Improvements in Telephonic Apparatus:
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application; 18th Nov.; 1898
Complete Specification Left, 18th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 7th Oct., 1899
Improvements in Telephonic Apparatus:
I, FRANCIS LAUDER MUIRIIEAD, of the Firm of Muirhead & Co., of Elmers
End, in the County of Kent, Electrical Engineers; do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new or improved form of telephonic apparatus applic-
able more especially for use in ships' engine rooms and other places where it is
desired to effectually shut out the surrounding noise and thus to render tele-
phonic conversation audible and more reliable:
According to my invention the apparatus consists of a suitable box or casting
adapted to be fitted at the required height upon a wall or the like. At the back
of the casting or that part next the wall is a junction box into which the con-
necting wires run; and at one side; or preferably both sides, of the box or cast-
ing is a receiver. An axle or spindle runs through the box from side to side
and upon its ends the receivers are mounted; whilst projecting laterally from the
spindle is a transmitter of approved construction. Upon and adjacent to this
spindle are contacts so arranged that the partial rotation of the spindle makes
or breaks electrical connection. Projecting from the face of each receiver is a
curved tube, one of them being preferably hinged or jointed for the purpose
hereinafter specified. Each tube terminates in a rubber, vulcanite or like
cup and the edge thereof is made flexible and with a hollow or tubular head.
The arrangement is preferably such that when the spindle is in a position
that the curved ear tubes are dependent and the transmitter face downwards the
telephones are switched off and when the said tubes are turned to their horizontal
position connection is made.
When it is desired to use the apparatus; the spindle is partially rotated until
the horizontal position of the tubes is attained and the transmitter comes oppo-
site the operator's mouth. The operator presses one ear firmly against the cup
which is at the extremity of the fixed or unhinged curved tube and then presses
the cup which is on the hinged tube firmly against the other ear.
The flexible hollow or beaded-edged cups encircle the operator's ears and.
effectually shut out the surrounding noise.
The hinging or jointing of the one ear tube permits the adjustment of the
distance between the ear cups and thus renders the apparatus applicable for
use by different operators.
T
1000

page_text: Improvements in Telephonic Apparatus.
I, FRANCIS LAUDER MUIRHEAD, of the Firm of Muirhead & Co., of Elmer's
End, in the County of Kent, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to a new or improved form of telephonic apparatus
applicable more especially for use in ships' engine rooms and other places where
it is desired to effectually shut out the surrounding noise and thus to render
telephonic conversation audible and more reliable.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section, and
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line A-B Figure 1 showing how my
invention may be conveniently carried into practice.
According to my invention the apparatus consists of a suitable box or casting a
adapted to be fitted at the required height upon a wall or the like. At the back
of the casting, or that part next the wall, is a junction box into which the
connecting wires run; and located at one side, or preferably both sides, of and
within the box or casting at the points c is a receiver (omitted from the sectional
portion of Figure 1). An axle or spindle d runs through the box from side to
side, whilst projecting laterally from the spindle is a transmitter e of approved
construction. Upon and adjacent to this spindle are contacts so arranged that
the partial rotation of the spindle makes or breaks electrical connection. One
set of these contacts is shown at f in Figure 1. Projecting from the face of
each receiver is a curved tube g, one of them being preferably hinged or jointed
as shown at h for the purpose hereinafter specified. Each tube terminates in a
rubber, vulcanite or like ear cup i and the edge thereof is made flexible and pre--
ferably with a hollow or tubular bead j.
The arrangement is preferably such that when the spindle is in a position
that the curved ear tubes are dependent and the transmitter face downwards
(that is in the position shown in Figure 1) the telephones are switched off, and
when the said tubes are turned to their horizontal position, or approximately
so, connection is made.
When it is desired to use the apparatus, the spindle is partially rotated until
the horizontal position of the tube is attained and the transmitter comes opposite
the operator's mouth. The operator presses one ear firmly against the cup which
is at the extremity of the fixed or unhinged curved tube and then presses the
other cup which is on the hinged tube firmly against the other ear.
The flexible hollow or beaded-edged cups encircle the operator's ears and
effectually shut out the surrounding noise.
The hinging or jointing of the one ear tube permits the adjustment of the
distance between the ear cups and thus renders the apparatus applicable for use
by different operators.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In a telephonic apparatus, the combination, with a box or casting, of an
axle or spindle upon which the telephonic transmitter and receivers are located.
and contacts so arranged that the partial rotation of the axle or spindle makes
or breaks electrical connection substantially as set forth.

page_text: 2. A telephonic apparatus comprising an axle or spindle, a transmitter pro-
jecting laterally from, and receivers at the ends of such spindle, a curved tube
extending from the face of each receiver and terminating in an ear cup prefer-
ably having a hollow or tubular bead, a hinge or joint between the receiver and
the ear-cup, and contacts so arranged that the partial rotation of the axle or
spindle makes or breaks electrical connection substantially as set forth.
3. The telephonic apparatus constructed substantially as described and illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated thie 18th day of August 1899
A. F. SPOONER,
323, High Holborn, London, Agent for the Applicant.