Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for a tower structure and erection thereof include, in one embodiment, a tower structure comprising a base support member, a mast structure pivotally coupled to the base support member, and a motion control device coupled between the base support member and the mast structure for controlling movement therebetween.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/719,225, filed Oct. 26, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tower structure apparatus utilized for power generation, communications, lighting, among other uses, and methods of erecting and/or servicing tower structure apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Tower structures utilized for supporting aerial components, such as lighting, antennas, solar modules and wind generators, are known. The tower structures generally include a pole and/or a truss structure that is coupled to the ground. The tower structures may support the aerial components a few feet above the ground to thousands of feet above the ground and are designed to withstand high winds. 
     Conventional tower structures above about 15 feet tall are typically installed using heavy equipment, such as a crane, and multiple workers. The installation of these tower structures is costly since heavy equipment must be purchased or rented and transferred to the erection site. Further, the installation procedure can take many days. Additionally, once the conventional tower structure is installed, aerial components coupled to the structure are not easily accessible for servicing, inspection or replacement without the use of heavy equipment or personnel lift apparatus. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a new tower structure that is less costly to install and provides easy access to any aerial components disposed thereon. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments provided herein relate to tower structure apparatus utilized for power generation, communications, lighting, among other uses, and methods of erecting and/or servicing tower structure apparatus. In one embodiment, a tower structure is provided. The tower structure comprises a base support member, a mast structure pivotally coupled to the base support member, and a motion control device coupled between the base support member and the mast structure for controlling movement therebetween. 
     In another embodiment, a tower structure is provided. The tower structure includes a base support member, a mast structure coupled to the base support member at a pivot point, the mast structure having an extended member disposed on one side of the pivot point, a motion control device coupled between the base support member and the mast structure for controlling movement therebetween, and one or more weights disposed on the extended member. 
     In another embodiment, a method for erecting a tower structure is provided. The method includes fixing a foundation member to the ground, coupling a base support member to the foundation member, coupling a mast structure to the base support member at a pivot point, actuating a motion control device disposed between the base support member and the mast structure to rotate the mast structure relative to the base support member at the pivot point to raise the mast structure to an orientation wherein a longitudinal axis of the mast structure is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base support member, and securing the mast structure to the base support member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a tower structure. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of the tower structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of a portion of the tower structure of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the tower structure of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of the tower structure of  FIG. 3  in a tilted position for installation, maintenance, replacement procedures. 
         FIG. 4B  is an isometric bottom view of the tower structure of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is an enlarged view of a portion of the tower structure shown in  FIG. 4B . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a tower structure. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded isometric view of the tower structure of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and/or process steps of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without additional recitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a tower structure utilized to support aerial components, and methods of erecting and/or servicing the tower structure. The tower structures as described herein may include a fully erected height of between 10 feet to about 100 feet above the ground. The tower structures as described herein are modular units having discrete elements that may be easily transported and are configured to be erected on site without the use of a crane or heavy equipment. The tower structures may be constructed, installed and erected using minimal light-duty equipment and/or personnel. The elimination of cranes and minimization of heavy equipment saves costs of construction. Further, each of the tower structures as described herein may be partially deconstructed without the use of a crane or heavy machinery. This is particularly advantageous for maintenance of the tower structure and/or servicing or replacement of aerial components. 
     The aerial components as described herein may include antennae, power generation devices, power transmission devices, lighting devices, signal lights, communication devices, global positioning devices, satellite or microwave dishes, surveillance cameras, motion detectors, as well as flags, banners, signage, among other devices or articles adapted to be supported above the ground. Power generation devices include solar cells or solar arrays, wind generators, as well as other energy generators or energy collectors. 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation view of one embodiment of a tower structure  100  coupled a foundation member  105 . The foundation member  105  is adapted to be coupled to a support base member  110  and a mast structure  115  is coupled to the support base member  110 . The foundation member  105  is adapted to be stably coupled to the ground. The support base member  110  may include a base plate  117 A that is fastened to a base plate  117 B on the foundation member  105 . The foundation member  105  may be a pier structure that is driven or otherwise installed into the ground, or the foundation member  105  may be a concrete foundation that is formed in the ground. 
     The mast structure  115  supports an aerial component  120 , which is shown as a signal head  125 A. Other types of aerial components  120  may be coupled to the mast structure  115  in lieu of or in addition to the signal head  125 A. Additionally, aerial components  120  of differing or similar types and/or sizes may be coupled to the mast structure  115 . For example, one or more aerial components  120 , such as the signal head  125 A and a solar panel  125 B, may be coupled at different elevations along the length of the mast structure  115 , as well as face different directions. 
     The tower structure  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is configured to be erected on site without the use of crane. Further, the tower structure  100  may be constructed and erected using minimal heavy equipment and/or personnel. In one aspect, the tower structure  100  is adapted as a modular unit having multiple elements that are dimensioned to be handled manually by personnel during construction without the need for motorized lifting and/or handling equipment. In one example, the support base member  110  and the mast structure  115  are dimensioned to facilitate handling by two people. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of the tower structure  100  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of a portion of the tower structure  100  of  FIG. 2A . The tower structure  100  includes a pivot point  200  located along a length thereof to facilitate movement of the mast structure  115  relative to the support base member  110  in the direction of the arrow. The mast structure  115  as shown in  FIG. 2A  is in a full upright position but may be moved in the direction D1 in a cantilever fashion when necessary. Movement of the mast structure  115  in the direction D1 is controlled by a motion control device  202  shown as a lift jack  205  in  FIG. 2B . The lift jack  205  may be a screw-type jack device having a crankshaft  210  that interfaces with a rotation tool  215 . The lift jack  205  may be coupled to the mast  115  at a first hinge point  212 A and a second hinge point  212 B located between the crankshaft  210  and the support base member  110 . Each of the first hinge point  212 A and the second hinge point  212 B may be a pin or a bolt coupled to brackets that are fixed to the crankshaft  210  and the support base member  110 , respectively. The pivot point  200  comprises fastener  214 , such as a pin or bolt, which allows the mast structure  115  to pivot relative to the support base member  110 . 
     The crankshaft  210  may be located on the tower structure  100  at a position that is accessible to personnel without the need for a ladder or other support equipment. The rotation tool  215  may be a removable or folding handle, a ratcheting tool, a drill motor, or other device that imparts torque on the crankshaft  210 . Rotation of the crankshaft  210  causes the length of the lift jack  205  to change in order to facilitate and/or control movement of the mast structure  115  in the direction D1 (a lowering direction) and the direction D2 (a lifting direction). However, the motion control device  202  may be a hydraulic or pneumatic ram, as well as an electrically powered motion controller that extends and retracts to facilitate and/or control movement of the mast structure  115  in the direction D1 and the direction D2. 
     The mast structure  115  also includes an extended section  220  that at least partially overlays the support base member  110  when the mast structure  115  is in the upright position. The extended section  220  may function as a stop for movement of the mast structure  115  in the direction D2 by contacting a surface of the support base member  110 . Fasteners  225  may be used to couple the extended section of the mast structure  115  to the support base member  110  in order to secure the mast structure  115 . Additionally, the support base member  110  may include a recessed area  222  having an opening formed therethrough for receiving a hasp (not shown) that is fixed to a surface of the extended section  220  of the mast structure  115 . The recessed area  222  may be a depression formed in the surface of the support base member  110  or a web of the support base member  110 . The hasp may be a loop or bail that receives a shank of a padlock (not shown) to secure the mast structure  115  in the upright position. 
     The extended section  220  may also be appropriately weighted by weighting members  230  to facilitate a counterbalance effect when the mast structure  115  is moved in the directions D1 and D2. The weighting may be determined based on the size, number and/or position of the aerial components  120  on the mast structure  115 . The weighting is provided to enable a positive control of the movement in both of the directions D1 and D2. One or a combination of the placement of the pivot point  200  and the weighting members  230  may be provided so the mast structure  115  continually exerts a slight positive force in the direction D1 even when the mast structure  115  is fully upright. This prevents a breakpoint during movement of the mast structure  115  where push-pull forces may be experienced and enables lifting of the mast structure  115  in a controlled manner. The weighting members  230  may be used to lessen the force on the lift jack  205  when moving. In one embodiment, the extended section  220  includes one or more weighting members  230  that may be added or removed based on the mass needed to create the appropriate counterbalance of the mast structure  115 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the tower structure  100  of  FIG. 1 . The tower structure  100  is shown in a fully erected position with fasteners  225  coupling the mast structure  115  to the support base member  110 . A tool interface  300  is shown on a lower portion of the crankshaft  210 . The tool interface  300  may be a socket or shaft that interfaces with a rotation tool  215  (shown in  FIG. 2B ). In one embodiment, the tool interface  300  is located about 3 feet, or less, from the surface of the ground, to about 5 feet above the surface of the ground, in order to facilitate access thereof by personnel without the need of a ladder. 
       FIG. 4A  is a side view of the tower structure  100  of  FIG. 3  in a tilted position for installation, maintenance, replacement procedures of the aerial component  120 . The mast structure  115  may be cantilevered relative to the support base member  110  to bring the end of the mast structure  115  a suitable working height from the ground. The working height and/or tilt angle may be dependent on the height of the support base member  110  and/or the length of the mast structure  115 . In one embodiment, the tilt angle is about 100 degrees, but may be greater than or less than 100 degrees. In this position, personnel may install, check, repair or reposition the aerial component  120  without the need for ladders or other support equipment. Additionally, the mast structure  115  may be tilted slightly in the direction D2 (e.g., tilt angle of about 80 degrees to about 70 degrees, or less), in order to bring the extended section into a desired working height or position to adjust the weighting on the extended section  220 . The adjustment may be determined based on the weight, position and or number of aerial components  120  on the mast structure  115 . The adjustment may include adding or removing weights as well as moving the weights relative to the extended section  220  in the direction labeled W. 
       FIG. 4B  is an isometric bottom view of the tower structure  100  of  FIG. 4A . A continuous signal cable  400  is shown partially in dashed lines as a portion of the continuous signal cable  400  is contained within the mast structure  115  and, optionally, within the support base member  110 . The continuous signal cable  400  is thus protected from UV rays and/or weather while also minimizing vandalism. The routing of the signal cable  400  directly from the aerial component  120  to a control box in a continuous, uninterrupted manner also minimizes signal loss, which occur at connections (plugs, junction boxes, or other coupling devices). 
       FIG. 4C  is an enlarged view of a portion of the tower structure  100  shown in  FIG. 4B . An opening  405  is shown in the mast structure  115  where the continuous signal cable  400  exits the mast structure  115 . The continuous signal cable  400  may be coupled to and routed external to the support base member  110  in a recess  410 . The continuous signal cable  400  may be protected from UV rays, weather and vandalism by the extended section when the mast structure  115  is in the upright position and is at least partially received in the recess  410 . 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a tower structure  500 .  FIG. 6  is an exploded isometric view of the tower structure  500  of  FIG. 5 . A cover  505  is shown coupled to the support base member  110  and a portion of the mast structure  115 . The cover  505  may be secured by a locking device  510 . The locking device  510  may comprise a pin  515  that is disposed through openings  600  (only one shown in the view of  FIG. 6 ) formed in sides  515  of the support base member  110  (only one is shown in the view of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Openings  605  formed in the cover  505  align with the openings  600  in the in the support base member  110  to receive the pin  515 . A padlock  610  may be disposed in a transverse through hole (not shown) of the pin  515  to prevent removal of the cover. The locking device  510  may be disposed at a location on the tower structure  500  that enables easy access to personnel from the ground without the need for a ladder or other support equipment. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.