Intercom embodying tap transducers
OwnerGerard J. O'Brien, deceased, by Catherine H. O'Brien, executrixinventors
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Abstract
An intercom system having a pair of interconnected devices, each of which has a speaker, a tap transducer, a power source and switch means, so that when they are connected together electrically, each device may be used as a transmitter or as a received, with the tap transducer in each case forming part of an electrical circuit serving both to receive and transmit signalling and sound signals, such as voice or other speech sounds. A detection device is provided for insuring that the intercom operates in that orientation thereof which provides optimum operating characteristics.
Claims15
An intercom for transmitting electrical signals containing sound or speech information, the intercom comprising a housing at least a portion of which forms a soundboard sensitive to vibratory input;
- a pair of electrically conductive bearing means rigidly mounted on said soundboard and electrically insulated therefrom;
- a conductive switching bar extending between and loosely engaged in said bearing means, said switching bar being least mechanically stable or being in a state of least equilibrium when the axis thereof is in a substantially vertical orientation to provide optimum vibratory or switching characteristics;
- a source of electrical energy having one pole thereof connected to one of said bearing means;
- conversion means for converting the electrical signals into audible sound or speech, said conversion means having two input terminals one of which is connected to the other pole of said source of electrical energy and the other terminal of which is connected to the other of said bearing means, whereby said conductive switching bar, said source of electrical energy and said conversion means together form a series circuit;
- actuation means connected in said series circuit for selectively enabling and disabling the operation of said series circuit, a current flowing through said series circuit only in the enabled condition thereof, said current being converted into said electrical signals containing sound or speech information when said soundboard is exposed to sound or speech and said current is repeatedly interrupted to correspond to the vibratory characteristics of said sound or speech patterns due to the make and break conditions of said conductive switching bar with relation to said bearing means;
- output terminal means connected to said circuit for transmitting said electrical signals to a remote location;
- and detection means for detecting when the axis of said switching bar substantially deviates from the vertical direction, whereby said electrical signals appearing at said output terminal means may be used to reliably produce sound or speech at the location or the intercom or to transmit the same to a remote location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.