Patent Description:
Communication devices, such as portable radios, are utilized in a wide variety of communication environments, such as business, consumer retail, security and the like. Many portable radios utilize a variety of top surface protruding elements, such as control knobs and an external antenna. The protruding elements of such devices may cause discomfort to a user when the device is attached to a belt or worn in a pocket. There is a strong desire to minimize protruding elements on a portable radio and when protruding elements are present, to minimize interference of those elements with the user's body. Robustness which provides protection under drop conditions is also highly desirable.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved portable radio.

Portable radios carried about a user's neck by means of a lanyard function are generally known in the art. <CIT> discloses a portable radio telephone which has a basically elongated shape with front and rear housing portions and side and top and bottom surfaces. The telephone has a lanyard bail in the top surface having a lanyard loop which is able to be worn about the user's neck.

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in an improved housing configuration for a portable radio. Accordingly, the components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

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," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises 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 preceded by "comprises. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Briefly, there is provided herein a portable radio comprising a housing assembly configured to provide a modular antenna casing and lanyard through-hole feature on a top surface of the radio. Top surface control knobs have been eliminated. The portable radio may be worn in a pocket, on a belt, or tethered via the lanyard through-hole for comfortable user portability without the encumbrance of top surface controls and with improved robustness under drop conditions.

<FIG> is a front perspective view of a portable radio <NUM> formed in accordance with the various embodiments. <FIG> is a back perspective view of the portable radio <NUM> in accordance with the various embodiments. <FIG> and <FIG> show an assembled housing of portable radio <NUM>, referred to as portable radio housing <NUM>. The portable radio housing <NUM> is formed of a plurality of ruggedized plastic piece parts.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the portable radio <NUM> may be a portable two-way radio which may be used in a variety of communication environments, such as business, consumer retail, security and the like. Portable radio <NUM> comprises electronics such as controller, transmitter and receiver (not shown), for transmitting and receiving communication signals, such as radio frequency (RF) signals, audio signals, data signals, and the like.

Referring to <FIG>, in accordance with the various embodiments, the portable radio housing <NUM> comprises a front housing portion <NUM> having a front surface <NUM>, first and second side surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, a bottom surface <NUM>, and a top surface <NUM>, the top surface has a flat planar portion having offset tapered edges <NUM> relative to the front surface and the first and second side surfaces.

Referring to <FIG>, the portable radio housing <NUM> further comprises a rear housing portion <NUM> coupled to the front housing portion <NUM>, the rear housing portion having a top contoured edge <NUM> with corresponding offset tapered edges <NUM>' which meet with the top surface <NUM>.

In accordance with the various embodiments, and referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the portable radio housing <NUM> further comprises a lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> located at a first end <NUM> of the top surface, the lanyard through-hole feature being formed though the front and rear housing portions <NUM>, <NUM> through the offset tapered edges <NUM>, <NUM>'. The first end <NUM> of the top surface may also be referred to as the lanyard end.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the portable radio further comprises an antenna protective cover <NUM> for encasing an external antenna, the antenna protective cover being coupled to a second end <NUM> of the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the front surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> and the first and second side surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the front housing portion comprise a plurality of user interface radio controls <NUM> disposed thereon, and the top surface of the front housing portion has no user interface radio controls.

Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of user interface radio controls <NUM> comprises a push-to-talk (PTT) button <NUM> and a pairing button <NUM> located on the first side surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>. A plurality of radio function keys <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a speaker grill <NUM> and a microphone <NUM> located on the front surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>. Microphone <NUM> blends with the speaker grill.

Referring to <FIG>, the plurality of user interface radio controls <NUM> further comprises a USB port and audio accessory interconnect port (shown in later views) covered by a dust cover <NUM> located on the second side surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>.

The rear housing portion <NUM> comprises an attachment feature <NUM> for a belt clip (not shown) integrated therein and further accommodates a battery door <NUM>. The battery door <NUM> is a removable batter door which comprises charging pins <NUM> and a battery door latch <NUM>. The battery door <NUM> is removably coupled to the rear housing portion <NUM> via the battery door latch <NUM>. A non-slip surface <NUM> is disposed on the battery door.

Hence, all of the plurality of user interface radio controls <NUM> have been located on the front housing portion <NUM> on the front surface <NUM> and first and second side surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> without any being placed on the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion.

The top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> is contoured with the offset tapered edges <NUM> without any user interface radio controls to provide an improved surface that beneficially prevents radio controls from interfering with the user's body when the device is worn close to the body. The offset tapered edges <NUM> also provide an improved ruggedness protection against drop.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the offset tapered edges <NUM> of the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> form a reduced cross-section within which the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> traverses with graduated diameter represented by a front aperture opening 122a and a back aperture opening 122b. The reduced cross section of the lanyard through-hole feature enables engagement of a plurality of different lanyard engagement devices.

The lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> and a top tip end <NUM> of the antenna protective cover <NUM> are located at opposite diagonal ends <NUM> from each other. The top tip end <NUM> of the antenna protective cover <NUM> is formed of an upward curved surface <NUM>, sloped at a non-<NUM> degree surface relative to top surface <NUM>. The top tip end <NUM> of antenna protective cover <NUM> curves into a non-<NUM> degree vertical length surface <NUM> toward second end <NUM> of top surface <NUM> providing reinforced stability to the antenna under drop conditions. The non-<NUM> degree vertical length surface <NUM> of the antenna protective cover <NUM> has offset tapered edges <NUM>, <NUM>' which align respectively with the offset tapered edges <NUM>, <NUM>' of the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion. The antenna protective cover <NUM> is secured as will be described later and is non-removable.

The lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> is protected by a contoured sloping encasement surface <NUM> formed as part of the first end <NUM> of the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion. The top tip end <NUM> of the antenna protective cover <NUM> slopes upward relative to the top surface <NUM>, and the contoured sloping encasement curve <NUM> slopes downward relative to the top surface <NUM>. The alignment of the offset tapered edges <NUM>, <NUM>' of the antenna protective cover <NUM> with the offset tapered edges <NUM>, <NUM>' of the top surface along with the upward curved slope <NUM> of antenna tip <NUM> and the downward curved slope <NUM> encasing the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> combine to provide a monoform smooth contour. The oppositely curved surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> at diagonally opposite ends <NUM> provide protection against drop impact. The monoform smooth contour form factor beneficially provides protection of the radio under drop conditions by dispersing the impact and avoiding cracked antennas and elimination of broken user interface radio controls from the top surface. The form factor also prevents user's from fidgeting with the control knobs and the antenna as has occurred in past traditional (having top control knobs and removable antenna) form factors. The elimination of top surface control knobs and monoform form factor with the antenna also minimizes discomfort to the user when the device is worn on or tethered to an article of clothing.

The portable radio <NUM> operates as a handheld device, sized to fit into the palm of a user's hand and/or may further be carried via a lanyard (shown later) attached through the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM>. The lanyard may be a cord or strap attachable to the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> to allow the portable radio <NUM> to be tethered around the neck, shoulder, wrist and/or a body wearable garment. The lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> being located at the opposite diagonal end of the antenna encasement tip <NUM> enables tilting of the portable radio <NUM> at a non-vertical position when tethered to the neck, shoulder, wrist or body wearable garment. Tilting the portable radio <NUM> to a non-vertical angle minimizes discomfort to the user, by preventing the antenna from directly poking the user.

<FIG> is a front isometric exploded assembly view <NUM> of the portable radio housing <NUM> in accordance with the various embodiments. <FIG> is a back isometric exploded assembly view <NUM> of the portable radio housing <NUM> in accordance with the various embodiments. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, views <NUM> shows the front housing portion <NUM> having front surface <NUM>, first and second side surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, bottom surface <NUM>, and top surface <NUM>, the top surface having offset tapered edges <NUM> relative to the front surface and the first and second side surfaces. The rear housing portion <NUM> has a top contoured edge <NUM> for aligning and mating with the offset tapered edges <NUM> of the top surface <NUM> of front housing portion <NUM>.

The PTT button <NUM> and pairing button138 are formed from a single plastic piece part to which protrude through corresponding openings <NUM>, <NUM> on the first side surface <NUM> of the front housing potion <NUM>. The dust cover <NUM> covers accessory port opening <NUM> and USB port opening <NUM> on the second side surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>. The display <NUM> and radio function keys <NUM> assemble to corresponding openings on the front surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the front and rear housing portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be assembled together via screws (not shown) through a plurality of screw inserts <NUM> on the rear housing portion <NUM> and corresponding inserts <NUM> on the front housing portion <NUM>. The battery door <NUM> comprises a plurality of openings for receiving the charging pins <NUM> and battery door latch <NUM>. The battery door <NUM> comprises alignment ribs <NUM> which operate as guides that fit within the screw inserts <NUM> of the rear housing portion <NUM>. The rear housing portion <NUM> comprises charging pin inserts <NUM> for receiving charging pins <NUM>. The battery door latch <NUM> secures the battery door <NUM> to the rear housing portion <NUM>.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> is formed of front aperture opening 122a and back aperture opening 122b of the front and rear housing portions <NUM>, <NUM> respectively. The front aperture opening 122a traverses through the offset tapered edges <NUM> at the first end <NUM> of the top surface <NUM> to align and mate with the back aperture opening 122b of the rear housing portion <NUM>. The graduated lanyard through-hole feature 122a, 122b minimizes slippage and facilitates retention of a lanyard.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the front housing portion <NUM> further comprises an antenna alignment tube <NUM> for receiving an antenna element (not shown). The antenna alignment tube <NUM> extends from the second end <NUM> of the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>. In accordance with the various embodiments, the antenna protective cover <NUM> couples to the second end <NUM> of the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> thereby covering the antenna alignment tube <NUM> and providing protection to the tube and antenna element contained therein. Accordingly, the portable radio <NUM> formed of portable radio housing <NUM> with antenna protective cover <NUM>; coupled thereto combine to protect an external antenna element by containing that element within the interior of the overall device. The antenna protective cover <NUM> may be snap fit over the antenna alignment tube <NUM> via an attachment interface, such as ribbed interconnects 204a, 204b, respectively located at the antenna protective cover <NUM> and rear housing portion <NUM>. Once snap fit together, the antenna protective cover <NUM> is not removable from the combined front and rear housing portions <NUM>, <NUM>. The attachment interface thus prevents detachment of the antenna from the portable radio.

The antenna protective cover <NUM>, when snap fit to second end <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>, forms a vertical exterior side surface <NUM> that aligns and sits flush with the second side surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>. The non-<NUM> degree vertical length surface <NUM> of antenna protective cover <NUM> joins the second end <NUM> of top surface <NUM> wherein the offset tapered edges <NUM>, <NUM>' of the antenna protective cover <NUM> align and mate with the offset tapered edges <NUM>, <NUM>' of the front housing portion <NUM> and rear housing portion <NUM>. The antenna protective cover <NUM> thus creates a monoform form factor with the top surface <NUM> and lanyard through-hole feature <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view <NUM> of the portable radio <NUM> in accordance with the various embodiments. The antenna protective cover <NUM> comprises a straight vertical exterior side surface <NUM> which sits flush with the second side surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>, thereby forming a monoform smooth linear surface with the overall device. The antenna protective cover <NUM> provides a sloped interior surface <NUM> joining the top surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM>. The top tip end <NUM> of the antenna protective cover <NUM> and the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> are located at opposite diagonal ends <NUM> from each other. The lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> is protected by the contoured curved surface <NUM> of the top surface <NUM>. The upward curved surface <NUM> of top tip end <NUM> of antenna protective cover <NUM> in conjunction with the downward curved surface <NUM> at the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM>, along with the tapered offset edges <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>', <NUM>' aligned along the top surface <NUM> and antenna protective cover <NUM> provide improved drop impact resistance, through the avoidance of sharp angled corners and edges.

<FIG> is a rear view <NUM> of the portable radio in accordance with the various embodiments. Battery door <NUM> is shown attached to rear housing portion <NUM>. The rear housing portion comprises belt clip attachment feature <NUM> formed of slot-in latch for receiving a belt clip (not shown). The rear housing portion <NUM> has a recessed surface area <NUM> that provides spacing for insertion and release of a belt clip. This view shows tapered offset edges <NUM>' of the antenna protective cover <NUM> aligned with tapered offset edges <NUM>' of the rear housing portion <NUM> which form part of top contoured edge <NUM> of top surface <NUM>. The lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> has a smaller opening 122b on the rear housing portion <NUM> than on the front housing portion.

<FIG> is a first side view <NUM> of the portable radio <NUM> in accordance with the various embodiments. This view shows the first side surface <NUM> of the portable radio <NUM> with antenna protective cover <NUM> extending therefrom. The PTT button <NUM> and pairing button <NUM> are shown on the first side surface <NUM>. The front aperture opening 122a of the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> is larger on the front housing portion <NUM> of the radio than the opening 122b on the rear housing portion <NUM> of the radio. The top contoured edge <NUM> of rear housing portion <NUM> comprises the tapered offset edge <NUM>', recessed surface area <NUM>, and back lanyard opening 122b. The top contoured edge <NUM> aligns with and becomes part of the top surface <NUM> of the portable radio. View <NUM> clearly shows the tapered offset edges <NUM>, <NUM>' of the antenna protective cover <NUM> aligned with corresponding tapered offset edges <NUM>, <NUM>' of front and rear housing portions <NUM>, <NUM> respectively. The recessed surface area <NUM> of rear housing portion <NUM> provides spacing for insertion and release of a belt clip though the latch. View <NUM> shows the interior side of the antenna protective cover <NUM> forming the advantageous monoform smooth surface with the top surface of the portable radio housing <NUM>.

<FIG> is a second side view <NUM> of the portable radio <NUM> in accordance with the various embodiments. This view shows the demarcations for the front housing portion <NUM>, the rear housing portion <NUM>, the antenna protective cover <NUM>, the battery door <NUM>,. This view shows the dust cover <NUM> which shields the radio control functions comprising the USB and accessory porting shown in the exploded views. The antenna protective cover <NUM> provides a straight, smooth, vertical alignment via vertical exterior side surface <NUM> which sits flush with the second side surface <NUM> of the front housing portion <NUM> accentuating the monoform form actor. This form factor is particularly advantageous against breakage and snapping off of antennas.

<FIG> is a top view <NUM> of the portable radio <NUM> in accordance with the various embodiments. This view clearly shows the lanyard through-hole feature 122a, 122b having a graduated through-hole diameter traversing from a front housing portion <NUM> through to the rear housing portion <NUM>. The graduated lanyard through-hole feature 122a, 122b prevents slipping of a lanyard and the location being diagonally opposed of the antenna facilitates tilting of the device when tethered, such tilting minimizes poking of the antenna when the portable radio is worn on the body.

<FIG> is a bottom view of the portable radio in accordance with the various embodiments. Rounded bottom edges <NUM> further facilitate the minimization of size for a device that can advantageously fit in the palm of a user's hand and minimize impact upon drop. A cut-out <NUM> within the battery door <NUM> provides a space for finger insertion to facilitate removal of the battery door.

<FIG> shows an example of the portable radio <NUM> being tethered by a lanyard <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments. The portable radio <NUM> is proportioned to fit within the palm of a user's hand thereby providing for a light, compact, yet ruggedized device. Again, the lanyard through-hole feature <NUM> being located at the opposite diagonal end of the antenna protective cover <NUM> enables tilting of the portable radio <NUM> at a non-vertical angle when tethered to the neck, shoulder, wrist or body wearable garment. Tilting the portable radio <NUM> to a non-vertical position minimizes discomfort to the user by rotating the antenna away from the user's body thereby preventing the antenna from directly poking the user. The reduced cross section of the lanyard through-hole feature openings 122a, 122b advantageously enables engagement of a plurality of different lanyard engagement devices and prevents slippage of the device on the lanyard.

The monoform smooth contour form factor of the portable radio housing provided by the various embodiments beneficially provides protection of the radio under drop conditions by dispersing the impact and avoiding cracked antennas and broken user interface radio controls. The elimination of top surface control knobs and provision for a non-removable antenna protective cover <NUM> prevent users from fidgeting with the control knobs and the antenna as has occurred in past traditional (top control knobs and removable antenna) form factors. The elimination of top surface control knobs also minimizes discomfort to the user.

Claim 1:
A portable radio (<NUM>), comprising:
a portable radio housing (<NUM>), comprising:
a front housing portion (<NUM>) having a front surface (<NUM>), first and second side surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>), a bottom surface (<NUM>), and a top surface (<NUM>) with an antenna protective cover (<NUM>) for an external antenna, the antenna protective cover being coupled to a second end (<NUM>) of the top surface (<NUM>) of the front housing portion (<NUM>); the top surface (<NUM>) having offset tapered edges (<NUM>) relative to the front surface (<NUM>) and the first and second side surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a rear housing portion (<NUM>) coupled to the front housing portion (<NUM>), the rear housing portion (<NUM>) having a top contoured edge (<NUM>) aligning and mating with the offset tapered edges (<NUM>) of the top surface (<NUM>);
a lanyard through-hole feature (<NUM>) located at a first end (<NUM>) of the top surface (<NUM>) to enable tilting of the portable radio (<NUM>) at a non-vertical position when tethered, the lanyard through-hole feature (<NUM>) formed though the front and rear housing portions (<NUM>, <NUM>) through the offset tapered edges (<NUM>, <NUM>'); and
a battery door (<NUM>) coupled to the rear housing portion (<NUM>).