Abstract:
A retractable antenna clamp that allows for easy and quick adjustment of an antenna, especially an antenna attached to an RV, boat or camper. The retractable antenna clamp comprises a tension device which holds the antenna shaft in place within a mounting bracket that is attached to a support surface of an RV, camper, boat, or the like. Antenna adjustment is accomplished by releasing the grip of the tension device on the antenna shaft so that the antenna may be raised, lowered or rotated as needed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a retractable antenna clamp to be used as an adjustment mechanism for an antenna for a television or other electronic device that receives transmitted signals. 
     2. Statement of the Problem 
     Over the last several years, the popularity of recreational vehicles such as motor homes, campers and trailers has greatly increased. Out of this popularity, a growing demand for electronic equipment adapted for RV use has emerged. Today, many RVs are equipped with a multitude of electronic devices such as televisions, FM/AM radio receivers, satellite receivers and other electronic devices receiving transmitted signals. To receive these signals, various types of antennas have been developed, but at times, this development has been problematic. Because of the inherent nature of RV use, i.e. travel, a continuing need exists for an adjustment method for RV antennas that is economical, quick, reliable and easy to use. 
     Unlike stationary antennas which once set, seldom need adjustment, RV antennas require constant adjustment as the vehicle moves from place to place. To this end, several methods of RV antenna adjustment have been developed. Some of these adjustment methods require the manipulation of a hand crank mounted in the ceiling of the RV. Such devices are expensive to obtain and are more prone to failure. 
     Another concern with these kinds of devices is the type of manipulation required to adjust the antenna. If the manipulation is to be made electrically, then a motor is required which can drain battery power and become problematic in an RV with limited battery reserves, especially if the RV is parked self-contained, without access to electricity. 
     Even if the crank is manually manipulated, other problems may arise. Since many of the users of recreational vehicles and RV products are oftentimes retirees who may be prone to arthritic conditions which limit their flexibility of movement, the required rotational manipulation of a crank may be prohibitive. Additionally, with a wider socioeconomic stratum of consumers entering the RV market, a need exists for an inexpensive, easy to use, highly reliable device for the raising, lowering and rotation of antennas used in RV applications. 
     A patentability search was directed toward the features of the present invention and this search resulted in the following patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,558 discloses a spring operated emergency brake system to be used on utility poles found at football stadiums, tennis courts, highways and the like. In this device, in the event of a cable brake, the spring decompresses, activating a braking shoe, which stops the rapid descent of a movable carriage positioned alongside the utility pole. 
     A torsion spring is utilized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,695, “Antenna raising and lowering device”. In this patent, the torsion spring is adjusted so that the amount of force required to raise or lower the antenna remains constant, despite the type of antenna being utilized. In other words, the spring is not used for antenna adjustment. Instead, the patent uses an actuating handle to rotate a shaft connected to an antenna mount block which when activated, lowers or extends the antenna. 
     Yet another invention, EP Patent No. 532960, “Hand-held Radio Transceiver with Retractable Rod Antenna” invented by H. Bader and filed Mar. 24, 1993, uses a spring in the retraction and extension of an antenna. However, the spring does not grip the antenna nor does it allow for rotational adjustment of the antenna. Instead, the spring is attached to the end of the antenna and when the antenna is compressed into its receptacle, the spring coils, storing energy so that upon the release of its stored energy, the spring decompresses, extending the antenna. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,716 also utilizes a coiled spring element in its telescopic power antenna apparatus. In this device, a coiled spring is used to transmit energy between the drive-side rotary force and the driven-side rotary force of the antenna drive system. In other words, the spring functions as a transmission mechanism rather than as an antenna adjustment means as represented in the present invention. Antenna adjustment is accomplished by means of a motor attached to a worm gear which activates a drive-side base which when rotated, extends and retracts the antenna. 
     In view of the aforementioned factors as well as a description of the prior art, a need exists for an inexpensive, easy to use, highly reliable and efficient device for the adjustment of antennas, especially those antennas used in RV applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Solution to the Problem. 
     The present invention provides for a retractable antenna clamp to be used as an adjustment device for economical, reliable, quick and easy manipulation of an antenna (particularly those antennas used in RV applications). Because of the elegance and simplicity of its design, the invention is extremely reliable and solves the aforementioned needs. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for hand cranking, a manipulation difficult to perform for consumers with impaired flexibility. Furthermore, the present invention does not drain battery reserves, an ever-present concern for users of RVs. Lastly, because of its low cost, the present invention provides a much-needed alternative for those unable to afford the market&#39;s conventional, higher priced adjustment devices. 
     2. Summary. 
     The present invention discloses a retractable antenna clamp positioned in a mounting bracket through which the shaft of an antenna such as a TV or satellite dish antenna is disposed. The invention may be easily installed by affixing the mounting bracket of the invention to a vertical support surface such as the side of an RV, boat, camper and the like. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the antenna clamp comprises a tension device which is in the shape of a spring having a central coil with a formed circular opening. When the central coil is in a relaxed state, the formed circular opening of the central coil grips the shaft, firmly holding the shaft and antenna in place within the mounting bracket. 
     When antenna adjustment is required, adjustment may be accomplished by releasing the grip of the tension device on the antenna shaft. In the preferred embodiment, the grip of the tension device on the antenna shaft is released by squeezing together two opposing handles attached to the tension device. When the handles are compressed, the central coil of the tension device expands, thereby releasing its grip on the antenna shaft so that the antenna may be raised, lowered or rotated as desired. Once adjustment is accomplished, the opposing handles are released and the central coil of the tension device relaxes, once again gripping the shaft so that the shaft and its attached antenna are held firmly in place within the mounting bracket. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the antenna and the retractable antenna clamp assembly that raises and lowers the antenna. 
     FIG. 2 is an outer surface perspective view of the mounting bracket with the retractable antenna clamp positioned within the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the mounting bracket with the opposing handles of the retractable antenna clamp protruding through the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 4 is an inner surface perspective view of the mounting bracket and the shaft positioned within the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 5 is an inner surface perspective view of the mounting bracket. 
     FIG. 6 is an outer surface perspective view of the mounting bracket. 
     FIGS. 7A &amp; 7B are cross sectional views of the mounting bracket with the antenna shaft positioned inside the bracket and disposed through the tension device and support structure. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tension device. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mounting brace. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Overview. 
     An invention for quickly and easily adjusting an antenna  120  which is conventionally connected to a shaft  110  is shown in FIG.  1 . It should be noted that the present invention could be used with any type of antenna  120 . Even though a television antenna  120  is depicted in FIG. 1, the present invention could be used for adjusting any kind of antenna such as a satellite dish, radio or citizen band antenna. The present invention can also be used for any type of antenna application. Although it is especially suited for use in recreational vehicles (RVs), the proposed invention could be used for the adjustment of antennas installed in homes, apartments, boats, trailers and the like. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention comprises a tension device  130 , positioned in a mounting bracket  100  through which the shaft  110  of the antenna  120  is disposed. The tension device  130  grips the shaft  110  and holds R in position within the mounting bracket  100  until adjustment of the antenna  120  is required. In FIG. 1, the invention is easily installed by affixing the mounting bracket  100  to a support surface  140 . In the preferred embodiment, a mounting brace  198  through which the shaft  110  is disposed is also affixed to the support surface  140  above the mounting bracket  100  to provide additional support for the shaft  110  and its attached antenna  120 . Even though the support surface  140  utilized in FIG. 1 is vertical  150  and comprises the side  160  of perhaps an RV or a trailer, any orientation or type of support surface  140  can be used as long as it provides for secure attachment of the mounting bracket  100  and mounting brace  198 . 
     Whether mounted to the side  160  or other parts of a support surface  140 , the antenna  120  can be raised  190 , lowered  180  or rotated  195  by hand  192   a  when the grip of the tension device  130  on the shaft  110  is released. In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS.  1 - 8 , the tension device&#39;s  130  grip on the shaft  110  is released when the tension device&#39;s  130  opposing handles  210  shown projecting through an opening  230  in the mounting bracket  100  are squeezed together by hand  192   b  in the direction of the arrows  290  as illustrated in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     When the opposing handles  210  are compressed together, the tension device  130  releases the shaft  110  and the antenna  120  may be easily raised  190 , lowered  180  or rotated  195  by hand  192   a  as indicated in FIG.  1 . Once adjustment is made, the opposing handles  210  are released and the tension device  130  regrips the shaft  110 , once again holding the shaft  110  firmly in place within the mounting bracket  100 . 
     It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the use of opposing handles  210  to release the grip of the tension device  130  on the shaft  110 . The proposed invention is meant to incorporate any other means of tension device  130  release in addition to that presented in the preferred embodiment. 
     2. Mounting Bracket. 
     Details of the mounting bracket  100  of the preferred embodiment are depicted in FIGS.  1 - 7 . In FIG. 2, an outer surface  220  view of the mounting bracket  100  is presented. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the mounting bracket  100  is substantially rectangular in shape and has an elongated raised portion  240  disposed down the centerline  250  of the mounting bracket  100 . Four holes  260  in each of the four comers  270  of the mounting bracket  100  are shown in FIGS.  2 - 7  for affixation of the mounting bracket  100  to a support surface  140 . An opening  230 , substantially rectangular in shape and centrally  280  located within the mounting bracket  100 , is also shown in FIG.  2 . 
     In FIG. 2, the tension device  130  is positioned behind the opening  230  of the mounting bracket  100  and the opposing handles  210  of the tension device  130  project through the opening  230  to the outer surface  220  of the mounting bracket  100 . When the opposing handles  210  are pinched together in the direction of the arrows  290 , the tension device  130  releases its grip on the shaft  110  so that the antenna  120  may be raised, lowered or rotated. Alternatively, when the opposing handles  210  are released, the tension device  130  regrips the shaft  110 , once again holding the shaft  110  firmly in place within the mounting bracket  100  as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 represents a side view of the preferred embodiment of the mounting bracket  100 . Again, the opposing handles  210  of the mounting bracket  100  may be seen projecting through the opening  230  of the mounting bracket  100 . 
     FIG. 4 presents an inner surface  410  view of the mounting bracket  100 . A fastening device  412  is used in each hole  260  to mount the bracket  100  to the support surface  140 . In the preferred embodiment, the elongated raised portion  240  of the mounting bracket  100  forms a cavity  430  down the centerline  250  inner surface  410  of the mounting bracket  100 . As illustrated in FIG. 4, the shaft  110  is positioned inside the cavity  430 . 
     FIG. 4 also depicts a support structure  400  attached to the inner surface  410  of the mounting bracket  100 . In the illustration, the shaft  110  is disposed through the support structure  400 . In the preferred embodiment, the support structure  400  is centrally located and positioned behind the opening  230  of the mounting bracket  100 . Additionally in the preferred embodiment, two support baffles  440  sandwich the support structure  400 . In the preferred embodiment, the support structure  400  is a continuous formed part of the support baffles  440  but it is to be expressly understood that other designs of the support structure  400  and support baffles  440  may be used. In other words, the support baffles  440  may sandwich and support the support structure  400  without the support structure  400  being a continuous formed part of the support baffles  440  as illustrated in FIG.  4 . In fact, the support baffles  440  are optional under the teachings of the present invention. 
     Additionally in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4, the support baffles  440  are centrally located and are positioned at right angles to the vertical length  450  of the mounting bracket  100 . These support baffles  440  add additional strength to the support structure  400  so that the shaft  110  and its attached antenna  120  may be held even more firmly in place within the mounting bracket  100 . 
     FIG. 5 represents an inner surface  410  view of the mounting bracket  100  with the shaft  110  removed. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the support structure  400  comprises a U-shaped sleeve  500 , however other designs of the support structure  400  may be used in different embodiments of the invention. In other words, the support structure  400  may be of any suitable shape such as oval, circular, etc., that will allow for free rotation of the shaft  110 . Additionally in other embodiments, the support structure  400  may be positioned anywhere between the top and bottom of the mounting bracket  100 . 
     FIG. 6 details an outer surface  220  perspective view of the mounting bracket  100 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated in this figure, an upper and lower lip  600 ,  610  is formed on the upper and lower edges  620 ,  630  of the concave surface  640  of the U-shaped sleeve  500 . In the preferred embodiment, the tension device  130  is positioned between the upper and lower lips  600 ,  610  of the U-shaped sleeve  500  so that the tension device  130  and the shaft  110  disposed through it may be held even more firmly in place within the mounting bracket  100 . It should also be noted that the disclosed invention is meant to encompass other designs of the lips  600 ,  610  on the U-shaped sleeve  500  and that the lips  600 ,  610  are optional under the teachings of the present invention. 
     In the mounting bracket  100  depicted in FIGS. 4,  5  and  6 , the mounting bracket  100  has two opposing openings  420  for positioning of the shaft  110 . In the preferred embodiment of the mounting bracket  100 , the opposing openings  420  are U-shaped and extend in a direction opposite the U-shaped sleeve  500 . 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B present a cross-sectional view of the mounting bracket  100 . As illustrated in the preferred embodiment, the support structure  400  holds the tension device  130  in position within the mounting bracket  100 . The support structure  400  also includes an upper lip  600  and a lower lip  610  (not shown in FIG. 7B) between which the tension device  130  rests. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 7A, when the tension device  130  is in a relaxed state (as shown by the solid lines), the tension device  130  tightly grips  700  the entire circumference of the shaft  110 . When antenna  120  adjustment is required, the opposing handles  210  projecting through the opening  230  are pinched together in the direction of the arrows  290 . This action releases the grip  700  of the tension device  130  (as shown by the dotted lines) on the shaft  110  so that the antenna  120  may be freely raised, lowered or rotated. As shown in FIG. 7A, there is sufficient clearance  710  for the shaft  110  to freely rotate and move within the tension device  130  when the grip  700  of the tension device  130  is released. 
     It should be noted that in this preferred embodiment, the support structure  400  is a formed continuous part of the support baffles  440  but as previously stated, in the teachings of the present invention, the support baffles  440  are optional. If the support baffles  440  are included, other designs and placements of the support baffles  440  may be utilized in the disclosed invention. 
     It should be further appreciated that the shape of the mounting bracket  100  of the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment. Configurations other than rectangular, such as square, circular, oval, etc., may be used in its design. Additionally, other methods of affixation, such as clamps, hooks, etc., may be utilized to attach the mounting bracket  100  to the support surface  140 . 
     In other embodiments of the mounting bracket  100 , the opening  230  of the mounting bracket  100  may be of any suitable shape such as square, oval, etc., and may be positioned anywhere between the top and bottom of the mounting bracket  100 . Additionally in alternative embodiments, the opposing openings  420  for placement of the shaft  110  may be of any appropriate design such as circular, oval, etc., that will allow for free rotation of the shaft  110  within the mounting bracket  100 . Likewise as previously stated, the support structure  400  and support baffles  440  may be positioned anywhere between the top and bottom of the mounting bracket  100  and the support structure  400  shape may be of any suitable design such as oval, circular, etc., that will allow for free rotation of the shaft  110 . 
     3. Tension Device. 
     A detailed perspective view of the tension device  130  is illustrated in FIG.  8 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tension device  130  comprises a spring  800  which has a central coil  810  with a number of turns  830  that form a circular opening  820 . The formed circular opening  820  of the central coil  810  grips the shaft  110  when the central coil  810  is in a relaxed state. 
     As shown in FIG. 8, the spring  800  also has two opposing handles  210  for compression of the spring  800  and subsequent release of the shaft  110 . In the preferred embodiment, the handles  210  are U-shaped to permit easy and quick compression of the spring  800 . it should be noted that the invention is not limited to U-shaped opposing handles  210 . Other designs of handles such as tabs, hooks, etc., may be utilized in alternative embodiments of the invention. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the tension device  130 , the opposing handles  210  of the spring  800  project through the opening  230  to the outer surface  220  of the mounting bracket  100  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the handles  210  are compressed together in the direction of the arrows  290 , the central coil  810  releases its grip  700  on the shaft  110  so that the antenna  120  may be raised, lowered or rotated as shown in FIG.  7 A. Alternatively, when the spring  800  is in a relaxed state, the central coil  810  regrips the shaft  110  so that the shaft  110  and its attached antenna  120  are held firmly in place within the mounting bracket  100 . 
     4. Mounting Brace. 
     In the preferred embodiment, a mounting brace  198  provides additional support for the shaft  110  as detailed in FIG.  9 . As depicted, the brace  198  comprises one continuous formed shape that includes an upper tab  910 , a lower tab  920  and a platform  930  positioned between the upper and lower tabs  910 ,  920 . As shown, an opening  940  is formed in the platform  930  for positioning of the shaft  110  through the opening  940 . In the preferred embodiment, the opening  940  is circular, however other shaped openings may be utilized as long as the shaft  110  can freely rotate and yet be supported within the opening  940 . Also as shown, four holes  922  are positioned in each of the upper and lower tabs  910 ,  920  to allow for attachment  950  of the brace  198  to the support surface  140  with a device such as a screw. 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the brace  198  is mounted to a support surface  140  and positioned above the mounting bracket  100  to provide additional support for the antenna  120  and shaft  110 . However it is to be expressly understood that other placements of the mounting brace  198  may be utilized in the disclosed invention. It should also be noted that other mounting brace  198  designs such as oval, rectangular, square etc., may be used in different embodiments of the invention. In fact in some embodiments, the brace  198  may be entirely omitted from the embodiment and still be within the scope of the disclosed invention. Additionally, other means of attachment  950  such as clamps, hooks etc., may be utilized to affix the brace  198  to the support surface  140 . 
     The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment described herein is further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention as such, or in other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternate embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.