Retractable antenna for portable communicator

Abstract

A retractable antenna for a portable communication device. The antenna retracts to a size within a portable communicator, such as a cell phone, which is smaller than the extended size of the antenna, while being flexible and otherwise suitable for the demanding environment of portable communicators. The antenna includes a contact sleeve which moves relative to an elongated conductor of the antenna, and also moves with the antenna while allowing the antenna to maintain electrical contact with another element in the antenna or the communicator. The sleeve may be connected to a helical conductor which forms part of the antenna and remains outside the housing of the portable communicator. Alternatively, the sleeve may be conductive on its inner and outer portions to move with and connect the elongated conductor to separate retracted and extended contact points within the portable communicator. Separate sections of elongated conductor may also extend separately from ends of the sleeve, with each being relatively movable. The antenna is accordingly adaptable to direct electrical contact, capacitive coupling, or a combination of both. The preferred antenna includes an elongated conductor having an enlarged contact which is spring loaded into the sleeve.