Folding Tower Pole Assemblies for Wall-Mounted Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pole and mast structures require complex and costly access methods for maintenance, such as aerial lifts or cranes, as they are not easily foldable or tiltable, making servicing equipment mounted on them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A tilting pole assembly with a base member and a pivotally connected mast that can be secured to a wall, allowing the mast to pivot between upright and tilted positions using a winch mechanism, enabling low-profile access for maintenance and reconfiguration without exposing service personnel to heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fixed poles are used to mount equipment, then structural stability is maintained, but maintenance requires complex access methods such as aerial lifts or cranes
Solution Approach 1:
The pole is designed with a pivot mechanism that allows it to dynamically change from a fixed vertical position to a tilted position. This dynamic capability enables the pole to be easily repositioned for maintenance access without requiring complex external equipment like aerial lifts or cranes, while maintaining structural stability when in the upright position
2Ease of operation
If poles are made tiltable for maintenance access, then service personnel can access equipment more easily, but the pole may become unstable or require complex pivot mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pole structure is divided into segmented sections that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the pole to be tilted for maintenance access while maintaining structural integrity through the designed pivot connections, enabling easy repositioning without compromising overall stability
3Area of stationary object
If the pole tilts within a plane parallel to the wall, then the pole can be positioned close to walls, but the tilt path may interfere with the wall or surrounding structures
Solution Approach 1:
The pole's tilt motion is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the wall rather than parallel to it. This dimensional change in the tilt path allows the pole to be positioned adjacent to walls and other structures without the tilt arc interfering with the wall surface, enabling compact installation while maintaining full tilting functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates covert and efficient access to mounted equipment for maintenance and replacement by allowing the mast to tilt away from walls, reducing the need for aerial lifts and improving safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a winch that facilitates movement of the mast between the upright and tilted positions. The winch includes a crank, where the first end of the base member is disposed between the second end of the base member and the crank. The winch also includes a line connecting the crank to the mast
Data Source
AI summary
Folding pole assemblies for erecting various types of items (e.g., flags, banners, sirens, etc.) as well as facilitating low-profile (e.g., covert, inconspicuous) access to the items after erection such as for maintenance, replacement, and/or the like. Each assembly includes at least one pole (e.g., mast, pillar, column, arm, etc.) that tilts (e.g., folds, pivots) away from a base member about a pivot axis disposed adjacent a bottom of the pole so that a substantial entirety of the pole remains on one side of the base member as the pole tilts between upright and tilted positions and/or between various tilted positions. This arrangement allows the base members of the disclosed folding pole assemblies to be placed adjacent walls and other structures so that the poles can tilt away from the walls and other structures in a perpendicular directions thereto.