Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With support for antenna – reflector or director
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-18
2004-09-28
Ho, Tan (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With support for antenna, reflector or director
C343S880000, C343S890000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06798387
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a mount for an antenna, and more particularly, to a secure non-penetrating flat roof mount for a satellite antenna and for use with a ballast.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Whether used in association with televisions, telephones, computers, or other technological devices, satellite antennas are increasingly used by people around the world to interact with a multitude of communications, navigation, earth observation, military, weather, and scientific research satellites in their various orbits high above the earth. In order to optimize reception and reduce transmission interference from surrounding structures, satellite antennas are often installed on roof tops of buildings. A recurring problem that needs to be addressed in mounting a satellite antenna on a roof top is that of overcoming the satellite antenna's extreme susceptibility to undesirable movement, and to the possibility that it may become overturned, due to its relatively large surface area and to the erratic and often formidable nature of prevailing winds.
Thus, in the past, in order to provide the desired stability, satellite antennas have been permanently attached to roof tops by means of an attachment assembly that structurally penetrates the building. However, flat roof satellite antenna installations of this sort are typically subject to a number of problems, foremost among these problems being that they are quite complex and expensive. This complexity and costliness is due, in part, to the diversity of different flat roof designs, and to the requirements that must be met in order to maintain both antenna stability and the structural integrity of the building. Furthermore, the location of the satellite antenna is generally restricted to those locations immediately adjacent to a main roof support, or joist, so as to enable engagement of the attachment assembly therewith. As well, this sort of installation also makes it quite difficult to subsequently move the antenna to another location. Of course, further complicating such penetrating roof installations is the fact that breaching the roof top often occasions water leaks, and will likely void any warranty against same that may previously have been in place, thus making it necessary to waterproof or reseal the roof top.
Numerous methods and devices have been developed to overcome these problems by mounting a satellite antenna to a flat roof top without penetrating same, such as, for example, by providing a roof mount with an antenna mast attached to a non-penetrating frame or platform, with a ballast comprising one or more ballasting members being loaded on top of the non-penetrating frame or platform so as to weightedly anchor the roof mount to the flat roof top. Japanese Patent No. 60089102A, issued to Masashige Hiramatsu on May 20, 1985, is an example of such a roof mount. According to designs of this general sort, however, the ballasting members are not physically secured to the non-penetrating frame or platform, such that the ballasting members might easily be removed either by vandals seeking to damage the satellite antenna or disrupt the signal, or by thieves seeking to acquire the satellite antenna for their own use or profit through resale. In any case, the removal of the ballasting members from the roof mount will result in the mounted satellite antenna becoming destabilized and subject to the possibility that it may be overturned in strong wind conditions, or even blown from the roof top.
An example of a device that has been developed to overcome these problems is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,264 (Fitzgerald et al.) for a SATELLITE ANTENNA MOUNTING APPARATUS WITH BALLAST MEANS. The Fitzgerald patent discloses a satellite antenna flat roof mounting apparatus that has a series of individual ballasting members that are secured to each other and to an antenna mast. Unfortunately, however, the Fitzgerald design shares a problem with other non-penetrating flat roof mount designs so far discussed, in that the ballasting members are directly exposed to the slow destructive forces of the elements and are, therefore, susceptible to erosion and wearing away due to wind, rain, snow, and ice over extended periods of time. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that these designs typically use concrete or cinder blocks as ballasting members, said blocks being relatively brittle and sensitive to the erosive effects of the weather. As the blocks erode, they become less and less effective as ballasting members, eventually becoming completely ineffective as such. Also, at any stage before the ballasting members are completely eroded, it would be possible for a thief or vandal, using a hammer or similar tool, to apply a force directly to the ballasting members to forcibly detach them from the roof mount. When the ballasting members are already weakened by the erosive forces of nature, they are particularly susceptible to such application of direct force by a human perpetrator, with the result being that the ballasting members may easily become completely detached from the roof mount. In either case, whether by an act of nature or of man, without the ballasting members to weightedly anchor the roof mount to the roof top, the mounted satellite antenna will become unstable and susceptible to overturning and even to the possibility that it might be stolen or blown from the roof top.
An example of a device that effectively overcomes these problems can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,675 (Moldovan et al.) for a NONPENETRATING ROOF MOUNT FOR ANTENNA. The Moldovan patent discloses a non-penetrating flat roof mount, having ballasting members positioned on a complex partitioned base and enclosed by ballast covers that are intricately fastened to the base. A significant problem with the Moldovan patent is that, although the ballasting members are both secured to the roof mount and protected from miscreants and the elements, the contemplated ballast covers and base, and the contemplated means by which they are fastened together, are inherently complex and elaborate. As such, the Moldovan roof mount requires the expenditure of a significant amount of time, effort, and cost to assemble or disassemble same during installation, or when it becomes necessary to move or transport the satellite antenna and its roof mount from one location to another.
Examples of other non-penetrating devices that have been developed to mount a satellite antenna in other contexts can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,293 (Ross) for a SKYLIGHT ROOF MOUNT FOR A SATELLITE ANTENNA, which device was designed for use on angled roofs only, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,751 (Gipson) for a PORTABLE SATELLITE ANTENNA MOUNT, which device, although not requiring disassembly to be carried by a single person when not in use, is particularly adapted for use with fluid ballast and with small satellite antennas only, such as those antennas used in temporary consumer subscription satellite television systems.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a secure non-penetrating flat roof mount, for a satellite antenna and for use with a ballast, that secures and stabilizes the satellite antenna.
Another object of the invention is to provide a secure non-penetrating flat roof mount, for a satellite antenna and for use with a ballast, that secures the ballast thereto.
A further object of the invention is to provide a secure non-penetrating flat roof mount, for a satellite antenna and for use with a ballast, that increases the resistance of the ballast to the elements and to other external influences.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a secure non-penetrating flat roof mount, for a satellite antenna and for use with a ballast, that does not penetrate a roof top of a building and that reduces the possibility of roof leaks occasioned thereby.
A yet still further object of one aspect of the invention is to provide a secure non-penetrating flat roof mount, for a satellite antenna and for use with a ballast, that effectively distributes t
Cockell Steven Robert
Mawle David John
Ho Tan
Hofbauer Patrick J.
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