PORTABLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

A mobile wireless communications system includes a container having an interior compartment for holding one or more portable wireless communication components. The container can be adapted in various ways to facilitate use of the wireless communication components without having to unpack the components from the container. The system can include a shroud adapted to protect one or more electrical connections associated with wires connecting components inside the container to external electrical devices. The system can include a moveable support for holding one or more of the wireless communication components in the container and rotating the communication equipment to an orientation that provides better access without removing the components from the container. The system can also include features that help manage various wires that may be used to connect wireless communication components inside the container to other devices.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mobile wireless communication systems and more particularly to mobile wireless communication systems that can be operated for extended periods of time with minimal or no local access to electrical power or other support from public utilities.

BACKGROUND

The widespread adoption of wireless communication devices such as cellular phones, smart phones, personal data devices, etc. has been accompanied by a substantial increase in the areas serviced by wireless communications infrastructure (e.g. cellular service providers, 3G networks, 4G networks, etc.) that relay communications from local wireless devices to and from their destinations. Yet there are still geographical areas in the United States and in other countries that lack infrastructure required to operate some or all wireless communications devices. Wireless communication from these so-called “off grid” areas may still be possible by using orbiting communication satellites. For example, portable communication equipment that can establish a link via satellite to communication infrastructure providing the desired wireless communication capability is commercially available. Similar communication equipment can sometimes be used to extend the range of local wireless devices to connect to a more remote communication infrastructure beyond the normal range of the devices without using a satellite.

Even if a particular area has some wireless communication infrastructure, the available infrastructure might not support all of the desired forms of communication. For example, the available wireless infrastructure in a particular area may support use of phones and other relatively lower-demand wireless communications but not support relatively higher-demand wireless communications such a video transmission. Portable communication equipment can be used in these instances to establish a link via satellite or other means to infrastructure capable of meeting the demands for the desired communication.

Moreover, sometimes areas that have well-developed wireless communication infrastructure can have some or all of the infrastructure disabled or destroyed by earthquakes, bad weather, and other natural disasters or similar events that can lead to disruptions of communication infrastructures. First responders in an area affected by a natural disaster or other event that can cause communication disruption need good communication capabilities to perform optimally. Portable communication equipment can also be used in these instances to establish a link to satellite or other communication infrastructure so teams of first responders can communicate with one another and with those outside the affected area notwithstanding the disablement or destruction of local communication infrastructure.

Even if existing communication infrastructure is sufficient to provide all desired communication capabilities, it is sometimes desirable to have capability to operate independently of the existing communication infrastructure. For example, in military applications it is desirable to not have to rely on local communications infrastructure which may be controlled and/or monitored by people who may be enemies, unfriendly, or unreliable in their support of the military objective. Law enforcement teams can have similar interests. Moreover, important commercial ventures may desire to have communication capabilities that are independent of or redundant with the existing infrastructure to ensure adequate communication capabilities notwithstanding any disruptions to existing communication infrastructure. For example, if a broadcaster is covering a commercially important sporting event or other event, the broadcaster may prefer to have independent communication capabilities (either as a backup or for use as the normal mode of communication) to ensure the ability to successfully meet business obligations by broadcasting the coverage of the event.

The present inventors have developed improvements in this field, which will be described in detail below.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention is a mobile wireless communications system. The system includes a container having an interior compartment and an opening for accessing the interior compartment. A closure is moveable between a closed position in which the closure covers the opening and an open position in which the closure does not cover the opening. A wireless communication component is in the interior compartment. The wireless communication component is adapted to receive and/or broadcast wireless communication signals. The system includes a panel having an interior side accessible from the interior compartment and an exterior side accessible from outside the interior compartment. The interior side of the panel is adapted for connection to the wireless communication component. The exterior side is adapted for connecting an electrical wire to the exterior side of the panel to electrically connect a device outside the interior compartment to the wireless communication component in the interior compartment. A shroud is secured to the container and surrounds a perimeter of the panel and partially encloses the exterior side of the panel. The shroud has an opening at its distal end for entry of said electrical wire into the shroud for making an electrical connection to the exterior side of the panel. There is a closure at the distal end of the shroud adapted to selectively widen and constrict the opening into the shroud.

Another aspect of the invention is a portable off-grid wireless communication system for satellite-based communications of the type wherein the communication system can operate for an extended period of time without receiving any electrical power from a public utility company. The system includes wireless communication equipment and a battery for powering the wireless communication equipment. The system has a wind turbine for recharging the battery and/or powering the wireless communication equipment and a portable mast for supporting the wind turbine above the ground. An electrical line connects the wind turbine to at least one of the battery and the wireless communication equipment. The electrical line extends through a hollow center of the mast so the mast surrounds at least the end of the electrical line connected to the wind turbine.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a mobile wireless communications system. The system includes a container having a compartment and an opening for accessing the compartment. A closure is moveable between a closed position in which the closure covers the opening and an open position in which the closure does not cover the opening. The system has a support adapted to hold a wireless communication component in the compartment. The support is secured to the container and moveable relative to the container between a first position in which the support is positioned to hold the wireless communication component in the compartment while the closure is in its closed position and a second position in which the support is positioned to hold the wireless communication component so at least a portion of the wireless communication component extends through the opening for facilitating access to the wireless communication component when the closure is in the open position.

Another aspect of the invention is a cable clip for securing one or more relatively small diameter cables to a larger diameter tubular support. The clip has a body made of a resilient material and extending partially around a central space having a generally circular cross section. The body is configured so there is an opening for relative movement of the tubular support and body to snap the tubular support into the central space through the opening so the tubular support extends axially through the central opening and segments of the body are positioned to adjoin the tubular support. The body has a plurality of lobes extending radially outward from the central space between said segments thereof to define cable-receiving spaces. The cable-receiving spaces defined by the lobes are generally circular extensions of the central opening for holding one of the relatively smaller diameter cables adjacent the relatively larger diameter tubular support.

Other objects and features of the invention will in part be apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, first toFIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of a mobile wireless communications system is illustrated as a backpack101. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the backpack-includes a pair of shoulder straps107that form loops. The straps107can be positioned so a person can insert his or her arms through the loops to secure the backpack101to his or her back in substantially the same way as a conventional backpack. Although the embodiment illustrated is a backpack, it could instead be a “manpack” (i.e., so part of it is mounted on the front of a person), suitcase, or other type of portable container for holding wireless communication components within the scope of the invention.

As will be better understood in view of the description that follows, the system101is adapted to allow a person to carry wireless communication equipment115through rugged unsettled terrain (such as mountains, deserts, forests, etc.) while minimizing the amount of wireless communication components that need to be unpacked to use the mobile communication system. This makes it easy to set the mobile wireless communication system101up for use and/or repack it quickly. Any wireless communication components115that do not need to be unpacked to use the system101are also better protected from the weather. Those skilled in the art will appreciate these features can make the system attractive for a wide range of diverse applications, including military, first responders to a natural disaster or other event that may be associated with a disruption of normal communication, media coverage (e.g., of sporting events, news stories, or other events that take place outdoors or in remote locations), camping, outdoor adventuring, etc., and the invention is not limited to any particular communication application.

Referring toFIG. 2, the backpack101(broadly, a container) has an interior compartment117. The container has an opening119for accessing the interior compartment117and a closure121moveable between a closed position in which the closure covers the opening and an open position in which the closure does not cover the opening. There can be any number of compartments inside the backpack within the scope of the invention. Likewise, compartments can be partially or completely subdivided in any manner desired to provide a convenient number of compartments and/or sub-compartments having the desired shapes and sizes. Some of the compartments are suitably small pockets on the outside of the backpack101for holding one or more smart phones or other personal electronic devices so they can be readily accessed without opening other compartments.

The number of openings and closures for each compartment can vary within the scope of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, there is one opening119(FIGS. 1 and 2) positioned in the rear of the backpack101at its bottom/lower end. The closure121for this opening119is a flexible flap (e.g., of fabric or other material) that can be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow inFIG. 2to move the flap from the closed position to the open position. Velcro123or other suitable releasable fasteners (e.g., a zipper, snaps, or the like) allow the closure121to be selectively moved between the open position (FIG. 2) and closed position (not shown) while releasably retaining the closure in the closed position. The backpack101has another opening129at its top (FIGS. 1,2, and4) and a drawstring131that is moveable to open or close the opening. If desired, another closure such as a flap133(FIG. 4) of material can be provided that can be pulled over, and thereby cover, the closed opening129after the drawstring131has been pulled tight for additional protection.

The interior compartment117is sized and shaped to receive one or more wireless communication components115.FIG. 2shows a pair of wireless communication components115in the interior compartment117. The system101is a modular system and can be adapted to support a wide variety of different wireless communication components115in the interior compartment117. Some non-limiting examples of suitable wireless communication components115that can be received in the interior compartment117include: components for two-tiered Wide Area Network (WAN) bandwidth (256 kbps and 512 kbps); IP network acceleration; low bandwidth video teleconferencing, wireless routers (e.g., Ethernet routers), WiFi components (e.g., WiFi access and/or backhaul or portable MESH network coverage extenders), portable radio equipments (e.g., P25 or Analog Trunk radio components), satellite telephone components, cellular hotspot components, voice over internet components, radio over internet components, security system integration components, SCADA Network integration components, and many others. The wireless communication component(s)115in the interior compartment117can suitably receive and/or broadcast signals without being removed from the backpack101and without being removed from the interior compartment.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the backpack101or other container suitably includes a panel135having an interior side137accessible from the interior compartment117and an exterior side139accessible from outside the interior compartment. For example, the panel135can be made from a sheet of durable plastic or other material and can be sewn or otherwise integrated into and secured to the side of the backpack101so one side139of the panel is on the outside of the interior compartment117and the opposite side137is inside the interior compartment. The interior side137of the panel135is adapted for connection to one or more wireless communication components115in the interior compartment117. For example, various sockets, plugs, and/or other suitable electrical connectors141can be provided on the panel135for connecting the interior side137of the panel to the wireless communication component(s)115in the interior compartment117using one or more wires147. The exterior side139of the panel135is adapted for connecting one or more electrical wires143to the exterior side139of the panel to electrically connect one or more devices115′ (e.g., solar panels, satellite dish, fuel cell, battery, vehicular power outlet, etc.) outside the interior compartment117to the wireless communication component(s)115in the interior compartment. For example, sockets, plugs, and/or other suitable electrical connectors145can be provided on the exterior side139of the panel135. The connectors141on the interior side137of the panel135are in electrical connection with corresponding connectors145on the exterior side139of the panel135so electrical transmissions can be fed through the panel between the corresponding connectors.

A shroud151is secured to the backpack101or other container so it surrounds a perimeter of the panel135and partially encloses the exterior side139of the panel. The shroud151is suitably made of a flexible material, such as leather or fabric. The shroud151is also suitably made of a weather resistant material that repels or is impermeable to water. The shroud151has an opening153at its distal end. Any electrical wires143connected to the exterior side139of the panel135suitably extend into the shroud151through this opening153. A drawstring155or other suitable closure adapted to selectively widen and constrict the distal opening153into the shroud151is positioned at the opening.

To connect the wireless communication component(s)115in the interior compartment117to external devices115′, a wire143from the external device is extended into the shroud151through the opening153at its distal end while the opening is relatively widely open (FIG. 5) and connected to the exterior side139of the panel135using a connector145that is connected to the desired internal wireless communication components. Then, the opening153at the distal end of the shroud151is cinched up (e.g., using the drawstring155as illustrated inFIG. 6) so the connection between the external wire143and the exterior side139of the panel135is substantially enclosed within the shroud151. This helps protect the connection between the external wire143and the exterior side139of the panel135from water and debris. It also helps provide strain relief so if there is any tension in the external wire143(e.g., weight of the wire), the shroud151bears at least some of the tension. This helps the wire143remain securely connected to exterior side139of the panel135.

If desired, the backpack101or other container may include another protective flap161moveable from a first position in which the shroud151is uncovered and a second position in which the shroud is at least partially covered by the flap. The flap161can be secured to the backpack101above the shroud151and extend down below the shroud in the position in which it covers the shroud to help keep water out of the shroud.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the backpack includes a plurality of clips171(e.g., four clips as illustrated) for retaining a coil of wire173. The clips171are suitably positioned on the rear of the backpack101so the coiled wire173is held on the side of the backpack that is normally not adjacent the back of a person wearing the backpack. Various types of clips can be used within the scope of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the clips171are hooks at the ends of adjustable straps175. Each strap175is secured to the backpack101at a different position spaced circumferentially around a position where the coiled wire is to be received and retained. Each strap175is extendable radially inward. To retain a coiled wire173on the backpack101using the clips171, a coiled wire is placed centrally between the extended straps175. Then the clips171are secured to the bundle of coiled wire173and the straps are pulled tight to hold the coil.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the interior compartment117is divided into sub-compartments to help organize various items that may be housed in the compartment. InFIG. 4, the upper portion of the interior compartment117is separated into sub-compartments by four vertical dividers181. The upper portion of the interior compartment117(FIG. 4) can suitably be divided from a bottom portion of the interior compartment (FIG. 2) by a horizontal divider (not shown). Alternatively, there may be no divider separating the communication equipment115from the upper portion of the interior compartment117. For example, any items placed in the backpack101or other container between the dividers181may be supported by the upper surface(s) of the communication equipment115within the scope of the invention.

One of the items that may be stored in the upper portion of the interior compartment117is a solar panel185(FIG. 7) for generating energy for powering the communication equipment115and other components of the communication system101. The solar panel185is suitably adapted so it has a folded configuration (not shown) in which the solar panel can fit within the interior compartment117and an unfolded configuration for generating energy while the solar panel is outside the interior compartment, as illustrated inFIG. 7. When the solar panel185is unfolded to generate energy, it can be connected to the wireless communication component(s)115inside the compartment117by one or more electrical wires143extending into the shroud151and connecting to the internal components through the panel135enclosed by the shroud. Suitable solar panels that can be folded to fit inside the backpack101are commercially available from various vendors.

Referring now toFIG. 8, another embodiment of a mobile communication system201of the present invention includes a pair of portable foldable solar panels203, a portable satellite dish205, and a wind turbine207. Except as noted, the solar panels203, satellite dish205, and wind turbine207are suitably conventional devices. Various commercial vendors supply these devices. The system also includes a container211, for containing one or more wireless communication components115of the system. The container211is suitably a hard shell suitcase, as illustrated. It is contemplated the container211can be sized and shaped so it can fit within the space allotted for carryon luggage by commercial airlines. It is understood the container does not necessarily need to include a hard outer shell and can have sizes, shapes, and configurations different from what is shown in the drawings within the broad scope of the invention.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9-13, the container211has a compartment215for holding one or more wireless communication components115and an opening217for accessing the compartment. The container211also has a closure219(e.g., lid) moveable between a closed position (FIG. 9) in which the closure covers the opening and an open position (FIG. 10) in which the closure does not cover the opening.

The container211has a support221adapted to hold one or more wireless communication components115in the compartment. The wireless communication component115can suitably include any of the components listed above in connection with the backpack101. The support221is secured to the container211and moveable relative to the container between a first position (FIGS. 10 and 11) in which the support is positioned to hold the wireless communication component fully within the compartment215, e.g., while the closure219is in its closed position and a second position (FIGS. 12 and 13) in which the support is positioned to hold the wireless communication component so at least a portion of the wireless communication component extends through the opening for facilitating access to the wireless communication component when the closure is in the open position.

One or more pneumatic actuators231(e.g., two in the illustrated embodiment) are adapted to move the support221between the first and second positions. As illustrated inFIGS. 10-13, the pneumatic actuators231are suitably connected to the support221and to a bottom of the container211so each of the pneumatic actuators extends generally along the bottom of the container and is in a retracted configuration when the support is in the first position.

For example, the support221suitably comprises a frame223having an opening225(FIG. 13) configured to allow the wireless communication component(s)115to slide into the frame so the frame extends around the top, bottom, and all sides of the component. Suitable frames or materials for constructing suitable frames can be obtained from Star Case Manufacturing Co. Inc. and other commercial vendors. As illustrated inFIGS. 10-12, the support221is secured to the container211(e.g., by a hinge227or other suitable connector at the top of the frame) for pivoting movement of the support relative to the container. As illustrated, the hinge227connecting the support221to the container211is suitably adjacent a hinge229connecting the closure219(e.g., lid) to the container. The pneumatic actuators231are suitably connected to the support frame223at a position below the top of the frame (e.g., at a bottom corner of the frame opposite the hinge227) so extension of the pneumatic actuator(s)131requires pivoting movement of the support221relative to the container.

Various types of pneumatic actuators can be used within the scope of the invention. For example, each of the pair of pneumatic actuators231in the illustrated embodiment is suitably a gas spring biased toward the extended configuration as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 11(e.g., with a force of about 100 N). Suitable gas springs can be obtained commercially from Stabilus GmbH (e.g., Part number 280523.0100N) and other vendors. A latch241(FIG. 11) on the support221can be used to hold the support in the first position against the bias of the pneumatic actuator(s)231. Whether or not a latch is used, the pneumatic actuator(s)231can be adapted so user can activate the actuator(s) and cause extension thereof by pushing against the support221to move the actuator(s) to a more contracted position to release the actuators from a locked configuration. Although there are two actuators231in the illustrated embodiment, it is understood that the number of actuators can vary and that a single actuator or more than two actuators can be used within the scope of the invention.

The support221has an opening225(FIG. 13) configured to allow the wireless communication component(s)115to slide into the support221. This opening225is positioned to face a side of the container211when the support is in the first position (seeFIG. 11). When the support221is in the second position (e.g., as inFIGS. 12 and 13) this opening225extends above the opening217of the container211to facilitate insertion and/or removal of the wireless communication component(s)115from the support221through the opening225. Further, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the wireless communication component(s)115may include one or more panels including at least one of a control panel261and a display panel265. The wireless communication component115can be positioned in the support221so any such panels face the same side of the container221as the opening225does when the support is in the first position. This way the panel is easily visible and/or accessible (e.g., through the opening225in the support221) when the support is in the second position.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the back of the container211suitably has a plurality of openings251. The openings251can be used to connect the wireless communication component115in the support221to external devices115′ (e.g., solar panels203, satellite dish205, wind turbine207, batteries, vehicles, or other devices) using electrical wires (not shown) extending through the openings. The openings251can also provide cooling for the wireless communication component115when the container211is closed. The openings251are suitably configured so wires273extending through the openings can slide through the openings farther into or out of the container. For example, at least some of the openings251are suitably wider than the wires273that are typically used with the communication component(s)115so the openings do not constrain movement of the wires relative to the openings. This helps the wires273remain connected to wireless communication component(s)115as the components are pivoted relative to the openings by movement of the support221.

Depending on the various external equipment115′ that may be used in the communication systems101,201it is possible that there may be several wires/cables that need to be managed. It is desirable to have improved ways to manage these various wires so they are less likely to interfere with people and operations being conducted in the vicinity of the system201as well as to facilitate reliable quick set up and take down of the system.

FIGS. 14 and 15illustrate one embodiment of an electrical connection301suitable for connecting an electrical wire303to a wind turbine207of a portable off-grid wireless communication system (such as either of the systems101,102described above) to provide power to the system and/or to recharge a battery of the system. The electrical connection301is made generally at the physical connection between the wind turbine207and a portable mast305for supporting the wind turbine above the ground. The electrical line303extends through a hollow center of the mast305so the mast surrounds at least the end309of the electrical line303connected to the wind turbine207. The wind turbine207includes a socket, plug or other suitable electrical connector311and the end309of the wire303includes a suitable mating electrical connector313so the wire can be electrically connected to the wind turbine by joining the electrical connectors. As illustrated inFIG. 14, the wire303suitably has a threaded collar315on its end309that can be screwed onto corresponding threads317on the end of the wind turbine207after the connectors311,313are joined to physically retain the wire in electrical connection with the wind turbine. A quick release mechanism321suitably mechanically couples the end of the mast305to the wind turbine207, as illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15. As illustrated inFIG. 15, when the electrical line303is plugged into the wind turbine207and the mast305is physically connected to the wind turbine (e.g., by the quick release mechanism321), the electrical connection between the wire and the wind turbine is shielded from the elements and securely held together by the physical connection between the mast and wind turbine as well as the internal threaded connection between the collar315on the electrical line303and the threads317on the wind turbine.

Another advantage of the internal electrical connection301between the electrical wire303and the wind turbine207is that the exterior of the mast305, which is used to support an externally positioned wire to the wind turbine in prior art systems, is less cluttered and has the capacity to support additional wires connecting to other components of the wireless communication system.

FIGS. 16 and 17show one embodiment of a cable clip401that can be used to secure one or more relatively small diameter cables (such as the various wires used in the communication system) to a larger diameter tubular support, such as the mast305for the wind turbine207. The clip401includes a body403made of a resilient material and extending partially around a central space405having a generally circular cross section. The body403is configured so there is an opening407for relative movement of the tubular support (e.g., mast305) and body to snap the tubular support into the central space415through the opening. When the clip401is snapped onto the mast305or other support in this manner, the support extends axially through the central opening405and segments411of the body are positioned to adjoin the tubular support. The body403has a plurality of lobes415a,415b(e.g., three lobes) extending radially outward from the central space405.

The lobes415a,415bdefine cable-receiving spaces419a,419bthat are positioned between the segments411of the body adjacent the mast305or other support. The cable-receiving spaces419a,419bare suitably generally circular extensions of the central opening407, as illustrated. The lobes415a,415bare C-shaped segments of the body403configured so the relatively smaller diameter cables can be snapped into the cable-receiving spaces419a,419bbefore the relatively larger mast305or other support is snapped into the central space405. Each of the cable-receiving spaces419a,419bformed by the lobes415a,415bcan be used to hold a wire or cable adjacent the mast305or other tubular support.

The lobes415a,415bcan have different sizes from one another to facilitate use of the clip401to secure wires/cables having various different diameters to the mast/support. For example, the cable-receiving spaced419adefined by one of the lobes415asuitably has a first diameter while the cable-receiving space419bdefined by one or more other lobes415bhas a second diameter different from the first diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the largest diameter lobe415bis positioned generally opposite the opening407for snapping the clip401onto the mast305or other support. A smaller diameter lobe415ais positioned on either side of the largest diameter lobe415bbetween the largest diameter lobe and the opening407for snapping the clip401onto the mast305or other support. As illustrated, the two smaller diameter lobes415ahave diameters that are about equal, but the diameters of these lobes can be different if desired.

The body403has a pair of ends431on opposite sides of the opening407for snapping the clip401onto the mast305or other support. The ends431are suitably doubled back on themselves to form hooks433so each of the hooks defines an additional cable-receiving space419cat the ends of the body403. Wires or cables can be snapped into the cable-receiving spaces419cformed by the hooks433after the clip401has already been snapped onto the mast315or other support. The hooks433can be configured for holding cables that are about equal in diameter, as illustrated, or one of the hooks can be larger in diameter than the other. In the illustrated embodiment, the hooks433are configured so the cable-receiving spaces419cformed by the hooks are smaller than any of the cable-receiving spaces419a,419bformed by the lobes415a,415b, although this is not required within the broad scope of the invention.

The body403includes a rib441extending radially outwardly from the lobes415a,415band the segments411of the body between the lobes. The rib441adds stiffness and structural integrity to the clip401. The clip401is suitably molded as one piece from a resilient moldable polymeric material.