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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
The present invention is a spring-loaded manually extendable antenna
for a mobile phone. An antenna extension system includes an extendable
antenna stowed within an antenna housing. Within the antenna housing
is a compressible spring. Attached to the bottom end of the antenna
is a washer. The antenna is held in a stowed position by a manual
release mechanism. When a mobile phone user desires, the manual
release mechanism is depressed, which allows the antenna to be manually
driven upward by the spring. The antenna is then extended to the
extended position.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An antenna extension system for a portable wireless communication
device, the extension system comprising: an antenna housing attachable
to the communication device, the antenna housing having a bore;
an antenna slidably positioned within the bore of the antenna housing;
a compressible spring located within the antenna housing; and a
manual release mechanism holding the antenna within the antenna
housing when the antenna is in the stowed position, the manual release
mechanism having means for selectively releasing the antenna; whereby
when the manual release mechanism releases the antenna, the antenna
is driven upward by the compressible spring to an extended position.
2. The antenna extension system of claim 1 wherein the spring is
located below the antenna at a bottom portion of the antenna housing
within the bore.
3. The antenna extension system of claim 1 wherein the antenna
includes an attached washer, the spring pushing against the washer.
4. The antenna extension system of claim 1 wherein the manual release
mechanism includes a rocker arm having an engagement end for engaging
an outer surface of the antenna.
5. The antenna extension system of claim 4 wherein the antenna
includes an annular indentation at a position upon the antenna that
when the engagement end engages the outer surface of the antenna,
the antenna is held in a stowed position.
6. The antenna extension system of claim 1 wherein the manual release
mechanism includes a release button located on an exterior surface
of the antenna housing, whereby depressing the release button releases
the antenna and allows extension of the antenna.
7. The antenna extension system of claim 1 wherein: the spring
is located below the antenna at a bottom portion of the antenna
housing within the bore; and the antenna includes an attached washer,
the spring pushing against the washer.
8. The antenna extension system of claim 7 wherein: the manual
release mechanism includes a rocker arm having an engagement end
for engaging an outer surface of the antenna; the antenna includes
an annular indentation at a position upon the antenna that when
the engagement end engages the outer surface of the antenna, the
antenna is held in a stowed position; and the manual release mechanism
includes a release button located on an exterior surface of the
antenna housing, whereby depressing the release button releases
the antenna and allows extension of the antenna.
9. An antenna extension system for a portable wireless communication
device, the extension system comprising: an antenna housing attachable
to the communication device, the antenna housing having a bore;
an antenna slidably positioned within the bore of the antenna housing;
means for spring-loading the antenna to an extended position; and
a manual release mechanism holding the antenna within the antenna
housing when the antenna is in the stowed position, the manual release
mechanism having means for selectively releasing the antenna; whereby
when the manual release mechanism releases the antenna, the antenna
is driven upward by the spring-loaded means to an extended position.
10. The antenna extension system of claim 9 wherein the means for
spring-loading the antenna is a spring driving the antenna upward
from the antenna housing.
11. The antenna extension system of claim 10 wherein the spring
is a compressible coil spring located within the antenna housing.
12. The antenna extension system of claim 9 wherein the manual
release mechanism includes a rocker arm having an engagement end
for engaging an outer surface of the antenna.
13. The antenna extension system of claim 12 wherein the antenna
includes an annular indentation at a position upon the antenna that
when the engagement end engages the outer surface of the antenna,
the antenna is held in a stowed position.
14. The antenna extension system of claim 9 wherein the manual
release mechanism includes a release button located on an exterior
surface of the antenna housing, whereby depressing the release button
releases the antenna and allows extension of the antenna.
15. A mobile phone having an antenna extension system, the mobile
phone comprising: a mobile phone casing, the mobile phone casing
having: an antenna housing attachable to the mobile phone, the antenna
housing having a bore; an antenna slidably positioned within the
bore of the antenna housing; a compressible spring located within
the antenna housing; and a manual release mechanism holding the
antenna within the antenna housing when the antenna is in the stowed
position, the manual release mechanism having means for selectively
releasing the antenna; whereby when the manual release mechanism
releases the antenna, the antenna is driven upward by the compressible
spring to an extended position.
16. The antenna extension system of claim 15 wherein the manual
release mechanism includes a rocker arm having an engagement end
for engaging an outer surface of the antenna.
17. The antenna extension system of claim 16 wherein the antenna
includes an annular indentation at a position upon the antenna that
when the engagement end engages the outer surface of the antenna,
the antenna is held in a stowed position.
18. The antenna extension system of claim 15 wherein the manual
release mechanism includes a release button located on an exterior
surface of the antenna housing, whereby depressing the release button
releases the antenna and allows extension of the antenna.
19. A method of modifying an existing portable wireless communication
device, the method comprising the steps of: removing an antenna
from an antenna housing of the communication device; placing a compressible
spring within a bore of the antenna housing; replacing a portion
of the antenna housing with a manual release mechanism; and positioning
the antenna within the antenna housing, the manual release mechanism
holding the antenna within the antenna housing when the antenna
is in the stowed position and the manual release mechanism having
means for selectively releasing the antenna whereby when the manual
release mechanism releases the antenna, the antenna is driven upward
by the compressible spring to an extended position.
20. The method of modifying an existing portable wireless communication
device of claim 19 wherein the manual release mechanism includes
a rocker arm having an engagement end for engaging an outer surface
of the antenna.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to mobile phones. Specifically, the present
invention relates to a spring-load extendible antenna for a mobile
phone.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of mobile phones has increased tremendously over the past
few years. The structure and capabilities of mobile phones have
also correspondingly changed with the increased use of the mobile
phones. In addition, because of the popularity and convenience of
mobile phones, one can observe many people communicating on their
mobile phones while simultaneously engaging in different types of
activities. Driving is one such activity. Frequently, the driver
attempts to use the mobile phone while simultaneously driving. Recent
studies suggest an increase in accidents attributed to increased
mobile phone usage while driving.
In addition to driving, there are numerous other situations where
a person is simultaneously using a mobile phone while performing
other activities. Such activities may include outdoor activities
(i.e., visiting a park, hiking, golfing), traveling, shopping or
caring for a child, etc.
There have been developed many devices, which make the use of the
mobile phone far more convenient. One such type of device uses hands-free
features such as earphones with integrated microphones. This device
frees up a person's hands when using the mobile phone. In addition,
many mobile phones incorporate a voice-activated dialer to allow
a person to audibly command the dialing of a phone number. Such
devices are extremely helpful in allowing a mobile phone user to
more conveniently use their phones.
However, there are many mobile phones, which require the extension
of an antenna. With the limited range of base stations communicating
with mobile phones in a wireless telecommunications network, the
extension of an antenna is sometimes necessary for proper use of
the mobile phone. Although there are many hands-free devices available
to assist the mobile phone user, there is no device which manually
allows a mobile phone user to fully extend antenna by depressing
a button or switch. A device for attachment to a mobile phone is
needed which allows the manual extension of the mobile phone's antenna.
Although there are no known prior art teachings of an apparatus
or system such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that
discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed
herein are U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,027 to Norman et al. (Norman), U.S.
Pat. No. 6,239,754 to Kim (Kim), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,671 to
Lee (Lee).
Norman discloses a portable phone having a housing with a slidable
cover. An antenna is incorporated within the cover of the mobile
phone. Upon sliding the cover out from its stowed position, the
antenna is correspondingly extended. However, Norman suffers from
the disadvantage of only being usable with a mobile phone with a
slidable cover. Norman does not teach or suggest a manually extendable
antenna, which is deployed from the casing of the mobile phone and
is useable on any type of mobile phone housing.
Kim discloses a mechanism for extending and retracting an antenna
in a mobile phone. A driving motor is engaged with a pulley system
to raise and lower an antenna. Kim discloses a highly complex and
costly system to drive a power antenna. Kim does not teach or suggest
a manually deployed spring-activated antenna.
Lee discloses a power antenna for automatically extracting and
retracting an antenna. A motor is used to generate a rotational
force. A rotary member is installed in an antenna housing and is
rotated by the motor. A coil spring is rotatably accommodated in
the antenna house. Lee also discloses a complex motorized antenna
raising system. Lee does not teach or suggest a spring-loaded extendible
antenna which does not require a motor or complex gearing system.
Currently, there are no manual mechanisms to extend an antenna
fully by merely depressing a release mechanism. To raise an antenna
of a mobile phone, the user must perform two or more actions. The
user must use two hands, one to hold the mobile phone and the other
to manually raise the antenna. Obviously, if the user only has one
hand to use, this action is unacceptable. Alternatively, the user
can hold the mobile phone with one hand and pull the antenna out
with the user's teeth. This way is also not desirable. An apparatus
is needed which enables a user to manually extend an antenna without
costly motors or gearing systems.
Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have an easily extendable
antenna for a mobile phone without costly items such as motors or
gearing systems. It is an object of the present invention to provide
such an apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention is an antenna extension system
for a portable wireless communication device such as a mobile phone.
The antenna extension system includes an antenna housing affixed
to the communication device. The antenna housing has a bore with
an antenna slidably positioned within the bore of the antenna housing.
A compressible spring is located within the antenna housing. A manual
release mechanism holds the antenna within the antenna housing when
the antenna is in the stowed position. The manual release mechanism
selectively releases the antenna. When the manual release mechanism
releases the antenna, the antenna is driven upward by the compressible
spring to an extended position. In one embodiment, the manual release
mechanism includes a rocker arm having an engagement end for engaging
an outer surface of the antenna. In addition, the antenna includes
an annular indentation located at a position upon the antenna that
when the engagement end engages the outer surface of the antenna,
the antenna is held in a stowed position. The manual release mechanism
also may include a release button located on an exterior surface
of the antenna housing. When the release button is depressed, the
antenna is released and allowed to fully extend from the antenna
housing.
In another aspect, the present invention is a mobile phone having
an antenna extension system. The mobile phone includes a mobile
phone casing which has an antenna housing affixed to the mobile
phone. The antenna housing has a bore with an antenna slidably positioned
within the bore of the antenna housing. A compressible spring is
located within the antenna housing. A manual release mechanism holds
the antenna within the antenna housing when the antenna is in the
stowed position. The manual release mechanism may selectively release
the antenna. When the manual release mechanism releases the antenna,
the antenna is driven upward by the compressible spring to an extended
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a mobile phone incorporating an antenna
extension system with an antenna in a stowed position in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mobile phone incorporating the antenna
extension system with the antenna in an extended position in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the antenna extension system
of FIG. 2 removed from the antenna housing;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial front view of the manual release
mechanism engaged upon the antenna in the stowed position depicted
in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial front view of the manual release
mechanism engaged upon the antenna in an alternate embodiment of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A manually deployed spring-loaded extendable antenna for a mobile
phone is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a rear view of a mobile phone 10 incorporating
an antenna extension system 12 with an antenna 14 in a stowed position
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The antenna
extension system 12 includes the extendable antenna 14 slidably
located within a hollow antenna housing 16 mounted in a portion
of a mobile phone main structure 18. The antenna extension system
also includes a manual release mechanism 20 and a spring 22. The
manual release mechanism is preferably located on an exterior surface
of the antenna housing, however, in alternate embodiments of the
present invention, the manual release mechanism may be located anywhere
upon the mobile phone. It should be understood that although the
invention is exemplified in a mobile phone, the present invention
may be utilized with any portable wireless communication device
utilizing an antenna, such as a personal data assistant (PDA).
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mobile phone 10 incorporating the
antenna extension system 12 with the antenna 14 in an extended position
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The spring
22 is biased to an upward position. As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna
is held in the stowed configuration by the manual release mechanism
20. Upon activation of the manual release mechanism, the antenna
is driven upward by the biased spring 22. The spring drives the
antenna to the extended position illustrated in FIG. 3. To allow
the antenna to move freely within the antenna housing, in the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the antenna housing is constructed
of a rigid or substantially rigid material. However, the antenna
housing may alternatively be flexible.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the antenna extension system
12 of FIG. 2 removed from the antenna housing. As illustrated in
FIG. 3, the antenna is in the extended position. At the top end
of the antenna is a conventional antenna cap 30. On an opposite
end of the antenna is the spring 22. The spring is shown in an extended
position. As is common with a conventional coil spring, the spring
has a natural bias to an extended length. However, such springs
may be compressed into a smaller length (as shown in FIG. 1). Preferably,
the spring is a coil spring which is sized and shaped to fit below
the antenna within the antenna housing. Upon the bottom end of the
antenna is preferably attached a fixed washer 32. The washer 32
may include an opening 34 which is sized to fit about the outer
surface of the antenna. The washer stays affixed to the bottom end
of the antenna. The washer may include a surface area allowing a
glue or adhesive compound to be affixed to an upper portion of the
spring. Although a washer is depicted in FIG. 3, any structure or
mechanism may be used to bridge the spring and the antenna. Alternatively,
the antenna may be directly affixed to the spring. A conventional
antenna coupling mechanism 36 is preferably located on the top of
the antenna housing 16 and the top portion of the mobile phone main
structure 18. The coupling mechanism preferably includes a threaded
end 38 for attachment to the top portion of the mobile phone main
structure 18.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial front view of the manual release
mechanism 20 engaged upon the antenna 14 in the stowed position
of FIG. 1. The manual release mechanism provides a mechanism for
selectively engaging and releasing the antenna. Preferably, the
antenna includes an annular indentation 40. The manual release mechanism
may include a rocking arm 42 having an engagement end 44. Upon the
opposite side of the rocking arm may be a release button 46. The
rocking arm may lie on top of an elevated support structure 49 located
on top of a support pin 48. Preferably, the elevated support structure
is bendable, allowing the support structure to move from an elevated
position to a prone position against the support pin. The support
structure is biased in its configuration to remain in the elevated
position without the presence of external pressure. The elevated
support structure, without any pressure applied to the release button
46 remains in an elevated position which positions the rocking arm
and engagement end toward the outer surface of the antenna. However,
when pressure is applied to the release button 46, the support structure
bends down against the support pin, thereby moving the engagement
end away from the outer surface of the antenna. When the release
button is released, the support structure returns to its original
elevated position, forcing the engagement end against the outer
surface of the antenna. The configuration of the rocking arm and
support structure 49 upon the support pin enables the rocker arm
to drive in direction X as depicted in FIG. 4. The antenna is held
in the stowed position by the engagement of the engagement end within
the indentation 40. By removing the engagement end 44 from the indentation,
the spring 22 is allowed to drive the antenna upward to the extended
position. The engagement end is removed from the indentation by
depressing the release button 46. The release button is preferably
located on the outer surface of the antenna housing.
Although the manual release mechanism 20 is depicted in FIGS. 1
3, any device which allows the mobile phone user to manually release
the antenna from its stowed position may be used. For example, a
spring mechanism may be used to bias the manual release mechanism
to release and hold the antenna in the desired position such as
depicted in FIG. 5. Alternatively, a rocker switch may be employed.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that any mechanism
which allows the manual release of the antenna may be used and still
remain within the scope of the present invention.
With reference to FIGS. 1 4, the operation of the present invention
will now be explained. In the normal stowed position (FIGS. 1 and
4), the antenna 14 is held within the antenna housing 16. The spring
22 is compressed as shown in FIG. 1 by the washer 32. The antenna
is held in place in the stowed position by the engagement of the
engagement end 44 within the indentation 40. No action is needed
by the mobile phone user to keep the antenna in the stowed position.
If a mobile phone user desires to operate the mobile phone 10,
either to originate or answer a phone call, the user may desire
to extend the antenna 14. However, with existing mobile phones,
the user had to pull the antenna out of the antenna housing 16.
In the present invention, the user depresses the release button
46 which forces the elevated support structure 49 to a prone position
and allows the rocking arm to pivot about the support pin 48, thereby
moving the engagement end 44 away from the indentation 40. Upon
removal of the engagement end 44 from the indentation, the spring
is allowed to extend to an extended length for which it is naturally
biased. The spring drives the washer 32 and the attached antenna
upward to the fully extended position. The user may stop depressing
the release button 46 at any time after the antenna has been begun
driving upward. Upon discontinuing the depression of the release
button by the user, the elevated support structure is allowed to
return to an elevated position and the rocking arm is again biased
to drive the engagement end against the outer surface of the antenna.
However, since the engagement end is not engaging the indentation,
the antenna is allowed to continue its upward drive to the extended
position.
The user may continue to use the mobile phone 10 with the antenna
14 in the extended position without any further action necessary
from the user. When the user desires to stow the antenna, the user
merely needs to push the antenna downward, preferably by applying
a downward force against the antenna cap 30, until the antenna is
stowed within the antenna housing 16. As the antenna is pushed down
within the housing, the engagement end 44 eventually engages the
indentation 40. Upon the engagement of the engagement end within
the indentation, the antenna is held in place in the stowed position.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial front view of the manual release
mechanism engaged upon the antenna 14 in an alternate embodiment
of the present invention. To facilitate the bias action of the rocking
arm 42, a spring mechanism 60 having arms 62 and 64 may be used.
The spring mechanism may be affixed to the support pin 48. The spring
mechanism is then configured in such as fashion that the rocking
arm is biased by the arms 62 and 64 to a position in which the engagement
end 44 contacts the outer surface of the antenna 14. Upon depression
of the release button 46, the rocking arm is pivoted away from the
antenna. Upon release of the release button, the spring mechanism
and associated arms drive the rocking arm toward the antenna, thereby
allowing the engagement end 44 to contact the antenna.
The present invention may utilize any spring-loaded configuration
for extending the antenna 14. For example, the antenna may be driven
upward by any type of spring, not just a coil spring running within
the antenna housing 16. The spring may drive a cylinder attached
to the antenna, rather than a washer as depicted in FIGS. 1 4.
The antennal extension system 12 may be used to modify any existing
portable wireless communication device. The antenna must be removed
from the existing antenna housing. A compressible spring is then
placed within the bore of the antenna housing. The antenna housing,
or a portion of it, may be replaced or modified by adding a manual
release mechanism. As discussed above, the release mechanism holds
the antenna within the antenna housing when the antenna is in the
stowed position. When the manual release mechanism is released,
the antenna is driven upward by the compressible spring to an extended
position. Rather than modifying the entire housing, the antenna
coupling mechanism may be attached to the top of the mobile phone
main structure, such as by use of the threaded end 38 to a threaded
interior surface of the antenna housing. Alternatively, the existing
antenna coupling mechanism may be replaced with an antenna coupling
mechanism having a release mechanism. The present invention can
therefore easily modify an existing mobile phone with the antenna
extension system 12.
The present invention provides many advantages over existing mobile
phones. The present invention provides a cost-effective mechanism
for manually extending the antenna of a mobile phone. The present
invention may be utilized within any mobile phone without limitation
to the structure of the mobile phone. For example, the present invention
may be used in clamshell type mobile phones as well as the unitary
static structure common with many mobile phones. In addition, the
present invention does not require the use of any motor or any power,
which suffers from the disadvantage of increasing the size and weight
of the mobile phone. Additionally, by utilizing motors, precious
power stored in mobile phone's battery is lost. In addition, since
complicated gearing assemblies are not necessary, the cost and complexity
of the phone is reduced. The present invention allows the user to
decide when the antenna is extended. In other existing extension
systems, the antenna may be automatically extended without regard
to the desires of the mobile phone user. The present invention allows
the user to manually deploy the antenna with one hand at the user's
discretion.
While the present invention is described herein with reference
to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should
be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having
ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein
will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments
within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present
invention would be of significant utility.
Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference
to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having
ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will
recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments
within the scope thereof.
It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and
all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the
scope of the present invention. |