Patent Publication Number: US-9413062-B2

Title: Mounting flange for installation of distributed antenna systems

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 61/913,251, filed Dec. 7, 2013, titled “Nut Washer Combination With Attach Function”; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The claimed invention relates to distributed antenna systems installed within large buildings and configured to improve coverage for devices on a communication network; and more particularly, so a mounting flange for improved installation of such distributed antenna systems. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     For Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) currently being installed in buildings, required installation time and ease of installation are two primary considerations for selection of such systems. A typical DAS antenna installed in an office building will be attached to a ceiling tile of the type commonly found in modern buildings. The DAS antenna is attached to the surface of the tile that faces downward towards the floor, with a hole cut through the tile to accommodate the coaxial connection required for operation of the antenna. Screws can be used to attach the antenna to the ceiling for support; or to ease installation, a single threaded plastic collar and nut can be used to attach the antenna using a single connection. 
     SUMMARY 
     A mounting flange is disclosed for use with installation of DAS antenna modules. The mounting flange includes a monolithic nut and washer combination having a tapered planar base forming a disc-shape, an aperture disposed in a center of the planar base, an inner cylindrical wall extending upwardly at the aperture, and an outer grooved wall extending upwardly from the base at a radial distance from the inner cylindrical wall. The inner cylindrical wall comprises threads disposed about an interior surface for mating with a threaded shaft of a DAS antenna module. The outer grooved wall is connected to the inner cylindrical wall via a plurality of ribs extending therebetween. A plurality of through-holes is provided, each of the through-holes are disposed through a vertical surface of the outer grooved flange and extend downwardly though a horizontal surface of the planar base. Additional through holes may be disposed through a vertical surface of the ribs and extend downwardly though a horizontal surface of the planar base. In this regard, a single-piece mounting flange is provided, the outer grooved wall provides enhanced gripping via the grooved channels, the inner cylindrical wall is configured to mate with a portion of a DAS antenna module, the planar base is tapered to provide a self-loading spring function when installed, and the various through-holes provide a means for attaching safety wire used to secure the installed DAS antenna module to roof-support beams. Other features and benefits are described in the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a top perspective of the mounting flange in accordance with an illustrated embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom perspective of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  shows the mounting flange coupled to a DAS antenna module in a post-installation configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments, including certain variations or alternative combinations that depart from these details and descriptions. The illustrated embodiment is not intended to be limiting of the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. 
     In a general embodiment, a mounting flange for installation of a distributed antenna system (DAS) antenna module is described. The mounting flange includes at least a base, an inner cylindrical wall, an outer grooved wall, and a plurality of through-holes extending through the base, the outer grooved wall or a combination thereof. The mounting flange may form part of a DAS antenna module kit as being a necessary component for installation of the DAS antenna module. 
     Now turning to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate various views of a mounting flange for installation of a distributed antenna system (DAS) antenna module in accordance with an illustrated embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  shows a top perspective of the mounting flange in accordance with the illustrated embodiment. The mounting flange  100  comprises a base  101  extending outwardly from an aperture  115  to an outer periphery. Though a planar base is shown, an alternative embodiment may comprise a tapered base having a first thickness at a point adjacent to the aperture and a second thickness at a point adjacent to the periphery, wherein said first thickness is greater than said second thickness. In the illustrated embodiment, the planar base further comprises a plurality of tapered braces  105 . The tapered base, or tapered braces, respectively, can be chosen for providing self-loading spring capability to the mounting flange. The self-loading spring capability prevents loosening and detachment of the mounting flange from the DAS antenna module for which it is installed. About the base  101  is disposed an inner cylindrical wall  104  extending upwardly therefrom at the aperture  115 . The inner cylindrical wall comprises threads  110  disposed about an inner surface thereof, wherein the threads are configured to engage a threaded shaft of the DAS antenna module. An outer grooved wall  102  is disposed between the inner cylindrical wall and the periphery, the outer grooved wall extending upwardly from the base and comprising a plurality of groove channels  102   a  disposed about a circumference thereof. The outer grooved wall  102  is shown being disposed about half the distance between the inner cylindrical wall and the periphery of the base; however, the outer groove wall can be varied in terms of positioning relative to the base. The mounting flange further comprises a plurality of first through-holes  103  extending through a vertical surface of the outer grooved wall, through the base, or a combination thereof. The first through-holes  103  are configured to receive safety wire therethrough for securing the mounting flange to a roof structure. 
       FIG. 2  shows a top view of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment. A plurality of ribs  108  are shown, the ribs extending from the outer grooved wall to the inner cylindrical wall and configured for support thereof. The ribs  108  can optionally comprise one or more second through-holes  107 . The second through-holes are configured to extend through a vertical surface of the ribs, and they may optionally further extend through the base. The second through-holes are also used for attaching safety wire to secure the flange to a roof structure. 
     As shown, the ribs may comprise a tapered rib having a first height adjacent to the grooved channel of the grooved wall and a second height adjacent to the inner cylindrical wall, wherein the first height is greater than the second height. The tapered rib helps to provide leveraged stability to the mounting flange components. 
     The mounting flange can further comprise one or more rib supports  109  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The rib supports connect and brace the ribs with the base. 
       FIG. 3  shows a bottom perspective of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment. Each tapered brace is shown having a tapered brace void  112  disposed directly beneath it as seen on the bottom side of the base. In this regard, the hollowed tapered braces provide a spring mechanism for self-loading the bias force provided by the base. The threads  110  are shown disposed about the inner surface of the cylindrical wall  104 . The mounding flange is shown further comprising optional locking teeth  111 . The locking teeth are disposed adjacent to a periphery of the base about the bottom side thereof. The locking teeth are shown having a tapered slope for enabling rotational engagement while prohibiting disengagement. Variations of the locking teeth can comprise hooks, points, bumps, or other frictional tooth designs. 
       FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment. The aperture  115  of the mounting flange is shown. In addition, the first through-holes  103  and second through-holes  107  are each shown extending through the base  101 . A plurality of dome-voids  116  may be provided for locating screws that can be inserted through the dome voids to attach and fixedly retain the position of the mounting flange subsequent to installation with a DAS antenna module. 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the mounting flange in the illustrated embodiment. Each of the base  101 , outer grooved wall  102 , groove channels  102   b , tapered braces  105 , and first through-holes  103  can be further seen from the side view of the mounting flange  100  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the mounting flange coupled to a DAS antenna module in a post-installation configuration. The mounting flange  100  is engaged with the threaded shaft  201  of the DAS antenna module  200 . A coaxial cable  300  used to connect the DAS antenna module to the system transceiver is shown extending through the aperture of the mounting flange. 
     The mounting flange as shown can be fabricated as a molded piece, or a billet component. Though the mounting flange may comprise aluminum or other metals, plastics and composite materials are preferred for at least the reason that such can be manufactured at a lower cost with respect to metals. Injection molding of plastic materials may be a preferred method for fabricating the mounting flange. 
     REFERENCE CHARACTERS LIST 
     
         
         Mounting Flange  100   
         Planar Base  101   
         Outer Wall  102   
         Grooved Channel  102   a    
         First Through-Holes  103   
         Inner Cylindrical Wall  104   
         Tapered Brace  105   
         Second Through-Holes  107   
         Ribs  108   
         Rib Support  109   
         Threads  110   
         Locking Teeth  111   
         Tapered Brace Void  112   
         Aperture  115   
         Dome Voids  116   
         DAS Antenna Module  200   
         Threaded Shaft  201   
         Coaxial Cable  300