WO2007136241A1

WO2007136241A1 - A portable mobile communication tower

Info

Publication number: WO2007136241A1
Application number: PCT/MY2007/000031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wun Fui Yap
Original assignee: Elite Comm Network Sdn. Bhd.
Priority date: 2006-05-18
Filing date: 2007-05-18
Publication date: 2007-11-29
Also published as: CN101449422B; WO2007136241A8; CN101449422A

Abstract

A portable mobile communication tower (10) use for wireless communication applications comprising a) a portable cage (12) having side panels (38) and supporting frames (26) assembled thereof forming an enclosed base structure for the tower, wherein the structure is provided with adjustable stabilizer stands (30) and supporting legs (18) for leveling and supporting the cage (12) on uneven surface respectively, b) a mast or lattice tower (14) constructed in modular form and having an identical but in different predetermined size of sectional mast permitting the sectional mast to be assembled section-by-section by aid of removeably winch assembly; c) a bracing member (16) for supporting the mast or lattice tower (14) and serve as a supporting means to restricts sway movement of the sectional mast during assembling process; wherein the portable mobile communication tower (10) can be easily transported and rapidly assembled in place of used; and is able to dismantled and removed from the place in a simple, quick and safe mode so that can be readily transportable elsewhere or to be stored.

Description

A PORTABLE MOBILE COMMUNICATION TOWER

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile communication tower. More particularly the present invention relates to a portable communication tower for wireless communication transmission or mobile station that can be easily transported and rapidly assembled in place of use.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In a wireless communication applications or telecommunication network, e.g a mobile telephone network, it is crucial to install in a territory a set of antennas mounted on suitable towers at each station. The station normally comprises a set of electrical and electronic telecommunication equipments for receiving and transmitting the radio signals of the antennas, ancillary equipments as well as other equipments.

In specific regions and for specific periods, particularly during emergency situations, it is necessary to rapidly install a telecommunication station suitably covering a region otherwise being not covered or having a limited coverage. Such problem is solved by transporting in a semi-trailer a tower for radio antennas to the place of use. By means of the same semi-trailer or by means of another motor vehicle, all the equipments and infrastructures for installing the station are also transported to the place of use. By external means, such as e.g a crane, the station is built and the tower is raised, finally the antennas are mounted thereon.

The installations of the said station are relatively difficult as it involves transporting all the equipments and infrastructure into remote locations. The telecommunication equipments, mast or tower have to be transported separately. Transport of the materials required for constructing the telecommunication station and the raising of the tower for the antennas, obviously required a great waste of means and time. In addition, some regions cannot be reached by the semi-trailer and/or by the cranes. Once the telecommunication service is performed, the emergency telecommunication station must be dismantled to be transportable elsewhere or be stored. In order to do so, it is necessary to carry out in reverse order all the complex operations, which result in high costs and longer working times.

Another common practice of prior art utilizes a stationary foundation formed by a mast base which is firmly anchored in the ground. This prior art is similar to that utilized for permanently erected mast or tower. This approach requires significant site preparation including tower installation. Moreover, this practice is unfavorable in several respects. Firstly, both the construction and the subsequent removal of the mast or tower base is very time consuming and costly. Additionally, the use of such mast or tower base involves a substantial penetration into ground, which is unacceptable in certain environmentally sensitive regions such as mountain regions or in coastal regions. In order to avoid above disadvantages, a specially designed transport vehicle is used as a mast base for temporary erection of mast. However, such transport vehicle is very expensive and does not offer a sufficiently stable foundation for the mast beyond a certain height and does not permit the mast to remain erected thereon unattended for longer periods of time. Due to insufficient stable foundation, such mast is limited to 10 meters height. In addition, the transport vehicle station requires frequent maintenance.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a portable mobile telecommunication tower free from aforementioned drawbacks. The present invention provides a mobile communication tower which is readily transportable, rapidly erected and installed to put into service. The present invention can also be subsequently removed from the place of use in a simple, quick and safe way. The present invention has for its purpose provide an improved mast or tower base which avoids the above disadvantages and is well suited to use for supporting a temporarily erected mast or tower during extended periods of time, and it also can be permanently used without requiring frequent attendance. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable mobile communication tower use for wireless communication applications. The portable mobile communication tower comprising at least one set of electrical and electronic telecommunication equipments, ancillary equipments or other equipments/accessories for performing telecommunication services and its characterized in that the portable mobile communication tower includes a portable cage with stabilizer stands and supporting legs, a mast or lattice tower and a bracing member.

The portable cage is provided with side panels and supporting frames assembled thereof forming an enclosed base structure for the tower wherein at least one side panel of the cage is configured with an access door for maintenance or installation work. At least four adjustable stabilizer stands configured at each base corners of the cage and are vertically adjustable for leveling the cage on uneven surface. The portable cage also includes at least four sliding outrigger or supporting legs configured at base part of the cage having an arm longitudinally displaceable along a supporting bar in telescopic manner which can be adjusted in steps and locked in different positions.

The mast or lattice tower is constructed in modular form and having an identical but in different predetermined size of sectional mast permitting the sectional mast to be assembled section-by-section by means of bolts and nuts, or by any other quick fastening means.

The bracing member configured for supporting the mast or lattice tower and serve as a supporting means for restricting sway movement of the sectional mast during elevating or assembling process. If necessary, the erected mast or lattice tower is suitably stayed laterally by means of a number of stay wires.

The present invention provide the portable mobile communication tower that can be easily transported and rapidly assembled in place of used; and is able to dismantled and removed from the place in a simple, quick and safe mode so that can be readily transportable elsewhere or to be stored. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a mobile communication tower according to preferred embodiment of present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a portable cage and a base of the mobile communication tower according to preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic partial perspective view of the mobile communication tower illustrating a framework of the portable cage with a mast or lattice tower mounted on a base structure of the cage according to preferred embodiment of present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic assembly view of the portable cage illustrating side panels, electrical/electronic telecommunication equipments, ancillary equipments and other equipments assembled in the cage.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the mast or lattice tower according to preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5a - 5h are diagrammatic perspective views of each section of the mast or lattice tower according to preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5i - 5j are diagrammatic perspective views of each boom according to preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic assembly view of the portable cage illustrating the configuration of winch assembly for lifting sectional mast according to preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, depicted therein is a portable mobile communication tower (10) generally in accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention. The portable mobile communication tower (10) comprises a body, formed partly by a preferably rectangular cage (12), a mast or lattice tower (14) securely mounted to base panel of the cage (12), a bracing member (16) for supporting the mast or lattice tower (14), adjustable stabilizer stands (30), supporting legs (18) and a number of stay wires (20) anchored from upper portion of the mask to outer end portion of the supporting legs (18). The cage (12) of the mobile communication tower (10) is not limited to rectangular shaped, but can be of any shape such as square, cylindrical, round or polygonal shape provided the cage can be accommodate all the telecommunication equipments, accessories or other necessary equipments for performing services including lower section of the mast or lattice tower (14) that mounted on the base structure of the cage (12).

Referring to FIG. 2, the cage (12) is provided with four upper corner fittings (22) at its upper end and with four lower corner fittings (24) at its lower end. Supporting frames (26) are placed upon on top and on the base part of the case (12) and fastened to the four upper and lower corner fittings of the case (12). Each side panel (38) of the cage (12) is preferably net meshed galvanize steel structure. The side panels (38) are then removeably secured by means of bolts and nuts or can be secured by any other suitable quick fastening means. Said side panels are not limited to net meshed structure but can be of any enclosed plates or other means depending on user requirements. The cage (12) is generally utilized for accommodating at least one set of electrical and electronic telecommunication equipment, ancillary equipments, accessories or other equipments for performing required telecommunication services. Top part of the cage (12) is provided with at least one roof or roof panel (28). The roof panel (28) is removable or openable at its centre portion to permit the mast or lattice tower (14) to extend through its opening. Though, another openable roof panel on top can be provided for human access during the assembly process.

The cage (12) also provided with at least four adjustable stabilizer stands (30) at each base corner of the cage. The adjustable stabilizer stands (30) can be vertically adjusted to level the cage (12) on the uneven surface. To further enhance the stability of the mobile communication tower (10), there are provided at least four sliding outrigger or supporting legs (18) at the base part of the cage (12). Particularly, each unit of sliding outrigger or supporting leg (18) is provided with an arm (32) connected to a supporting bar (34) by means of locking pin and hold. The said locking pin can be bolted to the hole of the supporting bar (34). Said supporting bars (34) are a pair of bars each bar place on opposite sides and secured along the shorter side of the rectangular cage (12). As can be better seen from FIG. 3 and 4, the arm (32) and the supporting bar (34) are mounted longitudinally displaceable relatively to each other in telescopic manner. Said arm (32) and supporting bar (34) are locked in different positions relatively to each other by means of locking pin, which may inserted through a pair of aligned holes in two opposite sides of the supporting bar (34). As a consequence, the length of the arm (32) can be adjusted in steps. The base of the cage also can be configured with supporting beams (not shown) extending thereto in case the tower has to be installed on a soft and/or uneven earth surface. The said supporting beams are configured on pre-installed concrete foundation which serves as a stabilizer stand for the cage (12). Base section of the mast or lattice tower (14) is preferably mounted onto a center portion (36) of the base supporting frame (26) of the cage. The installation of the mast or lattice tower (14) will be described later in the description.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the cage (12) is configured by four side panels (38) and two supporting frames (26) (top and base) enclosed thereto to form a rectangular cage. The side panels (38) of the cage (12) are provided with four upper corner fittings at its upper end, and four lower corner fittings at its lower end (not shown). The supporting frames (26) are placed upon on a top and bottom of the cage and fastened to the said corner fitting. Each side panel (38) of the cage (12) is preferably with net meshed galvanize steel structure. At least one side panel (38) is provided with an access door for maintenance or installation work purposes. There is provided at least one step member (46) built-in under the cage base. Particularly, the at least one step member (46) is preferably slideably fitted to the cage base right under to the access doors. The said step member (46) can be a sliding panel or a ladder step.

At least one set electrical or electronic telecommunication equipment (40) is mounted on base panel of the supporting frame (26). The ancillary equipments such as switch box (42), AC power distributor board, ladder, accessories including sectional mast or other equipments to perform the services may configured and installed into the cage (12). The base panel of the supporting frame (26) is provided a center portion (36) with mounting apertures to permit mast or lattice tower (14) to be securely mounted to the said center portion (36). The mast or lattice tower (14) is erected in an upward direction from the center portion (36) of the base panel and extended through the removably or openably roof panel (28) at the upper supporting frame (26) of the cage (12).

FIG. 5 illustrates structure of mast or lattice tower (14) in accordance with preferred embodiment of the invention. The mast or lattice tower (14) is preferably constructed in modular form from pieces of elongated tubing. Angle bars, rectangular bars or any polygonal hollow bars may be used. The sectional mast is preferably constructed in form of square in cross-section; though triangular cross-section structure can be used. The end portions of each sectional mast are provided with angle bars (44) or metal plates. Said angle bars (44) or metal plates are provided with a plurality of apertures serving as a connecting member. Each sectional mast or lattice tower from uppermost to lowermost sections is all constructed in identical form but in different predetermined size for each sectional mast. Thus, allowing said sectional mast to be assembled section-by-section by means of bolts and nuts or other suitable quick fastening means. Moreover, each individual section of mast can be dismantled and kept storage into the cage (12).

FIGS. 5a - 5j illustrate a kit parts for the mast or lattice tower (14), comprising an uppermost mast section (51), intermediate mast sections (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57), lowermost mast section (58), and booms (49, 50). The completed mobile communication tower (10) will also include accessories, telecommunication apparatus, weatherproof fluorescent light, weatherproof AC power distributor board, satellite dish or antenna (not shown). The booms (49, 50) are an elongated pole extending upward from the uppermost mast section (51) as a derrick to support telecommunication apparatus or as a guide for guy line/safety cables for lifting objects (not shown). The boom (49) is provided with adjustable brackets (48) slidably attached along the elongated pole for holding antenna. The design of the mast or lattice tower (14) can be extended to any required height by additional section of the mast. By way of example and not by way of limitation, each section of mast and boom is preferably of 2 meters height and a typical mast or lattice tower (14) is constructed in range of 10 meters to 40 meters in height. The installation of the mast or lattice tower (14) will now be described herein. The mast or lattice tower (14) is constructed section-by section (first in first up basis) by means of winch assembly. Each individual sections of the mast will be hoisted by hoist cable by the aid of winch. Referring to FIG. 6, the winch assembly comprises of a winch (60), pulleys (62a, 62b), and hoist cable (64). In practice, winch (60) is mounted to a winch supporting bracket (66) which is disposed at one side, on top adjacent to the roof panel (28) of the cage (12). There are two pulleys (62a) removeably mounted at two bottom sides of the sectional mast and another pulley (62b) is removeably mounted at the roof panel near under the winch supporting bracket (66). The hoist cable (64) is drawn from the winch (60) to the said pulleys (62a, 62b) and then anchored to a hook (68) disposed at the roof panel opposite to the pulley (62b). Hence, a hoisting loop (70) is formed which can be used to lift-up the sectional mast when the hoist cable (64) is winded-up. The winch (60) can be of manually/hand-power driven or motor-driven. Preferably, a manual winch with at least half tone loading capacity is used depending on the weight of the mast. Alternatively, a hydraulic jack may be used for lifting the sectional mast during the assembly process.

The installation begins with assembly of the uppermost part of the mast where the booms (49, 50) are assembled onto top side of the uppermost section mast (51).

The assembled booms (49, 50) and the uppermost mast section (51) will then be inserted into said hoisting loop (70) and lifted-up by the hoist cable (64) under a tensional force by the winch (60). After the uppermost mast section (51) has been raised high enough to provide clearance for insertion of another lower mast section, the winch (60) is temporarily locked against rotation so that the uppermost mast section (51) is maintained in its extended elevated position. A safety lock (72) further retains the extended section of the mast from slumping. The safety lock (72) may be disposed near the removable or openable roof panel (28) or disposed at bracing member. The next lower or intermediate mast section (52) will be then inserted into the hoisting loop (70) and line up attached in end-to-end relation with the uppermost mast section (51). The uppermost section mast (51) and the intermediate section mast

(52) will then be mounted by means of plurality bolts and nuts or by any other suitable fastening means at the angle bars (48). Again, the assembled mast sections are lifted-up to certain high and locked temporarily in place to provide clearance for next insertion of lower mast section. The same assembly processes are carried out to all the intermediate mast sections (53, 54, 55, 56) until the lowermost mast section (58) is placed. The lowermost mast section (58) is finally mounted on the base supporting frame (26), preferably at the center portion (36) of the cage (12) by means of bolts and nuts or other suitable fastening means.

Referring back to FIG. 1, there is provided a bracing member (16) configured on top of the cage (12). The bracing member (16) comprises a plurality of circular hollow sections for supporting the erected mast or lattice tower (14). Particularly, the bracing member (16) is securely mounted on the four upper corners at top supporting frames (26) of the cage (12), and it serves as a supporting means to the mast or lattice tower (14). The said bracing member (16) also can be formed by angle bars or any other sectional bars for suitable used. In addition, the bracing member (16) restricts sway movement of the sectional mast during the lift-up or assembly process. The erected mast or lattice tower (14) is suitably stayed laterally by means of a number of stay wires (20). The stay wires (20) is connected to the upper portion of the mast and having their lower ends anchored to outer end portions of the supporting legs (18). The stay wires also can be anchored to any other supporting means such as a concrete block or on the ground.

To this end, the configuration of the portable mobile communication tower (10) should be modular and self-contained, readily transportable, and can be quickly erected and installed on site and put into service. Moreover, the portable mobile communication tower (10) can be dismantled and/or removed therefrom in a simple, quick and safe operation once its service is performed, and it is readily transportable to elsewhere or to be stored. There are no complex operations and it reduces operation cost and working times. The present invention is not only well suited to use for supporting a temporarily erected mast or tower during extended periods of time, but also can be permanently used without requiring any frequent attendance.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description, rather than limitation. The preferred embodiment of this invention having been disclosed, however, various changes, substitutions or alteration may be made therein without departing from the principles and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIM

1. A portable mobile communication tower (10) use for wireless communication applications comprising at least one set of electrical and electronic telecommunication equipments, ancillary equipments or other equipments/accessories for performing telecommunication services characterized in that the portable mobile communication tower (10) includes: a) a portable cage (12) having i) side panels (38) and supporting frames (26) assembled thereof forming an enclosed base structure for the tower wherein at least one side panel (38) of the cage (12) is configured with an access door for maintenance or installation work;

ii) at least four adjustable stabilizer stands (30) configured at each base corner of the cage (12) and are vertically adjustable for leveling the cage (12) on uneven surface;

iii) at least four sliding outrigger or supporting legs (18) configured at base part of the cage (12) having an arm (32) longitudinally displaceable along a supporting bar (34) in telescopic manner which can be adjusted in steps and locked in different positions;

b) a mast or lattice tower (14) constructed in modular form and having an identical but in different predetermined size of sectional mast permitting the sectional mast to be assembled section-by-section;

c) a bracing member (16) for supporting the mast or lattice tower (14) and serve as a supporting means for restricting sway movement of the sectional mast during elevating or assembling process.