US2575254A - Universal mounting antenna clamp - Google Patents

Description

Nov. '13, 1951 M. J. BLAUGRUND 2,575,254

UNIVERSAL MOUNTING ANTENNA CLAMP Filed April 1, 1949 7 INVENTOR.

MARvm J. BLAUGRU no BY ATTORNEY.

mounted'on a horizontal surface.

Patented Nov. 13, 1951 v 1s PATENT 'aQF FIGE .Glaims.

Thls invention relates generally tor.mounting devices adapted to secureantenna' in positioman'd more particularly to a mountingdevice fori video antennae which is so' designed and constmcted as to be universally adj u'stable.

installingantennaefor =video-=recei-vers and "the like, it is oftentimes-necessary to mount'the antennae on sloping surfaces, on vertical sunfaces: 'onthe corners' of buildings or ehimneys, Fahd-"beneath overhanging'eaves. Tile -particular factors the 'primaryeonsideration "being the de- 'sirab'ility "of obtaining optimumreception.

Most-antennae are provided with a mounting: *ialate at thebase=thereof,"and thisplate-m.ay*be *pivota'lly secured to'the antennae so as to permit some angular adjustment thereof. However; it "is= my= experience that such-mountingpiates are in far too many instances "inadequate" to permit proper installation of the antennae; When faced "With "an" awkward' installation =problem;"' the instal-ler' must contrive a suitable mounting'-nsing *oddpieces of lumber'and-thelike, 'wl-iichwesirltin '?anunsightly and; often, 'fiimsy antennaer instaliation.

It is a primary object of my invention to -pro- "'vide -an'antennamountingwhich;*by s-iiitable ar- "rangementofthe' parts thereof,"cambe adiusted to any and all positionsdesiredrelatively' toithe "antennae.

' Another object of my invention is to provide-an antennae clamp of the characterdescribedfwhich is adaptable to installation on' vertical and-inblined-surfaces of the type her'etoforementioned, "asw'llas on'chimney corners.

Still another object of my inventionis to pro- "vide'anantennae clamp which consistsof' a few relativelyinexpensive easily manufacturdparts, -'which'is nonethelesssturdilyconstructed and well *"adapter" for its intended use.

Other objectsandadvantages of the-"invention willbe' apparent during the course ofthe following description.

"Inthe' accompanying-drawings? forming-apart staken on.:line6r6:of:Fig;-5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentaryacross-sectional wiew --ta1ken=xon1= line 1 of.iFig:-6.

:T-Referring' more apanticnla'rly. 'to the drawings,

1 113118 antennaezclamp comprises iour. major com- "--location'of the=-antennae is dictatedbyseveral .ponents, a" base plate .1 I a triangulanibracexl-pa :ic'la-mp: bar: 3 ,2 and a clamp-bar: extensionifl.

" -T hei'plate I isaa rectangular;.metaltpieces two P :retainers 5 -which:.over lie 'the body-ofithe-.aplate; I

and are -spaced vertically therefrom. Longit1idina1 slots ii are formed: in= theplate-I tat the ends thereof and when the ends have been be'nt iback upon themselvesa in the manner heretofore described, each slot fi definesan -aperturewhich extends through the retainer 5 and hody 01 1 th "plate" I.

' Thepl'ate I is also provided witn ai' plura'lity *of spaced-openings 'l whiemas-willmorefullyeappear'hereinafter; arerutilizedin securing theplate 3 -leg= pOrtion -B is-bent' to form a flangeportion 5 I0 whichis -s1otted== as at I I.

The flanges I0 are slidable into-the'space= between the bodyr'of plate I and the' retainers' 5 *so' that the= brace 2 may be readily assembled 535 -w'ith the*-base"=plate I or may be -quickly disassembled therefrom. 1 When thus assembled, the slots I I in the'='flanges III intersector traversethe i slots 6 in the base plate I so as to per-mit 'iasten- -ing means-such as screws-I2 to -bG.-p3;SSBd there- The legs-8 are also? provided with spaced-"open- :ings i=3 for a=purpcseto be hereinafter described. -:At the juncture I110f the legs 8 is: secured; asv-by welding a clamping sleeve- Id-qhavingza open- "oi-this" specification, and" in- -whi'ch like numerals 5 1 sided cylindrical =-b0dy :portion 1 5 and-tsub'stanaare employe'd" to designate like partsithrougholit athe-same,

Fig; 1 is anelevation view-of -an---an-tennae= clamp "embodying" the fextures'dfmy i-nvention 'as itap- "iltiallyparallel ear portions 1 6"-whi'ch:=-p1foiect outwardly from the body I5. The cars lfi are pro- -vided with' aalignedfiopenings- :which permit b'o1ts IT to bepassed through the ears and beretained pears whemmounted-onawindow *ledge'-0if-the J thereon-by nuts I 8." -The niit and-bolt: can be-malike','beneath-an' overhang.

" Fig;"2"is' another-view in ieleva tion showin'g me *antennae" clamp mounted on an inclined surface. "Tiers is'a top p'lan wiew of the=antenna clamp nipulated-to draw the ears 15*130W8id ea'ch' 'o 'ther and-thus to constriet'thesleev e M- and cause it to -frictionally 5* grip or clampa" cylindrica -member "lyi-ng the1'ein. *The sleeve body l5r has siimcient initial size when the tension effected by the bolts I1 and nuts I8 is relieved.

The clampin sleeve I4 is adapted to receive either the clamp bar 3 or the clamp bar exten-- sion 4, interchangeably, the only distinction between the members being that the extension 4 is of greater overall length than the bar 3. Depending upon the particular conditions encountered in the installation of, the antennae, one or the other of these members may be secured to the brace 2, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The clamp bar 3 consists of a short length of tubing forming a body I9 to one end of which is secured as by welding a clamping sleeve 28,

identical in all respects to the clamping sleeve I4 previously described. The sleeve 20 is so 4 sleeve I4 being parallel to the mounting surface.

The clamping bar 3 is now secured to the brace 2 with the axis of the clamping sleeve lying in a horizontal plane, but normal to the axis of the sleeve I4.

The extension bar 4 is then secured to the bar 3 with the axis of its clamping sleeve 22 extending vertically, permitting the antennae to besecured thereto. I g

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated thev manner of mounting on a horizontal surface, the assemblage of parts being the same as those of the mounting shown in Fig. 2. It will be apparent, that mounted that its longitudinal axis is normal to I g the longitudinal axis of the tubular body I9.

The clamp bar extension 4 consists of a length of tubing forming a body 2I which "is longer than the body I9 of the bar 3. To one end of the body 2I is secured, as by welding, a clamping sleeve 22 which is identical in all respects to the sleeves I4 and 20. The sleeve 22 is mounted so that its longitudinal axis is normal to the axis of the tubular body 2i In order to satisfactorily accommodate antennae shafts which may be of smaller diameter than is customarily encountered, I also provide an adapter 23 which is shown in Fig. 3. The adapter is an open-sided cylindrical sleeve which has an external diameter of slightly smaller dimension than the internal diameter of the clamping sleeves 20 or 22. It nests loosely in either of the clamping sleeves and is constricted in response to constricting movement of the sleeve body I 5.

I will now describe the manner of use of my universal mounting antennae clamp.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated an antennae installation on a dormer ledge in which it is necessary that the antennae T be located far enough away from the ledge to clear the overhang. In

utilizing the antenna clamp, the base plate I is first secured to the ledge by the screws I2, the plate extending longitudinally in a direction corresponding to the width of the ledge.

The brace 2 is then assembled to the plate I, the retainers 5 thus overlying the flanges I Q of the brace. Screws I2 are then passed through the slots 6 and I I and serve to secure the assembled components to the ledge.

As it is desired to locate the antennae T away .from the wall, the long clamp extension bar 4 is placed in the clamping sleeve I4 of the brace 2 and secured therein by tightening the screws II, the bar 4 being first rotated so that the axis of the clamping sleeve 22 is horizontal. The clamping bar 3 is then placed in the clamping sleeve 22 and is rotated until the axis of the clamping sleeve 20 is vertical. The clamping sleeve 22 is then constricted by means of the screws I! to grip the body I9 of the bar 3. The antennae T can then be positioned vertically in the clamping sleeve 20 and secured by tightening the screws I1.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated an antennae installation involving the same conditions as those shown in Fig. 1, except that in this instance, the surface on which the base plate I is mounted is not of sufficient width to permit a laterally extending mounting. It is therefore required thatthe plate I and the brace 2 be mounted in the, manner shown, the axis of the clamping this same assemblage of parts is easily adaptable to an installation on a vertical surface, it being necessary only to rotate the clamping bar 3 to a'position removed from that shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a very practical application of my universal mounting antennae clamp which evidences its adaptability to various conditions encountered by installers. In this instance, a chimney has been selected as the best place for mounting the antennae. In this installation, the base plate I is not used, the brace 2 being secured directly to the corner of the chimney by the screws I2 which pass through the openings I3 provided in the legs 8 of the brace.

If additional security of mounting is desired, a strap S may be looped through the slots II in the flanges In of the brace 2 and drawn tightly in encirclement about the chimney. In some instances it is necessary to use only the screws I2 to secure the brace 2 to the chimney, however, in other cases, it is not feasible to use the screws and reliance must be had solely on the strap.

This form of mounting may obviously be utilized with equal facility on the corner of a building or the like.

The, antennae may, in this instance, be secured directly in the clamping sleeve I4, or if preferred, any combination of one or both of the bars 3 and 4 may be used in the manner heretofore described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that my invention possesses great versatility in being adaptable to a great variety of antennae installations. It will be noted that the clamp bar 3 and the extension bar 4 are each rotatable about their own longitudinal axes as well as being slidable longitudinally in the clamp ing sleeves in which they are to be secured. Thus' the antennaclamp is adjustable both for length and for direction.

In will also be noted that my universal mounting antennae clamp consists of a reltively few inexpensive easily manufactured parts which lend themselves readily to quantity production. In this connection, it will be apparent that the clamp I have described need not be made exactly in the manner illustrated. For example, it is entirely feasible to make the brace 2 out of two pieces, each forming one leg 8 and one-half poi,- tion of the clamping sleeve I4, the legs being suitably joined or secured at the apex point 9 as by screws or welding. Other manufacturing economies of a similar nature may likewise suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in'the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like, comprising a member adapted for attachment to a mounting surface, a clamping sleeve provided on said member, a clamping bar rotatably mounted in said clamping sleeve and axially slidable therein, and a clamping sleeve integrated with said clamping bar, said second-named clamping sleeve being disposed in a position normal to the position of said first-named clamping sleeve.

2. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like, comprising a member adapted for attachment to a mounting surface, a clamping sleeve provided on said member, a clamping bar receivable in said clamping sleeve and secureable therein, said clamping bar being axially slidable and rotatable in said clamping sleeve prior to the clamping thereof, and a second clamping sleeve integrated with said clamping bar for frictionally gripping an antennae mast, said second clamping sleeve having a longitudinal axis which lies normal to the longiturinal axis of said first-named clamping sleeve.

3. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like, comprising a member adapted for attachment to a mounting surface, a clamping sleeve on said member, a clamping bar rotatably mounted in said clamping sleeve, and axially slidable therein, a second clamping sleeve provided on said clamping bar, a clamping bar extension rotatably mounted in said second clamping sleeve and axially slidable therein, and a third clamping sleeve provided on said clamp bar extension for frictionally gripping an antennae mast.

4. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like, comprising a member adapted for attachment to a mounting surface, a clamping sleeve provided on said member, a clamping bar rotatably mounted in said clamping sleeve and axially movable therein, a second clamping sleeve provided on said clamping bar, a clamping bar extension rotatably mounted in said second clamping sleeve and axially movable therein, and a third clamping sleeve provided on said clamping bar extension, said second clamping sleeve having its longitudinal axis disposed in a position normal to the longitudinal axis of said first-named clamping sleeve, and said third clamping sleeve having its longitudnal axis disposed in a position normal to the longitudinal axis of said second clamping sleeve.

5. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like,

comprising a brace member having two leg portions disposed angularly each to the other, said leg portions having a common juncture point, an outwardly extending flange provided on the terminus of each of said leg portions in co-planar relationship each to the other, said flanges being apertured to permit the passage of securing means therethrough, and a clamping sleeve provlded at said juncture point of said brace member for frictionally gripping an antennae mast.

6. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like, comprising a brace member having two leg portions disposed angularly each to the other, a flange provided on the terminusof each of said leg portions in coplanar relationship, a clamping sleeve surmounting said leg portions, and a base plate adapted for attachment to a mounting surface, said base plate having retainer portions formed thereon which overlie said flanges when said'brace member is assembled with said base plate.

7. A mounting clamp, as defined in claim 6, in which said flanges are provided with apertures which are aligned with apertures in said base plate to permit the passage of securing means therethrough.

8. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like, comprising a brace member having two leg portions disposed angularly each to the other, a flange provided on the terminus of each of said leg portions in coplanar relationship, a clamping sleeve surmounting said leg portions, a clamp bar receivable in said clamping sleeve, and a second clamping sleeve provided on said clamp bar, said second clamping sleeve having its longitudinal axis disposed in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said first-named clamping sleeve.

9. A mounting clamp for antennae or the like, comprising a brace member having two leg portions disposed angularly each to the other, a flange provided at the terminus of each of said leg portions in coplanar relationship, a clamping sleeve surmounting said leg portions, a clamp bar receivable in said clamping sleeve, a second clamping sleeve provided on said clamp bar, a clamp bar extension reeivable in said second clamping sleeve, and a third clamping sleeve provided on said clamp bar extension whereby to frictionally grip an antennae mast, said second clamping sleeve being disposed in a plane normal to the plane of said first-named clamping sleeve, and said third clamping sleeve being disposed in a plane normal to the plane of said second clamping sleeve.

MARVIN J. BLAUGRUND.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,501,998 Hanford July 22, 1924 1,590,203 Olssen et al June 29, 1926 1,693,298 Ingham Nov. 27, 1928 1,745,695 Hunter Feb. 4, 1931 2,439,061 Shur Apr. 6, 1948 2,482,575 Cohn Sept. 20, 1949

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