EP1376755A1 - A telecommunications antenna support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommunications antennae support structure with a supporting pole; at least twoarms mounted on and arranged independently about the pole and extending radiallyoutwardly from the pole. Each arm has a first end attached to the pole, and a secondfree end. At least one antennae is mounted on each of said free ends of said at leasttwo arms. A cover is provided for each of said at least two antennae; and a workplatform mounted about the pole for allowing access to the antennae and the covers.The invention provides a simple yet attractive design. The arrangement may bearranged to resemble a street lamp standard.

Description

Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to the field of telecommunication support structures forantennae. The telecommunication of interest in the present invention are wirelesscommunication where the support structure supports antennae which are used to receiveand/or transmit communications signals, for example radio, television or telephonecommunication signals. Of particular interest to the present invention is the field ofmobile phone communications and telecommunications antennae support structures foruse therewith. The structures often form part of a telecommunications base station.
Background and Object to the Invention
• Telecommunications antennae support structures have been long known. Increasinglyhowever it is desired to place the support structures (usually as part of a base station) inareas that have relatively high populations. For example in order to support a mobilephone network it is desirable that increasing numbers of telecommunications antennaesupport structures are used to transmit and receive mobile phone communication signalsfor many users and also to provide strong signals so that calls made are clear (voice dataand other data is not corrupted or distorted) and are not inadvertently dropped also andof course to ensure that the telecommunications network is available at all geographiclocations within a certain area. Planning authorities do not like some structures whichcan devalue properties and can be reluctant to grant permission to erect the structures.
• On the other hand however despite the accepted need for telecommunications antennaeincreasingly people in general do not like to have telecommunication antennaestructures near or close to their property or indeed any location where they spend time.There is a fear of the radiation emitted by the antennae on the support structure. Alsomany of these structures are found to be imposing and/or unattractive due at least in partto the necessity to have the antennae elevated above ground level. Accordingly it has become desirable to either locate these structures away from residential areas, in areaswhere they are not normally seen by the public, or to hide them away from view, forexample by placing antennae on top of tall buildings.
• However in areas where there are no tall buildings it is necessary to provide areasonably tall structure which will form part of a telecommunications network.
• It is also desirable to provide structures which will not be so undesirable to the generalpublic. Some attempts have been made to camouflage antennae, for example by creatingan antennae support structure that resembles a tree. Such structures are designed so thattheir function is not immediately evident.
• An objective of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution to theproblems associated with prior art telecommunication antennae support structure.
• When used in relation to the present invention the word "antennae" means atransmitting or receiving device for telecommunications and includes what is commonlyknown as a dish.
Summary of the Invention
• The present invention provides a telecommunications antennae support structurecomprising:
• a (central) supporting pole;
• at least two arms mounted on and arranged independently about the pole andextending radially outwardly from the pole, each arm having a first end attachedto the pole, and a second free end;
• at least two antennae, at least one antennae being arranged on each of said freeends of said at least two arms;
• a cover for each of said at least two antennae;
• a work platform mounted about the pole for allowing access to the antennae andthe covers.
• The present invention also provides a telecommunications antennae support structurecomprising:
• a (central) supporting pole;
• at least two arms mounted on and arranged independently about the pole andextending radially outwardly from the pole, each arm having a first end attachedto the pole, and a second free end;
• at least two antennae, at least one antennae being arranged on each of said freeends of said at least two arms;
• a cover for each of said at least two antennae;
• the arms being hollow or recessed to allow cables to run hidden in the arms.
• In a further aspect the present invention also provides a telecommunications antennaesupport structure comprising:
• a (central) supporting pole;
• at least two arms mounted on and arranged independently about the pole andextending radially outwardly from the pole, each arm having a first end attachedto the pole, and a second free end;
• at least two antennae, at least one antennae being arranged on each of said freeends of said at least two arms;
a cover for each of said at least two antennae, the covers being provided in two or moreparts which can be opened to allow access to the interior of the cover.
• Desirably the latter two embodiments also include a work platform such as describedabove.
• Accordingly the present invention provides a simple yet attractive solution to theproblems recited above. It is particularly desirable that the support structure of theinvention is arranged to resemble a street lamp, in particular a street lamp having at leasttwo lights. The arrangement is particularly designed to resemble a lamp standard.
• It is particularly desirable that the supporting pole is located centrally to thearrangement. Such a structure is often referred to as a monopole structure. The pole isdesirably a straight pole optionally formed by two or more pole portions. The polesections may be fitted end to end or joined side to side to form the pole. In onearrangement of the invention part of the pole (the part supporting the arms) isconstructed of metal such as steel; while the remainder of the pole is formed of analternative material, desirably a castable material such as concrete. The entire pole,whether in pole portions or not can be made of the same material. Desirably the pole isprovided with one or more conduits for receiving cables running to and/or from theantennae. In one arrangement the supporting pole is hollow. This allows cables to beaccommodated internally in the pole. In another arrangement the supporting pole isadditionally or alternatively provided with recessed channels (or grooves) on an exteriorthereof. This allows cables to be at least partially accommodatable within the channels(so that it does not project proud of the channel to any substantial extent). Desirably anentire cable is accommodated within a channel. In one particular arrangement thechannels run longitudinally (preferably in a straight line) from the base of the poleupwards. There are aesthetic advantages to having the cables running internally in thearms and/or internally and/or recessed in the pole. However there is also a significanttechnical advantage to having the cables recessed/carried internally in the pole is that thewind loading on the pole is substantially reduced. Similarly the loading on the arms isalso reduced. Wind loading can be high due to weight/size of the cables, in particular asthe length of the cable on the pole can be quite substantial. The wind loading combinedwith the weight of the cables themselves can cause great stress on the structure.
• Desirably there are between three and six arms mounted on, and arranged independentlyabout the pole. In one particularly desired construction at least one antennae is providedon the top of the pole. Some particularly desirable arrangements include those having atleast one antennae on the top of the pole and two, three or four arms (each supportingdesirably at least on antennae) mounted on or arranged independently about the pole. Inthis respect it is desired that the antennae/cover arrangement on the top of the pole issubstantially centred about a longitudinal axis of the pole (again desirably in a mannerresembling a street lamp).
• Desirably the arms are non-linear for example curved. In one particularly desiredarrangement the arms curve downwardly toward the base of the pole so that the secondfree end thereof is at a position lower than the first end thereof relative to the pole.
• Alternatively the arm may first extend upwardly and then downwardly or vice versa, inall cases desirably in a full or partial "s" or "u" shape. This allows for design ofparticularly attractive structures. It is particularly desirable that the arm has at least onegenerally u-shaped portion which is up-turned toward the top of the pole or down-turnedtowards the base of the pole.
• In one arrangement the antennae may be placed on the up-turned end of the arm so thateach of the arm forms a mounting base for the antennae, so that if desired the antennaeand/any associated cover may be centred about a longitudinal axis of the arm(s). Theantennae may sit higher than the general u-shape.
• In a second arrangement the antennae are attached to the down-turned end (againdesirably the antennae and/or cover are centred about a longitudinal axis of the arm) ofthe arm so that it can be mounted at a position lower than the general U-shapearrangement. One particularly attractive design is where the arms are each of a generalS-shape (in general having at least two bends in the arm).
• It is desirable that any single antennae or a group of antennae provided on a free end ofany given arm is/are cover by a cover. It will be appreciated that additional ("dummy")covers which do not house an antennae can be provided, for example, for aestheticreasons. It is particularly desirable that any cover provided surrounds (and desirablyentirely houses) the antennae. One particularly desirable arrangement is where the coverfits over the antennae. In particular it is desirable that the cover surrounds the antennaeand obscures it from view.
• In one particularly desirable arrangement where the antennae is up-standing ordependent from the free end of the arm, the cover surrounds the arm on all sides with an aperture provided in the cover through which the antennae and/or the arm extends toallow the antennae and the arms to be fixed one to another.
• In this respect it is desirable that the covers are each globe shaped. The term globe asused herein refers to a continuous solid cover (desirably with an aperture as describedimmediately above) and optionally with a top cover/lid. It is desirable that the cover is acontinuous solid (a closed cover) and may for example be transparent, translucent oropaque to visible light. Desirably it is translucent. It is particularly desirable that thecover does not interfere to any substantial extent with the telecommunication signalsemitted or received by the antennae. One particular material which is useful forconstruction of the covers of the structure of the present invention is fibreglassreinforced plastic (FRP). The cover can also be consider a protective shell and/orcamouflage. The wall thickness of the covers is desirably between 3 - 6mm. The coversare desirably weatherproof.
• Desirably the cover is of curvilinear shape, for example, of a spherical, elliptical or othersuch shapes, through it will be appreciated that it could have irregular/angular shapes.
• It is particularly desired that the covers are translucent to visible light, i.e. sufficientlyopaque to obscure the view of the antennae, but not so opaque that the covers may nottransmit visible light e.g. from an internal visible light source to the exterior thereof.
• In one particularly convenient arrangement the cover is divided in two or more partswhich can be opened to allow access to the interior of the cover (and thus the antennae).In one particularly desirable arrangement the cover has a top wall portion, side-wallportions and a base. Desirably an aperture is provide in the base. The side-wallssurround the antennae whenin situ. The top-wall portion desirably covers over the topof the antennae(in situ).
• The present invention extends to covers employed in the present invention.
• It is particularly desirable for all embodiments of the invention that the cover is providedin at least two portions for example as two parts which are relatively movable to open(preferable providing an opening in the side wall thereof). This may be done, forexample by providing the cover in two or more parts joined along one or morelongitudinal and/or transverse joints. Preferably at least one longitudinal joint isprovided (which in use runs top to bottom along the side-wall of the cover).Alternatively a removable or hinged portion may be provided in the side wall to form forexample an access door. In one arrangement the cover is desirably formed by two partshells (desirably substantially half shells) and the top portion is formed by a lid whichmates with the shells. It is also particularly desirable to form the cover in three portions(desirably substantially each a one third portion of the cover) to allow access at threeportions about the cover.
• Desirably an opening or access point is provided for each antennae or group of antennaeprovided. For example where three antennae are provided spaced approximately 120°apart about the pole desirably the cover opens to allow access at three points coincidingwith the positions of the antennae.
• Desirably the material of the cover is colourable by dyeing with a colorant, for example,a dye or other material which will colour the cover to any particularly desired colour.
• The covers of the invention may have a height of 0.5 to 2 metres with a suitable radiusfor example 0.4 to 1 metre.
• The cover(s) may be supported by the arms and/or the platform.
• As before the antennae may be single or grouped antennae comprising transmittingand/or receiving devices, for example, including dishes.
• The work platform mounted about the pole is desirable circular in shape and is mountedsufficiently close to the antennae to allow a person to work on the antennae from theplatform. Suitable therefore the platform is desirable located within 2m of each (at least those which are radially arranged and desirably within said distances of all antennae)antennae, more preferably within 1.5m of each antennae and where possible within 1mof the antennae. The platform may be provided with an access door for access throughthe platform to the walking distance thereof from the underside thereof.
• It is to be particularly noted that where the arms turn downwards along the pole it isdesirable that they and the platform are arranged so that the antennae (and anyassociated cover) is proximate the platform. In particular in certain embodiments of thepresent invention the platform is provided about the pole so that a part of an (desirablyeach) arm between the first fixed end and the second free end thereof passes through theplatform. As it is particularly desired that the arms are substantially identical in shapeand at substantially the same position relative to the pole, this may be achievedrelatively easily with the present invention. Allowing the arms to pass through theplatform at least once allows the working surface thereof to be placed closer to theantennae/covers that would otherwise be possible.
• In particular it is desired that the free end of the arms are located proximate to a top(working surface) of the platform. Desirably the arm passes through the platform twice.For example downward turning through the platform and then turning upwardly againand extending through the platform.
• In one arrangement at least one of the radially arranged antennae /cover assemblies is atleast partly supported by the platform. The arms could for example be arranged so thatall, or a substantial portion of, the weight of the antennae and/or cover is borne by theplatform. In such case the arms can be considered to be ornamental though theappearance is still that the antennae /cover is supported by the end of the arm.
• Desirably cables for the antennae run in the arms. For example the arms may be hollowto accommodate cables for the antennae. This is a particularly attractive arrangementwhere the cables may be hidden internally.
• The invention extends to the support structure shown in the accompanying figures.
Brief Description of the Drawings
• Figure 1 is a side elevational, part-sectional view, of a telecommunications antennaesupport structure of the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a (top) plan part-sectional view thereof;
• Figure 3 is a (top) plan enlarged part sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 1 of anantennae/cover assembly forming part of a telecommunication antennae supportstructure of the present invention;
• Figure 4 is a (top) plan enlarged part sectional/view along the line B-B of Figure 1 of analternative antennae/cover assembly forming part of a telecommunication antennaesupport structure of the present invention;
• Figure 5 is a front elevational view of a second support structure similar to that shown inFigure 1;
• Figure 6 is a third embodiment of a telecommunications antennae support structure ofthe present invention;
• Figure 7 is a fourth embodiment of a telecommunications antennae support structure ofthe present invention;
• Figure 8 is a fifth embodiment of a telecommunications antennae support structure ofthe present invention;
• Figure 9 shows a structure similar to the Figure 1 embodiment;
• Figure 10 shows a structure similar to the Figure 1 embodiment;
• Figure 11 shows a structure similar to the Figure 1 embodiment.
• Figure 12 shows a front elevational view of an alternative arrangement of a structureaccording to the present invention;
• Figure 13 shows a sectional view along the line C-C of the recessed pole of the structureof Figure 12; and
• Figure 14 shows a sectional view along the line B-B of a spherical cover forming part ofthe structure of Figure 12.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
• The present invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying Figures.
• Figure 1 shows a telecommunicationsantennae support structure 1 having acentralsupport pole 2 and a series of four arms 3 (all four arms are best seen in Figure 2). Thearms 3 are mounted on and arranged independently about thepole 2. Each arm extendsradially outwardly from (a side of) thepole 2 and has afirst end 4 attached to thepole 2and a second free end 5 (see Figure 1) on which antennae are arranged (mounted).
• Inparticular antennae 6 are provided on the free ends 5 of thearms 3. The antennae arenormal telecommunication antennae. Three dishes 7 (only two seen in Figure 1) also actas antennae within the meaning of the present invention. Thedishes 7 face in directions120° apart and are provided on a further supportingpole portion 8 which may beconsidered a portion of thecentral pole 2. Each antennae or set of antennae is providedwith acover 9. In the embodiment there are four antennae or sets of antennae and thusfour covers 9. A work platform (a pedestal) 10 which is circular in shape (flat diskshaped) is proved about the pole. In the embodiment shown the work platform extendsthe entire way (360°) about the pole and this is preferred.
• The body of thecentral supporting pole 2 may be made of steel or pre-stressed concrete,for example in the form of a pre-stressed concrete tube. The body may be hollow tofacilitate internal cabling and optionally access thereto and may for example support asafety ladder. The main body of the structure can come in a variety of lengths, such asfrom 5 to 20 metres long for example from 8 - 20m long. Normally it would be dividedin two or more sections for ease of assembly. Where concrete is used it can be dyed(steel can also be coloured) to a variety of colours so as to better blend the colours intothe surrounding environment.
• In the embodiment of Figure 1 the joint 12 indicates the boundary between the lowerconcrete section 13 and the upper steel section 14 (which includes pole 8). Up to about14 metres in height it would be normal to construct the support pole in only one piece.
• It will be appreciated that the position of the pole 14 may be placed on top of theremainder of thepole 13 which is first erected. Where the system is to be fitted to abuilding thesection 13 of the pole may be included. That part of the structure above thejoint 12 can be considered a structure within the present invention. A steel safety ring 11is attached to the pole approximately 1.1 m above the platform. The safety ring is usedfor attachment of safety harnesses for maintenance crew workers. Rungs can beprovided on the exterior of the pole to form a climbing ladder for maintenance purposesetc. to access the antenna.
• The (disk shaped) platform orpedestal 10 would normally be about 3 - 3.1m indiameter. Desirably in a grid portion, for example with steel concentric rings 15. Anunderneathcross arm support 16 supports the platform on the pole. If the weight of thecover/antennae is high relative to the support capability of the arm, or in any event it isuseful to have all or a substantial portion of the weight of the cover/antenna taken up bythe platform. In particular it is desirable however to maintain at least the illusion of theantenna (and also desirably the covers) being mounted on the ends of the arms.
• As will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2 (and indeed later Figures) it is desirable thatthe arms are arranged an equal distant apart about the pole.
• Figure 3 shows the central antennae/cover assembly, 7, 9 which sits on the top of thepole while Figure 4 shows the antennae/cover assembly 6, 9 four of which are heldcircumferentially about thepole 2. In Figures 3 and 4 (and indeed all the Figures) thecover 9 is formed of asolid shell 20 of fibreglass reinforced plastics. It is thus made ofmaterial that is sufficiently opaque to visible light to obscure the view ofantennae 7from view. However if desired one or more of the globes formed by the covers could belit up e.g. by a light source inside some or all of thecovers 9. Additionally oralternatively the entire structure may be lit up by an external light source e.g. a "uplighter".
• Thecover 20 is in three pieces or section respectively labelled 21, 22, 23 (in theembodiment each section is of equal size) so that thecover 9 can be removed/opened in each of three sections. Thesections 21, 22, 23 of the cover meet alongjoint lines 24. Inparticular it will be noted that removal ofsection 21 will allow access to oneparticularantennae 7 as will removal of each ofsections 22, 23 of the cover. A flange or rim 25 isformed on thetop surface 25 of the cover (the flange is also sectioned) matching thesections 21, 22, 23 of the cover. Theflange 25 is formed about acentral aperture 26.Theaperture 26 is covered using a lid or cover 28 (see Figure 1) which may be fixed tothesections 21, 22, 23 by bolts or other such fasteners throughapertures 27 provided intheflange 25. If desired the lid or cover 28 may also be provided in the same number ofsections as thecover 9. Thecover 9 incorporates a grip for the manually opening thecover. Thecover 9 may be profiled for example by forming a grip such as a recess orupstanding portion on at least one side of thejoint lines 24. In the embodiment agroove29 is provided symmetrically about the joint line. This allows for ease of manualgripping of eachsection 21, 22, 23 of thecover 9 for removal.
• Desirably parts of thecovers 9 which open are hinged to allow ease of access to thecover i.e. portions of the cover. It would be appreciated that it is not then necessary for amaintenance person to remove and place aside a separate piece of the cover in order tocarry out maintenance etc. and that antennae can be accessed conveniently.
• Figure 4 shows a top part-sectional view of the remaining cover/antennae assemblyformed about the pole.
• In general the arrangement is similar to Figure 3 though in this particular embodimentthecover 9 is formed of twohalf shelves 30, 31 which meet alongjoint line 32.Antennae 6 are present within thecover 9 and aflange 25 is provided with (a lessernumber of)apertures 27 for receiving both.
• One particular embodiment of the type oftelecommunication support structure 1 of thepresent is shown as an elevational view in Figure 5.
• It will be appreciated that in both Figure 1 and Figure 5 thearms 3 are of a general S-shape.In Figure 1 thearm 3 up-turn to form a generally u-shaped 41 portion. In the embodiment the free ends 5 of the arms point substantially vertically upwards. Theantennae 6 can thus be placed directly on top of the free ends 5 of the arm. Thecovers/antennae structures are thus easily centred about a longitudinal axis of the arms.
• Cable(s) can be run through thearm 3 to theantennae 6 easily. It will be noted in theembodiment of Figure 1 that thearms 3 extend through thepedestal 10 twice allowingthe cover/antennae arrangement to lie very close to theplatform 10 thus providing forease of access for maintenance. The sectional covers also allow for ease of removal of atleast part of thecovers 9 so that a maintenance person working on the platform does nothave to remove theentire cover 9 to access any given antennae.
• In the arrangement of Figure 5 thearms 3 do not extend through theplatform 10 butextend very close to it position again allowing for ease of access. Thearms 3 are stillgenerally provided with a u-shaped 41 proximate the free ends of the arms.
• Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a telecommunicationsupport structure of the present invention. It shows twocovers 9 concealing antennaespaced 180° apart about thecentral pole 2. No antennae/cover is provided at the top ofthepole 2 and a portion of thepole 40 normally a steel extension part to the otherwiseconcrete pole 2 extends upwardly from theplatform 10. A cover alone could beprovided on top of the pole for aesthetic reasons even if one additional antennae are notconsidered necessary.
• Figure 7 shows a further embodiment where three covers/antennae assemblies areprovided.
• Figure 8 shows a further alternative where four cover/antennae assemblies are provided.They are each equally spaced from the next about the pole. Like the embodiment ofFigure 6 no cover/antennae assembly is formed on theextension portion 40 of the pole.
• Figure 9 shows an arrangement generally similar to Figures 1 and 5 where there are 5cover/antennae. Four of which are spaced equal distantly about the tunnel on arms and 6 of which sits at the top of the pole. In the embodiment thepole 2 theplatform 10 and thearms 3 are generally indicated in darker shading showing that the colour of the pole canbe selected as desired e.g. by colouring concrete if the pole is made from concrete or byapplying an appropriate colour to steel if the pole is made of steel. In general thearms 3and theplatform 10 will be constructed of steel.
• Figures 10 and 11 show respectively a perspective and elevational view of atelecommunication structure 1 of the present invention having different shading (colour)achieved by dying concrete that the pole is made from or by colouring steel that the poleis made from.
• Figure 12 shows a further embodiment of the invention where thearms 3 again arecurved and end in downturned ends 5 on whichantenna 6 are arranged ( theantennae 6depend from the arms 3). Again as with previous embodiments covers 9 are providedabout the antenna and house them obscuring them from view. In the embodiment thethree upper covers are provided in a spherical shape. Theplatform 10 may be used tosupport some of the weight of the covers/antenna.
• As seen from Figure 13 thepole 13 is recessed for accommodating cables. In particularrecesses in the form of round bottomed channels 50 are provided, in one or more ofwhich, cable may be run.
• Figure 14 shows a sectional view of one of the spherical covers 9. It can be seen fromthe drawing that thecover 9 is provided in two shell-halves and is similar inconstruction to the covers described above.
• It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described inthe context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity,described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination.
• The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used hereinwith reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition ofone or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims (25)

1. A telecommunications antennae support structure comprising:

   a supporting pole;

   at least two arms mounted on and arranged independently about the pole andextending radially outwardly from the pole, each arm having a first end attachedto the pole, and a second free end;

   at least two antennae, at least one antennae being arranged on each of said freeends of said at least two arms;

   a cover for each of said at least two antennae;

   a work platform mounted about the pole for allowing access to the antennae andthe covers.
2. A telecommunications antennae support structure comprising;

   a supporting pole;

   at least two arms mounted on and arranged independently about the pole andextending radially outwardly from the pole, each arm having a first end attachedto the pole, and a second free end;

   at least two antennae, at least one antennae being arranged on each of said freeends of said at least two arms;

   a cover for each of said at least two antennae;

   the arms being hollow or recessed to allow cables to run hidden in the arms.
3. A telecommunications antennae support structure comprising;

   a supporting pole;

   at least two arms mounted on and arranged independently about the pole andextending radially outwardly from the pole, each arm having a first end attachedto the pole, and a second free end;

   at least two antennae, at least one antennae being arranged on each of said freeends of said at least two arms;

   a cover for each of said at least two antennae;

   the covers being provided in two or more parts which can be opened to allowaccess to the interior of the cover.
4. A telecommunication antennae according to claim 2 or claim 3 furthercomprising a work platform.
5. A telecommunication antennae according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the covers areprovided in two or more parts which can be opened to allow access to the interior of thecover.
6. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim which is arranged to resemble a street lamp.
7. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein the supporting pole is located centrally to the arrangement.
8. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to preceding claimwherein the pole is formed by two or more pole portions.
9. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein the pole is provided with one or more conduits for receiving cablesrunning to and/or from the antennae.
10. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein the supporting pole is provided with recessed channels on an exteriorthereof.
11. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein between three and six arms are mounted on, and arranged independentlyabout the pole.
12. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein at least one antennae is provided on the top of the pole.
13. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein at least one cover is provided on top of the pole.
14. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein the said at least two arms are of a general S-shape.
15. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any preceding claimwherein said at least two antennae are up-standing or dependent from the free end of anarm.
16. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein said cover is globe shaped.
17. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to claim 16 whereinthe cover is of curvilinear shape.
18. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to on of claims 1, 2or 4 to 17 wherein the covers are comprise two or more parts which can be opened toallow access to the interior of the cover.
19. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to claim 14 whereinthe cover are desirably formed by two or three- part shells.
20. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein the platform is located within 2m of each radially arranged antennae,more preferably within 1.5m of each antennae for example within 1m of the antennae.
21. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to any precedingclaim wherein the said at least two arms pass through the platform at least once.
22. A telecommunications antennae support structure according to claim 1 or claims4 to 21 wherein said at least two arms are hollow for accommodating cables for theantennae.
23. A telecommunications antennae support structure substantially as described hereinwith reference to and/or as discussed in the accompanying figures.
24. A cover for covering a telecommunications antennae comprising a hollow shellwithin which the antennae is/are housable the cover being provided in two or more partswhich can be opened to allow access to the interior of the cover.
25. A cover according to claim 24 wherein the cover is sectioned.

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