U.S. patent application number 10/256500 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-01 for cross box side mount umbrella bracket.
Invention is credited to Diggle, Frederick James, Rivers, Paul Brent.
Application Number | 20040060584 10/256500 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32029289 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040060584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diggle, Frederick James ; et
al. |
April 1, 2004 |
Cross box side mount umbrella bracket
Abstract
Apparatus and methods provide an umbrella holder bracket that is
capable of being side-mounted to a telecommunications cabinet or to
an electrical cabinet. The bracket of the telecommunications
cabinet provides the means to position an umbrella for increased
environmental protection of the cabinet, the hardware and equipment
contained within the cabinet, and increased access of the
surrounding work area.
Inventors: |
Diggle, Frederick James;
(Bimingham, AL) ; Rivers, Paul Brent; (Cullman,
AL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAMBI FAIVRE WALTERS
P.O. BOX 5743
WILLIAMSBURG
VA
23188
US
|
Family ID: |
32029289 |
Appl. No.: |
10/256500 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q 2201/10 20130101;
A45B 11/00 20130101; A45B 25/00 20130101; H04Q 1/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/016 |
International
Class: |
A45B 003/00; A45B
005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1 A bracket for a telecommunications cabinet, comprising: a hollow,
upwardly extending open passageway having a generally cylindrical
side portion, a substantially planar base portion, a top, and a
bottom; means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to
a side wall of the telecommunications cabinet, wherein the
passageway defines an aperture for receiving a first end of a
generally cylindrical section of an umbrella pole.
2 The bracket of claim 1, wherein the means for mounting the
substantially planar base portion to the side wall of the
telecommunications cabinet comprises a pair of substantially planar
arms extending outwardly from the base portion, opposite the
generally cylindrical side portion.
3 The bracket of claim 2, wherein the pair of substantially planar
arms and the base portion have a length of about six inches.
4 The bracket of claim 2, wherein the pair of substantially planar
arms and the base portion have a thickness of about one-fourth
inch.
5 The bracket of claim 2, wherein the means for mounting the
substantially planar base portion to a side wall of the
telecommunications cabinet further comprises means for fastening
the pair of substantially planar arms to the side wall.
6 The bracket of claim 1, wherein the means for mounting the
substantially planar base portion to the side wall comprises at
least one of the following: a nut; a bolt; a screw; a rivet; and
welding.
7 The bracket of claim 1, the passageway having a diameter of about
one and a half inches.
8 The bracket of claim 1, the generally cylindrical side portion
having a width of about two and three-eighths inches.
9 The bracket of claim 1, further comprising: a locking mechanism,
the locking mechanism capable of securing the umbrella pole in a
desired position within the passageway.
10 The bracket of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism comprises
at least one of a pin and a thumbscrew.
11 A method of supporting an umbrella, comprising: positioning a
generally cylindrical section of an umbrella pole in a bracket of a
side wall of the telecommunications cabinet, the bracket comprising
a hollow, upwardly extending open passageway including a generally
cylindrical side portion, a substantially planar base portion, a
top, and a bottom, wherein the passageway defines an aperture for
receiving a first end of the generally cylindrical section of the
umbrella pole.
12 The method of claim 11, wherein the bracket further comprises
means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to the
side wall of the telecommunications cabinet.
13 The method of claim 12, wherein the means for mounting the
substantially planar base portion to the side wall of the
telecommunications cabinet comprises a pair of substantially planar
arms extending outwardly from the base portion, opposite the
generally cylindrical side portion.
14 The method of claim 12, wherein the means for mounting the
substantially planar base portion to a side wall of the
telecommunications cabinet further comprises means for fastening
the pair of substantially planar arms to the side wall.
15 The method of claim 11, further comprising: engaging a locking
mechanism to secure the umbrella pole in a desired position within
the passageway.
16 telecommunications cabinet, comprising: a plurality of side
walls, a top, and at least one door providing access to an interior
of the cabinet, wherein the interior of the cabinet houses hardware
and equipment for sending and receiving telecommunications signals;
a bracket having a hollow, upwardly extending open passageway, a
generally cylindrical side portion, a substantially planar base
portion, a top, and a bottom; means for mounting the substantially
planar base portion to one of the plurality of side walls of the
telecommunications cabinet, wherein the passageway defines an
aperture for receiving a first end of a generally cylindrical
section of an umbrella pole.
Description
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but
otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of
telecommunications, and, in particular, to a side-mounted, umbrella
holder bracket for telecommunication cabinets.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the telecommunications or electronics industry, it is
common practice to locate free-standing hardware and equipment
outdoors. Typically, this hardware and equipment includes a
surrounding cabinet to protect from ambient weather and other
environmental conditions. As used herein, the term "cabinet"
includes terminals, closures, enclosures, housings, and other
devices used to protect outdoor telecommunications and/or
electrical hardware and equipment. Cabinets may be polygon or
non-polygonally shaped and constructed of any appropriate material,
such as, for example, metal, polymer, plastic, ceramic, glass,
crystal, and/or combinations thereof.
[0006] Occasionally, it is necessary for technicians to service
this hardware and equipment. When service is required during
adverse weather conditions, the hardware and equipment needs
protection while the cabinet doors are open. Typically, the
technician and the hardware and equipment are protected by a large
umbrella which is held or otherwise supported by the technician
over an open cabinet. The umbrella also protects a work area in
front of the open cabinet. However, it is during such adverse
weather conditions that positioning of the umbrella over the
cabinet is a most difficult procedure to follow. For instance, such
umbrellas are usually employed during windy and rainy conditions
that make their controlled maneuverability by a single person
(e.g., the technician) very difficult, tiring and time-consuming.
Further, the technician does not have a great deal of room to work
under the umbrella and frequently must use one hand to assist in
securing the position of the umbrella, thus making it more
difficult for the technician to gain access to the hardware and
equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention addresses the above-described and other needs
by providing an umbrella holder bracket that is capable of being
side-mounted to a telecommunications cabinet or to an electrical
cabinet. This invention provides for a telecommunications cabinet
having the means to hold an umbrella that increases the
environmental protection of the cabinet and of the hardware and
equipment contained within the cabinet and increases access of the
surrounding work area. Further, the bracket includes means to
securely position or engage the umbrella or another appropriate
object within the bracket.
[0008] In an embodiment, this invention includes a bracket for a
telecommunications cabinet that has a hollow, upwardly extending
open passageway having a generally cylindrical side portion, a
substantially planar base portion, a top, and a bottom. The bracket
includes means for mounting the substantially planar base portion
of the bracket to a side wall of the telecommunications cabinet,
such as, for example a pair of substantially planar arms extending
outwardly from the base portion that may be secured to the cabinet
with nuts, bolts, screws, rivets, welding, and other means known in
the art. The passageway comprises an aperture (e.g., an opening)
for receiving a first end of a generally cylindrical section of an
umbrella pole. Typically, the first end of the umbrella pole is
positioned in the aperture and a second end of the umbrella pole
having an umbrella portion provides protection from precipitation
and sun when the umbrella portion is opened. The bracket may
include a locking mechanism to secure the umbrella pole into a
desired position within the passageway.
[0009] In another embodiment, this invention includes the
telecommunications cabinet having a plurality of side walls, a top,
and at least one door providing access to an interior of the
cabinet, a bracket having a hollow, upwardly extending open
passageway, a generally cylindrical side portion, a substantially
planar base portion, a top, and a bottom, and means for mounting
the substantially planar base portion to one of the plurality of
side walls of the telecommunications cabinet. The interior of the
cabinet houses hardware and equipment for sending and receiving
telecommunications signals.
[0010] Finally, this invention includes a method of supporting an
umbrella that includes positioning a generally cylindrical section
of an umbrella pole into the above-described bracket of a side wall
of the telecommunications cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The above and other embodiments, objects, uses, advantages,
and novel features of this invention are more clearly understood by
reference to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying figures, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of a telecommunications cabinet
having an umbrella holder bracket and having an umbrella positioned
within the holder bracket according to an embodiment of this
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a side view of a telecommunications cabinet
having the umbrella holder bracket of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a side view of a telecommunications cabinet
illustrating another configuration of an umbrella holder bracket
having the umbrella positioned within a holder bracket to a stop
location at or near the ground according to an embodiment of this
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of a telecommunications
cabinet illustrating another configuration of an umbrella holder
bracket according to an embodiment of this invention;
[0016] FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective top and side view of an umbrella
holder bracket for a telecommunications cabinet according to an
embodiment of this invention; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of an umbrella holder
bracket for a telecommunications cabinet according to an embodiment
of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] This invention now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary
embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and
will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary
skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting
embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof,
are intended to encompass both structural and functional
equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such
equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as
equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed
that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Thus, for
example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
the schematics and the like represent conceptual views of
illustrative structures embodying this invention.
[0019] In the claims hereof any element expressed as a means for
performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of
performing that function including, for example, a combination of
elements that performs that function. The invention as defined by
such claims resides in the fact that the functionalities provided
by the various recited means are combined and brought together in
the manner that the claims call for. Applicant thus regards any
means that can provide those functionalities as equivalent as those
shown herein.
[0020] This invention is directed to umbrella holder bracket that
is capable of being side-mounted to a telecommunications cabinet or
to an electrical cabinet. This invention provides for a
telecommunications cabinet having the means to hold an umbrella
that increases the environmental protection of the cabinet and of
the hardware and equipment contained within the cabinet and that
increases access to the work area surrounding the cabinet. Further,
this invention includes the resulting cabinet (i.e., the cabinet
with the bracket attached) and a method of supporting an umbrella
that includes positioning an umbrella pole into the bracket.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the design of an umbrella holder
bracket 100 is based on a conventional design of a
telecommunications cabinet 110. For example, the Universal Series
Cross-Connect Cabinet manufactured by Marconi Communications
(Marconi Communications, 4350 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville, Ill.
60555, 630-579-5000, www.marconi.com) is one example of an existing
telecommunications cabinet that may be retrofitted with the
umbrella holder bracket 100. While a conventional cabinet design is
shown, a variety of cabinets, even those already installed in the
field, can easily be upgraded to include the umbrella holder
bracket 100. Frequently, these upgrades can be made without
disturbing the interior telecommunications hardware and equipment
or the connections between the routing cable and/or wires. The
upgrades are typically made by welding or otherwise securing the
umbrella holder bracket to a side wall of the cabinet (as shown in
FIG. 3).
[0022] As shown by FIGS. 1 and 2A, a free-standing item of
telecommunications hardware and equipment comprises the cabinet 110
secured to the ground. As depicted, the cabinet 110 has a
rectangular or square-shape; however, as one of ordinary skill in
the art appreciates, the cabinet 110 may take on a variety of
shapes. The cabinet 110 is provided with at least one access door
111 at its front, a top 112, a bottom portion 113, a pair of side
walls 114, and a back wall 210. For maintenance and other service
purposes, the umbrella holder bracket 100 is provided for
positioning an umbrella 120 over the cabinet 110 to cover a work
area immediately in front of the at least one door 111. The
umbrella holder bracket 100 allows a technician to have hands-free
environmental protection over the hardware and equipment when the
door 111 is open. In use of the prior art, it was necessary for the
technician to position and support the umbrella while working on
the hardware and equipment, making it especially difficult in windy
and adverse weather conditions for the technician to work with both
hands and/or to protect the hardware and equipment.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the umbrella holder bracket 100 may be
secured to the side wall 114 of the cabinet 110 using bolts. FIG. 3
illustrates that the umbrella holder bracket 100 may also be
secured to the side wall 114 of the cabinet by welding. As one of
ordinary skill in the art appreciates, the means of attaching the
holder bracket 100 to the cabinet may include a variety of well
know elements in the art including screws, nuts, rivets, clamps,
adhesive, magnets, and the like.
[0024] As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the umbrella
holder bracket 100 includes a hollow, upwardly extending open
passageway 410 having a generally cylindrical side wall 420, a
substantially planar base portion 430, a top 440, and a bottom 450.
The passageway 410 defines an aperture for receiving a first end of
a generally cylindrical section of an umbrella pole (shown as
reference numeral 125 in FIG. 1). The umbrella holder bracket 100
further includes a pair of substantially planar arms 460 extending
outwardly from the base portion 430, opposite the generally
cylindrical side portion 420. The pair of substantially planar arms
460 includes means for fastening the pair of substantially planar
arms to the side wall. As depicted in the FIGS. 4A and 4B, the
fastening means include holes 465 for screws, nuts, or bolts to
secure the bracket 100 to the side wall 114 of the cabinet 110
Further, the umbrella holder bracket 100 may be manufactured using
any appropriate material that can withstand a wide range of
temperatures, humidity, moisture, and other environmental
conditions. For example, the bracket 100 can be formed of G90
galvanized steel having a durable finish coating, such as
polyurethane powder. Alternatively, the bracket 100 could be
constructed of other appropriate metal, polymer, plastic, ceramic,
glass, crystal, and combinations thereof. If the bracket is made
from a conductive material, an existing ground (not shown) of the
cabinet 110 may be used to ground the bracket 100.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the diameter 425 of the
passageway 410 is approximately one and a half (11/2) inches, the
length 435 of the base portion 430 including the arms 460 is
approximately six (6) inches, the thickness 467 of the base portion
430 is approximately one-fourth ({fraction (1/4)}) of an inch, and
the length 427 of the cylindrical side wall 420 is approximately
two and three-eighths (23/8) inches. Alternatively, as one of
ordinary skill in the art appreciates, these measurements may vary
so long as the bracket 100 supports the umbrella 120 in a generally
upright position when the umbrella pole 125 is positioned in the
bracket 100.
[0026] As further illustrated in FIG. 4B, the umbrella holder
bracket 110 includes a locking pin assembly 470 and locking
passageways 475 located parallel to the base portion 430. The
locking pin assembly 470 acts as a locking mechanism to fix or
secure the umbrella pole 125 at a desired position such that the
technician could control the elevation of the umbrella portion of
the umbrella 120 (such as for taller technicians). Alternatively,
the locking pin assembly 470 may be used to in the locked position
to support other objects, such as a flashlight, in the passageway
410. FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4; however, an umbrella holder
bracket 500 includes a thumbscrew 570, a nut 578, and a passageway
575 instead of the locking pin assembly 470 of FIG. 4. The
passageway 575 is preferably threaded. Similar to the locking pin
assembly 470, the thumbscrew 570, nut 578, and passageway 575 act
as a locking mechanism to fix or secure the umbrella pole 125 at a
desired position such that the technician could control the
elevation of the umbrella portion of the umbrella 120 (such as for
taller technicians).
[0027] In addition to the above embodiments, this invention
includes a method of supporting an umbrella using the above
described brackets. The method includes positioning a generally
cylindrical section of an umbrella pole in a bracket to a side wall
of the telecommunications cabinet. Still further, this invention
includes the resulting telecommunications cabinet with the umbrella
holder bracket attached.
[0028] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention
will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention
pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the
foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example,
the substantially planar base 430 of the bracket 100 may take on
alternate shapes, such that they may be curved, flexible, or
otherwise designed to extend about a curved surface. Therefore, it
is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the
specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other
embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they
are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
* * * * *
References