US4154788A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for making a plastic antenna reflector
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-12-01
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Granted: 1979-05-15
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Expires: 1992-12-01
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a method for forming an antenna reflector and housing f a plastic material, rather than from metal or a glass/cloth laminate. The method comprises the steps of scribing a grid structure on a plastic sheet; vacuum or gavity forming the plastic sheet and trimming it to size; coating the plastic sheet with a conductive metal such as copper; and then removing the excess copper from the antenna. Alternatively, a printing and etching technique can be used in substitution of the scribing coating steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard P. Hockensmith
- 👤 Elmer E. Skelton
- 👤 Daniel L. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/141; H01Q15/142; H01Q15/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of forming an antenna reflector from thermo-plastic material comprising the steps of: scribing a multiplicity of scribed grooves to form a grid structure on a flat sheet of thermo-plastic material; forming the grooved portion of the thermo-plastic sheet to a desired three-dimensional shape and trimming said grooved sheet to size; coating the scribed surface with a conductive material; and removing the conductive material between the scribed grooves.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of forming an antenna reflector from thermo-plastic material comprising the steps of: scribing a multiplicity of scribed grooves to form a grid structure on a flat sheet of thermo-plastic material; forming the grooved portion of the thermo-plastic sheet to a desired three-dimensional shape and trimming said grooved sheet to size; coating the scribed surface with a conductive material; and removing the conductive material between the scribed grooves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of spraying the formed plastic sheet with an anti-oxidizing low loss coating to insulate the antenna reflector from the environment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming includes vacuum forming the thermo-plastic sheet over a forming tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forming includes gravity forming the thermo-plastic sheet over a forming tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of coating includes coating the scribed surface with a maximum thickness of one mil of conductive metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of removing the conductive material between the scribed grid structure includes the step of abrasively removing the conductive material between the scribed grid structure lines.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-14 | 1982-11-13 | 1983-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-14 | 1986-11-13 | 1987-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-14 | 1990-11-13 | 1991-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |