GB2209647A

GB2209647A - Hands-off, two-way vehicle radio

Info

Publication number: GB2209647A
Application number: GB8721041A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter James Best
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-09-08
Filing date: 1987-09-08
Publication date: 1989-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2007-09-08
Also published as: GB2209647B; GB8721041D0

Abstract

Vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus comprises a transceiver unit 1, a loudspeaker unit 7, a microphone unit 9 and a control unit 4 incorporating a transmission switch (13, Fig 2) and a volume control (12) mounted in a vehicle. The control unit 4 is mounted separately from, but is electrically connected to the transceiver, loudspeaker and microphone units, while the microphone unit 9 is mounted remotely from the control and transceiver units, at a location which positions the microphone adjacent the head of a user sitting in the vehicle. This enables the controls to be positioned conveniently for the user, and the apparatus to be used without holding the microphone, which can interfere with control of the vehicle. The loudspeaker unit 7 may also be remote from the transceiver and control units, preferably being mounted from an upper seat belt anchorage 8, with the microphone unit 9 mounted from it. <IMAGE>

Description

CO1MUNICATIONS APPARATUS This invention relates to communications apparatus, and in particular to apparatus for vehicle two-way radio communications systems.

One well-known vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus comprises a transceiver with an internal loudspeaker, mounted under the dashboard of the vehicle, and a separate microphone and switch assembly, connected by a cable to the transceiver.

When the user wants to transmit on the radio, the assembly is picked up and held close to the mouth, the transmitter being engaged by operating the switch. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that when the user is also driving the vehicle, he or she will have only one hand available for manipulating the vehicle controls while transmitting, which may be dangerous.

Further, the control for adjusting the volume of the received signals, which is the other control used most frequently, is usually on the transceiver, and may be difficult for the user to find in a hurry.

According to my invention, a vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus comprises a transceiver unit, a control unit incorporating a transmission switch, a loudspeaker unit and a microphone unit, the microphone unit being mounted from the vehicle body at a location remote from the transceiver and control units, and adapted to position the microphone adjacent the head of a user sitting in the vehicle.

This arrangement overcomes the disadvantages of the hand-held microphone and switch assembly by having the microphone mounted adjacent the user's head, so that the user needs only to operate the switch at the beginning and end of a transmission.

Preferably the control unit is separate from but connected to the transceiver unit, and is mounted in a convenient place for the user, such as the dashboard, gear lever or steering column. The control unit may also have the volume control, so that both commonly used controls are in the same place. It may also incorporate any circuitry necessary to ensure that the various pieces of apparatus are compatible.

The loudspeaker unit is preferably also remote from the transceiver and control units, and is mounted from the vehicle body at a location which ensures that the user can hear easily. Conveniently the loudspeaker unit is mounted on the upper seat belt anchorage point. The loudspeaker unit is connected to the control unit by a suitable cable.

The microphone unit preferably comprises a small and relatively sensitive microphone, carried by a stalk which is flexible to allow it to be positioned by the user, and self-supporting, so that it remains in the required position. The microphone unit may be mounted from the loudspeaker by a suitable connection.

Alternatively, the microphone unit may be mounted on a separate socket attached to another part of the vehicle body, and connected to the loudspeaker unit by a suitable cable. This arrangement means that the microphone unit can easily be removed from the vehicle if necessary, to prevent unauthorised use of the radio.

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the front passenger compartment of a vehicle showing a vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a control unit; Figure 3 is a front view of a loudspeaker unit; and Figure 4 is a side view of a microphone unit.

The vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a standard transceiver unit 1 mounted under the vehicle dashboard 2, and connected by a cable 3 to a control unit 4 mounted on a gear lever 5. The control unit 4 is in turn connected by a cable 6 to a loudspeaker unit 7 mounted on an upper seat belt anchorage 8, and a microphone unit 9 is carried from the loudspeaker unit 7.

The control unit 4 is shown in more detail in Figure 2, and has a metal housing 10 with circular stand-off clips 11 for attachment to the gear lever 5. The control unit 4 has a rotary potentiometer control 12 which adjusts the volume of the received signal, and a toggle switch 13 for operating the transmitter. The switch 13 is easily operated, as it requires only a momentary action at the beginning and end of transmission. A light-emitting diode (LED) 14 is also provided, which lights to indicate the "transmission-engage" state of the switch 13. The unit 4 has a socket 16 to receive a plug from the loudspeaker cable 6 and the cable 3 connects the unit to the transceiver's microphone, loudspeaker and switch circuits, and to the power supply.The control unit also houses circuitry, in the form of a printed circuit board, required to render the various units compatible with the transceiver, and to limit the current in the LED 14.

The loudspeaker unit 7 comprises a loudspeaker 17 of 6cm diameter housed in a non-metallic casing 18, and protected by a rigid mesh grille 19. A strain-relieving grommet 20 and a socket 21 on opposing sides of the casing are adapted to receive respectively the cable 6 and a plug on microphone unit 9. The casing 18 has at the rear a mounting bracket 22 which is detachably secured at its inner end to the casing by any convenient means. The outer end 23 of the bracket 22 terminates in a slot 24, which is adapted to fit over the upper anchorage bolt of the seat bolt as it passes into the vehicle body, behind the belt feed and rotation assembly. The inner end of the bracket has studs (not shown) which engage frictionally with the casing 18 and the vehicle body to prevent rotation of the loudspeaker unit 7.

The microphone unit 9 comprises a small, lightweight, relatively sensitive microphone 25 (for example of the "Electret" type) housed in one end of a metal stalk 26, which has at is other end a plug 27 for connection into the loudspeaker socket 21. The plug 27 and socket 21 provide a single physical and electrical connection between the microphone and loudspeaker units. The stalk 26 is flexible, so that it allows adjustment of the microphone position, and it is also self-supporting, so that it remains in any given position once put there.

All the apparatus can be easily installed in a vehicle in the positions shown. When installing the loudspeaker unit 6 the bracket 22 is positioned on the casing 18 to ensure that the cable 6 is directed downwardly and towards the rear of the vehicle, with the socket 21 for the microphone unit 9 facing forwardly and upwardly. The cable 6 is preferably fixed to the vehicle body behind any interior trim.

The cable 3 from the control unit 4 passes to the transceiver 1 behind the interior trim as well.

The apparatus is convenient in use, as it has the commonly-used controls, the switch 13 and volume control 12 in the same, easily accessible, place.

Further, the fixed microphone mounting allows the microphone 25 to be positioned very easily for transmission, and when not in use to be pushed away out of the user's field of vision. It is also easy to remove the microphone to prevent unauthorised use of the apparatus.

The location of the various units can be changed to suit a particular vehicle, or a user. For example, the control unit 4 may be mounted on the dashboard or the steering column. In vehicles where the seat belt anchorage is located so that the microphone cannot be positioned correctly, the microphone unit can instead be attached by means of a separate socket fixed on a sun-visor mounting bracket, and connected t the socket 21 of the loudspeaker unit 6 by a suitable cable.

In a modification (not shown) the controls on the unit 4 are combined, and are in the form of a knob which is rotated for volume control and pushed in or pulled out for the transmission switch. The microphone unit 9 may include a hood (not shown') for the microphone 25.

Claims

1. Vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus comprising a transceiver unit, a control unit incorporating a transmission switch, a loudspeaker unit and a microphone unit, the microphone unit being mounted from the vehicle body at a location remote from the transceiver and control units, and adapted to position the microphone adjacent the head of a user sitting in the vehicle.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the control unit is separate from but connected to the transceiver unit.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the control unit also has a control to adjust the volume of received signals.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the loudspeaker unit is mounted on the vehicle body remote from the transceiver and control units.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which the loudspeaker unit is mounted on an upper seat belt anchorage point.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the loudspeaker unit is connected to the control unit by a cable.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the microphone unit comprises a microphone carried by a flexible and self-supporting stalk.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7, in which the microphone unit is mounted from the loudspeaker unit.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7, in which the microphone unit is mounted from the vehicle body by a socket connected to the loudspeaker unit.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. Vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus comprising a transceiver unit, a loudspeaker unit, a microphone unit and a control unit incorporating a transmission switch and a control for adjusting the volume of received signals, the units being located in the vehicle body, with the control unit being separate from the transceiver, loudspeaker and microphone units, but connected electrically to these units, and the microphone unit being mounted from the vehicle body at a location remote from the transceiver and control units, and adapted to position the microphone adjacent the head of a user sitting in the vehicle.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the loudspeaker unit is mounted on the vehicle body remote from the transceiver and control units.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, in which the loudspeaker unit is mounted on an upper seat belt anchorage point.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the loudspeaker unit is connected to the control unit by a cable.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the microphone unit comprises a microphone carried by a flexible and self-supporting stalk.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, in which the microphone unit is mounted from the loudspeaker unit.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, in which the microphone unit is mounted from the vehicle body by a socket connected to the loudspeaker unit.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the transmission switch is separate from the volume control.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, in which the transmission switch comprises a toggle switch, and the volume control is a rotary potentiometer control.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the transmission switch and volume control are combined in a single knob.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the knob is pushed in and pulled out for the transmission switch, and rotated for the volume control.

12. Vehicle two-way radio communications apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.