Abstract:
An antenna designed integral to a windshield holder for a portable communications device is provided. The antenna can be an integral part of the windshield holder or an attachment to it. The windshield holder attaches to the windshield of a vehicle by a securing mount to which is attached an extension. The extension has attached, at a location different from the securing mount, a device mount for a portable communications device. The securing mount, device mount, and extension may all be adjustable for mounting in varying positions and locations. The windshield holder is easily attached and removed from the windshield improving both transportability and security. The antenna connects to the phone by a connector or interface at the phone mount, either automatically, when the portable communications device is inserted in the device mount, or by a separate operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a holder for a portable communications device with an integral antenna and, more particularly, to a portable communications device holder capable of being secured in a vehicle and which positions the portable communications device and antenna in a optimum usable manner. The holder is easily transportable from one position to another, and incorporates an antenna which can be connected or disconnected from the portable communications device as the portable communications device is attached to or removed from the holder, respectively. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the field of portable communications device holders, many accessories such as stands, chargers, and cradles are used to hold and position portable communications devices and to connect external devices such as antennas and power supplies to the portable communications devices. Communication using a portable communications device with its own antenna inside a partially electromagnetically shielded environment such as a vehicle is less than optimum, so that an external antenna for the portable communications device is desirable for acceptable operation, particularly in weak signal areas. Various antenna configurations, both internal and external to the vehicle, have been tried to address this problem. These various antenna configurations have failed to gain market acceptance due to their lack of portability, their susceptibility to vandalism, and their poor cosmetic effect on vehicles. 
     Antennas, in the related art, are shown built into windshield wipers, the exterior trim, the rearview mirror, the sun-visor, and the dashboard of a vehicle. This art teaches antennas built into a part of the vehicle and are not easily removable. Additionally, the antennas shown in the prior art are each shown attached separate from the portable communications device holder and therefore require a cable which is either cosmetically undesirable, or is installed in a way that limits location and portability. 
     There are several of these antennas available in the related art disclosed in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,857, issued in the name of Kozak and entitled Vehicular Windshield Wiper Antenna System; U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,956, issued in the name of Izawa, et al. and entitled Vehicular Exterior Trim Accessory having a Built-in Antenna; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,316, issued in the name of Prudhomme, et al. and entitled In-Vehicle Antenna. 
     These known antennas are mounted separate from the holder for the portable communications device and are connected to the portable communications device with a connector and cable routed from the antenna to the portable communications device holder. 
     There have been attempts to make installation of holders and antennas in vehicles easier, but no solution has proposed an antenna that is integral with the holder so that the antenna and the holder may be positioned as one unit for optimal performance. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a holder for a portable communications device is shown with an antenna integrally mounted within a securing mount for the holder. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a holder for a portable communications device is provided, which includes: a securing mount for securing the holder to a vehicle windshield or other surface, a device mount connected to the securing mount and containing an RF connector for connection to the portable communications device, an antenna integral with the holder and connected to the RF connector, wherein the holder is easily removed from or attached to its secured position. The connection of the securing mount to the device mount may include an extension so that the securing mount and the device mount may be optimally positioned. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention a holder for a portable communications device is provided, including: a securing mount for securing one end of the holder to a vehicle windshield or other surface, an extension pivotally connected on one end to the securing mount and containing an RF cable coupled on one end to an antenna attached to the extension, a device mount pivotally connected on the other end of the extension and containing an RF connector coupled to the other end of the RF cable for connection to a portable communications device, and wherein the holder is easily removed from or attached to its secured position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a preferred embodiment of the portable communications device holder with the antenna incorporated within the extension; 
     FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention with the antenna external to the extension; 
     FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention with the mounting of the portable communications device separate from the antenna connection to the portable communications device; and 
     FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention in which the device mount includes an adjustable length extension. 
     FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a preferred embodiment of the portable communications device holder with the device mount adjustable to different positions on the extension. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Detailed Description of the Figures 
     The present invention is a holder for a portable communications device, the holder including a device mount, a securing mount, an antenna, and, alternatively, an extension. The holder may be mounted, for example, in a vehicle, a dwelling, a building, or on a wall, for receiving a portable communications device. Such portable communications devices may include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, two way radios, walkie talkies, and satellite phones, and may be usefully mounted in vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, boats, and airplanes. The securing mount is for attaching the holder to a desired location and may use suction, adhesion, magnetism, or mechanical means for attachment. The attachment means may be user detachable. The securing mount may include a universal mount separable from a device specific mount that together make up the securing mount which is easily modified for different applications by changing the device specific mount. The antenna may be built integral with the securing mount by being formed on, into, or inside of the securing mount, or may be formed in, on, or attached to, the extension or the phone mount. The extension provides a way for the device mount to be located away from, and adjusted relative to, the securing mount. A cable or RF connection may be provided from the antenna to the device mount. The device mount provides a way to receive the portable communications device and a means for coupling the antenna to the device. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a portable communications device holder  100  is shown in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder  100  includes a securing mount  110 , an extension  120 , an antenna  140 , an RF conductor  150 , an RF connector  160 , and a device mount  130 . Securing mount  110  provides a means for mounting the mount to a surface by suction, adhesion, mechanical interface, or magnetism and may be adjustably fastened to a first end of extension  120 . The device mount  130  is adjustably mounted to a second end of extension  120  and includes a means for mounting a portable communications device. The antenna  140  is contained within extension  120  and coupled with a first end of RF conductor  150  whose second end is coupled to RF connector  160 . RF connector  160  is secured to device mount  130 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a portable communications device holder  200  is shown in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the holder  200  may include a securing mount  110 , an extension  220 , an antenna  240 , an RF conductor  150 , an RF connector  160 , and a device mount  130 . The securing mount  110  provides a means for mounting the securing mount to a surface and is adjustably fastened to a first end of extension  220 . Extension  220  may include an antenna attached thereto. The device mount  130  is adjustably mounted to a second end of extension  220  and includes a means for mounting a portable communications device. The antenna  240  is attached to extension  220  and coupled to a first end of RF conductor  150  whose second end is coupled to RF connector  160 . RF connector  160  is secured to device mount  130 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, a portable communications device holder  300  is shown in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the holder  300  may include a securing mount  110 , an extension  320 , an antenna  140 , an RF conductor  350 , an RF connector  160 , and a device mount  330 . The securing mount  110  provides a means for mounting the securing mount to a surface and is adjustably fastened to a first end of extension  320 . Extension  320  may include an antenna attached thereto. The device mount  330  is adjustably mounted to a second end of extension  320  and includes a means for mounting a portable communications device. Antenna  140  is attached to extension  320  and coupled to a first end of RF conductor  350  whose second end is coupled to RF connector  160 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a portable communications device holder  400  is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the holder  400  may include a securing mount  110 , a first extension  425 , a second extension  420 , a latch  470 , an antenna  440 , an RF conductor  450 , an RF connector  160 , and a device mount  130  thereby to provide a holder. The securing mount  110  provides a means for mounting the securing mount to a surface and is adjustably fastened to one end of first extension  425 . The second end of extension  425  is slidably connected to the first end of second extension  420 . The second end of extension  420  is adjustably connected to device mount  130 . Latch  470  secures the position of extension  420  relative to extension  425 . The antenna  440  is contained within extension  425  and coupled with a first end of RF conductor  450  and allows movement of extension  420  relative to extension  425  and whose second end is coupled to RF connector  160 . RF connector  160  is secured by device mount  130 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a portable communications device holder  500  is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the holder  500  may include a securing mount  110 , an extension  120 , an antenna  140 , an RF conductor  150 , an RF connector  160 , and a device mount  530  thereby to provide a holder. The securing mount  110  provides a means for mounting the mount to a surface and is adjustably fastened to a first end of extension  120 . The device mount  530  is mounted to extension  120  for slidable adjustment along extension  120  and includes a means for mounting a portable communications device. The antenna  140  is contained within extension  120  and coupled with a first end of RF conductor  150  whose second end is coupled to RF connector  160 . RF connector  160  is secured to device mount  130 . 
     With reference to FIG. 1, in operation, the portable communications device holder  100  may be mounted in a vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 by using securing mount  110  which may include a suction cup for securing to the inside of the windshield. The device mount  130  may be positioned and angled to a desirable location by the user. A portable communications device may be set in the device mount  130  whereby the RF connector  160  makes an RF connection to the portable communications device. The RF connector  160  is conductively coupled to a first end of RF conductor  150  and the second end of RF conductor  150  is conductively coupled to antenna  140 . Antenna  140  is therefore coupled to the portable communications device installed in device mount  130  thereby providing improved reception and transmission performance because the antenna can be of optimum size, it may be elevated relative to the portable communications device, and the antenna may be less shielded by the body of the vehicle in which it is installed than the portable communications device. 
     Alternatively, the portable communications device holder  200  shown in FIG. 2 may be mounted in a vehicle in the same fashion as shown in FIG.  1 . The operation is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the antenna  240  is externally fastened to extension  220  and may be oriented somewhat independent of extension  220 . 
     FIG. 3 shows an embodiment implemented with the RF connector  160  separate from device holder  130 . In this embodiment the portable communications device may be set in the device mount whereby the RF connector  160  does not automatically make an RF connection to the portable communications device. The RF connector  160  is conductively coupled to a first end of RF conductor  350  which is at least partially unconstrained by extension  320 , and RF conductor  350  is unattached to device mount  330 . Antenna  140  is therefore coupled to the portable communications device, installed in device mount  330 , by an operation separate from inserting the portable communications device in the device mount  330 . 
     FIG. 4 shows an embodiment including telescoping extensions  420  and  425 . The first end of extension  420  is attached to device mount  130  and the second end is slidably engaged with the first end of extension  425 . The second end of extension  425  is attached to securing mount  110 . The RF connector  160  is conductively coupled to a first end of RF conductor  450 . RF conductor  450  is contained by extension  420  and its second end is coupled to antenna  440 . Antenna  440  is contained by extension  425 . The movement of extension  420  relative to extension  425  is facilitated by the RF conductor  450  so that the length of the extensions  420  and  425  may be adjustable. 
     Thus, there has been shown and described an apparatus for providing an improved and portable holder and antenna for a portable communications device which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose a preferred embodiment thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.