GB2097594A

GB2097594A - Receiver aerial

Info

Publication number: GB2097594A
Application number: GB8212515A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: STROMBERG GREEST Ltd
Current assignee: STROMBERG GREEST Ltd
Priority date: 1981-04-29
Filing date: 1982-04-29
Publication date: 1982-11-03
Also published as: GB2097594B

Abstract

A receiver aerial having a base 10 and at least one aerial element 12 extending out of the base 10, the end of the element 12 being engaged, with an electrical connection part 23, in a slot in the base 10, the end of the element 12 and the part 23 having interengaging formations, such as a hole and a dimple 24 whereby they are trapped together in the slot in the base 10. Alternatively element 12 and the part 23 are frictionally engaged together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Receiver aerial This invention relates to receiver aerials particularly for receiving high frequency radio waves and for connection to a radio receiver unit.

The type of aerial with which the invention is concerned is intended for indoor use and has a base and at least one element extending from the base, the element being for electrical connection to the associated radio or other set. Several forms of element are in use but the invention is applicable to most of the aerial shapes considered suitable for receiving signals over a wide range of frequencies.

The object of the invention is to provide a receiver aerial of the kind having a base and at least one element and in which mechanical as well as electrical connection of the element to the base is conveniently carried out.

According to the invention there is provided a receiver aerial comprising a base and at least one upstanding aerial element extending through an opening in the base to be supported therein, the end of the element within the base being secured by a part trapped in a slot in the base, with said end of the element, the part and said end of the element having interlocking formations to trap them together in the said slot and the part having means for external electrical connection thereto.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which, Figure lisa perspective view of a set top aerial constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the aerial of Figure 1 and, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof.

Figure 1 shows the aerial having a generally rectangular base 10. Four spaced slots 11 are formed in the flat top of the base 10. Two loop aerial elements 12, 13 are secured in the base having their ends passing through the respective slots 11 so that the two loops extend in parallel relation as seen in Figure 1.

The base 10 has a main part 14 and a removable floor 15. The main part has an integral peripheral flange, forming sides, with spaced internal projections 16 which can engage the edge of the floor 15so that the latter can be snapped into place in the main part 14. There are integral ribs 17 within the flange of the main part 14 to limit inward movement of the floor. In place of or in addition to the provision for snap engagement of the floor into the base 10, the base may have sockets to accept screws passing through holes in the floor 15, to secure the floor in place. At one end the base flange has a cut-out 18 for entry of a cable for electrical connection to the elements 12 and 13.

Within the main part 14 of the base 10 there are four spaced integral connector blocks 19. Each is in the form of a flattened sleeve with a side entry recess 21 and having a stepped interior as seen particularly in Figure 2. The floor 15 has pairs of spaced integral projections 22 the spacing between the members of each pair enabling these projections 22 to straddle the blocks 19. As seen in Figure 2 the elements 12, 13 which are formed from flat metal strips have holes in their ends. Shallow depressions may be used instead. Only one of these is shown but all the ends are similarly formed. Small metal connecting parts 23 are used in association with each of the ends of the elements 12 and 13. Each such part 23 has slightly rounded ends and is of rectangular shape being rather longer than the width of the strip which forms the elements 12 and 13.The part 23 fits into the wider part of the slot formed in the block 19 and the narrower part of the slot accepts the end of the element 12 or 13. In the centre of each part 23 is a dimple 24 or rivet with a head which extends into the hole in the end of the element 12 or 13.

The parts 23 have electrical connections to the cable cores made to them by soldering (not illustrated).

The assembly takes place by first fitting the parts 23, with their soldered connections, into the blocks 19. The floor 15 is next fitted to retain the parts 23 in place. The ends of the elements 12 and 13 are pushed through the slots 11 and pass adjacent to the parts 23. The dimple or rivet head in each part 23 snaps into the hole in the element end when it becomes aligned with it. A tight electrical connection as well as a secure mechanical fixing is thus obtained.

The floor 15 has a keyhole shaped hole 25 which enables it to be suspended on a screw or other fastening device on a wall or other surface. There are also integral sockets 26 in the floor 15 which can accept rubber suckers projecting downwardly from the base.

The aerial is capable of being packed in flat condition and is easy to assemble.

In an alternative construction the hole in the end of the element 12 and the dimple 24 in the part 23 are omitted, reliance being placed on frictional contact between these parts to retain them in place. Some resilience in the plastics moulding is desirable to ensure tight retention.

1. A receiver aerial comprising a base and at least one upstanding aerial element extending through an opening in the base to be supported therein, the end of the element within the base being secured by a part trapped in a slot in the base, with said end of the element, the part and said end of the element being engaged together in the said slot and the part having means for external electrical connection thereto.

2. A receiving aerial as claimed in claim 1 in which the element and said part have respective interlocking formations comprising a hole or depression and a dimple engageable in the hole or depression.

3. A receiver aerial as claimed in claim 1 in which the element and said part are frictionally engaged together.

4. A receiver aerial as claimed in claims 2 and 3 in which the element and said part are made from

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Receiver aerial This invention relates to receiver aerials particularly for receiving high frequency radio waves and for connection to a radio receiver unit. The type of aerial with which the invention is concerned is intended for indoor use and has a base and at least one element extending from the base, the element being for electrical connection to the associated radio or other set. Several forms of element are in use but the invention is applicable to most of the aerial shapes considered suitable for receiving signals over a wide range of frequencies. The object of the invention is to provide a receiver aerial of the kind having a base and at least one element and in which mechanical as well as electrical connection of the element to the base is conveniently carried out. According to the invention there is provided a receiver aerial comprising a base and at least one upstanding aerial element extending through an opening in the base to be supported therein, the end of the element within the base being secured by a part trapped in a slot in the base, with said end of the element, the part and said end of the element having interlocking formations to trap them together in the said slot and the part having means for external electrical connection thereto. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which, Figure lisa perspective view of a set top aerial constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the aerial of Figure 1 and, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view thereof. Figure 1 shows the aerial having a generally rectangular base 10. Four spaced slots 11 are formed in the flat top of the base 10. Two loop aerial elements 12, 13 are secured in the base having their ends passing through the respective slots 11 so that the two loops extend in parallel relation as seen in Figure 1. The base 10 has a main part 14 and a removable floor 15. The main part has an integral peripheral flange, forming sides, with spaced internal projections 16 which can engage the edge of the floor 15so that the latter can be snapped into place in the main part 14. There are integral ribs 17 within the flange of the main part 14 to limit inward movement of the floor. In place of or in addition to the provision for snap engagement of the floor into the base 10, the base may have sockets to accept screws passing through holes in the floor 15, to secure the floor in place. At one end the base flange has a cut-out 18 for entry of a cable for electrical connection to the elements 12 and 13. Within the main part 14 of the base 10 there are four spaced integral connector blocks 19. Each is in the form of a flattened sleeve with a side entry recess 21 and having a stepped interior as seen particularly in Figure 2. The floor 15 has pairs of spaced integral projections 22 the spacing between the members of each pair enabling these projections 22 to straddle the blocks 19. As seen in Figure 2 the elements 12, 13 which are formed from flat metal strips have holes in their ends. Shallow depressions may be used instead. Only one of these is shown but all the ends are similarly formed. Small metal connecting parts 23 are used in association with each of the ends of the elements 12 and 13. Each such part 23 has slightly rounded ends and is of rectangular shape being rather longer than the width of the strip which forms the elements 12 and 13.The part 23 fits into the wider part of the slot formed in the block 19 and the narrower part of the slot accepts the end of the element 12 or 13. In the centre of each part 23 is a dimple 24 or rivet with a head which extends into the hole in the end of the element 12 or 13. The parts 23 have electrical connections to the cable cores made to them by soldering (not illustrated). The assembly takes place by first fitting the parts 23, with their soldered connections, into the blocks 19. The floor 15 is next fitted to retain the parts 23 in place. The ends of the elements 12 and 13 are pushed through the slots 11 and pass adjacent to the parts 23. The dimple or rivet head in each part 23 snaps into the hole in the element end when it becomes aligned with it. A tight electrical connection as well as a secure mechanical fixing is thus obtained. The floor 15 has a keyhole shaped hole 25 which enables it to be suspended on a screw or other fastening device on a wall or other surface. There are also integral sockets 26 in the floor 15 which can accept rubber suckers projecting downwardly from the base. The aerial is capable of being packed in flat condition and is easy to assemble. In an alternative construction the hole in the end of the element 12 and the dimple 24 in the part 23 are omitted, reliance being placed on frictional contact between these parts to retain them in place. Some resilience in the plastics moulding is desirable to ensure tight retention. CLAIMS

4. A receiver aerial as claimed in claims 2 and 3 in which the element and said part are made from flat metal strip which, when the end of the element and said part are trapped in the slot, are in face to face contact.

5. A receiver aerial as claimed in claim 4 wherein the slot in the base has wider and narrower portions to accept the end of the element and the part respectively, the side of the slot having a cut-out to provide access to the wider portion of the slot, occupied by the said part, for electrical connection thereto.

6. A receiver aerial as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the base is a moulded plastics component, the slot being moulded therein to contain the end of the element and said part.

7. A receiver aerial as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the base has more than one slot to receive more than one element end.

8. A receiver aerial as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the base has a top and integral depending sides and a removable floor, the slot or slots for the element end or ends being housed within the base defined by the top, sides and floor.

9. A receiver aerial as claimed in any one of the prededing claims wherein the electrical connection to the part is by soldering.

10. A receiver aerial substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.