Replaceable antenna for a radio device

• US 6,201,712 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Barnett, Ricky William
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Application Number:
  US09/107,778
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 361/752, 361/814, 220/4.02, 455/90, 379/440, 379/433, D13/103
• US Class Current: 361/814
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/088 Quick-releasable antenna elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/103 Latching means; ensuring extension or retraction thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/244 extendable from a housing along a given path

Abstract

A radio device comprising a housing 50 having an opening 52 and an internal retaining recess 58; a resilient antenna support sleeve 60 inserted in the opening, the sleeve including a lug 70 projecting into the retaining recess 58 to oppose withdrawal of the antenna support sleeve; and an antenna 10 mounted in the antenna support sleeve. The walls of the retaining recess 58 and the surfaces of the lug 70 are shaped such that on rotation of the sleeve 60 the lug 70 is urged inwardly and escapes from the retaining recess 58.

Claims

1. A radio device comprising:

a housing having an opening and an internal retaining recess having walls;

a resilient antenna support sleeve positioned in the opening, the sleeve including a lug projecting into the retaining recess of said housing to oppose withdrawal of the antenna support sleeve, the lug having a plurality of surfaces;

an antenna mounted in the antenna support sleeve;

the walls of the retaining recess and the surfaces of the lug being shaped such that on rotation of the sleeve the lug is urged inwardly and is removable from the retaining recess.

2. A radio device as in claim 1, wherein the lug comprises a chamfered surface which facilitates the lug escaping from the retaining recess on rotation of the sleeve.

3. A radio device as in claim 1, wherein the lug includes a chamfered surface which facilitates the insertion of the lug into the opening.

4. A radio device as in claim 1, wherein the lug includes a face which serves to oppose withdrawal of the support sleeve from the opening when the lug is in the retaining recess.

5. A radio device as in claim 1, wherein the antenna includes a rod antenna which is mounted for sliding movement in the antenna support sleeve between an extended condition and a retracted condition.

6. A radio device as in claim 5, comprising a friction clip for governing the sliding of the antenna and providing electrical connection to radio circuitry.

7. A resilient antenna support sleeve for insertion into an opening of a radio device, the sleeve including a lug for projecting into a retaining recess within the radio device to oppose withdrawal of the antenna support sleeve, further comprising:

an antenna mounted in said antenna support sleeve, and said lug having a plurality of surfaces, said surfaces of said lug being shaped such that, in use, on rotation of said sleeve the lug is urged inwardly to escape from said retaining recess.