APPARATUS FOR SECURING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO A SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCORPORATING SAME
20220232715 · 2022-07-21
Inventors
- Claudio Santiago Ribeiro (Evanston, IL, US)
- Cesar Eduardo Nunez (Miramar, FL, US)
- Steven Kenneth Mackiewicz (Shorewood, IL, US)
- STEPHEN M. OSHGAN (ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL, US)
Cpc classification
F21S8/085
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
H01R13/639
ELECTRICITY
H01R13/595
ELECTRICITY
F16M13/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
Abstract
An apparatus for mounting an electronic device to a support structure includes a coupling member, a clamp member, and a latch mechanism. The coupling member has an elongated electronic device support portion and a clamp support portion. The clamp support portion extends from one end of the device support portion in a direction substantially normal to the device support portion. The clamp member includes a base, a first arched clamp portion, a second arched clamp portion, and a hinge. The base is coupled to the clamp support portion of the coupling member. The first clamp portion has a first end attached to the base. The hinge pivotally couples the first ends of the two clamp portions such that the arch shapes of the two clamp portions oppose each other. The latch mechanism is configured to latch the second ends of the two clamp portions to the support structure.
Claims
1. An apparatus for mounting an electronic device to a support structure, the apparatus comprising: a coupling member having an elongated electronic device support portion and a clamp support portion, the electronic device support portion having a first end and a second end, the clamp support portion extending from the second end of the electronic device support portion in a direction substantially normal to the electronic device support portion; a clamp member including a base, a first arched clamp portion, a second arched clamp portion, and a hinge, the base being coupled to the clamp support portion of the coupling member, the first clamp portion having a first end attached to the base and a second end, the second clamp portion having a first end and a second end, the hinge pivotally coupling the first end of the second clamp portion to the first end of the first clamp portion such that an arch shape of the second clamp portion opposes an arch shape of the first clamp portion; and a latch mechanism positioned at the second end of the first clamp portion and the second end of the second clamp portion, the latch mechanism configured to latch the second end of the first clamp portion to the second end of the first clamp portion after the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion are positioned about the support structure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the first clamp portion is closer to the electronic device support portion of the coupling member than the first end of the first clamp portion is to the electronic device support portion of the coupling member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first clamp portion is attached to the base such that the first end of the first clamp portion and the second end of the first clamp portion are oriented along an axis forming an approximately forty five degree angle relative to the clamp support portion of the coupling member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp member further includes: a first bushing component attached to an inner face of the first clamp portion; and a second bushing component attached to an inner face of the second clamp portion.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamp member is height adjustable in the clamp support portion of the coupling member.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the clamp support portion defines a vertical channel, the base of the clamp member includes an interlocking extension that fits into the channel, and wherein one or more threaded fasteners pass through the channel and into the base from an opposite side of the clamp support portion to secure the base to the clamp support portion.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism comprises: a threaded rod that is coupled at a first end of the threaded rod to the second end of the first clamp portion at a hinge joint; a latch nut disposed on the threaded rod; and wherein the second clamp portion has an outward radial extension at the second end of the second clamp portion, wherein the outward radial extension include a slot in which the threaded rod can pass; and wherein upon closing the second clamp portion to the first clamp portion, the threaded rod is moved about the hinge joint such that the latch nut is disposed on an outer side of the outward radial extension and can then be tightened against the outward radial extension to secure the second end of the second clamp portion against the second end of the first clamp portion.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic device support portion of the coupling member further includes: a first shuttle positioned proximate a first surface of the electronic device support portion at the first end of the electronic device support portion; and a second shuttle positioned proximate the first surface of the electronic device support portion at the second end of the electronic device support portion, wherein the first shuttle and the second shuttle are configured to engage in respective tracks formed in a housing of the electronic device.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electronic device support portion of the coupling member further includes: a non-conductive spacer positioned between the first and second shuttles and the first surface of the electronic device support portion.
10. An electronic device mountable to a support structure, the electronic device comprising: a housing; a coupling member having an elongated electronic device support portion and a clamp support portion, the electronic device support portion being coupled to the housing and having a first end and a second end, the clamp support portion extending from the second end of the electronic device support portion in a direction substantially normal to the electronic device support portion; a clamp member including a base, a first arched clamp portion, a second arched clamp portion, and a hinge, the base being coupled to the clamp support portion of the coupling member, the first clamp portion having a first end attached to the base and a second end, the second clamp portion having a first end and a second end, the hinge pivotally coupling the first end of the second clamp portion to the first end of the first clamp portion such that an arch shape of the second clamp portion opposes an arch shape of the first clamp portion; and a latch mechanism positioned at the second end of the first clamp portion and the second end of the second clamp portion, the latch mechanism configured to latch the second end of the first clamp portion to the second end of the first clamp portion after the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion are positioned about the support structure.
11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the clamp member further includes: a first bushing component attached to an inner face of the first clamp portion; and a second bushing component attached to an inner face of the second clamp portion.
12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the electronic device support portion of the coupling member further includes: a first shuttle positioned proximate a first surface of the electronic device support portion at the first end of the electronic device support portion; and a second shuttle positioned proximate the first surface of the electronic device support portion at the second end of the electronic device support portion, wherein the first shuttle and the second shuttle are configured to engage in respective tracks formed in the housing.
13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the electronic device support portion of the coupling member further includes: a non-conductive spacer positioned between the first and second shuttles and the first surface of the electronic device support portion.
14. An apparatus for mounting an electronic device to a support structure, the apparatus comprising: a coupling member having a top portion having a first end and a second end and a top surface, and further having a clamp support portion that extends from the top portion at the second end of the top portion opposite the top surface at substantially a right angle to the top portion; a clamp member having a base that is slidably coupled to the clamp support portion, and having an first clamp portion having a first end that is fixed to the base and a second end that is closer to the top portion of the coupling member than the first end of the first clamp portion is to the top portion, and wherein the first clamp portion has a semi-circular inner face between the first and second ends of the first clamp portion, the clamp member further having a second clamp portion having a first end that is connected to the first end of the first clamp portion at a hinge joint, the second clamp portion being movable about the hinge joint between an open and a closed position, wherein in the closed position a second end of the second clamp portion is against the second end of the first clamp portion, and wherein the second clamp portion has a semi-circular inner face between the first and second ends of the second clamp portion; and a latch member having a first end anchored at a hinge joint at the second end of the first clamp portion and is movable about the hinge joint between an unlatched and a latched position, and is configured to latch the second end of the second clamp portion against the second end of the first clamp portion.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein, the first and second ends of the first clamp portion are positioned such that a line between the first and second ends of the first clamp portion is at a forty-five degree angle to an elongated direction of the top portion of the coupling member, and an elongated direction of the clamp support portion of the coupling member.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the clamp support portion includes a vertical channel, the base of the clamp member includes an interlocking extension that fits into the channel, and wherein one or more threaded fasteners pass through the channel and into the base from an opposite side of the clamp support portion to secure the base to the clamp support portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the latch member comprises a threaded rod having a latch nut disposed on the threaded; wherein the first end of the threaded rod is threaded into an opening in a transverse cylinder held in a boss at the second end of the upper clamp member.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a first bushing component attached to the inner face of the first clamp portion; and a second bushing component attached to the inner face of the second clamp portion.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first bushing component and the second bushing component each have at least one flat facet.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0014]
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
[0020]
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022]
[0023] The coupling member 102 includes an electronic device support portion 106 having a generally flat, top surface 107. The electronic device support portion 106 has a first end 108 and a second end 110 opposite the first end 108. The first and second ends 108, 110 generally have a width in a direction normal to a direction from the first end 108 to the second end 110, and the widths of the first and second ends 108, 110 are substantially less than a length between the first and second ends 108, 110. As a result, the top surface 107 can be generally rectangular, but can also be elliptical or oval or have another shape. In some applications the top portion 106 is oriented to be generally horizontal with the top surface 107 being generally flat. The electronic device support portion 106 at the first end 108, has a bottom 116 that may be generally flat and parallel to the top surface 107 along some of the electronic device support portion 106 from the first end 108 toward the second end 110. A first opening 112 at the first end passes through the electronic device support portion 106, from the top surface 107 to the bottom 116. Likewise, a second opening 114 at the second end 110 passes through the electronic device support portion 106 as well. The first and second openings 112, 114 allow fasteners to pass through the electronic device support portion 106 to facilitate attachment to the bottom of an electronic device.
[0024] A clamp support portion 118 extends from the electronic device support portion 106 at a generally right angle to the elongated direction of the electronic device support portion 106 (i.e., the direction between the ends 108, 100). In particular, the clamp support portion 118 extends from the electronic device support portion 106 opposite the top surface 107 near the second end 110, and is off center, relative to the first and second ends 108, 110 of the electronic device support portion 106. The clamp support portion 118 may depend from or be attached to the electronic device support portion 106. The clamp support portion 118 has a distal end or bottom 120 that terminates the clamp support portion 118, and the clamp support portion 118 is configured couple to the clamp member 104 and support the clamp member 104. Thus, when the clamp member 104 is clamped to a pole section of a light fixture, the electronic device support portion 106 can be coupled to the bottom of the electronic device, and the clamp assembly 100 acts to secure the electronic device to the support structure (e.g., a pole section of a streetlight).
[0025] The clamp member 104 includes a base portion 122 and two pivotally or hingeably coupled clamp portions 128, 136. The base portion 122 includes a protrusion 124 (shown in an exemplary rectangular shape in
[0026] The second clamp portion 136, which may be positioned lower than the first clamp portion 134 during use of the clamp assembly 100, is likewise arched and may include or accommodate attachment of a second bushing component 516. The second bushing component 516 may be made of metal, such as aluminum, or any other material having a high coefficient of friction and optionally being slightly compressible or resilient. The material used and the geometric shape selected for implementing the bushing components 514, 516 should be sufficient to resist movement or rotation of the clamp member 104 relative to the support structure to which the clamp member 104 is secured. The second clamp portion 136 has a first end 138 that is proximate the first end 132 of the first clamp portion 128 and is hingeably joined to the first clamp portion 128 by an interleaving member 140 that extends from the first end 138 of the second clamp portion 136 between one or more extensions 502, which extend from the first end 132 of the first clamp portion 128. A hinge pin 504 may be included to pass through lateral openings 506 and 508 of the interleaving member 140 and the extension(s) 502, respectively. Thus, the second clamp portion 136 is moveable relative to the first clamp portion 128 to open and close the clamp member 104. In the closed position the second end 142 of the second clamp portion 136 will be against the second end 134 of the upper clamp member 128. The second clamp portion 136 is movable, about the hinge pin 504, relative to the first clamp portion 128, between a closed position as shown in
[0027] To hold the lower clamp member 136 in the closed position, a latch is provided that includes a threaded rod 152 that is anchored at one end in a transverse cylinder 154, which has a threaded opening 510 through the cylinder 154 to receive the threaded end of the threaded rod 152. The cylinder 154 is held by a boss 155 at the second end 134 of the first clamp portion 128 to form a hinge joint at the second 134 of the first clamp portion. The hinge joint allows the threaded rod 152, acting as a latch member, to rotate about the hinge joint, meaning the free end or latching end of the threaded rod 152 can rotate around the hinge joint location. The boss 155 has a corresponding transverse hole 512 in which the cylinder sits, allowing the cylinder to rotate in place. The boss 155 includes a slot 162 along its top to allow the threaded rod 152 to rotate about the transverse axis of the cylinder 154. The boss 155 is adjacent an outward extension 150 at the second end 134 through with the slot 162 passes. The second clamp portion 136, at its second end 142, includes an outward or radial extension 150 that abuts the radial extension 150 of the first clamp portion 128 when the lower claim portion 136 is in the closed position (e.g., as illustrated in
[0028] In
[0029] To hold the clamp member 104 to the coupling member 102 threaded fasteners 428, 430 pass through slot 126 into holes 427, 431 on base 122 of the clamp member 102 (see
[0030]
[0031]
[0032] According to one exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 602 may include, on its bottom side, an electrical connector site 606 that has turn-lock prongs 608 that mate with corresponding electrical connector features in the connector 614 of the light fixture 610. In general, the connector 614 and mating connector site 606 are configured to come together vertically such that the prongs 608 enter receptacles in the connector 614, and then the electronic device 602 is rotated about the connector in a plane normal to the vertical direction to lock the prongs 608 in place. In some embodiments, the connector 614 can be a socket as specified by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in accordance with standard C136.4 or C136.55 of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). Thus, in
[0033] The clamp assembly 100 is mounted on the bottom 604 of the electronic device 602. On the bottom 604 of the electronic device 602 there are two parallel tracks 616 that are configured to receive therein the top portion 405, 407 of the shuttles 404, 406 while the connecting portions 408, 410 of the shuttles 404, 406 pass through a slot along each track 616. The shuttles 404, 406 can move along the track 6161, which allows the coupling member 102 of the clamp assembly 100 (and therefore the clamp assembly 100 itself) to be positioned at an optimum or desired point along the tracks 616. In
[0034] The clamp assembly 100 therefore provides the benefit of being able to adjust the position of the clamp assembly 00 relative to the electronic device 602, and to adjust the position of the clamp member on the coupling member to be able to level the electronic device 602. The configuration of the first and second clamp portions 128, 136 allows for single handed closure of the clamp; an installer can lift the second clamp portion 136 to close the clamp portions 128, 136 together with the fingers of one hand and while holding the second clamp portion in the closed position, use their thumb to move the threaded rod 152 into the latch position, and the tighten the latch nut 156 with their thumb as well. One the latch nut is “thumb tight,” the installer can let go of the lower clamp member 136 and use a tool (wrench) to tighten the latch nut 156 to a desired torque. Thus, the inventive clamp assembly 100 allows for simple mounting, including levelling, of the small cell access node device onto a light fixture. By positioning the first clamp portion with the first end lower than the second (free) end, the height that the small cell access node device needs to be lifted for the second end of the first clamp portion to pass over the pole section is reduced, which puts less torque and stress on the electrical connectors when mounting the small cell access node device.
[0035] The claims appended hereto are meant to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.