US3193624A - Dictation mask sound receiver - Google Patents

Description

July 6, l965 H. L. WEBB ETAL 3,193,624

DIGTATION MASK soUND RECEIVER Y Filed Jan. 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 6, 1955 H. l.. WEBB ETAI.y 3,193,624

DICTATION MASK SOUND RECEIVER Filed Jan. 19,. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /lvvE/v roms;

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ATTORNEY' United States Patent O 3,193,624 DICTATIGN MASK SOUND RECEIVER Horace L. Webb, 378 Lake Shore Drive, Massapequa Park, NX., and Harold M. Steinman, 19 Linden St., Garden City, N .Y.

Filed Jan. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 83,698 15 Claims. (Cl. 179-188) This invention relates to an -ambient-sound excluding dictation Itype mask, sound receiver or transducer such as is employed in electr-ical dictating machines for court reporting or any equivalent, examples being shown in such patents as those issued to us Nos. 2,526,177; 2,572,- 547; 2,625,615; 2,830,135 and 2,848,565.

The instant invent-ion structurally simplifies, improves the `oper-ation and better integrates and enables assembly and disassembly of the parts for sanitary maintenance; one prime object being to provide for the inhaling of air from the atmosphere outside the mask preferably through the front end of the structure, and thus without the presently required manual effort.

4A second object is to produce a novel structure including a casing rand separable or masking wall face end therefor, together with means such as an inhalation tube operable to fasten lsuch par-ts together, and with an associated endless liexible face fitting piece clipped to the marginal edge of the masking wall and extended into the'casing to provide a sound excluding joint.

A third important object is -to eliminate to the maximum the `adrnixture of indrawn air with exhaled air at the dictation zone of the structure yor mask.

Another object is to attain the ends mentioned by providing =a passage completely throughout the length of the mask which is large enough to carry the volume of fresh air required by a user during fast dictation, and more lspecifically to employ a tube to provide such passage in combination with a valve which while permitting rapid and unobstructed inhalation of fresh air therethrough, at the same time prevents the passage of exhaled air or sound thereint'o.

It is also aimed to provide a novel valve means operating for the instant escape and dissipation of exhaled air and sound into the casing or housing of the device and exhaust therefrom into the atmosphere, such valve means also preventing the return of exhaled air to the rear or sound input end of the mask, the pressures which adversely affect the action of the diaphragm of the microphone thus being relieved wh-ile attaining improved recording.

A further object is to provide a front or switch-mounting section which acts as the hand gripping member for the mask, and at the same time is so disposed as to en- -able Ithe air input end for the tube to be 4so positioned yas not to be obstructed in yany manner by the hand or fingers supporting the mask.

Various additional objects and advantages will bec-ome apparent from a consideration -of the description following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating Aan operative embodiment by way of example.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of my improved ambient sound-excluding transducer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged rear end elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal lsectional View taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken on line 4-4 Vof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a blown-up lview .taken on a smaller scale partly in longitudinal section and partly in elevation and more or less diagrammatically showing the detachability of the parts comprising the improved maks or transducer;

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FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section through parts of the casing and the face engaging diaphragm showing the mounting of the microphone by the latter; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation showing the face-engaging end wall or diaphragm with the face clipped in place thereon.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts thoughout the different views of the improved mask, receiver or transducer, 10 designates the main section of a suitably shapedrhousing or casing, and 11 represents an auxiliary section of such housing or casing. At the face or rear end of sec-tion 10 is a facemasking wall structure 12. Parts 1t), 11 and 12 are separable and usually rigid and of metal or piastic. Said sections are disposed on anair intake tube 13, usually lof plastic to minimize condensation and open a-t both ends, and which is of a bore admitting sufficient air for fast dictation. Said tube is detachably disposed centrally of the sections 1@ and 11, being applicable and removable axially through the largecentral opening 14 of anend wall 14 at the front end and integral withsection 10. Saidtube 13 at its front end is provided with a knurled head orknob 15 which may be integral therewith, screw-threaded or in any wise fastened thereto While :at its rear end vare exterior screwthreads l16 usually -of plastic which arescrewthreads 17 of a plastic ormetal coupling sleeve 19. Sleeve 19 telescopes partly into acentral yannular neck 20 of the masking wall 12 :and is secured thereto byfastenings 21 for limited pivotal movement to aid in registery of the screw-threads 16 and 17 and ease of adaptation of all of the parts, particularly the plastic and flexible ones in assembling and disassembling the structure.

A soft rubber orequivalent sheet gasket 22, substantially coextensive with wall =14 is fastened in place against that wall as by aiiange 25 of section 11 andscrews 24 passing through thatange 25 and into thatwall 14. Gasket 22 has and opening 18 aligned with open-ing 14 through whichtube 13 passes. Another soft rubber orequivalent gasket ring 26 is slidably held on thetube 13 through dilation of its open center and is of a size to loverlap the adjacent portion ofgasket 22 to well prevent leakage of sound through s-aid opening 14. l

Adjacent saidmasking wall 12 in order to alternately permit inhalation and exclude exhalation through saidtube 13, a thin normally closed diaphragm or disk valve of elastic rubber or any other sui-table material 28 is provided. This valve as shown is fastened at one portion in any suitable manner as byrivets 29 to a usually tiexible supportingdisk 30 marginally attached .to vthe adjacent end of eithersleeve 1,9 ortube 13.Disk 30 has :a plurali-ty ofopenings 31 therethrough and anexhaust opening 32 is provided in the cylindrical wall of casing section 1t) and the same is preferably covered by a replaceableporous filter 33 of any suitable construction.

One ormore openings 34 are provided through themasking wall 12 so that the exhaled air and sound may pass into the interior ofsection 10 and eventually escape therefrom throughfilter 33 and exhaust opening 32 into the atmosphere.

Associated with each of theopenings 34 is a normally closed rubber or other iiexible valve disk 3S, which functions to automatically close during inhalation and open upon exhalation by the user.Such valve disks 35 may be fastened in any suitable manner to maskingwall 12 as by the passage ofintegral Shanks 36 extending centrally therefrom throughopenings 37 inmasking wall 12, which shanks carry compressible rubber orother heads 38 which may be squeezed throughsuch openings 37, and then eX- pand into the position shown in the drawings in order to retain them in place.

opening 39 ofmasking wall 12. `Such microphone is posi-z tioned in a groove itl of a contractile rubber or equivalent ring 41Vwhich includes anla-shaped wall 42 whichwV removably grips masking-wall 12 about theopening 39.

An elastic, usually rubber, ,face contacting piece 42 VisV detachably fastened marginally of themasking wall 12 and casing section 1t), audit is to be noted that'suchmasking wall 12 and'face piece are of a configuration preferably best conforming to the contour of the face of a user of the device.

Such face piece 42 is endless and generally U or V- Vshape in cross-section as engaged with the users face having ay free innerdistal flange 43 to directly yieldably tit the usefsface. Theother flange 44 has an inwardly extending lip'or shoulder` 4S whereby, lin assembly, the

face piece may be stretched or dilated over and byrcon-y Vtraction be retained on an outwardly extendingmarginal iiange 46,01 the masking wall Y12 as well shown in FlG. 8. Thus coupled the facepieceand wall 12 as a unit as seen in FIGVS, are-positioned on the rear end of casing section with alip orshoulder 47 of the face piece extending intosaid section 1th and the adjacent portion of Wall i4 contacting an outwardly extendingmarginal flange 48 onsection 19. Thus `upon securingthreads 16 and 17 together', the parts are assembled. Tightening of thetube 13 at such threads compresses the rubber at and adjacent t 4 Y part against both air and sound,'and that when thevalves 23 and 35 are in closed position, they also seal the associated parts against passage of both air and sound.

Various changes may be resorted to within the spirit and scoperof the invention. t

We claim: v l Y 1; A mask for a sound transducer including a generally tubular rear casing section with a closure wall at lip orshoulder 45 to provide a dust and sound-proof joint.

A cable 45' `extends into the interior of section 1) through a grommet ofinsulation 49 secured in a suitable opening of the main wall ofcasing section 10, the cable having conductors adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electricalenergy (not shown) and appropriately wired to the microphone M and Vto a control switch S either normally open or normally closed as preferred, insulated from andsecured in' the Vtop wall of the auxiliary casing section 11. Such switch Smay beyof any suitable type, and for example has a depressible button Si) which is spring-urged upwardlyY at 51.

1t will be realized that practically all of the parts, espeits front end and provided with an opening, a generally tubular masking wall structure located at said rear end, a face fitting piece disposed marginally of the rear end of said masking wall structure having a portion functioning as a gasket interposed between the rear casing section and the margin of the masking wall structure, a longitudinal inhalation tube extending through said opening, a front casing section fastened against said cl-osure wall and through which said tube extends, means detachably interconnecting the tube within the Vrear casing section to said masking wall structure, and exhalation outlet means through said maskingl wall structure.

2. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim L1 wherein the detachable interconnection of the tube with the masking wall structure is flexible to facilitate registration and connectionof the parts in assembly.

j 3. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim llrwherein said tube is of plasticto minimize condensa- Y tion. Y

Vthreads between the sleeveand tube.

6; .A mask for a-sound transducer according to claim v 1 and gasket means .over said opening contacting said cially the main parts, may be made of any suitable plastic material, although they may be manufactured of metal or otherwise. l

Presuming use of the device, the auxiliary casing sec- With the face such dictation, an, adequate supply of fresh air from the i atmosphere is automatically drawn from the Vfront directly lthrough theair intake tube 13 past valveV 2S to the face of the use r by inhalation, andas the userY exhales such valve automatically closes and sealsrovif the ,inner` end of the'tube. Also during such use asfthe user exhales, the exhaling valves 3S will ,automaticallyopem permitting exhalation throughopenings 34, filter 33:,V andexhaust opening 32, saidyexhalation valves 35 being normally closed and automatically ciosing and sealing theopenings 34 against any intake of exhaled air from the interior ofsectiony 16. Y

The apparatus is adapted tofbe opened for sanitation and maintenance purposes by simply unscrewing'the tubeV 13 until theentire facepiece assembly 12,-42 is free of the casing. The casing is then open for replacement of any absorbent tissues employed and `general cleansing. The same procedure is followed when replacing the facepiece assembly. The facepiece is easily removed, discarded, and replaced. v

It is to be borne in mind that all thel gaskets, such as 1S', 22, 26 and i5 seal the joints oftwhich theyform latter to the rst casing section.

tube and the 'front end of the rear casing section.

7. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim 1 and gasket members overlapping one another and one contacting said tube and one contacting the front end yof the rear casing section.

Y 8. A mask for-atransducer including Ya irst generally tubular casing section, a generally tubular masking wall structure on Vsaid section for disposition at the face of the user, Vmeans for exhalation through said masking wall structure, a hand gripping auxiliary casing section, an inhalation tube removably extending through the Ylatter -section and into the first section, means operatively positioning said auxiliary casing section with respect to the first casingjsection including a head on said tube spaced from the first casing section and in abutment with the said auxiliary section, and means removably connecting said tube and masking'wall structure and securing the 9. A mask for a transducer including .a casing provided with an endwall andan openend, an inhalation Vtubel extending into the casing through said end wall, a `generallytubular masking wall structure at said open end for location at the face of the user, exhalation means Athrough the r'nask, a face-fitting piece surrounding said open end having a portion interposed between the margin of said masking Wall structure and adjacent surface of the casing serving as a gasket, and means detachablyV secur- Y Ving Vand i.drawing said tube and masking wall structure togetherrwhich clamps said portion against said surface. 161A mask for-a transducer including a generally tubular casing provided with an end wall anan open end, av generally tubular masking wall structure disposed across said open endfor disposition .at the face of the user, exhalation means through said structure, va faceiitting piece surrounding said open end having a portion serving as a gasket interposed' between-the margin of said structure and the adjacent surface of the casing, and

an inhalation tube extending generally longitudinally and centrally of the casing and into the latter through said end wall, and means operating through relative rotation of the tube and masking wall structure at a location within the casing and detachably securing the tube and masking wall structure together with the latter clamping said portion against said surface.

11. A mask for a sound transducer including a generally tubular casing comprising front and rear sections, a generally tubular masking wall structure at the rear end of said rear casing section disposable at the tace of the user and having provision for exhalation therethrough, said front section being a hand-gripping construction, an inhalation tube means extending longitudinally through said sections and deteachably securing them together, said tube means extending through said front casing section and into the rear casing section at the end opposite said masking wall structure, a head on said tube means for abutment against said front section, and means yoperative to Secure the masking wall structure and the casing and tube means together through the turning of the latter.

12. A mash having a sound transducer including a generally tubular rear casing section open at one end and having a closure wall at its opposite end provided with an opening therethrough, a generally tubular masking wall structure at said open end, a face-fitting piece disposed marginally of said masking wall structure having a portion forming a gasket interposed between said casing section and the margin of the masking wall structure, an inhalation tube extending through said opening and terminating within said rear casing sections, a head on the front end of said tube, a front casing section 1ocated between said rear casing section and head through which said tube passes, means operable through relative rotation of said tube fastening said front casing section against said closure wall, means at a location Within the rear casing section detachably interconnecting through relative rotation the tube and masking wall structure, and

exhalation outlet means through said masking wall structure.

13. A mask for a sound transducer including a generally tubular casing open at one end with a surrounding marginal Wall at that end, a generally tubular masking wall structure located at said end of the casing, an elastic face-fitting element stretched onto the margin of said masking wall structure to position it thereon for unitary application With the latter to the casing, and tubular means detaehably interconnecting said masking wall structure to the casing with the stretched portion of said element clamped between said marginal Wall of the casing and the masking wall structure to serve as a gasket.

14. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim 13 wherein the detachable interconnection of the tubular means with the masking wall structure comprises a sleeve llexibly mounted on said masking wall structure and screw-threads between the sleeve and tubular means.

15. A mask for a sound transducer according to claim 13 wherein the detachable interconnection of the tubular means with the masking Wall structure comprises a sleeve flexibly mounted on said masking wall structure, screw-threads between the sleeve and tubular means, and gasket means over said opening contacting said tubular means and the front end of the rear casing section.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,390,488 12/55 Alford et al. 179-188 2,745,911 5/56 Webb 179-188 2,754,377 7/56 Junghans 179-188 2,769,040 10/56 Di Mattia 179-188 2,830,135 4/58 Webb 179-188 2,857,013 10/58 Orso 179-188 2,974,665 3/61 Motsinger 179-188 ROBERT H. ROSE, Primary Examiner.

WALTER L. LYNDE, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 9. A MASK FOR A TRANSDUCER INCLUDING A CASING PROVIDED WITH AN END WALL AND AN OPEN END, AN INHALATION TUBE EXTENDING INTO THE CASING THROUGH SAID END WALL, A GENERALLY TUBULAR MASKING WALL STRUCTURE AT SAID OPEN END FOR LOCATION AT THE FACE OF THE USER, EXHALATION MEANS THROUGH THE MASK, A FACE-FITTING PIECE SURROUNDING SAID OPEN END HAVING A PORTION INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE MARGIN OF SAID MASKING WALL STRUCTURE AND ADJACENT SURFACE OF THE CASING SERVING AS A GASKET, AND MEANS DETACHABLY SECURING AND DRAWING SAID TUBE AND MASKING WALL STRUCTURE TOGETHER WHICH CLAMPS SAID PORTION AGAINST SAID SURFACE.

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