GB2513722A

GB2513722A - Improved telecommunications apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2513722A
Application number: GB201404497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren J Mooney
Original assignee: DYNAMIC CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Current assignee: DYNAMIC CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-13
Filing date: 2014-03-13
Publication date: 2014-11-05
Also published as: GB201404497D0; GB201304509D0; WO2014140580A1

Abstract

A shroud 12 for covering telecommunications equipment 22 on a mast 14 is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration where it covers the equipment. The first configuration may be when the shroud is collapsed. A setting mechanism is used to set the shroud in the second configuration. The setting mechanism may operate prior to installation on the mast, or as it is connected. The body of the shroud may be formed from a flexible material such as fabric and may be waterproof and wind resistant. The body of the shroud may comprise an antenna. The shroud may be provided with illumination and may carry advertising. The setting mechanism may be in the form of inflation of the shroud, or by the application of a setting force. The shroud may extend axially along the mast when moving from the first to the second configurations.

Description

Improved Telecommunications Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for a telecommunications mast.

Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an apparatus for concealing telecommunications equipment on a mast

Background to the Invention

Telecommunications masts and antenna are used globally to relay telecommunications signals. A typical, conventional mast will have some sort of structure, for example a tower, supporting telecoms equipment at an elevated position. Some conventional telecommunications masts, such as mobile phone masts, are provided with a shroud to conceal the telecommunications equipment and, in some circumstances, to provide a cover which protects the equipment from the elements. Typically, shrouds are made from hardwearing, stiff materials such as glass reinforced plastic.

Despite having good weather resistance properties, glass reinforced plastic shrouds have a number of other drawbacks. For example, they are generally bulky, and heavy which makes, transport and storage expensive. The size, weight and fragility of conventional shrouds also makes installation and maintenance awkward and, in breezy conditions particularly, potentially dangerous.

Furthermore, when a conventional shroud is installed on a mast, there is the danger of the shroud becoming detached from the mast in, for example, adverse weather conditions and causing damage to property or causing injury.

With the development of new phone technologies, antennas are getting bigger and larger shrouds are required. In some cases it has been shown that the properties of conventional shrouds are such that as shrouds get bigger, the glass reinforced plastic itself may affect the radio signal, causing interference and degrading the signal being transmitted and/or received by the mast.

I

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for covering telecommunications equipment on a mast, the apparatus comprising: a configurable shroud adapted to be connected to a mast, the shroud being moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration; and a setting means adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration; wherein in the second configuration the shroud is adapted to cover telecommunications equipment on the mast The present invention provides, in at least one embodiment, an apparatus adapted to cover telecommunications equipment on a mast. In this embodiment, the apparatus includes a configurable shroud which can be moved between two configurations. As will be described, such an arrangement permits, in some embodiments, the shroud, for example, to be transported in a collapsed or reduced volume configuration before being installed on a mast and being configured to a set configuration in which the shroud is adapted to conceal telecommunications equipment on the mast. Such an arrangement reduces transportation costs and can facilitate installation.

By "mast" it is meant any structure which includes a structure supporting telecommunications equipment. These structures can include, but are not limited to, ground mounted or rooftop mounted masts. The term "mast" may refer to the support structure or the combination of the support structure and the telecommunications equipment.

In a preferred embodiment the shroud is adapted to conceal telecommunications equipment on the mast. By concealing the telecoms equipment, the mast becomes less visually intrusive and reduces the risk of the mast attracting unwanted attention or distracting passers-by.

In an embodiment, the selling means is adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration when the shroud is, in use, connected to the mast.

Alternatively, the setting means is adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration prior to the shroud being installed on a mast.

In one embodiment, the first shroud configuration may be a collapsed configuration. The shroud may be collapsible to reduce volume for transit and/or to facilitate installation on a mast. In some embodiments, the shroud may be easier to manoeuvre into position during installation as in the collapsed configuration a reduced wind loading is experienced by the installer.

In some embodiments, the shroud may be adapted, in use, to be connected to the mast in the first configuration.

The selling means may be further adapted to move the shroud from the first configuration to the second configuration.

The configurable shroud may comprise a body.

The body may be at least partially flexible.

The body may at least partially comprise a flexible material.

In the first configuration, the configurable shroud may be a unitary body. By unitary body it is meant the shroud does not require further assembly once in the first configuration.

The body may comprise a wall section.

The body wall section may be elongate.

The body wall section may, in use, at least substantially encircle a portion of a mast.

The body wall section may be at least partially tubular. For example the section could be circular or elliptical etc. Alternatively or additionally, the body may have one or more of a triangular, square, rectangular or polygonal cross section.

Where the body at least partially comprises a flexible material, the body wall section may comprise a plurality of sections of material.

The sections of material may be a plurality of strips.

Alternatively or additionally, the sections of material may be a plurality of hoops. Hoops of material can be useful if the shroud is moved from one configuration to another configuration by a concertina type extension.

The sections of material may be fixedly attached to each other. The sections of material may be permanently attached to each other.

In alternative embodiments, the body wall section may comprise a single section of material The body may at least partially comprise a fabric. Fabrics are particularly suitable because generally they are relatively light weight and resilient in embodiments in which the setting means applies a tension to the fabric.

Particularly, the body wall section may comprise a fabric. It has been shown that a fabric shroud has a lower impact on the signal passing through the shroud than shrouds manufactured from conventional materials. In some embodiments the shroud is substantially transparent to the signal.

The fabric may be sail material. Particularly the fabric may be woven. Woven cotton or woven polymers such as polyester make particularly suitable fabrics.

Alternatively the fabric may be a laminated material. Laminates including layers of woven materials and films with specific properties can be provide useful properties.

The body may at least partially comprise a waterproof and/or windproof material.

Alternatively or additionally, the body may at least partially comprise an opaque material.

Alternatively or additionally, the body may at least partially comprise a UV resistant material.

Alternatively or additionally, the body may at least partially comprise a substantially inextensible material.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may be provided with an illumination means.

In some embodiments, the body may comprise a printable surface.

Where the body comprises a fabric, the fabric may be adapted to be printed or dyed, for example, in one or more different colours.

The body may comprise an antenna. Particularly the body wall section may comprise an antenna.

The antenna may be integral with the body.

The antenna may be mounted to a surface of the body.

Alternatively or additionally, the antenna may be at least partially within the body. In an embodiment where the body at least partially comprises a fabric, the antenna may be woven in to the fabric.

In some embodiments, the body may be adapted to carry advertising.

In the second configuration the shroud may be resilient.

The configurable shroud may comprise more than one layer.

The shroud body wall section may comprise more than one layer.

The configurable shroud may comprise at least a first layer and a second layer.

The first layer may be a primary layer and the second layer may be a removable layer, the removable layer being removably connected to the primary layer.

The second layer may carry advertising and/ or provide additional wind-or waterproofing.

Alternatively or additionally, the second layer may include lighting that is adapted to illuminate the primary layer.

Alternatively or additionally, the second layer may be insulating.

The second layer may be connectable to the primary layer external surface.

Alternatively or additionally, the second layer may be transparent, adapted to protect information printed on the primary layer's external surface.

In other embodiments, the second layer may be attached to the internal surface of the primary layer.

One or both of said layers may be non-continuous.

One or both of said layers may comprise an antenna.

The setting means may be adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration by applying a tension to at least part of the shroud.

In some embodiments, the tension is applied to at least a portion of the shroud body wall section.

The shroud may comprise a first setting point and a second setting point.

The setting means may be adapted to apply a setting force between the first setting point and the second setting point.

The first selling point may be at or adjacent a first end of the shroud body wall section.

The second setting point may be at or adjacent a second end of the shroud body wall section.

The selling force may be applied, in use, in a direction parallel to the mast.

Alternatively or additionally, the selling force may be applied in use radially to the mast.

In some embodiments, the setting means may inflate the shroud.

The selling means may comprise a first setting means portion and a second selling means portion.

The selling means portions may move apart relative to each other to tension the shroud.

One of said setting means portions may, in use, be fixed relative to the mast, the other of said setting means portions may. in use, be fixed relative to the shroud.

The settings means may be adapted to compensate for changes in the length of the mast. The length of the mast may change due to temperature fluctuations.

The setting means may be adapted to maintain a substantially constant tension on the shroud. The setting means may be spring loaded to maintain a constant tension on the shroud.

The setting means may comprise an energy absorption mechanism. Springs, for example may be included in the selling means to allow the energy of impact of a foreign body to be at least partially absorbed by the apparatus.

In the first configuration, the shroud may be attached to the selling means.

In some embodiments, in the first configuration, the shroud may be adapted to be attached to one said first or second settings means portions.

In some embodiments, in the first configuration, the shroud may be adapted to be attached to both setting means portions.

In at least one of these embodiments, where the shroud is attached to both the first and second settings means portions, movement to the set configuration applies a tension to the shroud.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of covering telecommunications equipment on a mast, the method comprising the steps of: providing a configurable shroud for covering telecommunications equipment on a mast; activating a setting means to configure the shroud to a second configuration.

In one embodiment, during configuration of the shroud from the first to the second configurations, the shroud extends axially.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for covering telecommunications equipment on a mast, the apparatus comprising: a configurable shroud; wherein the shroud is at least partially fabric.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus which is relatively lightweight due to the provision of a shroud which is at least partially fabric. This facilitates installation.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a tensioning means adapted to tension at least a portion of the shroud.

The shroud may define a first setting point and a second setting point, the tensioning means being adapted to apply a tension between the setting points.

In use, in the set configuration, the shroud cross-sectional area at the first and second setting points is greater than at a location between said first and second selling points.

In one embodiment, in use, when the shroud portion is tensioned, the shroud portion defines an hourglass profile.

The apparatus may further comprise an antenna, the antenna may be located on or within the fabric.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for transmitting telecommunication signals, the apparatus comprising: a configurable, tensionable fabric; and an antenna; wherein the antenna is located on or within the fabric.

It will be understood that features listed as non-essential with respect to one aspect may be equally applicable to other aspects but are not repeated for brevity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus shown in a set configuration on a mast according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the shroud removed; Figure 3, comprising Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, is a schematic side view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a close-up perspective view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a close-up perspective view of another part of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Reference is first made to Figure 1, a side section view of an apparatus.

generally indicated by reference numeral 10, shown in a set configuration on a mast 14 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2, a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with an apparatus shroud 12 shown in broken outline; and Figure 3, comprising Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, showing schematic side views of the shroud 12 of the apparatus 10 of Figure 1 in a transit configuration (Figure 3A), partially installed on the mast 14 (Figure 3B) and in a set configuration (Figure 3C).

Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus 10 comprises a configurable shroud 12 shown connected to a mast 14, the shroud 12 being moveable between a first configuration, in this embodiment the transit configuration shown in Figure 3A and a second configuration, in this embodiment the set configuration, shown in Figure 3C.

The apparatus 10 further comprises a setting means 16, best seen in Figure 2 in which the shroud 12 is shown in broken outline. The setting means 16 comprises an upper selling means portion 18 and a lower setting means portion 20. The selling means portions 18,20 are adapted to set the shroud 12 in the set configuration when the shroud 12 is connected to the mast 14. Particularly, the upper and lower setting means portions 18, 20 are adapted to cooperate to apply a tension to the shroud 12 such that in the set configuration shown in Figures 1,2 and 3C, the shroud 12 is adapted to cover and conceal a range of telecommunications equipment 22 mounted to the mast 14.

The shroud 12 is substantially made up of a lightweight, windproof and waterproof, fabric material 64, particularly a polyester woven sailcloth, A significant advantage of a fabric shroud is that it is substantially transparent to the telecoms signals, improving the performance of the mast 14. The shroud 12 has a shroud body wall section 60 and a circular cap section 62. The shroud body wall section 60 consists of strips of material stitched together. As can be seen from Figure 3A, this permits the shroud 12 to be folded up to reduce volume for storage and transit before being suspended from the upper setting means (Figure 3B) and ultimately set by cooperation between the upper and lower selling means portions 18, 20 to apply tension to the shroud 12 in the set configuration (Figure 3C).

The shroud material 64 is manufactured to give the shroud 12 an hourglass profile in the set configuration. That is, the shroud 12 tapers from bath an upper shroud end 24 and a lower shroud end 26 towards the shroud middle 28.

Reference is now made to Figure 4, a close-up perspective view of part of the apparatus 10 of Figure 1, with the shroud 12 is shown in broken outline. Particularly, Figure 4 shows the lower setting means portion 20 and the lower shroud end 26.

Attached to the lower shroud end 26 is a shroud tensioning ring 30. The tensioning ring 30 defines a series of radially inwardly extending lugs 32. These tugs 32 engage with complimentary J-slots 34 defined by a lower selling means flange 36.

The lower selling means flange 36 is locked with respect to the mast 14 by three ribs 37, of which two are visible. The ribs 37 are secured to the mast 14, fixing the lower setting means 20 relative to the mast 14.

Reference is now made to Figure 5, a close-up perspective view of another part of the apparatus 10 of Figure 1. In this drawing, the shroud l2is also shown in broken outline.

Particularly, Figure 5 shows the upper selling means portion 18 and the upper shroud end 24, including part of the shroud body wall section 60 and the circular cap section 62.

The upper selling means portion 16 has a fixing plate 40 attached to the mast 14 and three tensioning rods 42A-C threadedly connected to the plate 40 and extending vertically from the plate 40, parallel to the mast 14.

Each tensioning rod 42 has an attachment point 50 shaped to receive a spanner (not shown) and a tensioning flange 51.

The tensioning rods 42 are adapted to extend through apertures 44 defined by a cap disc 46, which is received within the circular cap section 62, the circular cap section 62 defining apertures (not shown) intended to be aligned with the cap disc apertures 44 to permit the tensioning rod attachment points 50 to extend out of the shroud 12.

Sandwiched between the cap disc 46 and each of the tensioning flanges 51, are three tensioning springs 48. each tensioning spring 48 encircling a tensioning rod 42. The tensioning springs 46 apply the tension to the shroud 12 and substantially absorb the energy of any impact on the apparatus 10.

Installation of the apparatus 10 will now be described.

With the shroud 12 in the transit configuration, the shroud l2is lowered over the mast 14 until the circular cap section 62 engages with the tensioning rods 42, the rods 42 passing through the apertures 44 in the cap disk 46. Significant advantages of this embodiment of the invention are realised in this activity. The lightweight collapsible nature of the fabric shroud 12 allows the shroud 12 to be lifted in to position with minimal exposure of surface area to adverse weather conditions which may be present. This is in contrast to a conventional rigid shrouds in which the entire height of the shroud has to be lifted above the mast, exposing a large surface area to any prevailing winds. A shroud 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention avoids these issues, reducing labour requirements, associated cost and potential risk of injury.

The shroud 12 now partially conceals the telecommunications equipment 22 on the mast 14 (Figure 3B). To set the shroud 12, the tensioning ring lugs 32 are captured in the J-slots 34 in the lower settings means flange 36. Each of the tensioning rods 42 are then rotated in turn, the threaded connection between the fixing plate 40 and each of the rods 50 causing each rod 50 to travel upwards with respect to the fixing plate 40, as the fixing plate 40 is fixed relative to the mast 14.

Each tensioning flange 51 travels with the rod 50 to which it is attached, each flange compressing its associated spring 48 against the cap disk 46. The resilience of the springs 46 push the cap disk 46 upwards, applying a tension to the shroud 12 to set the shroud 12.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although a circular section shroud is shown, shrouds of other sections may be useable. Similarly other tensionable fabrics could be used such as laminated materials or non-sailcloth materials with similar properties.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for covering telecommunications equipment on a mast, the apparatus comprising: a configurable shroud adapted to be connected to a mast, the shroud being moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration; and a selling means adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration; wherein in the second configuration the shroud is adapted to cover telecommunications equipment on the mast.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shroud is adapted to conceal telecommunications equipment on the mast.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the setting means is adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration when the shroud is, in use, connected to the mast.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the setting means is adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration prior to the shroud being installed on a mast.
5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first shroud configuration is a collapsed configuration.
6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the shroud is adapted, in use, to be connected to the mast in the first configuration.
7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the setting means is further adapted to move the shroud from the first configuration to the second configuration.
8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the configurable shroud comprises a body.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the body is at least partially flexible.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the body at least partially comprises a flexible material.
11. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein in the first configuration, the configurable shroud is a unitary body.
12. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the body comprises a wall section.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the body wall section is elongate.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the body wall section, in use, at least substantially encircles a portion of a mast.
15. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the body wall section is at least partially tubular.
16. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the body has one or more of a triangular, square, rectangular or polygonal cross section.
17. The apparatus of any of claims 14 to 16 when dependent on claim 14, wherein, where the body at least partially comprises a flexible material, the body wall section comprises a plurality of sections of material.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the sections of material are a plurality of strips.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the sections of material are a plurality of hoops.
20. The apparatus of any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the sections of material are fixedly attached to each other.
21. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the body wall section comprises a single section of material.
22. The apparatus of any of claims 12 to 21, wherein the body at least partially comprises a fabric.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the body wall section comprises a fabric.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the fabric is sail material.
25. The apparatus of claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the fabric is woven.
26. The apparatus of any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the fabric is a laminated material.
27. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 26, wherein the body at least partially comprises a waterproof and/or windproof material.
28. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 27, wherein the body at least partially comprises an opaque material.
29. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 28, wherein the body at least partially comprises a UV resistant material.
30. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 29, wherein the body at least partially comprises a substantially inextensible material.
31. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein in some embodiments, the apparatus is provided with an illumination means.
32. The apparatus of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 8, wherein in some embodiments, the body comprises a printable surface.
33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein where the body comprises a fabric, the fabric is adapted to be printed or dyed, for example, in one or more different colours.
34. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 33, wherein the body may comprise an antenna. Particularly the body wall section may comprise an antenna.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the antenna is integral with the body.
36. The apparatus of claim 34 or claim 35, wherein the antenna is mounted to a surface of the body.
37. The apparatus of any of claims 34 to 36, wherein the antenna is at least partially within the body.
38. The apparatus of any of claims 8 to 37, wherein the body is adapted to carry advertising.
39. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein in the second configuration the shroud is resilient.
40. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the configurable shroud comprises more than one layer.
41. The apparatus of any preceding claim when dependent on claim 12, wherein the shroud body wall section comprises more than one layer.
42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the configurable shroud comprises at least a first layer and a second layer.
43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the first layer is a primary layer and the second layer is a removable layer, the removable layer being removably connected to the primary layer.
44. The apparatus of claims 42 or claim 43, wherein the second layer carries advertising and! or provide additional wind-or waterproofing.
45. The apparatus of any of claims 42 to 44, wherein the second layer includes lighting that is adapted to illuminate the primary layer.
46. The apparatus of any of claims 42 to 45, wherein the second layer is insulating.
47. The apparatus of any of claims 42 to 46, wherein the second layer is connectable to the primary layer external surface.
48. The apparatus of any of claims 42 to 47, wherein the second layer is transparent, adapted to protect information printed on the primary layers external surface.
49. The apparatus of claims 42 or 43, wherein in other embodiments, the second layer is attached to the internal surface of the primary layer.
50. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein one or both of said layers is non-continuous.
51. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein one or both of said layers comprises an antenna.
52. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the setting means is adapted to set the shroud in the second configuration by applying a tension to at least part of the shroud.
53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein in some embodiments, the tension is applied to at least a portion of the shroud body wall section.
54. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the shroud comprises a first setting point and a second setting point.
55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the selling means is adapted to apply a selling force between the first selling point and the second setting point.
56. The apparatus of claim 54 or claim 55, wherein the first setting point is at or adjacent a first end of the shroud body wall section.
57. The apparatus of any of claims 54 to 56, wherein the second selling point is at or adjacent a second end of the shroud body wall section.
58. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the selling force is applied, in use, in a direction parallel to the mast.
59. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the setting force is applied in use radially to the mast.
60. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the selling means inflates the shroud.
61. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the selling means comprises a first setting means portion and a second selling means portion.
62. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the setting means portions move apart relative to each other to tension the shroud.
63. The apparatus of claim 61 or claim 62, wherein one of said setting means portions is, in use, fixed relative to the mast, the other of said sethng means portions is, in use, fixed relative to the shroud.
64. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the settings means is adapted to compensate for changes in the length of the mast.
65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the selling means is adapted to maintain a substantially constant tension on the shroud.
66. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the setting means comprises an energy absorption mechanism.
67. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein in the first configuration, the shroud is attached to the setting means.
68. The apparatus of any of claims 61 to 63, wherein in the first configuration, the shroud is adapted to be attached to one said first or second settings means portions.
69. The apparatus of any of claims 61 to 63, wherein, in the first configuration, the shroud is adapted to be attached to both setting means portions.
70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein where the shroud is attached to both the first and second settings means portions, movement to the set configuration applies a tension to the shroud.
71. A method of covering telecommunications equipment on a mast, the method comprising the steps of: providing a configurable shroud for covering telecommunications equipment on a mast; activating a selling means to configure the shroud to a second configuration.
72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein, during configuration of the shroud from the first to the second configurations, the shroud extends axially.
73. An apparatus for covering telecommunications equipment on a mast, the apparatus comprising: a configurable shroud; wherein the shroud is at least partially fabric.
74. The apparatus of 73, wherein the apparatus comprises a tensioning means adapted to tension at least a portion of the shroud.
75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the shroud defines a first selling point and a second setting point, the tensioning means being adapted to apply a tension between the setting points.
76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein, in use, in the set configuration, the shroud cross-sectional area at the first and second selling points is greater than at a location between said first and second selling points.
77. The apparatus of any of claims 74 to 76, wherein, in use, when the shroud portion is tensioned, the shroud portion defines an hourglass profile.
78. The apparatus of any of claims 73 to 77, wherein the apparatus further comprises an antenna, the antenna is located on or within the fabric.
79. An apparatus for transmitting telecommunication signals, the apparatus comprising: a configurable, tensionable fabric; and an antenna; wherein the antenna is located on or within the fabric.