Abstract: A self-contained sliding assembly for use with a sliding handset of the type having a keyboard part and a display part that are configured to slidably engage one another into fully open and fully closed positions, where the sliding assembly includes at least one elongated guide rail, a housing configured to engage the at least one guide rail and to move slidably along a length thereof, and a biasing assembly for biasing relative sliding movement of the guide rail and the housing, where the biasing assembly is configured to include open and closed stop positions and a maximum load position at a predetermined point between the open and closed stop positions.

Abstract: Parallel plane rotation hinge for a portable device. The hinge includes a pin defining a rotational axis and a cam having an inner cam track and an outer cam track. A bushing is rotationally fixed and axially slidable with respect to the pin, and includes inner and outer followers for respectively rotationally engaging the inner and outer cam tracks. A biasing member is disposed about the pin to bias the bushing against the cam.

Abstract: Multiple band antenna for mounting to a portable device. The antenna comprises a piece of conductive metal including a half-bowtie portion shaped to define a monopole and folded to provide a plurality of planar surfaces together generally enclosing a volume. A flexible spring contact extends from the half-bowtie portion. The spring contact is configured for engaging a contact of the portable device.

Abstract: Antenna assembly for a portable device. The antenna assembly includes a nonconductive base, a conductive bushing held within a lower end of the base, and a flex antenna wrapped around the base. The flex antenna includes a trace having substantially all of its length disposed around an upper end of the base axially away from the conductive bushing and terminating in a flexible end contact that extends over the bushing. A conductive mechanism engages the conductive bushing and presses the flexible end contact against the bushing. The conductive mechanism includes an exposed elongated contact. A whip antenna extends through the nonconductive base, and includes a nonconductive extension extending from a top end thereof and a lower contact for electrically contacting the bushing when the whip antenna is extended relative to the base.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods, devices and systems for receiving satellite radio broadcast signals by a portable device with multiple complementary antennas. Portable device, as used herein, indicates a device having a size that may be conveniently carried by a person in the fashion of portable AM/FM radios, CD players, MP3 players, etc. For example, the device may be clipped to an article of clothing. The invention particularly concerns a portable device antenna system for receiving a satellite radio broadcast. In an embodiment of the invention, a portable satellite radio device includes primary and supplemental antennas. The primary antenna covers a substantial portion of the azimuth direction and a vertical elevation within the range of about 20 to 60 degrees of vertical elevation. In one embodiment the primary antenna is a circularly polarized antenna. In use, however, part of the coverage in the azimuth direction will normally be blocked by a body of a person.

Abstract: A retractable antenna for a wireless communicator includes an elongate radiator that slides through a helical radiator. An electrical contact alternately contacts one of the elongate radiator and the helical radiator depending on a position of the elongate radiator relative to the helical radiator. Mechanical disengagement is accomplished by the movement of the elongate radiator into a contact position with the electrical contact to disengage the helical conductor. A preferred feature of the antenna is that one of the helical radiator and elongate radiator make electrical contact with the wireless communicator circuits, even when the antenna is placed between a fully refracted and fully extended position. Multiple band operation is another feature of the retractable antenna due to its periodic nature. Ease of assembly is achieved through preferred individual snap fit components.

Abstract: A multiple bandwidth antenna assembly including a helical radiator having at least a first helical pitch and a second helical pitch, a core plug having a first axial piece and a second axial piece, and a first recessed pattern configured on the first axial piece to engage at least the first helical pitch and a second recessed pattern configured on the second axial piece to engage at least the second helical pitch.

Abstract: A multiple bandwidth antenna assembly including a helical radiator having at least a first helical pitch and a second helical pitch, a core plug having a first axial piece and a second axial piece, and a first recessed pattern configured on the first axial piece to engage at least the first helical pitch and a second recessed pattern configured on the second axial piece to engage at least the second helical pitch.

Abstract: A self-contained hinge assembly for use in a flip device of the type having a main part and a flip part that are joined to permit opening and closing of the flip part, wherein the hinge assembly includes a cam having a biasing surface, a cam follower operationally associated the biasing surface, a biasing member for urging the cam and cam follower together and having a longitudinal axis oriented in a first direction extending from underneath the cam follower surface, a housing for closely holding at least the cam and the cam follower, and a rotatable key member operably associated with and extending from an end portion of the cam and out of the housing in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, the key member configured to engage the flip part of the flip device.

Abstract: A multiband PIFA (planar inverted-F) antenna. A preferred embodiment makes use of a spiral slot. The spiral slot is formed to cause multiple frequency dependent nulls in the antenna's electric field modal distribution. The preferred embodiment antenna has a single element patch radiator formed on a dielectric support in an inverted-F relationship with a first ground plane. The dielectric support may be part of a device housing or internal board, e.g., a PCB board. The patch radiator includes a spiral slot. A feed is made to the single element patch radiator in a location relative to the spiral slot to ensure that portions of the single element patch radiator enclosed by the spiral slot are fed as a series extension of another portion of said patch radiator. According to a preferred embodiment, the patch radiator may be formed from a single conductive sheet, plating or deposit along with the shorting post and feed.

Abstract: A multiband PIFA (planar inverted-F) antenna. A preferred embodiment makes use of a spiral slot. The spiral slot is formed to cause multiple frequency dependent nulls in the antenna's electric field modal distribution. The preferred embodiment antenna has a single element patch radiator formed on a dielectric support in an inverted-F relationship with a first ground plane. The dielectric support may be part of a device housing or internal board, e.g., a PCB board. The patch radiator includes a spiral slot. A feed is made to the single element patch radiator in a location relative to the spiral slot to ensure that portions of the single element patch radiator enclosed by the spiral slot are fed as a series extension of another portion of said patch radiator. According to a preferred embodiment, the patch radiator may be formed from a single conductive sheet, plating or deposit along with the shorting post and feed.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual mode antenna. The antenna of the invention connects in an inverted-F feed when in a retracted position, and in a monopole feed in an extended position. The antenna mounts adjacent a relatively large ground plane, such as a grounding shell or EMI shield included in a laptop computer display, for example. A preferred antenna includes an elongate radiator mounted in a non-conductive housing to permit retraction and extension of the elongate radiator. The housing includes electrical contact points that form an inverted-F feed antenna connection to the elongate radiator when the elongate radiator is in a retracted position. The electrical contact points form a monopole feed antenna connection to the elongate radiator when the elongate radiator is in an extended position.

Abstract: A preferred compact antenna assembly of the invention includes a nonconductive hollow core plug. The core plug has a recessed pattern on an outside surface into which a helical radiator is wound. An end portion of the helical radiator extends through a hole in the core plug to contact a center radiator extending in the hollow portion. A cover covers the helical radiator. Preferably, the entire assembly is configured to snap-fit together and to a device. The cover and core plug may snap-fit together. The bottom of the core plug may define a mount and the center radiator may be exposed from the mount as a device contact. The center radiator is also preferably shaped to grab onto the helical radiator. The recess pattern and hole on the core plug allow formation of the helical radiator having the exact pitch defined by the recess pattern by inserting a wire into the hole and applying pressure to the wire while rotating the core plug and wire vis a vis each other to wind the wire into the recess pattern.

Abstract: A retractable antenna for a wireless communicator includes an elongate radiator that slides through a helical radiator. An electrical contact alternately contacts one of the elongate radiator and the helical radiator depending on a position of the elongate radiator relative to the helical radiator. Mechanical disengagement is accomplished by the movement of the elongate radiator into a contact position with the electrical contact to disengage the helical conductor. A preferred feature of the antenna is that one of the helical radiator and elongate radiator make electrical contact with the wireless communicator circuits, even when the antenna is placed between a fully retracted and fully extended position. Multiple band operation is another feature of the retractable antenna due to its periodic nature. Ease of assembly is achieved preferred through individual snap fit components.

Abstract: A retractable antenna for a wireless communicator includes an elongate radiator that slides through a helical radiator. An electrical contact alternately contacts one of the elongate radiator and the helical radiator depending on a position of the elongate radiator relative to the helical radiator. Mechanical disengagement is accomplished by the movement of the elongate radiator into a contact position with the electrical contact to disengage the helical conductor. A preferred feature of the antenna is that one of the helical radiator and elongate radiator make electrical contact with the wireless communicator circuits, even when the antenna is placed between a fully retracted and fully extended position. Multiple band operation is another feature of the retractable antenna due to its periodic nature. Ease of assembly is achieved through individual snap fit components.

Abstract: An antenna structure incorporating a unitary radiator including a compression housing. The compression housing snap fits to a ferrule to compress the unitary radiator to ensure electrical contact between the unitary radiator and an electrical contact, such as the ferrule. Upon assembly, the compression housing is snap fit to the ferrule to compress the radiator. Preferably, to accommodate snap fit construction, an end of the ferrule includes at least one detent that corresponds to at least one projection on the compression housing. Another end of the ferrule preferably includes at least one projection that corresponds to at least one detent on the portable communicator to achieve a snap fit between the ferrule and the portable communicator. To accommodate two bands, the unitary radiator preferably has a generally helical shape formed by an outer portion thereof and a center portion disposed within the outer portion.

Abstract: An efficient and repeatable method for manufacturing a protectively coated helical conductor antenna. The helical conductor is threaded onto a temporary, removable support, such as a bolt including a shaped head and a shank having threads to hold the helical conductor. After being threaded on the bolt, the entire winding and the bolt shank are placed within an injection mold cavity. The mold also includes a recess outside of the injection cavity for accommodating the bolt head, with the recess being shaped to permit a specific orientation for the bolt. The shape of the bolt head and the recess define a repeatable orientation for the bolt and helical conductor. As a result, the point of injection relative to the helical winding may be exactly repeated time and time again. This allows selection of an injection point relative to the helical winding that produces minimal deformation, and the obtainment of consistent results thereby reducing variation and necessary manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A dual radiator galvanically coupled antenna for a portable communication device. The antenna includes separate elongate and upper radiators that respectively galvanically couple to phone circuits in extended and retracted states. An insulator, preferably thermoplastic, mechanically connects and electrically separates the elongate and upper radiators. In a preferred embodiment, a shaped conductor provides an electrode with a cup having a thinned wall which crimps onto an end of an upper helical radiator to make electrical contact thereto. The shaped conductor also forms an exposed galvanic electrical contact, and an enlarged knurled portion for mechanical connection to the insulator. A separate enlarged galvanic contact is formed at a terminal end of the elongate conductor. An additional preferred embodiment includes an upper rod galvanically coupled to the electrode and electrically parallel with the helical radiator.

Abstract: A retractable antenna for a portable communication device. The antenna retracts to a size within a portable communicator, such as a cell phone, which is smaller than the extended size of the antenna, while being flexible and otherwise suitable for the demanding environment of portable communicators. The antenna includes a contact sleeve which moves relative to an elongated conductor of the antenna, and also moves with the antenna while allowing the antenna to maintain electrical contact with another element in the antenna or the communicator. The sleeve may be connected to a helical conductor which forms part of the antenna and remains outside the housing of the portable communicator. Alternatively, the sleeve may be conductive on its inner and outer portions to move with and connect the elongated conductor to separate retracted and extended contact points within the portable communicator.