Folded sheet dish support structure

Abstract

The invention is an antenna support structure, reflecting antenna or both, substantially made from folded sheet material and method of making these. The resulting structure conforms to custom curved reflector surfaces without complicated assembly. Frame members cut out of flat sheets are cut, folded, bent, slotted or a combination thereof such that the resulting elements are efficiently and cheaply produced and assembled without the need for additional production, manipulation, fixturing devices or processes. Relief slits cut in folded flanges precisely align the flanges with corresponding slots. The parts slot together so that no fixturing is necessary to bond the structure together making assembly fast and easy and enabling shipping the structure flat and assembling it in the field. The geometry of mating flange and slots is unique for each member preventing parts from being assembled incorrectly. Folded edges strengthen and lightening holes decrease the mass of the members.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.