Mechanical spring antenna and radiotelephones incorporating same
AssigneeEricsson Inc.
InventorsRodney A. Dolman, Russell Evans Winstead, Gerard J. Hayes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spring member internally mounted within an electronic device, such as a radiotelephone, serves both as a mechanical device for urging a flip cover to an open position and as an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting wireless communications signals.
Claims56
An antenna system for an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a housing, and wherein the housing is configured to enclose a receiver that receives wireless communication signals, the antenna system comprising:
- a hinge rotatably fixed to the housing;
- an appendage secured to the hinge and rotatable therewith about a first axis and along a predetermined path of rotation from a closed position adjacent the housing to an open position extending away from the housing;
- and
- first and second electrically conductive spring members disposed within the hinge, wherein at least one of the first and second spring members is configured to exert a biasing force on the appendage to urge the appendage to the open position, wherein the first and second spring members each have opposite end portions, wherein the first and second spring members are in electrical communication with the receiver, and wherein the first and second spring members are configured to operate within respective first and second frequency bands throughout the predetermined path of rotation of the appendage to receive wireless communication signals.
An antenna system for an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a housing, and wherein the housing is configured to enclose a receiver that receives wireless communication signals, the antenna system comprising:
- a hinge rotatably fixed to the housing;
- an appendage secured to the hinge and rotatable therewith about a first axis and along a predetermined path of rotation from a closed position adjacent the housing to an open position extending away from the housing;
- an antenna extending from the housing, wherein the antenna is in electrical communication with the receiver and is configured to receive wireless communications signals;
- and
- an electrically conductive spring member disposed within the hinge, wherein the spring member is configured to exert a biasing force on the appendage to urge the appendage to the open position, wherein the spring member is in electrical communication with the antenna and the receiver, and wherein the spring member is configured to receive wireless communication signals.
An antenna system for an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a housing, and wherein the housing is configured to enclose a receiver that receives wireless communication signals, the antenna system comprising:
- a hinge rotatably fixed to the housing;
- an antenna secured to the hinge and rotatable therewith about a first axis and along a predetermined path of rotation from a stored position adjacent the housing to an operating position extending away from the housing, wherein the antenna is in electrical communication with the receiver and is configured to receive wireless communications signals;
- and
- an electrically conductive spring member disposed within the hinge, wherein the spring member is configured to exert a biasing force on the antenna to urge the antenna to the operating position, wherein the spring member is in electrical communication with the antenna and the receiver, and wherein the spring member is configured to receive wireless communication signals.
An antenna system for an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a housing, and wherein the housing is configured to enclose a receiver that receives wireless communication signals, the antenna system comprising:
- a hinge rotatably fixed to the housing;
- an appendage secured to the hinge and rotatable therewith about a first axis and along a predetermined path of rotation from a closed position adjacent the housing to an open position extending away from the housing;
- and
- an electrically conductive spring member disposed within the hinge, wherein the spring member is configured to exert a biasing force on the appendage to urge the appendage to the open position, wherein the spring member is in electrical communication with the receiver, and wherein the spring member is configured to receive wireless communication signals.
A radiotelephone, comprising:
- a housing configured to enclose a transceiver that transmits and receives radiotelephone communications signals;
- a hinge rotatably fixed to the housing;
- a flip cover secured to the hinge and rotatable therewith about a first axis and along a predetermined path of rotation from a closed position adjacent the housing to an open position extending away from the housing;
- and
- an electrically conductive spring member disposed within the hinge, wherein the spring member is configured to exert a biasing force on the flip cover to urge the flip cover to the open position, wherein the spring member is in electrical communication with the transceiver, and wherein the spring member is configured to receive wireless communication signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.