[Antennas] Antenna-Related Patents

Wed Oct 15 10:50:23 EDT 2008

>>de WB2CPN
>As Chris says, this idea for a balun is
>not a new thing. Although I recall that
>in 1949 some TV's had dual coils each wound
>on 3/8 inch forms. About 2 inches long.
>All the windings were clearly visable. Then
>the binocular type came along. Question:
>IF his patent info is true, not faked, how
>did he get the patent? Maybe there was no
>patent before he came along. I thought RCA
>and Hazeltine held all of them then.
>73 Clete
>
 It doesn't need to be an earlier patent, although there probably is some even in Guanella's patents. The aspect of public domain comes to bear here, as we all know that this form of balun (1:1 made with coaxial cable and a balun core) is a common element in radio amateur antennas and elsewhere.
 I've learned this morning that there is a "statement of prior art" that can be submitted to USPTO and filed along with the patent. It could become grounds for reexamination, though that usually requires a formal petition. If nothing else, it would render the patent as unenforcable.
 This may seem trivial, but having people patenting devices that are in common use can potentially affect all of us. So, if anyone can come up with magazine articles that describe such a balun I'll be more than happy to take care of the paperwork.
Chris
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