Patents Assigned to Centurion International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6188918
    Abstract: A retractable ½ wave antenna having an integral matching section that can be used on a cellular telephone will be matched to a transceiver circuit when extended. When the antenna is retracted, it acts as a ¼ wave antenna and will still be matched to the transceiver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark G. Cockson
  • Patent number: 6183681
    Abstract: A multi-stage method of insert molding is described including the steps of: providing a vertically movable first mold member with a cavity formed therein; providing a second mold member having a substantially flat upper molding surface; providing a third mold member having an upper end with a cavity formed therein; positioning an insert directly on the flat upper molding surface of the second mold member; positioning the first mold member with respect to the second mold member so that the cavity of the first mold member receives the insert; injecting a first flowable plastic material into the cavity in the first mold member to partially encapsulate the insert; allowing the first flowable plastic material to cool and solidify, thereby creating a first stage molding; removing the first mold member and the second stage molding from the second mold member; positioning the first mold member with respect to the third mold member so that the first stage molding registers with the cavity of the third mold member; inj
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Sullivan, Douglas McKeown
  • Patent number: 6181285
    Abstract: An antenna positioner is provided for use in an anechoic chamber to enable the radiation pattern of an antenna under test to be measured. A vertically disposed and selectively rotatable azimuth rotator pedestal is positioned in the anechoic chamber and a support is mounted on the pedestal for rotation therewith. A roll-axis shaft is mounted on the support for rotatably supporting the antenna under test. The roll-axis shaft rotator is positioned outside the anechoic chamber and has a horizontally disposed and horizontally movable connecting rod which is selectively movable into the chamber for connection to the roll-axis shaft to incrementally rotate the roll-axis shaft and the antenna under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Sullivan, James Blake Winter
  • Patent number: 6175624
    Abstract: A connector is provided for use in a battery pack for connecting the battery cells to the telephone and to a battery charger. The connector utilizes stamped nickel contact pads which may be spot welded directly to the battery cells. The use of the stamped nickel contact pads results in improvements in strength of the connector and a reduction in the cost as compared to the prior art flexible circuit board-type connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Brundieck, Monty D. Rohde
  • Patent number: 6137452
    Abstract: A double shot antenna comprising a cylindrical coilform having first and second ends, and inner and outer surfaces. In one form of the invention, the inner and outer surfaces of the coilform have helical grooves formed therein which extend from the first end of the coilform towards the second end of the coilform. The coilform is comprised of a first material which resists metal plating. Plastic material is positioned in the helical grooves with the plastic material being plated with an electrically conductive material to form first and second radiating elements. A connector is provided at the first end of the coilform which is electrically connected to the first and second radiating elements. The method of manufacturing the antenna is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6065952
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing molded coils of the present invention includes a molding machine having threaded spindles for receiving the coils to be molded. The coils are threaded over the spindles so that during the molding process the pitch and diameter of the coils are accurately maintained. The process is automated by use of a controller and automated assembly machinery. The controller and automated assembly machinery integrate a coil winder, a molding machine, and an auto bagger to automate the entire process of producing the molded coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Prochaska
  • Patent number: 6052088
    Abstract: A multi-band antenna comprising a device which is capable of functioning during at least a lower frequency band of operation and at least a higher frequency band of operation. The antenna comprises an elongated radiating element having a helical radiating element connected to one end thereof with one end of the helical radiating element being received by a non-conductive insulator. An outer conductive shell embraces the non-conductive insulator and at least partially encloses a portion of the helical radiating element. The straight radiating element acts as the antenna radiator during both the high and low frequency bands of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Simmons, Bradley Scott Haussler, Frank George Hamma, James Blake Winter, Jonathan L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6052090
    Abstract: A multi-band antenna comprising a device which is capable of functioning during at least a lower frequency band of operation and at least a higher frequency band of operation. The antenna comprises an elongated radiating element having a helical radiating element connected to one end thereof with one end of the helical radiating element being received by a non-conductive insulator. An outer conductive shell embraces the non-conductive insulator and at least partially encloses a portion of the helical radiating element. The straight radiating element acts as the antenna radiator during both the high and low frequency bands of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Simmons, Bradley Scott Haussler, Frank George Hamma, James Blake Winter, Jonathan L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6018321
    Abstract: A variable extended cable antenna designed for cellular telephone use and which has two electrical functions; first, as a fully extended directly coupled helical top loaded 3/4 wave antenna and second, as a 1/4 wave helical antenna when it is recessed down into the cellular telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Simmons, Stephen P. Price
  • Patent number: 6005367
    Abstract: A smart power system of the present invention is adapted to provide battery power to portable systems in an improved and effective manner. The power system includes a battery pack having one or more battery cells and a memory storage IC. The memory storage IC supplies the microprocessors inside the portable system or charger with stored parameters that provide the system with required battery information. The system may also include various other tools for communicating with the battery pack for diagnostic, evaluation, programming, or tracking purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Monty D. Rohde
  • Patent number: 6002372
    Abstract: A retractable antenna for a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone including a housing having a receptacle at the upper end thereof which is RF coupled to the telephone circuitry. The antenna comprises a metal connector which is RF coupled to the housing receptacle. Telescoping first and second radiators are slidably mounted in the metal connector and may be moved from a fully extended position to a fully retracted position. A helical antenna is operatively supported by the metal connector and is RF insulated therefrom. When the antenna is in its fully retracted position, the helical antenna is in circuit, with the telescoping radiators being out of circuit. When the antenna is in its fully extended position, the telescoping radiators are in circuit and the helical antenna is out of circuit. The overall length of the antenna, when in its fully extended position, is greater than the height of the telephone housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 5999410
    Abstract: A flexible circuit board includes a plurality of discrete circuits for use with different types of rechargeable battery packs. Conductive traces formed on the circuit board include gaps which cause certain portions of the circuitry to be disconnected from the circuit rendering that portion of the circuit inactive. The process of bridging the gaps by attaching one or more components over the gaps causes the corresponding inactive portion of the circuit to be activated. By selectively activating certain portions of the circuit, a desired result is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan P. Weiler
  • Patent number: 5717408
    Abstract: A retractable antenna for use with a cellular telephone wherein the retractable antenna is removably mounted on the upper end of the telephone. The retractable antenna includes an antenna housing which extends upwardly from the upper end of the telephone and which has a matching circuit provided therein. A helical radiator is positioned in the antenna housing and has its lower end operatively connected to the matching circuit. An elongated radiator is selectively vertically movably positioned in the antenna housing and the telephone and is movable between extended and retracted positions with respect to the antenna housing and the telephone housing. The lower end of the elongated radiator is electrically connected to the upper end of the helical radiator when the elongated radiator is in its extended position. The elongated radiator is electrically disconnected from the helical radiator when the elongated radiator is in its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lee Sullivan, Glen A. Wilcox, Kenneth D. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5686927
    Abstract: A retractable antenna for use with a communications device such as a cellular telephone is described and which may be moved from a fully extended position to a fully retracted position with respect to the telephone housing. The telephone circuitry utilizes a matching circuit to match a high impedance when the antenna is in the extended position. When the antenna is in the retracted position, it changes from a series resonance circuit to a parallel resonance circuit so that it may match the low impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5659889
    Abstract: A radio transceiver of the present invention includes a transmission line within a housing. The transmission line is comprised of a hollow center conductor and an outer conductor, both connected to a transceiver circuit. The transmission line is also connected to a low impedance connector which is coupled to the housing. A retractable 1/2 wave antenna having an integral matching section will be matched to a transceiver circuit when extended. When the antenna is retracted, the antenna is retracted within the center conductor and acts as a 1/4 wave antenna and will still be matched to the transceiver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark G. Cockson
  • Patent number: 5646635
    Abstract: A PCMCIA antenna for wireless communications is provided which provides the performance of a 1/2 wave antenna used for wireless communication, both transmission and receiving, on PCMCIA and other platforms for wireless data communications. The antenna comprises a housing which is adapted to be secured and supported by the host device and comprises a housing including housing members which are ultrasonically welded together. A flexible circuit board is provided in the housing which serves as the lower radiating element. A coaxial cable extends into the housing and has its braid soldered to the lower radiating element so that the same serves as a counterpoise for the antenna. The center wire of the coaxial cable is connected by a flexible trace to a flexible printed circuit board which is encased in an insulated sheath which forms the upper radiating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Cockson, Stephen L. Prochaska, Kenneth D. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5594457
    Abstract: A retractable antenna for use with portable communication equipment comprising two electrically independent electromagnetic radiators in a single package with two modes of operation, retracted and extended. When the antenna is in its retracted position, a short normal-mode monofilar helical radiator is functional. When the antenna is in its extended position, a thin linear radiating element is functional. A switch is provided which connects the internal circuitry of the device to the linear radiating element when the antenna is in its extended position and which connects the internal circuitry of the device to the helical radiator when the antenna is in its retracted position. In each of the extended and retracted positions, the linear radiator and the helical radiator are isolated from one another. A modified form of the antenna is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Wingo
  • Patent number: 5300940
    Abstract: A broadband antenna comprising a connector which is adapted to be connected to a source RF energy having a frequency of 136-174 MH.sub.z or 300-500 MH.sub.z. The connector is secured to one end of a hollow housing which encloses a transformer. One end of transformer is connected to the connector while the other end of the transformer is connected to a radiator. The assembly is enclosed in a sheath with cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Simmons
  • Patent number: D399211
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Centurion International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark G. Cockson