Reversible pole or wall mounting bracket

The present disclosure provides devices and techniques for a reversible mounting bracket. The reversible mounting bracket includes a pole mounting side and a wall mounting side. The pole mounting side and the wall mounting side are joined together at approximately 90°. When used to mount a fixture, such as a light fixture, to a wall, the wall mounting side is mounted to a wall, and the pole mounting side provides support for the fixture. When used to mount a fixture to a pole, the pole mounting side is mounted to a pole, and the wall mounting side provides support for the fixture. Thus, the same reversible mounting bracket can be used to mount a fixture to a pole or to a wall.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a light fixture mounting bracket. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a reversible mounting bracket for pole and wall mount applications.

BACKGROUND

Light fixtures are often mounted onto poles, walls, or other structures. In some cases, the same type of light fixture may be mounted to a wall or a poll, depending on the preference or requirements of the customer. For example, a barn light may be mounted to an outside wall of a building or to a light pole. Walls and poles, however, have different surface profiles, with walls generally being flat, and poles generally being round or curved. Such distinct surface profiles typically require different mounting brackets. Specifically, when mounting a light fixture to a wall, a mounting bracket designed for mounting light fixtures to walls is required. Likewise, when mounting a light fixture to a pole, a different mounting bracket designed for mounting light fixtures to poles is required. However, because the light fixture may be mounted to walls in certain applications and to poles in other applications, both wall bracket sets and pole bracket sets compatible with the light fixture are needed, adding to the cost, bulk, and complexity of the lighting system or product line.

SUMMARY

In an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a reversible mounting bracket includes a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface. The first mounting surface comprises a first protrusion and is substantially flat. The second mounting surface is coupled to the first mounting surface at an approximate right angle. The second mounting surface comprises a second protrusion and one or more angled surfaces to substantially conform to the curvature of a pole. The first mounting surface and the second mounting surface each comprise a plurality of coupling holes formed therein.

In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, a reversible mounting bracket includes a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface. The first mounting surface is substantially flat and comprises a first protrusion. The second mounting surface is coupled to the first mounting surface at an approximate right angle. The second mounting surface comprises a middle portion, a first side flange, a second side flange, and a second protrusion, wherein the first and second side flanges are disposed on opposite sides of the middle portion, and wherein the first and second side flanges are angled away from first mounting surface. The first mounting surface and the second mounting surface each comprise a plurality of coupling holes formed therein.

In another example embodiment, a reversible mounting bracket includes a wall mounting plate configured to be mounted to a wall and comprising a first protrusion tab, and a pole mounting plate configured to be mounted to a pole and comprising a second protrusion tab. The pole mounting plate is coupled to the wall mounting plate at an approximate 90° angle. The wall mounting plate mounts to the wall and the pole mounting plate couples to and supports a light fixture in a first mode. The pole mounting plate mounts to a pole and the wall mounting plate couples to and supports the light fixture in a second mode.

The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of example embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, certain dimensions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

In the following paragraphs, the present disclosure will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. In the description, well known components, methods, and/or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described so as not to obscure the disclosure. As used herein, the “present disclosure” refers to any one of the embodiments of the disclosure described herein and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present disclosure” is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s). The disclosure makes reference to a light fixture as one example fixture which is mountable with the example mounting brackets disclosed herein. However, other types of fixtures can also be used with the example mounting brackets disclosed herein. Any disclosure of sizes, dimensions, angles, or proportion, either in this description or the figures are provided for illustrative purposes only and may not be to scale, and reduction to practice of the present disclosure will result in various sizes, dimension, angles, and proportions, while remaining true to the techniques and principles disclosed herein. In the description, reference is made to a wall and a round pole, which represent mounting structures with two different surface profiles. Specifically, a wall refers to and is interchangeable with any mounting structure having a substantially flat profile, including a square post. Likewise, a round pole is one example of and interchangeable with any mounting structure having a curved or rounded profile.

The present disclosure provides devices and techniques for a reversible mounting bracket100. The reversible mounting bracket100allows a fixture, such as a light fixture, to be mounted to a wall (or other flat surface) or a round pole, depending on the orientation of the reversible mounting bracket100.FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of the reversible mounting bracket100, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 1, the reversible mounting bracket100includes a wall mount side102and a round pole mount side104. The wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104are joined together at a 90° angle at an edge106. In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket is fabricated from a continuous piece of material and bent at the edge106to form the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104. Each of the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104includes a plurality of mounting holes109and a plurality of support holes108formed therein. Each of the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104are mountable to a mounting structure (i.e., wall and pole) by securing the respective side102or104to the mounting structure with screws via the mounting holes109. Each of the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104can be coupled to a light fixture (or other fixture) by securing the respective side102or104to the light fixture with bolts or screws via their support holes108. In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket100includes mounting holes of various sizes, compatible with different fasteners, such as screws, bolts, and the like, such that the desired fastener can be used with reversible mounting bracket100. In certain example embodiments, one or both of the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104include a wire conduit120through which electrical wires can travel between a mounted light fixture and an external power source.

Additionally, in certain example embodiments, one or both of the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104include a support tab110. In an example embodiment, the support tab110is an L-shaped tab, further having a base portion112and a hook portion114. In certain example embodiments, the base portion112extends orthogonally from the respective side102,104and in the direction of, and substantially parallel to, the other side102or104. The hook portion114is bent from the base portion112at an approximately right angle such that the hook portion114is substantially parallel to the respective side102or104, and substantially orthogonal to, and extending away from, the other side102or104. For example, with respect to the support tab110of the round pole mount side104, the base portion112of the support tab extends substantially orthogonally from the round pole mount side104and substantially parallel to, and in the same direction as, the wall mount side102. In such an example, the hook portion114extends from the base portion112away from, and substantially orthogonally to, the wall mount side102. The support hooks110are designed to receive and partially support a light fixture. In certain example embodiments, the support tab110is not square with the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104(i.e., the support tab100does not have precisely parallel or perpendicular relationships with the side102,104). Rather, in certain example embodiments, the support tab110, including the base portion112and the hook portion114, are at an offset from a 90° angle to accommodate and exert a retaining force on the light fixture. Coupling of the reversible mounting bracket to the mounting structure and the light fixture will be discussed further below and with reference toFIGS. 2-4.

In certain example embodiments, the wall mount side102is substantially flat so as to complement the profile of a wall or wall-equivalent surface. The certain example embodiments, the round pole mount side104includes a pair of side panels116disposed adjacently to opposite edges118of the round pole mount side104. In an example embodiment each of the side panels116are coupled to the round pole mount side104at an obtuse angle with respect to the round pole mount side104, forming the edges118between each of the side panels116and the round pole mount side104. When mounting the round pole mount side104to a pole, the side panels116hug around a portion of the pole, such as a standard wood utility pole. providing a more complementary engagement of the round pole mount side104to the pole. The side panels116further include one or more mounting holes109which allow the side panels116to be screwed into the pole for added security. In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket100is fabricated from stamped sheet metal

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of a pole mount configuration200in which the reversible mounting bracket100is used to mount a light fixture202to a pole204, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 3illustrates a detailed perspective view of the reversible mounting bracket100in the pole mount configuration200ofFIG. 2, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 4illustrates a detailed top view of the reversible mounting bracket100in the pole mount configuration200ofFIG. 2, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 2, in certain example embodiments, the light fixture202includes a housing206and a luminaire208. The housing206includes a mounting base210which couples the light fixture202to the reversible mounting bracket100and thereby to the post204.

In the pole mount configuration, the round pole mount side104of the reversible mounting bracket is mounted to and parallel with the pole204and the wall mount side102is orthogonal to the pole204. The light fixture202, specifically the mounting base210, is mounted onto and supported by the wall mount side101. In certain example embodiments, in the pole mount configuration, the mounting base210is also partially mounted onto and supported by the support hook110extending from the round pole mount side104. Specifically, referring toFIGS. 2-4, in the pole mount configuration200, the round pole mount side104is fastened to the pole204via screws212through the mounting holes109of the round pole mount side104, and the wall mount side102is fastened to the mounting base210of the light fixture202via bolts214through the support holes108of the wall mount side102. The bolts214traverse the support holes108and threaded bolt receivers216of the mounting base210of the light fixture202, thereby securing the light fixture202onto the wall mount side102of the reversible mounting bracket100. In an example embodiment, the reversible mounting bracket100and the bent edge106of the reversible mounting bracket are strong enough to support the light fixture202and mount the light fixture202to the pole104at an approximate right angle. In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket100is lag bolted into the pole204. In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket100is secured to the pole using 2-4 mounting points (i.e., mounting holes and screws).

As illustrated inFIGS. 2-4, the side panels116are at an angle to the pole mounting side104, thereby providing a closer and more complementary fit for the round profile of the pole204, allowing the pole mounting side104to be more securing fastened thereon. In other example embodiments, the angle of the side panels116may vary depending on the profile of the intended post of mounting structure. In certain example embodiments, the angle of the side panels116are adjustable to accommodate a range of pole shapes and sizes.

FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of a wall mount configuration500of the reversible mounting bracket100, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 5, in the wall mount configuration500, the wall mount side102of the reversible mounting bracket100is mounted to and parallel with the wall502and the round pole mount side104is orthogonal to the wall502. The light fixture202, specifically the mounting base210, is mounted onto and supported by the round pole mount side104. In certain example embodiments, in the pole mount configuration, the mounting base210is also partially mounted onto and supported by the support hook110extending from the wall mount side104. Specifically, in the wall mount configuration500, the wall mount side102is fastened to the wall502via screws212through the mounting holes109of the wall mount side102, and the round pole mount side104is fastened to the mounting base210of the light fixture202via bolts214through the support holes108of the round pole mount side104. The bolts214traverse the support holes108and the threaded bolt receivers216of the mounting base210of the light fixture202, thereby securing the light fixture202onto the round pole mount side104of the reversible mounting bracket100.

In the wall mount configuration500, the wall mount side102of the reversible mounting bracket is secured to the mounting structure and the round pole mount side104is coupled to and supports the light fixture202. In the pole mount configuration500, the reversible mounting bracket100is reversed and the round pole mount side104is secured to the mounting structure and the wall mount side102is coupled to and supports the light fixture202. Thus, one such reversible mounting bracket100can be used to mount a light fixture to at least either a pole or a wall, depending on the orientation of the reversible mounting bracket100.

FIG. 6illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pole mount configuration200of the reversible mounting bracket100, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically,FIG. 6illustrates the engagement of the mounting base210of the light fixture with the reversible mounting bracket100and in particular with support tab110. Referring toFIG. 6, when the reversible mounting bracket100is in the pole mount configuration200, the round pole mount side104is mounted to the pole204with screws, and the light fixture202is mounted to the wall mount side102of the reversible mounting bracket100and secured thereon with bolts. Additionally, in certain example embodiments, the mounting base210of the light fixture202includes an inner wall602which biases the support tab110when the lighting fixture202is mounted to the reversible mounting bracket100. Specifically, in certain example embodiments, when positioning the light fixture202onto the reversible mounting bracket100, the inner wall602is disposed between the support tab100and the pole204. In certain example embodiments, the inner wall602includes a standoff edge604which mains a distance between the inner wall602and the pole204. Thus, as the standoff edge604is adjacent to the pole204or pole mounting side104, the inner wall602is pushed against the hook portion114of the support tab110. Thus, the light fixture202is further supported and stabilized. In certain example embodiments, this engagement also provides a means to temporary support and stabilize the light fixture202onto the reversible mounting bracket100before the bolts214are fastened, thereby allowing an operator to fasten the bolts through the reversible mounting bracket100and the bolt receivers216without also having to support the weight of the light fixture with their hands at the same time.

In certain example embodiments, the hook portion114of the support tab110of the round pole mount side104is bent at an angle greater than 90° with respect to base portion112. This creates a wider space between the tip of the hook portion114and the pole or round pole mount side104than between the base of the hook portion112and the pole or round pole mount side104. Thus, when the light fixture202is disposed onto the reversible mounting bracket100, the inner wall602is more easily positioned between the hook portion114and the pole or round pole mount side104due to the expanded space therebetween. As the light fixture202is further lowered onto the reversible mounting bracket100and the inner wall602engaged further down the hook portion112, the angled slope of the hook portion114brings the inner wall602, and light fixture, closer to the pole204or round pole mount side104as the distance between the hook portion114and the pole or round pole mount side104becomes smaller. Thus, when the inner wall602is fully disposed along the hook portion114, the light fixture202is pulled tight against the pole204or round pole mount side104. Specifically, as the inner wall602is lowered onto the hook portion114, more biasing force is extorted by the inner wall against the hook portion114, increasing potential spring energy of the support tab, or the tendency to return to neutral. Therefore, a force is exerted by the hook portion114back onto the inner wall602, pushing the inner wall and light fixture towards the pole204. In certain example embodiments, the inner wall602is pulled further down the hook portion114and fully disposed thereon when the light fixture is bolted onto the wall mount side102. This engagement further tightens and stabilizes the light fixture202against the pole204, and keep the light fixture202substantially orthogonally to the pole204. This engagement also helps to disperse the load of the light fixture202to multiple parts of the reversible mounting bracket100. Specifically, the support tab110help move a portion of the load closer to the pole204, where the weight generates less torque, making the mount more stable and reliable.

Although the example configuration of the reversible mounting bracket100is the pole mount configuration200, the techniques and principled discussed with respect toFIG. 6apply to the wall mount configuration (FIG. 5) as well. Specifically, the relevant structures and functions discussed herein with respect toFIG. 6are, in certain example embodiments, symmetric and equivalent in both the wall mount side102and the round pole mount side104of the reversible mounting bracket100. Thus, separate discussion of these techniques and principles with respect to the wall mount configuration is omitted for the sake of brevity.

The reversible mounting bracket100illustrated inFIGS. 1-6is one example embodiment of many embodiments and configurations of the reversible mounting bracket100.FIG. 7illustrates a perspective view of another example embodiment of the reversible mounting bracket700, in accordance with certain example embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar to the reversible mounting bracket100illustrated inFIG. 1, the reversible mounting bracket700includes the wall mount side102, the round pole mount side104, the support holes108, the mounting holes109, the wire conduit120, and the support hooks110. In certain example embodiments, and as shown inFIG. 7, the mounting holes109of the reversible mounting bracket700are formed at different height levels. Such a configuration of mounting holes109spreads the weight of the light fixture to multiple vertical levels. Thus, the load experienced at each point is decreased, providing for a more reliable mount. In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket700includes various number or and sizes of mounting holes. For example the reversible mounting bracket700may include more mounting holes when designed to mount a larger light fixture. Furthermore, the hook portion114of the support tabs110are configured at an obtuse angle, providing the tightening effects described above.

In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket700further includes one or more gussets702at the edge106or bend of the reversible mounting bracket700between the round pole mount side104and the wall mount side102. The gusset702reinforces the strength of the connection between the round pole mount side104and the wall mount side102, providing increased stability, support, and reliability of the reversible mounting bracket. In certain example embodiments, the reversible mounting bracket700also includes a pair of side panels704disposed on opposite edges of the round pole mount side104, similar in purpose to the side panels116ofFIG. 1. The side panels704of the reversible mounting bracket700include a riser706portion which is coupled to the round pole mount side104The riser706provides some distance and flexibility between the side panel706and the round pole mount side104. In certain example embodiments, the round pole mount side104include curved side panels, which conform to the curved profile of a pole.

Accordingly, although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein in detail, the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the disclosure described herein are representative and, in alternative embodiments, certain features and elements may be added or omitted. Additionally, modifications to aspects of the embodiments described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure defined in the following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and equivalent structures.