Patent Application
20140117181
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing mechanism and an antenna device therewith, and more particularly, to a fixing mechanism with easy assembly and for fixing an antenna holder and a supporting tube of an antenna device and an antenna device therewith.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional antenna device includes an antenna holder, a supporting tube and a fixing mechanism. The supporting tube is used for supporting the antenna holder, and the antenna holder is used for holding an antenna component, so that the antenna component is capable of receiving antenna signals. The fixing mechanism is used for fixing the antenna holder and the supporting tube, so that the supporting tube supports the antenna holder stably. Conventionally, the fixing mechanism fixes the antenna holder and the supporting tube in a screwed and manually manner, so that the antenna holder firmly fixes the supporting tube. The aforesaid design requires additional tools, such as a screw driver, for screwing, resulting in complex process of assembly, and thus it is not convenient for a user to install and use.
The present invention provides a fixing mechanism with easy assembly and an antenna device therewith for solving above drawbacks.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a fixing mechanism for fixing an antenna holder and a supporting tube is disclosed. The supporting tube is detachably installed on the antenna holder, and the antenna holder includes a first fixing structure. The supporting tube includes a second fixing structure, and the fixing mechanism includes a shaft, a constraining member, a pivot member and a handle. The shaft is for disposing through the first fixing structure of the antenna holder and the second fixing structure of the supporting tube when the antenna holder is installed on the supporting tube. The constraining member is connected to an end portion of the shaft. The pivot member is connected to another end portion of the shaft, and the pivot member and the constraining member are cooperatively for constraining the shaft from separating from the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure. The handle is pivoted to the pivot member, and the handle drives the pivot member to activate the shaft to pull the constraining member when the handle is rotated relative to the pivot member, so as to press the antenna holder and the supporting tube cooperatively with the constraining member.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a first inner thread structure is formed on the constraining member, and the shaft includes a first outer thread structure formed on the end portion of the shaft. The first outer thread structure is screwed with the first inner thread structure, so that the constraining member is detachably connected to the end portion of the shaft.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of first empty slots is further formed on the constraining member, and a plurality of second empty slots is further formed on the end portion of the shaft. The first inner thread structure and the first outer thread structure respectively cooperate with the plurality of second empty slots and the plurality of first empty slots, so that the end portion of the shaft slides along the constraining member.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the constraining member is welded on the supporting tube and located in a position corresponding to the second fixing structure.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a second inner thread structure is formed on the pivot member, and the shaft further includes a second outer thread structure formed on the other end portion of the shaft. The second outer thread structure is screwed with the second inner thread structure, so that the pivot member is detachably connected to the other end portion of the shaft.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the constraining member and the shaft are integrally formed, and the constraining member includes a connecting portion and at least one wing portion. The connecting portion is combined with the end portion of the shaft. The at least one wing portion protrudes from the connecting portion and is oriented perpendicular to the shaft. The at least one wing portion passes through the first fixing structure of the antenna holder and the second fixing structure of the supporting tube in a first orientation. The at least one wing portion is rotated with the shaft for wedging the first fixing structure of the antenna holder and the second fixing structure of the supporting tube after the at least one wing portion passes through the first fixing structure of the antenna holder and the second fixing structure of the supporting tube.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first orientation is perpendicular to the second orientation.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the handle includes a pivotal portion, a pressing cam and a handle portion. The pivotal portion is pivoted to the pivot member. The pressing cam protrudes from the pivotal portion. The handle portion is connected to the pivotal portion, and the handle portion is for rotating the pivotal portion to drive the pressing cam to press the antenna holder and the supporting tube.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, an antenna device includes an antenna holder, a supporting tube and a fixing mechanism. The antenna holder includes a first fixing structure. The supporting tube is detachably installed on the antenna device and includes a second fixing structure. The fixing mechanism is for fixing the antenna holder and the supporting tube and includes a shaft, a constraining member, a pivot member and a handle. The shaft is for disposing through the first fixing structure of the antenna holder and the second fixing structure of the supporting tube when the antenna holder is installed on the supporting tube. The constraining member is connected to an end portion of the shaft. The pivot member is connected to another end portion of the shaft, and the pivot member and the constraining member are cooperatively for constraining the shaft from separating from the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure. The handle is pivoted to the pivot member, and the handle drives the pivot member to activate the shaft to pull the constraining member when the handle is rotated relative to the pivot member, so as to press the antenna holder and the supporting tube cooperatively with the constraining member.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are respectively a through hole structure.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fixing structure and the second fixing structure are respectively a long-shaped through hole structure.
In summary, the present invention utilizes the handle to drive the pivot member to activate the shaft to pull the constraining member, so that the handle and the constraining member cooperatively press the antenna holder and the supporting tube. Accordingly, the present invention is capable of firmly fixing the antenna holder and the supporting tube, and it only needs rotation of the handle to drive the pivot member to activate the shaft to pull the constraining member. As a result, it does not require an additional tool for assisting installation, resulting in easy assembly for being capable of saving labors and hours during production and facilitating the user to install and use.
These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. On the other hand, the drawings are only schematic and the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” and “installed” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections and installations. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
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In addition, the fixing mechanism 36 further includes a constraining member 40 whereon a first inner thread structure 401 is formed, and the shaft 38 includes a first outer thread structure 381 formed on a first end portion P1 of the shaft 38. The first outer thread structure 381 of the shaft 38 is used for being screwed with the first inner thread structure 401 on the constraining member 40, so that the constraining member 40 is detachably connected to the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38 . In addition, the fixing mechanism 36 further includes a pivot member 42 whereon a second inner thread structure 421 is formed, and the shaft 38 further includes a second outer thread structure 383 formed on a second end portion P2 corresponding to the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38. The second outer thread structure 383 of the shaft 38 is used for being screwed with the second inner thread structure 421 on the pivot member 42, so that the pivot member 42 is detachably connected to the second end portion P2 of the shaft 38. Furthermore, the fixing mechanism 36 further includes a handle 44 pivoted to the pivot member 42. The handle 44 includes a pivotal portion 441, a pressing cam 443 and a handle portion 445. The pivotal portion 441 is pivoted to the pivot member 42, the pressing cam 443 protrudes from the pivotal portion 441, and the handle portion 445 is connected to the pivotal portion 441.
When the fixing mechanism 36 is utilized for fixing the antenna holder 32 and the supporting tube 34, the pivot member 42 is installed inside the pivotal portion 441 of the handle 44 first, so as to pivot the pivotal portion 441 of the handle 44 to the pivot member 42. Afterwards, the second outer thread structure 383 on the second end portion P2 of the shaft 38 is screwed with the second inner thread structure 421 on the pivot member 42, so as to connect the pivot member 42 to the second end portion P2 of the shaft 38. In such a manner, the pivot member 42, the handle 44 and the shaft 38 of the fixing mechanism 36 can be integrated as an independent assembly for facilitating the following assembly process. Practically, the pivot member 42, the handle 44 and the shaft 38 of the fixing mechanism 36 can be assembled as the aforesaid independent assembly in advance, so as to reduce an amount of part on the production line during mass production. Accordingly, it can enhance convenience during the fixing mechanism 36 is assembled.
After the pivot member 42, the handle 44 and the shaft 38 are assembled as the independent assembly, the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38 of the aforesaid independent assembly is disposed through the first fixing structure 321 of the antenna holder 32 and the second fixing structure 341 of the supporting tube 34 until the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38 protrudes from the antenna holder 32 and the supporting tube 34. Meanwhile, the first outer thread structure 381 on the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38 is exposed from the antenna holder 32 and the supporting tube 34. Afterwards, the first inner thread structure 401 on the constraining member 40 is screwed with the first outer thread structure 381 on the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38, so that the constraining member 40 is connected to the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38, so as to constrain the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38 from separating from the antenna holder 32 and the supporting tube 34.
As mentioned above, the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38 can be constrained on the antenna holder 32 and the supporting tube 34 by the constraining member 40, and the second end portion P2 of the shaft 38 can be constrained on the antenna holder 32 and the supporting tube 34 by the pivot member 42 and the handle 44. In other words, the pivot member 42 and the constraining member 40 can cooperatively constrain the shaft 38 from separating from the first fixing structure 321 of the antenna holder 32 and the second fixing structure 341 of the supporting tube 34, so that the shaft 38 constrained inside the first fixing structure 321 and the second fixing structure 341 is used for constraining the antenna holder 32 from separating from the supporting tube 34.
In this embodiment, the constraining member 40 and the supporting tube 34 are two separate members, i.e. the constraining member 40 and the supporting tube 34 can separate from each other. Structures of the constraining member 40 and the supporting tube 34 are not limited to those mentioned in this embodiment. For example, the constraining member 40 can be welded on the supporting tube 34 and located in a position corresponding to the second fixing structure 341 as well. In other words, the first inner thread structure 401 on the constraining member 40 can be aligned with the second fixing structure 341 on the supporting tube 34 first, and then the constraining member 40 can be welded on the supporting tube 34. In such a manner, the constraining member 40 can be fixed on the supporting tube 34 in advance without manually disposing the constraining member 40 during the shaft 38 is screwed with the constraining member 40 for saving labors and costs. As for which one of the above-mentioned designs is adopted, it depends on practical demands.
Please refer to
During the handle 44 is rotated relative to the pivot member 42 in the pressing direction X, the pressing cam 443 of the handle 44 abuts against the bottom surface of the supporting tube 34. Afterwards, when the handle 44 continues to be rotated in the pressing direction X, the pressing cam 443 is capable of sliding on the bottom surface of the supporting tube 34, so that the pivotal portion 441 of the handle 44 displaces downwards from the bottom surface of the supporting tube 34. Meanwhile, the pivotal portion 441 drives the pivot member 42 to displace downwards from the bottom surface of the supporting tube 34. Accordingly, the pivot member 42 can activate the shaft 38 to pull the constraining member 40.
Furthermore, when the handle 44 is rotated relative to the pivot member 42 in the pressing direction X shown in
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In this embodiment, there are four first empty slots 403 formed on the constraining member 40′, i.e. the first empty slots 403 divide the first inner thread structure 401 on the constraining member 40′ into four equally parts. In addition, there are four second empty slots 385 which correspond to the first empty slots 403 on the constraining member 40′ and are formed on the shaft 38′, i.e. the second empty slots 385 divide the first outer thread structure 381 on the shaft 38′ into four equally parts. Amounts and disposal positions of the first empty slots 403 and the second empty slots 385 are not limited to those illustrated in figures in this embodiment, and it depends on practical demands.
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In such a manner, during the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ is inserted into the constraining member 40′, the first outer thread structure 381 on the shaft 38′ is capable of sliding inside the first empty slots 403 on the constraining member 40′, and the first inner thread structure 401 on the constraining member 40′ is capable of sliding inside the second empty slots 385 on the shaft 38′ simultaneously. In other words, the first outer thread structure 381 on the shaft 38′ and the first inner thread structure 401 on the constraining member 40′ are respectively used for cooperating with the first empty slots 403 on the constraining member 40′ and the second empty slots 385 on the shaft 38′, so that the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ is capable of sliding along the constraining member 40′ from a position shown in
Furthermore, when the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ slides to the position shown in
In summary, the first empty slots 403 on the constraining member 40′ and the second empty slots 385 on the shaft 38′ allow that the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ is inserted into the constraining member 40′ in a slidable manner. When the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ reaches a specific distance within the constraining member 40′, the shaft 38′ is rotated to screw the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ with the constraining member 40′. Accordingly, the first empty slots 403 and the second empty slots 385 allow the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ to rapidly achieve the screwing position for screwing with the constraining member 40′, so as to save labor time when assembling the first end portion P1 of the shaft 38′ and the constraining member 40′.
Please refer to
In this embodiment, the first fixing structure 321′ of the antenna holder 32′ and the second fixing structure 341′ of the supporting tube 34′ are respectively a long-shaped through hole structure, and profiles of the long-shaped through hole structures (i.e. the first fixing structure 321′ and the second fixing structure 341′) are substantially identical to a profile of the at least one wing portion 407 of the constraining member 40′, so that the at least one wing portion 407 of the constraining member 40″ can pass the long-shaped through hole structures. In this embodiment, the constraining member 40″ includes two wing portions 407 protruding from two sides of the connecting portion 405 and oriented perpendicular to the shaft 38″, respectively. In other words, the constraining member 40″ is a substantially T-shaped structure. An amount and disposal positions of the wing portion 407 are not limited to those illustrated in figures in this embodiment. For example, the constraining member 40″ can include only one wing portion 407 protruding from one side of the connecting portion 405 and oriented perpendicular to the shaft 38″ as well. In other words, the constraining member 40″ can be an L-shaped structure as well. As for which one of the above-mentioned designs is adopted, it depends on practical demands.
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Afterwards, the shaft 38″ of the fixing mechanism 36′ is rotated from the position shown in
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It should be noticed that implementations of the fixing mechanism 36 and the fixing mechanism 36′ are not limited to those mentioned in the aforesaid embodiments. Please refer to
Compared to the prior art, the present invention utilizes the handle to drive the pivot member to activate the shaft to pull the constraining member, so that the handle and the constraining member cooperatively press the antenna holder and the supporting tube. Accordingly, the present invention is capable of firmly fixing the antenna holder and the supporting tube, and it only needs rotation of the handle to drive the pivot member to activate the shaft to pull the constraining member. As a result, it does not require an additional tool for assisting installation, resulting in easy assembly for being capable of saving labors and hours during production and facilitating the user to install and use.
Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101146987 | Dec 2012 | TW | national |
This application is a non-provisional application of a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/721,481, filed Nov. 1, 2012.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61721481 | Nov 2012 | US |
