US2470693A - Swivel ball antenna support - Google Patents

Description

y 17, 1949. T. R. FINKE Em 2,470,693

SWIVEL BALL ANTENNA SUPPORT Filed May 14, 1947 64 INVENTOR.

v lzw/s A4 fi/weaum/lk 68 Maw H TTOR/VE rs Patented May 17, 1949 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE and Lewis H. Finneburgh, In,

Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to The Gabriel Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 14, 1947, Serial No. 748,048

7 Claims.

This invention pertains to radio antennae for automotive vehicles and the like and, more particularly, to a radio antenna and supporting base having an angularly adjustable connection therebetween.

An object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved radio antenna support adapted to be mounted at desired positions on the body of an automotive vehicle or the like and allow angular adjustment or tilting of the radio antenna relative thereto, which is attractive in appearance, has a minimum number of parts or members, may be manufactured in a minimum physical size, is self-centering in a mounting opening of the vehicle body, is easily and quickly assembled, and after assembly may be tightened to any desired adjusted angular or tilted position by access to only one side of the mounting, and when once tightened will remain adjusted, shakeprcof, and r-attleproof under even the most severe operating conditions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved antenna support having members adapted to be positioned on each side of the panel of an automotive vehicle or the like for forming a relatively fixed base and a member connected to the antenna extending through the base angularly adjustable relative thereto, the member extending through the base having means for both clamping the base forming members against the body panel and fixing its position at any desired angular position relative thereto whereby the antenna support may be comprised of a minimum number of individual parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved antenna support including an insulating half ball member and a conducting half ball member adapted to be positioned in opposed relationship on the outer and inner sides respectively on the panel of an automotive vehicle to form a ball type base for positioning an antenna at a desired angle relative to the panel, the insulating ball member providing an insulated support for the antenna relative to the body panel and the conducting ball member providing a grounding means for a shield on a lead-in cable for the antenna.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved antenna support having inner and outer members adapted to be positioned on the inner and outer sides respectively of the panel of an automotive vehicle or the like for forming a relatively fixed base and an assembly connected to the antenna and extending through the base, the assembly having threaded means at each end for engaging with the inner and outer base forming members, which threaded means both fix the angular position of the assembly relative to the base and clamp the base forming members into relatively fixed position, the threaded means at the outer end of the assembly being tightened down last whereby the final assembly operation and angular position of the antenna may be effected from one side of the vehicle panel only.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved antenna support having inner and outer half ball members adapted to be positioned on the inner and outer sides respectively of a panel of an automotive vehicle or the like, which half ball members have, on their chordal surfaces, bosses and mating recesses and, on their spherical surface, slots tapering inwardly to a. circular central opening, the bosses and recesses positioning the ball members, when assembled, relative to a mounting opening in the body panel and diametrically aligning the slots.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view of an antenna and support embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded elevational view showing in greater detail some of the members in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the antenna in an adjusted angular position relative to the support.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown as embodied in a radio antenna A of the so-called whip type mounted at its lower end on a supporting base B, in turn mounted or suitably positioned on the sloping panel C of an automotive vehicle body or the like.

The panel 0 shown may be any portion of an automotive vehicle body or the like, whether sloping, vertical, or horizontal, or at the front or rear thereof, and is preferably perforated or drilled to provide a suitable opening it for passage of a lead-in connection from the antenna A on the exterior of the panel to the interior thereof, as well as a passage for clamping means to fasten the base B onto the panel.

As shown, the base B is generally ball or spherical shaped and comprises a pair of half ball members, an inner or lower half ball member II and an outer or upper half ball member I2, positioned in aligned relationship on opposite sides of the body panel C concentric with the opening I0. As shown, the inner or lower half ball member I I has a main generally hemispherical outer surface .I3,.and a chordal surface comprising-an upwardly extending boss I4 and an inwardly or downwardly extending recess I5. Similarly,:.theupper or outer half ball member I2 has a main generally hemispherical outer-surface I7 and a chordal surface comprising ardewmvardly extending boss I8 and an upwardly extending recess I9, which bosses and which recesses. are of similar dimensions such that they -will mate when the ball members are assembled on the. panel C. and are preferably, although not necessarily, semicylindrical in shape having a radius somewhat less than the radiusof the ball members and centrally positioned,.thus-leavmgcontinuousring- ,like flat-surfaces 20, 2I aroundthe'peri'met'ers of .thehalf ball members II, I2,:respectively, which If r desired, a sealing washer 22 positioned between. the ring-like -flat-surface 2! on the halfballmember I2 andthe body; panel 0. As shown, the-washer -has.-an.-upwardly ex- .tending flange 23 onits .outer edge which-fits into a corresponding groove 1 in the perimeter I of the half ball-membera I 2.

Each -ball-- member II, I2. is; provided with aligned openings'2 5,-26, respectively, whichopenings. as shown taper from a-slot onthe surface of the ball membersto a. generally central aligned opening onthe interior ofr-the-assembled ball or base B. These openings provide awpassage for clamping means to fixedly position- ,the'half .ballmembers relative to,.the,body;.panel C as well as to providea.-.passage.for a-lead-in;.con- -nection from theantenna. A.

The antenna maytakeuanyone: ofa number of different forms -andmaybe formed of metal or plastic. As shown,- howeventhe antenna comprises a lower rodlike,member .28- preferably. of

tubular construction-tandcan upperrodlike mem- .-ber 29 also: preferably; of=tubular construction of a smallerdiameter thanand telescopically arranged with the lower member. The lower end of the-lower. member 2,8 is providedwitha stud bolt 3 I which as shown extends generally'through the entire length of theialignedopenings; in the half ball members, .The stud bolt maybe-fixed to the antenna in any suitableqmannenbut in the embodiment-shown the upper end'thereof.

extends into and fits snugly-with the interior of I the lower end of the lower tube 28. This end-has one or a plurality of-spaced circumferentially extending grooves 32 in. its surface into-whichiadjacent portions of thewall ofvthe-lower tuber28 have been spun or pressed as at 34, thus providing a firm and indestructible connection between the antenna A and the bolt 3|. .Intermediatewthe grooves 32, the bolt may be: knurled-as at 36-on its outer surface, which knurls-when-thezbolt. is

, inserted into the interior of thelower member 28 upon assembly tend,tobite through-q-any film,

,. rust;v or scale on the .interiorithereof-wand' provide a noiseless electrical: connection; betweenrthean- :tenna and:the bolt, as: well as preventingrotation of the bolt 3| relative to the lower member 28 when the antenna mounting is installed.

As shown, the bolt 3| extends downwardly through the aligned openings in the half ball members I I, I2 and an elongated captive sleeve nut 38 having its upper end counterbored to provide clearance forthe'lowerend ofthe antenfor clamping the half ball members II I2 in engagement :with the sides of the body panel C as well as clamping the antenna in a desired angular position, and the clamping force thereof is transmitted to the spherical surface I! of the mupper=half ball member I2 through a circular Washer 42 having a..concave lower surface and athin cup shaped -or concave.washer;43 having its opening eccentrically positioned relativeto the -edgesthereof. --.-;As.;shown,.the washers-.=42,-.-. l3 are slippedover the -boss..39 withtheuppersurface of the washer 42 in abutting engagement with. the lower surface of ..theflange/.40.. It is preferred that aszthe sleeveinut-38 is.-.tightened "down that the concaveqwasher 43 engages. the

surface I! ofthe upper ,ballme-mber I2 principally atits outer edges, and for this. reason .thecurvature thereof may'be slightlyless than the curvatureof the surface I'I-and, if desired,- theedges thereof may becurved inwardly, at anevenishorter radius of curvature as shown at 45.

' For insulating-zthe. antenna -A fromcthetbody panel C, either the sleeve'nut-33 or the-half .ball

-member I2 or both may. be formed of:insulating material,- although irrtheembodiment shown. .the

-sleevenut is representedcas being formed of a metallic material while the upper half ball-:mem-

ber I2. is representedasi-being of a non-.metallic insulatingmaterial.

-The bolt'3I provides alead-in conductonfor the antenna, as well as a clamping oritief-loolt Y for-firmly securing the half ball-members! .I I,-. I2 in-fixed assembled relationshiptothe-body panel C.- It is preferred thatthelower half balhmember be of an electrically conducting:material,.-for 1 reasons which will appear a-hereinafter- ,andaccordinglymeans arerprovicled-for insulatinglthe lowerend of the-bolt 3I :from the-conducting-half -balla-member II. -.-In;,the; embodimentshown, a grounding sleever48 .is positioned concentrically aroundthe lower end of-thebolt 3,-I andrinsulated therefrom by an innerinsulatingsleeve .49: in turn .supported on ,thewbolt 3| by an inner threaded metallic -sleeve. 50. .Thesleeve. W is 'threadably engaged on:the bolt- 3|:andhas: on itSQlOWGIMBDd a short outwardly extending flan e 5| in abutting engagement with.- the lower end: of the insulating '-.sleeve 49. The groundingssleeve, at its :uppen-end .has a short inwardly extendinglflange 53 abutting against the opposite: or .upper .end' of the-insulating sleeve-Manda at its lower :end isexterna-lly threaded and extendsrbelow onbeyond the spherzical surface I 3 of v the lower-halfball member. I I. Preferably theexternal diameter of the. grounding sleeve 48 as wel-l asthe; diameter ofwthe. boss 39 of thesleeve nut. 38 arethersame andapproximately .equal to the .Wldth: of thegslotsiin thezhalf ball: members psuchrithatitherantenna; .Awwillzbe tiltable-with' respect. :tmthe; ball :members: in only a single; :plane; which 5.:plane .:;may .be .rotated .'-throughc36.0?;by; rotatingethesibase =B "118181171376. to

/ thebody-panelC.

While a nut threaded on the lower end of the grounding sleeve it and an eccentric concave washer similar to the concave eccentric washer 53 may be provided for engaging the spherical surface it of the lower ball member ll and holding the base B in assembled relationship, it is preferred for reasons of simplicity in structure and otherwise to utilize means on a lead-in cable connector assembly D for this purpose. The lead-in cable connector assembly D comprises a nut 55 shown threadably engaged with the threads of the grounding sleeve 48 and a cup shaped or concave washer 56, the inner surface of which bears against the spherical surface l3 of the lower ball member ii. The upper end of the nut 55 has a thin cylindrical extension 59 arou' which the opening of the washer 5% is flttec, .l the extension then flared outwardly to retain the washer 5t and the nut 55 in assembled relationship. As shown, the portion of the washer 55 defining the opening is offset to receive the flared end of the extension 59 and prevent interference with the spherical surface of the lower ball member H. An internallytoothed lock washer bl may be positioned intermediate upper end of the nut 55 and the lower surface of the washer ofiset. The lower end of the nut 55 has a radially inwardly exten ing flange t2 defining an opening of reduced dianeter through which a short grounding sleeve extends having an outwardly flaring flange 64 at Les upper end which abuts against the flange $2 of the nut for retaining same in assembled reiationship. The grounding sleeve 63 receives a lead-in cable bl comprising an inner radio-frequency conductor fiti, an insulating sleeve 69, and a braided outer shield covering 19. The shield Ill preferably soldered to the grounding tube 63 for roviding a physically strong and low resistance electrical connection. The insulating sleeve dd preferably extends beyond the upper end of the grounding tube 63, and a female sleeve connector E2 of thin flexible material is positioned in the end thereof and suitably connected as by soldering to the radio-frequency conductor 68.

he female connector i2 is preferably slightly resilient and has internal diameter such as to receive and form an electrical connection with a dog M on the lower end of the bolt 3|. The grounding tube 63 as shown has been spun or necked inwardly as at 73 to firmly position the insulating sleeve E59 and the female sleeve connector l2 relative thereto. This construction is shown and described in the application for patof Milton R. Friedberg and Theodore R. Finite, entitled Grooved connector, Serial No. 657,488 filed March 2'7, 19%.

As hereinbefore stated, the lower half ball member H is preferably formed of an electrical conducting material for the purpose of providing a ground to the body panel C for the lead-in cable connector assembly 1), the connection to the body panel C being formed from the braided shield it through the shielding tube 63, the nut 55, the concavewasher 58, and the lower half ball member ii. If desired, suitable means may be provided on the flat ringlike chordal surfaces 26 of the lower ball member to insure that when the entire antenna assembly is tightened into final adjusted position, the means will bite through any rust, paint, or other films on the lower surface of the body panel C and provide a good electrical connection.

To install the preferred embodiment of the invention just described on the body panel of an automotive vehicle, the hole ll! of appropriate size is first drilled or otherwise perforated therethrough. The lower and upper ball members ll, 12, respectively, are then positioned on opposite sides of the body panel with the bosses thereof extending through the opening l0 into the mating recesses. The sleeve nut 38 is threaded upwardly on the bolt 3! as far as possible, and the sleeve 50, the insulating sleeve 49, and. the grounding sleeve 48 are then assembled on the bolt 3| as shown, and the entire assembly is inserted through the aligned openings in the half ball members, at this time it being necessary to manually or otherwise hold the ball members in position. The nut 55 of the lead-in cable conhector assembly D is then threaded onto the lower end of the grounding sleeve 13 and threaded upwardly as far as possible, bringing the lower end of the grounding sleeve 58 into engagement with the flange 5 on the grounding tube 63 and forcing the flange 6d to firmly bear against the flange G2 on the nut 5-5. With the lead-in cable connector assembly D in position, it is still possible to tilt the antenna relative to the half ball members or to rotate the ball members relative to the body panel C, which is then done so as to position the antenna A at the exact angular position desired for the final installation. The eccentric concave washer 63 is then turned to cover the slot opening 26 in the upper half ball member I2. For retaining the antenna in the adjusted position, the sleeve nut 38 is rotated downwardly on the bolt 3!, thus drawing the concave wash-er 56 upwardly and forcing the concave washer 63 downwardly into firm engagement with the respective spherical surfaces of the half ball members, firmly clamping the half ball members into engagement with the body panel C and at the same time fixing the angular position of the antenna relative to the ball members and to the automotive vehicle or the like on which the antenna is being mounted. At the same time, the teeth of the lock washer 6| are forced into firm biting engagement with the offset 58 of the concave washer 56 anclinto the upper end of the nut 55. It will be seen that the flnal tightening operation may be effected without access to the lower side of the body panel C, thus facilitating and enabling the installation by one man.

Thus it will be seen that an embodiment of the invention has been described which accomplishes the objects hereinbefore enumerated and others wherein a minimum number of supporting members provide a dual function of electrical insulation as well as adjustable physical support and which provides a mounting wherein the final adjustments may be effected from one side only.

Although in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes this invention is described as embodied in concrete form and the principle thereof has been described together with the best mode in which it is now contemplated applying that principle, it will be understood that the apparatus shown and described is merely illustrative and that the invention is not limited thereto, since alterations and modifications will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit of this invention or from the scope of the annexed claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In an antenna support, a pair of half ball members having generally semispherical surfaces and generally chordal mating surfaces, said mat- ;,suing:surfacesr comprising aegenerally circularzouter 'I'LGhOIdfll .surface: and bosses: and :mating :recesses :spaced: iflOl'Df. the-perimeter. of said. chordalysur- :ifaces; said-half; .ba'llzxmembers'zadapted. to: be .positlztionedon'the panel of angautomotivevehiclea with;

-asaidbosses:extending'rthroug hianizopening.thereof e ior spesitioning the qassembledyball relative; there- :1 e to;-;one ,ofsaid' ball .memberszcomprised atuleast in part-:of an electrically-:insulating' materialszand rrrpartefnian electrically conductingrrnaterial.

zgzlmamzantennamounting, a base comprising .u: oo.operating..:half ball:- me'mbers aadapted to: be empusitionechorr the'oppositesides; of a panel oir an --.;automotive vehicle to: form a: substantially: ball- 7 member:.-and adapted to cooperatenwith: the .half 1 ball-.membenof the .base .on .one side of the panel, threaded sleeve spaced fromnand surrounding said supporting member-sand; extending. into .said base land-adapted to act'as a grounding sleeve,

'.a..means wadjustably l and :insulatingly :rconnecting .-said=sleeve andsupporting memb.er,:and a. threadled member :on saidisleeve. andadapted to, cooperwatewith-the .halflball member OfJthE'baSBiODZthG .other side ofxthepanel.

3. An.: antennaamounting as. defined in c'laim 2 wand 'whereincthe means for .adjustablyand insulatingly connecting said. :sleeve. and ,said supportingmember includes: an internally. threaded tsleeveumounted .on said supportingmember and r providediwith an outwardly extending flange. atv

/ wone- :end thereof, an insulating, bushing amounted onthe exterior of said interiorly threaded sleeve :an dhaving one of'its' ends contactingsaidifiange, zrsaid previously named-threaded sleeve-being pro- .vided with a flange :contacting .the;5other .end. of

lsaidiinsulating bushing +1 4. Ari-antenna mounting. as defined in claim 2 ;-.;:and wherein the ahalf .=ba1l .member' on' one side li ofs-athe .'.panel is. formedof .insu1ating..:material while the half ball member on theiothersideofq lithe: panel is ziormedof electrical conductive ma- :t-r rial.

5; In;ansantennasupport, aapair of halfball -.-;;-members- :having generally. semi-spherical sureiaces .uand' ygienerally chordal mating surfaces,

:; zsaidqmating surfaces: ton :each member compris- 1: ing. a; generally: circular 101113615 chordal 7 surface .anda semi-rcircularboss and a recess-spaced fliOmIiiihe perimeter of. said-outer-chordala surfa,ce,- said half shall. members .-adapted to bespor-sitioned onrthe panel ofan automotive-vehicle 1:with;said .rbosses. extending throughan .-op ening .--,in .-sa-id: pane1- andtinto said-recesses. forapositionin l the: assembled-ball relative-to. the @panel,

said -half= ball. members.each being'providedwith V :a passagesextending .therethrough. ,and; ..con .evergently tapering from its semi=sphericahsur- .face' to. its: 1 matin surface. .thewsaid 1 passages ......thr.ough the said half ball members aligning with -..leach..other at the .saidimating surfaces..of..the-

said half ball members, antenna supporting he-zother. of :said ball memb ers. comprised atzleast...

8 :zxmeansxextending throughs'saidi.1.passages,. and .-means :.:-on zx-said antenna supporting: means iand cooperating:with-.the:semiespheritzal: surfaces of s.-..-.the:-;-half;.=b'allymembers .to. clamp. the latter and :isaid:asupportingzmeans; in assembled relationship a; on said;panel.

6.-iIn .an'xantenna:.mounting a-ball base::cm- 1: --prising: cooperatingehalfe ball a members :adapted .0 be positioned-a on:the -.opposite :sides. of a panel 10. .inzcperative association-zwithtan opening therein land with;-their :outerrsemi-spherical.- surfaces ,-;;located -awayafromwsaid ipanel,v said .half .ball gtmembers being provided with .fiat: annular. sur- 3 faces adapted-do be :;juxtaposed :with. respect to the; Oppositesides' of; said panel adjacent said .zgopeningyandalso provided radially inwardly of said-annular.surfaceswwithsubstantially. semi- :zcircular axiallyextendingfllips adapted toibe losrcated inrsaid. opening. and. substantiallyconcentrio. tov audiarneterf of .the.-ball:=base, the said lip of ashalf ball member overlapping: and cooperating with-the said-glip of the other half ball -.-..member-to define a=substantial cylinder adapted -tol-be located. in'saidpanel opening, said ball ;:base-including-said cylinderbeing provided with 1.1apassage:therethroughwhich increases in cross sectional areal-from its longitudinal mid-point ..-,tok,its, opposite-ends and terminates at its opposite- .ends; in -.elongated slots formed in the outer e-semie-spherical surfaces-of the .half ball mem- =,r-,bers, the-slots-rof-;said-.half \ball members being oppositely leccentrically disposedwith respect to saidldiameten-of theiball-base; antenna supporting-imeans extending through said passage of ;L.-the.:-.b.alla :base and relatively .angularly r adjust- ..-.-able: therein-with.- respect to--said.-diameter of 1: thewbalLbase-and .within. theclimits. of said (slots, sand-means onlsaidsupporting meansand c0- .e operatingrwith saidhalf ball members for clamp- 4 uting the .latter .in. assembled operativev relationship ontsaidpanelandfor maintaining said supparting:"meanswin. said ballbase in-relativ an- 1 gularl-y adjusted position.

. An. .antennar'mounting as defined in claim -6, and wherein. .eachhalfball member is :pro-

divided .With...-.an. ,internal. recess into. which: ex-

tendsthalipoftheothenhalf ball-memberwhen said .members. are:.cooperatively. positioned to mform. thewballbase. vTHEODORE-v R. .EINKE.

....,J,ACK L.- STEWART.

,LEWIS. .H. .FINNEBURGH, JR.

REFERENCES. :CITED :ithezviollowing references are of-record in the .--.i-file:- ofuthiszipatent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 1 [Number 1 ame Date P424572 -..--;"Painter -Apr., 1,-1890 -l-.610,920 Richter -Sept-.w. 20,; 1898 z 1:,1=18,-9'70 -,'Ihompson Dec. 1,' 1914 :..1 ,9 95;109 wismittle -Mar.. 19, 1935 -..-2,21\0,1*47 -.;-Gr-i1fith ---Aug. 6,1940 ..-.'2,25,1 889 Ludwig =.-Aug. 5, 1941 ;..2,2!7.4,884 .-.-Brach 1 Mar. 3,1942 ,.H 2,354,93'7 atBarker -..Aug,. 1, 1944 .-l ;2,3 59 835 Ford .ct:=10, 1944 .2,39,4,276 Venditty Feb. 5,. 1946 ;,..2,45-4,897 .Trowbridge "an-Nov. 30, 1948

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