WO2021118653A1

WO2021118653A1 - Floor box system

Info

Publication number: WO2021118653A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/046013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary Lowe; Justin EKHOLM
Original assignee: Combined Utilities Box Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 2019-12-13
Filing date: 2020-08-12
Publication date: 2021-06-17

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein provides for a floor box that allows distribution of DAS and/or Wi-Fi signals.

Description

FLOOR BOX SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

Distributed Antenna System (“DAS”) is a network of spatially separated antenna nodes connected to a common source via a transport medium that provides wireless services within a geographic area or structure. In most places DAS is hung overhead because floor boxes have not allowed efficient transmission of signals. However, overhead systems may be tampered with or damaged in large commercial spaces.

Quality Wi-Fi is also not easy to provide in large venues and for large number of users.

It is nearly impossible to control the types of Wi-Fi devices that users need and how Wi-Fi is used by those devices. For example, venues may request exhibitors and attendees refrain from using the crowded 2.4 GHz band. In reality, venues have no control over whether a user is actually on 5 GHz network; nor can a venue restrict the number of Wi-Fi devices users bring or the applications they run over Wi-Fi.

Floor boxes are commonly provided in commercial building such as hotels, warehouses, convention centers, arenas, atriums, concerts, stadiums, schools, etc. to provide power or data.

In these larger spaces, wall boxes are not easily accessible in the middle of the space. There is a need for floor boxes that allows distribution of DAS and/or Wi-Fi signals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a floor box;

Fig. 2 is an exploded, side perspective view;

Fig3 is an embodiment of a

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, the use of similar or the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items, unless context dictates otherwise.

The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specific components (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be taken as limiting.

The present application uses formal outline headings for clarity of presentation. However, it is to be understood that the outline headings are for presentation purposes, and that different types of subject matter may be discussed throughout the application (e.g., device(s)/stmcture(s) may be described under process(es)/operations heading(s) and/or process(es)/operations may be discussed under structure(s)/process(es) headings; and/or descriptions of single topics may span two or more topic headings). Hence, the use of the formal outline headings is not intended to be in any way limiting. Given by way of overview, illustrative embodiments include a floor box that allows distribution of DAS and/or Wi-Fi signals.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the floor box (100), in an embodiment, is comprised of a box (10) that operably mates with a cover (40). The box (10) has a first end (10a) and a second end (10b). In an embodiment, the top end (10a) of the box (10) defines a crown (20) onto which the cover (40) operably mates. The box (10) is divided into at least a first compartment (60a) and a second compartment (60b) by a device plate (60). In some embodiments, the box (10) is further comprised of a bracket (50) that allows the floor box (100) to be secured within a floor. It should be noted that for ease of description the floor box (100) is described as a box; however, it can be a container having any general shape.

At least one DAS or Wi-Fi antennae (70) is provided for near the first end (10a) and in the first compartment (60a). In some embodiments, the second compartment (60b) may further comprise a controller (80) that allows control of the services delivered by the floor box (100). In some embodiments, the controller (80) may be locally controlled. In some embodiments, the controller (80) may be remotely controlled. In some embodiments, at least two parallel sides of the box (10) may define at least one conduit (80). The conduit (80) may run electrical or data wiring. In some embodiments, the second compartment (60b) is further comprised of a drain (30) to allow any liquid or condensation that enters the floor box (100) to drain through.

The cover (40) is manufactured from material that does not block DAS and/or Wi-Fi signals. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is manufactured from Poly (methyl methacrylate) also known as acrylic, acrylic glass, plexiglass, or glass or other translucent materials. In embodiments, the crown (20) is manufactured from Poly (methyl methacrylate), glass, or translucent materials.

In embodiments, the box is made out of metal or stainless steel. In embodiments, the interior of the box (10) is treated. In embodiments, the exterior of the box (10) is treated. In embodiments, the interior and the exterior of the box (10) are treated. Treatment means electroplating, electroless plating, chemical treatment, anodic oxidation, hot dipping, vacuum plating, painting, brushing, or any other treatment that changes the quality of the metal or stainless steel.

Referring to Fig. 3, in one particular floor box system (200), a floor box having DAS (100a) is alternated with a floor box having Wi-Fi (100b) in a checkerboard type pattern over an floor. It is noted here that while floor boxes are usually mounted within a floor of a structure, the invention described herein may also be incorporated in walls or overhead boxes or other devices that allow for electrical connections

Claims

CLAIMS We claim as our invention:

1. A floor box comprised of a box and operably mated cover; whereby the box further comprises at least one distributed antennae system or at least one Wi-Fi system; where the box is treated by at least one method taken from the following: electroplating, electroless plating, chemical treatment, anodic oxidation, hot dipping, vacuum plating, painting, brushing.

2. The floor box of claim 1 where the cover is manufactured from Poly (methyl methacrylate), glass or translucent material.

3. A floor box system comprising:

(a) at least a first floor box comprised of a box and operably mated cover; whereby the box further comprises at least a distributed antennae system; where the box is treated by at least one method taken from the following: electroplating, electroless plating, chemical treatment, anodic oxidation, hot dipping, vacuum plating, painting, brushing;

(b) at least a second floor box comprised of a box and operably mated cover; whereby the box further comprises at least a Wi-Fi system; where the box is treated by at least one method taken from the following: electroplating, electroless plating, chemical treatment, anodic oxidation, hot dipping, vacuum plating, painting, brushing