WO1997029475A1

WO1997029475A1 - A display device for attachment to aerials

Info

Publication number: WO1997029475A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000060
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leanne James; Patrick Cornthwaite
Original assignee: Blue Sky Trading Company Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1996-02-05
Filing date: 1997-02-05
Publication date: 1997-08-14
Also published as: AUPN785596A0

Abstract

Display device (10), for attachment to aerials (11) of the kind used on vehicles, having an inner sleeve (12) formed from two hingedly connected semi-circular jaws (16, 17) defining a cavity. The cavity encloses and grips an aerial boss (14, 15) using resiliently deformable, parallel spaced apart, inwardly extending ribs (21). An outer sleeve (13) having a cylindrical bore (24) into which the inner sleeve (12) fits and urges the jaws (16, 17) to grip the boss (14, 15). The outer sleeve (13) has an interference fit with the inner sleeve (12) via use of longitudinally extending ridges (25) on the cylindrical bore (24). The outer sleeve (13) and the inner sleeve (12) include mutual interlocking projections (26, 27) and recesses (23). The aerodynamically shaped outer sleeve (13) provides a visual feature display either by the outer sleeve shape itself or by a visual display adhered to the outer sleeve (13).

Description

A DISPLAY DEVICE FOR ATTACHMENT TO AERIALS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

S This invention relates to a display device for attachment to aerials of the kind used on vehicles.

BACKGROUND ART

0 Most vehicles are equipped with a radio aerial for receiving commercial radio broadcasts. Aerials come in several types but are characterised by being fixed at a base to the vehicle and extending to a tip remote from the vehicle. These aerials are generally tapered and many are formed as a series of telescopic sections. Some of these telescopic aerials are retractable by means of an electric drive mechanism. Most aerials also terminate in a boss 5 at the tip which can be one of several types of various dimensions. Many vehicles are also equipped with a mobile telephone aerial which is typically shorter, and of constant dimension but also terminate in a boss.

It has been known to attach display devices to aerials in the form of pennants or streamers. 0 Such devices are not particularly durable and, have a fairly high wind resistance which can cause damage to the aerial structure. Additionally, they are not well suited to use with retractable aerials.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 5

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device for attachment to aerials of the kind used on vehicles to provide for the display of a visual feature whilst avoiding the shortcomings mentioned above. Accordingly, this invention provides a display device for attachment to aerials of the kind used on vehicles and having a base end on or adjacent the vehicle and a tip remote from the vehicle, said device comprising: an inner sleeve formed from at least two opposed jaws each adapted to at least partially surround and engage said aerial at or adjacent said tip; an outer sleeve having a bore to receive and captively engage said inner sleeve to secure said outer sleeve to said inner sleeve and urge said jaws to grip said aerial, said outer sleeve providing for display of a visual feature.

Preferably, the inner sleeve is of generally cylindrical form and the bore of the outer sleeve is correspondingly cylindrical. The jaws are preferably hingedly joined so that the inner sleeve is formed as a single unit. In the preferred form of the invention the inner sleeve is formed by two generally semi-circular jaws.

The jaws preferably define a central cavity into which the tip of the aerial extends. The tip of the aerial normally has a boss which is accommodated within the cavity. The cavity preferably includes a number of resiliently deformable ribs which extend inwardly to grip the boss.

The arrangement of ribs is preferably such that bosses of varying dimensions can be accommodated within the cavity.

The inner sleeve preferably fits entirely within the outer sleeve so that the appearance of the device is determined by the appearance of the outer sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves are preferably secured together by he inner sleeve being an interference fit ir .e bore. The interference fit can be improved for example by providing a series of longitudinally extending ridges in the bore.

In one form of the invention an interengageable locking arrangement is used to secure the inner sleeve and outer sleeve together when the inner sleeve is fully engaged in the bore. The interengageable locking formation can comprise at least one resiliently deflectable hook and a corresponding recess engaged by the hook.

The outer sleeve is preferably formed with a generally elongate cross section so that one orientation has a lesser resistance to air flow. This can reduce the load on the aerial and also ensure that the orientation of the device is maintained for correct display of the visual feature. In one preferred form of the invention the outer sleeve is formed as a smoothly curved aerofoil section.

The visual feature displayed by the device can include corporate icons, logos or trade marks. The logos and trade marks can be formed on the surface of the outer sleeve or printed on suitable labels or the like adhered to the outer surface of the sleeve. In the case of a shaped icon the outer sleeve can be formed in the appropriate shape for example in the shape of a drink bottle.

It will be apparent that the display device of this invention is simple to fit and requires only a few seconds of installation time without the use of any tools or adhesives. There is no damage caused to the aerial by the fitting of the device and the use of plastics or other suitable material prevents loss of performance of the aerial. Additionally, the total weight and wind resistance avoids any damage to the aerial structure at reasonable road speeds.

Another feature of this invention is that the same inner sleeve can accommodate many variations in outer sleeve shape and size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a display device according to this invention fitted to a vehicle aerial; Figure 2 is a plan view of an inner sleeve forming part of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the inner sleeve shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the inner sleeve shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section along the line A-A of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of an outer sleeve forming part of the device shown in

Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an elevation of the outer sleeve as shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the outer sleeve as shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an inverted plan view of the outer sleeve shown in Figure 6; Figure 10 is a sectional view along the line B-B of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional view along the line C-C of Figure 9;

Figures 12 and 13 show the manner of fitting the inner sleeve shown in Figures 2 to 5 to two different aerials; and

Figure 14 shows the assembly of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve to form the device of this invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As shown in the drawings the display device 10 for attachment to aerials 11 is formed from an inner sleeve 12 and an outer sleeve 13 both formed from a plastics material. Figure 1 shows two alternative forms of aerial boss 14,15 forming the tip of aerial 11. Inner sleeve 12 is best seen in Figures 2 to 5 and in Figures 12 and 13. The inner sleeve is formed from two semi-circular jaws 16 and 17 hingedly connected by a film hinge 18. Jaws 16 and 17 close (as shown in Figures 2 to 5) to form a central cavity 19 into which aerial 11 extends through an aperture 20. The interior of cavity 19 .πcludes a number of inwardly extending resiliently deformable ribs 21. The ribs are generally parallel and extend around the inside of cavity 19 transversely to the longitudinal extent of the aerial 11. The cavity 19 is slightly larger than the dimensions of bosses 14 and 15 (Figure 1) which are accommodated by deformation of ribs 21. Referring to Figures 1, 12 and 13 it will be apparent that the inner sleeve 12 can accommodate the bosses 14,15 of different dimensions by virtue of the different spacings of ribs 21. In each case the bosses 14,15 are gripped tightly by the ribs 21 when the jaws 16 and 17 are closed. The aperture 20 is smaller than the diameter of the bosses 14 and 15 to prevent the inner sleeve being removed from the aerial whilst jaws 16 and 17 are closed.

The upper edge of inner sleeve 12 is tapered at 22 to provide for engagement with the outer sleeve 13 as will be described below. A hook recess 23 is formed circumferentially around the bottom of inner sleeve 12.

Outer sleeve 13 is illustrated in detail in Figures 6 to 11. The sleeve 13 is formed with a bore 24 dimensioned to receive the inner sleeve 12. The bore 24 has six longitudinally extending ridges which provide for a tight interference fit with the outer surface of inner sleeve 12. Diametrically opposed retention hooks 26 are formed to extend along the sides of bore 24. Ends 27 of the retention hooks are designed to engage with the hook recess 23 formed on inner sleeve 12.

Outer sleeve 13 is formed with a smoothly curved aerofoil cross section that is slightly elongate. Consequently, the narrower dimension presents less resistance to the air flow and helps to maintain the orientation of the device 10 on an aerial. Surface 28 of the outer sleeve 13 is in this embodiment suitable for the affixing of a decal or label carrying visual features such as trade marks, corporate icons, or other information. A decal registration lip 29 is provided around the lower edge of outer sleeve 13 for this purpose.

In use the display device 10 is fitted to an aerial 11 in the following manner. The inner sleeve 12 is positioned with jaws 16 and 17 surrounding the boss 14,15 of the aerial 11. The jaws 16 and 17 are closed around the boss 14,15 with the aerial 11 extending through aperture 20. Inner sleeve 13 is then engaged with bore 24 of the outer sleeve. Engagement of the inner sleeve with the bore 24 is assisted by the taper 22. The inner sleeve 12 is received by the bore 24 in an interference fit by virtue of the engagement of ridges 25 with the outer surface of jaws 16 and 17. The insertion of inner sleeve 12 into the bore also closes jaws 16 and 17 and causes ribs 21 to tightly grip boss 14,15 of the aerial.

During insertion of the inner sleeve 12 into the bore 24 retention hooks 26 are resiliently deflected outwardly until the inner sleeve is fully engaged with the bore when the hook ends 27 snap into engagement with the recess 23. The display device 10 is thus securely fixed to the aerial with the inner sleeve wholly within and secured to the outer sleeve.

It will be apparent that the fitting of the device to the aerial in the above described manner takes only a few seconds without the use of any tools or adhesives. The display device 10 may also be removed from the aerial relatively easily without damage to the aerial.

The display device of this invention has also been found to be compatible with most power aerials. These units are normally designed to cease operation when the resistance to retraction of the aerial increases. Thus with the display device retraction of the aerial simply ceases a few millimetres before the lower limit of travel of the aerial. There is no danger of the display device being dislodged because the aperture 20 is much smaller than the diameter of boss 14,15.

It will be apparent that by forming the display device from plastics or other similar material the operation of the aerial will not be affected in any way.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the inven ion and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display device for attachment to aerials of the kind used on vehicles and having a base end on or adjacent the vehicle and a tip remote from the vehicle, said device comprising: an inner sleeve formed from at least two opposed jaws each adapted to at least partially surround and engage said aerial at or adjacent said tip; an outer sleeve having a bore to receive and captively engage said inner sleeve to secure said outer sleeve to said inner sleeve and urge said jaws to grip said aerial, said outer sleeve providing for display of a visual feature.

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner sleeve is generally cylindrical and the bore of said outer sleeve is correspondingly cylindrical.

3. A display device as claimed in ciaim 1 or claim 2 wherein said jaws are hingedly jointed to form said inner sleeve.

4. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said inner sleeve comprises two jaws each of generally semi-circular cross section.

5. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said jaws define a central cavity into which said aerial tip extends.

6. A display device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said aerial tip is fitted with a terminating boss and said boss is accommodated within said cavity.

7. A display device as claimed in claim 6 wherein at least part of the width of said cavity is larger than the diameter of said aerial and said cavity includes a plurality of resiliently deformable ribs extending inwardly to grip the aerial.

8. A display device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said ribs are substantially parallel and spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal extent of said aerial.

9. A display device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein said ribs are formed to 5 accommodate bosses or varying dimensions.

10. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said inner sleeve fits substantially wholly within said outer sleeve.

10 11. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said inner sleeve is captively engaged by said outer sleeve by means of an interference fit of the inner sleeve in said bore.

12. A display device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said bore includes a plurality of 15 longitudinally extending ridges to engage said inner sleeve.

13. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve include interengageable locking formations which lock said inner sleeve and said outer sleeve together when said inner sleeve is fully engaged in said bore.

20

14. A display device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said interengageable locking formations comprise at least one resiliently deflectable hook and a corresponding recess engaged by said hook.

25 15. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein s; outer sleeve has a cross sectional shape that is elongate to produce a lesser resistance to air flow past said aerial in one orientation.

16. A display device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said cross sectional shape is a 30 smoothly curved aerofoil.

17. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said visual feature is formed on or adhered to the surface of said outer sleeve.

18. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said outer sleeve is formed in the shape of said visual feature.

19. A display device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.