Adjustable aerial terminal

• US 20040035602A1
• Filed: 07/19/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Isaac Daniel McIntosh
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/58
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/32 using mounting clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/906 Electrical outlet box support

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods provide an adjustable aerial terminal that is capable of being pole-mounted or wall-mounted. In an embodiment, this invention includes an aerial terminal having the means to rotationally adjust positions about a curved surface. In another embodiment, this invention includes an aerial terminal having the means to longitudinally adjust positions along a planar surface. In further embodiments, this invention includes a kit-of-parts capable of being assembled with conventional aerial terminals and also includes a method of adjusting aerial terminals located at an elevated position.

Claims

1. An aerial terminal, comprising:

a housing section having a plurality of walls, the housing section for containing at least one of a routing cable and a drop wire; and

means for engaging a track, whereby the aerial terminal is movable about the track.

2. The aerial terminal of claim 1, wherein when the means to engage the track allows the aerial terminal to roll along the track.

3. The aerial terminal of claim 1, wherein when the base member is engaged in the track, the aerial terminal is movable about a longitudinal axis of the track.

4. The aerial terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

the track, the track comprising means for engaging the aerial terminal and means for mounting the track upon a planar surface.

6. The aerial terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

the track, the track comprising means for engaging the base member and means for mounting the track upon a surface.

7. The aerial terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism capable of securing the aerial terminal in a desired position about the track.

8. The aerial terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a hook portion, the hook portion affixed to an outer portion of one of the plurality of walls of the housing section, the hook portion capable of allowing a force to be applied to move the aerial terminal about the track.

5. The aerial terminal of claim 5, wherein the engagement means for the aerial terminal and the track comprise at least one of the following:

at least one rotational surface mating with a complimentary rotational surface passageway; and

at least one raised surface mating with a complimentary raised surface passageway.

9. A kit-of-parts for an aerial terminal, comprising:

a base member attachable to the aerial terminal, the base member having means to engage a track, whereby when the base member is engaged in the track, the aerial terminal is movable about the track.

10. The kit-of-parts for an aerial terminal of claim 10, further comprising:

the track, the track comprising means for engaging the base member and means for mounting the track upon a planar surface.

11. The kit-of-parts for an aerial terminal of claim 10, further comprising:

the track, the track comprising means for engaging the base member and means for mounting the track upon a non planar surface.

12. The kit-of-parts for an aerial terminal of claim 10, further comprising:

a locking mechanism capable of securing the aerial terminal in a desired position about the track.

13. A method of adjusting an aerial terminal, comprising:

mounting the aerial terminal in a base member attachable to a housing section of the aerial terminal, the base member having means to engage a track, whereby when the base member is engaged in the track, the aerial terminal is movable about the track; and

mounting the aerial terminal to a track, the aerial terminal including means for engaging the track, wherein the aerial terminal is movable along the track.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

engaging the base member and the track such that the aerial terminal is movable about the track; and

moving the aerial terminal about the track.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

engaging the base member and the track such that the aerial terminal is movable about a longitudinal axis of the track.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

mounting the track upon a non planar surface.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

mounting the track to a telecommunications pole.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

mounting the track upon a planar surface.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

mounting the track to a wall of a building.

20. A method of adjusting an aerial terminal, comprising:

providing the aerial terminal including means to engage a track, whereby when the aerial terminal is engaged in the track, the aerial terminal is movable about the track;

engaging the aerial terminal to a track; and

moving the aerial terminal about the track.