A radar antenna system with variable vertical mounting diameter

• US 5,291,211 A
• Filed: 11/20/1992
• Issued: 03/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Belding Heminway Company, Inc. (Levcor International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Belding Heminway Company, Inc. (Levcor International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tropper, Matthew B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US07/979,333
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700 MS, 343/757, 343/878, 343/879, 343/890, 343/891, 343/880, 343/892, 248/670, 248/176, 248/187
• US Class Current: 343/890
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1228 on a boom
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/205 providing an omnidirectional coverage turnstile aerials H01Q21/26

Abstract

A lightweight, nonmotorized radar antenna system specially adapted for use on a boat or ship includes a multiple section mount supporting a plurality of radiating elements to provide 360 degree coverage around a vertical structure, such as sailboat mast. The mount can have a variable inner diameter for installation on various sized structures.

Claims

1. A radar antenna apparatus for mounting around a vertical structure comprising:

a plurality of mount sections;

means for attaching said plurality of mount sections to each other around said vertical structure;

said means for attaching said plurality of mount sections to each other around said vertical structure including at least one fastener tab on each end of said plurality of mount sections and at least one fastener for securing together opposing pairs of said fastener tabs, whereby said mount sections are connected to form a central hole therethrough and said radar antenna apparatus is held to said vertical structure by friction between an exterior surface of said vertical structure and interior surfaces of said connected plurality of mount sections;

a plurality of radiating elements;

means for securing said radiating elements to an outer surface of said plurality of mount sections; and

means for varying a diameter of said central hole formed in said connected plurality of mount sections, whereby said radar antenna can be mounted upon vertical structures of different cross-sectional sizes;

wherein said means for varying a diameter of said central hole includes a plurality of variable support structures adapted to be mounted upon an inner surface of said plurality ofmount sections; and

a plurality of arcuate members adapted to be mounted on said plurality of variable support structures, whereby a distance between oppositely facing ones of said plurality of arcuate members is varied and thereby the diameter of said central hole is varied.

2. A radar antenna apparatus for mounting around a vertical structure comprising:

a plurality of mount sections;

means for attaching said plurality of mount sections to each other around said vertical structure;

said means for attaching said plurality of mount sections to each other around said vertical structure including a hinge having portions respectively attached to first ends of two of said plurality of mount sections to form a pivotable joint therebetween, a fastener tab formed on respective second ends of said plurality of mount sections connected by said hinge, and fastener means for securing together opposing pairs of said fastener tabs of said plurality ofmount sections connected by said hinge, whereby said mount sections are connected to form a central hole therethrough and said radar apparatus is held to said vertical structure by friction between an exterior surface of said vertical structure and interior surfaces of said connected plurality of mount sections;

a plurality of radiating elements;

means for securing said radiating elements to an outer surface of said plurality of mount sections; and

means for varying a diameter of said central hole formed in said connected plurality of mount sections, whereby said radar antenna can be mounted upon vertical structures of different cross-sectional sizes;

wherein said means for varying a diameter of said central hole includes a plurality of variable support structures adapted to be mounted upon an inner surface of said plurality of mount sections; and

a plurality of arcuate members adapted to be mounted on said plurality of variable support structures, whereby a distance between oppositely facing ones of said plurality of arcuate members is varied and thereby the diameter of said central hole is varied.

3. A radar antenna apparatus for providing radar coverage around a sailboat mast comprising:

a unitary collar mount having a central hole formed therein;

a plurality of radiating elements adapted to be mounted around an outer surface of said unitary collar mount, whereby said unitary collar mount is fitted over an end of said sailboat mast and is held to said sailboat mast by friction between an interior surface of said unitary collar mount and an exterior surface of said sailboat mast; and

means for varying a diameter of said central hole formed in said unitary collar mount, whereby said radar antenna can be mounted upon vertical structures of different cross-sectional sizes;

wherein said means for varying a diameter of said central hole includes a plurality of variable support structures adapted to be mounted upon an inner surface of said unitary collar mount; and

a plurality of arcuate members adapted to be mounted on said plurality of variable support structures, whereby a distance between oppositely facing ones of said plurality of arcuate members is varied and thereby the diameter of said central hole is varied.