Antenna mounting structure

• US 20060038729A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ohno, Sadao, Yamaya, Keisuke, Takahashi, Motonao, Katono, Kazuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,274,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/713
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk

Abstract

A structure for mounting an antenna device on a first side of a panel body is disclosed. A first fixation member includes a first end having a first width, a second end, and a slit connecting the first end and the second end. A protrusion is protruded from the antenna device and fitted into the first end of the first fixation member. A second fixation member is fitted into the second end of the first fixation member while being coupled with the protrusion in a screwing manner. The first width is smaller than an aperture formed in the panel body when the protrusion and the second fixation member are in a first screwing position, so that the protrusion, the first fixation member and the second fixation member are allowed to pass through the aperture from the first side to a second side thereof. The slit is expanded such that the first end of the first fixation member is made to have a second width which is greater than the aperture when the protrusion and the second fixation member are in a second screwing position where the protrusion and the second fixation member are closed to each other than the first screwing position.

Claims

1. A structure for mounting an antenna device on a first side of a panel body, the structure comprising:

a first fixation member, having a tubular body, including a first end having a first width, a second end, and a slit connecting the first end and the second end;

a protrusion, protruded from the antenna device and fitted into the first end of the first fixation member; and

a second fixation member, fitted into the second end of the first fixation member while being coupled with the protrusion in a screwing manner, wherein;

the first width is smaller than an aperture formed in the panel body when the protrusion and the second fixation member are in a first screwing position, so that the protrusion, the first fixation member and the second fixation member are allowed to pass through the aperture from the first side to a second side thereof; and

the slit is expanded such that the first end of the first fixation member is made to have a second width which is greater than the aperture when the protrusion and the second fixation member are in a second screwing position where the protrusion and the second fixation member are closed to each other than the first screwing position.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a wedge member, formed on at least one of the protrusion and the second fixation member, the wedge member fitted into the slit when the protrusion and the second fixation member are in the first screwing position,

wherein the wedge member is configured so as to expand the slit when the protrusion and the second fixation member are in the second screwing position.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first end of the second fixation member which is first fitted into the second end of the first fixation member has a first diameter and the second end of the second fixation member has a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the aperture and the protrusion are shaped into rectangular.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

the wedge member is formed with a cutout portion; and

a cable is extending from the antenna device and led to the second side of the panel body while passing through the cutout portion and the aperture.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second fixation member is a bolt member adapted to be screwed into a hole formed in the protrusion, and the bolt has a head portion adapted to be fitted into the second end of the first fixing member to assist the wedge member to expand the slit.

7. The structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second fixation member is a nut member adapted to be fitted into the second end of the first fixing member and screwed on a bolt formed on the protrusion to assist the wedge member to expand the slit of the first fixation member.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of claws, provided on the first end of the first fixation member at positions that are both sides of the slit, the claws being adapted to be bite into a second side of the panel body, wherein:

the second fixation member is rotated in a first direction to be placed in the second screwing position; and

the wedge member has a slope face configured such that one of the claws, which is moved in the first direction in accompany with the rotation of the second fixation member, is abutted against the slope face and guided in a second direction opposite to the first direction while the second fixation member is moved to the second screwing member.

9. The structure as set forth in claim 8, wherein the wedge member, is arranged at a position deviated in the second direction from a symmetric line of the aperture.