Cross box side mount umbrella bracket

Abstract

Apparatus and methods provide an umbrella holder bracket that is capable of being side-mounted to a telecommunications cabinet or to an electrical cabinet. The bracket of the telecommunications cabinet provides the means to position an umbrella for increased environmental protection of the cabinet, the hardware and equipment contained within the cabinet, and increased access of the surrounding work area.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1  A bracket for a telecommunications cabinet, comprising: 
 a hollow, upwardly extending open passageway having a generally cylindrical side portion, a substantially planar base portion, a top, and a bottom;  
 means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to a side wall of the telecommunications cabinet,  
 wherein the passageway defines an aperture for receiving a first end of a generally cylindrical section of an umbrella pole.  
 
     
     
         2  The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to the side wall of the telecommunications cabinet comprises a pair of substantially planar arms extending outwardly from the base portion, opposite the generally cylindrical side portion.  
     
     
         3  The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the pair of substantially planar arms and the base portion have a length of about six inches.  
     
     
         4  The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the pair of substantially planar arms and the base portion have a thickness of about one-fourth inch.  
     
     
         5  The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to a side wall of the telecommunications cabinet further comprises means for fastening the pair of substantially planar arms to the side wall.  
     
     
         6  The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to the side wall comprises at least one of the following: 
 a nut;  
 a bolt;  
 a screw;  
 a rivet; and  
 welding.  
 
     
     
         7  The bracket of  claim 1 , the passageway having a diameter of about one and a half inches.  
     
     
         8  The bracket of  claim 1 , the generally cylindrical side portion having a width of about two and three-eighths inches.  
     
     
         9  The bracket of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism capable of securing the umbrella pole in a desired position within the passageway.  
 
     
     
         10  The bracket of  claim 9 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one of a pin and a thumbscrew.  
     
     
         11  A method of supporting an umbrella, comprising: 
 positioning a generally cylindrical section of an umbrella pole in a bracket of a side wall of the telecommunications cabinet, the bracket comprising a hollow, upwardly extending open passageway including a generally cylindrical side portion, a substantially planar base portion, a top, and a bottom, wherein the passageway defines an aperture for receiving a first end of the generally cylindrical section of the umbrella pole.  
 
     
     
         12  The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bracket further comprises means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to the side wall of the telecommunications cabinet.  
     
     
         13  The method of  claim 12 , wherein the means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to the side wall of the telecommunications cabinet comprises a pair of substantially planar arms extending outwardly from the base portion, opposite the generally cylindrical side portion.  
     
     
         14  The method of  claim 12 , wherein the means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to a side wall of the telecommunications cabinet further comprises means for fastening the pair of substantially planar arms to the side wall.  
     
     
         15  The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 engaging a locking mechanism to secure the umbrella pole in a desired position within the passageway.  
 
     
     
         16  telecommunications cabinet, comprising: 
 a plurality of side walls, a top, and at least one door providing access to an interior of the cabinet, wherein the interior of the cabinet houses hardware and equipment for sending and receiving telecommunications signals;  
 a bracket having a hollow, upwardly extending open passageway, a generally cylindrical side portion, a substantially planar base portion, a top, and a bottom;  
 means for mounting the substantially planar base portion to one of the plurality of side walls of the telecommunications cabinet,  
 wherein the passageway defines an aperture for receiving a first end of a generally cylindrical section of an umbrella pole.