Antenna mounting system and kit

• US 20060012534A1
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: METZ Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: METZ Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Metz, Michael B., Duncan, Lee A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,068,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/715
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1221 onto a wall

Abstract

An antenna mounting system including a base plate having a mounting surface, a substantantially circular opening through the mounting surface, and attachment means for attaching the base plate to a mounting surface. The housing and the base plate are each dimensioned such that the housing is substantially rotatable within the base plate when the base plate is loosely attached to the mounting surface and such that the housing is substantially fixed when the base plate is tightly attached to the mounting surface. A rotator portion of a rotatable connector is disposed within the housing and is rotatably and controllably attached thereto. A connector portion extends through a slot in the housing and includes a cable connector and a sealing surface dimensioned to mate with an antenna.

Claims

1. An antenna mounting system comprising:

a base plate comprising a mounting surface, a substantantially circular opening through said mounting surface, and attachment means for attaching said base plate to a mounting surface;

a housing extending through said circular opening in said base plate and rotatable therein, said housing comprising an a substantially hollow interior defined by an interior surface, a bottom, and a top through which a slot is disposed;

a rotatable connector comprising a rotator portion and a connector portion, wherein said rotator portion is disposed within said interior of said housing and is rotatably attached thereto, and wherein said connector portion extends through said slot in said housing and comprises a cable connector and a sealing surface dimensioned to mate with an antenna; and

means for controlling a rotation of said rotator portion of said rotatable connector within said housing;

wherein said housing and said base plate are each dimensioned such that said housing is substantially rotatable within said base plate when said base plate is loosely attached to said mounting surface and such that said housing is substantially fixed when said base plate is tightly attached to said mounting surface.

2. The antenna mounting system of claim 1:

wherein said base plate further comprises a race disposed within said mounting surface;

wherein said housing further comprising a flange dimensioned to mate with said race such that said base plate captures said housing; and

wherein said flange has a thickness that is greater than a depth of said race such that said housing is substantially rotatable within said base plate when said base plate is loosely attached to said mounting surface and such that said housing is substantially fixed when said base plate is tightly attached to said mounting surface.

3. The antenna mounting system of claim 2 further comprising a gasket;

wherein said gasket is manufactured of a compressible material and is dimensioned to extend about said mounting surface of said base plate; and

wherein said flange of said housing has a thickness that is greater than a sum of said depth of said race and a fully compressed thickness of said gasket and less than a sum of said depth of said race and an uncompressed thickness of said gasket such that said housing is substantially rotatable within said base plate when said base plate is loosely attached to said mounting surface and such that said housing is substantially fixed, and said gasket creates a substantially water resistant seal, when said base plate is tightly attached to said mounting surface.

4. The antenna mounting system of claim 1 further comprising a gasket and wherein said gasket if manufactured of a closed cell neoprene material.

5. The antenna mounting system of claim 1 wherein said attachment means for attaching said base plate to the mounting surface comprises at least two holes disposed through said base plate and at least two mechanical fasteners dimensioned for insertion through said holes, wherein said mechanical fasteners are adapted to be readily loosened and tightened.

6. The antenna mounting system of claim 1:

wherein said housing comprises a bolt opening and a fastener opening therethrough;

wherein said rotator portion of said rotatable connector comprises a bolt hole therethrough;

wherein said means for controlling a rotation of said rotator portion of said rotatable connector within said housing comprises a bolt dimensioned to extend through said bolt opening and said bolt hole, and a threaded fastener dimensioned to extend through said fastener opening and contact said rotator portion of said rotatable connector proximate to said bolt hole; and

wherein said housing, said bolt and said threaded fastener are dimensioned such that tightening said bolt and said fastener causes said fastener to be drawn against said rotator portion such that said rotator portion is wedged between said threaded fastener and said interior of said housing.

7. The antenna mounting system of claim 1 further comprising a cable attached to said cable connector of said connector portion.

8. The antenna mounting system of claim 7 wherein said cable is fixedly connected to said cable connector.

9. The antenna mounting system of claim 8:

wherein a connection between said cable and said cable connector is sealed within said connector portion of said rotatable connector;

wherein said rotator portion of said rotatable connector comprises a notch therein; and

wherein said cable extends from said connector portion of said rotatable connector, through said rotatable portion of said rotatable connector and exits said rotatable connector through said notch.

10. The antenna mounting system of claim 1 wherein said base plate and said housing are manufactured of a plastic material.

11. The antenna mounting system of claim 10 wherein said base plate and said housing are manufactured of a marine grade plastic that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation and is capable of being pigmented to produce a base plate and housing having a desired color.

12. The antenna mounting system of claim 1 further comprising an antenna.

13. The antenna mounting system of claim 1 wherein said cable connector comprises a male threaded end.

14. The antenna mounting system of claim 13 further comprising an antenna and a gasket, wherein said antenna comprises a female threaded connector mated with said male threaded end of said cable connector, and wherein said gasket is disposed between said antenna and said sealing surface of said connector portion of said rotatable connector.

20. The kit of claim 7 further comprising an antenna.

15. A kit of parts for forming an antenna mounting system, said kit comprising:

a base plate comprising a mounting surface, a substantantially circular opening through said mounting surface, and attachment means for attaching said base plate to a mounting surface;

a housing dimensioned to extend through said circular opening in said base plate and rotate therein, said housing comprising an a substantially hollow interior defined by an interior surface, a bottom, and a top through which a slot is disposed;

a rotatable connector comprising a rotator portion and a connector portion, wherein said rotator portion is dimensioned for disposal within said interior of said housing and for rotatable attachment thereto, and wherein said connector portion is dimensioned to extend through said slot in said housing and comprises a cable connector and a sealing surface dimensioned to mate with an antenna; and

means for controlling a rotation of said rotator portion of said rotatable connector within said housing;

wherein said housing and said base plate are each dimensioned for assembly such that said housing is substantially rotatable within said base plate when said base plate is loosely attached to said mounting surface and such that said housing is substantially fixed when said base plate is tightly attached to said mounting surface; and

wherein said rotatable connector and said means for controlling a rotation of said rotator portion of said rotatable connector within said housing are dimensioned for assembly to said housing such that rotation of said rotatable connector may be stopped when said rotatable connector is in a desired orientation.

16. The kit of claim 15:

wherein said base plate further comprises a race disposed within said mounting surface;

wherein said housing further comprising a flange dimensioned to mate with said race such that said base plate captures said housing;

and wherein said flange has a thickness that is greater than a depth of said race such that said housing is substantially rotatable within said base plate when said base plate is loosely attached to said mounting surface and such that said housing is substantially fixed when said base plate is tightly attached to said mounting surface.

17. The kit of claim 16 further comprising a gasket;

wherein said gasket is manufactured of a compressible material and is dimensioned to extend about said mounting surface of said base plate; and

wherein said flange of said housing has a thickness that is greater than a sum of said depth of said race and a fully compressed thickness of said gasket and less than a sum of said depth of said race and an uncompressed thickness of said gasket such that said housing is substantially rotatable within said base plate when said base plate is loosely attached to said mounting surface and such that said housing is substantially fixed, and said gasket creates a substantially water resistant seal, when said base plate is tightly attached to said mounting surface.

19. The kit of claim 15 further comprising a length of cable for attachment to said cable connector of said connector portion.

18. The kit of claim wherein said housing comprises a bolt opening and a fastener opening therethrough;

wherein said rotator portion of said rotatable connector comprises a bolt hole therethrough;

wherein said means for controlling a rotation of said rotator portion of said rotatable connector within said housing comprises a bolt dimensioned to extend through said bolt opening and said bolt hole, and a threaded fastener dimensioned to extend through said fastener opening and contact said rotator portion of said rotatable connector proximate to said bolt hole; and

wherein said housing, said bolt and said threaded fastener are dimensioned for assembly such that tightening said bolt and said fastener causes said fastener to be drawn against said rotator portion such that said rotator portion is wedged between said threaded fastener and said interior of said housing.