Rapid exchange system for testing wireless networks

• US 20060049321A1
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: United Parcel Service Of America Incorporated (United Parcel Service Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Steven L., Horton, Mark, Schenken, Christopher T., Radosta, Chris R., Silvernale, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,552,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/220.310
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/008 Adjustable or movable supports
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle

Abstract

In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting assembly includes a channel plate and a bracket for securely receiving the signal testing unit. The channel plate is securely mounted adjacent to a surface of a vehicle and includes a plurality of channels that extend through the plate. The bracket includes a housing for receiving the testing unit and one or more clips. Each clip engages a channel in the channel plate to mount the bracket to the channel plate. In addition, each clip includes at least one finger that includes an engaging portion. The clip is removably engaged into one of the channels by positioning the engaging portion of each finger adjacent the back side of the channel plate such that the bracket is positioned adjacent the front side of the channel plate. In one embodiment, the finger is spring biased.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly for removably mounting a signal testing unit adjacent to a vehicle surface, the assembly comprising:

a channel plate defining a plurality of channels extending therethrough, the plate having a back side and a front side, wherein the back side is securely mounted adjacent to the vehicle surface;

a mounting bracket including a housing and one or more clips, the housing adapted for securely receiving the signal testing unit and each of the one or more clips including at least one finger for removably engaging the channel plate.

2. A vehicle-mounting testing assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of the one or more clips is adapted for being removably engaged into one of the channels by moving an engaging portion of each finger toward the back side of the channel plate such that the mounting bracket is positioned adjacent the front side of the channel plate.

3. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 2 wherein:

the clip includes a first end and a second end, the first end defining a U-shape and being adapted for straddling a first edge of the channel, the second end defining a U-shape and being adapted for straddling a second edge of the channel,

the second end further including an L-shaped finger having a first arm and second arm, wherein the second arm is in the engaging portion, the L-shaped finger being pivotally mounted to the second end such that the second arm is positioned adjacent the back of the channel plate and the first arm is positioned adjacent the front of the channel plate when the clip is engaged into the channel.

4. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 3 wherein the pivot point on the L-shaped finger is spring biased such that the second arm extends from the perimeter of the clip.

5. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket further includes a shock absorbing material positioned between each clip and the housing.

6. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the housing includes a main plate and two edge plates, the main plate including an antenna extending from an outer surface of the main plate, the testing unit being received into the housing adjacent an inner surface of the main plate and between the two edge plates.

7. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the edge plates include apertures for receiving screws to secure the testing unit within the housing.

8. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the edge plates include compression springs for securing testing unit within housing.

9. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the housing further includes two flanges that extend from the inner surface of the main plate and are positioned between the edge plates, and wherein the testing unit is positioned between the flanges, the flanges including apertures for receiving screws to secure the testing unit within the housing.

10. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the housing further includes two flanges that extend from the inner surface of the main plate and are positioned between the edge plates, and wherein the testing unit is positioned between the flanges, the flanges including compression springs for securing the testing unit within the housing.

11. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the housing further includes a back plate extending between the main plate and the two edge plates and having an inner side and an outer side, the inner side being adjacent the testing unit mounted within the housing, the bracket further including a shock absorbing material mounted between the outer side of the back plate and the one or more clips.

12. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 11 wherein the bracket further includes a clip plate onto which the one or more clips are mounted and the shock absorbing material is positioned between the back plate and the clip plate.

13. A vehicle-mounted testing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the main plate extends beyond the boundaries of the testing unit to provide protection from impacts.

14. A method of mounting a mounting bracket secured to a signal testing unit to a channel plate that is secured to a vehicle surface, the channel plate defining a plurality of channels and the mounting bracket comprising a housing and one or more clips, each clip defining a first U-shaped end and a second U-shaped end, the second U-shaped end having an L-shaped finger that is pivotally mounted within the clip, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning the first U-shaped end of the clip to straddle an edge of one of the plurality of channels; and

pushing the second U-shaped end toward the channel plate such that a first arm of the finger is moved away from the channel plate and a second arm is pivoted in an outward direction from the clip, wherein the first and second arms straddle an edge of the channel and the second arm is adjacent a back side of the channel plate and the first arm is adjacent a front side of the channel plate.

15. A method of mounting and dismounting a mounting bracket secured to a signal testing unit to and from a channel plate that is secured to a vehicle surface, the channel plate defining a plurality of channels and the mounting bracket comprising a housing and one or more clips, each clip defining a first U-shaped end and a second U-shaped end, the second U-shaped end having an L-shaped finger that is pivotally mounted within the clip, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning the first U-shaped end of the clip to straddle an edge of one of the plurality of channels;

pushing the second U-shaped end toward the channel plate such that a first arm of the finger is moved away from the channel plate and a second arm is pivoted in an outward direction from the clip, wherein the first and second arms straddle an edge of the channel and the second arm is adjacent a back side of the channel plate and the first arm is adjacent a front side of the channel plate;

pushing the first arm of the finger towards the channel plate and pulling the bracket away from the channel plate such that the second arm of the finger clears the edge of the channel and moves adjacent the front of the channel plate; and

pulling the first U-shaped end of the clip away from the channel plate.