Abstract:
The present invention is an artificial potted flower and plant television and radio antenna. The antenna is in the shape of a flower pot with flowers in it. The base emulates a flower pot and the antenna ears resemble the stems and petals of flowers. An optional signal amplifier may be installed within the base for improving signal strength.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 463,608 filed on Oct. 6, 1999. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to television antennas and, more particularly, to an ornamental design for a television antenna embedded in an artificial flower pot. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Electronic entertainment appliances such as televisions, radios and home stereo systems are common in just about every household. Their ability to entertain, educate and inform in a realtime manner make them practically indispensable. For those households without a central antenna system or a (CATV) system, the use of an interior antenna, such as a rabbit ear type of antenna, becomes a necessity. While these types of antennas do an admirable job of picking up stations, they are often not very visually appealing. They usually sit on or near the electronic appliance and occupy a great deal of physical space, making it increasingly difficult to decorate. In fact, many users have sacrificed reception performance just to have an installation that is not as visually obtrusive. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which interior-based antenna systems, such as rabbit ears, can be used and installed in a manner that is electrically optimal without making any visual sacrifices that impact the interior decoration of a home. The development of the flexible, artificial potted flower and plant antenna fulfills this need. 
     Within the related art, numerous applications exist for interior antenna systems for households without a central antenna system or a cable television (CATV) system. 
     In the related art, the following patents disclose the design and function of a television antenna. These include U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,025 issued in the name of Benham et al., U.S. Pat. No. D 413,892 issued in the name of Lasater, U.S. Pat. No. D 378,592 issued in the name of Hartwig et al., U.S. Pat. No. D 363,489 issued in the name of Geneve et al., U.S. Pat. No. D 306,862 issued in the name of Kent, and U.S. Pat. No. D 158,177 issued in the name of Christianson. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,019 issued in the name of Jiang et al. describes a planar television receiving antenna with broad band. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,385 issued in the name of Ralston discloses a broadband diamond-shaped antenna. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,276 issued in the name of Wolf describes a customized antenna for television or radio with insertable antenna elements. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,978,708 issued in the name of Kuecken discloses center-fed folded dipole antennas. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 368,720 issued in the name of Godar describes the ornamental design for a miniature indoor television and FM radio antenna. 
     While electrically conductive receiving elements, conductors, and connectors are incorporated into this invention in combination, other elements are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over this related art. 
     Consequently, a need has therefore been felt for an improved but less complex mechanism that provides for great reception of radio frequency signals for televisions or radios without the visual drawback associated with normal set mounted antennas. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved television or stereo antenna which improves incoming radio frequency signals and is disguised to look like a potted plant or flower. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide a flower pot appearance being more visually pleasing than conventional interior antennas and is available in a wide variety of colors, sizes and styles. 
     It is another feature of the present invention to provide flexible antennas routed inside stems, leaves and flowers of the artificial flowers which can be moved to improve reception. 
     It is still another feature of the present invention to provide connection to television or stereo with conventional lead-in system. 
     Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible, artificial potted flower and plant antenna, as its name implies, is an antenna system for televisions and stereo systems designed to resemble a potted flower. The present invention is designed to sit on the top of either the stereo or television in a manner similar to rabbit ear antennas. The stem, leaves and flowers of the artificial plant are used to hide the actual antenna wiring. The entire invention may be turned or individual stems and branches of the plant may be bent or turned to improve reception and allow for the best incoming signal. The pot container would be made of plastic or ceramic. The invention blends in with most interior decorating schemes and is not visually obtrusive as conventional interior mounted antennas. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the pot may be used to house an integral, internal booster amplifier for the amplification of radio frequency signals from stations in fringe areas that are almost out of range. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a flexible, artificial potted flower and plant antenna in the intended use, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of an artificial potted flower and plant television and radio antenna, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view taken along lines II—II of FIG. 2 of an artificial potted flower and plant television and plant antenna, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of a flat disc showing the slots for holding the flexible cylindrical elements upright from an artificial potted flower and plant television and radio antenna, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of a signal bus for electrically connecting the flexible cylindrical elements to the television or radio receiver transmission cable from an artificial potted flower and plant television and radio antenna, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of an artificial potted flower and plant television and radio antenna taken along line II—II of FIG. 2 showing the location of the power signal booster amplifier for increasing signal strength, according to the alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       5  television/radio receiver 
       10  artificial potted flower and plant radio antenna 
       11  flexible cover 
       12  flexible cylindrical elements 
       21  first end 
       22  interconnecting means 
       22   a  conductor 
       22 b conductor 
       22   c  transmission cable 
       23   a  first signal bus 
       23   b  second signal bus 
       24  second end 
       30  flower pot 
       30   a  base 
       30   b  opening 
       30   c  inner volume 
       34  ac power cord 
       35  power signal booster amplifier 
       36  flat disc 
       37  slot 
       38  cylindrical sidewall 
       40  connecting means 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1-6. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a potted artificial flower and plant radio and television antenna  10  is shown in its intended use, according to the present invention, comprised essentially of a radio and television antenna tastefully disguised as a flower arrangement in an otherwise conventioanl flower pot. A plurality of signal receiving elements are disguised as the flower stems and petals and are mounted in an electrically non-conductive flower pot  30 . The plurality of electrically conductive signal receiving elements are in the form of relatively elongated, flexible cylindrical conduits of respective lengths and indicated, respectively, at  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20 . The number of receiving elements  12 - 20  disclosed is only meant as a suggestion and in no way is limiting on the final number of receiving elements that may be used. The radio and television antenna is designed utilizing well known and existing electronic design technology. A shielded coaxial antenna cable  25  protrudes from the sidewall  38  of and near the bottom of the flower pot  30  for connection to the signal input of a VHF/UHF receiver or radio receiver (not part of the disclosure). In an alternate preferred embodiment, an electrical power cord  34  also protrudes from the sidewall  38  of and near the bottom of the flower pot  30  for connection to a conventional 120 volt ac power outlet. The electrical power cord  34  is for powering a power signal booster amplifier  35  embedded in the bottom of the flower pot  30  for boosting radio and television signal strength. 
     An electrically non-conductive flexible covering  11  is mounted near the top of each of the plurality of signal receiving elements  12 - 20 . The covering  11 , encasing the flexible cylindrical elements, is designed so as to represent the petals and stem of a flower. The flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  are constructed of a flexible, electrically conductive material capable of being bent or turned in various desired positions thereby improving reception and providing for the best incoming signal. In addition, the entire present invention may be turned to improve reception. 
     The flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20 , each having a first end  21  opposite end  24 , wherein each second end  24  of each of the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  is secured in a semi-interference type fit manner to a bus  23   a ,  23   b  (to be described in greater detail below) located within an inner volume  30   c  of the flower pot  30 . Flower pot  30  is of a generally cylindrical configuration having a vertically oriented cylindrical sidewall  38  forming the sides of flower pot  30 , a flat base  30   a  attached at the bottom end of sidewall  38 , an enlarged circular opening  30   b  at the upper end of sidewall  38 , and wherein sidewall  38  and base  30   a  define the inner volume  30   c  wherein the second end of the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  are housed and secured therein. The first end of the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  protrude from the circular opening  30   b  from within inner volume  30   c . The flat base  30   a  allows for the device  10  to rest upon any flat surface. Flower pot  30  further comprises a flat disc  36  resting horizontally just below the circular opening  30   b  and having ring shapes defining slots  37  therethrough for providing vertical support to the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20 . Approximately half of the flexible cylindrical elements are connected to a first signal bus  23   a , and the remaining flexible cylindrical elements are connected to a second signal bus  23   b . In the preferred embodiment, flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 15  are connected to the first signal bus  23   a , while flexible cylindrical elements  16 - 20  are connected to the second signal bus  23   b . First signal bus  23   a  and second signal bus  23   b  are connected to interconnecting means  22 , comprised of first and second conductors  22   a  and  22   b , respectively. The first and second conductor  22   a ,  22   b  are suitably attached via connecting means  40  to a transmission line  22   c . Transmission line  22   c , in turn, is connected to the signal input of a VHF/UHF receiver, an FM radio, or the like as previously described. 
     First bus  23   a  and second bus  23   b , being constructed of electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, or the like, has a plurality of fittings on the upper surface for receiving in a semi-interference type fit manner each of the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  and placing each of the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  in electrical communication with buses  23   a ,  23   b , respectively. 
     In order for the present invention to be suitable for effective signal reception not only in a zone of close proximity but for an intermediate zone, the antenna impedance should remain linear over a broad band of frequencies where the impedance corresponds with the receiver. Such linear impedance can be acquired utilizing the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  having a relatively thick cross section 
     Accordingly, the flexible cylindrical elements  12 - 20  may be of conventional extruded thin wall aluminum tubing used in conventional antennas, providing sufficient diameter for allowing effective signal reception in intermediate zones. In addition, utilizing extruded thin wall aluminum tubing would provide a cost-affordable means for achieving linear impedance. The aluminum tubing material utilized for acquiring linear impedance as disclosed above is only meant as a suggestion for overcoming the cited problem and in no way is limiting The final design will be chosen after thorough engineering and marketing research. The present invention is available in a wide variety of colors, sizes and styles that blend with any decor and can be placed on top of or near an electronic appliance. 
     In an alternate preferred embodiment, an integral, internal power signal booster amplifier  35  is positioned inside the flower pot  30  is envisioned for providing amplification of radio frequency signals from stations in intermediate areas almost out of range. Internal booster amplifier  35  is of the type wherein an outside source of energy is used to obtain a gain in signal strength before the signal is sent to the radio receiver. Such amplifiers  35  can be powered by AC or DC current but in the alternate preferred embodiment, the device would be equipped with a plug and power cord for conventional AC power. First signal bus  23   a  and second signal bus  23   b  are connected to power signal booster amplifier  35  via interconnecting means  22 , previously described as first and second conductors  22   a  and  22   b , which in turn are connected respectively, to transmission line  22   c . Transmission line  22   c , in turn, is connected to the signal input of a VHF/UHF receiver, an FM radio, or the like as previously described. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, the present invention is placed on a level surface such as the top of the television or radio receiver. The coaxial cable protruding from the side of the flower pot is connected to the signal input of a VHF/UHF televison receiver or radio receiver. One now only need to turn on the power of the VHF/UHF receiver or radio receiver. The television receiver or radio receiver is then tuned to the desired station or location. The individual stems and branches of the antenna may be bent into direction to improve reception for the best incoming signal. In the alternate preferred embodiment, the power signal amplifier booster is switched on to improve signal strength in addition to bending the flower stems and branches for the best signal and reception. 
     The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.