Satellite antenna mounting apparatus with ballast means

Antenna mounting apparatus especially for use in connection with satellite dishes comprises a base assembly with an antenna extending upwardly therefrom, multiple ballast means extending radially from the base assembly, outer end plates disposed respectively adjacent the end of the ballast means remote from the base assembly, an aperture formed in each ballast means, and tie rods extending respectively through the apertures and interconnecting the base assembly and the associated outer end plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a roof mounting structure for satellite dish 
antennas. In order to optimize reception and reduce transmission 
interference from surrounding structures, satellite dish antennas are 
typically mounted on building roof tops. Because of the large exposed 
surface areas, antennas are extremely susceptible to undesirable movement 
or even overturning due to varying wind conditions. In order to stabilize 
roof mounted antennas, in general, they have been permanently attached to 
building roof tops by means of attachment assemblies which structurally 
penetrate the building. Of course, this often causes water leaks and makes 
it more difficult to move an antenna to another location. 
Known satellite antenna mounting assemblies which are nonpenetrating in 
nature are most often complicated intricate structures which are difficult 
to assemble. In addition, known nonpenetrating antenna mounting structures 
are quite cumbersome and heavy requiring substantially increased costs in 
transporting the unit from the manufacturer to the consumer. An example of 
a nonpenetrating roof mount antenna structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,649,675. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
By this invention, antenna mounting apparatus is provided and comprises a 
base assembly, ballast means disposed adjacent the base assembly, an outer 
end plate disposed adjacent the ballast means remote from the base 
assembly, and a tie rod extending generally adjacent the ballast means so 
that stress from the base assembly is transferred to the ballast means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the satellite dish antenna 
according to this invention. Antenna 1 is secured atop mast 2 in known 
fashion. The mounting structure for the satellite dish includes cushion 
pads 3, 4, 5 and 6. Since the elements associated with each cushion pad 
3-6 are essentially identical, only the structure associated with cushion 
pad 3 will be described in detail, it being understood that four radial 
units are utilized to form the configuration shown in the FIG. 1. Of 
course various other configurations could be utilized within the scope of 
this invention. 
In order to increase friction, cushion pad 3 is made of a sheet of neoprene 
rubber approximately 1/16 inch thick. Overlying cushion pad 3 is the 
antenna mounting apparatus ballast means in the form of multiple 
successively abutting concrete blocks 7-13. Concrete blocks 7-13 are of 
standard construction each having a pair of discrete apertures formed 
therein with the axes extending substantially perpendicular to mast 2. Of 
course, other nonstandard concrete blocks could be utilized such as those 
having three or more apertures. The corresponding apertures of concrete 
blocks 7-13 are in alignment thereby forming a pair of elongated 
apertures. Tie rods 14 and 15 extend through these elongated apertures, 
respectively. Outer end plate 16 is positioned flush against the outer 
surface of concrete block 13. Tie rods 14 and 15 extend through 
corresponding apertures in outer end plate 16 and are secured in place, 
respectively, by means of nuts 17 and 18. 
The antenna base assembly formed according to this invention is indicated 
generally by the numeral 19 and includes mast 2 together with inner end 
plate 20 which is disposed flush against the inner surface of concrete 
block 7. Tie rod 15 extends through a corresponding aperture in inner end 
plate 20 and nut 21 is secured in known fashion to the inner end of tie 
rod 15. Although not shown in the drawing, identical fastening structure 
is formed in connection with tie rod 14 and inner end plate 20. 
The antenna base assembly also includes base plate 22 which is secured to 
inner end plate 20 by means of bolt 23 and nut 24. The left hand end of 
base plate 22, as viewed in FIG. 2, is secured in the same way as that in 
connection with inner end plate 20. 
In order to maintain mast 2 in a stable position, clamps 25 and 26 are 
provided. Clamp 26 is secured to the upper portion of inner end plate 20 
by means of bolt 27 and nut 28. Clamp 25 is secured in position the same 
as clamp 26 and as best shown in FIG. 2. Clamps 25 and 26 are maintained 
in a snug position against mast 2 by means of bolt 27 and nut 28. An 
identical bolt and nut assembly is positioned on the opposite side of mast 
2. 
For ease of assembly, bolts 23 and 27 can be pressed into inner end plate 
20. Also the number of nut and bolt assemblies can be varied depending on 
structural requirements. 
In order to provide additional stabilizing means for antenna 1, diagonal 
brace 29 is provided. Diagonal brace 29 is secured, at the upper end 
thereof, to mast 2 by any means such as welding or other suitable 
fastening means. Plate 30 is disposed between concrete blocks 10 and 11 
with the upper end thereof angled in such manner that it overlaps in face 
contacting relation the lower portion of diagonal brace 29 and is secured 
thereto by means of bolt 31. As shown in FIG. 1, multiple diagonal braces 
may be employed, as desired. 
In order to erect the antenna mounting apparatus according to this 
invention, initially it is necessary to clear the existing loose roofing 
material away to provide a smooth surface upon which to mount the antenna 
assembly. Following this operation, cushion pads 3-6 are placed in a 
general "X" shaped pattern as shown in FIG. 1. Then ballast means in the 
form of concrete blocks 7-13 is placed on each cushion pad 3-6. Plate 30 
can be inserted between concrete blocks 10 and 11, as desired. 
Inner end plate 20 is then placed in abutting relationship with the inner 
surface of concrete block 7 and, similarly, outer end plate 16 is placed 
in abutting relationship with the outer surface of concrete block 13. Tie 
rods 14 and 15 are inserted through corresponding apertures in the ballast 
means and the entire assembly is secured together by means of nuts 18 and 
21 in connection with tie rod 15 and similar fasteners in connection with 
tie rod 14. By this means, outer end plate 16 and inner end plate 20 are 
secured on tie rod 15 such that a compression force is placed on ballast 
means 7-13. Base plate 22 is then positioned on bolt 23 and secured in 
place by means of nut 24, as best shown in FIG. 2. 
Following this, clamp 26 is secured on inner end plate 20 by means of nut 
and bolt assembly 27, 28 and clamp 25 is similarly secured in place. Mast 
2 is inserted between clamps 25 and 26. Then nut and bolt assembly 27, 28 
together with the nut and bolt assembly positioned on the opposite side of 
mast 2 are tightened. Finally diagonal brace 29 is attached to plate 30 by 
means of bolt 31. 
This invention is an improvement over known antenna mounting means in that 
the ballast means acts as an actual structural member of the mounting 
apparatus rather than mere ballast. Essentially the ballast is an integral 
part of the overall structure of the antenna and the weight of the ballast 
and antenna is spread over a large section of the roof by the ballast 
means which is held together by compression. When the antenna and mast 
assembly are under stress, such as caused by wind blowing on the antenna, 
this stress is transferred from the base assembly directly to the ballast 
means since the ballast means is interrelated with the base assembly by 
means of the tie rod structure. Normally the ballast does not act as an 
integral part of the mounting means and serves no purpose other than 
ballast. Also, the tie rod functions effectively if positioned alongside 
the concrete blocks rather than extending through the apertures formed 
therein. 
Therefore, by this invention, a light weight and economical mounting 
apparatus for a satellite antenna is provided since the ballast means is 
in the form of standard concrete blocks which can be purchased in close 
proximity to the installation site of the antenna and at the same time 
serve as an important structural element of the mounting apparatus. Also, 
in order to conform to varying roof configurations and atmospheric 
conditions, the configuration of the ballast means can be easily altered 
with very little modification in the other elements of the mounting 
apparatus.