Patent Description:
The present invention is defined by the features of independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

Briefly, there is provided herein an improved portable radio. A portable radio, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a button with an outer region that may be pressed by a user during use, a printed circuit board, a frame positioned in front of (exterior to) the printed circuit board, a speaker positioned within the frame, a support platform positioned between the button and the speaker, and electrical components linked between the button and the printed circuit board, such that a signal may be sent from the button to the printed circuit board. A portion of the support platform is positioned over the speaker and includes speaker ports. The button is movable along the first direction between a first position where an electrical signal is sent through the plurality of electrical components to the printed circuit board, and a second position where the electrical signal is interrupted.

<FIG> illustrate one example of a portable radio <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the portable radio <NUM> includes an outer housing <NUM>, for example a rigid outer housing made of plastic. The outer housing <NUM> includes a speaker bezel <NUM> positioned along a front of the portable radio <NUM>. The portable radio <NUM> also includes a button <NUM> that is positioned within an opening defined by the speaker bezel <NUM>. A portion of the button <NUM> is exposed to an environment outside of the portable radio <NUM> and is visible when the speaker bezel <NUM> is attached to the rest of the portable radio <NUM> (<FIG>).

With reference to <FIG>, the button <NUM> is movable, generally toward an interior of the portable radio <NUM> and away from the interior. In some embodiments the button <NUM> is biased (for example with a spring) in a direction away from the interior of the portable radio <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment the button <NUM> includes an outer region <NUM> (for example generally rectangular in shape) that may be pressed by the user during use. The button <NUM> further includes an inner region that extends from the outer region <NUM> and includes a plunger <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The plunger <NUM> is a projecting region of the button <NUM> that moves inwardly toward the interior of the portable radio <NUM> when the button <NUM> is pressed. The button <NUM> may have other shapes and sizes than that illustrated.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the button <NUM> is electrically coupled to a printed circuit board <NUM> within the interior of the portable radio <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment the portable radio <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> positioned in front of (i.e., exterior to) of the printed circuit board <NUM>. A speaker <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) is positioned within the frame <NUM>. A support platform <NUM> is positioned in front of the speaker <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. A portion of the support platform <NUM> is positioned over the speaker <NUM>, and includes speaker ports <NUM> (<FIG>). As illustrated in <FIG>, antenna elements <NUM> (for example sheet metal antenna elements) may be positioned on regions of the support platform <NUM> adjacent the speaker ports <NUM>. The antenna elements <NUM> may be electrically coupled to the printed circuit board <NUM> (for example through a separate electrical path other than that for the button <NUM>).

With continued reference to <FIG>, the portable radio <NUM> includes a set of electrical components that are linked between the button <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>, such that a signal may be sent from the button <NUM> to the printed circuit board <NUM>. In some embodiments, the portable radio <NUM> includes at least two, three, four, or in some cases at least five separate electrical components that are separately coupled to one another between the button <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electrical components cause the electrical signal to change directions at least two times, three times, or in some cases at least four times as the signal moves through the electrical components between the button <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>. The button <NUM> may be movable between a first position where the electrical signal is sent through the electrical components to the printed circuit board <NUM>, and a second position where the electrical signal is interrupted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the set of electrical components includes an electrical flex element <NUM> coupled to the support platform <NUM> and to the frame <NUM>. The electrical flex element <NUM> includes a first region <NUM> adhered to the support platform <NUM>, and a second region <NUM> adhered to the frame <NUM>. The electrical flex element <NUM> further includes a bent region <NUM> (for example a thin, curved strip) disposed between the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first region <NUM> extends along a first plane, and the second region <NUM> extends along a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. The bent region <NUM> is non-planar, and curves from the first plane to the second plane. In the illustrated embodiment the first plane is perpendicular to a direction of movement "D" (<FIG> and <FIG>) of the button <NUM>, and the second plane is parallel to the direction of movement.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the set of electrical components further includes a tactile dome <NUM>. The tactile dome <NUM> is positioned between the plunger <NUM> of the button <NUM> and the electrical flex element <NUM>, and may have a dome-like or other shape that provides tactile feedback when pressed and released. When the button <NUM> is in a first position the tactile dome <NUM> is in a compressed state (is pressed down) and is in contact with the electrical flex element <NUM> for example to complete the electrical connection, and when the button <NUM> is in a second position the tactile dome <NUM> is in an uncompressed state (is raised up) and is out of contact with the electrical flex element <NUM> for example to interrupt the electrical connection. In some embodiments, and as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the portable radio <NUM> may also include a secondary plunger <NUM> (for example made of silicone) that is disposed directly behind (interior of) the plunger <NUM> of the button <NUM>, and is positioned between the plunger <NUM> of the button <NUM> and the tactile dome <NUM>. The secondary plunger <NUM> may form part of a larger silicone structure (or structure made of other soft material) that is coupled to the support platform <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the set of electrical components further includes a spring clip connector <NUM> that is coupled to the second region <NUM> of the electrical flex element <NUM>, as well as a contact finger <NUM> coupled to the spring clip connector <NUM>. The spring clip connector <NUM> is disposed between the electrical flex element <NUM> and the contact finger <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment the contact finger <NUM> has a ninety degree bend, although other embodiments include different shapes and sizes than that illustrated.

With continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the set of electrical components further includes a pogo <NUM> coupled to both the contact finger <NUM> and to the printed circuit board <NUM>. The pogo <NUM> extends in an elongate direction that is parallel to the direction of movement D of the button <NUM>. The pogo <NUM> is disposed within a pogo housing <NUM>, and slides within the pogo housing <NUM>.

During use, when the button <NUM> is pressed the plunger <NUM> of the button <NUM> contacts and presses against the soft, secondary plunger <NUM>, which in turn presses against the tactile dome <NUM>. The tactile dome <NUM> is compressed, causing the tactile dome <NUM> to contact the first region <NUM> of the electrical flex element <NUM>. This contact allows a signal to be sent through the electrical flex element <NUM>, through the spring clip connector <NUM>, through the contact finger <NUM>, and through the pogo <NUM> and into the printed circuit board <NUM>. The signal thus passes through various different electrical components, and changes direction as is moves generally from the button <NUM> on the exterior of the portable radio <NUM> to the interior of the portable radio <NUM> and to the printed circuit board <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the portable radio <NUM> is interactive. For example, the button <NUM> may be a voice control button for establishing voice commands and information exchange with the portable radio <NUM> when the button <NUM> is pressed, although the button <NUM> may be used for any of a number of different purposes (for example power control, volume control, and the like). In the illustrated embodiment, when the button <NUM> is pressed a voice may emanate from the speaker <NUM>. For example, the voice may say "Can I help you?" and the user may then ask the portable radio <NUM> a question (for example asking the portable radio <NUM> to run a license plate check, or to provide information regarding traffic conditions at a particular location). The portable radio <NUM> may then respond with the requested information.

With reference to <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment the button <NUM> may be exposed to water and other outside environmental conditions, whereas the speaker <NUM> may be sealed from water within the frame. For example, the secondary plunger <NUM> and/or the tactile dome <NUM> may be sealed (with adhesive) to the first region <NUM> of the electrical flex element <NUM> (for example via a perimeter seal), and as described above the first region <NUM> may itself be sealed (with adhesive) to the frame <NUM> and to the support platform <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in some embodiments a debris pad <NUM> is also coupled to the button <NUM>. A portion of the debris pad <NUM> is positioned adjacent the plunger <NUM> of the button <NUM>, and a portion of the debris pad <NUM> is in contact with an outer surface of the speaker bezel <NUM>. Additionally, and with reference to <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment the portable radio <NUM> may include an air vent <NUM> disposed on the support platform <NUM>. The air vent <NUM> permits passage of air from behind (interior of) the button <NUM> to an open region disposed behind the support platform <NUM>.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," "including," "contains," "containing" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises. a," "includes. a," or "contains. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about" or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within <NUM>%, in another embodiment within <NUM>%, in another embodiment within <NUM>% and in another embodiment within <NUM>%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

Claim 1:
A portable radio (<NUM>) comprising:
a button (<NUM>) including an outer region (<NUM>) that may be pressed by a user during use,
a printed circuit board (<NUM>);
a frame (<NUM>) positioned exterior to the printed circuit board (<NUM>);
a speaker (<NUM>) positioned within the frame (<NUM>);
a support platform (<NUM>) positioned between the button (<NUM>) and the speaker (<NUM>), wherein a portion of the support platform (<NUM>) is positioned over the speaker (<NUM>) and includes speaker ports (<NUM>);
and
a plurality of electrical components linked between the button (<NUM>) and the printed circuit board (<NUM>), such that a signal may be sent from the button (<NUM>) to the printed circuit board (<NUM>);
wherein the button (<NUM>) is movable between a first position wherein an electrical signal is configured to be sent through the plurality of electrical components to the printed circuit board, and a second position wherein the electrical signal is configured to be interrupted.