Abstract:
An antenna mounting device is provided for a motor vehicle. That antenna mounting device includes a body having a first mounting end with a first cross section and a second mounting end with a second, different cross section. In addition, the antenna mounting device includes an antenna anchor point carried on the body and adapted to receive and hold an antenna. The two mounting sections allow versatility in mounting the antenna mounting device in different structures carried on the motor vehicle including, for example, a stake pocket and a trailer hitch receiver.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This document relates generally to the motor vehicle equipment field and, more particularly, to an antenna mounting device for a motor vehicle that may be used in a number of different configurations in order to mount an antenna and, if desired, additional accessories to a motor vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Operators of HAM and CB radios are always searching for good locations to mount the HAM and CB radio antennas to their motor vehicles. With the introduction of aluminum bodied vehicles, the ability to mount magnetic based antennas to the hood, roof and bed of the motor vehicle has been compromised. This document relates to a new and improved antenna mounting device that may be utilized in a number of different configurations to mount not only an antenna but other accessories at different, advantageous locations on a motor vehicle. Such a device is particularly useful with pickup trucks including those incorporating aluminum bodies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An antenna mounting device is provided for a motor vehicle. That antenna mounting device comprises a body having a first mounting end of a first cross section and a second mounting end of a second, different cross section. The antenna mounting device also includes an antenna anchor point carried on that body and adapted to receive and hold an antenna. The body may be made from a lightweight, non-ferromagnetic material while the antenna anchor point may be made from a ferromagnetic material adapted to contact and hold a magnetic base on an antenna to be secured in position by the mounting device. 
         [0004]    The body may include a first leg and a second leg. The first mounting end may be provided on the first leg while the second mounting end may be provided on the second leg. Further, the body may be L-shaped. 
         [0005]    The antenna mounting device may further include a second body having a third mounting end with the first cross section and a fourth mounting end with the second cross section. In addition, the antenna mounting device may also include an accessory bar that is connected between the body and the second body. In such an embodiment, the body, the second body and the accessory bar may all be made of lightweight non-ferromagnetic material while the antenna anchor point may be made from ferromagnetic material. In addition, a second antenna anchor point may be carried on the second body and adapted to receive and hold the antenna. Still further, the antenna mounting device may include a third antenna anchor point carried on the accessory bar that is also adapted to receive and hold an antenna. More specifically, that accessory bar may include a first end received over the second mounting end and a second end received over the fourth mounting end. 
         [0006]    In accordance with an additional aspect, a truck is provided that is equipped with the antenna mounting device set forth in this document. That antenna mounting device may be mounted to the truck by inserting the first mounting end into a stake pocket of the truck or inserting the second mounting end into a trailer hitch receiver carried on the truck. Thus, it should be appreciated that the antenna mounting device provides the necessary versatility to allow the mounting of an antenna to the truck at various locations as suited to the particular needs and applications of the user. 
         [0007]    In accordance with still another aspect, a method is provided for mounting an antenna to a motor vehicle using an antenna mounting device having a first mounting end with a first cross section and a second mounting end of a second, different cross section. That method comprises the steps of: (a) securing the antenna mounting device to the motor vehicle by either engaging the first mounting end within a first structure of the motor vehicle or engaging the second mounting end in a second structure of the motor vehicle and (b) mounting an antenna to an antenna anchor point carried on the antenna mounting device. 
         [0008]    The method may further include the step of inserting the first mounting end into a stake pocket of a motor vehicle. Alternatively, the method may include the step of inserting the second mounting end into a hitch receiver carried on the motor vehicle. 
         [0009]    In addition, the method may include securing a magnetic base of an antenna to the antenna anchor point which may be made from a ferromagnetic material in order to provide magnetic attraction to the magnetic base. 
         [0010]    Still further, the method may include the steps of: (a) securing a first component of the antenna mounting device in a first stake pocket of the motor vehicle and a second component of said antenna mounting device in a second stake pocket of the motor vehicle on an opposite side of the motor vehicle from the first stake pocket and (b) connecting an accessory bar between the first and second components of the antenna mounting device so that the accessory bar bridges a payload bed of the motor vehicle. Still further, the method may also include the step of securing the antenna mounting device in the first stake pocket of the motor vehicle by means of a latch mechanism. 
         [0011]    In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the antenna mounting device as well as its method of use. As it should be realized, the antenna mounting device and related method are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the device and method as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the antenna mounting device and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the antenna mounting device including two L-shaped bodies or components, an accessory bar for connecting and bridging between those two components and two pull pins for securing all three components together. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a single L-shaped body or component received within a stake pocket of a pickup truck and supporting an antenna. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a single L-shaped body or component mounted in a trailer hitch receiver of the motor vehicle and supporting an antenna. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration wherein two L-shaped bodies or components are secured in opposed stake pockets of a pickup truck with an accessory bar connecting those two components and bridging the load bed of the pickup truck. An antenna and other accessories are shown mounted to the device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an L-shaped body or component received in a stake pocket of a pickup truck including a locking mechanism. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    are detailed views of the structure illustrated in  FIG. 5  showing the locking mechanism in respective unlocked and locked positions. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the antenna mounting device, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  illustrating the antenna mounting device  10  particularly adapted for mounting one or more antenna A and, if desired, additional accessories to a motor vehicle such as a pickup truck T. As illustrated, the antenna mounting device includes a first body or component  12  of substantially L-shape having a first leg  14  and a second leg  16 . A first mounting end  18  is provided on the first leg  14  while a second mounting end  20  is provided on the second leg  16 . 
         [0021]    As should be appreciated, in the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting end  18  has a first cross section while the second mounting end  20  has a second, different cross section. In one possible embodiment, the first mounting end  18  has a cross section of 2.0 inches by 1.5 inches while the second mounting end  20  has a cross section of 2.0 inches by 1.875 inches. As will be appreciated from the following description, a first mounting end  18  with such a cross section is particularly adapted and shaped to be received in a stake pocket P in the sidewall S of the pickup truck T (see  FIG. 2 ). In contrast, the second mounting end  20  with such a cross section is particularly adapted and shaped to be received and held in a hitch receiver opening of a trailer hitch receiver R secured to the pickup truck T (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0022]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the antenna mounting device includes a second body or component  22 . That second body  22  is L-shaped and includes a third mounting end  24  and a fourth mounting end  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the third mounting end  24  has a cross section matching the first mounting end  18  while the fourth mounting end  26  has a cross section matching the second mounting end  20 . 
         [0023]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the antenna mounting device  10  also includes an accessory bar  30  that may be connected between the first body or component  12  and the second body or component  22  in a manner that will be described in greater detail below. More specifically, the accessory bar  30  includes a first end  32  sized and shaped to be received over the second mounting end  20  of the first body  12  and a second end  34  sized and shaped to be received over the fourth mounting end  26 . Cooperating pins  25  and spring clips  27  complete the connection of the components. 
         [0024]    In the illustrated embodiment, an antenna anchor point  36 , in the form of a metal disc, is carried on/secured to the first body  12 . Similar antenna anchor points  38 ,  40  may be carried on/secured to, respectively, the second body  22  and the accessory bar  30  if desired. In one possible embodiment, the first body  12 , the second body  22  and even the accessory bar  30  may all be made of a lightweight, non-ferromagnetic material for ease of handling when assembling or disassembling the antenna mounting device  10 . In such an embodiment, the antenna anchor points or discs  36 ,  38  and  40  may all be made of a ferromagnetic material such as steel to provide for magnetic attraction with any antenna A including a magnetic base B. 
         [0025]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  illustrating the antenna mounting device  10  in a first configuration for mounting an antenna A in a stake pocket P of a sidewall S of the pickup truck T. In order to do this, the first mounting end  18  of the body  12  is inserted down into the stake pocket P. As previously noted, the first mounting end  18  is sized and shaped to nest in the stake pocket P. The antenna A is then secured to the antenna anchor point or disc  36  carried on the body  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic base B of the antenna A fits within a circular cavity formed within the top face of the antenna anchor point/disc  36  to which the base is magnetically attracted. A screw or other appropriate fastener (not shown) may be utilized to complete a secure connection. 
         [0026]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  illustrating a second configuration of the antenna mounting device  10  useful in securing an antenna A to a pickup truck T. In this configuration the antenna mounting device  10  is secured to a trailer hitch receiver R that is mounted to the pickup truck T. More specifically, the second mounting end  20  of the body  12  is inserted into the hitch receiver R and a hitch pin  42  is inserted through aligned cooperating apertures in the walls of the hitch receiver R and the body  12  (note aperture  44  in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0027]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4  illustrating yet another configuration of the antenna mounting device  10  for securing an antenna A as well as other accessories (note light clusters L) to the pickup truck T. Toward this end, the second mounting end  20  of the first body or component  12  is inserted in the first end  32  of the accessory bar and secured in place with a pin  25  and a spring clip  27 . Similarly, the fourth mounting end  26  of the second body or component  22  is inserted in the second end  34  of the accessory bar  30  and secured in place with a pin  25  and a spring clip  27 . Next, the first mounting end  18  of the first body or component 12  is inserted into a first stake pocket P in a first sidewall S of the pickup truck T. Substantially simultaneously, the fourth mounting end  26  of the second body or component  22  is inserted into a second stake pocket P of the pickup truck T in the other sidewall S opposite the first stake pocket P. When the antenna mounting device  10  is properly seated in the opposed the stake pockets P, the accessory bar  30  bridges the load bed LB of the pickup truck T. As illustrated one or more antenna A, one or more light sets L or other desired accessories may be secured to the antenna mounting device  10  as desired and mounted to the motor vehicle in this convenient and efficient manner. 
         [0028]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5, 6   a  and  6   b  illustrating a latch mechanism  50  for locking either body  12  or  22  into a stake pocket P of the pickup truck T. As illustrated, the latch mechanism  50  includes a key cylinder  52  and rotary latch  54 . In use, the user inserts a key (not shown) into the key slot  56  of the key cylinder  52  and turns the rotary latch  54  into an unlatched position so as to provide clearance for insertion of the body  12  or  22  into the stake pocket P. See  FIG. 6 a    showing the rotary latch in the unlocked position. After the body  12  or  22  is fully inserted and seated in the stake pocket P, the user turns the key cylinder  52  to rotate the rotary latch  54  into a locking position where the latch engages with a strike element  58  provided on the body  12  or  22 . See  FIG. 6 b    showing the rotary latch  54  in the locked position engaging the strike element  58 . The key is then removed from the key cylinder  52 . The interference engagement of the rotary latch  54  with the strike element  58  functions to secure the body  12  or  22  in the stake pocket P to prevent removal and theft of the body  12  or  22 . 
         [0029]    Consistent with this description, it should be appreciated that the antenna mounting device  10  is useful in a method of mounting an antenna A to a motor vehicle or truck T. That method may be described as comprising the steps of: (a) securing an antenna on a mounting device  10  to the motor vehicle T by either engaging the first mounting end  18  of the body or component  12  within a first structure of the motor vehicle or engaging the second mounting end  20  in a second structure of the motor vehicle and (b) mounting an antenna A to the antenna anchor point  36  carried on the antenna mounting device  10 . 
         [0030]    In one possible configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first mounting end  18  is inserted into a stake pocket P of the motor vehicle or truck T. In another possible configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the second mounting end  20  is inserted into a trailer hitch receiver R carried on the motor vehicle or truck T. 
         [0031]    In a third configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the method may include securing first and second bodies or components  12 ,  22  of the antenna mounting device  10  into first and second stake pockets P of the motor vehicle or truck T on opposite sides of the truck and bridging a load bed LB of the motor vehicle or truck with an accessory bar  30 . Further, the method may include securing the antenna mounting device  10  in the first stake pocket P by means of a latch mechanism  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In addition, the method may include securing a magnetic base B on an antenna A to an antenna anchor point  36 ,  38  or  40  which may be made from a ferromagnetic material. 
         [0032]    The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.