Patent Publication Number: US-2019195416-A1

Title: Mounting assembly

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to mounting assembly, and more specifically to rotationally engaged mounting apparatus for equipment. cl BACKGROUND 
     Equipment, including networking equipment, is often mounted at varying heights above ground throughout an environment to provide better service and protect the equipment from damage including vandalism. The mounting height of the equipment within an environment creates challenges for the installation and removal of the equipment from the height by a user. The user is often required to utilize a ladder or other height assistance device which can complicate the use of tools or other assembly items during installation and removal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a rear isometric view of an example embodiment of a mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear isometric view of an example embodiment of a mounting plate of a mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of an example embodiment of a base of a mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side isometric view of an example embodiment of a base of a mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rear elevational view of an example embodiment of a mounting plate of a mounting assembly; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side elevational view of an example embodiment of a mounting plate of a mounting assembly; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded isometric view of an example embodiment of a mounting assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Overview 
     A mounting assembly for detachably securing equipment. A mounting assembly including a base with a perimeter edge having at least one depression formed therein. A mounting plate detachably couplable with the base. The mounting plate has a correspondingly shaped perimeter edge with at least one displaceable protrusion formed thereon. The displaceable protrusion having a biasing element biasing the displaceable protrusion away from the correspondingly shaped perimeter edge of the mounting plate. At least a portion of the base perimeter edge is configured to compress the biasing element, thereby displacing the displaceable protrusion prior to the displaceable protrusion engagement the at least one depression. 
     Example Embodiments 
     The present invention is described with reference to the attached figures, wherein 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. Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention 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 the invention. The present invention is 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. 
     Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” are used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” mean to include, but are not necessarily limited to, the things so described. 
     The term “coupled with” is defined as connected, either directly or indirectly through intervening components, and the connections are not necessarily limited to physical connections, but are connections that accommodate the transfer of data between the so-described components. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. 
       FIG. 1  details a mounting assembly according to the present disclosure. The mounting assembly  100  can have a mounting plate  102  and a base  104 . The mounting plate  102  can be integrally formed into and/or coupled with an equipment element  200 . The equipment element  200  can be any device, including, but not limited to a wireless (i.e. WiFi) Access Point (AP), cellular communication antenna, networking device, antenna, or power supply. 
     Wireless APs are often positioned above ground level in places hard to reach by passing consumers for convenience, aesthetics, and security reasons. Installation of wireless access points, or other equipment elements  200 , at such locations can often require the use of ladders or other elevated equipment. The mounting assembly  100  can be operated and rotationally engaged by an installation user with one-hand, thus allowing a free hand for support or stabilization with the ladder or other elevated equipment. 
     The base  104  can be configured to be secured to an object through one or more apertures  106  formed therein. The one or more apertures  106  formed in the base  104  can be through apertures allowing a fastener to be inserted therethrough for coupling with the object. In other embodiments, the one or more apertures  106  can extend only partially into the base  104  allowing a fastener to be inserted therein. In yet other embodiments, the one or more apertures  106  can be partially threaded for engagement with a threaded fastener. The fasteners can be threaded fasteners, push pin elements, or any other known fasteners. 
     The mounting assembly  100  can be secured by rotational engagement between the mounting plate  102  and the base  104 . The mounting plate  102  can be aligned with the base plate  104  and rotated until securement is achieved. Depending on the particular orientation and/or arrangement of the base  104 , securing of the mounting plate  102  can be achieved by rotation in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. As explained in more detail below, one or more securement features, such as displaceable protrusions and/or tongues, can be implemented between the mounting plate  102  and the base  104  to insure proper securement of the mounting assembly  100 . 
     The mounting assembly  100  can be rotated between a secured position and an unsecured position. In a secured position, the mounting plate  102  and the base  104  can be rotationally coupled and securely engaged one to the other forming a secure mounting assembly. In an unsecured position, the mounting plate  102  and the base  104  can be decouplable one to the other, such that the mounting plate  102  can be removable from and/or insertable into the base  104 . 
     As can be appreciated in  FIG. 1 , the equipment element  200  has as mounting plate  102  integrally formed on a rear surface  202  for coupling with the base  104 . The equipment element  200  further includes apertures  204 ,  206  on the rear surface  202  which can be configured for coupling interior components of the equipment element  200  to exterior components. With specific reference to  FIG. 1 , the equipment element  200  can be a WiFi AP having apertures in the rear surface  200  for a network port  204  and a power connector  206 . While  FIG. 1  illustrates the rear surface  202  of a WiFi AP equipment element  200 , the mounting assembly  100  can be implemented with any equipment element  200  and the mounting plate  102  can be coupled with or integrally formed with the rear surface  202  of the equipment element  200  and the rear surface can omit apertures  204 ,  206  or have any number of apertures  204 ,  206 . 
     The mounting assembly  100  can be implemented rotational engagement between the mounting plate  102  and the base  104 . The rotational engagement can be performed by a user using a single hand, thus allowing the remaining hand for stability, security, and/or bracing. The equipment  200  implemented with the mounting assembly  100  is often placed at predetermined heights above ground level for security and/or to prevent theft, thereby necessitating the user use a ladder for coupling and decoupling of the mounting assembly  100 . The base  104  can be secured to the desired object following by rotation engagement of the mounting plate  102  having the equipment element  200  disposed thereon. As discussed in more detail below, one or more security features can be implemented with the mounting assembly  100  to provide a user alignment and tactile feedback during the initial transition from the unsecured position to the second position while also preventing unwanted transition from the secured position to the unsecured position after initial installation. 
       FIG. 2  details a mounting plate of a mounting assembly according to the present disclosure. The mounting plate  102  can be rotationally and detachably couplable with the base  104  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 3 ). The mounting plate  102  can have a perimeter edge  108  with one or more security features formed thereon. The security features can assist in coupling the mounting plate  102  with the base  104  and further prevent unwanted transition from the secured position to the unsecured position. The security features can include at least one displaceable protrusion  110  and/or one or more tongues  120 . In at least one embodiment, the security features can retain the mounting assembly in the secured position in view of unauthorized user forces, environmental forces, or any combination thereof. Environmental forces can include animal interactions, wind, rain, or other weather related forces. 
     The displaceable protrusion  110  can, in an undisplaced position, extend vertically away from the perimeter edge  108  and be displaceable such that when in a displaced position the displaceable protrusion  110  is substantially flush with the perimeter edge  108 . The displaceable protrusion  110  can include a biasing element  112  configured to bias the displaceable protrusion  110  to the undisplaced position, and return the displaceable protrusion  110  to the undisplaced position after displacement. In at least one embodiment, the biasing element  112  is a spring. In other embodiments, the biasing element  112  can be an actuator, magnetic, or any other known biasing element. 
     The mounting plate  102  can have a proximal end  114  adjacent to the coupling between the mounting plate  102  and the equipment element  200  or, in instances in which the mounting plate  102  is integrally formed with equipment element  200 , the proximal end  114  can be adjacent to the rear surface  202  of the equipment element. The mounting plate  102  can also have a distal end  116  opposite the proximal end  114 . The distal end  116  can be separated from the proximal end  114  by a height  118  of the perimeter edge  108 . The height  118  of the perimeter edge  108  can be the substantially equal to distance by which the mounting plate  102  extends away from the rear surface  202  of the equipment element  200 . 
     The mounting plate  102  can further include one or more tongues  120  extending away from the perimeter edge  108  at the distal end  118  of the mounting plate  102 . The one or more tongues  120  can be configured to engage with one or more grooves (shown in  FIG. 3 ) for coupling the mounting plate  102  with the base  104 . The one or more tongues  120  can extend away from the perimeter edge  108  substantially the same distance as the one or more displaceable protrusions  110 . In other embodiments, the one or more tongues  120  can extend away from the perimeter edge  108  more or less than the one or more displaceable protrusions  110 . 
     The one or more tongues  120  can extend away from the perimeter edge  108  sufficient to engage with the one or more grooves (shown in  FIG. 3 ) sufficient to support the specific equipment element  200  implemented in view of expected environmental forces and anticipated unauthorized user forces. The one or more tongues  120  can away from the perimeter edge  108  further, and thus provide more security, for example implementation of the mounting assembly  100  in environments with high expected environmental forces (i.e. wind, rain, etc.) and/or high expected unauthorized user forces (i.e. theft, vandalism, etc.). In at least one embodiment, at least fifty (50) percent of the one or more tongues  120  is received within the one or more grooves  128 . 
     The one or more displaceable protrusions  110  and the one or more tongues  120  can be rotationally engaged with one or more elements on the base  104  to secure the mounting assembly  100  in the secured position. The mounting assembly can include one or more displaceable protrusions  110  and/or one or more tongues  120  in any arrangement to assist in coupling the mounting plate  102  to base  104 , including positioning the one or more protrusions  110  and the one or more tongues  120  along the perimeter edge  108  so as to allow coupling with the base  104  in only one orientation. 
     While  FIG. 2  illustrates a mounting plate  102  with one displaceable protrusion  110  and two tongues  120 , it is within the scope of this disclosure to include any number of displaceable protrusions  110  and/or tongues  120 . 
       FIG. 3  details a base of a mounting assembly according to the present disclosure. The base  104  can be configured to receive the mounting plate  102  therein thereby the mounting plate  102  and the base  104 . The base  104  can have a perimeter edge  122  having a depth  124  corresponding to at least the height  118  of the perimeter edge  108  of the mounting plate  102 . The perimeter edge  108  of the mounting plate  102  can be correspondingly shaped to the perimeter edge  122  of the base  104 . 
     The perimeter edge  122  of the base  104  can have at least one depression  126  formed therein. The at least one depression  126  can be correspondingly shaped and configured to receive the at least one displaceable protrusion  110  formed on the mounting plate  102 . The at least one displaceable protrusion  110  received in the at least one depression  126  can secure the mounting plate  102  within the base  104  against rotation forces. The at least one depression  126  can also provide audible and tactile feedback during rotational engagement with the mounting plate as the at least one displaceable protrusion  110  is received therein. The rotational engagement between mounting plate  102  and the base  104  can provide audible feedback by the biasing element producing a “clicking” sound as the at least one displaceable protrusion  110  expands into the at least one depression  126 , while tactile feedback can be similarly provided by displaceable protrusion  110  being received in the at least one depression  126  thereby stopping/preventing rotational movement applied by the user. 
     The base  104  can also include at least one groove  128  configured to receive and engage the one or more tongues  120  formed on the mounting plate  102 . The at least one groove can engage with and secure the one or more tongues  120 , thereby securing the mounting plate  102  and the base  104  together. 
     The base  104  can further include at least one groove entrance  130  configured to allow the one or more tongues  120  to enter the perimeter edge  122  of the base  104  and align with the at least one groove  128 . The at least one groove entrance  130  can be formed in the perimeter edge  122  and receive the one or more tongues  120  during coupling between the mounting plate  102  and the base  104 . 
     The at least one groove  128  formed in the base  104  can be configured to accommodate the one or more tongues  120  of the mounting plate  102 . The at least one groove  128  can have sufficient depth to receive corresponding one or more tongues  120  extending away from the perimeter edge  108  of the mounting plate  102 . In implementations where the one or more tongues  120  protrude further away from the perimeter edge  108 , the at least one groove  128  can similarly extend away from the perimeter edge  122  further to accommodate the one or more tongues  120 . The at least one groove entrance  130  can similarly be sized to accommodate and receive the one or more tongues  120  and their extension away from the mounting plate  102 . 
     The at least one groove entrance  130  can expose a portion of the perimeter edge  122  to receive the one or more tongues, but can then allow the one or more tongues to enter the at least one groove  128  formed within the perimeter edge  122 . The at least one groove  128  within the perimeter edge  122  can thereby secure the one or more tongues  120  and the mounting plate  102  from non-rotational (i.e. lateral) forces. 
     The perimeter edge  122  can include at least one ridge portion  132  configured to engage the displaceable protrusion  110  during rotation of the mounting plate  102  relative to the base  104  and transition the displaceable protrusion  110  from the undisplaced position to the displaced position. After sufficient rotation of the mounting plate  102  relative to the base  104  so as to align the displaceable protrusion  110  with the at least one depression  126 , the biasing element  112  returns the displaceable protrusion  110  from the displaced position to the undisplaced position. The at least one ridge portion  132  can be a portion of the perimeter edge  122  configured to compress the biasing element  112 . In at least one embodiment, the one or more ridge portion  132  can be a sloped or angled portion of the perimeter edge  122  of the base  104 . The one or more ridge portions  132  can be adjacent to the at least one depression  126 , thus compressing the biasing element  112  and the at least one displaceable protrusions  110  prior to expansion of the at least one protrusion  110  into the at least one depression  126  and providing a tactile and/or audible feedback to a user that rotational engagement is secure. 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , the base  104  can include one or more apertures  106  formed therein for coupling the base  104  to an object. The apertures  106  can allow fasteners to secure the base  104  in a fixed position to the object in preparation for coupling with the mounting plate  102 . The base  104  can be coupled with building walls, fences, poles, ships, ceilings, radio towers, cellular towers, trees, or any other object. The one or more apertures  106  can be configured to receive fasteners, such as cable ties, threaded fasteners, and/or push connectors. 
       FIG. 4  details a side elevational view of a base having a portion of a mounting plate received therein according to the present disclosure. The distal end  116  of the mounting plate  102  and the displaceable protrusion are shown received within the base  104 , thereby detailing the mounting assembly  100  in a secured position. The base  104  can have at least one depression  126  formed in the perimeter edge  122 . The at least one depression  126  can allow access through the perimeter edge  122  for a tool (not shown) to assist in decoupling the mounting plate  102  from the base  104 . The at least one depression  126  allowing access through the perimeter edge  122  can allow compression of the biasing element  112  moving the protrusion  110  to the displaced position, thus allowing reverse rotation of the mounting plate  102  to decouple the mounting plate  102  from the base  104 . 
     The biasing element  112  can have a sufficient biasing force to prevent a user from displacing the displaceable protrusion  110  from the undisplaced position to the displaced position without the use of a tool. The required use of a tool (not shown) can prevent unauthorized (i.e. theft) decoupling of the mounting plate  102  from the base  104 . Unauthorized decoupling of the mounting plate  102  from the base  104  can allow removal of the equipment element  200 , which may have significant monetary value. The tool can be utilized to overcome the biasing force provided by the biasing element  112  to displace the displaceable protrusion  110  to the displaced position, thereby allowing rotation of the mounting plate  102  relative to the base  104  for decoupling. Without use of the tool, the displaceable protrusion  110  received within the at least one depression  126  prevents decoupling rotation of the mounting plate  102  relative to the base, thereby securing the mounting assembly  100  and the equipment element  200 . 
     As can be appreciated in  FIG. 4 , the at least one depression  126  is configured to receive the at least one protrusion  110 . The at least one protrusion  110  being rotationally disposed within and engaged with the at least on depression  126  prevents rotational decoupling between the mounting plate  102  and the base  104  without displacement of the displaceable protrusion  110 . The perimeter edge  122  impedes rotation of the mounting plate  102 , thereby securing the mounting plate  102  within the base  104 . The one or more tongues  120  can further secure the mounting plate  102  within the base  104  by being received within one or more groove  130  formed within the base  104  as shown more clearly in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  details a mounting plate omitting the one or more tongues of a mounting assembly according to the present disclosure. As can be appreciated in  FIG. 5 , the mounting plate  102  omits the one or more tongues  120  for clarity to detail the one or more protrusions  110  extending beyond the perimeter edge  108  of the mounting plate  102 . The biasing element  112  is also detailed by the omission of the one or more tongues  120  in  FIG. 5 . Rotation of the mounting plate  102  relative to the base  104  compresses the displaceable protrusion  110  against the one or more ridges  132  until aligning with the one or more depression  126 , thus securing the mounting plate  102  to the base  104 . 
     While  FIG. 5  illustrates a single displaceable protrusion  110 , it is within the scope of this disclosure to implement any number of displaceable protrusions  110  with the mounting plate  102 . In at least one embodiment, the mounting plate  102  includes an equal number of displaceable protrusions  110  and tongues  120 , for example one, two, three, or any other number of displaceable protrusions  110  and tongues  120 . 
       FIG. 6  details a side elevational view of a mounting plate of a mounting assembly according to the present disclosure. As can be appreciated in  FIG. 6 , the one or more protrusion  110  can substantially align along the perimeter edge  108  with one of the one or more tongues  120  allowing the one or more protrusions and the one or more tongues  120  to enter the perimeter edge  122  of the base  104  in a single groove entrance  130 . 
       FIG. 7  details an exploded view of a mounting assembly in a secured position. The mounting plate  102  and the base  104  are rotationally secured one to the other, preventing removal of any potential equipment element  200  to which the mounting plate  102  is coupled. As can be appreciated in  FIG. 7 , in the secured position the at least one protrusion  110  substantially aligns with the at least one depression  126 . The biasing element  112  coupled with the at least one protrusion  110  secures the at least one protrusions within the at least one depression and preventing undesirable rotation of the mounting plate  102  relative to the base  104 . The at least one depression  126  provides access to compress the biasing element  112  and displace the at least one protrusion  110 , thereby allowing decoupling rotation of the mounting plate  102  relative to the base  104 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the mounting plate  102  is rotated clockwise relative to the base  104  (relative to a top down orientation) to transition from an unsecured position to the secured position. The mounting plate  102  can be rotated in a counter clockwise direction (relative to a top down orientation) to transition the mounting assembly  100  from the secured position to the unsecured position. 
     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 of the invention. 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 of the invention. 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. Also, the terms “about”, “substantially”, and “approximately”, as used herein with respect to a stated value or a property, are intend to indicate being within 20% of the stated value or property, unless otherwise specified above. It will be further understood that 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.