US2872678A - Combined geographical globe and antenna structure - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 3,1959 .1. J. BRAUND 2,872,573

COMBINED GEOGRAPHICAL GLOBE AND ANTENNA STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 31, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY BY 6. a. 912m 1959 J. J. BRAUND 2,872,678

COMBINED GEOGRAPHICAL GLOBE AND ANTENNA STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 31, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR John J. Brau nd ATTORNEY United States, PatChtQ COMBINED GEOGRAPHICAL GLOBE AND ANTENNA STRUCTURE John J. Braund, Washington, D. C. Application August 31,1956, Serial No. 607,405 I 9' Claims. (Cl. 343-720) j The present invention relates to antenna structure particularly for use with television receivers. A primary object of the invention is to-provide a television antenna of the indoor type which :willpossess the major advantages of expensive adjustable or rotary types of outdoor antennas, but which is simplified in construction and highly inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide .an indoor television antenna mounted for universal adjustment relative to the incoming signal in a highly novel and convenient manner.

Another object is to provide an antenna which is mounted within and concealed by a hollow'spherical globe, which may be a geographical globe, the globe being removably mounted upon a simplified stand or base adapted to support the globe and antenna in'any adjusted position.

Another object is to provide a combined geographical globe and television antenna which may be fully utilized :35 antenna and rendering the same adjustable in all' direc as a globe for educational purposes, "or the like, the construction forming anideal mounting for the concealed tions, the combination forming a highly attractive and ornamental accessory for the interior of the house.

Another object is to provide a combined'antenna and geographical globe, wherein the geographical indicia on the globe may be utilized in conjunction with a plug-in connection of the globe to enable the user of the device to know at a glance the position or orientation of the antenna structure concealed within the globe.

Another object is to provide highly simplified and efficient radio Wave antenna structure for .userwithin a geographical globe, and including novel and simplified: mechanical means for mounting the antenna structure Figures 1, 2 and 3 are side elevational views, partly diagrammatic, on a greatly reduced scale, showing the.

combined antenna and globe of the present invention in several different adjusted positions.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the antenna and globe as-positioned in Figure 3 with the top half of the globe removed. v Figure 5 is a similar view taken at right angles or normal to the diametrical plane through the globe and antenna where the two globe sections are joined.

Figure 6 is an enlarged central horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of FigureS, partly broken away;

Figure 7- is a side elevational view of the antenna structure bodily removed from'the globe and support- 2,372,578 Patented Feb. 3, 1.

ice

ing rod and showing particularly the wiring of the antenna.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section of a screw-threaded tubular member employed to mount the antenna structure bodily within the geographical globe.

Figure 9 is a perspective view, partly diagrammatic, of the mechanical mounting or supporting means for the antenna structure within the globe and showing a plugin arrangement, main electrical terminals and associated elements for the anntenna cable which leads to the tele vision receiver, the remainder of the antennastructure being omitted for the purpose of simplification and the globe being partly broken away.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary exploded elevational view, partly in section, of the antenna cable plugs and plug jacks or sockets, and associated elements.

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a slightly modilied form of antenna structure for use within the globe.

Referring to the drawings, with particular attention to Figures 1 to 10 inclusive, the numeral 15 designates generaJy a hollow geographical globe, preferably formed of cardboard or paper, and comprising a pair of companion hemispherical globe sections 16 and 17 having meeting circumferential edges 18, representing the equator when the globe 15 is assembled. The globe 15 contains upon its outer surface the usual geographical indicia or maps 19, applied thereto by any conventional means and oriented properly and accurately with respect to the equator 18 and to north and south pole designating elements or nuts '20 and 21 to be described.

The assembled globe and antenna of Figures 1 m3 is removably cradled or mounted upon a base or stand 22, conveniently constructed from a pair of crossed and interconnected slotted plates 23 having their top edges circularly curved to conform to the exterior curvature of.

the spherical globe 15. The plates 23 are identical in construction, and may be conveniently formed from wood, plastic or the like. In assembly, the plates 23 extend at right angles to each other and provide at their tops a spherical recess or seat for the globe 15. The plates 23 of base 22 are readily separable for convenience in packaging or shipment. The globe 15 containing the antenna structure rests bodily upon the base 22, which forms the sole support for the globe and antenna. The globe is readily removable from the base 22 as when being utilized as a geographical globe, and while seated upon the base 22, the globe and antenna are universally adjustable or shiftable so that the antenna structurecan be given any desired positioning relative to an incoming signal or signals. The base 22 thus forms what might be termed a universal cradle or rest for the globe 15 and associated elements, whereby the globe may be turned or swiveled in the manner of a ball Within a spherical socket.

' The antenna structure of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 24, and simplified means are provided for mounting the antenna structure 24 bodily within the globe 15. Such means comprises an elongated tubular rod 25, preferably screw-threaded externally throughout its entire length. A rectangular mounting plate 26 of electrical insulating material, such as fibre board or the like, has a central opening receiving the rod 25, and the mounting plate 26 is positioned at or near the longitudinal center of the rod and clamped in such position by a pair of clamping nuts 27, mounted upon the screw-threaded rod 25 on opposite'sides of the mounting plate. The antenna structure 24 to be described is carried by the mounting plate 26 and screw-threaded rod 25, these elements being clearly shown alone in Figure 9.

-One end of the screw-threaded rod 25 receives a first "nut 28, which may be a hexagon nut, and outwardly of this nut a fiat washer 29 is placed over the rod 25. The

'2 u end of the rod is received by a central opening 30 formed through the hemispherical globe section 17 at the location of the south pole. A preferably round nut 21, previously referred to as the south pole designating element of the assembled device, is applied to the end of the. rod" 25, exteriorly of the globe section 17. The globe SCCtlOIl" clamping nut 20 outwardly of the globe section 16, Figure.

6. In assembly, the rod 25 and the elements carried thereby are first secured to the globe section 17 in the above described manner, and the meeting edges 18 of the globe sections may have glue applied thereto, and the globe section 16 is then applied over the rod 25 until the edges 18 abutt or contact. The nut 20 is then applied to the end of the rod 25 and tightened, and the two globe sections are securely clamped together while the glue is drying to complete the assembly. The nut 20 has been previously referred to as being the north pole designating element of the completed device, Figure 2.

The antenna structure 24 carried by the insulating mounting plate 26 comprises four angularly equidistantly spaced radiating arms 33 of wood, plastic or other suitable electrical insulating material. The arms 33 are spaced ninety degrees apart as best shown in Figure 7 and are rigidly secured to the bottom of the plate 26 by means of screws 34 or the like. The outer ends of the arms 33 extend somewhat beyond the edges of the mounting plate 26, and their inner ends are spaced radially somewhat from the rod 25, as shown. A radio wave receiving or antenna element 35 is carried by the outer end ofeach insulating arm 33, and the several elements 35 are identical. Each element 35 is formed of sheet metal and embodies a central fiat disc portion 36, secured directly to the end of the associated arm 33 by means of a screw 37 or the like. Each antenna element 35 further comprises a plurality of circumferentially equidistantly spaced radial extensions or elements 38, integral with the central disc portion 36 and surrounding the same and symmetrically disposed with respect thereto. The elements 38 are arranged at inclined angles to the disc portion 36, and the elements 38 diverge outwardly from the supporting arm 33, as shown. The extensions or elements 38 also diverge from the axis of the rod 25 as shown in Figure 6. The included angle between any diametrically opposed pair of the elements 38 is an obtuse angle, considerably greater than ninety degrees. The extremities of the radial elements 38 may be inwardly curled as indicated at 39, and this curled construction may be omitted if desired. In the embodiment shown, each antenna element 35 has six of the extensions 38, and this arrangement has been found to be highly satisfactory when used with television receivers. However, the number of the extensions 38, their spacing, length and angle of divergence may be altered somewhat as found desirable. The arrangement is such that the antenna elements 35 are arranged within the globe 15, centrally thereof, in diametrically opposed pairs, and the elements 35 of each pair are in spaced back-to-back relation, with their extensions 38 fanning outwardly from the disc portions 36. The several antenna elements 35 constitute a quadrant antenna, capable of receiving or picking up a signal from any direction on the compass, and the elements 35 Work in conjunction to strengthen the incoming signal, regardless of the direction or quadrant from which it originates. It might be mentioned here that while it is not entirely understood how the particular antenna structure functions in a technical sense, to produce the desired results, still it ras been found in actual practice that the particular antenna, when used in conjunction with various television receivers, in quite a number of different localities, gave 1 upon the globe section 17 and spaced from the corresponding side of the rod 25 in general alignment with the ter minals A and B, Figures 4, 6 and 9. Jumper wires 41 serve to electrically connect the socket elements 46 with the terminals A and B inside of the globe, as shown. The socket elements 40 are rigidly secured to an insulating mounting strip 42, rigidly secured to the inner face of the globe section 17, and the socket elements 40 are preferably fiush with the outer surface of the globe. The main antenna cable 43 leading to the television receiver, not shown, has a pair of prong or plug elements 44 insertable within the tubular socket elements 40 and readily detachable therefrom, Figure 10. The elements 40 and 44 in assembly and the terminals A and B are spaced from the..same side of the rod 25, as shown, and the rod 25 forms the di'ametrical axis of the globe between its north and south poles. The antenna structure is preferably pro- 'vided with a conventional impedance balance coil 45,

having one end electrically connected with one socket element 40, Figure 6, and its opposite end electrically connected at 46 with the metal rod 25. The coil 45 may be omitted, if desired.

Thewiring between the several antenna elements 35 and the main terminals A and B is disposed upon the lower side of the mounting plate 26 having the arms 33, as best shown in Figure 7. Each antenna element 35 has a pair of terminals 47, as indicated, and as viewed in Figure 7, one. terminal 47 of the uppermost element 35 is connected with the terminal A by a wire 48. Moving clockwise, in Figure 7, the corresponding terminal of the next element 35 is connected with the main terminal B by means of a Wire 49. The corresponding terminal 47 of the next antenna element 35, moving in the clockwise direction, is connected with the main terminal A by a wire 50 and the corresponding terminal 47 of the final element 35 is connected with the terminal B by a wire 51. The other terminals 47 of the respective elements 35, beginning with the uppermost element 35, are alternately connected with the terminals B and A by wires 52, 53, 54 and 55, Figure 7. The arrangement is such that the terminals 47 of diametrically opposed elements 35 are electrically connected with each other, through the main terminals A, Figure 7. The terminals 47 of the uppermost element 35, Figure 7, are connected with the terminals 47 of the lowermost element by the pairs of wires 48 and 50 and 52 and 54, which are respectively connected with the terminals A and B, beneath the plate 26. correspondingly, the terminals 47 of the other pair of elements 35 are electrically connected through the terminals A and B by the pairs of wires 53 and 55 and 49 and 51. The wiring arrangement shown particularly in Figure 7 is substantially the same as the wiring arrangement between the several terminals 25 and 26 in Figure 6 of the drawings of my co-pending application Serial Number 561,254, filed J an. 25, 19 56 for Antenna.

It may now be seen that through the medium of the wiring shown in Figure 7, the terminals A and B and the jumper wires 41, that the several antenna elements .35 are allv interconnected electrically with each other and with the terminals A and B and with the antenna cable 43 leading to the television receiver.

I Operation In use, generally speaking, the plugs 44 and cable 43 are disconnected from the sockets 40 when it is desired touse the geographical globe 15 as such. The globe .may' then be picked up and turned in the hand as desired, or turned or swiveled" to the desired position while resting upon the base 22. The globe is universally adjustable with respect to the base because it is free from attachment thereto and merely rests in the spherical seat aiforded by the base.

When used as an antenna, the plugs 44 are inserted in the socket elements 40, and again, generally speaking,

the globe 15 is adjusted or swiveled upon the base 22 or orientation of the antenna structure 24, even though the same is concealed inside of the glove 15.- This is true because the instructions which will accompany the device will teach the relationship previously described between the visible socket elements 40, the terminals A and B and the antenna arms 33. Also, the user can readily memorize the relationship of the plugs 44 or socket elements with respect to the south pole 21 and with respect to the geographical indicia 19' on the globe. Hence, the user should never be at a loss toknown or visualize just how the antenna structure 24 is positioned within the globe 15 for any given position of the latter.

Once the globe antenna is properly adjusted or tuned to a given channel, it should ordinarily not be necessary to reposition 'the assembly for any change in channels, although this may not always be true under some conditions and slight readjustment of the globe may be necessary.

The general procedure to be followed for setting or tuning the antenna is as follows. The globe 15 is placed upon the cradle 22 with the north pole 20 arranged upper most and the western hemisphere portion of the indicia 19 arranged forwardmost, Figure l. The globe is now turned in the cradle 22 slightly toward the front until the equator line 18 is in approximately the position shown in Figure 1. This places the south pole 21, not shown in Figure 1, somewhat rearwardly of the base 22 and the socket elements 40 for the plugs 44 directly above the south pole;

The globe 15 is now turned clockwise upon the base 22 for approximately sixty-five degrees, moving the north pole 20 to the position shown in Figure 2. When this adjustment is made, the north and south poles 20 and 21 should be maintained in substantially the same vertical plane as shown in Figure 1.

The plugs 44 are now inserted into the socket elements 40 while the device is positioned as in Figure 2. One plug 44- is directly above the other plug, and both plugs are above the south pole 21. The globe 15 is then moved inv the-cradle until the top plug 44is to the rear of the lower plug and slightly above it, and car should 'be taken not to change the angle of the equator line 18 when making this setting. The user should now note the position of the north and south poles, equator, Western hemisphere and cradle 22.

The cradle or base 22 is now turned clockwise somewhat as viewed from the top, Figures 1 to 3, until it is positioned as in Figure 3. In some localities, it may be desirable to turn the cradle 22 horizontally in the opposite direction, at this time, to achieve the desired television reception. In most locations, however, the final setting of the antenna as shown in Figure 3 will be ideal, inasmuch as it places the antenna structure 24 in the best receiving position.

While the above operational procedure is based upon the results of testing with an actual full size antenna, still it is desired not to limit the invention to any particular sequence of operational or adjusting steps, and it has 6 already been stated that the antenna is capable due to its mounting within the spherical globe of being universally adjusted to substantially any desired position, and the user will obviously adjust the device in the manner found most desirable in the particular locality or with the particular television receiver.

In Figure 11, there is shown a slight modification of the antenna structure 24 illustrated in Figure 7. In Figure'll, each arm 33 carries a superposed pair of the antenna elements 35, as shown, there being a suitable insulating spacer element 33' arranged between the elements 35 of eachpair. Otherwise, the mechanical constructionin Figure 11 is identical in all respects with the corresponding construction shown and described in connection with Figures 1 to 10 inclusive. With regard to the wiring in Figure 11, it is identical with the wiring in Figure 7, except that for each, superposed pair of antenna elements 35, one of the terminals 47' is positioned on one element 35 and the other terminal 47' is positioned upon the other element 35 of the pair. The respective wires connecting the main terminals A and B with the several antenna elements 35 are arranged in Figure 11 in substantially the identical manner shown in Figure 7 in connection with the corresponding wires, and a further description is believed to be unnecessary. If desired, further or additional pairs of antenna elements 35 may be added'in superposed relation to the ends of the arms 33 in the manner shown in Figure 11, with the use of additional spacers 33, in the manner shown. If such additional pairs of elements 35 are employed in the antenna structure, the additional terminals 47 and the respective Wires connected therewith will alternate or be staggered in the manner shown in Figure 11 with respect to the added elements 35. For example, if another pair of elements 35 were added at the right hand side of the structure in Figure 11, the wire 49 would jump or bypass the present outermost element 35 and be connected with the next added element 35. The wire 53 would jump or bypass the next added element 35 and would be electrically connected at 47 to a second added element 35. This scheme would be followed with respect to the other three sets or groups of elements 35 if additional elements are used.

The operation or use of the antenna structure in Figure 11 is substantially identical to that described above in connection with the first form of the invention.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. In combination, a hollow substantially spherical globe, a substantially spherically curved cradle for said globe and rendering it adjustable in all directions, a rodlike member secured to the globe and extending diametrically therethrough, an insulating supporting plate secured to the rod-like member near its longitudinal center, a plurality of antenna elements carried by said sup porting plate inside of said globe, wiring interconnecting the antenna elements, and an antenna. cable associated with the globe and electrically connected with the antenna elements and wiring.

2. A device of the character described comprising a hollow substantially spherical globe formed from a pair of companion substantially hemispherical globe sections having meeting circumferential edges adapted to be glued together, a screw-threaded rod extending diametrically of the companion globe sections substantially normal to a plane through their meeting edges, each globe section having a central opening receiving end portions of 'the rod, nut means carried by the end portions of the screwthreaded rod and engaging the globe sections for securing them to the rod and clamping their meeting edges in abutting engagement, radio wave antenna sructure bodily mounted upon said rod withinthe globe, and .a supporting base for the globe having a substantially spherical seat receiving the globe so .thatgtheglobeis readilyadjustable circumferentially. in all directions. for properly orienting said antenna structure to receive the incomingv radio signal.

3. A television antennacomprising a supporting member, a plurality of .arms securedto thesupportingmemher and radiating .therefrom,zan. antennaelement secured to the outer-end. of. each-arm .and having a central disc-like portion and a plurality of. radial extensions projecting from the disc-.like:portion,.a ,pairof anainterminals carried 'by the supporting .membenwiring interconnecting the antennaelements and .main terminals, .a substantially spherical globe connected with the supporting member and substantially completely closing and concealing from view alLof said,arm s, antenna elements and wiring, and a supportingrbase for the, globe ,having a spherically curved seatupon which ,the.globe is freely slidable for adjustment,circumferentially. inall directions.

4. An antenna device comprising-a hollow Substantially spherical globe having socket means to receive theplug elements of an antenna cable, a substantially .diametrical supporting member .connected with the globe,..antenna structure bodily mounted upon .saidqsupporting. member within thelglobeand .having a pair :ofmain terminals, and wiring connecting the main terminals and socket means of the globe so that the antenna cable when plugged into the globe will be electrically .connected with the antenna structure, said globe being universally adjustable with the antenna structure.

5. A television antenna comprising a geographical globe having geographical-indicia visible upon its outer surface, a supporting rod extending diametrically of said globe and having its endssecured to the globe and defining the north and south poles of the geographical globe, socket means carried by the globe and oriented with respect to said supporting rod and geographical indicia and adapted to receive the plug-in means of an antenna cable, antenna structure carried by the supporting rod within the globe and concealed by the globe, the antenna structure including a pair of main terminals having a known orientation with respect to said socket means and to certain parts of the antenna structure, and a supporting base for the globe upon which the globe is turnable in all directions for orienting the antenna structure properly with respect to the incoming radio signal, the arrangement being such that the user of the television antenna is aided in adjusting the same by said orientations.

6. Antenna structure comprising a supporting member, an insulating plate secured to the supporting member near its longitudinal center and arranged substantially at right angles thereto and adjustable lengthwise thereof and having an opening receiving the supporting member, opposed pairs of arms secured to one side of said plate and extending generally radially thereof and of the supporting'member, disc-like metallic antenna elements secured to theouter ends of said arms and including in- 'clinedfdiverging-circumferentially spaced radial projections ofsconsiderable.lengths, .each .disc-like element havinga painofterminals apair .ofmain terminals carried by said insulating'plate, wiring interconnecting the terminals of thedisc-like elememsand .thexnain terminals and disposed upon=one Side of 'said insulating plate, jumper wires connected with the mainzterminals upon the other side of said,plate,..alhollow globe connected with the supporting member andsubstanti'ally enclosing it and the elements carried Tthereby,.socket means secured to the hollow globe and adapte'difor connection with the plug-in means of an antenna cable and electrically connected ith saidjjumper,kwliressupon the interior of said globe, and-a suppo'r'tin'gIbase'for the globev slidably engaging the latter and upon whichfthe' globe is universally turnable for the purpose of properly orienting the antenna elements'with respectytolthe incoming radio signal.

,7. :Antenna structure according to claim 6 wherein said socket means of'the globe is substantially flush with the. externalsurface. of the globe.

.8. An antenna for television receivers and the like comprising a hollow geographical globe, a rod extending diametrically through '3 said globe and secured near its ends to'the walLo'f -the globe, mounting means secured to said rod near 'its"longitudinal'center and within the globe, antenna structure carried by said 'mountingmeans within the globe and'adapted for connection with a television receiver, and a supporting base for the globe having a seat formed to the contour of the globe and slidably engaging the globe so that the latter is universally adjustable circumferentially upon said seat, the globe being readily liftable from the supportingbase for study as a geographical globe, the globe being adjusted in the desireddirections While resting upon said base for orienting the antenna structure with respect to the incoming radio signal.

9. An antenna device comprising a substantially spherical globe having an internal chamber, a spherically, recessed supporting basefor the globe and slidably engaging the globe so that the latter is universally adjustable circumferentially upon the supporting base, connector means secured to the wall of said globe outside of the supporting base and free of connection therewith and adapted for electrical connection with the terminals of. an antenna cable, an antenna structure fixedly mounted within the interior chamber of the globe and being electrically connected with said connector means upon the wall of the globe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 90,586 Loewy Aug. 29, 1933 D. 100,697 Himmel Aug. 4, 1936 1,615,755 Graue Jan. 25, 1927 2,814,038 Miller Nov. 19, 1957 2,546,764 McHose Mar. 27, 1951

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