Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Having particular housing or support of a transceiver
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-08
2001-10-09
Hunter, Daniel (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Having particular housing or support of a transceiver
C455S550100, C455S575100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301468
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of communications and particularly to electrical connection between the flip and the housing of radio communication devices.
2. The Prior Art
It is well known to incorporate electrical components, such as antennas, into a flip that is rotatably attached to the housing of radio communication devices. When electrical components are incorporated into the flip, it is necessary to electrically couple them to the electrical elements in the housing of the radio communication device. However, a difficulty exists whenever electrical signals must be transferred between elements that rotate with respect to one another.
Previous methods of electrically coupling the electrical elements in the flip to the electrical elements in the housing of the radio communication device include individual wires, flexible circuitry, and coaxial rotating connectors with integral sliding contacts. Individual wires or flexible circuitry limit rotation, cause wear and noise after repeated flexing, and do not allow for easy assembly or removal of the flip for servicing as a separate entity. The use of individual wires or flexible circuitry may also require de-soldering of the wires or flexible circuitry from the electrical components in the housing of the radio communication device to completely remove the flip from the housing. Coaxial rotating connectors produce signal noise when rotating and do not meet the requirements for microphone signal transmission.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention encompasses a radio communication device which comprises a housing and a flip rotatably attached to the housing. The housing contains electrical components on a printed circuit board. The flip contains electrical components including an antenna and a microphone. The flip has two flip ears that rotatably attach the flip to the housing, thus creating a flip axis of rotation. An axle mechanism is contained partially in one flip ear and partially in the housing to mechanically couple the flip to the housing. A coupling is contained partially in the other flip ear and partially in the housing to mechanically and electrically couple the flip to the housing. The coupling allows electrical signals to pass from the electrical components in the flip to the printed circuit board in the housing while the coupling functions as the other axle mechanism.
The coupling comprises a receptacle that is press fit into the housing and a header circumscribed by a bearing that is press fit as an assembly into one of the flip ears. The header and the bearing are held in position with respect to one another by a bearing retainer. The receptacle remains fixed with respect to the flip axis and the housing. The header is mechanically and electrically coupled to the receptacle and remains fixed with respect to the receptacle. When mated, the bearing allows the flip to rotate around the header, thereby allowing the flip to rotate with respect to the housing. Furthermore, the coupling of the present invention allows the flip to be completely removed from the housing and serviced as a separate entity.
In an alternate embodiment, a radio communication device comprises a housing and a flip rotatably attached to the housing. The flip has a single flip ear that rotatably attaches the flip to the housing, thus creating a flip axis of rotation. An axle mechanism is contained partially in one side of the flip ear and partially in the housing to mechanically couple the flip to the housing. A connector comprising a header and a receptacle as described above is contained partially in the other side of the flip ear and partially in the housing to mechanically and electrically couple the flip to the housing.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.
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Slayton Michael J.
Smith Stacy N.
Chow C.
Ericsson Inc.
Hunter Daniel
Wood Phillips VanSanten Clark & Mortimer
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