Patent Publication Number: US-2010109969-A1

Title: Mobile, Temporary Cellular Communication Station

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
     The instant invention relates to mobile electromagnetic radiation devices and more particularly to temporary cellular communication stations. 
     BACKGROUND  
     It is often necessary to enhance or expand a cellular telephone communication network by setting up a temporary relaying station to service a particular geographical area and thereby provide coverage to a new geographical area, and/or accommodate a greater number of users in a given area. This is usually accomplished by deploying a truck or trailer-housed complete cell or micro-cell installation or by mounting a micro-cell installation against a wall or other permanent structure. Special events such as sport competitions, county fairs, conventions, occasional gatherings, and emergency deployments such as after natural disasters call for such an installation to be used over a few days, weeks, months or years or, at times, only a few hours. 
     The instant invention results from an attempt to devise a more rapid and less costly means to provide a temporary micro-cell capability at anytime or place. 
     SUMMARY  
     A portable cellular communication relaying stations is packaged in a compact electronic module mounted on the bed of a handbarrow that can be conveniently transported to a site and wheeled to the most effective spot. A collapsible mast is mounted on the handbarrow. The mast can accept a pair of omnidirectional antennas detachably secured to the end of a cross-member on top of the mast. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the invention a portable electromagnetic radiation (EMR) installation comprises: a handbarrow; an electronic module mounted on said handbarrow; at least one antenna element; a collapsible mast mounted on said handbarrow and having means for removably supporting said antenna. 
     In some embodiments the handbarrow comprises: a flat bed having a top face supporting said module and a bottom face; at least one roller at a first end portion of said bed; a first handle projecting from an opposite end portion of said bed, said handle and said roller being shaped, oriented and dimensioned to support said bed in a position substantially parallel to a surface upon which said handle and roller are resting; and, a foot projecting from sais first end portion of said bottom face, said foot and said roller being shaped, oriented and dimensioned to place said bed in a position substantially perpendicular to a surface upon which said foot and roller are resting. 
     In some embodiments the means for supporting comprise a socket secured to said bed. 
     In some embodiments the installation further comprises a connector panel secured to said bed. 
     In some embodiments the mast comprises a beam and a cross-arm secured to an upper portion of said beam. 
     In some embodiments the foot comprises a U-shaped member doubling as a second handle. 
     In some embodiments the handbarrow comprises a tubular frame. 
     In some embodiments the installation consists of a temporary cellular communication station having a power of at least 5 Watts. 
     In some embodiments the installation has total weight is less than 82 kilogram (180 lbs.) In some embodiments the dimensions of the installation in its collapsed configuration do not exceed 135 centimeters (53 inches) in height, 69 centimeters (27 inches) in width and 43 centimeters (17 inches) in depth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a cellular communication station with a supporting dolly shown in the upright position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a similar station with the supporting dolly in the horizontal position; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the station in the collapsed mode and ready for transportation. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
     Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a cellular communication station  10  in operating condition. The station is mounted on a tubular framework in the shape of a handbarrow or dolly  11 . As more specifically illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the dolly comprises a bed  12  having a top face supporting an electronic module  13 , a connection panel  14  and antenna mast  15 . A handle  16  projects obliquely from one longitudinal end of the bed bottom face. A pair of rollers  17  are mounted at the opposite longitudinal ends of the bed. The handle and the rollers are shaped and dimensioned to hold the bed  12  in a position substantially parallel to the ground surface  18  upon which the handle and the end rollers are resting in a first mode of operation. 
     In a second mode of operation illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the dolly rests on its rollers  17  and on a foot  19  which projects obliquely from the top surface of the bed at the opposite end from the handle  16  and in an opposite direction. The foot has a U-shape that allows it to act as a second handle that is particularly useful when lifting the station out of the trunk of car or the bed of a pickup. The foot  19  and the rollers  17  are shaped, oriented, and dimensioned to place the dolly in a substantially perpendicular position to the resting surface  18 . 
     The antenna mast  15  comprises a beam made of two interconnecting sections  20 ,  21  and two cross-members  22 ,  23  secured to the top of the uppermost section  21  by a T-coupling  24 . A crimping socket  25  at the outer end of each cross-member can accept the base of an omni-directional antenna  26 . In the vertical mode of  FIG. 1 , the base of the mast is inserted into a socket  27  welded to a cross-tubular member  28  of the bed  12 . In the horizontal mode of  FIG. 2 , the base of the mast is planted into a sheath  29  secured to the bottom face of the bed. 
     The connection panel  14  includes a power inlet  30  for connection to a power cord  31  and two multi-pin connectors sockets  32 ,  33  for connections to the antenna cables  34 ,  35 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the collapsed elements of the mast  20 - 25  and the antennas  26  can be conveniently stored against the bottom face of the bed by means of clips, fabric straps or other similar and equivalent fastening means, and the antennas  26  may be conveniently held in a sheath  36  also secured to the bed. The cables can likewise be coiled and fastened to the bed or within the protective housing of the electronic module  13 . 
     The station can carrying microcell systems which deliver up to 40 Watts of power, and will have a nominal output power of at least 5 Watts. The dimensions of the entire station in its collapsed configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3  does not exceed 135 centimeters (53 inches) in height, 69 centimeters (27 inches) in width and 43 centimeters (17 inches) in depth, the total weight of the station is less than 82 kilograms (180 lbs.). In this way the system can often be easily transported to a remote location and rapidly deployed and quickly put into operation if necessary by a single person. 
     The tubular framework arrangement allows the dolly to be readily adapted to secure a number of micro-cell devices of different shapes, sizes and mounting schemes available from various manufacturers 
     While the exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described, modifications can be made and other embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.