Reflector support structure

Claim 2

A support structure for electromagnetic and light wave reflectors comprising: at least two substantially planar and rigid enclosure members, parallel spaced from one another about a common axis perpendicular to the planes of the enclosure members; a plurality of rigid outer columns spaced about and between the peripheral surfaces of said enclosure members and operable to immovably secure said enclosure members to one another; at least two spaced sets of cables; each set including a plurality of flexible radial cables connected to and between selected opposing attachment sites on said rigid members, said radial cables tautly extending between opposing sites parallel with said enclosure members and joining a hub located at the substantial axial center of said enclosure members; each set including a plurality of flexible internal cables connected to and between said radial cables at selected attachment sites on said radial cables substantially equidistant from the common central axis of said enclosure members to define one or more polygonal internal members; and each polygon attached by at least one restraining member to selected attachment sites on said rigid members, said restraining member operable to restrain tangential movement of said polygons with respect to the enclosure members; a plurality of rigid internal columns connected to and between said cable sets, each of said internal columns connected to a respective set at the juncture of one of said radial cables and one of said internal cables; and a plurality of flexible cross cables, each of said cross cables connected to and between opposing ends of adjacently spaced rigid columns in planes containing the vertical axis of said enclosure members and said rigid columns.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigid enclosure members are annular in configuration.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of support members connected to and extending between opposing ends of adjacently spaced rigid outer columns for holding the common central axis of the enclosure members perpendicular to the planes of the enclosure members.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support members are flexible cables tautly connecting said columns.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rigid internal columns are radially spaced and of progressively greater height from said hub to said rigid enclosure members, each internal column being of equal height to other columns equidistant from said hub.

Claim 7

A support structure for dish reflectors comprising: at least two rigid planar annular members parallel to and spaced from one another about a common perpendicular axis; a plurality of equidistantly spaced rigid outer columns extending between adjacently spaced annular members substantially parallel with said common axis; a plurality of flexible outer diagonal cables connected to opposing ends of adjacently parallel outer columns and operable to maintain the said common axis perpendicular to the planes of said annular members; at least two spaced sets of flexible cables; each set parallel with an adjacent set and each set including a plurality of radial cables connected to and between selected opposing sites on said rigid members, said radial cables tautly extending between selected opposing attachment sites parallel with said annular members and joining a common hub; each set including a plurality of flexible internal cables connected to and between said radial cables substantially equidistant from the common axis of said annular members to define one or more internal polygonal members; and each polygon attached by at least one restraining member to selected attachments sites on said rigid members, said restraining members operable to restrain tangential movement of said polygons with respect to said annular members; a plurality of rigid internal columns connected to and between said cable sets, each of said internal columns connected to a respective set at the juncture of one of said radial cables and one of said internal cables; a plurality of flexible cross cables, each of said cross cables connected to and between opposing ends of adjacently spaced rigid columns in planes containing the common perpendicular axis of said annular members and longitudinal axis of said rigid columns; and means for connecting a reflector to the uppermost terminal ends of said internal column.

Claim 8

A support structure for dish reflectors comprising: at least two rigid planar annular members parallel to and spaced from one another about a common perpendicular axis; a plurality of equidistantly spaced rigid outer columns extending between adjacently spaced annular members substantially parallel with said common axis; a plurality of flexible outer diagonal cables connected to opposing ends of adjacently parallel outer columns and operable to maintain the said common axis perpendicular to the planes of said annular members; at least two spaced sets of flexible cables; each set parallel with an adjacent set and each set including a plurality of radial cables connected to and between selected opposing sites on said rigid members, said radial cables tautly extending between selected opposing attachment sites parallel with said annular members and joining a common hub; each set including a plurality of flexible internal cables connected to and between said radial cables substantially equidistant from the common axis of said annular members to define one or more internal polygonal members; and each polygon attached by at least one restraining member to selected attachments sites on said rigid members, said restraining members operable to restrain tangential movement of said polygons with respect to said annular members; a plurality of rigid internal columns connected to and between said cable sets, each of said internal columns connected to a respective set at the juncture of one of said radial cables and one of said internal cables; a plurality of flexible cross cables, each of said cross cables connected to and between opposing ends of adjacently spaced rigid columns in planes containing the common perpendicular axis of said annular members and longitudinal axis of said rigid columns; and means for connecting a reflector to the uppermost terminal ends of said internal column.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of the internal columns located in a given vertical radial plane are of progressively greater height as the distance from said hub increases and wherein all internal rigid columns equidistant from said hub are of equal height.