WO2014195981A1

WO2014195981A1 - Mobile station for telecommunicacions

Info

Publication number: WO2014195981A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfredo Tremacchi
Original assignee: SMITT TECHNOLOGY Srl
Current assignee: SMITT TECHNOLOGY Srl
Priority date: 2013-06-07
Filing date: 2013-06-07
Publication date: 2014-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-07

Abstract

A mobile station for telecommunications comprises a shelter housing the control apparatus and electricity power supply suitable for enabling the station to function in a self sufficient manner, said shelter comprising a lower frame acting as a support base on the ground. The shelter further comprises at least one telecommunications post suitable for transmitting and/or receiving a radio signal. Said post is a telescopic post resting on a support base formed of a lateral extension of the lower frame. The shelter is sized so as to act as the sole means of support for said post even when said post is in a maximum extension in height configuration. Moreover, four lifting jacks extend from the lower frame, movable between a closed inactive position and an open lifting position, in which said lower frame is raised from the ground so as to enable loading of the station onto the loading deck of a lorry.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Mobile station for telecommunications"

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile station for telecommunications, in particular, an emergency station suitable for temporarily substituting a nonfunctioning fixed station or extending the cover of a telecommunications network.

[0002] As known, emergency mobile stations are transportable infrastructures used for putting into service point to point radio connections for a rapid extension of coverage of a telecommunications network, such as mobile phone network, for example to handle an increase in the volume of traffic in the case of extraordinary events (sports, music events, emergency situations, catastrophes, etc) or to temporarily replace a non-functioning station.

[0003] Various types of emergency mobile stations exist, each of which has different characteristics of use.

[0004] Generally, all the emergency mobile stations comprise a container for the apparatus known as a "shelter" which is composed of a container fitted so as to contain, during the transport phases, all the station infrastructures, assembly accessories, radiant members, storage batteries, electrical equipment and radio apparatus. [0005] One type of mobile station can be transported on a lorry and utilises a polygonal post, of a height of up to 30 metres and with a base rigidly attached, by means of a flanged joint, to a framework of bearing beams in turn anchored to a base made with pre-fabricated concrete elements .

[0006] Another type of mobile station is made as an infrastructure on a truck approved for road transport and suitable for being towed by motor vehicles with a tow bar. The aerial bearing post, with steps up to the top, is rigidly attached to the base framework and is composed of cylindrical flanged sections, supplemented with rows of forestays, with a height of up to 20 metres. The station is completed by lateral concrete ballast.

[0007] Truck-based stations exist with self-erecting telescopic posts able to reach a maximum height of 20 metres. Installation takes place by means of manual winches .

[0008] A similar solution of emergency mobile station, but larger, can be transported on a semi-trailer. The aerial bearing post, with a standard height of up to 30 m, is in steel and is composed of three telescopic tubular elements. Installation is performed by means of manual or electric winches.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a mobile station for telecommunications, of the type transportable on a semi-trailer, particularly fast and easy to install and not requiring for its installation either electric wiring or handling apparatus such as winches or cranes.

[0010] Such purpose is achieved by a mobile station according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the mobile station.

[0011] The characteristics and advantages of the mobile station according to the invention will, in any case, be evident from the description given below of its preferred embodiments, made by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0012] - Figure 1 shows, in a perspective view, the mobile station in a configuration with support arms on the ground and posts for aerials in a rearward position;

[0013] - Figure 2 shows a similar view to the previous, but with the support arms on the ground in a forward position

[0014] - Figure 3 shows the mobile station loaded on a semi-trailer;

[0015] - figure 4 is a plan view of the base framework of the mobile station ;

[0016] - figure 5 shows an enlarged detail of the base framework, relative to the clamping means of the framework to the loading deck of the semi-trailer;

[0017] - figure 6 shows, in a perspective view, the mobile station with the telescopic posts for aerials in the position of maximum extension;

[0018] - figure 7 is a transversal cross-section of the mobile station which shows the inside of the shelter.

[0019] In said drawings, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a mobile station for telecommunications according to the invention.

[0020] The mobile station 1 comprises a shelter 10 which houses control apparatus 12 and the electricity power supply 14 suitable for enabling the station to function in a self sufficient manner. The shelter 10 also houses at least one, preferably two, workstations 16, such as a desk and a chair. The shelter 10 has the structure of a container having a rectangular layout, with a floor 18, four side walls 20, 21 of which at least one fitted with an access door 22 and windows for aeration 24, and a roof 26.

[0021] The shelter 10 comprises a lower frame 30 acting as a support base on the ground. For example, said lower frame 30 is formed of struts 32 and crossbeams 34, preferably made from metal.

[0022] The mobile station 1 comprises at least one telecommunications post 40 suitable for transmitting and/or receiving a radio signal. In the preferred embodiment shown, the mobile station 1 is fitted with a central post 40 bearing a transmission aerial 42 and two lateral posts 44, each of which bearing a parabolic reception dish 46.

[0023] Said posts 40, 44 are telescopic posts resting, at the bottom end, on a support base 50 formed of a lateral extension of the lower frame 30. Preferably, said support base 50 extends from one of the two shorter sides of the shelter 10. In the case shown, the support base 50 has a length substantially equal to that of the shorter sides of the shelter 10. Preferably, the telescopic posts 40, 44 are placed beside each other parallel to said shorter sides of the shelter 10. Preferably, the telescopic posts 40, 44 are positioned as close s possible to the side wall 20 of the shelter 10 from which the support base 50 extends .

[0024] Said support base 50 defines an upper plane 50', for example a horizontal plane, to which the lower sections of the telescopic posts 40, 44 are anchored, for example by means of respective attachment flanges 52. Preferably, the extension of the support base 50 in the longitudinal direction, in other words parallel to the longer sides 21 of the shelter 10, is limited to the length needed to permit the anchorage of the attachment flanges 52. In other words, said longitudinal extension is only slightly greater than the plan dimensions of the telescopic posts 40, 44.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, each attachment flange 52 is an L- or perpendicular shape, that is has a horizontal portion 52' of anchorage to the support base 50 and a vertical portion 52" of anchorage to the side wall 20 of the shelter 10.

[0026] Preferably, the lower section of each telescopic post 40, 44 is also clamped to the side wall 20 of the shelter 10 and/or to the vertical portion 52" of the attachment flange 52.

[0027] Preferably, when in the closed configuration, each telescopic post 40, 44 is a height substantially equal to or less than the height of the shelter 10. In other words, in the transport configuration the telescopic posts do not project beyond the roof 26 of the shelter 10.

[0028] Te telescopic posts 40 44 are thus integral with the shelter 10. The shelter 10 is sized so as to act as the sole means of support for the telescopic posts 40, 44 even when said posts are in a maximum extension in height configuration. In other words, the shelter 10 acts as an anti-tipping ballast for the telescopic posts 40, 44 and no forestays or other anchorage devices of the posts to the ground are needed. The positioning of the telescopic posts 40, 44 beside each other and next to a side wall 20 of the shelter 10 makes it possible to reduce the distance between the base of said telescopic posts 40, 44 and the barycentre of the shelter 10.

[0029] It is to be emphasised that the support base 50 does not influence the transversal dimensions of the mobile station, that is, in the direction of the shorter sides, while longitudinally it extends only slightly beyond the longer sides 21 of the shelter 10. The mobile station 1 thus has a very compact structure and, seen in a plan view, overall dimensions determined substantially by the dimension of the shelter 10. The mobile station does not require the use of lateral ballast for the stabilisation of the telescopic posts, for example in concrete, which protrude significantly from the layout of the shelter 10. The mobile station 1 may thus be easily placed on the loading deck 101 of a semi-trailer 100 and installed even in limited spaces.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the mobile station 1 may be provided with a radio controller to control the orientation of the reception and/or transmission devices supported by the telescopic posts 40, 44 for telecommunications. [0031] Four lifting jacks 60 extend from the lower base 30, each fitted at one end with a foot resting on the ground. Said lifting jacks 60 are movable between a closed inactive position and an open active position, in which they permit said lower frame to be raised from the ground so as to enable loading/unloading of the mobile station 1 onto/off the loading deck of the semi-trailer, without the use of cranes, winches or other external lifting means .

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, said lifting jacks 60 are also movable between a transport position, in which they are folded back inside the lower frame 30 of the shelter 10, and a position of use, in which said lifting jacks 60 extend externally to the perimeter of said lower frame 30. In the configuration of use, said lifting jacks 60 thus permit, depending on how far they extend beyond the perimeter of the lower frame 30, the breadth of the support base of the mobile station on the ground to be increased.

[0033] To such purpose, each of said lifting jacks 60 is borne by a respective support arm 64 connected to the lower frame 30 and movable between a transport position, in which said support arm 64 and the respective lifting jack are recessed in the lower frame 30, and a position of use, in which said support arm 64 projects from the lower frame 30 to position the respective lifting jack 60 outside the perimeter of the lower frame 30.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the lower frame 30 has, perimetrally, two parallel horizontal struts 32 in each of which two seats 33 are made for a pair of lifting jacks 60. Each support arm 64, made for example with a hydraulic or electric actuator, is thus axially movable between a rearward position and a forward position, and rotatable around its own axis between a transport position, in which it directs the respective lifting jack 60 horizontally, and a position of use, in which it directs the respective lifting jack 60 vertically.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the lifting jacks 60 can be controlled independently of each other. This way, it is possible to differentiate the extension of the lifting jacks 60 to install the mobile station on uneven or not perfectly horizontal ground.

[0036] To such purpose, the mobile station 1 may be fitted with an inclination sensor suitable for detecting the degree of inclination of the mobile station in relation to the ground.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the lower frame 30 is fitted with locking means 70 suitable for engaging the loading deck of the semi-trailer to secure the mobile station 1 to said loading deck during transport. [0038] For example said locking means 70 comprise hydraulic or electric actuators 72 suitable for being operated to engage a guide rail 74 of the loading deck of the transport lorry.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the mobile station 1 is fitted with a hydraulic power unit 80 for the movement of the hydraulic devices present in the station, and in particular the telescopic posts 40,44, the lifting jacks 60, the support arms 62 and the locking means 70.

[0040] A person skilled in the art may make modifications and variations to the embodiments of the mobile station according to the invention, replacing elements with others functionally equivalent so as to satisfy contingent requirements while remaining within the sphere of protection of the following claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be realised independently of the other embodiments described.

Claims

1. Mobile station for telecommunications, comprising: a shelter, housing the control apparatus and electricity power supply suitable for enabling the station to function in a self-sufficient manner, said shelter comprising a lower frame acting as a support base on the ground;

at least one telecommunications post suitable for transmitting and/or receiving a radio signal,

characterised in that said telecommunications post is a telescopic post resting on a support base formed of a lateral extension of said lower frame, the shelter being sized so as to act as the sole means of support for said post even when said post is in a maximum extension in height configuration, and in that four lifting jacks extend from said lower frame, each fitted at one end with a foot resting on the ground, said lifting jacks being movable between a closed inactive position and an open lifting position, in which said lower frame is raised from the ground so as to enable loading of the station onto the loading deck of a lorry.

2. Mobile station according to the previous claim, wherein, when in the closed configuration, each telecommunications post has a height substantially equal to or less than the height of the shelter.

3. Mobile station according to the claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight of the shelter acts as ballast to prevent the tipping of the at least one telecommunications post, when said post is in the configuration of maximum extension in height.

4. Mobile station according to any of the previous claims, wherein the lower section of each telescopic post is anchored to the support base by means of a respective attachment flange.

5. Mobile station according to the previous claim, wherein each attachment flange has a horizontal portion of anchorage to the support base and a vertical portion of anchorage to a side wall of the shelter.

6. Mobile station according to the claim 4 or 5, wherein the lower section of each telescopic post is also clamped to a side wall of the shelter and/or to the vertical portion of the attachment flange.

7. Mobile station according to the any of the previous claims, comprising three telescopic posts for telecommunications resting on said support base, of which at least one is fitted with a mobile parabolic dish to receive a radio signal emitted by at least one other station for telecommunications and at least one fitted with an aerial for the transmission of a radio signal.

8. Mobile station according to the previous claim, wherein said three telescopic posts are placed beside each other parallel and adjacent to a side wall of the shelter.

9. Mobile station according to the any of the previous claims, wherein the shelter is suitable to house at least one workstation for an operator.

10. Mobile station according to the any of the previous claims, wherein said lifting jacks extend externally to the perimeter of the lower frame.

11. Mobile station according to the previous claim, wherein each of said lifting jacks is borne by a respective support arm connected to the lower frame and movable between a rearward position, in which said support arm and the respective telescopic arm are embedded in the lower frame, and a forward position, in which the telescopic arm is external to the perimeter of the lower frame.

12. Mobile station according to the previous claim, wherein the lower frame has, perimetrally, two parallel horizontal struts in each of which two seats are made for a pair of lifting jacks, each support arm being connected to the lower frame so as to be rotatable between a vertical position of use and a horizontal transport position.

13. Mobile station according to any of the previous claims, wherein the lifting jacks can be controlled independently of each other.

14. Mobile station according to the previous claim, comprising an inclination sensor suitable for detecting the degree of inclination of the mobile station in relation to the ground.

15. Mobile station according to any of the previous claims, wherein the lower frame is fitted with locking means suitable for engaging the loading deck of the transport lorry.

16. Mobile station according to the previous claim, wherein said locking means comprise hydraulic or electric actuators suitable for being operated to engage a guide rail of the loading deck of the transport lorry.

17. Mobile station according to any of the previous claims, comprising a radio controller to control the orientation of reception/transmission devices of at least one telecommunications post.