Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With support for antenna – reflector or director
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-24
2002-02-19
Ho, Tan (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With support for antenna, reflector or director
C343S878000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06348899
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to radio antenna equipment and is particularly directed to an antenna mounting device of the type which provides multiple mounting points for multiple individual antennas. The invention is specifically disclosed as an antenna mast adapter that provides an elongated crossarm that mounts to a standard mast, in which the crossarm exhibits mounting plates at its two opposite ends that are distal from the mast, and each mounting plate is capable of holding at least one individual antenna thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Antenna mounting structures have been available for decades, including those that have multiple horizontal elements such as dipole elements mounted to a transverse horizontal boom, all as a unitary antenna structure. An example of this antenna structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,299,218 (by Fener), which discloses an adjustable dipole antenna unit that is mounted on a vertical pole. A transverse arm is mounted to the top of the vertical pole. Each end of the transverse arm has a dipole unit attached thereto, in which there are a pair of rods mounted horizontally, extending perpendicularly from each end of the transverse arm.
A similar structure is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,315 (by Zoulek), which discloses a log periodic directional antenna that provides a signal gain in one direction over a wide range of frequencies. The antenna mount is positioned vertically and supports a horizontal boom at its mid-point. The boom comprises two channel elements, that are disposed about a wooden core. A plurality of “log periodic elements” make up the actual antenna elements, which are disposed from a shorter length at one end of the boom progressively to a longer length at the opposite end of the boom. These antenna elements are disposed on both sides of the boom. In one embodiment, the antenna elements are arranged horizontally extending from the boom, which provides for a horizontal polarization. In a second embodiment, the elements are disposed vertically, on both the top and the bottom of the boom, which provides for vertical polarization.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,432 (by Beccario) discloses a “commutated log periodic antenna array” used for automatic direction finding. This antenna array uses a vertical support mast and a base plate that supports eight individual horizontal members that extend from the center of the base plate at 45 degree angles from one another. Each of these eight extending horizontal members has attached a plurality of “log periodic antennas” that extend vertically above and below each of the members. These antenna elements are of varying length, from the shortest element at the furthest point from the center of the support mast to the longest element that is closest to the center of the support mast.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,445,336 (by Rauch) discloses an antenna mounting apparatus that holds six “radiators” (which are antenna elements). A vertical mast holds a base plate, and this base plate provides support for a tapered head that provides three radiator sockets. The sockets hold “fed radiators,” which extend upward at an angle that is about 30 degrees from vertical. The base plate also provides three receptacles that contain radiator sockets for three “grounded radiators” that extend downward at an angle about 30 degrees from vertical.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,987 (by Lockwood) discloses a support boom to which a planar antenna array is attached. A vertical mast at its top supports a horizontal frame. The horizontal frame then supports a longer horizontal main boom, which extends in parallel to the support frame, but extends at a longer horizontal distance. Multiple conventional antenna field elements are mounted to the main boom in a horizontal direction, much as would be seen with any outdoor T.V. antenna.
A patent disclosing mounting of whip antennas is U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,985 (by Christinsin), which discloses a whip-tilt adapter that allows a whip antenna to be mounted either vertically or near-horizontally. The adapter comprises a pivotable vertical pipe that has a vertical mounting point at the top of the vertical pipe. In addition, there is at least one near-horizontal pipe that joins with the vertical pipe. The near-horizontal pipe has a mounting port to which the whip antenna can be attached to position the whip antenna in a near-horizontal attitude. A second whip antenna can also be mounted to a second near-horizontal member, or it could instead be mounted to the top of the vertical shaft (i.e., in a vertical orientation).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,929 (by Ott) discloses an auxiliary antenna assembly that can be used for magnetically-attached antennas, such as those used for citizens band radios on automobiles. The antenna is to be connected to a support platform, and the support platform is hinged to the base unit that contains the magnetic mount. The hinge allows the antenna to yield to an obstruction without dislodging the complete antenna assembly from the vehicle.
None of the above designs provide a means for mounting multiple unitary antennas on a single mounting platform. Instead, each antenna is mounted to its own mast, or other similar mounting platform. It would be an improvement if several unitary antennas could be mounting onto a single mounting platform for ease of installation, especially in situations where different antennas of different frequency band characteristics could be mounting on a single platform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary advantage of the present invention to provide an antenna mast adapter that, as a unitary structure, holds a plurality of individual antennas in place.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an antenna mast adapter that uses a crossarm to hold more than one antenna at opposite ends of the crossarm, and holds the individual antennas apart from one another and from the mast to which the antenna mast adapter is mounted.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide an antenna mast adapter in which the crossarm includes mounting plates that each hold one or more individual antennas in place using mechanical and/or magnetic mounting means.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an antenna mast adapter that can mount a pair of similar-type antennas to increase the transmission power or receiver sensitivity, while also holding other pairs or singleton antennas having different frequency band characteristics.
It is still a further advantage of the present invention to provide an antenna mast adapter that runs an individual waveguide for each of a plurality of individual or paired antennas that are mounted onto a crossarm of the antenna mast adapter.
It is yet a further advantage of the present invention to provide an antenna mast adapter in which the crossarm includes openings to reduce wind resistance.
Additional advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention.
To achieve the foregoing and other advantages, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improved antenna mounting device is provided in the form of an “antenna mast adapter” which is capable of holding several different antennas in place. In the embodiments illustrated herein, the antenna mast adapter is designed to mount onto a vertical mast, although other orientations could be used without departing from the principles of the present invention. One major element of the antenna mast adapter is a “crossarm” that runs generally perpendicular to the mast. This crossarm provides at least two “mounting plates” to which individual antennas are mounted, either using mechanical mounting means or magnetic mounting means. The crossarm is generally designed to provide these mounting plates at the extreme ends of the crossarm, thereby providing an air gap between the antennas and the mast.
Davidson & Gribbell, LLP
Ho Tan
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