Antenna system for a portable communications device

• US 7,796,089 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Global Communications, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zwick, David J., Packer, Malcolm
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US11/565,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20080129607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/718, 343/872, 343/860
• US Class Current: 343/718
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407

Abstract

An antenna system (100, 500) for a portable communication device (112) is provided. The antenna system is comprised of a retaining structure (204), an antenna flap (206), and a first pivot coupling (212). The retaining structure provides a means for securing the retaining structure to the portable communication device. The antenna flap includes an antenna structure (302). The antenna structure is comprised of an antenna radiating element (600) and/or an antenna impedance matching network (652). The first pivot coupling pivotally connects the antenna flap to the retaining structure. The first pivot coupling is configured to allow the antenna flap to pivot freely on the first pivot coupling responsive to a force of gravity acting on the antenna flap. The retaining structure is configured as a holster in which the portable communication device can be disposed.

Claims

1. An antenna system for a portable communication device, comprising:

a retaining structure comprising means for securing said retaining structure to said portable communication device;

an antenna flap comprising an antenna radiating element;

a first pivot coupling which pivotally secures said antenna flap to said retaining structure;

a support flap comprising at least one flap securing structure configured for securing said support flap to a user;

a second pivot coupling which pivotally secures said support flap to said retaining structure; and

wherein said first pivot coupling is configured to allow said antenna flap to pivot freely relative to said retaining structure on said first pivot coupling responsive to a force of gravity acting on said antenna flap.

2. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein said antenna flap is a planar structure.

3. The antenna system according to claim 2, wherein said planar structure has a peripheral edge which conforms to an exterior profile of said portable communication device.

4. The antenna system according to claim 2, wherein said first pivot coupling and said planar structure are each positioned so that said planar structure can automatically pivot to a position adjacent to an exterior panel of said portable communication device when said portable communication device is secured to said retaining structure.

5. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein said antenna radiating element is disposed on an antenna structure formed of a planar dielectric substrate.

6. The antenna system according to claim 5, wherein said antenna flap further comprises an antenna impedance matching network.

7. An antenna system for a portable communication device, comprising:

a retaining structure configured as a holster in which said portable communication device can be disposed, and comprising means for securing said retaining structure to said portable communication device;

an antenna flap comprising an antenna radiating element;

a first pivot coupling which pivotally secures said antenna flap to said retaining structure; and

wherein said first pivot coupling is configured to allow said antenna flap to pivot freely on said first pivot coupling responsive to a force of gravity acting on said antenna flap;

wherein said holster further comprises a second pivot coupling pivotally connects said holster to a support flap, said support flap comprising at least one flap securing structure configured for securing said support flap to a user.

8. The antenna system according to claim 7, wherein said first pivot coupling is disposed on a first side of said holster, and said second pivot coupling is disposed on a second side of said holster opposed from said first side.

9. The antenna system according to claim 7, wherein said first pivot coupling is disposed at a location on said holster which is adjacent to an upper portion of said portable communication device opposed from said second pivot coupling.

10. An antenna system for a portable communication device, comprising:

a holster in which a portable communication device can be carried;

an antenna flap comprising an antenna radiating element; and

a first pivot coupling which pivotally connects said antenna flap to said holster;

a second pivot coupling which pivotally connects said holster to a support flap, said support flap comprising at least one flap securing structure configured for securing said support flap to a user.

11. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein said first pivot coupling is configured to allow said antenna flap to pivot freely on said first pivot coupling responsive to a force of gravity acting on said antenna flap.

12. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein said first pivot coupling is comprised of a fabric web forming a portion of said holster.

13. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein said holster is formed from a fabric web.

14. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein said first pivot coupling is disposed on a first side of said holster, and said second pivot coupling is disposed on a second side of said holster opposed from said first side.

15. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein said first pivot coupling is disposed at a location on said holster which is adjacent to an upper end portion of said portable communication device opposed from said second pivot coupling.

16. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein said antenna flap is a planar structure.

17. The antenna system according to claim 16, wherein said planar structure has a peripheral edge which conforms to an exterior profile of said portable communication device.

18. The antenna system according to claim 16, wherein said first pivot coupling and said planar structure are each positioned so that said planar structure can pivot to a position adjacent to an exterior panel of said portable communication device when said portable communication device is stored in said holster.

19. The antenna system according to claim 10, wherein said antenna radiating element is disposed on an antenna structure formed of a planar dielectric substrate.

20. The antenna system according to claim 19, wherein said antenna flap is further comprised of an antenna impedance matching network.

21. An antenna system for a portable communications device, comprising:

an antenna flap comprising an antenna structure including an antenna radiating element; and

a retaining structure pivotally coupled to said antenna flap, said retaining structure configured for releasably securing said antenna flap to a portable communications device;

a support flap pivotally coupled to said retaining structure, said support flap comprising at least one flap securing for securing said support flap to a user; and

at least one fastening mechanism configured for releasably securing each of said antenna flap and said support flap in a position adjacent to said portable communication device on opposing sides thereof in a closed configuration; and

wherein said antenna flap and said support flap are configured to respectively pivot away from opposing sides of said portable communication device in an open configuration.

22. The antenna system according to claim 21, wherein said antenna flap is pivotally coupled at a first location on said retaining structure which is adjacent to an upper portion of said portable communication device when the retaining structure is secured to said portable communication device, and said support flap is pivotally coupled at a second location on said retaining structure which is adjacent to a lower portion of said portable communication device, opposed from the first location, when said retaining structure is secured to said portable communication device.