Improvements in or connected with Telephone Receivers.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Telephone Receivers.
A communication by GEORGE VAUGHAN BENJAMIN, of Ithaca, in the County of
Tompkins, and State of New York, United States of America, Gentleman.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Man-
chester, both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a telephone receiver provided with an ear embracing
cap or cover and to a combination of such devices for supporting elastic conductors
connected with a receiver or receivers; and it has for its object among others to
provide means for supporting a telephone receiver at each ear without the use of
the operator's hand and by means that will exclude extraneous sounds or admit
them at will and to make such receivers and connections including the adjacent
portions of the elastic conductors as light as practicable and at the same time to
enable the operator to freely move in various directions over considerable areas.
The invention consists in the construction hereinafter described and particularly
pointed out.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the receivers, ear covers and
magnet;
Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of the magnet;
Fig. 3 is a partially diagrammatic view of the device with a movable support for
conductors;
Fig. 4 indicates a modification of a movable conductor support;
Fig. 5 is a transverse section of one of the limbs of one form of a horse shoe
magnet; and
Figs. 6 and 7 are sections showing modifications of the connections between the
magnet and coil.
Numeral denotes a telephone receiver of non-conducting material, such as
rubber. It is provided with a groove 2 adapted to receive the edge of an ear
cover or cap 3, made of non-conducting and preferably elastic material such as
rubber or felt. This ear cover is made to flare outwardly and has an exterior
outline or edge that adapts it to fit the head and exclude air and sound. It may if
desired be lined with any soft non-conducting material 31 extended close to the rim
of the ear cover and adapted to pack the joint between the ear cover and the head
or the base of the ear.
The groove 2 to receive the car cap is not essential in all cases and the cap may
be provided with an elastic or flexible band 16 as shown in Figure 7, of any suitable
size and material whereby it is adapted to be applied to a receiver of usual form, or
the cap may be provided with a screw threaded part 17, as shown in Figure 6,
adapted to be screwed on to a suitably threaded part of the receiver.
4 is a diaphragm of usual construction, and 5 is a screw situated at the end of the
magnet as indicated, and wound with an insulated wire or conductor 6 made of
copper, aluminum or of any material or alloy combining conductivity with com-
parative lightness of weight. These parts may be duplicated and the coil of the wire
extended and wound about limbs 7 and 7' of a magnet and then about a screw 5¹
which is the core of a second coil of the conducting wire 6. 8 and 9 are binding
screws. The rear of each receiver is inade flat and parallel with the diaphragm
and may be secured to a corresponding surface formed on a limb of the magnet 7*

page_text: by a special screw 10. 11 is a non-conducting covering which in practice will
extend over both limbs of the magnet. The limbs 7 and 71 are preferably formed:
of soft iron and connected by a piece of spring steel 711 welded together. This is
made wider and thinner in cross section than a limb and is preferably enlarged
towards its longitudinal center.
The core of the coil may be slotted or bored out as indicated in Figure 7, and
have a pivotal connection with the magnet and the wire of the coil can be passed
through the slots or bored out openings, the construction being such that the
receivers can be turned with relation to the magnet, without drawing upon
the wire.
The friction of the parts will normally hold them in fixed relation to each other.
A solid pivot may be employed, adapted to turn in a bearing in the magnet, said.
pivot being an extension of the core of the coil as indicated in Figure 6.
It is contemplated making the magnet hollow in whole or in part, as indicated
at 7 in Figure 5, to decrease its weight without seriously impairing its strength
and efficiency. In case a hollow or tubular magnet is employed the conductor may
be led through its interior. Instead of joining by the welded steel connection they
may be hinged together as indicated at 12 (Figure 3) and connected by a spring 13..
14 indicates adjustable clasps whereby the spring may be held at a greater or less:
. distance from the hinge according to the greater or less pressure of the ear cover
against the head if desired.
15 is a valve normally closing an opening in the car cover, but provided with a
lever or equivalent, whereby it may be opened when the operator desires, to hear
other than the telephonic sounds.
16' indicates a cord for opening the valve, and 17 a spring for closing them,
when the cord is free.
To enable the operator to move over considerable area while the receivers are
supported upon his head in operative position and his hands are free for any desired!
service, the plus and minus wires preferably enveloped together, are suspended from
. an over-head rod or tube. In Figure 3 is shown a rod supporting a ring which by
the medium of an elastic cord or coil 19 supports conductors enclosed in a non-
conducting envelope. Another form of supporting device is indicated in Figure 4.
18. indicates a slotted tube, one end of which is supported in any suitable manner,
as from a hanger end, preferably so that it may be swung about its point of support.
Within the tube is placed a ball or equivalent carriage from the bottom of which
through the tube slot the conductors are suspended. If desired an elastic cord or
coil 19 may also be used in connection with this form of supporting device. As
the telephone user moves lengthwise of any given position of the tubular support,
the ball is drawn along through the tube and as said support swings about a center
he can move to any place within a circle as large and larger than that described
by the rod.
The above described devices made as light as practicable and by means of the
particular construction specified are supported on the head by means of the magnet,
or if a magnet properly shaped for the purpose be not used with the other parts of
the improvement, the receivers one or both may be supported in any convenient
manner as by the ear cover or covers with or without supporting straps analogous
in form to the magnet illustrated. The receivers being thus supported the auditor
has his hands free for copying, running an engine, waving a signal or for any
desired manipulations.
The magnet is preferably flattened in cross section and of the horse shoe type
and in case it is made entire can be adjusted to suitably hold the receivers and
ear covers by bending the metal.
The entire exclusion of all but telephonic sounds and the conveyance of the latter
to both ears alike, render hearing easier and prevent the injury which may be occa-
sioned by the exclusive use of one ear., It also lessens the danger of diversion of
the mind to external sounds, and if it is desired to hear the latter it is only necessary
to open the valves.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me.
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :--
1. In a telephone, the combination of receivers adapted to be applied to both ears
with a horse shoe magnet having two limbs of soft iron joined together by a piece
of spring steel integral therewith; substantially as set forth.
2. In a telephone, the combination of receivers with a horse shoe magnet having
two limbs of soft iron joined together by a piece of steel, said limbs being hollow
for the reception of a conductor; substantially as set forth.
3. In a telephone, the combination of receivers with a horse shoe magnet having
two limbs of soft iron joined together integrally by a piece of spring steel having
a thinner and wider transverse sectional area than a limb; substantially as set
forth.
4. In a telephone, the combination of receivers with a horse shoe magnet having
two limbs of soft iron joined together integrally by a piece of spring steel having
a thinner and wider transverse sectional area than a limb, and having said area
enlarged towards its longitudinal center; substantially as set forth.
5. In a telephone, the wire coil having a core extending through the back of
the receivers and grooved to receive both ends of the wire substantially as set.
forth.
6. A telephone receiver, a conducting wire, a suspending cord or wire, and.
movable cord support consisting of a slotted tube, the cord being provided with a
carriage fitted in the tube, whereby said support of a suspending cord of a
conducting wire of a telephone may be moved horizontally substantially as
set forth.
7. A telephone receiver, devices for supporting said receiver in operative position
on the head, a conducting wire, a supporting rod, a suspending cord or wire and a
freely movable cord-supporting-ring whereby said telephone and cord support and
conducting wire may be moved to various positions with and by the operator's head;
substantially as set forth.
8. A telephone receiver, a conducting wire, a suspending cord or wire, and
movable cord support, consisting of a slotted tube, the cord being provided with
a carriage fitted in the tube, whereby said support of a suspending cord of a
conducting wire of a telephone may be moved horizontally; substantially as
set forth.
Deted this 24th day of October 1899
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.