GB1589822A - Aerial assembly - Google Patents

Description

(54) AERIAL ASSEMBLY (71) We, MECANIPLAST, a Joint Stock Company constituted under the laws of France, of 11, Avenue Anatole France, - 92110 Clichy, France, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one indoor aerial, for receiving electromagnetic waves, and a holder.

It is well known that radio or television receivers must be connected to reception aerials suitable for all the transmissions which it is intended should be received.

In view of the fact that the various transmissions to be received by the same receiver are spread over a range of frequencies which is frequency very wide, it is necessary either to have an adjustable aerial, or a multiplicity of separate aerials each of which fulfils its role of receuption aerial in the frequency band for which it has been designed. In the case of indoor aerials for television receivers, the use of a multiplicity of aerials, one intended for VHF reception (170-230 MHz) and the other for UHF reception (470-860 MHz) leads to a system of aerials which is frequently unsightly in shape and in any case, relatively bulky.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a unit comprising one or several independent aerials which are integral with the holder, each aerial being small in size and capable of being adjusted by the user to cover the various transmission frequencies to be received.

The present invention accordingly provides an aerial assembly comprising at least one aerial member for receiving electromagnetic waves; and an aerial holder supporting said at least one aerial member and carrying means for electrically connecting the or each aerial member to a conductor enabling it to be connected to an associated receiver set: the or each said aerial member comprising a closed substantially rectangular metal frame consisting of two U-shaped members having the parallel limbs of one of the U-shaped members telescopically engaging with the parallel limbs of the other of the U-shaped members such that the closed metal frame has a substantially fixed width, has a median line of its four sides lying in one plane, and is adjustable in length by sliding of the telescopically engaging limbs, each of the shorther sides of the frame being of constant cross-section. Each said limb of the other U-shaped member comprises two collets connected by a linking cross piece, a first collet being fixed on the said one rod, for instance by means of crimping, to constitute a stop which co-operates with the constricted end of the corresponding said other rod and a second collet slit along one of its generatrices constituting a slide spring which co-operates with the inside wall of the corresponding said other rod.

That transverse arm of the metal frame which is connected to the holder, as well as the two longitudinal housing rods which are integral with the said an, may be fixed within the said holder. In that case, the transverse arm of each frame which is fixed within the holder, may be constivuted by the central arm of a U-shaped member on each side of which there is fixed, for example by crimping, a tubular rod receiving the said frame. The transverse arm of each frame which is fixed in the holder may also be constituted by a fixing clamp between the two sides of which the ends of the two tubular housing rods are fixed.

Within the above-mentioned fixing clamp, each housing rod comprises on its tubular wall two notches obtained by stamping, the said notches being diametrically opposed, and each clamp side comprising, in line with one of the housing rods, a folded tab obtained by cutting, the co-operation of the two folded tabs with the two formed notches ensuring the fixing of the said rod within the fixing clamp.

The invention also provides an aerial assembly comprising at least one aerial member for receiving electromagnetic waves; and an aerial holder supporting said at least one aerial member and carrying means for electrically connecting the or each aerial member to a conductor enabling it to be connected to an associated receiver set; the or each said aerial member comprising a closed metal frame consisting of two U-shaped members having the parallel limbs of one of the U-shaped members telescopically engaging within the parallel limbs of the other of the U-shaped members such that the closed metal frame has a substantially rectangular shape, has a substantially fixed width, and is adjustable in length by sliding of the telescopically engaging limbs, each of the shorter sides of the frame being of constant crosssection, and each said closed metal frame being pivotally connected to the holder by one of its shorter sides. In a first alternative embodiment of this pivoting frame aerial assembly, the pivot may be arranged along an axis which is perpendicular to the said frame, the transverse arm of the frame which is connected tG the holder being of a rounded shape and resting with its concave part aganst the said pivot.

In a second alternative embodiment of the pivoting frame aerial assembly according to the invention, the transverse arm which constitutes the pivot arbor of the metal frame may be a cylindrical bar which is larger in diameter than that of the two associated said other rods and the assembly of the two said other rods with the cylindrical bar is achieved by means of a connecting element. The said connecting element comprises a fluted part force-fitted into the cylindrical bar and a part on which one of the associated housing rods is fixed by crimping. In this second alternative, it is, of course, necessary to ensure a good electrical contact between the fixed connection device which serves to connect the whole of the aerial assembly to a related receiver set and each aerial frame which is movable. This contact can be brought about in various ways, for instance, by means of a lug constituted by a leaf spring which is supported by the pivot arbor of the aerial frame. This support is generally achieved by the assembly of two half casings constituting the aerial holder.

Nevertheless, the electrical contact between the pivot arbor and the lug may, at times, leave something to be desired and moreover the effect of this technique is to complicate the mounting operation of the casing because it is necessary to position the lug along the pivot arbor beforehand, before the casing is closed.

In this second alternative, an electrical contact sleeve is in the form of a leaf spring comprising at one of its ends a bent part within which the pivot arbor may rotate, the said bent part defining a cylindrical recess the inner diameter of which is preferably smaller than the arbor diameter to allow resilient gripping of the arbor, the said bent part encompassing the arbor over at least one half of its circumference.

Thus any devices allowing the prepositioning of the sleeve with respect to the pivot arbor are no longer necessary, since the sleeve is made to hold the pivot arbor thereby having the effect of greatly facilitating the assembly of the aerial assembly.

In a first convenient embodiment of this second alternative, provision is made for the connection of a single said substantially rectangular metal aerial frame. In that case, the holder may include an external sleeve intended to be inserted in a complementary female element arranged in a base to ensure mechanical support for the aerial and the holder. The said sleeve is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises coaxially therewithin a connecting terminal which is soldered to the bent part of the said electrical contact sleeve which holds the arbor. As a variation, the electrical contact sleeve may project outside the aerial support by the end zone spaced from said bent part, the said projecting end zone constituting a connecting socket intended to connect the aerial electrically to the associated receiver set.

In a second advantageous embodiment of this second alternative, provision is made for the connection of two said substantially rectangular metal frames to the holder, each frame being an element of a dipole constituting a single aerial. In this case, the metal frames which constitute the two dipole elements may be arranged along two planes which are substantially parallel, and are preferably coplanar. According to one alternative, the metal frames which constitute the two dipole elements may also have their respective centre planes arranged along a dihedral angle. The holder has the shape of a V, the apex of which carries the electrical connecting device of the said aerial assembly. When the two metal frames are mounted pivotally on the holder, they are capable of pivoting from a first position where they are each arranged in the extension of one of the arms of the V formed by the holder to a second position where they are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

In a third advantageous embodiment of this second alternative, provision is made for the connecting to the holder two metal frames each constituting one aerial the holder including an external sleeve intended to be inserted into a female element of a complementary shape, arranged in the base which is intended to ensure the mechanical support for the two aerials and the associated holder. When, in this embodiment the two substantially rectangular metal frames are mounted to pivot around their transverse arm of that shorter side of the frame which is connected to the holder, the pivot arbors of the two frames are substantially parallel and staggered so that the pivot arbor of the one should be nearer to the sleeve of the holder than the pivot arbor of the other. Each metal aerial frame is capable of pivoting from a first position m which it is arranged substantially coaxial with the axis of symmetry of the sleeve of the holder to another position where it is substantially perpendicular to the said axis of symmetry.

Thus the aerial assembly according to the invention may be formed by the assembly of a holder, and an aerial constituted by a dipole each element of which is at metal frame. This type of aerial can be easily adjusted by the user to be tuned to the different transmission frequencies to be received by pulling out the movable rods of each metal frame to a greater or lesser extent up to their required length.

It should be noted, moreover, that the tuning range of an aerial of this kind is rather wide for a given setting, that is to say, with the same setting the aerial is capable of satisfactory reception of transmissions over a fairly wide frequency range.

It follows from this that if the various transmissions to be received are transmitted within a relatively narrow frequency range, the user will not need to modify the aerial setting to be able to receive all the desired transmissions. The unit according to the invention may also be produced by the connection, to the holder, of one or several metal frames which each constitute an aerial. The holder is advantageously provided with a sleeve intended to be inserted in a complementary female element provided in a base to ensure mechanical sup port for the assembly. Such a sleeve may also be used to ensure electrical connection between at least one of the aerials of the unit and the associated receiver set. Where the aerial assembly according to the invention comprises a single metal frame, the aerial may conveniently be orientated by twisting the holder in relation to an associated base on the one hand, and each aerial in relation to the holder on the other hand. Moreover, each one of the aerials can be easily tuned, depending on the frequencies of the various transmissions to be received, by altering the length of the metal frames.

The metal frames described above may, because of their structure, show a low resistance to torsion deformation or warping and it may be advisable to increase their rigidity by placing a reinforcing member between the two longitudinal arms of a frame. The present invention aims to make a reinforcing member capable of enhancing the transverse rigidity of the aerial frame receiving it, whilst still allowing the required length adjustment of the two sliding arms of the frame. The reinforcing member can be easily and rapidly incorporated in, and taken out of, the aerial frame and need not be susceptible to inadvertent detachment or removal once fixed on the aerial frame.

The present invention envisages rigidifying the or each frame with a reinforcing member of an electrical insulating material used to interconnect the two longitudinal arms of one of the rectangular metal frames of the aerial assembly. The reinforcing member advantageously comprises two substantially parallel columns connected by a web, each column being pierced substantially along its axis by a cylindrical recess, having a portion with a larger diameter intended to accommodate the end zone of the tubular rod of the telescoping rod pair and a portion with a smaller diameter intended to be traversed by the associated sliding rod, this housing communicating radially with the outside through a continuous groove arranged along each one of the columns, the width of the said groove being substantially equal to, or slightly greater than the diameter of the smaller portion and smaller than the diameter of the larger portion presented by each recess.

In a preferred embodiment, the two portions of each cylindrical recess are coaxial. These axes of the two recesses arranged in the reinforcing member are interspaced from each other by a distance which is substantially identical to that separating the axes of the sliding longitudinal arms of the aerial frame. The smaller diameter portions of each one of the recesses is formed by the rounded bottom of the continuous groove. The larger diameter portion of each one of the recesses is dimensioned so as to achieve an appropriate tightening of the end zone of the tubular housing rod within the said portion to ensure that the reinforcing member is kept in position on the aerial. Each of the columns of the reinforcing member appears from the outside to be in the shape of a cylinder which has a circular base and is joined along one of its generatrices to the web of the reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is made of a single piece by the moulding of a plastics material substance.

The two continuous grooves arranged on each of the two columns allow the intro duction of one of the longitudinal arms of the metal frame of an aerial, and may be orientated differently in relation to each other.

Thus in a first alternative embodiment, the two continuous grooves are arranged parallel to one of the generatrices of each cylindrical column and are arranged in a zone diametrically opposed to the zone which joins with the web of the reinforcing member. To position such a reinforcing member on the aerial frame, it is placed between the two sliding rods whose diameter corresponds to the width of the intro ductory groove cut out on each one of the columns. After the two above mentioned rods have been engaged in their respective grooves within the columns of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing member is made to slide downwards in order to engage it on the end zone of the two tubular rods of the telescoping pair, this driving manoeuvre being continued until the reinforcing member abuts against the end of the two tubular rods.

In a second alternative of the embodiment, the continuous grooves are arranged parallel to one of the generatrices of each column and face towards each other to constitute a single slot cut in the two columns and the web of the reinforcing member, the said slot being arranged along a plane passing through the axes of the two cylindrical housings and opening up at either end of the reinforcing member. In that case, the positioning of such a re informing member on the aerial frame is effected by prcsenting it above the transverse arm of the end of the deployed aerial frame, then engaging the frame end within the slot cut out in the reinforcing member and continuing this driving manoeuvre until the reinforcing member abuts against the ends of the two tubular rods.

It will thus be perceived that the reinforcing member of the first and second alternative embodiments makes it possible to achieve between the reinforcing member and the two longitudinal sliding arms of an aerial frame a detachable connection which cannot be accidentally released.

Moreover, such a reinforcing member makes it possible to avoid any inadvertent distortion of the substantially rectangular shape of the aerial frame on which it is fastened.

In order that the present invention may more rcadily be understood, several embodiments represneted on the attached drawing(s) will now be described as purely illustrative and non-restrictive examples, with reference to the accompanying drawnags, in which: - FIGURE 1 represents an elevation of a unit according to the present invention, comprising the assembly of a support and anu aerial having frames which constitute two dipole elements and are arranged along two substantially identical planes, one of the half casings constituting the holder having been removed for the purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 2 shows an elevational, partly sectioned view of the end of a frame showing a movable rod which is mounted to slide within a corresponding housing rod; FIGURE 3 shows, in exploded perspective, a fixing clamp which constitutes the fixed transverse arms of a frame as well as the ends of two tubular housing rods which are intended to be integrally joined by this clamp; FIGURE 4 shows a part section of the detail shown in Figure 3, with the ends of the two tubular housing rods in the fixing clamp; FIGURE 5 is a front elevational, partly sectioned view of an alternative embodiment of the unit of Figure 1 in which the rectangular frames which constitute the two dipole elements have their central planes set according to a dihedral angle; FIGURE 6 shows a side elevation taken on arrows VI, VI of Figure 5; FIGURE 7 shows a top plan view of the casing constituting the aerial holder of Figure 5, the cover having been partly sectioned so as to reveal the recess arranged in the said casing; FIGURE 8 shows a cross-section on line VIII-VIII of Figure 7; FIGURE 9 shows an elevation of a unit according to the invention formed by the assembly of an aerial and of a holder, one of the casing halves constituting the holder having been omitted, the metal frames which constitute the two dipole elements each being capable of rotation round a pivot which is integral with the holder.

FIGURE 10 shows an elevation of the casing half which was omitted from the aerial holder to simplify Figure 9; FIGURE 11 shows a cross-section along line XI-XI of Figure 9, the two casing halves of Figures 9 and 10 being assembled; FIGURE 12 shows a cross-section along line XII-XII of Figure 11; FIGURE 13A shows a unit according to the invention formed by the assembly of a holder and an aerial, constituted by a single metal frame capable of rotation around a pivot which is integral with the holder, this unit being shown in a crosssection perpendicular to the plane of the aerial frame; FIGURE 13B shows a unit according to the invention formed by the assembly of a holder and of an aerial constituted by a single metal frame which is mounted to pivot around one of its transverse arms, this unit being illustrated by a cross-section taken perpendicular to the plane of the aerial frame; FIGURE 14A shows a top plan view of the single frarlle unit of Figure 13A; FIGURE 14B shows in an exploded perspective the aerial frame as well as the electrical contact sleeve of the unit of Figure 13B; FIGURE 1 5A shows a view in front elevation as viewed from line XV-XV of Figure 13A, one of the casing halves constituting the aerial holder having been removed; FIGURE 15B shows a variation of the embodiment of unit shown in Figure 13B, in which the connection of the aerial frame with the associated receiver is effected by means of a central terminal soldered to the electrical contact sleeve this unit being illustrated by a cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the aerial frame; FIGURE 16A shows an elevation of the casing half omitted from Figure 15A; FIGURE 16B shows on enlarged scale a partial cross-section along line XVI-XVI of Figure 15B; FIGURE 17 shows a unit according to the invention, constituted by two aerials integral with the same holder, each aerial being constituted by a single metal frame and the holder being obtained by the assembly of a cover and of a casing, this Figure being in the form of a cross-section taken perpendicular to the pivoting axes of the two frames (i.e. along line XVII XVII) of the unit of Figure 18; FIGURE 18 shows in cross-sectional form a top plan view along XVIII-XVIII of the unit of Figure 17, the cover having been removed; FIGURE 19 shows a condensed crosssectional view taken along line XIX-XIX of Figure 17; FIGURE 20 shows, in perspective, a reinforcement serving to interconnect the two longitudinal arms of a rectangular metal frame with which a receiver unit according to the invention is provided; FIGURE 21 shows an elevational view of the reinforcement of Figure 20 fitted on a metal frame' FIGURE 22 shows a plan view of the reinforcement as viewed from line XXII XXII of Figure 21; FIGURE 23 shows a side elevational view of the reinforcement as viewed from line XXIII-XXIII of Figure 21; and FIGURE 24 shows in perspective another embodiment of the reinforcement.

Figure 1 shows that a receiver unit 100 according to the invention is formed by the assembly of a holder with an aerial constituted by a dipole. The receiver unit 100 is in the shape of a V whose apex carries an electrical connector device 101. The connector device 101 is constituted by an external sleeve 102 along the axis of which there is a terminal pin 103; the sleeve 102 is to be electrically connected to the screening braid of a coaxial cable while the terminal pin 103 is to be electrically connected to the axial core conductor of the said cable. Within each arm of the V shaped support is a dipole element, the sleeve 102 being electrically connected to one of the dipole elements by conductor 102a, and the terminal 103 being connected to the other dipole element by conductor 103a Each dipole element comprises a metal frame 104 which is rectangular in shape, adjustable in length and fixed in width. In this embodiment, the central planes of the two frames 104 are identical. The major axes of the two rectangular frames 104 which constitute the two dipole elements are coplanar and form an angle substan tially equal to 80". Each longitudinal arm of a frame 104 is constituted by two co axial rods 105 and 106 which are telescopic ally mounted such that the rod 105 is capable of sliding within tubular rod 106 which accommodates it. In each frame 104, the two sliding end rods 105 are made as a single component by bending a section 107 of rod into a U shape. The centre rib of the U shaped rod section constitutes the movable transverse aIm of each rectangular frame 104.

Near the ends of the two sliding rods 105 of each frame 104 is a stop 108 con stituted by half ring or collet fixed by crimping on each sliding rod 105, as shown in Figure 2. When the two frames 104 are in a deployed position, that is to say when the two rods 105 are pulled out of their housing formed by the tubular housing rods 106, the collet 108 comes to rest against the constricted ends 109 of the housing rods 106. To ensure centering of each sliding rod 105 within housing rod 106 and to ensure a good electrical contact between these two rods 105 and 106 provision has been made in a conventional way for an elastic sliding contact 110, which is split along one of its generatrices. Split contact 110 is connected to collet 108 by a connecting piece 111.

In each frame 104 the two fixed housing rods 106 are integral with a transverse arm 112 (Figure 1), which is connected electrically to conductor(s) 102a, 103a. This transverse arm 112 may be constituted by the centre rib of a U-shaped rod 113. Each one of the two parallel arms of the U shaped rod 113 has the end of a respective tubular rod 106 fixed thereto by crimping.

Figures 3 and 4 show a different embodiment of the fixed transverse arm 112 of each rectangular frame. In this case the transverse arm 112 is constituted by a fixing clamp 114 having two leaf limbs of which the ends of the two housing rods 106 are fixed. Each side limb 115 of the fixing clamp 114 comprises, opposite a respective housing rod 106, an upset folded tab which projects into the space between the two side limbs of the said clamp. Two diametrically opposed notches 117 are cut out on the tubular wall of the housing rods 106, each notch 117 being obtained by forming and by cutting along a transverse kerf 118.

When the ends of the two housing rods 106 are positioned between the two sides of the fixing clamp 114, the two bent back tabs come to engage elastically within the two formed notches 117 which accommodate them, and the end of each rod 106 substantially abuts against the centre section of clamp 114. The co-operation of the bent tabs 116 within the formed notches 117 allows the housing rods 106 to be secured rapidly within fixing clamp 114.

The two housing rods 106 of each frame 104, as well as the transverse arm 112 to which they are fixed, are housed within a moulded plastic casing forming the aerial holder; this casing is constituted by two substantially identical casing halves 119, arranged on either side of the two frames 104. Assembling the two casing halves 119 together is effected by means of self-tapping screws extending perpendicularly to the jointing plane of the two casing halves 119.

In a different embodiment, the two fixed housing rods 106, as well as the transverse arm 112 connecting them, may be embedded by integral moulding with the casing to constitute an integral part of the aerial casing.

When the user of the above-described aerial wishes to adjust his aerial so as to receive a VHF television transmission in band III, he pulls the sliding rods 105 out of their housing taubes 106 so that the two frames 104 exhibit a length of from 28 to 30 ems. Similarly, if the user wishes to receive a UHF transmission in bands IV and V, he adjust his aerial by extending the sliding rods of each frame 104 to a greater or lesser extent so that the frame ]04 hast a length of from 20 to 38 cms, the two frames being equal in length. When the aerial is not in use, the user retracts the sliding rods 105 into the housing tubes 106 to reduce the frame length until the end transverse arm connecting the two sliding rods 105 substantially abuts against the end(s) of the two casing arms which are arranged in a V form.

Figure 5 to 8 of the drawing show an alternative embodiment of the receiver aerial unit of Figure 1. In this alternative, the two frames 104 constituting the two dipole elements, have their centre plane arranged along a dihedral angle, whereas in the example of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the central plane of the two frames 104 were substantially identical.

The receiver aerial unit of Figures 5 to 8 comprises a holder 120 made of a moulded plastic in two joined parts which are, on the one hand, a V-shaped casing 122 whose apex carries a connecting device 121 and, on the other hand, a cover 123 arranged to be inserted within a recess cut out on the inner side(s) of the two V-shaped arms of the casing 122. The axis of the connecting device 121 constitutes the axis of symmetry of the holder.

The electrical connecting device 121 is constituted by an outer sleeve 124 having coaxially therewithin a terminal pin 125 connected by a flexible conductor 126 to a metal collar 127 ensuring electrical contact with one of the frames 104. Similarly, the outer sleeve 124 is connected to the other collar 127 by a flexible conductor 128. The two electrical contact collars 127 are arranged within the recess on the inner side(s) of the two arms of casing 122 arranged in V form. At the bottom of this housing are two parallel projections 129 between which one of the metal collars 127 is positioned. The two projections 129 extend perpendicularly to the intersecting edge of the dihedral angle formed by the planes of the two frames 104. Each pair of parallel projections 129 compirses two cutouts each with a rounded bottom within which transverse arm 112 of frame 104 is capable of rotating. The wall of cover 123 rests against projections 129 to ensure the positioning of the transverse arm 112 of frames 104 within the closed casing.

Cover 123 is of V shape and is inserted into the housing of casing 122 and screw fixed by means of two screws 131, each disposed perpendicularly to the median plane of the respective arm of the casing.

As will be seen in Figure 7, the two screws 131 each traverse the electrical connection collar 127 which is arranged to straddle the transverse arm 112 of the two frames 104. Thus the screwing of cover 123 on casing 122 ensures not only the positioning of arms 112 of the two frames 104 but also the maintenance of electrical contact of collars lation pin constituted by the transverse arm 122 is braked by the friction of each one of the longitudinal arms against de formable lip 133.

As may be gathered from Figure 5, the two frames 104 are capable of tilting, from a position in which they are substantially coaxial extensions of the arms formed by the aerial holder, up to a position shown in chain-dotted lines where they are substantially parallel. Thus the unit of Figures 5 to 8 may be made extremely small for storage or transport by bringing the two frames 104 parallel to each other.

Figures 9 to 12 of the drawings show a receiver aerial unit according to the in -vention, in which the two frames 104 which constitute the two elements of the dipole of the aerial are capable of tilting in relation to the holder and are arranged along two substantially identical planes.

This receiver aerial unit comprises, as a holder, a V shaped casing made of moulded plastics material, comprising two casing halves 134 and 135 arranged on either side of two frames 104. The two casing halves 134 and 135 are connected together by means of two rivets which are each arranged in corresponding bosses 136a and 136b arranged on the one casing half 134 and on the other casing half 135, respectively.

One casing half 135 carries at the apex of the V a connecting device 137 formed by an outer sleeve 138 and a central terminal pin (not shown). The central terminal pin is connected by a conductor 139 to an electrical contact collar 140 of one arm of the casing half 135, and similarly the outer sleeve 138 of the connecting device is connected by a conductor 141 to another collar 140. Each one of the collars 140 is pierced by a circular hole allowing it to be positioned on the associated boss 136b moulded on the two arms of casing half 135. The positioning of each contact collar 140 is completed by two studs 142 between which it is placed.

The other casing half 134 comprises, around boss 136a, a pivot 143 constituted by an annular projection whose axis constitutes the tilting axis of a rectangular frame 104. Each rectangular frame 104 comprises a transverse arm 133' rounded in shape which comes into contact with its concave part with pivot 143. The holding of each arm 133' against the corresponding pivot 143 is ensured by a semi-circular rim 144 provided in relief on the inner wall of each arm of casing half 134.

During rivetting of the two casing halves 134 and 135, each metal contact collar 140 is deployed against the rounded transverse arm 133' of a rectangular frame 104, making it possible to ensure frictional electrical connection between the frames 104 and the connecting device 137. As may be gathered from Figure 9, the two frames 104 may turn around their respective pivots 143, from a first position in which they are each disposed as an extension of one of the respective arms of the aerial casing, up to a position in which they are substantially parallel. Thus the aerial of this embodiment may also be folded to a small size by placing frames 104 into their position of minimum length and arranging them parallel to each other.

Figures 13A, 14A, 15A and 16A show a receiver aerial unit formed by the combination of an aerial frame 200 and of a holder 201 which carries the connecting device of the said aerial.

Aerial frame 200 is constituted by a single metal frame which is substantially rectangular in shape, adjustable in length, and fixed in width. Each one of the longitudinal arms of the frame which constitutes the aerial frame 200 is formed by two coaxial telescopically mounted rods 202, 203, rod 202 being capable of sliding within the tubular rod 203 which accommodates it. The two sliding end rods 202 are obtained by bending a section of rod into a U shape so that the centre section 204 of the U forms the movable transverse arm of the aerial frame 200. The two parallel housing rods are fixed to the transverse arm 205 which is connected to holder 201 and is formed by a section of tube bent along a semi-circle with each end connected by crimping to the corresponding housing rod 203.

The holder 201 comprises two plastic casing halves 206, 207 on either side of aerial frame 200. The two casing halves 206, 207 are assembled together by means of a rivet arranged in the two corresponding bosses 209, 210 provided in relief within casing half 206 and casing half 207, respectively.

As shown in Figure 15A, the casing half 206 comprises, around boss 209, an annular rim 211 against which rests the rounded transverse arm 205 of aerial 200. Aerial frame 200 is thus capable of turning around the annular rim 211 which serves as pivot.

Arms 205 of the aerial is held by an outer rim 212 in the shape of a circular arc, provided in relief within casing half 206.

Similarly, to ensure that the transverse arm 205 of the aerial is kept between the annular projection 211 and rim 212, a semicircular projection 213 (Figure 16A) which is provided on the other casing half and is arranged to abut the aerial frame 200 when the two casing halves 206, 207 are joined together by rivetting.

The casing half 206 is extended in its lower zone by the sleeve 214 of a generally cylindrical shape forming a plug intended to be inserted into a suitable complementary female fitting, arranged in a suitable base to ensure the mechanical support for aerial frame 200 and its associated holder 201.

The axis of this connecting sleeve 214 constitutes the axis of symmetry of the holder.

Sleeve 214 comprises, parallel to its generatrices, three recesses arranged at 120O delimiting three cylindrical segments 215.

Within the cylindrial sleeve 214 there is arranged a connecting terminal pin 216 which is connected electrically to aerial frame 200. This terminal projects into the inner spaced defined by the two assembled casing halves 206, 207. Electrical connection between the connecting terminal 216 and aerial frame 200 is ensured by an electrical contact strip 217 which co operates, by way of a friction contact, with the transverse arm 205 of the aerial. As it is more clearly shown in Figure 15A, the electrical contact strip 217 is a circular part, traversed at its centre by an opening allowing it to be positioned around the boss 209 moulded in relief on casing half 206.

The circular part of strip 217 is extended in the direction of the sleeve 214 by a tab bent over at right angles at its end as shown in Figure 13A. An opening is pierced into the bent end to receive the end of connecting terminal pin 216. The connec tion between terminal pin 216 and the electrical contact strip 217 is completed by a soldering tack 218.

On joining the two casing halves 206, 207, the electrical contact strip 217 is elastically applied against the rounded transverse arm 205 of aerial frame 200 making it possible to secure frictional electrical contact between the connecting terminal pin 216 and aerial 200.

To allow free movement of the aerial frame 200 around its pivot, the two joined casing halves 206 and 207 jointly delimit a groove within which the two parallel longitudinal arms of the aerial frame may slide (see Figure 15A). This groove is dimensioned so as to allow rotation of the associated aerial 200 around its pivot through an angle of approximately 90 . As is shown in Figure 15A of the drawings, the aerial frame 200 may take up two extreme positions: a first position in which the major axis of the frame is substantially identical with the axis of sleeve 214, and another position (shown by chain-dotted lines) in which the major axis of the frame substantially describes a right angle with the aixs of sleeve 214.

It should be emphasised that the receiver aerial unit of this embodiment may be folded down to present extremely reduced dimcnsions, by putting aerial frame 200 into its position of minimum length. Moreover an aerial frame in this embodiment may be easily orientated by causing it to tilt in relation to its holder 201, or by orientating the holder 201 in relation to the base which supports the unit.

Figure 13B and 14B show a receiver aerial unit 300 formed by the combination of an aerial frame 301 and a holder 302.

Aerial frame 301 is constituted by a metal frame substantially rectangular in shape, adjustable in length, and fixed in width. Each one of the longitudinal arms of the aerial frame is formed by two coaxial telescopically mounted rods 303, 304, the rod 303 being capable of sliding within the tubular rod 304 which accommodates it. The two sliding end rods 303 are obtained by bending a section of rod into a U shape with the centre section 305 of the U constituting that transverse arm of the frame which is not connected to the holder 302. The other transverse arm 306, which constitutes the arbor of rotation of the aerial frame 301, is a solid cylindrical rod pierced at each one of its ends by a bore to receive one of the housing rods 304.

Holder 302 within which the arbor 306 of aerial frame 301 may turn, is obtained by assembling together two casing halves 307, 308 which are made of plastic. The join of the two casing halves 307, 308 is effected by means of rivet 309 arranged in two corresponding bosses moulded in relief within each of the two casing halves 307, 308. Arbor 306 of the aerial frame 301 completely traverses the two assembled half casings. The two bearings within which arbor 306 may rotate are arranged in the plane of the join of the two casing halves 307 and 308.

The electrical connection between the aerial frame 301 and the holder 302 is obtained by means of an electrical contact collar 310 comprising a leaf spring with a bent part 311a intended to be engaged around the zone of arbor 306 comprised between the two tubular housing rods 304.

The bent part 311a defines a cylindrical cavity whose inner diameter is slightly less than the diameter of arbor 306 so as to obtain tight fit of arbor 306 within the bent part 311a surrounding it. The bent part 311a of collar 310 has another special feature in that it surrounds arbor 306 over at least half of its circumference, so that engagement of the bent part 311a around arbor 306 prevents the arbor from inadvertent disengagement.

At the other end of collar 310 there is arranged a connecting sleeve 311b which is cylindrical in shape with its axis perpendicular to the cylindrical recess defined by bent part 311a. Sleeve 311b is obtained by bending the leaf spring constituting collar 310, and has a longitudinal groove arranged parallel to one of its generatrices.

Between the bent part 311a and the sleeve 311b, collar 310 comprises a circular hole intended to allow passage of the assembly rivet 309 therethrough.

During assembly, the collar 310 is firstly joined to the aerial frame 301 by engaging the bent part 311a around the arbor 306 of the aerial frame. Collar 310 and arbor 306 of the aerial frame are then suitably positioned between the two casing halves 307, 308, and then the rivetting is carried out. Thus assembling the casing does not require positioning of the contact collar 310 in relation to the pivoting arbor 306 of the aerial frame, since the arbor is clipped within the electrical contact collar 310. Moreover-the friction contact zone extends over the major part of the arbor circumference, to ensure in all circumstances a good electrical contact between the movable aerial frame 301 and the fixed contact collar 310.

As shown in Figure 13B, the connecting sleeve 311b of contact collar 310 projects outside the casing of the aerial and extends substantially along the axis of the said casing. Sleeve 311b is intended to be inserted in a female piece, of complementary shape, arranged in an appropriate holder thereby to ensure both electrical connection of the aerial frame with the associated holder and also mechanical support for the said aerial frame.

Figures 15B and 16B show a receiver aerial unit which is substantially similar to that of Figures 13B and 14B, save for the difference that the electrical contact collar 310 is connected to a central terminal pin arranged within a hollow sleeve 319, 320 and which can be plugged into a base socket.

The aerial frame 312 of Figure 15B is strictly identical with frame 301 of Figure 13B; it is mounted for tilting around its transverse arm 313 which can turn within two bearings arranged in the wall of the aerial holder 314. Holder 314 is formed by two moulded plastic casing halves 315, 316 whose plane of assembly is arranged perpendicularly to the plane of rotation of the aerial frame 312 in relation to the holder. Inside the casing 314 are two bosses 317a, 317b which rest on each other when the casing is closed. The fixing of the two casing halves 314 and 315 is effected by means of a rivet 318 which traverses the two above-mentioned bosses 317a, 317b.

The two half casings 315, 316 are extended in their lower part, in the zone opposite to that where the arbor 313 of the aerial frame is rotatably received, by two semi-circular supports which, on assembly of the casing, constitute a cylindrical sleeve 319 intended to be inserted into a complementary female piece arranged in a suitable base to ensure mechanical support for the aerial. In this embodiment, the cylindrical sleeve 319 is arranged within a metal liner 320 and encloses a central connecting terminal 321 which is connected electrically to the arbor 313 of the aerial frame by means of a contact collar piece 322. The central terminal pin 321 traverses a wall, extending in the connection zone of sleeve 319 with the casing, through a circular hole and it is centered near its upper end which is connected to the contact collarpiece 322 by means of two lips 323, 324 provided in relief on each of the casing halves 315, 316.

As can be more readily seen on Figure 16B of the drawing, the positioning lip 324 of casing half 316 comprises a V shape notch 325 within which the end of lip 323 relating to the other half casing 315 comes to be engaged. Thus, on assembly of the two casing halves, the central terminal pin 321 is gripped at three points between the two lips 323 and 324 which ensures its positioning within the closed casing.

The electrical contact collar piece 322 is a leaf spring which, like that of Figure 13B, has a bent part 325 defining a cylindrical housing with a diameter which is slightly less than that of arbor 313 of the aerial frame so as to obtain a tight hold between the said arbor and the bent part surrounding it. Similarly, the bent part 325 of the collar piece surrounds arbor 313 over more than half of its circumference. In the range of its central zone the leaf spring contact piece 322 is pierced by a circular hole intended to be traversed by the assembly rivet 318. At its end opposite to the bent part 325, the leaf spring contact piece comprises a bend at right angles 326 with a notch in which the corresponding end of the central terminal 321 is fixed by a soldered tack spot.

The embodiment of Figures 15B and 16B presents substantially the same advantages as that of Figure 13B, as regards the ease of mounting the receiver aerial unit and the good quality of the electrical connection obtained between arbor 313 and contact collar piece 322.

Figures 17 to 19 show a receiver aerial unit comprising two rectangular frames 243 which each constitute an aerial and are connected to a common holder 244.

Frame 243 constituting one aerial has two longitudinal arms each formed by a rod 245 mounted to slide within a tubular housing rod 246. The two housing rods 246 are integral with a transverse arm 247 which is connected to holder 244. Each transverse arm 247 constitutes the arbor of rotation of its frame 243. This arm is con stituted by a solid cylindrical rod, having a diameter greater than that of the tubular housing rods 246. The join of the two tubular housing rods 246 with the cylindrical rod 247 is effected by means of a connecting element which comprises a striated portion force-fitted in the cylindrical rod 247 and a part on which one of the associated housing rods 246 is fixed by crimping.

The holder 244 of these two frames 243 is constituted by a cover 248 and a casing 249, both of plastic. Casing 249 defines a crenellated compartment which is open at its two ends; this crenellated compartment is bounded by a bottom 250 and two parallel walls 251 which are joined at right angles t(r the bottom 250. Casing 249 also comprises in its lower part a sleeve 252 intended to be inserted within a female piece to ensure the mechanical support for the two aerial frames 243 and holder 244.

Sleeve 252, which is of a generally cylindrical shape and extends along the axis of symmetry of casing 249, comprises slots extending parallel to the generatrices; these slots delimit between them three blade sections 253.

Covcr 248 comprises a rectangular top panel 254 intended to be arranged between the two parallel walls 251 of the crenellated compartment formed by the casing 249.

This top panel 254 of the cover is extended by two sections at right angles serving to close up each end of the crenellated compartment formed by the casing.

On each one of its two edges which do not carry the right angle wall sections 255, the lid comprises a joggle delimiting, with the opposite wall 251 of the casing, a groove allowing the free sliding of the longitudinal arm of the two frames 243.

The fixing of cover 248 onto casing 249 is effected by means of two rivets which are each arranged in two corresponding bosses 256, 257 provided in relief on the bottom 250 of the casing and on the top panel 254 of the cover respectively.

The transverse arms 247 of the two frames 243 are each arranged within an electrical contact clip 258a, 258b. The two sides 259 of each clip are slightly bent and they thus bear elastically against the transverse arm 247 of the corresponding frame.

To each clip 258a, 258b is soldered the wire of a concncting cable 266 connecting one of the aerials with its associated holder.

The connecting cable 266 enters the crenellated compartment formed by casing 249 through an access hole arranged in one of its side walls 251. On assembly of cover 248 on casing 249, the zone of the connecting cable which is arranged within the casing, is gripped firmly between the bottom 250 of the casing and a stop 260 provided in relief on the top panel 254 of the cover, so as to ensure a "flex clamp" type of mechanical connection between the connecting cable 266 and the holder of the two aerials.

The two substantially parallel electrical contact clips 258a, 258b are arranged transversely within the crenellated compartment formed by the casing.

The electrical contact clip 258a rests directly on studs 263 upstanding from the bottom 250 of the casing and forming a U shaped projection with two reliefs which grip the end edges of this clip. Thus the centre section of clip 258a is arranged parallel to that of clip 258b which rests directly on the bottom 250 of the casing.

To ensure that the two clips 258a, 258b are kept in place within the casing, a suitably profiled stud 264 has been provided in relief on the rectangular top panel 254 of cover 248 to rest against the two contiguous sides of the two clips 258a, 258b when the cover is rivetted to the casing. Similarly on the top panel 254 of the lid, studs 265 have been provided which come into contact with the opposite sides of clips 258a, 258b when the cover 248 is placed in position.

As is seen in Figure 17, the transverse arms 247 which constitute the pivoting arbors of the two rectangular frames 243 are substantially parallel and staggered in height in relation to the bottom 250 of the casing. Thus each rectangular frame 243 may be tilted around its transverse arm 247 from a first position where the frame 243 are substantially parallel to the axis of sleeve 252 of the aerial holder, up to another position, shown in chain-dotted lines, where they are substantially perpen Circular to the axis of the sleeve 252.

In another embodiment, alternative to that shown in Figures 17 to 19, provision niay be made for electrical interconnection of the two separate aerials, each constituted by a rectangular frame 243, with each other. In that case, sleeve 252 of the holder 244 may be replaced by an electrical connection device formed by an external metal sleeve and a central terminal pin.

The external sleeve may be connected by a conductor to one of the electrical contact clips 258a, 258b, while the central terminal of the connecting device may be connected to the other of the electric contact clips.

Figure 21 shows an aerial frame 1261 capable of carrying a reinforcing component. Aerial frame 1261 is constituted by a rectangular metal frame mounted to tilt around its end transverse arm 1262 which is housed in a holder 1263. The aerial frame comprises two parallel longitudinal arms each constituted by a rod 1265 mounted to slide within a tubular housing rod 1266. The two parallel rods 1265 are formed from a rod bent into a U shape with its centre section 1267 constituting the transverse frame arm which is not connected to holder 1263. The transverse frame arm 1262 which is connected to the holder is fixed at its two ends with the two tubular housing rods 1266.

To improve the transverse rigidity of frame 1261, provision is made to interpose between its two sliding arms a reinforcing member 268. The reinforcing member 268 is made of a single component by means of a plastic moulding. It comprises a web 269 forming a planar rectangular wall bordered along two of its sides by two columns 270 capable of being integrally joined with one of the sliding arms of the aerial frame.

The two columns 270 appear from the outside to be in the shape of a cylinder with a circular base linked along one of its generatrices to web 269. Each column 270 is pierced along its axis by a cylindrical recess serving both to accommodate the end zone of the tubular housing rod 1266 and to be traversed by the associated rod 1265. The axes of these two recesses are interspaced at a distance which is substantially identical to that separating the axes of the two longitudinal arms of the aerial frame. Each housing comprises two coaxial sections, with different diameters, separated by a shoulder 272. One section 271a, having the smaller diameter, is used to accommodate rod 1265 and the section 271b of a larger diameter is used to accommodate the end zone of tubular housing rod 1266. The two housings 271a-271b communicate radially towards the outside through a continuous groove 273 arranged along each column 270. Each groove 273 is arranged along one of the generatrices of one of the cylindrical columns 271 and is diametrically opposed to the zone where it is joined to web 269 of the reinforcement. The width of the continuous groove 273 measured perpendicularly to the axis of column 270, and taken in the relaxed state of the resilient plastic reinforcing member 268 is slightly larger than the diameter of sliding rod 1265 and it is smaller than the diameter of the tubular housing rod 1266. The section 271b with the larger diameter is dimensioned so as to obtain within it a suitable tight fit on the end zone of tubular housing rod 1266 and to ensure that reinforcing member 268 is kept in position on the aerial. Section 271a with the smaller diameter is constituted by the rounded bottom of groove 273.

When the reinforcing member 268 is being placed into position on the aerial frame of Figure 21, it is positioned between the two sliding rods 1265 which will previously have been pulled out of the two tubular housing rods 1266. The two rods 1265 are splayed apart from each other by submitting them to slight deformation so that they can be made to penetrate radially into their recessed housing 271 through grooves 273. Once the two sliding rods 1265 are engaged in their respective recessed housing, the reinforcing member 268 is caused to slide so as to introduce the end zone of the tubular housing rods 1266 into the larger diameter section 271b, this driving manoeuvre being continued until the end zone of tubular rods 1266 abuts against shoulder 272 of recessed housing 271a, 271b.

In this position, reinforcing member 268 can no longer be detached from the aerial frame unless it is first of all raised in relation to it. In fact, the longitudinal arms of frame 1261 cannot come out through groove 273 since the end zone of rod 1266 has a larger diameter than groove 273. It may also be noted that the adjustment of frame 1261 to the required length, obtained by pulling the two rods 1265 out of their tube 1266 to a greater or lesser extent, may still be achieved without difficulty when the reinforcing member 268 is fixed on the aerial frame. Since each of the sliding longitudinal arms of frame 1261 is held over a considerable part of its length, a very definite improvement in the rigidity of the frame 1261 against distortion is obtained.

Figure 24 shows a second alternative embodiment of a reinforcing member in this case designated 275 in its entirety. This member 275 is substantially similar to the reinforcing member 268, save for the difference that the two continuous introductory grooves, instead of being diametrically opposed as on reinforcing member 268, are now turned towards each other and constitute a single introductory slot extending from one column of reinforcing member 275 to the other.

Reinforcing member 275 is made of a single component by means of a plastic moulding; it also compirses a web 276 forming a plane rectangular wall bounded along its two sides by two columns 277 intended to be integrally joined to one of the sliding arms of aerial frame 1261. The two columns 277 appear from the outside in the shape of a cylinder with a circular base linked along one of its generatrices to web 276.

The reinforcing member 275 of this embodiment has the special feature that it is pierced by a slot 278 arranged both in web 276 and in the two columns 277.

Slot 278 is arranged along a plane passing through the axes of the two columns 277 and opens on either side of reinforcing member 275. Slot 278 comprises, at each end of its ends within a column 277, a rounded bottom 279 extending over a part of the column length. The rounded bottom 279 constitutes the smaller diameter section used to accommodate rod 1265 of aerial frame 1261. The rounded bottom 279 is extended along its axis in the lower zone by a cylindrical recessed housing 280 with a larger diameter which is intended to accommodate the end zone of tubular housing rod 1266 of the aerial frame. The cylindrical recessed housing 280 communi cates with the rounded bottom 279 via shoulder 281. Each cylindrical recessed housing 280 communicates radially with the introductory slot 278. The width of slot 278 is slightly greater than the diameter of sliding rod 1265 and it is smaller than the diameter of tubular housing rod 1266.

To position reinforcing member 275 on the aerial frame of Figure 21, it is placed above the aerial frame with the two cylindrical housings 280 arranged opposite the end transverse arm 1267. The end of the aerial frame is then made to enter the introductory slot 278 and the reinforcing member is slid on the two longitudinal arms of the frame until the end zone of the tubular housing rod 1266 is engaged in the two cylindrical housings 280 and abuts against the shoulders 281.

The reinforcing member 275 presents substantially the same advantages as the reinforcing member 268 of Figures 20 to 23. On the one hand, it is possible to avoid any distortion of the aerial frame on which it is fitted, on the other hand, it can be positioned without any difficulty on the aerial frame and can only be detached from it by being raised to the top of the extended frame.

It is, of course, to be understood that the embodiments described above are in no way rcstrictive, and may give rise to any desirable modification without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following

Claims (25)

claims. Throughout the above description, it has been indicated that the connector sleeve at the bottom of the holder is intended for fitting in a complementary female member of the base. It will of course be appreciated that this female member may comprise part of a coaxial lead connector and that a separate flat-bottomed base may be dispensed with. It is merely important, therefore, that the sleeve of the holder be arranged for electrical connection to a complementary female socket. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: -

1. An aerial assembly comprising at least one aerial member for receiving electromagnetic waves; and an aerial holder supporting said at least one aerial member and carrying means for electrically connecting the or each aerial member to a conductor enabling it to be connected to an associated receiver set; the or each said aerial member comprising a closed substantially rectangular metal frame consisting of two U-shaped members having the parallel limbs of one of the U-shaped members telescopically engaging with the parallel limbs of the other of the U-shaped members such that the closed metal frame has a substantially fixed width, has a median line of its four sides lying in one plane, and is adjustable in length by sliding of the telescopicaly engaging limbs, each of the shorter sides of the frame being of constant cross-section.

2. An aerial assembly comprising at least one aerial member for receiving electromagnetic waves; and an aerial holder supporting said at least one aerial member and carrying means for electrically connecting the or each aerial member to a conductor enabling it to be connected to an associated receiver set; the or each said aerial member comprising a closed metal frame consisting of two U-shaped members having the parallel limbs of one of the U-shaped members telescopically engaging within the parallel limbs of the other of the U-shaped members such that the closed metal frame has a substantially rectangular shape, has a substantially fixed width, and is adjustable in length by sliding of the telescopically engaging limbs, each of the shorter sides of the frame being of constant cross-section, and each said closed metal frame being pivotally connected to the holder by one of its shorter sides.

3. An aerial assembly according to claim 2, wherein said one shorter side is in the form of an arm which is connected to the holder so as to serve as a pivot arbor for said frame.

4. An aerial assembly according to claim 3, wherein said arm which constitutes the pivot arbor of the metal frame is a cylindrical rod having a diameter greater than that of said tubular rods, and wherein said tubular rods have ends connected within said cylindrical rod.

5. An aerial assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said means for electrically connecting the or each aerial member to a conductor includes an electrical contact sleeve member co-operating with said pivot arbor of the metal frame.

6. An aerial assembly according to claim 5, wherein said electrical contact sleeve member comprises a leaf spring having at one end a bent part forming a sleeve segment wtihin which said pivot arbor may be rotatably received, said sleeve segment defining a cylindrical bearing whose inner diameter is smaller than said diameter of said pivot arbor and surrounding said pivot arbor over at least half of its circumference.

7. An aerial assembly according to claim 6, wherein said leaf spring projects outside the aerial holder in an end zone remote from said sleeve segment, said projecting end zone constituting a connection socket intended to connect the aerial electrically to an associated receiver set.

8. An aerial assembly according to claim 1, wherein said substantially rectangular frame has one of its shorter sides in the formvof an arm connected to the holder, and its two longer sidest defined in part by two longitudinal tubular members which are fixed to said arm and are held within the said holder.

9. An aerial assembly according to claim 1, wherein part of said holder defines a pivot having its axis perpendicular to the plane of the said frame, and said frame having a transverse arm connected to the holder and rounded in shape with a concave part abutting said pivot.

10. An aerial assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein one of the shorter sides of said metal frame is remote from said holder and is defined by a rod formed in a U-shape with the centre of said U extending between the longer sides of said substantially rectangular frame, each side limb of the U comprising one of said other rods.

11. An aerial assembly according to claims 6 and 10, wherein said holder includes a generally cylindrical sleeve adapted to be inserted into a complementary female element arranged in a base intended to support the holder and its aeral member or members, and a connecting terminal pin is soldered to a part of said leaf spring remote from said sleeve segment and is arranged coaxially within said generally cylindrical sleeve.

12. An aerial assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said holder carries a single metal frame.

13. An aerial assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein there are two of said substantially rectangular metal frames carried by said holder.

14. An aerial assembly according to claim 13, wherein each of said two metal frames is an element of a dipole constituting a single aerial.

15. An aerial assembly according to claim 14, wherein said two substantially rectangular metal frames lie in planes which are substantially parallel to one another.

16. An aerial assembly according to claim 14, wherein said two substantially rectangular metal frames lie in the same plane.

17. An aerial assembly according to claim 14, wherein said two metal frames have their respective planes arranged in the planes of a dihedral angle, said holder having the shape of a V with an apex which carries a connector member of said means for electrically connecting the aerial to a conductor.

18. An aerial assembly according to claim 17, wherein each of said metal frames is mounted pivotally on said holder, and the two frames are capable of pivoting from a first position where they are each arranged in the extension of one of the arms of the V formed by the holder, to another position where they are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

19. An aerial assembly according to claim 13, wherein said two substantially rectangular metal frames each constitute a separate aerial, and said holder has the said means for electrically connecting the aerial member to a conductor in the form of an external sleeve adapted to be inserted in a complementary female element arranged in a base for supporting said holder and its two aerial members.

20. An aerial assembly according to claim 19, wherein each said substantially rectangular metal frame is mounted for pivoting around one of its shorter sides, and said pivot arbors of the two frames are substantially parallel and staggered so that the pivot arbor of one frame is nearer to said connector sleeve of the holder than is the pivot arbor of the other frame.

21. An aerial assembly according to claim 19, wherein each said metal frame is mounted for pivoting, from a first position where it is substantially coaxial with the axis of symmetry of said sleeve, to a second position where it is substantially perpendicular to the said axis of symmetry.

22. An aerial assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 21, and including at least one reinforcing member which is formed of an electrical insulating material and shaped to interconnect the two longer sides of one of said metal frames.

23. An aerial assembly according to claim 22, wherein said reinforcing member comprises two substantially parallel columns, a web connecting said columns, means defining a cylindrical recess extending substantially along the axis of each said column, said recess each having a first portion with a larger diameter intended to receive an end zone of a respective one of said tubular rods and a second portion with a smaller diameter to receive the said other rod which slides in said respective one tubular rod, a continuous groove arranged along each one of the columns, and communicating a respective one of said recesses with the exterior of said column, the width of said groove being subsantially equal to or greater than said smaller diameter and less than said larger diameter.

24. An aerial assembly constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 3 and 4 or Figures 5 to 8, or Figures 9 to 12, or Figures 13A to 16A, or Figures 13B to 16B, or Figures 17 to 19, of the accompanying drawings.

25. An aerial assembly according to claim 24, modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 20 to 24 of the accompanying drawings.