Retractable stubby antenna

• US 20060290577A1
• Filed: 06/09/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corporation (Kyocera Corporation)
• Inventors: Ozkar, Mete, Poilasne, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,224,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/244 extendable from a housing along a given path
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence

Abstract

A retractable stubby antenna is movable relative to a housing along a longitudinal axis. In a retracted position, at least a portion of the retractable stubby antenna is positioned within the housing. In an extended position at least a portion of the retractable stubby antenna is positioned outside of the housing such that a greater portion of the antenna is positioned outside the housing in the extended positioned than in the retracted position. A radiating helical element is connected to device circuitry through a connection interface including an antenna interface and a housing connection interface.

Claims

1. A retractable stubby antenna device comprising:

a housing;

a retractable stubby antenna moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis of the retractable stubby antenna, the retractable stubby antenna comprising a helical radiating element; and

a connection interface comprising a conductive tube and a ball contact configured to slide within the conductive tube to form an electrical connection between the helical radiating element and device circuitry within the housing.

2. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connection interface forms an electrical connection between the helical radiating element and the device circuitry at least when the retractable stubby antenna is in a retracted position and in an extended position.

3. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the helical radiating element is a coil.

4. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the helical radiating element is a flex circuit conductor forming a meander line helical antenna.

5. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 1, wherein

conductive tube is connected to the helical radiating element and the ball contact is connected to the device circuitry.

7. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the conductive tube comprises positioning bumps configured to hold the retractable stubby antenna in the retracted position and the extended position.

6. (canceled)

8. -12. (canceled)

13. A retractable stubby antenna device comprising:

a housing comprising a housing connection interface;

a retractable stubby antenna moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis of the retractable stubby antenna and comprising;

a flex circuit having a flex circuit conductor forming a helical radiating element;

a conductive tube connected to the helical radiating element and configured to slideably receive the housing connection interface to form an electrical connection between the housing connection interface and the flex circuit at least when the retractable stubby antenna is in a retracted position where at least a portion of the retractable stubby antenna is within the housing and when in the retractable stubby antenna is in an extended position where a greater portion of the retractable stubby antenna is outside the housing than when in the retracted position.

14. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a core, the flex circuit applied to an outer surface of the core.

17. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the conductive tube is positioned within a channel of the core extending along the longitudinal axis of the antenna.

15. -16. (canceled)

19. A portable communication device comprising:

a housing;

device circuitry;

a helical radiating element moveable relative to the housing along a longitudinal axis of the helical radiating element; and

a connection interface configured to provided an electrical connection between the helical radiating element and the device circuitry at least when the helical radiating element is in a retracted position and when the helical radiating element is in an extended position, the connection interface comprising a conductive tube connected to the helical radiating element and a ball contact connected to the device circuitry and configured to slide within the conductive tube when the antenna is extended and retracted.

18. A retractable stubby antenna device in accordance with claim 19, wherein the housing interface connection comprises a ball contact slideably positioned within the conductive tube.

20. A portable communication device in accordance with claim 19, wherein the helical radiating element is formed by a flex circuit applied to an outer surface of a core, the conductive tube disposed within the core.