Directable multiband antenna

Claim 2

An electrically directable signal-receiving antenna system having provision to obtain optimum reception from a plurality of widely separated broadcast bands and comprising, a plurality of radially arranged signal-receiving elements defining a plurality of directivity patterns with a plurality of pairs of said signal-receiving elements within each directivity pattern, each of said pairs of signal-receiving elements defining an included angle which is substantially bisected by a line representing the directivity pattern of the antenna and with each of said pairs having a substantially different included angle from those of the remaining pairs, first switch means for operatively selecting anD individual directivity pattern, and second switch means for operatively connecting an individual pair of signal-receiving elements within the selected directivity pattern to hereby permit variation of the angular relationship of the operatively connected pair of signalreceiving elements.

Claim 3

The antenna system as defined in claim 1 wherein there are at least twelve signal-receiving elements which are evenly disposed in the radial arrangement, and wherein there are three pairs of signal-receiving elements within each directivity pattern.

Claim 4

An electrically directable signal-receiving antenna system comprising, an antenna array comprising a central hub and a plurality of signal-receiving elements radially emanating therefrom in an evenly spaced configuration to define a plurality of directivity patterns for the antenna, the radially inner ends of said signal-receiving elements extending into said hub with each end being electrically insulated from the remaining ends, switch means for operatively interconnecting selected pairs of said signal-receiving elements to permit selection of an individual directivity pattern, and electrically conductive baffle means positioned within the hub and having radial spokes extending between and spaced from the inner ends of adjacent signal-receiving elements for proximately connecting oppositely directed signal-receiving elements whereby the same serve as signal reflectors for the operatively interconnected pair of signal-receiving elements.

Claim 5

An electrically directable signal-receiving antenna system comprising, an antenna array comprising a central hub and a plurality of signal-receiving elements radially emanating therefrom in an evenly spaced configuration to define a plurality of directivity patterns for the antenna, the radially inner ends of said signal-receiving elements extending into said hub with each end being electrically insulated from the remaining ends, switch means for operatively interconnecting selected pairs of said signal-receiving elements to permit selection of an individual directivity pattern, and electrically conductive baffle means positioned within the hub and having radial spokes extending between and spaced from the inner ends of adjacent signal-receiving elements for proximately connecting oppositely directed signal-receiving elements whereby the same serve as signal reflectors for the operatively interconnected pair of signal-receiving elements.

Claim 6

The antenna system as defined in claim 3 wherein said radial spokes of the baffle means are electrically connected to the adjacent inner ends of the signal-receiving elements across a lightning arrester, and wherein said baffle means is grounded.

Claim 7

An electrically directable signal-receiving antenna system having a plurality of individually selectable directivity patterns and provisions for receiving signals from three distinct and widely separated broadcast bands in each of the directivity patterns and comprising, an antenna array comprising a central hub and a plurality of dipole rods radially emanating therefrom in an evenly spaced configuration, a control box having a plurality of consecutively aligned contacts corresponding in number to the number of dipole rods, and a pair of outlet terminals adapted to be connected to the lead-in line of a television receiver, means for electrically interconnecting each dipole rod with one of said contacts such that consecutive dipole rods are connected to consecutive contacts, first switch means for orienting the directivity pattern of the antenna and comprising six terminals for engaging size of the contacts, said terminals being arranged such that the six engaged contacts will be connected to three pairs of dipole rods with all three pairs having an included angle bisected by a common line representing the directivity of the antenna, and second switch means for operatively connecting one of said three pairs to said control box outlet terminals.

Claim 8

An electrically directable signal-receiving antenna system having a plurality of individually selectable directivity patterns and provisions for receiving signals from three distinct and widely separated broadcast bands in each of the directivity patterns and comprising, an antenna array comprising a central hub and a plurality of dipole rods radially emanating therefrom in an evenly spaced configuration, a control box having a plurality of consecutively aligned contacts corresponding in number to the number of dipole rods, and a pair of outlet terminals adapted to be connected to the lead-in line of a television receiver, means for electrically interconnecting each dipole rod with one of said contacts such that consecutive dipole rods are connected to consecutive contacts, first switch means for orienting the directivity pattern of the antenna and comprising six terminals for engaging size of the contacts, said terminals being arranged such that the six engaged contacts will be connected to three pairs of dipole rods with all three pairs having an included angle bisected by a common line representing the directivity of the antenna, and second switch means for operatively connecting one of said three pairs to said control box outlet terminals.

Claim 9

The antenna system as defined in claim 5 wherein the central hub comprises a tubular wall having a plurality of radially directed, evenly spaced holes therethrough, said dipole rods including a terminal portion extending through respective ones of said holes and being secured to said tubular wall.

Claim 10

The antenna system as defined in claim 6 wherein said central hub further includes baffle means having radial spokes extending between he terminal portions of the dipole rods for proximately connecting radially opposed dipole rods to thereby serve as a signal reflector for the operatively connected pair of dipole rods.

Claim 11

The antenna system as defined in claim 6 wherein said electrical connecting means includes a transmission cable having a plurality of individual conductors therein corresponding in number to the number of dipole rods, one end of each conductor being electrically connected to one of said dipole rod terminal portions and thE other end of each conductor being electrically connected to one of the contacts in said control box.

Claim 12

The antenna system as defined in claim 8 wherein said first switch means comprises a panel mounting said contacts in a circular arrangement, a control shaft and knob rotatably mounted to said panel, along the vertical axis of the circular arrangement, a radially directed dielectric arm fixedly mounted to said shaft immediately above the panel, and six spring terminals mounted to said dielectric arm for engaging six of the contacts.

Claim 13

The antenna system as defined in claim 9 wherein said second switch means comprises a first set of three contacts and a second set of three contacts, each of the contacts in the first and second sets being electrically connected to a different one of the six spring terminals, a rotatable drive shaft and knob, a first arm fixedly mounted to said drive shaft and adapted to rotate with said drive shaft for selective engagement with one of the contacts in said first set, and a second arm fixedly mounted to said drive shaft and adapted to rotate with said drive shaft for selective engagement with one of said contacts in said second set, said first and second arms being electrically connected to said pair of outlet terminals.

Claim 14

The antenna system as defined in claim 10 further including a pair of diverging elements adjustably secured adjacent the inner end of each dipole rod, said elements lying substantially in the plane of said dipole rods and extending radially outwardly on opposite sides of the associated dipole rod.

Claim 15

The antenna system as defined in claim 11 further including a V-shaped wire whisker attached at the outer extremity of each diverging element, each whisker extending in a tangential direction and lying a plane substantially perpendicular to the associated diverging element.

Claim 16

The antenna system as defined in claim 12 wherein each dipole rod includes a pivotal joint immediately adjacent the hub such that the dipole rods may be folded into a generally parallel arrangement for easy handling and storage.