Supports – Staff type – Bracket
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-24
2001-05-29
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Staff type
Bracket
C248S219100, C248S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237888
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to improvements in the field of antenna mounting systems. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved antenna mounting system for mounting an antenna mast to the roof of a building.
Many antennas for receiving or transmitting electromagnetic radiations for communication purposes, or for home entertainment purposes, require an antenna mounting bracket near or on a building to support an antenna in a vertical or horizontal direction. The antenna is usually supported by a mast and bracket to keep the antenna clear of surrounding objects, and to hold the antenna in a fixed direction. Sometimes a means such as a rotor, is used to change the direction of the antenna in order to receive or transmit the electromagnetic radiations between more than two fixed points.
Antenna masts are generally mounted to the roof of a building and necessitate the use of nails, screws or other fasteners which penetrate the roof and cause damage thereto. Spanish tile roofs which are common to the South Western part of the United States are easily damaged. Wireless cable companies have experienced considerable liability expenses due to damaged tile roofs.
The antenna bracket for mounting antenna masts to the exterior wall of buildings, proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,284, suffers from the same drawbacks as discussed above. Such an antenna bracket comprises four adjustable length arms which are each rotatably connected at one end to a post having a circular butt plate. The antenna mast is mounted to the past and rests against the butt plate. Each adjustable length arm is rotatably connected at the other end to a fastening plate which is anchored to the sidewall of a building by means of screws or the like. These screws damage the vinyl or aluminum siding, causing water ingress.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above drawbacks and to provide an improved antenna mounting system for mounting an antenna to the roof of a building without damaging same.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an antenna mounting system for mounting an antenna mast to a building with a roof having a plurality of exposed rafters extending in spaced-apart parallel relationship. The antenna mounting system of the invention comprises support means for holding the mast vertically at a predetermined distance from an edge of the roof; torsion-resistant attachment means for attaching the support means to one of the rafters; and first and second mast stabilizing means for maintaining the mast in a stable, generally vertical position so as to resist wind effects, the first mast stabilizing means being adapted for attachment to the one rafter by the attachment means, and the second mast stabilizing means being adapted for attachment to an other rafter spaced from the one rafter. The first and second mast stabilizing means cooperate with the support means to provide a structurally rigid antenna mounting system.
Applicant has found quite unexpectedly that by mounting the antenna mast to the exposed rafters of a roof, neither the roof nor the sidewall of the building can be damaged. Thus, considerable liability expenses can be avoided.
According to a preferred embodiment, the support means comprises an elongated support member having first and second ends with first clamping means at the first end for holding the mast at a first predetermined location thereon.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprises a planar attachment member, first releasable fastening means for releasably securing the attachment member to the one rafter so that the attachment member is disposed in a vertical plane and has a portion projecting downwardly from the one rafter, and second releasable fastening means for releasably securing the support member at the second end to the downwardly projecting portion of the attachment member so that the support member extends horizontally outward therefrom.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention the first stabilizing means comprises a first stabilizing arm having first and second ends with second clamping means at the first end for holding the mast at a second predetermined location thereon, the second location being sufficiently spaced from the first location to prevent pivotal movement of the mast, and third releasable fastening means for releasably securing the first stabilizing arm at the second end to the downwardly projecting portion of the attachment member so that the first stabilizing arm extends outward from the attachment member at a predetermined angle relative to the support member.
According to yet another preferred embodiment, the second stabilizing means comprises a second stabilizing arm having first and second ends with the first end being attached to the mast by the aforesaid second clamping means, and first releasable attachment means for releasably attaching the second stabilizing arm at the second end to the other rafter. Preferably, the second stabilizing means further include an additional stabilizing arm having first and second ends with the first end being attached to the mast by the aforesaid first clamping means, and second releasable attachment means for releasably attaching the additional stabilizing arm at the second end to the other rafter. The support member and the first stabilizing arm cooperate with a portion of the mast extending between the first and second locations to define a first rigid structure having a generally triangular configuration; the second stabilizing arm and the additional stabilizing arm, on the other hand, cooperate with such a mast portion to define a second rigid structure having a generally triangular configuration.
Antenna masts mounted to rafters with the antenna mounting system of the invention can withstand a wind load of up to about 100 mph.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Ramirez Ramon O.
Thomas & Betts International Inc.
Wood Kimberly
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