US2532094A - Television antenna - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 28, 1950 F. GONSETT ET AL TELEVISION ANTENNA Filed Oct. 27, 1949 l IIII'I I 5 Sheets-Sheet l --Z5 INVENTORS i PMRQM MiL ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1950 F. R. GONSETT ETAL 2,532,094

TELEVISION ANTENNA Filed Oct. 27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 28, 1950 F. R. GONSETT ETAL 2,532,094

TELEVISION ANTENNA Filed Oct. 27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS PM 79.6mm

ATTORNEY 1950 F. R. GONSETT ETAL 2,532,094

TELEVISION ANTENNA Filed Oct. 27, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 W INVENTORS 7PM 7i. Govt/112 ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1950 F.- R. GONSETT ETAL TELEVISION ANTENNA 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 27, 1949 M m m V m ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT omcs TELEVISION ANTENNA Faust R. .Gonsett and Robert Gonsett, Los Angeles, Calif,

Application OctoberZ'l, 1949,Seria'lNo. 123,904

.5 Claims. '1

This application relates to antenna constructions, more particularly to television antenna constructions.

It is well known that television antenna constructions, when assembled, are large and unwieldly space occupying contrivances which are to handle and entail heavy costs for the packaging and transportation of the same unless collapsed to save space and reduce transportation expenses. Besides it would be exceedingly expensive to crate or package a fully assembled television construction.

It is one of the objects of our invention to produce a complete television antenna construction and to package the same securely in a collapsed or knockdown condition for inexpen- 'sive handling and transportation. When each package *has reached its destination it can be removed from the package receptacle and readily assembled in its condition for mounting upon a roof or equivalent structure for its intended'and ultima-teuse.

It is an object of our invention to produce a television antenna construction having excellent wave intercepting and collecting qualities so that the television waves may be conducted "by suitable leads or "conductors to a television receiver with sufficient strength and intensity to produce 'a'clearly defined picture on the screen of the television receiver.

it is "a further o'bjectof our -invention topro- *duce antenna elements of particular construction having the reinforcing quality imparted to it by the particular contour resulting from the shapingof suitable strip =material.

Other objects, as well as advantages will be "revealed "in the detailed description oi? the accompanying drawings which constitute a part -of this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is-a foreshortened elevation of ourte'levision antenna being partly in section :and the elements are shown in a fragmentary condi- -tion.

Fig. *2 is -'a =foreshortened perspective -view of "ourcomplete antenna.

3 is a vertical transverse section comprising the head of the antenna construction.

Fig. 4' is an elevation partly in section showing the complete'antenna -head.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through *the -clamping means'for the'antenna post.

Fig. 6 is 'a plan view of the lower section of the head showing the conductor connections which lead to the receiver.

' Fig. 7is'a plan view as seenfromthe bottom -of th e upper-sectiondf the head.

section and an upper section 2.

Fig. 8 is a transverse fragmentary section showing the upper section of the head in cross section and including the fastening means for clamping together the sections of the head.

Fig. 9 discloses a plan view of a lock washer located between the upper end of the post and a portion of the lower section of the head.

Fig. :10 is a perspective view of a modification of our television antenna.

Fig. 11 is aplan view of a-portion of the collapsed antenna.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation disclosing the assembled condition of the antenna elements.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the same construction with a portion broken away to display clearly the clamping means for the movable antenna 0 element.

Fig. 14 is a transversesection on the line I ll l of Fig. 11.

15 is a fragmentary perspective view of one group of antenna elements swedged into a combined connector and socket element.

'-=Fig. *l-6 is a-perspecti-Ve view showing the cross sectional contour of the element.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the base element for securing the post in position-on .a suitable support not shown.

"Fig. 18 is a side elevation of a schematic arrangementof antenna elements as assembled and clamped into position.

Figs/19 to 27 inclusive are schematic arrangementsof a variety of antenna elements which may be selected to produce what is considered the best assemblage under the conditions existmg.

In the drawings the post l comprises a lower These sections -are preferably hollow and are telescopically secured together. The lower section is provided with internal dimensions substantiallyequal to the external dimensions of-section 2 so that these sections can be secured together with substantia lly a driving fit. The top edge of the lower section constitutes a shoulder which supports a collar 3. The'collar accurately fits the upper section 2 and rests on the lower section and is provided with apertures or equivalent means for engagement by guy wires 4. The guy wires "'4 merely serve as bracing means for maintaining -the-post in an upright position. The lower ends of the guy wires 4, not :shown, are suitably-secured to a roof construction or the like by the use of eyelets or other equivalent means.

The lower -end of the post is provided with a clamp :construction 5 having to some extent at "least {the qualitiesoi-nniversality in that it cangbe adjusted and secured to a variety of supports such as a roof, not shown, or a post 6 projecting from a roof or the like. The bracket arm of the clamp is provided with a circular aperture '5 receiving a circular plate 8 having a lateral projection 9 against which the post rests. The bracket arm and the circular plate areof substantially the same thickness so that a flanged U-shaped clamping member provided with bolts extending through the flanges and the circular member may be clamped in any desired position of angular adjustment by the use of washers on the bolts 10 which extend from the circular plate to a position engaging over the circular edge of the bracket arm. The bottom portion of the post I is received in the U-shaped clamping member and is also clamped to the bracket arm and circular plate by the same bolts ii). The base flange II is substantially at right angles to the bracket arm and is provided with apertured portions whereby it may be secured to a roof construction, not shown, or to the post or projection 6 by the use of screws or bolts I2. The clamp is also provided with a slotted portion l3 adapted to receive a clamping band It having a plurality of apertures providing for the use of a clamping bolt I5.

The particular clamping construction above described lends its self to substantially universal adjustment of the upright post i. After the post is adjusted as desired then the guy wires are secured in position while the post is maintained in its desired and adjusted position.

A head is supported on and secured to the upper end of the post section 2. The head comprises upper section i6 and lower section l1. These head sections are molded separately by using a weather resisting composition comprising a suitable plastic material having excellent dielectric properties.

The lower section I! supports a pair of metallic segments having excellent electrical conducting properties. These segments are arranged in spaced relation providing for a dowel pin projecting from the upper section 16, said pin extending into a recess of the lower section. Opposite from the recess is located a passageway for the conductor leads Hi. The upper ends of the conductor leads are suitably secured to the metallic segments by screws H3. The lower section is provided with a socket portion to receive the upper end of the post section 2. The section 2 is provided with a screw threaded element or nut swedged into position so that a securing and clamping bolt 20 extending through the upper section It may engage the fixed nut in the post section 2 in order to clamp the head parts and antenna elements together in a substantially fixed position. The bolt 26 is preferably provided with a spring cushion 2! supported on a washer 22. The metallic segments are provided with bosses 23 which extend upwardly a short distance into the channel of the antenna elements. The head section 11 is also provided with an upwardly extending boss 24 to assist in properly aligning the head sections. The lower section is also provided with a peripheral recess to accommodate depending flanges of the upper section it.

The upper section i6 is provided with spaced radial grooves 25 having recesses 26 in the bottom portions of the grooves. This section is provided with a depending dowel pin 21 which aligns properly both sections of the head and is also provided with depending flanges 281 which engage the upper recess portion of section IT. The relation of the recess and flanges is such as to facilitate the shedding of rain and the like during inclement weather and thereby prevent undesirable short circuiting of electrically conducted parts.

In order to prevent the swaying and swinging of the conductor leads I8 we have provided dielectric collars 29 surrounding the post at suitably spaced intervals. Each collar is provided with an elongated aperture in its peripheral portion through which the conductor leads I8 are reeved as clearly indicated in Fig. 2.

The antenna elements comprise channel bars 38 and 3| having laterally extending flanges 32 constituting an exceedingly strongly reinforced element and if bent accidentally lends itself to the straightening of the same. The inner end of each element is provided with a struck-up tongue 33 received in the recesses 26- of the upper section 16. When the sections I6 and I! are adjusted to a loosely assembled relation the channel elements can be inserted into the grooves 25 of upper section l6. When all of the elements are in properly assembled condition the section l6 and I! are firmly clamped together by the bolt 20.

The particular type of elements produced by us is easily produced and comprises a selection of large coils of sheet aluminum approximating 1000 pounds or thereabouts. A suitably hard grade of aluminum is selected, such as what is known in the trade as 24 ST. This coil of sheet material is slitted into portions approximately seven-eighths of an inch wide. These portions or strips are rolled into channel form including the outwardly extending outer flanges 32. The word channel as used herein is deemed to be a generic term including both a U-shaped channel and a V-shaped channel when considering its cross sectional contour. Of course, every variety of channel should have laterally extending flanges.

When this channel stock has been produced suitable lengths are severed therefrom and one end of each link is operated upon to produce a struck-up tongue 33, as clearly indicated in Fig. 8. The shorter element 3| at one side of the head is substantially the length of one-fourth of a wave.

Each of the longer elements is therefore more than one-half wave length measured linearly. Of course any other length could be selected if found desirable.

The modified construction shown in Figs. 10 to 17 inclusive discloses a plastic head 34 comprising upper and lower sections which are suitably supported and clamped to asubstantially horizontal arm 35 connected to an additional arm 35 which supports a, reflector construction 31. At the junction of the arms 35 and 36 a flanged U-clamp 38 is provided for clamping the same to the upper section 39 of the post 40. The lower end of the post 40 is provided with a channelled bracket 4| having upstanding wings 42. The wings 42 are provided with aligned apertures receiving a bolt 43 which also extends through the lower end portion of the post 40. The bracket 4! is provided in its base with suitable apertures for securing it to a support, not shown. In this connection particular attention is called to the fact that the clamping construction disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, may be substituted for the channelled bracket 4 I. It is conclusive therefore that these parts are interchangeable.

The relation of the collar construction plus its connection with guy wires is the same as that presence 5 :ldisclosed anddescribed in connection with Figs. l-and2.

The sections of the headddare made of weather resisting plastic composition having the "prop- *erties of anexcellent'dielectric. The seotionsof head 36 are located inspacedparallel relation and support socket members 4 5. members comprise flattened portions of oneend "of a tube and havingits other end tubular toreceive the antenna elements without "deforming them at the tubular end. "The flattened end-of the tube also includes'the flattened ends of the antenna elements. Each socket for the reflector elements is .provided .iniitsgfiattened portion with a pair of spaced apertures corresponding to a like pair of spaced apertures ,in theend of the arm 36 whereby the reflector may be secured by suitable-bolts to said arm 36.

The flattened portion of the socket for-the antenna elementsis provided with an arcuate open ended slot adjacent its flattened end but spaced from :an-aperture to receive a bolt t5 whereby said socket and itsantennaelement may be pivoted to place the :antenna construction in a knockdown orcollapsed condition. The lower section of the "plastichead 3 iis provided withapertures to receive bolts 46 having squared shanks --adjacent their heads. These squared shanks are adapted "toreoeive the arcuate slotted portions ofthe flat tened sockets. connections for transmission wires leading to the receiving set. Each bolt head of bolts 45 impinged directly against the slotted flattened portion of the antenna socket as will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 13 and 14 thereby providing an excellent electrical contact.

The transmission wires are secured at their upper ends respectively to the bolts 46 and the wires are reeved through stays 41 in a manner similar to that disclosed in Fig. 2.

The lower section of head 34 is provided with centering projections 48 which aids in centering the clamping band 49 which embraces the head sections and is secured directly to the arms 35 by a bolt 5!]. vided with an aperture to receive a clamping screw -5l which screw-threadedly engages the lower section of head 34.

The antenna elements 52 and 53 are swaged securely in the conical or tubular construction M and the longer elements 52 are made from the regular stock construction comprising a channel having outwardly flared flanges. The shorter elements 53 may be made of rods, tubes or the regular stock described in connection with the elements 52. The combined cone id and the flattened portions thereof of the reflector 3'! are structurally the same as that previously described in connection with the antenna elements 52 and 53.

In Figs. 18 to 27 inclusive the plastic heads used are the same as that disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Fig. 18 is known in the trade as the adjustacone. Fig. 19 is known in the trade as double W; Fig. 20 is designated as Hi-Lo; Fig. 21 is Di Pole; Fig. 22 is Hi Pole; Fig. 23 is Phased Hi-Lo; Fig. 24 is Extended V-Cone; Fig. 25 is a V-Cone; Fig. 26 is a Double Dipole; Fig. 27 is a Hi-V-Lo. The selective schematic arrangements disclosed in Figs. 18 to 27 inclusive are contemplated for use whenever found feasible.

Although we have disclosed particular arrangements of elements and features in our disclosure it is contemplated that other variations especially Each of these bolts 45 constitute The lower portion of the band is pro- These socket variations in detail may besa'dopted -and'it=is'assumed-that such variations should come 'within 'thepurview of the subject matter claimed herein.

Having fully described our antenna construction what we claim is:

l. A collapsible antenna constructiomsaidconstruction comprising apost, albase-clampior said post, a head on saidpost, a'support'ior uy Wires,

conductor segments, conductor stays and movable support surrounding and closely :fitting said upper section andresting on the upper end .and shoulder of said lower section, said-antennar-elements being secured .to and extendingradially from said head, said conductor .segments being Supported in said head and said antenna elements sing in contact at their inner ends with one segment, said conductor stays surrounding said post in spaced relation and frictionally engaging the same, said stays having apertured projections to receive conductor leads reeved therethrough.

2. A collapsible antenna construction, said construction comprising a tubular post, a base clamp for said post, a head on said post, a support for guy wires, conductor connectors in said head, conductor stays, and movable antenna elements, said post having a lower section and an upper section, said sections being telescopically fitted together, the internal transverse dimensions of said lower section being substantially equal to the corresponding external dimensions of said upper section, a portion of said upper section be-- ing received in a portion of said lower section with substantially a driving fit, whereby said sections are maintained in substantially fixed relation, the upper end of said lower section constituting a shoulder, said base clamp being adjustably secured to and tightly embracing the lower end portion of said lower section, said clamp being provided with means whereby it may be secured to an elevated structure, said guy wire support surrounding and closely fitting said upper section and resting on the upper end and shoulder of said lower section, said conductor connectors being supported in said head and said antenna elements being in electrical contact at their inner ends with said connectors, said conductor stays surrounding said post in spaced relation and frictionally engaging the same, said stays being composed of suitable dielectric material and having slotted projections to receive conductor leads reeved through the slotted projections to prevent waving and swinging of said leads.

3. The construction set forth in claim 2, in which said head comprises upper and lower dielectric sections, said sections having qualities resisting the devastating influences of the weather and composed of a suitable plastic composition, said antenna elements comprising suitable lengths of channelled strips of metallic corrosion resisting material, said strips having flanges extending laterally and outwardly from the channelled portions thereof, said head having means for supporting said antenna elements in combination with means extending through said sections for clamping said antenna supporting means therebetween.

4. The construction set forth in claim 1, in which said head comprises upper and lower dielectric hemispheres, said hemispheres having qualities resisting the devastating influences of the weather and composed of a suitable plastic composition, said antenna elements comprising suitable lengths of channelled strips of metallic corrosion resisting material, said strips having flanges extending laterally and outwardly from the channelled portions thereof, said upper hemisphere having radial grooves in its circular base portion receiving the inner end portions of said antenna elements, in combination with means to secure said hemispheres together in clamping relation on the inner ends of said antenna elements.

5. An antenna construction comprising an upright post, and horizontal arms extending therefrom, a head clamped to one end of one of said arms, a reflector attached to the outer end of said other arm, said reflector comprising antenna elements extending therefrom in radial relation to each other, said head comprising upper and lower sections arranged in spaced relation to receive supports for antenna elements, each support having antenna elements extending in radial relation therefrom, in combination with connector bolts extending through the lower section of said head and electrically engaging said antenna supports, said antenna supports being pivotally connected to said head and provided with arcuate slots whereby said antenna supports and the antennae may be pivoted to a position substantially parallel with said horizontal arms, said reflectors being detachably bolted to the end of its supporting arm.

FAUST R. GONSETT.

ROBERT R. GONSETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,339,833 Saltmarsh May 11, 1920 1,909,930 Bidder May 23, 1933 2,008,233 Walthers July 16, 1935 2,123,414 Gilmore July 12, 1938 2,237,778 Carter Apr. 18, 1941 2,299,218 Fener Oct. 20, 1942 2,465,331 Resnick Mar. 22, 1949

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