Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to mounting assemblies used to support vehicle antennas. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicle manufacturers may desire for a mast type antenna to extend in vertical orientation with respect to a fender or other body panel that forms a surface of a vehicle. In these applications, particularly where the surface of the vehicle is not normal to the axis of the antenna, vehicle manufacturers often provide an antenna mounting assembly configured for supporting the antenna with respect to the surface of the vehicle. Among other design considerations, it is desirable, for example, for such an antenna mounting assembly to include features for managing lateral forces acting on the antenna that arise during normal operation of the vehicle, for instance, through contact with strong winds, precipitation and car wash elements. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of antenna mounting assemblies and vehicles that include such assemblies. 
     In one aspect, an antenna mounting base for supporting a vehicle antenna with respect to a vehicle body panel that defines a panel aperture comprises: an antenna mounting portion; a flange extending from a surface of the antenna mounting base; and at least one tab defining a recess with the flange, the recess being sized and configured to mateably engage at least a portion of the body panel that borders the panel aperture. 
     In another aspect, a vehicle having a vehicle antenna comprises: a vehicle body structure supporting a body panel defining a panel aperture; and an antenna mounting base at least partially extending through the panel aperture and comprising: a vehicle body structure connecting portion connected to the vehicle body structure, an antenna mounting portion positioned adjacent an exterior surface of the body panel, and an intermediate portion having a flange extending therefrom, the intermediate portion supporting at least one tab to define a recess with the flange, the recess being sized and configured to mateably engage at least a portion of the body panel that borders the panel aperture to couple the antenna mounting base to the body panel. 
     In yet another aspect, a vehicle having a vehicle antenna comprises: a vehicle body structure supporting a body panel defining a panel aperture, the panel aperture defined by a perimeter edge of the body panel, wherein the perimeter edge includes a first portion defining a small area portion of the panel aperture and a second portion defining a large area portion of the panel aperture; a longitudinal shaft at least partially extending through the panel aperture and comprising: a vehicle body structure connecting portion connected to the vehicle body structure, an antenna mounting portion positioned adjacent an exterior surface of the body panel, a flange extending from a partial circumferential portion of the shaft adjacent the first portion of the perimeter edge, and at least one tab to define a recess with the flange sized and configured to mateably engage at least a portion of the body panel that borders the panel aperture; and a finisher having a base positionable about the panel aperture on the exterior surface of the body panel, the finisher having a projection configured to extend beyond the base through the panel aperture between the second portion of the perimeter edge and the shaft and contacting at least one of the shaft and the flange. 
     These and other aspects will be described in additional detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle having an antenna mounting assembly for supporting a mast type antenna with respect to a sloped body panel; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of an antenna mounting base; 
         FIG. 2B  is a front view of the antenna mounting base; 
         FIG. 3  is a close up side view of the antenna mounting base showing details of a flange supporting a plurality of tabs; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section view of the antenna mounting base taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2B  showing details of the flange and the plurality of tabs; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the vehicle body panel showing a panel aperture defined therein configured for receiving the antenna mounting base; 
         FIG. 5B  is a plan view of the panel aperture defined by the body panel; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross section view of the antenna mounting base taken at a position similar to line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2B  and showing details of installation through the panel aperture and to the body panel; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross section view of the antenna mounting base taken at a position similar to line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2B  and showing further details of installation to the body panel; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross section view of a finisher positionable about the antenna mounting base on an exterior surface of the body panel; 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom view of the finisher; and 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross section view of the antenna mounting assembly, including the antenna mounting base and the finisher, taken along the line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a vehicle  10  equipped with an antenna  18 . The vehicle  10  includes a body structure  12  configured to at least partially support one or more exterior body panels  14  of the vehicle  10 . The exemplary antenna  18  is shown as a mast type antenna oriented substantially vertically to extend from the body panel  14  along an axis  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the body panel  14  is a fender configured for framing a wheel well  16  of the vehicle  10 . However, it will be understood that the illustrated body panel  14  is given as a non-limiting example, and that the inventive aspects disclosed herein are applicable in principle to other body panels of the vehicle  10 . As explained in greater detail below, an antenna mounting assembly  40  is configured for supporting the antenna  18  with respect to the body panel  14 . 
     Due to design or other criteria for the vehicle  10  and/or the antenna  18 , an outer surface  22  of the body panel  14  may be shaped in such a way that the body panel  14  is not substantially perpendicular to the axis  20  at a position from which the antenna  18  extends. As shown, the antenna  18  extends from an oblique portion of the body panel  14  that is oriented with a predominantly vertical slope, while the antenna  18  extends from the body panel  14  in a substantially vertical orientation at an angle from a surface normal to the axis  20 . In such a design, it is desirable, for example, for the antenna mounting assembly  40  to include features for managing lateral forces acting on the antenna  18  that arise during normal operation of the vehicle  10 . These forces may arise, for instance, through contact with strong winds, precipitation and car wash elements. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 8 , the antenna mounting assembly  40  can comprise an antenna mounting base  42 . The antenna mounting base  42  is generally configured to support the antenna  18  with respect to the body panel  14 , and optionally, with respect to the vehicle body structure  12 . The antenna mounting assembly  40  is suitable for supporting the antenna  18  where, as depicted in the Figures, the antenna  18  extends along the axis  20 , and the body panel  14  is disposed at an angle Θ from a surface normal to the axis  20  at a position from which the antenna  18  extends. As explained below, the antenna mounting base  42  includes features for managing different loads resulting from lateral or other forces acting on the antenna  18 . 
     As shown, the antenna mounting base  42  may be coupled between the vehicle body structure  12  and the body panel  14 , and is configured to provide a sturdy mounting point for the vehicle antenna  18 . In the embodiments incorporated herein, the antenna mounting base  42  extends at least partially through an aperture  24  defined by the body panel  14 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the antenna mounting base  42  includes an antenna mounting portion  43  and a vehicle body structure connecting portion  41 . The vehicle body structure connecting portion  41  is generally configured for connection to the body structure  12 . As shown, the vehicle body structure connecting portion  41  is configured to occupy a space  70  between the vehicle body structure  12  and an underside  23  of the body panel  14 . In one non-limiting example, the vehicle body structure connection portion  41  may be coupled directly to the vehicle body structure  12 . The vehicle body structure connection portion  41  may be welded, fastened, or adhered to the vehicle body structure  12 , for example, although other techniques may be used as desired. Alternatively, as shown, the antenna mounting assembly  40  can include an attachment bracket  56  configured for connecting the vehicle body structure connection portion  41  to the vehicle body structure  12 , and additionally can provide a grounding connection to the body structure  12 . The illustrated attachment bracket  56  can be connected at one end to the vehicle body structure connection portion  41 , and to one or more areas of the body structure  12  at a second end, for example, using the techniques set forth above. 
     The antenna mounting portion  43  is configured to provide a mounting point for the vehicle antenna  18 . In the illustrated example, the antenna mounting portion  43  defines a longitudinally extending threaded aperture  74  configured to receive external threads formed on a distal end  72  of the antenna  18 . In this example, the antenna mounting base  42  at least partially extends through the panel aperture  24  such that the antenna mounting portion  43  is accessible from an exterior side  22  of the body panel  14 , to permit selective installation or removal of the antenna  18  with respect to the antenna mounting base  42  by a user of the vehicle. It will be understood that this is provided as a non-limiting example, and that the antenna mounting portion  43  can include any other attachment mechanism to secure the illustrated or other antennas  18  to the antenna mounting base  42 . 
     As depicted in the embodiments in the Figures herein, the antenna mounting base  42  is generally configured as a longitudinally extending tubular shaft. As shown, the vehicle body structure connecting portion  41  is disposed on a first distal end of the antenna mounting base  42 , the antenna mounting portion  43  is disposed on an opposing second distal end, and the antenna mounting base  42  includes an intermediate portion  45  between the vehicle body structure connecting portion  41  and the antenna mounting portion  43 . The antenna mounting base  42  can extend coaxially with the antenna  18 , in the same substantially vertical orientation, as the axis  20 . The intermediate portion  45  is circumscribed by a portion  80  of the body panel  14  that borders the aperture  24  when the antenna mounting base  42  is in its final assembled position, as described in further detail below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the antenna mounting base  42  includes features for securing the antenna mounting base  42  to the body panel  14  when the antenna mounting assembly  40  is fully assembled to the vehicle  10 . The illustrated antenna mounting base  42  includes a retaining structure  90  located at the intermediate portion  45  of the antenna mounting base  42 . As shown, the retaining structure  90  comprises a flange  44  and one or more tabs  46  supported by the antenna mounting base  42 . The flange  44  extends radially from at least a partial circumferential portion of a surface of the antenna mounting base  42  at the intermediate portion  45 . As depicted in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 8 , the flange  44  can be oriented at the angle Θ with respect to a plane normal to the axis  20  of the antenna  18 , so that the flange  44  extends at an angle from the surface of the antenna mounting base  42  to generally lie parallel to a plane of the body panel  14 . The flange  44  is generally U-shaped and extends around approximately half the circumference, or 180 degrees, of the antenna mounting base  42 , although the flange  44  may be alternatively shaped and/or configured to support the one or more tabs  46 . As shown, the flange  44  is longitudinally disposed with respect to the antenna mounting base  42  for positioning in the space  70  between the vehicle body structure  12  and the body panel  14  in abutment with the underside  23  of body panel  14 . Furthermore, the flange  44  may be shaped to approximate a contour of the underside  23  of the body panel  14  to which the flange  44  abuts. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each tab  46  is explained in further detail. Each of the one or more tabs  46  is supported by the antenna mounting base  42  adjacent the intermediate portion  45  to define a recess  48  at least partially with the flange  44 . In one illustrated example, the tabs  46  may include a first wall  50  extending generally normally from the flange  44  from a position proximate to the antenna mounting base  42 , and a second wall  52  extending from a distal portion of the first wall  50  and substantially parallel to the flange  44 . As shown, the second wall  52  can additionally extend to, and optionally attach to, a surface of the intermediate portion  45  of the antenna mounting base  45 . In this example, the tabs  46  are supported by the antenna mounting base  42  via the flange  44 , and for each tab  46 , a recess  48  is defined between the flange  44  and the first and second walls  50  and  52  of the tab  46 . In another illustrated example, a tab  46  may include only a second wall  52  extending from the intermediate portion  45  of the antenna mounting base  42  to define a recess  48  between the flange  44 , the second wall  52  and the intermediate portion  45  of the antenna mounting base  42 . As explained below with reference to  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B , the recesses  48  open towards one or more portions of a perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24 , and may be sized and configured for receiving a portion  80  of the body panel  14  that borders the panel aperture  24  when the antenna mounting base  42  is in its final assembled position. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the panel aperture  24  that may be utilized by embodiments of the antenna mounting assembly  40  as described herein. The panel aperture  24  is defined by the body panel  14  and can be stamped, drilled, cut, or formed therein in any way known to those in the art. In general, the panel aperture  24  may be sized and shaped so that a portion  80  of the body panel  14  bordering the panel aperture  24  seats within the recesses  48  in mateable engagement to couple the antenna mounting base  42  to the body panel  14 . In addition, the size and shape of the panel aperture  24  can accommodate installation of the antenna mounting base  42  during assembly of the vehicle  10 , as explained below. 
     A profile of the illustrated panel aperture  24  is generally defined by a perimeter edge  30  of the body panel  14  to include both a small area portion  27  and a large area portion  29 . The perimeter edge  30  includes first and second opposing concentric half circular segments  32  and  34 , which have different diameters and are interconnected by a pair of generally diametrically opposed radial segments  36  and  38 , as can be seen in  FIG. 5B . The small area portion  27  of the panel aperture  24  is defined by a first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30 . The first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  includes the first half circular segment  32  and the pair of opposed radial segments  36  and  38 , and is configured for positioning into the recesses  48  of the one or more tabs  46 . The large area portion  29  is defined by a second portion  28  of the perimeter edge  30  that includes the second half circular segment  34 , which, as shown, has a relatively larger diameter than the first half circular segment  32 . 
     With additional reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , it can be seen that the panel aperture  24  is sized and shaped to permit receipt of the antenna mounting portion  43  from the underside  23  of the body panel  14 , and to allow clearance for the tabs  46  to receive the portion  80  of the body panel  14  bordering the panel aperture  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , the illustrated antenna mounting base  42  can be installed and attached to the body panel  14  by first inserting the antenna mounting portion  43  of the antenna mounting base  42  primarily through the large area portion  29  of the panel aperture  24 , from the underside  23  of the body panel  14 . The antenna mounting base  42  can be inserted until the second walls  52  of the tabs  46  rise through the panel aperture  24  and the recesses  48  formed by the tabs  46  and flange  44  are aligned with the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30 . The large area portion  29  is therefore sized to allow clearance for the antenna mounting base  42  and the one or more tabs  46  to pass through the panel aperture  24  during installation so that the antenna mounting base  42  can be moved toward the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  until the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  is positioned within the recesses  48  of the one or more tabs  46 . 
     Additionally, the flange  44  can be sized to contact the underside  23  of the body panel  14  while the antenna mounting base  42  and the one or more tabs  46  are passing through the panel aperture  24  to provide an indication that the one or more tabs  46  are in the correct positioning with respect to the panel aperture  24  to receive the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  within the recesses  48  of the one or more tabs  46 , and to prevent the antenna mounting base  42  from moving past the correct position. 
     It can be seen from  FIG. 6B  that the antenna mounting base  42  can then be moved translationally in a plane of the body panel  14  in a direction toward the small area portion  27  of the panel aperture  24  to move the recesses  48  towards the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30 . In the illustrated installed position, the antenna mounting base  42  is positioned such that the intermediate portion  45  of the antenna mounting base  42  seats against the first half circular segment  32  of the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30 , and such that the portion  80  of the body panel  14  bordering the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  is received within the recesses  48 . Each of the tabs  46  are generally configured to receive the portion  80  of the body panel  14  bordering the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24  in mateable engagement within the respective recesses  48 . The one or more tabs  46  are thus configured to provide one or more points of contact with the body panel  14  to couple the antenna mounting base  42  to the body panel  14 . In general, these contact points collectively restrict movement of antenna mounting base  42  with respect to the body panel  14  and the panel aperture  24 . Additionally, these contact points may be configured so that the tabs  46  restrict rotation of the antenna mounting base  42  about the axis  20  within the panel aperture  24 . 
     In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the antenna mounting base  42  supports three tabs  46 , each providing a point of contact with the body panel  14 . The three tabs  46  are substantially equally spaced circumferentially with respect to each other along the flange  44 . A first tab  46  can be positioned at an apex of the flange  44 , to define with the flange  44  a first recess  48  configured for receiving a first part  82  of the portion  80  of the body panel  14  that borders the panel aperture  24 . In particular, the part  82  borders an apex of the first half circular segment  32  partially defining the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24 . A second tab  46  can be positioned proximate to a first distal end of the flange  44  to define with the flange  44  a second recess  48  configured for receiving a second part  84  of the portion  80  of the body panel  14  that borders the panel aperture  24 . Specifically, the second part  84  borders the radial segment  36  that partially defines the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24 . A third tab  46  can be positioned proximate to a second distal end of the flange  44  opposite the first end to define with the flange  44  a third recess  48  configured for receiving a third part  86  of the portion  80  of the body panel  14  that borders the panel aperture  24 . As shown, the third part  86  borders the radial segment  38  that partially defines the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24 . 
     As explained above, the tabs  46  can be differently supported by the antenna mounting base  42  depending, for example, on the position of a particular tab  46  with respect to the flange  44 . The first tab  46 , for instance, extends from the intermediate portion  45  of the antenna mounting base  42 , while the second and third tabs are supported by the antenna mounting base  42  via the flange  44 . While three tabs  46  are described in embodiments herein, it is also contemplated that a variety of numbers of tabs  46  may be formed, depending, for instance, on the amount and spacing of contact points to the body panel  14  that are desired. In addition, it will be understood that a single tab  46  could be configured to produce multiple contact points with the body panel  14 , if desired. Also, it will be understood that the antenna mounting base  42  and/or flange  44  could have a single tab  46  in a shape corresponding to a shape of the first portion  26  of the peripheral edge  30 . 
     The antenna mounting base  42  can be installed as directed above subsequent to attaching the antenna  18  to the antenna mounting portion  43 , or the antenna  18  can be attached after the antenna mounting base  42  is installed. Similarly, the antenna mounting base  42  can be installed with the attachment bracket  56  attached, or the two may be attached after the antenna mounting base  42  is installed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the antenna mounting assembly  40  can include a finisher  60 . The finisher  60  is generally configured to be positioned adjacent the exterior surface  22  of the body panel  14 . As shown, the finisher  60  defines an interior channel  68  configured to substantially receive and enclose the intermediate portion  45  and the antenna mounting portion  43  of the antenna mounting base  42 . The finisher  60  is generally frustoconical in shape and extends longitudinally substantially along the axis  20 . The finisher  60  can include a finisher base  64  tapered at the angle Θ to generally correspond with the slope of the oblique portion of the body panel  14 , such that the finisher  60  can sit flush against the exterior surface  22  of the body panel  14  and substantially enclose the panel aperture  24  once installed. 
     The finisher  60  may be attached and retained to the antenna mounting base  42  through any reasonable means. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the finisher  60  is attached to the antenna mounting base  42  at or near the antenna mounting portion  43 . In the illustrated example, the finisher  60  defines a pocket  66  in communication with the interior channel  68  that is sized and configured to receive a projection  58  positioned on the antenna mounting portion  43 . Optional ridges  57  extend radially outward from the antenna mounting portion  43  to contact the finisher  60  in the interior channel  68  to provide a weather-proof seal between the finisher  60  and the antenna mounting base  42 , as well as additional retention of the finisher  60 . 
     During installation of the antenna mounting base  42  as described above, the large area portion  29  of the panel aperture  24  is partially vacated as the antenna mounting base  42  is moved toward the small area portion  27  to position the tabs  46  into engagement with the portion  80  of the body panel  14  bordering the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24 . The illustrated finisher  60  includes a projection  62  that is configured to extend beyond the base  64  through the panel aperture  24  to occupy at least a portion of the vacated large area portion  29  following installation of the antenna mounting base  42 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the projection  62  is configured to occupy at least a portion of a space between the antenna mounting base  42  and the second portion  28  of the perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the projection  62  is configured to inhibit movement of the antenna mounting base  42  away from the small area portion  27  of the panel aperture and into the large area portion  29 , so that engagement of the portion  80  of the body panel  14  bordering the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  of panel aperture  24  within the recesses  48  is maintained. To do so, the projection  62  can be configured to extend between and contact the perimeter edge  30  of the panel aperture  24  and at least one of the antenna mounting base  42  and one or more portions of the flange  44 . The illustrated projection  62 , for example, is contoured such that the projection  62  can be “sandwiched” between the antenna mounting base  42 , the first and second distal ends of the flange  44 , and the second portion  28  of the perimeter edge  30  defining the large area portion  29  of the panel aperture  24 . Projection  62  can also be tapered, to aid insertion between the body panel  14  and antenna mounting base  42  and/or the flange  44 . In  FIG. 8 , the projection  62  is shown to be tapered toward a distal end that is opposite the base  64  in a direction normal to the taper of the base  64 . A surface extending along the taper of the projection  62  can contact the flange  44  as shown in  FIG. 8 , and slide along the flange  44  while the finisher  60  is installed onto the antenna mounting base  42 , which pushes the projection  62  toward the second portion  28  of the perimeter edge  30  while also pushing the one or more tabs  46  of the flange  44  toward the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  to provide a snug fit from the first portion  26  of the perimeter edge  30  through the flange  44 , the antenna mounting base  42 , and the projection  62  to the second portion  28  of the perimeter edge  30 . 
     The finisher  60  as disclosed herein can be created as a single piece having the base  64 , the projection  62 , and the interior channel  68 , otherwise the finisher may be composed of multiple components attached to one another. Furthermore, the base  64  or the whole finisher  60  can be composed of an elastomeric material sized to allow slight deformation during fitment within the panel aperture  24 . 
     The first portion  26  of the peripheral edge  30  can form the small area portion  27  in any orientation within the panel aperture  24 . However, it may be preferred to have the first portion  26  of the peripheral edge  30  form the small diameter portion  27  at the bottom of the panel aperture  24  such that the first walls  50  of the tabs  46  are oriented substantially above and over the first portion  26  of the peripheral edge  30 . That way, the antenna mounting base  42  may be temporarily held in place through engagement of the tabs  46  to the portion  80  of the body panel  14  via gravity prior to installation of the finisher  60  onto the antenna mounting base  42 . 
     While recited characteristics and conditions of the invention have been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.

Technology Category: 5