VERTICALLY CORRECTING ANTENNA FOR PORTABLE TELEPHONE HANDSETS

摘要

A portable phone unit (10) for use in satellite communication systems has a vertically correcting antenna module (14) pivotally secured to the handset (12, 12', 12''') for free rotation about a pivot axis (30). The module (14) contains a mechanism, such as a gravitational counterweight (17) for urging the module (14) to pivot into a predetermined vertical orientation regardless of the handset (12, 12', 12''') orientation. An antenna (16) projects from the module (14) in a direction which is vertically upright when the module (14) is in its predetermined vertical orientation. A mast (90) mounted antenna module can also be used to take advantage of dissimilar antenna segment (84, 86) weights for multiple frequency antennas (80). As the handset (12', 12''') is moved into an angular orientation, the module pivots under the weight of the counterweight (17), or a portion of the antenna itself (80), until the antenna is oriented vertically.