US3873985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extendible and retractable antenna
Assignee: NEW TRONICS CORP
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Filing: 1974-05-10
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1994-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A motor operated retractable antenna where the antenna as it is retracted from an extended position generally perpendicular to a supporting panel slides through a guide while simultaneously pivoting to a position generally parallel with the panel. The guide is a spherical ball with an axial passage therethrough, and the motor actuates a slide associated with the lower end of the antenna and which slide moves on a path generally parallel to the panel and spaced from the pivot axis.
Inventors
- 👤 John Altmayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
An extendible and retractable vehicle antenna mounted on and beneath a generally horizontal vehicle panel having inner and outer sides comprising, an antenna rod having inner and outer ends with respect to said panel, a track having opposite ends, said track being closely spaced beneath said panel and extending generally parallel thereto, a rider supported by said track for reciprocation therealong, means pivotally interconnecting said inner end of said antenna rod with said rider, antenna rod guide means supported by said panel for pivotal movement about an axis, said guide means supporting said antenna rod intermediate the ends thereof for reciprocation transverse to said axis, means interconnecting said track and guide means with said axis spaced from and overlying one end of said track, said other end of said track being horizontally spaced from said one end, and means to displace said rider in opposite directions along said track to displace said inner end of said antenna rod along said track and move said antenna rod between retracted and extended positions relative to said panel, said antenna rod in the extended position being generally vertical, said track having a length between said ends substantially greater than the spacing thereof from said guide means axis, and said track length and spacing providing for said antenna in the retracted position to be disposed at an angle more acute with respect to horizontal than vertical.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
An extendible and retractable vehicle antenna mounted on and beneath a generally horizontal vehicle panel having inner and outer sides comprising, an antenna rod having inner and outer ends with respect to said panel, a track having opposite ends, said track being closely spaced beneath said panel and extending generally parallel thereto, a rider supported by said track for reciprocation therealong, means pivotally interconnecting said inner end of said antenna rod with said rider, antenna rod guide means supported by said panel for pivotal movement about an axis, said guide means supporting said antenna rod intermediate the ends thereof for reciprocation transverse to said axis, means interconnecting said track and guide means with said axis spaced from and overlying one end of said track, said other end of said track being horizontally spaced from said one end, and means to displace said rider in opposite directions along said track to displace said inner end of said antenna rod along said track and move said antenna rod between retracted and extended positions relative to said panel, said antenna rod in the extended position being generally vertical, said track having a length between said ends substantially greater than the spacing thereof from said guide means axis, and said track length and spacing providing for said antenna in the retracted position to be disposed at an angle more acute with respect to horizontal than vertical.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein said displacing means includes motor means and means drivingly interconnecting said motor means with said rider.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein said rider includes a threaded portion, and said displacing means includes shaft means extending along said track and having thread means in meshing engagement with said threaded portion of said rider for rotation of said shaft means to displace said rider, and motor means for rotating said shaft means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The antenna according to claim 1, wherein said antenna rod guide means includes a guide member and guide member support means, said guide member having an aperture therethrough, said antenna rod extending through said aperture, said guide member having an outer surface at least a portion of which is spherical, and said guide member support means including means providing a cooperative supporting surface for said spherical portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The antenna according to claim 4, said rider including a threaded portion, and said displacing means including shaft means extending along said track and having thread means in meshing engagement with said threaded portion of said rider for rotation of said shaft means to displace said rider, and motor means for rotating said shaft means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The antenna according to claim 4, wherein said guide member support means is mountablE on said vehicle panel, said means interconnecting said track and guide means includes a support plate interconnected with said guide member support means for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to said track, said track being mounted on said support plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The antenna according to claim 6, wherein said rider includes a threaded portion, and said displacing means includes shaft means extending along said track and having thread means in meshing engagement with said threaded portion of said rider for rotation of said shaft means to displace said rider, said displacing means further including a reversible electric motor for rotating said shaft means, said motor being mounted on said support plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The antenna according to claim 5, wherein said guide member support means is mountable on said vehicle panel, said means interconnecting said track and guide means includes a support plate interconnected with said guide member support means for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to said track, said track being mounted on said support plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The antenna according to claim 8, wherein said motor means is a reversible electric motor mounted on said support plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The antenna according to claim 2, wherein said motor means is a unidirectional motor and said means drivingly interconnecting said motor means and rider includes reverse threaded shaft means parallel to said track and rotatable by said motor, and follower means on said rider cooperatively engaging said reverse threads for unidirectional rotation of said shaft means to reciprocate said rider in opposite directions along said track.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The antenna according to claim 10, wherein said unidirectional motor is an electric motor, and control circuit means for connecting said motor across a power supply, said control circuit means including switch means operable to disconnect said motor from said power supply when said follower means reaches the opposite ends of said reverse threads.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
The antenna according to claim 4, wherein said means for displacing said rider includes reverse threaded shaft means extending along said track and follower means on said rider in engagement with said reverse threads of said shaft means for unidirectional rotation of said shaft means to reciprocate said rider in opposite directions along said track, a unidirectional electric motor for rotating said shaft means, and control circuit means for connecting said motor across a power supply, said control circuit means including switch means operable to disconnect said motor from said power supply when said follower means reaches the opposite ends of said reverse threads.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
The antenna according to claim 6, wherein said means for displacing said rider includes a unidirectional electric motor mounted on said support plate, reversely threaded shaft means parallel to said track means and driven by said motor, follower means on said rider engaging said reversely threaded shaft means for unidirectional rotation of said shaft means to reciprocate said rider in opposite directions along said track means, and control circuit means for connecting said motor across a power supply, said control circuit means including switch means operable to disconnect said motor from said power supply when said follower means reaches the opposite ends of said reverse threads.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3117320A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |