Antenna connecting device for portable radio sets

An antenna configuration for a portable radio set provides a helical antenna, a rod antenna and an antenna connecting device that selectively connects the two antennas to a printed substrate to enable their operation. When the rod antenna is partially retracted within the interior of a body housing beyond a threshold point where the antenna connecting device becomes electrically disengaged from the rod antenna, the antenna connecting device elastically returns to an original position and becomes electrically connected to the helical antenna. Alternatively, when the rod antenna is fully extended from the body housing, the antenna connecting device is electrically connected to the rod antenna. The present invention provides advantages in that a large amount of radiating power may be distributed in accordance with the length of the rod antenna, thereby minimizing any radiating interference caused by a user's body and reducing the loss of radiating power.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and 
claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from an application 
for Antenna Connecting Device For Portable Radio Sets earlier filed in the 
Korean Industrial Property Office on 27 Apr. 1995 and there assigned Ser. 
No. 10172/1995. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an antenna connecting device for a 
portable radio set, and more particularly, to an antenna connecting device 
capable of separately operating a helical antenna and a rod antenna in a 
portable radio set. 
Antenna configurations used in portable radio sets often utilize both a rod 
antenna and a helical antenna. One prior art example of this configuration 
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,576 entitled Extendable Antenna For 
Portable Cellular Telephones With Ground Radiator issued to Johnson et al. 
This type of configuration inherently requires a means for electrically 
connecting the two antenna to applicable radio circuitry. Various types of 
these connecting means are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,325 entitled 
Radio Antennas issued to Bottomley. In particular, Bottomley '325 avoids 
the use of sliding metal connectors, and instead utilizes components that 
provide a capacitive link between a rod antenna and a matching network. 
While the type of conventional art disclosed in Bottomley '325 possesses 
merit in its own right, I believe that an improved device for providing 
electrical connections between antennas in a portable radio set can be 
contemplated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
improved antenna connecting device for a portable radio set. 
It is another object to provide an antenna connecting device that connects 
directly to connectors of a helical antenna and a rod antenna to enable 
their respective operation. 
It is still another object to provide an antenna connecting device that 
provides an electrical connection to enable selective operation of a rod 
antenna and a helical antenna. 
It is yet another object to provide an antenna connecting device for 
maintaining operating characteristics of a rod antenna even though the rod 
antenna is disposed within a helical antenna when extended. 
These and other objects can be achieved according to the principles of the 
present invention with an antenna configuration for a portable radio set 
having a helical antenna, a rod antenna and an antenna connecting device 
that selectively connects the two antennas to a printed substrate to 
enable their operation. When the rod antenna is partially retracted within 
the interior of a body housing beyond a threshold point where the antenna 
connecting device becomes electrically disengaged from the rod antenna, 
the antenna connecting device elastically returns to an original position 
and becomes electrically connected to the helical antenna. Alternatively, 
when the rod antenna is fully extended from the body housing, the antenna 
connecting device is electrically connected to the rod antenna.