Abstract: A circuit board (10) has a frangible portion (12) for carrying information relating to the circuitry carried on the circuit board. The information is carried in the form of a label (18) or barcode, and identifies the version of the circuitry so that during manufacturing, and later during repair, the circuit can be correctly identified. The frangible portion is broken from the circuit board, but kept with the circuit board. In one embodiment, an adhesive label retains the frangible portion.

Abstract: A transmission line antenna (10) comprises first and second ends (14 & 16). Each end has a mounting portion defining a mounting height and an overlapping portion (18 & 20) defining an overlapping width. The overlapping portions are formed by bringing the ends around the ring and past each other, and are electrically connected together. The antenna is interconnected to a circuit board having a circuit impedance, and the mounting height and overlapping width are configured such that the antenna impedance matches the circuit impedance.

Abstract: An electrical interface (125, 215) interconnects an electrical device (110) with a removable battery package (120). The electrical interface (125, 215) includes deflectable cantilever contacts (260) that are preferably located within the battery package (120). Each cantilever contact (260) has a portion (261) anchored to a substrate (250), and a deflectable portion (262) biased against a housing member (240), which deflectable portion (262) is externally accessible via a slot (248) within the housing member (240). Preferably, the cantilever contacts (260) are located within a recessed area (245) on an interior surface (241) of the housing member (240). A corresponding projection (346) extends externally on the housing member (240). The external projection (346) facilitates a plug and socket arrangement for mating the battery (120) to the electrical device (110).

Abstract: A display system (100) includes a liquid crystal display (140) which incorporates annunciator areas (142). Each annunciator area (142) has an aperture (146,147,148), independently controlled, to allow the passage of light through the annunciator area (142). Independently controlled illumination (160,210,212,214) is positioned behind each annunciator area (142). The passage of light through each annunciator area (142) is controlled by opening and closing the aperture (146,147,148).

Abstract: A self-retaining knob assembly (200) includes a housing (150) and a hub (120). The housing (150) has a cavity(157) for receiving a key (135) and a rotation track (160) about the cavity (157). The hub (120) has an integral key (135) and is rotatably mounted within the cavity (157) and within the rotation track (160). While being mounted, the key (135) is guided into the rotation track (160) by a guide member (266) integrally located on the housing (150). The housing (150) has retaining members (261,262) which cooperate with the key (135) to substantially restrict the removal of the key (135) from within the cavity (157) after the key (135) is mounted.

Abstract: An electronic device assembly (100)includes a chassis (102), printed circuit boards (108 and 110), and a shield member (128). By placing the circuit boards (108 and 110) inside of chassis (102) and then engaging shield member (128), the printed circuits boards (108 and 110) are retained in place and shielded without the use of any other components. Shield member (128) includes a set of spring fingers (114) having tabs (116) which latch onto recesses (106) located on the side walls (132) of chassis (102). Upon the shield member (128) being engaged to chassis (102), the side walls (122) located on shield (128) press against printed circuit boards (108 and 110) and retain them in position without the use of additional fasteners.

Abstract: Switch assembly (100) includes a housing (112) having a pair of spring finger contacts (114and 116) and a circuit board (144). A spring loaded actuator (134) is slideably located within housing (112) between first and second switching positions. Actuator (134) includes a pair of conductive wipers (136 and 138) which move relative to metalized traces (146, 148 and 150) located on the top surface of circuit board (144). Switch assembly (100) provides for a compact surface mountable switch which is capable of switching RF signals between a radio antenna (618) and an external accessory connector while minimizing electrical signal path lengths and moving parts in the switch assembly.

Abstract: A display system (100) includes a liquid crystal display (110), a lightpipe (130), and a support structure such as a printed circuit board (160). The lightpipe (130) has integrally formed retaining members (232) to secure the liquid crystal display (110), and integrally formed mounting members (346) to mount and secure the lightpipe (130) to the support structure (160). The liquid crystal display (110) mounts onto the lightpipe (130) and is secured by the retaining members (232). The lightpipe (130) mounts onto the support structure (160) and is secured by the mounting members (346).