An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.

A lighting tower system comprises a tower having adjacent telescoping sections, the telescoping sections sliding relative to one another between retracted and extended positions, and the telescoping sections comprising at least an upper section and a lower section. A light assembly is rotatably mounted to the upper section such that the light assembly may be rotated from a first position parallel to the tower to a second position extending away from the tower. A storage container is positioned in the bed of a vehicle, and the tower is fitted in the storage container and connected to the storage container by a folding mechanism, the folding mechanism permitting the tower to move between a folded position inside the storage container and an upright position extending out of the storage container when the tower is retracted and the light assembly is in the first position.

A tower (1) having equipment (3) mounted thereon is disclosed. The tower (1) has an ice shield assembly (2) for protection to of the equipment (3) against falling ice mounted thereon. The ice shield assembly (2) comprises a tower fixture arrangement (5) being secured to the tower (1) and an ice shield (4) connected 5 to the tower fixture arrangement (5) via a hinge (6). The ice shield (4) is configured for vertically overlapping the horizontal extends of the equipment (3). The ice shield assembly (2) further comprises at least one spring element (7), e.g. in the form of a curved rod, connected at one end to the ice shield (4) and at an opposite end to the tower (1), the at least one spring element (7) 10 being configured to allow the ice shield (4) to pivot relative to the tower (1) at the hinge (6) in order to ensure a gradual transfer of energy from falling ice, which collides with the ice shield (4).

An emergency restoration system is disclosed. The emergency restoration system including a base and a tower pivotally connected to the base. The tower including at least one tower section and at least one insulated tower section pivotally connected to the at least one tower section, the insulated tower section including at least one insulator pivotally connected thereto.

A utility pole is resistant to breakage by providing a connection between an upper and a lower portion. In many embodiments, the upper portion with an arm supporting a utility line is able to deflect relative to a lower portion at the connection and then either be replaced or restored to the upright configuration.

A pole for supporting at least one device thereon, the pole comprising: a post to support weight of the pole and to attach the at least one device thereto; and at least one cover at least partially covering at least one side of the post, the post and the at least one cover together defining at least part of a longitudinal channel in the pole to house the at least one device attached to the post; wherein an edge of the cover is in pivotable engagement with the post to allow access to the post in the longitudinal channel.

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.

Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus related to relocatable tower technologies that facilitate on-site deployment and provide improved stiffness in order to minimize motion at a tower top in a manner that existing approaches, which focus on survivability, do not contemplate. In particular, relocatable tower technologies described herein can be deployed rapidly and at low cost, at outdoor sites, to, e.g., provide a vertical mast upon which equipment can be mounted. In certain embodiments, features of relocatable towers described herein allow the vertical mast to survive and remain rigid while being exposed to outdoor elements, such as wind gusts (e.g., up to 110 Mph). Advantages of relocatable tower technologies described herein are particularly well suited where (e.g., scanning based) imaging and/or detection equipment is mounted at a top of the tower, and/or where towers are deployed at sensitive sites such as hydrocarbon production, storage and processing facilities.

Provided is a novel drilling apparatus for drilling into prepared ground surfaces and natural ground conditions. The apparatus includes a mast assembly, a support structure assembly flexibly coupled with the mast assembly, a plurality of drill assemblies affixed to the support structure assembly, and a frame. Also provided is a method of drilling into a ground surface, by providing a drilling apparatus having a mast assembly, a support structure assembly flexibly coupled with the mast assembly, a plurality of drill assemblies affixed to the support structure assembly, and a frame. Each of the drill assemblies include a hollow drill rod with a drill bit at one end, the bit having exterior cutting elements and interior fluid diverters. Pressurized fluid and torque is supplied to the drill rods, and by means of the mast assembly and support structure assembly the drill rods are moved downward so that using the downward and rotational force, and the pressurized fluid, the drill bits drill into the ground surface.

A controlled motion hinge assembly having a base with a first actuator mount, a pivot arm with a second actuator mount, a hinge pivotally connecting the base to the pivot arm to be movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and an actuator shaft. The shaft has a first end, a second end, and a threaded body extending between the first and second ends. The first end is configured to receive a drive torque about the actuator shaft axis. The second end is rotatably connected to the second actuator mount, but fixed thereto along the actuator shaft axis. The threaded body engages a threaded bore of the first actuator mount such that rotation of the body causes the first actuator mount to move along the actuator shaft axis. Also provided is a pole assembly, and a method for retrofitting a pole, with a controlled motion hinge.