Reversible Antenna Mounting Plate with Interference Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coupling antennas to surfaces, such as buildings, are often irreversible, causing damage and complicating maintenance or replacement, as they typically involve bolting or screwing directly into the structure, making it difficult to undo or reuse the mounting points.
Innovation Solution
A coupling apparatus comprising a mounting plate with a receptacle portion and protrusions, a mounting bracket with apertures to receive the protrusions, and a locking plate that secures the bracket in place, allowing for a reversible attachment of antennas to surfaces using an interference fit and locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolting or screwing the antenna directly to a building, then the coupling is strong and secure, but the attachment becomes irreversible and causes damage to the building
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a mounting plate attached to the surface, a mounting bracket that receives the antenna, and a locking plate that secures the bracket to the plate. This segmentation allows the antenna to be securely mounted while enabling easy removal by detaching the locking plate and bracket, without damaging the building surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate acts as an intermediary between the building surface and the antenna mounting bracket. It provides a reusable interface with protrusions that engage with apertures in the bracket, allowing strong attachment when locked and easy detachment when the locking plate is removed, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and reversibility.
2Reliability
If using direct bolting or screwing methods, then the antenna is securely mounted, but maintenance and replacement are delayed due to difficulty in undoing attachments
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mounting system into a permanent mounting plate and a removable mounting bracket assembly, the design ensures reliable mounting through the locked connection while enabling easy maintenance. The bracket and antenna can be quickly removed by taking off the locking plate, allowing prompt repair or replacement without damaging the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is pre-installed on the building surface during initial installation. This preliminary action creates a reusable base that remains in place, allowing the antenna bracket to be easily attached and detached multiple times for maintenance without requiring re-drilling or re-securing to the building structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If using irreversible mounting methods, then the initial installation is simple, but the mounting points become unusable for attachment of new antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate with protrusions serves as a reusable base installed once on the building. The mounting bracket with apertures attaches to this base and can be removed and reattached multiple times. This segmentation preserves the mounting points on the building while allowing flexible reinstallation of antennas or different equipment on the same plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is recovered and retained after antenna installation, while the bracket and antenna can be discarded or replaced. The retained plate with its protrusions maintains the mounting capability, allowing new antennas or equipment to be attached to the same location without creating new holes or damaging the building surface.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
An apparatus for coupling an object to a surface is disclosed. The apparatus may include a mounting plate, a mounting bracket, and a locking plate. The mounting plate may include a mounting portion configured to be coupled with the surface, a receptacle portion configured to receive a mounting bracket, and at least one protrusion extending from the mounting portion. The mounting bracket may include a backing portion, and a coupling portion. The backing portion may define at least one aperture configured to receive the at least one protrusion when the mounting bracket is disposed in the receptacle portion of the mounting plate. The coupling portion may be configured to be coupled with the object, which may be an antenna. The locking plate may be configured to be disposed between at least a portion of the at least one protrusion and at least a portion of the backing portion.