US3723670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head contact microphone system
Assignee: DYNA MAGNETIC DEVICES Inc
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Filing: 1970-10-20
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An inertial microphone is suspended within a helmet, for contact with the head. It is surrounded and shielded from external air turbulence. The microphone is uniquely mounted to inhibit the physical transmission of ambient noise and vibration to it through its mounting. One''s face and hands remain unencumbered. Voice vibrations pass through the skull and head tissue, on to the microphone. Satisfactory speech communication is obtained even while in 100 knot winds and/or in noise levels up to 120 decibels. Useful in military, helicopter, fire and police operations.
Inventors
- 👤 G Sebesta
- 👤 A Mellen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A speech communication system adapted to be worn on the head comprising an inertial microphone, a member of elastic material that is dissipative of vibrational energy passed therethrough and that is substantially larger than said microphone, the said elastic member having a substantial head-contacting region, said microphone being surrounded in contiguous relation by the elastic member and being supported thereby at its head-contacting region, mounting means connected with said member for holding its said head-contacting region against the head and thereby maintain the microphone in stable vibratory coupling relation with the head during the communication mode, said mounting means being physically separated from the microphone with dissipative material of said member therebetween, whereby speech vibrations are effectively communicated from the head to said inertial microphone through its said coupling relation while ambient sound vibrations in the vicinity of the microphone minimally affect its response.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A speech communication system adapted to be worn on the head comprising an inertial microphone, a member of elastic material that is dissipative of vibrational energy passed therethrough and that is substantially larger than said microphone, the said elastic member having a substantial head-contacting region, said microphone being surrounded in contiguous relation by the elastic member and being supported thereby at its head-contacting region, mounting means connected with said member for holding its said head-contacting region against the head and thereby maintain the microphone in stable vibratory coupling relation with the head during the communication mode, said mounting means being physically separated from the microphone with dissipative material of said member therebetween, whereby speech vibrations are effectively communicated from the head to said inertial microphone through its said coupling relation while ambient sound vibrations in the vicinity of the microphone minimally affect its response.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 1, further including a cable with terminals extending to said microphone, fine wire leads of the microphone in circuit connection with said terminals, said cable and leads being arranged to inhibit vibrations in the cable from reaching the microphone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 1, further including a cap of soft material overlying the microphone for contact with the head, whereby head vibrations are transmitted substantially unattenuated through said cap to the microphone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 3, in which said cap is made of a chamois-like material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 3, in which said cap is made of chemically inert sheet material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 3, further including an element mechanically connected with said elastic member apart from said mounting means, said cap being fastened to said element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 1, further including a part set into said elastic member apart from its microphone setting, said mounting means being attached to said part and thereby hold the member And microphone to the head.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 3, further including a part set into said elastic member apart from its microphone setting, said mounting means being attached to said part and thereby hold the member and microphone against the head, and an element mechanically connected with said member in spaced relation from both said microphone and said part, said cap being fastened to said element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 8, further including a cable with terminals extending to said microphone, fine wire leads of the microphone in circuit connection with said terminals, said cable and leads being arranged to inhibit vibrations in the cable from reaching the microphone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 3, in which said member is a soft elastomer in the 30 to 35 range as measured on a Shore Durometer A scale and highly dissipative of vibrational energy passed therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
A speech communication system comprising a helmet, an inertial microphone, a member of elastic material that is absorptive of sound vibrations impinging therein, mounting means arranged to support said member within the helmet and out-of-contact therewith, said microphone being retained by said member substantially separated from said mounting means, said member being held in compression against the head by said mounting means when the helmet is worn and thereby maintain the microphone in stable vibratory coupling with the head during the communication mode, whereby speech vibrations of the wearer are effectively communicated to said inertial microphone through its said coupling relation while ambient sound vibrations reaching the vicinity of the microphone minimally affect its response.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
115 words
A speech communication system comprising a helmet, an inertial microphone, a member of elastic material that is absorptive of sound vibrations impinging therein, mounting means arranged to support said member within the helmet and out-of-contact therewith, said microphone being retained by said member substantially separated from said mounting means, said member being held in compression against the head by said mounting means when the helmet is worn and thereby maintain the microphone in stable vibratory coupling with the head during the communication mode, whereby speech vibrations of the wearer are effectively communicated to said inertial microphone through its said coupling relation while ambient sound vibrations reaching the vicinity of the microphone minimally affect its response.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 11, in which said member is a soft elastomer in the 30 to 35 range as measured on a Shore Durometer A scale and highly dissipative of vibrational energy passed therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 11, in which said member is a highly plasticized polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 11, in which said microphone is substantially smaller than said member and is imbedded centrally in the section of said member that faces the head, a portion of the microphone projecting just beyond said section for coupling with the head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 11, in which said mounting means further includes straps anchored in the helmet, said member and microphone being thereby pressed to the head when the helmet is worn.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 11, further including a surround mounted at the inner top region of the helmet, said surround having an opening within which said member and the microphone are positioned by said mounting means for operative coupling with the head, whereby turbulent air within the helmet is substantially shielded from the microphone by said surround.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 16, in which said surround is made of soft sound-absorbing material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 11, further including a cable with terminals extending to said microphone, and fine wire leads of the microphone in circuit connection with said terminals, said cable and leads being arranged to inhibit vibrations in the cable from reaching the microphone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 11, further including a cap of soft material overlying the microphone for contacting the head, whereby head vibrations are transmitted substantially unattenuated through said cap to the microphone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A speech communication system as claimed in claim 19, further including an element mechanically coupled with said member apart from said mounting means, said cap being fastened to portions of said element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |