WINEGARD COMPANY Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150091769 | DISH ANTENNA HAVING A SELF-SUPPORTING SUB-REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY - An antenna has a waveguide horn extending from a main reflector. A dielectric tube extends from the distal end of the waveguide horn to support a sub-reflector in the focal region of the main reflector. An insert is placed into the dielectric tube to seat against the distal end of the dielectric tube. A fastener secures the insert to the sub-reflector, thereby securing the sub-reflector to the distal end of the dielectric tube. The surface of the insert serves as a continuation of the sub-reflector. The dielectric tube can be equipped with an inwardly-extending collar about its distal end to engage the insert. | 04-02-2015 |
20150091768 | RING FOCUS ANTENNA - An antenna includes a main reflector with a focal circle about an axis. A waveguide horn extends from the main reflector along this axis. A sub-reflector is mounted beyond the distal end of the waveguide horn with an annular gap remaining between the sub-reflector and the distal end of the waveguide horn. The annular gap forms a radial transmission line between a first wall on the sub-reflector and a second wall having outer annular corrugated surfaces on the distal end of the waveguide horn. The first wall of the transmission line is a body of revolution of elliptical shape on the sub-reflector. This ellipse is tilted at an angle with respect to the axis, and has a first focal point on the axis. The other focal point is preferably on or near the focal circle. The phase center of the waveguide horn does not coincide with either foci. | 04-02-2015 |
20150059500 | ANTENNA MOUNT FOR SELECTIVELY ADJUSTING THE AZIMUTH, ELEVATION, AND SKEW ALIGNMENTS OF AN ANTENNA - An antenna mount for adjusting the azimuth, elevation, and/or skew alignments of an antenna. The mount has a basic gearbox drive including a worm gear and worm wheel with interchangeable arcuate members that can be inserted in the basic drive design to customize it for azimuth, elevation, and/or skew adjustments. The arcuate member for azimuth adjustments permits the gearbox drive to rotate the attached antenna more than 360 degrees and provides two hard stop positions about 400 degrees from each other for reference points for the search routine and to prevent undue twisting of any attached, exterior wiring. Replacing the azimuth arcuate member with a modified or second arcuate member reduces the rotational movement (e.g., to 20 degrees) making the gearbox drive more suitable for elevation adjustments. Similarly, a third gearbox drive can be provided with a third arcuate member with more of a middle range of movement (e.g., 90-180 degrees) suitable for skew adjustments of the antenna. | 03-05-2015 |
20140158854 | SKID FOR TRANSPORTING AND STORING A PORTABLE ANTENNA - A skid for transporting, deploying and storing a portable antenna has an antenna mounting frame providing a base for the antenna. A skid frame with an enclosure contains the antenna mounting frame and houses the antenna in the stowed position The enclosure also has a top opening to allow the antenna to be deployed. A lid covers the opening when the antenna is in the stowed position, and can be removed from the opening to allow the antenna to be deployed. The skid frame supports the antenna mounting frame and antenna, and also enables the entire skid assembly to lifted and transported. Shock isolation members between the skid frame and antenna mounting frame isolate the antenna from external shocks. The skid can also be equipped with a cable reel for holding cables for external connections to the antenna that is mounted inside a hinged gate attached to the skid frame. | 06-12-2014 |
20140070069 | ANTENNA MOUNTING SYSTEM - An antenna mounting system for use with recreational vehicles and boats as well as stationary objects. The system includes a pedestal securable to the recreational vehicle and an antenna head containing an antenna element and securable to the pedestal. The pedestal has an upstanding male portion slidably receivable in a mating, female portion of the antenna head. In assembling the system, the male and female portions are first axially aligned and then moved axially toward each other to a predetermined, operating position where they are snapped together in a locking engagement. Anti-rotation structure including one or more pairs of mating, channels and protuberance is also provided to prevent the pedestal and antenna head from being rotated relative to each other about their aligned axes (and the coaxial cable running through them from being twisted) as they are moved together to the predetermined and locked, operating position. | 03-13-2014 |
20130207868 | ENCLOSURE SYSTEM FOR AN ANTENNA - An enclosure system for antennas including satellite dish antennas and single frequency, narrowband and broadband ones. The system includes at least upper and lower housing portions mounted to each other for rotational movement about a first axis inclined to the vertical. The portions have respective, peripheral sections extending about the first axis and substantially perpendicular to the inclined, first axis. The satellite antenna dish is mounted to the upper housing portion to extend substantially about a second axis substantially intersecting the first axis at an inclined angle. The upper housing portion can be rotated about the inclined, first axis relative to the lower housing portion wherein the second axis of the dish essentially forms or defines a cone about the first axis to position the plane of the dish rim portion in any of a plurality of orientations essentially between a substantially horizontal one and a substantially vertical one. | 08-15-2013 |
20120169545 | Omni-Directional Antenna - An omni-directional antenna is made of a series of straight conductor segments of varying lengths that form two symmetrical ear-shaped lobes. | 07-05-2012 |
20120127321 | WALL PLATE DIGITAL TELEVISION ANTENNA SIGNAL METER AND METHOD - A wall plate assembly having a television channel select switch, a channel display, and a signal strength display. A circuit board on the rear of the wall plate includes a television antenna connector, a television output connector, and control electronics. The control electronics displays the selected channel in the channel display, determines the signal strength for the selected channel in any signal on the television antenna connector and displays it in the signal strength display. The control electronics delivers the signal for the selected channel to the television output connector. | 05-24-2012 |
20120118931 | STABILIZING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR A STOWED MOBILE SATELLITE REFLECTOR ANTENNA - A stabilizing mechanism and method for a reflector antenna, in a mobile satellite system on a transport, such as a vehicle, for substantially minimizing damage to the reflector antenna when stowed. The stabilizing mechanism uses a stabilizing surface and a pair of stabilizing devices connected on opposite sides of the reflector antenna to provide a pre-load separation distance between a stabilizing surface and the reflector antenna when the reflector antenna is stowed. The pre-loaded separation minimizes any movement of the reflector antenna towards the stabilizing surface during movement of the transport or in adverse environmental conditions. | 05-17-2012 |
20120068040 | MOUNT FOR A MOBILE SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM WITH VIBRATION AND SHOCK ISOLATION - A vibration and shock isolation mount for a mobile satellite antenna system securable to a transport vehicle such as a truck or boat. The isolation mount includes three isolators attachable between the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle. The three isolators are spaced substantially evenly about the central axis of the antenna system. Each isolator has a central spring element extending along a first axis between two block members wherein the spring element permits the two block members to move in virtually all direction relative to each other including toward and away from each other along the first axis of the spring element. Each isolator further includes two attaching members for respectively securing the two block members to the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle. The first axes of the spring elements are aligned to substantially intersect each other and the central axis of the mobile satellite antenna system within a protective, covering dome of the antenna system. The isolators are preferably positioned outside of the domed antenna system so that the domed antenna system itself can be as compact as possible to minimize its overall size and weight. | 03-22-2012 |
20120061518 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR QUICKLY RELEASING A DOME IN A DOMED SATELLITE ANTENNA - An apparatus and method for quickly releasing, without using any tools, the dome from the base of a domed satellite antenna system. An actuator moves in each of a number of quick-release fasteners around the dome to an unlocked position. The dome is lifted to reveal the operational components, the revealed components can then be changed (e.g., by setting switches to receive different satellites), and then the dome is replaced over the base. Each actuator is moved to the locked position to re-attach the dome to the base. | 03-15-2012 |
20110215206 | PORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT MOUNT FOR A SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - A mount for mobile electronic devices such as a satellite dish antenna system. The mount includes a tripod and an elongated post member supported on it by a universal joint or pivot mechanism. The post member extends along a longitudinal axis and the pivot mechanism allows the post member to be moved about two, substantially perpendicular pivotal axes relative to the tripod to align the longitudinal axis of the post member with the vertical. Once the axis of the post member is aligned vertically, the alignment system of the attachable satellite dish will then have a proper reference from which to aim or direct the dish (e.g., azimuth and elevation) for best reception and transmission. The mount includes an arrangement of cables extending between the tripod legs and adjustable straps extending between each tripod leg and the post member to provide a very strong and stable support for the satellite dish antenna system that is attachable to the upper end of the vertically aligned post member. The tripod is designed to be foldable into a compact configuration for easy transport and storage with each tripod leg folded onto itself and positioned under a central member of the tripod. The folding and unfolding of the tripod and the alignment of the post member to the vertical on it can all be done by one person without the need for any tools. | 09-08-2011 |
20110155873 | MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR RELEASABLY SECURING AN ENTERTAINMENT MODULE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE HEADREST - A mounting system ( | 06-30-2011 |
20110154429 | INTERNAL TELEVISION ANTENNA AND METHOD FOR A PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT MODULE - An apparatus and method using a front internal dual band television antenna or a pair of internal dual band antennas for a portable entertainment module having a housing and a display screen. A front spiral antenna is embedded in the housing around the periphery of the display screen and is tuned to compensate for the influence nearby components. A rear logo-periodic antenna is located inside the rear of the housing and is modified to have various environmental openings to fit around existing components, vents and structures in the housing. Any pair of different antenna architectures could be used. | 06-23-2011 |
20110095956 | SEMI-PERMANENT PORTABLE SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - A semi-permanent portable satellite antenna system having a portable mount for deploying a portable satellite antenna. The portable satellite antenna assembles for deployment using releasable connectors. The portable mount can be mounted to a post, a tripod, or a non-penetrating mount. The non-penetrating mount uses a pivoting pair of support wings that pivots upwardly for transportation and downwardly when deployed on a surface. When deployed, ballast is placed on the support wings to stabilize the semi-permanent portable satellite antenna system. | 04-28-2011 |
20110090132 | PORTABLE SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA SYSTEM - A lightweight, portable satellite dish antenna system having base and lid portions which can be configured relative to each other in carrying and deployed positions. The base and lid portions are substantially the same size and shape and have respective interior and exterior sides with the satellite dish antenna of the system pivotally mounted to the interior side of the lid portion. In the carrying position, the satellite dish antenna is retracted to align with the interior side of the lid portion and the lid and base portions are secured together with the interior sides thereof facing and abutting each other. In the deployed or operating position, the lid portion is inverted and placed atop the base portion with the exterior side of the lid portion and the interior side of the base portion facing and abutting one another on mating bearing surfaces extending about a central, vertical axis. | 04-21-2011 |
20100302118 | COMPACT HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL TELEVISION ANTENNA - A compact digital television antenna having a pair of high band VHF triangular shaped dipoles with VHF signal outputs connected to a pair of terminals. A UHF reflector mounted to a bracket. Each VHF dipole having an outer linear portion connected to the bracket. The outer linear portions of the VHF dipoles forming opposing outer unitary type reflector elements in the UHF reflector. A V-shaped UHF antenna having its UHF signal outputs connected to the terminals. The pair of triangular shaped VHF dipoles forming a pyramidal support holding the UHF antenna at a fixed depth from the UHF reflector. | 12-02-2010 |
20100117925 | MOBILE TELEVISION ANTENNA WITH INTEGRATED UHF DIGITAL BOOSTER - A mobile television antenna having an antenna element outwardly extending from opposing ends of a housing. An UHF digital booster extends perpendicularly from one side of the housing between the opposing ends carrying the antenna element. At least one UHF parasitic antenna element is connected on a boom which is integrally connected to the mobile television antenna housing. The ultra high frequency parasitic antenna element is held in a plane near the plane in which the antenna element is held by the housing. | 05-13-2010 |
20100117911 | UHF DIGITAL BOOSTER KIT FOR A TELEVISION ANTENNA AND METHOD - An aftermarket UHF parasitic antenna kit and method for a mobile television antenna includes: a base having an engagement surface and an extending boom; rivet holes in the engagement surface that correspond in size and location to a corresponding number of holes in the bottom of the mobile television antenna; push rivets that engage the rivet and bottom holes to hold the base to the bottom of the mobile television antenna; base foot holes in the engagement surface and boom; resilient base feet that engage the base foot holes; and at least one parasitic antenna element connected to the boom. | 05-13-2010 |
20100073257 | REMOVABLE AZIMUTH FINE ADJUSTMENT TOOL AND METHOD FOR A SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA SYSTEM - A fine azimuth adjustment tool and method for a satellite antenna system having a clamp with opposing jaws for clamping around the mast pipe, a lever connected to the clamp for opening and closing the opposing jaws; a cam with a protrusion engaging a formed slot in the mast clamp when said opposing jaws are closed, the protrusion rotating the mast clamp when the cam is turned, the protrusion in the slot holding the mast clamp to the mast pipe at a desired fine tuned azimuth position while the mast clamp is tightened and secured to the mast pipe. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073256 | REMOVABLE FINE TUNE ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT TOOL FOR A SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - A removable tool for adjusting the elevation of a satellite antenna having a shaft, a knob engaging the threads of the shaft at one end, a pivot member slideably disposed over the shaft threads; an upper pin for selectively engaging a hole at the other end of the shaft and with upper holes on the antenna mount; and lower pin for selectively engaging a pivot hole in the pivot member and lower holes on the mount. When the knob is turned the shaft adjusts the elevation in the mount by pivoting between the two bracket pairs. | 03-25-2010 |
20090085826 | STABILIZING MECHANISM FOR A DEPLOYED REFLECTOR ANTENNA IN A MOBILE SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM AND METHOD - A stabilizing mechanism and method for a deployed reflector antenna in a mobile satellite system. The stabilizing mechanism has a pair of stabilizing devices with a first end of each stabilizing device connected on a rear support of the reflector antenna. The first ends are positioned on opposite sides of the rear support. A second end of each stabilizing device is connected to a tilt mechanism in the mobile satellite system. The pair of stabilizing devices forms a support angle about the centerline of the reflector antenna and with the tilt mechanism. The pair of stabilizer devices pushes against the opposite sides with a pre-load force when the reflector antenna is deployed to minimize deflection of the reflector antenna due to environmental forces. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085825 | FOLDING FEED MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR A MOBILE SATTELITE SYSTEM - A folding feed for a mobile satellite system having a reflector antenna, a feed, and a feed arm. The feed arm carries the feed at its distal end. A pivot is provided between the distal end and the feed. A feed stop block, connected at the distal end, has first and second surfaces. When the mobile satellite system stows the antenna, the feed pivots to abut the first surface against the feed to hold the feed at a first set angle. When said mobile satellite system deploys the antenna, the feed pivots to abut the second surface against the feed to hold the feed at the second set angle. A spring connected between the feed arm and feed holds the second surface against the feed. The first angle is greater than the second angle to provide a low profile to the stowed antenna. | 04-02-2009 |
20090040130 | HIGH WIND ELEVATION MECHANISM FOR A SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - An elevation mechanism for a satellite antenna system. The elevation mechanism includes tilt links or arms, lift links, and a linear actuator with an adjustable length leg arrangement. Each tilt arm is pivotally mounted at its inner and outer end portions to the base or azimuth plate of the system and to the back of the dish of the system. Similarly, each lift link is pivotally mounted at its inner and outer end portions to the base and to the back of the dish. The linear actuator in turn is pivotally mounted at its inner end portion to the base and at its outer end portion to the lift links. In operation, the linear actuator can be moved between extended and retracted positions to cause the dish to move between its stowed position facing downwardly and a deployed position facing upwardly of the horizon at a targeted satellite. | 02-12-2009 |