Patent ID: 12188248

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one or more embodiments, a lighting tower system is provided. The lighting tower system can include one or more towers. Each tower can be positioned in an upright orientation within a bed of a vehicle. Each tower moves between a retracted position and a fully extended position. When the one or more towers includes at least two towers, the at least two towers can be substantially parallel. One or more light assemblies extend from each tower. A height of each tower and a position of each lighting assembly is independently adjustable. The lighting tower system, when in the retracted position, positions each tower (and corresponding lighting assemblies) sufficiently low with respect to the vehicle to avoid clearance problems when driving the vehicle on roadways to and from a destination, such as a work site, a roadside, or a construction site where lighting may be insufficient. The lighting tower system provides improved lighting at the destination.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a lighting tower system100according to one or more embodiments. The lighting tower system100is shown in a bed101of a vehicle102, which in this example is a pickup truck. The vehicle102may include a cab103. The bed101of the vehicle102may include a front wall105and side walls106. The lighting tower system100is mounted within the bed101of the vehicle102with light assemblies disconnected therefrom. The lighting tower system100disposed in the retracted position to avoid clearance problems when driving the vehicle102on roadways to a destination.

Using the vehicle102, the lighting tower system100can be easily moved to provide temporary mobile lighting to vehicle-accessible locations to provide a safer and more secure worksite or emergency scene. For example, the lighting tower system100may be used in utility construction, road construction, oil and gas construction and maintenance, emergency response, farming, outdoor public events and towing and recovery services. Since the lighting tower system100is mounted in the bed101of the vehicle102, the lighting tower system100can be brought to difficult-to-access locations. Also, the lighting tower system100can be setup (i.e., raised or lowered) upon arrival.

The lighting tower system100includes one or more towers110and120. The towers110and120can be positioned in an upright orientation within the bed101of the vehicle102, as well as a substantially parallel orientation. Each tower110and120may, for example, be mounted in the bed101of the vehicle102in proximity to the cab103while still allowing space in the bed101for other purposes.

The lighting tower system100can be installed in a vehicle102without major modifications to the vehicle's electrical systems or mechanical structure. The lighting tower system100may be easily mounted and secured to the vehicle102by a variety of fastener methods, including bolts, cables, and/or rods attached to the bed101. For example, lighting tower system100can include a mounting configuration configured, such as a frame assembly125, to attach and detach the towers110and120to the bed101in the upright orientation. The mounting configuration holds the lighting tower system100in the upright orientation within the bed101.

Each tower110and120includes adjacent telescoping sections, such as a base tube section130. According to one or more embodiments, each tower110and120can include an upper tube section135(also shown inFIGS.5,6, and7). According to one or more embodiments, each tower110and120can include a middle tube section140(also shown inFIGS.5,6, and7). Although at least three telescoping tube sections are illustrated for example purposes, there may be alternative configurations, i.e., two tube sections, or greater than two telescoping tube sections. The telescoping sections130,135, and140may be tubular, which may be for example square, circular, or any other simple convex polygonal shape, in cross-section. The telescoping sections130,135, and140may for example be made of metal, composite, metal alloy, plastic, etc.

The base tube section130, the middle tube section140, and the upper tube section135can have a common longitudinal axis and are arranged to slide relative to one another in a telescoping relationship to independently move each tower110and120between the retracted position, the fully extended position, and desired intermediate positions (e.g., the base tube section130can be stationary and fixed to the bed101, while the upper tube section135and/or the middle tube section140slides with respect to the base tube section130). According to one or more embodiments, each tower110and120may be positioned in the retracted position, which is sufficiently low to avoid clearance problems when driving the vehicle102with the lighting tower system100mounted thereto on roadways to the destination. Once the destination has been reached, the towers110and120may be deployed to the fully extended position or to any desired intermediate position between the retracted and fully extended position to provide lighting may be insufficient, such as during road repair at night. Note that the vehicle102can move while the lighting tower system100is not in the retracted position.

According to one or more embodiments, the frame assembly125is configured to be fixed to the bed101, such that the base tube section130is stationary and mounted to the frame assembly125by utilizing a variety of standard methods, including bolting. By way of example, the system100is mounted and secured to the bed101utilizing the frame assembly125that includes horizontal frame members145extending across the front wall105and extending from the front wall105along the side wall106towards the rear of the bed101. The frame members145may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., angle-iron, and may be secured to each other and to the walls105and106of the bed101utilizing suitable hardware or fasteners, e.g., bolts150. The frame members145can meet to form corners155. Vertical support members may extend downwardly from the corners155to a horizontal floor of the bed101. Likewise, additional diagonal support members156may be provided to join the frame members145to the vertical support members to add overall rigidity to the frame assembly125. For example, the towers110and120may be mounted and secured to the frame assembly125in the vicinity of the corners155by any suitable method, utilizing any suitable hardware, e.g., nuts and bolts.

Turning toFIG.2, a perspective view of a mounting configuration200is provided according to one or more embodiments. The mounting configuration200includes a tubing footer220configured to be fixed to the bed101, by one or more fasteners. In an example, the tubing footer220includes at least one prefabricated hole for receiving a fastener. As shown inFIG.2, the tubing footer220includes at least three prefabricated holes, two of which are receiving two bolts. The tubing footer220also is configured to receive a lower portion of the base tube section130. The tubing footer220can include a shape that matches an outer shape of the base tube section130to provide a tight or snug fit. The mounting configuration200includes an fastener230, such as U-bolt, that is configured to be fixed to the vehicle101(i.e., a front wall105) and to hold an upper portion of the base section130to the bed101. Note, as shown inFIG.2, wiring for the lighting tower system100can be configured to pass through the bed101.

Returning toFIG.1, the lighting tower system100may include one or more winches160, each dedicated to one of the towers110and120. Each winch660may include a cylindrical drum165configured to be rotatable about a horizontal or vertical axis in forward and reverse directions in response to forward and reverse actuation of the winch660. Each winch160includes a retractable winch cable161(shown as cable610inFIG.5) for connection to its corresponding towers110and120. The drum165is, thus, arranged for spooling the retractable winch cable161. In this manner, each tower110and120may be independently raised and lowered and positioned at desired intermediate positions therebetween to cast light from more than one vertical height and/or in more than one direction simultaneously. Once work has been performed, the towers110and120may be moved to the retracted position to provide sufficient clearance to resume driving the vehicle on roadways when returning from the job site.

Turning toFIG.3, a perspective view of a lighting tower system300is provided according to one or more embodiments. The lighting tower system300disposed in the retracted position to avoid clearance problems when driving the vehicle102on roadways to a destination. The lighting tower system300is mounted within the bed101of the vehicle102with light assemblies301and302connected thereto. For example, each tower110and120may include the lighting assembly301and302mounted to and extending upwardly from the upper tube section135or the middle tube section140thereof.

For example, each lighting assembly301and302may include a lighting framework310to which light bars320and325are affixed. The light bars320and325may be low voltage light emitting diodes (LED) lights, which may result in lower maintenance and emissions. LED lights also provide light immediately on being powered, and do not require warm up or cool down time. The LED lights do not produce noise pollution. The light bars320and325may be flood or area light fixtures.

The lighting framework310may be formed of any suitable material, e.g., angle-iron components, and may be affixed to the upper tube section135or the middle tube section140by any suitable means. The lighting framework310may include a vertical component or downwardly extending arm arranged to fit within an open top end of the upper tube section135or the middle tube section140and be affixed therein utilizing any suitable fastening hardware. The lighting framework310may be rotatably mounted to the upper tube section135or the middle tube section140to enable independent rotational positioning of the light bars320and325mounted thereto.

Turning toFIG.4, a perspective view of a light assembly400is provided according to one or more embodiments. The light assembly400can include one or more light bars420and one or more light bars430, each of which are attached in one or more movable ways for adjusting the position thereof. By way of example, the one or more light bars430can be attached to the lighting framework310by a wing nut440, such that the one or more light bars430can rotate with respect to the lighting framework310. Further, the one or more light bars430can be attached by a hinge or the like to enable a tilt with respect to the lighting framework310. The light assembly400can include one or more power cables470that connect each of the one or more light bars420and430to a power source and/or toggle switch as described herein.

The lighting framework310may be any suitable dimensions to accommodate mounting different types of lighting elements thereto. For example, the lighting framework310may be of a suitable length, e.g., 12 inches, and formed of any suitable material, e.g., square tubing measuring 1″×2″ in cross-section, and ⅛″ in thickness. However, it should be understood that the lighting framework310may take on different shapes and sizes based upon the light sources to be mounted thereto. For example, as shown inFIG.3, the light sources may include a horizontally-oriented 12-inch light bar320mounted above the lighting framework310, and a horizontally-oriented 7-inch light bar325mounted beneath the lighting structure130. It should be understood that each lighting framework310may have any of a variety of sizes and styles of lighting elements mounted thereto. The lighting framework310may rotate on an axis parallel to the ground to allow the lighting elements320and325to be directed towards the ground at a variety of angles. The light bars320and325may be hinge-mounted to the lighting framework310to enable vertical adjustability of the light bars320and325independently of one another. In addition, the light bars320and325of the tower110may be vertically adjusted independently of the light bars320and325of the tower120.

FIG.5is a perspective view of a lighting tower system500according to one or more embodiments. The lighting tower system500is mounted within the bed101of the vehicle102with light assemblies301and302connected thereto and with a hinged gate501opposite the front wall105. The lighting tower system500disposed in the fully extended position. Generally, when in the fully extended position, the vehicle102and the lighting tower system500are at a destination (e.g., at locations where lighting may be insufficient, such as during road repair at night).

FIG.6is a view of a telescoping section600according to one or more embodiments. The telescoping section600ofFIG.6demonstrates a manner in which each tower may be independently raised and lowered utilizing a motor-driven winch660.

The adjacent telescoping sections130,140,135may be controlled by an electrically powered mechanism, which may for example be a motor-driven winch660. For example, as shown inFIG.6, the motor driven winch660may be affixed to the base tube section130about midway up its height. The motor-driven winch660may include a motor665and the drum165coupled to the motor665. The drum165is configured to be rotatable about a horizontal or vertical axis in forward and reverse directions in response to forward and reverse actuation of the motor665. The cable610(i.e., the retractable winch cable161ofFIG.1) is wound over the drum165to form a coil and may be ‘payed out’ from the drum165or ‘reeled in’ over the drum165based upon the direction of rotation of the drum165as dictated by actuation of the motor665. The cable610can be of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, fiber, etc.

A first block670including a spool or rotatable pulley671mounted thereto is affixed to the base tube section130at a position at or near the top thereof. The cable610extends over the spool or rotatable pulley671and attaches at its free end at or near the bottom portion of the middle tube section140. A second block675including a second spool or rotatable pulley676mounted thereon is affixed to the middle tube section140at a position at or near the top portion of the middle tube section140. A cable680, which can be similar to the cable610, is provided. The first end of the second cable680is affixed to the first block670, and the cable680extends from the first block670over the second spool or rotatable pulley676and is attached at its second end at or near the bottom portion of the upper tube section135. The motor-driven winch660may include an electronic limit switch to prevent the telescoping sections130,135, and140from extending further than desired. According to one or more embodiments, the cable610and/or the second cable680may be made of metal, such as for example steel.

According to one or more embodiments, actuating the motor665to reel the cable610onto the drum165will pull the cable610taut thereby lifting the middle tube section140. Further, reeling the cable610onto the drum165will cause a pull on the cable680thereby simultaneously lifting the upper tube section135and raising the telescoping sections130,135, and140towards the fully extended position. Likewise, a slackening or paying out of the cable610off the drum165will cause the upper tube section135and the middle tube section140to move from elevated positions at or near the fully extended position to the retracted position. The motor-driven winch660may automatically stop the extension when the telescoping sections130,135, and140reach their fully extended position. A spring actuated mechanical lock may engage when full extension is reached.

FIG.7is a perspective view of a lighting tower system700according to one or more embodiments; The lighting tower system700ofFIG.7illustrating a manner for independently rotating the light assemblies301and302to desired positions. For example, in this manner, the light assembly301of the tower110may be positioned in a first position to face towards a rear of the vehicle102to illuminate an area located behind the vehicle102, while the light assembly302of the tower120may be positioned in a second position to face a side of the vehicle102to illuminate an area adjacent the side of the vehicle102. The first position may be perpendicular to the second position. The light assemblies301and302of the respective towers may be positioned independently of each other in a variety of ways to illuminate different areas in different locations.

FIG.8is a schematic diagram of electrical system800according to one or more embodiments. The electrical system800demonstrates a manner in which any of the lighting tower system embodiment herein can be connected or wired. The lighting tower system800can include one or more switches (e.g., a toggle switch810and a toggle switch820), which can be located anywhere on the lighting tower system100and/or the vehicle102. The toggle switch810is electrically and communicatively coupled to the motor-driven winch660and, when actuated, causes the motor-driven winch660to retract or release a retractable winch cable. The toggle switch820is electrically and communicatively coupled to the light assemblies301and302and, when actuated, causes the light assemblies301and302to turn on.

The electrical system800can be powered by any standard power supply. For example, the lighting elements320and325of both towers110and120may be powered by a vehicle battery840. According to one or more embodiments, the toggle switch820may be positioned between the battery840and light bars320and325of each tower110and120to enable independent operation of the light bars on these respective towers. Wires850extend from the toggle switch820to each of the light bars320and325and other components of the electrical system800. The battery840may be charged by the vehicle102when running. The toggle switch810may be positioned between the battery866and the motor-driven winch660to control movement of the towers110and120between the retracted and fully extended positions. An automatic charge relay can form part of the electrical system800for the towers110and120, may be used to ensure that a starting battery of the vehicle102is never overdrawn, to avoid potentially leaving the vehicle102inoperable. Charging may occur any time the vehicle102is running therefore storing any unused electrical energy created by the vehicle102.

According to one or more embodiments, a lighting tower system is provided. The lighting tower system includes at least one tower positioned in an upright orientation within a bed of a vehicle. Each tower of the at least one tower includes at least a base tube section and an upper tube section. The base and upper tube sections include a common longitudinal axis and are arranged to slide relative to one another in a telescoping relationship to move each tower between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The lighting tower system includes a light assembly coupled to and extending from the upper tube section of each tower of the at least one tower. The light assembly is configured to rotate with respect to the common longitudinal axis and to tilt with respect to an axis perpendicular to the common longitudinal axis. The lighting tower system includes a mounting configuration configured to attach and detach the at least one tower to the bed of the vehicle in the upright orientation.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the mounting configuration can include at least a tubing footer configured to be fixed to the bed and to receive a lower portion of the base tube section and a fastener configured to be fixed to the vehicle and to hold an upper portion of the base section to the vehicle.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the mounting configuration can include a frame assembly configured to be fixed to the bed and to the base and upper tube sections to hold the lighting tower system in the upright orientation within the bed.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting tower system can include a motor-driven winch corresponding and dedicated to each tower. The motor-driven winch can include a retractable cable for connection to the tower and to cause independent movement of the tower between the retracted and fully extended positions.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the motor-driven winch can include a drum arranged for spooling the retractable cable thereon.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, each tower of the at least one tower can include a pulley coupled to the base tube section. A retractable cable of a motor-driven which can be arranged to pass over the pulley and attach to a lower portion of the upper tube section to enable sliding movement of the base and upper tube sections relative to one another during operation of the motor-driven winch.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, each tower of the at least one tower can include a middle tube section situated between the base tube section and the upper tube section. The middle tube section can be configured to slide relative to the base tube section and the upper tube section. The middle tube section can have a longitudinal axis aligned with the common longitudinal axis and can be arranged to slide relative to the base and upper tube sections to move the tower between the retracted and fully extended positions.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the base tube section can be stationary and fixed to the bed. The upper tube section can slide with respect to the base tube section.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting assembly can include a 12-inch light bar and a 7-inch light bar.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting tower system can include a first switch communicatively coupled to a motor-driven winch. When actuated, the first switch can cause the motor-driven winch to retract or release a retractable cable thereby lowering or raising the tower to the retracted position or to the fully extended position, respectively.

According to one or more embodiments, a lighting tower system is provided. The lighting tower system can include a pair of towers arranged to be positioned in an upright and substantially parallel orientation within the bed of a vehicle. Each tower of the pair can include at least a base tube section and an upper tube section. The base and upper tube sections can have a common longitudinal axis and can be arranged to slide relative to one another in a telescoping relationship to move each tower between a retracted position and an extended position. The lighting tower system can include a light assembly extending from the upper tube section of each of the pair of towers. Each light assembly can be arranged to rotate with respect to the common longitudinal axis to various desired positions and to tilt with respect to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to various desired positions. Each tower of the pair can be arranged to be moved between the retracted and extended positions independently of one another by way of a motor-driven winch dedicated to each of the pair of towers. Each motor-driven winch can include a retractable cable for connection to the tower.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting tower system can include a first pulley coupled to the base tube section. The retractable cable can be arranged to pass over the first pulley and attach to a lower portion of the upper tube section to enable sliding movement of the lower and upper tube sections relative to one another during operation of the motor-driven winch.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, each tower can be positioned at an adjacent corner of the bed.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the base tube section can include a substantially square cross section. The upper tube section can include a substantially square cross section that is less than the substantially square cross section of the base tube section.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the base tube section can include a substantially circular cross section. The upper tube section can include a substantially circular cross section that is less than the substantially circular cross section of the base tube section.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, each motor-driven winch can include a drum arranged for spooling the retractable cable thereon.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting tower system can include a middle tube section situated between the base tube section and the upper tube section. The middle tube section can be arranged to slide relative to the base tube section and the upper tube section. The middle tube section can have a longitudinal axis aligned with the common longitudinal axis and can be arranged to slide relative to the base and upper tube sections to move each lighting tower between the retracted position and extended positions.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting tower system can include a frame assembly affixed to the bed of the vehicle. The base tube section of each tower can be arranged for mounting to the frame assembly.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, each motor driven winch can be arranged for mounting to the lighting tower assembly.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the base tube section can be stationary, The upper tube section can slide with respect to the base tube section.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting assembly can include a 12-inch light bar and a 7-inch light bar.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting tower system can include a battery and a first switch. The first switch can be electrically/communicatively coupled to the battery. The battery can be electrically/communicatively coupled to the motor-driven winch of one of the towers. When the first switch is actuated, the winch of one of the towers can retract the retractable cable thereby raising the one of the towers from the retracted position to the extended position.

According to one or more embodiments or any of the lighting tower system embodiments herein, the lighting tower system can include a second switch. The second switch can be electrically/communicatively coupled to the battery. The battery can be electrically/communicatively coupled to the lighting assembly of one of the towers. When the second switch is actuated, the lighting assembly of the towers can illuminate.

According to one or more embodiments, a method of providing light to a predefined area is provided. The method can include providing a pair of towers. Each tower of the pair can include at least a base tube section and an upper tube section. The tube sections can have a common longitudinal axis and can be arranged to slide relative to one another in a telescoping relationship to move each tower between a retracted position and an extended position. Each tower of the pair can include a light assembly extending from the upper tube section of each tower. Each light assembly can be arranged to rotate with respect to the longitudinal axis to various desired positions and to tilt with respect to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to various desired positions. Each tower can be arranged to be moved between the retracted and extended positions independently of one another by way of a motor-driven winch dedicated to each tower. Each motor-driven winch can include a retractable cable for connection to each tower. The method can include positioning the pair of towers in an upright and substantially parallel orientation within the bed of a vehicle. The method can include providing a battery electrically/communicatively coupled to the motor-driven winches dedicated to each tower. The method can include providing a first switch electrically/communicatively coupled to the battery to actuate one of the motor-driven winches to selectively move one of the at least two towers between the retracted and extended positions. The method can include providing a second switch electrically/communicatively coupled to the battery to actuate one of the lighting assemblies of the at least two towers.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. In addition, the methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. A computer readable medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire a wire.

Examples of computer-readable media include electrical signals (transmitted over wired or wireless connections) and computer-readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, optical media such as compact disks (CD) and digital versatile disks (DVDs), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), and a memory stick. A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a terminal, base station, or any host computer.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

The descriptions of the various embodiments herein have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.