POLE MOUNTING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

In various embodiments of the present disclosure an system for mounting a structure to a pole is provided. The system can include a pole mounting bracket connectable to a pole such that the pole mounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientation within a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane. The system additionally can include a platform subassembly that comprises a structure platform connected to a platform mounting bracket. The platform mounting bracket can be pivotally connectable to the pole mounting bracket and can be adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket in a vertical orientation within a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, to thereby place the structure platform in a substantially level orientation.

Description

FIELD

The present teachings relate to systems and methods for mounting structures to a pole.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Many environments or terrains are not aesthetically or physically conducive or desirable for locating equipment/utility enclosures or cabinets, such as telecom electronic enclosures, on the ground. Therefore, such enclosures or cabinets are often mounted above ground on poles. More particularly, typically, the enclosures or cabinets are coupled to, or mounted on, a mounting platform that is coupled to the pole. However, the mounting poles can frequently be out-of-plumb, i.e., canted or angled slightly from a substantially vertical orientation. Consequently, when a mounting platform is coupled to an out-of-plumb pole, the mounting platform is subsequently out-of-level and provides a non-level platform or surface on which to mount the enclosure. Accordingly, a pole mounted enclosure or cabinet can reside in the non-level orientation, which can cause stress on, and/or misalignment of, components of the enclosure, e.g., doors, shelves, cover plates, component mountings within the enclosure, etc.

SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure a system for mounting a structure to a pole is provided. The system can include a pole mounting bracket connectable to a pole such that the pole mounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientation within a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane. The system additionally can include a platform subassembly that comprises a structure platform connected to a platform mounting bracket. The platform mounting bracket can be pivotally connectable to the pole mounting bracket and can be adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket in a vertical orientation within a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, to thereby place the structure platform in a substantially level orientation.

In accordance with various other embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for mounting a structure to a pole is provided. The method includes connecting a first end of a pole mounting bracket to a pole. The method additionally includes positioning the pole mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within a first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane, and connecting a second end of the pole mounting bracket to the pole to affix the pole mounting bracket to the pole in the substantially vertical orientation. The method further includes connecting a platform subassembly that includes a structure platform to a platform mounting bracket. The platform mounting bracket is pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket. Still further, the method includes positioning the platform mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, such that the structure platform is placed in a substantially level orientation. The method further yet includes affixing the platform mounting bracket to the pole mounting bracket by inserting fasteners through at least two of a plurality of first positioning holes in the pole mounting bracket and at least two of a plurality of second positioning holes in the platform mounting bracket. The at least two second positioning holes substantially concentrically align with the at least two first positioning holes when the platform mounting bracket is positioned in the substantially vertical orientation.

Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a pole mounting system for mounting a structure to a pole, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a pole mounting bracket included in the pole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of a pole mounting bracket included in the pole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a platform subassembly of the pole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the platform subassembly coupled to a pole mounting bracket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a structure mounted on a pole utilizing the pole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a top bracket included in the pole mounting system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for mounting a structure to a pole utilizing the pole mounting system shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses. Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure a pole mounting system 10 is provided for mounting a structure, such as a utility or equipment cabinet or enclosure, to a pole, such as a telephone pole. Generally, the pole mounting system 10 includes a pole mounting bracket 14 and a structure platform subassembly 18 that includes a structure platform 26 connected to a platform mounting bracket 30 via braces 34.

The pole mounting bracket 14 is structured to be affixed to a pole 22 in a substantially vertical orientation within a first plane θ regardless of the verticality of the pole 22 within the first plane θ. Additionally, the platform mounting bracket 30 is pivotally connectable to the pole mounting bracket 14 such that the platform mounting bracket 30 can be adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket 14 in a substantially vertical orientation within a second plane α regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane α. The second plane α is orthogonal to the first plane θ. Therefore, when the pole mounting bracket 14 is affixed to the pole 22 in a substantially vertical orientation within a first plane θ and the platform mounting bracket 30 is coupled to pole mounting bracket 14 in a substantially vertical orientation within a second plane α, the structure platform 26 is placed in a substantially level orientation.

More specifically, when the pole 22 is off-vertical within the first plane θ, i.e., canted away from the vertical line V in the X⁺ or X⁻ direction, the pole mounting bracket 14 can be affixed to the pole 22 in a vertical orientation within the first plane θ, i.e., parallel with the vertical line V_θ. Additionally, when the pole 22 is off-vertical within the second plane α, i.e., canted away from the vertical line V in the Y⁺ or Y⁻ direction, the platform mounting bracket 30 can be coupled to the pole 22 in a vertical orientation within the second plane α, i.e., parallel with the vertical line V_α. By vertically aligning the pole mounting bracket 14 within the first plane θ and vertically aligning the platform mounting bracket 30 within the second plane α, as described herein, the structure platform 26 will be suspended from the pole 22 in a substantially level orientation, regardless of the verticality of the poll 22. Accordingly, a structure 38 (shown in FIG. 5), e.g., a utility or equipment cabinet or enclosure, mounted on structure platform 26 will also have a substantially level orientation, regardless of the verticality of the pole 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in various embodiments the pole mounting bracket comprises a pole-side channel 42 coupled to a platform-side channel 46. The pole-side and platform-side channels 42 and 46 can be coupled together using any means suitable to fixedly couple pole-side and platform-side channels 42 and 46 together. For example, pole-side and platform-side channels 42 and 46 can be fixedly coupled together via welding, riveting, bolting, screwing, etc. The pole-side channel 42 includes a pair of legs 42A and 42B, and the platform-side channel includes a pair of legs 46A and 46B. In various embodiments, one or more of the pole-side channel legs 42A and 42B include one or more teeth 50 along a distal edge 54 of the respective pole-side channel legs 42A and/or 42B. Although, the teeth 50 are illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B as being saw-tooth-like teeth, it is envisioned that the teeth 50 can be of any shape, size and frequency, e.g., number, along the respective distal edges 54, and remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

In accordance with various embodiments, the platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B each include a lug 58 located at an end portion 62 of the respective legs 46A and 46B. The lugs 58 are used to pivotally couple the platform mounting bracket 30 to the pole mounting bracket 14, as described below, and can be any lug suitable for such purpose. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, in various embodiments, the lugs 58 can be bolts that are threaded into threaded apertures 66 formed in the end portions 62 of the respective platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B. Or, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, in various embodiments, the lugs 58 can be pins or capped pins that are fixedly connected to the end portions 62 of the respective platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B via welding, soldering, riveting, etc. In various implementations, the lugs 58 coaxially extend in opposite directions from the respective platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, in various embodiments, the platform mounting bracket 30 includes a pair of legs 30A and 30B that each include a coupling slot 70 formed in an end portion 72 of the respective legs 30A and 30B. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each coupling slot 70 has an open end 70A that opens along a distal edge 74 of the respective platform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B. Additionally, each coupling slot 70 terminates at a distal end 70B that is nearer the platform 26 than the open end 70A. Thus, the slots 70 are formed within the respective platform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B, having an upward orientation. Furthermore, the coupling slots 70 are sized to receive a respective one of the lugs 58 such that the platform mounting bracket 30 can be pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket 14.

Referring also to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in various embodiments, each leg 46A and 46B of the pole mounting bracket platform-side channel 46 includes a plurality of first positioning holes 78 formed in an end portion 82 of the legs 46A and 46B opposite the end portions 62 of the legs 46A and 46B having the lugs 58. Additionally, each leg 30A and 30B of the platform mounting bracket 30 includes a plurality of second positioning holes 82 formed in an end portion 86 of the legs 30A and 30B opposite the end portions 72 of the legs 30A and 30B having the coupling slots 70. In various embodiments, the first and second positioning holes 78 and 82 are arranged in the respective legs 46A, 46B, 30A and 30B in a particularly articulated or formulated pattern. More specifically, the first positioning holes 78 are formed in a first specific pattern within the pole mounting bracket platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B, and the second positioning holes 82 are formed in a second specific pattern within the platform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B. The first and second patterns are designed so that when platform mounting bracket 30 is placed in the substantially vertical orientation within the second plane α, one of the first positioning holes in each of the platform-side channel legs 46A and 46B substantially concentrically aligns with one of the second positioning holes in the corresponding platform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B. Subsequently, one or more fasteners 90 (shown in FIG. 4) can be inserted through the concentrically aligned first and second positioning holes 78 and 82, to affix the platform mounting bracket 30 to the pole mounting bracket 14.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the platform subassembly 18 includes one or more supports straps 94 connectable at a first end 94A to the structure platform 26 and connectable at an opposing second end 94B to the pole 22. The support strap(s) 94 can be utilized to provide additional support, strength and stability to the platform subassembly 18 once the platform subassembly 18 is fixedly coupled to the pole mounting bracket 14.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in various embodiments, the pole mounting system 10 can further include a structure top bracket 98 that can be connected to the structure 38 after the structure 38 is mounted on the structure platform 26. In such embodiments, the pole mounting system 10 can also include at least one stabilizer strap 102 that is connectable at a first end 102A to the structure top bracket 98 and connectable at an opposing second end 102B to the pole 22. The stabilizer strap(s) 102 can be utilized to provide support and stability to the top of the structure 38 after the structure 38 is mounted on the structure platform 26.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart 200 illustrating a method for mounting the structure 26 to the pole 22 utilizing the pole mounting system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5, in accordance with various embodiments. Once the location on the pole 22 where the structure 38 is to be mounted is determined, a first end of a pole mounting bracket 14 is connected to the pole 22, as indicated at 202. The first end can be either end of the pole mounting bracket 14. The pole mounting bracket 14 is then positioned in a substantially vertical orientation within the first plane θ, as indicated at 204. Note that pole mounting bracket 14 is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation within the first plane θ regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane θ. The opposing second end of the pole mounting bracket 14 is then connected to the pole 22 to affix the pole mounting bracket 14 to the pole 22 in the substantially vertical orientation within the substantially vertical orientation within the first plane θ, as indicated at 206. The first and second ends of the pole mounting bracket can be connected to the pole 22 using any suitable connecting means. For example, in various embodiments, a first hole can be drilled through the pole 22 to connect the pole mounting bracket 14 first end, then the pole mounted bracket 14 is vertically oriented, as described above, and a second hole can be drilled through the pole 22 to affix the pole mounting bracket 14 to the hole in the substantially vertical orientation within the first plane θ. It should also be noted that the teeth 50 along the distal edges 54 of pole mounting bracket pole-side channel legs 42A and 42B will engage the pole 22 when the pole mounting bracket 14 is affixed to the pole 22. Engagement of the teeth 50 provide additional stability and rigidity of the vertical orientation of the pole mounting bracket 14 on the pole 22.

The platform subassembly 18 is then pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket 14 by hooking the coupling slots 70 of the platform mounting bracket 30 on the lugs 58 of the pole mounting bracket, as illustrated at 208. That is, the platform subassembly 18 is hung from the pole mounting bracket 14, i.e., hung from the lugs 58, by inserting the lugs 58 into the corresponding coupling slots 70 and allowing the weight of the platform subassembly 18 to position the lugs 58 at the distal ends 70B of the coupling slots 70. Thus, the platform subassembly is pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket 14. Note that if the lugs 58 are threaded bolts that thread into threaded apertures 66, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2A, the threaded lugs 58 must be loosely threaded into the threaded apertures 66 prior to the platform subassembly 18 being hung on the lugs 58.

The platform mounting bracket 30 is then positioned in a substantially vertical orientation within the second plane α, as indicated at 210. Note that the platform mounting bracket 30 is positioned in the substantially vertical orientation within the second plane α regardless of the verticality of the pole 22 within the second plane α. It should also be noted that positioning the platform mounting bracket 30 in the substantially vertical orientation within the second plane α places the structure platform 26 in a substantially level orientation.

When the platform mounting bracket 30 is positioned in the substantially vertical orientation within the second plane α, at least one of the first positioning holes 78 in each pole mounting bracket platform-side channel leg 46A and 46B will substantially concentrically align with at least one of the second positioning holes 82 in the corresponding platform mounting bracket legs 30A and 30B. As described above, the patterns of the first and second positioning holes 78 and 82 are specifically designed so that at least one first positioning hole 78 will substantially concentrically align with a corresponding second positioning hole 82 when platform mounting bracket 30 is placed in the substantially vertical orientation within the second plane α.

The platform mounting bracket 30 is then affixed to the pole mounting bracket 14 by inserting fasteners through the at least two pairs of the concentrically aligned first and second positioning holes 78 and 82, as indicated at 212. Accordingly, the platform subassembly 18 is fixedly mounted to the pole 22 with the structure platform 26 in a substantially level position.

In various embodiments, once the platform subassembly 18 is fixedly mounted to the pole mounting bracket 22, the support strap(s) 94 can be connected to the structure platform 26 and the pole 22 to provide additional support, strength and stability to the platform subassembly 18, as indicated at 214.

Subsequently, the structure 38, such as a utility or equipment cabinet or enclosure, is mounted to the structure platform 26, as indicated at 216. Thus, the pole mounting system 10 can be installed as described herein to mount or suspended the structure 38 to or from the pole 22 is a substantially level orientation, regardless of the verticality of the pole 22.

In various embodiments, once the structure 38 is mounted on the structure platform 26, the structure top bracket 98 can be connected to the structure 38 and the stabilizer strap(s) 102 can be connected to the top bracket 98 and pole 22 to provide stability to the structure 38, as indicated at 218.

The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.

Claims

1. A system for mounting a structure to a pole, said system comprising: a pole mounting bracket connectable to a pole such that the pole mounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientation within a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane; anda platform subassembly including a structure platform connected to a platform mounting bracket pivotally connectable to the pole mounting bracket such that the platform mounting bracket can be adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket in a vertical orientation within a second plane that is orthogonal the to first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, such that the structure platform can be placed in a substantially level orientation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pole mounting bracket comprises a pole-side channel including a pair of legs having teeth along a distal edge of each respective leg.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pole mounting bracket comprises a platform-side channel including a pair legs and a pair of coaxial lugs extending in opposite directions from the legs.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the coaxial lugs comprise one of bolts threaded into threaded apertures in end portions of the respective platform-side channel legs, and pins fixedly connected to the end portions of the respective platform-side channel legs.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the platform mounting bracket comprises a pair of legs, each leg including a coupling slot sized to receive a respective one of the lugs so that the platform mounting bracket can be pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each leg of the pole mounting bracket platform-side channel includes a plurality of first positioning holes and each leg of the platform mounting bracket includes a plurality of second positioning holes, the first and second positioning holes arranged in a particular pattern such that the platform mounting bracket can be pivoted about the lugs to position the platform mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within the second plane having one of the first positioning holes in each of the platform-side channel legs substantially concentrically align with one of the second positioning holes in the platform mounting bracket legs.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one support strap connectable at a first end to the structure platform and connectable at an opposing second end to the pole.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a structure top bracket connectable to a structure mounted on the structure platform and at least one stabilizer strap connectable at a first end to the structure top bracket and connectable at an opposing second end to the pole.

9. A method for mounting a structure to a pole, said method comprising: connecting a first end of a pole mounting bracket to a pole;positioning the pole mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within a first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane, and connecting a second end of the pole mounting bracket to the pole to affix the pole mounting bracket to the pole in the substantially vertical orientation within the first plane;connecting a platform subassembly including a structure platform connected to a platform mounting bracket to the pole mounting bracket by pivotally connecting the platform mounting bracket to the pole mounting bracket;positioning the platform mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, such that the structure platform is placed in a substantially level orientation; andaffixing the platform mounting bracket to the pole mounting bracket by inserting fasteners through at least two of a plurality of first positioning holes in the pole mounting bracket and at least two of a plurality of second positioning holes in the platform mounting bracket that substantially concentrically align with the at least two first positioning holes when the platform mounting bracket is positioned in the substantially vertical orientation and fastening the fasteners.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising engaging teeth along a distal edge of each of a pair of legs of a pole-side channel of the pole mounting bracket with the pole when the pole mounting bracket is affixed to the pole.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein pivotally connecting the platform mounting bracket to the pole mounting bracket comprises pivotally engaging a coupling slot in each of a pair of legs of the platform mounting bracket with a corresponding lug coaxially extending in opposite directions from a pair of legs of a platform-side channel of the pole mounting bracket

12. The method of claim 11, wherein affixing the platform mounting bracket to the pole mounting bracket comprises inserting a fastener through one of the plurality of first positioning holes in a first one of the platform-side channel legs and through one of the plurality of second positioning holes in a corresponding first one of the platform mounting bracket legs: andinserting a fastener through one of the plurality of first positioning holes in a second one of the platform-side channel legs and through one of the plurality of second positioning holes in a corresponding second one of the platform mounting bracket legs,wherein the first and second positioning holes are arranged in a particular pattern such that the platform mounting bracket can be pivoted about the lugs to position the platform mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within the second plane having one of the first positioning holes in each of the platform-side channel legs substantially concentrically align with one of the second positioning holes in the platform mounting bracket legs

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising connecting a first end of at least one support strap to the structure platform and connecting an opposing second end of the at least one support to the pole.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising: mounting a structure top bracket to a structure mounted on the structure platform; andconnecting a first end of at least one stabilizer strap to the structure top bracket and connecting an opposing second end of the at least one stabilizer strap to the pole.

15. An system for mounting a structure to a pole, said system comprising: a pole mounting bracket including a pole-side channel coupled to a platform-side channel and connectable to a pole such that the pole mounting bracket can be affixed to the pole in a vertical orientation within a first plane regardless of the verticality of the pole within the first plane, the pole-side channel including a pair of legs having teeth along a distal edge of each respective leg that engage the pole when the pole mounting bracket is affixed to the pole; anda platform subassembly including a structure platform connected to a platform mounting bracket pivotally connectable to the pole mounting bracket such that the platform mounting bracket can be adjustably coupled to the pole mounting bracket in a vertical orientation within a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane, regardless of the verticality of the pole within the second plane, such that the structure platform can be placed in a substantially level orientation.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the pole mounting bracket comprises a platform-side channel including a pair legs and a pair of coaxial lugs extending in opposite directions from the legs.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the platform mounting bracket comprises a pair of legs, each leg including a coupling slot sized to receive a respective one of the lugs so that the platform mounting bracket can be pivotally connected to the pole mounting bracket.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein each leg of the pole mounting bracket platform-side channel includes a plurality of first positioning holes and each leg of the platform mounting bracket includes a plurality of second positioning holes, the first and second positioning holes arranged in a particular pattern such that the platform mounting bracket can be pivoted about the lugs to position the platform mounting bracket in a substantially vertical orientation within the second plane having one of the first positioning holes in each of the pole-side channel legs substantially concentrically align with one of the second positioning holes in the platform mounting bracket legs.

19. The system of claim 15 further comprising at least one support strap connectable at a first end to the structure platform and connectable at an opposing second end to the pole.

20. The system of claim 15 further comprising a structure top bracket connectable to a structure mounted on the structure platform and at least one stabilizer strap connectable at a first end to the structure top bracket and connectable at an opposing second end to the pole.