Universal antenna mounting system

• US 5,971,345 A
• Filed: 05/11/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Khalaf, Belal F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berger, Derek J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NORNBERG, MICHAEL D
• Application Number:
  US09/075,480
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 248/511, 248/512, 248/514, 248/534, 248/538, 248/539, 248/540, 343/890, 343/892, 343/757, 343/758, 343/882, 343/891
• US Class Current: 248/512
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1228 on a boom
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning

Abstract

A universal antenna mounting system includes a grid-like mounting frame on which the antenna is installed. A mounting pipe is secured to a tower leg at a desired height and the mounting frame is then secured to the mounting pipe. The mounting connections are all frictional in nature and the mounting frame is adjustable in azimuth about the mounting pipe so that the antenna can be pointed in the right direction. Side struts secured to the mounting frame and the tower maintain the mounting frame at the desired azimuth.

Claims

1. A system for mounting an antenna on a tower, the tower having a plurality of substantially vertical leg members interconnected by a plurality of horizontal members and angled bracing members, the system comprising:

first and second bracket members adapted to be mounted to one of said tower leg members at vertically spaced locations thereon;

a mounting pipe secured to said first and second bracket members so as to extend substantially vertically;

a mounting frame including an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member substantially parallel to said upper horizontal member, and a plurality of connecting members secured to both said upper and lower horizontal members, wherein at least one of the connecting members is adapted to have the antenna secured thereto, and wherein the mounting frame is substantially laterally balanced about a balance line joining mounting points on said upper and lower horizontal members;

an upper bracket member secured to said upper horizontal member of said mounting frame at a mounting point on said upper horizontal member and to said mounting pipe;

a lower bracket member secured to said lower horizontal member of said mounting frame at a mounting point on said lower horizontal member and to said mounting pipe;

a pair of side struts each secured at one end to a respective connecting member of said mounting frame and each adapted to be secured at a point remote from said one end to a respective member of said tower, wherein said pair of side struts are secured to connecting members on opposite sides of the balance line of the mounting frame;

a pair of horizontal brace members each secured at one end to said lower horizontal member and adapted to extend substantially orthogonally thereto toward the tower, said pair of horizontal brace members being on the same side of said balance line;

a pair of angled brace members each secured at one end to the distal end of a respective one of said pair of horizontal brace members and at the other end to a respective connecting member at a location on said respective connecting member below said lower horizontal member; and

a generally planar platform resting on and secured to said pair of horizontal brace members.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

said mounting pipe is secured to said first and second bracket members so as to be angularly adjustable about the longitudinal axis of said mounting pipe.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein:

said upper and lower bracket members are secured to said mounting pipe so that said mounting frame is angularly adjustable about the longitudinal axis of said mounting pipe.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said first and second bracket members are adapted to be frictionally secured to said one tower leg member.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein said upper and lower bracket members are frictionally secured to said mounting pipe.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting members are frictionally secured to said upper and lower horizontal members.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein each of said side struts is secured to its respective connecting member so that it is angularly adjustable about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

8. A system for mounting an antenna on a tower, the tower having a plurality of substantially vertical leg members interconnected by a plurality of horizontal members and angled bracing members, the system comprising:

first and second bracket members adapted to be mounted to one of said tower leg members at vertically spaced locations thereon;

a mounting pipe secured to said first and second bracket members so as to extend substantially vertically;

a mounting frame including an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member substantially parallel to said upper horizontal member, and a plurality of connecting members secured to both said upper and lower horizontal members, wherein at least one of the connecting members is adapted to have the antenna secured thereto, and wherein the mounting frame is substantially laterally balanced about a balance line joining mounting points on said upper and lower horizontal members;

an upper bracket member secured to said upper horizontal member of said mounting frame at a mounting point on said upper horizontal member and to said mounting pipe;

a lower bracket member secured to said lower horizontal member of said mounting frame at a mounting point on said lower horizontal member and to said mounting pipe; and

a pair of side struts each secured at one end to a respective connecting member of said mounting frame and each adapted to be secured at a point remote from said one end to a respective member of said tower, wherein said pair of side struts are secured to connecting members on opposite sides of the balance line of the mounting frame;

wherein the upper one of said first and second bracket members comprises;

a first angle member adapted to be secured to said tower leg;

a second angle member secured to said mounting pipe, wherein said second angle member is slidable along said first angle member to vary the overlap therebetween in order to achieve a desired angle of inclination of said mounting pipe; and

at least one fastening member securing said first angle member to said second angle member with the overlap therebetween achieving the desired angle of inclination of said mounting pipe.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein:

said mounting pipe is secured to said first and second bracket members so as to be angularly adjustable about the longitudinal axis of said mounting pipe.

10. The system according to claim 8 wherein:

said upper and lower bracket members are secured to said mounting pipe so that said mounting frame is angularly adjustable about the longitudinal axis of said mounting pipe.

11. The system according to claim 8 wherein said first and second bracket members are adapted to be frictionally secured to said one tower leg member.

12. The system according to claim 8 wherein said upper and lower bracket members are frictionally secured to said mounting pipe.

13. The system according to claim 8 wherein said connecting members are frictionally secured to said upper and lower horizontal members.

14. The system according to claim 8 wherein each of said side struts is secured to its respective connecting member so that it is angularly adjustable about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.

15. A system for mounting an antenna on a tower, the tower having a plurality of substantially vertical leg members interconnected by a plurality of horizontal members and angled bracing members, the system comprising:

first and second bracket members adapted to be mounted to one of said tower leg members at vertically spaced locations thereon;

a mounting pipe secured to said first and second bracket members so as to extend substantially vertically;

a mounting frame including an upper horizontal member, a lower horizontal member substantially parallel to said upper horizontal member, and a plurality of connecting members secured to both said upper and lower horizontal members, wherein at least one of the connecting members is adapted to have the antenna secured thereto, and wherein the mounting frame is substantially laterally balanced about a balance line joining mounting points on said upper and lower horizontal members;

an upper bracket member secured to said upper horizontal member of said mounting frame at a mounting point on said upper horizontal member and to said mounting pipe;

a lower bracket member secured to said lower horizontal member of said mounting frame at a mounting point on said lower horizontal member and to said mounting pipe;

a pair of side struts each secured at one end to a respective connecting member of said mounting frame and each adapted to be secured at a point remote from said one end to a respective member of said tower, wherein said pair of side struts are secured to connecting members on opposite sides of the balance line of the mounting frame; and

a support member secured to the lower one of said first and second bracket members, said support member extending below said mounting pipe to prevent said mounting pipe from sliding downwardly past said support member.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein:

said mounting pipe is secured to said first and second bracket members so as to be angularly adjustable about the longitudinal axis of said mounting pipe.

17. The system according to claim 15 wherein:

said upper and lower bracket members are secured to said mounting pipe so that said mounting frame is angularly adjustable about the longitudinal axis of said mounting pipe.

18. The system according to claim 15 wherein said first and second bracket members are adapted to be frictionally secured to said one tower leg member.

19. The system according to claim 15 wherein said upper and lower bracket members are frictionally secured to said mounting pipe.

20. The system according to claim 15 wherein said connecting members are frictionally secured to said upper and lower horizontal members.

21. The system according to claim 15 wherein each of said side struts is secured to its respective connecting member so that it is angularly adjustable about both a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.