Patent Publication Number: US-2002005816-A1

Title: Satellite dish antenna alignment device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] Benefit of the filing date of co pending provisional application number 60/218691 filed on Jul. 17, 2000 is claimed. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates to a satellite dish antenna alignment device and more particularly to an alignment device which enables the mast assembly, when mounted, to allow the satellite dish antenna to be aligned with respect to a particular satellite so as to receive the signals from the satellite.  
       [0003] Many different companies provide satellite television services and each company uses a particular satellite to transmit signals to their customers. In order for satellite antennas to receive the signals from the satellite, it is necessary that the satellite dish antenna be properly aligned with respect to the associated satellite. Generally, the satellite receivers have an antenna and dish portion mounted on the end of a mast assembly arm so that the dish, once mounted, will collect and focus the satellite signal into the antenna. The alignment of the satellite dish antennas frequently requires that at least two people be involved and the same is costly and time-consuming. Frequently, the manufacturer of the receiving equipment will provide alignment information to the installers with that information being related to particular zip codes. Additionally, electronic devices have been provided for use in aligning satellite dish antennas, which measure the strength of the satellite signals. However, it is necessary for the satellite dish antenna to be generally aligned with the satellite before those electronic devices will function properly. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,977,922 and 5,576,722 specifically provide for an alignment device for a satellite antenna for use by one person, which is secured to the amplifier support arm and makes use of a compass for indicating the directional alignment of the support arm and a clinometer used to indicating the angle of inclination of the support arm with respect to horizontal.  
       [0004] However, the present invention allows for alignment of the satellite dish antenna on the mast assembly arm by one person without the need for first affixing the satellite dish antenna to the mast assembly arm, by use of a bubble level and a compass in combination with a specifically marked map applied to the tubular member creating the satellite dish antenna alignment device. The instant invention provides such ease of alignment, completion of the outside installation and alignment of the satellite dish antenna provides that such signal strength received is at least 80% before the use of the electronic aiming device to maximize the signal reception by the satellite receiving equipment.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] In the instant invention, the satellite dish antenna alignment device allows a simple and easy installation of a satellite dish antenna by providing for proper placement of the satellite dish antenna arm on the mast assembly arm by applying the alignment device to the mast assembly arm, using the bubble level permanently affixed thereto, to level the mast assembly arm. Next, by use of the compass, while the alignment device remains on the top end of the mast assembly arm, the device is turned to face north, allowing the installer to find the appropriate city on the map and mark the correct placement of the satellite on the mast assembly arm and mark the bracket for application to the mast assembly arm, permanently affixing the satellite dish in proper alignment. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the satellite dish antenna assembly.  
     [0007]FIG. 2 is a side view of the satellite dish antenna assembly with the satellite dish antenna alignment device applied to the mast assembly arm.  
     [0008]FIG. 3 is a side view of the mounting bracket for the dish antenna.  
     [0009]FIG. 4 is a top view of the satellite dish antenna alignment device showing placement of the compass.  
     [0010]FIG. 5 is a front view of the satellite dish antenna alignment device showing placement of the bubble level.  
     [0011]FIG. 6 is a side view of the satellite dish antenna alignment device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0012] With reference to FIG. 1 is shown a conventional satellite dish antenna widely available on the market. All satellite dish antennas normally include a mast assembly arm  8  having some sort of adjustable arm mounting bracket  10 , see FIG. 3, at the lower end thereof for mounting the mast assembly arm  8  on a suitable supporting surface such as a roof, wall, floor, etc.  
     [0013] The satellite dish antenna  12  must be properly aligned or positioned with respect to a particular satellite so that the satellite dish antenna will properly collect the satellite signal. In most instances, the manufacturer of the satellite receiving equipment will provide information to the installer of the satellite dish antenna concerning the proper alignment (azimuth and elevation) of the unit based upon zip codes. For example, if the dish antenna is to be installed in zip code 67846, and is being used with the DIRECTV™ the manufacturer will indicate that the satellite dish antenna  12  must be aimed along a certain compass heading or azimuth and that the satellite dish antenna  12  must be elevated to a certain acute angle of degrees with respect to the horizontal. It is for such alignment purposes that the satellite alignment device  14  of this invention has been developed.  
     [0014] With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the mast assembly arm  8  is then placed within the mounting bracket, which mounting bracket  8  is permanently mounted on its intended supporting surface. With reference to FIG. 2, the satellite alignment device  14  is then placed over the top of the mast assembly arm  8 . The mast assembly arm  8  is first aligned by use of the bubble level  18 , moving the mast assembly arm in a horizontal fashion until the bubble level  18  shows level placement of the mast assembly arm  8 . Then, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, using the compass  16  permanently affixed to the top end of the tubular member of the satellite alignment device  14 , the satellite alignment device  14  is turned in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction until the needle of the compass  16  is facing north. Using the map  20  permanently affixed to the exterior of the tubular member of the satellite alignment device  14  and the notch made thereto  22 , the applicable city is found and a mark is made on the mast assembly arm  8  and on the back of the dish antenna bracket  24  for the azimuth placement of the satellite dish antenna  12  on the mast assembly arm  8 . With reference to FIG. 1, the marks made on the dish antenna bracket  24  and the mast assembly arm  8  are aligned. When said marks are aligned, the satellite dish antenna bracket  24  is tightened onto the mast assembly arm  8  via the use of the dish antenna bracket bolt  26  applied to the bracket in conventional fashion to maintain the satellite dish antenna  12  in its proper position. The alignment of the satellite dish antenna  12  may then be electronically “fine-tuned” if needed or desired.