Patents by Inventor Chris Smolen

Chris Smolen 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: 20240388842
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20240298110
    Abstract: Customizable waveguides for use in a loudspeaker and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the waveguide includes a frame and a waveguide insert sealably couplable to the frame. The frame can include a first end region that can be coupled to a compression driver in the loudspeaker and a second end region opposite the first end region. The second end region can be coupled to a front baffle of the loudspeaker when the first end region is coupled to the compression driver. Further, the frame can be symmetric about vertical and/or horizontal axes of the frame. The waveguide insert can include a first half-horn couplable to a first longitudinal half of the frame, a second half-horn couplable to a second longitudinal half of the frame opposite the first longitudinal half, and a divider positioned between the first half-horn and the second half-horn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Chris Smolen, Bernie Hawkins
  • Patent number: 12075209
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Patent number: 11962970
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20240007785
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Patent number: 11736859
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20230217157
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20230103673
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Patent number: 11582552
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Patent number: 11509997
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20220217465
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Patent number: 11240593
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20210306739
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present technology that comprises a housing having a proximal end with an inlet aperture and a distal end with an outlet aperture, and a mounting flange positioned at the proximal end and configured to acoustically couple a driver to inlet aperture. A plurality of sound channels extend through the housing and acoustically couple the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture. Each sound channel at least partially defining a sound path has an acoustic length, wherein at least one of the sound paths of the plurality of sound channels has a bend angle that exceeds 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20210067866
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Patent number: 10848858
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20200196050
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Patent number: 10531183
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: QSC, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20190215602
    Abstract: A waveguide housing for a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes first and second drivers coupled to the waveguide housing where the first driver generates a midrange sound signal and the second driver emits a high-frequency sound signal. The waveguide housing includes a first plurality of sound channels configured to receive the midrange sound signal from the first driver such that the midrange sound signal travels through the first plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a first plurality of openings in the waveguide housing. The waveguide housing also includes a second plurality of sound channels configured to receive the high-frequency sound signal from the second driver such that the high-frequency sound signal travels through the second plurality of sound channels and is emitted from the waveguide housing by a second plurality of openings in the waveguide housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Jerome Halley, Chris Smolen
  • Publication number: 20030149827
    Abstract: In a vending system there is at least one vending device which transmits data across a multidrop bus to a personal computer. The vending system data includes a start bit, a plurality of data bits, a modal bit and a stop bit. A multidrop bus to personal computer interface polls each vending device and manages and removes the modal bit, thereby freeing up the personal computer for application oriented functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Chris Smolen, Glenn Schnauber