U.S. patent application number 10/950170 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-07 for rapid exchange system for testing wireless networks.
This patent application is currently assigned to United Parcel Service of America, Inc., United Parcel Service of America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Horton, Mark, Radosta, Chris R., Schenken, Christopher T., Silvernale, Daniel, Smith, Steven L..
Application Number | 20050075105 10/950170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34393074 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050075105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Steven L. ; et
al. |
April 7, 2005 |
Rapid exchange system for testing wireless networks
Abstract
Systems are disclosed for removably mounting a signal testing
unit to a suitable vehicle surface, and optionally providing for an
electrical connector to a power source, GPS antenna, and cellular
antennas such that moving a signal testing unit from one vehicle to
another can be accomplished more easily. The mounting system
includes a mounting bracket that is attachable to a vehicle surface
and defines a plurality of keyholes. A plurality of screw-like
protrusions extend from a face of a signal testing unit and, when
each protrusion is engaged into each of the keyholes, movement of
the signal testing unit relative to the mounting bracket is
prevented.
Inventors: |
Smith, Steven L.; (Buford,
GA) ; Radosta, Chris R.; (Cumming, GA) ;
Horton, Mark; (Suwanee, GA) ; Silvernale, Daniel;
(Roswell, GA) ; Schenken, Christopher T.;
(Alpharetta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
United Parcel Service of America,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34393074 |
Appl. No.: |
10/950170 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60505822 |
Sep 24, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/029 20180201;
H01Q 1/3216 20130101; H02G 3/081 20130101; G01S 19/35 20130101;
F16M 13/02 20130101; F16M 11/041 20130101; F16J 15/3456 20130101;
H01Q 1/12 20130101; Y10S 439/929 20130101; G06Q 10/047 20130101;
H04W 4/02 20130101; H04W 24/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/424 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 007/20 |
Claims
That which is claimed:
1. In combination, a signal testing unit and vehicle mounting
assembly, comprising: a signal testing unit having a front face and
a rear face, said rear face including one or more protrusions; each
of said protrusions including an outer portion and an inner
portion, wherein said outer portion is of greater breadth than said
inner portion; a bracket for securely disposing said testing unit
on a vehicle surface, said bracket having a back planar face and a
front planar face; said back planar face including a fastening
portion for mounting said bracket to said vehicle surface; and said
front planar face including one or more keyholes sized to removably
receive and retain one of said one or more protrusions of said
testing unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional U.S.
Patent Application No. 60/505,822, entitled, "Bracket to Hold
Mobile Testing Unit in Vehicle," which was filed Sep. 24, 2003, and
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Signal network operators frequently use signal testing units
to measure and improve signal coverage, such as cellular coverage,
in a geographical area. The signal testing units are positioned in
the coverage area and collect geographical position data and
various radio communication related parameters, such as signal
strength. This information is analyzed to troubleshoot and improve
the coverage of cellular networks. Currently, signal network
operators drive the signal testing units around a geographical area
to collect data. Typically, the signal testing unit is placed in a
vehicle in an unsecured manner or is semi-permanently mounted to
the vehicle. When the signal testing unit is unsecured, it can be
easily transferred from one vehicle to another, but the signal
testing unit can be easily damaged, stolen, or interfere with
operation of the vehicle. If the signal testing unit is
semi-permanently mounted to the vehicle, then the unit cannot be
easily transferred, and time and special tools may be required to
remove and install the unit.
[0003] Multiple vehicles may be used to collect data in various
locations. One option is to install the signal testing unit in each
vehicle, but such an approach can be costly.
[0004] Further, when a signal testing unit is transferred to
another vehicle, antenna and power connections may be required. The
signal testing unit may require connection to a GPS antenna that is
external to the testing unit for determining the unit's location as
well as cellular antenna(s) for collecting and reporting the data.
Additionally, connection to the vehicle's power system may be
required. Completing these connections may further complicate
transferring a signal testing unit from one vehicle to another if
the installation is not compatible with the design of the signal
testing unit.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus that provides
easy removal of a signal testing unit from one vehicle and
installation in another, so as to facilitate the use of signal
testing units in different vehicles at different times, for
monitoring a signal network, such as a cellular network.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The embodiments of mounting devices disclosed below provide
for a bracket on which to mount a signal testing unit, and
optionally provide for a connector to a power source, GPS antenna,
and cellular antennas such that moving a signal testing unit from
one vehicle to another can be accomplished more easily. The bracket
may provide secure (e.g., preventing unauthorized removal) or
non-secure mounting of the signal testing unit. The bracket can be
installed in or on a fleet of vehicles to facilitate the movement
of the signal testing unit from one vehicle to another by providing
the operator with a common bracket and optional electrical
connection in one centralized area for secure installation and
operation of the unit.
[0007] One embodiment of a vehicle mounting assembly includes a
bracket that has a front face and a back face. The back face is
fastened adjacent a suitable vehicle surface with fasteners, and
the front face defines a plurality of keyholes for mounting a
signal testing unit. The testing unit includes a plurality of
screw-shaped protrusions that are positioned to engage the keyholes
of the bracket. To mount the testing unit to the bracket, the head
of each protrusion engages the wider, upper portion of a keyhole
and the testing unit is moved downwardly until the body of each
protrusion is intermediate the narrower, lower portion of a
keyhole. The head of the protrusion is positioned behind the lower
portion of the keyhole, and because the head is wider than the
narrower, lower portion of the keyhole, the removal of the
protrusion from the keyhole is prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a vehicle with a signal testing
unit mounted to a surface of the vehicle.
[0009] FIG. 1A is an illustration of an embodiment of a signal
testing unit with one electrical connector.
[0010] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate mounting systems according to different
embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0011] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention 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 skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0012] Generally the embodiments of mounting devices disclosed
below provide for a bracket on which to mount a signal testing
unit, and optionally provide for a connector to a power source, GPS
antenna, and cellular antennas such that moving a signal testing
unit from one vehicle to another can be accomplished more easily.
The bracket may provide secure (e.g., preventing unauthorized
removal) or non-secure mounting of the signal testing unit. The
bracket can be installed in or on a fleet of vehicles to facilitate
the movement of the signal testing unit from one vehicle to another
by providing the operator with a common bracket and optional
electrical connection in one centralized area for secure
installation and operation of the unit.
[0013] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the system described above
in which the signal testing unit 20 is mounted to a wall 13 inside
the vehicle 10. In other embodiments, the testing unit 20 can be
mounted against any suitable surface, such as a bulkhead, shelf,
roof, floor, or exterior surface of the vehicle, using a bracket.
The vehicle 10, which typically is a fleet vehicle, provides
connections to a GPS antenna 11a, cellular antennas 11b, 11c, and a
power source 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the signal
testing unit 20 has separate connectors 21 that connect with the
power source 14, a GPS antenna 11a, and cellular antennas 11b, 11c.
In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the signal testing unit
20 includes one connector 22 that provides a connection with the
power source 14, the GPS antenna 11a, and the cellular antennas
11b, 11c. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the antennas
may be internal to the signal testing unit 20 and no connection to
an external antenna 11a-c is required. Furthermore, the signal
testing unit 20 may contain an internal energy source and not
require connection to an external power source 14.
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a mounting bracket 200. The
mounting bracket 200 is in the form of a plate that defines a
plurality of apertures 201 for receiving a fastener, such as a bolt
or screw. A bolt or screw is engaged through each aperture 201 and
into the vehicle surface 13 to hold the bracket 200 in a
substantially stable position relative to the vehicle surface 13.
Alternative embodiments of the mounting bracket 200 may utilize
fasteners such as pins, straps, clamps, adhesives, welds, or other
suitable fasteners known in the art that can be used to secure the
bracket 200 to the vehicle surface 13.
[0015] The mounting bracket 200 further defines a plurality of
keyholes 202. Each keyhole 202 comprises a top portion 204 and a
bottom portion 205 where the breadth of the top portion 204 is
larger than the bottom portion 205. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
2, the keyholes 202 are arranged along the outer perimeter of the
front face of the mounting bracket 200. Alternative arrangements
may include, for example, keyholes 202 positioned down a column in
the center of the plate or in a row across the top of the
plate.
[0016] In FIG. 2, a plurality of protrusions 24 on the signal
testing unit 20 are screws or bolts that extend normal to the rear
face 23 of the testing unit 20 and are positioned to match up with
the keyholes 202 located on the mounting bracket 200. As shown in
FIG. 2A, the screws 24 have an upper portion, or head, 26 and a
lower portion, or body, 27, and the head 26 is of greater breadth
than the body 27.
[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the signal testing unit 20
includes a lock-receiving portion 25 for receiving a locking
mechanism. The bracket 200 further includes a lock-receiving
portion 203 that aligns with the lock-receiving portion 25 of the
testing unit 20. In the embodiment of the mounting assembly shown
in FIG. 2, the lock-receiving portions 25, 203 are tabs that have
an aperture in the center of each tab. When the testing unit 20 is
mounted onto the bracket 200, the tab 25 of the testing unit 20 and
the tab 203 of the bracket 200 are aligned so that the apertures
are coincident and allow insertion of a padlock. Alternative
locking mechanisms may be used, such as a tab padlock, eye/hasp,
locking cylinder, or other suitable locking mechanism known in the
art.
[0018] To assemble the mounting assembly according to one
embodiment, the mounting bracket 200 is attached to a vehicle wall
13 by engaging screws or bolts through the apertures 201 and into
the surface of the vehicle wall 13. The signal testing unit 20 is
mounted to the mounting bracket 200 by placing the head 26 of each
screw 24 through the top portion 204 of each keyhole 202 and then
moving the testing unit 20 downwardly until the body 27 of the
screw 24 is within the bottom portion 205 of the keyhole 202 and
the head of the screw 24 is behind the bottom portion 205. After
the testing unit 20 is mounted onto the bracket 200, the tab 203 of
the mounting bracket 200 and the tab 25 of the testing unit 20 are
aligned, and a padlock or locking cylinder is engaged through the
tabs to prevent unauthorized removal of the testing unit 20 from
the bracket 200.
[0019] It may be desirable to mount different sized testing units
to the mounting bracket. The location of the protrusions on the
rear face of a testing unit may differ depending on the testing
unit's size. For example, if protrusions on testing units are
positioned in a similar pattern, the protrusions on the smaller
units will be closer together than the protrusions on the larger
units. To accommodate testing units of different sizes, an
alternative embodiment of the mounting bracket 200 described above
includes a plurality of spaced apart keyholes (see dashed lines of
FIG. 2) located in a plurality of columns across the face of the
bracket 200.
[0020] As an alternative embodiment to the plate embodiments
described above, a U-shaped channel member 300 is formed into a
U-shaped cross-sectional mounting bracket. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3, the front surface 305 of the U-shaped member
300 defines a plurality of keyholes 202, an access hole 306 for
accessing a fastener receiving portion 301, and a lock-receiving
portion 303 for receiving a locking mechanism, such as those
locking mechanisms discussed above in connection with FIG. 2.
[0021] The rear surface of the U-shaped channel member 300 is
mounted adjacent to a suitable vehicle surface 13, such as a wall,
by fasteners utilizing the fastener receiving portion 301. As
discussed above regarding FIG. 2, fasteners may include a screw,
bolt, pin, strap, clamp, adhesive, weld, or other fastener known in
the art.
[0022] The testing unit 20 described above in relation to FIG. 2
can be mounted to the embodiment of the mounting bracket 300
described in relation to FIG. 3. The heads 26 of each screw 24 are
engaged through the top portion 204 of a corresponding keyhole 202,
and the testing unit 20 is moved downwardly until the body 27 of
each screw 24 is adjacent the bottom portion 205 of each keyhole
202. Alternatively, it should be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that hooks and an eye for receiving hooks can be used to
mount the signal testing unit 20 in lieu of protrusions and
keyholes, respectively. Other embodiments can use hook and loop
fasteners, such as the hook and loop fasteners sold under the
trademark VELCRO.
[0023] The lock-receiving portion 303 of the mounting bracket 300
shown in FIG. 3, like the lock-receiving portion 203 shown in FIG.
2, is a tab that defines an aperture in the center of the tab. When
the testing unit 20 is positioned onto the mounting bracket 300,
the tabs 303, 25 are aligned and can receive a locking mechanism,
such as padlock or locking cylinder, to prevent unauthorized
removal of the testing unit 20 from the bracket 300.
[0024] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate mounting brackets that do not
incorporate an electrical connector. When mounting brackets do not
incorporate electrical connectors, the operator may have to connect
the signal testing unit's connector(s) to any external antenna(s)
and/or power source(s) after the signal testing unit is installed
or mounted to the bracket. Thus, an embodiment of each of the
testing units described above in relation to FIGS. 2-3 typically
would have one or more electrical connectors that mate with
electrical connectors positioned adjacent the mounting bracket 200,
300 for connection with an external antenna(s) and/or power
source(s), if required. In one embodiment, an electrical connector
is positioned adjacent the mounting bracket 200, 300 and is
connected with the power source 14, GPS antenna 11a, and cellular
antennas 11b, 11c that are connected to the vehicle 10, as
discussed in connection with FIG. 1. In other embodiments, two or
more connectors may be used to provide connections to such devices
individually, or in different combinations. Additionally, the
external GPS antenna and external cellular antennas may be
positioned inside or outside of the vehicle.
[0025] In all of the embodiments described above, those skilled in
the art may choose an appropriate material for the described parts
of the mounting brackets and signal testing units. Such materials
may include plastics, metals, or other suitable materials.
Similarly, the connectors shown may be selected to mate with power
sources, antenna, etc., that are being used in the vehicle with the
signal testing unit.
* * * * *