Abstract:
A mount for a satellite dish includes a circular base which has a bubble level system and a plurality of adjustable anchor legs on the base. The base is mounted on the ground and the anchors ensure proper mounting. A collar on the base connects the base to the support post associated with a satellite dish.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an antenna mount and more particularly to a mount for a satellite dish. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recreational vehicles containing television sets and AM/FM receivers commonly employ separate externally located roof mounted antennas capable of vertical and horizontal adjustment from within the vehicle to permit the antenna to be positioned for optimum signal receiving. 
     The latest technology in television receiving signals utilize small reflective dishes which are directed toward a stationary satellite, such systems being called Digital Satellite Systems. As such dish type antenna must be pointed toward the satellite transmitter, the dish is, preferably, mounted upon the exterior of a recreational vehicle roof and associated with operating structure internally located wherein the dish may be raised and lowered between travel and operative positions, and may be rotated and tilted to the desired position for optimum signal reception. 
     Satellite dish systems currently available in the North American markets, especially for use with vehicles such as an RV, are for the most part complex, usually fully automated, utilizing programmed circuitry and motors to rotate, elevate and fix the position of the dish and associated elements in seeking and establishing an optimum position for receiving signals communicated from a selected satellite. 
     Experience has shown that difficulties have arisen in controlling such automated systems because of the need for properly sequentially implementing the steps required to position the satellite dish and associated elements which steps may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. 
     More particularly there is room for error in selecting the requisite switching to energize the motor circuitry and in engaging the locator buttons to fix the position of the dish at any specified time. Moreover, such automated satellite dish systems are usually limited to the reception of signals from one of the many broadcast satellite sources and cannot be readily modified or altered to accommodate the full range. reception of signals from one of the many broadcast satellite sources and cannot be readily modified or altered to accommodate the full range. 
     Also, many automated satellite systems are costly to manufacture, install and maintain, and for that reason such systems are beyond the budget of many families or households who would appreciate having the option to utilize a more simplified, less expensive yet fully operational satellite dish system for their office, dwelling, home or RV use. 
     Furthermore, in order to be assured of receiving an adequate signal from a communication satellite, an antenna for the purpose has been securely fitted to a rigid mount which is adjustable in both in azimuth and elevation. Where the antenna is attached to a vehicle the elevation must be adjusted to suit the latitude of the vehicle. 
     Disadvantageously, such a mount is of its nature bulky and adds to the height of a vehicle on which its mounted. In the case of a recreational vehicle this can limit access to tunnels, bridges, and car parks and the like, and furthermore can have a detrimental effect on the aerodynamics or windage of a vehicle resulting in reduced fuel economy and potentially dangerous handling. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a means for quickly and reliably mounting a dish for a satellite reception system which can be used in conjunction with an RV and which can be easily and reliably set up and is not overly expensive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a mount for a satellite dish which includes a circular base which has a bubble level system and a plurality of adjustable anchors on the base. A collar on the base connects the base to the standard associated with a satellite dish. The mount of the present invention mounts the dish to the ground, and thus is not subject to the disadvantages discussed above with regard to mounts that are on a vehicle, such as an RV or the like. 
     Using the mount embodying the present invention will permit a user to quickly and easily set up a satellite dish and will maintain that dish in a desired orientation even under the influence of high winds due to the secure anchoring system. Since the dish is mounted on the ground, it can be placed in the most advantageous location and can be made quite stable even in high winds of as much as thirty miles per hour and wind gusts of as much as fifty miles per hour. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a satellite dish mount embodying the present invention in one position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a satellite dish mount embodying the present invention in a second position. 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a mount  10  for a satellite dish  12 . Mount  10  comprises a circular main base  14  has a first surface  16  which is concave and which is a top surface when the main base is in use, a second surface  18  which is convex and which is a bottom surface when the main base is in use and a circular outer perimeter  20  so the first surface of the main base has a center  22 . Three anchor legs, such as leg  30 , include external threads, such as external threads  31  on leg  30 , and are each threadably mounted on the main base by internally threaded bores, such as bores  32 ,  34  and  36 . The bores, and hence the legs, are circumferentially spaced apart from each other and extend from the main base and are adapted to mount the main base to a supporting surface such as the ground or the like. The anchor legs are threadably mounted on the main dish so they can be rotated in and out of the main base. Locking elements, such as lock nut  31 L or the like, on the legs can be used to ensure that once set, the legs will not move with respect to the main base. In this manner, the orientation of the main base can be altered by screwing the anchor legs into or out of the main base. The three legs act as a tripod support for securely and consistently mounting a satellite dish. 
     A bubble level unit  40  is mounted on first surface  16  of the main base and includes a bubble  42  which indicates whether or not the main base is level. A tool mount  50  is mounted on the first surface of the main base to mount tools such as a wrench W or the like which can be used to assemble and dis-assemble mount  10 . Wrench W is used to turn the anchor legs to adjust the orientation of the main base as will be understood from the teaching of this disclosure. 
     An anchor element  60  is fixedly mounted on first surface  16  of the main base near center  22 . The anchor element includes a circular base  62  which has a first surface  64  which is convex and which is curved to snugly mount on concave first surface  16  of the main base. Fastening elements  66  fasten anchor element  60  to the main base when the anchor element is mounted on the main base. 
     A tubular support sleeve  70  is fixed to circular base  62  of the anchor element. Tubular support sleeve  70  is sized and shaped to accommodate a post P of satellite dish  12 . Buttresses, such as buttress  74 , support tubular support sleeve  70  on circular base  62  of the anchor element. Use of mount  10  can be understood from the teaching of the present disclosure and thus will be only briefly discussed. The main base is mounted on a support, such as the ground, using the anchor legs, with the convex surface being located adjacent to the ground, and is re-oriented by moving the anchor legs by threading and unthreading the anchor legs until the main base is level, as can be understood by comparing  FIGS. 1  and, especially the bubble  42  of the level. Once the main base is level, a support post of a satellite dish is placed in the tubular sleeve element to support the satellite dish on the main base. The satellite dish can be oriented and positioned for the best reception using mount  10 . 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.