Wireless remote control system for extendable masts

• US 7,062,221 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
• Original Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
• Inventors: Christensen, Jerry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Doris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Tan
• Application Number:
  US10/114,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 455/3.01, 455/562.1, 455/273, 455/267.1, 455/3.03, 362/385, 362/526, 343/882, 343/901, 343/702, 348/64, 348/144, 137/1, 137/615, 340/825.69, 340/825.37, 340/310.11, 375/133, 375/132
• US Class Current: 455/3.01
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A wireless remote control system is provided for use with an extendable mast arrangement. The wireless remote control system includes a wireless remote control and a base. The wireless remote control has an operator interface for the input of mast control commands and/or devices on the mast and a transmitter for outputting electromagnetic waves that correspond to mast control and/or other device commands inputted by the operator. The base includes a receiver for receiving electromagnetic control commands from the wireless remote control, and a converter for converting the electromagnetic control commands into electric command signals suitable for the control system of the extendable mast arrangement. The base is in electrical communication with the control system of the extendable mast arrangement and is configured to communicate the electrical command signals to the control system.

Claims

1. A wireless remote control system for retrofitting an extendable mast arrangement having an existing control system for wireless remote control operation, the extendable mast arrangement including a communication port for a wired control pad, said wireless remote control system comprising:

a wireless remote control that generates at least one command signal corresponding to at least one function of said mast arrangement; and

,

a base unit adapted to receive said command signals from said wireless remote control, said base unit used in place of the wired control pad and adapted to engage said communication port to place said base unit and the existing control system in electrical communication to thereby communicate control signals to said existing control system.

2. The wireless remote control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said generated command signal includes an electromagnetic signal.

3. The wireless remote control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said base unit includes a converter to convert said received command signals to said control signals that are recognized by said existing control system.

4. The wireless remote control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said command signals operate at least one function of a device connected to said mast.

5. The wireless remote control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said base unit is detachably connected to said existing control system.

6. A wireless remote control system for converting an extendable mast arrangement from wired remote control operation to wireless remote control operation, the extendable mast arrangement being supported on a vehicle and having an existing mast control system adapted to receive electrical impulses from an associated wired control unit through a communication port, said wireless remote control system comprising:

a wireless remote control adapted to generate a command signal corresponding to a function of the mast arrangement; and

,

a base unit adapted to engage said communication port in place of the associated wired control unit, receive said command signal from said wireless remote control, and to communicate a corresponding control signal to the control system.

7. The wireless remote control system as defined in claim 6, wherein said base unit is detachably connected to the control system at said communication port.

8. The wireless remote control system as defined in claim 6, wherein said command signal operates at least one function of a device connected to said mast arrangement.

9. The wireless remote control system as defined in claim 6, wherein said base unit includes a converter to convert said received command signals to said control signals that are recognized by said control system.

10. A method of outfitting an extendable mast system with a wireless remote control system, said extendable mast system having an existing wired control system including an existing wired control pad and a communication port for connecting with said existing control pad, said method comprising:

providing a wireless remote control adapted to output command signals in the form of electromagnetic waves and a base unit adapted to receive said command signals in the form of electromagnetic waves from said wireless remote control;

placing said base unit in electrical communication with the existing control system through said communication port; and

,

converting said electromagnetic waves into electrical impulses communicable to the existing control system.

11. The method as defined in claim 10, including the step of detachably connecting said base unit to said existing control system.

12. A method of converting an extendable mast system operative by wired remote control for operation using a wireless remote control system, said extendable mast system having a mast control system and a wired remote control unit adapted to communicate a control signal as an electrical impulse to said mast control system through a communication port, said method comprising steps of:

a) providing a wireless remote control adapted to generate a command signal corresponding to a function of the mast arrangement and providing a base unit adapted to receive said command signal from said wireless remote control;

b) placing said base unit in electrical communication with a mast control system through said communication port in place of the wired remote control; and

,

c) converting said command signals into corresponding control signals communicable to the mast control system through said communication port.

13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising a step of removing the wired remote control unit from electrical communication with the mast control system prior to step b).

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said base unit includes an electrical cord having a plug formed thereon that is complimentary to said communication port and step b) includes interengaging said plug and said communication port.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of communicating said command signal from said wireless remote control to said base unit.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said command signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave, and said step of communicating includes broadcasting said electromagnetic wave between said wireless remote control and said base unit.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said wireless remote control and said base unit includes a transmitter and said base unit includes a receiver, said step of communication includes broadcasting said electromagnetic wave from said wireless remote control to said base unit.

18. A wireless remote control conversion kit for use with an associated extendable mast having an associated existing mast control system adapted to receive electrical impulses from an associated wired control unit through an associated communication port and for converting the associated mast system for wireless remote control operation, said wireless remote control kit comprising;

a wireless remote control unit adapted to generate a mast command signal corresponding to a function of the associated extendable mast system; and

,

a base unit having an electrical cord extending therefrom and terminating at a plug complimentary to the associated communication port, said base unit adapted to output an electrical impulse corresponding to said command signal along said electrical cord to said plug.

19. A wireless remote control kit according to claim 18, wherein said mast command signal is in the form of an electromagnetic signal broadcast between said wireless remote control and said base unit.

20. A wireless remote control kit according to claim 18, wherein said base unit includes a converter adapted to convert said mast command signal into a control signal in the form of said electrical impulse that is recognizable by the associated mast control system.