Abstract:
An antenna for receiving a transmitted signal with signal receiving components including a housing disposed about signal-receiving components. The housing includes a first housing portion forming a first side of the housing, the first housing portion including first and second opposing edge portions, third edge portion extending between the first and second opposing edge portions, and a second housing portion forming a second side of the housing, the second housing portion including fourth and fifth opposing edge portions, and a sixth edge portion extending between the fourth and fifth opposing edge portions, wherein the first housing portion is configured to be coupled to the second housing portion in such a manner that the first and fourth edge portions engage, the second and fifth edge portions engage, and the third and sixth edge portions cooperatively form an elongated groove configured to receive a signal line.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a United States national phase application of co-pending international patent application number PCT/CN2011/073122, filed Apr. 21, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional indoor television antennas are generally meant to be positioned near the television to which they transmit received signals. Some antennas are designed to rest on surfaces near the television, some are designed to sit in stands, and some are designed to hang on an adjacent wall. In each of these cases, a transmission line carrying television signals from the antenna to the television must also be positioned relative to the antenna. However, indoor television antennas often lack means to dictate the manner in which the transmission line extends from the antenna. While existing devices, for example those described above, have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects. The embodiments of the present disclosure overcome one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an antenna for receiving a transmitted signal with signal receiving components. The antenna may include a signal line electrically coupled to signal-receiving components and a housing disposed about the signal-receiving components and securably connected with the signal line. The housing may include a first housing portion forming a first side of the housing, the first housing portion including first and second opposing edge portions, a third edge portion extending between the first and second opposing edge portions, and a plurality of spaced teeth protruding from the third edge portion. The housing may also include a second housing portion forming a second side of the housing, the second housing portion including fourth and fifth opposing edge portions, and a sixth edge portion extending between the fourth and fifth opposing edge portions, the sixth edge portion including a first notch adjacent to the fourth edge portion and a second notch adjacent to the fifth edge portion. The first housing portion may be configured to be coupled to the second housing portion in such a manner that the first and fourth edge portions engage to form a first housing edge portion, the second and fifth edge portions engage to form a second housing edge portion, and the first and second housing portion form a cavity therebetween, the signal-receiving components being disposed within the cavity. The first housing portion may also be configured to be coupled to the second housing portion in such a manner that the third and sixth edge portions cooperatively form an elongated groove extending between the first and the second housing edge portions, the groove being configured to receive the signal line, the plurality of spaced teeth extending into the groove and being configured to releasably secure the signal line in the groove, and the first and second notches being in communication with the groove to allow the signal line to exit the groove through one of the first and second notches. 
     In some instances, the first housing portion may include a first wall portion adjacent to the third edge portion, the first wall portion including a first aperture portion. The second housing portion may include a second wall portion adjacent to the sixth edge portion, the second wall portion including a second aperture portion. The first housing portion may be further configured to be coupled to the second housing portion in such a manner that the first wall portion engages the second wall portion and the first aperture portion and the second aperture portion form an aperture in communication with the groove, the signal line extending through the aperture and into the groove. 
     In other instances, the antenna may include a removable stand having first and second elongated channels structurally configured to releasably secure the signal line therein. The removable stand may be configured to receive the housing in such a manner that the first notch aligns with the first elongated channel and the second notch aligns with the second elongated channel to allow the signal line to extend through the groove and either pass through the first notch and extend through the first elongated channel or pass through the second notch and extend through the second elongated channel. 
     In another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an antenna system with a housing having signal-receiving components therein. The housing may include a front surface portion, a back surface portion spaced from the front surface portion to form a cavity therebetween, the signal-receiving components being disposed within the cavity, an edge portion extending between the front surface portion and the back surface portion, the edge portion having a first end and an opposing second end and including a groove extending between the first and second ends, wherein the back surface portion includes a first notch in communication with the groove. The antenna system may also include a signal line electrically coupled to the signal-receiving components disposed within the cavity, the signal line extending through an aperture formed in the edge portion within the groove. The antenna system may further include a stand structurally configured to receive the housing. The stand may include a first bracket structurally configured to releasably receive the housing and an first elongated channel extending away from the first bracket and being structurally configured to receive the signal line therein, wherein the stand is operable to receive the housing in such a manner that the first notch on the back surface portion aligns the first elongated channel to allow the signal line to extend through the groove, pass through the first notch and extend through the first elongated channel. 
     In some instances, the back surface portion of the housing includes a second notch in communication with the groove, wherein the first notch is adjacent to the first end of the edge portion and wherein the second notch is adjacent to the second end of the edge portion. The stand may include a second bracket configured to releasably receive the housing, a second elongated channel extending away from the second bracket and being structurally configured to receive the signal line therein. The stand may be further operable to receive the housing in such a manner that the second notch on the back surface portion aligns with the second elongated channel to allow the signal line to extend through the groove, pass through the second notch and extend through the second elongated channel. 
     In other instances, the housing of the antenna system may include a first set of positioners and the stand may include a second set of positioners configured to engage the first set of positioners. The stand may be further operable to receive the housing in such a manner that the first set of positioners engages the second set of positioners to align the first notch with the first elongated channel and to reduce movement of the housing relative to the stand. 
     In another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of using an antenna system. The method may include locating a signal line extending from an edge portion of an antenna housing, the signal line electrically coupled to signal-receiving components disposed within the antenna housing. The method may also include inserting the signal line into a groove along the edge portion of the antenna housing, the edge portion including a plurality of teeth protruding into the groove to releasably secure the signal line within the groove. The method may further include passing the signal line through a notch in the antenna housing, the notch extending approximately perpendicularly from the groove. The method may also include releasably securing the antenna housing to a stand and inserting the signal line into an elongated channel on the stand so that the signal line extends away from the antenna housing, the elongated channel being configured to releasably secure the signal line. 
     In some instances, the releasably securing the antenna housing to the stand may include positioning the antenna housing within the stand to align the notch with the elongated channel. Further, the positioning the antenna housing may include engaging a first pair of positioners on the antenna housing with a second pair of positioners on the stand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a antenna system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a flat panel housing that is an aspect of the antenna system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic rear view of the flat panel housing of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective end view of the flat panel housing of  FIG. 2  showing a cable management groove. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial diagrammatic perspective rear view of the flat panel housing of  FIG. 2  showing the cable management groove. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial diagrammatic perspective top view of the flat panel housing of  FIG. 2  with a front cover removed. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic perspective side view of a removable stand that is an aspect of the antenna system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic perspective end view of the removable stand of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic rear view of the flat panel housing of  FIG. 2  positioned in the removable stand of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of an antenna system  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The antenna system  100  includes a flat panel housing  102 , a removable stand  104 , a signal line  106 , and a coupler  108  disposed at the end of the signal line. These components will be described in greater detail in association with  FIGS. 2-9 . In general, the antenna system  100  is operable to receive television signals and transmit them to a television receiver coupled to the coupler  108 . As will be described herein, the antenna system  100  may be configured in a number of different arrangements to facilitate convenient user placement of the antenna. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , illustrated is an aspect of the antenna system  100 , specifically, the flat panel housing  102 .  FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the housing  102 , and  FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic rear view of the housing. In general, the flat panel housing is configured to protect signal-receiving components housed therein. Note that a patent application entitled “Efficient Loop Antenna System and Method” and filed on Oct. 16, 2013 having been assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 14/112,185 discloses signal-receiving components of a loop antenna system that may be disposed within the housing  102  and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The housing  102  includes a front cover  110  and a back cover  112 . In the illustrated embodiment, the front and back covers  110  and  112  are formed out of commercially available, durable plastic, but alternatively, they may be formed of other materials. Generally, at their peripheries, the front cover  110  and back cover  112  curve inward approximately ninety degrees such that they engage each other and form a cavity therein. More specifically, the housing  102  includes a bottom edge portion  114  that includes a cable management groove that will be described in association with  FIGS. 4-5 . Along opposing edges  115  of the housing  102 , the front and back cover  110  and  112  each include cooperative curved edge portions configured such that, when the covers are coupled together, the edge portions engage to form the continuous edges  115  of the housing. But, along the bottom edge portion  114 , the front and back cover  110  and  112  include cooperating curved edge portions configured such that, when the covers are coupled together, the edge portions do not engage but instead form a cable management groove described in greater detail below. The above mentioned edge portions will be described in association with  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     The housing  102  has a generally uniform thickness  116 , which, in the illustrated embodiment, is approximately 12-13 mm. However, the housing  102  may be thicker or thinner in other embodiments. Further, the signal line  106  is electrically coupled to signal-receiving components disposed within the housing  102 , passes from the cavity in the housing to an exterior of the housing through an aperture in the bottom edge portion  114  (described below with reference to  FIG. 6 ), and is electrically coupled to the coupler  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the signal line  106  is a coaxial transmission line and the coupler  108  is a coaxial connector. In alternative embodiments, the signal line and coupler may be different types of electrical cables and couplers. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the back cover  112  includes a plurality of apertures  118  that are each aligned with a threaded support protruding from the front cover  110  within the cavity. The front and back covers  110  and  112  may be coupled together by screws that pass through the apertures, threadably engage the threaded supports on the front cover, and compressively engage the back cover around each of the apertures  118 . Additionally, the back cover  112  includes a pair of hanging slots  120  configured to accept and engage the head of a screw or other mounting device. Using the slots  120 , a user may hang the housing  102  from a wall or other planar surface. The back cover  112  further includes a pair of concave positioners  121 . The concave positioners  121  are configured to mate with a pair of convex positioners on the removable stand  104 , as will be described in association with  FIG. 8 . Still further, the back cover  112  includes two notches  122  and  124  that are adjacent to the bottom edge portion  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, the signal line  106  passes through the notch  122 , but it may instead pass through notch  124 . The notches  122  and  124  will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , illustrated is an aspect of the flat panel housing  102 , specifically a cable management groove  136 .  FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective end view of the flat panel housing  102  showing the cable management groove  136 , and  FIG. 5  is a partial diagrammatic perspective rear view of the housing  102  showing the cable management groove  136 . In more detail, the cable management groove  136  substantially extends along the bottom edge portion  114  of the flat panel housing  102  from one edge  115  of the housing  102  to an opposing edge  115 , such that the groove ends are open and face in the direction of the opposing edges  115 . As mentioned above, the groove  136  is formed by cooperating curved edge portions  138  and  140  of the front and back covers  110  and  112 . The signal line  106  exits the housing and enters the groove  136  through an aperture within the groove  136 , partially shown in  FIG. 6 . The groove  136  is structurally configured to guide the signal line as it extends across the bottom edge portion  114 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . To keep the signal line within the groove  136 , the back cover  112  includes retainers, such as for example, a plurality of spaced teeth  142  and the front cover  110  includes retainers, such as for example, a plurality of spaced teeth  144 . The teeth  142  and  144  protrude from the covers across the groove  136  to hold the signal line  106  within the groove. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the plurality of spaced teeth  142  are offset from the plurality of spaced teeth  144 . 
     Further, the notches  122  and  124  in the back cover  112  are positioned on opposing ends of the bottom edge portion  114  and each extend substantially perpendicularly from the groove  136 . The widths of the notches  122  and  124  are only slightly larger than the diameter of the signal line  106  such that when the signal line is placed in one of the notches it is releasably secured. The notches  122  and  124  are further structurally configured such that when the signal line passes through one of them, it may extend from the housing  120  in a manner approximately perpendicular to the back cover  112 . The groove  136  further is structurally configured such that the signal line has 180 degrees of freedom as it leaves the housing  102 . For example, the signal line may extend in an approximately perpendicular fashion from the groove  136 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , or it may exit the housing  102  and extend out of one of the openings at either end of the groove  136  such that it extends from the left or right of the housing in a manner parallel to and along an axis of the groove, in the manner shown in  FIG. 2 . Still further, the groove  136  is structurally configured such that the signal line  106  may extend through the groove and remain hidden until it passes through one of the notches  122  and  124 , enabling a clean and appealing appearance. Thus, using the groove  136  and the notches  122  and  124 , a user of the antenna system  100  may position the signal line  106  such that it extends from the housing  102  in a convenient and predictable manner. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is a partial diagrammatic perspective top view of the flat panel housing  102  with the front cover  110  removed. As mentioned above, the back cover  112  includes opposing curved edge portions  145  that engage cooperating opposing curved edge portions on the front cover  110  when the covers are coupled together. Further, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the signal line  106  is electrically coupled to signal-receiving components within the housing  102 . However, before the signal line  106  exits the housing  102 , it wraps around a strain reliever  146 . The strain reliever  146  includes a circular channel through which the signal line  106  extends. The strain reliever  146  is structurally configured to absorb any tension applied on the signal line  106  from outside the housing  102  and to reduce movement of the signal line within the housing. In this manner, the signal line may remain electrically coupled to signal-receiving components even when forcefully adjusted by a user of the antenna system  100 . Further, after the signal line  106  passes through the strain reliever  146 , it exits the housing  102  through an aperture formed in a wall extending down the groove  136 . More specifically, the inside of the back cover  112  includes a wall portion  147  and a semi-circular aperture portion  148  formed in the wall portion  147 . And the non-illustrated inside of the front cover  110  includes a matching wall portion and semi-circular aperture portion disposed to correspond with the wall portion  147  and the aperture portion  148 . When the front and back covers  110  and  112  are coupled together the wall portions engage and the semi-circular aperture portions form an aperture through which the signal line  106  may pass. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , illustrated is another aspect of the antenna system  100 , specifically, the removable stand  104 .  FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic perspective side view of the removable stand  104 , and  FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic perspective end view of the removable stand  104 . In general, the removable stand  104  is structurally configured to rest on a flat surface and hold the flat panel housing  102  in a substantially perpendicular manner with respect to the flat surface. In more detail, the stand  104  includes a rectangular base  200  with two coplanar elongated portions configured to rest on a planar surface. The base  200  further includes two arched portions respectively positioned at and connecting opposing ends of the elongated portions. The stand  104  includes a bracket  202  and a bracket  204  each respectively positioned at the apex of the arched portions of the base  200 . The brackets  202  and  204  comprise spaced elements that are structurally configured to engage the front and back covers  110  and  112  of the housing  102  such that when the housing sits in the space between the elements of the brackets, it stands in a plane substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the base  200  rests. Further, the space between the elements of the brackets  202  and  204  is only slightly larger than the width  116  of the housing  102  such that the elements are operable to releasably secure the housing. Additionally, the bracket  202  includes a cable slot  206  and the bracket  204  includes a cable slot  208 . When the housing  102  is optimally positioned in the stand  104 , the notch  122  on the back cover  112  will align with the cable slot  206  and the notch  124  will align with the cable slot  208 . 
     The stand  104  further includes a strut  210  that connects the brackets  202  and  204  and is operable to further support the housing  102  when it is engaged by the brackets. Specifically, the strut  210  is structurally configured to engage the back cover  112  of the housing  102 . The strut  210  includes a pair of convex positioners  212  that are structurally configured to mate with the concave positioners  121  ( FIG. 3 ) on the back cover  112  when the housing  102  rests in the brackets  202  and  204 . The convex positioners  208  are operable to position the housing  102  within the removable stand  104  such that the cable slot  206  is aligned with the notch  122  and the cable slot  208  is aligned with the notch  124 , and also to prevent movement of the housing with respect to the stand. The removable stand  104  further includes a cable channel  214  that extends down an arched portion of the base  200  from the cable slot  206  and a cable channel  216  that extends down the opposing arched portion from the cable slot  208 . The widths of the cable channels are only slightly larger than the diameter of the signal line  106  such that the signal line may be releasably secured when positioned in either of the channels. In the example shown, the cable channel  214  and  216  each include a retainer, such as for example, a tooth  218 , to further secure the signal line  106  when it is positioned in one of the channels. In the illustrated embodiment, the removable stand  104  is a one-piece, molded component formed out of commercially-available, durable plastic, but alternatively, it may be formed of another material. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , illustrated is the antenna system  100  in one user configuration. In more detail,  FIG. 9  is diagrammatic rear view of the housing  102  positioned in the stand  104 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the housing  102  rests in the stand  104 , the brackets  202  and  204  releasably engage the front and back covers  110  and  112  and the strut  210  engages the back cover  112 . Further, the convex positioners  212  ( FIG. 8 ) engage the concave positioners  121  ( FIG. 3 ) to align the notch  122  on the back cover  112  with the cable slot  206  on the stand  104  and the notch  124  with the cable slot  208 . Because of the material properties of the stand  104 , the strut  210  may deflect slightly when the housing  102  is introduced. When the housing  102  is properly located, the convex positioners  212  snap into the concave positioners  121 , providing tactile feedback to the user. The positioners  121  and  212  secure and maintain the housing  102  in the stand  104  in a manner that mechanically couples the two together. In the user configuration shown in  FIG. 9 , the signal line  106  extends through the cable management groove  136 , passes through the notch  122  and the cable slot  206 , and extends through the cable channel  214 , where it is held in place by the tooth  218 . Further, a user may choose different user configurations of the antenna system  100  in which the signal line extends from the housing  102  in a different manner. For instance, as shown in broken lines in  FIG. 9 , the signal line  106  may be positioned such that it extends through the cable management groove  136 , passes through the notch  124  and the cable slot  208 , and extends through the cable channel  216 . Additionally, as also shown in broken lines in  FIG. 9 , the signal line  106  may be configured to extend through the groove  136  and out of either side of the housing  102  without passing through either cable channel on the stand  104 . This latter user configuration is also shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In this manner, a user of the antenna system  100  has control over the manner in which the signal line  106  extends from the housing  102 . That is, the user may select any one of a plurality of predefined pathways for the signal line  106  based upon the environment in which the antenna system  100  operates. For instance, if a user removes the housing  102  from the stand  104  and hangs the housing on a wall using the slots  120  on the back cover  112 , the signal line  106  may be positioned to extend away from the housing at any point along the bottom edge portion using the groove  136  and teeth  142  and  144 . Or, if a user hangs the housing  102  on a wall or positions the housing in the stand, the signal line  106  may extend from either end of the groove  136  in a direction substantially parallel to the groove, thereby seeming to exit the housing from either of the opposing housing edges  115 . Or, if a user places in the housing  102  in the stand  104  and rests the stand on a surface near a television, the signal line  106  may be positioned to extend away from the housing  102  in a direction approximately perpendicular to the sides of the flat panel housing  102  using either of the cable channels  214  and  216 . And, once the signal line  106  is secured in one of the cable channels  214  or  216 , it will remain in the approximately same position relative to the housing  102  even if the stand is moved around on the surface on which it rests. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a user may configure the antenna system  100  in the following manner. Initially, the user must decide which of the many user configurations of the antenna system  100  to implement. For example, the user may configure the antenna system in the manner shown in  FIG. 9 . First, with the removable stand  104  detached from the housing  104 , the user may locate the point at which the signal line  106  exits the housing  102  in the groove  136 . Then, the user may insert the signal line  106  into the groove  136  such that it is secured by the teeth  142  and  144  and runs along the bottom edge portion  114  to the notch  122 . Next, the user may bend the signal line approximately ninety degrees such that it passes through the notch  122  and extends from the back cover  112  in an approximately perpendicular manner. With the stand  104  resting on a surface, the user may then place the housing  102  into the brackets  202  and  204  and optimally position the housing within the stand. Specifically, optimally positioning the housing  102  within the stand  104  includes mating the convex positioners  212  on the stand  104  with the concave positioners  121  on the back cover  112  and threading the signal line  106  down through the cable slot  206  in the bracket  206 . Once the housing  102  is positioned within the stand, the signal cable  106  may be inserted into the cable channel  214  and secured therein by the tooth  218 . Finally, the user may connect the coax coupler  108  to a coax transmission line coupled to a television receiver. 
     Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. For example, in some embodiments, the components of an antenna system according to the present disclosure may have different dimensions and/or shapes and may be configured differently than the antenna systems shown in the Figures. For example, the antenna housing may be a circle, square, or other shape with lateral edges. It is understood that such variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the present disclosure.