Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting deflection and twisting rotation of an upright structure is provided. At least one laser device is positioned proximate to a first location on the structure. At least one target is positioned proximate to a second location on the structure. The at least one laser device emits parallel laser beams that strike the at least one target at reference locations that indicate a reference position for the upright structure. The laser beams are emitted either periodically or continuously. Any differences between the laser beam receipt locations and the reference locations are calculated to determine any lateral deflection and twisting rotation of the structure relative to the reference position from the first to the second location. The laser beams may be enclosed within a tube.

Abstract: A tower and a method of constructing a tower. The tower has three first support members which are made up of sections. Each section has an outside leg and two inside legs, laced together in a triangular cross section. The upper end of each inside leg is attached to the upper end of one of the other inside legs. Sections are joined together to form support members. Second support members are joined on top of the first support members. The desired height of the tower is achieved by adding other support members on top of the second support members. The last member to be placed on top is the upper member. An upper member, having three legs, laced together to form a triangular cross section, is erected on top of the support members, so that the legs of the upper member extend upward from the outside legs of the support members.

Abstract: An easily-constructed foundation for an antenna support tower is provided that requires no fabricated support surface at the installation site. The foundation is a radial array of prefabricated buildings connected near their inner corners to each other. In a first embodiment, one leg of a multi-legged tower rests on each building, the buildings transferring forces from the tower to the support surface below the buildings. In a second embodiment, a tapered monopole tower is located in the center of the array of buildings. The monopole tower may rest on a prepared surface or may be supported above the support surface. Support structures, each having a central ring and radially extending arms, are attached at the building connection points, one support structure above the other. The monopole tower is positioned within the central ring, transferring lateral loads through the ring and arms to the buildings, negating the need for a moment base.

Abstract: An easily-constructed foundation for an antenna support tower is provided that requires no fabricated support surface at the installation site. The foundation is a radial array of prefabricated buildings connected near their inner corners to each other. In a first embodiment, one leg of a multi-legged tower rests on each building, the buildings transferring forces from the tower to the support surface below the buildings. In a second embodiment, a tapered monopole tower is located in the center of the array of buildings. The monopole tower may rest on a prepared surface or may be supported above the support surface. Support structures, each having a central ring and radially extending arms, are attached at the building connection points, one support structure above the other. The monopole tower is positioned within the central ring, transferring lateral loads through the ring and arms to the buildings, negating the need for a moment base.

Abstract: An antenna support for a communications tower has three or more vertical steel legs which are joined along their lengths by nonmetallic lattice members. The lattice members include horizontal braces and diagonal nonmetallic wires. At least one digital or analog antenna is mounted to one or more legs of the antenna support. Alternatively, each leg may function as an antenna and contain a number of wave guides. The legs are cylindrical and slots are milled in each leg for enhancing the performance of the wave guides. The total number of slots and their spacing may vary as a function of the frequency and pattern direction of the wave guides.

Abstract: An existing tower has a set of legs and a large number of lacings which secure the legs to one another. An augmentation tower is located concentrically outside of the existing tower and also has a set of legs and lacings for joining its legs together. Each of the towers has its own foundation. Each of the legs of the augmentation tower is made up of a number of sections which are spliced together. Braces are spaced apart along the lengths of the legs and are used to fasten the two sets of legs together. After installation, both the existing and augmentation towers are maintained in upright positions with a single set of high-tension guy wires which are connected to the legs of the augmentation tower. The augmentation tower is installed on the existing tower like an exoskeleton and is installed in sections from the bottom of the existing tower upward. The operation of the tower is not impaired during installation.

Abstract: An amusement ride provides a very large swing. The ride has a tower with two spaced apart legs connected at the upper ends by a cross-member. A boom extends perpendicular to the cross-member at the upper end of the tower. A swing line is secured to one end of the boom and has a harness at its lower end. A carriage rolls on a track along the lower side of the boom. The carriage has an engagement member which will engage the swing line and cause it to take up toward the opposite end of the boom, lifting the passenger. Once the passenger is at the desired elevation, the engagement member releases the swing line, allowing the passenger to swing between the legs of the tower.

Abstract: A mechanical drive assembly composed of an endless roller chain (78) and notched rail (100) wherein multiple chain rollers (79) engage corresponding rail notches (103 ) to securely interlock drive (38) and rail (100). Drive (38) is equipped with a triple-strand roller chain (78) whose center strand of rollers engage notched bar (102) while outer strand rollers roll across face of pressure plate (50). Drive assembly (38) may be held in a fixed position relative to a static rail (100) by applying a braking force to drive sprocket (76), or it may be moved tangentially to rail (100) by applying torque to drive sprocket (76). Conversely, rail (100) and any structure attached thereto may be held in a fixed position or moved tangentially relative to a statically mounted drive (38) by similar means.

Abstract: A facility for transmitting telecommunication signals from a tower utilizes an annular housing mounted to the tower. The housing has a central opening through which the tower extends. The housing has a circular wall with an axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the tower. Antennas and transmitters are mounted within the housing.

Abstract: An extensible mast has a computer control for automatically deploying guy cables. As the mast is raised, the cables are deployed at a rate which retains the proper geometric relationships of the system. The system initially calculates the relative locations of the mast and cable anchor points, which can be placed in convenient locations. A winch suitable for use with the system measures the tension on deployed guy cables and the length of cable which has been unwound from the winch drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used for reinforcing a wooden utility pole. A plurality of longitudinal braces are spaced circumferentially around the pole in a deteriorated area. The braces are connected together with links. The widths of the links increase in a downward direction so that the brace assembly will match the taper of the pole. After the brace assembly has been assembled, the assembly is moved downward on the pole to wedge it tightly against the pole.

Abstract: A tapered metal pole has at least three ribs. Each rib has two parallel spaced apart walls. The inner edges of the walls of one rib will be welded to the inner edges of the walls of another rib. The walls of adjacent ribs will be at an angle relative to each other. An outer plate extends between the outer edges of each wall. The walls taper in width from a lower end to an upper end. Each of the walls of the ribs intersect with the walls of an adjacent rib at an angle.

Abstract: An extensible mast is shown which is erected from a portable base having a plurality of tape reels mounted thereon. The tape reels are angularly oriented on the base with respect to a common, vertical axis, and each of the tape reels is adapted to receive a resilient metal tape having longitudinal edges for winding and unwinding the tape. A plurality of guide rollers on the base receive the respective longitudinal edges of the metal tapes and orient the tapes whereby the tapes are fed upwardly in plane parallel to the vertical axis and at an angle to each other to form a rigid structure. A geared winding mechanism is located above the guide rollers and includes a plurality of rotatable windings which rotate about the vertical axis and wrap and wrap material about the rigid structure to reinforce the structure as it is being erected.

Abstract: An extensible mast support system is depicted which utilizes a plurality of anchor points which are disposed radially distant from the base of the mast. A support bracket mounted to the mast serves to mount multiple metering sprockets and a single continuous length of cable is threaded between each anchor point and the support bracket. Strain measurement devices on each span of the cable are utilized to control the length of cable payed out during extension or retraction of the mast. A beaded cable which engages the metering sprockets is utilized to restrict variations in length between spans whereby increased strain in an individual span will not vary the length of the other spans and the mast will remain vertical.

Abstract: A tower and a method of constructing a tower. The tower has three support members and an upper member. Each support member has an outside leg and two inside legs, laced together in a triangular cross section. The upper end of each inside leg is attached to the upper end of one of the other inside legs. The inside legs may also be connected at an intermediate point to form a window. An upper member, having three legs, laced together to form a triangular cross section, is erected on top of the support members, so that the legs of the upper member extend upward from the outside legs of the support members.

Abstract: An extensible mast is shown which is erected from a portable base having a plurality of tape reels mounted thereon. The tape reels are angularly oriented on the base with respect to a common, vertical axis, and each of the tape reels is adapted to receive a resilient metal tape having longitudinal edges for winding and unwinding the tape. A plurality of guide rollers on the base receive the respective longitudinal edges of the metal tapes and orient the tapes whereby the tapes are fed upwardly in planes parallel to the vertical axis and at an angle to each other to form a rigid structure. A geared winding mechanism, including a plurality of rotatable windings rotates about the vertical axis and wraps a wrap material about the rigid structure to reinforce the structure as it is being erected.