GB2351402A

GB2351402A - Fixed frequency radio receiver

Info

Publication number: GB2351402A
Application number: GB9917335A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Alexander Spicer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-06-01
Filing date: 1999-07-26
Publication date: 2000-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-26
Also published as: GB9917335D0; GB9912808D0; GB2351402B

Abstract

The invention provides a radio receiver 1 which is permanently tuned to the frequency of only one radio transmitting station and which has a single control device 3 which controls both the on/off and volume functions.

Description

2351402 RADIO RECEIVER This invention concerns a radio receiver which is

adapted to provide simple operation and construction.

There are very many different radio transmitting stations which broadcast on different frequencies, especially in the FM VHF band. Conventional portable radio receivers are tunable to a large number of different frequencies, but market research has revealed that a significant proportion of the population listen almost exclusively to just one radio station. Also conventional radio receivers are difficult to tune for those who are suffering from certain disabilities, especially for those who are visually impaired or those who have suffered loss of movement and sensitivity in their hands.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a radio receiver which is simpler to operate and construct than conventional receivers, and yet which will provide adequate performance for a significant proportion of the population.

The invention provides a radio receiver which is permanently tuned to the frequency of only one radio transmitting station and which has a single control device which controls both the on/off and volume functions.

The radio receiver preferably comprises a solid state tuning circuit which may comprise one or more resistors and one or more capacitors, the values of which are chosen to give a tuned circuit having the resonant frequency of the radio transmitter which it is desired to receive.

The radio receiver is preferably contained within a case which may be of a moulded plastics material. The case is conveniently made in two or more interconnecting pieces in order to provide access to the interior. Preferably the case is made in a shape which is pleasing to the eye. The case may be, for example, of substantially spheroidal, ellipsoidal or ovoid shape, with a planar portion to form a stable base. The case may be produced in a variety of different colours to conform to the particular colour scheme preferred by a customer.

one or more speaker apertures are provided in the case in order to permit the unhindered emission of sound from the radio receiver. A speaker device is preferably mounted to the inside of each of these apertures. In most cases the receiver will be intended for monophonic operation, and will therefore require one single aperture and one speaker, but the receiver may also be provided with two speakers in order to take full advantage of stereophonic transmissions. The, or each, speaker aperture is preferably covered with a sound-permeable material, which may be, for example, a textile material, a fine metallic mesh or a porous or perforated plastics material.

The control device is preferably a rotatable knob the shape of which is designed to conform to the overall shape of the case. The knob may be provided with raised or depressed areas to improve the ease with which the knob can be gripped or turned by a user.

The radio receiver is preferably provided with an external aerial. The aerial may comprise an extending rod, one end of which is pivotally connected to the case. The extending rod may be of telescopic construction, and is preferably curved to conform to the upper surface of the case, and is accommodated in a depression in the upper part of the case. Advantageously the extending rod is secured to a curved strip of material which forms a cover for the depression in the upper part of the case, and which conceals the aerial when not in use. The length of the curved strip of material is approximately equal to the extending rod when in its unextended state.

A compartment in the case is provided to accommodate batteries, which compartment is provided with a removable cover. The cover is conveniently provided in the base of the radio receiver.

The following is a description of one embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, and is illustrated by means of the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a radio receiver in accordance with the invention.

A radio receiver 1 comprises a tuning circuit which is composed of components of values such that the circuit is permanently tuned to the frequency of one single transmitting station. The receiver is housed in a case 2 which is of approximately ovoid shape and is constructed in the form of two interconnecting pieces of injection moulded plastics material. A control knob 3 is provided to enable a user to operate a combined on/off switch and volume control inside the case. The knob is formed with broad grooves 4 in the pattern of a four-pointed star to facilitate gripping and turning of the knob. The outer surface of the knob is shaped to conform to the outer surface of the case.

A speaker is mounted in the case behind an elliptical aperture 5 in the case. This aperture is covered with a textile material 6 which is attached to the case with an adhesive. The textile material carries a motif 7, which may be the logo or publicity slogan of the radio station to which the receiver is tuned.

An aerial rod 8 is accommodated in a depression 9 in the upper part of the case. One end of the aerial rod is connected to the case by means of a pivot 10, and a curved strip 11 of the same plastics material, as was used to form the case, is secured to the rod and hinges upwards with the rod when the aerial is brought into use. The aerial rod 8 is preferably of telescopic construction.

A battery compartment (not shown) is provided in the base of the receiver and is closed by means of a removable cover.

Claims

1. A radio receiver which is permanently tuned to the frequency of only one radio transmitting station and which has a single control device which controls both the on/off and volume functions.

2. A radio receiver according to claim 1, which comprises a solid state tuning circuit comprising one or more resistors and one or more capacitors, the values of which are chosen to give a tuned circuit having the resonant frequency of the radio transmitter which it is desired to receive.

3. A radio receiver according to claim 1 or 2 contained within a case of a moulded plastics material.

4. A radio receiver according to claim 3, wherein the case is made in two or more interconnecting pieces.

S. A radio receiver according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the case is of substantially spheroidal, ellipsoidal or ovoid shape with a planar portion to form a stable base.

6. A radio receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more speaker apertures are provided in the case.

7. A radio receiver according to claim 6, wherein the, or each, speaker aperture is covered with a textile material, a fine metallic mesh or a porous or perforated plastics material.

8. A radio receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device is a rotatable knob the shape of which is designed to conform to the overall shape of the case.

9. A radio receiver according to claim 8, wherein the rotatable knob is provided with raised or depressed areas.

10. A radio receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an external aerial is provided which aerial comprises an extending rod, one end of which is pivotally connected to the case.

11. A radio receiver according to claim 10, wherein the extending rod is of telescopic construction.

12. A radio receiver according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the extending rod is curved to conform to the upper surface of the case, and is accommodated in a depression in the upper part of the case.

13. A radio receiver according to claim 12, wherein the extending rod is secured to a curved strip of material which forms a cover for the depression in the upper part of the case, and which conceals the aerial when not in use.

14. A radio receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a compartment is provided in the case to accommodate batteries, which compartment is provided with a removable cover.

15. A radio receiver according to claim 14, wherein the removable cover is provided in the base of the radio receiver.

16. A radio receiver as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.