Connector assembly for fixed triband antenna

• US 5,233,363 A
• Filed: 11/20/1991
• Issued: 08/03/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems Incorporated (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems Incorporated (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Duggan, Frank, Yarsunas, George D., Brennan, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wimer, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US07/794,936
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• Field of Search: 343/715, 343/901, 343/905, 343/906
• US Class Current: 343/715
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/088 Quick-releasable antenna elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3283 side-mounted antennas, e.g. bumper-mounted, door-mounted mounted on windscreens H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/321 within a radiating element or between connected radiating elements

Abstract

A vehicular multi-band antenna is adapted to receive signals in the AM/FM bands and to receive and transmit signals in a significantly higher frequency band such as that used for cellular telephone. The antenna is provided with a base section fixedly mounted on the vehicle and a removable antenna mast section removably received in the base section.

Claims

1. A vehicle antenna for receiving Am/FM radio signals and for receiving and transmitting high frequency signals, comprising:

A. a base section configured to be fixed to the vehicle, comprising;

i. a connector assembly having a first coaxial connector at a lower end, said first coaxial connector being configured to connect to both a coaxial cable for conducting the high frequency signals and a second coaxial connector for a mating relationship therewith, said connector assembly provided with an AM/FM pickoff connector to operationally connect an AM/FM cable for conducting the Am/FM radio signals,

ii. mounting means for securing said connector assembly to the vehicle, said mounting means including means for engaging an upper end of said connector assembly and means for engaging the vehicle in a clamping relationship;

B. A removable antenna mast section removably received in said base section, comprising;

i. a slide contact sleeve received within said base section and having a second coaxial connector at one end, said first and second coaxial connectors being in a mating relationship to conduct high frequency signals therebetween,

ii. AM/FM tubular antenna portion extending from another end of said contact sleeve and being operationally connected to said AM/FM pickoff connector for conducting AM/FM signals,

iii. a high frequency antenna portion mounted to said AM/FM tubular antenna portion and said contact sleeve for receiving and transmitting high frequency signals, said high frequency antenna portion being operationally connected to said second coaxial connector; and

C. means for releasably retaining said removable antenna mast section within said base section.

2. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 1, wherein said connector assembly has a tubular configuration for receiving said slide contact sleeve.

3. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 2, wherein said slide contact sleeve has an abutment stop means for positioning of said removable antenna mast section in said base section.

4. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 1, wherein said slide contact sleeve has resilient means thereon for providing positive electrical contact between said slide contact sleeve and said connector assembly to complete a circuit with said AM/FM pickoff connector for conducting the AM/FM radio signals.

5. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 4, wherein said resilient means are cantilevered fingers on said slide contact sleeve.

6. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 1, wherein said slide contact sleeve, AM/FM tubular antenna portion and high frequency antenna portion terminate in a molded element which holds them in assembly.

7. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 6, wherein said second coaxial connector is held in assembly with said slide contact sleeve, AM/FM tubular antenna portion and high frequency antenna portion by said molded element.

8. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 7, wherein said high frequency antenna portion is operationally connected to said second coaxial connector by a coaxial feed line which extends through said molded element.

9. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 1, wherein said connector assembly has a tubular configuration.

10. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 9, wherein said first coaxial connector is mounted in a bushing located in the lower end of said connector assembly.

11. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 9, wherein said connector assembly includes an inner connector sleeve, a middle connector sleeve and an outer connector sleeve.

12. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 11, wherein said inner connector sleeve is electrically insulated from said outer connector sleeve by said middle connector sleeve.

13. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 12, wherein said inner connector sleeve contacts said slide contact sleeve to operationally connect said AM/FM tubular antenna portion to a center conductor of said AM/FM pickoff connector.

14. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 13, wherein an outer braid conductor of said AM/FM pickoff connector is connected to said outer connector sleeve.

15. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 11, wherein said mounting means engages said inner connector sleeve of said connector assembly.

16. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 15, wherein said mounting means is provided by a threaded nut for engaging said inner connector sleeve.

17. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 11, wherein said slide contact sleeve has an abutment stop means which seats on an upper end of said inner connector sleeve for positioning said removable antenna mast section.

18. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 17, wherein said mounting means engages said inner connector sleeve of said connector assembly.

19. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 18, wherein said mounting means is provided by a threaded nut for engaging said inner connector sleeve.

20. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 19, wherein said means for retaining said removable antenna mast section engages said abutment stop means and holds said removable antenna mast section against said inner connector sleeve.

21. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 17, wherein said means for retaining said removable antenna mast section engages said abutment stop means and holds said removable antenna mast section against said inner connector sleeve.

22. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 1, wherein said means for engaging the vehicle includes a swivel lock means which permits said base section to accommodate various angular orientations on the vehicle.

23. A vehicle antenna as described in claim 1, wherein said mounting means is provided by a threaded nut engaging said upper end of said connector assembly.

24. A removable antenna mast for receiving AM/FM radio signals and for receiving and transmitting high frequency signals for use in combination with a base section configured to be fixed to a vehicle, the base section comprising a connector assembly having a first coaxial connector at a lower end, the first coaxial connector being configured to connect to both a coaxial cable for conducting the high frequency signals and a second coaxial connector for a mating relationship therewith, the connector assembly provided with an AM/FM pickoff connector to operationally connect an AM/FM cable for conducting the AM/FM radio signals, and mounting means for securing the connector assembly to the vehicle, said mounting means including means for engaging an upper end of the connector assembly and means for engaging the vehicle in a clamping relationship;

at least a portion of said removable antenna mast being dimensionally sized to be removably received in the base section and said removable antenna mast comprising;

A. slide contact sleeve dimensionally sized to be received within the base section and having a second coaxial connector at one end, said first and second coaxial connectors being dimensionally sized for a mating relationship to conduct high frequency signals therebetween;

B. AM/FM tubular antenna portion extending from another end of said contact sleeve and configured to be operationally connected to the AM/FM pickoff connector for conducting AM/FM signals; and

C. a high frequency antenna portion mounted to said AM/FM tubular antenna portion and said contact sleeve for receiving and transmitting high frequency signals, said high frequency antenna portion being operationally connected to said second coaxial connector.

25. A vehicle antenna mast as described in claim 24, wherein the connector assembly has a tubular configuration for receiving said slide contact sleeve.

26. A vehicle antenna mast as described in claim 25, wherein said slide contact sleeve has an abutment stop means for positioning of said removable antenna mast in the base section.

27. A vehicle antenna mast as described in claim 24, wherein said slide contact sleeve has resilient means thereon for providing positive electrical contact between said slide contact sleeve and the connector assembly to complete a circuit with the AM/FM pickoff connector for conducting the AM/FM radio signals.

28. A vehicle antenna mast as described in claim 27, wherein said resilient means are cantilevered fingers on said slide contact sleeve.

29. A vehicle antenna mast as described in claim 24, wherein said slide contact sleeve, AM/FM tubular antenna portion and high frequency antenna portion terminate in a molded element which holds them in assembly.

30. A vehicle antenna mast as described in claim 29, wherein said second coaxial connector is held in assembly with said slide contact sleeve, AM/FM tubular antenna portion and high frequency antenna portion by said molded element.

31. A vehicle antenna mast as described in claim 30, wherein said high frequency antenna portion is operationally connected to said second coaxial connector by a coaxial feed line which extends through said molded element.