GB1599527A - Radio reflector secured to a framework - Google Patents

Description

(54) A RADIO REFLECTOR SECURED TO A FRAMEWORK (71) We, The MARCONI COMPANY LIMITED, of Marconi House, New Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CMl lPL, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a radio reflector secured to a framework.

According to this invention there is provided a radio reflector comprising a reflecting panel or reflecting panels secured to a framework which comprises at least two tubular members each having a flattened region and means clamping the flattened regions together.

Normally said securing means will comprise a nut and bolt passing through the flattened regions.

Preferably said tubular members are, except where flattened, of round cross section.

The tubular members may cross.

A tubular member may extend in a straight line into and out of a flattened region or a tubular member may experience a change in direction from one side of the flattened region to the other. In other words, the portion of a tubular member on one side of the region in which it is flattened may make an angle with a portion on the other side of said flattened region which is other than 1800.

In a structure in accordance with the present invention which is provided to sustain considerable stresses and strains, said structure will normally be built up as a triangulated structure, as known per se.

The framework may conveniently incorporate one lattice surface which is formed of angle and/or tee section members to provide a convenient flat surface for supporting said reflective pannel or reflective panels, with the remainder of the framework comprised of tubular members.

A particular embodiment of the invention is further described and illustrated in the drawings accompanying the provisional specification in which, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tubular structure in accordance with the present invention forming part of a radio reflector, Figures 2 and 3 are views in plan and elevation respectively of the region A in Figure 1 and Figures 4 and 5 are views in plan and elevation respectively of the region B in Figure 1.

In all Figures, like references are used for like parts.

Referring to Figure 1, the tubular structure is basically a triangulated structure the underside (as viewed) of which is a planar lattice surface and is formed of an outer rectangular framework consisting of lengths 1, 2, 3, 4 of 13h" x 1" x 1/4", angle with orthogonal crossing members 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 formed of 13h" x 13h" x 1/4" tee. The remaining members forming the tubular structure consist of round sectioned tube, including those members 10, 11,12,13,14,15 and 16 forming an upperside planar lattice surface. In fact, so far as the reflector is concerned, the underside (as viewed) is the front surface and the upperside (as viewed) is the rear surface.

Angle is used to form the front surface (the underside as viewed), since in completing the antenna reflector reflecting panels, planar panels in this example, are attached to this front surface.

Between the members forming the front and rear surfaces, the members separating the one from the other are arranged as triangulated ties.

In this particular example, the dimensions as shown at a, b, c, d and e are as follows: a 3 metres b 1 metre c 2 metres d 4 metres e 0.5 metres Referring to Figures 2 and 3, these show to an enlarged scale the joint in the region of A in Figure 1. As will be seen tubular lengths 14 and 16 forming part of the rear lattice surface are continuous in nature through the joint. Where the one crosses the other, each tube if flattened and the two flattened surfaces are bolted together by a nut and bolt 17. Also united in the same joint are tie members 18 and 19 extending between the front and rear lattice surfaces. As will be seen, in fact tie members 18 and 19 each form two ties extending between the front and rear lattice surfaces and forming the sides of a triangle. Again where the tubular tie member 18 or 19 passes through the joint the tube is flattened and all four tubular members are clamped together by the same nut and bolt 17.

In flattening the tubular members 14, 16, 18 and 19 use was made of a die-press after the regions to be flattened had been subjected to heating. Each tubular member was flattened separately.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, these it is believed will be self-explanatory. Figure 4 shows one end of tie member 18 united with the tee 5. As will be seen the joint is made simply by flattening the end of the member 18 and securing this to the central web of the tee by means of nut and bolt 20.

Also shown in Figures 4 and 5 are the end of adjoining tie members which are similarly attached to the central web of the tee 5. These adjoining tie members are referenced 21, 22 and 23 and the corresponding tie members in Figure 1 are similarly referenced.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A radio reflector comprising a reflecting panel or reflecting panels secured to a framework which comprises at least two tubular members each having a flattened region and means clamping flattened regions together.

2. A reflector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said clamping means comprises a nut and bolt passing through the flattened regions.

3. A reflector as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and wherein said tubular members are, except where flattened, of round cross section.

4. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises the tubular members in crossing relationship, each having a flattened region where it crosses the other or others.

5. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises a tubular member extending in a straight line into and out of a flattened region.

6. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises a tubular member having a bend by a flattened region.

7. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises a triangulated structure.

8. A reflector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the framework further comprises a lattice formed of angle and/or tee section members supporting said reflective panel or reflective panels.

9. A radio reflector supported on a structure substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. and 19 use was made of a die-press after the regions to be flattened had been subjected to heating. Each tubular member was flattened separately. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, these it is believed will be self-explanatory. Figure 4 shows one end of tie member 18 united with the tee 5. As will be seen the joint is made simply by flattening the end of the member 18 and securing this to the central web of the tee by means of nut and bolt 20. Also shown in Figures 4 and 5 are the end of adjoining tie members which are similarly attached to the central web of the tee 5. These adjoining tie members are referenced 21, 22 and 23 and the corresponding tie members in Figure 1 are similarly referenced. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A radio reflector comprising a reflecting panel or reflecting panels secured to a framework which comprises at least two tubular members each having a flattened region and means clamping flattened regions together.

2. A reflector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said clamping means comprises a nut and bolt passing through the flattened regions.

3. A reflector as claimed in claim 1 or 2 and wherein said tubular members are, except where flattened, of round cross section.

4. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises the tubular members in crossing relationship, each having a flattened region where it crosses the other or others.

5. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises a tubular member extending in a straight line into and out of a flattened region.

6. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises a tubular member having a bend by a flattened region.

7. A reflector as claimed in any of the above claims and wherein the framework comprises a triangulated structure.

8. A reflector as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the framework further comprises a lattice formed of angle and/or tee section members supporting said reflective panel or reflective panels.

9. A radio reflector supported on a structure substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings accompanying the provisional specification.