Method and apparatus for mounting network devices

• US 10,224,595 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2018
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Britz, David M., Barnickel, Donald J., Gerszberg, Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Baltzell, Andrea Lindgren
• Application Number:
  US16/129,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20190013565A1
• Time in Patent Office: 174 Days
• Field of Search: 343890
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1228 on a boom
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/246 specially adapted for base stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/10 Resonant antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/22 RF wavebands combined with non-RF wavebands, e.g. infrared or optical
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0485 Dielectric resonator antennas

Abstract

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an antenna including a dielectric antenna and a mounting carriage connectable with a mounting bracket. Wireless signals can be transmitted by electromagnetic waves that propagate without requiring an electrical return path, where the electromagnetic waves are guided by a dielectric core of a cable coupled to a feed point of the dielectric antenna. The mounting bracket is connectable with a cross member of a utility pole, where the mounting carriage includes an opening for receiving an antenna mount, and where, when received in the mounting carriage, the antenna is suspended beyond distal ends of the cross member. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

mounting brackets connectable with a distal end of a cross member that is fixably attached to a utility pole;

a curved member having a curved shape;

clamping brackets connecting the curved member and the mounting brackets; and

a mounting carriage connectable with the curved member, wherein the mounting carriage includes an opening for receiving an antenna mount of an antenna, wherein the antenna, when received in the mounting carriage, is suspended beyond the distal end of the cross member.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting carriage when in an unlocked state slides via a core bearing along the curved member, wherein the mounting carriage when in a locked state does not slide along the curved member, and wherein the clamping brackets connect the curved member and the mounting brackets via threaded lugs.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the antenna comprises a dielectric antenna, wherein wireless signals are transmitted by electromagnetic waves that propagate without requiring an electrical return path, and wherein the electromagnetic waves are guided by a dielectric core of a cable coupled to a feed point of the dielectric antenna.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the mounting brackets includes an opening to receive one corner of the distal end of the cross member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the mounting brackets is connectable with the distal end of the cross member via a securing member extending through the mounting bracket and into one corner of the distal end of the cross member.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the mounting brackets includes a dimple adapted to penetrate the cross member at one corner of the distal end of the cross member.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the mounting brackets includes a deformable pad configured to deform and comply with a surface of the distal end of the cross member.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the antenna mount when in an unlocked state rotates about the opening in the mounting carriage, and wherein the antenna mount when in a locked state does not rotate about the opening in the mounting carriage.

9. A system comprising:

mounting brackets connectable with a utility pole;

a curved member having a curved shape;

clamping brackets connecting the curved member with the mounting brackets; and

a mounting carriage connectable with the curved member, wherein the mounting carriage includes an opening for receiving an antenna mount of an antenna, and wherein the mounting carriage includes a core bearing that facilitates the mounting carriage sliding via the core bearing along the curved member when the mounting carriage is in an unlocked state.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the core bearing has a curved opening therethrough for receiving the curved member.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein a first radius of curvature of the curved opening of the core bearing equals a second radius of curvature of the curved shape of the curved member.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein each of the mounting brackets includes at least one of a plurality of threaded lugs, and wherein the clamping brackets connect the curved member and the mounting brackets via the plurality of threaded lugs.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of threaded lugs are connected to the mounting brackets via a pivotal connection.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising an inter-bracket plate connected with a pair of the mounting brackets, wherein the inter-bracket plate connects an electronics module thereto, and wherein the electronics module enables wireless communications via the antenna.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the mounting brackets each include a slot for receiving an adjustable strap that facilitates installation of the mounting brackets to the utility pole.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the mounting brackets each include an inner face with a non-linear shape that is configured for positioning against the utility pole.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the inner face of each of the mounting brackets includes deformable contact pads.

18. A method comprising:

connecting mounting brackets to a utility pole;

connecting a mounting carriage to a curved member;

sliding the mounting carriage to a particular position along the curved member via a core bearing of the mounting carriage;

connecting the curved member to a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket of the mounting brackets; and

connecting an antenna to the mounting carriage.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

connecting an inter-bracket plate with a pair of the mounting brackets; and

connecting an electronics module with the inter-bracket plate, wherein the electronics module enables wireless communications via the antenna.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the connecting the curved member to the first and second mounting brackets is via clamping brackets of the curved member that engage with threaded lugs of the mounting brackets, wherein the threaded lugs are pivotally connected to the mounting brackets.