Mast with a mechanism for pivoting the elongate post
A mast ( 10 ) which includes an elongate post ( 12 ) with a first end ( 14 ) and a second end ( 16 ), the first end ( 14 ) being pivotally secured to a ground-engaging support base, at least a first mechanism ( 22 ) to restrict pivotal movement of the post ( 12 ), a winch ( 26 ) which is attached to the post ( 12 ), and a cable ( 28 ) which is engaged with the winch ( 26 ) and which is secured at one end to an anchor ( 30 ), wherein the winch ( 26 ) is actuable to allow the post ( 12 ) to pivot, from an elevated position, in a first direction ( 54 ) which lowers the post ( 12 ) against the action of the movement restricting first mechanism ( 22 ), and which is actuable to pivot the post ( 12 ) in a second direction ( 56 ) which opposes the first direction ( 54 ) to elevate the post ( 12 ).
1. A mast ( 10 ) which includes an elongate post ( 12 ) with a first end ( 14 ) and a second end ( 16 ), the first end ( 14 ) being pivotally secured to a ground-engaging support base ( 20 ), a first mechanism ( 22 ) attached to and between the post ( 12 ) and the base ( 20 ), a winch ( 26 ) which is attached to and which is movable with the post ( 12 ), a member ( 32 ) which is fixed to the support base ( 20 ) and which includes an anchor point ( 30 ) at an elevated position relative to the base ( 20 ), a cable ( 28 ) which is engaged with the winch ( 26 ) and which is secured at one end to the anchor point ( 30 ), and wherein the winch ( 26 ) is actuable to allow the post ( 12 ) to pivot about the first end ( 14 ), from an elevated position, in a first direction ( 54 ) against the action of the first mechanism ( 22 ) which acts between the post ( 12 ) and the support base ( 20 ) to allow controlled gradual pivotal movement of the post ( 12 ) as the post ( 12 ) is lowered in the first direction ( 54 ) to a predetermined angular extent relative to the vertical, and which is actuable to pivot the post ( 12 ) in a second direction ( 56 ) which opposes the first direction ( 54 ) to elevate the post ( 12 ).
2. A mast ( 10 ) according to claim 1 wherein the first mechanism ( 22 ) includes a piston and cylinder arrangement ( 24 ).
3. A mast ( 10 ) according to claim 2 which includes a second mechanism ( 34 ) which comprises a free-hanging elongate body ( 36 ) which is pivotally attached to the post ( 12 ) and which is movable under gravity action automatically to take up an orientation which allows the body ( 36 ) to be ground-engaging to support the post ( 12 ) and to prevent further pivotal movement of the post when the post ( 12 ) is lowered to a predetermined orientation relative to the vertical.
4. A mast ( 10 ) according to claim 1 which includes a second mechanism ( 34 ) which comprises a free-hanging elongate body ( 36 ) which is pivotally attached to the post ( 12 ) and which is movable under gravity action automatically to take up an orientation which allows the body ( 36 ) to be ground-engaging to support the post ( 12 ) and to prevent further pivotal movement of the post when the post ( 12 ) is lowered to a predetermined orientation relative to the vertical.
5. A mast ( 10 ) according to claim 1 wherein the post ( 12 ) includes a flange ( 40 ) at the first end ( 14 ) which is pivotally secured to the support base ( 20 ).
6. A mast ( 10 ) according to claim 1 which includes components ( 50 ) mounted at the second end ( 16 ) of the post ( 12 ) and wherein the components ( 50 ) include sensing, monitoring, surveillance, communication and security components.
7. A mast ( 10 ) according to claim 6 which includes deterrent elements ( 52 ) that are secured at an elevated position to the post to protect the components ( 50 ) and wherein the deterrent elements ( 52 ) include razor wire, barb wire, barb tape, or spikes.