US2252748A - Transmitter headset - Google Patents

Description

9, 1941. A. E. WObDRUFF ETAL 2,252,748

TRANSMITTER HEADSET Original Filed Sept. 3, 1 957 INVENTORS Alberf E Woodruff Alberf ff Hot/ache!" ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 19, 1941 TRANSMITTER HEADSET Albert E. Woodruff, Oak Park, and Albert F. Horlacher, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, I-ll., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 3, 1937, Serial No.

162,252, now Patent No. 2,184,262, dated December 19, 1939. Divided and this application April 17, 1939, Serial No. 268,244

. 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to transmitter head set supporting apparatus and more particularly to an assembly for supporting a pair of microphone cells in position against the body of a wearer or user. This application is a division of applicants co-pending application Serial No.

162,252, filed September 3, 1937, now U. S. Patent No. 2,184,262, Woodrufi and Horlacher, granted Dec. 19, 1939.

In the present applicants co-pending application Serial No. 162,253, filed September 3, 1937, now U. S. Patent No. 2,184,064, Woodruff and Horlacher, granted Dec. 19, 1939, there is disclosed and claimed an improved transmitter cell of the type which is responsive to received me chanical vibrations as contrasted with the conventional type of cell which responds to received sound waves. Asexplained in the above-referred to application, cells of this character possess deflnite operating advantages, particularly when used to transmit intelligence or speech from an area wherein the background noise is exceedingly high, such, for example, as from the cockpit of an airplane. In use, a cell of this type is strapped to the throat of the user so that the diaphragm thereof is vibrated in accordance with muscular vibrations of the throat when the user or wearer speaks. Several forms of apparatus have heretofore been used for supporting the microphone cells in position, but all such apparatus involves the use of helmets having the microphone cells embodied therein, or other similar structures of cumbersome character.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved assembly for the purpose specified which is of simple, economical and rugged construction and is so compact that it occupies a small amount of space when not in service.

In general, the object as set forth above is attained in accordance with the present invention by providing an assembly of the character noted wherein a pair of transmitter cells are secured in spaced-apart relation to a supporting member constructed of flexible resilient material, such, for example, as soft rubber, and means comprising this member are used for supporting the cells against the throat of a user or wearer. Two modifications of the improved assembly are described in detail hereinafter. In each of these modifications, the circuit conductors terminating at the two cells are embedded in the member supporting the cells throughout at least a portion of the length thereof. In one modification, the base portion of each cell is provided with a depression within which an enlarged end of the flexible supporting member is seated, and there is embodied in each cell a cover plate which is secured to the base member of the associated cell and is so shaped as to cover the associated enlarged end of the flexible supporting member. In the other modification, the supporting member is provided at spaced intervals along its length with cup-shaped openings, each of which is adapted to accommodate one of the two cells, and each of the cells is so shaped as to fit within and distend the side walls of either opening. This last-mentioned modification further contemplates the use of a resilient stiffening element embedded in the flexible member and encircling the edges of each of the cupshaped openings, thereby to cause the sides of the openings to grip the sides of the cells respectively inserted therein. This stiffening element is provided with angularly bent portions extending exteriorly of the flexible supporting member at each end thereof, which portions are so shaped as to form fastening elements to which may be attached a strap having mounted thereon fastening elements for cooperating with the fastening elements formed at each end of the supporting member. Thus, the flexible supporting member, the strap and the various fastening elements comprise means for supporting the cells against the body of a user or wearer.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side'view illustrating one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a top view of the supporting assembly shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view illustrating the details of one of the flexible members referred to above, Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the member illustrated in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a view, partially in section, illustrating certain details of the assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 6 is a view illustrating certain details of one of the elements embodied in the microphone cells shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modified embodiment of the invention, and Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate certain details of the assembly shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring now more particular y to Figs. 1

to 6, inclusive, of the drawing, there is illustrated one embodiment of the improved assembiy which is constructed and arranged in ac cordance with the disclosure contained in the above-referred to co-pending application, serial No. 162,252. This assembly comprises a pair of microphone cells it and it, each of which is constructed and arranged in. accordance with the disclosure contained in the above-referred to co-pending application, Serial No. 162,253, and a member 52 constructed of flexible resil ient material, such as soft rubber, to which the cells It and It are secured in spaced apart relation. In brief, each of the cells comprises a base member of insulating material, a cup-shaped member constructed of cellulose acetate material and having its rim secured to the surface of the associated base member, and a structure positioned between the bottom of the cupshaped member and the base member and enclosed thereby for retaining therein the granulated carbon pile conventionally embodied in such cells. Thus, in Fig. the cell It is shown as comprising a base member I 0', a cup-shaped member9 having 'its rim secured to the adjacently disposed surface of the member ID and a carbon pile retaining structure, not shown, enclosed within the two members 9 and III. The bottom portion 9 of the cup-shaped member 9 is made relatively thin and functions as the vibrating diaphragm to transmit vibrations to the movable electrode embodied in the carbon pile retaining structure referred to above. It will be apparent from the drawing that the construction of the cell II is in all respects identical with the cell I 0 and, hence, need not be described.

'I'he'flexible supporting member I2 forms a part of means for supporting the cells I0 and II with the respective diaphragms thereof in ehgagement with the throat of a wearer, this means also comprising a strap I3 having one end secured within the cell II, in the manner described in detail hereinafter, and a fastening'element in the form of an eye I4 mounted on the Q other end thereof for attachment to a cooperating fastening element in the form of a hook I5 fixedly mounted on the base member ID of the cell III. Inserted intermediate the two ends of the strap I3 is a'buckle I6 which is provided for the purpose of adjusting the length of the strap to conform to the requirements of a particular user.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the flexible member I2 is provided at its ends with enlarged annular portions I I and I8 which are adapted to seat within annular depressions fonned in the respective base members I0 and II of the cells II) and II. These enlarged annular portions are clamped within the depressions noted by means of cover plates I9 and 20 secured, respectively, to the base portions I0 and II by screws 2| and 22. In this connection, it is pointed out that the narrowed link portion of the member I2 is seated in slots cut, respectively, along the edges of the base members III and II in the manner best illustrated in Fig. 6; the slots noted constitute restricted connecting openings respectively formed inthe base members III and II and respectively communicating with the depressions formed therein. Two screws are provided for securing the cover plate of each cell in position and each thereof extends through a hole punched in the annular portion of the flexible member I2. The end of the strap I3 which is secured to the cell II extends withina slot provided along the edge clamping force exerted thereon by the annular portion is of the flexible member ii. In a simi-- lar manner, the hook i5 is mounted on the base member it with the shank thereof extending through a slot out along the edge of the base member iii. This hook is clamped to the base member is by means comprising a. projection formed integrally with the cover plate I9 and extending within the last-mentioned slot, the last-mentioned projection carried by the cover plate is corresponding to the projection 8 carried by the cover plate 20.

Each of the two cells I0 and II is provided in its base member with a pair of circuit terminals, not shown, and extending to these terminals are circuit conductors embedded or molded in the flexible member I2. More specifically, a circuit conductor cord 23 is provided which includes a-pair of insulated conductors 24 and 25 terminating at the terminals of a plug 28 and having extensions embedded in the flexible member I2 and connected, respectively, to one terminal of each of the cells I0 and II. The two cells noted are connected in series between the outgoing circuit conductors 24 and 25 by means including a third conductor 21, also embedded in the flexible member I2, and connected to one terminal of each of the two cells I0 and II. By connecting the cells in series in this manner, a greater amplitude of output is obtained with a given vibrational input to the cells. In order to relieve the embedded conductors 24 and 25 from strain and to enhance the durability of the assembly, a stay cord 28 is provided which includes a knotted end 29 embedded in the flexible member I2. This stay cord'may be molded in or otherwise fixedly secured within the insulation of the cord 23.

Due to the fiexible and resilient characteris tics of the member I2, the assembly as described above may be readily inserted in the pocket of th user and, when removed therefrom, immediately assumes a position for the convenient attachment of the same around the neck of the user. More particularly, the resilient character of the member I2 permits the microphone assembly to be deformed to a convenient configuration for carrying or transport when not in use and insures that the assembly will assume a configuration facilitating the fastening thereof to the wearers body when released from forces causing its deformation. It will be understood that the strap I3 is adapted to pass around the neck of the wearer and that the eye I4 cooperates with the hook I5, thereby securely to support the two cells III and II with the diaphragms thereof pressing against opposite sides of the throat of the wearer. When this is done, the member I2 will assume a curved contour and will rest against the front central portion of the users throat.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, of the drawing, there is illustrated a modification of the improved supportbedded or molded therein, around the edges thereof, a stiifening element comprising a wire 32 which encircles the cup-shaped openings 30 and 3| and serves to press the side walls thereof against the walls of the cells It and H, respectively inserted therein, thereby firmly to retain these cells in their assembled positions. The construction of the cells as well as the mode of electrically connecting the same is identical with that described above for the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive. Also corresponding to the construction of the first described modification is the feature of embedding or molding the circuit conductors in the'fiexible supporting member l2. In the modification now under consideration, the strap I3 is not fixedly secured to eitherv of the two cells but is provided at each ,end with a fastening I element in the form of a hook for engaging a cooperating fastening element comprising an eye formed, at each end of the member [2, from an angularly bent portion of the wire 32 which extends exteriorly of the'member II, In this modification, the member I2 is bent to form a right angle so that the two cells In and II are prepositioned to engage the opposite sides of the throat of a user when the supporting assembly is secured in position by means of the strap l3, It is pointed out that, with this arrangement, only the diaphragm portion of each of the cells extends exteriorly of the cup-shaped openings in which the cells are respectively mounted. As a consequence, the areas of the member [2 adjacent the diaphragms of the respective cells provide an additional supporting surface 4 retaining the cells against the throat of a wearer. This additional area minimizes the discomfort to the wearer when the diaphragms of the cells are securely clamped to the wearer's throat.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is contemplated to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A microphone supporting assembly comprising. in combination, a pair of microphone cells, a member constructed of flexible resilient material, said member being provided with two cupshaped cavities at spaced intervals along its length, each of said cavities being adapted to accommodate andremovably to support one of said cells, each of said cells being shaped to fit within and distend the side wall of one of said cavities, a resilient stiffening element embedded in said member and encircling the side wall of each ofsaid cavities, thereby to cause the side walls of said cavities to grip the side walls of the cells respectively inserted into said cavities, said element being provided with portions extending exteriorly of said member at each end thereof and shaped to form fastening elements, a strap having a fastening element mounted at each end thereof for attachment to the fastening elements formed ateach end of said element, and means including said member and said strap and said fastening elements for supporting said cells against the body of a wearer.

, 2. A microphone supporting assembly comprising, in combination, a pair of microphone cells, a member constructed of fiexible resilient material, said member being provided with two cup-shaped cavities at spaced intervals along its length, each of said cavities being adapted to accommodate and removably to support one of said cells, each of said cells being shaped to fit within and distend the side wall of one of said cavities, circuitterminals mounted on each of said cells, circuit conductors connected to said cells, said conductors being embedded in said member throughout at least a portion of the length thereof, a resilient stiffening element embedded in said member and encircling the side wall of each of said cavities, thereby to cause the side walls of said cavities to grip the side walls of the cells respectively inserted into said cavities, said element being provided with por- ALBERT E. WOODRUFF. ALBERT F. HORLACHER.

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