Pneumatically telescoping mast having DC operated controls

• US 7,989,979 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
• Original Assignee: The Will-Burt Company
• Inventors: Christensen, Jerry Albert, Burgess, Scott Alan, Bohurjak, Michael Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman; Jared J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amrany; Adi
• Application Number:
  US10/950,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20050241885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,500 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/112
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 9/04 actuated pneumatically or hydraulically platforms for lifting or lowering through short distances B66F7/00

Abstract

A control system for a pneumatically operated mast has a first control, a second control, and a positioning member. A first serial link communicates the first control with the second control. A second serial link communicates the second control with the positioning member. A relay system communicates with the first and second control and the positioning member. The relay system accommodates a 12 voltage or 24 voltage source.

Claims

1. A control system for a vehicle mounted pneumatically operated mast, comprising:

a first control comprising a plurality of switches for powering lights and moving said mast and an LED digital message display which indicates a plurality of fault codes related to powering lights and moving said mast wherein said message display comprises at least the following fault codes;

Err U, N wherein Err is for error, U is for a specific band number and N is for a specific fault;

wherein U is given a specific value of one, two or three for said first control, a second control and a positioning member;

wherein a first serial link communicates said first control with said second control, wherein said first serial link comprises an RS-485 link, and a second serial link communicates said second control with said positioning member;

a relay system communicating with said first and second control and said positioning member, wherein said relay system comprises;

a first input connected to a 12 volt source;

a second input connected to a 24 volt source;

an output connected to the first and second control and said positioning member; and

a relay to select between the 12 volt source and the 24 volt source and to selectively outputs one of the voltages;

a pulse width modulator communicating with said relay system to adjust the outputted power to 12 volts; and

,

a contact closure provided to indicate when the mast is in a fully stowed position, said contact closure communicates with said second control.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein said second serial link comprises a RS-485 link.

3. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a pulse width modulator communicating with said relay system to adjust voltage output to be 12 volts.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein said positioning member provides AC power to an associated light system of said mast.

5. The control system of claim 1, wherein said second control provides DC power to said positioning member.

6. The control system of claim 1, further comprising an input system in communication with said second control for initiating and disengaging power to said mast.

7. The control system of claim 6, wherein said input system comprises a first input that initiates power to said mast when said first input is placed in a closed position.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein said input system further comprises a second input that disconnects power from said mast when said second input is placed in a opened position.

9. The control system of claim 8, further comprising an actuator communicating with said first input and said second input to activate one of said first input and said second input.

10. The control system of claim 9, wherein said actuator is moved to a first position to activate said first input.

11. The control system of claim 9, wherein said actuator is moved to a second position to activate said second input.

12. The control system of claim 7, wherein said first input is momentarily closed prior to raising said mast via said first control.

13. The control system of claim 1 wherein said contact closure is opened by raising the mast from its stowed position.

14. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a pair of valves, wherein a first valve acts as an air valve and a second valve acts as a vent valve, wherein said valves are in communication with an air supply connected to said mast assembly.

15. The control system of claim 14, wherein energization of said first and second valves raises said mast to an elevated position.

16. The control system of claim 14, wherein energization of said vent valve maintains a position of said mast.

17. The control system of claim 14, wherein de-energization of said air valve and said vent valve lowers said mast to a stowed position.

18. The control system of claim 14, wherein said first valve is a three-way valve.

19. The control system of claim 14, wherein said second valve is a three way valve.

20. The control system of claim 1 wherein said first control comprises a hand-held remote control.

21. The control system of claim 20, wherein said first control comprises a keypad comprising said switches, wherein said switches comprise at least the following:

Pan Left, Pan Right, Left Lights, Auxiliary Lights, Right Lights.

22. The control system of claim 1, wherein said second control is positioned on a base of said associated mast.

23. The control system of claim 1, wherein said positioning member is positioned adjacent a top end of said mast.

24. The control system of claim 1, wherein said second serial link comprises a pair of wires.

25. The control system of claim 1, wherein said 12 voltage source is a vehicle power supply and said 24 voltage source is a self-contained power supply separate from the vehicle power supply.