Elevatable and foldable antenna

Claim 2

An elevatable and retractable antenna having signal receiving elements movable between open and closed positions comprising, in combination, a base member, antenna body support means movably mounted on said base member movable between an elevated position and a retracted position, an elongated antenna body mounted on said support means spaced from said base member, a plurality of elongated signal receiving elements pivotally mounted on said body pivotal between open and closed positions, said signal receiving elements each having an inner end and an outer end, pivot means connecting said inner ends to said body whereby said elements are disposed in general alignment with said body when in the closed position and are transversely disposed to said body when in the open position, operating means connected to said support means for moving said support means between said elevated and retracted positions, and control means connected to said signal receiving elements automatically pivoting said elements to the open position as said body support means and body is elevated and automatically pivoting said elements to the closed position as said body support means and body is retracted.

Claim 3

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 1 wherein said signal receiving elements are mounted on said antenna body in pairs, at least two pairs of elements mounted on said body and axially spaced thereon relative to each other, said control means including an actuator rod and links interconnecting said inner ends of said elements.

Claim 4

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 1 wherein said control means includes an actuator connected to said support means and connected to said elements whereby movement of said support means pivots said elements between said open and closed positions.

Claim 5

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 3 wherein said control means includes an extension defined on said support means connected to said actuator.

Claim 6

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 4 wherein said support means comprises a parallelogram linkage interposed between said base member and antenna body whereby said body maintains a constant angular relationship to said base member as it is elevated and retracted by said support means.

Claim 7

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 1 wherein said operating means includes a worm wheel connected to said support means, a worm meshing with said worm wheel mounted on said base member, and an operating handle connected to said worm for the rotation thereof.

Claim 8

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 1, bearing means supporting said base member for rotation about a substantially vertical axis and manual operated means connected to said base member for producing rotation thereof.

Claim 9

An elevatable and retractable antenna having dipoles movable between open and closed positions comprising, in combination, a base member, bearing means rotatably mounting said base member for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a parallelogram linkage consisting of a plurality of links pivotally mounted on said base member movable between elevated and retracted positions, an elongated antenna body mounted on said linkage by pivots, a plurality of dipoles pivotally mounted on said body pivotal between a closed position in general alignment with said body and an open position transversely disposed to said body, control means connected to said dipoles for simultaneously pivoting said dipoles between said open and closed positions, connecting means interconnecting said control means to said linkage whereby the angular movement occurring between said linkage and said body as said linkage moves between said elevated and retracted position operates said control means to open said dipoles at said elevated position and close said dipoles at said retracted position and operating means drivingly connected to said linkage for pivoting said links relative to said base member to elevate and retract said linkage and said antenna body.

Claim 10

An elevatable and retractable antenna having dipoles movable between open and closed positions comprising, in combination, a base member, bearing means rotatably mounting said base member for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a parallelogram linkage consisting of a plurality of links pivotally mounted on said base member movable between elevated and retracted positions, an elongated antenna body mounted on said linkage by pivots, a plurality of dipoles pivotally mounted on said body pivotal between a closed position in general alignment with said body and an open position transversely disposed to said body, control means connected to said dipoles for simultaneously pivoting said dipoles between said open and closed positions, connecting means interconnecting said control means to said linkage whereby the angular movement occurring between said linkage and said body as said linkage moves between said elevated and retracted position operates said control means to open said dipoles at said elevated position and close said dipoles at said retracted position and operating means drivingly connected to said linkage for pivoting said links relative to said base member to elevate and retract said linkage and said antenna body.

Claim 11

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 8 wherein said connecting means comprises an extension of one of the links of said parallelogram linkage.

Claim 12

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 8 wherein said operating means includes a worm wheel connected to the pivot of one of said links at said base member, a worm rotatably mounted on said base member meshing with said wheel, and a handle connected to said worm.

Claim 13

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 8 wherein said operating means comprises a reversible electric motor mounted on said base member operatively connected to one of said links.

Claim 14

An elevatable and retractable antenna for mounting upon a roof having an upper exterior surface and a lower interior surface wherein the antenna includes signal receiving elements movable between elevated and retracted positions comprising, in combination, a base member rotatably mounted upon the roof adjacent the exterior surface thereof rotatable about a first generally vertical axis, elongated antenna body support means having a first end movably mounted on said base member for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal second pivot axis and having a second end spaced from said first end elevatable and retractable with respect to said base member upon pivoting of said first end about said second pivot axis, signal receiving elements mounted upon said antenna body support means second end for elevatable and retractable movement therewith, operating means mounted on said base member operatively connected to said body support means first end for pivoting said body support means about said second pivot axis, first control means connected to said base member and concentrically related to said first axis for rotational movement thereabout having a lower end extending below the roof lower interior surface, first manual adjustment means connected to said first control means lower end to manually rotate said base member about said first axis, second control means rotatably mounted on said base member concentric to said first axis connected to said operating means having a lower end extending below the roof interior surface, and second manual adjustment means connected to said second control means lower end for rotating said second control means about said first axis and activate said operating means to elevate and retract said body support means second end and said signal receiving elements.

Claim 15

An elevatable and retractable antenna for mounting upon a roof having an upper exterior surface and a lower interior surface wherein the antenna includes signal receiving elements movable between elevated and retracted positions comprising, in combination, a base member rotatably mounted upon the roof adjacent the exterior surface thereof rotatable about a first generally vertical axis, elongated antenna body support means having a first end movably mounted on said base member for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal second pivot axis and having a second end spaced from said first end elevatable and retractable with respect to said base member upon pivoting of said first end about said second pivot axis, signal receiving elements mounted upon said antenna body support means second end for elevatable and retractable movement therewith, operating means mounted on said base member operatively connected to said body support means first end for pivoting said body support means about said second pivot axis, first control means connected to said base member and concentrically related to said first axis for rotational movement thereabout having a lower end extending below the roof lower interior surface, first manual adjustment means connected to said first control means lower end to manually rotate said base member about said first axis, second control means rotatably mounted on said base member concentric to said first axis connected to said operating means having a lower end extending below the roof interior surface, and second manual adjustment means connected to said second control means lower end for rotating said second control means about said first axis and activate said operating means to elevate and retract said body support means second end and said signal receiving elements.

Claim 16

In an elevatable and retractable antenna as in claim 12 wherein said operating means includes a worm wheel concentric with said second axis, and a worm gear mounted upon said second control means meshing with said worm wheel.