US1716409A - Radio equipment - Google Patents

Description

R. E. APPEL RADIO EQUIPMENT June 11, 1929.

Filed Aug. 16, 1926 2 SheetsS heet men/$01.

ROBERT E. APPEL by afiorney June 11, 1929. R. E. APPEL 1,716,409

RADIO EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8 ROBERT E. APPEL by attorney Patented June 11, 1929.

ROBERT E. APPEL, 0F SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

RADIO EQUIPMENT.

Application filed August 16, 1926. Serial No. 129,458.

The invention relates to radio and telegraphic apparatus, and more particularly to means for easily and quickly assembling such apparatus into receiving or sending sets, and arranging, or re-arranging, or increasing the number of instruments in a set.

The method of assembling radio and telegraphic apparatus, hitherto commonly prac ticed, requires the use of tools and solder. This method consumes much time, requires skill, causes considerable muss, and results in a set which is not easily changed, enlarged or dissembled.

The purposes of my invention are To make possible and convenient, without the use of tools or solder, the connecting of various apparatus for the reception, detection, amplification, and reproduction, of radio and telegraphic signals, or for cooperative connec tion of apparatus for the propagation of such signals, thus assembling a receiving or sending set; to provide means whereby a set of associated instruments may be quickly and conveniently changed from one hook-up to another, or may be enlarged or disscmbled; it is also an object of my invention to provide an easy means to facilitate the making of experiments in radio and telegraphy for the purpose of instruction, research and development; and to provide improved structural details as will herein appear.

Vith these purposes in view the invention consists in the new and useful features of construction and combination of parts shown in the accompanying drawings to which reference is hereby made.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing atop view of a radio equipment embodying my invention;

Fig. 2' is a conventional wiring diagram showing the hook-up of the radio equipment shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top View of one connector unit in operative relation to an audion tube and shows a series of leads, one of which is plugged into a socket in the connector and into a socket of the audion tube base;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a connector unit of modified construction showing flexible leads having terminal sockets to receive pins on the connector unit and pins on the radio instrument with which the connector co-operates;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6, 6, of Fig. 5;

Fi g. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of another connector unit of slightly modified con struction.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the resilient keepers used to detachably connect the several instruments of a radio set with the main base of the set;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a special socket for standard A batteries; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a special socket for standard B batteries.

Similar reference numerals designate the same parts in the several views.

The invention comprises means whereby a number of electrical instruments, each on its own base, can be quickly associated on a single main base, improved means for detachably connecting the instruments with the main base, a series of connector units, and flexible means for selective connection of the connector units with the instruments.

I will describe: 1sta preferred embodiment of the equipment shown in Figs. 1 and 2; 2n d-the preferred connector unit shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4t. 3rdthe preferred means shown in Fig. 9 for detachably connecting all the instruments with a single main base; 4ththe modified constructions illustrated in Figs. 5. 6. 7 and 8; and 5th the special sockets for the B and A batteries shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11; and I will recite in the claims the new and useful features of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 1; the letter O designates a mainbase on which all the instruments are associated. The letters P designate a number of connector units of my improved con.- struction, in operative relation to the other radio instruments. The assembly shown on Fig. 1 is merely typical, and obviously may comprise a greater or less number of instruments arranged differently relative to each other and relative to the connector units, and still keep within the scope of my invention.

The radio instrumentsshown are: a tuning coil A; variable condensers B and C; grid condenser and grid leak D; an audion tube E a rheostat N; a B battery H; a fixed condenser I; a telephone jack J an A battery K and the usual aerial L and ground M. Each. instrument, except as stated, has its own base of improved construction to be described later, adapted for detachable connection with the main base 0. It is to be noted also that special sockets, shown in detail in Figs. 10

' later;

of one will snftice 'lorlall.

' lVhere it is necessaryfOr two or more leads from instruments to be joined the usual methodot soldering is superseded by employing the connector units P. A number of such units are provided for the assembling "or enlarging, or rearranging of a set. They are preferably secured on the base 0 by screws 15, but other suitable securing devices, such as the keepers Q (Figs. 1, 4 and 9) obviously may be used without departure from my invention. p r p The preferred connector units P shown in Figs. 1, 3 and l, are all alike, so a description Each connector unit preferably comprises a'fiatmetal bot.- tom plate 16, an insulating body or block l7, a plate .18 of conductive material having a series of sockets 19 adapted to receive re.- silient slitted plugs 20, connected with the flexible lea-ds'R. The plugs 20, being slitted and resilient are dependable to make close electrical contact with the walls ofthe sockets'19. f In Fig. 1, I have shownja series of connector units l? spaced apart from each other, each on its own bottom plate 16 and each hav ing a single insulating block 17and a single conductive plate 18 havinga series of sockets 19; it is obvious however that a number of conductive plates, each having a series of sockets may be associated in a single insulating block without departure from my in? vention; 1 V y 7 The bases of the rad o lnstruments'A, E,

D, I, etc., are important elements of my invention. These bases are all of similar construction but diiter in SlZOfi-Ilfl the number of sockets to suit the different instruments. I have shown in Fig. 4 a typical minor or de tachab'le base S supporting an audion tube E. Theminor base S isa block of insulating material of suitable dimensions. It has a series of'bores 21,-each containing a metal socket 22 to receive a corresponding plug 20 on the' flexible lead R. Conductors 23 connect the sockets 2:2 with the electrical instrument E which is mounted on the minor base. Al'dove tail groove 2a extends a suflicicnt distance into the minor base and receives a corresponding resilient keeper Q which is secured on the main base 0 by screws 25,

extcndingthrough the feet 26 and engaging in the material of the main base. i

[The modified connector unit illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, is in the main similar to the preferredeonnector unit. The modified unit P comprisesa body 25 of insulating material and ac'onducting element 26, having inand S and has a dovetail groove 29 adapted to ac- ;connnodate akeeperQ} ot the form already described. Upwardly extending slitted plugs 'S'Lhave conducting elements 30 imb'edded in the minorbase S and electrically connected with the instrument supported on the base. The leads B have sockets at each end; one socket its on'tlie plug 27 and the other'socket tits on the plug 3ltoelectrically connect P 'lheinodified connect-or unit P illustrated 7 in 7 and 8 comprises an insulatingbody- 32: aconducting=plate ggimbcdded in the body an lsockets soldered in perforations in the plate. The leads R shownin Figs. 3 and 4 are adapted to fit inthe sockets 34c to make the desired electrical connections.

Figure 4 shows a number of leads inserted in the connector unit. One of-the leads is shown connected to an electrical socket which replaces the usual binding post on the radio or telegraphic apparatus.

The leads are preferably provided with terminals at each end so designed as to make a firm electrical connection. lily invention also includes the resilient keepers Q shown inFigs. 1 means forattaching apparatus'to the main base. n prime purpose of my invention is 1 l, 7 and 9 which may serve as a to make it easy andv convenient to change. 7

from one thook up tov another and to pro vide suitable facilities for adding, detaching, orrearranging apparatus ojn-the main base as may be desired. The keeper shown in Figs. 1 and 9 is adapted to engage the dovetail slot in the minor base which sup close electrical contact with any one of the loopet spring-clip terminals 36 Fig. 10; it also has at the free end of the-blade a socket 37 to receive a plug 20 such as is shown on the 1ead'R,-i1'1'Fig. 4:; orinstead' of socket, a plug 27 such as is shown in Figs. 5 and e, adapted to engagein the sockets 28 of the leadlt Connecting devices for the A battery K are shownin Figs. land 11 The connecting devices are; a relatively long flat arm 38 con nected with one terminal of the battery by a screw 39 which is part of the battery, and a shorter arm 40 connected with "theother terminal of the battery by a screw 41 which is part of the battery. At the free end of each arm is a socket 42, or a plug 27 (Fig. 5) as the case may be, as already stated in the description of the B battery connection.

In order to illustrate the mode of use of my invention I have taken as an example a radio receiving set which it is desired to assemble. The wiring diagram for this set is shown in Fig. 2 in which the usual conventional terms are used to represent the various apparatus as follows; A a tuning coil with primary an d secondary windings; B and C variable condensers; D fixed condenser; E audion tube; H B battery I phone condenser; J phones; K A battery; L aerial; M ground; N rheostat.

Fig. 1 shows the same set assembled in accordance with my invention. In Fig. 1 the reference letters correspond to those in 2 excepting that in Fig. 1 the letter J represents a telephone jack instead of the telehones themselves shown at J in Fig. 2.

otter J represents the main base which is provided with keepers Q for holding the ap paratus in place and is also provided with connector units P. The instruments and other apparatus are provided with socket terminals instead of the usual binding posts. Then by means of the leads heretofore described the connections are made according to the diagram in Fig. 2. Figs. 10 and 11 show special socket attachments for batteries. The sockets are parts of the present invention, which admit of making all necessary connections by means of plugging in the terminals of the flexible insulated leads.

It is to be noted that in Fig. 1 extra keepers Q are provided for the purpose of accommodating additional minor bases S and the iiistruments thereon. They also make it possible to rearrange the instruments in positions suitable to various hook-ups according to the work in hand.

Operation.

Many various modes of using the equipment will occur to persons skilled in the art. it is therefore deemed necessary to recite only the following two typical examples.

1st. In laboratory Work along the lines of radio and telegraphic research the various changes in book up that suggest themselves to the experimenter can be quickly and easily made. For laboratory experiments in classes of instruction in radio and telegraphy the time alloted for each class is too small to permit much experimentation by the usual method.

In such. cases it is very desirable to have at hand means for quick arrangement, or rearrangement, of the elements of the experimental equipment, and means to facilitate the elimination of unused elements and the adding of new elements.

For example, referring to Fig. 1. If the variable condenser B proves to be oi the wrong capacity for use with the inductance coil A, it only is necessary to detach the leads R from B, slide it oil the corresponding keeper Q and replace it by slipping on a condenser ot a diflerent capacity and replacing the leads R.

2nd. Inasn'iuch as many radio users wish to try the various hook ups that come into use from time to time and also wish to make experiments on their own initative it is desirable to have a means of so doing which will save labor and material, require no soldering, with its attendant muss, and will readily admit of frequent changes. For example the invention herein described would permit oneto try several hook ups in the same evening. One might connect the apparatus to make a single tube nonregenerative set, then change to a regenerative set, then to a reflux set. or perhaps add a stage of amplification, all in short space of time. When the user gets a hook up that suits him he may leave it that way until he desires to try something else.

Having fully described-my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A radio kit comprising a single main base; a number of minor bases disposable on r the main base in changeable relation to each other; radio instruments of the plug and socket type mounted on the respective minor bases; attaching devices'adaptcd to connect the minor bases with the main base in changeable relation to each other to suit variable conditions of use; a number of connector units of the plug and socket type on said main base; and flexible leads of the plug and socket type adapted to connect any radio instrument with any connector unit and adapted to electrically connect any radio instrument of the kit with any other allied instrument of the kit, thereby changing the hook up of the kit at the pleasure of the user.

2. A radio equipment comprising a main base; keepers attachable in selective positions relative to each other on said main base; a number of minor bases detachably connected with said keepers; a number of radio instruments, one on each minor baseeach instrument having each of its electrical elements terminated in a socket; connector units each comprising an insulative block and a conductive plate on said insulative block and having a number of sockets each adapted to receive one terminal of a flexible lead; and a number of leads serving to connect a corresponding number of energized radio instru ments through the conductive plates of said connector units.

3. A radio equipment comprising a main base; a number of connector units on the main base, each connector unit composed of an insulating block and a conductive plate imvordistributed capacity; a number of radio ;mov.able relative to said insulating block, said plate having a numberof fixed contact elementseach adapted to co-act with one terminaloit' a flexible plugaud socket lead and adapted to transmit ieeb'le lmpulses oi radio energy unimpeded'by appreciable resistance instruments capable of selective attachment on said main 'ba=se,=each instrument adapted forplugandsocket connection with one termiualot' a flexible lead; a number of flexible leads each adapted to plug and socket connections with anyof said radio instruments, and with .anycof said connector units, con- -forma bly toany desiredzhook up of said radio instruments at points ineicated ouany diagram as oined -w1res,sa1d connectors bein g themselves normally inert and only energized upon becoming alinkwbetween a number of leadsconnected with instruments which are energized. i a

4 ,A-eonnectorunit comprising a body of insulating material associated with a body of norm-ally inert conductive material having a number of contactelements, all the parts of saidconnector unit beingin iixe'd relation ,5. A radio equipment comprising main main base; a number of-sour-ces of electric energy a number of minor bases adapted to engage said keepers. to detachably connect said minor bases with said main base; radio instruments supported on'some of said minor bases; a connector unit stationary on one'oi said minor bases and comprising an insulating block and a conducting plate on said block and having a series of sockets adapted to re ceive a number ofwires plugged into it to elcctricall y connect all wiresso plugged into it and flexible leaklseaeh having atone end base, ;a number of resilient keepers on said a terminal adapted to engage in any socket in said contact plate'and having at its other end a terminal adapted to engage inany socket of any said radio instrument tocorrelate said through said connector unit;

radio instruments connected 6. r1 radio kit comprising a single main base a number of insulative minor bases each having asocket to receive a keeper; a number of metallic keepers adapted forselective placement on said main base andadapted to re in the sockets of said minorbases; o instruments, each on its own minor base, in ce-operative relation to each other; connector units on said main base; and flex ible leads of the plug-and socket type adapted for selective connections of the radio'instrumeuts with the connector units, with each

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