Tower for automatic lifting of communication devices

Abstract

Disclosed is a communication tower with mechanized vertical movement of holding devices that hold communication or other devices. The main body includes an inner body having multiple outer faces, with channel units and non-channel units provided on the outer faces in alternating sequence. Each channel unit has a vertical opening and is associated with a holding device configured to travel along the opening while supporting antennas, screens, or other attachments. A line is attached between each holding device and a corresponding lifting mechanism, the line being routed over one or more line-supporting mechanisms in the tower. A driving mechanism, controllable through a user input device, provides the power for the lifting mechanism to raise and lower the line.

Description

TOWER FOR AUTOMATIC LIFTING OF COMMUNICATION DEVICESAbstract

[0001] Disclosed is a communication tower with mechanized vertical movement of holding devices that hold communication or other devices. The main body includes an inner body having multiple outer faces, with channel units and non-channel units provided on the outer faces in alternating sequence. Each channel unit has a vertical opening and is associated with a holding device configured to travel along the opening while supporting antennas, screens, or other attachments. A line is attached between each holding device and a corresponding lifting mechanism, the line being routed over one or more line-supporting mechanisms in the tower. A driving mechanism, controllable through a user input device, provides the power for the lifting mechanism to raise and lower the line.Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 729,126, filed December 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to towers which hold telecommunication or other devices and have systems to mechanically raise and lower held devices.Background Art

[0004] Traditionally, communication towers are maintained by workers who climb on top of the tower using a ladder. This presents safety concerns in that workers sometimes fall off the tower. A tower that can automatically lower the communication devices allows workers to maintain the devices while remaining on the ground, lowering the risk of death or bodily injury. (In this disclosure, “communication devices” and similar terms operate as a stand-in for all devices that may be placed on a tower, including antennas, screens, billboards, etc.)

[0005] However, constructing such a tower presents logistical challenges. In many configurations, the power required to raise or lower the communication devices is impossible, or prohibitively expensive. Additionally, there may be the ability to raise or lower all or a group of communication devices at once — but not any one individually, increasing productivity lost to downtime when only one of the communication devices needs maintenance. Furthermore, in some configurations, a tower may use more energy than is necessary to raise or lower attached devices, its motors lacking the ability to adjust their power output depending on relevant factors.

[0006] Furthermore, determining how the communication and holding devices should move down the tower has been an issue. If the devices move solely along the outside of the tower, they are exposed to the elements and there is again a power problem as there may be significant distance between the devices and the motors. If the motors are connected directly to the holdingdevices, this is energy-inefficient and requires motors that are larger than desirable, or perhaps possible.

[0007] There are additional problems with the tower design. In many configurations, the tower is structurally sound only if it is constructed with a tapered design, rather than a straight-edge design wherein the tower body has equal dimensions at its x- and z-axes at every point along its y-axis. This presents manufacturing problems, as there will be fewer uniform components and manufacturing the body of the tower will be more difficult.

[0008] Adaptability is another concern. The dimensions of a tower vary based on the needs of the consumer. In many configurations, there is limited ability to vary the size of the tower and keep the design of the tower intact without causing structural or engineering problems. Additionally, presently known tower designs are often limited in terms of the type of devices that may be affixed to them and, for example, those designed to carry antennas may not be readily adaptable to carry billboards, lighting fixtures, or other devices that customers may need.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a communications tower with a vertically straight design and a practicable number of holding devices and way to raise and lower them mechanically, efficient distribution of energy provided by the motors, and flexibility in the size and use of the tower.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a tower with a prismatic inner body, with alternating channel and non-channel units on its faces. The channels allow the vertical movement of holding devices that support communication equipment, facilitated by a line routed over pulleys and powered by a motorized lifting mechanism. The tower’s control system is operated via an input device, which sends signals to one or more driving mechanisms that raise or lower the line.Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] Figure la shows an example of an exterior isometric view of the entirety of the tower.

[0012] Figure lb shows another example of an exterior isometric view of the entirety of the tower.

[0013] Figure 1c shows another example of an exterior isometric view of the entirety of the tower.

[0014] Figure 2a shows an example of a closeup view of the top of the tower.

[0015] Figure 2b shows another example of a closeup view of the top of the tower.

[0016] Figure 3a shows an example of a closeup view of the bottom of the tower.

[0017] Figure 3b shows another example of a closeup view of the bottom of the tower.

[0018] Figure 4a shows an example of a front view of the tower.

[0019] Figure 4b shows another example of a front view of the tower.

[0020] Figure 5 shows an example of a front view of the bottom of the tower.

[0021] Figure 6 shows an example of a top view of the tower.

[0022] Figure 7a shows an example of a top view of the tower, with the top piece removed so that interior components are visible.

[0023] Figure 7b shows another example of a top view of the tower, with the top piece removed so that interior components are visible.

[0024] Figure 7c shows an example of an isometric view of the top of the tower, with the top piece removed so that interior components are visible.

[0025] Figure 7d shows another example of an isometric view of the top of the tower, with the top piece removed so that interior components are visible.

[0026] Figure 8a shows an example of a top view of the interior of the bottom of the tower.

[0027] Figure 8b shows another example of a top view of the interior of the bottom of the tower.

[0028] Figure 9a shows an example of an isometric view of the interior of the bottom of the tower.

[0029] Figure 9b shows another example of an isometric view of the interior of the bottom of the tower.

[0030] Figure 10 shows an example of a front view of the interior of one of the channel units of the tower.

[0031] Figure I la shows a zoomed-in example of a connector block.

[0032] Figure 1 lb shows an example of an isometric view of a connector block.

[0033] Figure 11c shows an example of an isometric exploded view of a connector block.

[0034] Figure l id shows an example of a top, front, and side view of a connector block.

[0035] Figure 12 shows an example of a front view of the tower after the welding of the nonchannel units but prior to the welding of the channel units.

[0036] Figure 13 shows an example of an isometric view of the same.

[0037] Figure 14 shows an example of an isometric exploded view of the same.

[0038] Figure 15a shows an example of an isometric view of the top piece of the tower.

[0039] Figure 15b shows an example of an isometric exploded view of the same.

[0040] Figure 16 shows an example of a front view of the lifting mechanism.

[0041] Figure 17 shows an example of an isometric and side view of the lifting mechanism.

[0042] Figure 18 shows an example of a driving mechanism, lifting mechanism, and connection between the two.

[0043] Figure 19 shows an exploded view of the same.Detailed Description of the Invention

[0044] The present invention is a powered lifting tower with vertical channels for the raising and lowering of communication or other devices.

[0045] An inner body 100 is provided having an exterior surface, the exterior surface comprising one or more vertical faces or regions, onto each of which is provided either a channel unit 102 or a non-channel unit 104, optimally in alternating sequence, as illustrated in Figure 14. As described herein, a channel unit 102 may be a separate component attached to the inner body 100, or may be integrally formed with the inner body 100. A non-channel unit 104 may likewise be a separate component attached to the inner body 100, or may be integrally formed with the inner body 100. Optimally, the channel units 102 and non-channel units 104 are configured to fit tightly with one another. The main body 108 comprises the combination of the inner body 100, channel units 102, and non-channel units 104, along with other components described as representing the main body 108 in specific embodiments.

[0046] Optimally, the inner body 100 is constructed as an / / -gon prism where n is even, the number of channel units 102 and non-channel units are each w / 2, and the channel units 102 and non-channel units 104 are attached to or integral with the outer faces of the inner body 100 in alternating sequence. An advantage of the invention as described in this embodiment is that n can be varied according to the needs of the customer, allowing the customer to select the appropriate tradeoff between the number of supported channel units 102 and the cost and size of the tower. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, n is 18, such that there are nine channel units 102 and nine non-channel units 104. In another embodiment, n is 48, such that there are 24 channel units 102 and 24 non-channel units 104. It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that a higher n will require a wider inner body 100, but the essence of the invention does not change based on n. A further advantage is that, being prismatic, the main body is of a vertically straight design, rather than a tapered or telescoping one.

[0047] In other embodiments, the inner body 100 is a cylinder, and the one or more vertical faces or regions are vertical regions on the curved exterior surface of the cylinder. While other shapes of an inner body could be enumerated, it should be understood by one familiar in the art that the inner body may take arbitrarily many different shapes and so long as it is possible to attach or integrate channel and non-channel units to the exterior surface of the inner body then this invention may be carried out accordingly.

[0048] In some embodiments, connection cap plates 110, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, are placed on the top and bottom of the inner body 100, attached to the inner body 100 and attachedto, and covering the top and bottom of, the non-channel units 104. The connection cap plates 110 are considered part of the main body 108 in these embodiments.

[0049] As shown in Figures la-4b, each channel unit 102 contains an opening that runs vertically along the height of the channel unit 102. A holding device 112 is provided for each channel unit 102, to move vertically through the opening in the channel unit 102. The holding device has an operational position at or near the top of the channel unit 102 and a nonoperational position at or near the bottom of the channel unit 102. Optimally, the vertical opening in the channel unit 102 will be equipped with a protective mechanism 114, such as a weather brush seal with an aluminum retainer.

[0050] As shown in Figures la-lb, 4a, and 4b, the holding devices 112 are configured to support one or more attachments. The attachments vary from embodiment to embodiment, but may be antennas, billboards, screens, or other commercially useful objects. Optimally, the holding device 112 comprises a connector unit 201, provided on the inside of the channel unit 102, attached to one or more truss boom arms 118, such truss boom arms 118 protruding and extending outwardly from the channel, as shown in Figures 10 and Ila.

[0051] As shown in Figures lb, 2b, and 4b, in some embodiments, the holding device 112 includes one or more frames 146 secured to one or more truss boom arms 118, such frames 146 being configured for the attachment of LED screens 144 thereon in one or more arrays. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2b, there is one frame 146 that is formed as a 24-gon with one continuous array of LED screens 144, but in other embodiments, such as that shown in Figure 1c, there may be multiple flat arrays of LED screens 144.

[0052] As shown in Figures 10, Ila, and lib, in some embodiments, the connector unit 201 comprises one or more supporting blocks 200, with attachments provided from those blocks to each other, the truss boom arm 118, and the line 120. Optimally, the attachment between one supporting block 200 and another comprises a steel flat bar 216.

[0053] Optimally, the supporting blocks 200 have rounded corners to reduce friction. In some embodiments, a friction limiting device 116 is provided on one or more inside faces of the channel unit 102, or on the supporting blocks 200. The supporting blocks 200 are optimally, at their widest point, equivalent to the width of the channel unit 102, measured from its front, outside-facing face to its back, inner-body-connected face, minus the width of the friction limiting device 116, so that the supporting blocks 200 do not move horizontally during operation, as shown in Figure Ila.

[0054] By reference to Figures l la-d, in a preferred embodiment, each supporting block 200 comprises the following. Provided are a top plate 202 and a bottom plate 203; a front plate 204 and a back plate 206; two front backing plates 208; two rear backing plates 209; two center plates 210; two side plates 212; and a plurality of low-friction contact elements 214, preferably wheels.

[0055] The center plates 210 are vertically connected to the top 202 and bottom 203 plates, and horizontally connected to the front 204 and back 206 plates. Openings are provided in the top,bottom, and front plates through which parts of the center plates 210 protrude; these protrusions are used to connect the supporting block 200 to other components of the tower. The side plates 212 are connected to the top 202 and bottom 203 plates, and each side plate 212 is also connected to the left side of the center plate 210 on the left and the right side of the center plate 210 on the right, respectively. The front backing plates 208 and rear backing plates 209 are connected to the top 202 and bottom 203 plates, the front backing plates near the left and right front and the rear backing plates near the left and right rear of the supporting block, respectively. The plurality of low-friction contact elements 214 are connected: to the front backing plates 208; to the rear backing plates 209; and to the side plates 212.

[0056] As shown in Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d, a first line supporting mechanism 122 is provided next to each inside face of the inner body 100 that corresponds to a channel unit 102. Optimally, the first line supporting mechanism 122 is attached to a support attached to the top piece 400, as shown in Figures 7c, 7d, and 15b. As shown in Figures 7c and 7d, an opening is provided in the face of the inner body 100 and in the channel unit 102 of sufficient size to allow the feeding of a line 120 over the line supporting mechanism and through the opening. As shown in Figure 10, a second line supporting mechanism 124 is provided on the inside of the channel unit 102. The second line supporting mechanism 124 is preferably attached to one or more of the inner faces of the channel unit 102 below the first line supporting mechanism 122, and centered horizontally along said inner face, as shown in Figures 7a and 7b. Preferably, the line supporting mechanisms 122, 124 are pulleys. A line 120 is provided attached at its first end to a lifting mechanism 126, running to, and over, the first line supporting mechanism 122 and the second line supporting mechanism 124, and attached at its second end to a first end of the holding device 112, as shown in Figure 10. A stability line 138 is provided attached from a second end of the holding device 112 to the bottom of the channel unit 102, as shown in Figures 5 and 10.Optimally, the stability line 138 is an aircraft cable.

[0057] In some embodiments where the holding devices 112 are configured to support telecommunications antennas, a plurality of signal cables 128 are provided. As shown in Figure 10, each signal cable 128 is connected at a first end to an antenna 140 and transmits signals to the antenna 140. As shown in Figures 5 and 10, the signal cable 128 continues along its path being attached to the holding device 112 on which the antenna sits, then continues downward along the corresponding channel unit 102, attached to one of the inside faces of the channel unit 102. The signal cable 128 exits at the bottom of the channel unit 102, then runs along the outside of the main body 108, optimally provided with weather protection, to the closer of two cable enclosures 136 attached to either side of the main body 108. The signal cable 128 then runs through a pipe to an exit opening provided in the bottom of the main body 108, then from that exit opening running to its source.

[0058] A plurality of driving mechanisms 300 are provided, each corresponding to one of the channel units 102. An input device 132 is provided, connected to the driving mechanisms 300. Each driving mechanism 300 is connected to the corresponding lifting mechanism 126 to provide the power for the lifting mechanism 126 to raise or lower the attached line 120, as shown in Figure 8a.

[0059] Optimally, the driving mechanism 300, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, comprises a motor 302, a braking unit 303, and a gear unit 306. Optimally, the lifting mechanism 126 comprises a cable spooling drum. Optimally, the driving mechanism 300 connects to the lifting mechanism 126 through an output shaft 305 of the driving mechanism 300, as shown in Figure 9b. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, the driving mechanism comprises a first roller chain secured about the first sprocket and a second sprocket; one or more jackshafts, each configured to transfer power from an input sprocket mounted on the jackshaft to an output sprocket mounted on the j ackshaft; one or more additional sprockets and one or more additional roller chains arranged in series between the second sprocket and a sprocket of the lifting mechanism 126, the one or more j ackshafts being connected to the one or more additional sprockets such that the rotation of the gear unit drives rotation of the sprocket of the lifting mechanism 126 through the series of sprockets, roller chains, and jackshafts.

[0060] An advantage of the present invention is that, because the tower has a holding device 112, line 120, driving mechanism 300, and lifting mechanism 126 for each channel unit 104, each holding device 112 may be independently operated.

[0061] As shown in Figures la, lb, 9a, and 9b, in some embodiments, there is provided a containment unit 130, vertically attached to the bottom of the main body 108 and considered a part of the main body 108. In some embodiments, the driving mechanisms 300 and lifting mechanisms 126 are located in the containment unit 130, or in the main body 108. As shown in Figure 9b, in other embodiments, each driving mechanism 300 may be placed in a containment structure 304 outside, and attached to, the main body 108 or the containment unit 130, and powering the lifting mechanism 126, by means of an output shaft 305, through an opening provided in the main body 108 or the containment unit 130. Optimally, the containment unit 130 may be of equivalent x- and z-dimensions to the main body 108, as shown in Figure 5. Openings are provided in the sides and bottom of the containment unit 130 for power and signal cables 128. An opening is also provided in the containment unit 130, preferably covered by a locked, hinged panel, for maintenance.

[0062] The input device 132 is configured to allow a user to make a set of inputs, or to provide a set of automatic inputs, and send a control signal based on those inputs to one or more of the driving mechanisms 300, the control signal representing instructions for the one or more of the driving mechanisms 300, such that each such driving mechanism 300 selectively provides the power for the respective operatively connected lifting mechanism 126 to raise, lower, or hold the line upon receipt of the control signal. In some embodiments, the input device 132 may consist of a primary input unit, optimally an arbitrarily chosen computer configured with software to allow the user to make inputs corresponding to directions the user wishes to give to the driving mechanism 300, and one or more intermediary units which, individually or in combination with one another, receive signals from the primary input unit and send control signals to the driving mechanism 300, based on the received signals. In some embodiments, the input device 132 or one or more of the intermediary units may be locked behind an access panel 134, preferably placed at a low point on the outside of the tower.

[0063] As shown in Figures la and lb, a top piece 400, preferably including an access opening 412, is attached to the top of the main body 108, and considered part of the main body 108. Insome embodiments, the top piece 400 includes supports which attach to the first line supporting mechanism 122, as shown in Figure 15b. The top piece 400 preferably includes safety bars 410 affixed to the top.

[0064] As shown in Figures 15a and 15b, in an example embodiment, the top piece 400 is formed by constructing an n-gon prism 402 of equivalent length and width to the inner body 100. Holding structures 404 of equivalent length and width to the non-channel unit 104 are provided, attached to the outside faces of the prism and connection cap plate, directly above every nonchannel unit 104 and considered part of the non-channel unit 104. The second line supporting mechanism 124 is attached, above every channel unit 102, between the two adjacent holding structures 404. Supports 406 are provided attached to each inside face of the top piece directly above a channel unit 102, and each first line supporting mechanism 122 is attached to a respective support. Openings are provided in each face of the prism 402 directly above a channel unit 102, of sufficient size to feed the line 120 through the opening and over the first line supporting mechanism 122. A cap piece 408, of identical width and length to the main body 108, is attached to the top, and provided with the access opening 412 and safety bars 410.

[0065] An anchoring unit 142 is provided. The anchoring unit 142 is preferably embodied in the form of an anchor bolt cage embedded into concrete, as shown in Figures la and 5, but may be embodied in any other form commonly known in the prior art. The anchoring unit is connected to the bottom of the main body 108 or the containment unit 130.

[0066] In some embodiments, a wind sensor may be provided, connected to the driving mechanisms 300, the wind sensor being configured to collect wind data and send signals to the input device 132; and upon receipt of data indicating the presence of dangerously strong winds, the input device 132 sends a signal to the driving mechanisms causing each driving mechanism to provide power to the attached lifting mechanism to lower the line such that the attached holding device 112 is in nonoperational position; and, upon receipt of data indicating that dangerously strong winds have subsided, the input device sends a signal to each driving mechanism 300 causing the driving mechanism 300 to provide power to the attached lifting mechanism 126 to raise the line such that the attached holding device 112 is in operational position. Other sensors or data collection devices, for example, a weather station, seismic sensor, or acoustic sensor, may be placed on the tower.

[0067] In some embodiments of the invention, the inner body 100 may be an existing communications tower of a type commonly known in the art. By attaching channel units 102 and non-channel units 104 onto the outside faces of the existing communications tower, a main body 108 of the disclosed tower may be formed, and by providing a holding device 112, line 120, line supporting mechanism 122, lifting mechanism 126, and driving mechanism 300 for each channel unit, the existing communications tower is retrofitted into the tower of this invention. The supporting mechanism 122, lifting mechanism 126, and driving mechanism 300 may be provided on the inside of the existing communication tower.

[0068] In other embodiments of the invention, a channel unit 102 may be provided, attached to, integrated with, or embedded within, a wall or surface of a structure. A holding device 112, line 120, line supporting mechanism 122, lifting mechanism 126, and driving mechanism 300 areprovided. Tn such embodiments, the channel unit 102 and its associated components may function as an independent vertical transport system configured to raise and lower the holding device 112 along the structure, without the need for a tower or multiple channel units. The line 120, line supporting mechanism 122, lifting mechanism 126, and driving mechanism 300 operate in the same manner as described above for the tower embodiments, with the driving mechanism 300 providing the power to raise or lower the holding device 112 along the channel unit 102.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed herein are examples and do not limit the invention, as claimed. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the modules, features, attributes, and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the specification or its features may have different names, divisions, and / or formats.

[0070] In this specification, certain components are defined for each of another component. Therefore, references in the singular to a component of the former category, when that component is referenced for each of a component of the latter category, should be understood to apply to all such components of the former category. For example, because the specification states that “a holding device 112 is provided for each channel unit 102,” then the subsequent statement that “the holding device 112 comprises a connector unit. . .” applies to every holding device 102.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 19 March 2026 (19.03.2026)1. A tower, comprising: a main body, comprising: an inner body having an exterior surface, the exterior surface comprising one or more vertical faces or regions; a plurality of channel units, each channel unit being attached to or integral with a respective vertical face or region of the exterior surface of the inner body and having an opening that runs vertically along the height of the channel unit; a plurality of non-channel units, each non-channel unit attached to or integral with one of the respective vertical faces or regions of the inner body that do not have a channel unit attached thereto or integral therewith; for each channel unit: a holding device configured to support one or more attachments and to move vertically through the channel unit and the opening of the channel unit, the holding device having an operational position at or near the top of the channel unit and a nonoperational position at or near the bottom of the channel unit; a line attached at its first end to a lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism configured to, when operated, raise or lower the line, and at its second end to the holding device; one or more line supporting mechanisms arranged such that the line passes over the line supporting mechanisms; and a driving mechanism operatively connected to the lifting mechanism, configured to provide the power for the lifting mechanism to raise or lower the line; an input device operatively connected to the driving mechanisms, configured to accept a set of inputs and send a control signal to one or more of the driving mechanisms based on the inputs, the control signal representing instructions for the one or more of the driving mechanisms, such that each such driving mechanism selectively provides the power for the respective operatively connected lifting mechanism to raise, lower, or hold the line upon receipt of the control signal; and a top piece attached to the top of the main body.

2. The tower of Claim 1 , where the inner body is an w-gon prism and the one or more vertical faces or regions are the exterior faces of the prism.

3. The tower of Claim 2, where n is even, the number of channel units and non-channel units are each n / 2, and the channel units and non-channel units are attached to or integral with the outer faces of the inner body in alternating sequence.

4. The tower of Claim 1 , where the inner body is a cylinder and the one or more vertical faces or regions are vertical regions on the curved exterior surface of the cylinder.

5. The tower of Claim 1, where the driving mechanism comprises a motor, brake unit, and gear unit.

6. The tower of Claim 5, where the driving mechanism further comprises a first sprocket, located on the gear unit; a first roller chain secured about the first sprocket and a second sprocket; one or more jackshafts, each configured to transfer power from an input sprocket mounted on the jackshaft to an output sprocket mounted on the jackshaft; one or more additional sprockets and one or more additional roller chains arranged in series between the second sprocket and a sprocket of the lifting mechanism, the one or more jackshafts being connected to the one or more additional sprockets such that the rotation of the gear unit drives rotation of the sprocket of the lifting mechanism through the series of sprockets, roller chains, and jackshafts.

7. The tower of Claim 1 , where the lifting mechanism comprises a cable drum.

8. The tower of Claim 1, where the one or more line supporting mechanisms comprise a first line supporting mechanism provided next to the inside face of the inner body corresponding to the channel unit and a second line supporting mechanism below the first line supporting mechanism, being configured to support the line.

9. The tower of Claim 7, where the first line supporting mechanism is attached to a support attached to the top piece and the second line supporting mechanism is attached to one or more inner faces of the channel unit, below the first line supporting mechanism.

10. The tower of Claim 1, where the main body additionally comprises a containment unit vertically attached or integral with the bottom of the main body.

11. The tower of Claim 10, where the containment unit houses the lifting mechanisms.

12. The tower of Claim 10, where the containment unit houses the driving mechanisms.

13. The tower of Claim 10, further comprising a plurality of containment structures exterior to the main body each of which houses at least one of: one of the driving mechanisms; and one of the lifting mechanisms.

14. The tower of Claim 1, where the holding device comprises a connector unit which is connected to:the line, connected to the top of the connector unit; and one or more truss boom arms, connected to the side of the connector unit, protruding through the opening in the channel unit and extending outwardly from the main body.

15. The tower of Claim 14, where the connector unit further comprises: one or more supporting blocks on the inside of the channel unit and dimensioned to fit between the front, outside-facing inner surface and the back, inner-body-connected inner surface of the channel unit, each supporting block comprising: a top plate and a bottom plate; a front plate and a back plate; two front backing plates and two rear backing plates; two center plates; two side plates; and a plurality of low-friction contact elements; wherein the center plates are vertically connected between the top plate and the bottom plate and horizontally connected between the front plate and the back plate, portions of the center plates protruding through openings in the top plate, bottom plate, and front plate to provide connection points for attachment to the supporting block; wherein each side plate is connected to the top plate and the bottom plate and is further connected to a corresponding lateral side of a respective one of the center plates; wherein each front backing plate and each rear backing plate is connected to the top plate and bottom plate; wherein the plurality of low-friction contact elements are mounted on the supporting block such that: first ones of the low-friction contact elements are mounted to the front backing plates and extend so that the first ones are positioned to engage an inner surface of the channel unit that faces outwardly; second ones of the low-friction contact elements are mounted to the side plates so that the second ones are positioned to engage opposed inner side surfaces of the channel unit; and third ones of the low-friction contact elements are mounted to the rear backing plates so that the third ones are positioned to engage an inner surface of the channel unit that faces inwardly toward the inner body;wherein attachments are provided from the one or more supporting blocks to each other, to the one or more truss boom arms, and to the line, and wherein an attachment between adjacent supporting blocks comprises a steel flat bar extending between the adjacent supporting blocks; the supporting blocks being, at their widest point, substantially equivalent to the length of the channel unit measured from the front, outside-facing face to the back, inner-body- connected face, such that the supporting blocks are guided for vertical movement and substantially prevented from horizontal movement within the channel unit during raising and lowering of the lifting mechanism.

16. The tower of Claim 1, where for each channel unit a stability line is provided, at one end attached to the bottom of the holding device and at the other end anchored near the bottom of the channel unit.

17. The tower of Claim 16, where the stability line comprises an aircraft cable.

18. The tower of Claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors or data collection devices placed on the tower.

19. The tower of Claim 18, where the one or more sensors or data collection devices comprises a wind sensor, the wind sensor is configured to send wind data to the input device, and upon receipt of data indicating the presence of dangerously strong winds, the input device sends a signal to each driving mechanism causing the driving mechanism to provide power to the attached lifting mechanism to lower the attached line such that the attached holding device is in nonoperational position; and, upon receipt of data indicating that dangerously strong winds have subsided, the input device sends a signal to each driving mechanism causing the driving mechanism to provide power to the attached lifting mechanism to raise the attached line such that the attached holding device is in operational position.

20. The tower of Claim 1 , where the one or more line supporting mechanisms comprise pulleys.

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