Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With support for antenna – reflector or director
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-05-01
Phan, Tho (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With support for antenna, reflector or director
C343S765000, C343S882000, C343S892000, C248S514000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225962
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to adjustable mounting devices and more specifically to antenna mounting devices with micro adjustment.
BACKGROUND ART
The nature of a typical point-to-point microwave antenna is such that the width of the signal beam is relatively narrow and must be aimed accurately at another antenna, perhaps miles away. Typical antenna mounts include devices which enable the installer to aim the antenna in both azimuth (horizontal rotation) and vertical pitch (vertical rotation). After beam alignment, the mount hardware can be tightened to fix the antenna in this position. A typical adjustment device provides two functions. It must provide sufficient mechanical advantage so that the installer can, with basic hand tools (i.e. wrenches or screw drivers), easily overcome the friction of the azimuth and vertical panning. It must also allow the installer to move the antenna small amounts, typically fractions of a degree, so that precise alignment can be achieved. Some type of screw mechanism is a common adjustment device.
A screw mechanism provides both mechanical advantage and the necessary precision, however they can be relatively expensive for use in low-cost mounts, the screw threads can be damaged causing the device to jam or malfunction, and the added bulk and complication of the additional parts may be unsightly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides, in a preferred embodiment an adjustable linkage and method for using an adjustable linkage. In an embodiment, the adjustable linkage may be part of an antenna mount for adjusting azimuth panning and vertical panning.
In another embodiment, the adjustable linkage includes a first component, a second component and locking device. The first component has a plurality of spaced slots and the second component also has a plurality of spaced slots. The locking device holds the first component and the second component in a fixed relative position. The locking device may be loosened so that friction maintains the relative position of the components. The components are positioned so a first slot from the first component overlaps with a first slot from the second component. A lever may be inserted through the first slot of the first component and into the first slot of the second component to apply a prying force. The prying force relatively repositions the components such that a second slot from the first component is brought into overlapping relationship with a second slot from the second component. In other embodiments the plurality of slots from the first component and the second component may be positioned in a linear path or about an arc. The locking device may include two aligned locking slots and a bolt passing therethrough.
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Blanchard Anthony Charles
Farnum, III Francis Hamilton
Bromberg & Sunstein LLP
Gabriel Electronics Incorporated
Phan Tho
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