WO1998044584A1

WO1998044584A1 - Universal support structure particularly of a parabolic antenna, aiming at the adjusting of at least the azimuth

Info

Publication number: WO1998044584A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Gandolfi
Original assignee: Tele System Electronic S.P.A.
Priority date: 1997-03-28
Filing date: 1998-03-27
Publication date: 1998-10-08
Also published as: ITTV970034A1; IT1293337B1; ITTV970034A0

Abstract

Universal support structure of a parabolic antenna, aiming at the adjusting of the azimuth, made up of a fork-like bracket fastenable on one side to a vertical pallet, and on the other engaging, being placed astride, a support of the parabola provided with means for fixing the same as well as with the relative small arm associated with it, for supporting a signal converter device, in which said bracket specularly provides for each of the two sides: a single hole, which houses the hinging and fixing screw of the parabola support, said hole being conical on one side, on the other being provided with a key for the locking of one head of said hinging and fixing screw; a radial knurl, obtained on the side's intrados in correspondence of the surrounding surface of said hole; some points, monolithically obtained on the side's intrados within the surrounding surface of said hole, interesting with an arched development, a surface portion external to the radial knurls.

Description

DESCRIPTION UNIVERSAL SUPPORT STRUCTURE PARTICULARLY OF A PARABOLIC ANTENNA. AIMING AT THE ADTUSTING OF AT LEAST THE AZIMUTH Technical Field The present invention has for object a universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, aiming at the adjusting of at least the azimuth. The invention, finds particular even if not exclusive application in the evolutive technological processes, related to the industrial production and subsequent marketing of complementary devices for the ground reception apparatuses of long distance and satellite signals. Background Art The parabolic antenna, broadly speaking, is certainly comprised in the state of the art. It, as it is known, is always more frequently found, we could say in a capillary way among the families, probably because of the wide range of available channels, but mainly also considering that the technologies of the television broadcasting sector, are directed to develop the both clear and cryptographic signals transmitted via satellites. This involves most of the world's Countries, pushing the market towards a strong and progressive request of such an accessory, which replaces or goes together with the traditional antenna. Practically, considered its relative simplicity, it needs only a wiring prearranged for the purpose and which connects said antenna with the remote television apparatus by interposition of a suitable signal receiving and converting apparatus. The application of a parabolic antenna is usually carried out on particular points, for example on a house roof, and it can exploit already existing support apparatuses of the traditional antennas. Said supports, may practically be made up of a so called pallet more or less vertically developed suitably fastened to the roof loft, and along which, orthogonally, the traditional antennas, but also, as in the herein analysed case, also the parabolic ones, after a directioning, are fastened. However, it is possible that for some typologies of antennas, that is those having larger dimensions, alternative supporting means are used, such as the tripods, or some particular brackets buried in the concrete cast, but also other solutions. The reference technology, to which the present invention is directed, mainly concerns applications of the first and fixed type, in which a parabola made up of a disk with small diameter, for the signals reception, turned towards the selected satellite is substantially provided. The shape of the parabola on the intrados is of the concave type, and it is engaged on the convex extrados, by a plastic material support, obtained by injection moulding, generally developed along an arch which concerns a short portion of the diameter projecting with a section beyond the edge of the same parabola. In a typical support shape it is possible to find a body, boxed on three sides, respectively a back and relative perpendicular sides with respect to the back, internally reinforced by an alveolar structure. While the upper part of the support is provided with orthogonal fins with respect to the edge of said sides, through which some parabola fixing screws pass, the lower end provides a mouth, through which a perpendicular small arm for the embossed support of the converter device. Additionally, in the specific case, it can be noticed that the parabola support dynamic means, interacts with a static bracket and relative means for the hooking to a traditional group supporting pallet. More in detail, said bracket, is made up of a zinc-plated sheet piece, "U" folded for obtaining a back and two walls, in which while the back provides a particular shape for the pallet clamping, by interaction of the holding flanges which wrap the pole which it rests on, the walls are placed across the parabola support, overlapping the sides of the same. The constraint between said two elements bracket-support, finally, is obtained on two points, a first hinging one, providing a pin passing through said support up to touch the walls of said bracket, and a second lower one, for the azimuth adjustment. For allowing the azimuth adjustment, while the support provides a passing hole, the bracket, always with regard to the lower constraint, provides the realisation of two symmetrical guides consisting of arched slots, whose development and angle depend, mainly, on the parabolic antenna installation latitude, requiring a different adjustment range concerning the disk inclination. Finally, on the disk supporting means, around the bracket hinging, for each part, some reference notches are etched, on which it is possible to measure the degrees of inclination necessary for the azimuth correct adjustment. Such parabolic antennas support solutions, even if widely spread, have different drawbacks mainly of functional kind. In the first place, an objective complexity related to the antenna optimal installation can be noticed, which forces the installer to carry out a careful and long adjustment work, particularly for what concerns the azimuth. In fact, after having carried out the adjustment of the angle on plane, that is the flexion and the locking of the relative bracket on the pallet, the following phase for the adjustment of the antenna direction, which concerns the azimuth, starts. In this case, presently, he must intervene on more fixing points, at first by loosening the upper holding screw, and then, once the optimal vertical angle is found, proceed with the fastening to the pallet of the holding screw which interacts with the slot-like guides obtained on the fixing bracket of the disk-support group. The operation, should be carried out synchronically on both locking points using at least two hands and therefore it involves, for the objective impossibility of a correct intervention, a slight reference loss which may interfere more or less negatively with the images quality. Often, for avoiding such problems, according to the present projects, the installation firms use at least two specialised people, and this fact obviously causes higher installation costs. Definitely, a practical do-it- yourself use of the accessory is not allowed, thus preventing a wide spreading of the parabolic antenna. A second, but not less important aspect, concerns the flexibility of use. In fact, it was noticed that at different latitudes obviously corresponds a different degree of the disk inclination when searching for the different satellites, forcing the firms of the sector to have a differentiated production, with regard to the pallet fastening bracket, with complex operations for the warehouse storing of the relative products. A third and not least aspect, regards a certain oversizing of the group, support-disk and pallet fastening bracket contrary to the market demands, and this involves the use of more raw material and does not allow the use of traditional packaging. These two aspects, unavoidably affect the transportation costs. Purpose of the present invention is that of obviating the above mentioned drawbacks. These and other purposes are reached with the present invention according to the characteristics as in the enclosed claims, solving the mentioned problems by a universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, aiming at the adjustment of at least the azimuth, essentially made up of a fork-like bracket fastenable on one side to a vertical pallet by at least one fastening flange, and on the other engaging a parabola support provided with fixing means of the same as well as of the relative small arm associated with it, for the support of a signal converter device, in which said bracket specularly provides for each of the two sides: - a single hole, able to house the parabola support hinging and fixing screw, said hole being conical on one side, on the other being provided with a key for the locking of at least one head of said hinging and fixing screw; - a radial knurl, obtained on the side's intrados in correspondence of the surface which surrounds said hole; - a series of points, monolithically obtained on the side's intrados within the surface which surrounds said hole, concerning with an arched development, a surface portion external to said radial knurls. Thus, by means of the considerable creative contribution whose effect represents an immediate technical progress, different advantages are obtained. At first, the installation of the parabolic antenna is considerably eased, because the installer's intervention, in the azimuth adjustment phase, is limited to the loosening and repositioning of a single hinging and fixing constraint. The particular interaction between fixing bracket and support, further allows an azimuth micrometrical adjustment, keeping its inclination correct during the fixing procedure, definitely allowing an image reception quality optimization. From the structural viewpoint, the reduction at one single hinging and fixing constraint, between bracket and parabola support, allows a fair size-reduction of the group, allowing a better compactness of the apparatus, and therefore being less subjected to the natural stresses exerted by the environmental forces on the parabola surface. Additionally, the possible size reduction allows a different packaging, for example by using a blister packaging, with a considerable transportation costs reduction. This condition allows its wide-scale marketing, particularly directed towards a do-it-yourself market, eased in its spreading also by an installation phase simplification. Also an advantageous aspect, derives from the high flexibility of the bracket-parabola support group, which may be considered of the universal type. Its peculiarity, in fact, prevents the firms from the warehouse storage of a bracket and support, particularly shaped and intended as finished products. By effect of the bracket shape, in fact, the azimuth adjustment limit is considerably widened, along an arch close to 90°, thus comprising a wider positioning latitudes spectrum, without interfering on the necessary quality characteristics of the antenna. These and other advantages will appear from the following detailed description of a preferential embodiment solution with the aid of the enclosed schematic drawings, whose execution details are not to be considered as limitative but only as examples. Figure 1., shows a parabolic antenna prospect, complete with the adjustable support device, engaged to a relative support vertical pallet. Figure 2., shows a back side view of the parabola-adjustable support device group. Figure 3., is a side view of a parabola support means. Figure 4., is a view, seen from the back side of the sole support means as in Figure 3. Figure 5., is a front side view again of the parabola support shown in Figure 3. Figure 6., finally, is a top view of the support shown in Figure 3. Figure 7., shows a side view of the intrados of a bracket for the fastening to a pallet for the fixing and hinging of the parabola support. Figure 8., is transversal sectional view of the fastening bracket. Figure 9., is a view, seen from the bracket back side as in Figures 7. and 8. Finally, Figure 10., is a particular view of a bracket's surface as in previous Figures, for the back resting on the support pallet. Referring also to the figures, it may firstly be noticed that a parabolic antenna (A), of the type adjustable on two axes, is essentially made up of a parabola ( 1) shaped like a convex disk, which provides on the extrados, a relative support means (2) connectable by hinging to a bracket (3), known as azel, which in its turn is fastenable to a support vertical pallet (4). More in detail the support means (2), is made up of a body, preferably in plastic material, essentially boxed, radially developed along an arch portion of the parabola ( 1), with a lower extension (2'), which projecting beyond the edge of the parabola ( 1), is suitable for providing a hole for the inserting and fixing of a relative perpendicular small arm (5), on whose end a signal converter (6) is associated. More in particular, the support means (2) of the parabola ( 1), comprises a back (2") consisting of a rounded surface in syntony with the group, from which two essentially perpendicular sides (2'") project, defining an alveolar internal surface (7) acting as stiffening structure, of the support means (2), also increasing its strength. Around the upper edge in contact with the parabola ( 1) extrados, are monolithically obtained, in correspondence of each single side (2'") of said support (2), some orthogonal fins (8) with relative keys for the screw-head locking, with function of orthogonal rag bolts for the fixing to the parabola ( 1), concerning each side (2'"), respectively in the amount of two for each side and the first one being distant from the second one. Always along the surface of the sides (2'") a single hole (9) is provided, transversally concerning the body (2) of the parabola ( 1 ) support, which has the purpose of allowing the adjustment of its inclination, that is the azimuth, with respect to a ground static fixing point. A wide zone ( 10) surrounding said hole (9) respect to each side (2'") is flat and thickened respect to the remaining surface of the side ( 2'" ), furthermore, it for a determined round-shaped portion appears as less roughened ( 11) and locally concerned by a graduated periferic scale ( 12) which gives the installer indications on the inclination angle, azimuth, of the parabola ( 1 ) . The supporting means (2) of a parabola ( 1), results thus hinged to a bracket (3) previously engaged to a pallet, in particular a vertical one, (4). Said bracket (3), has a double function, firstly, it allows the lateral orientation or flexion, and secondarily the azimuth adjustment of the parabola ( 1). The first function is allowed, providing a flange with a clamping tie-rod (13), which by means of traditional holding nut, allows the fixing in such a position of the bracket (3) with a part of the back (3') in contact with the surface of the pallet (4). More in detail, with the purpose of obtaining a better holding grip, the bracket (3), provides monolithically, both along the upper edge and the lower one, the realisation of a fin ( 14), perpendicular to the back (3") whose edge is shaped thus to provide an arch ( 14') with toothed profile which is partially alike the surface of the pallet (4). The second function, that is the azimuth adjustment, is allowed by providing along both sides (3") which extend perpendicularly from the back (3'), obtaining a kind of fork with rounded ends, a passing hole ( 15), which necessarily coincides with the hole (9) made transversal to the support (2) of the parabola ( 1 ). A characteristic of said hole ( 15), is that of providing, in correspondence of the extrados of the corresponding side (3"), an octagonal section ( 15'), becoming a locking key of the screw head (20) for the parabola ( 1) support (2) fixing and hinging thus inserted. For what concerns the specular intrados of the sides (3" ), it is characterized for each side, by the projection of a substantially conical neck ( 16) which concerns the hole ( 15), being a means for the insertion in the corresponding mouth, at first enlarged (9') of the fixing and hinging hole (9) made through the support (2). On the external surface of the conical neck ( 16), with a certain progress in the concerned thickness, some knurls ( 16') are obtained, while some additional knurls ( 17), from the neck ( 16) base, radially extend up to concern a circular surface surrounding said hole ( 15). The ends of said knurls ( 17), stop in correspondence of a hollow ( 18) annularly obtained and at a certain distance from the hole ( 15), a hollow, which, because of the sheet deformation, obtains on the extrados of the side (3") a corresponding ring protruding in positive. Finally, some points one equidistant from the other ( 19), emerge from the intrados of each side (3"), and develop for an arch of about 180° along the external perimeter of the annular hollow (18). Both for what concerns said points (19) and the radial knurls ( 17), their position is such to concern, once they are set working, the roughened surface ( 11) obtained about the hole (9-9¹) which concerns each side ( 2 " ' ) of the support ( 2 ) of the parabola ( 1 ) . By acting on a screw (20), for the fixing and hinging of the parabola ( 1), which concerns the sides (3") of a bracket (3) across a support (2), passing through the holes (15, 9), it is possible to loose the interaction of the intrados of the sides (3") on the external surface or extrados of the sides (2'") of the support (2), for then, once found the correct position of the parabola (1), fastening again said screw (20) setting again the group of the gripping means provided on the intrados of the sides (3" ), ensuring a stable locking.

Claims

Claims 1. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, aiming at the adjusting of the azimuth, essentially made up of a bracket (3) fastenable on one side to a support pallet (4) by at least one holding flange, and on the other engaging a support (2) of the parabola ( 1) provided with means for fixing the same as well as with the relative small arm (5) associated with it, supporting a signal converter device (6), characterized in that the fixing and the hinging between the bracket (3) associated with a pallet (4), and the support (2) of the parabola ( 1), is obtained by providing a screw means (20) passing in a single hole ( 15-9) concerning both said bracket (3) and the thus associated and coinciding body (2), between whose surfaces reciprocal holding means interact.

2. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to claim 1., characterized in that said bracket (3) provides along both sides (3") which extend perpendicularly from the back (3¹), obtaining a fork placed astride a support (2) of a parabola ( 1), a single passing hole ( 15), which necessarily coincides with the hole (9) made transversal to the support (2) of the parabola (1), said holes ( 15-9) being able to house a single screw (20) for the hinging and fixing of the support ( 2 ) of a parabola ( 1 ) .

3. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to claims 1. and 2., characterized in that the intrados of at least one side (3") on which a hole ( 15) is obtained, is enclosed by reciprocal holding means clamping the support (2) extrados being in contact with a corresponding surface (11) also peripheral to a coinciding hole (9).

4. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that the holding means reciprocally clamping the extrados (2'") of the support (2) comprise: - at least one radial knurl ( 17), obtained on the intrados of the side (3") in correspondence of the surrounding surface of said hole (15); - a series of points ( 19), monolithically obtained on the intrados of the side (3") within the surrounding surface of said hole ( 15), concerning with an arched development, a surface portion external to said radial knurls ( 17).

5. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that the hole ( 15) obtained on the sides (3"), coinciding with the hole (9) made through the support (2), provides, in correspondence of the intrados a substantially conical circular neck ( 16) which concerns the hole ( 15), being a means for the insertion in the corresponding mouth, of the fixing and hinging hole (9) made through said support (2).

6. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that in correspondence of the hole ( 15) on the extrados of the side (3"), a seat with polygonal section ( 15') is obtained, becoming a locking key of the screw head (20) for the fixing and hinging of the parabola (1) support (2) thus inserted.

7. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that on the external surface of the conical neck (16) some knurls (16') are obtained.

8. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that additional knurls ( 17) are provided, radially extended from the neck ( 16) base, up to a circular surface surrounding said hole (15).

9. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that peripherally, said knurls (17), have an annularly obtained hollow (18).

10. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that some points one equidistant from the other ( 19), emerge from the intrados of each side (3"), and develop for an arch of about 180┬░ along the external perimeter of an annular hollow (18).

11. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that along the surface of the sides (2'") a single hole (9) is provided, transversally concerning the body (2) supporting the parabola ( 1), which comprises: - the zone ( 10), surrounding said hole (9), flat and thickened respect to the remaining surface of the side (2'"), - said zone ( 10) being in contact with a roughened circular shaped extension (11). respect to which a scale (12) is peripherally provided.

12. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that the ends of the hole (9) provide a widened mouth (9').

13. Universal support structure, particularly of a parabolic antenna, according to previous claims, characterized in that both with regard to said points ( 19) and to the radial knurls ( 17) obtained on the intrados of the sides (3") of a bracket (3), their positioning is such to concern, once set on work, the roughened surface ( 11) obtained around the hole (9-9') which concerns each side (2'") of the support (2) of a parabola ( 1).