Voice transmission system with remote microphone

• US 5,428,688 A
• Filed: 03/29/1993
• Issued: 06/27/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Undersea Sensor Systems, Inc. (Edge Autonomy SLO LLC)
• Original Assignee: Audiopack Sound Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Bauer, Alfred, Birli, Joseph A., Becker, Jack J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, SINH N
• Application Number:
  US08/038,456
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 381/168, 381/187, 381/169, 381/183, 367/132, 379/175
• US Class Current: 381/344
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/083 Special constructions of mouthpieces

Abstract

A voice transmission system for a conventional gas mask or face mask includes an amplifier body and a remote microphone assembly. The amplifier body encloses an amplifier electronic components assembly, a speaker and one or more batteries, and is designed to be attached with a belt clip to the belt of a user. The microphone assembly is electrically connected by a flexible cord to the amplifier assembly and is designed to be removably coupled to the face mask. The microphone assembly includes a microphone and a microphone adapter. The microphone adapter includes a resilient mounting bracket which can be easily coupled to and uncoupled from the exhalation passage of the mask without penetration or structural modification of the mask such that the microphone is proximate a check valve in the exhalation passage of the mask. The microphone is designed to receive a person'"'"'s voice through or around the check valve in the exhalation passage of the mask and communicate a signal to the amplifier assembly. The amplifier assembly then amplifies the voice signal, and the speaker externally transmits the signal.

Claims

1. A voice transmission system for use with a face mask having a passage, the passage including an inner end proximate a person'"'"'s mouth wearing the face mask and an outer end having a membrane mounted thereon, said voice transmission system comprising:

a microphone assembly including;

(i) a microphone for receiving the person'"'"'s voice through or around the membrane, and (ii) a mounting unit for removably coupling said microphone assembly to the passage of the face mask such that said microphone is located proximate the membrane, said mounting unit including;

(i) a base plate within which said microphone is mounted, (ii) a collar extending outwardly from said base plate, and (iii) a plurality of resiliently deflectable spring clips attached to said base plate and extending along the outer surface of said collar, said spring clips being designed to;

(i) resiliently deflect during coupling of said microphone assembly to the passage, (ii) engage an outer surface of the passage with a predetermined amount of resistance when said microphone assembly is coupled to the passage, and (iii) resiliently deflect during uncoupling of said microphone assembly from the passage;

an amplifier body remote from said microphone assembly and substantially enclosing an amplifier assembly, a speaker, and a power source; and

a conductor for electrically interconnecting said microphone with said amplifier assembly, said speaker, and said power source;

whereby said microphone receives the person'"'"'s voice through or around the membrane at the outer end of the passage, said amplifier assembly amplifies the voice signal received from said microphone, and said speaker externally transmits the amplified voice signal.

2. A voice transmission system for use with a face mask having a passage, the passage including an inner end proximate a person'"'"'s mouth wearing the face mask and an outer end having a membrane mounted thereon, said voice transmission system comprising:

a microphone assembly including;

(i) a microphone for receiving the person'"'"'s voice through or around the membrane, and (ii) a mounting unit for removably coupling said microphone assembly to the passage of the face mask such that said microphone is located proximate the membrane, said mounting unit engaging the passage of the face mask to couple said microphone assembly to the passage, said mounting unit being designed to;

(i) resiliently deflect during coupling of said microphone assembly to the passage, (ii) engage the passage with a predetermined amount of resistance when said microphone assembly is coupled to the passage, and (iii) resiliently deflect during uncoupling of said microphone assembly from the passage;

an amplifier body remote from said microphone assembly and substantially enclosing an amplifier assembly, a speaker, and a power source; and

a conductor for electrically interconnecting said microphone with said amplifier assembly, said speaker, and said power source;

whereby said microphone receives the person'"'"'s voice through or around the membrane at the outer end of the passage, said amplifier assembly amplifies the voice signal received from said microphone, and said speaker externally transmits the amplified voice signal;

and wherein said mounting unit includes a plurality of resiliently deflectable members designed to engage an outer surface of the passage to couple said microphone assembly to the face mask.

3. A voice transmission system as in claim 2, wherein said mounting unit further includes a base plate within which said microphone is mounted and a collar extending outwardly from said base plate, said deflectable members being attached to said base plate and extending along the outer surface of said collar.

4. A voice transmission system as in claim 3, wherein said deflectable members comprise spring clips.

5. A voice transmission system as in claim 3, wherein said microphone is mounted in an opening in said base plate and said conductor has a portion which extends along a channel formed in said base plate to interconnect said microphone with said amplifier assembly, said speaker, and said power source.

6. A voice transmission system as in claim 2, wherein said mounting unit further includes a resilient collar designed to engage an outer circumference of the passage to couple said microphone assembly to the face mask.