Patent ID: 7690619
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for controllably orienting a component in a desired direction, the apparatus comprising: a gimbal bracket having two laterally spaced arms adjoining a base portion of the gimbal bracket, which is mounted for rotation about a first axis extending through the base portion of the gimbal bracket; a mounting plate disposed between the laterally spaced arms of the gimbal bracket, the mounting plate having an arcuate edge portion with first and second parallel grooves therein that define first and second parallel guideways alongside each other, which are adapted to receive opposing first and second ends of a drive cable; a pivot shaft pivotally coupling the mounting plate to the laterally spaced arms of the gimbal bracket, the pivot shaft defining a second axis orthogonal to the first axis about which the mounting plate pivots; a drive pulley; at least one idler pulley; a drive cable engaged with the drive pulley and supported by the at least one idler pulley, the drive cable having opposing first and second ends that are each respectively received into the first and second parallel guideways of the mounting plate and are respectively secured on opposing ends of the first and second parallel guideways; a drive motor coupled to the drive pulley for controllably rotating the drive pulley to displace the drive cable and rotate the mounting plate about the second axis; and at least one component mounted to the mounting plate, wherein the at least one component may be rotated about at least two axes orthogonal to each other to be oriented in a desired direction.