Mobile wireless communications device with electrically conductive continuous ring and related methods

• US 8,774,880 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2011
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Wong, Joshua Kwan Ho, Whitmore, John Alfred, Cooke, Adrian Matthew, Downs, Steven Eugene, Van Wonterghem, Jari Kristian
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLLIDAY, JAIME MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US13/099,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20120019418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 4555755-5757, 455/413
• US Class Current: 455/575.7
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0442 with particular tuning means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0464 Annular ring patch
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0277 for a printed circuit board assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing that may include an electrically conductive continuous ring defining a perimeter of the portable housing. The electrically conductive continuous ring may be configured to function as an antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing and may include an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane. The mobile wireless communications device may further include wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB and coupled to the antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may also include an electrically conductive shorting member coupled between the electrically conductive continuous ring and the ground plane.

Claims

1. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:

a portable housing comprising an electrically conductive continuous closed ring defining a perimeter of said portable housing, said electrically conductive continuous closed ring configured to function as an antenna;

a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by said portable housing and comprising an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane;

wireless transceiver circuitry carried by said PCB and electrically coupled to said antenna; and

at least one electrically conductive first mechanical fastener electrically and mechanically coupled between said electrically conductive continuous closed ring and said ground plane; and

at least one second electrically conductive mechanical fastener mechanically coupled between said electrically conductive continuous closed ring and said PCB but not electrically coupled to said PCB.

2. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive continuous closed ring comprises metal.

3. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein said PCB and said electrically conductive continuous closed ring are positioned to define an air gap therebetween.

4. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 1, further comprising a dielectric material body between said PCB and said electrically conductive continuous closed ring.

5. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein said wireless transceiver circuitry is configured to operate in the 800 MHz to 3.25 GHz frequency band.

6. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:

a portable housing comprising an electrically conductive continuous closed ring defining a perimeter of said portable housing, said electrically conductive continuous closed ring configured to function as an antenna;

a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by said portable housing and comprising an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane;

wireless transceiver circuitry carried by said PCB and electrically coupled to said antenna;

a plurality of electrically conductive first mechanical fasteners coupled between said electrically conductive continuous closed ring and said ground plane; and

at least one second electrically conductive mechanical fastener mechanically coupled between said electrically conductive continuous closed ring and said PCB but not electrically coupled to said PCB.

7. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of electrically conductive first mechanical fasteners are spaced apart.

8. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 6, wherein said electrically conductive continuous closed ring comprises metal.

9. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 6, wherein said PCB and said electrically conductive continuous closed ring are positioned to define an air gap therebetween.

10. The mobile wireless communications device according to claim 6, further comprising a dielectric material body between said PCB and said electrically conductive continuous closed ring.

11. A method of making a mobile wireless communications device comprising:

forming a portable housing having an electrically conductive continuous closed ring defining a perimeter thereof, the electrically conductive continuous closed ring being configured to function as an antenna;

positioning a printed circuit board (PCB) within the portable housing and comprising an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane;

electrically coupling wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB to the antenna; and

coupling at least one electrically conductive first mechanical fasteners between the electrically conductive continuous closed ring and the ground plane; and

mechanically coupling at least one second electrically conductive mechanical fastener between the electrically conductive continuous closed ring and the PCB so that it is not electrically coupled to the PCB.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein coupling the at least one electrically conductive first mechanical fastener comprises coupling a plurality of electrically conductive first mechanical fasteners.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive first mechanical fasteners are spaced apart.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the electrically conductive continuous closed ring comprises metal.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising positioning the PCB to define an air gap with the electrically conductive continuous closed ring.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising positioning a dielectric material body between the PCB and the electrically conductive continuous closed ring.