WO2000016438A1

WO2000016438A1 - Wave reception device comprising a satellite antenna

Info

Publication number: WO2000016438A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/002164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Bureau
Original assignee: Daniel Bureau
Priority date: 1998-09-11
Filing date: 1999-09-10
Publication date: 2000-03-23
Also published as: FR2783360B1; AU5627199A; FR2783360A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a wave reception device (1) comprising an antenna (16) in particular a satellite dish antenna. Said device is characterised in that said antenna (16) is arranged inside a rigid or semirigid case (3) comprising at least a translucent part (23) allowing through rays of light (22) emitted by an illuminating device (21) arranged inside said case (3).

Description

WAVE RECEIVING DEVICE COMPRISING A SATELLITE ANTENNA.

The present invention relates to a wave reception device comprising a satellite antenna and of the parabolic type.

This invention relates to the field of the manufacture of devices, in particular domestic devices for the reception of waves corresponding, generally, to the program of a television channel, such a device integrating at least one antenna of satellite and parabolic type, designed capable of receive a signal from a geostationary satellite.

A number of these antennas are already known which, in order to receive the signals transmitted by one or more satellites in an appropriate manner, must be oriented very precisely in the direction of the latter.

Also, to meet such requirements, it is essential to install said antenna in a location compatible with optimal reception of the waves, which generally requires installation on the roof, at the facade or balcony of a dwelling.

Because of the possibilities offered by such satellite dishes with regard to the number of television or radio channels that can be received, many households wish to be equipped with them. Also, we see satellite dishes flourish, more and more, on the roof or the facade of buildings. In the context of condominiums, the multiplication of these antennas is considered to be a real nuisance from an aesthetic point of view.

Therefore and in order to avoid such nuisance, the installation of these satellite dishes at the level of condominium buildings are more and more often regulated. In fact, this requires having such an antenna inside the house, precisely in order to make it invisible from the outside of the building, which obviously affects the quality of reception. In some cases, this is, moreover, impossible.

The objective of the present invention is to propose a device able to conceal the presence of such a parabolic antenna while allowing an implantation of the latter, at the level of a dwelling or in its surroundings, in a place allowing an appropriate orientation. towards the transmitting satellite (s) and, consequently, optimal reception of the signals transmitted by the latter.

To this end, the invention relates to a wave reception device comprising a satellite antenna and of the parabolic type, characterized in that the said antenna is arranged inside a rigid or semi-rigid envelope comprising at least one translucent part authorizing the passage of light rays emitted by a lighting device arranged inside said envelope.

Another characteristic of the present invention relates to the fact that said envelope preferably adopts a regular geometric shape such as a globe, a cube, a prism or the like.

According to an additional characteristic, the device is completed by a support structure, in particular in the form of a base, a mast or a support arm, capable, on the one hand, of being anchored, in particular on the ground or at the level of a wall, and, on the other hand, to receive said envelope. Another characteristic relates to the fact that this device comprises means able to allow the orientation of said antenna relative to one or more transmitters, such means being constituted by means of pivoting around a horizontal axis of said antenna and / or means for rotating the latter about a vertical axis.

The advantages of the device which is the subject of the present invention consist in that the satellite antenna is arranged, out of sight, inside a translucent envelope located, for example, at the end of a mast or a support arm. Such a device then takes advantageously the form of a traditional exterior lighting device to which it is possible to impart a particularly aesthetic external appearance.

Such a device can be supplemented by means of orientation of said antenna which advantageously makes it possible, on the one hand, to ensure the inclination of the latter relative to the horizon with a view, in particular, to taking account of the longitude of the location region and, on the other hand, the rotation of said antenna to ensure its pointing in the direction of the transmitting satellite of its choice.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description relating to the attached drawing in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view, from the side and in section of the envelope, in the form of a globe, of a receiving device according to the invention receiving, internally, a parabolic antenna as well as a device lighting ; - Figure 2 is a schematic view, from the side and in partial section, of a globe similar to that shown in Figure 1 and located at the end of a support arm;

- Figure 3 is a schematic front view of a globe similar to those shown in Figures 1 and 2 and located at the upper end of a mast;

As is apparent from the figures in the appended drawing, the present invention relates to the field of the manufacture of wave reception devices, the latter corresponding, more particularly, to the signal of a television channel program transmitted by a satellite.

According to a feature of this invention, such a receiving device 1 comprises a support structure 2 on which is mounted a rigid or semi-rigid envelope 3 designed capable of receiving, in its internal volume 4, means 5 for receiving these waves 6 transmitted by satellite.

As visible, respectively, Figures 1 to 3, such a support structure 2 can take different forms, for example, a base 7, a support arm 8 or even a mast, and is designed capable of being anchored, as the case may be, on a low wall 10, at the level of the wall 11 of the house or on the ground 12.

If we refer, respectively, to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawing, this support structure 2 receives, for example at its end 13 (Figure 2), in particular upper 14 (Figure 3), said rigid or semi- rigid 3.

It should, however, be observed that the present invention is in no way limited to a casing 3 mounted in this way and that the latter can also be suspended under a support structure 2 of appropriate shape (solution not shown).

As is apparent from the figures of the appended drawing and according to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, said rigid or semi-rigid envelope 3 adopts a regular geometric shape such as a globe 15, a cube, a prism or whatever.

Such an envelope 3 is designed capable of receiving, internally, reception means 5 which can be, in a conventional manner, in the form, on the one hand, of a satellite antenna 16 of the parabolic type for the reception of waves 6 and, on the other hand, a transformation unit 17 of the latter into an electrical signal.

The latter is conveyed through an electric cable 18 or the like connected to said processing unit 17 and passing through an orifice 19 formed in said casing 3, in particular at its lower part 20, before engaging in the support structure 2 and enter the interior of the house to reach, for example, an electronic unit or a television set.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, said envelope 3 receives, in its internal volume 4, a lighting device 21 capable of emitting light rays 22 for the passage of which said envelope 3 comprises at least one translucent part 23.

In this regard, there is shown in Figure 1, an embodiment in which said envelope 3 is entirely made of a translucent material capable, on the one hand, of letting the light rays pass and, on the other hand, of obscuring the presence of reception means 5. According to a preferred embodiment, more particularly visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper half-part 24 of the casing 3 is made of a completely opaque material while the lower half-part 25 of said casing 3 is made of a translucent material with the characteristics described above.

As regards, now, the lighting device 21, the latter is in the form of a socket 26 receiving a bulb 27 and connected to an electrical supply cord 28 running through the support structure 2 through said orifice 19. This socket 26 is made integral with a plate 29 mounted on the rear face 30 of said antenna 16, said plate 29 being, moreover, capable of receiving said transformation unit 17.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the reception device 1 comprises means 31 capable of allowing the orientation of said antenna 16 in the direction of one or more transmitting satellites. These orientation means 31 are preferably in the form of pivot means 32 of said antenna 16 about a horizontal axis 33 and / or rotation means 34 of said antenna 16 around a vertical axis 35 .

According to a preferred embodiment, such pivoting means 32 around a horizontal axis 33 are in the form of a console 36 mounted on the support structure 2 and provided capable of receiving, so as to be orientable around said horizontal axis 33 , said antenna 16.

In fact, a first solution consists in placing such a console 36 outside of the casing 3 and in giving it the shape of a stirrup 37. According to a first embodiment not shown, said stirrup 37 is designed capable of receiving an envelope 3 inside which is mounted, immobile with respect to the latter, said antenna 16.

It will be observed that such an envelope 3 can receive, laterally, sections of axis or the like capable, on the one hand, of defining said horizontal axis 33 and, on the other hand, of cooperating with said stirrup 37. The latter is then able to ensure, in particular through said axis sections, the maintenance, pivotally about the horizontal axis 33, of said envelope 3 in which the antenna 16 is mounted.

According to another embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, said casing 3 is fixedly mounted on said bracket 37. As for the antenna 16, it is pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis 33 inside this casing 3 fixed. In fact, as can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3, this antenna 16 is capable of receiving, laterally, sections of axis 38 defining said horizontal axis 33 and passing through said envelope 3 to cooperate with said stirrup 37. The latter is, from this made, designed able to ensure the maintenance, pivotally about said horizontal axis 33, of the antenna 16.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the pivoting means 32 of the receiving device 1 described above can be supplemented by pivoting control means 39, around the horizontal axis 33, as the case may be, of the envelope 3 and / or antenna 16.

Such control means 39 may, in fact, be in the form of adjustment and / or tightening screws 40 able to equip the end of the axis sections 38 connected, as the case may be, to the casing 3 or on the air 16. So, by acting on such adjustment and / or tightening screws 40, it is possible to pivot said antenna 16 around the horizontal axis 33 and / or to immobilize the latter in a position for optimal reception of waves 6.

A second solution consists in placing, inside said envelope 3, a console 36 adopting the form of an upright capable of receiving, pivotally about the horizontal axis 33, said antenna 16.

It will be observed that, according to a particular embodiment, said upright is equipped with reception means capable of cooperating with complementary means equipping said antenna 16. Such reception means can, for example, be designed capable of allowing mounting, in one or more predetermined angular positions relative to the horizontal, of said antenna 16 on said upright. These reception means are then substantially capable of defining pivot means 32 of said antenna 16 around a horizontal axis 33.

It should be observed that, according to another exemplary embodiment not shown, the device 1 for receiving waves 6 may also include, inside said envelope 3, in particular at the level of the internal wall of the latter, pivoting means 32 around said horizontal axis 33 in the form of receiving means, here again, in one or more angular positions relative to the horizontal, of said antenna 16.

Such receiving means are, for example, in the form of positioning notches formed at said envelope 3, in particular on the internal wall 41 of the latter. Such positioning notches are then able to define a cradle for the reception of said antenna 16 with which they are able to cooperate. It will be observed that said Positioning notches can advantageously be indexed and calibrated as a function of the angle of inclination which said antenna 16 must adopt in the geographic location region.

Finally, another possible embodiment would consist in supplementing said device 1 with pivoting means 32 of motorized type of said antenna 16 around the horizontal axis 33. Such motorized pivoting means 32 can then be designed capable of being controlled remotely, especially from inside the home and in a pre-programmed manner. Such an embodiment would then make it possible to orient said antenna 16 towards satellites which would be located in different orbits and emitting, for example, in the direction of a country or of a bordering region.

It should be noted that if such an orientation can be easily and automatically and preprogrammed in the case of the pivoting means 32 of the motorized type described above, it is also possible to carry out such an orientation manually by acting on the pivoting control means 39 exposed above.

It follows from the above that the pivoting means 32 described above are designed capable of allowing the tilting of the antenna 16 around a horizontal axis 33 therefore, therefore, the inclination of the latter with respect to the 'horizon (azimuth). These pivoting means 32 thus make it possible to point said antenna 16 towards the same geostationary satellite whatever the latitude of the location of the reception device 1.

As regards, now, the means of rotation 34 about a vertical axis 35, these are, according to a first embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, defined by means of rotation of the envelope 3 in which said antenna 16 is fixedly mounted. In this regard, it will be observed that a fixed mounting of the latter may, in fact, result from a blocking of rotation, around the horizontal axis 33, of said antenna 16, in particular after adjustment.

In fact, as can be seen, more particularly, in FIG. 2, such rotation means 34 can again be in the form of a console 36 external to the casing 3. The latter is received by said console 36, in particular in the form of a stirrup 37, on which said envelope 3 is fixed and immobilized.

Said console 36 is then mounted on the support structure 2 by means of connection means 42 able to allow its rotation. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, such connecting means 42 are constituted by a ring 43 integral with said console 36 and fitted on said support structure 2, for example at its end 13, in particular upper 14. This ring 43 comprises means 44 for adjusting its angular positioning relative to the support structure 2. Such adjustment means 44 may be in the form of at least one clamping screw 45 and be supplemented by indexing means. The latter can be constituted by an angular limitation, in particular by means of stops, of the rotation of said ring 43 between two extreme positions corresponding, preferably, to the orbital position of two satellites.

According to another embodiment, the means of rotation 34 about a vertical axis 35 are constituted by means of rotation of said antenna 16.

In such a case, said envelope 3 is fixedly mounted on the support structure 2 and receives, internally, a console 36 to which said antenna 16 is attached. Such a console 36 can then be itself controlled in rotation or even comprise means for controlling the rotation of said antenna 16.

However, whatever the embodiment described above, the wave receiving device 1 6 includes motorized control means for the rotation of the antenna 16 around the vertical axis 35.

Such rotation control means are then designed capable of controlling the rotation, as the case may be, of the antenna 16 relative to the envelope 3 secured to the support structure 2 or even of the envelope 3 relative to the latter. .

It will be observed that such motorized control means can, here again, be controlled remotely, for example from inside the dwelling, in particular in a pre-programmed manner.

Thus, the rotation means 34 described above are designed capable of allowing the rotation of the antenna 16 about a vertical axis 35. Such rotation means 34 then allow the orientation of said antenna 16 towards different satellites located roughly in the same orbit and transmitting, for example, towards the same country or the same region.

The present invention therefore makes it possible to propose a device for receiving waves which is presented, overall, in the form of an exterior lighting lamp which can adopt different particularly aesthetic aspects allowing a multitude of implantation possibilities.

This device makes it possible to conceal the presence of a satellite antenna of the parabolic type by avoiding the mounting, often not very graceful, of the latter near or on a dwelling. Due to the numerous possibilities for adjusting the inclination and rotation of the antenna, this device is particularly versatile and able to be installed whatever the location covered by the waves emitted by one or more satellites.

Claims

claims

1. Device (1) for receiving waves comprising a satellite antenna and parabolic type, characterized in that said antenna (16) is arranged inside a rigid or semi-rigid envelope (3 ) comprising at least one translucent part (23) allowing the passage of light rays (22) emitted by a lighting device (21) disposed inside said envelope (3).

2. Device (1) for receiving waves according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a support structure (2) designed capable, on the one hand, of being anchored, in particular at a wall (11) or floor (12), and, on the other hand, to receive said envelope (3).

3. Device (1) for receiving waves according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises means (31) capable of allowing the orientation of said antenna (16) in the direction of one or more satellites, said orientation means (31) being constituted by pivoting means (32) of said antenna (16) about a horizontal axis (33) and / or rotation means (34) of this antenna (16) around a vertical axis (35).

4. Device (1) for receiving waves according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivoting means (32) about a horizontal axis (33) are in the form of a console (36) mounted on the support structure (2) and provided capable of receiving, in an orientable manner about a horizontal axis (33), said antenna (16).

5. Device (1) for receiving waves according to claim 4, characterized in that the console (36) is arranged outside the casing (3) and is in the form of a bracket (37) ensuring the maintenance, pivotally about the horizontal axis (33), of the casing (3) in which the antenna (16) and / or the antenna (16) is mounted.

6. Device (1) for receiving waves according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises, outside said envelope (3), control means (39) pivoting about the horizontal axis (33 ), said envelope (3) and / or said antenna (16).

7. Device (1) for receiving waves according to claim 4, characterized in that the console (36) is arranged inside the casing (3) and is in the form of an upright receiving, so pivoting about a horizontal axis (33), said antenna (16).

8. Device (1) for receiving waves according to any one of claims 4 or 7, characterized in that the pivoting means (32) about a horizontal axis (33) are present, internally to said envelope (3), in the form of means for receiving, in one or more predetermined angular positions relative to the horizontal, of said antenna (16).

9. Device (1) for receiving waves according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the means of rotation (34) about a vertical axis (35) of the antenna (16) consist of means for rotating, as the case may be, the envelope (3) in which the antenna (16) and / or the antenna (16) is fixedly mounted.

10. Device (1) for receiving waves according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the device (1) comprises motorized control means for rotating the antenna (16) around the 'vertical axis (35).

11. Device (1) for receiving waves according to claim 10, characterized in that the rotation control means are designed capable of controlling the rotation, as the case may be, of the antenna (16) relative to the 'envelope (3) integral with the support structure (2) or the envelope (3) relative to the latter (2).

12. Device (1) for receiving waves according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the envelope (3) is entirely made of a translucent material.