US538378A - James a - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J. A. MALONEY.

OTOPHONE.

No. 538,378. Patented Apr. 30, 1895.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. MALONEY, OF \VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO E. FRANCIS RIGGS, OF SAME PLACE.

OTOPHONE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,378, dated April 30, 1895.

Application filed July 20,1894.

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES A. MALONEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of WVashington, in the District of Oolu mbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Otophones; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the'art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side view,

partly in section, showing the invention applied to one form of instrument. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the invention applied to a second form of instrument. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the diaphragm. Fig. at is an edge View of the same with the means for supporting it, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the supporting-segment.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in otophones or auriphones, designed for use by persons of defective hearing, and more particularly to that class of such devices as are set forth and claimed in my patents, dated May 3, 1887, Nos.

362,099 and 362,100.

The present invention relates more particularly to the diaphragm which receives the sound impulses and transmits the vibrations thereof to the drum-head, and to the combination of the same with the other essential parts 5 of the instrument, the object being to provide a diaphragm which is exceedingly sensitive to sound vibrations and which, at the same time is free from liability to rupture; and to support the same in such a manner as to give it great freedom of movement while preventing the transmission of its vibrations to adjacent parts of the instrument where they would become lost and of no effect.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 shows the invention applied to an instrument of the general form shown in my Patent No. 362,100, and consisting of an elongated tube A, a mouth piece B upon one end of said tube, an ear piece 0 at the opposite Serial No. 513.123. (No model.)

end thereof, a diaphragm case D, and diaphragm E situated just behind said ear piece, said diaphragm case and diaphragm being constructed in accordance with my present invention.

The diaphragm E is made of a thin, circular, or approximately circular, sheet of some metal possessing great vibratory properties, and of great tenacity and strength. The metal which I prefer to employ is aluminium which I have found to meet the above requirements to a high degree and which gives excellent effects. This diaphragm is supported in the case D by means of a short segment F of some material of non-vibratory character secured to one edge of the diaphragm by means of screws d, d. Said segment is secured to the case D usually by means of two screws 0, 0, one near each end of the segment, the surface of the segment being cut away, as indicated at f, f, so that the heads of these screws are out of contact with the diaphragm. IVith the exception of this support against the central portion of the segment, the diaphragm is entirely free and unconfined, which gives it a wide range of vibrations from the sound impulses directed against it through the mouth piece and tube. I prefer to form the segment ofa small block of lead, but other material possessing the same properties may be employed.

The mouth pieceis adapted to the face of the speaker in such a manner that none of the sounds uttered will escape from the tube, and that no external sounds can enter same. The ear piece is also of such form as to fit over the 85 external ear or auricle, excluding external sounds and guarding against the escape of internal sounds, which are communicated to the drum-head through the interposed media.

The non-vibratory supporting segment or 0 block prevents the vibrations of the dia phragm from being transmitted to the casing and lost.

Fig. 2 shows the application of the same diaphragm and support to the general form of in- 5 strument shown in my Patent No. 362,099, and comprising a sound collector H, a case I, a short curved tube K connecting said sound 2. In an otophone or similarinstrument the combination with a diaphragm of a support therefor, said support comprising a short block or segment of non sound conducting 15 properties, such as lead. substantially as speci- In an otophone the combination with a sound carrying tube having a mouth piece or sound collector, and an ear piece, of a metallic zo diaphragm situated behind the ear piece, and

a short segment or block of poor sound conducting properties securing said diaphragm to Ms case, said diaphragm being entirely free except at such short segment or block, substantially as specified.

4:. In an otophone, the combination with a thin metallic diaphragm and its case, of a short segment or block of poor sound conducting properties secured to said case and to which the diaphragm is secured at one edge, said block being cut away adjacent to the diaphragm at the points where said block is sooured to the casing, substantially as specified.

5. In an otophone the combination with a diaphragm of aluminum, of a short securing and supporting block or segment at one edge thereof, said block or segment being of poor sound conducting material, such as lead, substantially as specified. I

In testimony whereof I at'lix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES A. MALONEY.

Witnesses:

PHILIP O. MASI, GEO. M. ANDERSON.

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