PORTABLE BASE WITH LATTICE TOWER

Abstract

A foundation and lattice tower includes a base having a bottom plate and a top plate separated from the bottom plate. The foundation includes a plurality of interior walls between the top plate and the bottom plate such that spaced apart channels are formed therebetween. The foundation includes a plurality of outriggers pivotally attached to the top plate, wherein each of the plurality of outriggers is configured to be transported in a first, stowed position and positioned into a second, extended position to provide additionally stability to the base. A plurality of sections of the unassembled lattice tower is retained to the foundation as the foundation and the lattice tower are moved to a selected location. The foundation includes a gin pole pivotally secured to the base, the gin pole is configured to be rotate such that the assembled lattice tower is retained in a substantially vertical position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 63/764,671, filed February 28, 2025 the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a portable foundation for transporting a disassembled lattice tower, and supporting the lattice tower retaining a pole in an elevated position. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a foundation that is configured to be transported to a location on a bed truck or trailer with a disassembled lattice tower secured to the foundation. The foundation can be assembled on the bed or removed from the bed with a fork on a prime mover to ground level. After the foundation is in a selected position, the lattice tower can be assembled and raised.

There are many times that raised equipment is either necessary or preferable to enhance communications, lighting, energy generation and the like in a selected area. For instance, when events with large crowds are anticipated, such as sporting events, concerts or fairs, local wireless communication systems can become overloaded, resulting in slower communication and/or loss of communication. To provide the necessary bandwidth, foundations and poles with antennas and/or other communication equipment can be positioned around the event to provide the necessary communication bandwidth to accommodate the crowds. Once the event is over, the towers can be lowered and the foundations can be removed, so that the location of the event can return to typical wireless communication systems capacities.

Also, if an area is subjected to storm damage or other damage, temporary lighting and/or energy generation can be required. The portable foundation and towers can be equipped with lighting and/or solar panels and/or wind turbines in an area to provide the necessary lighting or electricity. Once the lights and/or electrical generation is not needed, the towers can be lowered and the foundations and towers can be removed from the site.

There is a need for a foundation that is movable in an assembled or unassembled state, be sufficiently light and small to be moved with a fork on a prime mover, such as a fork lift or skid steer loader, while the foundation has sufficient strength and ballast to be able to retain a pole in a vertical position where the pole is sufficiently long to provide the necessary elevation for equipment mounted to the pole to be useful. The pole also requires sufficient rigidity to retain the equipment in a substantially stationary, elevated position. There is also a need for the foundation to be removable from a site and be reusable in another site.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of raising a lattice tower. The method includes placing a foundation at a selected location and moving a plurality of outriggers on the foundation from a stored position to extend position. The method includes securing the plurality of outriggers in the extended position and removing a plurality of lattice tower sections from the foundation. The method includes position a first lattice tower section on a bracket of flange attached to a gin pole such that flanges of the first lattice tower section and the central hub are proximate each other and securing the proximate flanges together. The method also includes positioning an end of a second lattice tower section proximate distal end of the first lattice tower section such that the second lattice tower section is supported by a bracket on the first lattice tower section securing the flanges of the first and second lattice tower sections together with bolts and nuts. The method includes repeating the positioning and securing steps until the lattice tower is assembled. The lattice tower is then raised by reeling in a cable attached to the gin pole to pivot the gin pole relative to the foundation.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a foundation and lattice tower. The foundation includes a base having a bottom plate, a top plate separated from the bottom plate with a plurality of spacers, and a plurality of interior walls between the top plate and the bottom plate such that spaced apart channels are formed therebetween. The foundation includes a plurality of outriggers pivotally attached to the top plate, wherein each of the plurality of outriggers is configured to be transported in a first, stowed position and positioned into a second, extended position to provide additionally stability to the base. The lattice tower includes a plurality of sections, each of the plurality of sections being configured to be secured to the base when the foundation and the unassembled lattice tower to a selected location. The foundation includes a gin pole pivotally secured to the base, the gin pole having a flange configured to attach to one of the plurality of sections, wherein after the plurality of sections are attached together to form the lattice tower, the gin pole is configured to rotate such that the lattice tower is retained in a substantially vertical position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a foundation with a disassembled lattice tower.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the foundation with the disassembled lattice tower.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the foundation with the disassembled lattice tower.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the foundation with an outrigger being lowered.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the foundation will all outriggers in a lowered state.

FIG. 6 is another isometric view of the foundation with all outriggers in a lowered state.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the foundation with sled boxes.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of a latch on the sled box.

FIG. 9 is a close up view of tabs on a lid extending through a box wall.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a lattice tower being assembled to the foundation.

FIG. 11 is a close up view of a lattice tower section being secured to a central hub.

FIG. 12 is a close up view of adjacent lattice tower sections prior to being bolted together.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the lattice tower in a lowered position with guy wires attached.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the lattice tower in the lowered position.

FIG. 15 is a close up view of turnbuckle used to connect a guy wire to an outrigger.

FIG. 16 is a close up view of a guy wire attached to the lattice tower

FIG. 17 is a close up view of an upper portion of a gin pole.

FIG. 17A is top view of the lattice tower in the lowered position.

FIG. 18 is a close up view of a winch attached to an outrigger.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the winch being attached to an end of the outrigger.

FIG. 20 is a close up view of the winch being attached to the end of the outrigger.

FIG. 21 is close up view of a gear operated threaded actuator.

FIG. 22 is a close up view of an actuator that uses a plurality aligned slots and pins.

FIG. 23 is a close up view of a threaded actuator.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the lattice tower in a raised position.

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the lattice tower in the raised position.

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of the central hub in a position when the lattice tower is raised.

While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure.

The figures may not be drawn to scale. In particular, some features may be enlarged relative to other features for clarity. Moreover, where terms such as above, below, over, under, top, bottom, side, right, left, etc., are used, it is to be understood that they are used only for ease of understanding the description. It is contemplated that structures may be oriented otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a transportable foundation that provides a base for a pole or tower, where the pole or tower is configured to retain equipment in an elevated position. The foundation can be transported in a compact configuration to a location on a bed of a vehicle or trailer. The foundation can be mounted to the bed of the trailer or removed from the bed with a fork on a prime mover, such as a forklift, a skid steer loader or other equipment capable of moving and placing the foundation. The foundation can be placed in any suitable location and a tower can be raised to provide selected functionalities, such as but not limited to bandwidth for communication and/or lighting and/or power generation and/or combinations thereof. Other equipment can also be retained to the tower to provide other functionalities.

Typical locations requiring the foundations and/or raised equipment include, but is not limited to, an event having a large amount of people for a limited period of time, a location experiencing damage from a natural event, a remote location such as an outpost or camp, a location with long term power outages or shortages and the like. Once the equipment is no longer needed, the tower can be lowered, the equipment can be removed and the tower can be dissembled and decoupled from the foundation. Segments of the disassembled tower can be positioned foundation and the foundation with the dissembled tower can be relocated on the bed of the truck or trailer using the fork on the prime mover.

The foundation is configured to retain a disassembled lattice tower during transport to the location. Once the foundation is set into a selected position, a single person can assemble and raise the lattice tower along with equipment attached to the lattice tower, typically in about two hours or less time. Being able to assemble and raise the tower with a single person provides efficiencies over other foundations and towers, which typically takes two or more people to assemble the foundation and tower and to raise the tower onto the foundation.

Utilizing a tower have a lattice construction provides strength and rigidity that is superior to telescoping towers. The lattice sections have flanges at the ends that are connected together, typically with a plurality of bolts threadably secured with nuts. By way of non-limiting example, the lattice tower and foundation of the present disclosure is rated as a permanent structure according to U.S. Telecom Code (Telecommunications Industry Association) and is able to withstand winds up to 115 mile per hour at heights of about 55 feet. The rigidity of the lattice towner prevents equipment from significantly swaying when experiencing high wind loads, which is required for microwave dish equipment. While bolts and nuts are disclosed and described herein, other securing mechanisms are within the scope of the present disclosure including, but not limited to screws, clamps and camming members.

The frictional engagement of the telescoping sections has tolerances that allow the adjacent sections to slightly move relative to each other. When multiple telescoping sections are used to reach a desired height, the top of the tower can experience a significant amount of swaying motion, which can adversely affect the performance of the attached equipment. Additionally, the telescoping towers do not have the rigidity to withstand the wind loading of the lattice tower of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a foundation is illustrated at 10 with a plurality of sections 100 of a lattice tower retained in spaces between elevated outriggers for transportation. The foundation 10 include a base 11 that has a bottom plate 12 and a top plate 14 that are spaced apart a selected distance. Spacers 16 are placed between the bottom plate 12 and the top plate 14 in a grid pattern where each spacer 16 is secured with and bolt 17 through each of the spacers 16 to provide strength to the base 11. The base 11 has an octagonal configuration with longer sides 18 and shorter angled edges 20 between the sides 18. Each side 18 includes a plurality of internal walls 22 that form channels 24. The channels 24 are spaced to accept a conventional fork carried by a prime mover, such as but not limited to a forklift, a skid steer loader or a crane or boom, and removed from a bed of a truck and located on ground level. Alternatively, the base 11 can be secured to the bed of the truck or a trailer.

The foundation 10 includes a plurality of spaced apart outriggers 30 that are pivotally attached to the top plate with a mounting bracket 32 that is substantially located along midplanes 15 and 17 of two opposing the sides 18 with a pivot pin, as best illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated, the foundation 10 includes four equally spaced outriggers 30 that are retained in an upright position utilizing a pin 34 that is secured to the mounting bracket 32 such that the pin 34 abuts a bottom surface 36 of each outrigger 30 and prevents downward rotation about the pivot pin.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, each outrigger 30 includes a cable bracket 40 that is located substantially at a midpoint along the length of the outrigger 30. A cable 42 is secured to the cable bracket 40 at one end and to a carabiner 44 attached a gin pole 160. Once the pin 34 is removed from the mounting bracket 32, the outrigger 30 can be lowered to an intermediate position until the cable 42 becomes taut. The carabiner 44 can be removed from the gin pole 160 and a bracket 46 can be gripped to controllably lower the outrigger 30 such that a through bore in the outrigger 30 aligns with a through bore 35 in the mounting bracket 30, such that a pin 48 can be inserted through the aligned apertures to have two spaced apart pins securing the outrigger 30 to the base 11, which retains the outrigger in the extended position.

The outrigger 30 includes a plurality of screw jacks 50 on opposite sides of a distal end 52. Handles 54 are manipulated to raise and lower pads 56 to level the foundation 10. In the event that the ground is too soft such that the pads 56 press into the ground, covers 62 can be removed from sled boxes 64 that are fixedly secured to the top plate 14, where the sled boxes 64 can be used to securely store cables and additional equipment while the foundation 10 and lattice tower sections 100 are in transit. The covers 62 can be placed below the pad 56 to increase the surface area and prevent the pads 56 from pressing into the ground. The same process is used for each of the outriggers 30 until all four outriggers 30 are in an extended, secured position and the foundation is leveled using the screw jacks 50 and optional sled box covers 62, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In other embodiments, additional bases 11 can be attached to the distal end 52 to increase the loading capacity of the lattice tower. In the disclosed embodiment, additional base 11 can be attached to the distal end 52 of each outrigger, proximate a center of the base 11 to provide the additional loading capacity.

The sled boxes 64 are secured to the top plate 14 proximate the angled edges 20. The sled boxes 64 are sized to retain guy wire cables for supporting the lattice tower 102 to each of the outriggers 30. The sled boxes 64 can also retain tools or other equipment that is useful in placing the foundation 10, constructing the lattice tower 100 and raising and lowering the lattice tower 100.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, a back wall 66 of the sled box 64 includes slots 66 into which tabs 68 of the lid 62 are inserted to ensure the cables and tools are retained in the sled boxes 64 and the lid 62 remains on the sled box 64 during transport. The lid 62 includes a front tab 70 with a through bore that is positioned through a slot 72 in a securing bracket 74 extending from the sled box 64. A pad lock is positioned into the through bore in the tab 70 where a width of the pad lock engages the securing bracket 74 and prevents the lid 62 from lifting from the sled box 64. To remove the lid 62, the pad lock is removed and the lid 62 is maneuvered to remove the tabs 68 from the slots 66. While a pad lock is disclosed, other securing mechanism are with the scope of the present disclosure, including but not limited to a bolt and nut, a pin with a clip and or a cotter pin.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-6, the foundation 10 includes a plurality of cradles 70 that is sized to securely retain the sections 100 of the lattice tower. Each cradle 70 includes spaced apart supports 72 and 74 that are aligned in columns. The spaced apart supports 72 and 74 are configured to engage and retain the sections 100 of the lattice tower during transport. Once a pair of the outriggers 30 are retained in the extended position, the sections 100 can be accessed to remove the sections 100 from the supports 72 and 74. However, during transport, the pair of raised outriggers 30 aid in retaining the sections on the foundation 100 in the event the sections dislodge from the supports 72 and 74.

Referring to FIGS. 10-16, the central hub 60 is pivotally attached to the top plate 14 with a bracket 71. To assemble a lattice tower 102, the central hub 60 is pivoted about a pin 73 such that a flange 61 is substantially vertical. The flange 61 include a bracket 63 with a lip 65 where a mating flange 104 of one of the tower sections 100 includes an opening 106, through which the bracket is positioned and the lip 65 aids in retaining the section 100 to the bracket 63. With the first section 100 retained to the bracket 63, holes in the flanges 61 and 104 are aligned such that bolts can be positioned through the aligned holes and threadably secured with nut. The connection of the flanges with bolts and nuts substantially prevents movement between the adjacent flange.

The flanges at the ends of each of the sections 100 includes the bracket and an opening as described above such that a single person can position the next section 100 onto a bracket to retain the next section 100 to the previously installed section. The holes in the flanges are substantially aligned such that a single person can assemble the lattice tower and typically raise the lattice tower within about two hours.

Referring to FIGS. 13-17A, to raise the assembled lattice tower 102, a plurality of guy wires 110 are attached to the tower a first distance D1 from the hub 60 and a second plurality of guy wires 112 are attached a second distance D2 from the central hub 60. Typically ends of the plurality of guy wires 110, 112 include loop 114 that are positioned within a clevis 116 secured to the tower 102 with a pin 118. The clevis 116 attachment allows the guy wires 112 and 114 to move as the tower is raised and/or lowered such that the guy wires 112 and 114 do not impede the raising and lowering of the assembled lattice tower 102.

Lower ends of the plurality of guy wires are attached to the brackets 52 on three of the outriggers 30 with turnbuckles 120. The guy wires 110 and 112 are attached to a gin pole 160 also with turnbuckles.

Referring to FIGS. 13-20, a hand operated winch 140 is removed from a stored position on one of the outriggers 30 by removing a pin 142 inserted through a bracket 144 and an aperture 144 in the winch 140. The winch 140 includes a tab 146 that is inserted into a slot 148 on the outrigger 30 and once the pin 142 is removed, manual force is used to lift the tab 146 from the slot 148 such that the winch can be relocated to a cavity 33 in an end 31 in the outrigger 30. A pin 35 is inserted through aligned apertures 37 in the outrigger and an aperture in the winch 140 such that the winch 140 is retained to the outrigger 30.

Referring back to FIGS. 13-17, an end 152 of a cable 150 coiled onto the reel of the winch 140 is attached to an upper end 162 of the gin pole 160. A bottom portion 163 of the gin pole 160 is attached to the central hub 60 of the foundation 10 and once the guy wires 110 and 112 are secured, an upper portion 164 of the gin pole 160 (FIG. 5) is extended upwardly (FIG. 6) using a hand powered jack 166.

Referring to FIGS. 21-23, in one embodiment the hand powered jack 166 includes a threaded rod 168 that is manipulated with a gear 169, that is rotated to raise and lower the upper portion 164 of the gin pole 160 relative to the lower portion 162 of the gin pole 160. In another embodiment, the hand powered jack 166 includes a series of apertures 170 in a beam 172 into which pegs are inserted and removed to raise and lower the upper portion 164 relative to the lower portion 162. In another embodiment, an actuator 176 with a threaded bore 177 and handles 178 are used to rotate the actuator 176 to threadably engage a threaded shaft 180 to raise and lower the upper portion 164 relative to the lower portion 162. Other actuators are also within the scope of the present disclosure to move the upper portion 164 relative to the lower portion 162 of the gin pole 160.

Referring to FIGS. 24-26, once the upper portion 164 is extended relative to the lower portion 163, the winch 140 is manipulated to reel in the cable 150. As the cable 150 is reeled in, the gin pole 160 acts as a lever on the lattice tower 102 such that the lattice tower 102 is raised. Extending a length of the gin pole 160 provides additional mechanical advantage to more easily raise the lattice tower 102 to the vertical position which retracting the gin pole during the rigging process allows the user to more easily reach the attachment points for the cables.

The cable 150 is continued to be reeled in until the gin pole 160 rests on the outrigger 30. A pin is then inserted into aligned holes in mounting brackets 172 and 29 to retain the gin pole 160 to the outrigger 30 such that the lattice tower 102 is retained in the vertical position with minimal swaying motion which is beneficial to the performance of the elevated equipment.

Once the lattice tower 102 is mounted to the foundation 10, the turnbuckles 120 are manipulated to cause the guy wires 112 and 114 to become taut. The taut guy wires 112 and 114 provide additional strength and rigidity to the lattice tower 102.

The present disclosure allows the foundation to be fully disassembled for shipping in compact configuration. The compact configuration allows the dis assembled foundation and sections of the lattice tower to be shipped on a military pallet, a standard 10 foot by 10 foot trailer or any commercial flatbed truck. Additionally, a single person can install the foundation and lattice tower up to about fifty-five feet in height in typically in less than two hours with the need for additional equipment or special tools

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, any feature disclosed with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in another embodiment, and vice-versa.

Claims

1. A foundation and lattice tower comprising:

a base comprising: a bottom plate; a top plate separated from the bottom plate with a plurality of spacers; and a plurality of interior walls between the top plate and the bottom plate such that spaced apart channels are formed therebetween: a plurality of outriggers pivotally attached to the top plate, wherein each of the plurality of outriggers is configured to be transported in a first, stowed position and positioned into a second, extended position to provide additionally stability to the base; a plurality of sections of the lattice tower, each of the plurality of sections being configured to be secured to the base when the foundation and the unassembled lattice tower to a selected location; and a gin pole pivotally secured to the base, the gin pole having a flange configured to attach to one of the plurality of sections, wherein after the plurality of sections are attached together to form the lattice tower, the gin pole is configured to rotate such that the lattice tower is retained in a substantially vertical position.

2. The foundation and lattice tower of claim 1, wherein the spaced apart channels are configured to accept a fork of a prime mover such that the prime mover can move the foundation and lattice tower to a selected location.

3. The foundation of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of outriggers comprises one or more leveling mechanisms configured to be manipulated to level the base when the plurality of outriggers are retained in the second, extended position.

4. The foundation of claim 1, wherein the flange comprises a bracket with a lip wherein the one of the plurality of sections is configured to be supported by the bracket and lip such that the one of the plurality of sections is attached to the flange.

5. The foundation of claim 4, wherein the one of the plurality of sections is frictionally secured to the flange with a plurality of bolts and nuts.

6. The foundation of claim 4, wherein each section of the plurality of sections comprises:

a first end with a flange; and

a second end with a flange with a bracket and a lip configured to receive the first end of an adjacent section such that apertures in adjacent flanges align.

7. The foundation of claim 6, wherein the flange on the first end comprises an interior flat surface configured to rest on the bracket wherein the lip retains the first end to the bracket.

8. The foundation of claim 1, and further comprising:

a first plurality of guy wires, each of the first plurality of guy wires having a first end attached to the lattice tower a first distance from the top plate and a second end attached to one of the plurality of outriggers; and

a second plurality of guy wires, each of the second plurality of guy wires having a first end attached to the lattice tower a second distance from the top plate and a second end attached to one of the plurality of outriggers, wherein the first plurality of guy wires and the second plurality of guy wires are configured to be tightened to provide support to the substantially vertical lattice tower.

9. The foundation of claim 1 and further comprising:

a retaining bracket on one of the plurality of outriggers, wherein when the lattice tower is retained in a substantially vertical position the gin pole is configured to be secured to the retaining bracket on the one of the plurality of outriggers.

10. The foundation of claim 9, wherein the one of the plurality of outriggers comprises a winch with a cable coiled thereon, wherein a free end is configured to be secured to the gin pole, wherein the winch is configured rotate the gin pole such that the lattice tower is retained in the substantially vertical position.

11. The foundation of claim 10, wherein the winch is removable attached to the one of the plurality of outriggers.

12. The foundation of claim 1 and further comprising:

a plurality of spaced apart cradles attached to the base, wherein the plurality of cradles is configured to retain the plurality of sections of the lattice tower in a dissembled configuration.

13. The foundation of claim 1 and further comprising:

at least one sled box attached to the base, the at least one sled box configured to retain one or more of the first plurality of guy wires or one or more of the second plurality of guy wires.

14. The foundation of claim 13, wherein the at least one sled box comprises:

a removable lid, wherein the removable lid is configured to be retained to the sled box in transit or configured to provide support to one of the plurality of outriggers when in the second, extended position.

15. The foundation of claim 1, wherein the gin pole comprises:

a first section attached to the base;

a second section movable between a first, retracted position and a second extended position; and

an actuator configured to move the second section between the first, retracted position and the second extended position.

16. A method of raising a lattice tower comprising:

placing a foundation at a selected location;

moving each of a plurality of outriggers on the foundation from a stored position to an extend position;

securing the plurality of outriggers in the extended position;

removing a plurality of lattice tower sections from the foundation;

position a first lattice tower section on a bracket of a flange on a gin pole such that flanges of the fist lattice tower section and the central hub are proximate each other;

securing the proximate flanges with a plurality of securing mechanisms;

positioning an end of a second lattice tower section proximate distal end of the first lattice tower section such that the second lattice tower section is supported by a bracket on the first lattice tower section;

securing the flanges of the first and second lattice tower sections together with bolts and nuts;

repeating the positioning and securing steps until the lattice tower is assembled; and

raising the lattice tower to a substantially vertical position with by retracting a cable attached to the gin pole attached to the central hub with a winch attached to the foundation.

17. The method of claim 16 and further comprising extending a length of the gin pole prior to raising the lattice tower.

18. The method of claim 16 and further comprising:

attaching a first plurality of guy wires to the lattice tower a first distance from a location on the base and to one of the plurality of outriggers prior to raising the lattice tower;

attaching a second plurality of guy wires to the lattice tower a second distance from the location on the base and to one of the plurality of outriggers prior to raising the lattice tower wherein the second distance is different from the first distance; and

tightening each of the first plurality of guy wires and each of the second plurality of guy wires after the lattice tower is raised to the substantially vertical position.

19. The method of claim 16 and further comprising securing the gin pole to one of the plurality of outriggers after the lattice tower is raised to the substantially vertical position.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein securing the proximate flanges with a plurality of securing mechanisms comprises utilizing nuts and bolts to frictionally secure the proximate flanges.