Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With radio cabinet
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-05
2001-09-18
Phan, Tho G (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With radio cabinet
C343S882000, C343S901000, C343S906000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292146
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to antennae for use in wireless communication products and, more particularly, to an antenna assembly for use in wireless communication products that is packaged within a personal computer (PC) card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
PC cards are used in portable electronic devices such as, for example, laptop computers, palm top computers and personal digital assistants (PDA's) to add additional capabilities to such devices. A PC card which incorporates a radio may perform the dual operation of transmitting/receiving information from remote locations. For the radio to operate properly, an antenna is required to facilitate the transmission and reception of information.
In personal digital assistants and other portable electronic devices, the PC card is mounted within a card slot. Often times, this card slot is located on the side of the portable device. When a PC card with an antenna is inserted into the card slot, the antenna will protrude from the frame of the electronic device. To effectively transmit and receive information, the antenna must be placed in an extended position. While extended, the antenna may be struck by an object or a near by person. Striking the antenna may adversely affect the transmission/reception of information. Also, if the antenna is struck with enough force, damage to the antenna will result.
When the user is not transmitting or receiving information, the antenna and corresponding PC card are often removed from and stored outside of the portable electronic device. Thus, the user runs a risk of damaging the antenna by the continual insertion and removal of the PC card from the portable electronic device. Also, by constantly having to remove the PC card when not in use, the user runs the increased risk of losing the PC card.
Aside from being damaged during use or storage, or being lost, conventional antennas are also only capable of being rotated in one plane, or along a single axis. Thus, with conventional PC cards, the antenna will always protrude from the body of the portable device. In this fashion, damage to the antenna will almost certainly result.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned and related drawbacks associated with conventional antennae and their corresponding assemblies are substantially reduced or eliminated by the multi-position PC card antenna assembly of the present invention. The multi-position antenna assembly of the present invention comprises an antenna; a printed circuit board operative to electrically couple the antenna to a host device; a disk joint assembly, coupled to the antenna, adapted to rotate the antenna along two axes of rotation; and an assembly housing which at least partially contains the printed circuit board and the disk joint assembly, and is adapted to be removably coupled to the host device. The antenna includes a radiating element and a base portion. An end cap is connected to the radiating element of the antenna. A whip base, having an opening formed therein, is connected to the base portion of the antenna.
The disk joint assembly comprises a joint housing having a female connector formed thereon operative to rotatably couple the antenna to the assembly housing through the use of a pivot bolt. The disk joint assembly also includes a projection piece extending through the joint housing for rotatably securing the joint assembly to the assembly housing. By coupling the disk joint assembly to the antenna and the assembly housing in such a fashion, the antenna can be rotated about two axes of rotation.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a compact, portable, full performance antenna for use in conjunction with portable electronic devices.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an antenna having multiple degrees of freedom of movement.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the antenna may be rotated into a secure storage position.
Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an antenna having greater flexibility and durability than conventional antennas.
A feature of the present invention is that it is economical to manufacture.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5361061 (1994-11-01), Mays et al.
patent: 5568364 (1996-10-01), Madden
patent: 5646635 (1997-07-01), Cockson et al.
patent: 5779496 (1998-07-01), Bolinger et al.
patent: 5913174 (1999-06-01), Casarez et al.
Coudert Brothers
Novatel Wireless Inc.
Phan Tho G
LandOfFree
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