US2255897A - Means for radio communication - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 16,1941. A. N. RE BORI ETAL 2,255,397

MEANS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION iled Dec. 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 p -16,19 1. 7 A.N.REB'OR1 HAL 2,255,897 MEANS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION I Filed Dec. 24,- 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fzwe'riiita Mew/V Reborn, Jameafflwme,

Patented Sept. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR RADIO COMIWUNICATION Andrew N. Reborl and James P. Hume, Chicago, 111.; said'Hume assignor to said Rebori Application Deccmber24,'1937, Serial No. 181,570

1 Claim.

This invention relates to communication systems employing radio transmitting and receiving apparatus, andis characterized as employing receiving apparatus consisting of small self-contained portable units adapted to be 'carried on the person of the user, either on the wrist or in a pocket, in substantially the manner that ing announcements which may be audible to the,

user of the receiving apparatus when the-receiving phone of his set is placed close to his ear. This invention may also be employed for police and military uses as well as for entertainment purposes, but the embodiment of the invention here illustrated is one which is particularly adapted for use as a time announcing system.

This form of the invention contemplates the establishment at various localities, such as for instance, in each of the major cities throughout the United States or other countries of the world. broadcasting stations having a particular as signed wave frequency which may become and be known as the time telling radio frequency. Such stations can be placed at various locations which may be spaced one from the other more or less depending upon the sending strength of the particular broadcasting stations involved.

In some instances, in order to make possible an audible reception with the relatively insensitive receiving various sending stations may be scattered throughout the locations of a single city and may perhaps be located in the street in housings provided on posts such like. serve well for systems in any particular city for the distribution of communications to the police, fire departments, military oilicers and other persons of official capacity.v

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a communicating system of the type referred to and to further'provide radio transmitting and receiving apparatus which is small, compact, portable and self-contained and which is sufficiently sensitive to receive the intended radio communications and yet which is capable of being carried on the wrist or in the user's pocket in the manner now common with watches.

This invention contemplates radio receiving units which employ crystal detectors as well as those which employ one or more detecting and amplifying tubes. It is further contemplated that the receiving apparatus employed be equipped with, either, suitable means to serve as an antenna with a suitable ground connection, or a loop which will not necessitate the establishment of a ground connection for the reception of the radio signals. Due to the reduced strength of the signal resulting from the I use of a loop as compared to that of an antenna apparatus, it is contemplated that as lamp posts, and the! v This type'of broadcasting unit will also With broadcasting stations so established and functioning throughout the cities of the world, this invention next contemplates the wide distribution of radio receiving apparatus of a very. small self-contained, portable type which will be sufliciently sensitive to receivethe radio communications emanating from at, least one of the various broadcasting stations without requiring any large, cumbersome or expensive eguipment but rather only a compact and nice appearing device which in size and character, will be comparable to that of a watch adapted to be carried either on the wrist or in the pocket in the manner now common with such time pieces.

and ground connection, in some instances, it will be desirable to utilize with a loop. a detector and amplifying tube instead of a crystal detector as in this way the strength of the signal may be increased to the point of providing a clearly audible signal. On the other hand, in instances where the broadcasting station has sufliclent strength and is sufficiently close at hand, satisfactory and audible signals may be received with a loop in conjunction with a crystal detector without requiring the necessity of ground connections or amplifying and detecting tubes and the attendant battery or batteries. However, various combinations of these elements are contemplated for the present invention andccrtain illustrations thereof are hereinafter disclosed merely by way of example. I

As applied to a device adapted to be mounted on the wrist of the user, it is also an object of this invention to provide means constituting a suitable antenna constructed into the band supporting the apparatus on the wrist. This antenna means may-serve alone or it may serve through its contact with the body of the user,

as means for connecting the body or the user with the receiving apparatus whereby the user's;

body may serve as additional antenna means.

This invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a radio receiving apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention and adapted to be mounted on the wrist of the user in-a manner similar to the mounting of wrist watches;

Figure 2 is a wiring diagram showing the hookup for the receiving set shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a I modified form of the invention, adapted to be so as .to'iorm the central mounted on the wrist of the user, which has means for contacting the body of the user whereby the body of the user serves in the capacity or an antenna and which also has a wire establish Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged perspective views showing the exterior or the reel illustrated in Figure 4, and particularly the means for accommodating the end of the ground wire;

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram showing the hookup for the receiving apparatus illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a modified form of the invention which is constructed in size and shape like a mans pocket watch and chain, and with which a detecting tube is employed together with the necessary batteries for the detecting tube.

Figure 9 is a wiring diagram showing the hookup for the receiving apparatus illustrated in Fi ure 8;

Figure 10 is an elevational view of a type 01 transmitting station which may be placed on the street in the practice or this invention and which may be in the form of a lampor other street post of the customary ing for the necessary mechanism and an aerial preferably adjacent the top thereof.

yp having a hous- By referring to Figures 1 and 201 the drawings it will be noted that the form of theinvention here illustrated employs a receiving apparatus which is very simple in principle and construetion and which consists of a loop I. having one of its ends ll connected to a crystal detector I2.

The detector I2 is in turn connected to an ear 7 phone IS, the other terminal or which is connected to the opposite end ll of the loop. Extending across the ends of the loop is a variable condenser I! which may be utiliredior tuning the receiving set to the particular frequency desired. Further, a condenser II is preferably employed across the ear phone to permit the passage of current of radio frequency.

of the invention is preferably embodied in a This .iorm

device constructed somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 1 whereby thesize and shape or an ordinary wrist watch.

. In the form of invention illustrated in Figure l the set comprises a housing 20 which may be of insulating material such as any ofv the known molding compounds orit may beof metal lined with a suitable insulating material. As illusit is of substantially trated this casing is preferably or the arched curved shape so as to conform to the contour of the wrist-oi the wearer and is equipped at each end with a holding bracket 22.

-In this -iforln of the invention a loop is provided as a part of the band or strap which serves to hold the device on the wrist'of the wearer and as here illustrated this band comprises an ins'uiat ing strip 23' and a plurality of o! a suitable wire 23 which are dispoud in such manner through the holes ll in the bracket g} as to constitute a loop antenna. end of the deviceds hinged or otherwise unremovably the bracket 22 at the; other reii'iovable-bav any suitable connection or lhe wire 23 originates in the casing through the file bracket I 2 at one secured to the casing a! at whereas 1 32 for adjustable movement on the bearing 33 and operable by means of the handle 34. It will be noted that this stem and handle are placed on the casing at the location which corresponds to the location on watches usually occupied by the customary winding stem. In this particular illustration however, the handle would be moved axially in and out to eflfect the desired adjustment of the condenser instead of being rotated in the manner of winding a watch.

Also within the casing is a fixed crystal detector 35 having suitable terminals 36 and 31 and in addition, a small by-pass condenser 38 adapted to be. connected across the terminals. of the ear phone. The ear phone is provided of usual construction and consists of a magnets l0 and a pair of solenoids ll mounted substantially as illustrated in the drawings. Inside or the casing there is provided a ridge 4! on which a suitable diaphragm is mounted-in such position that it may be influenced by the solenoids and thus form therewith an earphone.

A cover member is preferably provided for the,

casing 20 which may be of any suitable material and which has a rim 5| on the under surface thereof for engagement with the edge whereby the same is tightly oi the phone diaphragm held when the cover is closed. This cover may be provided with pleasing design preferably constructed to include holes 52 or other openings which will permit a better transmission of the sound from the diaphragm to the outside of the device. 7 a

With a device of this kind it is contemplated that various degrees of tuning may be permitted according to the needs oi. the particular case but in the interest oi making the device small and compact, it will be desirable in many instances to so construct the receiving mechanism that it will be more or less permanently tuned to a predetermined frequency whereby only a minor corrective adjustment will be required by a trimmer condenser I5. It will of course be understood that the parts shown in the housing 20 will be suitably connected by wires to complete the hookup in the manner represented by the wiring diagram in Figure 2.

Inasmuch as this form of the invention is pro- 'vided with a loop and utilizes a crystal detector, it will be necessary that the signals received be quite strong in order that they may be heard. It greater strength is required in any particular system it is contemplated that additional broadcasting outlets may be established throu hout various locations in the city, broadcasting stations of the type now in common use or through the instrumentality of devices connected to a street posts or similar means, in Figure 10; This form oi. the invention will be particularly desirable in cases where the communicating system is employed for police, fire,

military and other uses.

. Referring now to the form of invention illustrated in Figure 3, it will be noted that a case Cl is provided preferably of insulating material pair of horse shoe either through central station andlocated in like that illustrated manner similar to the lustrated in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, on the band which may be of any desired shape. In this instance the device is" also shown as being adapted to be mounted on the wrist of the user in the manner of a wrist watch and as here shown may be round in shape, rather than rectangular. Here again the case may be of any suitable material such as molded insulating compounds or it may be of metal suitably lined or otherwise provided with the necessary insulation. When the case is made of an insulating material as here 11- lustrated, it may be provided with a ring 6| also of insulating material and of less heighth than the side wall of the casing and of less diameter so as to provide an annular space 52 which is occupied by a coil composed of a number of turns of very small wire providing a tuning coil 64 of the type illustrated in Figure 7. The ring H is preferably provided with a slot 5 through which is exposed a portion of the wires of the coil 64 which may be stripped bare at the location of the slot soas to, enable a good electric contact to be made therewith. A contact member 66 is provided mounted on a, stem 01' which stem is pivotally mounted in the side wall of the casing in the manner shown. The stem 61 is provided with a turning knob 60 constructed and located in a winding stem of the usual type of wrist watch.

The stem 01 is insulated from the adjacent wires at the place where the stem passes through the annular space 02. This construction provides 80, on the under side of the wrist or in other words, the side opposite from that on which the watch-like receiving device is worn.

This mechanism comprises a cylindrical housing 90 having a central pivot III" and a reel 92 mounted thereon. The central pivot and reel are so-constructed as to provide a space93 adjacent the hub which is provided with a torsional spring 94 whereby the reel may automatically rewind the ground connecting wire.

Mounted on the reel is a length of fine wire 04" which has its inner end electrically connected at the location of the hub to a metallic plate 95 on the upper surface of the reel. A brush Siisin engagement with the plate 95 whereby an electric connection is maintained between the brush and the ground wire while the reel is free to rotate. The brush 96 is connected to a terminal 81 which is connected by a suitable wire 98 disposed in the band 80 to the proper mechanism mounted on the interior "of the casing 00, all in accordance with the wiring diagram shown in Figure 7.

As shown in Figures 5 and6, the reel casing 00 I which is preferably formed of insulating material has an outlet I00 provided with a slot III. This outlet provides a housing for the terminal member I02 which has a handle I 03 and a mea satisfactory tuning adjustment due to the fact that the oscillation of the stem 61 by mean of the knob 68 causes the deflected end of the contact member 66 to move in engagement with the bare portions of the wires of the coil 64.

Also mounted in the casing are magnets 10 and solenoids II constituting the necessary elements of an ear phone which are adapted to cooperate with a disk which will be supported on the upper edge of the ring GI with its under surface in operative association with the poles of the solenoids I I.

The'casing of this device is adapted to be closed by a cover I2 which may be held thereon by screw threads or any other suitable form of attachment. This cover serves to engage the upper edge of the disk at the location of the ring 6| so as to hold the same in the manner common in ear phone construction. This cover is also provided with suitable decorations preferably including opening I3 through which the sound waves may more readily pass.

This device is held on the wrist by means of a suitable strap or band 80of any suitable construction but which is preferably unr'emovably connected at one end of the device and removably connected at the other. This construction enables the deviceto be readily applied to and removed from the wrist of the user. In this case the band 80 may be-made up of a plurality of wires properlyconnected through the connector II with the-interior of the casing so as to form an antenna. In some instances however, it may be desirable to increase the antenna action by additionally employing the body of the user which can be brought into connection by contact between the antenna wires of the band 80 and the wrist of the wearer. Where an antenna is employed either with or without the body of the wearerv being connected, it may' be desirable wire it is preferable to have an extensible ground wire which may be mounted in the manner 11- tallic prong or point I04 which is in electrical contact with the ground wire 94'. When the reel winds in the ground wire, the end I02 is caused to occupy the space within the outlet member I00 with the handle I03 disposed in the slot IOI in the manner illustrated in Figure 5. This completely houses the prong I04 and avoids the liability of the user being inadvertently pricked thereby.

When it is desired to make a ground connection it is merely necessary to grasp the handle I 03 and pull the same out of the outlet housing so as to unwind the reel and place the same in engagement with a suitable groundconnection to complete the circuit in'the usual manner. In this operation the connection need only be made temporarily during the time that the time I message or other communication is being received. Here, like in the other modification some adjustment or tuning is possible through the coil 64 and the tuning device having the contact 66 in contact with the coils.

Mounted within the casing 60 is also a fixed crystal detector IIO which is connected by suitable wires to one of the poles of the ear phone and also to the coil 64 and an aerial connection in the manner illustrated in the wiring diagram of Figure 7. There is also a suitable wire which connects the opposite-end of the ear phone to the adjustable contact -66.

From the above description it will be clear will, receive radio communications in the mariner described. Whereas this illustrationshows an antenna which may also include the body of the user together'witha ground connection, it

is apparent that this form of invention may alsobe employed with a loop of the type illustrated in connection with the modification in Figure 1 in those cases where the signal received is of sufllcient strength and intensity to justify the same.

A still further modification of the invention is represented in Figures 8 and 9, which consists of a housing I20 mounted on one end of the flexibleel'ement III and a second housing I22,

; 4 mounted on the opposite end of said flexible element I2I. This ,device is preferably constructed of size and shape to resemble an ordinary vest pocket watch and chain together with some a device on the other end-of the watchchain. 3 Whereas the receiving apparatus here illustrated may be constructed in. the manner already illustrated in Figures 1 and- 3, respectively, here shown as employing a receiving set having a detector tube instead of a fixed crystal detector. In this way amplification can be obtained so as to strengthen the signal received with an ordinary loop. This ,7 form of the invention L is desirable in those cases where aground conf nection is either impracticable, undesirable, or

cannot be made.

The casing I22 comprises a rectangular frame piece I23- of insulating material on which is mounted a plurality of turns of fine wire I24, constituting ;a loop. Mounted' within the rectangular frame and housed therein by insulating wall pieces are a plurality of batteries, I25 and I26 and a small electronic tube I21. The battery I25 is the customary "A" battery which serves to illuminate the electronic tube I21 and battery I26 is the customary 3" battery for the receiving set. This portion of the apparatus including the loop is suitably connected through very fine insulated wires which collectively form the flexible connection or chain-like element I2I which is attached at its other end to a bail I28 on the other portion I20 of the device. The portion. I20 of the device is somewhat itis tain transmitting mechanism and may, if desired, include a street lamp, trafiic light or other mechanism usually carried by posts of this type.

On the upper portion there may be suitable insulating supports I55 constituting a mounting for the conducting element I56 which will serve as a transmitting antenna for the purpose herein explained.

From the above description it will be apparent that the applicants have provided various types of radio receiving equipment which are portable, compact and self-contained and which can be carriedby the user in a manner substantially I similar to the manner of carrying watches, that is to say, either on the wrist or in the vest or other pockets of the user's clothes.

This invention enables forthe first time, the construction of radio receiving equipment in a neat, nice-appearing, compact form whereby the same may enter thefleld of jewelry "and peg sonal articles which may be worn or carried on the person. In other words, aside from the highly useful function of this type of device it is intended that the same be so constructed that the similar to that previously described in connection with the other modifications of the invention in that it includes an adjustable condenser Ill con sisting of two telescopic metallic tubes one of which is adjustable by connection to the slidable stem Ill which passes through a slide bearing provided in the sidewall 01- thecasing ofthe device I32. Casing I32 is preferably made of insulating material and also serves as a housingforthe permanent magnets I83 and solenoids I34 forthe ear phone. This device also includes a condenser I" adapted to be connected across L the ear phones and a grid leak I31 which may be mounted in either thefiousing I32 of the portion I20. or within the portion I22 according to the circumstances of the particular case. As here illustrated, the grid leak is mounted in the housing I22 at a location adjacent the acorn tube. and as illustrated, in the wiring diagram 'of Fig.l

ure 9. To. complete the ear phone,-a disl; is provided in the usual manner and held in place on the top edge of a ledge of the casing I22 by the cover for the casing. The sou'nd'dislr'is so antenna means.

' mounted as to be in operative association with the poles of solenoids I34. The cover-may be constructed as illustrated in Figure 8, having a surface preferably provided "with holes Illl' therein for assisting the outward. passage of the sound waves and having a flange I which may be I screw threaded or otherwise secured to the caing I32. The side wall of the casing l22 may preferably be opened so-as to readily-insert new 8" and B batterleswhen necessary.

By referring specifically to Figure 10, it is noted that the transmitting mechanism may consist of a suitable post Ill having a housing "I,

located thereon which my house suitable radio transmitting mechanism, and also a housing. I52

receiving sets referred to will be items of highly pleasing appearance which are so compact and so small that their use will be widely accepted for the purposes intended.

This inventionis not to be limited by the particular illustrations here given nor by the particular wiring diagrams illustrated as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention here disclosed. Accordingly, the forms of the invention disclosed and illustrated are to be considered as merely illustrative and the limitations of .the invention are to be determined only from the appended claim.

m the device illustrated in Figure 8, it is to be understood that the flexible connecting ele-' ment I2I may also be provided with suitable wires constituting an antenna for the receiving device, which antenna may-or may not have electrical connection with the hand of the user so as to include the body of the user as a part of the We claim: i a A complete, self-contained and portable radio receiving device adapted to be attached to and completely carried on the wrist of the user, .and comprising a housing constructed and shaped to beheld on the 'wrist, earphone means, detecting means and tuning means mountedin said by movement of his arm, may lift said device to his ear so that relatively weak sound waves adjacent the upper end which may include .cerj rendered audible to said u'sen.

emanating from said earphone means may be ANDREW N; mom.

JAMES P. HUME.

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