US 4,048,442 AGranted

Stereophonic sound adaptor for simulating sound movement

OwnerRichard S. Mannila, Fred E. Mannila +1inventors

InventorsRichard S. Mannila, Fred E. Mannila, Donald A. Mannila

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Abstract

A stereophonic sound adaptor for producing the illusion of moving sound is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of output speakers in conjunction with a stereo amp output and an electro-mechanical transfer station. Through the electro-mechanical transfer station, signals from the stereo amp output are sequentially switched to various combinations of speakers so as to produce the illusion of sound movement in a room.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A stereophonic sound system comprising:

electronic signal input means having first and second separate channels;
an electro-mechanical transfer station including an elongate rotatable shaft driven by a variable speed motor, the transfer station having a first and second separate junction block therein, each junction block connected to a separate channel;
a plurality of individual switches within each separate junction block, the switches all operatively connected to the channel associated with the junction block, the junction block associated with the first channel further including a plurality of resistors, one resistor interposed between each switch within the junction block associated with the first channel;
a first set of individual cams mounted eccentrically on the rotatable shaft, each cam operable to open and close a separate switch within the first junction block;
a second set of individual cams eccentrically mounted on the rotatable shaft separate from the first set of cams, each cam operable to open and close a separate switch within the second junction block;
a speaker network including a plurality of speakers, the network including a speaker terminal block which includes an individual terminal operatively connected to one speaker in the network, each speaker in the network being operatively connected through a terminal to one switch in the first junction block and to one switch in the second junction block;
and a plurality of resistors within the speaker terminal block, one resistor interposed between each of the individual terminals within the terminal block;
the cams within the first and second junction blocks operable to simultaneously connect pairs of speakers within the speaker network in a predetermined sequence to produce the illusion of moving sound within a room, one speaker of the pair being connected to the first channel while the second speaker of the pair is simultaneously connected to the second channel, the resistors within the first junction block and the resistors within the speaker terminal block operable so that smooth uninterrupted transition of sound through the speaker network is effected when the cams open and close the switches.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A stereophonic sound system comprising:

electronic signal input means having first and second separate channels;
an electro-mechanical transfer station including an elongate rotatable shaft driven by a variable speed motor, the transfer station having a first and second separate junction block therein, each junction block connected to a separate channel;
a plurality of individual switches within each separate junction block, the switches all operatively connected to the channel associated with the junction block, the junction block associated with the first channel further including a plurality of resistors, one resistor interposed between each switch within the junction block associated with the first channel;
a first set of individual cams mounted eccentrically on the rotatable shaft, each cam operable to open and close a separate switch within the first junction block;
a second set of individual cams eccentrically mounted on the rotatable shaft separate from the first set of cams, each cam operable to open and close a separate switch within the second junction block;
a speaker network including a plurality of speakers, the network including a speaker terminal block which includes an individual terminal operatively connected to one speaker in the network, each speaker in the network being operatively connected through a terminal to one switch in the first junction block and to one switch in the second junction block;
and a plurality of resistors within the speaker terminal block, one resistor interposed between each of the individual terminals within the terminal block;
the cams within the first and second junction blocks operable to simultaneously connect pairs of speakers within the speaker network in a predetermined sequence to produce the illusion of moving sound within a room, one speaker of the pair being connected to the first channel while the second speaker of the pair is simultaneously connected to the second channel, the resistors within the first junction block and the resistors within the speaker terminal block operable so that smooth uninterrupted transition of sound through the speaker network is effected when the cams open and close the switches.

5 more elements