Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of building construction and more particularly to the field of fastening antennas on buildings. Background Art

We are used to seeing radio and TV antennas on buildings throughout the world. We used to see Yagi, log-periodic, loop and similar antennas. With the advent of HDTV and satellite television, we are now seeing dish antennas. They all look fairly ugly and detract from the beauty of the building design. This is particularly true in residential housing areas. In such areas, each individual homeowner is free to select his own TV service provider. If service using an antenna is selected by the homeowner, a technician installs the antenna where he determines the best signal can be received. It may be the roof or a wall. Each service has a preferred antenna design and support structure. Examples are shown on Figures 1 -6. Eventually, each house in an area has different antennas, sprouting at different locations and angles on each house, which renders the area less beautiful.

What is needed is an identical antenna mounting system for each house in a neighborhood. One way to force uniformity would be for a builder to preinstall a mount on the building.

Development of an antenna mount which can be preinstalled on a building, yet provide sufficient flexibility for the owner's needs represents a great improvement in the field of building construction and satisfies a long felt need of owners and builders.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is an antenna mount comprising a building attachment section and an antenna support section. The building attachment section is designed to be fastened under the roof rafters or to the studs of an exterior wall and has a free end. The antenna support section has two free ends, one of which is designed so that the antenna can attach to it via its clamp. The other free end is fastened to the free end of the antenna support section by a joint which may be permanent (such as welded), or rigid and removable or designed in such a way as to permit angular and/or rotational motion. Preferably the joint is designed to permit angular motion. The building attachment section, the support section and the joint are designed so that the antenna is vertical and free to rotate 360o, when it is placed on the one free end of the antenna support section.

The preferred embodiment of this antenna mount comprises a base plate designed to be fastened under roof rafters or to studs of an exterior wall and four legs, each having two ends. The first leg is fastened to the base plate at one end by a first attachment. One end of the second leg is fastened to the other, free end of the first leg by a second attachment. One end of the third leg is fastened to the other, free end of second leg by a third attachment. One end of the fourth leg is fastened to the other, free end of third leg by a fourth attachment. The other, free end of the fourth leg is designed so that the mounting clamp of the antenna can attach to it. The lengths of legs and their angles of attachments are designed so that the free end of the fourth leg is vertical and the antenna is free to rotate 360o, when placed on this free end but not yet clamped in place. The attachments may be rigid or designed in such a way as to permit angular and/or rotational motion Preferably, the third attachment is designed to permit angular rotation while the other attachments are rigid and fasten the legs to each other at predetermined angles. Of course the legs may also be designed so that their lengths can be adjusted.

Preferably, an antenna is mounted to a building by fastening the building attachment section under roof rafters or to studs of an exterior wall, fastening the free end of the building attachment section to the free end of the antenna mounting section with the joint. In this way, this invention may be fastened under stucco so that it is unobtrusive. Another advantage is that, by pre-installing the building attachment section to each building before sale, a developer can ensure that all houses in the tract have the same appearance so that the aesthetics of the development may be preserved. An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the present invention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to the accompanying drawings and description of a preferred embodiment.

Brief Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a side, exploded illustration of a first, prior art antenna mount and antenna. Figure 2 is a side illustration of a second, prior antenna mount and antenna.

Figure 3 an exploded, perspective illustration of the first prior art antenna mount with a different antenna.

Figure 4 is an illustration of a third, prior art antenna mount as installed with an antenna. Figure 5 is an illustration of a fourth, prior art antenna mount as installed.

Figure 6 is another view of the fourth, prior art antenna mount as installed.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the building attachment section of the instant invention, which comprises a base plate, a first leg and a second leg, fastened to each other.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of antenna support section of the instant invention, which comprises a third leg and a fourth leg fastened to each other with an angularly adjustable attachment.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the instant invention fastened to the roof rafters of a building prior to application of stucco.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the instant invention fastened to the roof rafters of a building after application of stucco.

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the instant invention fastened to the roof rafters of a building with the antenna fastened.

Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the clamp of the antenna fastened to the free end of this invention. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the instant invention fastened to a building with the antenna fastened.

Figure 14 is a side view of the instant invention from one side.

Figure 15 is a top view of the instant invention.

Figure 16 is a side view of the instant invention from the other side Figure 17 is a bottom view of the instant invention.

Figure 18 is an end view of the instant invention from one end.

Figure 19 is an end view of the instant invention from the other end.

Best Mode for Carrying Out Invention While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 1 1 show the main components of this invention 1 : a base plate 10 designed to be fastened under at least two roof rafters or to at least two studs 66 of an exterior wall; a first leg 14 fastened to the base plate 10 by a first attachment 18; a second leg 22 fastened to the first leg 14 by a second attachment 26; a third leg 30 fastened to the second leg 22 by a third attachment 36; and a fourth leg 34 fastened to the third leg 30 by a fourth attachment 38.

Preferably the base plate 10 and first leg 14 are oriented in relation to each other so that the plate 10 is a right angles to the rafters 70 or studs 66 and the free end 86 of the first leg 14 juts out away from the building 54. The free end 42 of the fourth leg 34 is designed so that the antenna 46 can be fastened to the free end 42, typically with some sort of clamp 50 that is firmly attached to the antenna 46. Before the clamp 50 is fully secured, since the free end 42 and the clamp 50 are tubular, the clamp 50 and thus the antenna 46 are free to rotate 360o. The lengths of the legs 14, 22, 30, 34 and the angles of the attachments 18, 26, 38 are selected so that the fourth leg 34 is vertical and the antenna 46 is situated far away enough from the building 54 so that it will clear the building 54 when rotated 360o.

Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 1 1 show that the attachments 18, 26 are fixed while attachment 38 is angularly adjustable. Permanent attachments are made by welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive bonding and the like. Preferably the angularly adjustable attachment 38 is a slotted cradle 58 fastened to the third 30 or fourth 34 leg, a pivot 62 around which the fourth 34 or second 30 leg can rotate and a fastener 68 to lock the legs 30, 34 in the desired angular relationship. This is a common technique for adjusting the angle between two components. However, those familiar with the art to which this invention pertains will realize that any or all of the attachments 18, 26, 38 may be made permanent or angularly adjustable. In like manner, any or all of the attachments 18, 26, 38 may be made rotationally adjustable, i.e. able to rotate about the long axis of the leg 14, 22, 30, 34.

Furthermore, the lengths of the legs 14, 22, 30 34 could be made lengthwise adjustable by known techniques.

Figure 10 shows how the legs 22 and 30 are attached to each other. In the preferred embodiment, they are of different diameters so that one can slide snugly inside the other. Each leg 22, 30 is provided with diagonal holes that are in registration with each other. When one leg 22 or 30 is slid inside the other 30 or 22 and the holes lined up, bolts 36 are inserted through the holes and secured with nuts (not visible). This is a common method of attaching tubular components to each other. Those familiar with the art to which this invention pertains will realize that alternate means could be used to linearly fasten the legs 22, 30 to each other. Legs 22, 30 could also be attached to each other so that they are rotationally adjustable in relation to each other.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention 1 , the base plate 10, first leg 14 and second leg 22 are preassembled as shown on Figure 7. Then the third leg 30, fourth leg 34 and angularly adjustable joint 38 are fastened to each other as shown on Figure 8. Next a location at the building 54 for strongest reception of a broadcast signal is selected and the base plate is fastened to a roof rafter 70 (i.e. under the eaves 64) or a stud 66 of the building 54. Next, the second 22 and third 30 legs are fastened to each other and the angularly adjustable joint 30 is adjusted so that the fourth leg 34 is vertical. Finally, as shown in Figure 12, access the antenna clamp 50, which is fastened to the antenna 46, is placed on the free end 42 of the fourth leg 34, the antenna 46 is rotated so that it receives the strongest signal and the clamp 50 is tightened so that the antenna 46 is secured firmly in place.

If desired a strut 74 may be secured between the Ieg34 and the fascia 78 of the building 54. The antenna mount 1 of this invention can be installed on the building 54 before or after stucco 60 is applied. Compare Figures 9 and 10.

Reduced to its essentials, the antenna mount 1 of this invention comprises: a building attachment section 82 including an accessible end 86; and an antenna support section 88 including a free end 42 and a second accessible end 94. The accessible end 86 and the second accessible end 94 are fastened to each other by a joint 98. The free end 42 is designed so that the antenna 46 can be attached to the free end

42, typically with some sort of clamp 50 that is firmly attached to the antenna 46. Before the clamp 50 is fully secured, since the free end 42 and the clamp 50 are tubular, the clamp 50 and thus the antenna 46 are free to rotate 360o.

The building attachment section 82 and the antenna support section 88 are designed so that the free end 42 is vertical and the antenna 46 is situated far away enough from the building 54 so that it will clear the building 54 when rotated 360o.

Figure 10 shows how the first 86 and second 94 accessible ends are fastened to each other. In the preferred embodiment, they are of different diameters so that one can slide snugly inside the other. Each end 86, 94 is provided with diagonal holes that are in registration with each other. When one end 86, 94 is slid inside the other 94, 86 and the holes lined up, bolts 36 are inserted through the holes and secured with nuts. This is a common method of fastening tubular components to each other. Those familiar with the art to which this invention pertains will realize that alternate means could be used to linearly fasten the end 86, 94 to each other. The ends 96, 94 could also be fastened to each other so that they are rotationally adjustable in relation to each other.

This invention 1 is primarily intended for fastening under roofing rafters 70 of residences at eaves 64 prior to application of stucco. However, this invention 1 could be installed after stucco had been applied. This invention 1 could also be installed on other types of buildings. Use of this invention 1 in a housing project would allow for uniformity of installations, thus making the neighborhood more aesthetically pleasing. The following reference numerals are used on Figures 1 through 12.

1 antenna mount of this invention

0 base plate

14 first leg

18 first attachment

22 second leg

26 second attachment

30 third leg

34 fourth leg

36 third attachment

36 bolts

38 fourth attachment or angularly adjustable joint

42 free end of fourth leg

46 antenna

50 antenna clamping device or clamp

54 building

58 slotted cradle

60 stucco

62 pivot

64 eaves

66 stud 68 fastener 70 roof rafter 74 strut

78 fascia of the building 82 attachment section 86 accessible end 88 antenna support section 94 second accessible end 98 joint

Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.

It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such

applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.