Abstract: A mass excited acoustic device (1100) includes a soundboard (1102), a pedestal (1104) and a transducer (300). The soundboard (1102) has a predetermined resonance frequency and couples motional energy to a device user. The pedestal (1104) includes a platform (1106) formed for mounting a transducer (300), and a foot (1108). The platform (1106) and foot have an axis extending centrally therethrough. The foot (1108) is contiguous to the platform (1106) and to the soundboard (1102), and is substantially smaller in size than the platform (1106) and separates the platform (1106) from the soundboard (1102). The transducer (300) is coupled to the platform (1106) about the axis and converts an electrical input signal into motional energy generated in a direction parallel to the axis. The motional energy is delivered to the soundboard (1102) through the foot (1108) without substantially modifying the resonance frequency of the soundboard (1102).

Abstract: A taut armature reciprocating impulse transducer (100) includes an electromagnetic driver (24, 26) which effects an alternating electromagnetic field in response to an input signal. An armature (12) includes an upper planar suspension member (14) formed by a first pair of non-linear spring members arranged along a first radial axis (50), and a lower planar suspension member (16) formed by a second pair of non-linear spring members arranged along a second radial axis (52) which is substantially perpendicular to the first radial axis (50). The upper and lower planar suspensions members are coupled to the electromagnetic driver (24, 26) and suspend a magnetic motional mass (18) therebetween. The alternating electromagnetic field alternately moves the magnetic motional mass (18), the movement being transformed through the upper and lower planar suspension members (14, 16) and the electromagnetic driver (24, 26) into motional energy.

Abstract: An electronic driver for use with linear and non-linear transducers includes a voltage controlled oscillator (1630) to generate an output signal (1603) in response to a frequency control signal (1625); a transducer driver (1604), coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator (1630) and to the transducer (600), includes an electromagnetic driver (604) to generate an electromagnetic field in response to the output signal (1603), and a power control circuit (2104, 2106) to suspend generation of the electromagnetic field for a portion of the output signal, the electromagnetic field generating movement of a magnetic motional mass (636) which is transformed into tactile energy; and a tactile energy monitor (1606) coupled to the electromagnetic driver (604) for monitoring a level of tactile energy generated by the movement of the magnetic motional mass (636), and in response thereto generates the frequency control signal (1625) to maximize the level of tactile energy generated.

Abstract: An inertial acoustic pickup (300) for use with a string musical instrument (700) having a soundboard (702) for delivering acoustic energy, comprises a chassis (302) including a coil (304) coupled to the soundboard (702), an armature including upper and lower substantially parallel planar suspension members (310) having planar perimeter regions (308) coupled to the chassis (302), and comprising a plurality of independent planar circular non-linear spring members (312) arranged regularly about a central planar region (314) within the planar perimeter region (305), an inertial mass (316) suspended between the upper and lower planar suspension members (310) about the central planar region (314) and having an axis (342) extending therebetween and including a plurality of permanent magnets (320) arranged regularly about a perimeter of the inertial mass (316), whereby acoustic energy coupled to the chassis (302) from the soundboard (702) is transformed through the planar non-linear spring members (312) into motional

Abstract: An taut armature, resonant impulse transducer (100) includes an armature (12), including an upper (14) and a lower (16) non-linear resonant suspension member, each including at least two juxtaposed planar compound beams (202, 204 and 206, 208) connected symmetrically about a contiguous planar central region (210), and further connected to two contiguous planar perimeter regions (212, 214), an electromagnetic driver (24, 26), coupled to the upper and lower non-linear resonant suspension members (14, 16) about the two contiguous planar perimeter regions (212, 214), the electromagnetic driver (24, 26) effecting an alternating electromagnetic field in response to an input signal, and a magnetic motional mass (18) suspended between the upper and lower non-linear resonant suspension members(14, 16) about the contiguous planar central region (210), and coupled to the alternating electromagnetic field for generating an alternating movement of the magnetic motional mass (18) in response thereto, the alternating moveme

Abstract: A dual mode transducer (600) includes an electromagnetic driver (604), an armature including upper and lower substantially parallel planar suspension members (610) coupled to the driver (604), and a magnetic motional mass (616) suspended between the suspension members (610). The suspension members (610) include a plurality of independent planar non-linear spring members (612) arranged regularly about the central region (614) within a perimeter region (608). The spring members (612) are defined by members having maximum opposing widths tapering to minimum opposing widths at midpoints thereon, the maximum opposing widths are coupled to the central region (614) and to the perimeter region (608). The motional mass (616) couples to the electromagnetic field which alternately moves the motional mass (616), the movement being transformed through the spring members (612) and the driver (604) into motional energy. A soundboard (1014), coupled to the driver (604), couples the motional energy to a user.

Abstract: A portable electronic device comprises a housing (100) including an attachment dip (110), electronic circuitry (215) enclosed within the housing, and an energy storage device (120) housed within the attachment clip.

Abstract: An impulse transducer that does not use eccentric, motor-driven weights is constructed of a permanent magnet movable armature that oscillates within a housing and impacts resilient bumpers to produce vibrations. The armature is accelerated by a varying magnetic field energized by an alternating current. The dimensions of the enclosed housing and the mass of the movable armature as well as the strength of the magnetic fields can be optimized for the impulse magnitude that is desired.

Abstract: A resonant armature system (109, 114, 116) for generating a vibrating motion in response to an alternating excitation force includes at least two planar suspension members (109), substantially parallel to each other and separated by a distance. The planar suspension member (109) includes a plurality of independent planar spring members (112) arranged regularly about a central planar region (110) within a planar perimeter region (108). The resonant armature system (109, 114, 116) further includes at least one movable mass (114) positioned between and coupled to the at least two planar suspension members (109) for resonating with the at least two planar suspension members (109) at a fundamental mode resonant frequency.

Abstract: A shock isolator (30) is provided within the housing (38) of a selective call receiver to substantially increase the natural frequency of vibration of the housing (38) and the printed circuit boards (54, 56) within the housing. The shock isolator (30) is a body of elastomeric material, preferably butyl rubber, which has component receiving apertures (32) molded therein for receiving the components (46, 48, 50) on the printed circuit board while at the same time contacting the printed circuit board. The butyl rubber has a damping of at least 25% (preferably 50%) and a Durometer of between 50 and 70 type A (preferably 60).

Abstract: A selective call receiver includes a vibrator (206) for generating alerts. The vibrator (206) includes a housing (402), a flexible member (2) within the housing (402) and coupled thereto, and a moving member (404) coupled to the flexible member (2) for movement about an equilibrium position, the moving member (404) including a permanent magnet (410). An actuator includes an electromagnet (412) for causing the permanent magnet (410) and the moving member (404) to move at a first frequency for generating an audible alert and at a second frequency for generating a sub-audible or tactile alert. The movement at the second frequency is substantially transferred to the housing (402) for generating the sub-audible or tactile alert.

Abstract: Two or more crystal filter blanks are mounted together in such a manner so as to minimize the printed circuit board surface area occupied by their aggregate footprint and to minimize the vibratory and oscillatory interference among the cyrstal filters. Mounting devices are coupled to a first nonvibratory node and a second nonvibratory node of the crystal blanks to minimize vibrational and oscillatory interference between the crystal filters. Insulating material is disposed between the crystal blanks for electrically insulating and physically separating the crystal blanks from each other to additionally minimize electrical and vibrational interference between the crystal blanks.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting a vibrating motion comprises a resonant planar armature, a housing, an electromagnetic device attached to the housing for effecting an alternating electromagnetic field, a magnetic device coupled to the armature and to the electromagnetic field for alternatively moving the armature in a first and a second direction in response to the electromagnetic field. The resonant planar armature comprises a plurality of planar spring members arranged regularly about a central planar region within a planar perimeter region of the armature, and the spring members provide a restoring force normal to a movement of the central region of the armature caused by the alternating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A piezo-electric resonant vibrator is described comprising a resonant armature having a centrally located weight, and at least four planar circular spring members which provide a restoring force normal to the movement of the weighted armature within a non-magnetic housing which encloses and supports the armature. A piezo-electric driver is coupled to the armature for inducing movement of the armature at a predetermined resonant frequency. A ferromagnetic plate is mounted to the housing and magnetically couples to a magnet which is coupled to the weight to maintain tension on the armature when an excitation signal is not supplied to the piezo-electric driver, and the armature is at equilibrium.

Abstract: An encased electronic component comprises a casing (10) for protecting the component while exposing electrodes (or terminations) thereof for soldering. The casing includes an aperture for allowing air internal of the casing to exhaust upon heating during soldering so as to oppose the ingress of foreign material into the casing.

Abstract: A housing for an alerting system within a selective call radio receiver exhibits substantial space saving characteristics by incorporating both a low profile vibrator motor for silent alerting and a tone generator for audio alerting. The housing comprises a rigid material defining first and second chambers adjacent and separated by a common wall of the housing, the first chamber containing the low profile vibrating motor, the second chamber containing the tone generator, the housing defining a first port therein for omitting an audio tone from the second chamber and at least one other port therein for providing power to the low profile vibrating motor and the tone generator.

Abstract: A ceramic filter including a plurality of ceramic plates contacted by metal plates and enclosed within a housing includes a Teflon membrane having a plurality of bubbles or dimples therein. A curved spring plate is positioned between a wall of the housing and one of the metal plates. The shock absorbing membrane is positioned between the spring plate and the wall of the housing, and the bubbles thereof extend through openings in the spring plate. When the filter is subjected to a force substantially perpendicular to the ceramic plates, the bubbles in the shock absorber cause the edges of the metal plate to deflect upwards and thus support the adjacent ceramic plate so as to avoid shattering or cracking.

Abstract: A solvent soluble plastic form (104) is molded around a spring-type battery contact (102) such that one end (102A) of the battery contact projects from the form. A one-piece injection molded thermoplastic housing (202) is then molded around the battery contact and form, thereby molding the end of the battery contact into the housing. The soluble plastic form is then dissolved in an appropriate solvent, leaving a housing with a cavity (202D) that contains the battery contact.

Abstract: An improved liquid applicator especially suitable for applying suntan lotion or the like to the skin includes a bottle for holding suntan lotion with a cap for closing the bottle. The inner surface of the cap is coupled to a shaft having a plurality of applicator pads coupled to its end. The applicator pads are preferrably are made of a synthetic or artificial skin material which are resiliently urged away from the shaft. There is an actuator sleeve surrounding a portion of the shaft and coupled to the applicator pads which resiliently urge the sleeve toward the cap. The end of the sleeve closest to the cap includes a cam which operates in cooperation with a mating surface on the inner side of the cap to allow the actuator sleeve to be locked into a position which urges the applicator pads away from the shaft. The outer side of the cap is preferrably shaped to form a comfortable handle and includes a storage compartment for storage of keys, money and the like at the beach.

Abstract: A low-profile motor arrangement for accomodation in a low-volume electronic device such as a radio pager. The motor is designed to provide a vibrating action for silent alerting that does not require any additional add-on parts, but effects the required vibrator action by a designed-in unbalance in the rotating internal parts.