US3128344A - Audio output table - Google Patents

Description

April -7, 1964 s. E. GooLD AUDIO CUTPUT TABLE Filed April 17, 1962 //Vl/ENTOR ATTRNEYS United States Patent O 3,123,344 AUDI@ UTPU'I TABLE Stanley Eugene Gould, 69091 Vargas Road, Fremont,

Calif., assigner of one-fourth each to Don M. Russeil,

Garrett M. Burt, and .lames T. Howden, all of Fremont,

Calif.

Filed Apr. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 188,133 1 Claim. (Cl. 179-4) This invention relates generally to audio electrical systems, and more particularly is directed towards a table used to supply electrical audio information for educational, testing, and similar purposes.

Recorded or taped :audio information is often used as a means -for teaching languages :and other subjects, as well as a means for conducting aptitude tests and the like. When the information is to be conveyed to a group of individuals it is sometimes preferable that earphones be employed in order to minimize the distractions involved. Heretofore the methods have been simply to connect the source of information, e.g. a tape recorder, to a central output receptacle disposed loosely on top of a table and then to string wires out from the receptacle across the table to a plurality of earphone sets. Inasmuch :as the educational and testing procedures generally require the table surface to be used lfor writing, it has been found that a table cluttered with wires and the like interferes with the use of the table surface by the individual.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a table for conveying electrical audio information to individuals seated around the table while leaving the table surface uncluttered and free for writing or other similar purposes.

Another object is to provide a table of the character described adapted to have earphones plugged directly into the table without need for having earphone wires disposed across the top of the table surface.

A further object is to provide a table of the character described capable of being coupled to other similar tables whereby a single source of electrical audio information can be used to feed to a plurality of tables.

Still another object is to provide apparatus of the character described suitable yfor use as a conventional table.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the `drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of t-he invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of two tables embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of a table with a broken away portion illustrating the electrical connections between the various audio jacks as employed by the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken through plane 3-3 in FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawing there is shown a table 11 having a top member 12 and a plurality of audio output jacks 1B secured adjacent the periphery of the top 12. Sets of earphones 114 yare plugged into the jacks 13 and the table 11 is adapted to receive audio information through an input jack 16 and conduct this information to each of the earphones.

In more detail now, it is seen that a rim 17 is secured below the top 12 and extends along the periphery thereof. This rim is preferably made for electrically conducting material and. serves as 1an electrical ground. The jacks ICC 13 and 16 are mounted on the rim V17 and each have two terminals, one of which is coupled to the ground rim and the other of which is insulated from the rim. The insulated terminals are coupled to one another by means of a conductor 18 whereby a circuit is formed that enables input signals to the jack 16` to be carried to each of the output jacks 13.

The jacks 13 and |16 are o-f generally convention-al configuration but reference is now made to FIGURE 3 to illustrate the construction of an audio jack 19 preferably used with the present invention. The jack 19 includes a iirst member 21, this member comprising the terminal that is in direct contact with the rim 17. An insulating member 22 is interposed between the member 21 and a member 23 which comprises the second terminal of the jack 19. A lug 24 is secured to the member 23 to facilitate the connection of the conductor 118 between the various jacks. Also shown in FIGURE 3 is a plug 26 adapted to engage the jack 19, there being `additionally provided a resilient stop member 27 on the jack to assure that the plug is iirmly retained therein. The plug is seen to include an outer sleeve 28 that engages the ground terminal 21 and an insulated center member 29 that contacts the terminal 23 and engages with the stop member 27. Lead wires 31 .and 32 couple respectively to the members 28 and 29 of the plug 26. It is further seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 that the rim 17 is preferably of tubular configuration in order that the conductor 18 and solder connections to the various jacks be fully enclosed.

It will be appreciated that the jack arrangement shown in FIGURE 3 is suitable for use as either `an input or output jack with the table r11.

In operating the instant invention a group of persons are seated around the table 11 with each having a set of earphones 13. By plugging in the earphones to the jacks adjacent the side of the table the person is provided with an uncluttered table surface to be used for writing `or other functions. For large groups of persons more than one table may be employed as is illustrated in FIGURE 1. In this situation a connecting wire 313 is simply coupled between one output jack 13 of one table into the input jack 16 of the other table. Regardless of the number of tables used, audio signals are transmitted into the first table by means of a wire 34 which is plugged into the input jack 116 of the irst table. It is additionally noted that when the earphones are not in use the present device is capable for use as `an ordinary table.

What is claimed is:

Apparatus of the character described comprising a table having a top member, a -rim secured to said table and extending along the periphery thereof, said rim being composed of electrically conducting material, plurality of audio output jacks secured to said rim each having `a first terminal electrically coupled to sai-d rim and a second terminal insulated from said rim, an audio input jack secured to said rim having a vfirst terminal electrically coupled to said rim and a second terminal insulated from said rim, said rim serving as an electrical connection between the lirst terminal -of said input jack and the first terminals of each output jack, and an electrical conductor coupled between the second terminal of said input jack and the second terminals of each output jack.

Publication (l): Purchase Guide for Programs in Science, Math. and Foreign Languages; pp. 266-67.

Publication (2): Methods and Equipment for the Language Lab.; pp. 20, 2l.

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