WO2018095959A1

WO2018095959A1 - Observation tower assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018095959A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/080023
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Charles LUDLOW
Original assignee: Tower Visions Llp
Priority date: 2016-11-22
Filing date: 2017-11-22
Publication date: 2018-05-31
Also published as: GB201619701D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tower assembly (1) for an observation platform, the assembly comprising:- two or more towers (2), each tower (2) having a tapering profile along at least the majority of its length; the towers (2) being orientated such that their longitudinal axes are inclined relative to one another; wherein each tower (2) is a tubular member having a closed curve cross-section.

Description

Observation Tower Assembly

The present invention relates to observation tower assemblies, and in particular though not exclusively to such assemblies for housing a gondola, movable within a tower structure. The gondola may be provided with a captive balloon-like member, for example a cold air inflatable shape.

In this regard, tower assemblies of this kind are known, for example from US2008/0156929 (Gobbi et al) and US9,133,642 (Giacomoni et al). Such assemblies are generally intended to be located in environments for providing leisure and entertainment facilities, for example as an attraction in a shopping mall and/or at scenic locality or amusement park. As such, they have certain general design objectives, namely that they can operate safely in moderate wind speeds when built to a sufficient height, and offer as unrestricted a view as possible to passengers being carried.

A problem with such known assemblies is that achieving all the above objectives can be difficult at a commercially viable cost. For example, with the arrangement of US9,133,642, in order to provide the required stability, a number of helical braces are required to interconnect towers. Such braces are costly to construct, and complicated to install. They moreover adversely affect the view for passengers. Likewise, the assembly of US2008/0156929 includes 6 towers which add considerably to materials and construction cost and which again adversely affect the view available to passengers.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide a tower assembly that seeks to overcome the above identified disadvantages. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tower assembly for an observation platform, the assembly comprising two or more towers, each tower having a tapering profile along at least the majority of its length, the towers being orientated such that their longitudinal axes are inclined relative to one another; wherein each tower is a tubular member having a substantially closed curve cross-section.

Preferably, the towers are inclined inwardly towards one another so as to present a mounting surface running longitudinally along each tower that is parallel with a corresponding mounting surface on the other tower or towers.

In this way, the strength of the tapering towers can be optimized where needed whilst still presenting parallel edge surfaces for mounting of gondola components. The use of tapering towers allows material costs to be reduced, and weight and cross-sectional area at height to be lowered. Weight at height is undesirable since it requires an enhanced support structure to be provided. Reducing the cross-sectional area at height is furthermore highly desirable in reducing aerodynamic resistance.

Further, the advantages of a tapering tower can be harnessed whilst still presenting a suitably orientated mounting surface. The towers are preferably mounted so that each tower has a vertically orientated edge.

Preferably, each tower has a substantially circular cross-section. A circular cross-section provides for enhanced strength and deflection characteristics.

Preferably, the towers are mounted such that the spacing between respective inwardly facing longitudinal edges of the towers and a central point between the towers is constant along the length of the towers. The towers are hence orientated such that said inwardly facing longitudinal edges of the towers are parallel. These edges as such define a vertical channel, cylinder or shaft having vertically running support edges for coupling of gondola and balloon components.

Preferably, three towers are provided, whose inwardly facing vertically orientated edges define a vertical channel, cylinder or shaft having a triangular cross-section. The triangular cross-section is preferably equilateral in nature.

The towers may in preferred embodiments be connected to one another at different points along their longitudinal extent by one or more support members. The support members tie the towers together to restrict relative deflection between the towers and to maintain the integrity of the parallel nature of the facing vertical edges.

Preferably, the one or more support members are provided in the form of an annular member. These may be provided around the outer periphery of the towers to link them together. The support members may be spaced closer together in a lower region of the tower assembly and become increasingly spaced further up the tower assembly.

Conveniently, the assembly is provided with between 3 and 6 such support members.

Conveniently, each tower is formed of a plurality of sections, connected together. Such a modular structure assists in ease of manufacturing and ease of scalability of the assembly.

Preferably, the assembly further comprises two or more base supports, each base support being connected to a tower. Preferably, the base support is inclined on its upper face. Alternatively, the base supports may have a flat or horizontal top face with the first tower section having an inclined bottom face to achieve the correct inclination of the tower.

Preferably, each tower is from 30 m to 200 m in length or more preferably 90 m to 120 m in length.

Each tower may moreover have a base diameter of 1.5 m to 3.0 m and an upper diameter of 0.5 m to 2.0 m, or more preferably a base diameter of 2 m and an upper diameter of 1 m. In this regard, for a 90 m tower, having a base diameter of 2 m and an upper diameter of 1 m, the angle of inclination of the tower's central longitudinal axis to the vertical will be around 0.33° in order to achieve a vertical surface.

Conveniently, each tower has a longitudinally extending guide track for receiving a carriage. The track can usually be provided along the substantially vertically orientated edge of each tower. The track may comprise opposing U-sections or adopt a rail configuration within or upon which rollers or wheels of the carriage can run.

Preferably, each carriage can be hoisted and lowered within or upon the guide track by way of a suitable hoist or winch mechanism.

The assembly may further comprise a frame coupled to the carriage. The frame forms the support for a gondola and balloon-like member that can be raised and lowered within the tower structure. Preferably, the frame is coupled to each carriage by way of a compliance mechanism that allows for relative movement between the towers. Such movement may result from wind or uneven solar heating effects.

Conveniently, the assembly further comprises a balloon-like member which is arranged to rise and fall within the tower assembly. The balloon-like member may be an at least partially inflatable cold air inflatable, for example in the shape of a promotional can or bottle.

Alternatively, no balloon-like member is provided so that the towers encompass only a gondola.

Conveniently, the frame is housed within the interior of the balloon-like member so that it is hidden, improving the aesthetics of the assembly.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a tower assembly for an observation platform, the assembly comprising two or more towers, each tower having a tapering profile along at least the majority of its length; wherein each tower has a closed curved cross-section; and wherein the towers each have a longitudinal mounting surface, the towers being orientated such the mounting surfaces provided to respective towers have a constant spacing along the length of the tower assembly.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-

Figures 1A, IB and 1C show front and perspective views of tower assemblies according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of the tower assembly; Figure 3 shows a view showing the internal structure of a gondola and gondola support of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a plan view from above of the gondola support of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of base supports of the tower assembly.

Figures 1A and IB, show different versions of a tower assembly 1 according to the present invention. The assembly is provided in the form of a balloon ride simulator in two proposed heights; namely 90 metres (Figure 1A) and 120 metres (Figure IB). The following description is based primarily on the 90 metre variant of Figures 1A and 1C.

As shown in Figure 1C, the tower assembly 1 comprises a vertical tower ride comprising three tapering towers 2 arranged in plan with their vertical axes at each apex of an equilateral triangle. The triangle of the present embodiment of Figure 1 has sides of nominally 10.4 m at the base. Whilst alternative numbers of towers are feasible, three is considered most appropriate in the present embodiment. The towers are preferably formed of steel tube and are hollow.

In an alternative embodiment two towers could be provided to form a tower assembly in combination with, for example, an existing tall support structure such as a building wall or chimney.

Each tower is nominally 86 m high from finished ground level to the top of the steel tubes, and supports a gondola 3 and gondola support structure 4, the latter being concealed within a low pressure air-inflated balloon-like member 5, as shown in Figure 3. The balloon-like member is intended to simulate a balloon to give patrons the experience of a balloon ride. The towers 2 are preferably tapered along substantially their entire length, i.e. throughout their height from substantially 2 m diameter at the base to 1 m diameter at the top and are inclined towards each other. In the present case, the angle of inclination of the tower to the vertical will be set to around 0.33° to achieve a vertical face.

Whilst the towers are tapered along their length, a base section of the assembly may comprise non-tapered tower elements to which the tapered towers are connected.

The towers 2 as such each comprise a closed curve tubular member having a substantially curved cross-section. Whilst the present embodiment relates to a substantially circular cross- section, other cross-sections such a substantially oval cross-section may be used.

The towers are hence mounted such that the spacing between respective inwardly facing longitudinal edges of the towers and a central point between the towers is constant along the length of the towers. In this way, the inwardly facing longitudinal edges run parallel and vertically. The tapering of the towers is gradual along their length, so that the inwardly facing longitudinal vertical edges present a continuous mounting surface.

In effect, each tower is tilted so that an inclined edge corresponding to its slant height is itself mounted at an angle, to make it substantially vertical.

Using tapered towers in this manner allows for a simple yet strong structure. The three towers 2 as such define three parallel vertical edges, within which the gondola 3, the gondola support structure 4 and its balloon-like member 5 can rise and descend.

In this connection, the gondola support structure 4 may be attached to three carriages 6 that run on vertical tracks 7 attached to the inner vertical meridian of each of the three towers. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the gondola support structure 4 itself comprises an equilateral frame 10 with a carriage 6 at each apex. The carriages have rollers or wheels which run in opposing "U" sections of track 7 provided in each tower. The coupling between each carriage and the frame 10 includes a compliance mechanism that allows the towers to move independently yet remain connected to the frame to deal with deflection that may occur between the towers.

The coupling may, in this regard, comprise universal joint elements and/or swinging under slung beam mounted on swivel joints. The coupling may further comprise dampening means for damping out oscillations that may develop in the towers.

A hoist or winching system is provided to raise and lower the carriages. Although not shown, the winching mechanism may be any suitable arrangement, typically employing a number of base winches coupled to the carriages by way of cabling and pulleys.

A gondola 3 may for example carry up to 40 patrons (40 x 85 kg = 3400 kg) together with an operator and will be additionally equipped to provide appropriate services to the patrons (e.g. drinks, snacks, etc.). A larger gondola with increased passenger capacity may be provided if no balloon-like member is employed.

Annular members in the form of rings or hoops or plates or a hybrid of these 15 are provided at certain heights of the assembly on the outer periphery of the towers 2. The rings may have any suitable profile, such as for example a stack of flat plates, I-beam or rectangular cross- section. The purpose of the rings is to couple the towers together and limit their deflection, particularly at the upper region of the assembly. Some of the rings lower down the assembly may be non-structural and have an aesthetic purpose. As shown, the rings 15 only marginally affect the visibility from the gondola at certain heights as the gondola travels up the tower assembly. The rings are closer together at the bottom of the assembly and become further spaced out up the assembly.

The tower assembly is preferably a generic modular design with minimal future modification. The arrangement of the present invention largely eradicates the effects of weather upon the ability to enjoy a balloon ride.

The balloon-like member itself can be formed into different shapes, for different promotional needs. For example, it may take the form of a drinks can or a bottle to advertise a specific beverage. Furthermore, the frame within the balloon-like member may be used to support advertising material on the exterior skin of the balloon-like member. This may for example include mounting a large display unit, e.g. LED device or the like.

The balloon-like member and gondola are, in use, enclosed within the frame structure provided by the towers, controlling their position and making the assembly usable largely irrespective of weather conditions.

The simple structure of the tower assembly allows it to be constructed comparatively quickly and cheaply to different height specifications.

As shown in Figure 5, the towers are preferably each mounted on a base support 20 which can be set at an angle at which the tower is inclined to ensure the tower's inwardly facing edge is vertical. The base support may be relatively short (around 3m) with parallel sides. The inclination the base support provides to the tower mounted thereon may moreover be provided on its upper face. Alternatively the inclination may be provided at the bottom face of the tower that attaches to the base support or even further up the tower. The base support may in certain embodiments be dispensed with so that the towers are mounted directly into foundations of the assembly. Again the inclination can be set at the bottom of the tower or further up the tower.

Embeds for the base supports may be provided within the foundation and these may be interconnected by frame 21, for achieving construction accuracy. The frame 21 forms an equilateral triangle. The stability offered by the inclined, tapered tower arrangement means the whole assembly can have relatively thin foundations, for example for the 90 m tower assembly a foundation slab 22 of only around 1000 mm thickness is required for normal surrounding soil conditions.

Claims

Claims:-

1. A tower assembly (1) for an observation platform, the assembly comprising:- two or more towers (2), each tower (2) having a tapering profile along at least the majority of its length;

the towers (2) being orientated such that their longitudinal axes are inclined relative to one another;

wherein each tower (2) is a tubular member having a closed curve cross- section.

2. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the towers (2) are inclined inwardly towards one another so as to present a mounting surface running longitudinally along each tower that is parallel with a corresponding mounting surface on the other tower or towers.

3. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each tower (2) has a substantially circular cross-section.

4. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the towers (2) are mounted such that the spacing between respective inwardly facing longitudinal edges of the towers (2) and a central point between the towers (2) is constant along the length of the towers (2).

5. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein three towers (2) are provided, set at the vertices of a triangle.

6. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the towers (2) are connected along their longitudinal extent by one or more support members (15).

7. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the one or more support members (15) are provided in the form of an annular member.

8. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each tower (2) is formed of a plurality of sections, connected together.

9. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising two or more base supports (20), each base support (20), to which a tower (2) is connected, having a non-tapered profile along at least a majority of its length.

10. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein a top face of the base supports (20) is inclined to ensure the inwardly facing edge of a tower (2), to which it is connected is substantially vertical.

11. A tower assembly (1) according to claims 9, wherein a bottom face of the tower that is coupled to a base support is inclined to ensure the inwardly facing edge of a tower (2), to which it is connected is substantially vertical.

12. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each tower (2) is from 30 m to 200 m in length.

13. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 12, wherein each tower (2) is from 90 m to 120 m in length.

14. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each tower (2) has a base diameter of 1.5 m to 2.5 m and an upper diameter of 0.5 m to 1.5 m

15. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 14, wherein each tower (2) has a base diameter of 2 m and an upper diameter of 1 m.

16. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein each tower (2) has a longitudinally extending guide track (2) within or upon which a carriage (6) is arranged to travel.

17. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 16, wherein each carriage (6) is arranged to be coupled to a frame (10) provided between the towers (2) by way of a compliance mechanism that allows for relative movement between the towers (2).

18. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 16 or 17, wherein each carriage (6) can be hoisted and lowered by cables connected to a hoist mechanism.

19. A tower assembly (1) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a balloon-like member (5) which is arranged to rise and fall within the tower assembly

(1) .

20. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 19, wherein the balloon-like member (5) is inflatable.

21. A tower assembly (1) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein a frame is housed within the interior of the balloon-like member (5).

22. A tower assembly (1) for an observation platform, the assembly comprising: two or more towers (2), each tower (2) having a tapering profile along at least the majority of its length;

wherein each tower (2) has a closed curved cross-section; and

wherein the towers (2) each have a longitudinal mounting surface, the towers

(2) being orientated such the mounting surfaces provided to respective towers (2) have a constant spacing along the length of the tower assembly (1).