US4000475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio amplifier arrangement
Assignee: Nippon Gakki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1975-06-19
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Granted: 1976-12-28
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Expires: 1995-06-19
Abstract
Abstract An audio amplifier arrangement comprises an amplifier unit containing an amplifier circuitry, and a manipulation unit, independent of said amplifier unit, having manipulation elements for controlling the operation of the amplifier unit. These two units can be detachably directly coupled together both electrically and mechanically by terminal connectors and by mechanical locking means provided on these two units for operation as a complete amplifier assembly. These two units, furthermore, are operable also in their separate state or in a "remote-control" mode of operation by electrically coupling said terminal connectors together by the use of a connector-equipped cable means applied between these two units.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsugu Oiwa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/08; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/68
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An audio amplifier arrangement comprising: an amplifier unit housed in a casing and provided with an amplifier circuitry; a manipulation unit housed in a casing and equipped with manipulation elements and fabricated as an independent body separate from said amplifier unit; a mechanical coupling means for selectively detachably directly coupling said two units together mechanically; and an electrical coupling means for selectively electrically coupling said two units together for amplifying operation both when said units are mechanically coupled and when they are mechanically separate, said electrical coupling means comprising electrical members provided at mutually corresponding positions on the respective casings and forming a mating pair and further comprising a cable means having electrical coupling members at each end for mating with said electrical coupling members on said respective casings, the mating pair of coupling members on said casings being mechanically and electrically coupled when said casings are mechanically coupled, and said mating pair of coupling members on said casings being adapted to be electrically coupled through said cable and its electrical coupling means when said units are mechanically separate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An audio amplifier arrangement comprising: an amplifier unit housed in a casing and provided with an amplifier circuitry; a manipulation unit housed in a casing and equipped with manipulation elements and fabricated as an independent body separate from said amplifier unit; a mechanical coupling means for selectively detachably directly coupling said two units together mechanically; and an electrical coupling means for selectively electrically coupling said two units together for amplifying operation both when said units are mechanically coupled and when they are mechanically separate, said electrical coupling means comprising electrical members provided at mutually corresponding positions on the respective casings and forming a mating pair and further comprising a cable means having electrical coupling members at each end for mating with said electrical coupling members on said respective casings, the mating pair of coupling members on said casings being mechanically and electrically coupled when said casings are mechanically coupled, and said mating pair of coupling members on said casings being adapted to be electrically coupled through said cable and its electrical coupling means when said units are mechanically separate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
102 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 1, in which said amplifier circuitry includes an input terminal, a power amplifier, a plurality of switching elements, and a plurality of output terminals each of which is connected, via said corresponding switching elements, to the output terminal of said power amplifier, and in which said manipulation elements comprise first switches, said input terminal being connected to the input terminal of said power amplifier, and in which said switching elements which connects said plurality of output terminals to the output terminal of said power amplifier are electrically coupled to and controlled by said first switches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 2, said manipulation element further comprising a plurality of variable resistors corresponding to said output terminals, and a plurality of second switches corresponding to said variable resistors for selectively electrically coupling said associated variable resistors between the input terminal and said power amplifier input terminal, said second switches being interlocked correspondingly with said first switches for simultaneous operation therewith, whereby selection of a second switch operates the corresponding first switch to couple its associated variable resistor between the input terminal and the power amplifier input terminal so as to adjust the level of an input signal applied thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 2, in which a level meter for indicating the output level of said power amplifier of the amplifier unit is provided on the front surface of the manipulation unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 1, in which said mechanical coupling means is composed of a position-setting means for setting the abutting positions of said two units when these two units are coupled directly together, and a locking means for locking the coupled units together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 5, in which said position-setting means comprises bulgings formed on one of the abutting surfaces of these two units and bulging-receiving holes formed on the other of the abutting surfaces of the two units at positions corresponding to the bulgings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 6, in which the locking means comprises movable tapered members having a spring-like action and extending from bilateral sides of the manipulation unit casing and having engaging portions, and apertures formed through the bilateral sides of the amplifier unit casing for allowing the passage therethrough of the spring-like tapered movable members and having edges for engagement with the engaging portions of the manipulation unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 7, in which said movable tapered spring-like members are made of a flexible material and fixed at its one end to the casing of one of the two units to be normally urged laterally outwardly of the casing of said one of the two units.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 7, in which said tapered movable spring-like members are made of a rigid material and attached movably to the casing of one of the two units and urged by spring means laterally outwardly of the casing of said one of the two units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 1, in which said electrical coupling members forming a mating pair are composed of a pin-terminal connector and a terminal connector, said pin-terminal connector being provided on one of the abutting surfaces of said two units, said terminal connector being provided on the other of the abutting surfaces of said two units at position corresponding to the position of said pin-terminal connector, so that these two connectors are coupled to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 1, in which said electrical coupling members forming a mating pair are composed of a pin-terminal connector and a terminal connector, said pin-terminal connector being provided on a protruding connector guide member protruding from that surface of said manipulation unit which is to abut the abutting surface of said amplifier unit when these units are directly coupled together, said terminal connector being provided within a recess formed on the abutting surface of the amplifier unit, which recess corresponding in position and shape to said protruding connector guide member to receive therein this guide member, thereby receiving the pins of said pin-terminal connector into said terminal connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 10, in which said electrical coupling members of said cable means comprises a pin-terminal connector provided at one end of said cable means adapted to be inserted into said terminal connector, and a terminal connector provided at the other end of said cable means and adapted to be coupled to said pin-terminal connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An audio amplifier arrangement according to claim 1, in which said amplifier unit has a recess for accommodating said cable means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
153 words
An audio amplifier arrangement comprising: an amplifier unit housed in a casing and containing an input terminal to which an input signal is applied, a power amplifier, an output terminal through which an output of this power amplifier is derived, and a power supply source for supplying the operating power to the power amplifier; an adapter unit for being attached to said amplifier unit and fabricated as an independent body separate from said amplifier unit and including at least a variable resistor and a power switch; an electrical coupling means provided on said adapter unit and said amplifier unit for directly coupling the two units electrically together, and fastening means for directly coupling the two units mechanically together, said input signal being led to an input terminal of said power amplifier after being adjusted of its level through said variable resistors, said power supply source being turned "on" and "off" said power switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
153 words
An audio amplifier arrangement comprising: an amplifier unit housed in a casing and containing an input terminal to which an input signal is applied, a power amplifier, an output terminal through which an output of this power amplifier is derived, and a power supply source for supplying the operating power to the power amplifier; an adapter unit for being attached to said amplifier unit and fabricated as an independent body separate from said amplifier unit and including at least a variable resistor and a power switch; an electrical coupling means provided on said adapter unit and said amplifier unit for directly coupling the two units electrically together, and fastening means for directly coupling the two units mechanically together, said input signal being led to an input terminal of said power amplifier after being adjusted of its level through said variable resistors, said power supply source being turned "on" and "off" said power switch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-28 | 1980-06-28 | 1980-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-28 | 1984-06-28 | 1984-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-28 | 1988-06-28 | 1988-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |