Patents by Inventor David Earl Schafer

David Earl Schafer 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).

  • Patent number: 7925041
    Abstract: A linkage assembly is used for mechanically coupling an armature and a diaphragm of a balanced receiver, the linkage assembly formed from a first linkage member displaced from a strip of stock material relative to the plane of the stock material and a second linkage member displaced from the strip relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members are then joined while secured to the strip. At least one severable connecting member securing the linkage member to the strip is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
  • Patent number: 7921540
    Abstract: A linkage assembly (140) is used for mechanically coupling an armature (124) and a diaphragm (118) of a balanced receiver (100), the linkage assembly (140) formed from a first linkage member (822) displaced from a strip of stock material (800) relative to the plane of the stock material (800) and a second linkage member (826) displaced from the strip (800) relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members (822, 826) are then joined while secured to the strip (800). At least one severable connecting member (870a-c) securing the linkage member to the strip (800) is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
  • Patent number: 7860264
    Abstract: An acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes a multi-layer structure. A first layer member includes a first center portion, a first edge portion and a first aperture separating the first center portion and the first edge portion. A second layer member includes a second center portion, a second edge portion and a second aperture separating the second center portion and the second edge portion such that the second center portion is free to move relative to the second edge portion. The first and second layers are formed into an assembly wherein the first center portion and the second center portion are coupled, the first edge portion and the second edge portion are coupled, and the first aperture and the second aperture are substantially aligned to define a passageway. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer, Anthony D. Minervini, Hanny Sunarto, Thomas Edward Miller, Daniel Max Warren
  • Patent number: 7412763
    Abstract: A method of making an acoustic assembly for use in a transducer includes forming a multi-layer assembly. The multi-layer assembly includes a first layer member and a second layer member. Each member includes a center portion, an edge portion and an aperture separating the center portion and the edge portion. The assembly has an assembly stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of either the first or second layer members. A hinge joins the assembled first and second center portions and the first and second edge portions such that the assembled first and second center portions is free to at least partially rotate relative to the assembled first and second edge portions about an axis. A flexible layer member is coupled to the assembly and provides airtight sealing of the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer, Anthony D. Minervini, Hanny Sunarto, Thomas Edward Miller, Daniel Max Warren
  • Publication number: 20080130939
    Abstract: A linkage assembly is used for mechanically coupling an armature and a diaphragm of a balanced receiver, the linkage assembly formed from a first linkage member displaced from a strip of stock material relative to the plane of the stock material and a second linkage member displaced from the strip relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members are then joined while secured to the strip. At least one severable connecting member securing the linkage member to the strip is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
  • Patent number: 7302748
    Abstract: A linkage assembly (140) is used for mechanically coupling an armature (124) and a diaphragm (118) of a balanced receiver (100), the linkage assembly (140) formed from a first linkage member (822) displaced from a strip of stock material (800) relative to the plane of the stock material (800) and a second linkage member (826) displaced from the strip (800) relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members (822, 826) are then joined while secured to the strip (800). At least one severable connecting member (870a-c) securing the linkage member to the strip (800) is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
  • Patent number: 7203334
    Abstract: A paddle (142) of a diaphragm (118) of a receiver (100) is manufactured using one or more layers of a material selected for their inertial mass and rigidity. The paddle may have a layered structure with stiff outer layers such as aluminum and a less dense inner layer, such as thermoplastic adhesive. The inner and outer layers are selected to give an inertial mass matching that of an armature (124) of the receiver (100) and to give a lowest frequency bending resonance above a desired range, for example, 14 KHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.
    Inventors: David Earl Schafer, Mekell Jiles
  • Publication number: 20040168852
    Abstract: A linkage assembly (140) is used for mechanically coupling an armature (124) and a diaphragm (118) of a balanced receiver (100), the linkage assembly (140) formed from a first linkage member (822) displaced from a strip of stock material (800) relative to the plane of the stock material (800) and a second linkage member (826) displaced from the strip (800) relative to the plane. The first and second linkage members (822, 826) are then joined while secured to the strip (800). At least one severable connecting member (870a-c) securing the linkage member to the strip (800) is severed to release the linkage member from the strip for assembly of the linkage member into the receiver. A method of forming a three-dimensional structure from flat stock is used to form the linkage assembly (140).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Mekell Jiles, David Earl Schafer
  • Publication number: 20040167377
    Abstract: A paddle (142) of a diaphragm (118) of a receiver (100) is manufactured using one or more layers of a material selected for their inertial mass and rigidity. The paddle may have a layered structure with stiff outer layers such as aluminum and a less dense inner layer, such as thermoplastic adhesive. The inner and outer layers are selected to give an inertial mass matching that of an armature (124) of the receiver (100) and to give a lowest frequency bending resonance above a desired range, for example, 14 KHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: David Earl Schafer, Mekell Jiles