Patent Publication Number: US-2023151841-A1

Title: Mounting system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/089,198, titled “A SECURITY POLE-MOUNT FOR OUTDOOR COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT,” and filed on Oct. 8, 2020. The contents of that application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mounting systems for mounting an object to a structure, and specifically to a theft-resistant mounting system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic equipment is usually fixed to a structure, such as a pole, with a mounting bracket. The brackets generally are fixed on a pole with bolts and nuts. Alternatively, some brackets can be also fixed on the pole with steel rings. These types of mounting brackets need to lock the electronic equipment on the structure, which can be difficult to accomplish. These types of mounting brackets also do not provide theft-resistance. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for mounting systems that is easy to install on a structure and include theft resistance for securing an object on the structure. Aspects of the present disclosure solve this and other problems. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a mounting system is disclosed that includes a bracket configured to mount an object on a structure. The bracket includes a front panel and two side panels extending from the front panel. The bracket further includes a plurality of slots. Each slot is configured to accept a projection connected to the object and to retains the projection within the slot. The bracket further includes a plurality of apertures. The mounting system further includes a retainer configured to extend into the bracket through the plurality of apertures and prevent, at least in part, the plurality of projections, retained by the bracket in the plurality of slots, from being withdrawn from the plurality of slots. 
     According to an aspect of the embodiment, the plurality of slots is on the front panel, and the plurality of apertures is on at least one of the two side panels. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the retainer slides into the bracket from one side of the two side panels and behind the front panel. According to another aspect of the embodiment, each slot includes a narrow portion and a wide portion. The retainer is configured to prevent the plurality of projections from moving between being retained in the narrow portions of the plurality of slots to the wide portions of the plurality of slots. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the retainer includes a plurality of wide portions. Each wide portion of the retainer is aligned with a slot of the plurality of slots with the retainer extended into the bracket. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the retainer includes a plurality of arms. Each arm is configured to extend into the bracket through a first aperture on a first one of the two side panels, and out of the bracket through a second aperture on a second one of the two side panels, opposite from the first aperture. According to another aspect of the embodiment, each slot is configured to accept the projection with the projection in a first position relative to the slot, and configured to retain the projection with the projection in a second position relative to the slot. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the first position corresponds to a wide portion of the slot, and the second position corresponds to a narrow portion of the slot. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the mounting system further includes a theft-resistant bolt configured to secure the retainer to the bracket and resist the retainer from being removed from the bracket without a corresponding tool compatible with the theft-resistant bolt. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the mounting system includes a first hole in the bracket, and a second hole in the retainer. The first hole and the second hole are aligned with the retainer inserted into the bracket. The theft-resistant bolt is configured to engage the first hole and the second hole to secure the retainer to the bracket. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the mounting system includes a second bracket configured to couple to the object and be between the object and the first bracket. The plurality of projections extends from the second bracket. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the plurality of projections is integral with the second bracket. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the second bracket is configured to accept a plurality of different arrangements of fasteners for coupling to a plurality of different objects. According to another aspect of the embodiment, each one of the two side panels includes a plurality of slots configured to accept bands that secure the bracket to the structure. 
     According to another embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes an object to be mounted to a structure and a plurality of projections connected to one side of the object. The system further includes a mounting system that includes a bracket configured to be placed against the structure for mounting the object on the structure. The bracket includes a front panel, two side panels extending from the front panel, and a plurality of slots. Each slot is configured to accept a projection of the plurality of projections and retain the projection within the slot. The bracket further includes a plurality of apertures. The mounting system further includes a retainer configured to extend into the bracket through the plurality of apertures and prevent, at least in part, the plurality of projections, retained by the bracket in the plurality of slots, from being withdrawn from the plurality of slots. 
     According to one aspect of the embodiment, the plurality of projections is a plurality of fasteners that are removably coupled to the object. According to another aspect of the embodiment, each fastener of the plurality of fasteners is a bolt with a narrow portion and a wide portion. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the mounting system further includes a second bracket, and the plurality of projections are integral with the second bracket. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the second bracket is secured to the object and located between the object and the first bracket. According to another aspect of the embodiment, the second bracket is configured to accept a plurality of different arrangements of fasteners for coupling to a plurality of different objects. 
     The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the novel aspects and features set forth herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure, and its advantages and drawings, will be better understood from the following description of embodiments together with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered as limitations on the scope of the various embodiments or claims. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a right-side perspective view depicting a bracket of a mounting system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a left-side perspective view depicting the bracket of  FIG.  1 A , according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view depicting a bracket fixed to a structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view depicting a bracket receiving projections, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a perspective view depicting the bracket of  FIG.  3 A  retaining the projections, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view depicting an object to be mounted on a structure, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5 A  is a side view of a mounting system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5 B  is a top view of the mounting system of  FIG.  5 A , according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a side view of a mounting system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a top view of the mounting system of  FIG.  6 A , according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the mounting system of  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of another mounting system, according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The various embodiments are described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not drawn to scale, and they are provided merely to illustrate the instant invention. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects of the various embodiments. The various embodiments are not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention. 
     Elements and limitations that are disclosed, for example, in the Abstract, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, singly, or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise. For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, the singular includes the plural and vice versa. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein to mean “at,” “near,” or “nearly at,” or “within 3-5% of,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or any logical combination thereof, for example. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , shown are a right-side perspective view ( FIG.  1 A ) and a left-side perspective view ( FIG.  1 B ) of a bracket  100 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The bracket  100  includes a front panel  102  and two side panels  104  and  106  that extend from the front panel  102 . The bracket  100  further includes two rear panels  108  and  110  that extend from the side panels  104  and  106 , respectively. The rear panels  108  and  110  are configured to contact a structure, such as a pole ( FIG.  2   ), for mounting an object ( FIG.  4   ) onto the structure. In one or more embodiments, the rear panels  108  and  110  can have teeth  112  and  114 , where the rear panels  108  and  110  contact the structure to assist with maintaining the bracket  100  against the structure. 
     Although the side panels  104  and  106  and the rear panels  108  and  110  are shown and described, in one or more embodiments the bracket  100  may not include one or more of the side panels  104  and  106  and the rear panels  108  and  110 . For example, depending on the size and shape of the structure on to which the bracket  100  is to be mounted, the bracket  100 &#39;s shape and or size may be adjusted. This adjustment can include, for example, omitting one or more of the side panels  104  and  106  and the rear panels  108  and  110 , or changing the size and/or shape of one or more of the side panels  104  and  106  and the rear panels  108  and  110 . 
     The front panel  102  of the bracket  100  includes a plurality of slots  116 . In one or more embodiments, each slot  116  is formed as an aperture through the bracket  100 , and specifically through the front panel  102 . However, the configuration of the slots  116  can vary. For example, the slots  116  can instead be channels or grooves formed on the front panel  102 , rather than apertures through the front panel  102 . 
     Focusing on the detailed portion of  FIG.  1 A , each slot  116  can include a wide or open portion  118  and a narrow or restricted portion  120 . The wide portion  118  is sized so as to allow a projection ( FIG.  3   ) to extend into and/or through the slot  116 . For example, the wide portion  118  can generally have a shape of a circle, with the diameter of the circle being sized to allow a projection ( FIG.  3   ) to extend through the slot  116 . 
     The narrow portion  120  is sized so as to prevent the projection ( FIG.  3   ) from being withdrawn from the slot  116  when the projection extends through the narrow portion  120 . Thus, and as discussed further below with respect to  FIG.  3   , the projection is secured to the bracket  100 , at least in part, when the projection extends through the narrow portion  120  of the slot  116 . 
     The front panel  102  can include any number of slots  116 , such as one slot  116 , two slots  116 , four slots  116 , six slots  116 , ten slots  116 , etc. The slots  116  can be arranged in any geometry on the front panel  102 , such as generally a two-by-two matrix, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , a horizontal line, a vertical line, a slanted line, a triangle, a diamond, a larger or smaller matrix (e.g., one-by-two, two-by-three, etc.), etc. 
     The slots  116  can all be the same size, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . Alternatively, the slots  116  can be different sizes, such as each slot  116  being a different size, or sets of slots  116  being different sizes, etc. For example, one set of slots  116  can define a first geometric shape on the front panel  102  and be a certain size. Another set of slots  116  can define a second geometric shape (same or different than first geometric shape) and be a different size. 
     The two side panels  104  and  106  include a plurality of apertures  122  and  124 , respectively. In one or more embodiments, each aperture  122  on, for example, the side panel  104  has a corresponding aperture  124  on the side panel  106 . For example, the aperture  122   a  on the side panel  104  has a corresponding aperture  124   a  on the side panel  106 . The corresponding apertures  122   a  and  124   a  form a pair of apertures  122   a / 124   a . As shown in  FIG.  1 A , each pair of apertures  122   a / 124   a  defines an axis  128  that extends across the pair of slots  116   a  and  116   b.    
     In one or more embodiments, where the slots  116  are raised channels or grooves on the front panel  102 , the apertures  122  and/or  124  can instead be on the sides of the raised channels or grooves. 
     The side panels  104  and  106  further include holes  130  ( FIG.  1 A ) and  132  ( FIG.  1 B ), respectively. The holes  130  and  132  allow a retainer ( FIG.  5   ) to be secured to the bracket  100 , as discussed further below. In one or more embodiments, both of the holes  130  and  132  can be threaded, or smooth, or one smooth and one threaded. Although the side panels  104  and  106  include only the one hole  130  and the one hole  132 , respectively, each one or both of the side panels  104  and  106  can include more than the one hole, such as two holes, three holes, four holes, etc. Alternatively, rather than both of the side panels  104  and  106  having holes  130  and  132 , only one of the side panels  104  and  106  may have the holes. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the bracket  100  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  is shown mounted on a structure  200 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The structure  200  can be, for example, a pole, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   . However, the structure  200  can be any other type of structure, such as a wall, a building, a vehicle, etc. As discussed above, the teeth  112  and  114  (both in  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B ) of the rear panels  108  and  110 , respectively, can engage the structure  200  to assist in fastening the bracket  100  against the structure  200 . 
     The bracket  100  includes one or more apertures  202  on each of the rear panels  108  and  110 . Bands  204  can wrap around the structure  200  and pass through the apertures  202  to fasten the bracket  100  against the structure  200 . The bands  204  can be formed of steel, plastic, rubber, etc. Alternative ways of mounting of the bracket  100  to the structure  200  are disclosed, such as any type of fastener (e.g., screw, nail, bolt, theft-resistant bolt, etc.) that engages with both the bracket  100  and the structure  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , the bracket  100  is shown with fasteners  300  being inserted into the slots  116 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. As described below with respect to  FIG.  4   , the fasteners  300  are configured to fit in the slots  116  and also to be coupled to the object. As shown in the detailed portion of  FIG.  3 A , the fasteners  300  are shown being inserted into the wide portions  118  of the slots  116 . The fasteners  300  are inserted into the wide portions  118  to accommodate the wide portions  302  (e.g., heads) of the fasteners  300 . For example, the fasteners  300  can be bolts. The wide portions  118  of the slots  116  are sized to allow the heads  302  of the fasteners  300  to fit through the slots  116 . Although shown as being bolts, the fasteners  300  can be any shape and/or any type of fastener that includes a wide portion or head, such as a screw, a nail, a square bolt, etc. The fasteners  300  being inserted into the wide portions  118  of the slots  116  is considered herein as the fasteners  300  being in a first position relative to the slots  116 . The first position is an insertion and withdrawal position of the fasteners  300  relative to the slots  116 . 
     Referring  FIG.  3 B , the bracket  100  is shown with the fasteners  300  inserted into the slots  116  in a second position, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Specifically, and as shown in the detailed portion of  FIG.  3 B , the fasteners  300  have been inserted into the slots  116  and transitioned (e.g., lowered) into the narrow portions  120  of the slots  116 . The narrow portions  120  of the slots  116  are sized so as to accommodate the narrow portions  304  of the fasteners  300 . However, the narrow portions  120  of the slots  116  are sized so as to prevent the heads  302  of the fasteners  300  from being withdrawn from the slots  116 . Accordingly, with the fasteners  300  in the second position relative to the slots  116 —specifically in the narrow portions  120  of the slots  116 —the fasteners  300  cannot be withdrawn from the slots  116  in a direction generally normal to the front panel  102 , as represented by the arrow  306 . 
       FIG.  4    shows the fasteners  300  of  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  connected to an object  400  that is to be secured to a structure (e.g., structure  200  in  FIG.  2   ). For example, the fasteners  300  in the form of bolts can be screwed into the object  400 ; can be soldered into the object  400 ; can be formed integral with the object  400 , etc. The pattern of the fasteners  300  on the object  400  is arranged to match the pattern of the slots  116  on the bracket  100  ( FIGS.  3 A and  3 B ). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , shown are a front view and a top view, respectively, of a mounting system  500 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. Focusing first on  FIG.  5 A , the fasteners  300  are in the second position relative to the slots  116 . Thus, the fasteners  300  cannot be withdrawn from the bracket  100  unless moved into the first position, as described above ( FIG.  3 A ). A retainer  501  is brought in alignment with the apertures  122  on the side panel  104 . The retainer  501  includes a body  502  and two arms. The two arms  504  extend from the body  502 . Each arm  504  is sized to fit through an aperture  122 . The arms  504  are spaced apart on the body  502  of the retainer  501  to match the spacing of the apertures  122  on the bracket  100 . Referring to  FIG.  5 B , the arms  504  of the retainer  501  are positioned relative to the bracket  100  to slide into the apertures  122  and behind the front panel  102  of the bracket  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , shown are a front view and a top view, respectively, of the mounting system  500  of  FIGS.  5 A and  5 B , according to aspects of the present disclosure. With the retainer  501  fully inserted into the bracket  100 , the arms  504  partially extend out of the apertures  124 . Further, the arms  504  extend from the apertures  122  to the apertures  124 , crossing the slots  116  above the fasteners  300 . Referring to  FIG.  6 B , the arms  504  extend behind the front panel  102  of the bracket  100 . The positioning of the arms  504  relative to the slots  116 , and the fasteners  300  being in the slots  116 , prevents the fasteners  300  from transitioning to the first position described above ( FIG.  3 A ). In other words, the arms  504  keep the fasteners  300  in the narrow portions  120  of the slots  116  ( FIGS.  3 A,  3 B ). Thus, the arms  504  prevent the fasteners  300  from vertically moving within the slots  116 . As shown in the detailed portion of  FIG.  6 B , the arms  504  of the retainer  501  can include a wide portion  506  to provide greater contact area with the fastener  300 . With the fasteners  300  in the narrow portions  120  of the slots  116 , and the retainer  501  inserted into the bracket  100 , as shown in  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , the fasteners  300  are restricted from being withdrawn from the bracket  100 . With an object (e.g., object  400  in  FIG.  4   ) connected to the fasteners  300 , the fasteners  300  and the retainer  501  similarly restrict the object from being removed from the bracket  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , shown is a side view, respectively, of the mounting system  500  of  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , according to aspects of the present disclosure. To secure the retainer  501  to the bracket  100  and also resist the retainer  501  from being removed from the bracket  100 , a theft-resistant fastener  700  can be used to secure the retainer  501  to the bracket  100 . The theft-resistant fastener  700  can be any type of theft-resistant fastener, such as a screw or a bolt that requires a special tool for removal. For example, the theft-resistant fastener  700  can engage the hole  130  ( FIG.  1   ) in the bracket  100 . The retainer  501  can include a corresponding hole (not shown) that the theft-resistant fastener  700  also engages. 
     With the bracket  100  secured against a structure (e.g., structure  200  in  FIG.  2   ), and an object (e.g., object  400  in  FIG.  4   ) connected to fasteners  300  that are secured to the bracket  100  with a retainer  501 , the resulting arrangement allows the object to be fastened to the structure in an arrangement that resists removal of the object unless the theft-resistant fastener  700  is removed. 
     The fasteners that are inserted into the slots of the bracket are described above as coupling to the object. However, generally the fasteners can be any projection that is connected, either directly or indirectly, to an object that is to be coupled to the bracket. Thus, the fasteners discussed above are considered a specific type of projection that can fit through the slots for securing an object also connected to the projections to the bracket. More broadly, the projections can extend directly from the object being secured. For example, the projections can be integral or removably attached to the object being secured, as discussed above. Alternatively, however, the projections can be integral or coupled to another object, such as a second bracket. The second bracket can then be secured to the object that is to be secured to the bracket. The second bracket can then secure to the bracket via the projections. Any fasteners, if present, can instead secure the object to the second bracket.  FIG.  8    shows such an arrangement. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , illustrated is top view of another mounting system  800 , according to aspects of the present disclosure. The bracket  100  and the retainer  501  are as described above. However, instead of the fasteners  300  extending through the bracket  100  to secure an object  802 , projections  804  from the second bracket  801  extend through the bracket  100 . As shown in the detailed portion of  FIG.  8   , the projections  804  include a wide portion  806  and a narrow portion  808  that are similar to the wide portions  302  and the narrow portions  304  of the fasteners  300  described above (e.g.,  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B ). Thus, the wide portion  806  allows the projections  804  to be secured by the slots ( FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ) of the bracket  100 , similar to the wide portions  302  of the fasteners  300 . 
     The projections  804  extend from the second bracket  801 . The second bracket  801  can connect to the object  802  with any type of fastener(s) that allows for the object  802  to be secured to the second bracket  801 . In one or more embodiments, the second bracket  801  can provide a consistent arrangement of the projections  804  for securing the second bracket  801  to the bracket  100 . Yet, the second bracket  801  can have more sets of, for example, holes and/or fasteners for securing to multiple different types and/or kinds of objects  802 . In other words, the second bracket  801  can be a universal bracket that allows the object  802 , which may otherwise be incompatible with the bracket  100 , to still connect to the bracket  100  and be secured to a structure ( FIG.  2   ). 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 
     Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations, and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.