MOBILE COMMUNICATION UNIT WITH RETRACTABLE ANTENNA

Abstract: A mobile communication unit with an automatically retractable antenna (4) is disclosed. The unit includes a casing (2), an antenna (4) extended and retracted from the upper surface of the casing (2), a support member (5) which is integral with the lower portion of the antenna (4) and having a support member groove (5a) for receiving upper and lower stoppers (11, 12) therein and an engaging shoulder, a pushing member (7) which is moved up and down by a button (20) in the casing (2) and rotating the stoppers by a pair of upper and lower operation pins (13, 14) disposed at the upper and lower portions, upper and lower pushing plates (9, 10) which are moved up and down by the pushing member (7) at the upper and lower portions of the casing (2) and support the support member (5) which is moved up to the highest position by moving up and down the support member (5) by a predetermined distance, and a spring (8) for elastically connecting the upper and lower pushing plates (9, 10) for thereby quickly extending and retracting the antenna using one hand without damaging the same and which is capable of automatically extending and retracting the antenna (4) by providing a user with an easier antenna extending and retracting operation.

Description: MOBILE COMMUNICATION UNIT WITH RETRACTABLE ANTENNA TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mobile communication unit with a retractable antenna, and in particular to an improved mobile communication unit with a retractable antenna by which an antenna is automatically extended and retracted by a button and which is capable of implementing a quick start and completion of a communication which is indicated by "SEND" and "END" based on a stable antenna extending and retracting operation and is capable of implementing an easier volume up and down operation. BACKGROUND ART Generally, a mobile communication unit such as a mobile telephone, a wireless phone, etc. includes a retractable antenna which is fixedly installed at one side of the same or is extended and retracted by a manual operation. Since the fixed type antenna is exposed to the outside, it is inconvenient to carry the same, and the mobile phone with the fixed type antenna may be easily damaged. Therefore, the retractable antenna is generally used. In this retractable antenna, it is possible to enhance a signal receiving and transmitting capability based on its extended antenna. The U.S. Patent Serial No. 5,670,968 discloses a retractable flexible transmit/receive antenna which operates in a collapsed and extended position. This antenna includes a pressing button, a flexible spring, an engaging member, etc. In the above-described antenna, since the antenna may be 2 automatically extended, but it is not automatically retracted. So, the antenna should be manually retracted for thereby damaging the antenna due to an over force applied to the antenna for retracting the same. In addition, in order to use the mobile communication unit, both hands should be used for extending and retracting the antenna. Furthermore, when using the mobile phone while a user drives a car, an accident may occur due to the above-described problems. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication unit with a retractable antenna which is capable of overcoming the problems encountered in the conventional art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication unit with an automatically retractable antenna which is capable of quickly extending and retracting the antenna using one hand without damaging the same and which is capable of automatically extending and retracting the antenna by providing a user with an easier antenna extending and retracting operation. In order to achieve the above objects, there is provided a communication unit with a retractable antenna for a mobile communication unit which includes a casing, an antenna extended and retracted from the upper surface of the casing, a support member which is integral with the lower portion of the antenna and having a support member groove for receiving upper and lower stoppers therein and an engaging shoulder, a pushing member which is moved up and down by a button in the casing and rotating the stoppers by a 3 pair of upper and lower operation pins disposed at the upper and lower portions, upper and lower pushing plates which are moved up and down by the pushing member at the upper and lower portions of the casing and support the support member which is moved up to the highest position by moving up and down the support member by a predetermined distance, and a spring for elastically connecting the upper and lower pushing plates. Additional advantages, objects and other features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims as a result of the experiment compared to the conventional arts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a retractable antenna for a mobile communication unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A through 2F are cross-sectional views illustrating an operation of a retractable antenna for a mobile communication unit according to the O 99/41801 4 present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the construction of a retractable antenna for a mobile communication unit according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views a retractable antenna for a mobile communication unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2A, there are provided an inner casing 2, a guide 6, an upper stopper 11 , a lower stopper 12, a support member 5, a upper pushing plate 9, a lower pushing plate 10, a spring 8, a pushing member 7 which is extended from an upper operation pin 13, a lower operation pin 14, and a button 20, an antenna 4, etc. Namely, the inner casing 2 is formed with its one side being opened, so that the same is fixed to one inner side of a casing 2 of the communication unit. In addition, the guide 6 is fixed to the opened portion of the inner casing 2, and the support member 5 is selectively fixed to the upper stopper 11 and the lower stopper 12 which are rotatably engaged with the upper and lower portions of the guide 6. Namely, the upper and lower stoppers 11 and 12 contact with the engaging shoulder 5b of the support member 5 and the lower surface in a O 99/41801 5 pressurized state for thereby implementing fixed state in a state that the support member 5 is moved upwardly. Both ends of the coil spring 8 are elastically fixed to the upper pushing plate 9 and the lower pushing plate 10 which selectively push the upper and lower sides of the support member 5, and the upper wing plate 18 and the lower wing plate 20 which lock or unlock the upper stopper 11 and the lower stopper 12 by selectively pushing the same are extended from the pushing member 24. Namely, as the pushing member 7 is upwardly moved, the upper and lower stoppers 11 and 12 are alteratively locked by the upper and lower operation pins 13 and 14. An operation button 20 which is exposed to the outside of the casing 2 of the communication unit is extended from the pushing member 24.The support member 5 is engaged with the lower portion of the antenna 26, and the antenna 26 is installed in the inner casing 2 in such a manner that the antenna 26 is extended and retracted through the upper portions of the casing 2 of the communication unit and the inner casing 2. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, in a state that the antenna is inserted into the casing 2 and is moved down to the lowest position, the button 20 is lowered by an operation of the user. In this state, the button 20 , the pushing member 7 and the upper and lower pushing plates 9 and 10 are lowered. At this time, in the antenna 4, the lower stopper 12 is inserted into the support member groove 5a for thereby locking the support member 5. In this state, when a user pushes upwardly the button 20 for using the antenna 4, the pushing member 7 is upwardly moved for thereby lifting up the O 99/41801 6 upper pushing plate 9. The lower pushing plate 10 supports the lower portion of the support member 5, and the lower stopper 12 is inserted into the support member groove 5a of the support member 5. Therefore, the spring 8 is extended to have an elastic energy in a state that the lower portion of the same is connected with the pushing member 7. Continuously, when the pushing member 7 is upwardly moved by a predetermined distance, the operation pin 14 installed on the left surface of the pushing member 7 rotates the lower stopper 12, so that the lower stopper 12 is escaped from the support member groove 5a for thereby releasing the locking state of the support member 5. When the support member 5 is unlocked, the lower pushing plate 10 which supports the support member 5 becomes a free state, and the support member 5 is lifted up by the moving-up force of the elastic force of the spring 8. At the same time, the antenna 4 connected with the support member 5 is upwardly moved, so that the same is extended to the outside of the casing 2. As shown in Figures 2C and 2D, when the antenna 4 is fully lifted up, and then the lower portion of the support member 5 is engaged with the upper stopper 11 , the support member 5 is fixed, and the antenna 4 integrally formed with the support member 5 maintains a lifted-up state. The upper pushing plate 9 which is moved-up by the pushing member 7 is engaged with the engaging shoulder 5b of the support member 5 and then 7 is locked thereby. At the same time, the pushing member 7 becomes a locked state at the upper end portion by the lower pushing plate 10 which receives the elastic force of the spring 8. The user can use the mobile phone in a state that the antenna 4 and other corresponding elements are lifted-up. When the user finishes the use of the mobile phone, as shown in Figure 2E, the button 20 is moved down, and the antenna 4 is retracted into the casing 2. The retracting operation of the antenna is performed in the following sequence. As shown in figure 2F, when the user moves down the button 20, the pushing member 7 integral with the button 20 is moved down from the state of Figure 2E, and then the lower pushing plate 10 is moved down, and the spring 8 is extended by the lower pushing member 10. When the pushing member 7 is moved down by a predetermined distance, the operation pin 13 of the pushing member 7 rotates the upper stopper 11 and releases the locking state of the support member 5. At this time, the upper pushing plate 9 becomes a free state, and pushes the engaging shoulder 5b by the elastic force of the spring 8 for thereby moving down the support member 5. In addition, the antenna 4 is moved down, and is retracted into the casing 2. When the antenna 4 is fully moved down, the lower stopper 12 is inserted into the support member groove 5a of the support member 5 for thereby implementing a locking state of the same, so that the lowered state is maintained. At this time, the lower pushing plate 10 which is moved down by the pushing member 7 is engaged with the lower surface of the support member 5 of the antenna 4, and the pushing member 7 maintains a locked state at the lower position by the upper pushing plate 9 which receives the elastic force of the spring 8. Therefore, the button 20 which is extended with the pushing member 7 maintains the thusly moved state. Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the antenna 26 of the communication unit according to the present invention. The SEND contact point 34 and END contact point 36 which selectively contact with the contact ring 32 are formed at the portions which correspond with the contact ring 32 at the upper and lower portions of the button hole 38. Namely, when moving the operation button 20 upwardly or downwardly, the SEND contact point 34 and END contact point 36 are selectively connected or disconnected by the contact ring 32, so that an electrical signal generated by the current flow is inputted into the main circuit, and the volume is increased or decreased by a computation in the main circuit, and the SEND and END states are implemented. In addition, the SEND and END contact points 34 and 36 may become the volume up/down contact points. When the button 20 is moved in the left and right direction, the contact points 34 and 36 are turned ON/OFF by the contact ring 32 of the button 20, so that the electrical signal is inputted into the main circuit for thereby implementing a volume up/down operation by the 9 computation in the main circuit. In addition, a groove 17 may be formed at the protruded top portion of the casing, so that the head portion of the antenna 4 is stably inserted into the casing. As shown in Figure 4, the antenna 4 may be formed to have a gear portion 18". In this case, a pair of decelerating rollers 18 and 18' are installed in the casing 2, so that the extending and retracting speed of the antenna 4 is controlled. As shown in Figure 5, the antenna 26 may be formed in a tooth shape, and a pair of gears G1 and G2 are rotatably engaged between the casing 2 and the inner casing 2 of the communication unit for thereby decreasing the extending and retracting time of the antenna 26. A hole is formed at the neck portion 30 of the operation button 20, and a bar 48 is provided in the upward and downward direction. This bar 48 is eiastically supported in the inner hole of the neck portion 30 by the spring 50, and a safe button 52 which passes through the center portion of the operation button 20 and is partially exposed is provided at the center of the bar 48, and a pair of engaging shoulders 44 and 46 which are inserted into or escaped from the grooves 40 and 42 formed at the inner wall portions of the neck hole 38 of the operation button 20 are formed at both ends of the bar 48. Namely, the engaging shoulders 44 and 46 of the bar 48 are escaped from the grooves 40 and 42 formed at the inner surface of the casing 2 of the communication unit when the safe button 52 is pressed, so that the operation button 20 is moved upwardly and downwardly. The engaging shoulders 44 and 10 46 of the bar 48 are elastically supported by the elastic force of the spring 50 at the idle position of the operation button 20, and are inserted into the groove 40 formed at the inner surface of the casing 2, so that the operation button 20 is not moved. As described above, in the retractable antenna for a mobile communication unit according to the present invention, the antenna is prevented from any damage when the same is extended or retracted, and it is possible to quickly extend or retract the antenna using one hand. Even when a user drives a car, it is possible to safely handle the mobile communication unit. When the antenna is extended, the signal receiving band width characteristic is optimized based on a predetermined length of the antenna. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as recited in the accompanying claims.

Claims: 11 CLAIMS 1. A communication unit with a retractable antenna, comprising: a casing: an antenna extended and retracted from the upper surface of the casing; a support member which is integral with the lower portion of the antenna and has a support member groove for receiving upper and lower stoppers therein and an engaging shoulder; a pushing member which is moved up and down by a button operation in the casing and rotates the stoppers by a pair of upper and lower operation pins disposed at the upper and lower portions; upper and lower pushing plates which are moved up and down by the pushing member at the upper and lower portions of the casing and support the support member which is moved up to the highest position by moving up and down the support member by a predetermined distance; and a spring for elastically connecting the upper and lower pushing plates. 2. The unit of claim 1 , wherein an antenna head placing groove is formed at an antenna protrusion hole formed in the communication unit. 3. The unit of claim 1 , wherein a conductive contact point ring is fixed at the button, and SEND and END contact points which selectively contact with the contact point ring are formed at the portions which correspond with the contact ring at the upper and lower portions of the button hole formed in the 12 casing of the communication unit. 4. The unit of claim 1 , wherein said antenna has a hear unit, and a pair of symmetrical decelerating rollers which are operably installed at the upper portion of the casing. 5. The unit of claim 1 , further comprising: a hole formed in the upper and lower directions of the button; a bar which is installed vertically; said bar being elastically installed in the through hole by the spring; a safety button passing through the centers of the bar and button and partially exposed; and a pair of engaging shoulders which are inserted into the grooves formed at the upper and lower portions of the inner wall of the neck hole of the button and are formed at both ends of the bar.

Inventors: CHOI YOUNG SUK, CHOI, YOUNG, SUK
Applicants: CHOI YOUNG SUK, CHOI, YOUNG, SUK
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H01Q1
IPC codes: H01Q1