Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – Rod type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-29
2002-11-05
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
Rod type
C343S702000, C343S711000, C343S714000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06476778
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a retractable power antenna and is particularly is directed to a power antenna having wireless remote controlled activation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Vehicle power retractable antennas are well known in the art. A retractable power antenna is mounted on the vehicle and is wired to the vehicle radio. When the radio is turned on, power is delivered to extend the antenna. When the radio is turned off, the antenna is retracted. Such antennas are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,829,317, 4,825,226, 4,733,101 and 4,591,868 each discloses such power retractable antennas and are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Such conventional power antennas are often difficult to install as the antenna power unit requires a physical wire connection to the radio in addition to the antenna connection. Moreover, some radios, particularly older radios, are not equipped with a power antenna signal connection. Therefore, retrofitting a power retractable antenna with these radios is not feasible. Even modern radio units equipped with a connection for a power antenna requires that a wire be strung through the vehicle from the power antenna mounting behind the instrument panel and connected to the radio system. Such installation is timely and costly. The object of the present invention is to provide a wireless remote control of a power retractable radio antenna. This is particularly beneficial in installations where the previous antenna is fixed or manually retractable with no pre-existing wiring for a conventional power antenna.
It is also well known in the art to use wireless switching devices to remotely activate accessories within an automotive vehicle. Such devices are incorporated into keyless entry systems whereby an operator carries a small portable transmitter that selectively sends a radio signal to a control device in the vehicle to selectively operate vehicular accessories such as door locks, a power switch for the vehicle ignition and starter, or to disable a starting system. Two such keyless entry systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,689,142 and 4,672,375 and are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
It is the object of the present invention to improve on the power retractable antennas of the prior art. Specifically, it is the object of the present invention to incorporate a wireless remote control to a power retractable antenna system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a wireless remotely controlled power retractable antenna for a vehicle radio system. A power retractable antenna is provided with a receiver/controller. Rather than rely on signals from the radio, or other hard-wired device, the receiver/controller is adapted to receive a signal from a hand held transmitter. The hand held transmitter has up and down buttons for sending a specific signal representative of the desired antenna position. When it is desired to raise the antenna, the up button is depressed and the transmitter sends an up signal to the receiver/controller. When the antenna is desired in the down position, the down button is simply depressed and the transmitter sends a down signal to the receiver/controller. The controller operates a motor to drive the antenna in accordance with the received signal.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4506266 (1985-03-01), Mizuno et al.
patent: 4848823 (1989-07-01), Flohr et al.
patent: 5276426 (1994-01-01), Lobello
patent: 5438312 (1995-08-01), Lewis
patent: 5518283 (1996-05-01), Egelske
patent: 5600302 (1997-02-01), Lewis
patent: 6066026 (2000-05-01), Bart et al.
patent: 6075330 (2000-06-01), Terk
patent: 6239744 (2001-05-01), Singer et al.
Hussaini Saied
Iacovelli Marc
Liniak Berenato & White
Rally Manufacturing Inc.
Tran Chuc
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