ANTENNA CLIP

• US 20110193751A1
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Alvarez, Felix, Golko, Albert, Jarvis, Daniel W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,866,679 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 operative circuitry for the device;

an attachment member coupled to the metal housing at an attachment point; and

an antenna coupled to the attachment member and communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry in the metal housing via the attachment point.

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

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 sliding contact.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the sliding contact comprises:

a first contact member fixed to a surface of the metal housing at the attachment point and communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry; and

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

6. The device of claim 4 wherein the sliding contact comprises:

an electrical conduit coupled the operative circuitry, the electrical conduit passing through the attachment point 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 coupled to the metal housing with a metallic linking member and, wherein further the linking member is the antenna.

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

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

a metal housing;

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

an attachment clip moveably coupled to the metal housing;

an antenna located on the attachment clip; and

a conduit communicatively coupling the RF component and the antenna.

11. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the attachment clip 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 antenna is located at least a threshold distance from the metal housing.

14. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the attachment clip is metal and the antenna is located in a cutout portion of the attachment clip.

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

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

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

18. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein the conduit is configured to contact a contact pad, the contact pad being coupled to the antenna.

19. 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 in the relief cut portion of the attachment member;

securing components within the metal housing;

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.

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