Electronic device detachable antenna assembly

• US 7,579,993 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Doczy, Paul J., Lev, Jeffrey A., Tracy, Mark S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; HoangAnh T
• Application Number:
  US11/591,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20080100518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/904, 343/906
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles

Abstract

An electronic device detachable antenna assembly comprises a connector member coupled to an electronic device and configured to receive an external antenna in pluggable engagement therewith, the antenna and the connector member movable between a stored position on the electronic device and an extended position relative to the electronic device.

Claims

1. A notebook computer, comprising:

a base;

a display rotatably coupled to the base and including an externally disposed recess;

an antenna; and

a connector member disposed in the recess, connected to the antenna, and rotating to move the antenna from a stored position in the recess to an extended position outside of the recess, wherein an extension removably plugs into an opening to frictionally connect the antenna to the connector member.

2. The notebook computer of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes two extensions that plug into two openings in the connector member to frictionally connect the antenna to the connector member and enable the antenna and connector member to be removably connected together.

3. The notebook computer of claim 1, wherein the recess is an elongated opening formed in a housing of the display and is shaped to receive the antenna in the stored position.

4. The notebook computer of claim 1, wherein the antenna is flush with a surface of the display in the stored position to reduce damaging contact with the antenna.

5. The notebook computer of claim 1, further comprising a spacer interchangeably coupleable to the connector member in place of the antenna.

6. The notebook computer of claim 1, wherein the extension breaks upon an excessive force applied to the antenna so the antenna detaches from the connector member to eliminate damage to the connector member and the display.

7. The notebook computer of claim 1, wherein the connector member and the antenna are pluggably engaged via a sacrificial extension.

8. A notebook computer, comprising:

a base;

a display connected to the base and including a housing with a recess;

an antenna disposed in the recess in a stored position; and

a connector member rotatably connected to the housing, wherein an end of the antenna and the connector member are secured and removably pluggable to each other with a frictional connection that includes an extension and an opening that receives the extension.

9. The notebook computer of claim 8, wherein the frictional connection includes two extensions extending from the antenna and two openings in the connector member.

10. The notebook computer of claim 8, wherein the connector member and antenna connect to each other via a sacrificial extension.

11. The notebook computer of claim 8, wherein the connector member and the antenna are both contained within the recess and a profile of the electronic device when in the stored position.

12. The notebook computer of claim 8, wherein the antenna includes extensions that frictionally engage openings in the connector member.

13. The notebook computer of claim 8, wherein the antenna automatically detaches from the connector member upon a force being applied to the antenna to reduce a likelihood of damage occurring to the connector member and the display.

14. A notebook computer, comprising:

a base;

a display connected to the base and including a recess;

an antenna; and

a connector member disposed in the recess, connected to the antenna, and rotating within the recess to move the antenna from a stored position located in the recess to an extended position located outside of the recess, wherein at least one extension plugs into an opening so the antenna frictionally engages the connector member to be removably pluggable with the connector member.

15. The notebook computer of claim 14 wherein the recess is elongated and shaped to store the connector member and antenna and protect the antenna against damage while the antenna is in the stored position.

16. The notebook computer of claim 14 wherein the antenna includes two extensions that plug into two openings in the connector member.

17. A notebook computer, comprising:

a housing with a display and a base;

an antenna movable between a stored position disposed in a recess of the housing and an extended position extending outwardly from the recess; and

a connector member that rotatably connects the antenna to the housing, wherein an extension fits into an opening to frictional secures and removably connect an end of the antenna to the connector member.

18. The notebook computer of claim 17, wherein the recess has an elongated shape located in a housing of the display.

19. The notebook computer of claim 17, wherein the antenna fits in the recess and is flush with a surface of the display in the stored position.

20. The notebook computer of claim 17, wherein the antenna includes two extensions that are in pluggable engagement with two openings in the connector member.