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.

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.

The device disclosed herein is for a folding mast device for use on watercraft. In the preferred embodiment, the mast is used on a bridge erection boat; however, additional watercraft may also incorporate this device. The mast includes clamps and other components in order to allow the mast to be assembled and disassembled without tools, which also makes the assembly and disassembly quick. The mast is also quickly removable and replaceable. The mast also can incorporate safety features, such as lighting and other devices needed for safe navigation, and is capable of adjusting to accommodate fabrication differences.

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 so pivotable engagement with the post to allow access to the post in the longitudinal channel.

A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast having a mast frame, a movable drill motor assembly, and a pivot; a machine frame including front and back portions, an engine, a ground engaging assembly, and a coupling assembly including first and second side plates, where the mast is pivotably coupled at the pivot between the first and second side plates; at least one primary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position above the pivot along the mast to assist in moving the mast between a stowed position to a drilling position; and a secondary fluid cylinder coupled to the machine frame to apply a force to the mast at a position below the pivot along the mast to assist the at least one primary fluid cylinder when the mast is at a negative drilling angle.

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.

A hub, an extensible vertical member pivotally attached to the hub for movement between a stowed position and an erect position, and at least three extensible horizontal members each pivotally attached to the hub for movement between a stowed position and an erect position. The vertical member and the horizontal members are each extensible such that a ratio of the extensible length of the vertical member to the extensible length of the horizontal members is adjustable for required stability in high wind applications.

A collapsible structure connection system including apparatus for connecting rod segments and apparatus for holding and organizing rod segments. An apparatus for connecting rod segments, such as a pole tip and final rod segment, or two rod segments, may have a pair of mated rod segments and a spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism, with the rod segments connected using an elastomeric connector attached to each rod segment at adjacent, opposing ends. The elastomeric connector may be attached to and held in place against the rod segment using an attachment assembly that may be threaded or unthreaded, and that may mate, or not mate, within the rod segment upon securing the attachment assembly to the rod segment. The spring-loaded push-button locking mechanism may have a spring-loaded push-button seated on a dowel of a male body, and a cavity aperture traversing a dowel cavity of a female body.

A mobile tower for transportation to and rapid deployment at remote sites where the mobile tower can be engaged with the ground, the mobile tower including an extendable and retractable tower secured to a mobile support structure including a frame having a plurality of rapidly deployable outriggers, wherein the tower includes three series of pivotally interconnected tower sections or segments, sections or segments of which engage with segments of each of the other series when the tower is assembled; the mobile tower including a plurality of guy wires secured between the extendable and retractable tower and the respective outriggers to stabilize the tower after the tower is assembled. The guy wires are preferably secured to the extendable and retractable tower at first and second connecting positions that are displaced from one another about an outer perimeter. Methods of deploying the mobile tower are also disclosed.

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.