US 4,055,845 AGranted

Antenna erecting system

OwnerRay C. Ladrickinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

Apparatus for automatically erecting a vehicle mounted antenna of the type utilized for citizens band radios. A p.m. motor provides drive to pivotally move the antenna and a logic circuit comprising only a double-pole-double-throw and two secondary switches provides fully automatic performance in conjunction with turning on the radio. LEDs are selectively illuminated to show antenna status by utilizing a circuit logic path incorporating the winding of the motor. A friction coupling override arrangement protects the erecting mechanism while retaining drive logic.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An improved system for effecting the movement of a communications antenna between a first and an operational orientation comprising:

electric motor means including a winding energizable from a source and having a drive output;
drive means coupled for movement in driven relationship with said motor means drive output and in driving relationship with said antenna for selectively moving said antenna between said orientations;
first switch means selectively actuable to alter between first and second circuit conditions;
second switch means selectively actuable to alter between first and second circuit conditions;
switch actuator means configured and arranged for operation in correspondence with said antenna movement between said first and operational orientations, for actuating said first switch means to alter from said first to said second circuit condition when said antenna closely approaches and attains said operational orientation, for actuating said second switch means to alter from said first to said second circuit condition when said antenna closely approaches and attains said first orientation, said first and second switch means first circuit condition permitting an energization of said electric motor means winding,
double pole switch means connectable to convey power from said source, manually actuable to assume first and second circuit conditions and coupled for selective circuit completing relationships with said motor means winding through said first and second switch means, said double pole switch means being arranged for effecting conveyance, when in said first circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in one polar sense through said first switch means when said first switch means is in said first circuit condition to effect movement of said antenna toward said operational orientation and, being arranged for effecting conveyance, when in said second circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in another polar sense through said second switch means when said second switch means is in said first circuit condition to effect movement of said antenna toward said first orientation, and
first status indicator means having a visually perceptible state when energized, and arranged for energization from said source through a circuit including said winding and said double pole switch means when in said first circuit condition and when said first switch means is in said second circuit condition.

4 more elements

An improved system for effecting the movement of a communications antenna between a first and an operational orientation comprising:

electric motor means including a winding energizable from a source and having a drive output;
a drive shaft fixed to said antenna and rotatable to move the said antenna between said first and operational orientations;
gear means, rotatable with respect to said drive shaft and coupled in driven relationship with said electric motor means drive output;
means defining a friction coupling intermediate said gear means and said drive shaft, said friction coupling being configured to transmit rotational drive from said gear means to said drive shaft and to permit non-destructive relative motion of said antenna and said drive shaft with respect to said gear means upon the application of an external rotation inducing force to said antenna, which force equals or exceeds a predetermined value,
first switch means selectively actuable to alter between first and second circuit conditions;
second switch means selectively actuable between first and second circuit conditions;
switch actuator means connected in driven relationship with said drive shaft for operation in correspondence with said antenna movement between said first and operational orientations, for actuating said first switch means to alter from said first to said second circuit condition when said antenna closely approaches and attains said operational orientation, for actuating said second switch means to alter from said first to said second circuit condition when said antenna closely approaches and attains said first orientation, said first and second switch means first circuit condition permitting an energization of said electric motor means winding, and
double pole switch means connectable to convey power from said source, manually actuable to assume first and second circuit conditions and coupled for selective circuit completing relationships with said motor means winding through said first and second switch means, said double pole switch means being arranged for effecting conveyance, when in said first circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in one polar sense through said first switch means when said first switch means is in said first circuit condition to effect movement of said antenna toward said operational orientation and, being arranged for effecting conveyance, when in said second circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in another polar sense through said second switch means when said second switch means is in said first circuit condition to effect movement of said antenna toward said first orientation.

5 more elements

A vehicle mounted automatic erecting apparatus for arcuately moving the elongate antenna of a radio device between secured and operational orientations comprising:

a housing configured for attachment to said vehicle at a select location,
drive shaft means, pivotally mounted upon said housing;
bracket means adjustably fixed to said drive shaft means for supporting said antenna and pivotal with said drive shaft means through a predetermined arc to move said antenna between said secured and operational orientations;
motor means mounted within said housing, having a winding and a drive output having a directional sense corresponding with the direction of current flow through said winding;
coupling means connecting said drive shaft means in driven relationship with said motor means drive output;
first and second switch means selectively actuable to alter between closed and open circuit conditions;
switch actuator means situate within said housing and configured and arranged for operation in correspondence with the pivotal position of said drive shaft means, for actuating said first switch means to alter from said closed to said open circuit condition when said bracket means moves said antenna into said operational orientation, for actuating said second switch means to alter from said closed to said open circuit condition when said bracket means moves said antenna into said secured orientation, said first and second switch means normally assuming said closed circuit condition when said bracket means mounted antenna is away from respective said operational and secured orientations;
double pole switch means mountable at a select location within said vehicle, connectible to convey power from a vehicle mounted source thereof, manually actuable to assume first and second circuit conditions and connectible for selective circuit completing relationships with said motor means winding through said first and second switch means, said double pole switch means being configured and arranged for effecting the conveyance, when in said first circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in one polar sense through said first switch means, when the latter is in said closed circuit condition, to effect the driven movement of said drive shaft means and bracket by said coupling means and motor means, to move said antenna toward said operational orientation, and being configured and arranged for effecting the conveyance when in said second circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in another polar sense through said second switch means, when the latter is in said closed circuit condition, to effect the driven movement of said drive shaft means and bracket by said coupling means and motor means to move said antenna toward said secured orientation;
and
a first light emitting diode and current limiting resistor means, said diode being mountable at a select location within said vehicle and arranged for energization from said source through a circuit path including said winding and said double pole switch means when in said first circuit condition and only when said first switch means is in said open circuit condition.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

An improved system for effecting the movement of a communications antenna between a first and an operational orientation comprising:

electric motor means including a winding energizable from a source and having a drive output;
drive means coupled for movement in driven relationship with said motor means drive output and in driving relationship with said antenna for selectively moving said antenna between said orientations;
first switch means selectively actuable to alter between first and second circuit conditions;
second switch means selectively actuable to alter between first and second circuit conditions;
switch actuator means configured and arranged for operation in correspondence with said antenna movement between said first and operational orientations, for actuating said first switch means to alter from said first to said second circuit condition when said antenna closely approaches and attains said operational orientation, for actuating said second switch means to alter from said first to said second circuit condition when said antenna closely approaches and attains said first orientation, said first and second switch means first circuit condition permitting an energization of said electric motor means winding,
double pole switch means connectable to convey power from said source, manually actuable to assume first and second circuit conditions and coupled for selective circuit completing relationships with said motor means winding through said first and second switch means, said double pole switch means being arranged for effecting conveyance, when in said first circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in one polar sense through said first switch means when said first switch means is in said first circuit condition to effect movement of said antenna toward said operational orientation and, being arranged for effecting conveyance, when in said second circuit condition, of current from said source to energize said winding in another polar sense through said second switch means when said second switch means is in said first circuit condition to effect movement of said antenna toward said first orientation, and
first status indicator means having a visually perceptible state when energized, and arranged for energization from said source through a circuit including said winding and said double pole switch means when in said first circuit condition and when said first switch means is in said second circuit condition.

4 more elements