Winegard Company

William J Sherwood

Charles E Rodeffer

Brian Steven Zihlman

David W Wagner

Donald F Kerr

Mark A Rodeffer

John Francis Whooley

An antenna mount () for a satellite dish () or other antenna having a plurality of legs (). At least one leg () has a multi-directional foot assembly () adjustably securable to a support structure and a domed portion () with a slot () through it extending along an arcuate path that receives an attaching member (). The domed portion is preferably surrounded by a portion () securable to the support structure. The one leg is then adjustably securable at one end to the attaching member and to the raised portion. The one leg is then securable at another end to a second leg or mast (). With at least a section (') of the second leg or mast preferably aligned vertically, the respective legs can be secured in place to the support structure and to each other with the antenna then attached to the upstanding, vertical mast section (&#x2032;).

Antenna mount with multi-directional foot assembly

A fine azimuth adjustment tool and method for a satellite antenna system having a clamp with opposing jaws for clamping around the mast pipe, a lever connected to the clamp for opening and closing the opposing jaws; a cam with a protrusion engaging a formed slot in the mast clamp when said opposing jaws are closed, the protrusion rotating the mast clamp when the cam is turned, the protrusion in the slot holding the mast clamp to the mast pipe at a desired fine tuned azimuth position while the mast clamp is tightened and secured to the mast pipe.

Removable azimuth fine adjustment tool and method for a satellite dish antenna system

A collapsible tripod mount for a portable dish antenna assembly. The assembly includes a dish member and a post member extending downwardly from it. The tripod includes three legs selectively lockable in an open position to support the dish antenna assembly and a collapsed or closed position with the dish antenna assembly removed. The locking arrangement for both the open and collapsed positions of the tripod includes a plate with first and second sets of holes. Each set of holes selectively receives end portions of the tripod legs. The tripod further includes an adjustable azimuth arrangement mounted on one tripod leg and supporting the post and dish members thereon.

Collapsible tripod mount for a dish antenna assembly

A motorized, retractable antenna system for a recreational or similar vehicle. The antenna system includes an antenna head pivotally mounted to a support arrangement for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis between retracted and raised position. The support arrangement and attached antenna head in turn are then mounted to a stationary base assembly for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. A locking mechanism is provided to secure the retracted antenna head and support arrangement in predetermined positions relative to the base assembly and vehicle and to aid in the control of the raising, adjusting, and lowering of the antenna head.

Motorized, retractable antenna system for recreational and similar vehicles

Television antenna

A satellite dish antenna targeting device which corrects for incline and parabolic offset angle. The satellite dish antenna is connected to a base by a support member so that the satellite dish antenna is able to move through an elevation. An inclinometer is mounted to move in unison with the satellite dish antenna for sensing when the base is oriented at an inclination angle with respect to a tangent to the earth at a location where the satellite dish antenna is being targeted. The inclinometer further senses the elevation the satellite dish antenna moves through. The inclinometer thereby provides a dish elevation corrected for the incline and elevation of the satellite dish antenna to a microprocessor. The microprocessor corrects the dish elevation for the parabolic offset angle of the satellite dish antenna. A display device connected to the microprocessor displays a corrected dish elevation of the satellite dish antenna. The satellite dish antenna is thus rapidly and accurately positioned within one degree to receive the satellite signal by moving the satellite dish antenna until the display device displays a predetermined target elevation compensated for by the incline and/or parabolic offset angle of the satellite dish antenna.

Satellite dish antenna targeting device and method for operation thereof

A deployable satellite antenna system is intended primarily to be mounted to the roof of a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle. The elevational position of the reflector is controlled by a reflector support having a lower portion pivotably attached to a base mounted to the vehicle. The elevational position of the reflector can be adjusted between a stowed position in which the reflector is stored face-up adjacent to the vehicle and a deployed position. The feed horn is supported at the distal end of a feed arm having a first segment attached to the reflector support extending outward between the base and reflector, and a second segment pivotably connected to the distal end of the first segment. The feed horn segments move between an extended position in which the feed horn is positioned to receive signals reflected from the reflector, and a folded position in which the feed horn is positioned adjacent to the reflector. A linkage extends between the base and the second segment of the feed arm causing the second segment of the feed arm to automatically pivot to its folded position when the reflector is moved to its stowed position. The linkage also allows a spring to pivot the second segment to its extended position when the reflector is moved to its deployed position. The azimuth of the antenna can be controlled by rotating the base relative to the roof of the vehicle.

Deployable satellite antenna for use on vehicles

A deployable satellite antenna system permits an antenna with elevation and azimuth control to be mounted to the roof of a vehicle. The elevation control assembly for the antenna system has a base with two parallel tracks and a slider that moves along these tracks. The antenna reflector is connected to a support frame pivotably attached to the slider. Pivot arms are pivotally attached between the reflector and the base adjacent to the parallel tracks. The elevational position of the antenna is adjusted by a motor that controls the position of the slider along the parallel tracks between a stowed position in which the reflector is stowed facing the vehicle and a deployed position in which the reflector is rotated to a maximum elevational angle. In one embodiment, a feed arm supporting the feed horn extends outward from the antenna support frame adjacent to the lower edge of the antenna. The base of the feed arm is pivotably attached to the support frame so that the feed horn is stored beneath the antenna in its stowed position and moves to a predetermined point relative to the antenna in its deployed position. The azimuth of the antenna is controlled by a rotating assembly mounted to the roof of the vehicle beneath the base of the elevation control assembly.

A deployable satellite antenna system permits an antenna with elevation control to be mounted. The elevation control assembly for the antenna system has a base with two parallel tracks and a slider that moves along these tracks. The antenna is connected to a support frame pivotally attached to the slider. Pivot arms are pivotally attached between the reflector and the base adjacent to the parallel tracks. The elevational position of the antenna is adjusted by a motor that controls the position of the slider along the parallel tracks between a stowed position in which the antenna is stowed facing the vehicle and a deployed position in which the antenna is rotated to a maximum elevational angle.

Deployable satellite antenna for use of vehicles

A deployable satellite antenna system permits an antenna with elevation and azimuth control to be mounted to the roof of a vehicle. The elevation control assembly for the antenna system has a base with two parallel tracks and a slider that moves along these tracks. The antenna is connected to a support frame pivotally attached to the slider. Pivot arms are pivotally attached between the reflector and the base adjacent to the parallel tracks. The elevational position of the antenna is adjusted by a motor that controls the position of the slider along the parallel tracks between a stowed position in which the antenna is stowed facing the vehicle and a deployed position in which the antenna is rotated to a maximum elevational angle. The azimuth of the antenna is controlled by a rotating assembly mounted to the roof of the vehicle beneath the base of the elevation control assembly.

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West Burlington, IA, United States of America

William J Sherwood