Reflex Baffle Patents (Class 181/156)
  • Publication number: 20040112671
    Abstract: A loudspeaker unit comprises, in combination, a pistonic loudspeaker and a resonant panel loudspeaker arranged such that the resonant panel is movable, for example by rotation, with respect to the pistonic loudspeaker. The resonant panel may be movable with respect to the pistonic loudspeaker between a first position in which the resonant panel covers the pistonic loudspeaker, and a second position in which pistonic loudspeaker is uncovered from the resonant panel. The resonant panel may be movable by means of a motor, for example by remote control. A loudspeaker assembly comprising a resonant panel loudspeaker, a support to which the resonant panel is attached, and a motor by which the resonant panel is movable with respect to the support, is also disclosed. The assembly may form part of the unit. The assembly or unit may be attached to a wall or other boundary, for example in a recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: KH Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Halsall
  • Publication number: 20040104069
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bass-reflex loudspeaker construction and a method of manufacturing the same. The loudspeaker construction comprises a loudspeaker chamber (7) delimited by a loudspeaker enclosure structure (1, 2, 8), a reflex duct (4) communicating with the loudspeaker chamber (7) so as to connect the loudspeaker chamber to the exterior environment of the loudspeaker enclosure, and at least one loudspeaker unit (3) mounted on the loudspeaker enclosure structure (1, 2, 8) so as to form a portion of the delimiting walls of the loudspeaker chamber (7). According to the invention, the loudspeaker enclosure structure comprises a curved spiral structure (1) closed from its both sides by gable elements (2, 8) so as to form the loudspeaker chamber (7), and the reflex duct (4) is adapted at least partially running on the outer periphery of the spiral structure (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Ilpo Martikainen
  • Publication number: 20040084244
    Abstract: An electronic device (100) having a multi-mode acoustic system (120) and a method (500) for radiating sound waves are described herein. The acoustic system (120) generally includes a transducer (530), a first port (510), and a second port (520). The first and second ports (510, 520) may be acoustically coupled to the transducer (530). The second port (520) may be acoustically symmetric relative to the first port (510) such that output from the second port (520) is substantially identical to output from the first port (510).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Simone Koo, Thomas Gitzinger, Chris Gremo, Thomas Walczak
  • Publication number: 20040084245
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the quality of sound from an acoustic source comprises in one embodiment a hollow enclosure, an acoustic source, an acoustic guide, a pair of acoustic inlet openings, a pair of acoustic exit openings, and pair of acoustic paths, wherein the acoustic inlet openings separate acoustic waves from the acoustic source and direct the acoustic waves the length of the acoustic paths to the acoustic exit openings in such a manner as to increase the quality of sound, and especially bass sound, from the acoustic source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Ian J. MacKin, William L. Weir
  • Publication number: 20040055812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an acoustic enclosure (2) comprising a box (8), on which is mounted at least one electro-acoustic transducer (4), and a vent (16) which together with the box (8) produces a bass-reflex system with a specified bass-reflex resonant frequency (F0). The vent (16) comprises means of attenuation at the bass-reflex resonant frequency (F0).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Gilles Bourgoin
  • Patent number: 6704426
    Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure system including at least one electro-acoustic transducer with a vibratable diaphragm having a first acoustical coupling surface and a second acoustical coupling surface, and at least one differential area passive radiator with three separate acoustical coupling surface areas. The first acoustical coupling surface of the vibratable diaphragm is substantially air coupled through a first enclosure volume to a first of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator. A second of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator is substantially air coupled through a second chamber to the external environment through a restricted acoustic opening or passive acoustic radiator of predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Croft, III
  • Publication number: 20040017924
    Abstract: A speaker system in which it is possible for power amplifier heat radiation and satisfactory audio characteristics to coexist. The power amplifier, and other components which are sources of heat, are arranged in an air flow convection path that is formed in a curved path from a lower bass reflex port toward an upper bass reflex port of a speaker box. The heat is exhausted (radiated) to the outside from the interior air space of the speaker box by the air flow and air from outside is introduced into the interior air space with good efficiency. In addition, the power amplifier includes a heat sink. The heat sink includes gaps that are formed between each of a plurality of fins which are opened in a vertical or diagonal direction such that the air flow convection path passes through the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kuratani, Kosuke Takata
  • Patent number: 6678387
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having an improved air cooling system. The loudspeaker includes a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame, a voice coil which is formed on a voice coil bobbin and is connected to the diaphragm for vibrating the diaphragm, a permanent magnet having a central opening, a pole piece disposed coaxially within the central opening of the permanent magnet to form an air gap into which the voice coil is disposed, and a heat transfer plate disposed over the permanent magnet. The heat transfer plate has a plurality of cooling fins which are radially outwardly extending toward an outer rim thereof and inner and outer air openings on the outer rim. The outer rim has a step like shape in cross section and has a flat upper surface which is higher than top ends of the cooling fins. The vibration of the diaphragm produces air flows through air passages on the heat transfer plate between the inside and outside of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 6665413
    Abstract: An infrasonic Helmholtz resonator capable of producing clean sinusoidal frequencies in the range of 6-14 Hz is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John K. Domen
  • Patent number: 6634455
    Abstract: An acoustic transmission line speaker enclosure with concentric cylindrical structures establishes acoustic coupling between a rear-traveling sound wave and a surrounding air mass. Inherent rigidity or high bending resistance of the cylindrical structure allows use of very thin walled cylinders without a massive and large overall enclosure. According to one aspect of the invention, an outer-most one of said cylinders includes wall structures adapted for coupling the rear-traveling sound wave therethrough to the surrounding air mass in phase with a forward-traveling sound wave from said speaker enclosure. An audio amplifier tunable to a listening room removes very low narrow frequency band components of an audio signal. Listening room cavity resonance is measured by injecting a frequency-varying sound wave into the listening room while detecting peak sound energy within the room. The filter the eliminates from the audio signal frequencies associated with listening room cavity resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Yi-Fu Yang
  • Patent number: 6619424
    Abstract: This invention provides a speaker enclosure that is configured to minimize diffractions from occurring. The speaker enclosure includes baffle that is tapered inward both in a vertical axis and a horizontal axis to provide a smooth transition for the wave fronts to propagate from the outer edge of the speaker housing to the atmosphere. Providing a smooth transition for the wave fronts minimizes the occurrence of eddy currents so that diffractions do not interfere with the quality of sound from the driver. To stabilize or control the wave fronts in the vertical axis, the baffle may be elongated in the vertical axis to sustain the wave front in that axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Manrique, David Wathen
  • Patent number: 6597795
    Abstract: A waveguide for use in a loudspeaker. The waveguide is positioned within a loudspeaker enclosure and connect to a low frequency transport duct of the loudspeaker. The waveguide has a hollow body which is perforated with apertures. The body presents a high mechanical impedance to the low frequency waves increasing the duct input impedance of the loudspeaker which improves transmission of the low frequency waves to the exterior of the loudspeaker enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Swenson
  • Patent number: 6588544
    Abstract: A speaker box is comprising a hollow enclosure having opposing open ends, a molded plastic end cap acoustically sealing each of the open ends of the enclosure, and each end cap having at least one lengthwise reinforcement rib formed across a surface thereof to thereby substantially prevent the end cap from flexing under acoustic pressure. Each end cap preferably has a pair of reinforcement ribs formed on an inner surface of the end cap. The reinforcement ribs preferably intersect one another and taper upward toward the center of the end cap. The reinforcement ribs preferably extend substantially perpendicularly from the end cap. The end caps preferably have a recessed portion that recesses toward an inner surface of the end cap. An outer lip of the recessed portion provides additional rigidity to the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph C. Fox
  • Patent number: 6568502
    Abstract: A sounder includes a cone and a sound disk, the cone having a conical peripheral wall with a flat base, the flat base having a diameter smaller than the sound disk, the sound disk being adhered to the conical peripheral wall of the cone and defining with the flat base a sound chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Shih Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 6561311
    Abstract: An improved structure of speaker cabinet comprising a housing opened on one side thereof, and comprising a front panel, wherein, a plurality of intermediate speakers can be held firm and get increased connecting strength when the front panel is integrally connected with the housing to thereby offset the frontward and rearward thrusts of the speakers. Moreover, a plurality of hollow posts located at the positions in correspondence with those of the connecting areas of the speakers to the cabinet can be filled therein with vibration absorbing material in order to reduce vibration at the earliest time. Such a design not only can reduce volume and weight of the cabinet, but also can improve sound quality and provide a hidden port to improve beauty and waterproofing effect of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Po-An Chuang
  • Patent number: 6560343
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a speaker having a cone which converts an electric signal into a sound wave signal; a frame attached to a rear side of the speaker and having a plurality of sound wave radiating holes formed therein; and a sound wave amplifying horn for amplifying and radiating only a portion of sound waves which are radiated through the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Nam Kim
  • Publication number: 20030066705
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for enhancing the acoustical performance of a dual chamber bass reflex acoustical enclosure. The apparatus of the invention comprises a first speaker placed within a partitioning wall between a first chamber and a second chamber of the acoustical enclosure. The apparatus of the invention also comprises a second speaker placed within an external wall of the first chamber of the acoustical enclosure. The first speaker and the second speaker are electrically connected in phase. The apparatus of the invention extends the low frequency response of the acoustical enclosure to approximately thirty Hertz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Wayne Milton Schott
  • Publication number: 20030024762
    Abstract: A computer chassis includes a chassis wall and a speaker mounted on the chassis wall. An acoustic box is connected to the speaker. The box includes a sound reflecting distal wall including a plurality of stepped portions. Each stepped portion is of a different distance from the speaker than each other stepped portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Mark L. Rehmann
  • Publication number: 20020179366
    Abstract: An audio box having a front panel with a driving unit fixedly mounted thereon. The driving unit includes a diaphragm driving by electronic circuit. At least a baffle tube is integrally formed with said front panel directing converted rearward audio wave forwardly thereby increasing bass effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Lung-Tan Chen
  • Patent number: 6484843
    Abstract: In a speaker apparatus equipped with a speaker unit including a magnet, a frame and a diaphragm, a speaker housing has a substantially cylindrical shape, and also has such a structure that the speaker unit is secured onto one end surface of the cylindrical shape of the speaker housing so as to substantially cover the speaker unit except for front and back surfaces of the diaphragm. Further, the speaker housing has an opening in another end surface of the cylindrical shape thereof. A support bar extends and has one end secured to a back surface of the magnet of the speaker unit. Furthermore, a weight is secured to another end of the support bar, and then, the weight holds the support bar in a substantially vertical direction and grounds the magnet acoustically and virtually, thereby attenuating and suppressing oscillation transmitted from the magnet to the support bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Timedomain Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshii, Haruhiko Imamura
  • Patent number: 6457548
    Abstract: A passive radiator comprising a frame (1) and a radiator body (3) which is connected to the frame and which is movable relative to the frame along a translation axis (T). The radiator is suitable for the displacement of comparatively large air volumes. The radiator body comprises a central mass element (3a) and at least one mass element (3b, 3c, 3d) which is concentrically arranged with respect to the central mass element. The radiator further comprises connection units (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for the movable interconnection of each pair of adjoining mass elements and for the movable fastening of one of the mass elements to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Guido O. M. D'Hoogh
  • Patent number: 6431309
    Abstract: A speaker system with a dual cone speaker having interconnected primary speaker and secondary speaker cones. An enclosure defines a first sub-chamber for interacting with the rear of the first speaker cone and a second sub-chamber for interacting with the rear of the second speaker cone. The sub-chambers may be sealed sub-chambers, ported sub-chambers or acoustic waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: C. Ronald Coffin
  • Patent number: 6411721
    Abstract: The present invention involves a speaker system for sound reproduction. A low frequency transducer is mounted in one end of the elongated speaker enclosure, and the other end of the enclosure is at least partially open. The speaker enclosure is completely open, i.e., without stuffing, and is dimensioned such that the length of the internal chamber is about one-eighth the length of the wavelength of the lowest frequency sounds to be produced by the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: William E. Spindler
  • Patent number: 6411720
    Abstract: Speaker systems with lower frequency of resonance have a short air passage in a cabient from the speakers or drivers to an air passage exit. Teh resulting column of air lowers the resonant frequency or the drivers from within a frequency range of interest to below the frequency range. With the resonance out of the way, the resulting system is smaller and smoother.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • Patent number: 6396936
    Abstract: An auxiliary bass radiator unit is disclosed for mounting in an aperture in a loudspeaker enclosure. The unit comprises a substantially rigid panel member (10) mounted on a flexable surround member (12) so as to allow the panel member, when mounted, in use, in the aperture to move in sympathy with sound waves within the enclosure. The flexable surround member includes a hinge portion (14) mounting the panel member for movement as a hinged flap. Thus, movement of the panel member in twisting and other undesirable modes is substantially avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: B&W Loudspeaker Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Michael Nevill
  • Patent number: 6367579
    Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided including a rigid front speaker mounting element defining at least one speaker mounting opening, at least one speaker driver coupled to the at least one speaker mounting opening of the speaker mounting element, at least one flexible bladder at least partially forming the sides and rear of the enclosure and coupled to the speaker mounting element, and a valve coupled to the flexible bladder. The flexible bladder has a first wall portion and a second wall portion defining a substantially air-tight interior space therebetween and may take any desired shape when inflated. Together, the speaker mounting element and the bladder form at least one interior chamber at least partially surrounding the speaker driver. The valve, which provides a substantially air-tight seal when closed, is in fluid communication with the interior space of the flexible bladder and can be used for inflation and deflation of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: SoundTube Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventor: David Wiener
  • Patent number: 6349792
    Abstract: A sound enhancer for use with a speaker assembly having front and rear sides, comprising an enclosure forming first and second hollow portions, the enclosure defining a cradling zone to receive the speaker assembly in an angularly cradled position; the first hollow portions defining an inlet to directly receive sound transmitted from the rear side of the speaker assembly, in a direction opposite to sound transmission from the front side of the speaker assembly; and the enclosure hollow portions having walls to re-direct sound received by the enclosure first hollow portion into the enclosure second hollow portion, and then toward an outlet defined by enclosure second hollow portions. A doubled-up, series megaphone effect is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventors: Harold N. Smith, Jr., Harold N. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 6345685
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system for providing a self-contained light and sound system for entertainment. The loudspeaker system includes a loudspeaker system comprising of a housing unit attached to a cage comprising of a plurality of rods and two rim members by means of a plurality of fasteners attached to the top rim member. There is a tubular enclosure inside of the cage which is at least part transparent to varying degrees of opacity, sandwiched between the bottom rim member and the housing unit with countersunk gaskets to seal the tubular enclosure. The bottom rim member has mounted into it a loudspeaker driver and legs to elevate the loudspeaker system. When the unit is detached from the top rim member of the cage the transparent tubular enclosure is released. The housing unit contains a light emitting source, additional speakers and other associated electrical components. There are detachable audio and electrical connections between the housing unit and cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventors: Leigh D. Wells, Emma-Jane Smith
  • Publication number: 20020011379
    Abstract: A venturi expander is mounted on a speaker enclosure to receive the rearward-propagated sound waves and to extend the propagation path. The venturi expander's reflective sides direct the rearward sound to the sides or top or bottom of the speaker enclosure to produce a reflected sound surrounding the speaker enclosure and producing sound to the sides of the speaker substantially as projected from the front of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald K. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20020003888
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved loudspeaker enclosure port with internal longitudinal dividers which help reduce turbulence in the port and control port selfresonance. Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a central circular tube or rod with radial dividers connecting the central tube to the internal wall of the port. The internal longitudinal dividers of the present invention are thought to reduce air friction losses in the port and to reduce cross-flow turbulence in the port yielding a more responsive speaker with more uniform aerodynamic drag on the driver diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: TIERRY R. BUDGE
  • Patent number: 6307947
    Abstract: A low profile speaker enclosure for mounting on a structure including a speaker housing and an electroacoustical transducer is disclosed. The speaker housing has a front face and a back each defining a length and a width, and a plurality of sides substantially separating the front face and the back and defining a thickness of the speaker housing. In the preferred embodiment, the front face and the back are substantially parallel. The front face, the back, and the plurality of sides of the speaker housing substantially define a chamber. The front face defines a speaker aperture opening into the chamber. The electroacoustical transducer is mounted in the speaker aperture. At least one of the sides defines a side aperture. The back of the low profile speaker enclosure defines a channel and defines a back aperture providing an opening between the channel and the chamber. The side aperture is also defined by the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: David Wiener
  • Patent number: 6298943
    Abstract: To provide a bass-reflex speaker assembly having superior water resistance and which can be mounted on a motorcycle, while not being subjected to the influence of negative pressure due to wind during travel and which is capable of maintaining superior sound quality. A resonant duct projects downwards at an incline at a bottom surface of a speaker enclosure. It is therefore difficult for rain water to enter because the duct opens downwards and water that may enter temporarily can be easily discharged from the same duct. Furthermore, when speakers are positioned within the cowling of the motorcycle, negative pressure occurring due to wind when the vehicle is travelling acts not only on the front surfaces of paper cones of the speakers, but also on the rear surfaces via the ducts. Therefore, superior sound quality can be maintained without the influence of negative pressure being incurred and a bass-reflex speaker assembly suited to motorcycles is therefore possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Yamada, Yoji Kanaoka, Koichi Shimamura, Takehiro Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6275597
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system comprises an enclosure which accommodates a loudspeaker device and a bass-reflex port (105). The port has two open ends (105b, 105c) and a central area (c) provided with perforations (109), as well as a foam material (111) provided in and/or on the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolaas B. Roozen, Abraham Hirschberg, Pascas Van Eck
  • Patent number: 6237715
    Abstract: A subwoofer assembly shaped and dimensioned for positioning within a wall of an aircraft fuselage. The subwoofer assembly includes a subwoofer housing having a curved profile shaped to substantially conform to the wall of an aircraft fuselage. The subwoofer housing includes a sound port through which sound is delivered from the subwoofer assembly. The subwoofer assembly further includes a sound driver mounted withing the subwoofer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 6169811
    Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure system including a first primary enclosure volume, a second primary enclosure volume and a dividing wall positioned between the first and second primary enclosure volumes and having a first opening therein. At least one electro-acoustic transducer is mounted at the opening on the dividing wall and includes a movable diaphragm having a first surface area side and a second surface area side. The first surface area side communicates into the first primary enclosure volume and the second surface area side of the movable diaphragm communicates into the second primary enclosure volume. At least one differential area passive radiator is provided, including (i) a primary diaphragm surface area having a primary peripheral attachment surround, and (ii) secondary diaphragm surface area having at least a secondary peripheral attachment surround.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Croft, III
  • Patent number: 6141428
    Abstract: A speaker system having increased sound quality comprising a first and second speakers each having a front and back. The first and second speakers cooperate with a duct having a first elongated portion in fluid communication with the rear of the first speaker and a second elongated portion in fluid communication with the rear of the second speaker. The duct has an elongated bass port defined therein intermediate the first and second portions. Each of the speakers have their fronts in contact with the air outside of the duct and the backs of the speakers are in contact with the air inside the duct. The duct may have a first spur intermediate the first and second speakers with a bass port in the first spur. The duct may have a second and third spur at the axial extremities with the first and second speakers respectively engaging the second and third spurs. Each spur may have an axis and the axes of the spurs may be generally coplanar for automobile use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Chris Narus
  • Patent number: 6079515
    Abstract: A speaker enclosure including at least one pair of tubular cylinders, one of which is slidable inside the other, one of the tubular cylinders having one end open and a speaker located in the other end thereof. The speaker enclosure may also include additional cylinders to achieve desired acoustical effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Ottis G. Newman
  • Patent number: 6062338
    Abstract: A speaker enclosure for controlling an air pressure differential across a front and rear portion of a speaker cone comprising an enclosed rear chamber in communication with a primary channel having a constant cross-section, the primary channel in open communication with a convergence channel having a cross-section smaller than that of the primary channel, terminating in an orifice. In an alternate embodiment, a pair of speakers are utilized in a pair of enclosed rear chambers, each rear chamber in open communication with a primary channel of constant cross-section, each primary channel converging and joining in open communication with the convergence channel and terminating in an orifice. Additional embodiments include speaker enclosures with a front chamber adjacent a front side of the speaker to produce a pressure differential between the front chamber and the ambient air. The front chamber may have a sized opening to produce a regulated pressure flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Michael A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6062339
    Abstract: A vented or bass reflex speaker. The speaker is secured to an inner sleeve which inner sleeve is received within an outer sleeve with the sleeves defining an annulus therebetween. Acoustical flow channels are formed in the annulus. The back of the inner sleeve is spaced apart from the back of the outer sleeve to form a vented volume. The air in the channels is caused, by the loudspeaker driver, to resonate with the volume of air contained within the open-ended inner sleeve forming a Helmholtz element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Dana B. Hathaway
  • Patent number: 6019188
    Abstract: An enclosure (1) for a loudspeaker drive unit (5) comprises a chamber (2) defined by one or more walls (3), in which a loudspeaker drive unit (5) is to be mounted. A port member (4) defines a passageway providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the chamber (2). The internal surface (9) of the port member (4) is, at least in part, of a coarse texture. A multiplicity of indentations (11) and/or peaks may provide the coarse texture. This reduces so-called "chuffing" noises caused by air movement through the port member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: B & W Loudspeakers Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Michael Nevill
  • Patent number: 6012542
    Abstract: A bass amplifying system (10) for radios (100) having mounted speakers; wherein, the system (10) comprises a combined enclosure and support unit (11) including a cover member (30) pivotally associated with a base member (20) having an elevated support platform (26) dimensioned to receive a radio (100); wherein, the cover member (30) and the base member (20) are provided with acoustical insulating means (36), (26), (37) for capturing sound waves within the interior of the enclosure and support unit (11) and redirecting the sound waves through an acoustical horn (28) formed in the base member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: John A. Accordino
  • Patent number: 5996727
    Abstract: A noise absorbing cover is provided for an automotive loudspeaker to prevent exterior noise from being coupled through a loudspeaker to the interior of the automobile. An air gap is provided around the cover to provide a vent to static pressure for the loudspeaker, thereby avoiding any degradation in low frequency performance. The air gap is oriented to exclude direct sound transmission paths for exteriorly generated noise to the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Francis Blind, David Alan Dage, Alan Scott Phillips
  • Patent number: 5975236
    Abstract: A speaker assembly comprising an elongated unitary member having a first end and a second end. The elongated member is formed into a generally box-shaped configuration having an open top, an open bottom and an internal box cavity. The first and second ends of the elongated member are separately positioned within the internal box cavity to form first and second internal sidewalls, respectively. First and second internal sidewalls define a sound path therebetween which is in communication with the internal box volume and an external portion of the elongated member. A first speaker is disposed in the first internal sidewall and a second speaker is disposed in the second internal sidewall, with first and second speakers facing directly into the sound path. A top panel is mounted on the elongated member over the open top and a bottom panel is mounted on the elongated member under the open bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Shuji Yamamoto, Richard G. Plourde
  • Patent number: 5952620
    Abstract: A loudspeaker including a generally spherical cabinet and at least one speaker driver contained in the cabinet and dividing the cabinet into a major sound chamber and a minor sound chamber. The cabinet has at least two sound propagation ports communicating with the major sound chamber and at least two sound propagation ports communicating with the minor sound chamber. The spherical cabinet of the loudspeaker provides an omni-directional radiation pattern. According to one possible embodiment, the at least one speaker driver comprises two speaker drivers facing each other and connected out of electronic phase so as to operate as a single push-pull unit. The loudspeaker, therefore, utilizes the rear sound waves created by its speaker drivers. One of the speaker drivers is substantially contained in the minor sound chamber and the other of the speaker drivers is substantially contained in the major sound chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Sonic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Hamilton, Mikhail Malkovitch
  • Patent number: 5949033
    Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure having a constrained layer damping system for minimizing the propagation of vibrations and controlling the resonant modes of the enclosure. The enclosure has a front baffle board on which a plurality of transducers are mounted, and a plurality of other walls mounted to the baffle board to form a cabinet structure. The front baffle board comprises an interior substrate, an exterior substrate, and a constrained layer damping material sandwiched between and bonded to the two substrates. The constrained layer damping material comprises an energy absorbing thermoplastic alloy having a very high material loss factor. The other walls of the enclosure also comprise an interior substrate and an exterior substrate with a constrained layer damping material sandwiched therebetween. An extensional damping material may also be bonded to an interior surface of the interior substrates to further control vibrations in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Anagnos
  • Patent number: 5936209
    Abstract: An acoustic enclosure system for a loudspeaker includes a vent chamber adjacent to and spanning at least one chamber assembly. A loudspeaker is mounted in each of the chamber assemblies such that the speakers face away from each other when there are more than one speaker. The vent chamber has a port in a side wall that is open to the outside of the enclosure. Each chamber assembly has a port opening to the vent chamber and contains a fluid chamber with a flexible bladder that is filled with fluid and maintained in the chamber assembly a given distance from the corresponding loudspeaker. Each bladder contacts the interior surfaces of the side walls that form the fluid chamber. A flexible support is provided underneath each bladder so that the bladder is substantially maintained a specified distance from the wall supporting the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Sound Related Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Noyal J. Alton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5929393
    Abstract: An audio speaker cabinet or enclosure having a sounding board and air space for enhancing the quality of sound produced by the speaker cabinet. The speaker enclosure is characterized in a preferred embodiment by a rectangular cabinet having a sounding board mounted in the cabinet enclosure interior between the front and rear panels of the enclosure, closely spaced with respect to the rear panel. A resilient membrane such as a sheet of vinyl is mounted on the front surface of the sounding board over an opening in the sounding board behind the speaker. A bass slot is included in the front panel below the speaker for air circulation into and from the enclosure interior and facilitating the attentuated sound produced by the vinyl sheet on the sounding board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Charles W. Jeter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5909015
    Abstract: A self-cooling loudspeaker comprises a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame, a voice coil connected to the diaphragm and a permanent magnet assembly having a central opening. The permanent magnet assembly comprises a permanent magnet disposed between a top plate and a bottom plate. A pole piece is disposed co-axially within the central opening of the permanent magnet assembly to form an air gap between the pole piece and the permanent magnetic assembly into which the voice coil is disposed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the top plate is stamped to form a plurality of intake air paths in communication with the air gap and a plurality of outtake air paths in communication with the air gap, the plurality of intake air paths having a decreasing cross-sectional area towards the central opening of the permanent magnet assembly, and the plurality of outtake air paths having an increasing cross-sectional area towards the central opening of the permanent magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventors: Shuji Yamamoto, Richard G. Plourde
  • Patent number: 5898138
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is disclosed in which an enclosure is provided with a horn. A driver and vent are provided in side walls of the horn, spaced from a central axis of the horn. The vent is aligned so that when the central axis of the horn is horizontal and a central axis of said vent does not lie in a vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn, the central axis of the vent intersects the vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn. The driver, preferably a woofer, may also be aligned so that when the central axis of the horn is horizontal and a central axis of said driver does not lie in a vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn, the central axis of the driver intersects the vertical plane containing the central axis of the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Roy Delgado, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5895896
    Abstract: An acoustic enclosure system includes a port chamber between two acoustic chamber assemblies. The port chamber is separated from each of the acoustic chamber assemblies by a wall. Each acoustic chamber assembly includes first and second chambers which are separated by a horizontal wall in which a loudspeaker is mounted. In one of the assemblies, the first chamber is disposed on top of the second chamber. In the other assembly, the first chamber is disposed below the second chamber. The second chambers each have a port that is open to the port chamber. The port chamber has a port that is open to the outside of the enclosure. Each of the first chambers contains a fluid chamber with a flexible bladder that is filled with fluid and maintained at a given distance from the corresponding loudspeaker. A flexible support is provided between each of the bladders and the horizontal wall so that the bladders are each substantially maintained a distance L from the respective horizontal walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Noyal J. Alton, Jr.