Satellite dish antenna mount

Abstract

In an array of cooperating parts useful to form a portable satellite dish antenna mount base an assortment of attachments is provided to secure the base to a marina storage box, structural elements of a stabilized recreational vehicle and also to ground. At the same time the interface between the base and the mount itself may be tapered along interfering tapers to render the assembly and disassembly convenient. Once assembled an end mounting post on the mount is aligned to a vertical alignment with the assistance of a bubble level in the post end to support the dish antenna thereon. The base may further include a magnetic compass to aid in the antenna alignment.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 306,278 filed on Nov. 27, 2002, now U.S. patent ______ and of U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 189,455 filed on Sep. 5, 2003. The benefits of these earlier filing dates are claimed for all matter common therewith.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to satellite dish antenna mounts, and more particularly to a conveniently transported mount assembly useful to combine into a dish antenna mount that may be generally fixed at various selected orientations. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] The transmission of television and other similar signals has gone through several evolutions, first in the form of broadband radio signal then followed by various land lines or cable networks. In each instance either the physical burden of various in-ground or overhead cables or the width of the usea...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Yet additional objects of the invention are to provide an interlocking array of parts that is easily assembled to form a satellite dish antenna mount provided with structural interlocks that are engaged without substantial ambiguity.

[0014] Preferably the hollow base, the cylindrical mount and the support post are all formed of a polymeric material structure, such as polyvinyl chloride or other generally rigid polymer structure having material properties that allow the machining and cutting thereof. Similarly, the pivoting mechanism fixing the support post alignment relative the cylindrical mount also comprises non-magnetic components, the non-ferrous assembly therefore allowing use of an inexpensive magnetic compass to assist in the orientation of the base along a predetermined azimuth. In this manner the induced magnetic distortion errors that are usually associated with unwanted distortions of the local magnetic field are wholly avoided. This cooperative structural arrangement is further simplified by way of a threaded extension of the mounting post into a domed ball surface captured between a cap on the end of the cylindrical mount by a helical spring and a dished surface within the cylinder opposing the threaded extension or the post so that a partial turn thereof then provides the frictional interlock to fix its generally vertical alignment as determined by the bubble level seated in the free end of the post. A satellite dish antenna, conventionally provided with elevation adjustment, can then be fixed to the mounting post along the azimuth referenced to the compass.

[0015] One will appreciate that the planform of the base container and its several surfaces may be variously shaped for clear visual indication of the azimuth alignment thereof. Moreover various storage provisions may be formed in the surfaces of the container that retain the compass and the component array of the cylindrical support assembly. In this manner a convenient, easily transported and easily aligned antenna mount assembly is provided that is useful at all geographic locations.

[0016] It is to be noted that the utility of the foregoing mount assembly is particularly effective in a mobile setting and an alternative attachment structure is therefore provided conformed for engagement to the ladder parts and hand-hold structures of recreational vehicle. For those traveling by water where boat movement even when at the dock precludes useful reception an arrangement is provided that conveniently attaches the base to the typical triangular lid of a dock box. In these applications the three supports of the hollow base may be provided with extendable laniards that are then tied to the lid or, alternatively, a three legged platform may be provided of a planform similar to the above hollow base, the platform again including a central mounting aperture for receiving the cylindrical mount and also several openings along the edge to be engaged by elastic cords again capturing the lid. In this manner wide utility is obtained in a minimal complement.

Problems solved by technology

In each instance either the physical burden of various in-ground or overhead cables or the width of the useable electromagnetic spectrum have limited the number of available programming sources.

Thus either the resulting measurement and erection complexity or lack of precision have unnecessarily detracted from the use convenience and proliferation of the deployable mount has been less than ringing in the recent past.

Images