US2930038A - Antenna mounting - Google Patents

Description

Mach 22, 1960 J, HOELLERlCH EI'AL 2,930,038

ANTENNA MOUNTING Filed Jan. 3, 1956 lng Rdf f 76 l .By' 4 Afro/wn United States Patent() z,9so,oss ANTENNA MOUNTING yJohn Hoellerich, Wilmette, George J. Reichl, Des Plaines, and William H. Summerer, Park Ridge, lli., assignors to Admiral Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware t Application January 3, 1956, Serial No. 557,059 14 Claims. (Cl. 343-702) This invention relates to radio receiving apparatus and particularly to an improved antenna mounting for a portable radio receiver. Y

As is well known to those versed in the art the use of antennas in the cabinets which antennas arerof the socalled lixed loop type has certain disadvantages among which is the fact that they are directional, making it necessary to orient the receivers in proper relation to the station for best reception of the station. Radio receivers having loop antennas pivotally mounted externally of their cabinets are also known. Usually the mounting on the exterior of the cabinets is of a permanent nature and is undesirable from the standpoint of appearance and portability.

Due to the present invention, it is now possible to provide an aterma in connection with a small, domestic radio receiver which does not call for arranging the entire receiver in accordance withthe direction of the signal and does not present superuous or undesirable antenna structure to view when the radio receiver is inuse. It may also be quickly and easily stored in a concealed position when desired.

Briey, the novel radio apparatus involves a cabinet having a top wall formed with a pocket for receiving an antenna assembly. A support structure is arranged to receive a shaft which is movable axially and angularly in the support and which at its upper end carries an antenna. A latch mechanism is provided, being arranged to cooperate with the shaft for securing the assembly, against spring pressure, in a downward position in the pocket wherein the top of the assembly is substantially flush with the external surface of the top wall. The antenna may till the pocket. The latch is arranged to be operated manually from the exterior of the cabinet to release the antenna assembly for movement to an extended position above the level of the top wall at which position the assembly may be swung about the axis of the shaft substantially 360 enabling it to be positioned at a point Where it may best receive a selected broadcast program. When operation of the apparatus is discontinued the antanna is turned until it is in registration with the opening and pushed down into the pocket where latched cooperation between the shaft and latch mechanism is automatically restored to hold it in the pocket.

An additional feature of the invention includes the means that is provided for preventing breakage of the usual exible conductors extending from the antenna to the chassis. T his involves eccentricity of the shaft relative -to the center of the antenna and eccentricity of bearing in which the shaft is journalled so that one of the portionstof a handle, above the opening, or a boss at the end of the opening, acts as a stop for the antenna, one of the arms thereof on one side of the shaft being longer than the arm on the other side of the shaft consequently engageable with the handle.

The construction of and manner of operation of the apparatus, as well as certain advantages due to the construction, will become apparent from the following dece t Patented Maa-'22, 1960 scription of an embodiment thereof, the description being illustrated by the accompanying drawings and forming a Fig. 4 is` a horizontahsection taken on line 4-4 of` Fig.3. V s

In the drawings'there is illustrated the upper part of a domestic radio receiving apparatus which comprises a 'g .cabinet indicated in its entirety by the reference char-,

acter 2. It is preferably `made of some suitable injection molded plastic material such as lpolystyrene and includes sidewalls 3, end walls 4 and arectangular top wall 6.

It also includes 1a handle .7 of inverted U-shape which has a grip portion 8 from the ends of which vertical por-V tions 9 extend down to the top wall 6 to which they 'are fixed at either end, thereof. The handle portion 8 is therefore in spaced` relationto the top wall so that an antenna or `antenna assembly h11 may be pivotally supported in the space between-the top wall and portion 8 by means later to be described.

The antenna assembly 11 comprises an elongated sup-y port plate 12, Fig. 3, and a cover 13 of generally U- shaped crosslsection. Both cover and plate are also of some suitable insulating material. Preferably the cover 13 is undercut at 14 to receive the edges of the plate 12 to which the cover is l'ixed. The plate and cover thus provide a cavity 16 within which is housed antenna means including a ferrite rod or core 17 on which is wound a multiplicity of turns ofwire 18.

The top wall 6` is formed with an opening 419v therein to receive the assembly 11 by which the opening is substantially closed when the antenna is in a retracted posi- When in this position the assembly is contained in a pocket 21 denedtion whichit occupies when not in use.

by sidewalls 22 extending downward from the edges of the opening 19 to an integral bottom wall 23, spaced slightly from the platcr12.

From the position within the pocket 21, the assembly l 11 is movable upward to anextended or operating posi-y tion above the levelof the top. wall 6 (Fig. 3). Between these positions the assembly is guided by a bearing 24 on the lower side of the wall 23 and a composite shaft 26 extending normal to the plate 12. structurally, the shaft 26 includes a tubular member 27 of non-conductive rnaterial, having a bore 2S, and a metal tubular member 28 in which the member 27 is lixed. A pair of flexible conc ductors 29 continuing from the respective ends of the antenna wire extend down through the bore 25 and is connected to the chassis, not shown, within the cabinet. The member 27 thus serves to better insulate the leads from the memberV 28 while the latter adds to the rigidity and strength of the shaft 26. The metal portion 28 of the i shaft is journalled in the bearing 24 for both axial and -rotary motion so that once .the antenna assembly has been moved to its extended position, by sliding the shaft axially of the bearing, the antenna may be swung about its axis.

Theantenna assembly 11 is .biased toward its operatingl position by a compression spring 31 coiled about the shaft 26 and confined between the plate 12 `and bottom wall 23. `To anchor the antenna tothe cabinet andl still perv mit rotation thereof, the. member- 27 bearsa C-washer 35 fixed at ,a point thereon immediately below th member 28 so that as the spring 31 moves themantenna upward thefwashen SSengagesthefbearing 24 to-prevent movement ofthe antenna beyond `its extended position.

The antenna is releasably retained in its lower position in the pocket by a latch mechanism. The latter is arranged to.` cooperateewiththeshaftf26'fand includes-a horizontal'slider 32 of metalotiuniformwidth.and of less thickness than the depth of a channeh or shallow groove 33 in the wall 23 in which the slider: is arranged. Theslider extends through apertures34,l in the walls 33, at.the.ends of the groove 33,v and :one of its ends terminates in a handle 36 extending through an aperture 37 in theside wall-3:2 Oneend of theV slider is engaged by a compression spring 38the5otherend of which seats'on a boss 39 on-the side of-the cabinet. The spring is coiled about a lug 4 1 on the end slider 32. The slider is further Vformed with an elongated slot 42' through which the bearing member 28V extends. The ends ofthe slot act as stopsfor-theslidcnby "resisting pressure Vof the same at oneendV of'thefslot, owing to-theforce.of spring 38; Theupper end-oii'themember-*Zsis spaced frorntheplate 12, therebyprovidinga shoulder 43 on the shaft 26. As the antenna is depressedtoits retracted position,A the shoulder 43 is carried-to an elevation slightlybelow thatof theslider 3?. so that the spring 3S moves the slider over-the shoulder 43 and into engagement with the member 27. Consequently, when pressure for depressing the antenna is relieved. the shoulder 43 is pressed into engagement with the-slider which acts as a Vstop to resist force of the spring 31 and retain the antenna in its retracted position. This status is maintained until the slider is moved against the force of the spring 38 and being thus dislodged from the shoulder 43 the shaft is moved upward by the'spring, carrying with it the antenna. Y

It is essential that theV antenna leads 29 be protected from, undue twisting and consequent breakage when Vthe antenna is in its operating position. Therefore rotary motion of the antenna is"li rnited to less than a complete turn; For this to be carried out the axis of the-bear ing,24 is arranged eccentric tothe longitudinal center of the top .wall 6 and theshaft 26 isA arranged -in eccentric relationto the center of the plate r412. the eccentricitv of both bearing and shaft being equal so that the assembly 11 mav close the opening 19. This, of course. provides the assemblv 11 with a'longarm 46, and aVV slightly short arm 47. The long arm is vthus arranged to engage the handle portion when swung about its axis, thereby to, limit the rotation of the antenna.

lt is apparent that a boss on theA end of--the cabinetcould be provided .for this purpose if desired.

It will therefore, beseenv.that I have providedan` improved antenna which. whennecessitv requires. may be released from its pointl of rconcealment withinV the cabinet and automatically` raised to a positionvwhere it may be turned to use its directional qualities for better receiving a certain station., It; is also apparent that it isvery simpleito return the antenna to its place of concealment in the pocket. It is also apparent that the turning of theantennais limited ,so that the lead wires cannot be stressed to the breakingpoint.

Having thus described the, invention, it` will be apcabinet having a top wall, an elongated casing, a hollowpost providinga pivotal connection-between the top wall and casing, an antennafwithinethe,casing, said-an-V` tenna having a .pair of conductors extendingtherefrom and passing throughlsaid.;postfintofthetinteriorf of the-vV cahinet,7and 'aahandletofA inverted U-shauedy formation.. having a central,portionabovethe top wall-of. the casing.r and vertical end'portionsftxcd tothe top wall of said cab-.

, 4 inet, said pivotal connection being nearer one end of said casing than the opposite end thereof for the longery end to engage one of the handle end portions when said casing is swung about its pivot for limiting rotation of said casing to less than a complete revolution to preserve the conductors.

2. In a portable radio, the combination of a cabinet having a top wall formed with an antenna pocket having a bottom portion offset inwardly of the top wall, an antenna assembly, pivot means supporting the assembly for rotation with respect to the bottom wall and providing for movement of said assembly axially of the pivot means to a level above the cabinet for rotation thereabove, said assembly having exible leads extending therefrom at the pivot means into the interior of the cabinet, said pivot means being eccentric of the center of the assembly to provide long and short arms thereof, and an inverted U-shaped handle having a central portion above the level of the assembly when moved axiallyout of the pocket and endportions fixed to the -top wall at either end of the pocket, one of said handle end portions being positioned for engagement by the long arm only thereby to limit rotation of the assembly to lessthan a complete revolution and thereby avoid undue twisting of the leads.

3. In a radio receiver, the combination of a cabinet having a pocket therein which is open at one wall of the cabinet, a hollow post extending through said pocketl into the interior of said cabinet inwardly of the pocketand slidable into and out of said pocket and rotatable` with respect to said cabinet, an'antenna housing connected to the outer end ot' said post to move as a unit therewith, said antenna housing being shaped and dimensioned to be received in said pocket when said post is retracted into the pocket, an antenna in said antenna housing, lead-in wires connected to said antenna and extending t through said hollow post into the interior of the cabinetinwardly o? said pocket, spring means biasing the antenna housing and said post to an extended position in which the antenna housing is disposed outside said pocket, and a releasable latch holding the post and the antenna housing retracted against the bias of said spring means and retaining the antenna housing seated in said pocket.

4. The combination of claim 3. wherein said post presents an outwardly facing shoulder, and said latch comprises a locking member and spring means biasing said locking member against said post for engagement with the top of said shoulder when the post and the antenna housing are retracted into the pocket.

5. ln a radio receiver, the combination of a cabinet having a top wall with an elongated pocket therein which is open at said top wall, said pocket having a bottom wall disposed `downward from said cabinet top wall, a handle l for the cabinet extending lengthwise across the open upper end of said pocket in spaced relation above said top wall of the cabinet and having depending legs at its 0pposite ends which are connected to the cabinet at opposite ends of said pocket, a hollow post extending vertically into said pocket intermediate the ends of the pocket and down through said bottom wall of the pocket, said hollow post being mounted for sliding movement toward and away from said bottom wall of the pocket and for rotation, an elongated antenna housing connected intermediate its ends to the upper end of said post to move as a unit therewith, said antenna housing being shapedl and dimensioned to be received in said pocket when said post is retracted down into the pocket, an antenna in said antenna housing, lead-in wires connected to said antenna and extending down through said hollow post into the interiorof the cabinet below said bottom wall of thepocket, a spring seated on said bottom wall of the pocket and bearing against the underside of the antenna housing.V tobias the vantenna housing and the post upward to an extendedfposition in which the antenna housinglis disposed completely above said top wall of the cabinet. and

lpost comprises a hollow inner insulation sleeve and a hollow outer metal sleeve extending around said inner sleeve, and said bottom wa`ll ofthe pocket carries a sleeve bearing in which said outer sleeve .of the post isslidably and rotatably mounted.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said bearing is mounted on the underside of said bottom wall of the pocket, and said post carries a transverse collar for engagement with the lower end of said bearing to limit the upward movement of the post.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein said outer sleeve at its upper end terminates in spaced relation below the antenna housing, and said latch comprises a plate slidable perpendicular to .said post and formed with an oblong slot through which said post'extends, and spring means biasing said plate to position an edge of said slot against said outer sleeve of the post to overlie the upper housing are retracted down into the pocket.

onerend projecting through one of said `side 'walls ff the cabinet for manual actuation 'thereat, said latch lplat being formed with an vroblong slot through which said post extends, a spring 'acting between the "opposite side wall of the cabinet and the opposite yend of the latch plate to `Vposition an edge of said slot bearing against f the outer sleeve'oi the post to overlie the upper end "of said outer .sleeve when the post and the 'antenna housing are retracted down into the pocket, said postextending vertically up through said bottom wall of the pocket at a location closer to one end of said pocket than to the other end and said antenna housing presenting long and short armsl of unequal lengths at opposite sides of said post, the length of said long arm being greater than the spacing between the post and the opposite depending leg of the handle for engagement of said long arm' against said leg when the antenna housing is turned to thereby limit the extent to which the antenna housing may be turned.

l2. In a radio receiver, the combination of a cabinet having an elongated pocket therein which is open at one wall of the cabinet, an elongated antenna assembly shaped and dimensioned to be received in said pocket, a post 9. The combination of claimr8, wherein said plate is slidably mounted on said bottom wall of the recess and has one end projecting out through `a side wall of the cabinet, and said spring means is in the form of a coil spring under compression between the opposite side wall of the cabinet and the opposite end of said plate.

10. The combination of claim 5, wherein said post extends through said bottom wall of the pocket at a location closer to one end of said pocket than to the other end, said antenna housing presents long and short arms of unequal lengths at opposite sides of said post, and the length of said long arm of the antenna housing is greater than the spacing between the post and the opposite depending leg of the handle for engagement of said long arm against said leg when the antenna housing is turned to thereby limit the extent to which the antenna housing may be turned.

ll. In a radio receiver, the combination of a cabinet having a top wall and opposite side walls extending down from said top wall, said top wall being formed with an elongated pocket therein which is open at the top of the cabinet and which presents a bottom wall `located in spaced relation downward from said top wall of the cabinet, a handle for the cabinet extending lengthwise across the top of said pocket in spaced relation above said `top wall of the cabinet and having depending legs at its op-V posite ends which are connected to the cabinet at opposite ends of said pocket, a sleeve bearing attached to the underside of said bottom wall of the pocket, a hollow post slidably and rotatably supported by said bearing and extending vertically up through said pocket, said post carrying a transverse collar below said bearing forengagement with the lower end of the bearing to limit Y the upward movement of the post, said post comprising a hollow inner insulation sleeve and a hollow outer metal sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, an elongated antenna housing connected intermediate its ends toV the upper end of said inner sleeve to move as a unit therewith, said antenna housing being shaped and dimensioned to be received in said pocket when said post is retracted downward, an antenna in said antennaV housing, lead-in wires connected to said antenna and extending down through said inner sleeve into the interior of the cabinet below said bottom wall of the pocket, a compression coil spring seated on said bottom wall of the pocket and beart.

connected to said antenna assembly between the latters ends, said post being supported forV sliding movement into and out of said pocket to selectively position the antenna assembly in or out of said pocket and for rota'- tion with respect to the cabinet to turn the antenna assembly when the latter is out of said pocket, and an elongated handle extendinglengthwise across` the open side of the pocket in spaced relation thereto and having legs yat its opposite ends which are connected to the cabinet at opposite ends of said pocket, one of said legs on the handle being'positioned closer to said post than one of the ends of the antenna assembly forengagement by said vend of the antenna assembly when the latteris turned, to thereby limit the extent to which the antenna assembly may be turned.

13. In a radio receiver, the combination of a cabinet,

an elongated antenna assembly, pivot means supporting the antenna assembly between its endsv rotatably on the cabinet, said pivot means being located closer to one end of the antenna assembly than to the other so that the j antenna assembly presents long and short arms on opf posite sides of said pivot means, and an elongated handle extending lengthwise across the antenna assembly in spaced relation thereto and havingv spaced legs connected tothe cabinet, one of said legs of the handle being located closer to said pivot means than the outer end ofV said long arm of the antenna assembly for engagement by said long arm to limit rotation of the antenna assembly.

14. In a radio receiver, the combination of a cabinet having an elongated pocket therein which is open at one wall of the cabinet, a hollow post in said pocket slidable into and out of said pocket and rotatable on said cabinet, an elongated antenna housing connected to said post to move therewith, said antenna housing being shaped and dimensioned to be received in said pocket when said post is retracted into the pocket, an antenna in said antenna housing, lead-in wires connected to said antenna andv extending through said hollow post into the interior of the cabinet inwardly of said pocket,Y means for selectively positioning said antenna housing and said post in an extended position in which the antenna housing is `disposed outside the pocket or aV retracted position in whichthe antenna housing isV seated in said pocket, said antenna housing being connected intermediate its ends lengthwise across the open side of said pocket in spaced relation thereto and which has legs at its opposite ends which are connected to the cabinet at opposite ends of the pocket, one of said legs on the handle being posif tioned closer to thepost than theouter end of one armof the antenna housing for engagement by said arm whenl References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Van Dyck June 10, 1930 Schnell July 29, 1941 Newbold May 4, 1943 8 Patino Mar. 5, 1946 Lidz Aug. 28, 1951 Edwards Jan. 22, 1952 Kinman Apr. 1, 1952 Polydori Dec. 30, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 26, 1953

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