Abstract: A taut armature reciprocating impulse transducer (100) which typically provides a non-linear hardening spring response is adapted to provide a non-linear softening spring response by the addition of magnetic damping elements (106). Two or more taut armature reciprocating impulse transducers (100) can be utilized to produce a mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) which operates to produce a wide frequency response when at least one of the two taut armature reciprocating impulse transducers (100) is adapted to provide a non-linear softening spring response. The mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) allows multiple taut armature reciprocating impulse transducers (100) to be operated together from a signal input. When the mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) is enclosed in a housing (812), the mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) can be operated as a headphone to deliver an audio output.

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: An electronic device (100) includes a housing (222), a circuit supporting substrate (604, 605) within the housing (222) and mechanically coupled thereto, and electronic circuitry (606, 607, 608, 609, 610) mechanically coupled to the circuit supporting substrate (604, 605). A battery retainer (601) is located within the housing (222), and is mechanically coupled to the housing (222) for positioning and securing a battery (603) and preventing the transmission of mechanical shock between the battery (603) and nearby mechanical elements (240, 242, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610). The battery retainer includes at least one integrally molded user actuated switch (602) for controlling an operating function of the electronic device (100).

Abstract: A belt clip assembly (10) comprises a hook shaped feature (18 and 20) having a void (17) and which appends from a housing (12), a latch member (14 and 15) pivotably retained within the void of the hook shaped feature, and a spring (30) for biasing a bottom portion (15 and 16) of the latch member in a closed position against the housing.

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 static protective housing includes a plastic housing having an outer wall and an interior. A metallic fastener extends into the housing from the outer wall. A static vault within the housing receives the metallic fastener for insulating the fastener from the housing interior. The static vault is provided with a well portion which receives the fastener and a cover which closes the well portion.