Tower Bracket and Hoist Assembly for Simplified Safe Tie-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for working on cell phone towers are expensive, dangerous, and require complex rigging plans, making tower maintenance inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A bracket, tie off, and hoist system that is robust, easy to assemble, portable, lightweight, and cost-effective, designed to securely attach to various types of towers, including monopoles, guyed, and self-support towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive lifts and complex rigging plans are used for tower maintenance, then worker safety is improved, but cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tower access problem into separate functional components: brackets for attachment to tower legs, hoists for material lifting, and platforms for worker support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled into a complete safety system without requiring complex integrated rigging plans.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate structures (brackets and hoists) that mediate between the tower structure and workers/equipment. These intermediaries provide safe access and support without requiring direct complex rigging from ground to tower top, simplifying the overall system while maintaining safety.
2Ease of operation
If portable and lightweight systems are used for tower maintenance, then ease of transport and assembly is improved, but structural robustness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system incorporates adjustable and adaptable features that allow the same lightweight structure to dynamically adjust to different tower leg configurations and sizes. This enables robust attachment across various tower types without requiring heavy, universal equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adjustable parameters (bracket positioning, attachment methods, hoist capacity) to optimize performance for different applications. This allows lightweight components to achieve necessary strength levels by adjusting configuration rather than increasing base weight.
Data Source
AI summary
Brackets, tie offs and hoist systems are described as well as methods of securing same to telecommunication and other towers. The bracket may be secured to the tower by one or more leg straps, leg clamp bars or one or more cable systems. The cable systems may be rotatably attached to the brackets allowing for adjustment of the cable system. Adapter brackets are also described that comprises different shaped recesses for attachment to different style towers. The bracket may comprise a vertically-oriented eye bolt attaching a D-ring to the bracket or and/or a hoist beam supporting one or more sheaves may be secured to the bracket.