Patent US4002836A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4002836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio signal distributor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-07-24
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Granted: 1977-01-11
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Expires: 1995-07-24
Abstract
Abstract The Audio Signal Distributor (abbreviated ASD) is a device which takes the current from the amplifier output and distributes it in varying ratios to a plurality of speakers. The nature of the invention is a modified rheostat which divides the output current into separate currents of varying ratio. When a plurality of speakers are excited by these currents the illusion of sound movement from speaker to speaker is created maintaining a constant loudness level.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert MacLean Gardner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R3/00; H04R3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An audio sound producing system comprising: a. a plurality of speakers arranged in a preselected pattern about a listening area; b. a source of audio signals capable of actuating said speakers; c. an audio signal distributing device for distributing said source of audio signals through said speakers, said audio signal distributing device including an annular dielectric form; d. a plurality of tie-points, mounted an equal distance apart, on said form, the number of said tie-points corresponding to the number of said speakers; e. a shaft adapted to be rotated at the center of said dielectric form, said shaft having a wiper arm thereon, said wiper arm passing over said form; f. a pair of conductive windings for each tiepoint, each winding of the pair being wound in opposite directions around the form up to the next adjacent tie-point, but being insulated from the adjacent tie-point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An audio sound producing system comprising: a. a plurality of speakers arranged in a preselected pattern about a listening area; b. a source of audio signals capable of actuating said speakers; c. an audio signal distributing device for distributing said source of audio signals through said speakers, said audio signal distributing device including an annular dielectric form; d. a plurality of tie-points, mounted an equal distance apart, on said form, the number of said tie-points corresponding to the number of said speakers; e. a shaft adapted to be rotated at the center of said dielectric form, said shaft having a wiper arm thereon, said wiper arm passing over said form; f. a pair of conductive windings for each tiepoint, each winding of the pair being wound in opposite directions around the form up to the next adjacent tie-point, but being insulated from the adjacent tie-point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The audio signal distributing device of claim 1 wherein each winding of said pair comprises a first non-resistive section attached to said tie-point and a second resistive section forming an electrical continuation of the non-resistive section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the audio signal distributing device contains four tie-points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
An audio sound producing system comprising: a. a plurality of speakers arranged in a preselected pattern about a listening area; b. a source of audio signals capable of actuating said speakers; c. an audio signal distributing device for distributing said source of audio signals through said speakers, said audio signal distributing device including an annular dielectric form; d. a plurality of tie-points, mounted an equal distance apart, on said form, the number of said tie-points corresponding to the number of said speakers; e. a shaft adapted to be rotated at the center of said dielectric form, said shaft having a wiper arm thereon, said wiper arm passing over said form; f. a pair of conducting strips on said form forming a continuation of each tie-point, the strips extending in opposite directions from the tie-point up to the next adjacent tie-point but insulated from said adjacent tie-point, each strip being comprised of a first non-resistive section adjacent to the tie-point, and a second resistive section formed as an electrical continuation of the non-resistive section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
An audio sound producing system comprising: a. a plurality of speakers arranged in a preselected pattern about a listening area; b. a source of audio signals capable of actuating said speakers; c. an audio signal distributing device for distributing said source of audio signals through said speakers, said audio signal distributing device including an annular dielectric form; d. a plurality of tie-points, mounted an equal distance apart, on said form, the number of said tie-points corresponding to the number of said speakers; e. a shaft adapted to be rotated at the center of said dielectric form, said shaft having a wiper arm thereon, said wiper arm passing over said form; f. a pair of conducting strips on said form forming a continuation of each tie-point, the strips extending in opposite directions from the tie-point up to the next adjacent tie-point but insulated from said adjacent tie-point, each strip being comprised of a first non-resistive section adjacent to the tie-point, and a second resistive section formed as an electrical continuation of the non-resistive section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The audio signal distributing device of claim 4 wherein each said conductive strip is mounted along one of two concentric circles, said circles being concentric about the form's center up to the axis formed by the adjacent tie-point.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The audio signal distributing device of claim 5 wherein the two strips of said conductive pair extend in opposite directions from said tie-point along the concentric circle not occupied by adjacent tie-point strips, and being electrically isolated from adjacent tie-points.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-07-12 | 1981-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-11 | 1984-07-12 | 1985-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-11 | 1988-07-12 | 1989-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |