Antenna apparatus and method for making same

• US 4,370,658 A
• Filed: 04/29/1981
• Issued: 01/25/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fred G. Hill
• Original Assignee: Fred G. Hill
• Inventors: Hill, Fred G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, David K.
• Application Number:
  US06/258,688
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 343/872, 343/873, 343/713, 343/708, 343/711, 343/712, 343/704, 343/715
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142

Abstract

An antenna structure having a generally planar member (23) in which an antenna conductor member (11) is encapsulated within an electrically insulating material. A first layer (23a) is formed from a hard gel coating material. A second layer (23b) is formed from successive layers of resin, laminating fabric and resin and is placed in overlying engagement with the first layer (23a). A first conductor member (11) is positioned on and is slightly embedded within the second layer (23b). A third layer (23c), similar to the second layer (23b) is placed in overlying engagement upon the first conductor member (11). Additional conductor members may be incorporated by placing successive layers of conductor, resin and laminating fabric in overlying relationship. A coupler (18) provides for electrical connection of the antenna conductor member (11) to a receiver/transmitter within a motor vehicle. The planar member (23) may either form an integral part of the vehicle structure such as a cab cover, or may form an accessory such as an air current deflector shield for mounting to the outside surface of a motor craft.

Claims

1. A combination dual antenna and air current deflector shield for mounting as an accessory on an outside surface and transverse to a body of a motor vehicle comprising:

(a) a planar member having a first layer of a hard gel coat and second, third and fourth layers of polyester resin and fiberglass, said planar member being configured in the shape of an air current deflector shield;

(b) a generally planar first conductor member having an elongate primary member and a plurality of secondary members connected to and generally perpendicular to said primary member, said first conductor member being encapsulated between said second and said third layers;

(c) a generally planar second conductor member having an elongate primary member and a plurality of secondary members connected to and generally perpendicular to said primary member, said second conductor member being encapsulated between said third and said fourth layers;

(d) a first coupler mounted to said planar member having a first terminal suitable for providing electrical connection to an electrical reference potential of a motor vehicle and a second terminal operatively connected to the first antenna conductor member suitable for connection to an input/output terminal of a receiver/transmitter; and

(e) a second coupler mounted to said planar member having a first terminal suitable for providing electrical connection to an electrical reference potential of a motor vehicle and a second terminal operatively connected to the first antenna conductor member suitable for connection to an input/output terminal of a receiver/transmitter, whereby when said planar member is mounted to the outside surface of a motor vehicle, said planar member is an air current deflector shield.

2. A combination dual antenna and air current deflector shield for mounting as accessory on an outside surface and transverse to a body of a motor vehicle comprising:

(a) a generally planar member having a first layer, second layer and third layer, said planar member being configured in the shape of an air current deflector shield;

(b) a generally planar first antenna conductor member, said first antenna conductor member being encapsulated between said first and said second layers;

(c) a generally planar second antenna conductor member, said second antenna conductor member being encapsulated between said second and said third layers;

(d) electrically insulating means for encapsulating and isolating said first and second antenna conductor members, said encapsulating means forming said planar member;

(e) means for electrically connecting said first antenna conductor members to a first receiver/transmitter within the motor vehicle and said second antenna conductor member to a second receiver/transmitter within the motor vehicle; and

(f) means for fastening said planar member transverse to an outside surface of the motor vehicle, whereby said planar member is an air current deflector shield.

3. The antenna of claim 2, wherein the connecting means comprises:

(a) a first coupler mounted to said planar member having a first terminal suitable for providing electrical connection to an electrical reference potential of a motor craft and a second terminal operatively connected to the first antenna conductor member suitable for connection to an input/output terminal of a receiver/transmitter; and

(b) a second coupler mounted to said planar member having a first terminal suitable for providing electrical connection to an electrical reference potential of a motor craft and a second terminal operatively connected to the first antenna conductor member suitable for connection to an input/output terminal of a receiver/transmitter.

4. The antenna of claim 2, wherein;

(a) said first antenna conductor member comprises an elongate primary member and a plurality of secondary members connected to and disposed generally perpendicular to said primary member, said primary member and said secondary members lying in substantially the same plane;

(b) said second antenna conductor member comprises an elongate primary member and a plurality of secondary members connected to and disposed generally perpendicular to said primary member, said primary member and said secondary member lying in substantially the same plane; and

(c) said first antenna conductor and said second antenna conductor lie in substantially parallel planes.

5. The antenna of claim 2, wherein said planar member comprises:

(a) a first layer of a hard gel coat material;

(b) second, third and fourth layers of a polyester resin and fiberglass;

(c) said first antenna conductor member being encapsulated between said second and said third layers; and

(d) said second antenna conductor member being encapsulated between said third and said fourth layers.

6. The antenna of claim 2, wherein said planar member comprises first, second and third layers of extruded plastic, said first antenna conductor being encapsulated between said first layer and said second layer and said second antenna conductor being encapsulated between said second and said third layers.

7. The antenna of claim 2, wherein said planar member is configured in the shape of an air current deflection shield suitable for mounting adjacent the front edge of a motor craft hood.

8. The antenna of claim 2, wherein said planar member is configured in the shape of an air current deflection shield suitable for mounting adjacent the rear edge of a roof of a motor craft.

9. The antenna of claim 2, wherein said planar member is configured in the shape of an air current deflector shield suitable for mounting to the roof of a motor craft.

10. A method of constructing a planar antenna comprising the steps of:

(a) applying a coating of material in a mold configuration in a generally planar shape to form a hard protective first layer;

(b) placing an electrically insulating second layer in overlying engagement with said first layer;

(c) placing a first conductor member on and slightly embedded within said second layer;

(d) forming an electrically insulating third layer in overlying engagement with said first conductor member, whereby said first conductor member is encapsulated between said first layer and said second layer;

(e) placing a second conductor member on and slightly embedded within said third layer;

(f) forming an electrically insulating fourth layer in overlying engagement with said second conductor member, whereby said second conductor member is encapsulated between said third layer and said fourth layer;

(g) making electrical contact to one end of the said first conductor member through said third layer;

(h) making electrical contact with one end of said second conductor member through said fourth layer;

(i) allowing the entire assembly to cure; and

(j) removing the assembly from the mold.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the forming of said second layer comprises:

(a) placing polyester resin in overlying engagement with the first layer;

(b) placing fiberglass in overlying engagement with said polyester resin; and

(c) placing polyester resin in overlying engagement with said fiberglass.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the forming of said third layer comprises:

(a) placing polyester resin in overlying engagement with said conductor member;

(b) placing fiberglass in overlying engagement with said polyester resin; and

(c) placing polyester resin in overlying engagement with said fiberglass.