US2263066A - Telephone unit - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 18, 1941.

E. BENISEK ETAL 2,253,066 v TELEPHONE UNIT Filed March 29,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i SS ( f 3/ a? v56 I "53 l I: I I S T v Q -/9 :0 Q 55% INSULATION 58 %57 I 57 2 LHJ '0 (O) 20 m a 6 64 52; 70'

INVENTORS EDWARD BENISEK BY THEODORE c. RIEBE v Aw), ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 18, 1941 TELEPHONE UNIT Edward Benisek, Geneva, and Theodore C. Riebe, Chicago, 111., assignors to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application March 29, 1940, Serial No. 326,550

4 Claims. (Cl. 179-.29)

The present invention relates to telephone units and more particularly to telephone equipment vention to provide an improved telephone unit comprising both battery type and non-battery type of telephone equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved telephone unit adapted to be supported by the body of a user which comprises both battery type and sound-powered type of telephone equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a telephone unit, an improved apparatus casing housing telephone equipment which is selectively operative to render-usable in conjunction with a telephone line both a first microphone of the battery throat type and a second microphone of the sound-powered type.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a telephone unit, an improved apparatus casing housing telephone equipment which is connected by water-tight connections to associated receiver and transmitter and telephonelines.

In general, the objects as set forth above are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing, in a telephone unit of the character noted, an apparatus casing, means for supporting the apparatus casing upon the body of a user, a receiver, means for supporting the receiver upon the body of a user, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-waveactuated type, means for supporting the first microphone upon the apparatus casing in proper relationship with respect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the battery vibratingmuscular-actuated type, and means for'supporting the second microphone upon the body of a user. Also the telephone unit comprises a receiver line connected to the receiver, means for completing a water-tight connection between the receiver line and the apparatus casing, a first contact plug connected to the first microphone, a second contact plug connected to the second microphone, a contact socket carried by the apparatus casing and adapted to receive eitherone of the contact plugs, means for completing a water-tight connection between the apparatus casing and the one of thecontact plugs inserted into the contact socket, a telephone line, and means for completing a water-tight connection between the telephoneline and the apparatus casing. Also the apparatus casing houses telephone equipment including a switch and a battery and a circuit network, the receiver line and the telephone line being connected to the circuit network, and the circuit network including a first operating circuit excluding the battery for the first microphone and a second operating circuit including the battery for the second microphone. Finally the telephone unit comprises means including the switch for selectivelycompleting the first operating circuit and the second operating circuit and means including an operating handle carried by the apparatus casing for selectively operating the switch.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular construction and arrangement of the telephone unit, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features areattained.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forthwith particularity in the appended claims. The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages -thereof,-will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a portable telephone unit embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the telephone unit shown in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of an apparatus casing, with the cover removed, and forming a part of the telephone unit; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus casing taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, illustrating the arrangement of the apparatus housed therein; and Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit incorporated in the telephone unit.

Referring now'more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a portable telephone unit embodying the features of the present invention and comprising a supporting chestplate l0 which is adapted to be supported by a shoulderstrap II against the chest of auser. Preferably, the chest plate II] has a substantially dished configuration and is provided with a pairof oppositely and outwardly extending upper arms l2, a pair of oppositely and outwardly extending lower arms [3 :and a pair of rearwardly extending substantially parallel intermediate arms l4. Preferably, the shoulder strap H is provided with an arrangement, not shown, for adjusting the length thereof and carries buckles 15 on the opposite ends thereof which cooperate with pins I6 carried by the upper arms 12 of the chest plate ill to provide a disengageable connection of the bayonet type between the pins !6 and the buckles [5, thereby to facilitate ready placement and removal of the chest plate with respect to the chest of the user.

An apparatus casing i7 is removably carried by the chest plate and comprises a front wall I8 and a removable rear cover 19, the cover 19 being secured to the front wall 18 by a number of screws 29 and a gasket 21 being interposed between the front wall l8 and the cover 19 in order to render the apparatus casing I! watertight. The apparatus casing 11 is secured to the chest plate ID by a number of screws 22 extending through openings provided in a number of tabs 23 carried by the front wall I3 of the apparatus casing I1 and threaded into tapped holes provided in the chest plate i0.

Also the telephone unit comprises a microphone 24 of the voltage-generating sound-waveactuated or sound-powered type including an enclosing casing 25, a mouthpiece 26 and a push button control switch 21. Preferably the microphone 24 is of the construction of that disclosed in the copending application of Albert E. Woodruif and Albert P. Horlacher, Serial No. 209,802, filed May 24, 1938. The microphone 24 is pivotally mounted on the chest plate [0 by a supporting bracket including two links 28 and 29. The link 28 is substantially Y-shaped and includes a pair of outwardly extending legs 30 embracing the upper end of the apparatus casing H and pivotally secured to the intermediate arms 84 carried by the chest plate It by an arrangement including two fastening elements provided with friction nuts 31; while the link 29 is substantially Y-shaped and includes a pair of outwardly extending legs 92 embracing the casing 25 of the microphone 24, the casing 25 of the microphone 24 being pivotally mounted between microphone 24 is pivotally mounted on the link 29, the links 28 and'29 being pivotally connected together. This arrangement provides for universal adjustment of the mouthpiece 26 of the microphone24 in both the horizontal and vertical direction with respect to the mouth of the user.

Further the telephone unit comprises a microphone -35 of the battery vibrating-muscularactuated or throat type including two microphone cells 35 connected together by a flexible insulating link 31. Further the throat microphone 35 is provided with a neckband 38, one end of which is secured to one of the microphone cells 36 and the other end of which carries 'a buckle 39 which is adapted to cooperate with a hook 49 carried by the'other microphone cell -36, thereby to provide a fastening element of the hook-and-eye type, in order to facilitate ready placement and removal of the throat microphone 35 upon the neck of the user. Preferably the throat. microphone 35 is of the construction of that disclosed in Albert E. Woodruff and Albert F. Horlacher Patent No. 2,18%,262, issued December 19, 1939; while each of the microphone cells is of the construction of that disclosed in Albert E. Woodruff and Albert F. Horlacher Patent No. 2,184,064, issued December 19, 1939.

Further the telephone unit comprises two substantially identical receivers 4|, each including an enclosing casing 42 and a resilient earpiece Preferably each of the receivers M is of the construction of that disclosed in the copending application of Albert E. Woodruff and Albert F.

Horlacher, Serial No. 209,892, filed May 24, 1938. The receivers ll are retained in proper relationship with respect to the ears of the user by an arrangementcomprising two supporting brackets 44 individually associated with the receivers 4|,

a headband 45, and a chinstrap 46. More particularly, each receiver M is pivotally mounted within the associated supporting bracket M by an arrangement comprising two friction trunnions 45, thereby to facilitate adjustments of the earpieces 43 of the receivers M with respect to the ears of the user. Also each supporting bracket 49 carries an upwardly directed rod 41 which accommodates a sliding friction fixture 48 secured to one end of the headband 45, the friction fixtures 48 being slidable upon the associated rods n in order to accommodate adjustments of the receivers 4! in the vertical direction. Also each friction fixture 38 is provided with a thumb screw 49 which is effective positively to secure the friction fixture 48 in its adjusted position upon the associated rod 31'. The chinstrap 46 carries buckles 50 on the opposite ends thereof, each of which cooperates with a pin 5! carried by the lower end of the associated supporting bracket fi l in order to provide a disengageable fastening element of the bayonet type. Also the chinstrap 1-5 carries a buckle 52 which provides for adjustment of the length thereof, thereby to permit the user comfortably to retain the receivers M in their adjusted positions.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings, the apparatus casing [1 houses an induction coil 53, a condenser 54, a two-position switch 55 and a battery casing 56. The induction coil 53, the condenser 54, the switch 55 and the battery casing 56 are secured to the removable rear cover H! of the apparatus casing 11, certain of these elements being encircuited with respect to the microphones 24 and 35 and the receivers ll in a manner more fully described hereinafter. The switch 55 is provided with an operating shaft extending through an opening in the side wall of the rear cover 29 which carries an operating handle 51, the operating handle 51 being arranged to cooperate with indicia S and T provided on the side wall of the rear cover H] for purposes more fully described subsequently. Also'the battery casing56 receives one or moredry cell batteries 58 and is provided with a removable cap 59 which is threaded into the mouth of an opening communicating between the interior of the battery casing 56 and the exterior adjacent to the upper wall of the rear casing 19, in order to facilitate ready placement and removal of the dry cell batteries 58 with respect to the interior of the battery casing 56. i

The opposite side walls of the rear cover [9 of the apparatus casing ll carry two tubular flanges 69 through which two insulation covered receiver lines 6| extending to the receivers =4! project. Each insulation covered receiver line 6| projecting through one of the tubular flanges 60 is surroundedwby a lock nut 62 in'order securely to anchor the receiver line16| inplace'and to render the "apparatus casing =1-i water-tight. Also the opposite ends of thereceiver lines 6| project through the casings 42 of: the receivers 4| and are anchored in placeby water-tight con nections including lock nuts "63 threadedinto openings provided in the casings 42 of the receivers 4|. Also thebottom wall of the rear cover l9 of apparatus casing I! is provided with a tubular flange 64 through whichone end of, aninsulation covered telephone line 65 projects, the end of the telephone line 65 projecting through the tubular flange 64 being anchored in place by a A water-tight connection including a lock nut 66 carrying ahelical coil spring 6-! surrounding the telephone line 65 in order to prevent the conthe telephone line 65. telephone line 65 terminates in a line plug 68 carrying a helical coil spring :69 surrounding the the other end o-ithe lines and 83 arerespecen tively connected by water-tight connections to the plug 8| and the socket 82, th plug 8| being connected ,by a water-tight connection to the socket 82; .while the line 18 is connected by a water-tight, connection to the sound-powered microphone 24. Hence it will be understood that the sound-powered microphone 24 and the throat microphone 35 may be selectively utilized in the telephone unit by selectively connecting the contact plugs 12 and 1| to the apparatus casing as previously explained.

motion from damaging theinsulation covering The opposite end of the adapted to be inserted into the socket carried in n the tubular sleeve 19 and securely anchored in place by a. lock nut 13 in order to provide a water-tight connectiontherebetween; while the contact plug 12 is adapted to'be inserted in the contact socket carried in the tubular sleeve 15 and securely anchored in place by. a lock nut 14 in order to provide a water-tight connection therebetween. The contact plug 1| terminates an insulation covered line 15 anchored thereto by a lock nut 16 carrying a helical coil spring 11 surrounding the line 15 in order to prevent the insulation .coveringthe line 15 from being daml aged by the connection; while the contact plug I2 terminates an insulation covered line 18 anchored thereto by a' lock nut 19 carrying a helical coilspring 86 surrounding the line 18 in order to prevent the insulation covering the line 18 from being damaged by the connection.

The other end of the line '15 terminates in plug 8| which is adapted to be inserted into an associated socket 82 terminating an insulation covered line 83, the line83 being molded integrally with the insulating link 31 extending between the microphone cells 36 of the throat microphone 35. The other end of the line 18 extends through an opening provided in the casing 25 of the sound-powered microphone 24 and is anchored in place by a water-tight connection including a lock nut 84. l p

In view of the above description of the construction and arrangement of theapparatus casing it will be understood that water-tight connections are provided between the receiver lines 6| extending to the receivers 4| and the apparatus casing H and that a water-tight connection is provided between the telephone line 65 extending to the line plug 68 and the apparatus casing Also water-tight connections maybe completed selectively between the apparatus casing l1 and the lines 15 and 18 respectively terminating in the contact plugs H and 'lz. Furthermore,

telephone line 65.

For a better'unders'tandingof the connection and arrangement of the circuit elementslof the telephone unit reference is had to Fig.5. Refer-.

ring now to Fig. 5 it is noted that the telephone line 65 extending between the line plug 63 and the apparatus casing comprises two line conductors C and. CSI, between which the condenser 54 is directlybridged and between which the receivers 4| are connected in parallel relationship. Also it is noted that the inductioncoil 53 comprises a primary winding 92 and a secondary winding 93 which are adapted to be operatively connected between the line conductors C90 and. C9| of the telephone line 65 when the switch 55 is actuated to its closed contact position.

.In order operatively to connect the throat microphone 35 to the telephone 1ine'65 it is only necessary for the person wearing the telephone unit to-insert the contact plug into the associated contact socket disposed in the tubular sleeve Ill and then operate the switch 55 by means of the operating handle 51 from its open contact position to its closed contact position, thereby to,

complete a circuit for energizing in series the primaryjwinding 92 'of the induction coil 53 and the throat microphone 35 including the dry cell battery 58. This circuit extends from ground by way of the contacts 94 of the switch55, the primary winding 92 of the induction coil 53, the contacts 95 of the switch 55, the line conductor C9| of the telephone line 55, the contact plug TI and associated contact socket, the throat microphone35, the contact plug II and associated contact socket and the battery 58 to ground. Also when the switch 55 is operated to its closed con-, tact position there is completed at the contacts 95 thereof an obvious path for connecting the secondary winding 93 of the induction coil 53 between the lineconductors C90 and CSI of the At this time the throat microphone 35 isresponsive to the muscular vibrations of the throat of the person using the telephone unit to cause corresponding signal currents to be transmitted over the telephone line 65. More particularly, the muscular vibrations cause corresponding variations in the impedance of the microphone cells in the throat microphone 35, thereby to cause a corresponding variable energizationof the primary winding 92 of the induction coil 53. The current variations in the primary winding 92 of the induction coil 53 cause corresponding signal voltages to be produced in the secondary winding 93 of the induction coil 53,

which signal voltages are applied directly to the line conductors C96 and C9| of the telephone line 65. The capacitance of the condenser 54 bridged output of the throat microphone 35 to be enhanced and to cause the signal current input to the receivers 4| to be enhanced, thereby to improve both the transmission and reception of the telephone unit.

In order to disconnect the throat microphone 35 from the telephone line 65 it is only necessary for the person using the telephone unit to actuate the switch 55 from its closed contact position to its open contact position, thereby to interrupt at the contacts Hand 95 thereof the previously traced series circuit for energizing the primary winding 92 of the induction coil 53 and throat microphone 35, and to interrupt at the contacts 95 thereof the previously mentioned circuit for connecting the secondary winding 93 of the induction coil 53 between the line conductors C90 and CSI of the telephone line 65. At this time the contact plug may be withdrawn from the associated contact socket.

In order operatively to connect the soundpowered microphone 24 to the telephone line 65 it is only necessary for the person using the telephone unit to insert the contact plug 12 into the associated contact socket disposed in the tubular sleeve and operate the push button switch 21, thereby to complete a circuit for connecting the sound-powered microphone across the line'conductors C90 and C9! of the telephone line 65. This circuit extends from the line conductor-CSI] of the telephone line 65 by way of the contact plug 12 and associated contact socket, the sound-powered microphone 24, the contacts of the push button switch 2'! and the contact plug 12 and associated contact socket to the line conductor C9| of the telephone line 65. At this time the sound-powered microphone 24 is operative in response to sound waves transmitted thereto to cause corresponding signal voltages to be generated which are impressed by way of the connection previously traced between the line conductors C90 and Gill of the telephone line 65.

' The capacitance of the condenser 54 is proportioned with respect to the impedance of the sound-powered microphone 24 and the impedance of the receivers 4|, thereby to improve both the transmission and reception of the tele phone unit.

In order to disconnect the sound-powered microphone 24 from the line 65 it is only necessary to return the push button switch 21 to its normal position, thereby to interrupt the previously traced connection between the soundpowered microphone 24 and the line conductors C90 and C9| of the telephone line 65. At this time the contact plug 12 may be withdrawn from the associated contact socket.

In View of the foregoing description of the mode of operation of the telephone unit it will be understood that the throat microphone 35 and the sound-powered microphone 24 may be used selectively in combination with the receivers 4| merely by manipulating the corresponding contact plugs TI and 12 and the corresponding switches 55 and 21. Further it is noted that the contact socket disposed in the tubular sleeve 10, which is adapted selectively to receive the contact plugs TI and I2, is so constructed and arranged that the contact plugs H and 12 are insertable thereinto only in given relationships, thereby to cause the appropriate circuits respectively including the throat microphone 35 and the sound-powered microphone 24 to be prepared. Further it is noted that the dry cell batteries 58 disposed in the battery casing 56 housed in the apparatus casing I! may be readily inserted and removed when the cap 59 is unthreaded and removed from the upper wall of the rear cover IQ of the apparatus casing Finally it is noted that the shoulder strap carried by the chest plate Ill, the neck strap 38 carried by the throat microphone 35, and the chinstrap 46 carried by the receivers 4|, may be readily placed upon and removed from the body of the user for purpose of convenience, due to the provision of the detachable types of fastening elements described; and that the contact plugs H and 12 may be manipulated with respect to the associated contact socket and the switches 55 and 2'! actuated while the telephone unit is being used, thereby to facilitate convenient utilization of the telephone unit.

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 intended 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 telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing, means for supporting said apparatus casing upon the body of a user, a receiver, means for supporting said receiver upon the body of a user, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, means for supporting said first microphone upon said apparatus casing in proper relationship with respect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, means for supporting said second microphone upon the body of a user, a receiver line connected to said receiver, means for completing a water-tight connection between said receiver line and said apparatus casing, a first contact plug connected to said first microphone, a second contact plug connected to said second microphone, a contact socket carried by said apparatus casing and adapted to receive either one of said contact plugs, means for completing a water-tight connection between said apparatus casing and the one of said contact plugs inserted into said contact socket, a telephone line, means for completing a water-tight connection between said telephone line and said apparatus casing, said apparatus casing housing telephone equipment including a switch and a battery and a circuit network, said receiver line and said telephone line being connected to said circuit network, said circuit network including a first operating circuit excluding said battery for said first microphone and a second operating circuit including said battery for said second microphone, means including said switch for selectively completing said first operating circuit and said second operating circuit, and means including an operating handle carried by said apparatus casing for selectively operating said switch.

2. A telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing, means for supporting said apparatus casing upon the body of a user, a receiver, means for supporting said receiver upon the body of a user, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-Wave-actuated type, means for supporting said first microphone upon said apparatus casing in proper relationship with respect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscular-actuated type, means for supporting said second microphone upon the body of a user, a receiver line connected to said receiver and extending to said apparatus casing, a first contact fixture connected to said first microphone, a second contact fixture connected to said second microphone, a common contact fixture carried by said apparatus casing and adapted to connect with either said first contact fixture or said second contact fixture, a telephone line extending to said apparatus casing, said apparatus casing housing telephone equipment including a switch and a battery and a circuit network, said receiver line and said telephone line being connected to said circuit network, said circuit network including a first operating circuit excluding said battery for said first microphone and a second operating circuit including said battery for said second microphone, and means including said switch for selectively completing said first operating circuit and said second operating circuit.

3. A telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing adapted to be supported upon the body of a user, a receiver adapted to be supported upon the body of a user, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, means for supporting said first microphone upon said apparatus casing in proper relationship with respect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscularactuated type adapted to be supported upon the body of a user, a receiver line connected to said receiver, means for completing a water-tight connection between said receiver line and said apparatus casing, a first contact fixture connected to said first microphone, a second contact fixture connected to said second microphone, a common contact fixture carried by said apparatus casing and adapted to connect with either said first contact fixture or said second contact fixture, means for completing a water-tight connection between said apparatus casing and the one of said first-mentioned contact fixtures connected with said common contact fixture, a telephone line, means for completing a water-tight connection between said telephone line and said apparatus casing, said apparatus casing housing telephone equipment including a switch and a battery and a-circuit network, said receiver line and said telephone line being connected to said circuit network, said circuit network including afirst operating circuit excluding said battery. for said first microphone and a second operating circuit including said battery for said second microphone, and means including said switch for selectively completing said first operating circuit and said second operating circuit.

4. A telephone unit comprising an apparatus casing adapted to be supported upon the body of a user, a receiver adapted to be supported upon the body of a user, a first microphone of the voltage-generating sound-wave-actuated type, means for supporting said first microphone upon said apparatus casing in proper relationship with respect to the body of a user, a second microphone of the battery vibrating-muscularactuated type adapted to be supported upon the body of a user, a receiver line connected to said receiver and extending to said apparatus casing, a first contact fixture connected to said first microphone, a second contact fixture connected to said second microphone, a common contact fixture carried by said apparatus casing and adapted to connect with either said first contact fixture-or said second contact fixture, a telephone line extending to said apparatus casing, said apparatus casing housing telephone equipment including a switch and a battery and a circuit network, said receiver line and said telephone line being connected to said circuit network, said circuit network including a first operating circuit excluding said batteryfor said first microphone and a second operating circuit including said battery for said second microphone, and means including said switch for selectively completing said first operating circuit and said second operating circuit EDWARD BENISE-K. THEODORE C.

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