Abstract:
A signal transfer arrangement is provided for conveying a signal from a first location to a second location. The signal transfer arrangement includes an articulated support structure rotatably mounted on a base located on a support surface. The support structure has a mobile collection device for receiving an input signal from at least one input emission device at the first location positioned on the support surface without contact between the collection device and the emission device, and transferring the input signal to the second location.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application relates to and claims priority of US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/025,981, filed Feb. 4, 2008. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a signal transfer, and more particularly, pertains to an arrangement capable of altering or enhancing an audio or video signal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Signal transfer, as it pertains to this disclosure, is a method of conveying a signal from one transmission line to another without contact. This occurs through the emission of an energetic medium such as an electromagnetic field, infrared light, or ultrasound. Utilizing one of these energetic mediums, the transfer of a signal relies on the pairing of an emission device and a collection device. In the case of infrared light, the emission device would be an infrared light emitting diode and a collection device would be an infrared phototransistor. In another type of signal transfer, the electromagnetic fields are created between wire coils. With electromagnetic fields, the coils can act as either the emission or collection device. 
         [0004]    In producing audio and video special effects, it is often necessary to redirect the signal path to include additional effects or exclude certain effects. In the case of live instrumental performances, it is necessary to switch between audio effects quickly without disconnecting any support equipment. The signal switching devices that currently exist require either a high degree of dexterity not usually afforded in the midst of a performance or are usually capable of only handling two signal sources. It is desirable to provide an arrangement which will switch between a plurality of signal sources in fractions of a second. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The disclosure relates to a signal transfer arrangement for conveying a signal from a first location to a second location. The arrangement includes an articulated support structure rotatably mounted on a base located on a support surface. The support structure has a mobile collection device for receiving an input signal from at least one input emission device at the first location positioned on the support surface without contact between the collection device and the emission device, and transferring the input signal to the second location. 
         [0006]    In the preferred embodiment, the base carries a rotary bearing assembly having a lower member fixed to the base, and an upper member rotatably mounted to the lower member. A mounting bracket is secured to the upper member of the rotary bearing assembly. A main support member is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket. A support arm assembly is pivotally mounted to the main support member, the support arm assembly having a front end and a rear end. A first power actuator is connected at a lower end to a pivot bracket structure pivotally joined to the mounting bracket, and is pivotally connected at an upper end to a cylinder hinge and actuator plate joined to a rear end of the support arm assembly. A second power actuator is pivotally actuated at a lower end to an extension bracket structure attached to the mounting bracket, and is pivotally connected at an upper end to the main support member. The first and second actuators are preferably pneumatic cylinders controlled by air valves. 
         [0007]    The front end of the support arm assembly supports the mobile collection device in the form of a coil core having a stylus coil wound thereon. The coil core has a handle provided with an electrical switch connected to a power supply in communication with the air valves. A control wire runs from the stylus core through hollow portions of the support arm assembly and the main support member to an amplifier. The input emission device is at least node coil. The articulated support structure controls movement of the collection device towards and away from the input emission device to vary the volume of the signal being transferred. The input signal is received by the mobile collection device from the input emission device electromagnetically. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the disclosure, a signal transfer arrangement is provided for conveying a signal from a first location to a second location. The signal transfer arrangement includes an articulated support structure rotatably mounted on a base supported on a support surface. The support surface has a mobile collection device for receiving an input signal from at least one input emission device without contact between the collection device and the emission device, and transferring the input signal to an amplifier for adjusting a magnitude of the input signal. An input source provides the input signal, and an output source is connected to the amplifier. 
         [0009]    The input source is preferably an audio source for providing an audio signal. The output source is an audio reproduction source for playing audio through speakers. The input signal may be changed by a processing device before being received by the collection device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
           [0011]    In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of the tactile signal transfer arrangement; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a partial rear isometric view of the tactile signal transfer arrangement; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the tactile signal transfer arrangement including a coil clamp shown with the coil and handle removed; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partial front view of the signal transfer arrangement, showing additional detail of the coil clamp; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an exemplary application of the tactile signal transfer arrangement. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    Referring to the drawings, a tactile signal transfer arrangement  10  includes a counterweight base  12  positioned upon a planar support surface  14  ( FIG. 2 ). The base  12  carries a rotary bearing assembly with a fixed lower member  16  and an upper member  18  rotatably mounted thereto. The rotatable upper member  18  supports a saddle-shaped mounting bracket  20 . A main support member  22  has a lower end which is attached by a connector  24  between a pair of parallel pivot brackets  26  extending from the mounting bracket  20 . The main support member  22  and the pivot brackets  26  are pivotally secured to mounting bracket  20  by a connector  28 . A cylinder hinge  30  is pivotally attached between the pivot brackets  26  by a connector  32 . 
         [0018]    The cylinder hinge  30  is joined to a lower rod end of a rear pneumatic cylinder  34  having a top end that is pivotally mounted by a connector  36  to a cylinder hinge  38 . The cylinder hinge  38  is fastened to an adaptor plate  40  that joins the outer ends of a pair of rear parallel support members  42 . Inner ends of the rear support members  42  are pivotally connected by a connector  44  to a top end of the main support member  22 . A pair of pivot brackets  46  is fixed by connectors  48  located beneath connector  44  to the main support member  22 . 
         [0019]    A top end of a front pneumatic cylinder  50  is pivotally connected between the pivot brackets  46  by a connector  52  ( FIG. 3 ). A lower end of the front pneumatic cylinder  50  is pivotally joined by another connector  54  between a pivot of extension brackets  56  that extend from the mounting bracket  20  and are fixedly retained thereto by connector  58 . 
         [0020]    A pair of front parallel support members  60  is fixedly connected to the rear parallel support members  42  by connectors  62  ( FIG. 2 ). The outer ends of the front support members  60  are braced together by a pivot shaft  64  retained in place by collars  66  positioned on the ends of the pivot shaft  64 . A double C-clamp  68  has one portion clamped to the pivot bracket  64  with a counterweight bolt  70 . Another portion of claim  68  is joined to a vertically extending coil core  72  by a clamp bolt  74 . A stylus coil  76  is wound on a lower end of the coil core  72 , while a handle  78  equipped with an electrical switch  80  is attached to an upper end of the coil core  72 . 
         [0021]    An output wire  82  runs from the coil  76  and is routed through a hollow interior of one of the front support members  60  and the main support member  22  (as shown in dotted lines) for connection to an amplifier  84  having an output lead  86 . A control wire  88  is joined to the electrical switch  80  and routed through one of the front support members  60  and the main support member  22  for connection to a power supply  90 . The power supply  90  has power leads  92  extend to a bank of electrically controlled air valves  94 , each of which is appropriately connected by a tubing  96  to a nipple  98  on pneumatic cylinders  34 ,  50 . Two stationary nodes or coils  100  having input leads  102  are positioned on the planar surface  14  below the stylus coil  76 . 
         [0022]    The above described arrangement  10  thus defines an articulated rotatable support structure having support members  22 ,  42 ,  60  selectively moved by means of the operation of cylinders  34 ,  50 . The provision of the handle  78  with the electrical switch  80  operably connected to the air valves  94  and the cylinders  34 ,  50  creates a tactile, hands-on selective switching arrangement. 
         [0023]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the objective is to bring two coils into proximity to each other. The structure of the invention allows the mobile coil or stylus  76  to be suspended over the stationary nodes or coils  100 . The structure is able to rotate 360° which allows the mobile coil  76  to pan each stationary coil  100 . Electromagnetic fields are created between the coils  76 ,  100  and enable signal transfer from an input to a output. 
         [0024]    The pneumatic cylinders  34 ,  50  afford the structure and ability to extend above the stationary coils  100  allowing volume control of the signal being selected. Also, the cylinders  34 ,  50  enable the position set by the operator to be maintained. This occurs when the operator presses switch  80  on the handle  78  and electrically activates the valves  94 . The valves  94  open to equalize the air pressures within the pneumatic cylinders  34 ,  50 . Then, the structure is free to move in all directions that the operator intends. When the switch  80  is released, the valves  94  close and lock the air in the cylinders  34 ,  50 . This renders the structure immovable, thus maintaining the volume and signal selection. 
         [0025]    An example of a use for this invention is illustrated in the adjoining block diagram of  FIG. 5 . In this arrangement, the arrangement  10  is utilized for the switching between different audio effects. An audio source  104  can be any audio device or instrument with an output such as a CD player, guitar or computer. The signal from source  104  travels to a splitter  106  by a connecting cable  108 . Once the signal is at the splitter  106 , copies of the signal are made. In this case, two copies are made and both continue over separate connecting cables  110  to different audio effects  112 ,  114  where the input signals are processed. In this example, one effect  112  produces harmonic distortion while the other effect  114  modulates the signal. The effected signals are fed through leads  102  into the node coils  100 . The signals are then transferred to the mobile coil  76 . The selected signal leaves the coil  76  through lead  86  connected to the amplifier  84 . The amplifier  84  adjusts the volume of the signal to an appropriate level for input to an audio reproduction stage  116 . The equipment used for audio reproduction can be a stereo or some other device to which speakers can be connected. 
         [0026]    An alternate embodiment of this invention also provides for the tactile control and selection of a video signal. The same mechanical layout would be used for a video rendition of the invention. The method of transferring the signal would be a photoelectric process instead of using electromagnetic coils. Electronically, it would consist of photonic emission device such as an LED in place of the stationary coil. A photo receiver such as a phototransistor would replace the mobile coil. The plurality of inputs for the video arrangement could be multiple cameras that are rapidly selected with the invention and the output would then be displayed on a video monitor or recorded. Another arrangement could be a single video signal from a video source that is connected to a splitter in much the same way as with the audio arrangement. The multiple copies could then proceed through various video effects and be individually selected by the invention. 
         [0027]    In the recording studio environment, this disclosure allows for a reduced number of cables since it conveys the signal without contact. This disclosure does not require an unused connection to actually be connected, hence the number of cables used is reduced. 
         [0028]    Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.