Mounting system for use on a support structure
The invention is an improved mounting system that can be installed on a support structure, such as a water tank or water tower. The system includes a series of mounting discs and associated brackets cooperate to attach each disc to an antenna. The antenna is then coupled with a mounting pole an attached to a support structure for use. Advantageously, the mounting structures maintain their mechanical integrity, even after long periods of use and exposure to weather elements (rain, wind, snow, sleet). As a result, the disclosed system can effectively extend the life of the mounting poles by preventing rust and associated deterioration seen with current mounting systems.
1 . A mounting system comprising:
a mounting disc defined by:
a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, with a sidewall therebetween;
a central aperture positioned in an approximate midpoint of the mounting disc that extends through a thickness of the mounting disc;
a plurality of disc apertures positioned equidistantly around the central aperture, each disc aperture extending through the thickness of the mounting disc; and
an L-shaped mounting bracket defined by an attachment arm and a connector arm;
wherein the attachment arm comprises a central aperture that aligns with the mounting disc central aperture when the mounting disc and the L-shaped mounting bracket are overlayed;
wherein the attachment arm comprises a plurality of mounting apertures positioned symmetrically about the L-shaped mounting bracket central aperture; and
wherein some or all of the mounting apertures align with the disc apertures when the mounting disc and the L-shaped mounting bracket are overlayed.
2 . The system of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of mounting discs and a plurality of mounting brackets.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting disc central aperture has a diameter of about 5-20 inches.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting disc has 8 mounting apertures.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each mounting disc mounting aperture has a length and width of about 0.5 to 5 inches.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each mounting disc mounting aperture is positioned at a distance of about 1-10 inches from the mounting disc central aperture and about 1-10 inches from each adjacent mounting disc mounting aperture.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting disc has a length and width of about 5-50 inches and a thickness of about 0.5-5 inches.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment arm central aperture has a diameter of about 5-20 inches.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment arm has 8 mounting apertures.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein each attachment arm mounting aperture has a length and width of about 0.5 to 5 inches.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment arm has a length and width of about 10-50 inches and the connector arm has a length of about 1-25 inches and a width of about 10-30 inches.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket arms have a thickness of about 0.5-5 inches.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mounting disc and mounting bracket are constructed from steel or stainless steel.
14 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bolts or screws sized and shaped to pass through the aligned attachment arm apertures and mounting disc apertures.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mounting disc central aperture and the attachment arm central aperture each has a diameter of about 5-20 inches.
16 . A method of attaching an element to a support structure, the method comprising:
positioning the central aperture of the mounting disc of the system of claim 1 about an exterior of the element;
positioning the central aperture of a first mounting bracket attachment arm about the exterior of the element and adjacent to the first mounting disc such that the mounting disc apertures are aligned with the attachment arm mounting apertures;
positioning a mechanical attachment through each aligned mounting disc aperture and attachment arm mounting aperture to join the first mounting disc to the first mounting bracket;
attaching the connector arm of the first mounting bracket to a support pole;
repeating the positioning and attaching steps a desired number of times to attach a desired number of mounting discs and mounting brackets about the element and to the support pole;
attaching the support pole to the support structure, whereby the element is attached to the support structure.
17 . The method claim 16 , wherein the support structure is a water tower.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the element is an antenna.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the mounting brackets and mounting disc are equally spaced along a length of the element, relative to adjacent mounting brackets and mounting discs.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the mounting disc and mounting bracket are constructed from steel or stainless steel.