Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With support for antenna – reflector or director
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-24
2001-05-22
Le, Hoanganh (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With support for antenna, reflector or director
C343S715000, C343S888000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236377
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a replaceable, collapsible antenna, especially for automotive use. More particularly the invention concerns a universal mounting assembly which facilitates easy replacement and mounting of the antenna.
2. Description of Related Art
Collapsible antennas are commonly used on automobiles. Such antennas are typically mounted in a fender. The collapsible antenna can be original equipment or can be an after market automobile accessory installed by the automobile owner. Such antennae are susceptible to bending or crimping since the telescoping sections are hollow. This may impede the lowering and raising of the antenna, and replacement of the antenna may be necessary. Existing replacement antennae may be cumbersome to install or may not fit all types of cars and trucks.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a means for easy installation of a replacement antenna that requires minimum effort to install.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a universal replacement antenna assembly that fits all cars and trucks.
It is another object of the invention to provide a novel means for securing a replacement antenna, regardless of the whether the antenna is a collapsible or standard antenna.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an antenna assembly for installing onto a mounting surface, including an antenna mast connected to a mounting member at a base of the antenna mast. The mounting member has a lower body portion and an upper connecting portion. At least two pivoting rocker arms are pivotable from a lower end of the lower body portion. The rocker arms each have a first lower end pivotably attached to the mounting member and a second upper end. The rocker arms are restricted to be pivotable within a range from an upright, closed position wherein the upper end is positioned above the lower, and an open position not exceeding ninety degrees from the closed position. A connecting member is mounted on the antenna mast so as to be movable with respect to the mast and the mounting member. The connecting member is connectable with the connecting portion of the mounting member.
During installation of the antenna assembly the mounting member and the rocker arms are inserted through and below a hole in the mounting surface with the rocker arms in the closed position, and the connecting member is moved downward and connected to the connecting portion of the mounting member. The rocker arms are pivoted to the open position, and the upper end of the rocker arms are abutted against an inner surface of the mounting surface, thereby securing the antenna assembly to the mounting surface with the antenna mast and the connecting means positioned above the mounting hole.
The invention further includes a spring for biasing the rocker arms to be in the open position. An angle base is provided for angling the antenna mast relative to the mounting surface. A connecting cable attached to the mounting member is connectable to a radio cable.
The connecting portion of the mounting member may be threaded and the connecting member may be a mounting nut, which threadingly engages with the connecting portion. A gasket mounted between an upper surface of the mounting surface and the connecting member. The antenna assembly further includes a mounting bracket attached to a lower end of the body portion of the mounting member, the bracket having bracket legs to which the rocker arms are pivotably attached. The spring for biasing the rocker arms to be in the open position is in contact with the body portion of the mounting member and the rocker arms.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4103305 (1978-07-01), Gualano
patent: 4431332 (1984-02-01), Dieges
patent: 5233363 (1993-08-01), Yarsunas et al.
patent: 5583522 (1996-12-01), Radomski et al.
patent: 6157345 (2000-12-01), Hockett et al.
Hussaini Saied
Iacovelli Marc
Le Hoang-anh
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
Nguyen Hoang
Rally Manufacturing Inc.
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