The present disclosure relates generally to a length alteration tool for a telescoping light pole.
Lighting systems are used in many applications, with different constructions provided for different environments. Lighting is particularly important in industrial applications, which often require work in low light conditions. Adjustable lighting systems have been developed to safely lower the remote end (top end) of a light pole.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to extendable lighting fixture supports. General embodiments may include systems for accessing a plurality of outdoor lighting fixtures. An example system may include a plurality of extendable supports, each support associated with at least one of the plurality of outdoor lighting fixtures. Each support of the plurality of supports may comprise a lower support; an upper support movably engaging the lower support, the upper support being movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and a support locking assembly to selectively engage and disengage the upper support with the lower support. Systems may include a length alteration tool comprising: a lower section; an upper section telescopically engaging the lower section, the upper section being axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a biasing member biasing the upper section to the extended position; and a connection element on the upper section engageable to a selected support of the plurality of extendable supports. The system may have a first state wherein the corresponding upper support is supported only by the engaged support locking assembly and a second state wherein the connection element is engaged to bear the corresponding upper support while the corresponding support locking assembly is disengaged. In the second state, the connection element may operate to transfer substantially all the weight of the corresponding upper support to the upper section. The system may comprise at least one further connection element engageable to couple the lower section and at least one of: i) the corresponding lower support; and a pre-existing feature.
The corresponding lower support may be connected to the pre-existing feature. The corresponding upper support may comprise at least one protruding surface engageable by the connection element. The corresponding upper support may telescopically engage the corresponding lower support, the corresponding upper support being axially movable between the extended position and the refracted position. The connection element may be slideably movable along the longitudinal axis of the corresponding upper support.
The system may also comprise at least one lower connection element engageable to couple the lower section parallel to the corresponding lower support. The lower connection element may maintain the lower support in a substantially parallel relationship with the lower section, and the connection element may maintain the upper support in a substantially parallel relationship with the upper section.
The protruding surface may be fixed to the connection element substantially only by a component of earth's gravitational force along the longitudinal axis of the tool. The connection element may comprise at least one of i) a fork; ii) a bracket; and iii) a clamp. While the connection element is engaged to the selected one of the plurality of extendable supports and the corresponding support locking assembly is disengaged, movement of the upper section from the extended position to the retracted position may correspond with movement of the corresponding upper support from the corresponding extended position to the corresponding retracted position. The upper support may telescopically engage the lower support, the upper support being axially movable between the extended position and the retracted position.
The pre-existing feature may be an electrical enclosure comprising at least one of: i) an electrical conduit fitting, and ii) an electrical junction box. The length alteration tool comprises a section locking assembly selectively locking the upper section to the lower section.
One general embodiment of the disclosure is a method for accessing at least one of a plurality of outdoor lighting fixtures on a plurality of extendable supports. Each support is associated with at least one of the plurality of outdoor lighting fixtures and comprising a tubular lower support and an upper support movably engaging the lower support such that the upper support is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The method may include positioning a length alteration tool proximate a selected support of the plurality of extendable supports. The length alteration tool may comprise a tubular lower section; an upper section telescopically engaging the lower section, the upper section being axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position; a biasing member biasing the upper section to the extended position; and at least one connection element on the upper section. The corresponding lower support may be connected to the pre-existing feature.
The method may comprise engaging the at least one connection element to an upper support element of the selected support while the upper support element is in a corresponding extended position and while a support locking assembly associated with the upper support element is in an engaged state locking the upper support with a tubular lower support; and moving the upper section through a path of travel from the corresponding extended position to a corresponding retracted position, comprising causing the at least one engaged connection element to bear the corresponding upper support by disengaging the support locking assembly.
The method may comprise transferring substantially all the weight of the corresponding upper support to the upper section with the at least one connection element.
The method may include securing the lower section against forces tangential to the path of travel. The step of securing the lower section comprises coupling together the lower section and at least one of: i) the corresponding lower support, and ii) a pre-existing feature, by engaging at least one further connection element.
The step of engaging the at least one connection element to the upper support element may include placing the connection element in abutment with at least one protruding surface on the upper support element. The step of engaging the at least one connection element to the upper support element may comprise extending the upper section along the longitudinal axis of the upper support element. The lower connection element may maintain the lower support in a substantially parallel relationship with the lower section; and the connection element may maintain the upper support in a substantially parallel relationship with the upper section.
The method may include constraining motion of one or more of the at least one connection element to a path substantially parallel to the upper support element. The step of constraining comprises slideably coupling the one or more of the at least one connection element to the lower section. The method may include engaging a section locking assembly of the length alteration tool to lock the upper section to the lower section.
Apparatus embodiments include a device for mating an electrical passage of a telescoping outdoor lighting support, having a tubular lower support fixedly mounted on a support structure, with a port of an electrical enclosure fixedly connected to an industrial electrical system in accordance with the present disclosure. The electrical passage may be disposed at a base end of the tubular lower support, the outdoor lighting support also including an upper support telescopically engaging the lower support, the upper support being axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position, the upper support having an upper end configured to receive a ballast lighting fixture and a lower end received in the lower support. The device may include an adaptor interposable between the electrical fluid-tight passage and the port of the electrical enclosure, the adaptor comprising (i) a first aperture that spatially conforms to a footprint of the electrical passage; and (ii) a second aperture that spatially conforms to a footprint of the port of the electrical enclosure.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally represent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.
The following figures are part of the present specification, included to demonstrate certain aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure and referenced in the detailed description herein. Unless otherwise noted, figures are not drawn to scale.
Telescoping industrial light poles facilitate repair or maintenance of light fixtures atop the light pole by bringing the fixture to ground level. Particular designs enable a single worker to perform the action of raising and/or lowering the fixture, thereby reducing the costs of labor relating to maintenance. Providing wiring through an internal portion of the light poles protects the wiring from external elements, such as moisture and contact damage.
As part of the telescoping nature, an upper support (or upper pole) may be slidably engaged with a lower support (or lower pole). There may be intermediate supports provided between the upper and lower supports, if desired. The telescoping supports allow a light fixture coupled to the upper support to be moved up and down. A spring may be provided within one or more of the supports to provide assistance with the raising and/or lowering of the light fixture. Moreover, the light fixture can be raised or lowered within a vertical axis.
Specific design details have been provided for illustration, but should not be considered limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations of telescoping pole support systems may be implemented consistent with the scope of the disclosure as described herein.
Upper support 102 can extend inside the lower support 106 and is axially movable between an extended position and a retracted position. Alternatively, the upper support 102 can be of a larger cross-sectional area than the lower support 106 such that the lower support 106 extends into the upper support 102. Locking assembly 104 at least partially surrounds one of the upper support 102 and the lower support 106 at one end thereof. In the illustrated example, the upper support 102 may be at least partially received in an annular space 109 between the lower support 106 and the guide member 108. The guide member 108 may be concentric with the lower support 106 and/or upper support 102. A biasing member 110 in the annular space 109 biases the upper support 102 to the extended position. The biasing member 110 may be implemented as a spring (as shown), an elastomeric member, a pneumatic or hydraulic system, and so on.
In operation, a light fixture 122 is accessible by adjusting the pole support system height via lowering the upper support 102. The telescoping connection between the upper support 102 and the lower support 106 is aided by the “spring assist” from the biasing member 110. The spring assist reduces the amount of strength needed to raise or lower the upper support to a desired height. The light fixture 122 is secured at a desired height by the locking assembly 104.
The locking assembly 104 includes a sloped portion, such as a chamfer, to resist standing water while maintaining structural strength. Other embodiments may include an arched upper surface, a level upper surface, or other designs. The lower surface may be the same or different than the upper surface. It is to be understood that varying designs may have associated advantages and disadvantages that recommend their use, and that all such variations are within the scope of the present disclosure.
In addition, the locking assembly includes a lock 116 that is configured to selectably engage the upper support 102 to constrain axial motion of the upper support 102. To facilitate maintaining the desired position of the upper support 102, the locking assembly 104 further includes a raised surface 124 in the passage. As depicted in
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With respect to the pole support systems of
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The support 604 also includes a support locking assembly 610, which may be selectively switched between an engaged state locking the upper support 608 with the lower support 606 and a disengaged state allowing movement of the upper support with respect to the lower support. The support locking assembly 610 is shown as a thumb type worm clamp or as a two piece top pole locking mechanism 610′, but may be implemented as any suitable locking assembly. The support locking assembly 610 may optionally be covered by a protective sleeve or cover, such as one made of elastomeric material. The support 604 may also include a protruding surface, such as collar 612, or other connection components of a mechanical, electrical or hydraulic nature. Collar 612 may be coupled to the support 604 via a suitable locking mechanism or can be materially integrated into upper support 608. The upper end of the upper support 608 may be joined with a lighting fixture via threaded engagement. The base end of the lower support 606 may include a connector 614 configured to connect with a pre-existing feature, such as for example, an electrical conduit fitting (e.g., a “T” fitting), electrical junction box, other electrical enclosure, and so on.
In operation, the tool 602 is used for a number of extendable supports. Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure include positioning a length alteration tool proximate a selected support of the plurality of extendable supports; engaging the at least one connection element to an upper support element of the selected support while the upper support element is in a corresponding extended position and while a support locking assembly associated with the upper support element is in an engaged state, locking the upper support with a tubular lower support. This may be carried out, for example, by placing the connection element 626 (top clamp) proximate the upper support. It may include adjusting the connection element so that it at least partially surrounds the upper support. In the instant case, the clamp may be tightened to prevent dislodging, but still allowing free travel along the upper support until meeting the collar 612 or other connection element. Engaging the at least one connection element to the upper support element may comprise extending the upper section along the longitudinal axis of the upper support element, until engaging other connection elements on the upper support, e.g., placing the connection element in abutment with at least one protruding surface on the upper support element.
Methods may also include securing the lower section against forces tangential to the path of travel. Lower support elements or other structural components, including a pre-existing feature may be engaged using at least one further connection element 628. The lower support 606 may be connected to the pre-existing feature, as shown above.
An additional step may include moving the upper section through a path of travel from the corresponding extended position to a corresponding retracted position, which may include causing the at least one engaged connection element to bear weight of the corresponding upper support by disengaging the support locking assembly 610. That is, once the connection element 626 is engaged, the support locking assembly 610 may be disengaged.
While the connection element is engaged to the selected one of the plurality of extendable supports and the corresponding support locking assembly 610 is disengaged, movement of the upper section from the extended position to the retracted position may thus correspond with movement of the upper support 608 from the corresponding extended position to the corresponding retracted position. Thus, if there is a section locking assembly it may be disengaged to allow the biasing mechanism to hold all free traveling components of the system.
The biasing mechanism may be configured to resist the weight of the particular upper support, with or without a particular lighting fixture, such that the upper section remains at the same height when the section locking assembly is unlocked (neutral), resist less than this weight to allow the support to retract without intervention when the section locking assembly is unlocked, or resist more than this weight to allow the support to automatically extend without intervention (from a retracted position, e.g., after maintenance is completed) when the section locking assembly is unlocked. In the last case, a worker may have to pull down the joined upper support and upper section to achieve a retracted position.
In various embodiments, the mating device 700 may utilize different forms of connection. For example, the device 700 may include socket style openings, the male end of the socket fitting being secured in the socket by bolts (as shown for the first aperture 702 in
The discussion above has described various aspects of pole support systems as applied to industrial light poles. It should be understood that this discussion may also apply to other types of elongate objects and in different types of environments. It should be further understood that the description provided herein may be subject to modifications consistent with operation of the pole support systems as described.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/069,812, filed on Oct. 28, 2014, entitled “LENGTH ALTERATION TOOL FOR OUTDOOR INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING SUPPORT SYSTEM”, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62069812 | Oct 2014 | US |