US 4,146,897 AGranted

Antenna mast

AssigneeHer Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence

InventorsJohn A. F. Wilson, John Ganton

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A readily assembled self-supporting structure for carrying an antenna and associated electronics apparatus includes a tripod base having support means for pivotably supporting a top mast on which the antenna and associated apparatus are mounted. Pivotably joined with the support means, a mast engaging member is adapted to swing in a predetermined direction to either raise or lower the mast. A heavy battery pack used to power the apparatus is pendulously suspended from the member below the support means and stabilizes the structure against wind forces without requiring ground anchors. In addition, the battery pack acting about the pivot erects the top mast in a perpendicular attitude irrespective of the slope of the antenna site. The structure is held rigid by means of three guys between the top of the mast and the feet of the tripod. One of the guys may be removed to allow the mast to swing when the battery is raised and the tripod legs are prevented from splaying at ground level by a continuous loop of wire rope passing through support pads on which the base rests.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A self-supporting antenna mast assembly, comprising:

(a) a base composed of legs joined at the uppermost ends thereof to form a tripod having an apex;
(b) a mast operatively connected to said base;
(c) a support means disposed at said apex for pivotably supporting said mast, said support means including a pair of upstanding spaced apart pivot support arms, each arm having an aperture, said apertures being generally in serial alignment with one leg of said tripod;
(d) a pivot means operatively connected to said pivot support arms for permitting pivotable movement of said mast;
(e) a mast engaging means for carrying said mast, said mast engaging means being pivotably connected to said pivot means and upstanding therefrom to allow pivotal movement of the mast towards and away from ground level;
(f) link means operatively connected to said pivot means and said mast engaging means for providing a ballast suspension point below said pivot means, said link means depending downwardly below said pivot means in generally coaxial alignment with said mast engaging means;
and
(g) ballast means suspended from said link means for pivotally maintaining said mast engaging means substantially perpendicular and for stabilizing said mast assembly by establishing a center of gravity below said pivot means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.