Top mount mast antenna reinforcement

• US 7,839,345 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2008
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Scollard, Rob J. Jr., Williams, Nikia M., Courtright, Mark, Kubacki, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US12/058,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20090243945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 969 Days
• Field of Search: 343/711, 343/713, 343/715, 403/197, 403/252, 403/259
• US Class Current: 343/715
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/20 Connections with hook-like parts gripping behind a blind side of an element to be connected
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1214 through a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk

Abstract

A mounting apparatus for a top mount mast antenna includes a secondary part to stabilize the antenna attachment screws extending through the antenna base into the fender panel of the automotive vehicle on which the antenna is mounted. The secondary part is preferably formed of nylon to serve as a retaining device for the attachment screws so that the screws do not loosen, which ultimately causes separation of the antenna from the fender panel and a corresponding deformation of the fender panel. The secondary nylon part allows a flexible installation that can be accomplished before painting of the fender panel. The secondary part fits into the opening in the fender panel to mount on the peripheral circumference of the opening and extend outwardly form the opening below the fender panel to be positioned for engagement with the attachment screws connecting the base member of the antenna to the fender panel.

Claims

1. In an automotive vehicle having a structural surface for the mounting of an antenna to extend upwardly from the structural surface, the structural surface having an opening formed therein for the passage of the antenna, the antenna being associated with a primary mounting collar for the mounting of the antenna to the structural surface, said primary mounting collar being detachably connected to the structural surface by fasteners, the improvement comprising:

a secondary mounting member constructed of a deformable material and including a reinforcement disk positioned below the structural surface for engagement with the fasteners by threading directly into said reinforcement disk to secure the fasteners from loosening without requiring a predetermined torque to be applied to the fasteners.

2. The automotive vehicle of claim 1 wherein said secondary mounting member is constructed of nylon.

3. The automotive vehicle of claim 1 wherein said secondary mounting member further includes a plurality of retention tabs projecting upwardly from said reinforcement disk to pass through said opening in the structural surface to support said secondary mounting member on said structural surface with said reinforcement disk being located below said structural surface.

4. The automotive vehicle of claim 3 wherein each said retention tab is formed with a retention clip that overlies the structural surface adjacent the opening to support said secondary mounting member on said structural surface.

5. The automotive vehicle of claim 4 wherein said opening is formed with a plurality of recesses to receive said retention tabs.

6. The automotive vehicle of claim 4 wherein said retention tabs are spaced circumferentially around a passageway formed in said reinforcement disk to permit the passage of said antenna.

7. The automotive vehicle of claim 6 wherein said reinforcement disk also includes a depression alignable with a detent formed at said opening in said structural surface to receive a projection on said antenna to prevent rotation of said antenna relative to said structural surface.

8. The automotive vehicle of claim 7 wherein said depression is formed in said reinforcement disk between two of said retention tabs.

9. A secondary support member cooperable with a primary mounting apparatus for mounting an antenna on a structural surface of an automotive vehicle having an opening formed therein for the passage of the antenna, said primary mounting apparatus including fasteners extending through said structural surface from said primary mounting apparatus, comprising:

a reinforcement disk positioned below the structural surface for engagement with the fasteners to secure the fasteners from loosening without requiring a predetermined torque to be applied to the fasteners, said reinforcement disk having a passageway formed therein to permit passage of the antenna; and

support structure integrally formed with said reinforcement disk to project upwardly therefrom around said passageway to pass through said opening and engage said structural surface.

10. The secondary support member of claim 9 wherein said support structure includes a plurality of retention tabs projecting upwardly from said reinforcement disk to pass through said opening in the structural surface to support said secondary mounting member on said structural surface.

11. The secondary support member of claim 10 wherein said retention tabs are spaced circumferentially around said passageway.

12. The secondary support member of claim 11 wherein said opening is formed with a plurality of recesses to receive said retention tabs.

13. The secondary support member of claim 12 wherein each said retention tab is formed with a retention clip that overlies the structural surface adjacent the opening to support said secondary mounting member on said structural surface.

14. The secondary support member of claim 12 wherein said secondary mounting member is constructed of nylon.

15. The secondary support member of claim 12 wherein said reinforcement disk also includes a depression between two of said retention tabs and alignable with a detent formed at said opening in said structural surface to receive a projection on said antenna to prevent rotation of said antenna relative to said structural surface.

16. An apparatus for mounting a top mast antenna on a structural surface of an automotive vehicle having an opening formed therein for the passage of the antenna through the structural surface, comprising:

a primary mounting collar positionable on said structural surface and having mounting screws passing through said primary mounting collar and through said structural surface; and

a secondary mounting member formed of deformable material and supported from said structural surface for engagement with said mounting screws by threading said mounting screws directly into said reinforcement disk causing deformation of said reinforcement disk to prevent said mounting screws from loosening unless a predetermined torque is applied to turn said mounting screws.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said secondary mounting member comprises:

a reinforcement disk positioned below the structural surface for engagement with the mounting screws after passing through said structural surface, said reinforcement disk having a passageway formed therein to permit passage of the antenna; and

support structure integrally formed with said reinforcement disk to project upwardly therefrom around said passageway to pass through said opening and engage said structural surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said support structure includes a plurality of retention tabs circumferentially spaced around said passageway and projecting upwardly from said reinforcement disk to pass through said opening in the structural surface to support said secondary mounting member on said structural surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each said retention tab is formed with a retention clip that overlies the structural surface adjacent the opening to support said secondary mounting member on said structural surface.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said secondary mounting member is constructed of nylon.