A lighting tower system is provided. The lighting tower system includes a tower positioned in an upright orientation within a bed of a vehicle. The tower includes a base tube section and an upper tube section. The base and upper tube sections include a common longitudinal axis and are arranged to slide relative to one another in a telescoping relationship to move each tower between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The lighting tower system includes a light assembly coupled to and extending from the upper tube section of the tower. The light assembly is configured to rotate with respect to the common longitudinal axis and to tilt with respect to an axis perpendicular to the common longitudinal axis. The lighting tower system includes a mounting configuration configured to attach and detach the tower to the bed of the vehicle in the upright orientation.

A retractable stand comprises a base, two ribbons, and a locking mechanism. Each ribbon has a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion. The uncoiled portions have a curved cross-sectional shape positioned in opposing relation to each other. The locking mechanism is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position where the at least one ribbon is substantially inhibited from moving relative to the base in at least one direction. The locking mechanism can comprise an auto-locking member biased toward the locked position. The locking mechanism can further comprise a trigger mounted on the base and accessible by the user to move the auto-locking member to the unlocked position. Preferably, the retractable stand further includes a manual locking mechanism that can be manually selectively moved between unlocked and locked positions to selectively lock and unlock a position of at least one of the ribbons relative to the base.

An assembly includes a first block including a first end; and a second block assembled with the first block at a same height as the first block, the second block including a second end facing the first end of the first block. The first block and the second block are connected to the assembly such that there is no structural connection between the second end of the second block facing the first end of the first block.

The invention has for object a method for manufacturing concrete construction blocks (6) for a wind-generator tower made up of at least two consecutive blocks secured to one another by a contact surface of each of the two blocks, the manufacturing method comprising the following steps: pouring concrete into a first cage of reinforcements (10-1) so as to obtain the first concrete construction block comprising a first contact surface (9), and pouring concrete into a second cage of reinforcements (10-2) so as to obtain the second concrete construction block, the second cage of reinforcements being provided in a form (21) arranged such that the first contact surface (9) of the first block (6-1) makes up a wall for delimiting (26) the pouring of the concrete such as to form a contact surface (9) of the second block (6-2).

A section of concrete intended to form a mast for a windmill, the section including a first portion including a first flange, a second portion including a second flange, a prestressing device including at least one visible part located between the first flange and the second flange, a first attaching device arranged to be connected to the first flange, and/or a second attaching device arranged to be connected to the second flange.

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 retractable stand comprises a base and two ribbons. Each ribbon has a coiled portion and an uncoiled portion. The uncoiled portions of the ribbons have a curved cross-sectional shape and are positioned in opposing relation to each other. Preferably, the curved cross-sectional shape of each uncoiled portion defines a convex surface and a concave surface, and the convex surfaces are in facing relation to each other. In one embodiment, the retractable stand further comprises a foot brace secured to free ends of the ribbons. Preferably, the foot brace includes an arm movable relative to the ribbons. The present invention further provides a method of supporting a device above a surface using the above retractable stand. The method includes uncoiling the two ribbons, resting the brace on the surface, and supporting the device on the retractable stand. Preferably, the step of uncoiling includes moving the brace away from the base.

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.

An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections. The linked sections include a plurality of individual sections linked end to end. As the linked sections are extended, each of the individual sections engage adjacent individual sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual sections disengage from the adjacent individual sections and the column may be retracted for compact storage.

This application relates to tower segment handling methods and apparatus and, in particular, to methods and apparatus for handling segments of steel wind turbine towers. The wind turbine tower comprises a plurality of cylindrical vertical tower sections, which in the finished tower are mounted on top of one another. The vertical section of the tower has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of wind turbine tower segments, the tower segments have vertical and horizontal edges and combine to form a complete vertical tower section by joining along their vertical edges. Adjacent vertical tower sections are joined to each other along the horizontal edges of the wind turbine tower segments. The tower segments are combined into a tower section using a flat roller bed on which the segments can be assembled. A method of assembling a tower section is discussed.