Patent ID: 6380898
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A dual mode antenna for use with a device including a conducting ground plane, the antenna comprising:an elongate radiator; a non-conductive housing, the housing permitting retraction and extension of said elongate radiator over a limited range of movement; separate galvanic contact elements spaced apart on said elongate radiator and in electrical contact with said elongate radiator; a ground plane galvanic contact point associated with said housing and located to electrically contact a lower one of said separate galvanic contact elements when said elongate radiator is in a retracted position; and a signal galvanic contact point associated with said housing and spaced apart from said ground plane galvanic contact to electrically contact an upper one of said separate galvanic contact elements when said lower one of said separate galvanic contact elements is in electrical contact with said ground plane galvanic contact point to thereby form an inverted-F feed antenna arrangement, wherein extension of said elongate radiator to separate said lower galvanic contact from said lower galvanic contact permits at least one of said separate galvanic contact elements to electrically contact said signal galvanic contact point and therefore form a monopole antenna arrangement.