Abstract: An arrangement for the raising and lowering of a mast, which includes an upper mast portion and base, which upper mast portion is rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis, located in the base of the mast is described. The arrangement includes (i) docking device for restraining the upper mast portion against rotation; (ii) attachment device for attaching a drive device for driving the docking device between a first engaged configuration wherein the upper mast portion is restrained against rotation and a second disengaged configuration wherein the upper mast portion is free to rotate and (iii) locking device selectable via an intermediate unlocked configuration between a first locked configuration wherein the docking device is engaged and a second unlocked configuration wherein the docking device is disengaged and is characterized in that the locking means is controllable remotely to allow automatic operation of the raising and lowering sequence.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism comprises first and second chock plates and an adjustable shaft. Each of the chock plates includes an aperture in the form of a figure of eight, the first and second circular portions of which are similar and are connected by a neck portion of a width less than the diameter of the circular portions. The shaft is longitudinally adjustable between a first retracted position in which the sections of the shaft aligned with each of the chock plates have a cross-section which corresponds to the circular portion of the aperture and a second extended position in which the sections of the shaft aligned with each of the chock plates have a cross-section of a diameter which is less than the width of neck portion.

Abstract: An arrangement for the raising and lowering of a mast, which includes an upper mast portion and base, which upper mast portion is rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis, located in the base of the mast is described. The arrangement includes (i) docking device for restraining the upper mast portion against rotation; (ii) attachment device for attaching a drive device for driving the docking device between a first engaged configuration wherein the upper mast portion is restrained against rotation and a second disengaged configuration wherein the upper mast portion is free to rotate and (iii) locking device selectable via an intermediate unlocked configuration between a first locked configuration wherein the docking device is engaged and a second unlocked configuration wherein the docking device is disengaged and is characterized in that the locking means is controllable remotely to allow automatic operation of the raising and lowering sequence.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism comprises first and second chock plates and an adjustable shaft. Each of the chock plates includes an aperture in the form of a figure of eight, the first and second circular portions of which are similar and are connected by a neck portion of a width less than the diameter of the circular portions. The shaft is longitudinally adjustable between a first retracted position in which the sections of the shaft aligned with each of the chock plates have a cross-section which corresponds to the circular portion of the aperture and a second extended position in which the sections of the shaft aligned with each of the chock plates have a cross-section of a diameter which is less than the width of neck portion.

Abstract: Counterbalancing apparatus for a lamp column in which an upper part of the latter is pivotally mounted on a fixed lower part so that the upper part can be swung down for lamp servicing, comprises a compression spring assembly or a hydraulic ram arranged to have a bearing engagement with the column parts and to be linked to the lower part in order to safely restrain lowering of the upper part or to counterbalance and assist or effect raising thereof. Alternatively a single or double acting ram or rams have a removable pivotal connection with respective column parts so as to act between them. For mobility and case of application the apparatus is wheel mounted.

Abstract: An upper part 30 of a column 28 can be raised and lowered by ram 11 which is normally carried by a counterbalance unit but which can be attached to the column. The rams 11 are mounted on a chassis 10 of the unit by disengageable pivotal mounts 22/23 and are normally carried in a storage position (FIG. 2). To mount the rams on the column, they are first swung about the pivotal mounts, and are then extended to bring bosses 19 into engagement with gussets 32 on the upper column part 30. Thereafter, the rams are retracted to lift them out of their pivotal mounts 22/23, and are swung about the bosses 19 to bring them into engagement with further gussets 31 on a base part 29 of the column.