable to allow the light pole lowering device 100 to be removed from a first location to a second location if the light pole is no longer required at the first location.

In Figure 1, the substantially rectangular mounting plate 10 is provided with four mounting plate apertures 12, one at each corner of the rectangle with the backing plate 20 being provided with four mounting apertures 22 correspondingly arranged to align with the four mounting plate apertures 12 of the mounting plate 10 in use. The particular number and arrangement of the mounting plate apertures 12 and the mounting apertures 22 is not critical to the working of the present invention. For stability and ease of access, it is considered to be advantageous to arrange the mounting plate apertures 12 and the mounting apertures 22 around the periphery of the mounting plate 10 and backing plate 20, respectively.

The mounting plate 10 and the backing plate 20 are substantially planar and orthogonal in shape in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. The particular shape of the mounting plate 10 and the backing plate 20 may vary and there is no requirement for the overall size of the mounting plate 10 and the backing plate 20 to be the same provided only that the mounting plate apertures 12 of the mounting plate 10 and the mounting apertures 22 of the backing plate 20 are able to be brought into alignment to receive the mechanical fastening means 29.

The bracket 30 is pivotally connected to the backing plate 20 and co-operatively associated with the locking means 40 which is adapted to lock rotation of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20 so as to lock the light pole in at least one predetermined configuration. The at least one predetermined configuration may be an erect configuration in which the light pole extends substantially vertically upwards in normal use, or a maintenance configuration in which the light pole has been lowered to facilitate maintenance of the pole mounted light fitting. In many situations, the most convenient maintenance configuration will be substantially horizontal relative to the ground as this allows easy access to the pole mounted light fitting and allows a person to conduct maintenance without the use of access means such as ladders. It is to be understood however, that the maintenance configuration could equally be at an angle other than ninety degrees to the vertical, for example 30, 45 or 60 degrees as described in greater detail below in relation to FIG. 3.

To facilitate locking of the rotation of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20, the U-shaped locking handle 48 comprises two substantially parallel arms 49 terminating at ends 44 which act as a pair of locking pins that are receivable within suitably sized locking pin apertures 23 provided in the backing plate 20. Each handle end 44 also projects through corresponding spaced apart locking pin apertures 33a and 33b provided in the bracket 30. The locking pin apertures 33a, 33b in the bracket 30 are arranged such that the ends 44 only become aligned with and thus receivable within the locking pin apertures 23 provided in the backing plate 20 when the bracket 30 has been rotated into the at least one predetermined configuration relative to the backing plate 20.

The light pole lowering device 100 may be locked at any number of predetermined configurations at any predetermined angle of rotation simply by providing a suitable arrangement and number of locking pin apertures 23 in the backing plate into which the ends 44 may be received. The rotation of the bracket 30 and the backing plate 20 with respect to each other is inhibited by the engagement of both ends 44 of the handle 48 into the locking pin apertures 23 in the backing plate 20.

Advantageously, the locking means 40 is "auto-engaging" in that the handle 48 is biased towards the backing plate 20 so that the ends 44 are automatically received within the locking pin apertures 23 in the backing plate when the ends 44 are moved into alignment with these locking pin apertures 23. This embodiment makes it particularly easy for a person to operate the pole lowering device using one hand only. The ends 44 are biased into an auto-engaging state by springs 42 that bear against an E-clip 41 and a washer 43. The E-clip 41 also serves to retain the locking means 40 in its assembled state as well as limiting the extent to which the ends 44 project through the apertures 33a and 33b in the bracket 30 and into the locking pin apertures 23 in the backing plate 20. The E-clip 41 could equally be a split pin or other retaining means. The details of this assembly, when assembled, can be seen in FIG. 2E. In alternate embodiments, the locking means 40 can include other forms of detent means such as arrangements where pulling of a knob releases the detent or a positive detent where a push button releases the detent.

When the pole lowering device 100 has a plurality of predetermined configurations and an auto-engaging locking means 40 is used, rotation of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20 can be locked in a first predetermined configuration and then released to allow further rotation towards a second predetermined configuration. To achieve this, the handle 48 is simply pulled against the spring bias in a direction away from the backing plate 20 to remove the ends 44 from a first set of locking pin apertures 23a and 23b in the backing plate, allowing further rotation of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20. Rotation of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20 can then continue until the ends 44 come into alignment with a second set of locking pin apertures 23b and 23c in the backing plate 20 to lock the pole lowering device 100 in a second predetermined configuration.

To facilitate rotation of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20, the backing plate 20 is pivotally connected to the bracket 30 using a pivot means 25, in this embodiment, a simple bolt, that extends through a centrally located pivot means aperture 24 in the backing plate 20 and a corresponding centrally located pivot means aperture 37 in the bracket 30. The bolt 25 is secured in position using a flat washer 26, a lock washer 27 and a nut 28 that engage at an interior surface of the bracket 30. The details of this assembly, when assembled, can be seen in FIG. 2E.

With reference to FIG. 1, the head of the bolt 25 is positioned within a recess on a back surface 18 of the backing plate 20 to allow the back surface 18 of the backing plate 20 to sit flush against a flat surface or to sit flush against a second surface 14 of the mounting plate 10. A corresponding rim 17 is formed on the opposing planar surface 21 of the backing plate 20 and this rim maintains a gap between facing planar surfaces 31 and 21 of the bracket 30 and the backing plate 20, respectively. When the bracket 30 and the backing plate 20 rotate relative to each other, the facing planar faces 31 and 21 of the bracket 30 and backing plate 20, respectively remain parallel to each other making it possible to rotate the bracket 30 and the backing plate 20 through 360 degrees relative to each other.

The light pole lowering device 100 is further provided with a lockout means 50 which may be placed into a locked state to prevent actuation of the handle 48 to provide added safety against unauthorised or inadvertent operation. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.l, the lockout means 50 takes the form of a U- shaped arm 59 which is adjacent to the handle 48 when in the locked state. In this way, movement of the handle 48 away from the backing plate 20 is prevented with the handle 48 abutting the arm 59. As a result the ends 44 of the handle 48 cannot move out of engagement within the locking pin apertures 23 in the backing plate 20 without first moving the arm 59 of the lockout means 50 out of the locked state. The lockout means 50 can be used to lock the position of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20 in any of the predetermined configurations.

The lockout means 50 in the form of the U-shaped arm 59 is pivotally mounted to the bracket 30 and can be moved from a locked state in which actuation of the locking means 40 is inhibited to an unlocked state in which actuation of the locking means 40 can be effected. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 59 is pivotally mounted to the bracket 30 using bolts 36 that pass through pivot apertures 51 in the arm that are received within corresponding apertures 34 in the bracket 30, with washers 35 providing clearance between the arm 59 and the bracket 30 to facilitate the pivoting movement. The arm 59 can pivot into a locked state by swinging on the bolts 36 such that the arm 59 is positioned over the handle 48, thereby preventing operation of the handle 48 to release the handle ends 44 from the backing plate 20. The arm 59 can also swing around into an unlocked state that then allows the operation of the handle 48 to release the handle ends 44 and thereby allowing rotation of the bracket 30 in relation to the backing plate 20.

Movement of the arm 59 from the locked state is prevented by a detent means in the form of a holding pin 58 that projects through a holding pin aperture 52 in the arm 59 and into a lockout fastening aperture 32 in the bracket 30. The holding pin 58 is biased towards an engaged position by spring 56 and assembled with a split pin 54 and washers 55 and 57. This assembly is similar to that used in for the handle ends 44 and details of this assembly, when assembled, can be seen in FIG. 2E. Alternative detent mechanisms can be used to lock the arm 59 into the locked state.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2E show an embodiment of a lighting fixture 200. A tubular galvanised pole 60 is attached to the light pole lowering device 100. The pole 60 is secured at its proximal end 64 by insertion into a tubular portion 38 of the bracket 30 and fastening with suitable mechanical fastening means 39, in this example, socket head grub screws 39. When installed, power cables run through the hollow pole 60 and a sealing cap 69 can also be provided to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture into the pole. Affixed to the distal end 67 of the pole 60 is a lighting head mount 70. This head mount 70 has light units attached to it (not shown). The head mount 70 is attached to the distal end 67 of the pole 60 using mechanical fastening means 72, in this example, grub screws in a similar manner to the attachment of the pole 60 to the bracket 30.

FIG. 2 A, FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D illustrate selected stages in the operating of the light pole lowering device 100 from a first predetermined configuration to a second predetermined configuration. This operation involves: the operating the lockout mechanism 50 to allow actuation of the locking means 40; actuation of the handle 48 of the locking means 40 to allow rotation of the bracket 30 relative to the backing plate 20; rotation of the bracket 30 with respect to the backing plate 20; re-engagement of handle ends 44 into the backing plate 20; and then operating the arm 59 of the lockout means 50 to prevent actuation of the handle 48 of the locking means 40.

The arm 59 of the lockout means 50 is operated from a locked state into an unlocked state by pulling the holding pin 58 and then simultaneously swinging the lockout arm 59 around to a position where the handle 48 is no longer shielded.

The locking means 40 is then released by pulling on the handle 48 to withdraw the handle ends 44 from the locking pin apertures 23a and 23b in the backing plate 20. Whilst the handle 48 is still being pulled against the spring bias, the bracket 30 can rotate with respect to the backing plate 20. In the context of the lighting fixture 200, this rotation results in the lowering of the light pole from a substantially vertical or erect first configuration to a substantially horizontal second configuration. This lowering is performed to allow safe access to the light units on the head mount 70 without the need for access equipment such as ladders.

As the bracket 30 rotates with respect to the backing plate 20, the handle ends 44 bear against the planar surface 21 of backing plate 20 until the handle ends 44 engage into the locking pin apertures 23b and 23c in the backing plate 20 at which point the pole 60 is locked into a horizontal position in which maintenance can be performed on the lighting fixture 200. Alternatively, the pole 60 could be rotated the opposite way so that the handle ends 44 engage into the locking pin apertures • 23a and 23d in the backing plate 20.

The arm 59 can then be set back into a locked state in its second predetermined configuration by swinging the arm 59 around to a position where the handle 48 is once again shielded by the arm 59 such that the handle 40 cannot be manipulated.

FIG 3. shows an alternative backing plate 20. In this alternate backing plate 20, an additional four locking pin apertures 23f to 23h have been placed in the backing plate 20 such that there are eight locking pin apertures 23 into which the handle ends 44 can engage. This alternative backing plate 20 enables the pole to be positioned at 45 degree increments. For example, this could allow the pole 60 to be positioned at 90 degrees to horizontal when erect and then placed at 45 degrees to horizontal or 0 degrees to horizontal for maintenance. In other alternative embodiments of the backing plate 20, locking pin apertures 23 can be provided at, for example, 30 degree intervals.

The mounting plate 10, backing plate 20, bracket 30, handle 48 and arm 59 are manufactured from galvanised steel. However, they could also be manufactured from stainless steel where environmental conditions required it. Components such as the bracket 30 and the arm 59 can be coated with coloured enamel or paint coated with plastic coating to enhance corrosion resistance and to increase visibility of these elements of the light pole lowering device 100. The springs 42, E-clips 41, split pin 54 are manufactured from stainless steel for durability. Other parts such as washers and bolts are made from galvanised steel and/or stainless steel.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example: the pole 60 could be directly welded to the bracket 30; another holding pin arrangement could be used such as a single pin; or other lockout means could be used that prevent actuation of the handle 48.

It will be clearly understood that, although a number of background art methods and/or publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these methods or publications form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country. In the summary of the invention, the description and claims which follow, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A light pole lowering device for a pole mounted light fitting comprising: a backing element; a bracket pivotally connected to the backing element and adapted to secure the light pole; and, an auto-engaging locking means for locking the rotation of the bracket relative to the backing element in at least one predetermined configuration whereby, in use, the light pole can be manipulated from an erect configuration to a configuration that allows maintenance of the light pole.

2. A light pole lowering device according to claim 1 , wherein rotation of the bracket relative to the backing element occurs in a single plane.

3. A light pole lowering device according to claim 1 , wherein the locking means auto-engages in the erect configuration and the configuration that allows maintenance of the light pole.

4. A light pole lowering device according to claim 1, wherein successive predetermined configuration are at 30, 45 or 90 degree intervals.

5. A light pole lowering device according to claim 1 , wherein the locking means includes at least one biased locking pin.

6. A light pole lowering device according to claim 4, whereby, in use, the at least one biased locking pin is releasably engageable within a locking aperture in the backing element.

7. A light pole lowering device according to either claim 5 or 6 wherein the at least one biased pin is in the form of a U-shaped handle comprising a pair of parallel arms terminating at ends that engage within corresponding locking apertures.

8. A light pole lowering device according to claim 1 , further comprising a lockout means for preventing accidental or unauthorised operation of the locking means.

9. A light pole lowering device according to claim 8, whereby, in use, the lockout means is movable from a locked state that inhibits actuation of the locking means to an unlocked state that allows actuation of the locking means.

10. A light pole lowering device according to claim 9, wherein the lockout means is a U-shaped arm.

11. A lighting fixture comprising a light pole and a light pole lowering device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A lighting fixture according to claim 11, wherein the light pole lowering device is welded or bolted to a base.

13. A lighting fixture according to claim 11, wherein the light pole is welded or bolted to the bracket of the light pole lowering device.

14. A method of installing a lighting fixture according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising the steps of: anchoring the light pole lowering device; and, attaching the pole to the bracket.

15. A method of installing a lighting fixture according to claim 14, wherein the pole is vertical in its erect configuration.

16. A method of installing a lighting fixture according to claim 14, wherein the pole is horizontal in its maintenance configuration.

17. A method of maintaining a lighting fixture according to any one of claims 11 to 13 comprising the steps of: releasing a locking means to allow pivotal movement of a light pole relative to a backing element; and, lowering the light pole into a position where the locking means re-engages to lock the light pole relative to the backing element such that maintenance can be performed on the lighting fixture.

18. A method of maintaining a lighting fixture according to claim 17, further comprising the step of operating a lockout means to enable releasing of the locking means.

19. A method of maintaining a lighting fixture according to claim 20, wherein the pole is lowered from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

20. A light pole lowering device for a light pole substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.