Portable audio system and audio cable continuity tester

• US 4,670,709 A
• Filed: 03/30/1984
• Issued: 06/02/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Iredale
• Original Assignee: John Iredale
• Inventors: Iredale, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Application Number:
  US06/595,341
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 324/73 R, 324/115, 324/133, 324/527, 324/543, 324/544, 324/57 R
• US Class Current: 324/542
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/69 of terminals at the end of a cable or a wire harness; of plugs; of sockets, e.g. wall sockets or power sockets in appliances

Abstract

A portable battery powered tone source with a built-in audio cable tester. Plural outputs consist of -40 dB, mic level; -10 dB line level and 1W speaker level. Continuity in the system under test from input to speakers causes an audio frequency signal to be present at speakers. This systems own speakers can be used as monitors in the testing process. Moving the device (source) enables the user to audibly locate the point at which the continuity starts/stops. At such time the user can test the audio castle at that point. The various plugs of the device are compatible with all common audio jacks enabling the user to test all types of audio equipment as well as all types of audio cables with only one device. The device can also be used to test any direct point-to-point connection such as common ground or a PC board run with a simple test lead adaptor.

Claims

1. A portable test tone generator and audio cable tester, comprising:

(a) a housing,

(b) a first phono jack having a positive lead, a first 1/4 inch phone jack having a positive lead, and a first LCR connector having pins 1, 2 and 3 all mounted on a first portion of said housing,

(c) a second phono jack having a positive lead, a second 1/4 inch phone jack havng a positive lead, and a mating LCR connector having pins 1, 2 and 3 all mounted on a second portion of said housing, daid second phono jack and said second 1/4 inch phone jack insulated from said housing.

(d) a four pole dual throw switch mounted on said housing,

(e) first and second plugs mounted on said housing,

(f) a power supply, a current indicator, an inverter, a NAND-gate, a function generator, and a power amplifier all mounted within said housing,

(g) wiring means within said housing so that

(i) when said switch is in a first position said function generator is activated by said power supply and outputs a test signal to the input of said power amplifier, to the positive lead of said second 1/4 inch phone jack, and to pins of said mating LCR connector; and

said power amplifier is activated by said power supply and outputs a test signal to said first plug; and

(ii) when said switch is in the other position said second phono jack has its positive lead connected to its ground terminal;

said second 1/4 inch phone jack has as its positive lead connected to its ground terminal;

said mating LCR connector has pins 1 and 2 connected to bias pins of said inverter and NAND-gate and pin 3 is grounded;

said first phono jack has its positive lead connected to said current indicator and power supply;

said first 1/4 inch phone jack has its positive lead connected to said current indicator and power supply;

said first LCR connector has pin 1 connected to said power supply output, pin 2 connected to a tie-down resistor and to one input of said NAND-gate, and pin 3 connected to an input of said inverter;

the output of said inverter is connected to another input of said NAND-gate; and

an output of said NAND-gate is connected to said current indicator and said power supply.