Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With vehicle
Patent
1997-04-24
1999-07-27
Kim, Robert
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With vehicle
343714, 343711, 343765, 343880, 343881, 343882, 343760, 343894, H01Q 132, H01Q 300, H01Q 108
Patent
active
059298170
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an antenna mount for fitting to a roof particularly, although not exclusively, a roof of a recreational vehicle such as a caravan or boat.
Conventionally, in order to be assured of receiving an adequate signal from a communication satellite, an antenna for the purpose has been securely fitted to a rigid mount which is adjustable in both in azimuth and elevation. Where the antenna is attached to a vehicle the elevation must be adjusted to suit the latitude of the vehicle.
Disadvantageously, such a mount is of its nature bulky and adds to the height of a vehicle on which its mounted. In the case of a recreational vehicle this can limit access to tunnels, bridges, and car parks and the like, and furthermore can have a detrimental effect on the aerodynamics or windage of a vehicle resulting in reduced fuel economy and potentially dangerous handling.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified antenna mount which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and which facilitates simple and rapid positioning for reception of signals.
According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible dish antenna for a vehicle roof comprising a mast slidably and rotatably received in a mount for attachment to the vehicle roof in such a manner that with the mount secured about a roof aperture the mast depends vertically through said fitting with a lower end thereof accessible from within the vehicle; a bracket slidably located about said mast between an upper end of said mast and said mount, and an antenna dish pivoted to said bracket about a first axis extending in a plane substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said mast and pivoted to linkage means about a second axis parallel to and spaced from said first axis, said linkage means in turn being pivoted to said mast in the region of the upper end thereof about a third axis parallel to and spaced from the first two axes in order to form a triangulated linkage such that, in use, with said mast extended relatively to said bracket the antenna dish adopts a generally upright signal reception position whereas retraction of the mast relatively to said bracket is effective to fold the antenna dish into a generally horizontal position for storage.
Preferably, the mount includes means for adjusting the spacing between first and third axes with the mast in an extended position, to enable adjustment of the elevation of the antenna dish when in the signal reception position. Conveniently, said means may be provided by a cam arranged to engage with said linkage proximate said third axis such that rotation of said cam displaces said linkage about said third axis thereby adjusting the elevation of the antenna dish. The mount may be provided with biasing means to urge separation between said first and third axes. Again preferably, a boom for supporting a feed horn is hingedly connected to said bracket to facilitate unobstructed folding of said mount.
In order to aid in understanding the invention embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of an antenna mount according to the invention shown in a raised position;
FIG. 2 is a similar view of the mount of FIG. 1 shown in a lowered position;
FIG. 3 is a similar scrap part-sectioned view of the mount of FIG. 1 showing its elevation adjustment mechanism;
FIG. 4 is a scrap plan view of the mast and said elevation adjustment mechanism;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an antenna mount according to a further embodiment of the invention shown in both a lowered and a raised position;
FIG. 6 is a reversed perspective exploded view of the mount of FIG. 5 shown in a raised position; and
FIG. 7 is diagrammatic view of the mount of FIG. 5 shown installed in a vehicle.
FIG. 8 is a map showing regions having different elevation requirements for use with the mounts of FIG. 1 and FIG. 5; and
FIG. 9 is a label showing corresponding elevation indicia for use with the elev
REFERENCES:
patent: 2572430 (1951-10-01), Balton
patent: 3377595 (1968-04-01), Carr et al.
patent: 4811026 (1989-03-01), Bissett
patent: 4873526 (1989-10-01), Katsuo
patent: 5337062 (1994-08-01), Sherwood et al.
Kim Robert
Maxview Limited
Punnoose Roy M.
LandOfFree
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