Abstract:
A mounting assembly allows a wireless interface device to be connected to a fixed object, such as house or building&#39;s exterior wall. The mounting assembly includes three interconnected brackets. The three brackets allow the wireless interface device to be selectively positioned horizontally and vertically relative to the exterior wall. By adjustment of the bracket, the wireless interface device can be accurately aimed toward a master transmitter/receiver. Once the wireless interface device is properly sighted or aimed, the wireless interface device can communicate with the master transmitter/receiver to establish internet access, telephone service, and/or television service to the house or building.

Description:
The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/118,746, filed on Jul. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,103. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable mounting assembly for attaching one object to another object. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mounting assembly for attaching a wireless interface device to a fixed structure, and for allowing the wireless interface device to be oriented to a desired position relative to the fixed structure. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Businesses and personal residences are developing into communication nerve centers, which transmit and receive multiple forms of information constantly and simultaneously. It is common place for both businesses and private homes to include facilities for receiving and/or transmitting telephone signal, television signals, and internet data. Usually, each type of media is provided by an independent service provider. Typically, each independent service provider has to install a fixed wiring system which interconnects the home or business to a central service facility. 
     With the emerging field of wireless communications, the present trend is toward wireless connections instead of hardwired connections. Wireless connections leave the environment surround the home or business free from unsightly wiring. Further, a wireless link can be utilized to transmit more data in less time than a hardwired connection. 
     In order to gain the benefits of a wireless connection, each business or house, or grouping thereof, must be provided with a servant wireless interface device for sending and receiving data from a master receiver/transmitter. The servant wireless interface device would be mounted to an exterior portion of the house or business, such as a wall, the roof, a window seal, or perhaps to a dedicated pole. The wireless interface device would then be directed toward the master receiver/transmitter. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a mounting assembly which can easily interconnect a wireless interface device to a portion of house, such as an exterior wall. Further, there exists a need in the art for a mounting assembly which allows the wireless interface device to be easily oriented toward a desired direction, and permits the wireless interface device to be locked into the desired position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mounting assembly which can be easily attached to a wireless interface device and to a portion of a fixed structure, such as an exterior wall of a house. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting bracket which allows for accurate and secure sighting, or alignment, of the wireless interface device toward a master receiver/transmitter. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing an adjustable mounting assembly for attaching an interface device to a structure, said mounting assembly comprising: a first bracket for attachment to the interface device; a second bracket attached to said first bracket by at least one first pivotable connection to allow said second bracket to pivot about a first axis relative to said first bracket; and a third bracket attached to said second bracket by at least one second pivotable connection to allow said third bracket to pivot about a second axis relative to said second bracket, wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis. 
     Moreover, these and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a combination of an interface device and a mounting assembly for attachment to a structure, said combination comprising: said interface device; and said mounting assembly, wherein said mounting assembly includes: a first bracket attached to said interface device; a second bracket attached to said first bracket by at least one first pivotable connection to allow said second bracket to pivot about a first axis relative to said first bracket; and a third bracket attached to said second bracket by at least one second pivotable connection to allow said third bracket to pivot about a second axis relative to said second bracket, wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an upper-side perspective view of an adjustable mounting assembly, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is top view of the adjustable mounting, assembly of FIG. 1, attached to a wireless interface device; 
     FIG. 3 is side view of the adjustable mounting assembly attached to the wireless interface device; and 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the adjustable mounting assembly and the wireless interface device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference to FIG. 1, an adjustable mounting assembly  1 , in accordance with the present invention, includes a first bracket  2 , a second bracket  3  and a third bracket  4 . 
     The first bracket  2  includes five sides, namely a first side  5 , a second side  6 , a third side  7 , a fourth side  8 , and a fifth side  9 . The first side  5  has an overall rectangular or square shape. A first through hole  10  is formed in the first side  5 . 
     The second side  6  has an overall shape defined by the combination of a square and a half-ellipse. A second through hole  11  is formed in the second side  6 . The second side  6  shares a common edge with the first side  5 . 
     The third side  7  has an overall rectangular or square shape. A third through hole  12  is formed in the third side  7 . The third side  7  shares a common edge with the second side  6 . 
     The fourth side  8  has an overall shape defined by the combination of a square and a half-ellipse. A fourth through hole  13  is formed in the fourth side  8 . The fourth side  8  shares a common edge with the third side  7  and the first side  5 . 
     The fifth side  9  has an overall rectangular or square shape. No large through hole is provided in the fifth side  9 , rather four mounting holes  25  are provided. The mounting holes  25  are for receiving a threaded fastener, such as a screw or bolt, as will be later described. 
     The second side  6  includes a first through channel  14 . The first through channel  14  is arc-shaped and is located in the half-ellipse portion of the second side&#39;s shape. The center of the arc shape of the first through channel  14  includes a first circular opening  15 . The fourth side  8  is a mirror image of the second side  6 . Therefore, the fourth side  8  also includes an arc-shaped, first through channel and a first circular opening formed at the center of the arc-shaped first through channel. 
     The third bracket  4  is a mirror image of the first bracket  2 . The third bracket  4  includes five sides, namely a sixth side  16 , a seventh side  17 , an eighth side  18 , a ninth side  19 , and a tenth side  20 . The sixth side  16  has an overall rectangular or square shape. A fifth through hole  21  is formed in the fifth side  16 . 
     The seventh side  17  has an overall shape defined by the combination of a square and a half-ellipse. A sixth through hole  22  is formed in the seventh side  17 . The seventh side  17  shares a common edge with the sixth side  16 . 
     The eighth side  18  has an overall rectangular or square shape. A seventh through hole  23  is formed in the eighth side  18 . The eighth side  18  shares a common edge with the seventh side  17 . 
     The ninth side  19  has an overall shape defined by the combination of a square and a half-ellipse. An eighth through hole  24  is formed in the ninth side  19 . The ninth side  19  shares a common edge with the eighth side  18  and the sixth side  16 . 
     The tenth side  20  has an overall rectangular or square shape. No large through hole is provided in the tenth side  20 , rather four mounting holes  25  are provided. The mounting holes  25  are for receiving a threaded fastener, such as a screw or bolt, as will be later described. 
     The ninth side  19  includes a second through channel  26 . The second through channel  26  is arc-shaped and is located in the half-ellipse portion of the ninth side&#39;s shape. The center of the arc shape of the second through channel  26  includes a second circular opening  27 . The seventh side  17  is a mirror image of the ninth side  19 . Therefore, the seventh side  17  also includes an arc-shaped, second through channel and a second circular opening formed at the center of the arc-shaped second through channel. 
     The second bracket  3  has the general form of a closed box with six sides. A first pivotable connection  28  is made between the second bracket  3  and the first bracket  2 . The first pivotable connection  28  is engaged within the first circular opening  15  of the second side  6 . A similar pivotable connection would be made between the first circular opening of the fourth side  8  and the second bracket  3 . The pivotable connections can be integral spurs formed on the second bracket  3 , rivets attaching the first and second brackets  2 ,  3 , or any other type of mechanical interconnections which allow the first bracket  2  to be pivoted freely relative to the second bracket  3  about a first axis  29 . 
     The second bracket  3  includes a first threaded opening for receiving a first threaded faster  30 . The first threaded fastener  30  is passed through the first through channel  14  prior to being engaged within the first threaded opening. The first threaded fastener  30  limits the extent of the angular adjustment between the first bracket  2  and the second bracket  3 , when the first threaded fastener  30  abuts the distal ends of the first through channel  14 . Also, by screwing the first threaded fastener  30  into the first threaded opening in the second bracket  3 , the first bracket  2  can be locked into a specific angular relationship with the second bracket  3  relative to the first axis  29 . 
     A second pivotable connection  31  is made between the second bracket  3  and the third bracket  4 . The second pivotable connection  31  is engaged within the second circular opening  27  of the ninth side  19 . A similar pivotable connection would be made between the second circular opening of the seventh side  17  and the second bracket  3 . The pivotable connections can be integral spurs formed on the second bracket  3 , rivets attaching the third and second brackets  4 ,  3 , or any other type of mechanical interconnections which allow the third bracket  4  to be pivoted freely relative to the second bracket  3  about a second axis  32 . The second axis  32  is orthogonal to the first axis  29 . 
     The second bracket  3  includes a second threaded opening for receiving a second threaded faster  33 . The second threaded fastener  33  is passed through the second through channel  26  prior to being engaged within the second threaded opening. The second threaded fastener  33  limits the extent of the angular adjustment between the third bracket  4  and the second bracket  3 , when the second threaded fastener  33  abuts the distal ends of the second through channel  26 . Also, by screwing the second threaded fastener  33  into the second threaded opening in the second bracket  3 , the third bracket  4  can be locked into a specific angular relationship with the second bracket  3  relative to the second axis  32 . 
     It is sufficient to provide through channels on just the second side  6  and the ninth side  19 . By this arrangement, the positioning of the third bracket  4  relative to the first bracket  2  can be adjusted about the first axis  29  and the orthogonal, second axis  32 . However, it is envisioned that though channels  14 ,  26  could be formed on the fourth side  8  and/or the seventh side  17 . This alternative embodiment would afford an additional level of security when the position of the third bracket  4  is fixed relative to the first bracket  2 . Further, although the first and second fasteners  30 ,  33  are illustrated as bolts, it should be appreciated that other types of fasteners could be employed, such as screws. 
     The first, second and third brackets  2 ,  3 ,  4  are preferably formed of an aluminum material. Each bracket can be stamped out from a sheet of aluminum. The stamped out portion would be folded and welded to arrive at the hollowed out first and third brackets  2 ,  4 . The second bracket may be a hollow box formed from a sheet of aluminum, or may be a solid aluminum block. 
     FIGS. 2-4 illustrate a combination of the mounting assembly  1  connected to a wireless interface device  34 . FIGS. 2 and 3 are a top and side view of the combination, respectively. FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting assembly  1  and the components of the wireless interface device  34 . 
     The wireless interface device  34  includes an input/output terminal box  35  formed in a back plate  36 . The back plate  36  is physically connected to a printed circuit board  37  via a plurality of standoffs  38 . The input/output terminals are electrically connected to the printed circuit board  37 . Heat generated on the printed circuit board  37  is dissipated to the back plate  36  via a terminal block  39 . 
     An antenna  40  is disposed on an opposite side of the printed circuit board  37 . A reflector, or shielding plate  41  is disposed between the antenna  40  and the printed circuit board  37 . A cover  42 , constructed of a radio frequency (rf) transparent material, is provided to enclose the antenna  40 . The cover  42 , in conjunction with the back plate  36 , protects the components of the wireless interface device  34  from dust, moisture, and other damaging environmental elements. 
     The mounting assembly  1  is attached to the wireless interface device  34  by using bolts and nuts in conjunction with the mounting holes  25  of the fifth side  9  of the first bracket  2 . In a like manner, the mounting assembly  1  may be attached to a fixed structure, such a house&#39;s exterior wall, by employing bolts and nuts in conjunction with the mounting holes  25  in the tenth side  20  of the third bracket  4 . 
     By the present invention, it is possible to easily attach the wireless interface device  34  to a fixed structure adjacent to a house or business. Further, by the present invention, one can easily aim and lock the position of the wireless interface device toward a master receiver/transmitter in order to establish a wireless link for the exchange of data. Such a wireless link is particularly beneficial in establishing an internet connection, general telephone service, and/or television programming. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.