Antenna ornament

• US 6,063,459 A
• Filed: 07/21/1997
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen K. Velte
• Original Assignee: Stephen K. Velte
• Inventors: Velte, Stephen K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Deborah
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAVAGE, JASON L
• Application Number:
  US08/897,709
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 428/31, 428/28
• US Class Current: 428/31
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

An ornament for an antenna comprising a flexible, generally planar body having first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures, the apertures extending along a line and dimensioned to receive the antenna therethrough, the planar body sufficiently flexible and resilient to bend between a flat state and a bent state, wherein when the ornament is in the bent state the antenna can easily pass through the apertures and when the ornament is released from the bent state the ornament tends to revert to the flat state, thereby being securely mounted to the antenna.

Claims

1. An ornament for an antenna, comprising a flexible, generally planar body having first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures, said apertures extending along a line and dimensioned to receive the antenna therethrough, said planar body sufficiently flexible and resilient to bend between a flat state and a bent state;

wherein when said ornament is in the bent state, said antenna can easily pass through said apertures, and when said ornament is released from said bent state, said ornament tends to revert to the flat state; and

wherein said ornament is held vertically along said antenna by the friction created when said planar body is woven around said antenna.

2. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said generally planar ornament is constructed of a plastic.

3. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said apertures are in the shape of elongate slots.

4. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said ornament bears a printed image.

5. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 4, wherein said image is in the form of a human figure.

6. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 4, wherein said printed image is in the form of an animal.

7. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 4, wherein said printed image is in the form of a vehicle.

8. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said ornament is in the form of a dive flag.

9. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said generally planar body is between 1 and 3 mm in thickness.

10. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said planar body is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

11. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said planar body includes two slot-like apertures for receiving said antenna.

12. An ornament for an antenna as in claim 1, wherein said planar body includes three slot-like apertures for receiving said antenna.

13. A method of ornamenting an antenna having a terminal end, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining an ornament comprising a flexible, generally planar body having first and second surfaces and a plurality of apertures, said apertures extending along a line and dimensioned to receive the antenna therethrough, said planar body sufficiently flexible and resilient to bend between a flat state and a bent state;

(b) bending said ornament to the bent state;

(c) threading said antenna through said apertures; and

(d) releasing said ornament from said bent state to allow shape memory to revert the ornament to the planar body, whereby said ornament is securely mounted to said antenna by friction created when said planar body is woven around said antenna.

14. A process as in claim 13, wherein said generally planar ornament is constructed of a plastic.

15. A process as in claim 13, wherein said apertures are in the shape of elongate slots.

16. A process as in claim 13, wherein said ornament bears a printed image.

17. A process as in claim 16, wherein said image is in the form of a human figure.

18. A process as in claim 16, wherein said image is in the form of an animal.

19. A process as in claim 16, wherein said image is in the form of a vehicle.

20. A process as in claim 13, wherein said ornament is in the form of a dive flag.

21. A process as in claim 13, wherein said generally planar body is between 1 and 3 mm in thickness.

22. A process as in claim 13, wherein said planar body is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

23. A process as in claim 13, wherein said planar body includes two slot-like apertures for receiving said antenna.

24. A process as in claim 13, wherein said planar body includes three slot-like apertures for receiving said antenna.