Patent Publication Number: US-6709215-B1

Title: One-man, light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains to the general field of cranes and erecting apparatuses and more particularly to a one-man, transportable apparatus that raises, sets and removes light poles mounted on an above-ground pedestal. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     One of the most common structures used throughout the world is a pole which is used to support streetlights and signs, to hold telephone or electrical wires, or as structural elements of a building. Typically, poles are put in place by either digging a hole, placing one end of the pole into the hole and then filling the hole with dirt or concrete, or by placing the base of the pole onto a mounting platform, such as an above-ground pedestal, and securing the pole with bolts and corresponding fasteners. 
     Whichever method is used requires substantial work. Most poles are too large for a single person to install or service, which often necessitates a team of workers using sophisticated equipment. It is very important to maintain a pole in a correct attitude during installation—otherwise the pole may not be straight and subsequently can not be used. 
     Previously, many types of utility poles have been used with integral pivoting members that attach to a pedestal in endeavoring to provide an effective means to easily maintain the pole in a correct attitude. Others have developed complex and expensive equipment that will grip the pole and position it upright or remove it from the pedestal using hydraulic or pneumatic pressure. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any publications or patents that possess the novelty and structural elements of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent Number 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 4,878,160 
                 Reneau et al. 
                 Oct. 31, 1989 
               
               
                   
                 4,903,442 
                 Trommen 
                 Feb. 27, 1990 
               
               
                   
                 5,398,478 
                 Gordin et al. 
                 Mar. 21, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 5,794,387 
                 Crookham 
                 Aug. 18, 1998 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Reneau et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,160 teaches a service pole assembly using a pair of hinged support members. The members provide either a stable support of the pole in an erect condition or permit the pole to be swing downward providing convenient access for service or maintenance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,442 issued to Trommen is for a mast used for measuring or illumination particularly for flight navigation lights or for wind measuring devices, which utilize a glass fiber or carbon fiber, reinforced plastic mast. 
     Gordin et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,478 discloses a method for rigidly elevating a structure such as a pole, which has a base member securable in the ground and a portion extending above the ground. A pole section, having a bore inside a lower end and an upper end, can be stacked upon the base upwardly by slip fitting the pole section into the base end and securing it into place. 
     Crookham in U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,387 teaches an apparatus for manipulating a pole relative to a base fixed rigidly in the ground. The base is gripped and provides a rigid reference point. The pole is cradled and an actuator provides force to move the pole relative to the reference point. The device is designed to detach the pole from the base or to install the pole onto the base. A pivot mechanism allows the pole to be pivoted with respect to the base to lower the pole for inspection and maintenance or to erect the pole vertically and then seat it upon the base. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus  10  is designed to allow a single person to place a light pole onto the apparatus, to align the pole over a concrete pedestal, and to secure the light pole to the pedestal. The pedestal typically protrudes above ground level at a height ranging from 18 to 36 inches (45.7 to 91 cm). The apparatus consist of three major elements: a transporting dolly, a pole platform and pedestal attachment frame, and a pivoting pole securing assembly. 
     The transporting dolly is comprised of a rectangular structure having front and rear lateral members. The front lateral member has attached a pair of wheels and the rear lateral member has attached a pair of casters. The combination of the wheels and casters provides the apparatus with mobility over irregular or smooth surfaces. 
     The pole platform and pedestal attachment frame is pivotally-mounted to the transporting dolly adjacent the wheels and includes a pair of removable struts that are attached between the dolly and the frame. When the struts are not attached the frame can be lowered to a substantially horizontal storage, servicing and transporting position. Conversely, when the struts are attached, the frame is secured in a substantially vertical position that can range from 0 to substantially 120 degrees as referenced from the vertical plane of the transporting dolly. The frame further includes a pair of frame-to-pedestal ratchet tie-downs that are used to attach the frame, when the frame is in the erected position, to the pedestal by surrounding the pedestal with a pair of straps and tightening the ratchet tie-downs until the straps provide a secure attachment. 
     The pivoting pole securing assembly includes a pole securing platform that is pivotally-attached to the frame, and that has a set of ball-lock, pole-attaching posts each having a pole-to-post ratchet tie-down that secures the pole to the posts with a set of straps. The platform further includes a platform pivoting actuator and a platform height-adjusting actuator. The platform pivoting actuator allows the platform to be rotated to either a horizontal or to a vertical position. The platform height-adjusting actuator allows an erect platform to be moved up or down on the frame to position the pole in alignment to allow the pole to be secured or removed from the concrete pedestal. 
     In view of the above disclosure, it is the primary object of the invention to produce a light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus that allows a single person to install, remove and service a light pole of the type that are attached to an above-ground concrete pedestal. 
     In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to provide a light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus that: 
     is easily transported on a light vehicle to a construction site having light poles, 
     can accommodate light poles of various diameters and having various polygonal cross-sections, 
     eliminates the need for having any cranes or other like equipment, 
     can be made in various metals or composite materials, 
     is relatively maintenance free, and 
     is cost effective from both a consumer and manufacturing point of view. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the one-man light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus shown with a pole platform and a pedestal attachment frame, a pivoting pole-securing assembly, and an adjustable pole securing platform in a substantially vertical position as referenced from a transporting dolly. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the transporting dolly with the pole platform and pedestal attachment frame shown in a folded, flat storage and transportation position. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the transporting dolly. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the transporting dolly. 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the pole platform and pedestal attachment frame. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the pole platform and pedestal attachment frame. 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a pivoting pole-securing assembly. 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the pivoting pole-securing assembly. 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus located adjacent to the concrete pedestal and attached thereto by means of straps. 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the pole horizontally secured to the apparatus and located adjacent to the concrete pedestal. 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the apparatus positioned with the light pole located over the mounting studs of the pedestal. 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the apparatus placing the light pole onto the mounting studs and attaching the pole by means of threaded fasteners. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for a one-man, light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus  10 . The preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 12, is comprised of the following major elements: a transporting dolly  12 , a pair of wheels  28 , a pair of casters  30 , a pole platform and pedestal attachment frame  34 , a pair of removable struts  66 , a pivoting pole securing assembly  70 , an adjustable pole-securing platform  86 , a platform pivoting actuator  106 , and a platform height-adjusting actuator  114 . The inventive elements function in combination with an above-ground concrete pedestal  130  and a light pole  136 . The pedestal, which typically protrudes above ground level at a height ranging from 18 to 36 inches (45.7 to 91 centimeters), has on its upper surface  132  a set of mounting studs  134 , and the light pole  136  includes a mounting base  138  having a set of complimentary bores  140 . When the base of the pole  136  is placed over studs  134  and the studs are tightened by means of threaded fasteners  142  the pole  136  is secured to the pedestal  130 . 
     The light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus  10  with the pole platform and pedestal attachment frame  34  and the pivoting pole securing assembly  70  in a substantially vertical position is shown FIG.  1  and in a folded, flat storage and transporting position in FIG.  2 . The frame  34  is pivotally-mounted to allow a movement ranging from 0 to substantially 120 degrees as referenced from the vertical plane of the transporting dolly  12 . All the structural elements of the apparatus  10  are constructed of metal, that preferably consist of aluminum, which produces a total weight that allows the apparatus to be lifted and manipulated by one person. 
     The transporting dolly  12 , as shown in FIGS. 1-4, is comprised substantially of a rectangular structure  14 , which includes a first longitudinal member  16  and a second longitudinal member  18 . Each member  16 , 18  is supported by a front lateral member  20  and a rear lateral member  22 , which are preferably attached by means of a welding process. Axially and rotatably attached to each end of the front lateral member  20  is a front wheel  28  and to the rear lateral member is rotatably attached a caster  30 . The wheels  28  are preferably comprised of pneumatic tires having a diameter of 10-inches (25.4 centimeters) and 4.10/3.50 size rated. To add strength and rigidity to the dolly  12  a plurality of corner gussets are disposed on each inner corner of the rectangular structure  14  as best shown in FIG.  3 . 
     The pole platform and pedestal attachment frame  34 , as shown in FIGS. 1,  5  and  6 , is pivotally-mounted to the transporting dolly  12  and is comprised of a first rail  36 , a second rail  38 , a lower lateral member  48 , an upper lateral member  54 , and an actuator-mounting, lateral member  64 . The first rail and second rails  36 , 38  each have an upper end  40 , a lower end  42 , an outer surface  44  and an inner surface  46 . The lower lateral member  48  is attached across the outer surface  44  of the first and second rails  36 , 38  and includes near an outer edge  50 , a frame-to-pedestal ratchet tie-down  52  and on the opposite outer edge  56 , a strap receiving bore  58 . The upper lateral member  54  is also attached across the outer surface  44  of the first and second rails 36,38, above the lower lateral member  48 , and includes near an outer edge  50  a frame-to-pedestal ratchet tie-down  52  and on the opposite outer edge  56  a strap receiving bore  58 . The actuator-mounting lateral member  64  is likewise attached to the rails  36 , 38  above the upper lateral member  54 . 
     The frame-to-pedestal ratchet tie-downs  52 , in combination with a set of 2-inch (5.1 centimeters) wide straps  60 , are used to secure the pole platform and pedestal attachment frame  34  to the concrete pedestal  130  by surrounding the pedestal  130  with the straps  60  and tightening the straps  60 , by means of the frame-to-pedestal ratchet tie downs  52 , until a secure attachment is achieved. The frame-to-pedestal ratchet tie-downs  52  and the pole-to-post ratchet tie-downs  98  (described infra) are each rated to at least 10,000 pounds (4536 kg). 
     The removable struts  66 , as best shown in FIG. 1, are attached to a set of strut attachment pins  32  located between the first and second longitudinal members  16 , 18  of the dolly  12  and the corresponding first and second rails  36 , 38  on the frame  34 . When the struts  66  are not attached to the rails  36 , 38 , the frame  38  can be manually lowered to a substantially horizontal storage and transporting position. Conversely, when the struts  66  are attached to the rails, the frame  34  is secured in a substantially vertical position, as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The final major element described for the apparatus  10  is the pivoting, pole securing assembly  70  which is comprised of a frame traversing structure  72 , an adjustable, pole-securing platform  86 , a platform pivoting actuator  106  and a platform height-adjusting actuator  114 . 
     The frame traversing structure  72 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is comprised of a set of joined channels  74  that are supported by an upper lateral member  80  and a lower lateral member  82 . The channels are dimensioned to slidably traverse along the first and second rails  36 , 38  of the pole platform and pedestal adjustment frame  34 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Each channel has an inner surface  76  having an outward-extending pivot rod cavity  78 . 
     The adjustable, pole-securing platform  86  has an outer surface  88 , an inner surface  90 , a front edge  92  and a rear edge  94 . The platform  86  can consist of a flat plate as shown in FIG. 1, or the platform  86  can consist of a channel section, as shown best in FIG.  7 . The outer surface  88 , of either design, has longitudinally attached a set of ball-lock, pole-attaching posts  96 , wherein each post has attached a pole-to-post ratchet tie-down  98  that, in combination with a set of straps  60 , are used to secure the pole  136  to the platform  86  during the lowering and erection of the pole  136 . The ratchet tie downs  98  are designed to accommodate irregular shaped, polygonal and round poles  136 . To the inner surface  90 , as shown in FIG. 7, is attached a platform pivot rod  100  having ends  102  that are pivotally-attached to the corresponding pivot rod cavity  78  located on the frame traversing structure  72 . Adjacent. the rear edge  94  of the platform  86  is attached a pivoting actuator, mounting structure  104 . 
     The platform pivoting actuator  106  which can be manually, pneumatically or electrically operated, is preferably comprised of a traversing screw jack, as shown best in FIG. 8, has an upper end  108  that is pivotally-attached to the structure  104  attached to the rear edge  94  of the platform  86 . The lower end  110  of the actuator  106  is attached to an actuator structure  84  that is attached to the upper lateral member  54  on the pole platform and pedestal frame  34 , as best shown in FIG.  7 . The actuator  106  allows the platform  86  to be rotated to either a substantially horizontal position or to a substantially vertical position, as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     The platform height-adjusting actuator  114 , which can also be operated manually, pneumatically or electrically, can be comprised of a scissors jack or preferably a traversing screw jack, as shown in FIGS. 1,  5  and  6 . The actuator  114  includes a base  116  and a lifting head  118 . The base  116  is attached to the actuator-mounting lateral member  64  located adjacent the upper lateral member  54  on the frame  34 . The lifting head  118 , when elevated by means of an elevating lever  120 , makes contact with the lower lateral member  82  located on the frame traversing structure  72 . The actuator  114  allows an erect platform  86  to be moved up or down on the frame to secure or remove the pole  136  from the pedestal  130 . 
     OPERATION 
     The operation of the one-man, light-pole erecting and lowering apparatus  10  is presented in terms of a method for one person to manipulate a light pole  136  that is initially located on the ground of a construction site. The pole is to be lifted and attached to a concrete pedestal  130  having a set of integral mounting studs  134 . The pole  136  includes a mounting base  138  having a set of bores  140  that correspond to the placement of the mounting studs  134 . The method is comprised of the following steps: 
     a) Manually position the apparatus  10  adjacent to the concrete pedestal  130  and secure the apparatus  10  to the pedestal  130  by means of the frame-to-pedestal ratchet tie-downs  52  and the straps  60 , as shown in FIG.  9 . 
     b) Manually lift the pole  136  from the ground, and place and secure the pole  136  onto the apparatus  10  by means of the pole-to-post ratchet tie downs  98  and the straps  60 , as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     c) Manually tilt the pole  136 , by means of the apparatus  10 , to a substantially vertical position so that the pole bores  140  on the base  138  are aligned over the studs  134  on the pedestal  130 , as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     d) Manually lower the pole  136  onto the studs  134  on the pedestal  130  and attach the pole  136  by means of threaded fasteners  142 , as shown in FIG.  12 . 
     The above steps are applied in reverse when removing the pole  136  from the concrete pedestal  130 . 
     While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms, which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.