Patent ID: 12212037

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings,FIGS.1and17depict an antenna mounting system1featuring two mounting clamps2, two x frames3, plurality of attachment members4, and a plurality of tying members5. Referring specifically, toFIG.17, multiple mounting systems may be attached together via tying members5which attach the systems via mounting clamps2.

Referring to the drawings,FIG.4depicts the mounting clamp2in its pre-assembled state. The mounting clamp comprises a rear clamping component6and a front clamping component11. The front and rear clamping components are preferably made of metal. The rear clamping component6comprises two rear tower contact lobes7which extend perpendicular from the main plane8of the rear clamping component6and extend axially toward the front clamping component11when the mounting clamp2is in its pre-assembled state. The rear tower contact lobes7feature a notch9, which may be serrated, configured to contact and grip the tower structure48to which the mounting clamp2is attached. The rear tower contact lobes7may also feature attachment holes16. The rear clamping component6may also feature round contact members10affixed to the main plane8on the opposite side of the notch9of the rear clamp component6.

Referring to the drawings,FIG.5depicts the mounting clamp2in an alternate configuration in which the rear clamp component6is rotated 180 degrees from the orientation shown inFIG.4. In this alternate orientation, the round contact members10are oriented such that they extend off of the main plane8of the rear clamping component6toward the front clamping component11when the mounting clamp2is in this alternate pre-assembled state. In this alternate configuration, the round contact members are configured to contact and grip the tower structure48to which the clamp is attached.

The front clamping component11comprises two front tower contact lobes12which extend perpendicular from the main plane13of the front clamping component11and extend axially toward the rear clamping component6when the mounting clamp2is in its preassembled state or alternate pre-assembled state. The front tower contact lobes12feature a v-notch14configured to contact and grip the tower structure48to which the mounting clamp2is attached. The front tower contact lobes12may also feature attachment holes16. The front clamping component11also comprise round contact members which are oriented perpendicular to the contact lobes12and located immediately proximate the v-notch14. The round elements are configured such that they may contact and grip the tower structure48to which the mounting clamp2is attached. The front clamping component11also features mounting tabs15located on each end of the front clamping component. The mounting tabs15are configured at a 90 degree angle from the main plane13of the front clamping component11and extend to the opposite side of the plane13from the front tower contact lobes12. The mounting tabs15may feature one or more attachment holes16as well as a tilt adjustment slot17.

The front and rear clamping components both feature a plurality of attachment holes16on their main planes13,8and are preferably connected through a plurality of bolts18and nuts19.

Referring to the drawings,FIGS.6and7depict the mounting clamps2attached to the X-frame3. The mounting clamps2further comprise an upper transition weldment20and a lower transition weldment23. The upper transition weldment20comprises a main plane21and attachment plates22located at each end of the main plane21and which extend perpendicular to the main plane21. The attachment plates feature a number of attachment holes16. The main plane features two circular X-frame attachment holes26and a plurality of attachment holes16located proximate the X-frame attachment holes and oriented concentrically around them. The main plane21may also feature azimuth reference markers37.

The lower transition weldment23comprises a main plane24and attachment plates25located at each end of the main plane24and which extend perpendicular to the main plane24. The attachment plates feature a number of attachment holes16. The main plane24features two circular X-frame attachment holes26and a plurality of attachment holes16located proximate the X-frame attachment holes and oriented concentrically around them. The main plane24may also feature azimuth reference markers37.

The upper transition weldment20may be pivotably bolted to the front clamp component mounting tabs15via attachment holes16and the tilt adjustment slots17of the mounting tabs15. The upper transition weldment20should be configured, when attached to the mounting tabs, such that the attachment plates22extend upward relative to the main plane21. The lower transition weldment23may be pivotably bolted to the front clamp component mounting tabs15via attachment holes16and the tilt adjustment slots17of the mounting tabs15. The lower transition weldment23should be configured, when attached to the mounting tabs, such that the attachment plates25extend downward relative to the main plane24.

The mounting system1also features multiple X-frames3. Referring to the drawings,FIGS.7and8depict the X-frames. The X-frames3are generally rectangular in shape and are preferably made of metal. The x-frames3comprise an inner vertical element27, an outer vertical element28, an upper lateral element29and a lower lateral element30. The elements are affixed to one another and configured in a generally rectangular shape where the ends of the vertical elements extend beyond the lateral elements. The X-frame also features an x-member31affixed to the X-frame at the interior of the rectangle. The X-frame further features inner and outer braces32,33. The outer braces33are affixed to the end of the outer vertical element28and to a lateral member. Each X-frame will have an outer brace33connecting the upper end of the outer vertical element28to the upper lateral element29as well as an outer brace33connecting the lower end of the outer vertical element28to the lower lateral element30. The outer braces may feature mounting holes16.

The inner braces32are affixed to the end of the inner vertical element28and to a lateral member. Each X-frame will have an inner brace32connecting the upper end of the inner vertical element27to the upper lateral element29as well as an inner brace32connecting the lower end of the inner vertical element27to the lower lateral element30. The portion of the inner brace shall be generally circular in shape and shall encircle the inner vertical element27where they are attached. The surface of the inner brace32features adjustment slots17which are oriented concentrically around the inner vertical element27. The inner brace32also features a protrusion34on its end which is located such that it is positioned 180 degrees relative to the attachment of the lateral element29,30to the inner vertical element27. The lower brace32is also attached to the inner vertical element27such that a portion of the inner vertical element27extends beyond the inner brace32.

Referring to the drawings,FIG.7depicts the assembly of the X-frames3to the upper and lower transition weldments20,23of the clamps2. The ends of the inner vertical element27are inserted into the X-frame attachment holes26of the upper and lower transition weldments20,23. The diameter of the inner vertical element27should be such that it may be inserted into the X-frame attachment holes. The mounting system1is assembled such that there are two X-frames3attached to the clamps2.

Referring to the drawings,FIGS.8and9depict the azimuth guide35. The azimuth guide35is semi-rigid and shaped, generally, as a ¾ circle. Its cross-section is generally an inverted L shape. The azimuth guide35features an indexing notch38on its side which is generally located in the center of the ¾ circle shape. On the top, the azimuth guide35features a series of indicator marks36. The indicator marks36are a series of hash marks spaced at regular intervals and span 120 degrees ranging from negative 60 degrees to positive 60 degrees with zero oriented in the center of the azimuth guide35and located directly above the indexing notch38. The preferred embodiment has the indicator marks spaced at five degree intervals.

The mounting system1may also feature multiple attachment members4. The attachment members4may consist of two horizontal members39which are attached to the outer vertical component28of the X-frame3. The attachment members may also comprise a plurality of vertical members40. The attachment members4are preferably metal tubes but may be made of any suitable rigid material. The horizontal members39preferably attach to the X-frame3outer vertical component proximate the outer braces33. The mounting system1preferably features2horizontal members39, but more may be used. The horizontal members39are oriented perpendicular to the outer vertical component28and are attached to the outer vertical component28via a crossover bracket41. The crossover bracket is preferable shaped as shown inFIGS.12and13and comprises two opposing U-shaped brackets with attachment holes16which are oriented perpendicular one another. In this configuration, one end of the bracket41is secured around the outer vertical component28and secured, preferably with a bolt18and nut19. The horizontal member is then secured in the other end of the bracket41and secured. In the preferred embodiment, each horizontal member is secured to both X-frames3. One or more vertical members40are then attached to the horizontal members39via crossover brackets41in the same manner as the horizontal members39are attached to the X-frame. The vertical members are preferably oriented perpendicular to the horizontal members39. It is also preferred that the vertical members40are attached to at least two horizontal members39.

In the preferred embodiment, to use the mounting system1, a mounting clamp2in the pre-assembled state as shown inFIG.4or5is attached to two X-frames3. When the mounting system is assembled, two X-frames3should be attached to the clamps by inserting the ends of the inner vertical components28into the X-frame attachment holes26of the upper and lower transition weldments20,23and oriented such that the protrusions34of the inner braces32align with the azimuth indicator marks37of the upper and lower transition weldments20,23. Then, the azimuth guides should be attached to the inner braces32which are proximate the lower transition weldment and placed such that the indexing notches38align with and fit over the protrusions34. Next, the horizontal attachment members39should be attached to the X-frames and secured such that the span between the outer vertical elements28of the two X-frames3remains constant. The crossover brackets41should be attached to the outer vertical components28of the X-frame3such that the crossover brackets may rotate about the vertical elements28. The vertical attachment members40should then be rigidly attached to the horizontal members39. The assembled mounting system1is then attached to the tower member48by attaching the mounting clamps to the tower member such that the tower member is held by the contact lobes7,12or round contact members10of the front and rear clamping components6,11.

Once attached to the tower48, the azimuth may be adjusted by moving the attachment members4which are attached to the X-frames3. As the attachment members4and X-frames3are moved, the inner vertical elements27of the X-frames3, the inner braces32and the azimuth guides35should rotate in the X-frame attachment holes26of the upper and lower transition weldments20,23. As the inner braces32and azimuth guides35rotate, an operator may compare the indicator mark36on the azimuth guide35to the azimuth indicator mark37on the lower transition weldment to determine the azimuth adjustment. Once proper azimuth is set, the inner braces33may be rigidly affixed to the upper and lower transition weldments20,23. The preferred method of affixing the inner braces33to the transition weldments20,23is via a plurality of bolts placed through the attachment holes16of the transition weldments20,23and the adjustment slots17of the inner braces33and secured with nuts19on each bolt18. As depicted inFIGS.10and11, the X-frames3and attachment members4have an azimuth adjustment range of +/−60 degrees.

The preferred embodiment is configured such that the mounting system1may be used immediately adjacent to up to two more mounting systems on the same tower member48. This configuration is specifically depicted inFIG.17. The mounting systems are configured in a radial orientation about the same tower member48and may be configured such that three mounting systems form a triangular configuration. When multiple mounting systems are configured as such, they may also utilize tying members5. The mounting system1may additionally feature one or more tying members5which are configured to connect adjacent mounting systems to one another. The tying members are preferably made of metal tubing, but any suitable rigid material may be used. The tying members may attach to the mounting system via pipe mount42or a pivot plate43with a pipe connection plate46. The pipe mount42is a metal bracket with a general squared U shape and an attachment hole16at the bottom of the U and attachment holes on the sides as shown inFIG.14. The pipe mount42may be affixed to any attachment hole16on any other component, but it is preferred that it be attached via a bolt18and nut19to an outer brace33of an X-frame3to the front or rear clamping elements11,6. The pipe mount may then be affixed to a tying member, preferably by a bolt placed through the attachment holes16of the mount42and through the tying member5and secured with a nut19as shown inFIG.17.

The pivot plate43comprises a main plane44a plurality of attachment holes16and a plurality of perpendicular elements45which extend up from the main plane44. The perpendicular elements may each have attachment holes16. The pipe connection plate46is generally a squared U shape with attachment holes16in the sides and also comprises two ears47which extend down from U shape as depicted inFIG.16and feature attachment holes16. The pivot plate43is preferably assembled with the pipe connector plate46via a bolt18placed through the attachment holes of the perpendicular elements45and the ears47of the pipe connection plate and secured with a nut19. The tying member is preferably secured to the pipe connection plate46by placing the tying member5adjacent to the bolt18connecting the pivot plate43to the pipe connection place46. Then another bolt18is placed through the attachment holes of the pipe connection plate which will preferably be positioned on the other side of the tying member from the bolt securing the pivot plate43and the pipe connection plate46. The referenced bolts should be secured with nuts. The preferred assembly of the pivot plate43, pipe connection plate46and the tying member are depicted inFIG.17. The pivot plate may then be affixed to any attachment hole16on any other component, but it is preferred that it be attached via a bolt18and nut19to an outer brace33of an X-frame3to the front or rear clamping elements11,6on an adjacent mounting system.

The tying members are preferably oriented generally horizontally but may require some deviation from horizontal to connect elements which are situated at slightly different heights. The tying members may be rigidly attached to the X-frames3or mounting clamps2to connect adjacent mounting systems. In a configuration of three mounting systems1, a total of three tying members are preferred such that each mounting system1is connected to both adjacent systems.