| WINEGARD COMPANY Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
| 20120127321 | WALL PLATE DIGITAL TELEVISION ANTENNA SIGNAL METER AND METHOD - A wall plate assembly having a television channel select switch, a channel display, and a signal strength display. A circuit board on the rear of the wall plate includes a television antenna connector, a television output connector, and control electronics. The control electronics displays the selected channel in the channel display, determines the signal strength for the selected channel in any signal on the television antenna connector and displays it in the signal strength display. The control electronics delivers the signal for the selected channel to the television output connector. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120118931 | STABILIZING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR A STOWED MOBILE SATELLITE REFLECTOR ANTENNA - A stabilizing mechanism and method for a reflector antenna, in a mobile satellite system on a transport, such as a vehicle, for substantially minimizing damage to the reflector antenna when stowed. The stabilizing mechanism uses a stabilizing surface and a pair of stabilizing devices connected on opposite sides of the reflector antenna to provide a pre-load separation distance between a stabilizing surface and the reflector antenna when the reflector antenna is stowed. The pre-loaded separation minimizes any movement of the reflector antenna towards the stabilizing surface during movement of the transport or in adverse environmental conditions. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120068040 | MOUNT FOR A MOBILE SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM WITH VIBRATION AND SHOCK ISOLATION - A vibration and shock isolation mount for a mobile satellite antenna system securable to a transport vehicle such as a truck or boat. The isolation mount includes three isolators attachable between the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle. The three isolators are spaced substantially evenly about the central axis of the antenna system. Each isolator has a central spring element extending along a first axis between two block members wherein the spring element permits the two block members to move in virtually all direction relative to each other including toward and away from each other along the first axis of the spring element. Each isolator further includes two attaching members for respectively securing the two block members to the mobile satellite antenna system and the transport vehicle. The first axes of the spring elements are aligned to substantially intersect each other and the central axis of the mobile satellite antenna system within a protective, covering dome of the antenna system. The isolators are preferably positioned outside of the domed antenna system so that the domed antenna system itself can be as compact as possible to minimize its overall size and weight. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120061518 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR QUICKLY RELEASING A DOME IN A DOMED SATELLITE ANTENNA - An apparatus and method for quickly releasing, without using any tools, the dome from the base of a domed satellite antenna system. An actuator moves in each of a number of quick-release fasteners around the dome to an unlocked position. The dome is lifted to reveal the operational components, the revealed components can then be changed (e.g., by setting switches to receive different satellites), and then the dome is replaced over the base. Each actuator is moved to the locked position to re-attach the dome to the base. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20110215206 | PORTABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT MOUNT FOR A SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - A mount for mobile electronic devices such as a satellite dish antenna system. The mount includes a tripod and an elongated post member supported on it by a universal joint or pivot mechanism. The post member extends along a longitudinal axis and the pivot mechanism allows the post member to be moved about two, substantially perpendicular pivotal axes relative to the tripod to align the longitudinal axis of the post member with the vertical. Once the axis of the post member is aligned vertically, the alignment system of the attachable satellite dish will then have a proper reference from which to aim or direct the dish (e.g., azimuth and elevation) for best reception and transmission. The mount includes an arrangement of cables extending between the tripod legs and adjustable straps extending between each tripod leg and the post member to provide a very strong and stable support for the satellite dish antenna system that is attachable to the upper end of the vertically aligned post member. The tripod is designed to be foldable into a compact configuration for easy transport and storage with each tripod leg folded onto itself and positioned under a central member of the tripod. The folding and unfolding of the tripod and the alignment of the post member to the vertical on it can all be done by one person without the need for any tools. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110155873 | MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR RELEASABLY SECURING AN ENTERTAINMENT MODULE TO AN AUTOMOTIVE HEADREST - A mounting system ( | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110154429 | INTERNAL TELEVISION ANTENNA AND METHOD FOR A PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT MODULE - An apparatus and method using a front internal dual band television antenna or a pair of internal dual band antennas for a portable entertainment module having a housing and a display screen. A front spiral antenna is embedded in the housing around the periphery of the display screen and is tuned to compensate for the influence nearby components. A rear logo-periodic antenna is located inside the rear of the housing and is modified to have various environmental openings to fit around existing components, vents and structures in the housing. Any pair of different antenna architectures could be used. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110095956 | SEMI-PERMANENT PORTABLE SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - A semi-permanent portable satellite antenna system having a portable mount for deploying a portable satellite antenna. The portable satellite antenna assembles for deployment using releasable connectors. The portable mount can be mounted to a post, a tripod, or a non-penetrating mount. The non-penetrating mount uses a pivoting pair of support wings that pivots upwardly for transportation and downwardly when deployed on a surface. When deployed, ballast is placed on the support wings to stabilize the semi-permanent portable satellite antenna system. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110090132 | PORTABLE SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA SYSTEM - A lightweight, portable satellite dish antenna system having base and lid portions which can be configured relative to each other in carrying and deployed positions. The base and lid portions are substantially the same size and shape and have respective interior and exterior sides with the satellite dish antenna of the system pivotally mounted to the interior side of the lid portion. In the carrying position, the satellite dish antenna is retracted to align with the interior side of the lid portion and the lid and base portions are secured together with the interior sides thereof facing and abutting each other. In the deployed or operating position, the lid portion is inverted and placed atop the base portion with the exterior side of the lid portion and the interior side of the base portion facing and abutting one another on mating bearing surfaces extending about a central, vertical axis. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20100302118 | COMPACT HIGH DEFINITION DIGITAL TELEVISION ANTENNA - A compact digital television antenna having a pair of high band VHF triangular shaped dipoles with VHF signal outputs connected to a pair of terminals. A UHF reflector mounted to a bracket. Each VHF dipole having an outer linear portion connected to the bracket. The outer linear portions of the VHF dipoles forming opposing outer unitary type reflector elements in the UHF reflector. A V-shaped UHF antenna having its UHF signal outputs connected to the terminals. The pair of triangular shaped VHF dipoles forming a pyramidal support holding the UHF antenna at a fixed depth from the UHF reflector. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100117925 | MOBILE TELEVISION ANTENNA WITH INTEGRATED UHF DIGITAL BOOSTER - A mobile television antenna having an antenna element outwardly extending from opposing ends of a housing. An UHF digital booster extends perpendicularly from one side of the housing between the opposing ends carrying the antenna element. At least one UHF parasitic antenna element is connected on a boom which is integrally connected to the mobile television antenna housing. The ultra high frequency parasitic antenna element is held in a plane near the plane in which the antenna element is held by the housing. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100117911 | UHF DIGITAL BOOSTER KIT FOR A TELEVISION ANTENNA AND METHOD - An aftermarket UHF parasitic antenna kit and method for a mobile television antenna includes: a base having an engagement surface and an extending boom; rivet holes in the engagement surface that correspond in size and location to a corresponding number of holes in the bottom of the mobile television antenna; push rivets that engage the rivet and bottom holes to hold the base to the bottom of the mobile television antenna; base foot holes in the engagement surface and boom; resilient base feet that engage the base foot holes; and at least one parasitic antenna element connected to the boom. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100073257 | REMOVABLE AZIMUTH FINE ADJUSTMENT TOOL AND METHOD FOR A SATELLITE DISH ANTENNA SYSTEM - A fine azimuth adjustment tool and method for a satellite antenna system having a clamp with opposing jaws for clamping around the mast pipe, a lever connected to the clamp for opening and closing the opposing jaws; a cam with a protrusion engaging a formed slot in the mast clamp when said opposing jaws are closed, the protrusion rotating the mast clamp when the cam is turned, the protrusion in the slot holding the mast clamp to the mast pipe at a desired fine tuned azimuth position while the mast clamp is tightened and secured to the mast pipe. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100073256 | REMOVABLE FINE TUNE ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT TOOL FOR A SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - A removable tool for adjusting the elevation of a satellite antenna having a shaft, a knob engaging the threads of the shaft at one end, a pivot member slideably disposed over the shaft threads; an upper pin for selectively engaging a hole at the other end of the shaft and with upper holes on the antenna mount; and lower pin for selectively engaging a pivot hole in the pivot member and lower holes on the mount. When the knob is turned the shaft adjusts the elevation in the mount by pivoting between the two bracket pairs. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20090085826 | STABILIZING MECHANISM FOR A DEPLOYED REFLECTOR ANTENNA IN A MOBILE SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM AND METHOD - A stabilizing mechanism and method for a deployed reflector antenna in a mobile satellite system. The stabilizing mechanism has a pair of stabilizing devices with a first end of each stabilizing device connected on a rear support of the reflector antenna. The first ends are positioned on opposite sides of the rear support. A second end of each stabilizing device is connected to a tilt mechanism in the mobile satellite system. The pair of stabilizing devices forms a support angle about the centerline of the reflector antenna and with the tilt mechanism. The pair of stabilizer devices pushes against the opposite sides with a pre-load force when the reflector antenna is deployed to minimize deflection of the reflector antenna due to environmental forces. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090085825 | FOLDING FEED MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR A MOBILE SATTELITE SYSTEM - A folding feed for a mobile satellite system having a reflector antenna, a feed, and a feed arm. The feed arm carries the feed at its distal end. A pivot is provided between the distal end and the feed. A feed stop block, connected at the distal end, has first and second surfaces. When the mobile satellite system stows the antenna, the feed pivots to abut the first surface against the feed to hold the feed at a first set angle. When said mobile satellite system deploys the antenna, the feed pivots to abut the second surface against the feed to hold the feed at the second set angle. A spring connected between the feed arm and feed holds the second surface against the feed. The first angle is greater than the second angle to provide a low profile to the stowed antenna. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090040130 | HIGH WIND ELEVATION MECHANISM FOR A SATELLITE ANTENNA SYSTEM - An elevation mechanism for a satellite antenna system. The elevation mechanism includes tilt links or arms, lift links, and a linear actuator with an adjustable length leg arrangement. Each tilt arm is pivotally mounted at its inner and outer end portions to the base or azimuth plate of the system and to the back of the dish of the system. Similarly, each lift link is pivotally mounted at its inner and outer end portions to the base and to the back of the dish. The linear actuator in turn is pivotally mounted at its inner end portion to the base and at its outer end portion to the lift links. In operation, the linear actuator can be moved between extended and retracted positions to cause the dish to move between its stowed position facing downwardly and a deployed position facing upwardly of the horizon at a targeted satellite. | 02-12-2009 |