Rotatably mounted cable for communication equipment

• US 5,271,684 A
• Filed: 12/16/1992
• Issued: 12/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Phillips, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Novosad, Christopher J.
• Application Number:
  US07/991,690
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 343/715, 343/882, 248/222.3, 403/106, 403/164, 403/375
• US Class Current: 403/106
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/186 external, i.e. with contracting action
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32442 At least one discrete position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32975 Rotatable

Abstract

The preferred embodiment of this disclosure is directed to an antenna connector for a cellular telephone, where such antenna may be rotated from a first position to a second position, such as "use" and "rest" positions, where the preferred rotation extent is about 90°. The connector comprises a fixed support member and a circular housing member mounted therein for rotative movement between such first and second positions. The fixed support member is defined by first and second major faces having a circular opening extending therebetween for receiving the circular housing member, and at least one arcuate recess along the first major face adjacent said opening, where the length thereof extends between the first and second positions. The circular housing member includes a reduced diameter portion extending from one end thereof to an annular shoulder, where the reduced diameter portion is received within the circular opening up to the shoulder. Finally, a spring metal ring is provided to retain the circular housing within the fixed support, where the ring is located about the reduced diameter portion for abutting against the second major face, and the ring is further characterized as being sinusoidal in configuration and adapted to maintain axial pressure between the fixed support and the circular housing member.

Claims

1. A rotatably mounted antenna connector assembly for use on communication equipment, said assembly comprising a fixed support member and a circular housing member mounted for movement between a first position and a second position,

said fixed support defined by first and second major faces having a circular opening extending therebetween for receiving said circular housing member, and at least one arcuate recess along said first major face adjacent said opening, where the length thereof extends between said first and second positions,

said circular housing member having a reduced diameter portion having an annular slot thereabout, and extending from one end thereof to an annular shoulder, where said reduced diameter portion is received within said circular opening up to said shoulder, and

means retaining said circular housing within said fixed support, said means including a continuous spring metal ring about said reduced diameter portion for abutting against said second major face, where said ring is sinusoidal in configuration and adapted to maintain axial pressure between said fixed support and said circular housing member, said means further including a c-ring received in said annular slot to limit the axial movement of said spring metal ring from said second major face.

2. The rotatably mounted antenna connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said shoulder includes at least one projection therefrom, which projection is adapted to ride within a corresponding said arcuate recess.

3. The rotatably mounted antenna connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein adjacent the ends of each said recess a raised portion is provided, and that said projection coacts with said raised portion to define the respective said first and second positions.

4. The rotatably mounted antenna connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein said coaction effects an axial separation between said fixed support and said circular housing member against the resistance of said continuous spring metal ring, whereby said coaction results in a temporary locking of the fixed support and circular housing member in said first or second positions.

5. The rotatably mounted antenna connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said circular housing member includes connector means for mounting an antenna thereto.