`Klingensmith et al.
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`Date of Patent:
`
`4,595,165
`Jun. 17, 1986
`
`[54]
`
`ADJUSTABLE ANCHORING ASSEMBLY
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors:
`
`James D. Klingensmith, Apollo; Lyle
`W. Hovland, Murrysville, both of Pa.
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee: Aluminum Company of America,
`Pittsburgh, Pa.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 680,947
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 24, 1984
`
`Int. C14 oo. cccssscccsesssessreconseaseacereveeens AOIK 97/10
`USL Cle cececssescssssssessocenseszenenees 248/539; 248/230;
`248/534; 343/892
`Field of Search: .............00 248/539, 230, 534, 65,
`248/297.2, 200, 509; 343/892, 880, 888;
`410/150, 130
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,671,937 3/1954 Finke .......scssssssssreceseserseneneees 248/539
`2,831,339 4/1958 JOMes ....cseccsscsssescerdereneasscnees 248/65
`
`2/1961 Pinson.....
`wee 248/230
`2,970,799
`3,347,572 10/1967 Pfaff etal.
`wee 248/230
`
`3,358,952 12/1967 Burns...........
`ws 248/539
`
`4,406,386 9/1983 Rasoretal. .
`. 248/297.2
`4,500,064 2/1985 Calabro oo...sescsssesetsneeeeens 248/539
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1270497
`2471057
`
`7/1961 France ...scesesssscscesereeneotes 248/230
`6/1981 France oo...sscsscsseessseesessasees 343/892
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Andrew Corporation Catalog #21-Oct./21/1957, p. 71.
`
`Primary Examiner—RamonS.Britts
`Assistant Examiner—Ramon O. Ramirez
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Brian D. Smith
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`A mounting structure for satellite dish antennae and
`method and means for anchoring the structure to the
`roofor sidewall of a typical residential building, such as
`a house, are disclosed. The mounting structure includes
`a mast for supporting the dish antennae. The anchoring
`means includes a bar having a back portion and sides
`which define an open-ended channel. Thesides of the
`bar are further provided with integral adjoining lips
`which extend the length of the bar. Also included in the
`assembly is a clamp provided with holes through which
`bolt means may be inserted to tighten and secure the
`clamp about the mounting structure’s mast to the bar’s
`lips. When so tightened, the clamp tightly engages the
`external surface of the mast to preventit from torsional
`movementrelative to the clamp.
`
`9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 1 of 12
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 1 of 12
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun17,1986
`
` Sheettof4
`
`4,595,165.
`
`
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 2 of 12
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 2 of 12
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17, 1986
`
`Sheet20f4
`
`4,595,165
`
`
`
`
`'
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 3 of 12
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17, 1986
`
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`4,595,165
`
`
`
` es
` treeae
`M
` amae
`
`
` Re
`
`
`Sipe
`ce.
`rakeseege
`AVISeS,
`
`
`
`SEESeae—Ess
`
`
`
`
`——.MioSpekeeesaae:
`
`ee
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 4 of 12
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 4 of 12
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 17, 1986
`
`Sheet4of4
`
`4,595,165
`
` .
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 5 of 12
`
`
`
`1
`
`4,595,165
`
`ADJUSTABLE ANCHORING ASSEMBLY
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates generally to a mounting struc-
`ture for antennae, and moreparticularly to an anchor-
`ing assembly for a satellite dish antenna’s mounting
`structure.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Signals (typically television signals as contemplated
`herein) transmitted by geostationarysatellites are gener-
`ally received on the ground by parabolic dish antennae.
`Thestrength of the signal being transmitted determines
`the size or diameter of the dish required for reception
`(i.e., weaker signals require larger dishes). At the pres-
`ent timé, signals being transmitted generally require a
`dish having a diameter of three meters or more for
`properreception. In the near future, however, it is an-
`ticipated that satellites transmitting more powerful sig-
`nals will be put into orbit, thereby permitting the use of
`dish antennae having greatly reduced diameters. Such
`dishes will obviously cost less than today’s large dishes.
`Accordingly,it is expected that many homeowners and
`owners of apartment buildings will want to purchase
`the smaller dish for television viewing in the home or
`apartment. As a consequence, the dish will require in-
`stallation or mounting on a variety of rooftops of vary-
`ing slopes and configurations. Accordingly, the dish’s
`mounting structure will have to be capable of support-
`ing the dish on such surfaces and should do so in a
`mannerthat rigidly and securely fixes the dish since
`proper reception therewith requires that the dish accu-
`rately maintain its preset alignment with the transmit-
`ting satellite.
`Strong winds are particularly troublesome in that
`such can movethe dish out ofits preset alignment with
`the transmitting satellite. To prevent this from happen-
`ing, it has been established that the satellite dish’s total
`pointing error should not exceed 0.5° in winds up to 50
`mph. For safety reasons, it is also desirable that the
`mounting structure have the capacity to resist 100 mph
`wind loads without failure and withoutloss of the dish.
`Furthermore, the mounting structure should be capable
`of withstanding such wind speeds without damaging
`the roof or other surface to which it is attached. Ac-
`cordingly, to meet these objectives, the mounting struc-
`ture should be very rigid and it should be able to distrib-
`ute loads to its mounting surface withoutcausing signif-
`icant damage thereto.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention addresses the aforementioned
`concerns by providing a mounting structure forsatellite
`dish antennae and means for anchoring the structure to
`the roof or sidewall of a typical residential building,
`such as a house. The structure includes a mast for sup-
`porting the dish antennae. The anchoring meansin-
`cludes a bar of predetermined length, width and depth.
`The bar has open endsof said width and depth and a
`substantially planar back portion which extends the
`length of said bar. The bar’s back portion is also pro-
`vided with holes through which bolts or lag screws may
`be inserted to secure the bar to the building which must
`be a rigid structure, such as a building’s sidewall fram-
`ing or roof rafters. The lengthwise edges of the bar’s
`back portion integrally adjoin opposing, parallel and
`planar sides which extend the predetermined depth out
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`2
`from the lengthwise edges at right angles with respect
`to the bar’s planar back portion. At this predetermined
`depth, integral lips adjoin the sides. The lips are di-
`rected inwardly towards the opposing side of the bar
`and downwardly towards the bar’s back portion. The
`lips also extend the predetermined length ofsaid sides so
`as to define a front opening area whichis parallel to and
`opposes the bar’s back portion. The back portion, sides
`and lips define an internal channel which also extends
`the length of the bar. In addition, the open endsof the
`bar define side openings to the channel.
`Two nuts are disposed in the internal channel defined
`by the bar. The nuts are sized and configured to (1) be
`easily inserted into the channel through either the bar’s
`side openings or front opening area, and (2) be capable
`of being restrained bysaid lips from passing through the
`front opening area.
`Also included in the assembly is a clamp having a
`base portion which defines two bolt holes. Thefirst bolt
`hole is located a predetermined distance from one end
`of the base portion and the second bolt hole is prefera-
`bly located the same predetermined distance from the
`other end of the clamp’s base portion. The clamp also
`has two opposing planar and parallel sides which extend
`out from the lengthwise edge of the base portionat right
`angles with respect to the base portion. The sides extend
`a predetermined distance and terminate in a fashion that
`defines an exposed edge having an arcuate portion
`whichis sized to mate with a portion of the mast’s exter-
`nal surface so as to anchor the mast and preventit from
`torsional movement.
`Also included is means for tightly securing the clamp,
`mast and bar together. The means includesa first and
`second bolt. The first bolt is inserted through thefirst
`bolt hole and has one end tightly fastened to the clamp.
`Thefirst bolt’s other endis tightly fastened to one of the
`nuts disposed in the channel. The secondboltis inserted
`through the secondbolt hole andit also has one end also
`tightly fastened to the clamp. Similarly,
`the second
`bolt’s other endis tightly fastened to the other nut dis-
`posed in the channel. The nuts are spaced apart a dis-
`tance at least equal to the mast’s diameter, and the ends
`of the bolts are tightly fastened such that both arcuate
`edge portions of the clamp tightly engage the external
`surface of the mast to prevent it from torsional move-
`ment relative to the clamp.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 is an exploded perspective view of the anchor-
`ing assembly of the present invention.
`FIG.2 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG.
`1 illustrating the assembly claimed about a mast of the
`mounting structure of the present invention.
`FIG.3 is a perspective view of a structure for mount-
`ing a satellite dish antenna (dish not shown) on the
`corner of a house which employs two anchoring assem-
`blies of the present invention.
`FIG.4 is a sectional view of a structure for mounting
`a satellite dish (dish not shown) on the eave of a house.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting struc-
`ture illustratedin FIG.4.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG.1 is a perspective view of an assembly 10 of the
`present invention for anchoring a cylindrical member
`subject to torsional loads, such as the support mast for a
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 6 of 12
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 6 of 12
`
`
`
`4,595,165
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`4
`3
`such, it would provide even greater resistance to tor-
`satellite dish antenna. FIG. 2 illustrates the assembly
`sional movement.
`tightly fastened to such a mast 12. In general, the assem-
`The mast, bar and clamparetightly secured together,
`bly includes (1) a channel defining bar member gener-
`as depicted in FIG. 2, by threading nuts 22 with a lock
`ally referred to as a bar 14 which is conmimercially avail-
`washer 50 onto the exposed ends of stud nut shanks 19
`able in different sizes from the Unistrut Division of
`until the entire assembly is tightened such that the mast
`GTEProducts Corporation; (2) a clamp half 16 similar
`is prevented from torsional movement within the arcu-
`to the half of a muffler clamp which envelops an ex-
`ate portion 48 of clamp 16.
`haust pipe in an automobile exhaust system; (3) two stud
`While the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2
`nuts 18 having threaded bolt shank portions 19, the nut
`employstud nuts 18 and nuts 22 to tighten the assembly,
`portions (not numbered) of which are easily inserted
`other means apparentto those skilled in the relevant art
`into a channel 20 whichis defined by the bar 14; and (4)
`of tightening clamp 16 to bar 14 are considered to be
`nuts 22 which fasten tightly to stud nuts which are
`within the purview of the present invention.
`disposed in channel 20 such that when the clamp, mast
`FIG.3 illustrates a structure for mountingasatellite
`and bar are tightly secured together, relative move-
`dish (dish not shown) on the corner of a house (rake
`ment, particularly torsional movement, between clamp
`side) which employs two anchoring assemblies of the
`16 and mast 12 is prevented.
`present invention (i.e., a top anchor A and a bottom
`Bar 14, as can be seen in FIGS.1 and 2, has open ends
`anchor B). As can be seen, both the top and bottom
`24 which are defined by the ends of the bar’s back por-
`anchors employ rather short bars 14. Short bars, typi-
`tion 26 and sides 28. Back portion 26 is planar andit
`cally on the orderof about six inches, can be used when
`extends the length of bar 14. Holes (not shown or num-
`anchoring near the corner of a house if the corner post
`bered) are also provided in the bar’s back portion. Bolts
`comprises at least two studs separated by a 2X4 stud
`or lag screws, such as lag screw 30, may be inserted
`spacer. If the corner post is not so constructed, the bar
`through these holes to secure the bar to a rigid struc-
`should span at least two wall studs which typically are
`ture, such as a building’s sidewall frame or roofrafters.
`spaced 16 or 24 inches apart.
`Sides 28 are also preferably planar and each integrally
`Those skilled in the art will also appreciate the ease
`adjoins its respective lengthwise edge of back portion
`with which mast 12’s vertical orientation can be ad-
`26 and extends outwardly therefrom at right angles.
`justed when anchoring the mast with an anchoring
`Sides 28 also oppose one another and are parallel to
`assembly of the present invention. By simply sliding the
`each other. In addition, sides 28 extend outwardly a
`untightened assembly with the mast in position along
`predetermineddistance, at which point each side termi-
`channel 20 of bar 16, the mast’s vertical orientation can
`nates by integrally adjoining a lip 32 of bar 14. Lips 32,
`be adjusted until it is in its desired position, at which
`as depicted, are preferably directed inwardly towards
`point the assembly can be tightened.
`the opposing bar side and downwardly towards the
`FIGS.4 and5illustrate a structure for mounting a
`bar’s back portion. The area between the lips which
`satellite dish (dish shown only in FIG.5) on the eave of
`opposesand is parallel to back portion 26 is referred to
`a house throughthe roof’s overhang. As in FIG.3, a top
`as the front opening area (not numbered). Channel 20,
`and a bottom anchor are employed; however, in FIG. 4
`as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is defined by the bar’s
`the top anchoris attached to the overhang’s raftertail
`sides, back portion andlips.
`52, not the building’s side. In addition, it will be noted
`As previously mentioned, stud nuts 18 are disposed in
`that the top anchor does not employ a bar anchoring
`channel 20. In addition to being easily inserted into
`assembly of the present invention, but rather, a threaded
`channel 20, when so inserted, each nut should be sized
`U-bolt 54 which envelops mast 12 and passes through
`and configuredto beresistant to rotational movement in
`two load bearing plates 56 (only oneis visible in FIG.4)
`at least one direction about its nut face 34 whenface 34
`which are located on opposite sides of rafter tail 52. The
`is parallel to and facing the front opening area. In FIGS.
`top anchor is tightened by threading nuts with lock
`1 and 2, such resistance is provided by affixing a spring
`washers onto the exposed endsof the U-bolts (not visi-
`36 to the back face (not shown or numbered) of each nut
`ble because on unexposed side of rafter tail 52). An
`18 which urges face 34 of each nut 18 up against the
`anchoring assembly of the present invention could be
`bar’s lips 32. Face 34 can then be rotated until its upper
`employed at the top anchorpointalso, and such may,in
`and lower grooves 38 engagelips 32, at which point
`fact, be preferable because of the ease with which the
`further rotation of nut 18 will be prevented. and the
`assembly may be adjusted to facilitate accurate position-
`assembly can be tightened.
`ing or orientation of the mast.
`Clamp half 16 has a base portion 40 which defines
`Returning to the figures, it can be seen that the bot-
`two symmetrically located bolt holes 42, each of which
`tom anchor employs a bar anchoring assembly of the
`is preferably located a predetermined distance from its
`present invention. If the mast is to be anchored at the
`respective end of the base portion. The clamphalf also
`building’s corner, the anchoring assembly may use a
`has two opposing planar and parallel sides 44, each of
`short length of bar, such as that used in FIG. 3. Such
`which extends out from its respective lengthwise edge
`would depend again on the corner’s construction.If,
`of the base portion at right angles with respect to said
`however, the dish is to be anchored away from the
`base portion..Each ofthe sides extends a predetermined
`building’s corner, as depicted in FIG. 5, the bottom
`distance(i.e., preferably a distance greater than half the
`anchor’s bar must again be long enoughto spanat least
`mast’s diameter) and terminatesin a fashion that defines
`two wall studs.
`an exposed edge 46 having a symmetrical, centrally
`It can also be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 that water leak-
`located arcuate portion 48. As depicted in FIG.2, arcu-
`age around the mast into the house’s soffit and fascia is
`ate edge portion 48 is sized to mate with a portion of the
`mast’s external surfaceto restrict torsional movement of
`prevented with conventional roof vent flashing 58 in
`conjunction with a standard neoprene storm gasket 60.
`the mast relative to the clamp’s arcuate portion 48.
`The following test data and results are furtherillus-
`While the edge of arcuate portion 48, as illustrated in
`trative of the invention and its advantages. 0.6 meter
`FIG.1, is smooth, it could be serrated or toothed. As
`
`40
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 7 of 12
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 7 of 12
`
`
`
`4,595,165
`
`6
`5
`and 1.0 meter satellite dishes were mounted on a test
`1. An adjustable assembly for anchoring a cylindrical-
`house with a structure similar to that illustrated in FIG.
`ly-shaped member subject
`to bending and torsional
`movement, said assembly comprising:
`3 and subjected to 50 and 100 mph winds. The 0.6 meter
`(a) a bar having a back portion, said back portion
`dish was parabolically shaped and made from alumi-
`defining holes through which bolts or lag screws
`num.It was supported by a nominal 1-} inch (1.900-inch
`may be inserted to secure said bar to a rigid struc-
`O.D.x0.150-inch thick wall) steel pipe mast. The 1.0
`ture, said back portion integrally adjoining oppos-
`meter dish was also parabolically shaped and made from
`ing, parallel sides which extend a predetermined
`aluminum. It was supported by a nominal 2-3 inch
`depth out from the lengthwise edges of the back
`(2.890-inch O.D.x0.210-inch thick wall) galvanized
`portion, each of said sides terminating in integral
`steel pipe. The house’s lattice frame was made from
`lips, said lips being directed inwardly towards the
`wood 2X 4’s which were assembled with 16D nails. The
`opposing side, said lips also defining a front open-
`frame’s studs spaced 24 inches apart and the frame was
`ing area whichis parallel to and opposing said back
`sheathed with §-inch thick plywood. The house’s: di-
`portion, said back portion, sides and lips defining
`mensions were 12 ft. 24 ft. and it was 4 ft. high at the
`an interior channel with side openings;
`eaves. The distance between the top and bottom anchor
`(b) two nuts disposed in the internal channel, said nuts
`along the mast on the 0.6 meter dish was 32 inches, and
`being insertable into said channel through either
`the distance along the mast between the top anchor and
`side opening of said bar and slidable within the
`the satellite dish’s mid-height centerline was 44 inches.
`channel from side opening to the other side open-
`With the 1 meter dish, the distance between the top and
`ing, said slidability enabling the nuts to be located
`bottom anchor was 40 inches, and the distance between
`by an installer at positions in the channel which
`the top anchorandthesatellite dish’s mid-height center-
`facilitate precise positioning or alignment of the
`line was 56 inches. The top and bottom anchoring as-
`cylindrically-shaped member, each ofsaid nuts also
`semblies employed bars similar to bar 16illustrated in
`having a face and being sized and configured to be
`FIGS. 1 and 2, and they were made from 12-gauge
`resistant to rotational movement about its face’s
`axis in at least one direction when the face of the
`painted steel having a length, width and depth of ap-
`proximately 8” x 1-8" x 1-3",
`respectively. The bars
`nutis parallel to the plane of the bar’s back portion
`wererigidly affixed to the test house with 3-inch long
`and facing the bar’s front opening area;
`plates steel lag screws. Muffler clampssimilar to clamp
`(c) a clamp half having a base portion defining two
`16 of FIGS. 1 and 2 were also used to secure the mast to
`bolt holes, the first bolt hole being adjacent to one
`the bars. The clamp used in securing the 0.6 meter dish
`end of the base portion and the second bolt hole
`being adjacent to the other end ofthe base portion,
`aboutits 1.9-inch O.D. pipe mast was formed from 0.085
`said clamp half also having two opposing planar
`inch thick formed steel having a length, width and side
`and parallel sides extending out from the length-
`depth of approximately 3-3" x 3X2", respectively. The
`wise edges of the base portion at right angles with
`muffler clamp used in supporting the 1.0 metersatellite
`respect to said base portion, said sides terminating
`dish about its 3-inch O.D. pipe mast was formed from
`in a fashion that defines an exposed edge having an
`0.127 inch thick formedsteel having a length, width and
`arcuate portion whichis sized to mate with a por-
`side depth of approximately 4-4” x 3x3", respectively,
`tion of the external surface of said cylindrically-
`2-16 threaded steel stud nuts similar to stud nuts 18 of
`shaped membertorestrict torsional movement of
`FIGS.1 and 2 were used to fasten the bars and muffler
`said member within said arcuate portion; and
`clamps together about the pipe mast, and the assemblies
`(d) meansfor tightly securing said clamp, cylindrical
`were tightened with hex nuts and lock washers similar
`member and bar together, said means including a
`to nut 22 and lock washer50 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
`first and secondbolt, said first bolt having one end
`2. The satellite dish was located normal to and down-
`capable of being inserted through said first bolt
`wind from the 13'6" diameter propeller of a 2100 horse-
`hole and tightly affixed to said clamp half, said first
`poweraircraft engine which was used to generate the
`bolt having another end capable of being tightly
`50 and 100 mph winds. Wind speedat the test structure
`affixed to one of the nuts disposed in said channel,
`was measured with a pitot tube. Pipe mast movement
`said second bolt also having one end capable of
`due to movementofthe test house was measured with a
`being inserted through said second bolt hole and
`micrometer dial indicator which was attached to the
`tightly affixed to said clamp half, said second bolt
`anchorlocations. Wind velocity was maintained during
`also having another end capable of being tightly
`each test for at least 10 seconds. The 50 mph windtests
`affixed to the other nut disposed in said channel,
`demonstrated that both the 0.6 meter and the 1.0 meter
`said nuts being spaced apart a distance atleast equal
`dish mounting structures would be able to maintain
`to the cylinder member’s outside diameter, the ends
`their respective dishes in preset alignment with a satel-
`of said bolts being capable of being tightly affixed
`lite. Total pointing error was less than 0.1°. In addition,
`such that when so tightened (1) the cylinder mem-
`the anchoring assemblies were able to withstand the 100
`ber contacts the opposing lip areas of the bar lo-
`mph wind tests without losing the dish and without
`cated between the nuts, and (2) both arcuate edge
`damaging the test house. Moreover, there was norela-
`portions of said clamp tightly engage the external
`tive torsional movement of any kind whatsoever be-
`surface of said cylinder memberto restrict tor-
`tween the masts and the anchoring assemblies in either
`‘sional movement of the cylinder memberrelative
`the 50 or the 100 mph windtests.
`to said arcuate portions.
`While the invention has been described in terms of
`2. An adjustable assembly for anchoring a cylindrical-
`preferred embodiments, the claims appended hereto are 65 ly-shaped member subject to torsional movement, said
`intended to encompass all embodiments which fall
`assembly comprising:
`(a) a bar of predetermined gauge, length, width and
`within the spirit of the invention.
`Whatis claimed is:
`depth, said bar having open ends of said width and
`
`60
`
`_ 3
`
`35
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 8 of 12
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`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 8 of 12
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`
`
`4,595,165
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`7
`depth, said bar also having a substantially planar
`back portion extending the length ofsaid bar, said
`back portion defining holes through whichbolts or
`lag screws may beinserted to secure said bar to a
`rigid structure, the lengthwise edges of said back
`portion integrally adjoining opposing, parallel and
`planar sides which extend said predetermined
`depth out from the lengthwise edges of the back
`portion at right angles with respect to said back
`portion, each of said sides terminating in integral
`lips at said predetermined depth, said lips being
`directed inwardly towards the opposing side and
`downwardly towards the back portion, said lips
`also extending the length of said sides so as to de-
`fine a front opening area which is parallel to and
`opposing said back portion, said back portion,sides
`andlips defining an interior channel which extends
`the length of the bar, said open ends of the bar
`defining side openings to said channel;
`(b) two nuts disposed in the internal channel defined
`by said bar, said nuts being insertable into said
`channel througheither side opening of said bar and
`slidable within the channel from one side opening
`_to the other side opening, said slidability enabling
`the nuts to be located by an installer at positions in
`the channel which facilitate precise positioning or
`alignment of the cylindrical-shaped member, each
`of said nuts also having a face and being sized and
`configured to be resistant to rotational movement
`aboutits face’s axis in at least one direction when
`the face of the nut is parallel to the plane of the
`bar’s back portion and facing the bar’s front open-
`ing area;
`(c) a clamp half having a base portion defining two
`symmetrically located bolt holes, the first bolt hole
`being located a predetermined distance from one
`end of the base portion and the second bolt hole
`being located said predetermined distance from the
`other end of the base portion, said clamp half also
`having two opposing planar and parallel sides ex-
`tending out from the lengthwise edges of the base
`portion at right angles with respect to said base
`portion, said sides extending a predetermined dis-
`tance and terminating in a fashion that defines an
`exposed edge having a symmetrical, centrally lo-
`cated arcuate portion, said arcuate edge portion
`being sized to mate with a portion of the external
`surface of said cylindrically-shaped member to
`restrict torsional movement of said member within
`said arcuate portion; and
`(d) meansfor tightly securing said clamp, cylindrical
`member and bar together, said means including a
`first and second bolt, said first bolt having one end
`capable of being inserted through said first bolt
`hole and tightly fastened to said clamp half, said
`first bolt having another end capable of being
`tightly fastened to one of the nuts disposed in said
`channel, said second bolt also having one end capa-
`ble of being inserted through said second bolt hole
`and tightly fastened to said clamp half, said second
`bolt also having another end capable of being
`tightly fastened to the other nut disposed in said
`channel, said nuts being spaced apart a distance at
`least equal to the cylinder member’s outside diame-
`ter, the ends of said bolts being capable of being
`tightly fastened such that whenso tightened (1) the
`cylinder memberrests up against the opposinglip
`areas of the bar located between the nuts, and (2)
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`both arcuate edge portions of said clamp tightly
`engage the external surface of said cylinder mem-
`ber to restrict torsional movement of the cylinder
`memberrelative to said arcuate portions.
`3. An assembly as recited in claim 1 further compris-
`ing springs attached to the nuts disposed in the internal
`channel, said springs urging the face of each nut up
`against the bar’s lips to inhibit said rotational move-
`ment.
`4. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein thefirst
`bolt is welded to the face of one of the nuts disposed in
`the internal channel andthe second bolt is weldedto the
`face of the other nut disposed in the internal channel,
`said welded nuts and bolts being referred to as stud nuts.
`5. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein thefirst
`and second bolts are threaded.
`6. An assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the
`meansfor tightly securing said clamp, cylindrical mem-
`ber and bar together includes threaded nutsfor tightly
`fastening the first and second bolts to the clamp half
`engaging the cylindrical member.
`7. A lightweight mounting structure combination for
`a dish antenna, comprising:
`an upright, vertically extending mast for supporting
`said dish antenna, said mast having an upper end
`for attachment to said dish and a lower end for
`anchoring to a rigid type structure;
`a top anchor meansfor anchoring the mast’s midsec-
`tion to the rigid type structure; and
`a bottom anchor means for anchoring the mast’s
`lower end to the rigid typestructure, at least one of
`the top and bottom anchor meansincluding:
`(a) a barhaving a back portion, said back portion
`defining holes through which bolts or lag screws
`may be inserted to secure said bar to a rigid
`structure, said back portion integrally adjoining
`opposing, parallel sides which extend a predeter-
`mined depth out from the lengthwise edges of
`the back portion, each of said sides terminating
`in integral lips, said lips being directed inwardly
`towards the opposing side, said lips also defining
`a front opening area which is parallel to and
`opposing said back portion, said back portion,
`sides and lips defining an interior channel with
`side openings;
`(b) two nuts disposed in the internal channel, said
`nuts being insertable into said channel through
`either side opening of said bar andslidable within
`the channel from one side opening to the other
`side opening,said slidability enabling the nuts to
`be located by an installer at positionsin the chan-
`nel which facilitate precise positioning or align-
`ment of the cylindrically-shaped member, each
`of said nuts also having a face and being sized
`and configured to be resistant
`to rotational
`movement about its face’s axis in at least one
`direction when the face of the nut is parallel to
`the plane of the bar’s back portion and facing the
`bar’s front opening area;
`(c) a clamp half having a base portion defining two
`bolt holes, the first bolt hole being adjacent to
`one end of the base portion and the second bolt
`hole being adjacent to the other end of the base
`portion, said clamp half also having two oppos-
`ing planar and parallel sides extending out from
`the lengthwise edges of the base portion at right
`angles with respect to said base portion, said
`sides terminating in a fashion that defines an
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 9 of 12
`
`Petitioner Ensign
`Exhibit 1049 - Page 9 of 12
`
`
`
`4,595,165
`
`5
`
`45
`
`10
`9
`of said nuts also having a face and being sized
`exposed edge having an arcuate portion whichis
`and configured to be resistant
`to rotational
`sized to mate with a portion of the external sur-
`movement about its face’s axis in at least one
`face of said cylindrically-shaped memberto re-
`strict torsional movementof said member within
`direction when the face of the nutis parallel to
`said arcuate portion; and
`the plane ofthe bar’s back portion and facing the
`(d) meansfor tightly securing said clamp, cylindri-
`bar’s front opening area;
`cal memberand bar together, said means includ-
`(ii) a clamphalf having a base portion defining two
`ing a first and secondbolt, said first bolt having
`bolt holes, the first bolt hole being adjacent to
`one end capable of being inserted through said
`one end of the base portion and the second bolt
`first bolt hole and tightly affixed to said clamp 10
`hole being adjacent to the other end of the base
`half, said first bolt having another end capable of
`portion, said clamp half also having two oppos-
`being tightly affixed to one of the nuts disposed
`ing planar and parallel sides extending out from
`in said channel, said second bolt also having one
`the lengthwise edges of the base portion at right
`end capable of being inserted through said sec-
`angles with respect to said base portion, said
`ond bolt hole and tightly affixed to said clamp 15
`sides terminating in a fashion that defines an
`half, said second bolt also having another end
`exposed edge having an arcuate portion whichis
`capable of being tightly affixed to the other nut
`sized to mate with a portion of the external sur-
`disposed in said channel, said nuts being spaced
`face of said cylindrically-shaped memberto re-
`apart a distance at least equal to the cylinder
`strict torsional movement of said member within
`member’s outside diameter, the ends of said bolts 20
`said ar