Patent Application
20100220021
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an antenna assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antenna mounting structure for mounting an antenna in an area with tight clearances around the base of the antenna.
2. Background Information
Most automotive vehicles are equipped with a radio, which typically requires an antenna to effectively receive radio waves. In the past, most automotive vehicles included an externally mounted antenna. The most common vehicle antenna is a mast or thin rod type antenna that extends upwardly from a body panel such as a rear quarter panel, a front fender, or an A-pillar. In some vehicle designs, it can be difficult to install the mast type antenna in a desired location. In particular, typically, a hand insertion clearance of at least a one hundred millimeter sphere is desired to install the mast type antenna. Since the antenna mounting structure is normally located beneath the body panel, the hand insertion clearance beneath the antenna opening in the body panel can often be less than the desired hundred millimeter sphere. In such cases, the mast type antenna has been replaced with other styles of antennas. However, the mast type antenna tends to be one of the most economical types of antennas available.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved antenna assembly. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
In view of the state of the known technology, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an antenna assembly with a mounting structure that permits an antenna to be mounted in an area with tight clearances around the base of the antenna.
In accordance with the above mentioned aspect, a vehicle antenna assembly is provided that basically comprising an antenna and a mounting bracket. The antenna includes an elongated mast section and a base section. The mounting bracket includes a first end with an antenna attachment section fixed to the base section of the antenna, a middle section extending downwardly from the antenna attachment section, and a second end with a vehicle attachment section extending from the middle section in a radial direction with respect to a center longitudinal axis of the elongated mast section as viewed along the center longitudinal axis of the elongated mast section. The vehicle attachment section has a vehicle facing support surface defining a vehicle attachment plane with the vehicle facing support surface having a fastening part configured and arranged to be fastened to a vehicle such that the base section of the antenna is supported by the antenna attachment section above the vehicle attachment plane. At least one of the middle section and the vehicle attachment section includes a fulcrum point arranged to engage a portion of the vehicle for pivoting the mounting bracket about the fulcrum point to move the vehicle facing support surface towards the vehicle.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:
Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Referring initially to
As seen in
In the illustrated embodiment, the base section 32 of the antenna 14 is a hard rubber member that constitutes an outer molded part, which is molded about a lower portion of the mast attachment screw 38 and one end of the antenna (coaxial) cable 18. The antenna (coaxial) cable 18 constitutes an electrical wire that extends axially from the center of a lower end of the base section 32. As discussed below, the outer molded part of the base section 32 is also partially molded to the mounting bracket 16 to secure the mounting bracket 16 to the base section 32 of the antenna 14.
When the vehicle antenna assembly 12 is installed to the hood ledge 22 of the vehicle 10, an upper end of the base section 32 is disposed within the opening 24 (
Basically, as seen in
As seen in
The middle section 42 of the mounting bracket 16 is also a non-planar section. In particular, the middle section 42 of the mounting bracket 16 has a generally curved cross sectional profile. The middle section 42 extends downwardly at an obtuse angle from the antenna attachment section 40 to the vehicle attachment section 44. Thus, the middle section 42 is connected to the vehicle attachment section 44 to form a fulcrum point 52 between the middle section 42 and the vehicle attachment section 44. While the fulcrum point 52 is located between the middle section 42 and the vehicle attachment section 44, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the fulcrum point 52 can located as part of the middle section 42 or the vehicle attachment section 44 depending on the structure of the vehicle to which the mounting bracket 16 is attached.
The vehicle attachment section 44 of the mounting bracket 16 has a vehicle facing support surface 54 defining a vehicle attachment plane that mates with a generally flat surface of the hood ledge 22 as seen in
The fastening part 56 of the vehicle attachment section 44 includes a mounting aperture 58 and a locating tab 60 as seen in
A first installation method for installing the vehicle antenna assembly 12 to the hood ledge 22 of the vehicle 10 is illustrated in
Next, in either installation method, an installer positions the base section 32 of the antenna 14 to align with the opening 24 defined by the front fender 26 (e.g., a vehicle exterior body panel) of the vehicle 10. Now during these installation methods, the fulcrum point 52 of the mounting bracket 16 is engaged with a portion of the hood ledge 22 of the vehicle 10 such that the vehicle attachment section 44 (e.g., a second end) of the mounting bracket 16 is spaced from the vehicle 10. Then the installer pushes down on the vehicle attachment section 44 of the mounting bracket 16. By pushing down on (i.e., moving) the attachment section 44 (e.g., the second end) of the mounting bracket 16, the mounting bracket 16 pivots about the fulcrum point 52 to move the vehicle facing support surface 54 towards the hood ledge 22 of the vehicle 10, and to move the base section 32 of the antenna 14 into the opening 24 in the front fender 26 of the vehicle 10. This pivoting movement of the mounting bracket 16 pivots about the fulcrum point 52 forces the base section 32 of the antenna 14 further into the opening 24 in the front fender 26 (i.e., the vehicle exterior body panel).
In the case of the first installation method, the grommet 20 can be held in the opening 24 of the front fender 26 prior to the base section 32 of the antenna 14 being forced into the opening 24 of the front fender 26 as seen in
In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Also as used herein to describe the above embodiment(s), the following directional terms “forward”, “rearward”, “above”, “downward”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “below” and “transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a vehicle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a vehicle equipped with the present invention. The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
