MOBILE TOWER SYSTEM

Abstract

A mobile tower system includes a base plate comprising a support structure and a tower pivotably coupled to the support structure. A mounting member may be fixed to a top portion of the tower. The mounting member has a free end for mounting a piece of equipment thereto, and the mounting member is moveable between a stowed position and a use position. When in the stowed position, the free end of the mounting member is disposed proximate to the base plate for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower is not in use. When in the use position the free end of the mounting member is disposed above the base plate for operating the piece of equipment when the tower is in use.

Claims

1. A mobile tower system comprising: a base plate having a front portion opposite a back portion, the base plate comprising a support structure, the support structure including: a front portion opposite a back portion, and a bottom portion opposite a top portion, wherein the bottom portion of the support structure is fixed to a top surface of the base plate such that the front portion of the support structure is disposed proximate to the front portion of the base plate and the back portion of the support structure is disposed proximate to the back portion of the base plate; a tower pivotably coupled to the front portion of the support structure; and a mounting member fixed to a top portion of the tower, the mounting member having a free end for mounting a piece of equipment thereto, and the mounting member moveable between a stowed position and a use position, wherein when in the stowed position the free end of the mounting member is disposed proximate to the top surface of the base plate for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower is not in use, and wherein when in the use position the free end of the mounting member is disposed above the base plate for operating the piece of equipment when the tower is in use.

2. The mobile tower system of claim 1, wherein when the mounting member moves between the stowed position and the use position, the free end of the mounting member remains level with respect to the tower to keep the piece of equipment level when the mounting member moves between the stowed position and the use position.

3. The mobile tower system of claim 1, further comprising: a cylinder that actuates to extend the tower.

4. The mobile tower system of claim 3, wherein the cylinder comprises a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic air cylinder.

5. The mobile tower system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control operable to move the mounting member between the stowed position and the use position.

6. The mobile tower system of claim 1, wherein the base plate is disposable at least in a vehicle, and when the base plate is removeably loaded in the vehicle, the front portion of the base plate is disposed proximate to a cab of the vehicle and the back portion of the base plate is disposed proximate to a back end of the vehicle.

7. The mobile tower system of claim 6, wherein when in the stowed position the free end of the mounting member is disposed in the vehicle for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower is not in use, and wherein when in the use position the free end of the mounting member is disposed above a cab of the vehicle for operating the piece of equipment when the tower is in use.

8. The mobile tower system of claim 1, wherein the tower comprises a V-shaped lifting member pivotably attached to the bottom portion of the support structure and pivotably attached to one or more lifting arms, the one or more lifting arms pivotably attached to the mounting member.

9. A mobile tower system comprising: a base plate disposable on a vehicle, the base plate comprising a support structure, the support structure comprising: a front portion opposite a back portion, and a bottom portion opposite a top portion, the bottom portion being fixed to a top surface of the base plate; a tower pivotably coupled to the front portion of the support structure; and a mounting member fixed to a top portion of the tower, the mounting member having a free end for mounting a piece of equipment thereto, and the mounting member moveable between a stowed position and a use position, wherein when in the stowed position the free end of the mounting member is disposed proximate to the bed of the pickup truck for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower is not in use, and wherein when in the use position the free end of the mounting member is disposed above a cab of the pickup truck for operating the piece of equipment when the tower is in use.

10. The mobile tower system of claim 9, wherein when the mounting member moves between the stowed position and the use position, the free end of the mounting member remains level with respect to the tower to keep the piece of equipment level when the mounting member moves between the stowed position and the use position.

11. The mobile tower system of claim 9, further comprising: a cylinder to extend the tower.

12. The mobile tower system of claim 11, wherein the cylinder comprises a dual action hydraulic cylinder or a dual action pneumatic air cylinder.

13. The mobile tower system of claim 9, further comprising a remote control operable to move the mounting member between the stowed position and the use position.

14. The mobile tower system of claim 9, wherein the tower comprises a V-shaped lifting member pivotably attached to the bottom portion of the support structure and pivotably attached to one or more lifting arms, the one or more lifting arms pivotably attached to the mounting member.

15. A mobile tower system comprising: a base plate disposable at least one of on, within, or in a vehicle, the base plate comprising a support structure, the support structure comprising: a front portion opposite a back portion, and a bottom portion opposite a top portion, the bottom portion being fixed to a top surface of the base plate; a tower pivotably coupled to the front portion of the support structure; and a mounting member fixed to a top portion of the tower, the mounting member having a free end for mounting a piece of equipment thereto, and the mounting member moveable between a stowed position and a use position, wherein when the mounting member moves between the stowed position and the use position, the free end of the mounting member remains level with respect to the tower to keep the piece of equipment level when the mounting member moves between the stowed position and the use position.

16. The mobile tower system of claim 15, wherein when in the stowed position the free end of the mounting member is disposed in a bed of the vehicle for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower is not in use, and wherein when in the use position the free end of the mounting member is disposed above a cab of the vehicle for operating the piece of equipment when the tower is in use.

17. The mobile tower system of claim 15, further comprising: a cylinder that when actuated extends and retracts the tower.

18. The mobile tower system of claim 17, wherein the cylinder comprises a dual action hydraulic cylinder or a dual action pneumatic air cylinder.

19. The mobile tower system of claim 15, further comprising a remote control operable to move the mounting member between the stowed position and the use position.

20. The mobile tower system of claim 15, wherein when the base plate is removeably loaded in a bed of the vehicle, the front portion of the base plate is disposed proximate to a cab of the vehicle and the back portion of the base plate is disposed proximate to a back end of the bed of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mobile tower system configured to be accommodated in a vehicle according to an embodiment in this disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile tower system of FIG. 1 in a stowed position according to an embodiment in this disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates the mobile tower system of FIG. 1 in a midpoint position according to an embodiment in this disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates the mobile tower system of FIG. 1 in a use position according to an embodiment in this disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom, left-side perspective view of a quick release assembly according to an embodiment in this disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates the quick release assembly of FIG. 5 in an exploded assembly view according to an embodiment in this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

[0015] This disclosure is directed to mobile tower systems sized to be accommodated in a vehicle that are rapidly deployable between a stowed position and a use position. Because the mobile tower system is sized to be accommodated in a vehicle, a user may quickly and easily load the tower cassette in vehicle as desired. Moreover, because the mobile tower system is loadable in a vehicle, a higher portability of mobile tower systems is achieved as compared to trailered tower systems. Further, because the mobile tower system is rapidly deployable between a stowed position and a use position, a user may quickly and easily deploy a piece of equipment between a stowed position and a use position.

Illustrative Mobile Tower Systems

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mobile tower system 100 configured to be accommodated in a vehicle 102. The vehicle 102 may be a pickup truck, a van, a trailer, a boat, an aircraft, a train, a drone, etc. Moreover, the mobile tower system 100 may not be accommodated in a vehicle. For example, the mobile tower system 100 may be accommodated at a location (e.g., a boarder, a structure, a parking lot, a facility, etc.). The mobile tower system 100 may include a base plate 104 having a front portion 106 opposite a back portion 108. The base plate 104 may include a support structure 110. The support structure 110 may comprise a front portion 112 opposite a back portion 114 and a bottom portion 116 opposite a top portion 118. The bottom portion 116 of the support structure 110 may be fixed to a top surface 120 of the base plate 104 such that the front portion 112 of the support structure 110 is disposed proximate to the front portion 106 of the base plate 104 and the back portion 114 of the support structure 110 is disposed proximate to the back portion 108 of the base plate 104. A tower 122 may be pivotably coupled to the front portion 112 of the support structure 110. A mounting member 124 may be fixed to a top portion 126 of the tower 122. The mounting member 124 may have a free end 128 for mounting a piece of equipment thereto. The mounting member 124 may be moveable between a stowed position (illustrated in FIG. 2) and a use position (illustrated in FIG. 4). When in the stowed position the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed proximate to the top surface 120 of the base plate 104 for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower 122 is not in use. When in the use position the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed above the base plate 104 for operating the piece of equipment when the tower 122 is in use.

[0017] When the mobile tower system 100 is removeably loaded in the vehicle 102, the base plate 104 may be fastened via mechanical fasteners (e.g., threaded fasteners, clamps, etc.) (not shown) to the vehicle 102. For example, in some embodiments, the vehicle 102 may comprise a pickup and the base plate 104 may be fastened via mechanical fasteners to a bed 130 of the vehicle 102. In another example, the base plate 104 may be fastened via mechanical fasteners to a subplate (not shown), where the subplate may be configured to be fastened via mechanical fasteners to the bed 130 of the vehicle 102. For example, the subplate may include through holes arranged in the subplate to match the fastener locations of the bed 130 of the vehicle 102 and the subplate may include threaded openings arranged in the subplate to match through holes arranged in the base plate 104 so that the subplate fastens to the bed 130 of the vehicle and the base plate 104 fastens to the subplate. When the base plate 104 is removeably loaded in the bed 130 of the vehicle 102, the front portion 106 of the base plate 104 may be disposed proximate to a cab 132 of the vehicle and the back portion 108 of the base plate 104 may be disposed proximate to a back end 134 of the bed 130 of the vehicle. Moreover, when the mounting member 124 is in the stowed position the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed in the bed 130 of the pickup for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower 122 is not in use, and when the mounting member 124 in the use position the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed above the cab 132 of the pickup for operating the piece of equipment when the tower 122 is in use.

[0018] The mobile tower system 100 may include a cylinder 136 that when actuated extends the tower 122. The cylinder 136 may comprise a hydraulic cylinder (e.g., dual action hydraulic cylinder) or a pneumatic air cylinder (e.g., dual action pneumatic air cylinder) that may exert force to both extend and retract the tower 122. Implementations may include single action cylinders. For example, the mobile tower system 100 may use a first single action cylinder to exert force to extend the tower 122 and a second single action cylinder to exert force to retract the tower 122.

[0019] The mobile tower system 100 may include a V-shaped lifting member 138. The V-shaped lifting member 138 may consist of two separate arms, a first arm 140(A) and a second arm 140(B), attached to a single joint 142 in a triangular shape, for example. The first arm 140(A) may be attached to a first lift arm 144(A) adjacent to a second lift arm 144(B). For example, the first arm 140(A) may be attached to the first lift arm 144(A) via a joint 146. The second arm 140(B) may be attached proximate to the bottom portion 116 of the support structure 110. For example, the second arm 140(B) may be attached to the bottom portion 116 of the support structure 110 via a joint 148 disposed proximate to the bottom portion 116 of the support structure 110. Moreover, the second lift arm 144(B) may also be attached to the support structure 110 via the joint 148, and the first lift arm 144(A) may be attached to the support structure 110 via a joint 150. The first lift arm 144(A) and the second lift arm 144(B) may be further attached to the mounting member 124. For example, the first lift arm 144(A) may be attached to the mounting member 124 via a joint 152 while the second lift arm 144(B) may be attached to the mounting member 124 via a joint 154. The cylinder 136 may be attached to the V-shaped lifting member 138. For example, the cylinder 136 may be attached to the first arm 140(A) of the V-shaped lifting member 138 via a joint 156 and attached to the second arm 140(B) via a joint 158. The joints 142, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, and/or 158 may comprise shafts with bearings and/or bushings. In an embodiment, the joints 142, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, and/or 158 may comprise shafts with nylon bushings to allow for tighter tolerances with a smother operation. Thus, the tower 122 may include and/or be defined by the first and second lift arms 144(A) and 144(B) and the V-shaped lifting member 138 that may be pivotably coupled to the front portion 112 of the support structure 110 via the joints 148 and 150.

[0020] The V-shaped lifting member 138 may include an offset 160 onto the second arm 140(B) that may allow for a shorter range of travel to take the first and second lift arms 144(A) and 144(B) from the stowed position to the use position. The offset 160 may comprise a distance of at least about 3 inches to at most about 4 inches between the joints 148 and 158. For example, the offset 160 may comprise a distance of about 3.5 inches between the joints 148 and 158. The shorter range of travel allows for faster deployment times from the stowed position to the use position. For example, the shorter range of travel may allow for faster deployment times of less than at least about 2 seconds to at most about 4 seconds from the stowed position to the use position. Further, because of the offset 160, the leverage point allows for less force and energy needed to lift the desired weight allowing the mobile tower system to use a smaller and/or lighter weight cylinder (e.g., cylinder 136). In an embodiment, the mobile tower system 100 may be capable of lifting at least about 300 lbs. In other embodiments, the mobile tower system 100 may be capable of lifting more than about 300 lbs. Different model tower system sizes may have different lifting capacities.

[0021] The mobile tower system 100 may include a quick release assembly 162 arranged between the cylinder 136 and the V-shaped lifting member 138. The quick release assembly 162 may provide for a quick disconnect between the cylinder 136 and the V-shaped lifting member 138 in order to separate (e.g., disconnect, disengage, decouple, etc.) the V-shaped lifting member 138 from the cylinder 136. Thus, in case of a failure of the cylinder 136 this allows the V-shaped lifting member 138 to be manually lifted into the use position. For example, in case of a failure of the cylinder 136, a user may use a push button release of the quick release assembly 162 in order to separate the V-shaped lifting member 138 from the cylinder 136 and manually lift the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 into the use position.

[0022] The mobile tower system 100 may include a control unit 164. In an embodiment, the control unit 164 may include a hydraulic pump (not shown) that may have a reservoir tank attached thereto. In an embodiment, the hydraulic pump may be a 12-volt hydraulic pump. In another embodiment, the hydraulic pump may be attached to a portion of an engine of the vehicle 102, where the portion of the engine of the vehicle 102 may power the hydraulic pump. In an embodiment, the reservoir tank may be housed on board the vehicle 102. The hydraulic pump may power the cylinder 136. The hydraulic pump may comprise a remote control 166 which may have deploy and retract buttons equipped for ease of use. For example, the mobile tower system 100 may include a remote control 166 that a user may operate to move the mounting member 124 between the stowed position and the use position. The user may operate the remote control 166 to deploy the mounting member 124 to any position between the stowed position and the use position. The user may operate the remote control 166 from within the cab 132 of the vehicle 102, for example. The remote control 166 may be a wired push button remote control or a wireless push button remote control.

[0023] In another embodiment, the control unit 164 may include one or more computers configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them associated with the mobile tower system 100 that in operation causes or cause the mobile tower system 100 to perform the actions. One or more computer programs can be configured to perform particular operations or actions by virtue of including instructions that, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the actions. One general aspect may include the operation and control of the cylinder 136 from an onboard Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) of the control unit 164. The PLC may be the brain of the operation and may include the remote control 166 that a user may operate to move the mounting member 124 between the stowed position and the use position. The deploy button may trigger the PLC to control a solenoid on a valve body which allows for a max supply of pressure for a specific set amount of time and then switch to a regulated supply of pressure until the mobile tower system has reached its desired deployment height. The cylinder 136 may comprise a magnetic piston that may measure the position of the cylinder shaft so the PLC may know the current position of the mounting member 124. For example, the cylinder 136 may comprise a magnetic piston that may measure the position of the cylinder shaft so the PLC may know whether the mounting member 124 is in the stowed position, the use position, a midpoint position, etc. The cylinder 136 may also comprise an internal locking mechanism. The internal locking mechanism may allow for the PLC to lock the mounting member 124 at any desired position. For example, the internal locking mechanism may allow for the PLC to lock the mounting member 124 in the stowed position, the use position, a midpoint position, etc.

[0024] In another embodiment, the mobile tower system 100 may comprise a power supply unit (not shown). For example, using a 12V DC battery and/or a solar powered battery tender the mobile tower system may have a 12V power supply readily available. This may provide the desired power for the PLC, air compressors, solenoid, etc. The air compressor may be capable of producing 200 PSI into an onboard air tank (e.g., 1.5-gallon air tank). This may allow for air pressure to be readily available when the PLC commands for air PSI. The air tank may comprise a pressure sensor that will communicate with the PLC so that the PLC will be able to monitor the air pressure in the air tank so that the PLC knows when to turn the air compressor on and off to maintain the desired air tank PSI. The mobile tower system may also have a redundant feature of a small emergency nitrogen canister (pre-charged nitrogen canister), if for some reason one or more of the air tank, air compressor, or air regulator solenoid fails the PLC may activate the emergency nitrogen canister supply so that the mobile tower system can still be deployed. The mobile tower system may comprise a regulated exhaust valve on the valve body for retracting the mobile tower system to the stowed position. For example, when the mobile tower system moves from the use position to stowed position the regulated exhaust valve may be used to regulate PSI flow to slow down the retract for a relatively softer retraction.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile tower system 100 in a stowed position 200. For example, when in the stowed position 200 the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed proximate to the top surface 120 of the base plate 104 for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower 122 is not in use. In another example, when the mounting member 124 is in the stowed position 200 the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed in the bed 130 of the vehicle for securing the piece of equipment mounted thereto when the tower 122 is not in use. FIG. 2 illustrates the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may remain level with respect to the tower 122 to keep the piece of equipment level when the mounting member 124 moves to the stowed position 200.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates the mobile tower system 100 in a midpoint position 300. For example, when in the midpoint position 300 the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed a distance 302 of about 24.5 inches above the top surface 120 of the base plate 104. FIG. 3 illustrates the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may remain level with respect to the tower 122 to keep the piece of equipment level when the mounting member 124 moves between the stowed position 200 and the midpoint position 300. The V-shaped lifting member 138 may provide for a change in cylinder stroke from the stowed position 200 to the midway position 300 of about a 2.75-inch extension of the cylinder 136 resulting in about a 32-inch height increase of the mounting member 124.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates the mobile tower system 100 in a use position 400. For example, when in the use position 400 the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed above the base plate 104 for operating the piece of equipment when the tower 122 is in use. For example, when in the use position 400 the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed a distance 402 of about 39 inches above the top surface 120 of the base plate 104. In another example, when the mounting member 124 in the use position 400 the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may be disposed above the cab 132 of the vehicle 102 for operating the piece of equipment when the tower 122 is in use. FIG. 4 illustrates when the mounting member 124 moves between the stowed position 200 and the use position 400, the free end 128 of the mounting member 124 may remain level with respect to the tower 122 to keep the piece of equipment level when the mounting member 124 moves between the stowed position 200 and the use position 400. The V-shaped lifting member 138 may provide for a change in cylinder stroke from the stowed position 200 to the use position 400 of about a 7-inch extension of the cylinder 136 resulting in about a 39-inch height increase of the mounting member 124. Thus, the offset 160 of the V-shaped lifting member 138 may provide for about a 36-inch overall heigh difference of the mounting plate caused by about 7 inches of cylinder travel.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom, left-side perspective view 500 of the quick release assembly 162. FIG. 5 illustrates the quick release assembly 162 may comprise a first head member 502, a second head member 504, and/or a locking pin 506. The first head member 502 may be configured to couple to the joint 156. The second head member 504 may be configured to couple to the cylinder 136. The first head member 502 and/or the second head member 504 may be formed of metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, etc.). In an example, the first head member 502 may be formed of aluminum and the second head member 504 may be formed of stainless-steel. For example, the first head member 502 may be machined from aluminum and the second head member 504 may be machined from stainless steel. The first head member 502 may include a first through hole 508 and a second through hole 510. The first through hole 508 may be sized to accommodate receiving at least a portion of the joint 156. For example, the first through hole 508 may have a diameter of about 1 inch to accommodate receiving a shaft of the joint 156. The second through hole 510 may be sized to accommodate receiving at least a portion of the locking pin 506. For example, the second through hole 510 may have a diameter of about at least about inches to at most about inches to accommodate receiving a shaft of the locking pin 506. The first through hole 508 may be rotated about 90 degrees from the second through hole 510. For example, the first through hole 508 may be rotated about 90 degrees from the second through hole 510 so that the locking pin 506 that holds the first and second head members 502 and 504 together may be positioned into a relatively easier access location when the mounting member 124 is in the stowed position 200. For example, the first through hole 508 may be rotated about 90 degrees from the second through hole 510 so that the locking pin 506 that holds the first and second head members 502 and 504 together may be positioned proximate to the first lifting arm 144(A) when the mounting member 124 is in the stowed position 200. FIG. 5 illustrates the first head member 502 may include an opening 512 disposed in a bottom surface 514 of the first head member 502. The opening 512 of the first head member 502 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the second head member 504. FIG. 5 illustrates the second head member 504 may include an opening 516 disposed in a bottom surface 518 of the second head member 504. The opening 516 of the second head member 504 may be configured to receive at least a portion of a shaft of the cylinder 136.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded assembly view 600 of the quick release assembly 162. FIG. 6 illustrates the second head member 504 may include a through hole 602. The through hole 602 of the second head member 504 may be sized to accommodate receiving at least a portion of the locking pin 506. When the first and second head members 502 and 504 are coupled together, the through holes 510 and 602 may be aligned to accommodate receiving at least a portion of the locking pin 506.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates the second head member 504 may include an exterior tapered surface 604. The first head member 502 may include an interior tapered surface 606 arranged inside of the opening 512 of the first head member 504. The interior tapered surface 606 of the first head member 502 may replicate the exterior tapered surface 604 of the second head member 504 so that the interior tapered surface 606 of the first head member 502 may cooperatively mate with the exterior tapered surface 604 of the second head member 504. The interior tapered surface 606 of the first head member 502 may cooperatively mate with the exterior tapered surface 604 of the second head member 504 so that the cooperatively mating tapered surfaces 604 and 606 may receive a substantial majority of a force exerted via the cylinder 136 upon deployment of the mounting member 124. The cooperatively mating tapered surfaces 604 and 606 may receive a substantial majority of the force exerted via the cylinder 136 to prevent the locking pin 506 from bearing the force exerted via the cylinder 136. For example, the cooperatively mating tapered surfaces 604 and 606 may receive a substantial majority of the force exerted via the cylinder 136 to prevent the locking pin 506 from bearing the force exerted via the cylinder 136 and prevent the locking pin 506 from deforming (e.g., bending). Moreover, the cooperatively mating tapered surfaces 604 and 606 may also provide for easier alignment of the first head member 502 and the second head member 504 when coupling and/or decoupling the cylinder 136 to/from the V-shaped lifting member 138. For example, the cooperatively mating tapered surfaces 604 and 606 may provide for a smoother and/or larger clearance between the opening 512 disposed in the bottom surface 514 of the first head member 502 and the tip of the exterior tapered surface 604 of the second head member 504 to provide for easier alignment of the first head member 502 and the second head member 504 when coupling and/or decoupling the cylinder 136 to/from the V-shaped lifting member 138.

[0031] In an embodiment, the second head member 504 may be formed of stainless-steel to provide for welding the second head member 504 to at least a portion of the shaft of the cylinder 136. For example, the shaft of the cylinder 136 may be formed of stainless-steel and as such the second head member 504 may also be formed of stainless-steel to provide for welding the second head member 504 to the stainless-steel shaft of the cylinder 136. For example, the opening 516 of the second head member 504 formed of stainless-steel may receive at least a portion of a shaft of the cylinder 136 formed of stainless-steel and subsequently welded thereto.

CONCLUSION

[0032] Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the invention. For example, while embodiments are described having certain shapes, sizes, and configurations, these shapes, sizes, and configurations are merely illustrative.