a2, United States Patent
`US 6,768,474 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`Jul. 27, 2004
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Hunt
`
`US006768474B2
`
`(54) ANTENNA MOUNTING ASSEMBLY AND
`METHOD
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Robert E. Hunt, Evansville, IN (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: SPX Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/324,013
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 20, 2002
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0119655 A1 Jun. 24, 2004
`
`(ST) Ute C17 ceeccccccccccccccessssssssssesessseteetensenssen H01Q 1/12
`
`(52)
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`UWS. Ce ceecescessneeee 343/892; 343/890; 248/218.4;
`248/230.4; 248/512
`
`(58) Field of Search oo... cece 343/878, 882,
`343/890, 891, 892, 879, 880; 248/218.4,
`
`4,126,864 A * 11/1978 Hopkins .........00. 343/704
`4,500,064 A *
`2/1985 Calabro... 248/539
`5,787,673 A
`8/1998 Noble 0...
`ee 52/726.1
`5,920,291 A *
`7/1999 Bosley 2.0... eee 343/892
`7/1999 Hagiwaraetal. ........... 343/882
`5,926,151 A *
`
`. 248/512
`5,971,345 A * 10/1999 Khalaf
`......
`1/2001 Macon ou... eee 343/892
`6,175,339 B1 *
`6,232,928 B1 *
`5/2001 Zimmermanetal. ....... 343/882
`6,267,339 B1 *
`7/2001 Gates et al... 248/218.4
`6,283,425 Bl *
`9/2001 Liljevik «0.0.0... 248/230.4
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Tho Phan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Baker & Hostetler LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An antenna attachment device and methodthat can attach to
`
`a vertical or angled structural membersuchas, for example,
`a vertical or an angled antenna tower leg, and that can
`support a mounting pipe at a desired angle such as, for
`example, in a vertical position.
`
`17 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`228.4, 229.23, 230.4, 512, 514, 539
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 1 of 7
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 1 of 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 6,768,474 B2
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`42
`™ a fH
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 2 of 7
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 2 of 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 27, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 6,768,474 B2
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 3 of 7
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 3 of 7
`
`

`

`US 6,768,474 B2
`
`1
`ANTENNA MOUNTING ASSEMBLY AND
`METHOD
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention pertains to mounting devices and methods.
`More particularly,
`the invention pertains to the field of
`assemblies and methodsfor attaching a componentsuch as,
`for example, an antenna device, to a supporting structure
`such as, for example, an antenna tower.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Awide range of types of antennas including, for example,
`mast antennas, dish antennas, horn antennas and other types
`of antennas and related components are often supported by
`an antenna toweror other structure to provide elevation to
`the antenna.
`
`It is generally desirable that a mounting device be pro-
`vided for conveniently mounting the antenna to the tower.
`Since the spatial orientation of the antennais often critical,
`it is desirable that the mounting apparatus be configured to
`permit proper spatial orientation of the antenna.
`It is also common for antenna towers to be tapered. That
`is, often an antenna tower has longitudinal frame members,
`referred to as tower legs, extending along its length from a
`wide tower base to a narrow section or point at or near the
`top of the tower. The tower legs are often canted at an angle
`anywhere from substantially vertical to five or more degrees
`off of vertical. Often, the antenna element is intended to be
`mounted via a mounting pipe which should be vertical to
`support the antenna element in the vertical directions. The
`angle of the tower leg presents a problem in that
`it
`is
`generally desirable to have a simple bracket device that
`would attach to the mounting pipe and hold the antenna
`elementin a vertical direction.
`
`Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a bracket that
`can attach in one place to a tower leg, and can attach in
`another place to a pipe mount of an antenna or other
`component to hold the pipe mountin a vertical orientation.
`Further, since the tower leg or some other structural
`component on the tower may in somesituations be com-
`pletely vertical, and in other situations may beat an angle,
`it would be desirable to have a bracket
`that
`is easily
`adaptable between a vertical tower leg, and a tower leg
`having any of a variety of angles, for example, between zero
`and five degrees from vertical.
`In thepriorart, it has often been necessary to manufacture
`custom attachment devices that are usable only with a
`specific angle of tower leg. Custom attachment devices are
`generally difficult to retrofit for use in a different angle.
`Moreover, having a number of custom devices for each
`possible angle can require an increase in stocking effort for
`a manufacturer and/or installer.
`
`Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an antenna
`aattachment device and method that can attachto a vertical
`or angled structural membersuchas, for example, a vertical
`or an angled antenna tower leg, and that can support a
`mounting pipe at a desired angle such as, for example, in a
`vertical position.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The foregoing needs are met,at least to a great extent, by
`the present invention, which at least in some embodiments
`provides an antenna attachment device and methodthat can
`attach to an angled structural member suchas, for example,
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`a vertical or an angled antenna tower leg, and that can
`support a mounting pipe at a desired angle such as for
`example in a vertical position.
`In one aspect the invention provides an apparatus for
`mounting an item to a structural member,
`the apparatus
`comprising: a first clamping assembly that clamps onto the
`item and clamps onto the structural member and connects
`them at a first distance from each other; and a second
`clamping assembly that clampsto the item and clamps onto
`the structural member and connects them at a second dis-
`
`tance from each other, said second clamping assembly
`having at least one spacer removable to vary the second
`distance between the item and the structural member.
`
`In another aspect the invention provides a clamp assembly
`for clamping an item to a structural member, the assembly
`comprising: a back plate; at least two threaded rods attached
`to the back plate; a mounting clamp attachedto the threaded
`rods and having a cylindrical pipe portion; at least onefist
`U-bolt configured to partially surround the cylindrical pipe
`portion of the clamp and rotatable around the cylindrical
`pipe portion; an attachmentplate attached to the U-bolt; and
`at
`least one second U-bolt for attaching to the item in
`conjunction with the attachmentplate.
`In another aspect the invention provides an apparatus for
`mounting an item to a structural member,
`the apparatus
`comprising: first means for clamping onto the item and
`clamping onto the structural member and connecting them at
`a first distance from each other; and second means for
`clamping onto the item and clamping onto the structural
`memberand connecting them at a second distance from each
`other, said second clamping meanshavingat least one spacer
`removable to vary the second distance between the item and
`the structural member.
`
`In another aspect the invention provides a clamp assembly
`for clamping an item to a structural member, the assembly
`comprising: first means for clamping onto the item and
`clamping onto the structural member and connecting them at
`a first distance from each other, and second means for
`clamping onto the item and clamping onto the structural
`memberand connecting them at a second distance from each
`other, means permitting rotation between the first and sec-
`ond means; and removable spacing means.
`In another aspect the invention provides a method for
`mounting an item to a structural member,
`the method
`comprising: clamping a first clamping assembly onto the
`item and onto the structural member and connecting them at
`a first distance from each other; and clamping a second
`clamping assembly onto the item and onto the structural
`memberand connecting them at a second distance from each
`other, and inserting a removable spacer to vary the second
`distance between the item and the structured member.
`
`As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
`conception upon whichthis disclosure is based may readily
`be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,
`methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes
`of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
`claims be regarded as including such equivalent construc-
`tions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope
`of the present invention.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment
`of the present invention attaching a mounting pipe to a tower
`leg, including an upper clamp assembly and a lower clamp
`assembly.
`FIG. 2 is a top view of the upper clamp assembly shown
`in FIG. 1.
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 4 of 7
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 4 of 7
`
`

`

`US 6,768,474 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment according to a
`preferred embodimentof the invention utilizing a spacer on
`the upper clamping assembly to accommodate an angled
`towerleg.
`FIG. 4 is a top view of the upper clamp assembly shown
`in FIG. 3.
`
`FIG. 5 is a top view of a mounting clamp element.
`FIG. 6 is a front view of the mounting clamp element of
`FIG. 5.
`
`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 7—7
`in FIG. 5.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now
`be described with reference to the drawings, in which like
`reference numerals identify like parts throughout. Referring
`nowparticularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus includes a
`upper clamping assembly 10 and similar lower clamping
`assembly 50 as shown.
`Each clamping assembly 10 and 50 includes a backing
`angle assembly 12 which consists of two pieces of angle iron
`14 and 16 connected together by two bolts 18. The backing
`angle assembly 12 is connected by four
`longitudinal
`threaded rods 20 that connect to a pipe mounting clamp
`element 22.
`
`the pipe mounting clamp
`As also seen in FIGS. 5-7,
`element 22 has holes 23 to receive the rods 20 and has an
`upper plate 24 and a lower plate 26. Each of the upper and
`lowerplates 24 and 26 have a notch 28 to help securely hold
`the tower leg 29 or other support
`to which the clamp
`assembly 10 is mounted. Additional holes 27 may be pro-
`vided to accommodate different sizes of tower legs 29.
`Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIGS. 5-7,this arrange-
`ment
`including the backing angle assembly 12 and the
`mounting clamp element 22, grip the tower leg 29 securely.
`The mounting clamp 22 further has two side plates 30
`surrounding a partially internal pipe section 32. The pipe
`section 32 can be surrounded by a pair of U-clamps 34
`which are bolted to a pipe attachmentplate 36.
`The pipe attachment plate 36 also supports a pair of
`U-bolts 38 which are attached to the pipe attachment plate
`36 and surround the pipe mount 40 as shownto hold the pipe
`mount 40. Since the pipe mount 40 is either part of the
`antenna or other component being mounted,(oris at least
`attached to the antenna or other component being mounted),
`the combination of clamping assemblies 10 and 50 provide
`a secure mounting of the antenna or other componentto the
`towerleg.
`The upper clamping assembly 50 is substantially the same
`as the lower clamping assembly 10. As seen in FIG. 1, where
`it is desirable for the pipe mount 40 to be parallel to the
`tower leg 29 or other structural member, for example for a
`vertical
`tower leg 29,
`the configuration of FIG. 1 will
`provide such an arrangement.
`Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4,in situations where, for
`example, an angled tower leg 29 is present, such as for a
`tapered tower, it is often desired to have an angle between
`the pipe mount 40 and the tower leg 29. In such cases, a
`spacer 42 can be installed in the upper mounting assembly
`50 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In particular, the spacer 42 is
`preferably installed between the pipe mounting clamp ele-
`ment 22 and the pipe attachment plate 32. The spacer 42 is
`drilled with holes for U-bolts 34, or shapedto fit inside the
`U-bolts 34. Further, the U-bolts 34 have sufficient length to
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`accept the spacer 42 andstill bolt around the pipe section 32
`and through the spacer 42 and pipe attachmentplate 32.
`The arrangement described here including the spacer 42 is
`particularly suitable for accommodating angled towerlegs.
`With respect to the lower clamping assembly 10, it will be
`appreciated that the U-bolts 34 are able to rotate with a
`rotational degree of freedom aboutthe pipe section 32 of the
`pipe mounting clamp element 22 in the condition shown in
`FIG. 3. By virtue of this degree of freedom, when a spacer
`42 is added in the upper clamping assembly 50, no addi-
`tional stress forces are imparted that would tend to bend or
`otherwise damageor distress the lower clamping assembly
`10, or its connection to the tower leg 29 and the pipe mount
`40.
`
`The upper clamping assembly 50 similarly has a degree of
`freedom in the interaction between the U-bolts 34 and the
`pipe section 32 of the pipe mounting clamp element 22, so
`that an angular difference between the tower leg 29 and the
`pipe mount 40 can also be accommodated without bending
`or torsional stresses in the upper clamping assembly.
`It will be appreciated that
`the preferred embodiment
`described herein provides for an easily manufactured, easily
`assembled, and easily installed system. For example, the
`system only requires wrenchesto tighten bolts to install. The
`system does not require drilling or otherwise modifying the
`tower leg. Moreover, the system provides degrees of free-
`dom as described above to accommodate an angle between
`the tower leg and the mounting pipe. Also, once installed,
`the system is able to securely resist forces in all directions.
`A further benefit of the preferred embodiment is that
`different angles can be accommodated merely by selecting
`appropriate size spacers. Thus,
`in order to accommodate
`specific angles, it is only necessary that appropriate spacers
`be available, and all the other components of the system can
`remain the same.
`
`The size of the backing angle, the pipe mounting clamp,
`the various U-bolts, and the threaded rods can be selected
`based on the diameters of the tower leg and the mounting
`pipes, as well as the weight of the antenna, wind forces or
`related factors. A rangeof different spacer sizers can be used.
`In addition, two or more of spacers of similar or different
`sizes can be “stacked” to achieve the desired spacing.
`The vertical distance between the upper clamping assem-
`bly and the lower clamping assembly is selected based on
`the overall size of the tower leg and the mounting leg and the
`forces expected thereon, and further the vertical distance can
`be selected to adjust the angle of the assembly as described
`in more detail below.
`
`It will be appreciated that for a given spacer size, simply
`varying the vertical distance between the upper clamping
`assembly 10 and the lower clamping assembly 50 will
`provide a corresponding variation in the angle provided
`between the tower leg 29 and the mounting pipe 40. This
`provides anothersignificant benefit of the invention because
`a single spacer size can provide a range of angular accom-
`modations. Thus, it is only necessary to keep on hand in
`some embodiments a relatively small number of spacers
`sizes (or even one type of spacer if they are to be stacked)
`to provide a relatively wide continuous range of possible
`angular accommodations.
`It will be appreciated that this arrangement provides a
`highly desirable degree of flexibility in accommodating
`angles between mounting pipes and tower legs, economical
`use of relatively standardized stocked parts, and is
`convenient, economical and light weight. With the exception
`of the pipe mounting clamp element22, the other parts used
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 5 of 7
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 5 of 7
`
`

`

`US 6,768,474 B2
`
`5
`such as the threaded rods, U-bolts and angled brackets can
`be generally commercially available components.
`While the preferred embodimenthas been described in the
`context of mounting an antenna pipe mount40 to a towerleg
`29, it will be appreciated that the present apparatus and
`methodis suitable for a wider range of mounting duties. For
`example,
`it may be mounted to other structures besides
`antenna towers,
`including for example trusses, bridges,
`beams, scaffolds, or other support structures.
`Further, although the exemplary tower leg 29 shownis a
`round cylinder, the arrangement shown could also attach to
`square cross sections or L-shaped,I-shaped, or H-shaped,or
`other cross sections. Still further, although the pipe mount 40
`is shown as being a round cylindrical
`tube gripped by
`U-bolts 38, other types of antenna or component mounts
`may be hold by the invention. For example,
`it may be
`desirable to use an angle iron assembly and threaded rod in
`place of the U-bolts 38 to hold other mounts having other
`cross-sections.
`
`6
`at least one second U-bolt for attaching to the item in
`conjunction with the attachmentplate.
`5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising
`a removable spacer disposed between the mounting clamp
`and the attachmentplate.
`6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the item
`is a pipe mount of an antenna.
`7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
`structural memberis a leg of a tower.
`8. An apparatus for mounting an item to a structural
`member, the apparatus comprising:
`first means for clamping onto the item and clamping onto
`the structural member and connecting them at a first
`distance from each other,
`second means for clamping onto the item and clamping
`onto the structural member and connecting them at a
`second distance from each other, said second clamping
`means having at least one spacer removable to vary the
`second distance between the item and the structural
`member, wherein at least one of the first and second
`clamping means comprises:
`a mounting means having a cylindrical pipe section
`therein; and
`U-shaped means for surrounding the pipe section and
`rotating about the pipe section.
`9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the item
`is a pipe mount of an antenna.
`10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
`structural memberis a leg of a tower.
`11. Aclamp assembly for clamping an item to a structural
`member, the assembly comprising:
`first means for clamping onto the item and clamping onto
`the structural member and connecting them at a first
`distance from each other;
`second means for clamping onto the item and clamping
`onto the structural member and connecting them at a
`second distance from each other, wherein at least one of
`1. An apparatus for mounting an item toastructural
`the first and second clamping means comprises:
`member, the apparatus comprising:
`U-shaped means permitting rotation betweenthefirst and
`a first clamping assembly that claims onto the item and
`second means; and
`clamps onto the structural member and connects them
`removable spacing means.
`at a first distance from each other; and
`12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the item
`a second clamping assembly that clamps to the item and
`is a pipe mount of an antenna.
`13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the
`clamps onto the structural member and connects them
`structural memberis a leg of a tower.
`at a second distance from each other, said second
`14. A method for mounting an item to a structural
`clamping assembly having at least one spacer remov-
`member, the method comprising:
`able to vary the second distance between the item and
`clampinga first clamping assembly onto the item and onto
`the structural member, wherein at least one of the first
`the structural member and connecting them at a first
`and second clamp assemblies comprises:
`distance from each other;
`a mounting clamp element having a cylindrical pipe
`clamping a second clamping assembly onto the item and
`section therein; and
`onto the structural member and connecting them at a
`least one U-bolt surrounding the pipe section and
`second distance from each other; wherein at least one
`rotatable about the pipe section.
`of the first and second clamping assemblies comprises:
`2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the item
`a mounting clamp having a cylindrical pipe section
`is a pipe mount of an antenna.
`therein; and
`3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
`at least one U-bolt surrounding the pipe section and
`structural memberis a leg of a tower.
`rotatable about the pipe section; and
`4. Aclamp assembly for clamping an item to a structural
`member, the assembly comprising:
`inserting a removable spacer to vary the second distance
`between the item and the structured member.
`a backplate;
`15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the item
`at least two threaded rods attached to the back plate;
`is a pipe mount of an antenna.
`a mounting clamp attached to the threaded rods and
`16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the
`having a cylindrical pipe portion;
`structural memberis a leg of a tower.
`at least one first U-bolt configured to partially surround
`17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising
`the cylindrical pipe portion of the clamp and rotatable
`inserting a plurality of stacked spacers.
`around the cylindrical pipe portion;
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`an attachmentplate attached to the U-bolt; and
`
`Also, although the preferred embodimentis described in
`the context of supporting an antenna such as a mast antenna
`or a dish, various embodiments of the invention may be used
`to support any other antennaor device, particularly whereit
`is desired to provide an accommodation betweenthe vertical
`orientation of the device as comparedto the leg or structure
`to whichit is being mounted, but also for parallel mounting.
`The many features and advantages of the invention are
`apparent from the detailed specification, and thus,
`it
`is
`intended by the appended claims to cover all such features
`and advantages of the invention which fall within the true
`spirits and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous
`modifications and variations will readily occur to those
`skilled in theart, it is not desired to limit the invention to the
`exact construction and operation illustrated and described,
`and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
`mayberesortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.
`Whatis claimedis:
`
`at
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 6 of 7
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 6 of 7
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`

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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARKOFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`Page 1 of 1
`PATENT NO._: 6,768,474 B2
`DATED
`: July 27, 2004
`INVENTOR(S): Robert E. Hunt
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patentis
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`
`Column 5
`Line 40, replace “claims” with -- clamps--.
`
`Signed and Sealedthis
`
`Sixteenth Day of November, 2004
`
`an WDle
`
`JON W. DUDAS
`Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 7 of 7
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1052 - Page 7 of 7
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`