Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-19
2001-12-18
Wimer, Michael C. (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With vehicle
C343S895000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331838
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an antenna that is suitable for mounting on a mobile vehicle, such as an automobile, truck, or other motor vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various antennas for mounting to motor vehicles have been developed. For example, “whip-type” antennas having a flexible fiberglass or Teflon rod with a helically-wound conductor for receiving radio signals have been developed. Mobile vehicle antennas often employ a flexible mounting base to allow for impact with an object. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,383 to Yamashita discloses a spring-mounted antenna including a coaxial cable and a flexible body portion surrounding the coaxial cable. Also, global positioning satellite (GPS) navigators having quadrifilar helical antennas have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,831 discloses a GPS navigator that may be vehicle mounted, and includes a tubular, quadrifilar antenna structure. Further, various window mounted or film type antennas for vehicles have been developed. Examples of such antennas are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,794; 5,714,959; 5,648,785; 5,610,619; and 5,528,314.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is an antenna adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle for receiving digital audio signals from a satellite. The antenna includes a base configured to be secured to a vehicle, and an elongated mast constructed of a polymer material and including at least one antenna-forming conductor extending along the mast to receive signals. A spring member flexibly connects the elongated mast to the base, and an elastomeric cover extends between the base and the elongated mast and envelops the spring member. A flexible conductor is connected to the antenna-forming conductor and extends through the elastomeric cover.
Another aspect of the present invention is an antenna for receiving digital signals from a satellite. The antenna includes a base configured to be secured to a motor vehicle. An elongated mast constructed of a dielectric material has a generally cylindrical outer surface, and defines a base end. Four elongated antenna conductors are disposed on the outer surface of the elongated mast and form a quadrifilar helical antenna. Each antenna conductors has an electrical feed point adjacent the base end of the elongated mast. The feed points are progressively phased by about ninety degrees relative to one another. A flexible member connects the elongated mast to the base and biases the mast into a use position. The antenna further includes a flexible elongated conductor and a phase network positioned adjacent the base end of the mast and electrically connecting the electrical feed points of the elongated antenna conductors to the flexible cable.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is an antenna for mounting on a motor vehicle for receiving digital signals from a satellite. The antenna includes a base having an electronics case with a cavity adapted to receive electronic components therein. The electronics case has an inner shell made of a rigid material forming the cavity, and an outer cover of an elastomeric material enveloping the inner shell and forming a gasket configured to seal the cavity when the electronics case is mounted to a vehicle. An elongated mast is secured to the base, and at least one elongated antenna conductor extends along the mast to receive signals.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4163981 (1979-08-01), Wilson
patent: 4266227 (1981-05-01), Blaese
patent: 4323902 (1982-04-01), Hussey et al.
patent: 4393383 (1983-07-01), Yamashita
patent: 5198831 (1993-03-01), Burrell et al.
patent: 5451967 (1995-09-01), Ueda et al.
patent: 5528314 (1996-06-01), Nagy et al.
patent: 5610619 (1997-03-01), Zafar
patent: 5648785 (1997-07-01), Nagy et al.
patent: 5668565 (1997-09-01), Robinson
patent: 5714959 (1998-02-01), Troy et al.
patent: 5739794 (1998-04-01), Nagy et al.
patent: 5790079 (1998-08-01), Zafar
patent: 5986612 (1999-11-01), Nagy
Morris Daniel Gordon
Scott Stephen Daniel
Delphi Technologies Inc.
Funke Jimmy L.
Wimer Michael C.
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