Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Microstrip
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-17
2001-09-18
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Microstrip
C343S775000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292142
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Antenna systems utilize feed devices for coupling RF signals to and from the antenna. A feed device generally includes a waveguide structure and may also include electronic components for processing the RF signals. For proper operation, it is necessary that the RF feed be precisely aligned with components of the antenna, such as reflectors.
Antenna systems and feed devices are designed for operation at a particular frequency. Typically, the feed device is permanently secured to the antenna support structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a locking assembly is provided. The locking assembly is adapted to be mounted to apparatus for the purpose of engaging and locking a device with respect to the apparatus. The locking assembly includes a mounting ring having at least one notch and at least one groove having an entrance adjacent to the notch. The locking assembly further includes a locking ring having at least one protrusion disposed in the notch of the mounting ring and a retaining ring for holding the locking ring and the mounting ring together.
The locking ring is normally biased toward a first, locking position in which the protrusion blocks the entrance to the groove of the mounting ring. The locking ring is moveable to a second, engagement position in which the protrusion is urged against the mounting ring to expose the entrance of the groove in order to permit a device to engage and become interlocked with the mounting ring and also to permit the device to be disengaged from the mounting ring.
The mounting ring of the locking assembly is capable of engaging and interlocking with various types of devices having at least one tab. The device is engaged by, and interlocked with respect to the mounting ring by urging the tab of the device against the locking ring protrusion in order to move the locking ring to the engagement position and by subsequent rotation of the device relative to the mounting ring in order to cause the tab to enter the groove of the mounting ring. Once the tab is positioned in the groove, the locking ring protrusion is again biased to the locking position in which the protrusion blocks the groove entrance, thereby preventing the device from being removed.
The device can be quickly and easily unlocked and disengaged from the locking assembly by depressing a finger tab of the locking ring which causes the locking ring to move to the engagement position in which the entrance to the mounting ring groove is exposed. Subsequent rotation of the device until the device tab is aligned with the notch of the mounting ring permits the device to be disengaged from the locking assembly.
In one illustrative embodiment, the locking assembly is mounted to a support structure of an antenna system and is adapted to receive and interlock with an RF feed to the antenna system. With this arrangement, a versatile antenna system is provided with which different feed assemblies can be used, and easily removed and replaced. By removing one feed assembly from the antenna and replacing it with another, different frequencies can be used to operate the system. The locking assembly advantageously holds the feed in precise alignment with respect to the antenna system. Further, use of the locking assembly does not require tools and can be done manually, with one hand. Thus, the locking assembly is suitable for changing RF feeds in antenna systems located in hard to reach places, such as high above a ship's deck on a mast.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4756638 (1988-07-01), Neyret
patent: 5018901 (1991-05-01), Ferree et al.
patent: 5597260 (1997-01-01), Peterson
patent: 5757327 (1998-05-01), Yajima et al.
Clinger James
Daly, Crowley & Mofford LLP
Raytheon Company
Wong Don
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