A mounting arrangement

Abstract

A mounting arrangement (100) for mounting of a piece of equipment (1), such as telecommunication equipment, to a pole (2), comprising: a base part (101) configured to be attached to the piece of equipment and having a front side configured to abut the pole, first and second arms (110, 120), pivotably connected to the base part, wherein the first and second arms (110, 120) are pivotable toward one another from an open configuration in which the mounting arrangement is movable relative to the pole, to a clamping configuration in which the mounting arrangement clamps the pole between the arms and the base part, a fastening device (130) pivotably connected to a distal end of the first arm, wherein the fastening device is configured to be releasably engaged with a distal end of the second arm to lock the arms in the clamping configuration.

Description

[0001] A MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT

[0002] Technical field

[0003] Embodiments herein relate to the mounting of equipment, such as telecommunication equipment in the form of a telecommunication radio unit, antenna, or similar, to a pole at a site, such as at a tower or a rooftop. More particularly, the embodiments include a mounting arrangement for mounting of a piece of equipment to a pole.

[0004] Backqround of the Invention

[0005] Mounting of telecommunication equipment at towers and rooftops typically requires the clamping of a piece of equipment to a pole. For this purpose, it is common to use pole clamps that each comprises two metal sheet parts and two threaded fastening devices, such as two rods and accompanying nuts. One of the metal sheet parts is fixed to the piece of equipment and the other metal sheet part is positioned at an opposite side of the pole, whereafter the two metal sheet parts are joined by the threaded fastening devices, clamping the pole between the metal sheet parts.

[0006] However, this kind of pole clamp is relatively time consuming to mount and requires attention to properly align the two metal sheet parts. Otherwise, there is a risk that the metal sheet parts become vertically misaligned with respect to one another in connection with mounting. This introduces a risk of loosening of the pole clamp over time, due to vibrations and similar.

[0007] The pole clamp is also difficult and time consuming to adapt to different pole diameters, which makes it less suitable for sites featuring different types of poles. The pole clamp may further be associated with a safety risk during hoisting of the piece of equipment, with the pole clamp attached thereto, prior to mounting it to the pole. In this situation, the threaded fastening devices will protrude from the piece of equipment in a fixed position, perpendicular to the hoisting direction.

[0008] In view of the above, there is a need to provide improved solutions for mounting of telecommunication equipment to poles.

[0009] Summary

[0010] In view of above-mentioned and other drawbacks of the prior art, it is a primary object of embodiments herein to provide an in at least some aspect improved mounting arrangement for mounting of a piece of equipment, in particular telecommunication equipment, to a pole. In particular, it is an object to provide such a mounting arrangement which is quick and easy to mount. Other objects are to provide a mounting arrangement which is versatile, safe to use in connection with hoisting of the piece of equipment, and which may easily be adapted to different pole diameters.

[0011] At least the primary object is achieved by a mounting arrangement according to claim 1 . The mounting arrangement is intended for mounting of a piece of equipment, such as telecommunication equipment in the form of a telecommunication radio unit, antenna, or similar, to a pole extending along a longitudinal axis. The mounting arrangement comprises: a base part having a rear side configured to be attached to the piece of equipment and an opposite front side configured to abut the pole, a first arm, pivotably connected to the base part at a proximal end of the first arm, and a second arm, pivotably connected to the base part at a proximal end of the second arm, wherein the first and second arms are pivotable toward one another from an open configuration in which the mounting arrangement is configured to be movable relative to the pole, to a clamping configuration in which the mounting arrangement is configured to clamp the pole between the arms and the base part, a fastening device pivotably connected to a distal end of the first arm, wherein the fastening device is configured to be releasably engaged with a distal end of the second arm to lock the arms in the clamping configuration, i.e., prevent relative motion of the arms.

[0012] In the proposed mounting arrangement, a single fastening device may thus be used to lock the mounting arrangement to the pole, in comparison with the initially described pole clamp that uses two fastening devices. By making the arms pivotable with respect to the base part, safety may be improved during hoisting of the piece of equipment to which the mounting arrangement is attached, since the arms will be able to rotate relative to the piece of equipment. The risk that the mounting arrangement damages other units, or hurts an operator, may thereby be reduced in comparison with pole clamps having fixedly mounted fastening devices protruding from the piece of equipment.

[0013] The mounting arrangement may be used for attachment of telecommunication units to a pole at a site, such as a tower site or a rooftop site. The telecommunication unit could be a radio, an antenna or any other unit. The mounting arrangement is particularly suitable for mounting of outdoor telecommunication units.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the mounting arrangement are defined in the dependent claims. Further features of, and advantages with, the present disclosure will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description.

[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a piece of equipment mounted to a pole by mounting arrangements according to an embodiment,

[0017] Figure 2 is a planar view of a mounting arrangement according to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 ,

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement shown in Fig.

[0019] 2,

[0020] Figure 4 is a rear end view of the mounting arrangement shown in Fig. 2,

[0021] Figure 5 is a side view of the mounting arrangement shown in Fig. 2,

[0022] Figure 6 is a planar view of the mounting arrangement shown in Fig. 2 mounted to a first pole,

[0023] Figure 7 is a planar view of the mounting arrangement shown in Fig. 2 mounted to a second pole,

[0024] Figure 8 is another planar view of the mounting arrangement shown in Fig. 2,

[0025] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating hoisting of a piece of equipment.

[0026] The illustrations are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the description, unless expressed otherwise.

[0027] Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0028] The present disclosure relates to a mounting arrangement for mounting of equipment, such as telecommunication equipment in the form of a telecommunication radio unit, antenna, or similar, to a pole at a site, such as at a tower or a rooftop.

[0029] Fig. 1 illustrates a piece of equipment 1 , such as a telecommunication unit, mounted to a pole 2 extending along a longitudinal axis A using two identical mounting arrangements 100, 100’ according to an embodiment. A base part 101 of the mounting arrangement 100 is attached to a fixing arrangement 3 provided on the piece of equipment 1. Two arms 110, 120 of the mounting arrangement 100, interconnected by a fastening device 130, clamp the pole 2.

[0030] The mounting arrangement 100 is illustrated in greater detail in Figs. 2-5, all showing the mounting arrangement 100 in an open configuration in which the mounting arrangement 100 is configured to be movable relative to the pole 2. The base part 101 has a rear side 102 configured to be attached to the piece of equipment 1 as illustrated in Fig. 1 . The base part 101 further has a front side 103 configured to abut the pole 2, the front side 103 being opposite to the rear side 102. A first arm 110 is pivotably connected to the base part 101 at a proximal end 111 of the first arm 110. Similarly, a second arm 120 is pivotably connected to the base part 101 at a proximal end 121 of the second arm 120. The first and second arms 110, 120 are pivotable toward one another from the open configuration to a clamping configuration, in which the mounting arrangement 100 is configured to clamp the pole 2 between the arms 110, 120 and the base part 101. The fastening device 130 is pivotably connected to a distal end 112 of the first arm 110. The fastening device 130 is configured to be releasably engaged with a distal end 122 of the second arm 120 to lock the arms 110, 120 in the clamping configuration. Hence, in the locking configuration, when the mounting arrangement 100 is clamped to a pole 2, relative motion between the arms 110, 120 is prevented and the mounting arrangement 100 is securely clamped to the pole 2.

[0031] The first arm 110 is pivotable with respect to the base part 101 about a first pivot axis X1 , and the second arm 120 is pivotable about a second pivot axis X2. The first and second pivot axes X1 , X2 are parallel, and are herein configured to be oriented in parallel with the longitudinal axis A of the pole 2 in the clamping configuration, i.e. , when the mounting arrangement 100 is clamped to the pole 2. Thus, rotation of the arms 110, 120 in opposite directions about the respective pivot axes X1 , X2 will reduce or increase a distance between distal ends 112, 122 of the arms 110, 120. The front side 103 of the base part 101 may comprise concave abutment surfaces 104 configured to abut the pole 2, which is advantageous when the pole 2 has a rounded shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the base part 101 is mirror symmetric with respect to a mirror plane P located between the first and second arms 110, 120. The mirror symmetry enables precise adjustment of the mounting arrangement 100 in connection with mounting to the pole 2.

[0032] Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the mounting arrangement 100 in the clamping configuration. The mounting arrangement 100 is in Figs. 6 and 7 mounted to two poles 2 having different diameters D1 and D2, respectively. To facilitate the adaption to different pole diameters, the proximal end 111 of the first arm 110 and / or the proximal end 121 of the second arm 120 may be selectively movable relative to the base part 101 to alter a distance d between the proximal ends 111 , 121 of the first and second arms 110, 120. A more versatile mounting arrangement is thereby provided. In the illustrated embodiments, since the base part 101 is mirror symmetric, both arms 110, 120 are movable relative to the base part 101 to alter the distance d. The base part 101 may be configured to provide at least two predefined first arm base positions in the form of a first inner position p1a and a first outer position p1d between which the proximal end 111 of the first arm 110 is selectively movable to alter the distance d. The base part 101 may further be configured to provide at least two predefined second arm base positions in the form of a second inner position p2a and a second outer position p2d between which the proximal end 121 of the second arm 120 is selectively movable to alter the distance d. In the illustrated embodiment, four predefined arm base positions p1a-p1d, p2a-p2d are provided for each arm 110, 120, although another number of predefined positions may of course be contemplated. A combination of predefined and non-predefined positions may also be provided. The predefined positions may facilitate the adaption of the mounting arrangement 100 to different pole diameters in connection with mounting and facilitate a symmetric mounting. The inner positions p1a, p2a are located closer to the rear side 102 of the base part 101 than the outer positions p1d, p2d. The inner positions p1 a, p2a are further located closer to one another than the outer positions p1 d, p2d. In other words, a shortest distance between the two inner positions p1a, p2a is shorter than a shortest distance between the two outer positions p1d, p2d. As the proximal ends 111 , 121 of the arms 110, 120 are moved away from one another by moving them from the inner positions p1a, p2a toward the outer positions p1d, p2d, the distal ends 112, 122 of the arms 110, 120 will, at the same time, be moved further away from a foremost end 108 of the base part 101 . This enables a compact configuration of the mounting arrangement 100.

[0033] Fig. 8 illustrates the mounting arrangement 100 in an open configuration in which the second arm 120 has been tilted to a position that allows it to be moved between the predefined second arm base positions p2a-p2d as will be further explained below. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end 111 of the first arm 110 is pivotably connected to the base part 101 by at least one first pivot member 113 fixed to the first arm 110. The at least one first pivot member 113 is pivotably received in a first slot 105d formed in the base member 101 . The first slot 105d is one of a series of interconnected first slots 105a-d, wherein the first slots 105a-d define the four predefined first arm base positions p1a-p1d, respectively. The proximal end 121 of the second arm 120 is pivotably connected to the base part 101 by at least one second pivot member 123 fixed to the second arm 120. The at least one second pivot member 123 is in Fig. 8 pivotably received in a second slot 106c formed in the base member 101 . The second slot 106c is one of a series of interconnected second slots 106a-d, defining the four predefined second arm base positions p2a-p2d, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, each series of interconnected slots 105a-d, 106a-d thus comprises four interconnected slots. As seen in a planar view, as in Fig. 8, the series of interconnected first slots 105a-105d extend along a first axis a1 and the series of interconnected second slots 106a-106d extend along a second axis a2. The first and second axes a1 , a2 extend at a non-zero angle with respect to the rear end 102 of the base part 101 and with respect to the symmetry plane P. In the illustrated embodiment, an obtuse angle a is formed between the axes a1 , a2. The angle a may, in some embodiments, be within the interval of 90-130°, such as 100-120°. This facilitates the adaption of the mounting arrangement 100 to different pole diameters.

[0034] The first arm 110 and the second arm 120 are configured to be pivotable between a non-locking angular range r1 in which the movement relative to the base part 101 to alter the distance d is enabled, and a locking angular range r2 in which the movement relative to the base part 101 to alter the distance d is disabled. In Fig. 8, the first arm 110 is oriented within the locking angular range, while the second arm 120 is oriented within the non-locking angular range r1. The non-locking angular range r1 may typically be narrow in comparison with the locking angular range r2. The at least one first pivot member 113 is only slidable between the interconnected first slots 105a-d, along the first axis a1 , when the first arm 110 is tilted to the non-locking angular range of the first arm 110. The at least one second pivot member 123 is only slidable between the interconnected second slots 106, along the second axis a2, when the second arm 120 is tilted to the non-locking angular range r1 of the second arm 120. In Fig. 8, the second arm 120 has a longitudinal extension that coincides with the second axes a2. The nonlocking angular range r2 may be an angular range of 2-10°, centered on the second axis a2. Hence, when the second arm 120 is oriented with its longitudinal extension within this angular range, it is movable back and forth along the second axis a2.

[0035] Although the non-locking angular range r1 and the locking angular range r2 are only illustrated for the second arm 120, corresponding angular ranges, although with mirror symmetry, apply to the first arm 110. Hence, in the nonlocking angular range of the first arm 110, the first arm 110 is tilted away from the second arm 120 and from the symmetry plane P, and in the non-locking angular range r1 of the second arm 120, the second arm 120 is tilted away from the first arm 110 and from the symmetry plane P. The locking and nonlocking angular ranges make it easy to adjust the mounting arrangement 100 to different pole diameters and enable a robust clamping to poles 2 of different diameters.

[0036] As best illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7, the fastening device 130 comprises an externally threaded bolt 131 being in threaded engagement with an internal thread (not shown) provided in a third pivot member 133 pivotably arranged at the distal end 112 of the first arm 110. The third pivot member 133 allows the threaded bolt 131 to pivot about a third pivot axis (not illustrated), parallel with the first and second pivot axes X1 , X2 (see Fig. 5). The internal thread within the pivot member 133 enables adjustment of a distance between the distal ends 112, 122 of the arms 110, 120, as illustrated in Figs. 6-7, such that a secure clamping of the mounting arrangement 100 to the pole 2 can be achieved.

[0037] At its distal end 122, the second arm 120 comprises a connection interface 124 configured to engage with an engagement member 134 arranged on the fastening device 130. The connection interface 124 herein comprises a hook shaped portion of the second arm 120, which is configured to engage with a rounded external surface of the engagement member 134 in the form of a pin, a cylinder, or similar. In the open configuration, the engagement member 134 is configured to be movable along the fastening device 130, i.e., along the threaded bolt 131. The engagement member 134 is preferably slidable along the threaded bolt 131 , such that it can be quickly moved to a suitable position. In the clamping configuration, the engagement member 134 is configured to be locked between the connection interface 124 and a head 132 of the fastening device 130, i.e., of the bolt 131. The head 132 is herein configured to be operated by a tool to tighten and loosen the fastening member 130. The bolt 131 may further comprise an end portion 135 configured to stop the bolt from disengaging from the third pivot member 133. This ensures that the fastening member 130 will be attached to the first arm 110 regardless of whether the mounting arrangement 100 is in the open or clamping configuration.

[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the rear side 102 of the base part 101 may comprise screw holes 107 or similar for attaching the base part 102 to the piece of equipment 1 . However, the attachment to the piece of equipment 1 may be realized in many different ways, e.g., using various types of adapters, rails and similar.

[0039] The base part 101 and the arms 110, 120 may preferably be made of metal sheet, such as a steel sheet or an aluminium sheet. Consequently, the base part 101 may have an upper portion 109a which is identical to a lower portion 109b, as illustrated with reference to Fig. 3. Hence, both the upper and lower portions 109a, 109b in this case comprise the series of slots 105a-d, 106a-d. The upper and lower portions 109a, 109b are connected by the rear end 102. Similarly, the arms 110, 120 have upper and lower portions connected by inner arm portions. The inner arm portions, at the distal ends 112, 122 of the respective arms 110, 120, comprise slits 114, 124 for receiving the bolt 131 as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.

[0040] When a steel sheet is used to form the base part 101 and the arms 110, 120, the steel sheet has advantageously been galvanized after forming so as to provide corrosion protection. This also reduces the risk of corrosive stains forming on the pole 2, or on a fixing arrangement of the piece of equipment 1 to which the base part 101 is fixed.

[0041] Fig. 9 illustrates hoisting of a piece of equipment 1 , to which two mounting arrangements 100, 100’ as disclosed herein are attached, along a pole 2 having a longitudinal axis A. The mounting arrangements 100, 100’ are herein in the open configuration, with the arms 110, 120 folded away from one another such that the mounting arrangements 100, 100’ occupy as little space as possible between the piece of equipment 1 and the pole 2. This reduces the risk that the mounting arrangements 100, 100’ damage any other equipment, or an operator, during the hoisting.

[0042] Even though the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. Also, it should be noted that parts of the illustrated mounting arrangement described with reference to the drawings may be omitted, interchanged or arranged in various ways, the mounting arrangement yet being able to perform the functionality as described herein. When using the word "comprise" or “comprising” it shall be interpreted as non-limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of".

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A mounting arrangement (100) for mounting of a piece of equipment (1) to a pole (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (A), the mounting arrangement (100) comprising: a base part (101) having a rear side (102) configured to be attached to the piece of equipment (1) and an opposite front side (103) configured to abut the pole (2), a first arm (110), pivotably connected to the base part (101) at a proximal end (111 ) of the first arm (110), and a second arm (120), pivotably connected to the base part (101) at a proximal end (121 ) of the second arm (120), wherein the first and second arms (110, 120) are pivotable toward one another from an open configuration in which the mounting arrangement (100) is configured to be movable relative to the pole (2), to a clamping configuration in which the mounting arrangement (100) is configured to clamp the pole (2) between the arms (110, 120) and the base part (101), a fastening device (130) pivotably connected to a distal end (112) of the first arm (110), wherein the fastening device (130) is configured to be releasably engaged with a distal end (122) of the second arm (120) to lock the arms (110, 120) in the clamping configuration.

2. The mounting arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal end (111 ) of the first arm (110) and / or the proximal end (121 ) of the second arm (120) is / are selectively movable relative to the base part (101) to alter a distance (d) between the proximal ends (111 , 121) of the first and second arms (110, 120).

3. The mounting arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the base part (101) is configured to provide at least two predefined first arm base positions (p1 a, p1 d) between which the proximal end (111 ) of the first arm (110) is selectively movable to alter the distance (d), and / or at least two predefinedsecond arm base positions (p2a, p2d) between which the proximal end (121) of the second arm (120) is selectively movable to alter the distance (d).

4. The mounting arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the front side(103) of the base part (101) comprises at least one concave abutment surface(104) configured to abut the pole (2), wherein the at least two predefined first arm base positions comprise at least a first outer position (p1d) and a first inner position (p1a), and wherein the at least two predefined second arm base positions comprise at least a second outer position (p2d) and a second inner position (p2a), the inner positions (p1a, p2a) being located closer to the rear side (102) of the base part (101) than the outer positions (p1d, p2d), and the inner positions (p1a, p2a) being located closer to one another than the outer positions (p1d, p2d).

5. The mounting arrangement according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the first arm (110) and / or the second arm (120) is / are configured to be pivotable between a non-locking angular range (r1) in which the movement relative to the base part (110) to alter the distance (d) is enabled, and a locking angular range (r2) in which the movement relative to the base part (101) to alter the distance (d) is disabled.

6. The mounting arrangement according to claim 5, wherein, in the nonlocking angular range of the first arm, the first arm (110) is tilted away from the second arm (120), and / or in the non-locking angular range of the second arm (120), the second arm (120) is tilted away from the first arm (110).

7. The mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the proximal end (111 ) of the first arm (110) is pivotably connected to the base part (101) by at least one first pivot member (113) fixed to the first arm (110), the at least one first pivot member (113) being pivotably received in a first slot (105d) formed in the base member (101), and / or wherein the proximal end (121) of the second arm (120) is pivotablyconnected to the base part (101) by at least one second pivot member (123) fixed to the second arm (120), the at least one second pivot member (123) being pivotably received in a second slot (106d) formed in the base member (101).

8. The mounting arrangement according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 5 or 6, wherein the base part (101) comprises at least two interconnected first slots (105a, 105d) between which the at least one first pivot member (113) is slidable when the first arm is tilted to the non-locking angular range, each first slot defining one of at least two predefined first arm base positions (p1 a, p1d), and / or wherein the base part (101) comprises at least two interconnected second slots (106a, 106d) between which the at least one second pivot member (123) is slidable when the second arm (120) is tilted to the non-locking angular range, each second slot (106a, 106d) defining one of at least two predefined second arm base positions (p2a, p2d).

9. The mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm (110) is pivotable about a first pivot axis (X1), and wherein the second arm (120) is pivotable about a second pivot axis (X3), the first and second pivot axes (X1 , X2) being configured to be oriented in parallel with the longitudinal axis (A) of the pole (2) in the clamping configuration.

10. The mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second arm (120) at its distal end (122) comprises a connection interface (124) configured to engage with an engagement member (134) arranged on the fastening device (130).11 . The mounting arrangement according to claim 10, wherein, in the open configuration, the engagement member (134) is configured to be movable along the fastening device (130), and, in the clamping configuration, theengagement member (134) is configured to be locked between the connection interface and a head (132) of the fastening device (130).

12. The mounting arrangement according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the engagement member (134) comprises a rounded external surface, and wherein the connection interface (124) comprises a hook shaped member configured to engage with the rounded external surface.

13. The mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device (130) comprises an externally threaded bolt (131) being in threaded engagement with an internal thread, the internal thread being provided in a third pivot member (133) pivotably arranged at the distal end (112) of the first arm (110).

14. The mounting arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the bolt (131) comprises an end portion (135) configured to stop the bolt (131) from disengaging from the third pivot member (133).

15. The mounting arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base part (101 ) is mirror symmetric with respect to a mirror plane (P) located between the first and second arms (110, 120).

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