Antenna clip

• US 8,866,679 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Golko, Albert, Jarvis, Daniel W., Alvarez, Felix
• Primary Examiner(s): Levi, Dameon E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dawkins, Collin
• Application Number:
  US12/703,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20110193751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/873, 343/872
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

Certain embodiments may take the form of an electronic device having a metal housing encapsulating operative circuitry for the device. The electronic device includes an attachment member coupled to the metal housing at an attachment point. An antenna is coupled to the attachment member and communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry in the metal housing via the attachment point to enable the electronic device to communicate wirelessly.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a metal housing encapsulating all operative circuitry for the device;

an attachment member that encapsulates no operative circuitry for the device coupled to the metal housing at an attachment member hinge; and

an antenna at least partially enclosed within a radio frequency transparent material at least partially enclosed within the attachment member and communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry in the metal housing via the attachment member hinge,

wherein the attachment member maintains the antenna a threshold distance away from the metal housing at all times, the threshold distance being a distance at which the metal housing does not interfere with operation of the antenna.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry with a coaxial conduit routed through the attachment member hinge.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry via a flex microstrip.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry via a slidable coupling.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the slidable coupling comprises:

a first conductive member fixed to a surface of the metal housing proximal to the attachment member hinge and communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry; and

a second conductive member fixed to a surface of the attachment member at the attachment member hinge and communicatively coupled to the antenna, wherein the first and second member are rotatably, electrically coupled.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the slidable coupling comprises:

an electrical conduit coupled the operative circuitry, the electrical conduit passing through the attachment member hinge and having an exposed terminal end; and

a conductive pad positioned on a surface of the attachment member, the conductive pad being coupled to the antenna, wherein the exposed terminal end of the electrical conduit contacts the contact pad.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the exposed terminal end of the electrical conduit is shaped to provide a spring-like characteristics.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is configured to rotate relative to the housing at a coupling point.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the attachment member is configured to clip on to an article of clothing.

10. A small form factor, metal housed electronic device comprising:

a metal housing encapsulating all operative circuitry for the electronic device;

a radio frequency (RF) component located within the metal housing;

an attachment member moveably coupled to the metal housing that encapsulates no operative circuitry for the electronic device;

an antenna located on the attachment member, wherein the antenna is at least partially enclosed within the attachment member which maintains the antenna a threshold distance away from the metal housing at all times, the threshold distance being a distance at which the metal housing does not interfere with operation of the antenna; and

a conduit communicatively coupling the RF component and the antenna.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the attachment member is coupled to the metal housing via a hinge pin and the conduit passes adjacent to the hinge pin.

12. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the antenna is compatible with RF signals in the 2.4 GHz band.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the attachment member is metal and the antenna is at least partially enclosed within a cutout portion of the attachment member.

14. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the conduit comprises one of a flex microstrip or a coaxial connection.

15. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein conduit is movably coupled to the antenna.

16. The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the conduit is rotatably coupled to another conduit at a coupling point of the attachment member and the metal housing.

17. The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the conduit is configured to contact a contact pad, the contact pad being coupled to the antenna.

18. A method of manufacturing a metallic, small form factor electronic device comprising:

milling a metal housing;

milling a metal attachment member;

relief cutting a portion of the attachment member;

filling the relief cut portion of attachment member with an RF transparent material;

positioning an antenna at least partially enclosed within the relief cut portion of the attachment member which maintains the antenna a threshold distance away from the metal housing at all times, the threshold distance being a distance at which the metal housing does not interfere with operation of the antenna;

securing components within the metal housing, the metal housing encapsulating all operative circuitry for the electronic device and the attachment member encapsulating no operative circuitry for the electronic device;

providing a conduit connection external to the housing that is communicatively coupled to the RF component in the metal housing;

sealing the metal housing;

communicatively coupling the antenna and the conduit; and

coupling the metal housing and the metal attachment member using a hinge pin.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein positioning the antenna comprises insert molding the antenna into the relief cut portion of the attachment member.