US2936368A - Radio - Google Patents

Description

May 10, 1960 R. K. ANDRE 2,936,368

RADIO Filed March 2. 1959 V" I O f/a Il en INVENTOR. lil-E- ROBERT K. ANDR ATToR/wnfs United States Patent O,

RADIO Robert K. Andr, Miami, F1a.

Application March 2, 1959, Serial No. 796,472

6 Claims. (CI. 250-14) My invention relates to radiant energy devices and, more particularly, to transmitting and/or receiving radios.

The `radiant energy device or radio of my invention comprises a rotatable means which supports or carries a radio means. A flexible electrical lead is connected at one end tothe radio means and the other end thereof is free for use as an electrical conduit for electrical energy.

In the embodiment of my invention shown, the rotatable means is in the form of a spool and the lead is coiled around the spool. When in use, the lead is pulled outwardly to the desired length, causing the spool and the radio mounted thereon to rotate. When not in use, the lead is coiled back on the spool. Suitable resilient means, such as a coiled spring, enables automatic recoiling.

To enable selective tuning of the radio, means is mounted on the housing for varying the relative position of a tuning slug and the coil of the radio.

Further objects and features of my invention will appear from the detailed description following hereinafter and, more particularly, from an explanation of my invention with reference to the drawing in which:

Figure l is a top view of my invention with a portion cut-away to show the general arrangement of parts, certain parts being shown in phantom;

Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1 with the tuning slug in its outermost position;

Figure 3 is a side View of the cam elements which enable tuning of the radio;

Figure 4 is a view of the central upper portion of Figure 2 with the tuning slug moved inwardly to its innermost position;

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the electrical elements of the radio mounted on a spool;

Figure 6 is a circuit drawing of the radio of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic view showing the electrical elements of a transistor-type radio mounted on a spool; and

Figure 8 is a circuit drawing of the radio of Figure 7.

Referring now to Figures 1-4, it will be seen that my invention comprises a rotatable means or spool 24 rotatably mounted on means generally indicated by numeral 16 which provides a mounting and housing for the spool 24. The housing has a top 17, bottom 18 and a centrally positioned spindle 19 on which the operating elements are mounted. The spindle 19 has a bottom portion 20 with a slot 21 therein for holding engagement with the inner bent end 22 of coil spring 23. The outer end portion of the spring is rigidly connected to spool 24 by pin 25.

An annular bearing ledge 26 is formed at the top of the bottom portion 20 for `bearing engagement with the inner peripheral hub portion 27 of spool 24. Radial iianges 2S and 29 form an annular outer peripheral groove 30 for housing a coiled speaker or earphone lead 31and, if desired, a coiled antenna or ground lead 32. Each lead passes through opening 33 in the bottom wall ice 34 of the groove 30 and is electrically connected to its proper radio element as will be described. The crystal or detector 35 of the radio is attached to the inner face of groove wall 34 by any suitable means, such as glue.

An axial bearing wall 36 of a dielectric material extends from the hub portion 27 and the coil 37' of the radio is mounted thereon in a rigid manner.

A tuning slug 38, preferably of powdered iron, is mounted for reciprocating movement into proximity with and away from the coil `37. In the embodiment shown, the slug 38 is a cylinder having an annular groove l5 in one end which receives and houses the coil 37 and wall 36 as the slug moves toward hub portion 27 of spool 24. Coil spring 39 provides a spring means for biasing the slug away from the coil 37; one end of the spring 'being seated on the bottom portion 20 of the spindle 19, the other on an internal ledge 4t) of the slug 38.

Controlled tuning actuation of the slug 38 is accomplished by means for causing relative movement of the slug and coil. In the embodiment shown (Figure 3) a pair of cams 41 and 42 are mounted on the spindle 19 and within the slug 38, their outer axial surfaces providing a bearing for the slug. The outer post 43 of spindle 19 extending from the bottom portion 20 thereof is other than round in cross section and preferably square as shown so that the actuatable cam 41 which has a mating internal axial hole can reciprocate on the spindle 19 but cannot rotate thereon. Actuatable cam 41 engages internal ledge of slug 38 to cause inward movement thereof against the bias of spring 39. Actuator cam 42 has an internal hole 44 sufficiently large to enable rotation on the square post 43, the outer edge of cam 42 being rigidly aliixed to a dial disc 45 as by welding, the dial disc 45 being rotatably mounted on a reduced cross section axle end 46 of spindle 19. A nut 47 threaded on the axle end 46 retains the dial disc 45 in place for tuning rotation.

The cams 41 and 42 have mating spiral cam surfaces 48 and 49, respectively, on their outer surfaces which coact to cause movement. Figure 2 shows the cams in closely united condition with the slug 38 at its outermost position; Figure 4 shows the cams in extended condition with the slug 38 at its innermost position.

The top 17 of the housing 16 has a circular opening 50 and a finger depression 51 for enabling adjustment of the dial disc 45. Suitable station identification can be added to the face of the dial disc and cover.

An earphone 52. (shown in phantom Figure l) is attached to the outer end of lead 31; an antenna or ground clamp 53 (shown in phantom Figure l) is attached to the outer end of lead 32. The earphone and clamp are housed in wedged condition in an open end of the housing as shown in Figure 1. The leads 31 and 32 pass through an opening 54 in the inner housing wall 55; a V-shaped notch 56 provides a catch for the leads when withdrawn to prevent rewinding by coil spring 23.

Figure 5 shows in schematic view the mounting and arrangement of the elements of the radio on spool 24; Figure 6 shows a circuit diagram of the arrangement. In these iigures, the detector or crystal is 35, the coil is 37, the antenna or ground is 32 and the speaker or earphone (crystal or magnetic) is 31. If both antenna and ground are desired, a ground 57, shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, may be added.

Figure 7 shows in schematic view the mounting of the elements of a transistor radio on spool 24; Figure 8 shows a circuit diagram of the arrangement.

A battery 60 is held in a clip 61 which is glued to the internal wall of the spool. A resistor 62 is glued to the spool land electrically connected to the `Abattery 60, the coil 37, and a transistor 63. The other parts are Y Patented May 1G, 1960 similar to those previously discussed and carry similar numerals.

Many variations in the electrical radio system may be made within the scope of my invention. The circuit and schematic disclosures made herein are suggestive of other systems which can be used.

While the invention has been described in terms of certain embodiments and examples, these are to be considered as illustrative rather than limiting and it is desired to cover all modications and further embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A radio comprising a rotatable means, means for rotatably mounting said rotatable means, radio means mounted on said rotatable means, a flexible electrical lead `connected at one end to said radio, said lead being removably wound on said rotatable means, the other end of said lead being free to enable unwinding of said lead to provide an extendible electrical conduit for electrical energy.

2. A radio comprising a rotatable spool means, housing means for rotatably mounting said spool means, radio means mounted on said spool means, a flexible electrical lead connected at one end to said radio, said lead being removably wound on said spool means, the other end of said lead being free to enable unwinding of said lead to provide an extendible electrical conduit for electricalV energy. u

3. A radio in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said radio means includes a coil and a detector, and

wherein a second exible electrical lead is paired with the aforementioned lead. Y

4. A radio comprising a rotatable spool means, housing means for rotatably mounting said spool means, said spool means having an annular groove in its outer periphery, radio means mounted on said spool means, a llexible electrical lead `connected at one end to said radio and coiled in said annular groove, said housing means having a lead opening, the other end of said lead extending out through said lead opening to provide an extendible electrical conduit for electrical energy, said radio means including a detector, a coil, and a tuning slug, means mounted on said housing for relatively moving said coil and tuning slug toward and away from each other.

5. A radio as dened in claim 4 and including a coil 4spring means interconnecting said housing means with said spool means to provide for automatic rewinding of a withdrawn lead.

6. A radio as dened in claim 5 and including a second flexible electrical lead paired with the aforementioned lead.

No references cited.

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