AU2023202434A1 - Improved antenna apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for raising and lower an antenna, the apparatus including: body element; an actuator element supported by the body element; a pivot element rotatable fixed to the body element; wherein the actuator operates to move the pivot element for causing the 5 antenna coupled to the pivot element to be moved between an operative configuration and a storage configuration. The apparatus is used in support of an antenna on a vehicle, wherein the antenna is selectively movable between an operative configuration and a storage configuration. 10 2/8 242 100 116 117 1118 122112 17 113 114 132 118 130,134L12 2 1 130,135 10121 FIG. 2

Description

2/8

242 100

116 117 122112 17

1118 113 114

132 118 130,134L12 2 1 130,135 10121

FIG. 2

IMPROVED ANTENNA APPARATUS AND METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to antenna apparatus and in particular to apparatus that

raise and lower an antenna.

The invention has been developed primarily for use as apparatus that raises and lowers

an antenna, and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application.

However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of

use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be

considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the

common general knowledge in the field.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the

disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

It is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide an apparatus that raises

and lowers an antenna.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for raising and lowering an

antenna, the apparatus including:

body element;

an actuator element supported by the body element;

a pivot element rotatable fixed to the body element;

wherein the actuator operates to move the pivot element, such that an antenna

coupled to the pivot element can be moved between an operative configuration and

a storage configuration.

Preferably, the body element forms a longitudinal channel that substantially retains the

actuator and pivot element. More preferably, the body element has a longitudinal side

bracket portion for mounting the apparatus on a vehicle roof or vehicle roof rack or

vehicle storage support. Most preferably, the bracket portion is configured to locate the

longitudinal channel parallel to and partially below the mounting position on the vehicle.

Preferably, the actuator element is a linear actuator that is supported at one end by the

body element. More preferably, extension and retraction of the linear actuator element

pushes and pulls the pivot element to cause respective rotation about a pivot axis.

Preferably, the pivot element is axially fixed to the body element about a pivot axis.

More preferably, the actuator element acts on the pivot element at a distance from the

pivot axis to rotate the pivot element such that a fixed antenna moves between an

operative configuration and a storage configuration.

Preferably, the actuator element is electrically operated. More preferably, the actuator

element has a first limit that defines the storage configuration. Most preferably, the

actuator element has a second limit that defines the operative configuration.

Preferably, when the antenna is lowered into the storage configuration, the antenna is

substantially coaxial with a longitudinal channel defined by the body element. More

preferably, when the antenna is raised into the operative configuration, the antenna is

substantially perpendicular with a longitudinal channel defined by the body element.

Most preferably, the longitudinal channel partially retains the antenna when in the

storage configuration.

Preferably, the antenna is an elongate antenna. More preferably, the antenna is an

omnidirectional dipole antenna. Most preferably, the antenna is in the form of a whip

antenna.

Preferably, the apparatus is installed on a vehicle roof or vehicle roof rack or vehicle

storage support. More preferably, the apparatus is used in support of an antenna on a

1s vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example

only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment apparatus for raising and lowering

an antenna, shown with the body element partially transparent and the

antenna in a storage configuration;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the embodiment apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment apparatus of FIG. 1, shown with

the body element partially transparent and the antenna in an operative

configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment apparatus for raising and lowering

an antenna, showing the antenna in a storage configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment apparatus shown mounted to a

vehicle roof rack system; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment apparatus shown mounted to a

vehicle storage system.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 6, an embodiment apparatus 100 is shown for raising

1s and lowering an antenna 102, the apparatus includes:

body element 110;

an actuator element 120 supported by the body element;

a pivot element 130 rotatable fixed to the body element;

wherein the actuator operates to move the pivot element, such that an antenna

coupled to the pivot element can be moved between a storage configuration (as best

shown in FIG. 1) and an operative configuration (as best shown in FIG. 4).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the body element 110 forms a longitudinal

channel 112 that substantially retains the actuator and pivot element. The longitudinal

channel 112 is formed by side walls 113,114 and a floor 115. It will be appreciated that this configuration provides a U-shaped channel that extends along the longitudinal axis of the body.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the body element further forms a longitudinal

outwardly extending side bracket portion (or bracket tab) 116 for mounting the apparatus

on a vehicle (for example, a vehicle roof or a vehicle roof rack or a vehicle storage

support). The body element can be mounted to the vehicle using conventional fixing

component or means (for example, bolts and/or screws). The bracket portion can

comprise predefined fixing holes 117. It will be appreciated that the bracket portion can

comprise one or bracket tab elements.

It will be further appreciated that, in this embodiment, the bracket portion is formed

longitudinally along the side of and toward the top of the body element to locate the

longitudinal channel parallel to and partially below the mounting position on the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the actuator element 120 and the pivot element 130 are operatively

located within the channel. It will be appreciated that this provides protection to these

elements without restricting their operation.

In an embodiment, the actuator element 120 is a linear actuator that is supported at a first

end about a first pivot axis 121 (for example, using a first transverse pivot pin fixed to

the body element) for enabling relative rotation of the actuator element about the pin.

The body element includes a mount 118 for receiving a first end of the actuator element.

In an embodiment, the actuator element 120 is coupled at a second end to the pivot

element about a second pivot axis 122 (for example, using a second transverse pivot pin fixed to the pivot element). The pivot element is separately fixed to the body element about a third pivot axis 132 (for example using a third transverse pivot pin fixed to the body element) such that pivot element rotates third pivot axis 132 upon action of the actuator element.

It will be appreciated that, in this example embodiment, the first pivot axis, second pivot

axis and third pivot axis are each transverse to the longitudinal configuration of the

channel.

An embodiment pivot element comprises a mounting platform 134 that is adapted to

releasably couple the antenna 102. The mounting platform is a substantially planar

1o portion perpendicular to the mounting configuration of the antenna and adapted to

enable coupling of the antenna (for example using a receiving slot or aperture). It will

be appreciated that the mounting platform rotates with respect to the pivot axis 132 from

a substantially vertical orientation (with the antenna in a horizontal orientation) when in

a storage configuration, to a substantially horizontal orientation (with the antenna in a

vertical orientation) when in an operative configuration.

By way of example, extension and retraction of the linear actuator element pushes and

pulls the pivot element to cause respective rotation about a pivot axis 132. To achieve a

relatively compact design, with a linear actuator element operating within the channel,

the pivot element is adapted to separately locate the second pivot axis 122 and third

pivot axis 132, such that second pivot axis remains beneath the third pivot axis 132 (with

respect to a horizontal configuration of the channel) during operative rotation of the

pivot element. This enables direct constant direction action of the actuator element applied to the pivot element for moving between a storage configuration and an operative configuration.

In this embodiment, the actuator element viewed from the side comprises two arm

portions (134,135) defining an angle therebetween. In this example embodiment, the

arm portions are rigidly interconnected. The second pivot axis is located on one arm

portion, and the third pivot axis is located on the other arm portion. The inter-arm angle

provides that the second pivot axis remains beneath the third pivot axis during operative

rotation of the pivot element.

In this embodiment, the actuator element is electrically operated having a first limit that

1o defines the storage configuration and a second limit that defines the operative

configuration.

Referring to FIG. 2, in use, with the apparatus 100 in a storage configuration the actuator

120 extends to apply torque to the pivot element 130, thereby rotating the pivot element

(at 240) about the third pivot axis 132 causing the antenna102 to raise configuration (at

242). The operative configuration as best shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, in use, with the apparatus 100 in an operative configuration the

actuator 120 retracts to apply torque to the pivot element 130, thereby rotating the pivot

element (at 250) about the third pivot axis 132 causing the antenna102 to raise

configuration (at 252). The storage configuration as best shown in FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated that, when the antenna is lowered into the storage configuration,

the antenna is substantially coaxial with, and partially retained within, a longitudinal channel defined by the body element ion. It will be further appreciated that, when the antenna is raised into the operative configuration, antenna is substantially perpendicular with a longitudinal channel defined by the body element. By way of example, the antenna the antenna can be an elongate omnidirectional dipole whip antenna.

In use, the apparatus 100 can be fixed to a vehicle roof or a vehicle roof rack as shown in

FIG. 7, or a vehicle storage structure as show in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that the

apparatus can be substantially installed behind or along a vehicle component for further

protection.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments provide an apparatus that raise

1o and lower an antenna.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be

appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other

forms.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"

means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with

the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,

appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various

places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same

embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics

may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill

in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising,

comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the

elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the term comprising,

when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or

elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device

comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and

B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is

also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the

term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means

1o comprising.

Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not

be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. The terms "coupled" and

"connected", along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that

these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the

1s expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems

wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means

that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path

including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are

either in direct physical, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each

other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first",

"second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different

instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of terms "horizontal", "vertical",

"left", "right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof

(e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly", "upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of

the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader, or with

reference to the orientation of the structure during nominal use, as appropriate.

Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally refer to the orientation of a

surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary

embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped

together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of

streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various

inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as

1s reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are

expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive

aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus,

the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this

Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of

this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other

features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different

embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination

of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or

by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary

instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for

carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described

herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the

function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

1o In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is

understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific

details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not

been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments

of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further

modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention,

and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of

the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of

procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block

diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be

added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention can consist essentially of

features disclosed herein. Alternatively, an embodiment of the invention can consist of

features disclosed herein. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be

practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Claims (20)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An apparatus for raising and lower an antenna, the apparatus including:

body element;

an actuator element supported by the body element;

a pivot element rotatable fixed to the body element;

wherein the actuator operates to move the pivot element for causing the antenna

coupled to the pivot element to be moved between an operative configuration and a

storage configuration.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body element defines a

longitudinal channel that substantially retains the actuator and pivot element.

3. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body

element has a longitudinal side bracket portion for mounting the apparatus on a

vehicle roof or vehicle roof rack or vehicle storage support.

4. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket

portion is configured to locate a longitudinal channel that substantially retains the

actuator and pivot element parallel to and partially below the mounting position on

the vehicle.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator

element is a linear actuator that is supported at one end by the body element.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein extension and

retraction of actuator element pushes and pulls the pivot element to cause respective

rotation about a pivot axis.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot

element is axially fixed to the body element about a pivot axis.

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator

element acts on the pivot element at a distance from the pivot axis to rotate the pivot

element, causing the antenna to move between an operative configuration and a

storage configuration.

9. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator

element is electrically operated.

10. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator

element has a first limit that defines the storage configuration.

11. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator

1s element has a second limit that defines the operative configuration.

12. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the

antenna is lowered into the storage configuration, the antenna is substantially

coaxial with a longitudinal channel defined by the body element.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the longitudinal channel partially

retains the antenna when in the storage configuration.

14. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the

antenna is raised into the operative configuration, the antenna is substantially

perpendicular with a longitudinal channel defined by the body element.

15. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna is

an elongate antenna.

16. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna is

an omnidirectional dipole antenna.

17. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna is

a whip antenna.

18. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, when installed on a

vehicle roof or vehicle roof rack or vehicle storage support.

19. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, when used in support

of an antenna on a vehicle.

20. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, when used in support

of an antenna on a vehicle, wherein the antenna is selectively movable between an

operative configuration and a storage configuration.