Abstract:
A satellite antenna mounting system primarily for residential homes including a dish, feed horn, elevation, clamp, and mast. The main body of the clamp to which the assemblage of the dish, feed horn, and elevation bracket are attached is provided with a downwardly inclined tab or clip member. In operation, the clamp of the assemblage can be lowered to receive the upper portion of the mast which is affixed to the roof or other part of the house. In doing so, the clip member engages the upper rim of the mast and firmly attaches or clips the assemblage to the mast with the dish in its desired elevation. Thereafter, the loose clamp can be tightened about the upper portion of the mast at the desired azimuth without affecting the set elevation of the dish.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/781,427 filed Mar. 10, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to the field of antenna mounts and more particularly to the field of satellite dish antenna mounts primarily for residential use.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of the Background  
         [0005]     Residential dish antennas for satellite reception are commonly mounted by one person on a customer&#39;s house (e.g., roof or wall). In installing the antenna, the dish is first typically secured to an elevation bracket which in turn is adjustably attached to a mast clamp. Such mast clamps commonly have a C-shape and can be secured about a vertically extending portion of a mast that is fixed to the roof or other part of the house. In doing so, the upper portion of the mast is initially received in the loose clamp. The clamp is then further lowered onto the mast until a pivot bolt of the elevation bracket that extends across the C-shape of the clamp contacts the upper portion of the mast. With the pivot bolt abutting the upper mast portion and the clamp still loose, the installer can then manually rotate the dish and attached elevation bracket and clamp about the vertical axis of the mast to a desired azimuth and tighten the clamp on the mast.  
         [0006]     A problem in this basic installation procedure is that the weight of the assemblage of the dish, attached feed horn, elevation bracket, and clamp is virtually all on one side of the axis of the clamp. Consequently, it is extremely difficult for one installer to simultaneously manually support the assemblage, guide its clamp onto the mast, rotate the assemblage about the vertical axis of the mast, and tighten the clamp on the mast. This is particularly difficult if it is windy and/or the antenna is being mounted in tight or awkward quarters. Complicating the matter, the bolt of the elevation bracket abutting the top of the mast also acts as a pivot for the off-center assemblage when the clamp is loose. As a result, the axis of the clamp is tilted and not vertically aligned when the clamp is loose. Tightening the clamp on the mast will then straighten the clamp and its axis. However, in doing so, the elevation of the dish attached to the clamp is also changed as the clamp is tightened to bring its axis into alignment with the vertical axis of the mast.  
         [0007]     As a practical matter, the installer must make his best initial estimate of the correct elevation setting and then wait for the completion of the tightening step of the clamp to see if the final position of the clamp and attached dish resulted in the correct elevation. If not, the elevation bracket and attached dish must be re-adjusted on the clamp. To the extent any re-adjustment of the elevation adversely affects the desired azimuth setting, the entire procedure may have to repeated once or even several times. The fundamental problem with such current antenna mounts of this kind is that the tightening step of the clamp to lock in the azimuth is not independent of and in fact affects the elevation alignment of the dish.  
         [0008]     With this and other problems in mind, the present invention was developed. In it, the assemblage of the clamp and attached dish, feed horn, and elevation bracket can be placed on the mast in the desired set elevation even with the clamp loose. With the assemblage then at or moved to the desired azimuth on the mast, the clamp can be tightened without changing or otherwise affecting the set elevation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     This invention involves a satellite antenna mounting system primarily for residential homes. In it, a downwardly inclined tab or clip member is provided on the main body of the clamp to which the assemblage of the dish, feed horn, and elevation bracket are attached. In operation, the clamp of the assemblage can be lowered to receive the upper portion of the mast which is affixed to the roof or other part of the house. In doing so, the clip member engages the upper rim of the mast and firmly attaches or clips the assemblage to the mast with the dish in its desired elevation. Thereafter, the loose clamp can be tightened about the upper portion of the mast at the desired azimuth without affecting the set elevation of the dish.  
         [0010]     In this manner, the independent operation of the elevation and azimuth settings allows for quick and efficient alignment of the satellite antenna system on the house. In effect and unlike current systems, the dish elevation can be correctly set prior to locking or clamping the dish on the mast in the desired azimuth position.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the satellite dish antenna mounting system of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the mounting system of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the manner in which the elevation bracket is attached to the mast clamp.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view of the assemblage of the dish, feed horn, elevation bracket, and mast clamp in a position to be lowered as a unit onto the mast.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the satellite dish antenna mounting system in its operating position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  with sections of the mast and mast clamp cutaway.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the mast and mast clamp with the mast clamp in a position to be lowered onto the mast.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates the mast clamp in its lowered and tightened position on the mast.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view taken from  FIG. 8  of the tab or clip member of the mast clamp that engages the upper rim of the mast.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 10-14  illustrate various views of the mast clamp of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 15-16  show the manner in which the mast clamp can be tightened on the mast.  
         [0022]      FIG. 17  illustrates a prior art mast clamp without the tab or clip member of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 17  showing the mast clamp of the present invention being clipped in an aligned position on the mast while the mast clamp is still loose.  
         [0024]      FIG. 19  is a view taken along line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0025]      FIGS. 20-25  illustrate an embodiment in which the substantially C-shaped main body of the mast clamp has relatively flat sides forming the C-shape with a clip member on each side.  
         [0026]      FIG. 26-28  illustrate further embodiments in which a clip member is positioned adjacent the junction of the flat sides forming the C-shape of the main body of the mast clamp.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]     In  FIG. 1 , the antenna dish  1  is shown mounted on the mast  3 . The mast  3  in turn is secured to a fixed object such as the roof  5  of a house by the mounting foot  7 . The illustrated arrangement of  FIGS. 1 and 2  also includes the feed horn  9 , its support arm  9 ′, elevation bracket  11 , and mast clamp  2 . In assembling the basic elements of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the antenna dish  1  (see  FIG. 2 ) is attached to the elevation bracket  11  along with the support arm  9 ′ and feed horn  9 . With the elevation bracket  11  then secured to the mast clamp  2  ( FIGS. 3-4 ), the assemblage  15  ( FIG. 4 ) of the antenna dish  1 , feed horn  9 , support arm  9 ′, elevation bracket  11 , and mast clamp  2  can be manually manipulated as a unit and secured in place on the upper section  3 ′ of the mast  3  ( FIGS. 5-6 ).  
         [0028]     In doing so, the mast clamp  2  as best seen in  FIGS. 7-9  has a tab or clip member  4  extending downwardly and inwardly from the main body  2 ′ of the mast clamp  2 . As the mast clamp  2  of  FIG. 7  (with the attached elevation bracket  11 , antenna dish  1 , feed horn  9 , and support arm  9 ′) is lowered to receive the cylindrical upper section  3 ′ of the mast  3 , the downwardly and inwardly inclined tab or clip member  4  ( FIGS. 8-9 ) engages the upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3 . In the final operating position of  FIGS. 1 and 8 - 9  with the mast clamp  2  fully tightened on the upper section  3 ′ of the mast  3 , the clamp axis C ( FIG. 8 ) and mast axis M are preferably aligned in a collinear manner. Ideally, this collinear position is also aligned with the true vertical V. However, to the extent it is not, the clamp and mast axes C and M are still preferably aligned collinearly with each other.  
         [0029]     In the final operating position of  FIG. 8 , the pivot bolt  11 ′ of the elevation bracket  11  preferably rests on and abuts the upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3  as shown. The pivot bolt  11 ′ in this regard in cooperation with a pair of bolts  11 ″ (only one of which is shown for clarity in  FIG. 3 ) adjustably mounts the elevation bracket  11  to the mast clamp  2 . In this regard, each bolt  11 ″ ( FIG. 3 ) passes through a respective clamp ear  2 ″ and arcuate slot  21  in the elevation bracket  11 . In this manner as illustrated in  FIG. 8  with the mast clamp  2  remaining tightly secured to the mast  3 , each bolt  11 ″ on each ear  2 ″ (see also  FIG. 3 ) can be loosened. The elevation bracket  11  can then be manually pivoted about the axis P of  FIGS. 3 and 8  relative to the mast clamp  2 . The pivotal axis P in this regard is preferably perpendicular to the clamp axis C ( FIGS. 3 and 8 ). Consequently, with such pivotal adjustments of the elevation bracket  11  about the preferably horizontal axis P, the elevation of the antenna dish  1  attached to the elevation bracket  11  can be adjusted as desired.  
         [0030]     Further details of the mast clamp  2  of the present invention and its tab or clip member  4  are shown in  FIGS. 10-14 . As perhaps best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 14 , the main body  2 ′ of the mast clamp  2  ( FIG. 10 ) has a substantially C-shape ( FIG. 14 ) extending along and about the clamp axis C. The tab or clip member  4  preferably extends downwardly and inwardly from or relative to the main body  2 ′ ( FIG. 10 ) toward the clamp axis C at an acute angle A substantially between 10 and 50 degrees (e.g., 20 degrees). Additionally, the arcuate tab or clip member  4  ( FIG. 14 ) preferably extends about the clamp axis C at  23  substantially between 5 and 45 degrees (e.g., 25 degrees). In use and in fixedly securing the C-shaped main body  2 ′ of the mast clamp  2  on the upper section  3 ′ of the mast  3 , the wings  25  ( FIGS. 14-15 ) of the clamping mechanism of the mast clamp  2  are drawn together ( FIG. 16 ) by tightening bolt  27  within the nut  29 . In the final operating position of  FIG. 16 , the clamp and mast axes C and M as indicated above are preferably collinear and aligned with the true vertical V.  
         [0031]     The advantage of having the downwardly and inwardly inclined tab or clip member  4  is perhaps best appreciated by first viewing  FIGS. 4 and 6  and then comparing  FIGS. 17 and 18 . That is and as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , nearly all of the weight of the assemblage  15  (including the antenna dish  1 , feed horn  9 , support arm  9 ′, and elevation bracket  11 ) is unevenly offset on the mast clamp  2  to one side (i.e., the left side in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) of the clamp axis C. Consequently and without the tab or clip member  4  (see  FIG. 17 ), the assemblage  15  of members  1 ,  9 ,  9 ′,  11 , and the prior art mast clamp  20  of  FIG. 17  will rock or pivot about the axis P of the pivot bolt  11 ′ of the elevation bracket  11 . This rocking or pivoting will occur as shown in  FIG. 17  when the mast clamp  2  of the assemblage  15  is first loosely fitted over the upper section  3 ′ of the mast  3 . It is then very difficult if not impossible to accurately pre-set the correct elevation of the antenna dish  1  and elevation bracket  11  on the mast clamp  2  so that the elevation will end up being correct when the mast clamp  2  is tightened. This is the case because the prior art mast clamp  20  of  FIG. 17  (with the attached elevation bracket  11  and antenna dish  1 ) will be moved or rotated (i.e., clockwise in  FIG. 17 ) about the pivotal axis P when the mast clamp  20  is tightened. In the tightened position, the previously crossing and unaligned clamp axis C of  FIG. 17  will then become aligned with the mast axis M and the vertical V.  
         [0032]     It is possible that the elevation bracket  11  and attached antenna dish  1  on the prior art mast clamp  20  of  FIG. 17  may by chance end up on the mast  3  in the correct elevation and azimuth positions when the prior art mast clamp  20  is tightened. However, as a practical matter, this rarely happens and readjustments are necessary. As for example, if it turns out the elevation is incorrect but the azimuth is properly set, the elevation bracket  11  must be adjusted on the mast clamp  20 . This can be done without loosening the mast clamp  20 . On the other hand, if the azimuth is incorrect, the prior art mast clamp  20  must be loosened and the mast clamp  20  with the attached elevation bracket  11  and antenna dish  1  moved to a different azimuth position and the mast clamp  20  re-tightened. To the extent the re-adjusted azimuth position is still incorrect, the process must be repeated until the correct one in the tightened position is achieved. Unfortunately, with each loosening and re-tightening of the prior art mast clamp  20 , the clamp axis C is first moved out of alignment with the axes M and V and then back toward alignment. As a practical matter and with each such azimuth adjustment, the elevation typically must also be re-adjusted. This procedure can obviously be a very time consuming and inefficient way to arrive at the correct elevation and azimuth settings of the antenna dish  1 .  
         [0033]     In contrast and with the tab or clip member  4  of the present invention as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the mast clamp  2  in the loose or unclamped open position of  FIGS. 15 and 18  will be secured or clipped ( FIG. 18 ) on the upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3 . In this clipped position of  FIG. 18 , the clamp axis C is aligned (e.g., parallel with and slightly laterally spaced from) the mast axis M (see also  FIG. 15 ). Ideally, the mast axis M is aligned with the true vertical V ( FIG. 15 ) and the clamp axis (although offset) is then also aligned with the vertical V. The clamping mechanism  25 , 27 , 29  ( FIG. 15 ) of the mast clamp  2  at this point is still in its open position. However, even as the clamping mechanism  25 , 27 , 29  is tightened to its closed position ( FIG. 16 ) to fixedly secure the mast clamp  2  on the mast  3 , the alignment of the clamp axis C with the mast axis M and true vertical V does not change. This is the case even though the clamp axis C is preferably being laterally moved from its parallel position ( FIG. 15 ) to being collinear or at least substantially collinear with the mast axis M and the true vertical V ( FIG. 16 ).  
         [0034]     Stated another way, the advantage of the tab or clip member  4  of the present invention is that the mast clamp  2  (with the attached elevation bracket  11  and antenna dish  1 ) can be attached or clipped on the mast  3  ( FIG. 18 ) with the mast clamp  2  still loose. Further, in doing so, the clamp axis C will already be aligned (e.g., parallel) with the mast axis M and the antenna dish  1  elevation correctly set. The mast clamp  2  is thus separately supported on the mast  3  even with the clamping mechanism open. Thereafter, when the mast clamp  2  is tightened on the mast  3 , the clamp and mast axes C and M will stay so aligned (e.g., parallel and preferably even collinear). More importantly, the elevation setting of the elevation bracket  11  on the mast clamp  2  will not change as the mast clamp  2  is tightened on the mast  3 . Since the alignment of the mast clamp  2  is not affected by the tightening of the clamping mechanism  25 , 27 , 29  of  FIGS. 15-16 , the set elevation of the elevation bracket  11  also will not change. Setting the elevation is thus independent of and not affected by the tightening steps of  FIGS. 15-16 .  
         [0035]     Preferably, the mast clamp  2  is initially clipped on the mast  3  at the correct azimuth about the vertical axis V. However, to the extent it is not, the mast clamp  2  in its unclamped open position ( FIG. 19 ) can be manually rotated on the mast  3  about the mast axis M. Once the azimuth is correctly aligned, the mast clamp  2  can then be tightened in place without changing the elevation setting. That is and whether the mast clamp  2  is manually slid or rotated about the mast axis M with the member  4  remaining clipped in place ( FIG. 19 ) or completely removed and re-clipped in place, the axes C and M will still be aligned. Also, to the extent the elevation bracket  11  and attached antenna dish  1  are not at the desired elevation setting when the mast clamp  2  is initially clipped on the mast  3 , the elevation bracket  11  and attached antenna dish  1  can be adjusted about the horizontal pivot axis P. This adjustment to the elevation setting can be done if desired with the mast clamp  2  still clipped in place on the mast  3  in the unclamped position of  FIGS. 15 and 18  or in its clamped position of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0036]     It is noted that the tab or clip member  4  of the present invention is preferably used with an elevation bracket of the type illustrated which has a pivot bolt  11 ′. In addition to its function to allow the elevation bracket  11  to be pivotally adjusted on the mast clamp  2 , the bolt  11 ′ also serves a stop with the clip member  4  by abutting the upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3  ( FIG. 18 ). However, the clip member  4  of the present invention can be used with other elevation brackets that do not have an elongated pivot bolt such as  11  extending across the C-shaped main body  2 ′ of the mast clamp  2 . The tab or clip member  4  can then serve alone as the stop. Further, in this regard and as discussed above, the tab or clip member  4  is arcuate at  23  about the clamp axis C (see again  FIG. 14 ). This helps to create strength in the clip member  4  as well as a tight grip or wedge along the arcuate upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3  which the clip member  4  engages. These features aid in countering any torque force created by the offset weight distribution of the assemblage  15  as discussed above.  
         [0037]     Also, it is noted that the portion of the main body  2 ′ extending along the clamp axis C immediately below the clip member  4  ( FIG. 18 ) preferably abuts against the cylindrical upper section  3 ′ of the mast  3 . This occurs both when the mast clamp is in an open position ( FIG. 15 ) and in its closed position ( FIG. 16 ). This abutting portion among other things also aids in countering any torque force from the offset weight of the assemblage  15 . The portions of the main body  2 ′ immediately to the sides of the clip member  4  about the clamp axis C also aid in this regard. This is the case even though other portions of the main body  2 ′ (see  FIG. 15 ) spaced farther about the clamp axis C from the clip member  4  are slightly spaced from the mast  3  when the mast clamp is loose. These spaced other portions, however, are preferably drawn in to also abut the mast  3  ( FIG. 16 ) when the mast clamp  2  is tightened.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 20-25  illustrate an embodiment in which the substantially C-shaped main body  2 ′ of the mast clamp  2  has relatively flat sides  32  (perhaps best seen in  FIGS. 23-24 ) forming the C-shape. Unlike the C-shape of  FIG. 16  in which the curved inner surface of the main body  2 ′ abuts or engages the outer surface of the upper mast portion  3 ′ substantially entirely about the clamp axis C, the flat sides  32  of the embodiment of  FIG. 20-25  essentially have point or line contacts with the upper mast portion  3 ′ ( FIG. 25 ). Although there can be a clip member  4  on each side  32  as shown, a single clip member  4  on only one side  32  would be sufficient. In operation, the clip member or members  4  engage the upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3  ( FIGS. 20 and 25 ) and attach or clip the mast clamp  2  on the mast  3  with the clamping mechanism  34  and  36  in its open position (shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 25 ). In the closed position of the clamping mechanism as shown in solid lines in  FIG. 25 , the member  36  is drawn in to abut the mast portion  3 ′ and the member  34  embraces the sides  32  of the main body  2 ′ adjacent the protruding arms  32 ′ thereof (see also  FIG. 21 ).  
         [0039]     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 20-25 , the clip members  4  like the earlier embodiments extend downwardly and inwardly from or relative to the main body  2 ′ of the mast clamp  2 . The main body  2 ′ in this regard has slight extensions at  2 ″′ (perhaps best seen in  FIGS. 22-24 ) from which the clip members  4  extend downwardly and inwardly. The clip members  4  of  FIGS. 20-25  are also shown as extending laterally relatively straight or parallel to the flat sides  32  ( FIG. 25 ) and pinching or wedging on the upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3  more or less at a point contact. However, the clip members  4  could be arcuate about the axis M of the mast  3  as in the earlier embodiments if desired to pinch or wedge on the upper rim  3 ″ of the mast  3  along a curve or arc.  
         [0040]     Additional embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 26-28  in which the clip member  4  is shown at the junction of the flat sides  32  ( FIG. 27 ) forming the C-shape. The member  4  is also illustrated as being arcuate about the main body  2 ′ as in earlier embodiments. It is noted that the embodiment of  FIGS. 26-27  like the one of  FIGS. 20-25  has the clip member  4  extending downwardly and inwardly from a slight extension  2 ″′ of the main body  2 ′ whereas the clip member  4  of  FIG. 28  is more like the other earlier embodiments.  
         [0041]     Additional variations of clamp cross sections to make the substantially C-shape could also be used if desired. In such cases and without the clip member(s)  4  of the present invention, the closed and open positions of the clamping mechanism of the various C-shapes would create the problem illustrated in  FIG. 17 . This would occur whether the pivotal axis P of the elevation bracket  11  extends across the mast  3  as in  FIG. 17  or is offset from it as in  FIG. 20  or if other structure such as stops aid in creating the problem.  
         [0042]     The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention described in detail with respect to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in this art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, other structural arrangements, and other embodiments could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention without departing from the scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.