Abstract:
A bracket and a cable mounting system which includes a bracket with a center panel or channel and with magnetic pads located on the distal ends of the center panel or channel so that the bracket may be attached to a structure by magnetic attraction. The cable mounting system may also consist of two brackets set a distance apart and a support rail placed in between and coupled to the brackets.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part application to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/252,629 filed on Apr. 14, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/811,424 filed Apr. 12, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to brackets and mounting systems. More specifically, this disclosure concerns brackets and mounting systems used in elevated locations that are exposed to the outdoor and immersive areas. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Historically, equipment from communication and electrical installations including; coaxial cables, conduit, wires, and other components which vertically traverse elevated structures have been fastened directly to worker access structures including; ladders, ladder cages, and hand rails. These structures have provided an immediate solution for equipment fastening. However, this type of installation has historically presented unsafe working conditions for the workers by obstructing and encumbering movement and rescue throughout access areas. Additionally, these installations may cause maintenance and/or structural damage when installed on areas which lack initial design and structural capability. Aside from fastening communication devices onto the aforementioned areas, a traditionally more acceptable installation includes welding or banding of communication brackets and raceways along the length of vertical steel. Many of these installations, however, have historically been of high cost and are associated with additional safety, structural, and maintenance issues. 
         [0004]    The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration&#39;s (OSHA) current regulations stipulate against specific obstructive encumbrances upon or within worker or rescuer access areas. Other national U.S. and state agencies also provide regulatory and design stipulations further prohibiting obstructions into and within these areas. More specifically, traditional fastening of communication and electrical equipment onto areas such as ladders encumber the fluid motion of the workers&#39; hands when grasping and transitioning along the side-rails. Fastening devices such as clamps and bolted connections commonly encumber foot placement on rungs and further create abrasion risks for the worker or rescuer. Many coaxial cables used in the telecommunication industry emit radio-frequency waves. When workers and rescuers are subjected to these close-proximity coaxial cable installations they face exposure to radio-frequency waves which are known to cause bodily harm. 
         [0005]    Elevated steel structures and associated access structures are commonly coated with expensive corrosion resistant high performance materials in order to limit corrosion through environmental exposure to the steel. Many of these materials need to be maintained according to industry standards derived from the Society for Protective Coatings, the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, and the American Water Works Association. When scheduled for routine maintenance and renovation work, many of the aforementioned traditional fastening methods are difficult to temporarily move off of or away from the steel. In some cases coordination of a temporary removal of the communication equipment may allow for a non-obstructed steel structure during its time of maintenance. Many of these cables and antennae are temporarily re-erected onto a Cell-On-Wheels (C.O.W.) which is usually an expensive and logistically difficult scenario. Due to the cost of the telecommunication equipment and ownership, many steel structure maintenance providers are prohibited from removing or repositioning such equipment. It is common for this telecommunication equipment to remain fastened to the coated steel surface, presenting a surface preparation and coating obstruction. This, in turn, causes the obstructed steel areas to not receive the proper corrosion repair and application of coatings. Furthermore, many installations induce abrasion and corrosion to the steel structure through cyclic abrasive action between coatings and fastening connections and by increasing the moisture content below and adjacent to the fastening area. 
         [0006]    A traditional method of fastening communications equipment away from access areas includes weld-fastening coated steel stand-off brackets in series along the structural steel body. The cables can then be secured to these firmly welded “stand-off” brackets. Welding steel brackets onto the structure, especially an existing structure, is usually expensive, time intensive, requires specialized equipment and certification. In the case of weld-fasting onto a coated steel structures, the installation procedure must include abrasive removal of the coatings and steel in the areas of welding. This creates a breach in the homogenous corrosion resistance application to the steel which may cause accelerated corrosion if left improperly repair coated. Additionally, high temperatures induced from welding and grinding typically cause burning of the coatings near the site of the weld and obverse to the steel weld area. Proper repair of these areas include grinding of all affected areas to fresh steel and re-application of one or multiple coating layers which must also be matched for color and chemical compatibility. Traditionally, the obverse side of many of these installations are left inadequately or completely devoid of proper repair. 
         [0007]    Steel surfaces to which fastening must be accomplished between communication equipment and the steel surfaces vary greatly according to radii and angled corners. While welded “stand-off” brackets come in a variety of shapes and sizes, they are not specifically designed to tangentially surface match with these curves and angles of the underlying steel structure. Thus, these existing one-size-fits-all brackets do not maximize the surficial contact areas in order to provide the maximum amount application stability. Previous designs also create sharp contact areas which regularly cause sharp abrasion pinch-points to underlying coatings. Additionally, these installations are not low-profile when compared to the steel surface, creating obstructions within the cross-section of access areas. This existing high-profile issue causes a top-heavy high profile connection which may structurally fail when induced to seasonal external environmental forces such as wind and ice dynamic loading characteristic of elevated structures. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present disclosed technology consists of a bracket, as well as an improved mounting system for securing components to an elevated steel structure. The bracket has at least two legs which are angled or pivot in order to tangentially match the radius or angle of the structure to which the bracket is applied. This allows for increased surficial contact area between the distal end of the leg and the structure. Additionally, the bracket has a center connecting member into which exists at least one hole which receives industry standard “snap-in” cable fasteners, bolts, and other fastening devices. In one embodiment, the bracket has two sets of two legs detachably connected to the center connecting member and at least one hole in each distal end of the leg by which it may be attached to a structure by a screw, bolt, or other fastening device. 
         [0009]    In a second embodiment, the bracket has at least two angled legs and at least one magnetic pad attached to each distal end of each leg of the structure. The magnetic pad is comprised of a magnet firmly embedded into a corresponding socket. The magnet is solidly fixed in the steel socket, and the bracket can then be magnetically secured to a structure comprising a ferrous material through magnetic force. Tangential magnet surface to steel surface is optimized. 
         [0010]    In a third embodiment, the bracket has a low aspect ratio. This provides for a more stable bracket against exposure to the external forces common to elevated structures. In a fourth embodiment, the bracket has at least one hole in each of the at least two legs for the purpose of securing a cable using cable clamps, bolts, or other fastening devices. 
         [0011]    The brackets may also be inter-connected to one another along their traverse though connecting a series of rigid rails onto one or more fastening locations along the structure of the bracket. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket with magnetic pads attached at the distal end of the legs; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket utilizing a clamp embodiment for attaching components to the bracket; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket with support rail coupling members; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket depicting a cable secured to the bracket; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an embodiment of the cable mounting system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an embodiment of the cable mounting system employing support rails; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket depicting the aspect ratio. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0026]    As used herein the following terms have the following meanings: 
         [0027]    The term “distal end” shall mean the end of the bracket leg that is most distant from the center connecting member, channel or panel of the bracket. 
         [0028]    The term “aspect ratio” refers to the ratio of the height of the bracket when placed on a flat surface in relation to the distance from one distal end of a leg to the distal end of a leg on the opposite side of the bracket. For example, a bracket that measures 14 inches from distal end to distal end and that has a height of 4 inches from the center connecting member to a flat surface would have an aspect ratio of 4:14, or 28.6%. 
         [0029]    The term “radius of curvature” shall mean the radius of a circle that best fits the curve at that point on the structure. 
         [0030]    The term “angle of departure” shall mean the angle of incline or decline from which the leg members of a bracket extends away from the center panel, center connecting member or channel member of the bracket. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    The disclosed technology is directed to a bracket that is curved so that the curvature of the distal end of the legs is matched to the tangential radius or angle of the structure, such as a water tower, that the bracket will be secured to. The surface of the structure can be concave, convex, or form any number of angles. The bracket has at least one hole in the center connecting member, at least two legs that detachably connect and extend outwardly and downwardly from the center connecting member, and a distal end at each of the legs where the curvature of the legs is matched to the curvature of the structure to which the bracket is applied. 
         [0032]    According to OSHA regulations at 29 CFR 1910.27(d)(l)(vi), ladders are to have a clear width of at least 15 inches measured each way from the centerline of the ladder. Smooth-walled wells shall be a minimum of 27 inches from the centerline of rungs to the well wall on the climbing side of the ladder. Where other obstructions on the climbing side of the ladder exist, there shall be a minimum of 30 inches from the centerline of the rungs. According to the OSHA regulations at 29 CFR 1910.27(c)(4), the distance from the centerline of rungs, cleats, or steps to the nearest permanent object in back of the ladder shall be not less than 7 inches, except that when unavoidable obstructions are encountered. It is these federal regulations that limit the use of ladders for purposes of securing cable traverses and facilitate the use of the disclosed technology that can be secured to the structure proximate the ladder but sufficiently far away to avoid noncompliance with the federal regulations. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the bracket  100  disclosed herein is comprised of a center connecting member  110  detachably connected to two sets of two legs  120 . The distal end of each leg  130  contains at least one hole  140  through which a fastening device may be passed through and the bracket  100  may be adhered to a structure. The bracket  100  is preferably fabricated from a 10 gauge stainless steel alloy, such as austenitic 304 stainless steel. 304 stainless steel is composed of a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, combined with a maximum of 0.08% carbon. The legs  120  extend outwardly and downwardly to create a bracket with a wide stance and a low aspect ratio. The hole in the center connecting member  150  has a diameter preferably in the range of 0.10 to 1.25 inches in order to facilitate engagement with industry standard “snap-in” cable clamps, bolts, flexible fasteners such as zip ties, or other fastening devices to secure components. 
         [0034]    Because the curvature of the distal ends of the legs of the bracket are closely matched to the radius of curvature of the structure a high percentage of the designated surface of the legs of the bracket are in contact with the surface of the structure. Specifically, a designated portion of the legs are intended to engage the surface of the structure and maximizing that surface contact which creates a more optimal fastening. The surficial contact between the designated portion of the leg typically ranges between 50 and 100% and therefore improves the capacity of the bracket to withstand forces seeking to separate the bracket, i.e., wind shear and ice loading, from the building. Alternatively, the legs of a bracket may engage the surface of the structure along a tangential line of contact if the surface of the structure is highly curved and thereby limits the scope of surficial contact. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the bracket  200  disclosed herein is comprised of a center connecting member  210 , four legs  220 , at least one hole in the center connecting member  250 , and at least one magnetic pad  240  attached to the distal end of each leg  230 . 
         [0036]    One embodiment of the magnetic pad  240  is comprised of a rare-Earth alloy magnet  242  and corrosion resistant steel socket  244  with a corrosion resistant stem  246 . Rare-Earth magnets generally have the greatest magnetic field strength per weight ratio of permanent magnets currently and commonly available. The magnetic pads  240  are attached to the distal end of each leg  230  of the bracket  200  either by threading the stem  246  or by pushing the stem  246  through the structure of the bracket and subsequently securing the magnet assembly with a combination of rivet or locking washer, locking nut and/or chemical locking compound so that the magnetic pads  240  are solidly fixed. The steel socket  244  encases the magnet  242  and tends to magnetically focus the magnetic field into the ferrous surface to which the bracket  200  is attached. In operation, the rim of the socket  248  as well as the magnet  242  itself contacts the structure creating a broader surface area contact providing additional mitigation against sheer force. A magnet&#39;s pull force is based on many considerations, such as the diameter and thickness of the magnet, the grade of the magnet, and the distance the magnet is from a ferrous material. The magnets utilized in the disclosed technology may individually have a pull force of 60-120 lbs when connected closely and tangentially to a ferrous steel structure of substantial steel thickness. 
         [0037]    For additional strength and support, the surface area of magnetic pads  240  and the points of contact are spread to the distal end of each of the four legs  230 . Multiple magnetic pads  240  may be affixed to the distal end of each of the four legs  230  to increase the resistive sheer, moment, and vertical pull forces imposed onto the affixed bracket. 
         [0038]    The bracket  200  with magnetic pads  240  is readily adjustable or removable. The bracket  200  can be applied in a variety of weather condition and temperatures. Additionally, the bracket  200  is hand attachable and hand removable, though tool application may be used. 
         [0039]    As seen in  FIG. 3 , a preferred embodiment of bracket  300  disclosed herein has an aspect ratio of between 15% and 75%. An optimum open gap exists between the center connecting member  310  of the bracket  300  and the underlying structure. This improves aesthetics and maintenance operations. Four detachable legs  320  extend outwardly and downwardly from the center connecting member  310  to create a wide stance and allow the bracket to maintain a low profile. This wide stance also increases the moment force stability of the bracket. If magnetic pads (see  FIG. 2, 240 ) are affixed to the distal end of the legs  330 , the wide stance compliments the holding force of the magnets by lowering the center of gravity of the bracket and thus reducing the length of the moment arm. The hole in the center connecting member  350  may be between 0.10 and 1.25 inches in diameter to receive industry standard “snap-in” cable clamps  360 . 
         [0040]    The low aspect ratio exhibited on bracket  300  mitigates several forces by reducing the bracket&#39;s structural moment arm. Reduction in both static forces from sheer weight of the cabling system and also from dynamic forces induced from wind and other cyclic forces combine in improving the reliability of the fastening security to the structure. Elevated structures are exposed to unique external forces, such as high wind speeds and wind-driven precipitation which can apply substantial loads to the cable bracketing system. 
         [0041]    Additionally, the bracket  300  may be utilized where components extend horizontally across a structure, such as a bridge, as well as where components traverse elevated structures. 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, cable “snap-in” fasteners may have an opening in a center connecting member at the top of the fastener, wherein another cable fastener may be received into the top of the underlying “snap-in” cable fastener. The brackets may be sized and built to accommodate this increase in load forces. The cable clamps  360  can accommodate hard installations such as rigid conduit or flexible conduit or cables. Additionally, the cable clamps may be installed manually or with a tool application. 
         [0043]    Individual brackets can be further strengthened and transformed into an interconnected cable bracketing system by utilizing rigid support rails to attach multiple brackets in series. In  FIG. 4 , the embodiment of the bracket  100  disclosed herein, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , is shown in perspective view with support rail coupling members  170  attached to the bracket  100  between the distal end of the leg  130  and the leg  120 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of the cable mounting system  500  is shown as it pertains to one bracket  100 . The support rails  502  are secured to the bracket  100  by support rail coupling members  170 , which are attached to the bracket  100  between the distal end of each leg  130  and the leg  120  of the bracket  100 . A cable  180  is attached to the bracket  100  by fastening devices  190  attached to the bracket by utilizing the holes  150  in the center connecting member  110 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of the cable mounting system  500  is depicted as it applies to two brackets. The support rails  502  are secured to the bracket  100  through support rail coupling members  170 . A cable  180  is attached to the bracket  100 . The support rails  502  arc away from the structure to which the bracket  100  is attached and converge at the middle of the support rail  502  to attach to a support rail platform  504 . The cable  180  is attached to the support rail platform  504  by a fastening device  505  for the purpose of securing the cable  180 . The fastening device  505  could be a cable clamp, bolt, flexible fasteners such as zip ties, or other fastening device used to secure components. The support rail platform  504  provides cable stability and prevents the cables  180  from flailing under wind loads. The support rails  502  then arc back towards the structure and secure at the support rail coupling members  170  on the next bracket  100   a . As shown in  FIG. 7 , this cable mounting system  500  can continue for the entire traverse of the structure  506  to which the brackets  100 ,  100   a , and  100   b  are attached. 
         [0046]    The system  500 , like the brackets  100 , also has low aspect ratio to decrease the moment arm and increase the likelihood of the brackets  100  staying secured to the structure  506  when external forces are applied to the individual brackets  100  and the cable mounting system  500 . Interconnecting the brackets can create improved electrical grounding capability. 
         [0047]    The cable mounting system  500  further helps to keep the cables  180  away from the structure&#39;s surface  506 . Doing so provides several benefits such as reducing cyclic flexing of the cables. This reduces the likelihood of internal failure of the cable from cyclic internal stresses and also reduces contact abrasion between the cables and the underlying surface. This also facilitates the maintenance of the high performance coating materials used on many elevated steel structures. The distal end of the leg  130  may also be coated with a high performance corrosion resistant material. 
         [0048]    As seen in  FIG. 8 , an embodiment of the bracket  800  disclosed herein has a low aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is determined by the distance between the two distal ends of the leg  830  and the distance L, or the moment arm, between a surface and the center connecting member  810  of the bracket  800 . This aspect ratio is between 10% and 75%. The distance L can be decreased by further extending the legs  820  and distal end of the legs  830 . In  FIG. 8 , the bracket  800  is depicted as resting on a flat surface. In another embodiment, the surface may be curved to match the curvature of the distal end of the legs  830 . This would further decrease the distance L between the center connecting member  810  and the steel surface. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is an alternative embodiment of the bracket  900  comprised of a center connecting member  910 , two legs  920  that extend outwardly and downwardly from the center connecting member  910 , magnetic pads  940  attached to the distal end of the legs  930 , and a hole in the center connecting member  950 . The hole in the center connecting member has a diameter in the range of 0.25 to 0.85 inches.  FIG. 10  is an alternative embodiment of the bracket  900  comprised of a center connecting member  910 , two legs  920  that extend outwardly and downwardly from the center connecting member  910 , magnetic pads  940  attached to the distal end of the legs  930 , and a hole in the center connecting member  950 . In one embodiment the bracket  900  is oval-shaped.  FIG. 11  is an alternative embodiment of the bracket  900  comprised of a center connecting member  910 , two legs  920  that extend outwardly and downwardly from the center connecting member  910 , magnetic pads  940  attached to the distal end of the legs  930 , and a hole in the center connecting member  950 . In this embodiment the bracket  900  is triangular. Additionally, there is a magnetic pad  940  attached where the triangle comes to a point in the center connecting member  910 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  is yet another embodiment of the bracket  600  that utilizes a center panel  602  with first and second ends  604 ,  606 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 12  two leg elements  608 ,  610  extend outwardly from each of the first and second ends  604 ,  606  of the center panel  602 . A single leg element or two, or more, leg elements extending outwardly from the center panel  602  are contemplated with this design. At the distal end of each of the leg elements  608 ,  610  is a hinge  612 ,  614  that facilitates rotation of a mounting member  616  to each of the leg elements  608 ,  610 . The hinge  612 ,  614  utilizes an upper plate, or leaf  618 , secured to the leg elements  608 ,  610 . The upper plate  618  further comprises at least one knuckle  620 . The upper plate knuckle  620  is disposed between adjacent knuckles  621 A,  621 B of the mounting member  616 . A pin  624  passes through the knuckles  620 ,  621 A,  621 B forming the hinge  612 ,  614  and facilitates rotation of the mounting member  616  about the leg elements  608 ,  610 . The hinges  612 ,  614  accommodate at least a 180 degree rotation of the mounting member  616  about the leg elements  608 ,  610 . 
         [0051]    The mounting member  616  further includes at least one magnetic pad  626  attached thereto preferably with a riveted or threaded fastener  628 . To increase the holding power of the bracket  600  to the structure a plurality of magnetic pads  626  may be secured to the mounting member  616  spread across the length of the mounting member  616 . Because the mounting member  616  is secured with a hinge  612 ,  614  to the leg elements  608 ,  610  the mounting member  616  may assume an infinite number of angular orientations to maximize the surficial contact between the surface of magnetic pad  626  and the surface of the structure thereby maximizing the holding power of the magnetic pads and of the bracket  600  to the structure. The adjustability of the angular orientation of the mounting member  616 , and in turn the magnetic pads  626 , enhances the ability of the brackets  600  to hold tightly to the surface of a curved structure. 
         [0052]    As discussed above,  FIG. 12  reveals a bracket embodiment wherein the center panel  602  is substantially flat. A mid-line M-M is detailed in  FIG. 12  equidistant between two through holes  630  that effectively separates the bracket  600  into two portions that are mirror images of one another. The bracket depicted in  FIG. 13  also includes a mid-line M 1 -M 1  that denotes the location of a bend in the center panel  602 . The bend at the mid-line M 1 -M 1  further facilitates the capacity of the bracket  600  to accommodate attachment to the surface of curved structures. The range of the bend about the mid-line M 1 -M 1  can vary between near zero degrees to 45 degrees in order to accommodate varying surface configurations. The through holes  630  of the center panel  602  are utilized for securing components to the bracket wherein the components are typically, but not exclusively, conduits and cables. 
         [0053]      FIG. 14  reveals yet another embodiment of the bracket  700  for securing components to a surface of a structure. The bracket  700  comprises a channel member  704  further comprising first and second longitudinally opposed ends  706 ,  708  a floor  710  and opposed side walls  712 ,  714  separated by the floor  710 . The union of the floor  710  and walls  712 ,  714  occurs at the corners  716 ,  718  of the channel member  704 . The bracket  700  further comprises at least one leg element  720  outwardly extending from the channel member  704  and detachably secured with fasteners  705  to the channel member floor  710  and proximate to each of the first and second ends  706 ,  708  of the channel member, wherein the angle of departure of the at least one leg element  720  extending outwardly from the channel member is determined by, and customized to match the radius of curvature of the surface of the structure to which the bracket is to be attached. In addition, at least one magnetic element  722  is detachably secured with a fastener  723  to the leg elements  720 , wherein the magnetic element  722  maintains maximum surficial contact with the surface of the structure due to the precision matching, during fabrication, of the angle of departure of the leg elements  720  with the surface of the structure. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 , the leg elements  720  include an outwardly extending step segment  726  through which the magnetic elements  722  are secured. It is the step segment  726  angle relative to the leg elements  720  as well as the angle of the leg elements relative to the channel member  704  that during fabrication are matched with the radius of curvature or other unique configuration of the surface of the structure. 
         [0054]      FIG. 14  further reveals that the channel member side walls  712 ,  714  further comprise upper wall edges  728 ,  730  opposite the corners  716 ,  718 . The upper wall edges  728 ,  730  are arcuately bent downward to facilitate engagement with clips  732  for securing components, such as conduits and cables, to the bracket  700 . The floor  710  of the channel member has through holes  730  for securing the leg elements  720  and other components as needed. 
         [0055]    The various embodiments of the brackets detailed above provide a wide range of options for safely and quickly securing cabling and conduits to the exterior and interior surfaces of structures such as water towers. With some of the above detailed embodiments, the bracket legs are custom fabricated to match the radius of curvature of the structure in order to maximize the tangential surficial contact between the magnetic elements and the attachment surface. In other embodiments the magnetic elements are, for example, hinged and capable of readily aligning with the tangential surface of the structure. 
         [0056]    Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.