Automatically retractable radio antennas for automotive vehicles
US5525844A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q1/103
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Automotive vehicles equipped with automatic or standard transmissions and having automatically extending and retracting radio antennas are equipped with an arrangement for automatically retracting the antennas upon shifting from drive to neutral. Many car washes are equipped with endless belts or chains which engage and tow automotive vehicles through car washes. Before being towed, the drivers must shift to neutral. Drivers are also advised to lower radio antennas. By causing automatic lowering of radio antennas upon shifting from drive to neutral, drivers need no longer remember to retract their antennas. In order to have the arrangement operate effectively, there is about a 10 second delay in retracting the antennas upon shifting to neutral and extension immediately upon shifting out of neutral. An over-ride is provided should the driver for one reason or another desire to leave the transmission in neutral for a period of time greater than 10 seconds.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.