Apparatus for mounting an antenna for rotation on a mast

Claim 1

Apparatus for mounting an antenna on a vertical mast for rotation of the antenna around the mast, wherein: the apparatus includes a rotatable component and a non-rotatable component, and a means for supporting and guiding the rotatable component for rotation relative to the non-rotatable component; the rotatable component includes a means for attaching the antenna thereto; the non-rotatable component includes a means for clamping and locking the non-rotatable component around, and to, the mast; the rotatable component and the non-rotatable component are each so constructed and arranged that each may be assembled to the mast radially with respect to the mast, at an intermediate point along the length of the mast, away from, and without access to, the ends of the mast; the apparatus includes a gear wheel, and another gear which is in operative meshing engagement with the gear wheel; the gear wheel and the said other gear are operatively associated one with the rotatable component, and the other with the non-rotatable component; the apparatus includes an operable drive means which is effective, when operated, to drive the gear wheel and the other gear in relative rotation, and thereby to rotate the rotatable component; the gear wheel has gear teeth which are arranged in a circular arc, and the arrangement of the apparatus is such that, when the apparatus is assembled to the mast, the axis of the said arc is vertical and lies within the cross-section of the mast; the gear wheel is in two separable portions, which are so adapted and arranged that the portions may be assembled to the mast radially with respect to the mast, and may be joined together around the mast, at an intermediate point along the length of the mast, away from, and without access to, the ends of the mast; the non-rotatable component is in two separable portions, which are so adapted and arranged that the portions may be assembled to the mast radially with respect to the mast, and may be joined together around the mast, at an intermediate point along the length of the mast, away from, and without access to, the ends of the mast; and the rotatable component is in two separable portions, which are so adapted and arranged that the portions may be assembled to the mast radially with respect to the mast, and may be joined together around the mast, at an intermediate point along the length of the mast, away from, and without access to, the ends of the mast.