Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes an attached door cover (150) having a speaker (160) with an integral speaker magnet (165) that is used as an actuator for a magnetically enable switch (130) positioned within the housing (115) of the electronic device (100). The door cover (150) is movable between a first position adjacent to the housing (115), and a second position having at least a portion of the door cover (150) away from the housing (115) and the switch (130) is actuated magnetically by the speaker magnet (165) when the door cover (150) is in the first position. Preferably, the speaker magnet (165) helps to latch the door cover (150) closed. Additionally, the door cover (150) is preferably detachable from the housing (115) of the electronic device (100) and is user replaceable.

Abstract: Metallized contacts (102, 104) electrically interconnect two substrates (202, 204). Each metallized contact (102, 104) includes a stationary base member (106, 130) and a compressible member (112, 128) extending from the stationary base member. At least one retaining wall (118, 124) is used to retain each of the compressible members (112, 128) to prevent shorting between each of the metallized contacts (102, 104).

Abstract: An extendable antenna assembly allows for snap-in assembly and quick disconnection thereby saving both time and money in antenna assembly and replacement. The extendable antenna assembly includes an extendable radiating half-wavelength antenna (108) and a helical quarter wavelength antenna (300). The helical antenna (300) includes an antenna section (112) and a support section which includes a number of resilient leg members (116). Some of the leg members (116) include snaps (118) which engage with retention areas (122) which are found in the radio housing (120). A guide tube (102) having a flared top section (124) is found inside the radio (100) and provides for a way of compressing the individual leg members (116) thereby, releasing the extendable antenna assembly from the radio housing (120) when the antenna assembly requires removal.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an in-mold graphics surface (16). A layer of an etchable material(12) is molded on a contrasting surface (13). The layer is then etched to expose the contrasting surface and produce the in-mold graphics surface. In another embodiment, a layer of hardcoat material (11) is molded over the etchable layer. The etching is accomplished by using a laser beam to selectively etch the etchable layer, while not etching the contrasting surface. The hardcoat layer (11), the etchable layer (12), and the contrasting surface (13) can be molded to a larger part (14) during an injection molding process. The graphic desing is later etched in the part to produce a customized design.

Abstract: An integral electric switch, for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprises a main housing and a flap portion, rotatably attached thereto. The main housing contains the electronic apparatus. The flap portion has a hinge cam for rotatably attaching the flap portion to the main housing, so that the flap portion is movable from a defined open position to a closed position with respect to the main body. The main housing comprises a plurality of spring fingers making sliding contact with the hinge cam as the flap portion is rotated from the open position to the closed position thus providing a switching function and electrical connection from the housing to devices contained within the flap.

Abstract: A reverse polarity protection assembly (40) comprises an electronic product housing (102) having a battery compartment (90) having a recessed positive contact (70) and recessed negative contact (80). The assembly further comprises a battery holder (44) carried within the battery compartment (90). The battery holder has a plurality of leaf spring contacts (54) biased towards each other at opposing ends of the battery holder, the battery holder having external battery contacts (56 and 58) to contact the recessed positive and negative contacts. The assembly finally comprises a plurality of non-conductive spacers (10) carried by at least some of the leaf spring contacts, each of the spacers have an aperture (7) allowing a protruding terminal (43) of a battery (42) to contact the leaf spring contact and preventing a flat terminal (45) of a battery from contacting the leaf spring contact.

Abstract: A mechanical rotational control assembly (100) is provided having a knob (20) engaged to a potentiometer's rotating shaft (55). A friction element (40), such as a washer made of a material having similar temperature characteristics to the knob (20), is interlocked to the stationary portion (57) of the potentiometer. The peripheral boundary (47) of the friction element (40) is engaged to the skirt portion (25) of the knob (20), so as to produce a fricional force when the knob (20) is rotated, and thereby increasing the rotational torque of the rotational control assembly.