Multi-band antenna system including a retractable antenna and a meander antenna

In combination with a wireless communication device including a housing having upper and lower ends, and a transceiver circuit disposed within the housing, comprising:

• a retractable antenna mounted on said housing and being movable between a retracted
• position and an extended position;
• and a multi-band meander antenna mounted on said housing;
• said meander antenna comprising:
• (a) a flexible dielectric substrate having upper and lower ends;
• (b) first and second meander radiating elements, having upper and lower ends, formed on said substrate which are positioned between the said upper and lower ends thereof;
• (c) said first and second meander radiating elements including a plurality of alternating loops with each loop thereof having open and closed ends;
• (d) said first meander radiating element resonating at a lower frequency band;
• (e) said second meander radiating element resonating at a higher frequency band;
• (f) a third, generally elongated radiating element formed on said substrate between said first and second meander radiating elements and having upper and lower ends;
• (g) said third radiating element resonating in a frequency near the frequency of said higher frequency band;
• (h) a feed line electrically connecting said lower ends of said first and second meander radiating elements.

An antenna system for a wireless communication device including a housing, having upper and lower ends, and a transceiver circuit disposed within the housing, comprising:

• an RF connector having upper and lower ends;
• said RF connector having means thereon for connection to the transceiver circuit when the antenna system is mounted on the wireless communication device;
• said RF connector having an enlarged diameter portion formed thereon between its upper and lower ends defining an annular shoulder;
• a first generally cylindrical, hollow plastic housing member having upper and lower ends;
• said lower end of said first housing member embracing said upper end of said RF connector above said shoulder;
• a hollow, generally cylindrical dielectric spacer positioned within the interior of said first housing member;
• a flexible dielectric substrate wrapped around said dielectric spacer;
• said substrate having inner and outer surfaces;
• a meander radiator formed on said outer surface of said substrate which is electrically connected to said RF connector;
• a second generally cylindrical plastic housing member embracing said first housing member;
• and a retractable whip antenna movably mounted in said wireless communication device housing and said dielectric spacer;
• said whip antenna being movable between retracted and extended positions.

In combination with a wireless communication device including a housing having upper and lower ends, and a transceiver circuit disposed within the housing, comprising:

• a retractable antenna mounted on said housing and being movable between a retracted
• position and an extended position;
• a multi-band meander antenna mounted on said housing;
• said meander antenna comprising:
• (a) a flexible dielectric substrate having upper and lower ends;
• (b) first and second meander radiating elements, having upper and lower ends, formed on said substrate which are positioned between the said upper and lower ends thereof;
• (c) said first and second meander radiating elements including a plurality of alternating loops with each loop thereof having open and closed ends;
• (d) said first meander radiating element resonating at a lower frequency band;
• (e) said second meander radiating element resonating at a higher frequency band;
• (f) a third, generally elongated radiating element formed on said substrate between said first and second meander radiating elements and having upper and lower ends;
• (g) said third radiating element resonating in a frequency near the frequency of said higher frequency band;
• (h) a feed line electrically connecting said lower ends of said first and second meander radiating elements said feed line being electrically connected to an RF connector.