Solid Surface Bracket for Antenna Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems designed for suspended grid ceilings cannot be easily mounted to solid surface ceilings, such as concrete, drywall, or wood ceilings, due to the thickness and material properties that prevent the formation of through-holes, making it impractical to drill or attach directly.
Innovation Solution
A solid surface bracket system that includes top, side, and bottom flanges, with openings for screws and clips to securely attach the antenna system to the solid surface ceiling without requiring through-holes, using screws like Tapcon concrete screws and clips to offset the antenna system, allowing coax cables to be routed to communication devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If antenna systems are designed for suspended grid ceilings with through-hole mounting, then installation is simple and direct, but mounting to solid surface ceilings becomes impractical due to material thickness and drilling difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
A solid surface bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the antenna system and the solid surface ceiling. The bracket includes a first flange with openings for solid surface fasteners (concrete screws, drywall anchors) that engage with the ceiling, and a second flange that interfaces with the antenna system's mounting clip. This mediator enables mounting to solid surfaces without requiring through-holes or modifying the antenna system design.
2Ease of operation
If through-holes are drilled in solid surface ceilings for cable routing, then cable access is achieved, but structural integrity is compromised and drilling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of routing cables through the ceiling thickness (one-dimensional through-hole approach), the solution routes cables along the surface of the ceiling using the bracket's offset structure. The first flange is positioned to engage the ceiling surface while the second flange offsets the antenna system, creating a pathway for cables to run along the ceiling surface rather than through it, thus preserving structural integrity while maintaining cable accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If antenna systems are offset from the ceiling surface, then cable routing is facilitated, but mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is segmented into distinct functional components: a first flange for ceiling engagement with fastener openings, a second flange for antenna interface, and positioning features that create the offset. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design despite the offset requirement. The segmented structure enables straightforward assembly by sliding the antenna mounting clip onto the second flange.
Data Source
AI summary
A solid surface bracket is provided. The solid surface bracket is configured to couple an antenna system with a solid surface ceiling. The solid surface bracket may include a top flange, bottom flange, and a side flange. The top flange may include an opening that is sized and shaped to receive a solid surface screw. The solid surface screw may be configured to engage with the solid surface ceiling. The bottom flange may be configured to receive a clip of the antenna system. The bottom flange may extend substantially parallel to the top flange. The side flange may be coupled with the top flange and bottom flange. The side flange may extend between and substantially perpendicular to the top flange and bottom flange. The side flange may have a height greater than a minimum bend radius of a cable extending from the antenna system.