Tower Hoist Clamp Bracket System for Safe Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid growth of cell phone and data demands has made tower maintenance expensive and dangerous, particularly due to the need for expensive lifts and Class IV rigging plans requiring engineering sign off, leading to delays and costs.
Innovation Solution
A hoist, platform, and davit system is provided that can be securely attached to various types of towers, including monopole, guyed, and self-support towers, featuring a hoist beam that extends laterally from the tower, with sheaves and pulley cables for lifting loads, and adjustable clamp bracket systems for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive lifts and Class IV rigging plans are used for tower maintenance, then safety and reliability are improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tower maintenance function into separate modular components: clamp brackets for attachment, hoist beam for lifting, and platform for worker support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled as needed, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety through specialized design of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hoist beam acts as an intermediary element between the tower structure and the lifting mechanism. It provides a stable attachment point and load distribution system that simplifies the connection between the tower and maintenance equipment, reducing the complexity of direct rigid connections required by traditional rigging plans.
2Reliability
If expensive lifts are used for tower maintenance, then safety is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp bracket system is designed to be self-installing and self-adjusting, allowing maintenance workers to attach and position the hoist beam without requiring expensive external lift equipment. The system serves itself by providing inherent stability and load-bearing capacity through its structural design, eliminating the need for additional heavy equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simpler, more affordable components like adjustable clamp brackets and modular hoist beams that can be quickly installed and removed, replacing the need for expensive, heavy-duty permanent lift structures. These components are designed for temporary maintenance operations rather than permanent installation, reducing overall cost.
3Reliability
If Class IV rigging plans requiring engineering sign off are used, then reliability is improved, but time and cost increase due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp bracket and hoist beam system is pre-engineered and pre-assembled as a complete unit with built-in safety features and load-bearing capacity. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site engineering calculations, approvals, and inspections required by traditional Class IV rigging plans, while maintaining equivalent safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed as a universal solution that can be applied to various tower types and maintenance scenarios without requiring custom engineering plans for each situation. The standardized components and installation procedures eliminate the need for repeated engineering sign-offs, reducing administrative time and delays.
4Ease of operation
If a hoist beam extends laterally from the tower with sheaves and pulley cables, then lifting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions into the hoist beam component: it serves as the lateral extension from the tower, the mounting structure for sheaves, the support for pulley cables, and the attachment point for the platform. This merging of functions into a single integrated component reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall system while maintaining full lifting capability.
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
The system allows for safe and efficient maintenance of towers by providing a stable and secure lifting mechanism, reducing the need for expensive lifts and minimizing the risks associated with tower maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sheave connected to the hoist beam and receiving a load line
Implementation Method 2
securing a first clamp bracket system to the tower pole by placing the first clamp bracket system at least partially around the tower pole
Data Source
AI summary
Hoists, platforms and davits are described as well as methods of securing same to telecommunication and other towers. The hoists, platforms and davits may be secured to the towers on a temporary basis using clamps. The clamps may include brackets and cables. The cables may be attached to the brackets, may wrap around the outer surface/perimeter of the tower pole/leg and may use tension to keep the bracket in place.