Retractable antenna for electronic devices

An antenna system comprising:

• a retractable antenna including a first end and a second end;
• and
• an actuating mechanism for moving the antenna between an extended position and a retracted position, the actuating mechanism comprising:
• an elongated tube at least partially disposed in an electronic device, the elongated tube including a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the antenna being configured to be stored in the tube when the antenna is in the retracted position;
• a resilient member disposed in the first end of the elongated tube;
• a support member slidably disposed in the elongated tube proximate the resilient member;
• a pivoting member slidably disposed in the elongated tube, the pivoting member including a first end configured to contact the support member and a second end that contacts the antenna;
• a first flange disposed on an inner surface of the elongated tube;
• and
• a second flange disposed on the inner surface of the elongated tube;
• wherein the support member is releasably connected to the first flange when the antenna is in the retracted position and the support member is releasably connected to the second flange where the antenna is in the extended position.

A method for selectively extending and retracting an antenna suitable for wireless communication, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a housing of an electronic device;
• providing a retractable antenna that is substantially disposed inside the housing in a retracted position and substantially disposed outside the housing in an extended position;
• providing an actuating mechanism that is attached to housing of the electronic device and configured to assist in moving the antenna between the extended moving the antenna between the extended position and the retracted position;
• extending the retractable antenna by depressing an end of the antenna such that the actuating mechanism moves the antenna from the retracted position to the extended position;
• and
• retracting the retractable antenna by depressing an end of the antenna such that the actuating mechanism moves the antenna from the extended position to the retracted position.

An electronic device capable of wireless communication, the electronic device comprising:

• a communications card including a housing and a printed circuit board at least partially disposed within the housing;
• a receiving portion disposed in the communications card;
• and
• a modular portion sized and configured to be removably attached to the receiving portion of the communications card, the modular portion including a retractable antenna with a first end and a second end, the modular portion including at least a portion of:
• a retractable antenna including a first end and a second end;
• and
• an actuating mechanism for moving the antenna between an extended position and a retracted position, the actuating mechanism comprising:
• an elongated tube at least partially disposed in an electronic device, the elongated tube including a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the antenna being configured to be stored in the tube when the antenna is in the retracted position;
• a resilient member disposed in the first end of the elongated tube;
• an antenna extender slidingly disposed within the elongated tube proximate the resilient member;
• a selector slidingly disposed within the elongated tube, the selector including a first end attached to the antenna and a second end configured to engage the antenna extender;
• and
• a plurality of guide tracks disposed on an inner surface of the elongated tube, the guide tracks being sized and configured to guide the movement of the antenna extender and the selector through the elongated tube such that the antenna is selectably movable between the extended position and the retracted position.

An electronic device capable of wireless communication, the electronic device comprising:

• a communications card including a housing and a printed circuit board at least partially disposed within the housing;
• a receiving portion disposed in the communications card;
• and
• a modular portion sized and configured to be removably attached to the receiving portion of the communications card, the modular portion including a retractable antenna including a first end and a second end, the modular connector including at least a portion of:
• an actuating mechanism for moving the antenna between an extended position and a retracted position, the actuating mechanism comprising:
• an elongated tube at least partially disposed in an electronic device, the elongated tube including a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the antenna being configured to be stored in the tube when the antenna is in the retracted position;
• a resilient member disposed in the first end of the elongated tube;
• a support member slidably disposed in the elongated tube proximate the resilient member;
• a pivoting member slidably disposed in the elongated tube, the pivoting member including a first end that contacts the support member and a second end that contacts the antenna;
• a first flange disposed on an inner surface of the elongated tube;
• and
• a second flange disposed on the inner surface of the elongated tube;
• wherein the support member is releasably connected to the first flange when the antenna is in the retracted position and the support member is releasably connected to the second flange where the antenna is in the extended position.