RFID antenna assembly for a hand-held device for reading RFID tags and method of assembling the same

A hand-held device for reading radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, comprising:

• a housing including a top portion, a front portion, and a handle;
• a main printed circuit board (PCB) positioned in the top portion of the housing;
• and
• an RFID antenna assembly positioned in the front portion of the housing and operatively connected to the main PCB;
• wherein the RFID antenna assembly comprises:
• a first PCB and a second PCB, spaced apart from and generally parallel to the first PCB, the first PCB and the second PCB configured to operate as an RFID antenna;
• a spacer;
• and
• a cable coupled to the first PCB and extending through a passage in the spacer and an opening in the second PCB, the cable operatively connecting the first PCB and the main PCB;
• wherein the first PCB is positioned proximate a first side of the spacer and is secured to the spacer;
• wherein the second PCB is positioned proximate a second side of the spacer, opposite the first side, and is secured to the spacer;
• and
• wherein a radiation pattern produced by the RFID antenna assembly is substantially directed away from a first side of the first PCB, opposite the spacer.

A method of assembling a radio-frequency identification (RFID) antenna assembly, comprising:

• coupling a cable to a first printed circuit board (PCB);
• passing the cable through a passage in a spacer;
• positioning the first PCB proximate a first side of the spacer and securing the first PCB to the spacer such that a radiation pattern produced by the RFID antenna assembly is substantially directed away from a first side of the first PCB, opposite the spacer;
• passing the cable through an opening formed in a second PCB, the first PCB and the second PCB configured to operate as an RFID antenna;
• and
• positioning the second PCB proximate a second side of the spacer, opposite the first side, and securing the second PCB to the spacer.