Radioelectric signal trains generator and portable transmitter comprising such a generator

• US 4,430,757 A
• Filed: 02/03/1982
• Issued: 02/07/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Societe Anonyme Elphora
• Original Assignee: Elphora
• Inventors: Szakvary, Laszlo
• Primary Examiner(s): NG, JIN FAY
• Application Number:
  US06/345,466
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 455/91, 455/95, 455/97, 455/100, 455/128, 455/129, 455/90, 331/116 R, 331/158, 375/71, 343/702
• US Class Current: 455/100
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 29/021 Means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0343 to be carried on the body
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radio signals transmitter.

The transmitter according to the invention comprises a pulse train generator including a quartz oscillator, generating a high frequency signal which is provided to a transistor 7 controlled by the charge and the discharge of a condensor 5 acting on the voltage of its base. A train of A.C. frequency pulses is thereby produced.

The generator is protected by a housing which is worn around the neck of the user by means of a chain forming a quarter wavelength antenna.

The present invention is used as a portable distress signals transmitter for isolated persons, such as skiers, mountaineers or other people in difficulty.

Claims

1. An electrical pulse train generator comprising:

supply means for providing direct-current electrical power;

a condensor and first resistance serially connected together at a first point and connected across said supply means;

a transistor having a base, emitter and collector;

a second resistance connecting the base of said transistor to said first point;

said emitter of said transistor being connected to said supply means;

a quartz crystal connected between said collector and base of said transistor, said crystal oscillating at a third harmonic frequency;

said generator including means turned to the third harmonic frequency of said quartz crystal for producing oscillations at relatively high frequencies in the megahertz range;

means for periodically driving said transistor from a blocking state into saturation by charging and discharging said condensor to periodically pass said oscillations; and

antenna means for emitting said oscillations.

2. The generator according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is insulated from the supply by a shock inductor and wherein a second condensor uncouples the supply means.

3. A portable electronic signal transmitter comprising:

a housing;

an antenna;

a signal generator supported in said housing including;

supply means for providing direct-current electrical power,

a condensor and first resistance serially connected together at a first point and connected across said supply means,

a transistor having a base, emitter and collector,

a second resistance connecting the base of said transistor to said first point,

said emitter of said transistor being connected to said supply means,

a quartz crystal connected between said collector and base of said transistor and inducing oscillations,

means for periodically driving said transistor from ;

a blocking state into saturation by charging discharging said condensor to periodically pass oscillations to said antenna,

said antenna comprising a chain for supporting said transmitter about a users neck, said chain passing freely in a metallic ring connected to said generator.

4. Transmitter according to claim 3, wherein the length of the chain corresponds to that of a quarter wave antenna at the frequency of said oscillations.

5. Transmitter according to claim 3, wherein a second concentric ring (21) made of an insulating material is positioned inside said metallic ring in such a way as to ensure capacitive coupling of said antenna and said generator.

6. Transmitter according to claim 3, wherein said housing is formed of two parts movable with respect to each other, between a first position in which said parts are brought together so as to form an electric circuit that connects said supply (1) to said generator, and a second position wherein said parts are drawn to disconnect said supply to said generator.

7. Transmitter according to claim 6, wherein the housing is cylindrical, said two parts of said housing being connected by at least one shoulder and associated groove shaped in the form of an "S" so that rotation of part of the housing with respect to the other makes these parts move from said first position to said second position, said positions being defined by the shoulder acting as a buffer against one or other of the ends, of said groove respectively.

8. Transmitter according to claim 6, wherein said antenna comprises a wide spaced coil around one said part of the housing in a screw thread (23) provided in this said part having a suitable pitch.