FR2824956A1 - Radio communications secured antenna support having mast pivoting bracket support mounted and bracket structure held with output shaft coupling manual command reducer. - Google Patents

Abstract

The antenna support has a mast (1) suspended at the end of a bracket (3) of adjustable length. The bracket is mounted pivoting on a support (7) carried by a mechanism (13,16) held on a structure or socket. The pivot axis (10) is coupled to an output shaft of a reducer with a continuous screw with manual command.

Description

- 1

Secure antenna support.

  The present invention relates to a secure antenna support. It is mainly applicable to the field of radiotelephony and radio telecommunications using a large number of antennas which it is important to install on high locations such as, for example, roof terraces of buildings, pylons, water towers, etc. In these applications, the antennas must be mounted on supports facilitating their adjustment and maintenance. The speed of interventions, the safety of installers or operators and installations are criteria

  important in the choice of supports.

  The invention can also be applied to the field of advertising media. The functions that an antenna support must perform are multiple and sometimes contradictory: rigidity to maintain the orientation of the antennas in the event of gusts of wind; lightness to facilitate installation at height; easy adjustment of the orientation and inclination of the antennas;

  possibility of installation on different sites.

  In addition, the support of the antennas must facilitate the operations of

  maintenance by minimizing the risks for operators.

  Finally, the support must be as economical as possible.

  When we know that antennas of this kind, of the parabolic, dipole or horn type, intended to be fixed on the facade or on the roof of buildings, have a size of around 0.3 to 3 meters, we can imagine that the different types of mounting or - 2 antenna supports offered to date, may not fulfill all of the

qualities set out above.

  According to the type of assembly known as the "flagpole on the terrace", the mast supporting the antennas is fixed on the acrottery of the terrace. Maintenance personnel must be authorized to work at heights and have safety equipment. Installation and maintenance of antennas

  involve the installation of a ladder along the mast and of the safety rail.

  A variant of this type of assembly, called "flag pole on roof", consists in fixing the mast on a base, itself fixed or not on the roof; this

  mounting variant has the same drawbacks as the previous one.

  For example, in document FR-2 775 126 is described a support for radio telecommunications antennas according to which a U-shaped profile carrying the antennas is fixed, with a possibility of tilting of limited amplitude, at one of the ends of a small telescopic arm, the opposite end of which is secured to a vertical cylindrical tube housed with swivel ability in collars secured to a wall lamp allowing the fixing of said support

  antennas on the facade of a building.

  According to another type of assembly designated under the name of "mast fixed on the facade", the mast carrying the antennas is fixed on a facade of a building, in order to reduce the aesthetic drawbacks and poor wind resistance arising

previous montages.

  In this case, the device described does not take into account the criteria of access and manipulation by the operator, because the different component parts of the antenna support remain permanently outside the building, at the above the vacuum, so that it is understood that the operators ensuring the maintenance of the antennas must work while being suspended in front of the

  facade or have lifting platforms, as indicated above.

  A variant of this type of mounting known as "retractable mast on the facade" consists in not fixing the mast directly on the facade of the building, but in snapping it into a support, itself fixed on the facade. This arrangement - 3 makes it possible to remove the mast with its antennas, without having the disadvantages of the previous assembly, nevertheless, the operators run high risks during

  adjustment and removal operations, for example in the event of gusts of wind.

  Finally, according to the assembly called "tilting mast", the mast is mounted with a tilting ability about a horizontal axis, on the terrace or the roof, thus allowing to work in better conditions of safety for the personnel and the material, except during the arm tilting operation

carrying the antennas.

  The present invention falls within the latter type of assembly.

  Regarding this kind of antenna support, we know (FR-2 754 940) an antenna support device comprising an arm carrying the antennas and secured to one end of a telescopic bracket whose other end is fixed with a swiveling ability around a horizontal axis, on about three quarters of a turn, in a cradle mounted with a swiveling latitude of limited amplitude around a vertical axis, on a plate secured to a wall lamp allowing fixing the entire antenna support on the face

  exterior of an acroterion or low wall.

  This device allows tilt (verticality) and azimuth adjustments. It also allows manual tilting and turning of the arm carrying the antennas

  above the terrace or the roof, that is to say outside the void.

  However, the device described in this document assumes manual tilting, therefore a muscular effort which can be very significant, despite the lever arm, if the antennas are heavy or distant from the axis of rotation, and dangerous for operators and the material if a gust of wind occurs

  time of the tilting operation.

  This device also has several other drawbacks: - the rotation of approximately three quarters of a turn printed on the mast creates a strong mechanical stress on the antenna power cable, a constraint which can accelerate its aging; - 4 At the rotation of three quarters of a turn supposes a free space above and behind the articulation of the stem, which is not always the case; - turning the tilting assembly does not place it in an ideal position for conveniently carrying out repair or maintenance operations; At the angular adjustment of the antennas in relation to the facade supposes to loosen the locking nuts of the support cradle. If these nuts are too

  loosened, the assembly can be torn off from the plate supporting said cradle.

  The object of the present invention is in particular to remedy the shortcomings and drawbacks of the different types of antenna supports offered to date,

  in particular those of sign supports of the "tilting mast" type.

  According to a first characteristic arrangement, the antenna support according to the invention comprises an antenna support mast suspended from a bracket, preferably of adjustable length, this bracket being mounted, with a tilting ability in a vertical plane, in a cradle resting on a plate arranged to allow its attachment to an acroterion or a base, said antenna support being remarkable in that the pivot axis of the tilting bracket is coupled or arranged to be able to be coupled to the drive shaft a manual worm gearbox, for example

  fixed or arranged to be able to be fixed removably, on said plate.

  This first arrangement or characteristic provides several interesting advantages: - it facilitates and secures the tilting of the bracket supporting the mast carrying the antennas; - it allows easy and precise adjustment of the tilt angle; Ie reducer can be removable and easily coupled or uncoupled relative to the pivot axis of the tilting bracket, which allows to have only one reducer for several antenna supports, or to avoid maneuvers malicious, said reducer then being stored in

a safe place.

  According to another characteristic arrangement, the tilting jib extends behind its pivot axis and the end of this extension is provided with a counterweight, or arranged to be able to receive one or more

removable counterweights.

  The presence of this counterweight makes it possible to reduce the forces during the tilting of the stem, the mass of the counterweight being able to be easily

  increased if we add antennas on the carrying mast.

  According to another characteristic arrangement, the tilting bracket is constituted by a cylindrical arm supporting the carrying mast, this arm being orientable around its axis and preferably mounted, with a possibility of sliding, in a cylindrical tube tilting around an axis perpendicular

to the axis of said arm.

  This characteristic arrangement has the advantage of making it possible, on the one hand, to limit the tilting of the bracket to a quarter turn so as not to create mechanical constraints on the antenna power cables, and, on the other hand, to facilitate maintenance operations, as explained in the

following this presentation.

  According to another characteristic arrangement, the cradle supporting the tilting jib is orientable to allow an adjustment of the azimuth of the antennas and blocking means allow its immobilization in the desired position, said orientable cradle being, on the other hand, advantageously

  fixed by fitting into the assembly support plate.

  Following the fitting of the cradle or bracket support in the plate, we rule out any possibility of accidental tilting of the assembly resting on said plate when the immobilization means of the

adjustable cradle.

  - 6 The above goals, features and benefits, and more,

  will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and from the attached drawings in

  which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of the secure antenna support according to the invention.

  Figure 2 is a plan view of this antenna support.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a worm reducer which can be coupled, so

  removable, to the pivot shaft of the cradle-support of the tilting jib.

  FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate an example of maneuvering of the support

  antennas according to the invention, during a maintenance operation.

  Reference is made to said drawings to describe an interesting example, although in no way limitative, of making the secure antenna support according to the invention. This antenna support comprises a cylindrical mast 1 orientable around

  its axis X-X, and on which the antennas 2 are fixed, in a manner known per se.

  This mast is suspended from the front end of a bracket designated as a whole by the reference 3, for example by means of a split hub 4 oriented perpendicular to the axis of the bracket 3 and consisting of two parts assembled by means of bolts 5 or other tightening members and one of which is integral with the end of the bracket 3. It is understood that in order to adjust the orientation of the cylindrical mast 1 and, consequently, of the azimuth of the antennas , just loosen the bolts 5, rotate the mast around

  the X-X axis and then tighten said bolts.

  At least part of the bracket 3, attached to the antenna support mast 1, is mounted with a pivotability around the axis Y-Y of said bracket. The bracket 3 is made up of two parts comprising a cylindrical arm 3A and a cylindrical tube 3B in which is housed, preferably with a sliding capacity, the rear part of said arm which is thus mounted with a capacity for rotation about its axis YY, and from

S translation along the same axis.

  Holes 20 made in the arm 3A and in the tube 3B allow the introduction of a bolt 25 or similar locking rod ensuring the immobilization of said arm in normal operating position, that is to say active antennas ffigures 1 and 4A). To bring the antennas 2 into the maintenance position (FIGS. 4C and 4D), the bolt 25 is removed and the arm 3A can

turn in tube 3B.

  A flange 6 fixed on the arm 3A, serves as a stop preventing the said arm

  can sink into the tube 3B, when the bolt 25 is not in place.

  The bracket 3 is mounted, by means of a fixing piece or bracket 3C secured to the tube 3B and of a joint with a horizontal axis, in a

  bracket support, for example constituted by a cradle or yoke 7.

  In this way, the bracket 3 can tilt in a vertical plane, around a horizontal axis Z-Z for about a quarter of a turn or 90 from its normal operating position, to carry out repair or maintenance operations. It is immobilized, in the cradle by means of blocking members for example constituted by screws 8 passing through arched lights 9 formed in the side walls of the cradle, and holes which the fixing part presents, these arched lights allowing a clearance of a few

  dogres, for adjusting the tilt angle of the mast 1.

  The bracket 3 and, more precisely, the outer tube 3B of the latter, extends behind its articulation axis 10, and a counterweight 11 is fixed on the free end of this extension. This counterweight 11 makes it possible to compensate for the weight of the mast 1-antennas 2 assembly and it allows the use of a

  small reducer (described later in this presentation).

  - 8 The berccau or stem support 7 is integral with a sole 12 by means of which it rests on a plate 13 which the device has

fixing the antenna support.

  On the other hand, the cradle is fitted into the plate with a possibility of pivoting of limited amplitude around a vertical axis V- V relative to said plate. The plate 13 is provided with arcuate lights 14 allowing a movement of a few tens of degrees of the sole 12 and the cradle 7 relative to said plate, for adjusting the azimuth of the antennas 2. Bolts 15 or similar members passing through holes made in the sole 12 and the arched openings 14 allow the cradle 7 to be immobilized in the

  desired position relative to said plate.

  The plate 13 is integral with a fixing plate 16 oriented perpendicular to said plate, this assembly constituting the fixing device allowing the installation of the antenna support against the internal face of an acrotera or a wall M or other part of a building, for example by means

  anchor rods or sealing bolts.

  According to an alternative embodiment, the antenna support also comprises a tripod fixed to the ground or not; in this case, the fixing plate 16 is

bolted to the tripod.

  This tripod can be fixed on a weighted base ensuring autonomy

  of installation to the antenna support.

  According to an important characteristic arrangement of the invention, the tilting axis 10 of the cradle or other bracket of the bracket 7 is coupled to the outlet bore 17 of a worm gear reducer 18 with manual control 19, for example by through a pivot shaft 10 formed by said axis of

  tilting and rotating connections known per se.

  This reducer 18 is fixed or arranged so as to be able to be fixed, in a removable manner, on one of the vertical walls of the cradle or other bracket for the bracket 7. When the reducer 18 is not permanently installed on the cradle 7, I ' pivot shaft 10 can be keyed to the bore 17 of said reduction gear,

  or by any other suitable link.

  On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the reduction gear 18 and the cradle 7 are provided with complementary means allowing them to be assembled in a removable manner. The casing 18a of the reducer 18 and the wall 7a of the cradle 7 on which said rebuctor is called to be positioned, are provided with sockets, respectively 21 and 22, arranged so that they can be placed in alignment and assembled

  by means of an axial connecting rod 23 passing through them.

  The reference 24 ffigure 3) designates a handle integral with the casing of the

  reducer 18 and facilitating the transport and handling of said reduction gear.

  The mode of use of the secure antenna support is described below.

according to the invention.

  In FIG. 4A, the antenna support is seen fixed, by means of the plate 16, against the internal face of a parapet M, and represented in the normal operating position, according to which the antenna-carrying mast 1 is located

  suspended in front of facade F of a building.

  The operator who must intervene to adjust an antenna or to carry out a maintenance operation, begins by setting up the reduction gear 18 on the cradle 7 or other support of bracket (figure 4B) in the case where such

  reducer is not permanently installed on said rail.

  The reducer 18 being of the worm type is irreversible and therefore safe; The operator can unlock the screws 9 without risk of tipping over

  the assembly: mast 1-stem 3-cradle 7 in the unwanted direction.

  - 1 0 The operator has a quarter turn by turning the crank 19 of the reduction gear 18

  turn to the bracket 3 to bring the mast 1 in a horizontal position (FIG. 4C).

  After removing the locking bolt 25 from the arm 3A, the operator can rotate the mast 1-antennas 2 assembly by an angle of 90 to bring the antennas 2 back to the place of intervention (FIG. 4D); the pivoting of a quarter turn placing said assembly parallel to the acrottery and above the work area, so that the operator can intervene easily and safely on said antennas. At the end of the intervention, the operator proceeds in reverse to bring the antennas back to the functional position. It can easily make the necessary adjustments: adjusting the tilt angle by manual control on the reduction gear and blocking by means of bolts 9, adjusting the azimuth angle in

  loosen the bolts 15 and rotate the stem 3 around the V-V axis.

- 1 1

Claims (11)

  1.- Antenna support of the kind comprising an antenna-carrying mast (1) suspended from the end of a bracket (3), preferably of adjustable length, this bracket being mounted, with an aptitude for tilting in a plane vertical, on a support (7) carried by a device (13, 16) allowing the fixing of said antenna support on a building or on a base, characterized in that the pivot axis (10) of the tilting bracket ( 3) is coupled to the output shaft (17) of a worm reducer (18) with manual control (19), for example fixed on said support.  2.- antenna support according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis (10) of the tilting bracket (3) is arranged to be able to be coupled to the reducer (18), and in that the housing the latter and the bracket support (7) are provided with complementary assembly means (21, 22, 23) allowing the removable fixing of said   reducer (18) on said bracket support (3).   3.- antenna support according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in   that the tilting jib (3) comprises a cylindrical arm (3A) supporting the antenna-carrying mast (1), this arm being orientable around its axis (YY) and mounted, preferably with the possibility of sliding, in a tube cylindrical (3B) fixed to the stem support (7) with a tilting ability around an axis (ZZ) perpendicular to the axis (Y-Y) of said arm (3A).   4.- antenna support according to any one of claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the tilting stem (3) and the stem support 1 2 (7) comprise complementary means (8-9) making it possible to maintain said stem in the desirable position for adjusting the angle tilt antenna mast (1).   5. Antenna support according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that the stem support (7) is mounted with a pivoting ability about a vertical axis (V-V) relative to the fixed fixing device (13, 16), so as to allow adjustment of the angle the azimuth of the antennas (2).   6. Antenna support according to claim 5, characterized in that the bracket support (7) is fixed on the fixing device (13, 16), by fitting into the latter.   7.- antenna support according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the tilting bracket (3) extends behind its pivot axis (10) and in that the end of this extension (3B) is provided with a counterweight (11), or arranged to receive a or several counterweights.   8.- antenna support according to any one of claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the antenna support mast (1) is cylindrical and fixed, with an adjustable orientation around its axis (X-X), in a split hub (4)   attached to the front end of the tilting bracket (3).   9.- Antenna support according to any one of claims 3 to 8,   characterized in that the cylindrical arm (3A) is provided with a clamping flange (6) serving as a support during the rotation of this arm in the tube (3B),   when the stem (3) is brought into the maintenance position.   10.- Antenna support according to any one of claims 4 to 8,   characterized in that the means making it possible to maintain the tilting bracket (3) in a position corresponding to the desirable tilt angle, comprise bolts (9) passing through passages provided in the mounting part (3a) of said bracket and arched openings (8) formed in at least one vertical wall of the bracket support (7), the rods of said bolts thus being mounted with an amplitude movement limited in said lights.   11. Antenna support according to any one of claims 5 to 8,   characterized in that the means making it possible to adjust the azimuth angle of the antennas (2) comprise clamping members (15) passing through holes made in said sole (12) and arched openings (14)