Apparatus for reproducing and amplifying sound

Claim 2

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the apparatus is a portable apparatus comprising casing means (12) provided with a speaker (80) and with the recorded instrumental sound reproducing means (50b,50d,R₃,R₄), the recorded vocal sound reproducing means (50a,50c,R₁,R₂), the mixing and amplifying means (70) and the adjustment means (90a,90b,90c); the casing means (12) being provided with the vocal sound input device (60) at a position substantially spaced from said speaker (80).

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the casing means (12) has a manually grippable portion (14) by means of which the apparatus is handled, the casing means (12) being of elongated shape and the manually grippable portion (14) extending longitudinally thereof, the vocal sound input device (60) and the speaker (80) being disposed adjacent opposite ends of the casing means (12).

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the adjustment means (90a,90b,90c) comprises a switch (90c) which is operable to prevent the input to the mixing and amplifying means (70) of signals from the recorded vocal sound reproducing means (50a,50c,R₁,R₂).

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the adjustment means (90a,90b,90c) comprises a variable resistor (90a,90b) for varying the relative intensity of signals inputted into the mixing and amplifying means (70) from the recorded vocal sound reproducing means (50a, 50c, R₁,R₂) and from the recorded instrumental sound reproducing means (50b,50d,R₃, R₄).

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the apparatus is adapted for use with a recording containing a plurality of musical items with gaps therebetween; the apparatus comprising a drive motor (M) for driving the said recording; a starting signal generating means (310) for producing a starting signal to start a scanning of the recording; and a detecting circuit (320), operative upon receiving a said starting signal, to detect in the course of said scanning a non-signal or a low level condition of the output from the recorded instrumental and vocal sound reproducing means and thus to produce a detection signal indicating a gap in the recording, there being motor stopping means (340) for stopping the supply of power to the drive motor (M) in response to a said detection signal.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 characterised by a drive control means (220b, 220c, 310a, 310b) which, when in an operative state, ensures that the motor (M), when the latter is also operative, drives the recording at a fast forward or a fast rearward speed, the motor stopping means (340) stopping the drive motor (M) in response to a said detection signal at a time when the drive control means (220b,220c,310a,310b) is held in its operative state.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7 characterised by a detection completion sound generating circuit (330) for producing an audible indication that a said detection signal has been produced.

Claim 9

Apparatus for reproducing and amplifying sound comprising recorded sound reproducing means (50) for reproducing sound from a recording containing a plurality of items with gaps therebetween; a drive motor (M) for driving a said recording through the recorded sound reproducing means (50); a starting signal generating means (310) for producing a starting signal to start a scanning of the recording; and a detecting circuit (320), operative upon receiving a said starting signal, to detect in the course of said scanning a non-signal or a low level condition of the output from the recorded sound reproducing means (50) and thus to produce a detection signal indicating a gap in the recording characterised by motor stopping means (340) for stopping the supply of power to the drive motor (M) in response to a said detection signal.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 characterised by drive control means (220b, 220c, 310a, 310b) which, when in an operative state ensures that the motor (M), when the latter is also operative, drives the recording at a fast forward or a fast rearward speed, the motor stopping means (340) stopping the drive motor (M) in response to a said detection signal at a time when the drive control means (220b,220c,310a,310b) is held in its operative state.

Claim 11

A portable type audio reproducing and loudening apparatus comprising: a casing body; a speaker disposed in said casing body at one position; a vocal sound reproducing device disposed in a casing integrally incorporated with said casing body; a grip section integrally coupled to said casing body or said casing, said apparatus being held by gripping said grip section with one hand; a vocal sound input section integrally coupled to said grip section, said casing body or said casing, at a position apart from said speaker, which is characterized in that: said vocal sound reproducing device being a sound multiplex reproducing device including a vocal sound reproducing circuit and a music tune reproducing circuit; a mixing and amplifying means for mixing and amplifying a reproduced vocal sound signal from said vocal sound reproducing circuit, and a reproduced music tune signal from said music tune reproducing circuit so as to feed thus obtained signal to said speaker; a signal intensity changing means for changing at least the reproduced vocal sound signal intensity fed to said mixing and amplifying means in response to an external manipulation; and a signal intensity setting means for disabling said signal intensity changing means at the timing of an external manipulation and for setting the intensity of the reproduced vocal sound signal fed to said mixing and amplifying means, to a predetermined value.

Claim 12

A portable type audio reproducing and loudening apparatus comprising: a casing body; a speaker disposed in said casing body at one position; a vocal sound reproducing device disposed in said casing body at another position or disposed in a casing integrally incorporated with said casing body; a grip section integrally coupled to said casing body or said casing, said apparatus being held by gripping said grip section with one hand; a vocal sound input section integrally coupled to said grip section, said casing body or said casing, at a position apart from said speaker, which is characterized in that; a starting signal generating means for producing a music tune intro-scan operation starting signal at the timing of a manipulation for fast forward feed or a manipulation for fast rearward feed during reproducing mode; an inter tune gap detecting circuit for detecting a non-signal condition or a low level condition of said reproduced signal from said vocal sound reproducing means upon receiving of said operation starting signal; and a motor stopping circuit for stopping supply of power to a drive motor for said vocal sound reproducing means in accordance with a detection signal from said inter tune gap detecting circuit.