TWM488113U - Antenna assemblies with tapered loop antenna elements - Google Patents

Abstract

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of antenna assemblies. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna assembly generally includes one or more tapered loop antenna elements.

Claims (12)

An antenna assembly operative to receive a high quality television signal, the antenna assembly comprising: at least one tapered loop antenna element; and a bracket including a base and an upper coupled to the tapered loop antenna element In part, the base has a slot that is configured to engage a portion of a reflector element to mount the reflector element to the base. The antenna assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket is assembled such that the upper portion is rotatable relative to the base in a first configuration for supporting the tapered loop antenna element on a horizontal surface Between the second configuration for supporting the tapered loop antenna element from a vertical surface. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein the bracket is assembled such that rotation of the upper portion relative to the base in a first direction is to change the bracket from the first configuration to the second configuration And the rotation of the upper portion relative to the base in a second direction opposite the first direction is to transform the bracket from the second configuration to the first configuration. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein the bracket includes a threaded shank portion and a threaded opening for receiving the threaded shank portion; the threaded shank portion extends outwardly from the base; The threaded opening is defined by the upper portion. The antenna assembly of claim 2 or 3, further comprising: one or more stops for retaining the bracket in the first configuration and/or the second configuration. The antenna assembly of claim 5, wherein: the one or more stops are assembled to provide a tactile and/or audible indication to a user when the first and second stops are joined to the corresponding The first or second opening stops rotating the upper portion relative to the base; and/or the one or more stops include one or more of a protrusion, a small piece, a protrusion, and/or a protrusion. The antenna assembly of claim 2, wherein the antenna assembly includes first and second stops that are assembled to be respectively received within the first or second opening to retain the bracket Corresponding first or second configuration; engagement of the first stop within the first opening inhibits relative rotation of the upper portion and the base, thereby facilitating retention of the bracket in the first configuration; Engagement of the second stop within the second opening inhibits relative rotation of the upper portion from the base, thereby facilitating retention of the bracket in the second configuration. The antenna assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising: at least one reflector element having a portion that is assembled to engage within the slot to mount the reflector element to the A base is spaced from the tapered loop antenna element, whereby the reflector element is operable to reflect electromagnetic waves substantially toward the tapered loop antenna element. The antenna assembly of claim 8 wherein the reflector element comprises a grid or mesh surface. The antenna assembly of claim 9 wherein the reflector element comprises at least one peripheral flange extending outwardly relative to the grid or mesh surface. An antenna assembly according to claim 8 wherein the reflector element is mountable to the base via the slot without the need for a mechanical fastener. An antenna assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: the antenna assembly is assembled to operate across a spectrum of the entire UHF DTV channel, including UHF frequencies from 470 megahertz to 806 megahertz ( Channel 7-13); and the tapered loop antenna element includes: a generally annular shape having an opening; spaced apart first and second end portions defining at least partially extending at the spaced end portions An open slot therebetween, whereby the open slot can be used to provide a gap feed for balancing the transmission line; an intermediate portion; and first and second curved portions extending from the respective first and second end portions To the intermediate portion, the tapered loop antenna element has a substantially annular shape having a substantially circular opening; the first and second curved portions are from the individual first and second end portions to the The intermediate portion gradually increases its width such that the intermediate portion is wider than the first and second end portions, and such that the outer diameter of the tapered loop antenna element is offset from the diameter of the substantially circular opening; First bend The curved portion is a mirror image of the second curved portion.