Electrical connectors – With insulation other than conductor sheath – Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-01-30
Stephan, Steven L. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With insulation other than conductor sheath
Plural-contact coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179666
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to two-way radio accessories and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a two-way radio accessory quick connect and extension cord for attaching to a speaker/microphone in a face mask of a fire fighter or a hand held speaker/microphone held by the fire fighter. The invention may also be used by policemen and other service providers using two-way radios.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
Heretofore, fire fighters using two-way radios have had an ongoing problem wherein a remote speaker/microphone included an extension cord that was permanently attached to the radio. Therefore, there was no way to release the extension cord from the radio so that the radio could be passed on to another fire fighter during a 24 hour shift change. Also, some prior art radios included a female connection in the top of the radio which collected water when fighting a fire and the radio shorted out. Further, the female connection in the radio was difficult to find and connect to a male plug at one end of an extension cord when the fire fighter was rushing to the scene of a fire.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,309 to Ford, a wire interface system for a simplex radio is disclosed. The wire interface system includes a disconnect plug for hooking up an earpiece and other accessories to the simplex radio. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,421 to McCormick et al., a sports helmet with retrofit kit is described. The retrofit kit includes speakers in the helmet with wiring and a disconnect plug to an audio device. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,029 to Timmons, early telephone apparatus is disclosed for attaching to a head band. The apparatus includes a circuit coupling device for connecting to a telephone line.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,190,974 to Vasicek and 3,586,977 to Lustig, two different types of head mounted communication systems are described. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,404,577 to Zuckerman and 4,885,796 to Loftus et al., fire fighter type helmets with communication systems are disclosed.
None of the above mentioned prior art prior art patents illustrate or described the unique features, structure and advantages of the subject fire fighter two-way radio accessory quick connect and extension cord for a speaker/microphone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the subject invention to provide a two-way radio accessory quick connect having an adapter housing with male plug that can be quickly connected and disconnected to an extension cord attached to a speaker/microphone in a face mask of a fire fighter or a hand held speaker/microphone. The new quick connect provides a fire fighter with means for easily feeling by hand the upwardly extending male plug and quickly inserting a female plug at one end of the extension cord when rushing to the scene of a fire.
Another object of the invention is the male plug, which extends above the adapter housing attached to the two-way radio, provides for allowing any water to drain off the top of the two-way radio quick when fighting a fire to prevent electrical shorting out of the radio.
Still another object of the accessory quick connect is the adapter housing includes electrical pin connectors with a circuit board therein for connecting to the electronics of various models of two-way radios.
Yet another object of the fire fighters radio accessory quick connect is the use of an extension cord which includes a fire retardant cover for protecting the extension cord when fighting a fire.
A further object of the invention is the extension cord includes a first female plug and a second female plug. The second female plug may be used for releasably engaging a face mask male plug extending outwardly from the fire fighter's face mask. The face mask male plug is attached to the speaker/microphone in the face mask. Also, the second female plug may be used for releasably engaging a male plug attached to a hand-held speaker/microphone.
The subject fire fighters accessory quick connect includes an adapter housing having electrical pin connectors with a circuit board therein for connecting the electronics of the adapter housing to the electronics of the two-way radio. Extending upwardly from the adapter housing is an adapter male plug. The male plug is connected to the circuit board electronics in the adapter housing. The adapter male plug is dimensioned for receipt inside a first female plug attached to one end of the extension cord. The extension cord includes a fire retardant cover for protecting the extension cord when fighting a fire. A second female plug is attached to an opposite end of the extension cord. The second female plug is adapted for engaging a face mask male plug extending outwardly from the fire fighter's face mask. The face mask male plug is attached to the speaker/microphone in the face mask. Also the second female plug is adapted for engaging a male plug attached to the held-held speaker/microphone.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with two-way radio accessories and communication equipment used by fire fighters from the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1329029 (1920-01-01), Timmons
patent: 3190974 (1965-06-01), Vasicek
patent: 3370236 (1968-02-01), Walker
patent: 3586977 (1971-06-01), Lustig et al.
patent: 3720874 (1973-03-01), Gorcik et al.
patent: 4018983 (1977-04-01), Pedlow
patent: 4885796 (1989-12-01), Loftus et al.
patent: 5038400 (1991-08-01), Baracat et al.
patent: 5118309 (1992-06-01), Ford
patent: 5404577 (1995-04-01), Zuckerman et al.
patent: 5465421 (1995-11-01), McCormick et al.
patent: 6026282 (2000-02-01), Garcia et al.
Crabtree Edwin H.
Hyeon Hae Moon
Mangolis Donald W.
Pizarro Ramon L.
Stephan Steven L.
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