With Direct Mechanical Connection To Drive Unit Patents (Class 181/161)
  • Patent number: 11218808
    Abstract: Audio device and method for designing and making a diaphragm, the audio device comprising a diaphragm having a curved profile adapted for radiation of audio signals from a plurality of bending modes and a piston mode, one or more of the plurality of bending modes having coincident nodal line locations, the diaphragm having a frontal side and a rear side, and a transducer coupled to the rear side of the diaphragm, the transducer adapted for driving the diaphragm for radiation of audio signals having reduced audio distortion, wherein the plurality of bending modes each have minima locations throughout the diaphragm, and wherein the transducer is mounted on one of the minima locations of the plurality of bending modes and one or more impedance components are mounted on at least one of the remaining minima locations to inertially balance the diaphragm based on a pre-determined relative mean modal velocity limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Tectonic Fludio Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Mettler, Timothy Whitwell
  • Patent number: 11039249
    Abstract: A user-programmable, head-supportable listening device with built-in WiFi media player is configured to provide user custom application programmability with higher fidelity sound provided by resident audio electronics and conduction speakers, in stereo and HD audio surround sound, the listening device having a user programmable electronics system assembly providing the ability to scan, detect, select and play audio and video from wired and wireless sources of audio and video signals, and from both residential media sources and online streaming music services, an audio media storage device to provide storage of user-selected media for accessing from the listening device or by an external wired and wireless device, which provides the user with control of speakers, wireless interfaces, automatic scanning capability and playing of audio-video media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas P. Kihm
  • Patent number: 10848857
    Abstract: A speaker includes an outer frame defining a hollow interior space. The speaker includes a distributed mode loudspeaker (DML) member disposed along a front face of the outer frame and an elastic seal that is disposed around a perimeter of the DML member and being disposed between and coupled to the DML member and the outer frame. The elasticity of the elastic seal permits the DML member to move (e.g., vibrate). A passive diaphragm is disposed along a rear face of the outer frame such that an air cavity is formed between the DML member and the passive diaphragm. An electro-acoustic exciter is provided for exciting resonant modes in the DML member. The DML member is thus coupled to the passive diaphragm by air contained within the air cavity resulting in movement of the passive diaphragm due to air movement within the cavity as a result of the excitation of the DML member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ODA, INC.
    Inventor: D. Perry Brandston
  • Patent number: 10154344
    Abstract: Examples described herein include surround sound systems for vertically-oriented displays and televisions that may leverage existing audio formats, recording techniques and audio authoring tools specifically for vertical display applications. Audio speakers and the vertically-oriented display may all be arranged on a single vertical plane to deliver visual image and spatial audio sound and sound effects on the vertical (e.g. top and bottom) and horizontal (e.g. left and right) axes in relation to the user. Speakers can be positioned separate from the vertically-oriented display as a method or integrated with the display using a frame system or within the housing of a display or television device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Patent number: 10129649
    Abstract: A user-programmable, head-supportable listening device with built-in WiFi media player is configured to provide user custom application programmability with higher fidelity sound provided by resident audio electronics and conduction speakers, in stereo and HD audio surround sound, the listening device having a user programmable electronics system assembly providing the ability to scan, detect, select and play audio and video from wired and wireless sources of audio and video signals, and from both residential media sources and online streaming music services, an audio media storage device to provide storage of user-selected media for accessing from the listening device or by an external wired and wireless device, which provides the user with control of speakers, wireless interfaces, automatic scanning capability and playing of audio-video media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Douglas Kihm
  • Patent number: 9961449
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a frame, a diaphragm, an edge connecting portion, a magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap, and a voice coil body. The edge connecting portion connects an outer peripheral end portion of the diaphragm and the frame to each other. The diaphragm is disposed inside of the frame. The diaphragm has a planer diaphragm and a reinforcing diaphragm. Both a front surface and a rear surface of the planer diaphragm are flat. The reinforcing diaphragm includes a thick portion and a recessed portion, and is joined to the planer diaphragm. The reinforcing diaphragm is made of resin. The thick portion is formed on an outer periphery of the reinforcing diaphragm. The recessed portion is formed at a center side of the reinforcing diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Honda, Mitsukazu Kuze, Motoyoshi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9955265
    Abstract: An electroacoustic driver includes a diaphragm, a diaphragm drive system and a diaphragm suspension. The diaphragm system is configured to subject the diaphragm to a motion, wherein the diaphragm suspension is configured to guide the diaphragm. The diaphragm drive system includes an active element configured to actively influence the motion of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Beer, Lutz Ehrig, Lorenz Betz, Philip Leistner, Karlheinz Bay, Michael Leistner
  • Publication number: 20140367192
    Abstract: A vibration absorbing mounting device may include an outer housing, a mounting shaft, a core, a first nozzle valve spaced apart from and disposed below the core, an inner housing spaced apart from one side and the other side of the core, with the first nozzle valve being mounted to the inner housing, and a chamber separator fixed to the core and brought into close contact with and sliding on the first nozzle valve, wherein the chamber separator forms a first chamber and a second chamber, and an elastic member formed between the core and the inner housing and between the inner housing and the outer housing, wherein fluid is filled in the first chamber and the second chamber, and a first nozzle fluidly-connecting the first and second chambers is formed in the first nozzle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, PYUNG HWA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyo Seok Kim, Seung Jae PARK, Myung Han KIM, Jong Su PARK
  • Patent number: 8794372
    Abstract: A marine seismic source comprises a housing having a central axis, an open end, and a closed end opposite the open end. In addition, the source comprises a piston coaxially disposed within the housing. In addition, the source comprises a flywheel disposed within the housing and axially positioned between the closed end and the piston. The flywheel is configured to rotate about a rotational axis. Further, the source comprises a connecting rod moveably coupling the piston to the flywheel. The connecting rod has a first end pivotally coupled to the piston and a second end pivotally coupled to the flywheel. The second end of the connecting rod has a first position at a first distance measured radially from the rotational axis, and a second position at a second distance measured radially from the rotational axis. The first distance is less than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: BP Coporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Harper, Martin Thompson, Stuart C. Moore
  • Patent number: 8628830
    Abstract: In a method of and a device for producing a membrane (1) for an electroacoustic transducer, the procedure is such that a membrane (1), which has been produced for example by deep-drawing, is at least partially coated on at least one surface with a liquid plastic (7), in particular a plastic adhesive, and this liquid plastic is cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics Asia Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Amon, Ewald Frasl
  • Publication number: 20130264142
    Abstract: A coupling element of an ultrasonic transducer suitable for mode conversion of an acoustic longitudinal wave between an in-coupling surface and an out-coupling surface of the coupling element. The coupling element has a first and second interface with a predetermined medium. A first angle between the in-coupling surface and the first interface and a second angle between the first interface and the out-coupling surface are so selected that a transverse waves fraction is reflected on the first interface to the out-coupling surface. The first angle between the in-coupling surface and the first interface and a third angle between the first interface and the second interface are so selected that a longitudinal wave fraction is reflected on the first interface for second interface. A fraction of the longitudinal waves reflected to the second interface is reflected on the second interface back into the coupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ENDRESS & HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
    Inventors: Beat Kissling, Quirin Muller
  • Patent number: 8295536
    Abstract: A loudspeaker including a moving magnet motor. The moving magnet motor includes an armature comprising a magnet carrier, and a lever arm, coupling the armature and a pivot. The lever arm further couples the armature and an acoustic diaphragm to transmit motion of the armature to the acoustic diaphragm to cause the acoustic diaphragm to move. The loudspeaker described may be torque balance and moment balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Tucker Carlmark, Geoffrey C. Chick, Brian M. Lucas, Thomas C. Schroeder, Joseph A. Stabile
  • Patent number: 8180096
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a first bar magnet having a longitudinal direction, a second bar magnet having a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first bar magnet, a third bar magnet forming a second magnetic gap between the first bar magnet and the third bar magnet, a diaphragm arranged to vibrate in a vibrating direction, a case accommodating the first bar magnet, the second bar magnet, the third bar magnet, and the diaphragm , and the voice coil fixed to the diaphragm and located in the first and second magnetic gaps. The second bar magnet has a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first bar magnet, and has both ends in the longitudinal direction. The third bar magnet has a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first bar magnet, and has both ends in the longitudinal direction. The diaphragm is located between the first and second bar magnets and between the first and third bar magnents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Sano, Kazuki Honda, Satoshi Itoh, Masashi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 7983432
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for an audio transducer. The audio transducer is excited by driving a paddle of a diaphragm. A plurality of node regions of a paddle is determined for the higher-order modal components, which correspond to resonance frequencies and have an order greater than one. An intersection region of at least two higher-order modal components is identified, in which an excitation point is located with the intersection region. The diaphragm of the audio transducer includes a frame, at least one hinge, and a paddle. The paddle connects to the frame by the at least one hinge and is excited by a signal source at an excitation point to produce an acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Stephen Grinnip, III
  • Patent number: 7918309
    Abstract: Herein taught is an apparatus for producing a continuous sonic boom that is simplified having few components. Namely, a motor, a rotating motor shaft, a rotor and a power source. The rotor is interconnected onto the rotating motor shaft, thus upon energizing, the motor rotates the rotor faster than the speed of sound resulting in production of a continuous sonic boom. Also, the rotor includes various configurations and the tips thereof are variable in shape and size. Furthermore, the apparatus is contained within different types of support means and also we provide a deflective sonic wave focal point projection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Kenneth Vierra, Anthony Ray Cocucci
  • Patent number: 7853025
    Abstract: A vehicle overhead audio system, an electromagnetic transducer assembly for use therein and a computer system programmed with a graphic software control for changing the audio system's signal level and delay are provided where a headliner of the vehicle is a loudspeaker of the system thereby replacing many other loudspeakers and being invisible to the occupants. The headliner is driven in multiple zones that effect proper imaging for all occupants. Supplemental high frequency and subwoofer speakers and signal processing circuitry are included in one aspect of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Pawel W. Sleboda, Robert J. True, David J. Prince, Jerome Ng, David M. Emerling
  • Patent number: 7714685
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operated unit for controlling a radial connection. The unit has a first device which is optionally coupleable with a second device. The second device includes a magnet and/or electromagnet. The unit also has radially movable switching elements that are supported about the circumference of one of the devices, which additionally has contoured and/or frictional surfaces, which mate with respective contoured and/or frictional surfaces of the other one of the devices, thus effectuate engagement of the first and second devices. When the unit is designed with a closed current system the switching elements are biased to disengage when current is applied to the magnet and with an open current system the switching elements are biased to engage, against the force of a spring, when current is applied to the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Pescheck, Stefan Unseld, Konrad Thoma
  • Publication number: 20080232636
    Abstract: A motor driven acoustic oscillator or speaker that generates a single frequency acoustic sound. The motor driven acoustic oscillator may be used to emit low frequency (LF) sound waves that generates thrust on an object. The oscillator may be further configured to convert heat energy from a surrounding fluid medium into additional useful mechanical work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: SONIC DYNAMICS, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Thurber, James K. Thurber, Kenneth Meyer, Matthew Honnert
  • Patent number: 7418109
    Abstract: A diaphragm (1) of a light sound converter which has a high performance, is suitable for mass-production and has a slit (1s) formed therein. A light emitting element and a light receiving element are disposed at positions opposed to a reflective part (1a) of the diaphragm (1) having a pressure receiving surface part (1d) and the reflective part (1a), and light is radiated from the light emitting element to the reflective part (1a) of the diaphragm (1) and the reflected light from the reflective part (1a) is received by the light receiving element, whereby the position of the diaphragm (1) can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kenwood
    Inventors: Yoshio Sakamoto, Takahiro Imai
  • Patent number: 7306073
    Abstract: A membrane (20) has a membrane axis (5) and a middle area (50), a central cup-shaped depression (52) being provided around said membrane axis (5), which depression (52) preferably has a connecting channel (53), wherein the middle area (50) comprises groups of stiffening grooves (54, 55, 56, 57) which extend parallel to radial directions and of which a first group of long stiffening grooves (54, 55, 56) extends up to the depression (52), said connecting channel (53) issuing into two of the long stiffening grooves (55, 56), thus interconnecting these two long stiffening grooves (55, 56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Ewald Frasl
  • Patent number: 7258195
    Abstract: An electromagnetic holding brake comprising a switchable electromagnet (4) for holding a movable sheet (6) in a predetermined position, wherein said brake further comprises a second fixated sheet (5) which is arranged substantially parallel to the movable sheet (6), such that said movable sheet (6) is clamped between the electromagnet (4) and the second sheet (5) when the current is switched on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Conny Johansson, Bruno Slettenmark
  • Patent number: 7155021
    Abstract: A panel-shaped loudspeaker comprising a panel (1) having a first main surface (1A) and a second main surface (1B) parallel to the first main surface and further comprising an exciter (3) positioned at the first main surface. When the exciter is energized the panel is capable of sustaining bending waves and has a distribution of resonant modes of its natural bending wave vibration, which results in an acoustic radiation. The loudspeaker has a tuning element (17) extending near the second main surface of the panel and positioned opposite the exciter so as to form a resonant cavity (18) between the panel and the exciter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: David Magda Eddy Corynen
  • Patent number: 7050593
    Abstract: A vehicle overhead audio system and an electromagnetic transducer assembly for use therein are provided where a headliner of the vehicle is a loudspeaker of the system thereby replacing many other loudspeakers and being invisible to the occupants. The headliner is driven in multiple zones that effect proper imaging for all occupants. Supplemental high frequency and subwoofer speakers and signal processing circuitry are included in one aspect of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Emerling, Pawel W. Sleboda, John F. Mola, Robert J. True, David J. Prince
  • Patent number: 6870941
    Abstract: A dipole radiating dynamic speaker design comprises a diaphragm (32) providing a surface for radiating acoustic output, a voice coil assembly (36) for driving the diaphragm, and a magnet system for providing magnetic flux across the voice coil assembly. The speaker incorporates a vented pole flux conductor (42) and a vent adjacent to the diaphragm permitting the rearward acoustic output to propagate away from the diaphragm producing acoustic output as a dipole radiator. A method of utilizing the dipole radiating dynamic speaker design for tweeter and mid-range speaker applications used in home, automotive, and professional audio systems is disclosed. In addition a novel enclosure design is disclosed that utilizes a front panel perimeter vent providing improvement of audio reproduction quality for mid-range speaker applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Glenn A. Marnie
  • Patent number: 6748090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system with multi-mode radiator panels used to reproduce sound. The multi-mode radiator panels include at least one driver, a core layer and two cover layers connected to the core layer. The panels are typically mounted in a frame with attachments providing a connection between the frame and the unit formed of the core layer and the cover layers. To protect the system against overload and damage, the entire driver electronics is housed in a hermetically sealed air space located between the frame, the core layer and the attachments. The driver electronics includes a power amplifier powered by low-voltage power supply. The voltage supply may be buffered by a battery to keep the average power supplied to the electronics small, while still being able to reproduce infrequently occurring peak power events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Harman Audio Electronic Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bachmann, Gerhard Krump, Hans-Juergen Regl
  • Patent number: 6672423
    Abstract: In a speaker including a voice coil which is wound on a voice coil bobbin and is inserted into a magnetic circuit gap of a magnetic circuit, and a cone which is coupled to the voice coil bobbin for vibration, the cone (16) is constructed of two divided cones: a drive cone (16A) linked to the voice coil bobbin (14) and a cone paper (16B) linked through an edge (17) to a frame (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kato
  • Patent number: 6578661
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus which can remove undesirable vibrations and can produce sounds of excellent quality of acoustic signals having high audio frequencies is presented by increasing a strength of a flat joint portion and by properly setting a mass ratio between a central dome-like diaphragm and an edge-like diaphragm of a speaker diaphragm. This speaker apparatus includes a diaphragm portion in which a mass ratio of the edge-like diaphragm relative to the dome-like diaphragm falls within a predetermined range near 1 and a fixed portion at which a bobbin of a voice coil or an end face of a conductive one turn ring is bonded to and fixed to a flat portion for joining the dome-like diaphragm and the edge-like diaphragm so that mechanical strength of a joint flat portion of the diaphragms can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Masaru Uryu
  • Patent number: 6513623
    Abstract: A frame (14) supporting a diaphragm (12) by its outer periphery is constructed by a connecting ring (30) and a base (28) which comprises a bottomed cylinder portion (28A) and a mounting portion (28B) which extends radially outward from the bottomed cylinder portion (28A) which is a part of the magnetic circuit unit (18). The connection is achieved by the caulking of the ring (30) and the mounting portion (28B) with the diaphragm (12) clamped therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Sugiyama, Hajime Kitamura, Naohiro Fujinami, Yoshio Imahori, Hitoshi Yamashima
  • Patent number: 6484844
    Abstract: By forming a flange portion (16a1) protruding inward in the radial direction at an upper end portion (16a) of a voice coil (16), a coiling sectional shape of the voice coil (16) is set to a L-shape. And, the upper end portion (16a) of this voice coil (16), is bonded and fixed to a central flat portion (12b) of a diaphragm (12). Hereby, by only increasing slightly the weight of the usual voice coil having an I-shaped coiling section, the large bonding area can be obtained between the voice coil (16) and the diaphragm (12), so that separation of the voice coil (16) can be prevented. Further, since other portions of the voice coil (16) than the upper end portion (16a) thereof have the usual coil thickness, it is not necessary to expand the width of a cylindrical magnetic gap G in a magnetic circuit unit (18), whereby it is prevented that electroacoustic conversion efficiency of a speaker (10) lowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Sugiyama, Hajime Kitamura, Naohiro Fujinami, Masami Kushida, Hisashi Kubota
  • Patent number: 6474440
    Abstract: A diaphragm for a speaker and a speaker device, a frequency characteristic as well as the endurance against input of which are improved, have been provided. A convexo-concave portion is radially formed at a neck of the diaphragm, which is stuck to a voice coil bobbin, to increase an adhesion area of the neck itself, thereby the endurance against input is improved. In addition, the neck is stuck to the voice coil bobbin by an adhesive to increase the mechanical strength of the neck itself, thereby a frequency characteristic as well as the endurance against input are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20020125065
    Abstract: Electronic apparatus having a support structure or casing and a loudspeaker attached thereto, the loudspeaker comprising a resonant panel-form member and a vibration exciter mounted to the panel-form member to apply bending wave energy thereto to cause the member to resonate to produce an acoustic output. The vibration exciter is grounded on the support structure or casing and is adapted to support the panel-form member on the support structure or casing, thus forming a mount for the panel-form member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Graham Bank
  • Publication number: 20020121403
    Abstract: A symmetrically loaded, shallow suspension speaker with stiff diaphragm having a minimum dimension that is greater than the diameter of the magnet that drives the diaphragm thus allowing the suspension of the diaphragm to extend nearly to the bottom of the speaker basket on the maximum inward excursion of the voice coil and diaphragm such that the suspension operational depth is not the limiting factor of the overall height of the speaker. The elements of the suspension system are designed to maximize the spacing between the inner and outer portions of the suspension, thus minimizing the possibility of wobble in the speaker. The speaker design maximizes air movement in a given mounting depth with a configuration that optimizes the operation of the moving parts that complements the fixed mechanical structural configuration of the non-moving parts in either an overhung or underhung configuration. The design also accommodates user replacement of the voice coil or cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 6438242
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer in which a plurality of cymbal-type electro-acoustic actuators are disposed in mechanical and electrical parallel between a pair of stiff plates. The resultant transducer resonates at a lower frequency than the cymbals, with a greater generated force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas R. Howarth
  • Publication number: 20020017423
    Abstract: In a speaker including a voice coil which is wound on a voice coil bobbin and is inserted into a magnetic circuit gap of a magnetic circuit, and a cone which is coupled to the voice coil bobbin for vibration, the cone (16) is constructed of two divided cones: a drive cone (16A) linked to the voice coil bobbin (14) and a cone paper (16B) linked through an edge (17) to a frame (F).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20020005317
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus which can remove undesirable vibrations and can produce sounds of excellent quality of acoustic signals having high audio frequencies is presented by increasing a strength of a flat joint portion and by properly setting a mass ratio between a central dome-like diaphragm and an edge-like diaphragm of a speaker diaphragm. This speaker apparatus includes a diaphragm portion in which a mass ratio of the edge-like diaphragm relative to the dome-like diaphragm falls within a predetermined range near 1 and a fixed portion at which a bobbin of a voice coil or an end face of a conductive one turn ring is bonded to and fixed to a flat portion for joining the dome-like diaphragm and the edge-like diaphragm so that mechanical strength of a joint flat portion of the diaphragms can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Masaru Uryu
  • Publication number: 20010045321
    Abstract: A frame 14 supporting a diaphragm 12 by its outer periphery is constructed by a connecting ring 30—which is formed in an annulus following the shape of the outer periphery of diaphragm 12—to base 28 which comprises a bottomed cylinder portion 28A and a mounting portion 28B which extends radially outward from the bottomed cylinder portion 28A which is a part of the magnetic circuit unit 18. The connection is achieved by the caulking of the ring 30 and the mounting portion 28B with the diaphragm 12 clamped therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Shigeru Sugiyama, Hajime Kitamura, Naohiro Fujinami, Yoshio Imahori, Hitoshi Yamashima
  • Patent number: 6307133
    Abstract: A device for use in combination with a musical drum for dampening extraneous and undesirable tones produced by the drumhead consisting of a means for affixing the device to the drum, such as, for example, a clamp assembly, mounted on a counterhoop. Connected to the clamp assembly is an L-shape bracket, which extends generally above the clamp and over a section of the edge portion of the drumhead surface where it attaches in pivotal relation to a horizontally extending arm, which is connected on its opposite end to a casing. An aperture is formed within the casing and extends entirely from the top end of the casing to the bottom. A vertically disposed plunger arm is slidably received through the aperture, and is connected at the bottom end to a plunger head, which includes a base portion and a felt pad or some similarly suitable material mounted thereon to act as the contact surface with the drumhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Remo, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. May, Christopher J. Whittington, Dave Weckl
  • Publication number: 20010017231
    Abstract: By forming a flange portion 16a1 protruding inward in the radial direction at an upper end portion 16a of a voice coil 16, a coiling sectional shape of the voice coil 16 is set to a L-shape. And, the upper end portion 16a of this voice coil 16 is bonded and fixed to a central flat portion 12b of a diaphragm 12. Hereby, by only increasing slightly the weight of the usual voice coil having an I-shaped coiling section, the large bonding area can be obtained between the voice coil 16 and the diaphragm 12, so that separation of the voice coil 16 can be prevented. Further, since other portions of the voice coil 16 than the upper end portion 16a thereof have the usual coil thickness, it is not necessary to expand the width of a cylindrical magnetic gap G in a magnetic circuit unit 18, whereby it is prevented that electroacoustic conversion efficiency of a speaker 10 lowers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Shigeru Sugiyama, Hajime Kitamura, Naohiro Fujinami, Masami Kushida, Hisashi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20010004954
    Abstract: A diaphragm for a speaker and a speaker device, a frequency characteristic as well as the endurance against input of which are improved, have been provided. A convexo-concave portion is radially formed at a neck of the diaphragm, which is stuck to a voice coil bobbin, to increase an adhesion area of the neck itself, thereby the endurance against input is improved. In addition, the neck is stuck to the voice coil bobbin by an adhesive to increase the mechanical strength of the neck itself, thereby a frequency characteristic as well as the endurance against input are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kato
  • Patent number: 6201878
    Abstract: A portable compact-disc player (41), characterized by an opposed pair of loudspeakers (81) attached to the player, and in that each loudspeaker comprises a distributed mode acoustic radiator having a transducer (9) wholly and exclusively mounted thereon to vibrate the radiator to cause it to resonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Henry Azima, Martin Colloms, Neil John Harris
  • Patent number: 6095278
    Abstract: A speaker base, which includes a tweeter holder having a holder base and a bottom mounting holder rod, and withholding ring mounted on the tweeter holder to hold a tweeter, wherein the tweeter holder has an axial center through hole through its holder base and bottom mounting holder rod through which the lead wires of the tweeter pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Steff Lin
  • Patent number: 5424496
    Abstract: To improve loudspeakers (10) with an internal magnet system (11), it is proposed that the moving coil (21) be carrierless in configuration, and be attached to a tubular segment (20) configured concurrently when the membrane (13) is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Nokia (Deutschland) GmbH
    Inventor: Leonhard Kreitmeier
  • Patent number: 5125031
    Abstract: A loud speaker vibration transmitting apparatus has a speaker housing which encloses a speaker cone which vibrates within the housing and a propagation member which has a first contact end in contact with the speaker cone. In one embodiment, the propagation member extends out of the housing so that the vibration of the speaker cone can be directly transmitted out of the housing while the vibration also can be propagated into the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is designed to maintain a vacuum inside of the housing so that the vibrations of the speaker cone are propagated to the surface of the housing through the propagation member without transmitting audible sounds from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Robert Ledonne
  • Patent number: 5081387
    Abstract: An automatic washer is provided with a separate motor to drive the drain pump, the motor having a displaceable stator portion connected to the basket brake mechanism such that when the pump motor is energized the basket brake will be released. Such a construction obviates the need for a separate component such as a solenoid to deactivate the brake mechanism. The stator portion is displaceable perpendicularly to the rotor axis and can move either in a radial sliding manner or can be pivotally mounted so as to move through an arc relative to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Arne M. Nystuen
  • Patent number: 5022084
    Abstract: An elastic material such as rubber is employed as the material of a diaphragm and the diaphragm is constructed in such a state that tension is made to exist intrinsically therein, whereby the vibration of the diaphragm when the vibration is applied to it has a large amplitude at the center thereof, gets smaller when approaching the perimeter thereof and finally reaches zero at the edge portion. Accordingly, almost no phenomenon occurs in which air in front and air in the rear of the diaphragm interfere with each other, a speaker box is not required and a tone of good quality may be reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Shinjo
  • Patent number: 4998283
    Abstract: A screen device suited to use in a projection type display device for a high-definition television set. The screen device includes a screen on which television images are projected, and a screen frame to which this screen is attached at the central section thereof. Incorporated into this screen frame are speakers which are used as the front speakers of a sound reproduction system of the type which is commonly known as the 3-1 type 4-channel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nishida, Kazumi Kawashima, Kazuyasu Yamamoto, Naoki Shintani, Naoji Okumura, Yasuaki Sakanishi
  • Patent number: 4967871
    Abstract: A body-sensible acoustic device and an electromechanical vibration converter for use in the same. The body-sensible acoustic device includes frames forming the structure of a chair having a seat and a back, canvas members spread on the frame, and driver units driven by low-frequency audio signals for transmitting vibration to the canvas members. The canvas members are formed of a net of fibers covered with a foamed synthetic resin. The vibration converter includes a drive coil disposed in the air gap of a magnetic circuit, a coil bobbin transmitting motion of the drive coil to the outer case of the converter, and a damper supporting the magnetic circuit on the outer case. A guide hole is formed in the magnetic circuit at its center and extending in the direction of the acoustic axis. A coupling member is fitted in the guide hole having end portions coupled to the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 4961227
    Abstract: A portable speaker having a speaker housing which vibrates in harmony with the audible sounds generated by the speaker. The speaker includes a loud speaker housing having a surface capable of vibrating and a speaker cone which vibrates within said housing to generate audible sound during the speaker's operation. A propagation member which has a first contact surface in contact with the speaker cone, and a second contact surface which is in contact with the vibration surface of the speaker housing is responsible for transmitting the cone vibrations to the housing surface. The transmitted vibrations causes the surface to vibrate in harmony with the audible sounds created by the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Robert D. Le Donne
  • Patent number: 4837833
    Abstract: A high frequency emphasis microphone particularly adapted to a hearing aid application provides a steeply rising frequency response characteristic relative to frequency, and has a low pass sonic attenuator for providing to the undriven side of the microphone diaphragm a sonic counterpressure which at low frequencies substantially cancels ambient sound pressure delivered to the driven side of the diaphragm, the attenuator reducing this counterpressure at elevated frequencies to provide accentuated high frequency response. The attenuator includes a pair of inertance-forming restricted passageways passing a portion of incoming sound to a bypass port leading to the undriven side of the diaphragm, the passageways being defined by a U-shaped plate disposed within a chamber confronting the driven side of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Industrial Research Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter L. Madaffari
  • Patent number: 4823907
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a thin plate type vibrating element mounted in, and brought into contact with, a balloon formed of a synthetic rubber or resin film. The balloon comprises a balloon member formed of a flexible film such as a vinyl chloride resin or synthetic rubber film and having therein a pocket, in which an inner film forming the pocket has an area somewhat larger than that surrounded with a laminating line on an outer film forming the pocket, whereby the inner film is brought in pressure contact or engagement with the outer film, when the balloon assembly is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Hatsuo Hoshi