EP0264785A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio communications module for an office chair
Assignee: Wang Laboratories Inc
•
Filing: 1987-10-13
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2007-10-13
Abstract
Abstract An audio communications system for an office chair (10) provides a user with private listening of RF transmitted audio messages in an exposed environment such as an office area, without the use of headphones. An audio module (28), which mounts to the backrest (14) of an office chair (10) includes an RF receiver and a shaped, acoustic horn loudspeaker (42) which directs sound upwardly, behind the user's head, while minimizing laterial dispersion of the sound. In another aspect of the invention, the audio communications system includes transceiver for two-way communication, such as telephone, and an armrest (16) mounted microphone and keypad (34).
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas C. Dayton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R5/00; H04R5/02; H04R5/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
Audio communication module (28), especially a speaker system, for use with a chair (10) comprising a housing (36); means (38), within the housing, for receiving an electrical signal respresentative of a sound; an acoustic horn (42) having a throat (79) and mouth (78), within the housing (36), the mouth (78) of said horn extending through said housing; transducer means (40), positioned at the throat (79) of the horn (42), for generating an audio signal in response to the electrical signal, and means for mounting the housing on the rear backrest (14) of a chair (10) such that the mouth (79) of the horn (42) faces upwardly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
Audio communication module (28), especially a speaker system, for use with a chair (10) comprising a housing (36); means (38), within the housing, for receiving an electrical signal respresentative of a sound; an acoustic horn (42) having a throat (79) and mouth (78), within the housing (36), the mouth (78) of said horn extending through said housing; transducer means (40), positioned at the throat (79) of the horn (42), for generating an audio signal in response to the electrical signal, and means for mounting the housing on the rear backrest (14) of a chair (10) such that the mouth (79) of the horn (42) faces upwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An audio communication module (28) as recited in claim 1, wherein the mouth (78) of the acoustic horn (42) has a rectangular cross section having width at least five times greater than the depth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An audio communication module (28) as recited in claim l or 2, wherein the means for receiving an electrical signal is a radio transceiver (38).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
An audio communication system for private audio communications comprising means (38) for receiving a transmitted radio signal representative of audio communications; transducer means (40) for generating an audio signal in response to the radio signal; means (42) for focusing the audio signal such that the signal radiates principally in one direction; and means (42) for directing the audio signal, generally upwardly, past a user's head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
An audio communication system for private audio communications comprising means (38) for receiving a transmitted radio signal representative of audio communications; transducer means (40) for generating an audio signal in response to the radio signal; means (42) for focusing the audio signal such that the signal radiates principally in one direction; and means (42) for directing the audio signal, generally upwardly, past a user's head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An audio communcation system as recited in claim 4, wherein the receiving means is a radio transceiver (38).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
An audio communication system (28), especially a telephone system, comprising a chair (10) having a backrest (24) and an armrest (16); a housing (36) mounted on the backrest; a speaker (40, 42) in the housing, positioned to project sound upwardly, past a user's head; a telephone keypad (56) mounted on the armrest; a microphone (52) mounted on the armrest; and a radio transceiver (38) in the housing for sending and receiving telephone communications, the transceiver being electrically coupled to the telephone keypad (56), the microphone (52), and speaker (40, 42).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
An audio communication system (28), especially a telephone system, comprising a chair (10) having a backrest (24) and an armrest (16); a housing (36) mounted on the backrest; a speaker (40, 42) in the housing, positioned to project sound upwardly, past a user's head; a telephone keypad (56) mounted on the armrest; a microphone (52) mounted on the armrest; and a radio transceiver (38) in the housing for sending and receiving telephone communications, the transceiver being electrically coupled to the telephone keypad (56), the microphone (52), and speaker (40, 42).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A private audio communications system (28) comprising a set (10) having a backrest (14); means (38), coupled to the chair, for receiving a transmitted radio signal representative of audio communications; transducer means (40) for generating an audio signal in reponse to the signal; means (42) for focusing the audio signal such that the signal radiates principally in one direction; and means (42) for directing the audio signal, generally upwardly, past the head of a user who is occupying the chair.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
A private audio communications system (28) comprising a set (10) having a backrest (14); means (38), coupled to the chair, for receiving a transmitted radio signal representative of audio communications; transducer means (40) for generating an audio signal in reponse to the signal; means (42) for focusing the audio signal such that the signal radiates principally in one direction; and means (42) for directing the audio signal, generally upwardly, past the head of a user who is occupying the chair.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An audio communication system as recited in claim 7, wherein the focusing means (42) is integral with the backrest (14) of the chair.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An audio communications system (28) as recited in claim 4, 6 or 7, wherein the focusing means is an acoustinc horn (42).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An audio communication system (28) as recited in claim 7 or 8, wherein the seat (10) is an office chair having casters (26).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.