Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With radio cabinet
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-23
2001-04-10
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With radio cabinet
C343S895000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06215446
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a snap-in antenna and more particularly to snap-in fixed or retractable antennas which may be easily secured to a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone and which are easily removed therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to the ever-increasing growth in the wireless communications industries, suppliers of portable wireless devices, such as cellular telephone handsets, are constantly seeking ways to improve the value of their product while reducing manufacturing costs. One area of intense price pressure is the antenna. Currently, most antenna designs for wireless devices such as cellular telephones, land mobile radio and other portable devices are one of two types. One type of antenna design is the retractable or collapsible antenna. The radiator of the retractable antenna may be extended from the top of the device housing while in use. The antenna radiator may also be retracted into the housing while in the standby mode. The second major type of antenna design is the fixed antenna wherein the antenna radiator is fixed in the extended position and does not move.
In either of the antenna designs discussed above, they are normally comprised of the following components: (1) a radiating element such as a straight wire whip or a helical wound wire; (2) a threaded metal connector that connects the antenna to the communications device; (3) a flexible cover that covers all exposed components; and (4) other miscellaneous components within the antenna assembly. In addition to that described above, the antennas require a mated threaded connector inside the communications device and some sort of electrical connection between the printed circuit board and the antenna.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention disclosed herein relates to a series of antennas which incorporate a unique way to electrically and mechanically attach the antennas to the wireless device. The antenna is mechanically attached to the wireless device by means of a plastic connector that incorporates a molded-in snap latch feature which snaps over an internal edge in the wireless device housing during installation. The antenna is electrically attached to the wireless device by means of a contact that electrically connects the radiating element (elongated radiator or helical wound) to the conductive pad on the printed circuit board. More particularly, the snap-in connector has upper and lower ends with a central bore extending therethrough with the lower end of the connector being selectively removably snapped-in the opening formed in the upper end of the housing of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, a helical antenna is positioned in the central bore of the connector at the upper end thereof and has a spring contact operatively electrically connected thereto which extends downwardly from the helical antenna through the lower end of the central bore of the connector with the spring contact being in electrical contact with the receiving and transmitting circuitry. In a second embodiment of the invention, an elongated rod antenna extends upwardly from the helical antenna. In another embodiment of the invention, a retractable rod radiator is slidably mounted in the connector and is movable between retracted and extended positions. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an elongated rod antenna is slidably movably mounted in the connector and has a helical antenna positioned at the upper end thereof. In all of the embodiments, the lower end of spring contact is in electrical contact with the contact pad of the receiving and transmitting circuitry of the communications device. Further, in all of the embodiments disclosed herein, the opening in the upper end of the housing includes an alignment keyway with the connector including an alignment key structure which is received in the alignment keyway to properly position the spring contact with respect to the receiving and transmitting circuitry.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an antenna design that is easier to manufacture than prior art antennas.
A further object of the invention is to provide an antenna design which has fewer components than most prior art antennas.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an antenna design that is easy to install on the handset of the communications device.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an antenna design which results in reduced manufacturing costs, yet maintains a high degree of reliability and performance.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
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patent: 5880696 (1999-03-01), Koleda
patent: 6052089 (2000-04-01), Eggleston
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patent: 6075487 (2000-06-01), Ito
Haussler Bradley S.
Sullivan Jonathan L.
Centurion Wireless Technologies, Inc.
Thomte Dennis L.
Tran Thuy Vinh
Wong Don
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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