ENCLOSURE WITH BRACKET CONFIGURED TO ROTATE SO AS TO ALLOW MOUNTING OF DIFFERENT SIZED TELECOMMUNICATION COMPONENTS IN THE ENCLOSURE

A telecommunication component mounting system configured to allow mounting of different sized components, including: a first mounting portion configured to attach a telecommunication component to an enclosure; and a second mounting portion configured to attach the telecommunication component to the enclosure. The first mounting portion comprises a moving portion that is configured to engage the enclosure; the moving portion comprises a retaining portion that is configured to engage an engaging portion of the enclosure such that the retaining portion slidingly moves relative to the engaging portion; the retaining portion is a curved slot; and the moving portion is configured to rotate about an axis such that different sized telecommunication components are permitted to be mounted in the enclosure so as to avoid a need for different mounting parts for different sized telecommunication components, thereby resulting in a reduction of parts needed to mount different sized telecommunication components to the enclosure.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications enclosures and, in particular, to a telecommunications enclosure having a device mounting bracket that adapts to telecommunication components of different sizes.

Devices such as, for example, ethernet routers are often housed in an enclosure on a telephone or other service pole to protect the device from the weather and other elements. In some situations, it may be desirable to provide one enclosure and device mounting hardware for housing a device such as, for example, an ethernet router that can be one of various different sizes.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a much needed device mounting system for mounting a device in an enclosure, where the mounting system can accommodate devices of different sizes without replacing any of the parts of the system.

Embodiments provide an axial mounting bracket that has an upper bracket that is fixed to a first end (for example, the top) of the device, and a plate attached to the upper bracket at an axis. The plate rotates about the axis. The plate has a slot, for example, a curved slot, that is offset from the axis. A pin that is fixed to the enclosure extends through the slot. As the plate is rotated about the axis, the pin controls the movement of the plate and the upper bracket by engaging and controlling the path of the slot. A distance between the slot and the axis and is different at different locations along the slot, causing the upper plate to move relative to the pin as the plate is rotated about the axis. A lower bracket attaches a second end (for example, a bottom end) of the device to the enclosure such that the second end of the device does not move (other than possibly pivoting) relative to the enclosure. Because, in this example, the lower bracket locationally fixes the second end of the device relative to the enclosure, the movement of the plate relative to the pin provide multiple positions of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket. These multiple positions provide mounting for devices of different sizes using the same axial mounting bracket, thus eliminating the need to have different mounting brackets for different size devices.

While the above embodiment was described with reference to an upper bracket and a lower bracket, in other embodiments these brackets are mounted in different locations. For example, in some embodiments, the upper bracket is mounted to a bottom of the device and the lower bracket is mounted to a top of the device, or the upper bracket is mounted to one side of the device and the lower bracket is mounted to a different side of the device.

Embodiments provide a telecommunication component mounting system configured to allow mounting of different sized telecommunication components, including: a first mounting portion that may be structurally configured to attach a telecommunication component to an enclosure; and a second mounting portion that may be structurally configured to attach the telecommunication component to the enclosure. The first mounting portion may comprise an engaging portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure; the first mounting portion may comprise a moving portion that may be structurally configured to engage the engaging portion; wherein the moving portion is structurally configured to rotate about an axis; the first mounting portion may comprise a first connection portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the telecommunication component; the first connection portion may be structurally configured to couple with the moving portion such that the moving portion slidingly moves relative to the first connection portion; the engaging portion may comprise a pin; the moving portion may comprise a retaining portion that may be structurally configured to engage the engaging portion such that the engaging portion moves within the retaining portion; the retaining portion may be a curved slot; the second mounting portion may comprise an enclosure attachment portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure; the second mounting portion may comprise a component attachment portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the telecommunication component; the component attachment portion may be structurally configured to pivot relative to the enclosure attachment portion such that the telecommunication component may be configured to pivot relative to the enclosure; and the moving portion may be configured to rotate about the axis such that different sized telecommunication components are permitted to be mounted in the enclosure so as to avoid a need for different mounting parts for different sized telecommunication components, thereby resulting in a reduction of parts needed to mount different sized telecommunication components to the enclosure.

In embodiments, the first connection portion may comprise a component connection portion that is structurally configured to be fixed to the telecommunication component.

In embodiments, the first connection portion may comprise a moving portion connection portion that may be structurally configured to be rotatingly connected to the moving portion.

In embodiments, the component connection portion may be structurally configured to be fixed to the moving portion connection portion.

In embodiments, the axis may be structurally configured to be fixed relative to the moving portion connection portion.

In embodiments, the moving portion may be a plate.

In embodiments, the first connection portion may be a component mount, the component connection portion may be a component tab, and the moving portion connection portion may be a plate tab.

In embodiments, the telecommunication component mounting system may further comprise a biasing connection, and the biasing connection may be structurally configured to connect the moving portion to the first connection portion.

In embodiments, the biasing connection may comprise a spring.

In embodiments, the telecommunication component mounting system may further comprise a friction connection, and the friction connection may be structurally configured to connect the moving portion to the first connection portion.

In embodiments, the friction connection may comprise a wave washer.

Embodiments provide a telecommunication component mounting system configured to allow mounting of different sized telecommunication components, including: a first mounting portion that may be structurally configured to attach a telecommunication component to an enclosure; and a second mounting portion that may be structurally configured to attach the telecommunication component to the enclosure. The first mounting portion may comprise a moving portion that may be structurally configured to engage an engaging portion on the enclosure; the moving portion may be structurally configured to rotate about an axis; the moving portion may comprise a retaining portion that may be structurally configured to engage the engaging portion such that the engaging portion moves within the retaining portion; the retaining portion may be a curved slot; the second mounting portion may be structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure and to the telecommunication component; the second mounting portion may be structurally configured to pivot relative to enclosure; and the moving portion may be configured to rotate about the axis such that different sized telecommunication components are permitted to be mounted in the enclosure so as to avoid a need for different mounting parts for different sized telecommunication components, thereby resulting in a reduction of parts needed to mount different size telecommunication components to the enclosure.

In embodiments, the first mounting portion may comprise the engaging portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure.

In embodiments, the first mounting portion may comprise a first connection portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the telecommunication component.

In embodiments, the first connection portion may be structurally configured to couple with the moving portion such that the moving portion slidingly moves relative to the first connection portion.

In embodiments, the engaging portion may comprise a pin.

In embodiments, the second mounting portion may comprise an enclosure attachment portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure, the second mounting portion may comprise a component attachment portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the telecommunication component, and the component attachment portion may be structurally configured to pivot relative to the enclosure attachment portion such that the telecommunication component is configured to pivot relative to the enclosure.

Embodiments provide a telecommunication component mounting system configured to allow mounting of different sized telecommunication components, including: a first mounting portion that may be structurally configured to attach a telecommunication component to an enclosure; and a second mounting portion that may be structurally configured to attach the telecommunication component to the enclosure. The first mounting portion may comprise a moving portion that may be structurally configured to engage the enclosure; the moving portion may comprise a retaining portion that may be structurally configured to engage an engaging portion of the enclosure such that the retaining portion slidingly moves relative to the engaging portion; the retaining portion may be a curved slot; and the moving portion may be configured to rotate about an axis such that different sized telecommunication components are permitted to be mounted in the enclosure so as to avoid a need for different mounting parts for different sized telecommunication components, thereby resulting in a reduction of parts needed to mount different sized telecommunication components to the enclosure.

In embodiments, the second mounting portion may be structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure and to the telecommunication component.

In embodiments, the second mounting portion may be structurally configured to pivot relative to enclosure.

In embodiments, the first mounting portion may comprise the engaging portion that is structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure.

In embodiments, the first mounting portion may comprise a first connection portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the telecommunication component.

In embodiments, the first connection portion may be structurally configured to couple with to the moving portion such that the moving portion slidingly moves relative to the first connection portion.

In embodiments, the engaging portion may comprise a pin.

In embodiments, the second mounting portion may comprise an enclosure attachment portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure, the second mounting portion may comprise a component attachment portion that may be structurally configured to be fixed to the telecommunication component, and the component attachment portion may be structurally configured to pivot relative to the enclosure attachment portion such that the telecommunication component is configured to pivot relative to the enclosure.

Various aspects of the system, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this disclosure, will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a telecommunications component mounting system that is structurally configured to mount telecommunications components of different sizes to an enclosure by rotating a plate about an axis and thus avoiding a need for different parts for different size devices, resulting in a reduction of parts needed for a technician to mount different size devices to the enclosure.

FIG.1-4show an example of an enclosure10that includes a cabinet20and a cover30. The cabinet20has a plurality of cable entry ports22structurally configured to allow cables to pass from outside the cabinet20to an internal space40of the cabinet20. A plurality of ventilation openings50are provided to allow ventilation air to enter and exit the cabinet20to provide cooling to a device, for example, a telecommunications component such as, for example, a device, router, or modem,90located in the interior space40. Ventilation fans52are provided to move ventilation air through the ventilation openings50. Also shown is a power supply80such as, for example, a 120 volt power strip for supplying power to the device90. In embodiments, the device90is an ethernet modem.

As shown inFIGS.2-7, the device90is attached to the cabinet20by a first mounting portion, for example, a first mount (upper bracket),200and a second mounting portion, for example, a second mount (lower bracket),100. In this example, the upper bracket200attaches the top of the device90to the cabinet20, and the lower bracket100attaches the bottom of the device90to the cabinet20. In other configurations, different sides of the device90are attached to the cabinet20by way of the upper bracket200and the lower bracket100.

In the example shown inFIG.2, the lower bracket100has an enclosure attachment portion, for example, a second mount enclosure attachment portion (lower bracket enclosure tab),102that is structurally configured to be fixed to the enclosure20. In the example shown inFIG.2, the lower bracket100has a component attachment portion, for example, a second mount device attachment portion (lower bracket device tab),104that is structurally configured to be fixed to the device90. In this example, the lower bracket enclosure tab102is formed as one piece of plastic, metal, or other material, and the lower bracket device tab104is formed as a separate piece of plastic, metal, or other material. In embodiments, a portion of the lower bracket device tab104is inserted into a slot in the lower bracket enclosure tab102such that the top of the device90can pivot away from a back wall of the enclosure while the device90remains attached to the cabinet20by the lower bracket100. In embodiments, the lower bracket100is formed as one piece of plastic, metal, or other material that includes the lower bracket enclosure tab102and the lower bracket device tab104.

In the example shown inFIGS.4-7, the top of the device90is attached to the cabinet20by the upper bracket200. In this example, the device90has a height of 11.6 inches, a width of 7.1 inches, and a thickness of 1.7 inches. In other examples, the device90has has a height in the range of 9.5 inches to 11.8 inches. In other examples, the device90has a different height. An engaging portion, for example, a pin,201is fixed to a back wall of the cabinet20and does not move relative to the cabinet20. The upper bracket200has a moving portion, for example, a rotating portion (plate),210that rotates about an axis225. In embodiments, the axis225is a protrusion such as, for example, an axis pin that extends from either the plate210or a first connection portion, for example, a device mount,220that is fixed to the device90. The plate210has a retaining portion, for example, a curved slot,212that is structurally configured to receive the pin201. In the example shown inFIG.4, the device mount220has a first connection portion, for example, a device connection portion (device tab),221and a moving portion connection portion (plate tab)222. In the example shown inFIG.4, the device tab221is structurally configured to be fixed to the device90. In the example shown inFIG.4, the plate tab222is structurally configured to be rotatably connected to the plate210at the axis225.

In embodiments, the plate210is pre-attached to the device mount220at the axis225. A technician attaches the device tab221to the device90(with, for example, machine screws) with the plate attached to the plate tab222, and attaches the lower bracket device tab104to the device90(with, for example, machine screws). The technician then slides a portion of the lower bracket device tab104into the slot in the lower bracket enclosure tab102to positionally fix the lower end of the device90to the cabinet20. The technician then pivots the device90such that the top end of the device90(with the plate210attached) approaches a back wall of the cabinet20. During this pivoting, the plate210is rotated to the position where the pin201can be inserted into the slot212and attached to the back wall of the cabinet20(by, for example, a threaded connection). In some embodiments, the pin201is fixed to the back wall of the cabinet20prior to attaching the lower bracket device tab104to the lower bracket enclosure tab102, and the pin201is sized to pass through the slot212. In these embodiments, the pin201includes a cap that attaches to the pin201after the plate210is in place on the pin201and retains the plate210in position on the pin201.

An advantage of the plate210being able to rotate is illustrated with reference toFIGS.8-15.FIGS.8-11show four different positions of the plate210. Each of these positions corresponds to one of four devices90A,90B,90C,90D, each having a different height. Because the location of the bottom of the devices90A,90B,900,90D is fixed due to the lower bracket100being fixed relative to the cabinet20, any difference in height of the devices90A,90B,90C,90D is adapted to by the upper bracket200.

FIG.8shows the device90A having the largest height of the four examples. InFIG.8, the plate210is in a position in which the pin201is located at one end of the slot212. In this position, the axis225is in the closest possible position to the pin201such that the distance between the axis225and the pin201is the smallest of the four examples. This position accommodates the device90A with the largest height.

FIG.11shows the device90D having the smallest height of the four examples. InFIG.11, the plate210is in a position in which the pin201is located at the end of the slot212opposite the end occupied by the pin210inFIG.8. In this position, the axis225is in the farthest possible position from the pin201such that the distance between the axis225and the pin201is the largest of the four examples. This position accommodates the device90D with the smallest height.

FIGS.9and10show the plate210in two of an infinite number of intermediate positions such that the pin201is in locations along the slot212that are between the two ends of the slot212. These positions accommodate, for example, devices90B,90C having heights between that shown inFIG.8and that shown inFIG.11.

FIGS.12-15show in more detail the positions of the plate210shown inFIGS.8-11, respectively. InFIG.12, a short distance A (in this example, 0.75 inches or 19 mm) between the pin201and the axis225is achieved to accommodate the device90A having the largest height. InFIG.15, a long distance D (in this example, 2.187 inches or 55.5 mm) between the pin201and the axis225is achieved to accommodate the device90D having the shortest height.FIGS.13and14show intermediate distances B and C. Note that inFIGS.12-15, the pin201is in a fixed position relative to the back wall of the cabinet20. The different distances A, B, C, D are achieved by rotation of the plate210and the resulting movement of the device tab221as required to correspond to the top of the different devices90A,90B,90C,90D. While particular dimensions are disclosed for the example shown, other embodiments have plates210, slots212, and plate tabs222of different dimension that provide different distances between the pin201and the axis225to accommodate devices90of different heights.

There are multiple ways to attach the plate210to the device mount220. One example of an attachment mechanism is the biasing connection, for example, a spring mount,300shown inFIG.16. In the example shown inFIG.16, a connecting portion (nut)310is used to attach a biasing portion, for example, a spring,320to the plate tab222of the device mount220. A biasing portion restraining portion (spring pin)330is fixed to the plate210and provides an anchor point for one end of the spring320. The other end of the spring320is restrained by the device tab221of the device mount220.

FIGS.17and18show another example of an attachment mechanism for attaching the plate210to the device mount220. In this example, a friction connection, for example, a friction mount,400includes an axial biasing portion, for example, a wave washer,410held in place between the plate210and the plate tab222by a retaining portion (nut)420. The wave washer410creates forces against the plate210and the plate tab222that increase the friction that must be overcome to move the plate210relative to the plate tab222.

FIGS.16and17show an embodiment of the slot212having an enlarged area213at one end of the slot212. The enlarged area213provides an opening through which the pin201(shown, for example, inFIGS.12-15) can pass without having to remove the pin201from the back wall of the cabinet20.

Note that in each of theFIGS.8-11, the plate210remains attached to the device mount220at the axis225. The only difference in the mounting system in the four cases shown inFIGS.8-11is the rotational position of the plate210(to adjust for the different heights of the various devices90A,90B,90C,90D). The upper bracket200provides the advantage of being able to accommodate devices90A,90B,90C,90D, for example, of different heights without having to change any parts. Other mounting systems have the disadvantage of requiring one or more parts of the mounting system to be replaced depending on the size (height) of the device being mounted in the enclosure.

Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures will now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.