Positioning and Orienting a Mobile Equipment Carrier for an Antenna Mast

The present invention relates to a stand for mobile equipment carriers, and more particularly, the invention relates to a construction for positioning and orienting trailers with an erectable antenna.

Equipment carriers of the type to which the invention pertains are, for example, constructed as single axis trailer vehicles carrying an erectable antenna. They are to be used, e.g. as mobile transmitters and/or receivers, and must be suitable placed within short periods of time and with little help and effort. It was found, however, that these antenna units cannot be just placed anywhere unless one is either sure that the antenna will, in fact, assume a vertical disposition or the location has, in fact, been prepared for that purpose. If the position of the antenna unit is changed frequently, preparation of the location becomes excessively burdensome, and just finding a place that permits vertical orientation without preparation is increasingly improbable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide structure which permits placement of an equipment carrier at a particular orientation without requiring preparation.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is suggested that the equipment carrier be provided with support structure being particularly oriented and having vertically spaced support structure locations, and at least three legs are hinged to the upper one of the support structures at differently oriented horizontal pivot axis, while tension elements including, e.g. chains, hold the lower portions of the legs relative to the lower support structure. These tension elements are individually adjustable as to their effective length in that, for example, the chains are fastened to adjusting spindles carrying travelling nuts which bear against the legs. The length of tension elements is varied by turning the nuts. Upon pulling each of the tension elements inwardly, i.e. towards the equipment carrier, the latter can be lifted while the legs provide the requisite support on the ground. The legs may carry hinged feet to broaden the support on the ground.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention, the objects and features of the invention and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of equipment and structure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1.

Proceeding now to the detailed description of the drawings, the figures show a single axis trailer 1 having wheels 21 and carrying a support and mounting frame 2 for a retractable antenna mast, post or tower 3. This antenna is pivotably linked to the frame 2 pivot 15. The antenna mast can be pivoted down during transport or pivoted up and locked in a vertical position for erecting the antenna. Trailer 1 may have a supplemental front leg 22 and a third auxiliary wheel 23; these parts are unrelated to the invention.

The mast 3 as mounted in frame 2 establishes also the requisite support structure. A support ring 4 is mounted on the mast above the frame hinge and is provided with pivots 5 for hinging support legs 6. Each of the three legs 6 is constructed from two parts which are interconnected by a sleeve 6a. The lower part of each leg 6 is provided with a foot 14 being hinged to the leg.

Another support ring 7 is provided at the bottom of the mast 3, i.e. in a level below support structure-ring 4, and tension elements 8, such as chains, connect that ring 7 with the lower portions of the legs 6. The connection of the chains to the legs includes adjusting structure 9 which in each instance includes a threaded spindle 10 and a travelling nut 11. Each of the spindles is directly secured to the respective chain and the nut bears against the leg from the opposite side. The nut can be turned by means of a ratchet lever or crank 12 to adjust and vary the tension of and in the chain, and to pivot the respective leg towards or away from the equipment carrier.

Two of the three chains 8 are directly connected to ring element 7. The third chain is connected thereto via a hinged tension rod 13 in order to take up any twisting moment that may tend to disorient the carrier about a vertical axis. In either case, however, the effective length of each chain as determined by the spindle projection from the respective travelling nut, determines the hinge angle of each leg to thereby orient the mast in relation to the terrain.

In operation, the trailer is placed in position, and it is assumed that this position is on a slightly sloping hill or the like. Next, the legs 6 are assembled. The upper portion of each leg may be permanently hinged to the mast via the ring 4, so that the lower portion of each leg is now connected to the upper portion by the respective connecting sleeve 6a. The feet 14 are connected to the lower leg portion. The spindles are slidingly inserted in suitable bores in the legs. The chains may have been connected already to the spindles, and now the travelling nuts are threaded onto tension the chains to determine the angle the respective leg is to assume relative to the true vertical. The nuts bear against the legs in each instance.

Tensioning and shortening of all effective chain lengths may result in lifting the trailer off the ground so that the orientation of mast 3 is now exclusively determined (a) by the three point engagement of the three feet and ground, and (b) by the chains. The equipment rests entirely on the three legs (feet) and their orientation determines the orientation of the equipment.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but all changes and modifications thereof not constituting departures from the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included.