This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, Danish Patent Application No. PA 202330050 filed on May 30, 2023, pending. The entire disclosure of the above application is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The disclosure relates in general to communication solutions for special operations, military, law enforcement and security personnel who all depend on optimal perception in extreme environments. The present disclosure relates more specifically to a control unit for a body worn communication system.
In combat and/or emergency situations, it may be desirable for a user to protect his/her hearing while enabling the user to communicate with others via radio communication. Therefore, soldiers Military and Law Enforcement Special Operations units wear communication systems, which should be reliable and easy to use.
WO19222648 A1 discloses a body worn communication system comprising a radio, a headset and a control unit connected to the headset and the radio. The control unit is a so-called PTT (push-to-talk) device, which is removably coupled to a strap extending across a user's chest, so it is quickly accessible by at least one hand. The strap can be a part of a grid of webbing.
A Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) is a grid of webbing used to attach smaller equipment onto load-bearing platforms, such as vests and/or backpacks. The PALS may be used to attach items such as holsters, magazine pouches, radio pouches, knife sheathes, and other gear. A wide variety of pouches are commercially available, allowing users to customize their kit. PALS consists of a webbing sewn onto a load-bearing equipment and corresponding webbing and straps on the attachment. The straps are interwoven between the webbing on each of two pieces and finally snapped into place, making for a very secure fit which can be detached with moderate effort. New types are laser cut out of single piece fabric rather than webbing straps sewn onto fabric. Typically, Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) clips are used to attach the equipment to the PALS webbing.
The PALS grid consists of horizontal rows of 25 mm webbing, spaced 25 mm apart, and reattached to the backing at 38 mm intervals. Although the specification is for the stitches to be spaced 38 mm apart, stitching in the range 35-40 mm is considered acceptable in practice. Newer styles come in various laser cut fabric. The benefits often quoted for laser cut single piece style is significant weight saving especially on plate carriers/rigs and items with large amount of ladder area as well as less bulk. Another consideration is fabrics can be made in new popular patterns without need to source webbing in compatible shades including viewing conditions under night vision devices.
A PTT (Push-To-Talk) unit Model U94/MS from the company TEA Headsets is a unit to be inserted between a communication unit and a headset and is provided with an alligator clip for attaching it to the PALS webbing. A disadvantage with this unit is, that it under certain circumstances can be detached from the PALS webbing, especially if the user is crawling or lying on with the chest on the ground.
This specification describes a control unit to be connected to a at least one other device of a communication system, which communication system is adapted to be worn by a person, the control unit is adapted to be removably secured in a secured position between a strap segment and a loadbearing panel, which control unit comprises: a user interface for controlling the at least one other device, an elongate main body, which extends in a first direction between a first end and a second end and has a front side facing the strap segment in the secured position and a rear side facing the load-bearing panel in the secured position, and wherein the front side has a first recess to receive the strap segment in the secured position of the control unit. Such a control unit can be secured very efficiently and stay in place under conditions, where it is exposed to external forces, f. ex. when the user is lying on his/her stomach.
According to an embodiment, the first recess has a first end and a second end.
According to an embodiment, the control unit comprises a button protrusion extending from the front side to a free end.
According to an embodiment, the first recess is arranged between the first end of the elongate body and the button protrusion.
According to an embodiment, an activation button is arranged at the free end.
According to an embodiment, a projection extends from the front side of the elongate body.
According to an embodiment, the first projection is arranged at first end of first recess and the button protrusion is arranged at the second end of the first recess.
According to an embodiment, the control unit comprises a locking member, which is extending from the first end and is adapted to be attached to the control unit at the second end.
According to an embodiment, the locking member is a loop shaped elastic cord. In this way, the control unit can be secured even more in the secured position.
According to an embodiment, a second recess is provided between the front side of the elongate body and the button protrusion at the second end of the elongate body.
According to an embodiment, the length of the first recess in the first direction is approximately 20-30 mm, 22-28 mm, or 24-26 mm.
According to an embodiment, a first cross section of the elongate member orthogonal to the first direction at the first recess is rounded with a maximum width of about 23 mm and a maximum thickness of about 15 mm.
According to an embodiment, a first cable and a second cable extend from the second end of the elongate body.
According to an embodiment, the control unit is a push-to-talk device.
Various exemplary embodiments and details are described hereinafter, with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.
The overall length l2 of the PTT device 1 is approximately 74 mm. In the area of the first recess 8, the width is approximately 23 mm, and the thickness is approximately 15 mm. The projection 7 protrudes about 4 mm from the bottom of the first recess 8. The distance from the outermost point of the free end 6 of the button protrusion 5 to the rear side 29 is about 36 mm. The cross-section of button protrusion 5 is circular and has a diameter of approximately 25 mm. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the button protrusion 5 and the longitudinal axis of the elongate body 23 is approximately 45 degrees.
The cross-section of the elongate body 2 is somewhat elliptic. Other embodiments of the control unit 1 can off course have other dimensions.
The control unit described here is secure by a part of the body or housing itself is pushed behind a strap segment. With the prior art control units, on arm of an alligator clip or a MOLLE clip is used to secure the control unit to the webbing.
The control unit can have several forms. It can comprise several PTT buttons, f. ex. up to six PTT buttons. It may also comprise buttons for channel selection and volume control. It may also comprise more cables extending from both ends of the unit and/or it may comprise COM ports, to which cables can be connected.
Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
1. A control unit (1) to be connected to a at least one other device (19, 20) of a communication system (27), which communication system (2) is adapted to be worn by a person, the control unit (1) is adapted to be removably secured in a secured position between a strap segment (14) and a loadbearing panel (15), which control unit (1) comprises:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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PA202330050 | May 2023 | DK | national |