Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ROTATING LIGHT TOWER ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] Various embodiments relate to light towers or mobile lighting apparatus
supporting a
light array for the illumination of focal or desired locations.
[0002] PRIOR ART
[0003] Light towers, mobile or stationary, used to support light
assemblies for
illumination purposes are well known in the prior art, but generally include a
base, a boom, and a
light section. Mobile light towers are deployed proximate the location to be
illuminated and
positioned to direct the light assembly towards the location desired to be
illuminated. Safety
concerns require that some mobile light towers be lowered to a mobile or
storage configuration
before the base is moved or repositioned. Thus, some mobile light towers must
be lowered to a
mobile configuration, the base repositioned, and the light tower subsequently
erected again over
the new location. However, it may be desired to illuminate a second location
relatively adjacent
to the first without having to lower, move and erect the mobile light tower.
Regarding stationary
light towers, similar desires exists to illuminate a second location
relatively adjacent to the first.
Methods exist for rotating the light section. However, these are often
structurally limiting.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to develop a method and apparatus to
rotate a light array
without repositioning the base or rotating the light tower. Further, there is
a need in the art to
apply such a method and apparatus to preexisting light towers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure pertains to a light tower assembly
configured to rotate a
light section from a first position to a second position. In various
embodiments, the light tower
assembly includes (a) a primary boom extending vertically from a base; (b) a
light array boom
supporting a light section on a frame rotatively mounted to the primary boom
wherein the light
array boom rotates around an axis of rotation; (c) a mounting assembly
rotatively mounting the
light array boom to the primary boom; and (d) a linear actuator assembly
connected to the
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primary boom and the light array boom being configured to rotate the light
array boom in one
direction when the linear actuator extends and configured to rotate the light
array boom in an
opposite direction when the linear actuator assembly retracts. In various
embodiments, the light
tower assembly further comprises and (e) a means of producing power and
transferring power to
operate the light tower assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a view of the prior art showing a light section mounted
to a primary
boom, which is extending vertically from a base.
[0006] FIG. 2 a view of one of various embodiments of the light tower
assembly of the
claimed invention showing the light section, with the plurality of lights
removed to illustrate the
parts, rotatively mounted to the primary boom via the light array boom.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the light tower assembly of FIG. 2,
illustrating the
mounting assembly.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG.
2.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 4 in a
neutral
configuration.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 4 in an
extended
configuration.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 4 in a
retracted
configuration.
[0012] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the linear
actuator
assembly.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a view the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 8 in a
neutral configuration.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 8 in an
extended
configuration.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 8 in a
retracted
configuration.
[0016] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the linear
actuator
assembly.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 12 in a
neutral
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configuration.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 12 in an
extended
configuration.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 12 in a
retracted
configuration.
[0020] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the linear
actuator
assembly.
[0021] FIG. 17 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 16 in a
neutral
configuration.
[0022] FIG. 18 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 16 in an
extended
configuration.
[0023] FIG. 19 is a view of the linear actuator assembly of FIG. 16 in a
retracted
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a view of a prior art light tower assembly 1. The
primary boom 10 is
extending substantially vertically from a base 5. A light section 30 having a
fixture 31 and a
plurality of lights 32 is mounted to the primary boom 10. As disclosed in U.S.
Patent No.
10,393,324, light tower assembly may further include, but not necessarily
shown in FIG. 1, (i) a
tower post pivotally mounting the primary boom 10 to the base 5, (ii) a pivot
controller affixed to
the base 5 and operatively attached to the primary boom 10, the pivot
controller when activated
causing the primary boom 10 to be raised to a vertical position, (iii) a
safety means to control the
movement of the primary boom 10 as it is pivoted into a vertical position,
(iv) an extension boom
11 extendably and retractably connecting the primary boom 10 to the base 5,
(v) a telescoping
controller affixed to the base 5 and operatively attached to the extension
boom 11, the
telescoping controller when activated causes the extension boom 11 to extend
the primary boom
relative to the base 5, and (vi) a power assembly 1000 operatively connected
to the plurality of
lights 32, the power assembly including a power supply 1001, an electrical
connection box 1002,
and a power cable 1003 operatively connected to the plurality of lights 32.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view of one of various embodiments of the light tower
assembly of the
claimed invention. The primary boom 10 is extending substantially vertically
from a base 5, not
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shown. A light array boom 100 having a frame 110 is rotatively mounted to the
primary boom 10
wherein the light array boom 100 rotates around an axis of rotation 101. A
mounting assembly 20
rotatively mounts the light array boom 100 to the primary boom 10. A light
section 30 is
removably connected to the light array boom 100. For purposes of clarity to
illustrate the
invention, the plurality of lights 32 have been removed from the figure.
[0026] A linear actuator assembly 7 is connected to the primary boom 10
and operatively
connected to the light array boom 100. The linear actuator assembly 7 is
configured to rotate the
light array boom 100 in one direction when the linear actuator assembly 7
extends. The linear
actuator assembly 7 is also configured to rotate the light array boom 100 in
an opposite direction
when the linear actuator assembly 7 retracts. In addition to being operatively
connected to the
plurality of lights 32, power assembly 1000 is further operatively connected
to the linear actuator
assembly. However, for purposes of clarity to illustrate the invention, power
assembly 1000 and
more specifically power cable 1003 has been removed from the figure.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the light tower assembly 1 show in
FIG. 2,
including the primary boom 10, the light array boom 100, the mounting assembly
20, and the
linear actuator assembly 7. In various embodiments, the light array boom 100
is rotatively
mounted to the primary boom 10 wherein the light array boom 100 rotates around
the axis of
rotation 101. In various embodiments, the axis of rotation 101 is the
geometric longitudinal axis
of the frame 110 of the light array boom 100. In various embodiments, the
light array boom 100
further comprises a longitudinal axle 120 connected to the frame 110 that is
collinear with the
axis of rotation 101 of the frame 110.
[0028] In various embodiments, the mounting assembly 20 rotatively mounts
the light
array boom 100 to the primary boom 10. In various embodiments, the mounting
assembly 20
comprises a first mounting plate 21 removably connected to the primary boom 10
at a first end of
the first mounting plate 21. In various embodiments, the mounting assembly 20
comprises a
second mounting plate 26 removably connected to the primary boom 10 at a first
end of the
second mounting plate 26.
[0029] In various embodiments, the light array boom 100 is rotatively
mounted to rotate
around an axis of rotation 101, the weight of the light array boom 100 resting
on second end of
the first mounting plate 21. In various embodiments, a bore passes through the
second end of the
first mounting plate 21. In various embodiments, the mounting assembly 20
further comprises a
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first flange bushing 22 having an axle bore passing through a top and a
bottom, the bottom of the
first flange bushing 22 positioned concentric with the bore of the first
mounting plate 21. In
various embodiments, the first mounting assembly 20 further comprises a thrust
washer 24, also
having an axle bore, and being positioned concentric with the first flange
bushing 22 and
concentric with the bore of the first mounting plate 22 wherein the first
flange bushing 22 is
between thrust washer 24 and the first mounting plate 21. In various
embodiments, the light array
boom 100 is rotatively mounted to rotate around an axis of rotation 101, the
weight of the light
array boom 100 being supported by the thrust washer 24. In various
embodiments, the frame 110
of the light array boom 100 rotatively mounted to rotate around an axis of
rotation 101. In
various embodiments, thrust washer is a thrust bearing.
[0030] In various embodiments, the longitudinal axle 120 passes through
the axle bore of
the thrust washer 24. In various embodiments, the longitudinal axle 120 passes
through the axle
bore of the first flange bushing 22. In various embodiments, the longitudinal
axle 120 passes
through the bore of the first mounting plate 21. In various embodiments, a
first shaft collar 23
secures frame 110 to the first mounting plate 21.
[0031] In various embodiments, the light array boom 100 is rotatively
supported to rotate
around an axis of rotation 101, the weight of the light array boom 100
stabilized by the second
end of the second mounting plate 26. In various embodiments, a bore passes
through the second
end of the second mounting plate 26. In various embodiments, the mounting
assembly 20 further
comprises a second flange bushing 27 having an axle bore passing through a top
and a bottom,
the bottom of the second flange bushing 27 positioned within the bore or the
second mounting
plate 26.
[0032] In various embodiments, the longitudinal axle 120 passes through
the bore of the
second mounting plate 26. In various embodiments, the longitudinal axle 120
passes through the
axle bore of the second flange bushing 27. In various embodiments, a second
shaft collar 28
secures frame 110 to the second flange bushing 27.
[0033] It should be understood from the prior art that several methods
exist to connect a
primary boom 10 to a light section 30. In various embodiments, primary boom 10
further
comprises a first and second mounting bracket 12, 13 to removably connect the
first ends of the
first and second mounting plates 21, 26. In various embodiments, light array
boom 100 further
comprises first and second mounting brackets 112, 113 to removably connect the
light section 30
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to the light array boom 100. In various embodiments, brackets 12, 13 and
brackets 112, 113 are
similar such that the same light section 30 may be removably connected to both
the primary
boom 10 and the light array boom 100. In various embodiments, brackets 12, 13
and brackets
112, 113 are not similar such that the light section 30 may be removably
connected to the light
array boom 100.
[0034] The linear actuator assembly 7 controllably transfers linear
motion into rotational
motion. In various embodiments, a power assembly 1000 is operatively connected
to the linear
actuator assembly 7 to power the extension and retraction of the linear
actuator assembly 7. In
various embodiments of the invention, linear actuator assembly 7 has a
predetermined operating
range of degrees through which it may rotate, or a range of rotation.
[0035] It should be understood that the range of rotation is limited by
at least two factors.
The first limit to the range of rotation is the configuration of a linear
actuator assembly to rotate.
Various linear actuator assemblies 7, 1007, 2007, 3007 can achieve various
ranges of rotation.
For example, the linear actuator assembly 7 may bind if configured to go
beyond a certain
threshold. However, the linear actuator assembly 3007 may not be limited by
such a threshold.
The second limit to the range of rotation is the configuration of the light
array boom 100 and
light section 30 with respect to the primary boom 10. In a various
embodiments, light array boom
100 is rotatively mounted to the side of the primary boom 10, wherein
dimensions of light array
boom 100 or light section 30 may prevent the light array boom 100 or the light
section 30 from
freely rotating 360 degrees. In a various embodiments, the light array boom
100 is rotatively
mounted onto the top of the primary boom 10, wherein dimension of the light
array boom or the
light assembly does not prevent the light array boom from freely rotating 360
degrees.
[0036] In various embodiments, the linear actuator assembly 7, 1007,
2007, 3007 has a
neutral configuration wherein the light array boom 100 may rotate in an equal
number of degrees
in either direction. In various embodiments, the linear actuator assembly 7,
1007, 2007, 3007 has
an extended configuration wherein the light array boom 100 has rotated to a
maximum positive
degree of rotation from a neutral configuration. In various embodiments, the
linear actuator
assembly 7, 1007, 2007, 3007 has a retracted configuration wherein the light
array boom 100 has
rotated to a maximum negative degree of rotation from a neutral configuration.
In various
embodiments, linear actuator assembly 7, 1007, 2007, 3007 has a plurality of
configurations
between the extended and retracted configuration. In various embodiments,
light array boom 100
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may be rotated to a plurality of degrees between a maximum positive degree of
rotation to a
maximum negative degree of rotation.
[0037] The linear actuator assembly 7 controllably transfers linear
motion into rotational
motion. Various methods of transferring linear motion into rotational motion
are well known in
the prior art. Various embodiments are disclosed to transfer linear motion
into rotational motion.
It should be understood that these disclosures are not exhaustive, but
representative of art in
transferring linear motion to rotational motion. Further, embodiments
disclosed present a
configuration wherein the linear actuator assembly 7, 1007, 2007, 3007 is
located at the top of the
primary boom 10 when in an operating position. It should be understood that
the linear actuator
assembly 7, 1007, 2007, 3007 can be located at any stationary position,
stationary meaning with
respect to the rotational motion of the light array boom 100. Further,
embodiments disclosed
present a configuration wherein the linear actuator assembly 30 acts on the
top of the light array
boom 100. It should be understood that the linear actuator assembly 30 can act
on any portion of
the light array boom 100. Further, embodiments disclosed position the light
array boom 100
adjacent and parallel to the primary boom 10. It should be understood that the
light array boom
100 can be positioned adjacent but not parallel to the primary boom 10. It
should also be
understood that the light array boom can be positioned adjacent and collinear
to the primary
boom 10.
[0038] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the linear
actuator assembly 7.
FIG. 5 is a view of linear actuator assembly 7 in a neutral configuration. The
linear actuator
assembly 7 comprises a linear actuator 200 having a first end 210 connected
250 to the primary
boom 10 (not shown) via stand 500 and having a second end 220 extendable and
retractable with
respect to the first end 210 of the linear actuator 200 and operatively
connected to the light array
boom 100. The first end 210 of the linear actuator 200 may be rotatively
connected 250 to the
primary boom 10 to allow rotation of the first end 210 of the linear actuator
200 to enable linear
to rotational motion. The linear actuator assembly 7 further comprises a
slotted link 400
operatively connecting the linear actuator 200 to the light array boom 100.
The slotted link has an
anchor point 450 rotatively connected to the primary boom 10 (not shown) via
stand 500. The
slotted link also has a swivel point 420 rotatively connected to the second
end 220 of the linear
actuator 200. The slotted link 400 also has a slotted section 430 slidably and
operatively
connected to the light array boom 100. The linear actuator assembly 7 of
further comprises a cam
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300 operatively connecting the longitudinal axle 120 (not shown) of the light
array boom 100 to
the slotted section 430 of the slotted link 400.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 7 in an extended
configuration.
When linear actuator 200 extends, slotted link 400 rotates around the swivel
point 420 and
anchor point 450 in a first direction causing the slotted link 400 to rotate
cam 300 and light array
boom 100 in the first direction. The first end 210 of the linear actuator 200
rotates relative to the
primary boom 10 thereby preventing binding on the slotted link 400 during
extension.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 7 in a retracted
configuration.
When linear actuator 200 retracts, slotted link 400 rotates around the swivel
point 420 and the
anchor point 450 in a second direction causing the slotted link 400 to rotate
cam 300 and light
array boom 100 in the second direction. The first end 210 of the linear
actuator 200 rotates
relative to the primary boom 10 thereby preventing binding on the slotted link
400 during
retraction.
[0041] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the linear
actuator assembly
1007. FIG. 9 is a view of linear actuator assembly 1007 in a neutral
configuration. The linear
actuator assembly 1007 comprises a linear actuator 1200 having a first end
1210 connected to the
primary boom 10 (not shown) via stand 1500 and having a second end 1220
extendable and
retractable with respect to the first end 1210 of the linear actuator 1200 and
operatively
connected to the light array boom 100. The linear actuator assembly 1007
further comprises a
slotted 1400 link operatively connecting the linear actuator 1200 to the light
array boom 100. The
slotted link 1400 has an anchor point 1450 rotatively connected to the primary
boom 10 (not
shown) via stand 1500. The slotted link 1400 also has at least one slotted
section 1420, 1430
slidably connected to the second end 1220 of the linear actuator 1200 and
slidably and
operatively connected to the light array boom 100. The linear actuator
assembly 1007 of further
comprises a cam 1300 operatively connecting the longitudinal axle 120 (not
shown) of the light
array boom 100 to the at least one slotted section 1420, 1430 of the slotted
link 1400.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 1007 in an
extended
configuration. When linear actuator 1200 extends, slotted link 1400 slides
relative to the second
end 1220 of the linear actuator 1200 and rotates around the anchor point 1450
and the second end
1220 of the linear actuator 1200 in a first direction causing the slotted link
1400 to rotate cam
1300 and light array boom 100 in the first direction.
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[0043] FIG. ills a view of the linear actuator assembly 1007 of FIG. 8 in
a retracted
configuration. When linear actuator 1200 retracts, slotted link 1400 slides
relative to the second
end 1220 of the linear actuator 1200 and rotates around the anchor point 1450
and the second end
1220 of the linear actuator 1200 in a second direction causing the slotted
link 1400 to rotate cam
1300 and light array boom 100 in the second direction.
[0044] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the linear
actuator assembly
2007. FIG. 13 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 2007 in a neutral
configuration. The
linear actuator assembly 2007 comprises a linear actuator 2200 having a first
end 2210 connected
to the primary boom 10 (not shown) via stand 2500 and having a second end 2220
extendable
and retractable with respect to the first end 2210 of the linear actuator 2200
and operatively
connected to the light array boom 100. The linear actuator assembly 2007
further comprises a
slotted link 2400 operatively connecting the linear actuator 2200 to the light
array boom 100. The
slotted link has a swivel point 2420 rotatively connected to the second end
2220 of the linear
actuator 2200. The slotted link 2400 also has at least one slotted section
2430, 2450 slidably
connected to the primary boom 10 (not shown) via stand 2500 and slidably and
operatively
connected to the light array boom 100. The linear actuator assembly 2007
further comprises a
cam 2300 operatively connecting the longitudinal axle 120 (not shown) of the
light array boom
100 to the at least one slotted section 2430, 2450 of the slotted link 2400.
[0045] FIG. 14 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 2007 in an
extended
configuration. When linear actuator 2200 extends, slotted link 2400 slides
relative to the primary
boom 10 and rotates relative to the swivel point 2420 and the primary boom 10
in a first direction
causing slotted link 2400 to rotate cam 2300 and light array boom 100 in the
first direction.
[0046] FIG. 15 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 2007 in a
retracted configuration.
When linear actuator 2200 retracts, slotted link 2400 slides relative to the
primary boom 10 and
rotates relative to the swivel point 2420 and the primary boom 10 in a second
direction causing
slotted link 2400 to rotate cam 2300 and light array boom 100 in the second
direction.
[0047] FIG. 16 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the linear
actuator assembly
3007. FIG. 17 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 3007 in a neutral
configuration. The
linear actuator assembly 3007 comprises a linear actuator 3200 having a first
end 3210 connected
to the primary boom 10 (not shown) via stand 1500 and having a second end 3220
extendable
and retractable on the first end 3210 of the linear actuator 3200 operatively
connected to the light
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array boom 100. The second end 3220 of the linear actuator assembly 3007
further comprises a
rack 3230 operatively connected to the light array boom 100. The linear
actuator assembly 3007
further comprises a pinion 3300 operatively connecting the rack to the
longitudinal axle 120 (not
shown) of the light array boom 100.
[0048] FIG. 14 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 3007 in an
extended
configuration. When linear actuator 3200 extends, the rack 3230 rotates the
pinion 3300 and the
light array boom 100 in a first direction.
[0049] FIG. 15 is a view of the linear actuator assembly 3007 in a
retracted configuration.
When linear actuator 3200 retracts, the rack 3230 rotates the pinion 3300 and
the light array
boom 100 in a second direction.
[0050] In various embodiments, the linear actuator assembly 1007, 2007,
3007, 4007
includes a stand 500, 1500, 2500, 3500. In various embodiments, stand 500,
1500, 2500, 3500
connects 520, 1520, 2520, 3520 the first end of the linear actuator to the
primary boom 10. In
various embodiments, stand 500, 1500 rotatively connects 540, 1540 the anchor
point 450, 1450
of the slotted link 400, 1400 to the primary boom 10. In various embodiments,
stand 2500
slidably connects the slotted section 2450 of the slotted link 2400 to the
primary boom 10. In
various embodiments, longitudinal axle 120 passes through stand 500, 1500,
2500, 3500.
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