Abstract:
A satellite dish assembly is mounted on the exterior of a vehicle. The dish assembly is in its traveling position while the vehicle is traveling from one place to another. The satellite dish is below the uppermost portion of the vehicle while in the assembly&#39;s traveling position. The satellite dish assembly raises and the aims the dish towards a transmitting satellite after the vehicle reaches its destination. One motor raises the satellite dish with a telescoping mast. Two other motors adjust the direction the dish is facing by rotating and tilting the dish on top of the mast. The satellite dish receives the signals from the transmitting satellite and communicates the signals into the vehicle. The motors are used to reposition the satellite dish in its traveling position before the vehicle starts for its next destination.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Applicant claims priority to the application described herein through a United States provisional patent application titled “Satellite Dish for Trucks,” having U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/340,918 which was filed on Dec. 12, 2001, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates generally to a satellite dish assembly that may be mounted to a mobile vehicle, and can be raised and directed for reception when the vehicle is stopped, and lowered in a protective position while the vehicle is moving.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The use of parabolic reflector satellite antenna systems is well known. Most such systems are established for use at a fixed location, that is, the location of the antenna does not change. Stationary systems are completely satisfactory for the satellite receiver antenna is used to supply signals such as to a residence, apartment, complex, motel, office building, etc. With such stationary systems the parabolic reflector portion of the antenna remains substantially always in a fixed operating position with provision normally being made for minor adjustments depending upon specific satellites from which signals are to be received.  
           [0006]    A more difficult problem exists in providing problem exists in providing satellite systems for mobile use. A particular problem exists for users of eighteen-wheelers, trailer homes, motor homes, etc., wherein the vehicle frequently moves from one location to another. Many users change the position of their vehicle almost daily during travel. When a house trailer or mobile home is parked at a temporary location it is usually impossible to align the vehicle in a preselected orientation. Therefore, in order to receive signals transmitted by satellite, an antenna system must be provided which is completely flexible to orient a parabolic dish towards a desired transmitting satellite.  
           [0007]    Attempts have been made in the in order to have a retractable satellite dish assembly mounted a vehicle. These assemblies have the dish on top of the vehicle with little protection from objects such as rocks or birds while the vehicle is traveling.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    A receiver or satellite dish is mounted to a vehicle to receive transmissions from an orbiting satellite. The receiver is mounted on a rod or mast that is attached to the vehicle. Typically, the receiver is mounted to a backside portion of the vehicle. A motor located below the satellite raises and lowers the mast to elevate the receiver above the uppermost portion of the vehicle so that the receiver can receive signals from the transmitting satellite. The satellite dish and mast are lowered while the vehicle travels. The motor raises the mast and satellite when the vehicle reaches a destination and the operator wants to receive a signal in order to watch television or work on the computer.  
           [0009]    Additional motors are located below the satellite dish to adjust the direction that the satellite dish is facing so that the satellite dish can receive the signal from the transmitting satellite. One of these motors rotates the direction the dish is facing along the horizon, and the other motor tilts the dish so that it is angled to the sky. Using both of these motors, the operator can aim the dish the satellite transmitting to the area where the vehicle is located.  
           [0010]    A control box is located inside the vehicle so that the operator can aim the satellite from inside the vehicle. Aiming the satellite can be accomplished by inputting the zip code of the area or the nearest city or town. After inputting the information into the control box, the dish is automatically aimed at the satellite.  
           [0011]    When the operator decides to change locations, the operator uses the satellite dish control box to engage the motors. The motors maneuver the satellite dish to a position that it can be lowered without damaging the dish or the vehicle. Then the elevation motor lowers the mast and the satellite dish into the traveling position.  
           [0012]    This assembly allows an operator to easily locate and aim the satellite dish to a transmitting satellite without having to position the vehicle a certain direction. With this assembly the operator also does not have to exit the vehicle in order to aim or retract the satellite dish. Furthermore, the vehicle provides protection for the satellite from rocks or birds as the vehicle is traveling that could have damaged a satellite on protruding above the vehicle.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor-trailer rig, which has a satellite dish assembly constructed in accordance with this application.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a satellite dish assembly constructed in accordance with this application, with portions broken away.  
         [0015]    FIGS.  3  is a perspective view of a tractor-trailer rig, which has the satellite dish assembly of FIG. 2, in its lowered and traveling position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tractor-trailer rig, which has the satellite dish assembly of FIG. 2, in its raised and stationary position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the satellite dish assembly in FIG. 2 in its lowered and traveling position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a right side of another embodiment of the satellite dish assembly in FIG. 2, in its raised and stationary position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is an elevational view the right side of the satellite dish assembly shown in FIG. 6 while in its lowered and traveling position.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is an elevational of the backside of the satellite dish assembly shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the satellite dish assembly shown in FIGS. 6.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 shows an “eighteen-wheeler” or tractor-trailer rig  11 , in which there is a tractor  13 , and a trailer  15  that is towed by tractor  13 . There is a wind foil  17  on top of tractor  13 . Wind foil  17  substantially covers the rooftop of tractor  13  from the windshield to the backside of tractor  13 , and is angled in such a way as to make an angled transitional surface for air to flow from tractor  13  to trailer  15 . Wind foil  17  helps to improve the aerodynamics of tractor-trailed rig  11  as it travels down the road.  
         [0023]    A satellite dish assembly  19  is attached to the backside of tractor  13 , between tractor  13  and trailer  15  for receiving television or other transmissions from a transmitting satellite. FIG. 2 shows satellite dish assembly  19 , mounted on tractor  13 , when looking at the backside of tractor  13  without trailer  15  attached. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is a parabolic satellite dish or receiver  21  at the top of satellite dish assembly  19 . A support member  23  (FIG. 4) is connected to the underside of dish  21  extending down to a motor assembly  25 . Motor assembly  25  holds two motors, a rotational or azimuth motor  27  for rotating dish  21  about a vertical axis along the horizon, and an angular motor  29  for angling dish  21  at different angles in the sky above. A angular circular disk  24  is fixedly connected to support member  23  to translate rotations from angular motor  29  to change the angle dish  21  is pointing. Angular disk  24  is fixedly attached so that dish  21  rotates with disk  24  as disk  24  rotates about its center point. The drive member of angular motor  29  adjusts the angle of satellite dish  21  through a flexible linkage, preferably a belt  30  which engages angular disk  24  and support member  23 .  
         [0024]    Motor assembly  25  is connected on top of a bearing or rotating disk  31 , which turns the entire assembly above rotating disk  31  when azimuth motor  27  is operated. The drive member of azimuth motor  27  turns motor assembly  25  on rotating disk  31  by driving a flexible linkage, preferably a rotational belt and pulley system  28 . Rotating disk  31  is connected to the top of telescoping mast  33 . Telescoping mast  33  is substantially cylindrical in shape and can be extended so that dish  21  is higher than the top edge of wind foil  17 , as well as being higher than the top of trailer  15  (FIG. 1).  
         [0025]    Mast  33  is held near the backside of tractor  13  by a bracket  35  located on the upper portion of the backside of tractor  13 . Bracket  35  has flat surfaces on both sides of mast  33  that are parallel to the backside of tractor  13 . In the preferred embodiment, a gasket  36  (shown in FIGS. 2 and 9), which can be rubber, is located between the backside of tractor  13  and bracket  35 . Each flat surface of bracket  35  on both sides of mast  33  is held to the backside of tractor  13  by a fastener  37 , which in the preferred embodiment is a screw. Each flat surface of bracket  35  on both sides of mast  33  is connected by a loop extending from each flat surface, and going around the outside of mast  33 , away from backside of tractor  13 . Bracket  35  holds mast  33  in a manner that prevents horizontal movements of mast  33  away from the backside of tractor  13 , and prevents horizontal movements along the backside of tractor  13 , while still allowing mast  33  to travel in the vertical direction when mast  33  is raised and lowered.  
         [0026]    Mast  33  is also held by a motor box  39 , which is also located on the backside of tractor  13 . In this embodiment, motor box  39  is located below bracket  35 . In this embodiment, motor box  39  is tubing having a substantially square shaped cross-section. Motor box  39  holds mast  33  within a passageway of motor box  39  that mast  33  passes through. Like bracket  35 , the passageway of motor box  39  prevents horizontal movement of mast  33 , while allowing mast  33  to travel vertically through the passageway of motor box  39 .  
         [0027]    An elevation motor  41  is also held inside of motor box  39 , and is connected to mast  33 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 , motor  41  has a drive shaft that is perpendicular to mast  33 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 , a pinion gear  42  engages a set of teeth  44  formed on mast  33 . Elevation motor  41  could also raise mast  33  through other methods known in the art that are not shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 . For example, mast  33  could easily be adapted to be raised by a chain drive system (not shown) driven by elevation motor  41 . Elevation motor  41 , which in the preferred embodiment is a linear actuator, raises and lowers mast  33 , which in turn raises and lowers dish  21  above and below the top edge of wind foil  17 .  
         [0028]    Motor box  39  is connected to the backside of tractor  13  by fasteners  43 , which in this embodiment are screws. In the preferred embodiment a gasket  44  (shown in FIGS. 2 and 9), which can be rubber is located between tractor  13  and motor box  39 . Gasket  44  may help reduce the vibrations on dish assembly  19  during travel. Control wires  45  extend from motor box  39 , through an opening in the backside of tractor  13 , into the passenger compartment of tractor  13  so that an operator can point dish  21  at a transmitting satellite from inside tractor  13 .  
         [0029]    In operation, while tractor-trailer rig  11  is driven, satellite dish assembly is in its lowered or traveling position. While in the lowered position, dish  21  is both behind wind foil  17  and below the top edge of wind foil  17 , so dish  21  is protected against the wind that is passing by the tractor-trailer as it travels at high speeds. Dish  21  is also protected from any solid objects traveling over the tractor-trailer rig  11 , like rocks or birds, because dish  21  is behind and below the top edge of wind foil  17 . In its lowered or traveling position, dish  21  is pointed directly at trailer  15 . When tractor-trailer rig  11  comes to a stop, the dish may be raised into its raised or stationary position. Using controls located inside the passenger compartment of tractor that are connected to motor box  39  via control wires  45 , the operator can position satellite dish  21  to receive the transmission from the satellite.  
         [0030]    First, the operator turns on and operates elevation motor  41  to raise telescoping mast  33 . Motor  41  is connected to mast  33  so that as elevation motor  41  is operating, telescoping mast  33  is raised. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, after telescoping mast  33  is raised, dish  21  is above the top edge of wind foil  17  as well as being above the top of trailer  15  (FIG. 1). With dish  21  being higher than the top of wind foil  17  and trailer  15 , no part of tractor-trailer  11  prevents dish  21  from receiving the satellite transmission.  
         [0031]    With dish  21  in its raised position, operator can then use azimuth motor  27  and angular motor  29  to point dish  21  towards the transmitting satellite. With existing technology, an operator will enter into the controls located inside the passenger compartment the zip code of the area that vehicle  11  is located. The controls inside the passenger compartment tilt dish  21  so that dish  21  is pointed towards the transmitting satellite. Using the zip code of the area that vehicle  11  is located is discussed, but other methods of determining the angle to aim dish  21  are also plausible with this embodiment. For example, the operator could enter the zip code or the nearest city to where vehicle  11  is located before raising telescoping mast  33 . The control system would then raise satellite dish assembly  19  on mast  33 , and then rotate and tilt satellite dish  21 . In another example, the operator may locate vehicle  11  using a global positioning satellite system and then aim dish  21  based upon that location.  
         [0032]    Angular motor  29  is engaged to tilt dish  21  the appropriate angle towards the sky. The drive shaft from angular motor  29  connects to a direction disk  24  through rubber belt  30  at the base of support member  23  supporting dish  21 . When angular motor  29  is operated, the drive shaft turns belt  30  and directional disk  24 , which in turn tilts dish  21 . Angular motor  29  tilts support member  23  and dish  21  all the way back, and then forward the number of degrees required by the zip code location, thereby changing the angle dish  21  faces towards the sky. Dish  21  is rotated up to 360 degrees to face the transmitting satellite by operating azimuth motor  27 .  
         [0033]    The drive member of azimuth motor  27  is connected to rotational disk  31  through pulley and rubber belt system  28 . Rotational disk  31  turns about its vertical axis when motor  27  turns its drive member. Both motor assembly  25  and dish  21  also rotate when rotational disk  31  turns about its vertical axis. The operator disengages azimuth motor  27  when dish  21  is pointed to where dish  21  only needs to be tilted at an angle towards the sky for dish  21  to receive the satellite transmissions. With satellite dish  21  rotated and tilted so that dish is pointing towards the transmission satellite, the operator is able to receive satellite transmissions to watch television inside the passenger compartment of tractor  13 .  
         [0034]    Satellite dish assembly  19  needs to be returned to its lowered position before tractor trailer rig  11  departs for its next destination. The operator uses both azimuth motor  27  and angular motor  29  to angle dish  21  so that it can be lowered behind wind foil  17  without damaging dish  21 . Angular motor  29  tilts support member  23  and dish  21  so that dish  21  is facing the horizon instead of the sky. Azimuth motor  27  rotates dish  21  so that dish  21  is facing directly away from the backside of tractor  13  and towards trailer  15 . With dish  21  pointing this way, satellite dish  21  is capable of being lowered behind wind foil  17  to a point below its top edge without dish  21  making contact with wind foil  17 . In the preferred embodiment, elevation motor  39  is engaged to lower mast  33 , having satellite dish  21  above it, to a point where satellite dish  21  is below the top edge of wind foil  17 . When dish  21  is behind wind foil  17 , and below the top edge of wind foil  17 , satellite dish assembly  19  is in the lowered or traveling position. In the preferred embodiment, the control system allows the operator to automatically retract dish assembly into its traveling position with one command, which can be pushing one button or control knob.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 5, in another embodiment, dish  21  is further folded over (or tilted even further) after dish  21  is facing away from the backside of tractor  13  towards the horizon. In this embodiment, angular motor  29  tilts support member  23  and dish  21  away from the back side of tractor  13 , about 180 degrees, until dish  21  is facing the backside of tractor  13 , in a lower position. In this embodiment, mast  33  does not have to be as tall because dish  21  does not have to be lowered as much to place  21  below wind foil  17  and behind tractor  13 .  
         [0036]    Another embodiment is shown in FIGS.  6 - 9 , which shows a telescoping mast  34  having an upper portion  47  and a lower portion  49 . In the preferred embodiment, upper portion  47  has a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of lower portion  49  allowing upper portion  47  to retract into lower portion  49 . Satellite assembly  19  is mounted to telescoping mast  34  on a bearing  55  located on top of upper portion  47 . Bearing  55  allows satellite assembly to remain stationary relative to mast  34  as upper portion  47  is elevated.  
         [0037]    Motor box  39  has an additional upper section  40  (shown in FIG. 8) extending upwards alongside of mast  33 . In this embodiment, motor  41  is parallel to mast  33  and is located in upper portion  40  of box  39 . The drive member of elevation motor  41  raises or extends upper portion  47  out of lower portion  49 . The drive member of motor  41  drives a screw jack  51  in order to raise and lower dish assembly  19  mounted on the upper portion  47  of mast  33 . In a manner known in the art, screw jack  51  engages threads  57  on upper portion  47  with a rotating nut (not shown) to cause upper portion  47  to retract and extend.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIG. 9, a dish support bracket  53  can also be used to support dish  21  when dish  21  is folded over as described above. Support bracket  53  extends away from the backside of tractor  13  and engages the lower portion and backside of dish  21  when dish assembly  19  is in its lowered, traveling position. Support bracket  53  helps to prevent dish  21  from bouncing and vibrating during travel. The support provided by bracket  53  may help to protect dish  21  from damage. Bracket  53  may also help protect the connection of support member  23  and motor assembly  25  from damage.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 9 also shows a support bracket  59  located below elevation motor box  39 . Bracket  59  attaches to the backside of tractor  13  and supports most of the weight of dish assembly  19 . Typically a gasket  44  is placed between bracket  59  and tractor  13  to absorb some of the vibrations from tractor  13  while traveling. Bracket  59  could also be adapted for use with the embodiments shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 .  
         [0040]    Further, it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, changes and substitutions may be made to the preferred embodiment in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that this should be construed broadly and in he manner consisting with the spirit and scope of the preferred embodiment herein.