Abstract:
A user-terminal clamp that receives a user terminal of a satellite communications system, wherein the clamp clamps to a roof of a structure in either of two orthogonal orientations. The clamp includes a frame having a pair of movable clamping members that are actuated by a handle. The frame includes slots or channels that receive ribs that are disposed on the underside of the user terminal.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES 
       [0001]    This case claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/310,922 filed Mar. 21, 2016 and incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to user terminals for satellite communications systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Satellite systems for bringing low-cost broadband internet service to any location on the earth are currently being developed. Such systems typically include gateway antennas that link the internet to a fleet of non-geostationary satellites, which in turn link to inexpensive user terminals positioned on the earth. The user terminals deliver internet connectivity to residences and businesses. 
         [0004]    The inexpensive user terminal mentioned above includes an antenna that requires an unobstructed view over a large section of the sky in all azimuthal directions (north, south, east, and west directions) in order to receive uninterrupted service from the satellites. 
         [0005]    Individual users with a minimum of expertise are likely to be mounting and installing the user terminal on the roof of their residences or businesses. Accordingly, an inexpensive and easy-to-use device is needed for enabling a user to securely couple the user terminal to a roof. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a clamping device that, without the use of tools, clamps to structure, such as a wall or roof of a building, etc., in either of two orthogonal orientations and receives a user terminal, as mentioned above. 
         [0007]    A user-terminal clamp in accordance with the illustrative embodiment includes a frame having a pair of movable clamping members that are actuated by a handle. By virtue of the structure of the frame, the mounted user terminal has the same orientation (e.g., with respect to the ground) regardless of the clamping orientation. The frame includes a coupler to couple the user terminal to the user-terminal clamp. In the illustrative embodiment, the coupler comprises slots or channels that receive ribs that are disposed on the underside of the user terminal. 
         [0008]    The handle is operatively coupled to an internally disposed actuation mechanism, which includes a cable, a cable ramp, a pulley, and a cable tensioner. The actuation mechanism couples to the clamping members. Rotation of the handle thus causes the clamping members to move; in particular, to a clamping position. 
         [0009]    The cable ramp, by virtue of its shape, imparts a variable rotary motion. The cable is attached to one end of the cable ramp; the other end of the cable is coupled to one or more cable tensioners. In the illustrative embodiment, the cable tensioners are anchored within at least one of the clamping members. The cable ramp is operatively coupled to the handle, so that when the handle is rotated, the cable ramp rotates as well. 
         [0010]    When the user-terminal clamp is in a fully open, un-tensioned state, the cable ramp is in a first position that effectively creates a relatively shorter path for the cable between its two points of attachment. Partial rotation of the handle moves the cable ramp towards a second position that effectively lengthens the path for the cable between its two points of attachment. The lengthening of the path, for the (fixed length) cable creates a tension that draws the clamping members upward to a clamping position. 
         [0011]    The user-terminal clamp includes two features that impart adjustability in terms of the thickness of the structure to which the clamp attaches. Varying thickness is accommodated, primarily, via the cable tensioner(s). When clamping to a relatively thicker member, less travel of the clamping members is required. In such a situation, the clamping members engage the structure when the handle and cable ramp have only moved through a portion of the total available rotation. As the handle (and cable ramp) are rotated to their final position, the cable tensioner(s) stretch (tension) or compact (compression) depending on their design, to accommodate the remaining rotation of the handle. The tension imparted to the cable provides a clamping force. Because of this particular arrangement, the clamp provides a greater clamping force when clamping to a relatively thicker structure than a relatively thinner one. 
         [0012]    The second feature that imparts adjustability is foam pads that are disposed on the clamp heads of the clamping members. In some embodiments, the clamp is formed from metal. A plastic housing overlies the metal structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1A-1B  depict perspective views of the user-terminal clamp coupled to a user terminal. The two figures depict the user-terminal clamp being used in two different orientations. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  depicts a first perspective view of an embodiment of a user-terminal clamp in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  depicts a second perspective view of the user terminal-clamp of  FIG. 2A , showing the internal actuation mechanism. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A-3C  depict the handle of the user-terminal clamp being partially rotated ending with the clamp making contact with a structure being clamped (not depicted). 
           [0017]      FIG. 3D  depicts the action of the cable tensioner to enable full handle rotation and clamping. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict the cable system and the positions of the cable ramp corresponding to the states (i.e., positions of the handle of the user-terminal clamp) depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3D . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  depicts installation of the user terminal wherein the clamp is clamping in a horizontal orientation, such as when mounting to a roof eave. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  depicts installation of the user terminal wherein the clamp is clamping in a vertical orientation, such as when mounting to a parapet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict user-terminal clamp  102  coupled to a user-terminal  100  for clamping the user terminal to the structure (not depicted). User terminal  102  includes antenna  560  and supporting electronics  560  enclosed by radome  560  (see  FIG. 5B ). 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  depicts user-terminal clamp  102  in a horizontal orientation, such as for mounting to a roof eave.  FIG. 1B  depicts user-terminal clamp  102  in a vertical orientation, such as for mounting to a parapet. 
         [0023]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , user-terminal clamp  102  includes frame  104  comprising two support members  105  and  106  that are in parallel, spaced-apart relation to one another. Each support member comprises two segments that are disposed orthogonally to one another. In particular, support member  105  includes horizontal support segment  105 A and vertical support segment  105 B. Likewise, support member  106  includes horizontal support segment  106 A and vertical support segment  106 B. 
         [0024]    Paired horizontal supports segments  105 A and  106 A couple to and support user terminal  100  when user-terminal clamp  102  is being used in a horizontal position, as in  FIG. 1A . Paired vertical supports segments  105 B and  106 B couple to and support user terminal  100  when user-terminal clamp  102  is being used in a vertical position, as in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0025]    User-terminal clamp  102  further includes clamping members  108 A and  108 B. Clamping region  110  is defined between a portion of the clamping members and horizontal supports segments  105 A and  106 A. In use, the portion of the structure (e.g., eaves, parapet, etc.) to which user-terminal clamp  102  is to be clamped is positioned in clamping region  110  and the clamp is then tightened to the structure. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict, via perspective views, further detail of user-terminal clamp  102 . As depicted in these figures, frame  104  of the user-terminal clamp is u-shaped, wherein portion  107  bridges the separation between spaced support members  105  and  106 . In some embodiments, portion  107  is attached to support members  105  and  106  (e.g., welded, soldered, glued, bolted, etc.). In the illustrative embodiment, frame  104  is formed as a unitary, monolithic structure. For use in this disclosure and the appended claims, portion  107  is referred to as a “bridging portion” of the frame, which designation applies to embodiments in which the frame is assembled from individual members as well as embodiments in which the frame is formed as a unitary, monolithic structure. 
         [0027]    Horizontal support segments  105 A and  106 A each include channel or slot  211 A. The slot receives ribs, bosses, or other type of projections (hereinafter simply “ribs”) disposed on the bottom of user terminal  100  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 5A and 5B ), thereby enabling user-terminal clamp  102  and user terminal  100  to couple to one another. 
         [0028]    Each slot  211 A includes widened entry region  213 A, which facilitates insertion of the ribs of the user terminal into the slots. Slot  211 A includes a locking feature for immobilizing a rib of the user terminal in the slot. In the illustrative embodiment, the locking feature is lip  212 A, which runs along the length of the outer edge of the slot. To couple a user terminal to user-terminal clamp  102 , the (two) ribs disposed on the base of the user terminal are slid into the two slots  211 A. With each slot, the rib is inserted such that a coupling feature of the rib (e.g., protrusions extending from the outer edge the rib, an upper edge of the outer edge of the rib, etc.) is disposed below the underside of lip  212 A. This immobilizes the rib and, hence, the user terminal. To disengage the user terminal from the user-terminal clamp, the rib/user terminal is slid out of slot  211 A. Each slot  211 B functions in the same manner as slots  211 A to couple a user terminal to the user-terminal clamp for a vertical clamping application. In some other embodiments, the locking feature could include two lips, one on each side of the slot, or a lip on the inside edge of the slot, or the lips could be on the right edge of each slot or the left edge of each slot. 
         [0029]    Another salient feature of user-terminal clamp  102  are clamping members  108 A and  108 B. The clamping members are rotatably coupled to the vertical support segments  105 B and  106 B near the base thereof at pivot point  238  (not visible in  FIG. 2A ; see  FIG. 2B , the pivot point attachment at vertical support segment  105 B is obscured.) 
         [0030]    Each clamping member includes arm  216  and clamp head  218 . In the illustrative embodiment, clamp head  218  is rigidly fixed to arm  216 . In some other embodiments, clamp head  218  is rotatably coupled to arm  216 . 
         [0031]    Resilient pads  220  are disposed on the upper surface of each clamp head  218 . Resilient pad(s)  214  (see  FIG. 2B ) are disposed on frame  104  at the surface thereof that opposes clamp heads  218 . In the illustrative embodiment, the resilient pads comprise medium density foam. 
         [0032]    Clamping members  108 A and  108 B are actuated to clamp via handle  222 . The handle comprise two plates  224  (one plate on a portion of the inside surface of each support member  105  and  106 ) and grip  226 . Handle  222  is rotatably coupled to frame  104  at pins  228 . 
         [0033]    Actuation mechanism  229  by which handle  222  actuates clamping members  108 A/ 108 B is depicted in  FIG. 2B . In the illustrative embodiment, there are two instances of actuation mechanism  229 ; one in each of vertical support segments  105 B and  106 B (although only the mechanism in segment  106 B is depicted). However, in some alternative embodiments, the user-terminal clamp includes only one actuation mechanism  229  situated, for example, in one of the vertical support segments. 
         [0034]    Actuation mechanism  229  includes cable  230 , cable ramp  232 , pulley  236 , and cable tensioner  244 . As depicted in  FIG. 2B , one end of cable  230  is attached to cable ramp  232  at attachment point  234 . The cable runs downward through vertical support segment  106 B, engages pulley  236  near the bottom thereof, and enters the base of arm  216  through opening  246 . 
         [0035]    Cable tensioner  244  is disposed in internal chamber  240 . In the illustrative embodiment, cable tensioner  244  is a spring. One end of the spring is fixed to distal end  242  of chamber  240 . The second end of cable  230  is attached to the end of the spring nearest opening  246 . In the illustrative embodiment, cable tensioner  244  is arranged so that it is placed in tension when it is tensioning cable  230 . Without limitation, in such embodiments, cable tensioner  244  can be implemented as one or more springs, such as conventional spiral or helical springs, elastic and resilient members, a pneumatic spring, etc. In some other embodiments, the cable tensioner is arranged so that it is placed in compression to effect cable tensioning. In such an embodiment, cable  230  would typically be coupled to cable tensioner  244  at the distal end thereof (i.e., the end furthest from opening  246 ). Without limitation, in such embodiments, cable tensioner  244  can be implemented as a compression spring, a Belleville washer, resilient washers, or other resilient members. In some further embodiments, cable tensioner  244  is a motor. 
         [0036]    The operation of actuation mechanism  229  is best understood with reference to  FIGS. 3A through 3D and 4A through 4D . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3A through 3D  depict movement (partial rotation) of handle  222  to actuate user-terminal damp  102 .  FIG. 3A  depicts user-terminal damp  102  in a fully opened and un-tensioned state.  FIG. 3B  depicts handle  222  being partially rotated upward to cause clamp heads  218  of clamping members  108 A and  108 B to move upward. The rotation of handle  222  is continued in  FIG. 3C . At this point, it is assumed that the clamp heads have engaged the structure (not depicted) being clamped and tensioning device  244  is applying tension to cable. In  FIG. 3D , handle  222  is fully rotated. The movement of handle  222  past the point at which clamp heads  218  engaged the structure ( FIG. 3C ) creates a tension in cable  230  that provides a clamping force. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4A through 4D  depict various states of actuation mechanism  229 , which correspond to the clamping sequence depicted in respective  FIGS. 3A through 3D . Each of  FIGS. 4A through 4D  depict cable  230 , cable ramp  232 , pulley  236 , cable tensioner  244 , and internal chamber  240 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4A  depicts the state of actuation mechanism  229  that corresponds to the position of handle  222  shown in  FIG. 3A . This represents user-terminal clamp  102  in a fully open state. As depicted in  FIG. 4A , cable ramp  232  points “up.” In this orientation, there is minimal tension on cable  230  because the path from one end of the cable at attachment point  234  to the other end of the cable is the shortest possible path. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 4B , cable ramp  232  begins to rotate “downward” in concert with the upward rotation of handle  222 . Note that handle  222  and cable ramp  232  are coupled via pin  228 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 4C , the rotation of cable ramp  232  continues as handle  222  is rotated further upward. It is notable that as cable ramp  232  rotates “downward” about pin  228  in concert with the upward rotation of handle  222 , cable  230  traverses increasingly more of curved lobe  450  of the cable ramp. Initially, this causes clamp heads  218  to rise (e.g.,  FIGS. 3B, 3C ). However, once contact is made with a structure to be clamped, further rotation of handle  222  and cable ramp  232  tensions the cable, increasing the clamping pressure on structure being clamped. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4D  depicts actuation mechanism in a fully tensioned state, wherein cable  230  engages the maximum amount of curved lobe  450  of cable ramp  232 . In this state, cable  230  is under maximum tension. Since clamp heads  218  substantially stop moving “upward” after contacting the clamped structure ( FIG. 3C / 4 C), the additional tension in the system is applied as clamping force to the clamped structure. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5A  depicts user-terminal clamp  102  and user terminal  100  in preparation for coupling in a horizontal orientation (see  FIG. 1A ). Ribs  511  on the bottom of user terminal  100  couple to slots  211 A in user-terminal clamp  102 . In the illustrative embodiment, each rib  511  comprises a piece of material (e.g., metal, etc.) folded into a v-shape, wherein only one of the two major edges (the “inside” edge) of rib  511  attaches to or is formed as part of the bottom of the user terminal. The other major edge  552  does not attach to the bottom of the user terminal and is positioned under lip  212 A as it is slid into slot  211 A. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5B  depicts user-terminal clamp  102  and user terminal  100  in preparation for coupling in a vertical orientation (see  FIG. 1B ). Ribs  511  on the bottom of user terminal  100  couple to slots  211 B in user-terminal clamp  102  in the same fashion as discussed above in conjunction with  FIG. 5A . 
         [0045]    It is to be understood that the disclosure describes a few embodiments and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.