WO2024145729A1

WO2024145729A1 - Anchoring systems for use on a monopole

Info

Publication number: WO2024145729A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/070034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yu Wu; Bin AI; Jared HAINES
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2023-01-03
Filing date: 2023-01-03
Publication date: 2024-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2025-07-03

Abstract

The present application is directed to an anchoring system for cables on a monopole. The anchoring system includes a base module having a plurality of clamping members. Each clamping member includes an upper plate having a plurality of apertures, a lower plate coupled to the upper plate by two or more support beams, each support beam having an aperture configured to receive a threaded member, and a hollow pipe secured between the upper and lower plates. At least a portion of an eyebolt is received through the hollow pipe and secured to the clamping member. Adjacent clamping members are connected by the threaded members that engage with mating threaded connectors such that the threaded connectors may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members to decrease or increase spacing between the clamping members to engage the monopole therebetween, and each eyebolt is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole. Alternative anchoring systems, including anchoring systems having an expansion module, are also described herein.

Description

ANCHORING SYSTEMS FOR USE ON A MONOPOLE

Field

The present invention relates to telecommunications equipment, and in particular, an anchoring system for cables on a monopole.

Background

With the addition of more legacy coax cables, as well as the substantially heavier hybrid cables to monopoles, the current anchors (e.g., J-bolt anchors) that secure these cables to the monopole may have their capacity exceeded, resulting in the anchors failing. These cables are usually routed inside and outside of the monopole (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C) and there is currently no universal anchor device in the industry that can simultaneously lift and support internal and external cables. There may be a desire for a new anchoring system to support these heavier cables on the monopoles.

Summary

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to an anchoring system for cables on a monopole. The anchoring system includes a base module having a plurality of clamping members. Each clamping member includes an upper plate having a plurality of apertures, a lower plate coupled to the upper plate by two or more support beams, each support beam having an aperture configured to receive a threaded member, and a hollow pipe secured between the upper and lower plates. At least a portion of an eyebolt is received through the hollow pipe and secured to the clamping member. Adjacent clamping members are connected by the threaded members that engage with mating threaded connectors such that the threaded connectors may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members to decrease or increase spacing between the clamping members to engage the monopole therebetween, and each eyebolt is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an anchoring system for cables on a monopole. The anchoring system includes a base module and an expansion module coupled to the base module. The base module has a plurality of clamping members. Each clamping member includes an upper plate having a plurality of apertures, a lower plate coupled to the upper plate by two or more support beams, each support beam having an aperture configured to receive a threaded member, and a hollow pipe is secured between the upper and lower plates. At least a portion of an eyebolt is received through the hollow pipe and secured to the clamping member. Adjacent clamping members are connected by the threaded members that engage with mating threaded connectors such that the threaded connectors may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members to decrease or increase spacing between the clamping members to engage the monopole therebetween. One or more of the plurality of apertures in the upper plate of a clamping member are configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion module to the base module. The expansion module also includes an eyebolt, each eyebolt is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an anchoring system for cables on a monopole. The anchoring system includes a base module and an expansion module coupled to the base module. The base module has a plurality of clamping members. Each clamping member includes an upper plate having a plurality of apertures, a lower plate coupled to the upper plate by two or more support beams, each support beam having an aperture configured to receive a threaded member, and a hollow pipe is secured between the upper and lower plates. At least a portion of an eyebolt is received through the hollow pipe and secured to the clamping member. Adjacent clamping members are connected by the threaded members that engage with mating threaded connectors such that the threaded connectors may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members to decrease or increase spacing between the clamping members to engage the monopole therebetween. The expansion module includes three L-shaped brackets and an expansion plate. Each L-shaped bracket has a main member and an arm member coupled thereto and extending inwardly from the main member such that each of the arm members are positioned over a top of the monopole, and each main member is configured to be secured to a respective clamping member of the base module. The expansion plate configured to be secured to each arm of the L-shaped brackets and includes a central aperture with an eyebolt received therethrough and secured to the expansion plate. One or more of the plurality of apertures in the upper plate of a clamping member are configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion module to the base module, and each eyebolt is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment, may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim and/or file any new claim, accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim or claims although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below. Further features, advantages and details of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments that follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate examples of how cables are currently routed inside (FIG. 1A) and outside (FIGS. 1B-1C) of a monopole.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of an anchoring system adapted for use on a monopole according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the anchoring system of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the base module of the anchoring system of FIG. 2A according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the expansion module of the anchoring system of FIG. 2A according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a side cross-section view of an exemplary eyebolt that may be used with the anchoring systems of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged side cross-section view of another exemplary eyebolt that may be used with the anchoring system of the present invention received through the hollow pipe of the clamping member of the base member of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary configurations for the anchoring system of FIG. 2A according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the anchoring system of FIG. 6C with a hoisting grip and cable secured to the anchoring system according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7B are top views of the anchoring system of FIG. 2A illustrating the anchoring system being adjustable to accommodate different diameter monopoles according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of an alternative anchoring system according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the anchoring system of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of an alternative anchoring system according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a top view of the anchoring system of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of the anchoring system of FIG. 9A adjusted to accommodate a larger diameter monopole.

FIG. 10B is a top view of the anchoring system of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of an alternative clamping member of the base module of the anchoring systems of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a top view of an alternative anchoring system utilizing the clamping member of FIG. 11A according to embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In the figures, certain layers, components, or features may be exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the claims or figures unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a" , "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" , when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, phrases such as "between X and Y" and "between about X and Y" should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as "between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y. " As used herein, phrases such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to about Y. "

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" , "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with, "contacting" , etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly on" , "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as "under" , "below" , "lower" , "over" , "upper" , "lateral" , "left" , "right" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element (s) or feature (s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of relative spatial relationships used herein interpreted accordingly.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to anchoring systems for cables (e.g., hoisting grips for cables) on a monopole. The anchoring systems provide increased strength and reliability compared to currently used anchoring systems (e.g., J-bolt anchors) . In addition, the compact design of the anchoring systems has light volume and weight providing flexibility for installation. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 2A-11B.

Referring to FIG. 2A-2B, an anchoring system 100 adapted for use on a monopole 20 according to embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The anchoring system 100 may include a base module (e.g., a ring mount) 200 and an expansion module 300. In some embodiments, only the base module 200 of the anchoring system 100 may be needed, for example, when external cables 25 (often with hoisting grips 30, see, e.g., FIG. 6D) are secured directly to the anchoring system (see, e.g., FIG. 6B) or when internal cables 25 are routed out from a port or handhole 22 of the monopole 20 (see, e.g., FIG. 6C) . The expansion module 300 may be used when internal cables 25 are routed out from the top of the monopole 20 (see, e.g., FIG. 6A) .

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B (see also FIG. 3) , the base module 200 comprises a plurality of clamping or pressure members 210 where adjacent ones of the clamping members 210 are connected by threaded members 205 (e.g., threaded rods) . In the illustrated embodiment, three clamping members 210 are used where each pair of the adjacent clamping members 210 are connected by a single threaded member 205 (see also, e.g., FIG. 3) . The threaded members 205 engage with mating threaded connectors 206 (e.g., nuts) such that the threaded connectors 206 may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members 205 to decrease or increase the spacing between the clamping members 210. The monopole 20 is located inside of (between) the clamping members 210 such that the clamping members 210 may be tightened into engagement with the monopole 20 using threaded members 205 and threaded connectors 206 to secure the base module to the monopole 20. In addition, each clamping member 210 of the base module 200 comprises an eyebolt 230 affixed thereto. As described in further detail below, each eyebolt 230, 230'is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips 30 that support cables 25 being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole 20 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6B-6D) .

Referring to FIG. 3, the base module 200 of the present invention is illustrated, and will now be described in further detail. As shown in FIG. 3, each clamping member 210 includes an upper plate 212 and a lower plate 214. Each upper plate 212 comprises a plurality of apertures 212a. Some of the apertures 212a may be configured to receive a fastener 207 to secure the expansion member 300 to the base module 200 (see, e.g., FIG. 8A, FIG. 9A, FIG. 10A) . Support beams 218 connect the upper plate 212 to the lower plate 214 and hold the

plates

212, 214 in a spaced relationship. The support beams 218 may be connected to the upper plate 212 and the lower plate 214 using any suitable mechanism such as welding. Each of the support beams 218 have an aperture 218a configured to receive a threaded member 205.

In some embodiments, each clamping member 210 comprises one or more dispersement plates 216 that are configured to spread the load from the clamping member 210 over a wider area of the monopole 20 and/or to reduce the tilting of the clamping member 210 and related damage to the monopole 20. Each dispersement plate 216 is disposed between the points of contact of the upper and

lower plates

212, 214 and the monopole 20. The disbursement plates 216 alleviate the local point stresses by distributing the load over a greater area of the monopole 20 than the narrow edges of the upper and

lower plates

212, 214, respectively.

A hollow pipe 235 is secured (e.g., welded) between the upper and

lower plates

212, 214 further coupling the upper plate 212 and lower plate 214 together. The hollow pipe 235 is configured to receive a portion of the shaft of a respective eyebolt 230, 230' (see also, e.g., FIGS. 5A-5B) . In addition, the pipe 235 provides structural support to the clamping member 210, thereby increasing the strength and reliability of the anchoring system 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, the expansion module 300 of the present invention is illustrated, and will now be described in further detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the expansion module 300 includes a main support bracket 320 secured to pair of leg brackets 310. In some embodiments, the main support bracket 320 is an L-shaped bracket. The main support bracket 320 comprises a central aperture 321 and a plurality of elongated or oblong apertures 322. An eyebolt 330 is configured to be received by the central aperture 321 and secured to the main support bracket 320. The eyebolt 330 is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips 30 that support cables 25 being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole 20 (see, e.g., FIG. 6A and FIG. 6D) .

Additional fasteners 207 are configured to be received through respective elongated apertures 322 to secure the main support bracket 320 to each of the leg brackets 310. As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the fasteners 207 secure the main support bracket 320 to a flange 312 extending outwardly from an upper segment of each leg bracket 310. Each leg bracket 310 further comprises one or more feet members 314 extending outwardly from a lower edge of each leg bracket 310. The feet members 314 each have a mounting aperture 314a configured to receive a respective fastener 207 to secure the expansion module 300 to a respective clamping member 210 of the base module 200, if needed (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A-2B, FIG. 6A and FIGS. 7A-7B) .

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate exemplary eyebolts 230, 230'that may be used with the anchoring system 100 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A, in some embodiments, the eyebolt 230 may comprise a shank 231 that is configured to be received through the hollow pipe 235 and secured to the clamping member 210 via a fastener 232 (e.g., a nut) . As shown in FIG. 5B, in other embodiments, the eyebolt 230 may be replaced by a carriage bolt 230'having a flanged hex head screw 232'. The carriage bolt 230'is configured to be received through the hollow pipe 235 and fixed to an eye 234 by a fastening mechanism 233' (e.g., a thread and thread-locking adhesives) . The eyebolts 230, 230'are configured to engage a fastener 35 to secure one or more hoisting grips 30 (and cables 25) to the anchoring system 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 6D) .

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate exemplary configurations for how the anchoring system 100 of the present invention may be used. The anchor system 100 of the present invention may be applicable to cable hoisting under any circumstance. As shown in FIGS. 6B-6D, the base module 200 may be used independently (i.e., without the expansion module 300) to fix hoisting grips and support cables being routed inside and outside of the monopole 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the base module 200 may be used for internal cables 25 routed out from a handhole or port 22 of the monopole 20 (as indicated by the arrow) . As shown in FIG. 6C, the base module 200 may be used for external cables 25 routed directly (as indicated by the arrows) to the base module 200. As shown in FIG. 6D, in some embodiments, the hoisting grips 30 may be secured to the eyebolt 230, 230'via a fastener 35 such as a pin and shackle bolt or the like. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6A, the anchor system 100 may be used for internal cables 25 routed out from the top of the monopole 20 (as indicated by the arrow) by adding the expansion module 300. Furthermore, in some embodiment, the anchoring system 100 of the present invention may be configured to withstand a maximum bearing load mass up to 6000 pounds (e.g., 2000 pounds x 3 clamping members 210) . Thus, in some embodiments, the anchoring system 100 of the present invention can hoist most antenna equipment in addition to the cables 25.

According to embodiments of the present invention, and illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, the anchoring system 100 may be adjustable to accommodate different diameter (D) monopoles 20. For example, in some embodiments, the anchoring system 100 may accommodate monopoles 20 having an outer diameter (D) in the range of about 10 inches to about 35 inches. In other embodiments, an anchoring system 800 of the present invention may be adjustable to accommodate monopoles 20 having an outer diameter (D) up to 55 inches (see, e.g., FIGS. 11A-11B) .

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-10B,

alternative anchoring systems

400, 600, 600'according to embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. Properties and/or features of the

anchoring systems bracket

400, 600, 600'may be as described above in reference to the anchoring system 100 shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS. 6A-7B and duplicate discussion thereof may be omitted herein for the purposes of discussing FIGS. 8A-10B.

The anchoring

systems

400, 600, 600'each include the same or similar base module 200 as described herein with respect to anchoring system 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 3) , but have

different expansion modules

500, 700, 700'that may be used to satisfy different customer requirements, for example, with respect to bearing load mass, monopole diameters, and/or hoisting methods. Similar to the expansion module 300 for anchoring system 100 described herein (see, e.g., FIG. 4) , the

expansion modules

500, 700, 700'for anchoring

systems

400, 600, 600'are applicable for use for internal cables 25 routed out from the top of the monopole 20 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 9A, and 10A) .

Alternative anchoring system 400 according to embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the expansion module 500 of anchoring system 400 includes an L-shaped bracket having a main member 510 and an arm member 512 coupled thereto. The main member 510 is configured to be secured to a clamping member 210 of the base module 200. Similar to the leg brackets 310 of the expansion module 300 described herein, in some embodiments, the main member 510 comprises a foot or flanged bottom edge 514 having one or more apertures 514a configured to receive respective fasteners 207 to secure the expansion module 500 to the apertures 212a in the upper plate 212 of a clamping member 210 of the base module 200.

The arm member 512 extends inwardly from the main member 510 such that the arm member 512 is positioned over at least a portion of the top of the monopole 20. The arm member 512 comprises one or more apertures 512a configured to receive an eyebolt 530. In some embodiments, the arm member 512 has more than one aperture 512a, thereby allowing the eyebolt 530 to be secured in different positions above the top of the monopole 20 (i.e., position the eyebolt 530 different distances from the main member 510) . In addition, as discussed in further detail below and shown in FIGS. 9A-10B, the apertures 512a in the arm member 512 may also be configured to receive fasteners 207 such that an expansion plate 710 may be secured above the monopole 20, for example, as part of alternative anchoring systems 600, 600'and corresponding expansion modules 700, 700'.

The eyebolt 530 used with expansion module 500 may be similar to the

eyebolts

230, 230', 330 described herein (see, e.g., FIGS. 5A-5B) . In some embodiments, the anchoring system 400 and corresponding expansion module 500 may be used for light duty cables, and monopoles 20 having an outer diameter (D) in the range of about 10 inches to about 18 inches. "Light duty" cables typically refers to cables having a total weight not exceeding 650 pounds.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-10B, alternative anchoring systems 600, 600'according to embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. As shown in FIGS. 9A-10B, the expansion modules 700, 700'include three (3) of the expansion modules 500 described herein, each expansion module 500 secured to a respective clamping member 210 of the base module 200. As noted above, the expansion modules 700, 700'further include an expansion plate 710. As shown in FIGS. 9B and 10B, the expansion plate 710 has a generally circular shape with three spaced-apart arms 712 extending radially outwardly therefrom. Each of the arms 712 comprises an outer slot 712a configured to receive a fastener 207. The expansion plate 710 comprises a central aperture 710c configured to receive an eyebolt 730. The eyebolt 730 used with expansion modules 700, 700'may be similar to the

eyebolts

230, 230', 330, 530 described herein (see, e.g., FIGS. 5A-5B) . In some embodiments, the anchoring system 600, 600'and corresponding expansion module 700, 700'may be used for heavy duty cables. "Heavy duty" cables typically refers to cables having a total weight not exceeding 1800 pounds.

The expansion plate 710 further comprises three inner slots 710a which are also configured to receive a fastener 207. As shown in FIGS. 9A-10B, each of the inner slots 710a is positioned between each adjacent arms 712 and radially inward from each of the outer slots 712a in the arms 712 of the expansion plate 710. The positions of the inner and

outer slots

710a, 712a with respect to each other allow the anchoring systems 600, 600'to accommodate different diameter monopoles 20. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, the expansion plate 710 is positioned and secured to the expansion modules 500 via fasteners 207 received through respective inner slots 710a in the expansion plate 710. This allows the anchoring system 600 to accommodate monopoles 20 having an outer diameter (D) in a range of about 19 inches to about 25 inches. Compared to the anchoring system 600'shown in FIGS. 10A-10B in which the expansion plate 710 is rotated and secured to the expansion modules 500 via fasteners 207 received through respective outer slots 712a in the arms 712 of the expansion plate 710. This allows the anchoring system 600'to accommodate monopoles 20 having an outer diameter (D) in a range of about 25 inches to about 35 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, in some embodiments, the clamping members 210'may be modified to accommodate larger diameter monopoles 20, for example, monopoles 20 having an outer diameter up to 55 inches. As shown in FIG. 11A, the modified clamping members 210'have four support beams, two inner support beams 218'and two outer support beams 219'. Similar to the support beams 218 described herein, the support beams 218', 219'connect the upper plate 212'to the lower plate 214'and hold the plates 212', 214'in a spaced relationship. The support beams 218', 219'may be connected to the upper plate 212'and the lower plate 214'using any suitable mechanism such as welding. In addition, each of the support beams 218', 219'have respective apertures 218a', 219a'configured to receive a threaded member 205. The threaded members 205 are inserted through the apertures 218a'in the inner support beams 218'for monopoles 20 having an outer diameter in the range of between about 10 inches and about 33 inches. As shown in FIG. 11B, for larger diameter monopoles 20, for example, for monopoles 20 having an outer diameter in the range of between about 34 inches and about 55 inches, the threaded members 205 are inserted through the apertures 219a'in the outer support beams 219'of each clamping member 210'.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims

An anchoring system for cables on a monopole, the anchoring system comprising:

a base module comprising a plurality of clamping members, each clamping member comprising:

an upper plate having a plurality of apertures;

a lower plate coupled to the upper plate by two or more support beams, each support beam having an aperture configured to receive a threaded member; and

a hollow pipe secured between the upper and lower plates, wherein at least a portion of an eyebolt is received through the hollow pipe and secured to the clamping member,

wherein adjacent clamping members are connected by the threaded members that engage with mating threaded connectors such that the threaded connectors may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members to decrease or increase spacing between the clamping members to engage the monopole therebetween, and

wherein each eyebolt is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole.
The anchoring system of Claim 1, wherein the one or more hoisting grips support cables routed outside of the monopole.
The anchoring system of Claim 1, wherein the one or more hoisting grips support cables routed out from a port or handhole of the monopole.
The anchoring system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base module comprises three clamping members, wherein each pair of the adjacent clamping members are connected by a single threaded member.
The anchoring system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two or more support beams hold the upper and lower plates in a spaced relationship.
The anchoring system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each clamping member further comprises one or more dispersement plates coupled to the upper and lower plates, each dispersement plate is disposed between points of contact of the upper and lower plates and the monopole and are configured to spread a load applied from the clamping member over a wider area of the monopole when the clamping member is engaged with the monopole.
The anchoring system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an expansion module coupled to the base module, wherein one or more of the plurality of apertures in the upper plate of a clamping member are configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion module to the base module.
The anchoring system of Claim 7, wherein the expansion module supports cables routed from out of a top of the monopole.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 7 or 8, wherein the expansion module comprises:

a main support bracket having a central aperture and a plurality of elongated apertures;

a pair of leg brackets secured to the main support bracket by fasteners received through respective elongated apertures, wherein each leg bracket is configured to be secured to a respective clamping member of the base module; and

an eyebolt received by the central aperture and secure to the main support bracket, the eyebolt configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed from out of a top of the monopole.
The anchoring system of Claim 9, wherein the main support bracket is an L-shaped bracket.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 9 or 10, wherein the fasteners secure the main support bracket to a flange extending outwardly from an upper segment of each leg bracket.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 9-11, wherein each leg bracket further comprises feet members extending outwardly from a lower edge of each leg bracket, the feet members each having a mounting aperture configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion module to the clamping members of the base module.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 1-12, wherein the eyebolts of the base module and/or expansion module each comprise a shank configured to be received through the hollow pipe and/or central aperture and secured to the clamping member and/or main support bracket via a fastener.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 1-12, wherein the eyebolts of the base module and/or expansion module each comprise a carriage bolt having a flanged hex head screw, the carriage bolt configured to be received through the hollow pipe and/or central aperture and secured to the clamping member and/or main support bracket by a fastening mechanism.
The anchoring system of Claim 7, wherein the expansion module comprises an L-shaped bracket having a main member and an arm member coupled thereto and extending inwardly from the main member such that the arm member is positioned over a top of the monopole, the main member is configured to be secured to a clamping member of the base module and the arm member has one or more apertures with an eyebolt received through one of the apertures and secured thereto.
The anchoring system of Claim 15, wherein the anchoring system is configured to for use with light duty cables and monopoles having an outer diameter in the range of about 10 inches to about 18 inches.
The anchoring system of Claim 7, wherein the expansion module comprises three L-shaped brackets and an expansion plate, each L-shaped bracket has a main member and an arm member coupled thereto and extending inwardly from the main member such that each of the arm members are positioned over a top of the monopole, each main member is configured to be secured to a respective clamping member of the base module and each arm member is configured to be secured to the expansion plate, the expansion plate comprising a central aperture with an eyebolt received therethrough and secured to the expansion plate.
The anchoring system of Claim 17, wherein the expansion plate has a generally circular shape with three spaced-apart arms extending radially outwardly therefrom, and wherein each of the arms comprise an outer slot and the expansion plate comprises three inner slots positioned between each adjacent arm and radially inward from each of the outer slots, each of the inner and outer slots configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion plate to the respective arms of the L-shaped brackets and the position of the slots allows the anchoring system to accommodate different diameter monopoles.
The anchoring system of Claim 18, wherein the expansion plate is positioned and secured to the arms of the L-shaped brackets via fasteners received through respective inner slots in the expansion plate to accommodate monopoles having an outer diameter in a range of about 19 inches to about 25 inches.
The anchoring system of Claim 18, wherein the expansion plate is positioned and secured to the arms of the L-shaped brackets via fasteners received through respective outer slots in the expansion plate to accommodate monopoles having an outer diameter in a range of about 25 inches to about 35 inches.
The anchoring system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring system is configured to withstand a maximum bearing load mass up to 6000 pounds.
The anchoring system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring system is adjustable to accommodate monopoles having an outer diameter in a range of about 10 inches to about 35 inches.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 1-20, wherein the clamping members comprise two inner support beams and two outer support beams, each of the support beams having respective apertures configured to receive a threaded member, the anchoring system configured to be adjustable to accommodate monopoles having a diameter up to 55 inches.
The anchoring system of Claim 23, wherein when the threaded members are inserted through the apertures in the inner support beams, the anchoring system is adjustable to accommodate monopoles having a diameter in a range of between about 10 inches and about 33 inches, and when the threaded members are inserted through the apertures in the outer support beams, the anchoring system is adjustable to accommodate monopoles having a diameter in the range of between about 34 inches and about 55 inches.
An anchoring system for cables on a monopole, the anchoring system comprising:

a base module comprising a plurality of clamping members, each clamping member comprising:

an upper plate having a plurality of apertures;

a lower plate coupled to the upper plate by two or more support beams, each support beam having an aperture configured to receive a threaded member; and

a hollow pipe is secured between the upper and lower plates, wherein at least a portion of an eyebolt is received through the hollow pipe and secured to the clamping member,

wherein adjacent clamping members are connected by the threaded members that engage with mating threaded connectors such that the threaded connectors may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members to decrease or increase spacing between the clamping members to engage the monopole therebetween, and

an expansion module coupled to the base module and comprising an eyebolt, wherein one or more of the plurality of apertures in the upper plate of a clamping member are configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion module to the base module,

wherein each eyebolt is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole.
The anchoring system of Claim 25, wherein the base module comprises three clamping members, wherein each pair of the adjacent clamping members are connected by a single threaded member.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 25 or 26, wherein the two or more support beams hold the upper and lower plates in a spaced relationship.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 25-27, wherein each clamping member further comprises one or more dispersement plates coupled to the upper and lower plates, each dispersement plate is disposed between points of contact of the upper and lower plates and the monopole and are configured to spread a load applied from the clamping member over a wider area of the monopole when the clamping member is engaged with the monopole.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 25-28, wherein the expansion module comprises:

a main support bracket having a central aperture and a plurality of elongated apertures; and

a pair of leg brackets secured to the main support bracket by fasteners received through respective elongated apertures, wherein each leg bracket is configured to be secured to a respective clamping member of the base module,

wherein the eyebolt is received by the central aperture and secure to the main support bracket, the eyebolt configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed from out of a top of the monopole.
The anchoring system of Claim 29, wherein the main support bracket is an L-shaped bracket.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 29 or 30, wherein the fasteners secure the main support bracket to a flange extending outwardly from an upper segment of each leg bracket.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 29-31, wherein each leg bracket further comprises feet members extending outwardly from a lower edge of each leg bracket, the feet members each having a mounting aperture configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion module to the clamping members of the base module.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 25-32, wherein the eyebolts of the base module and/or expansion module each comprise a shank configured to be received through the hollow pipe and/or central aperture and secured to the clamping member and/or main support bracket via a fastener.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 25-32, wherein the eyebolts of the base module and/or expansion module each comprise a carriage bolt having a flanged hex head screw, the carriage bolt configured to be received through the hollow pipe and/or central aperture and secured to the clamping member and/or main support bracket by a fastening mechanism.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 25-34, wherein the expansion module comprises an L-shaped bracket having a main member and an arm member coupled thereto and extending inwardly from the main member such that the arm member is positioned over a top of the monopole, the main member is configured to be secured to a clamping member of the base module and the arm member has one or more apertures with the eyebolt received through one of the apertures and secured thereto.
The anchoring system of any one of Claims 25-35, wherein the anchoring system is configured to for use with light duty cables and monopoles having an outer diameter in the range of about 10 inches to about 18 inches.
The anchoring system of Claim 25, wherein the expansion module comprises three L-shaped brackets and an expansion plate, each L-shaped bracket has a main member and an arm member coupled thereto and extending inwardly from the main member such that each of the arm members are positioned over a top of the monopole, each main member is configured to be secured to a respective clamping member of the base module and each arm member is configured to be secured to the expansion plate, the expansion plate comprising a central aperture with an eyebolt received therethrough and secured to the expansion plate.
The anchoring system of Claim 37, wherein the expansion plate has a generally circular shape with three spaced-apart arms extending radially outwardly therefrom, and wherein each of the arms comprise an outer slot and the expansion plate comprises three inner slots positioned between each adjacent arm and radially inward from each of the outer slots, each of the inner and outer slots configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion plate to the respective arms of the L-shaped brackets and the position of the slots allows the anchoring system to accommodate different diameter monopoles.
The anchoring system of Claim 38, wherein the expansion plate is positioned and secured to the arms of the L-shaped brackets via fasteners received through respective inner slots in the expansion plate to accommodate monopoles having an outer diameter in a range of about 19 inches to about 25 inches.
The anchoring system of Claim 38, wherein the expansion plate is positioned and secured to the arms of the L-shaped brackets via fasteners received through respective outer slots in the expansion plate to accommodate monopoles having an outer diameter in a range of about 25 inches to about 35 inches.
An anchoring system for cables on a monopole, the anchoring system comprising:

a base module comprising a plurality of clamping members, each clamping member comprising:

an upper plate having a plurality of apertures;

a lower plate coupled to the upper plate by two or more support beams, each support beam having an aperture configured to receive a threaded member; and

a hollow pipe is secured between the upper and lower plates, wherein at least a portion of an eyebolt is received through the hollow pipe and secured to the clamping member,

wherein adjacent clamping members are connected by the threaded members that engage with mating threaded connectors such that the threaded connectors may be threaded onto and off of the threaded members to decrease or increase spacing between the clamping members to engage the monopole therebetween, and

an expansion module coupled to the base module, the expansion module comprising:

three L-shaped brackets, each L-shaped bracket has a main member and an arm member coupled thereto and extending inwardly from the main member such that each of the arm members are positioned over a top of the monopole, each main member is configured to be secured to a respective clamping member of the base module; and

an expansion plate configured to be secured to each arm of the L-shaped brackets, the expansion plate comprising a central aperture with an eyebolt received therethrough and secured to the expansion plate,

wherein one or more of the plurality of apertures in the upper plate of a clamping member are configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion module to the base module,

wherein each eyebolt is configured to engage one or more hoisting grips that support cables being routed inside and/or outside of the monopole.
The anchoring system of Claim 41, wherein the expansion plate has a generally circular shape with three spaced-apart arms extending radially outwardly therefrom, and wherein each of the arms comprise an outer slot and the expansion plate comprises three inner slots positioned between each adjacent arm and radially inward from each of the outer slots, each of the inner and outer slots configured to receive a fastener to secure the expansion plate to the respective arms of the L-shaped brackets and the position of the slots allows the anchoring system to accommodate different diameter monopoles.
The anchoring system of Claim 42, wherein the expansion plate is positioned and secured to the arms of the L-shaped brackets via fasteners received through respective inner slots in the expansion plate to accommodate monopoles having an outer diameter in a range of about 19 inches to about 25 inches.
The anchoring system of Claim 42, wherein the expansion plate is positioned and secured to the arms of the L-shaped brackets via fasteners received through respective outer slots in the expansion plate to accommodate monopoles having an outer diameter in a range of about 25 inches to about 35 inches.