GB2222493A - Radio aerial connection adaptor - Google Patents

Abstract

A radio aerial adaptor (Figs. 3a, 3b) has an aerial port (above), a radio port (below) and a branching external port. Usually, the aerial port is connected to the radio port by a movable bridging member (24). However, when an external device (30) is fitted to the external port (4), this causes the bridging member (24) to be moved so as to isolate the aerial port from the radio port, and to connect the external device (30) to the radio port. The adapter is fitted to a radio (6). When the radio is mounted in a holder (31, Fig. 46), and pivoted, a connector in the holder acts as the external device (31). <IMAGE>

Description

RADIO ANTENNA ADAPTOR This invention relates to an adaptor, which may be used, for example, to connect a radio to an antenna and to facilitate the connection of an external device to the radio without the necessity of removing the antenna. The term "adaptor" as used herein applies to a device which may either receive an antenna or a connector fitted to an antenna, or to which an antenna is fixed or fitted.It also applies to a device which may either be fixed or fitted to a radio, or receive a connector fitted to a radio When it is necessary to gain access to the RF input/output port of a radio, for example, when the system is to be used in an enhanced mode, it is conventional practice either to remove the system antenna before connecting an external device, or to provide an additional external RF port on the radio together with a switch for switching between an internal antenna and the external port. These arrangements involve either the nuisance of disconnection, or additional complication and expense.

In contrast, the present invention seeks to provide a device which is extremely simple and cheap to manufacture, which provides the desired results and which may be left in situ during normal operation of the radio system.

According to the present invention, a radio antenna adaptor comprises a radio port connected or provided for connection to a radio or radio connector, an antenna port connected or provided for connection to an antenna or an antenna connector, and an external port for connection to an external device; said adaptor including isolating means for automatically isolating said antenna port from said radio port on connection of said external device to said external port.

Preferably, the isolating means comprises displaceable conductive bridging means, such as a leaf spring, for making an electrical connection between respective conductors in the radio and antenna ports.

Such bridging means is displaced to break the electrical connection when the external devide is connected to the external port.

Preferably, the isolating means further includes a conductive, intermediate member, such as a spring biased plunger, which is displaced when the external device is connected to the external port. This displacement displaces the bridging means and then the intermediate member makes an electrical connection between the radio port and the external device. The intermediate member is preferably biased away from the bridging means so that an electrical connection is automatically restored between the antenna port and the radio port when the external device is removed. The intermediate member may be slidably mounted in a plug in the external port and an advantage of this arrangement is that the external port is substantially sealed when the external device is not connected. This prevents the ingress of dirt and dust which might otherwise affect operation.

One embodiment of the invention provides a coaxial antenna adaptor comprising: a conductive outer shell, a first conductor, insulating means supporting said first conductor .within the outer shell, said conductive outer shell and said insulating means being adapted to receive a second conductor which is provided for connection, or is connected to an antenna, the arrangement being such that said first conductor is spaced apart from said second conductor, when said second conductor is received, a resiliently biased conductive bridging member for making an electrical connection between said conductors, a conductive actuating member extending through, but insulated from said outer shell, said actuating member extending towards said bridging member and being biased away from said bridging member, and said first conductor and said outer shell defining a first port; said outer shell and said second conductor when received defining a second port; and said displaceable member and said outer shell defining a third port adapted to receive a conductive member of an external device for causing said actuating member to be displaced when said external device is connected to said third port whereby said actuating member displaces the bridging member thereby isolating the first port from the second port and connecting said first port to third port.

The first port may be connected to or prqvided for connection to a radio and the second port' may be an antenna port, or vice versa. When the antenna is removably connected to the adaptor, the second conductor is suitably the inner conductor of a coaxial structure, e.g., either integral with or part of a connector connected to the antenna. However, the second conductor may be fixed or fitted to the adaptor so that it may then be electrically connected to an antenna or antenna connector.

The adaptor according to the invention may be fitted to a radio which can be stored in a holder that guides the actuating member in the external port towards the conductive member of the external device when the radio is moved into a predetermined position. Advantageously, this automatically disconnects the antenna from the radio and connects the external device to the radio, i.e. simply by the action of returning the radio to the predetermined position -in its holder. Moreover, when the holder secures the radio in the predetermined position, this can hold the external device against the external port where no other means are present to provide such security.

In a preferred embodiment, the radio is received in a holder comprising a body and radio supporting means movably mounted on the body. The conductive member of the external device is also mounted on the body so that after returning the radio to the radio supporting means, the latter means can be moved to cause the conductive actuating member to engage the conductive member of the external device thereby isolating the antenna port from the radio port.

Preferably, the radio supporting means is hinged and it is released by a catch, e.g., which is operated by a push button. The system is also preferably overbalanced or biased so that the radio moves, e.g., tilts forwards away from the body, when the catch is released. This disconnects the radio port from the external port whereby the antenna port is automatically reconnected to the radio port. Damping means may be provided to enable the radio supporting means to move slowly and thereby prevent any mechanical shock from being imparted to the radio when the catch is released.

The holder may be used advantageously with the arrangement disclosed in our copending application No.

8805973.

The holder may also be used independently of the adaptor of the invention. For example, it may be used with means for providing an auxiliary connection to a radio which has a fixed or fitted antenna, i.e. where there is no need to disconnect or to isolate the antenna but only to provide some alternative or supplementary connection (such as an alternative or supplementing power supply).

Where the external device needs a screen connection, e.g., in the case of coaxial structures, use may be made of a conductive elastomer, e.g., either supported by the antenna adaptor or supported by the radio holder. This enables electrical connection to be made with an external conductive shell of the adaptor A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: : Figures la-ld are elevational views of different embodiments of an antenna adaptor according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view, in cross-section, of an adaptor in accordance with the invention and with an antenna and external device disconnected (the antenna connecting end is shown but not the external device); Figures 3a and 3b are similar views of part of the antenna adaptor showing the antenna connected (Figure 3a) and the antenna and the external device connected (Fig.

3b); Figures 4a and 4b are front and side elevations of a radio holder incorporating and external device for cooperating with antenna adaptor in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a section through the adaptor on line A-A of Fig. 4a; Figure 6 shows an adaptor according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figures 7a, 7b and 7c show a further embodiment.

Figure la-ld illustrates various forms of an adaptor 1 in accordance with the invention. The adaptor comprises a radio port 2, an antenna port 3 and an external port 4.

In Fig. la, the radio port 3 can be threadably coupled to an input/output port 5 of a radio 6. An antenna 7 can be threadably coupled to an internally threaded portion of the antenna port 3. In Fig. lb, the antenna 7 is integral with or fitted to, the adaptor 1 and the radio port 2 is threadably connected to an input/output port 5 of the radio 6. In Fig. lc, the adaptor 1 is integral with, or fitted to the radio 6 and the antenna 7 is threadably coupled to the adaptor. In Fig. ld, the adaptor 1 is integral with or fixed to the antenna 7 and radio 6. In each embodiment, the external port 4 is flush with the sides of the adaptor 1 (although it could extend outwardly therefrom) and it is provided with suitable means to make an electrical connection with a connector (not shown) of an external device (not shown).Any of the ports 2, 3, and 4 may have any type of fitting (e.g., SMA type, screw thread, bayonet type, push fit, etc.) as long as it provides a suitable connection.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, these show the embodiment of Fig. la in more detail. Such detail, as it is relevant, also applies to each of the other embodiments shown in Figs. lb-ld. In Figures 2 and 3, the radio port 2 comprises a ferrule 8 having an external thread 9. The antenna port 3 comprises part of an outer conductive shell 10 and part of an internal insulating sleeve 11 which receives a central conductor 12 of an antenna sub-assembly 13. The central conductor 12 is supported in a sleeve of insulation 14 which in turn is supported by a conductive sleeve 15 having threads to cooperate with threads on the inside of the end of the outer shell 10. The external port 4 is partly defined by a hole 16 in the side of the outer shell 10 in which is received an annulus of insulation 17 which partly locates a conductive member or plunger 18 (described in more detail below).Instead of the arrangement shown, the external port may project from the outer shell 14, as long as the adaptor then functions in the manner described below.

A central conductor 20 is coaxially supported within a body of insulation 21 within the outer shell 10. This body of insulation 21 defines an aperture 22 for locating the end of the central conductor 12 of the antenna sub-assembly 13. It also defines a cavity 23 for accommodating a resilient leaf spring 24 having one end fixed to the end of the central conductor 20. This leaf spring is configured and attached so as to be biased into electrical contact with the end of the central conductor 12 of the antenna or antenna conductor.

The body of insulation 21 also defines a further cavity 25 and an aperture 26 which accommodates the conductive member 18 for slidable movement. A coil spring 28 is located within the cavity 25, and it extends between a wall of the cavity and a shoulder 29 on the member 18 so as to bias the member away from the leaf spring 24.

Figure 3a shows the normal working position, i.e.

where the central conductor 12 of the antenna sub-assembly 13 is normally in contact with leaf spring 24 for making a radio connection with the central pin 20. In this position, it will be noted that the conductive member 18 is displaced a short distance away from the leaf spring.

However, Figure 3b shows the situation when the central conductor 30 of an external device fitted to the external port 4, has urged the conductive member 18 towards the leaf spring 24 so that its free end is displaced out of electrical contact with the central pin 12 of the antenna sub-assembly 13. In this situation, an electrical connection is made through pin 12, member 18, leaf spring 24 and the central conductor 20 whereby the external device is connected to the radio and the antenna has been isolated. As shown in Figure 3b, the external device includes insulating means 30a and an outer conductor or conductors 38 preferably made of conductive elastomeric material. A small gap 30b may be present between insulator 30a and insulator 17 when the external device is fitted to the external port.

In all preferred embodiments of the invention, the arrangement provides a matched impedance between the radio and the antenna, or between the radio and the external device.

Whilst Figure 3b illustrates an arrangement where the adaptor cooperates with a pin 30 in a holder (see following description of Figures 4a and 4b), whereby the external device is secured against the external port, it would be possible to modify the adaptor and/or the external device so that it had means for securing the external device to the external port. Such means may include, for example, frictional (push-fit) means, or screw threads, or bayonet fittings such as those found on various coaxial plug and socket assemblies.

Referring to Figs. 4a and 4b, the adaptor 1 is fitted to a hand-held radio-telephone 6 having an antenna 7. Such a radio may be carried in a pocket or used in a vehicle which is preferably fitted with an external antenna. In the latter case, the radio 6 needs to be connected to the external antenna on entering the vehicle. A description will now be given of a holder 31 which enables this to be done automatically.

The holder 31 is provided with a pin 30 which is connected to the external antenna (not shown). It also comprises a body 32 and a receptacle 33 hinged to the body at an axis 34. A recess 35, also shown in Fig. 5, snugly receives the adaptor 1 when the radio 6, in receptacle 33, is pushed rearwardly towards the body 1. This guides actuating member 18 into engagement with pin 30 which results in isolating the antenna 7 and connecting the external antenna to the radio, i.e. when the radio 6 is in its fully stored position. In the latter position, a spring-loaded catch 36, which can be released by a slide or push-button 37, secures the adaptor 1 and hence radio 6 in the holder 1. Conductive elastomeric members 38 serve the dual purpose of resiliently cushioning the adaptor and making an electrical connection with the conductive outer shell 10, i.e. to make a screen connection. The pin 30 may be surrounded with insulating means (e.g., means 30a) to provide additional support between the conductors 38.

The side walls 32a are made of insulating material, e.g., plastics, since the holder 31 is a two-piece injection moulding.

When the user wishes to remove the radio, button 37 is actuated in order to release catch 36. As the centre of gravity of the radio and receptacle is at a distance from the hinge axis 34, there is an overbalance effect which causes them to tilt forwards. This movement is damped, e.g. by the kind of damping means fitted to casette players, so that mechanical shocks are not imparted to the radio when the holder is 'opened'. This movement automatically disengages pin 30 from member 18 and hence the antenna 7 is automatically reconnected as the external antenna connection is broken. The receptacle is shaped so as to hold the radio safely, i.e. until the user is ready to remove it. The pin 30 may partly assist in securing the radio in the holder in its 'closed position'.It will also be noted that the corner of the insulation 39 is chamfered at 39' to assist in guiding pin 30 into engagement with the actuating member 18 when the holder is 'closed'.

Figs. 6 and 7a-7c show adaptors acccording to other embodiments of the invention. In Fig. 6, the ferrule 8 of Fig. 2 has been replaced with either a standard coaxial or screen fitting 38 and the same fitting is used for connecting an antenna (not shown). In Figs. 7a-7c, the adaptor 1 has an insulated fitting 39 and an elastomeric ring 40 for making a screen connection. It also has a cowl portion 41 in which a retaining screw 42 is fitted and this assists in securing the adaptor 1 to the case of the radio 6.

Advantages of at least the preferred embodiment are that: (a) The adaptor enables a standard portable radio to be used in an enhanced mode, i.e. requiring direct access to the RF port of the radio, without the need physically to remove the original antenna.

(b) The radio does not need to incorporate an external port or switching means and hence is free of the additional cost, space and components which would otherwise be required to provide an internal antenna switching facility.

(c) The adaptor may be made to fit a variety of different types of ports and/or antennae thereby simplifying the problem of providing an external connection without the need to modify the radio, the antenna, the external device or connectors connected to the same.

It will be understood that the embodiments are described above by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. A radio antenna adaptor comprising a radio port connected or for connection to a radio, an antenna port connected to or provided for connection to an antenna or antenna connector, and an external port for connection to external device; said adaptor including isolating means for automatically isolating said antenna port from said radio port on connection of said external device to said external port.

2. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein said isolating means comprises displaceable conductive bridging means for making an electrical connection between respective conductors in the radio and antenna ports, said bridging means being displaced to break said electrical connection when said external device is connected to said external port.

3. An adaptor according to claim 2 wherein said isolating means further includes a conductive intermediate member which is displaced, when said external device is connected to said external port, in order to displace said bridging means, said intermediate member then making an electrical connection between the radio port and the external port.

4. An adaptor according to claim 3 including means for biasing said displaceable member away from said bridging means.

5. An adaptor according to claim 4 wherein said displaceable member is slidably mounted in a plug in said external port whereby said external port is substantially sealed.

6. An adaptor according to any of claims 2-5 wherein said bridging means is a resilient member which normally biased to make the electrical connection between the conductors in said radio and antenna ports.

7. A coaxial antenna adaptor comprising: a first conductor, insulating means supporting said first conductor within the outer shell, said conductive outer shell and said insulating means being adapted to receive a second conductor which is provided for connection, or is connected to an antenna, the arrangement being such that said first conductor is spaced apart from said second conductor, when said second conductor is received, a resiliently biased conductive bridging member for making an electrical connection between said conductors, a conductive actuating member extending through, but insulated from said outer shell, said actuating member extending towards said bridging member and being biased away from said bridging member, and said first conductor and said outer shell defining a first port; said outer shell and said second conductor.

when received defining a second port; and said displaceable member and said outer shell defining a third port adapted to receive a conductive member of an external device for causing said actuating member to be displaced when said external device is connected to said third port whereby said actuating member displaces the bridging member thereby isolating the first port from the second port and connecting said first port to third port.

8. An adaptor according to claim 7 wherein said first port is connected to, or provided for connection to a radio and said second port is an antenna port, or vice versa.

9. An antenna adaptor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A radio comprising the adaptor according to any of the preceding claims and further including a holder for the radio which receives the radio and guides the said external port towards said external device so as cause said antenna port to be automatically isolated from said radio port.

11. A radio according to claim 10 wherein said holder comprises a body and radio supporting means movably mounted on said body, the latter means being movable between a first position in which said external port is disconnected from said external device and a second position in which said external port is connected to the external device.

12. A radio according to claim 11 wherein said radio supporting means is hinged to the body.

13. A radio according to claim 11 or 12 including releasable fastening means which can be actuated to release the radio supporting means from its second position.

14. A radio according to claim 13 where the radio supporting means is overbalanced or biased so as to move into its first position when the releasable fastening means is actuated.

15. A radio according to any of claims 11-14 and including damping means for damping movement of the radio supporting means.

16. A radio according to any of claims 10-15 wherein the holder or the radio supporting means comprises a receptacle for receiving the radio.

17. A radio, adaptor and holder assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 4a, 4b and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A radio and holder assembly, said radio having an external port, and said holder comprising a body, radio supporting means hinged to the body and means for making an electrical connection with said external port when the hinge is closed.