Retractable helical antenna

• US 5,451,974 A
• Filed: 08/19/1994
• Issued: 09/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Marino
• Original Assignee: Frank Marino
• Inventors: Marino, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US08/293,092
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 343/895, 343/889, 343/750, 343/715, 343/714, 343/903, 343/906, 343/745, 343/723, 343/823
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/08 Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof collapsible loop antennas H01Q7/02; means for collapsing H-antennas or Yagi antennas H01Q19/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3283 side-mounted antennas, e.g. bumper-mounted, door-mounted mounted on windscreens H01Q1/1271
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/362 for broadside radiating helical antennas

Abstract

A retractable antenna assembly having a helically coiled antenna, a bushing having a helically threaded hole fully therethrough which freely engages the helical coil, and a driver to cause helical motion to the antenna relative to the bushing, and thereby extend or retract the antenna.

Claims

1. A retractable helical antenna assembly comprising:

an antenna of the type helically coiled, said helical coil having a longitudinal axis, said antenna having a free end portion and an end portion adapted for electrical connection;

a bushing having a hole fully therethrough, said hole having two open ends and thread means formed therein which freely engage said helical coil; and

a driver engaging said antenna at said end portion adapted for electrical connection, to cause helical motion to said antenna relative to said bushing, and thereby displace said antenna along said longitudinal axis such that said antenna may be extended from and fully retracted within said bushing through said hole and said thread means.

2. The antenna assembly of claim 1 wherein said thread means is a helical groove.