Patents by Inventor Brian Sterling

Brian Sterling has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240270441
    Abstract: A substantial cuboid outer case has two or more inner rails mounted thereto by shock absorbers. An inner enclosure has sliders mounted directly to and contacting outer surfaces thereof, the sliders engaging the two or more rails. Clips retain the sliders in engagement with the rails when the inner enclosure is positioned within the outer case. The clips may include a pin that passes through both a slider and a panel of the inner enclosure. The inner enclosure may include a stack of two or more enclosures with sliders on the top and bottom enclosures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Dennis Sterling Becklin, Spencer E. Adams, Brian C. Rushing
  • Publication number: 20240040304
    Abstract: A loudspeaker arrangement (800) having first and second loudspeakers mechanically coupled to each other. Either a first side of a first sound radiating surface faces a first side of a second sound radiating surface, and the first side of the first sound radiating surface and the first side of the second sound radiating surface both face a first cavity having a first opening facing towards an internal air volume, or a second side of the first sound radiating surface faces a second side of the second sound radiating surface, the first side of the first sound radiating surface faces a second cavity having a second opening facing towards the internal air volume, and the first side of the second sound radiating surface faces a third cavity separate and distinct from the second cavity, the third cavity has a third opening facing towards the internal air volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Vladimir Gontcharov, Hans Erik Otto Lahti, Brian Sterling
  • Patent number: 11589156
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly for a vehicle includes a loudspeaker having a first side and an opposed second side, wherein the loudspeaker is configured to generate an acoustical signal having a front wave directed into an interior of the vehicle and a rear wave directed toward an exterior of the vehicle. The loudspeaker assembly further includes a coupler disposed on the second side of the loudspeaker, the coupler including an inlet portion for receiving the loudspeaker and an outlet portion. A flexible port is removably connectable to the coupler, the flexible port including an inlet end arranged to be connected to the outlet portion of the coupler, an outlet end arranged to be connected to an opening in an exterior body panel, and an elongated body extending between the inlet end and the outlet end, the flexible port configured to transmit the rear wave to the exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mahesh Hebbar, Brian Sterling
  • Patent number: 11463813
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an audio system is provided. The audio system includes a first loudspeaker, a second loudspeaker, and an audio controller. The first loudspeaker is positioned on first side of a vehicle to transmit a first audio signal to a driver. The second loudspeaker is positioned on a second side of the vehicle to transmit a second audio signal to a passenger. The audio controller is configured to increase an audio experience for only the driver of the vehicle by at least one of controlling a voltage provided to the first loudspeaker to cause a first overall excursion of the first loudspeaker to be greater than a second overall excursion of the second loudspeaker, and limiting an amount of current that is delivered only to the first loudspeaker to prevent the first loudspeaker from temporarily shutting down due to an overcurrent condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Christopher Ludwig, Brian Sterling, Arndt Hensgens
  • Patent number: 11082760
    Abstract: A speaker assembly for being mounted within a wall is provided. The speaker assembly has a housing and a plurality of transducers supported by the housing. Each transducer has a front radiation surface and a radiation rear surface adapted to radiate sound along a central axis. The transducers are arranged relative to each other so the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers intersect at a circumcenter defined between the plurality of transducers to substantially cancel vibrations from the plurality of transducers. A slot is formed adjacent of each of the transducers. The slot extending a depth dimension of the assembly between a slot opening for transmitting acoustic radiation from the plurality of transducers and a back wall of the housing, wherein the depth dimension is generally perpendicular to the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brian Sterling
  • Publication number: 20210230056
    Abstract: A method of making strengthened articles that includes: providing articles comprising ion-exchangeable alkali metal ions and first and second primary surfaces; providing a bath comprising ion-exchanging alkali metal ions larger in size than the ion-exchangeable ions; and submersing the articles in the bath at a first ion-exchange temperature and duration to form strengthened articles. Each strengthened article comprises a compressive stress region. Further, the exchange rate of the ion-exchanging alkali metal ions is higher into the first primary surface than into the second primary surface. In addition, the submersing step is conducted such that a predetermined gap is maintained between the first primary surface of each of the articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Sterling Chan, Yinghong Chen, Sumalee Likitvanichkul Fagan, Jun Hou, Qiao Li, Santona Pal, Rohit Rai
  • Patent number: 10994643
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided having a head restraint with a forward contact surface. At least one loudspeaker driver is embedded in the head restraint and offset rearward from the forward contact surface. A waveguide extends from the loudspeaker driver toward the forward contact surface and is configured to direct a sound output from the loudspeaker driver at a listening direction being different than a central axis of radiation of the loudspeaker driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Matthias Von Saint-George, Brian Sterling, Kyle Concessi
  • Publication number: 20210076139
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an audio system is provided. The audio system includes a first loudspeaker, a second loudspeaker, and an audio controller. The first loudspeaker is positioned on first side of a vehicle to transmit a first audio signal to a driver. The second loudspeaker is positioned on a second side of the vehicle to transmit a second audio signal to a passenger. The audio controller is configured to increase an audio experience for only the driver of the vehicle by at least one of controlling a voltage provided to the first loudspeaker to cause a first overall excursion of the first loudspeaker to be greater than a second overall excursion of the second loudspeaker, and limiting an amount of current that is delivered only to the first loudspeaker to prevent the first loudspeaker from temporarily shutting down due to an overcurrent condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Riley WINTON, Christopher LUDWIG, Brian STERLING, Arndt HENSGENS
  • Publication number: 20200236450
    Abstract: A speaker assembly for being mounted within a wall is provided. The speaker assembly has a housing and a plurality of transducers supported by the housing. Each transducer has a front radiation surface and a radiation rear surface adapted to radiate sound along a central axis. The transducers are arranged relative to each other so the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers intersect at a circumcenter defined between the plurality of transducers to substantially cancel vibrations from the plurality of transducers. A slot is formed adjacent of each of the transducers. The slot extending a depth dimension of the assembly between a slot opening for transmitting acoustic radiation from the plurality of transducers and a back wall of the housing, wherein the depth dimension is generally perpendicular to the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brian STERLING
  • Patent number: 10652638
    Abstract: A speaker assembly for being mounted within a wall is provided. The speaker assembly has a housing and a plurality of transducers supported by the housing. Each transducer has a front radiation surface and a radiation rear surface adapted to radiate sound along a central axis. The transducers are arranged relative to each other so the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers intersect at a circumcenter defined between the plurality of transducers to substantially cancel vibrations from the plurality of transducers. A slot is formed adjacent of each of the transducers. The slot extending a depth dimension of the assembly between a slot opening for transmitting acoustic radiation from the plurality of transducers and a back wall of the housing, wherein the depth dimension is generally perpendicular to the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brian Sterling
  • Patent number: 10643599
    Abstract: An acoustic lens for a transducer. In at least one embodiment, the acoustic lens includes a body aligned on an axis. The body includes a top surface, a sidewall that extends from the top surface, and a bottom surface that is generally opposite the top surface. The sidewall includes an opening for a soundwave from the transducer to travel through in an off-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brian Sterling
  • Publication number: 20190039492
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly is provided having a head restraint with a forward contact surface. At least one loudspeaker driver is embedded in the head restraint and offset rearward from the forward contact surface. A waveguide extends from the loudspeaker driver toward the forward contact surface and is configured to direct a sound output from the loudspeaker driver at a listening direction being different than a central axis of radiation of the loudspeaker driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Matthias VON SAINT-GEORGE, BRIAN STERLING, KYLE CONCESSI
  • Publication number: 20190037295
    Abstract: A speaker assembly for being mounted within a wall is provided. The speaker assembly has a housing and a plurality of transducers supported by the housing. Each transducer has a front radiation surface and a radiation rear surface adapted to radiate sound along a central axis. The transducers are arranged relative to each other so the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers intersect at a circumcenter defined between the plurality of transducers to substantially cancel vibrations from the plurality of transducers. A slot is formed adjacent of each of the transducers. The slot extending a depth dimension of the assembly between a slot opening for transmitting acoustic radiation from the plurality of transducers and a back wall of the housing, wherein the depth dimension is generally perpendicular to the central axes of acoustic radiation of each of the transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brian STERLING
  • Publication number: 20190005941
    Abstract: An acoustic lens for a transducer. In at least one embodiment, the acoustic lens includes a body aligned on an axis. The body includes a top surface, a sidewall that extends from the top surface, and a bottom surface that is generally opposite the top surface. The sidewall includes an opening for a soundwave from the transducer to travel through in an off-axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Brian STERLING
  • Patent number: 10051374
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided with a magnet assembly with an overall length aligned along a longitudinal axis and a frame with a wall encircled around the magnet assembly with a length aligned along the longitudinal axis, wherein the magnet assembly and the wall define a voice coil gap. The loudspeaker is also provided with a voice coil disposed in the voice coil gap; wherein the magnet assembly is symmetrically aligned with the wall such that a halfway point of the overall length of the magnet assembly coincides with a midpoint of the length of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Brian Sterling
  • Patent number: 9960509
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing coupled to an electrical power source, a motor contained in the housing, and a motor control circuit that controls output speed of the motor. A light nut is coupled to the housing to illuminate a work surface. A light unit control circuit controls illumination of the light, unit. A switch unit is coupled to the housing and selectively operable to control the operation of the motor control circuit and the light unit control circuit. The light unit control circuit includes a timer configured to cause the light unit to illuminate a first brightness level when the switch unit is actuated, and to remain illuminated at the first brightness level for a predetermined time period after the trigger is actuated. The predetermined time period restarts if the switch unit is not deactivated before the end of the predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Sterling, Stephen P. Osborne, Paul S. White, Jeff Delcamp
  • Publication number: 20180109878
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided with a magnet assembly with an overall length aligned along a longitudinal axis and a frame with a wall encircled around the magnet assembly with a length aligned along the longitudinal axis, wherein the magnet assembly and the wall define a voice coil gap. The loudspeaker is also provided with a voice coil disposed in the voice coil gap; wherein the magnet assembly is symmetrically aligned with the wall such that a halfway point of the overall length of the magnet assembly coincides with a midpoint of the length of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Brian STERLING
  • Publication number: 20170373415
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing coupled to an electrical power source, a motor contained in the housing, and a motor control circuit that controls output speed of the motor. A light nut is coupled to the housing to illuminate a work surface. A light unit control circuit controls illumination of the light, unit. A switch unit is coupled to the housing and selectively operable to control the operation of the motor control circuit and the light unit control circuit. The light unit control circuit includes a timer configured to cause the light unit to illuminate a first brightness level when the switch unit is actuated, and to remain illuminated at the first brightness level for a predetermined time period after the trigger is actuated. The predetermined time period restarts if the switch unit is not deactivated before the end of the predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Sterling, Stephen P. Osborne, Paul S. White, Jeff Delcamp
  • Patent number: 9854365
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a voice coil in a balanced state. In the loudspeaker, at least a first suspension element acts on a first side of the voice coil, and at least a second suspension element acts on a second side of the voice coil. The loudspeaker includes a symmetric magnet assembly. The voice coil aligns with the symmetric magnet assembly. The symmetric alignment contributes to the loudspeaker yielding substantially symmetric motor force (BL), suspension stiffness (K), and inductance (Le).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Sterling
  • Publication number: 20170303044
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a voice coil in a balanced state. In the loudspeaker, at least a first suspension element acts on a first side of the voice coil, and at least a second suspension element acts on a second side of the voice coil. The loudspeaker includes a symmetric magnet assembly. The voice coil aligns with the symmetric magnet assembly. The symmetric alignment contributes to the loudspeaker yielding substantially symmetric motor force (BL), suspension stiffness (K), and inductance (Le).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Brian STERLING