Patent Document

This application claims the benefit of Provisional application Ser. No. 60/187,414, filed Mar. 7, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to antenna connectors and more particularly but not exclusively to antenna connectors for snap-fitting into a casing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Devices that require antennas include one and two-way radios and mobile telephones. The devices include casings and generally require than an antenna is connected electrically through the casing to circuits inside and is also firmly attached mechanically to the casing such that the antenna cannot accidentally be removed due to longitudinal or shear forces. In addition it is desirable that intentional removal of the aerial be relatively easy. 
     A conventional mobile telephone and typical prior art antenna are shown in FIG. 2. A stubby antenna  2  has a snap-fit connection comprising a latch  4  at a lower end to enable it to be pressed into a casing  12  of a mobile telephone  10 . The latch  4  comprises an arm  6  and a latch head  8 . The arm  6  bends inwardly as the antenna  2  is pressed downwards through a hole in the casing  12  to allow the latch head  8  to pass therethrough. Due to the resilience of the arm  6  the latch head  8  springs outwardly on the far side of the hole to fix the antenna  2  in position. 
     A disadvantage of the antenna is that in order to remove the antenna without risk of breaking the latch,  4 , it is necessary to remove the casing so that the latch  4  can be pressed inwards. Furthermore, if a sharp upward force is applied to the antenna  2  there is a strong risk of breaking the arm  6  and thus accidentally removing the antenna. The risk is increased because the arm  6  may in any case be weakened to make it flexible. If the arm  6  is broken it will be appreciated that the antenna  2  cannot be snapped back into place and the mobile phone may be returned by the customer for servicing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a connection mechanism for snap-fitting an antenna bushing extending along a first direction to a receptacle having an opening reaching from a first end to a second end, wherein a latch, including a stem and a latch head, extends around a circumference of the antenna bushing, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction, which latch is inwardly depressible to a depressed position within the circumference to allow insertion of the antenna bushing into the opening from the first end and is able to return to a non-depressed position to retain the antenna bushing against the second end. 
     Preferably, the latch is mounted on a sleeve and further including a rib extending around the antenna bushing, the rib being located so as to underlie the latch when the sleeve is placed on the antenna bushing to abut against the rib. 
     Preferably, the rib is mounted on the antenna bushing. 
     Preferably, the sleeve is rotatable when latched to the receptacle to push the latch against a protrusion on the second end to depress the latch into the depressed position, thereby to extract the antenna bushing from the receptacle. 
     In one embodiment the connection mechanism may include an anti rotation device for preventing rotation of the sleeve when the antenna bushing with the sleeve placed thereon, is latched to the receptacle. Such an embodiment may require the case to be removed in order to allow the antenna bushing to be extracted. 
     Preferably, the anti-rotation device includes a protrusion on an outer surface of the sleeve adapted to fit within a corresponding groove in the receptacle. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an antenna bushing held in a first direction and connected to a 2-way transmitter device by a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism including a receptacle having an opening reaching from a first end to a second end, wherein a latch, including a stem and a latch head, extends around a circumference of the antenna bushing, in a plane substantially perpendicular to the first direction, which latch is inwardly depressible to a depressed position within the circumference to allow insertion of the antenna bushing into the opening from the first end and is able to return to a non-depressed position to retain the antenna bushing against the second end. 
     Preferably, the latch is mounted on a sleeve and further including a rib extending around the antenna bushing, the rib being located so as to underlie the latch when the sleeve is placed on the antenna bushing to abut against the rib. 
     Preferably, the rib is mounted on the antenna bushing. 
     Preferably, the sleeve is rotatable when latched in the receptacle to push the latch against a protrusion on the second end to depress the latch into the depressed position, thereby to extract the antenna bushing from the receptacle. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the connection mechanism includes an anti-rotation device for preventing rotation of the sleeve when the antenna bushing with the sleeve placed thereon, is latched to the receptacle. 
     Preferably, the anti-rotation device includes a protrusion on an outer surface of the sleeve adapted to fit within a corresponding groove in the receptacle. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector for latching an antenna holder to a housing, wherein the holder is adapted to hold an antenna to extend in a first direction, which connector is adapted to fit into the housing, wherein the holder fits into the connector and wherein the connector includes a circumferentially extending latch for latching the holder. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference is now made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a mobile telephone; 
     FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a prior art snap-fit stubby antenna; 
     FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4A is a simplified diagram showing a view from below of the connector of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 4B is a simplified diagram showing a side elevation of the connector of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 4C is a simplified cutaway diagram of the connector of FIG. 3 along the line of an arrow  4 C in FIG. 4A; 
     FIG. 4D is a simplified cutaway diagram of the connector of FIG. 3 along the line of an arrow  4 D in FIG. 4A; 
     FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram showing how an antenna may be inserted into a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram showing an antenna bushing which has been inserted into a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram showing how a connector, according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, with an antenna bushing may be inserted into a receptacle of a casing; 
     FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram showing a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, with an antenna bushing, inserted into a receptacle of a casing; 
     FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10A is a simplified diagram showing a view from below, of the connector of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 10B is a simplified diagram showing a first side elevation of the connector of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 10C is a simplified diagram showing a second side elevation of the connector of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 10D is a simplified diagram showing a third side elevation of the connector of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 10E is a simplified cutaway diagram of the connector of FIG. 9 along the line of an arrow  10 E in FIG. 10A; 
     FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram showing how an antenna may be inserted into a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram showing an antenna bushing which has been inserted into a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram showing how a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 with an antenna bushing may be inserted into a receptacle of a casing; and 
     FIG. 14 is a simplified diagram showing a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 9, with an antenna bushing, inserted into a receptacle of a casing. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is firstly made to FIG. 1 which is a simplified diagram showing a mobile telephone in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 a mobile phone  10  comprises an outer casing  12  through which is inserted an antenna  14 . The antenna  14  has a receptacle  16  through which the antenna may be inserted via a connector  20 , which is described hereinbelow with respect to FIG.  3 . The connector  20  is able to snap into position in the receptacle  16  and serves to attach the antenna  14  firmly to the outer casing  12 , preferably in such a way as to withstand unintended removal due to longitudinal or shear forces. As will be described below, in one embodiment, the connector is able to hold its place in the casing up to a given level of longitudinal force, and a variation of this embodiment frees itself if the given level is exceeded. In another embodiment the connector may be rotated using a key to disengage from the casing  12 . 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified diagram of a prior art antenna. As described above, a stubby antenna  2  has a snap-fit connection comprising a latch  4  at a lower end to enable it to be pressed into a casing of a mobile telephone. The latch  4  comprises an arm  6  and a latch head  8 . The arm  6  bends inwardly as the antenna is pressed downwards through the hole in a receptacle to allow the latch head  8  to pass through. Due to the resilience of the arm  6  the latch head  8  springs outwardly on the far side of the hole to fix the antenna  2  in position. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which is a simplified diagram showing a connector  20  constructed and operative in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connector  20  is preferably of hollow cylinder construction within which the antenna  14  may be inserted using a pressure fit. An upper end  22  of the connector  20  comprises an outer lip extending around the circumference with facing ends thereof. The connector  20  also comprises two ribs, an upper rib  28  and a lower rib  30 , which extend around the connector  20  at spaced intervals along the body of the connector  20 . A part of a lower end  34  of the cylinder is cut away to form a tongue  32 , which extends partially around the lower end  34  of the connector  20 . The tongue  32  is joined to the lower end  34  of the connector  20  at one end  40  (FIG. 4A) and has a protrusion  36  at a second end, which protrudes outwardly of the connector  20 . An outer lower surface  37  of the protrusion  36  is preferably chamfered to allow the protrusion  36  to be pushed inwards when pressed downwardly against another surface. 
     An anti-rotation protrusion  38  extends in the axial direction of the connector  20  along the outer face of the connector  20 , preferably from just below the upper rib  28  to a cutaway portion  44  at the lower end  34 , above the protrusion  36  of the tongue  32 . The anti-rotation protrusion  38  preferably fits into a corresponding groove  61  in the receptacle  16 , as will be described below, to prevent the connector  20  from being rotated. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 4A, which is a simplified diagram showing a view from below, of the connector  20  of FIG.  3 . Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The tongue  32  comprises a stem  40 , which connects the protrusion  36  to a base  42  of the connector  20 . FIG. 4A illustrates that the protrusion  36  extends beyond the circumference of the base  42  and is aligned with the circumference of the outer lip of the upper end  22 . It is appreciated that the stem  40  is typically resilient, allowing the protrusion  36  to be pushed inwardly to the circumference of the base  42  and to return to its original position when released. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 4B, which is a simplified diagram showing a side elevation view of the connector  20  of FIG.  3 . Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The anti-rotation protrusion  38  has a first outer edge  39  that is aligned with the innermost edge of the tongue  32  and an inner edge  41  that is aligned with the edge of the cutaway portion  44  in the body of the connector  20 , within which the tongue  32  is located. 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 4C and 4D. FIG. 4C is a simplified cutaway diagram of the connector  20  viewed in the direction of arrows  4 C (FIG.  4 A). Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 4C, the outer wall  46  of the connector  20  comprises an upper part  48  and a lower part  50 . The upper part  48  is thicker and has an inner circumference which is smaller, that is to say extends inwardly to a greater extent, than an inner circumference of the lower part  50 , which is thus thinner and more flexible. As will be explained below, the inner contour of the connector  20 , comprising the upper part  48  and the lower part  50 , is preferably sized to provide a pressure fit for an antenna bushing. The inner circumference of the tongue  32  extends inwardly of the inner circumference of the lower part  50  and is preferably aligned with the inner circumference of the upper part  48 . 
     FIG. 4D is a simplified cutaway diagram of the connector  20  viewed in the direction of the arrows  4 D (FIG.  4 A). Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a simplified diagram showing the method of inserting an antenna into a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5 parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. A bushing  60  for an antenna comprises a locking rib  62  above which extends a slightly contoured surface  64 . The contoured surface  64  is adapted to fit within the inner contour of the connector  20 , as described above with respect to FIGS. 4C and 4D, to provide a pressure fit. The pressure fit need not be a tight pressure fit and in one preferred embodiment there is no pressure fit at all. 
     The bushing  60  preferably serves as both an electrical contact and a retainer for an antenna, typically a retractable antenna. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which is a simplified diagram showing an antenna bushing which has been inserted into the connector  20  according to the present invention. Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The bushing  60  is inserted upwardly into the connector  20  until the locking rib  62  abuts against the base  42  of the connector  20 . The pressure as described above ensures that the bushing  60  remains in place unless a sufficient force is exerted in the downward direction. In the upward direction the bushing  60  generally cannot be removed without breaking the rib  62 . 
     An advantage of the rib  62  is that it serves as underlying support for the tongue  32 . A sharp upward force on the antenna would tend to exert a lateral rotational force on the tongue  32  causing the stem  40  to snap. The rib  62 , however, underlies the tongue  32 , holding the protrusion  36  firmly in its horizontal orientation so that no rotational force is transferred to the stem  40 . In fact, an upward force on the antenna  14  tends to drive the rib  62  upwardly against both the tongue and the base  42  of the connector  20  thereby spreading the pressure between the tongue  32  and the connector  20  and thus avoiding stressing the stem  40 . 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8, which are simplified diagrams showing how a connector according to the embodiment of FIG. 3, with an antenna bushing, may be inserted into a receptacle of a casing. Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The receptacle  16 , may be a part of the casing  12  of a mobile telephone  10  or other two-way radio devices, or alternatively it may be a separate unit mounted on the casing. The receptacle  16  is shown in cutaway form, and is preferably cylindrically shaped with a constant outer diameter. The receptacle  16  is comprised of two sections, an upper section  72  and a lower  74  section, or which the upper section  72  has a larger outer diameter, i.e. is thinner, than the lower section  74 . Thus a shoulder  76  is formed therebetween. 
     Preferably, the outer diameters of the upper lip  22  and of the protrusion  36  of the tongue  32 , are the same as the inner diameter of the upper section  72  of the receptacle body  16 . 
     The outer diameter of the body of the connector  20  may be the same as the inner diameter of the lower section  74  of the receptacle body  16 . 
     The ribs  28  and  30  preferably protrude beyond the inner diameter of the lower section  74  of the receptacle  16 , and thus serve as crush ribs to provide a pressure fit. As well as holding the connector  20  more tightly to the receptacle  16 , the pressure fit preferably also pushes the relatively thin outer wall of the lower section  50  against the antenna bushing  60 , enhancing the fit of the antenna. 
     The axial length of the lower section  74  of the receptacle  16  is preferably the same as the axial length from the lower end of the lip  22  to the upper end of the protrusion  32 , such that the connector  20  fits snugly into the receptacle  16 , as shown in FIG.  8 . However, even if this is not so, and the axial length of the lower section  74  of the connector  20  is shorter, the protrusion  32  may still effectively hold the connector  20  in place. In this case, the pressure it provided by the crush ribs  28  and  30  preferably serves to hold the connector  20  more stiffly in position. The anti-rotation protrusion  38  preferably fits into the corresponding groove  61  on the inner wall of receptacle  16  and prevents the connector  20  from being rotated. 
     As the connector  20  is pushed downwardly against the receptacle  16 , the cutaway edge  37  of the protrusion  32  is pushed inwardly by the shoulder surface  76 , allowing the lower part of the connector  20  to slide downwardly into the receptacle  16  until the lower edge of the lip  22  abuts against the shoulder surface  76 . As it does so, the upper surface of the protrusion  32  reaches lower end  78  of the receptacle  16  and the protrusion  23  springs back outwardly to latch the connector  20  into the receptacle  16 , as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The connector  20  is typically be made of plastic material, for example Zytol™ Delrin™ of polycarbonate. 
     In FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower section  74  of the receptacle  16 , forming upper and lower shoulder edges  76  and  78 , extend over a full circle. However, it is noted that the shoulder  76  is only required to extend over a limited angular sector along one side of the receptacle  16 , as long as an aligning mechanism is provided to align the protrusion  32  against the shoulder  76 . Such an alignment mechanism may for example utilize the anti-rotation protrusion  38  and the corresponding groove  61 . 
     It is appreciated that the inner diameter of a hole  100  in the casing  12  aligns with the outer diameter of the shoulder  78  of the receptacle  16  (FIG.  1 ). 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The embodiment of FIG. 9 differs from the previous embodiment in that it is designed to be rotatable in one sense using a key so as to be easily removable. As shown in FIG. 9, a connector  80  has an upper end  22 , which comprises an outer lip extending around the circumference. The lip is comprised with two slots  82  and  84  at facing ends thereof. Each of the slots  82  and  84  has one vertical fact  86  and one sloping face  88 . Each vertical face  86  is facing in a counter-clockwise direction. The slots  82  and  94  thus allow an appropriately shaped key to be inserted for rotation of the connector  80  in the counter-clockwise sense. If the key, however, is turned in the clockwise sense, the sloping faces  88  cause the key to slip outwards and no rotation of the connector  80  occurs. 
     Protrusion  36  comprises keyed surface  37 , as in the previous embodiment but in addition, one of the two circumferentially facing surfaces, denoted by reference numeral  90 , faces the counterclockwise direction of rotation, is also keyed. 
     Reference is not made to FIG. 10A, which is a simplified diagram showing a view from below, of the connector  80  of FIG.  9 . Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The tongue  32  comprises a stem  40  through which protrusion  36  is attached to base  42  of the connector  80 . FIG. 10A illustrates how the protrusion  36  extends beyond the circumference of the base  42  and is preferably aligned with the circumference of the outer lip of the upper end  22 . As will be appreciated, the stem  40  is resilient, allowing the protrusion  36  to act as a snap-in connection, in the same way as in the previous embodiment. The figure also illustrates the circumferentially facing keyed surface  90 . 
     FIGS. 10B,  10 C and  10 D are simplified side elevations of the connector  80  of FIG. 9 taken respectively from directions indicated by the respective figure numbers of FIG.  10 B. 
     FIG. 10E is a simplified cross section along the line  10 E in FIG. 10A of the connector  80  of FIG.  9 . In all of these figures, parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which is simplified diagram showing how an antenna may be inserted into a connector according to the embodiment of FIG.  9 . In FIG. 9, parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. A bushing  60  for an antenna comprises a locking rib  62  above which extends a slightly contoured surface  64 . The contoured surface  64  is adapted to fit within the inner contour of the connector  80 , as described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 4C and 4D, to provide a pressure fit. 
     The bushing  60  serves as both an electrical contact and a retainer for an antenna, typically a retractable antenna. The bushing  60  preferably fits into the connector  80 , as in the previous embodiment. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 12 which is a simplified diagram showing an antenna bushing which has been inserted into a connector according to the embodiment of FIG.  9 . Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The bushing  60  is inserted upwardly into the connector  80  until the locking rib  62  abuts against the base  42  of the connector  80  as before. The pressure fit described above ensures that the bushing  60  remains in place unless a sufficient force is exerted in the downward direction. In the upward direction the bushing  60  generally cannot be removed without breaking the rib  62 . 
     A further advantage of the rib  62  is that it serves as underlying support for the tongue  32 . A sharp upward force on the antenna  14  would tend to exert a lateral rotational force on the tongue causing the stem  40  to snap. The rib  62  underlies the tongue  32 , holding the protrusion  36  firmly in its horizontal orientation so that no rotational force is transferred in the stem  40 . In fact an upward force on the antenna  14  tends to drive the rib  62  upwardly against both the tongue  32  and the base  42  of the connector  80  thereby spreading the pressure between the tongue  32  and the connector  80  and thus avoiding stressing the stem  40 . On the other hand, a rotational force applied to the connector  80  is not affected by the presence of the rib  62 . 
     Reference is now made to FIGS. 13 and 14, which are simplified diagrams showing how a connector according in the embodiment of FIG. 9 with an antenna bushing may be inserted into a receptacle of a casing. Parts that are the same as those shown in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not described again, except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. The receptacle  16 , may be a part of the casing  12  of a mobile telephone  10  or other two-way radio devices, or alternatively it may be a separate unit mounted on the casing  12 , as shown in FIG.  1 . The receptacle  16  is shown in cutaway form, and is preferably of cylindrical shape of constant outer diameter. It has two sections, and upper  72  and a lower  74  section, of which the upper section has a larger outer diameter, i.e. is thinner, than the lower section  74 . Thus, a shoulder  76  is formed therebetween. 
     Preferably, the outer diameters of the upper lip  22  and of the protrusion  36  of the tongue  32 , are substantially the same as the inner diameter of the upper section  72  of the receptacle  70 . 
     The outer diameter of the body of the connector  80  may be the same as the inner diameter of the lower section  74  of the receptacle. 
     The ribs  28  and  30  preferably protrude beyond the inner diameter of the lower section  75  of the receptacle  70 , and thus serve as crush ribs to provide a pressure fit. As well as holding the connector  80  more tightly to the receptacle  16 , the pressure fit preferably also pushes the relatively thin outer wall of the lower section  50  against the antenna bushing  60 , enhancing the fit of the antenna. 
     The axial length of the lower section  74  of the receptacle  16  is preferably longer than the axial length from the lower end of the lip  22  to the upper end of the protrusion  32 , such that the protrusion  36  fits into a cutout  92  in the lower portion  74  of the receptacle  16 . The pressure fit provided by the crush ribs  28  and  30  preferably serves to hold the connector more stiffly in position. 
     As the connector  80  is pushed downwardly against the receptacle  16 , the keyed edge  37  of the protrusion  32  is pushed inwardly by the shoulder surface  76 , allowing the lower part of the connector  80  to slide downwardly into the receptacle  16  until the lower edge of the lip  22  abuts against the shoulder surface  76 . As it does so, the upper surface of the protrusion  32  reaches the upper end  94  of cutout  92  of the receptacle  16  and springs back outwardly to latch the connector  80  into the receptacle as shown in FIG.  14 . 
     As the connector  80  is rotated in an anti-clockwise direction, the keyed face  90  is pushed downwards by an adjacent face  96  of the cutout  92 , forcing protrusion  36  out of the cutout  92 . Thus the connector is released from the receptacle  16  and may be removed. 
     It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Technology Category: h