U.S. patent number 3,868,572 [Application Number 05/342,104] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-25 for audio transmission and reception assembly.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy. Invention is credited to Rubin P. Kaufman, Jack B. Rosenfeld, Elaine Schiller.
United States Patent |
3,868,572 |
Kaufman , et al. |
February 25, 1975 |
Audio transmission and reception assembly
Abstract
An audio transmission reception assembly has a hollow tubular
conduit arred to conduct audio messages from a source within a
waterproof enclosure, which may be worn by attachment to the
clothing of the user, for conduction to the entrance to the ear
canal of the user. The tubular conduit has a capillary portion
connected adjacent to the source of the audio messages which
renders the conduit virtually waterproof even when subjected to
underwater conditions. An audio responsive means is contained in
the waterproof enclosure and sealed from the outside environment by
a protective resilient membrane, and a suitable switch supported on
the waterproof enclosure provides means for controllably connecting
both the audio responsive means and the source of audio messages to
a transmitting and receiving radio such as may be carried on the
back of the user.
Inventors: |
Kaufman; Rubin P. (San Diego,
CA), Rosenfeld; Jack B. (San Francisco, CA), Schiller;
Elaine (San Diego, CA) |
Assignee: |
The United States of America as
represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington,
DC)
|
Family
ID: |
23340344 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/342,104 |
Filed: |
March 16, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/575.6;
455/78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/05 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04M
1/05 (20060101); H04M 1/04 (20060101); H04b
001/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;179/1UW,1ST,17E,17R,17G
;325/16,18,66,310,361,352 ;181/23 ;340/5T,8R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Griffin; Robert L.
Assistant Examiner: Ng; Jin F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sciascia; R. S. Rubens; G. J.
McLaren; J. W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An audio transmission and reception assembly comprising:
a cable including multiple electrical conductors;
a breakaway connector at one end of said cable for connecting said
multiple electrical conductors to a transmitting and receiving
radio;
a waterproof enclosure at the other end of said cable for receiving
said multiple electrical conductors;
an electro-audio transducer supported within said waterproof
enclosure for converting signals received from said electrical
conductors into audio messages;
a hollow tubular conduit connected to conduct said audio messages
to the entrance of the ear canal of the user;
said conduit having a capillary portion connected adjacent said
electro-audio transducer;
audio responsive means contained within said waterproof enclosure
and sealed from the outside environment by a protective resilient
membrane for converting audio energy received through said
resilient membrane into commensurate electrical signals; and
switch means supported on said waterproof enclosure for selectively
connecting the electrical signals developed by said audio
responsive means to said transmitting and receiving radio through
said multiple electrical connectors.
2. An audio transmission and reception assembly as claimed in claim
1 wherein said hollow tubular conduit includes a first flexible
section connected to said capillary portion, a semi-rigid section
formed to fit the pinna of the ear of a user, and a soft, second
flexible section connecting said semi-rigid section with the
entrance to the ear canal of the user.
3. An audio transmission and reception assembly as claimed in claim
1 wherein said waterproof enclosure has a hollow wedge shaped
exterior portion to receive a wedge shaped co-acting member for
frictionally engaging flexible material therebetween and
supportably attaching said waterproof enclosure to a selectable
position on the clothing of the user.
4. An audio transmission and reception assembly as claimed in claim
1 and including slidably adjustable means on said conduit for
securing said conduit to the ear of a user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In tactical military situations it is highly desirable that radio
communications be carried on with the highest degree possible of
convenience to the radioman or other user of radio equipment. A
prime requisite is that such equipment be conveniently and
comfortably portable by the user. It is also desirable that the
messages delivered be as highly intelligible as possible and also
be virtually non-radiating; that is to say, that only the radioman
or user be able to hear incoming messages. Another requisite is
that the audio reception and transmission assemblies employed in
such radio communications be aurally non-occluding for unimpaired
hearing and sense of directionality.
It is also preferable that such radio communications equipment, and
more particularly the audio reception and transmission assemblies
used with them, be capable of being continuously used during sleep
and maneuvers without discomfort or detachment from the user.
A further requisite is that the audio reception and transmission
assembly employed with such radio equipments be capable of quick
disconnection from the radio cables to prevent damage to attaching
cables such as may result from excess stress due to sudden, violent
moments of the user during tactical field use. Another requirement
of the audio reception and transmission assembly is that it be
inconspicuous, even under conditions where the user wears no helmet
or hat.
An overall consideration is that the cost of the audio reception
and transmission assembly compare favorably with present
functionally equivalent means and be suitable for adaptation to
electrical interface with existing portable radio equipments.
Present state of the art audio reception and transmission
assemblies include hand-held, walk-talk radio units, hand-held
receiving and transmitting transducers, as well as transducers
which depend upon physical contact with the user, such as throat
microphones or bone conduction transducers. Though these state of
the art devices possess some desirable characteristics, none has as
yet been devised to meet all the requisites as hereinbefore
enumerated. Therefore, it is highly desirable that an audio
reception and transmission assembly be devised which will meet all
the foregoing requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an audio transmission and reception
assembly which includes a source of radio messages contained within
a waterproof enclosure and a hollow tubular conduit arranged to
receive the emanating audio messages for conduction to the entrance
of the ear canal of the user, the conduit having a capillary
portion connected adjacent to the source of audio messages. The
capillary portion of the hollow tubular conduit renders the conduit
virtually impervious to the passage of water even when the entire
assembly is subjected to underwater conditions.
Audio responsive means is contained within the waterproof enclosure
and sealed from the outside environment by a protective resilient
membrane which performs the function of admitting the passage of
audio energy, while at the same time sealing the internal audio
responsive means against water or other undesirable
contaminants.
In a preferred embodiment, the protective, resilient membrane is
molded into pliable, shock absorbent material formed to fit around
the audio responsive means, thus providing shock proof
protection.
A suitable switch means is supported on the waterproof enclosure
and used to controllably make connection of the audio responsive
means to a transmitting and receiving radio equipment such as may
be conveniently and comfortably carried on the back of the user by
a suitable backpack or harness arrangement.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a breakaway
connector is employed for convenient disconnection of multiple
electrical conductors connected between the waterproof enclosure
and the cables from a back-carried radio equipment, for example.
This provides an automatic disconnect which will function to avoid
damage to multiple electrical conductors should they be
inadvertently subjected to undue mechanical stress.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hollow
tubular conduit which is adapted and arranged to receive audio
messages for conduction to the entrance to the ear canal of the
user, may comprise multiple sections in addition to the capillary
portion connected adjacent to the source of audio messages. A first
flexible section may be connected to the capillary portion to
accommodate and compensate for normal body movement of the user,
when, for example, the waterproof enclosure including the switch
means is attached to his clothing such as a blouse or shirt.
The first flexible section, may in turn be connected to a
semi-rigid section of the hollow tubular conduit which is formed to
fit the pinna of the ear of a user so as to be conveniently and
comfortably supportable thereon. A soft, second flexible section
may be connected from the semi-rigid section to complete the hollow
tubular conduit to the entrance to the ear canal of the user.
Such multiple sections of the hollow tubular conduit of the present
invention may comprise clear plastic which renders the assembly
inconspicuous, relatively inexpensive, and comfortable for the
user.
Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention a
suitable, slidably adjustable means on the hollow conduit may be
employed for securing the conduit to the ear of the user. This
latter element may also be made of clear plastic material shaped to
clip on the lower portion of the ear of a user while being slidably
adjustable to accommodate different configurations and sizes as may
be required by different users of the assembly.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a suitable means
is included for supportably attaching the waterprooof enclosure to
the clothing of the user, such as a shirt or blouse, for example,
and may comprise a hollow wedge portion molded as an integral part
of the waterproof enclosure, which hollow wedge portion is employed
together with a co-acting wedge-shaped means to provide attachment
to the clothing of the user.
Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to
provide an audio reception and transmission assembly which conducts
radio received audio messages to the ear of a user as intelligibly
as possible.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide
such an audio assembly which is essentially non-radiating in the
sense that only the user may hear incoming messages.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such an
audio reception and transmission assembly which is aurally
non-occluding for unimpaired hearing and sense of directionality to
the user.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such an
audio assembly which is as inconspicuous as possible.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an
audio reception and transmission assembly which is comfortable to
the user and is capable of being worn continuously, even during
sleep and maneuvers without undue discomfort or requiring
detachment by the user.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio
reception and transmission assembly which is adapted to quickly
disconnect from the user and back-packed radio equipment, as well
as being adaptable to universal connection with any of a number of
different portable radio equipments.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to devise an audio
reception and transmission assembly which incorporates the
foregoing desired objectives and at the same time compares
favorably in cost to functionally equivalent state of the art
equipment.
These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present
invention will be better appreciated from an understanding of the
operative principles of a preferred embodiment as described
hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical embodiment of the present invention as
it may be worn and employed by a user;
FIG. 2 illustrates the hollow tubular conduit of the present
invention in an enlarged view;
FIG. 3a is a cross sectional view of a waterproof enclosure
including a switch means as may be employed in the present
invention;
FIG. 3b is a sectional view through plane B--B of FIG. 3a including
the slide guide of the back cover member of the waterproof
enclosure;
FIGS. 4a and 4b are front and side views, respectively, of the back
cover member of the waterproof enclosure illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
3a; and
FIGS. 5a and 5b are front and side views, respectively, of a wedge
configured element which fits into the hollow wedge slider guide of
the back cover illustrated in FIG. 4a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention as
employed by a typical user. A waterproof enclosure 10 includes a
source of audio messages in the form of a suitable electro-audio
transducer. A hollow tubular conduit 11 is arranged to receive the
audio messages from the source within the water-proof enclosure 10
for conduction to the entrance of the ear canal of the user at
12.
The waterproof enclosure 10 also includes an audio responsive means
13, usually in the form of a miniature microphone, which is
selectively and controllably connectable through the operation of
the actuator button of a switch means 14 to a transmitting and
receiving radio equipment 15 carried on the back of a user as
illustrated in FIG. 1. A breakaway connector 16 is also preferably
provided for quick disconnection of the multiple electrical
conductors 17 connected between the waterproof enclosure 10 and the
radio 15 to avoid damage to the multiple electrical conductors 17
when they are subjected to a predetermined amount of stress. A clip
18 or equivalent means may also be provided, if desired, for the
purpose of restricting movement of the multiple electrical
conductors 17.
FIG. 2 illustrates the major portion of a typical hollow tubular
conduit as conceived by the present invention for conducting
messages from the audio source within the waterproof enclosure 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 to the entrance of the ear canal of a user.
The hollow tubular conduit illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a first
flexible section extending from the point 20 to point 21 where it
is attached to a semi-rigid section extending from point 21 to
point 22.
The semi-rigid section of the hollow tubular conduit is formed to
fit the pinna of the ear of a user so that it is configured to loop
over the ear and be supported thereby. A second soft flexible
section extends from the end of the semi-rigid section at point 22
to point 23 and is preformed in a substantially right angular
configuration, turning into the plane of the drawing of FIG. 2, so
as to fit into the entrance of the ear canal of a user as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
A suitable means 24 is shaped and configured for supportably
securing the hollow conduit to the ear of a user. Preferably, the
securing element 24 is slidably adjustable having a friction fit to
the outside of the hollow tubular conduit. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention the entire extent of the hollow
tubular conduit illustrated in FIG. 2 may be fabricated of a clear
plastic so as to be as inconspicuous as possible and at the same
time relatively inexpensive to fabricate.
FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view of the preferred form of the
waterproof enclosure 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. The waterproof
enclosure comprises a body member 10 which contains a switch 31
having an external actuator 14. The switch is connected to multiple
electrical conductors contained within the cable 33 connecting to
the back-supported transmitting and receiving radio equipment. Also
connected to the switch 31 is a source of audio messages in the
form of an electro-audio transducer 34.
Additionally, a microphone, usually of subminiature form, or an
equivalent transducer 13 is connected in circuit with the switch
31. The body member 10 includes a plurality of holes 36 therein for
the purpose of admitting audio energy to the microphone 13. The
tube 37 connects the transducer 34 with a tube adapter 38. The tube
adapter 38 forms part of the hollow tubular conduit connecting the
source of audio messages 34 with the entrance to the ear canal of
the user and it should be noted that it comprises a capillary
section 39.
This capillary section may be a small bore of the dimension of the
order of twenty-five thousandths of an inch in diameter or less and
provides an important feature of the present invention which
renders the hollow tubular conduit virtually impervious to
submersion in water, preventing water from reaching the interior of
the waterproof enclosure 10. However, it has been found that the
capillary section 39 is capable of good transmission of audio
frequencies and adequate fidelity for full understanding of voice
communications when connected to a radio under normal operating
conditions.
The tube adapter 38 is connected to the end 40 of the flexible
section of the hollow tubular conduit as illustrated in FIG. 2
which is held in place by a suitable threaded ferrule 41.
FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view taken through section B-B of FIG.
3a and illustrates the electro-audio transducer 34 which is the
source of audio messages as well as the audio responsive means 13,
usually in the form of a miniature microphone. It should be noted
that the audio responsive means 13 which is enclosed within the
body member 10 of the waterproof enclosure is sealed from the
outside environment by a protective resilient membrane 42 which
operates to transmit audio energy as received through the multiple
holes 36 but prevents moisture, water or other contaminants from
entering the interior of the body member 10 of the waterproof
enclosure.
FIG. 3b also illustrates a preferred type of back cover 43 which is
suitably attached and sealed to the body member 10 of the
waterproof enclosure. It should be noted from the illustration of
FIG. 3a that the back cover 43 is configured substantially in a
hollow wedge shape at its sides. This particular aspect of the
configuration of a preferred form of back cover 43 is more fully
illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b.
FIG. 4a illustrates an end view of the same back cover 43 shown in
cross-sectional view as part of the waterproof enclosure
illustrated in FIG. 3b. It will be noted that the sides 44 and 45
of the back cover 43, extend upwardly from it as may be seen from
FIG. 3b and also slope toward each other to form a hollow wedge
configuration. This configuration of the sides 44 and 45 coacts in
use with a wedge element 46 illustrated in front and side views in
FIGS. 5a and 5b, respectively. The wedge member 46 has sloping
sides 47 and 48 which are shaped and dimensioned to fit within the
hollow wedge shaped edges 44 and 45 of the back cover 43 in
compressive frictional engagement.
In use the back cover 43 of the waterproof enclosure 10 is placed
against the clothing of the user while the wedge 46 is inserted
from the opposite side of the clothing so as to frictionally engage
the material of the clothing between the wedge 46 and the hollow
wedge shaped sides 44 and 45 of the back cover member 43, thus
supporting the waterproof enclosure 10 conveniently on the clothing
of the user and at the same time being readily removable without
damage to such clothing.
USE AND OPERATION
In use the present invention is first connected to a transmitting
and receiving radio 15 as illustrated in FIG. 1 by means of the
breakaway connector 16 which completes electrically conductive
paths from the multiple conductors 17 to the radio equipment 15.
The clip 18 may then be attached to the belt or other suitable
portion of the user's clothing or equipment, and the waterproof
enclosure 10 is attached or secured to an appropriate part of the
user's clothing as previously described in connection with the
disclosure of the function of the back cover 43 as illustrated in
FIGS. 4a, 4b, and FIGS. 5a and 5b.
The semi-rigid portion of the hollow tubular conduit 11 is then
fitted about the ear of the user, the soft flexible portion 12
being inserted at the entrance of the ear canal of the user, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. The securing means 24, as illustrated in
FIG. 2, which is slidably adjustable on the semi-rigid portion of
the hollow tubular conduit is slidably adjusted so as to
supportably secure the hollow tubular conduit in its desired
placement relative to the ear of the user. The user then will
receive all audio messages from the source of incoming audio
messages which may take the form of a suitable electroaudio
transducer as indicated at 34 in the illustration of FIG. 3.
When the user desires to transmit a message, he depresses the
actuator portion of the switch 14, as illustrated in FIG. 1, which
connects the subminiature microphone or equivalent transducer 13 to
the back-carried radio equipment 15. His speech is then transmitted
through the multiple conductors 17 and the breakaway connector 16
to the radio equipment 15 for radio transmission on the air. When
the actuator of the switch 14 is released, the switch 31, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, operates to disconnect the microphone 13
from the radio 15. Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention the electrical connections are preferably arranged so
that the radio equipment is always in a condition to receive
messages, but is only in a condition to transmit messages upon the
actuation of the external actuator of the switch 14.
Those skilled and knowledgeable in the art will readily appreciate
the advantages and high desirability of the capillary portion of
the hollow tubular conduit of the present invention which renders
the conduit virtually impervious to the penetration of water, but
is nonetheless a configuration fully capable of transmitting voice
communications with wholly adequate fidelity for easy
comprehension.
Additionally, the hollow wedge shaped configuration of the back
cover of the waterproof enclosure as conceived by the present
invention, when employed together with a suitably dimensioned wedge
member, provides a highly desirable method and means of securing
the waterproof enclosure to the clothing of the user in any
convenient position. Additionally, it renders the waterproof
enclosure of the present invention readily removable to have its
position changed or to transfer the equipment to another user
without damage or any other desirable effects from the clothing of
the user.
It will be readily appreciated by those knowledgeable in the
pertinent arts that the concept and the embodiment of the present
invention with its manifold desirable aspects and advantages
overcomes the more serious disadvantages of prior art equipments
having comparable functions.
From the foregoing disclosure and description it should be evident
that the present invention provides a convenient means of
interfacing electrically with existing portable radio equipments,
such as the AN/PRC-25 and the AN/PRC-77, for example, and at the
same time provides a breakaway disconnect means which may be
quickly used to disconnect the audio transmitting and receiving
assembly from the radio. Moreover, since the principal portions of
the hollow tubular conduit which conducts audio messages to the
entrance of the ear canal of the user may be fabricated of
colorless, transparent plastic tubing, it is most inconspicuous and
thus highly desirable for tactical field use.
The cost of implementation of the present invention is highly
favorable as compared with present handsets and similar equipments
having equivalent functions. Moreover, as may readily be seen from
the illustrations the typical embodiment of the present invention
is capable of being used continuously during sleep and/or maneuvers
without undue discomfort or requiring detachment from the user. It
is also found to be non-radiating in the sense that only the
radioman or user hears the incoming messages and has the advantage
of being aurally non-occluding for unimpaired hearing and sense of
directionality.
These and other advantages as disclosed hereinbefore render the
concept, teaching, and preferred embodiment of the present
invention most desirable.
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
* * * * *