Satellite antenna mounting systems and methods

{
  "publication_number": "US10784561B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Satellite antenna mounting systems and methods",
  "abstract": "A system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure is provided. The system may include a mounting structure and a satellite antenna. The mounting structure may include a plurality of tabs extending upward, and located at a first elevation. The mounting structure may also define a first plurality of apertures located at a second elevation, where the first elevation is higher than the second elevation. The satellite antenna may define a second plurality of apertures configured to accept the plurality of tabs. The satellite antenna may be supported by the mounting structure upon the plurality of tabs being accepted by the second plurality of apertures. The satellite antenna may also define a third plurality of apertures which may be aligned with the first plurality of apertures upon the plurality of tabs being accepted by the second plurality of apertures.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure, wherein the system comprises: a mounting structure, wherein: the mounting structure comprises a plurality of tabs; the mounting structure defines a first plurality of apertures; and a satellite antenna, wherein: the satellite antenna defines a second plurality of apertures; the second plurality of apertures are configured to accept the plurality of tabs; the satellite antenna is supported by the mounting structure upon the plurality of tabs being accepted by the second plurality of apertures; the satellite antenna defines a third plurality of apertures; and the third plurality of apertures are aligned with the first plurality of apertures when the plurality of tabs are accepted by the second plurality of apertures.",
    "2. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises: a plurality of fasteners, wherein upon the plurality of tabs being accepted by the second plurality of apertures, the plurality of fasteners are capable of being inserted into both the first plurality of apertures and the third plurality of apertures.",
    "3. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 2, wherein: a first end of each of the plurality of fasteners is substantially flush with a reflection surface of the satellite antenna when inserted into the first plurality of apertures and the third plurality of apertures.",
    "4. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 2, wherein: the plurality of fasteners are bolts.",
    "5. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 4, wherein: the mounting structure comprises a backing surface; the plurality of tabs and the first plurality of apertures are on the backing surface; and the backing surface is curved to allow the satellite antenna to make flush contact with the backing surface upon the plurality of tabs being accepted by the second plurality of apertures.",
    "6. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of tabs includes no more than two tabs; and the second plurality of apertures includes no more than two apertures; the first plurality of apertures includes no more than two apertures; and the third plurality of apertures includes no more than two apertures.",
    "7. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 6, wherein: the plurality of tabs comprise upward tabs that are upward extending.",
    "8. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 1, wherein: each of the plurality of tabs is of a first width; and each of the second plurality of apertures has a second width; and the first width is substantially equal to the second width.",
    "9. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the satellite antenna is a satellite television receiving dish; at least one surface of each of plurality of tabs is substantially flush with a reflection surface of the satellite antenna upon the plurality of tabs being accepted by the second plurality of apertures.",
    "10. A system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure, wherein the system comprises: a mounting structure, wherein: the mounting structure defines a first plurality of apertures; the mounting structure defines a plurality of notches; and a satellite antenna, wherein: the satellite antenna defines a third plurality of apertures; the satellite antenna comprises a plurality of tabs; the satellite antenna is supported by the mounting structure upon the plurality of tabs being supported by the plurality of notches; and the third plurality of apertures are aligned with the first plurality of apertures upon the plurality of tabs being supported in the plurality of notches.",
    "11. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 10, wherein: the mounting structure defines a second plurality of apertures; and the satellite antenna defines a fourth plurality of apertures.",
    "12. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 11, wherein: the fourth plurality of apertures are aligned with the second plurality of apertures upon the plurality of tabs being supported in the plurality of notches.",
    "13. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 12, wherein: the plurality of tabs are located above the third plurality of apertures.",
    "14. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 10, wherein the system further comprises: a plurality of fasteners, wherein upon the plurality of tabs being supported in the plurality of notches, a first portion of the plurality of fasteners are capable of being inserted into the first plurality of apertures and the third plurality of apertures.",
    "15. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 10, wherein: the plurality of notches are located above the first plurality of apertures.",
    "16. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 10, wherein: each of the plurality of tabs is of a first width; and each of the plurality of notches has a second width; and the first width is substantially equal to the second width.",
    "17. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 10, wherein: the mounting structure further comprises a curved backing surface substantially congruent with a back of the satellite antenna, wherein upon the plurality of tabs being supported in the plurality of notches, the curved backing surface is substantially flush with the back of the satellite antenna.",
    "18. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 10, wherein: the plurality of tabs includes no more than two tabs; and the plurality of notches includes no more than two notches.",
    "19. The system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure of claim 10, wherein: the first plurality of apertures includes no more than two apertures; and the third plurality of apertures includes no more than two apertures."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Various systems exist for attaching satellite antennas to mounting structures. Attaching a satellite antenna to a mounting structure is the final step in installing a satellite antenna, but can sometimes be the most troublesome.\n\nBecause of the bulky shape and weight of a satellite antenna, either multiple persons may be required to complete the installation, or at the very least, a single person may have trouble completing this final step. Furthermore, the installer may also be working at an elevated level above the ground, as is common in satellite antenna installations. Finally, existing systems may require coupling hardware between the satellite antenna and the mounting structure to be installed to complete the installation, prior to the installer removing their support of the weight of the satellite antenna.\n\nEmbodiments of the present invention provide improvements to existing systems, as well as solutions for scenarios left unresolved by existing systems.\n\nIn one embodiment, a system for coupling a satellite antenna to a mounting structure is provided. The system may include a mounting structure and a satellite antenna. The mounting structure may include a plurality of tabs extending upward, and located at a first elevation. The mounting structure may also define a first plurality of apertures located at a second elevation, where the first elevation is higher than the second elevation. The satellite antenna may define a second plurality of apertures configured to accept the plurality of tabs.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01Q 1/125",
    "F16B 2200/20",
    "F16B 45/00",
    "H01Q 3/06"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 45/00",
    "H01Q 1/12",
    "H01Q 3/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Dish Network LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Matthew Bailey",
    "William Roberts"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-01-06",
  "publication_date": "2020-09-22",
  "grant_date": "2020-09-22",
  "priority_date": "2017-12-29",
  "application_number": "US-202016735398-A",
  "family_id": "67060066",
  "cited_by_count": 1,
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}