Abstract: An antenna grounding assembly for a hand-held device, the grounding assembly comprising: an antenna having an antenna shaft connected between a grounding block and a protective sheath; an antenna tube affixed within the hand-held device and holding the antenna, the antenna tube having an upper end through which the antenna shaft is extended or retracted, and an inner end opposite the upper end; and a grounding clip installed into the inner end of the antenna tube, the grounding clip having a base and at least one contact pin extending axially along the antenna tube for resilient contact with the grounding block.

Abstract: The display screen unit of a cell phone or PDA is carried in a mounting frame, which is bolted into the casing. The screen unit is sandwiched between cushioning layers of foam. The screen unit can move laterally, relative to the mounting frame, putting the foam in shear, in response to an edge or corner impact. Springy tabs are bent up from the metal backing plate of the screen unit, and these springy tabs serve to cushion the impact of the screen unit against the mounting frame, in response to the edge or corner impact, leading to a marked improvement in drop test performance. As a production-line benefit, the springy tabs also permit the screen unit to rest on the lip of the mounting frame, enabling the screen unit to be accurately positioned in the mounting frame just before the screen unit is finally pressed down into contact with the securing adhesive.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus has two rows of multi-function keys that together bear actuation indicia for the numerals 0-9 and the letters A-Z. The actuation indicia preferably defines four rows of characters, including a first row of characters that include the numerals 0-9, and further including second, third, and fourth rows of characters that together include the letters A-Z. Summarized differently, the keyboard apparatus has rows of multi-function keys bearing actuation indicia for the numerals 0-9 and the letters A-Z. The keys in each row are vertically staggered, from the perspective of a top view in which the rows are horizontal, to define circular arrays of keys within the rows of keys. An independent feature of the keyboard apparatus is a circular array of at least six multi-function keys having triangular peripheral shapes pointing radially inward.

Abstract: An antenna mount comprising a front cylindrical mount, the front cylindrical mount having a threaded interior for installing an antenna; a flanged central portion; a base mount consisting of a hollow cylinder cut away along a longitudinal axis, leaving a half-circular cross section. The antenna mount can be installed by inserting it into an opening in the casing of a device and rotating the antenna mount until it abuts a stop stud.

Abstract: A system and method of acoustically safe automatic handsfree volume adjustment on mobile communication devices is provided. When the device is selected to operate in handsfree mode, the system automatically defaults to an acoustically safe volume profile such that the device does not cause hearing damage.