Three Diaphragms Patents (Class 181/147)
  • Patent number: 11683635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loudspeaker array comprising: a high frequency driver and a midrange driver forming a unitary assembly and configured to direct acoustic waves towards a listener in front of the loudspeaker array along an axis in a forward direction; at least one low frequency driver located generally rearwardly of the unitary assembly, and a woofer volume extending along and perpendicular to the axis between the at least one low frequency driver and the unitary assembly, in which the rear of the unitary assembly is configured and acoustically open so as to allow sound from the rear of the midrange driver to radiate rearwardly into the woofer volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GP ACOUSTICS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Sebastien Degraeve
  • Patent number: 11445302
    Abstract: Electronics devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a first loudspeaker and a second loudspeaker disposed in a housing. The housing may define a first internal volume between a first end of the housing and a backside of the first loudspeaker. The housing may define a second internal volume between a second end of the housing and a backside of the second loudspeaker. The first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker may be positioned within the housing so a front side of the first loudspeaker faces a front side of the second loudspeaker. A duct may be defined by the housing, which may access the first internal volume at a first end and may access the second internal volume at a second end. The electronic device may also include a processor configured to deliver signals to the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Nussbaum, Jason C. Della Rosa, Glenn K. Trainer
  • Patent number: 11336992
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a two-way loudspeaker design that forces a condensed geometry between low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) drivers and then “floats” a midrange waveguide in front of the LF driver. This is a hybrid design meant to benefit from the close proximity of acoustic centers without introducing a central axis obstruction for the LF driver. In addition, the LF and HF waveguides and associated acoustic elements are used to redirect very low frequency energy not supported adequately by the LF waveguide to exit freely using other paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Wayne Peace, Derrick Rodgers
  • Patent number: 11122348
    Abstract: An omni, bollard speaker has circular, cylindrical lower and upper housings. A domed driver is mounted within the top wall of the lower housing and a speaker is rotatably mounted in the internal space in the upper housing, between the top wall of the lower housing and the speaker cover of the upper housing. The speaker is rotatable from a first horizontal position directly over the domed driver to reflect wide dispersion acoustical output directly over the driver to disburse sound evenly within the listening area. The speaker can be quickly rotated downward and converted from this down-firing omni reflecting position to a side firing position or an up-and-out, direct radiating position. Thus, the same speaker serves many different sound coverage applications and can be customized on site for best use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: COASTAL SOURCE, LLC
    Inventors: Franco L. D'Ascanio, Nicholas A D'Ascanio, Sean P Snowden
  • Patent number: 11064308
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to upward-firing speakers that reflect sound off a ceiling to a listening location at a distance from a speaker. The reflected sound provides height cues to reproduce audio objects that have overhead audio components. A virtual height filter based on a directional hearing model is applied to the upward-firing driver signal to improve the perception of height for audio signals transmitted by the virtual height speaker to provide optimum reproduction of the overhead reflected sound. The upward firing driver is tilted at an inclination angle of approximately 20 degrees to the horizontal axis of the speaker and separate height and direct terminal connections are provided to interface to an adaptive audio rendering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt, C. Phillip Brown
  • Patent number: 10993018
    Abstract: Generation of a secondary sound source is inhibited, and a sound quality is improved. Included are a support fixed to a mount base, a speaker unit including a portion to be fixed, and a base casing holding the speaker unit, and the speaker unit is fixed to the support and the base casing with the portion to be fixed being sandwiched between the support and the base casing. With this configuration, the speaker unit will be held stably, a great oscillation from a diaphragm of the speaker unit is less transmitted to the parts other than the diaphragm of the speaker unit, to the member holding the speaker unit, or the like. Generation of a secondary sound source is inhibited, and a sound quality can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Kikuchi, Yohei Fukuma, Nobukazu Suzuki, Kazuhiro Matsutani, Yoshio Ohashi, Yasuo Kawabata
  • Patent number: 10771897
    Abstract: A system for enhancing sound includes a structure defining a first portion of an oblong enclosure that forms an approximated double ellipse profile and positioned between a first area proximate a first speaker driver and a second area proximate the listener, the first portion of the oblong enclosure forming a first part of the approximated double ellipse profile; and a second portion of the oblong enclosure that forms the approximated double ellipse profile and positioned between a third area proximate a second speaker driver and a fourth area proximate the listener, the second portion of the oblong enclosure forming a second part of the approximated double ellipse profile. The first portion and the second portion are shaped such that sound emitted from the first speaker driver and the second speaker driver is reflected and focused toward the listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventor: Richard O'Polka
  • Patent number: 10708683
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided herein that includes a frame at least partially encompassing a diaphragm of a first transducer. A bridge is operably coupled with the frame. The bridge includes a support section and a pair of arms extending therefrom, the support section including a rim portion. A second transducer is supported by the bridge and at least partially disposed within the rim portion. A first sound altering feature is disposed on a first side of the second transducer. An asymmetrical second sound altering feature is disposed on a second opposing side of the second transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: KLIPSCH GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Riccardo Balistreri
  • Patent number: 10701487
    Abstract: Crossover networks modified to render audible colorations or frequency/phase emphases observed in some crossover networks of the prior art. Circuit topologies of prior art crossover networks are modified such that an additional pole appears in the transfer functions of one or more low-frequency pass crossover filters. In addition, the characteristic input impedance of one branch of the modified crossover network is reduced, typically to a value of approximately one-half the design characteristic impedance of the unmodified crossover networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Modafferi
  • Patent number: 10694279
    Abstract: A loudspeaker can include first and second drivers. The first driver can include a cone that has a center region, a peripheral region surrounding the center region, and a boundary connecting the center region and the peripheral region. A bridge can position the second driver coaxial with and proximal to the first driver. The center region of the cone can be recessed to allow a lower profile of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Benny Danovi
  • Patent number: 10506359
    Abstract: A sound system comprising: a body (4) with several substantially vertical panels; at least two sound emitting elements (10, 12) mounted on the body; and an electronic circuit providing drive signals to the sound emitting elements; wherein said at least two sound emitting elements (10, 12) are mounted on said substantially vertical panels and are oriented along two different directions (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Naxos Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Hartmut Esslinger
  • Patent number: 10484787
    Abstract: A loudspeaker apparatus includes at least three speaker units, and a space defining part defining at least two sealed spaces. Each of the speaker units has a diaphragm having two surfaces, and a driver unit for inputting an electrical signal and driving the diaphragm. Each of the sealed spaces has at least two boundary diaphragms. Each of the boundary diaphragms is one of the diaphragms, disposed so that a first one of the surfaces faces inside the sealed space and a second one of the surfaces faces outside the sealed space. When at least one of the boundary diaphragms is driven outward from the sealed space, at least one of the other boundary diaphragms is driven inward to the sealed space. The boundary diaphragms driven outward and the boundary diaphragms driven inward are the same in number, and thereby a volume of the sealed space is kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ZORZO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teppei Yamada
  • Patent number: 10455317
    Abstract: A system and method for a hybrid ring-radiator headphone driver, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventor: David Zepp
  • Patent number: 10440478
    Abstract: A tablet woofer and an electronic device using same. The woofer comprises a vibrating diaphragm, at least four mutually independent drive units (5), and a housing (3). The vibrating diaphragm is a rectangle shape, and comprises a rigid arc portion (1) at the central position and a spiral curve portion (2) at the periphery; the drive unit (5) comprises a voice coil unit and a corresponding magnetic circuit unit, and four angles of the arc portion (1) of the vibrating diaphragm are each combined with one voice coil unit; the housing (3) is provided with mounting holes (4) for accommodating and mounting the drive units (5), and sound holes penetrating through the mounting plane; the spiral curve portion (2) of the vibrating diaphragm is fixedly connected to the periphery of the upper side of the housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Goertek Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Jiang, Jianbin Yang, Zhi Li, Qijin Jiao
  • Patent number: 10375508
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to upward-firing speakers that reflect sound off a ceiling to a listening location at a distance from a speaker. The reflected sound provides height cues to reproduce audio objects that have overhead audio components. A virtual height filter based on a directional hearing model is applied to the upward-firing driver signal to improve the perception of height for audio signals transmitted by the virtual height speaker to provide optimum reproduction of the overhead reflected sound. The upward firing driver is tilted at an inclination angle of approximately 20 degrees to the horizontal axis of the speaker and separate height and direct terminal connections are provided to interface to an adaptive audio rendering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt, C. Phillip Brown
  • Patent number: 10362386
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loudspeaker enclosure housing a sealed acoustic suspension chamber. In the sealed acoustic suspension chamber are arranged a driver and a passive acoustic diaphragm on opposite sides of an inner surface of the sealed acoustic suspension chamber. The loudspeaker enclosure also houses a first band-pass chamber connected to the sealed acoustic suspension chamber by the passive acoustic diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Keyofd Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Rohan Jaguste
  • Patent number: 10321211
    Abstract: A speaker system is disclosed for providing customised acoustical wavefronts with vertical and horizontal pattern control and amplitude and phase control. The system including a speaker housing (1) having therein at least a first array (2) of high frequency driver segments (3) and at least a secondary array (4) of low frequency driver segments (5) disposed behind said first array (2), said first array having sufficient space between said driver segments (3) to allow acoustic transparency whereby a wavefront from said secondary array (4) can substantially pass through said first array (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventors: David Curtinsmith, Paul Anthony Childs, Erin Curtinsmith
  • Patent number: 10291990
    Abstract: A unibody piston and former for a speaker. The unibody piston and former including a piston having a sound radiating portion and a transition portion radially outward to the sound radiating portion, the sound radiating portion and the transition portion having a first interior angle that is less than one-hundred and eighty degrees. The unibody piston and former further including a former extending from the transition portion, the former and the transition portion forming a second interior angle, and the former and the piston are a unibody structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander V. Salvatti, Matthew A. Donarski, Paulina Mustafa
  • Patent number: 10158938
    Abstract: A horn speaker improves ambience and sound quality by minimizing the transmission of sound diffusion and noise while maximizing the transmission of source sound generated by a speaker unit. The sound emitted by the speaker unit is collected in a seating groove and discharged through a discharge outlet of the horn speaker by integrally forming a plurality of horns in primary and secondary cases of the horn speaker enclosure. A simplified structure reduces the size of the horn speaker and difficulty associated with its assembly. The reproduction band of sound can be extended by forming a horn in a duct structure and adding sound pressure by combining it with sound emitted from the resonance of the duct in forward and backward directions. The amplitude of the resonance point is reduced in the same band and consequently advantageously reduces distortion of the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignees: Electronic Controls Company, Sung Ju Sound Corp.
    Inventors: Dong Uk Jang, Brian Olsen
  • Patent number: 10051362
    Abstract: A loudspeaker device is provided, including a first speaker module, a second speaker module, and a third speaker module. The first speaker module includes first, second, third, fourth, and fifth speaker units facing different directions. The second speaker module includes a sixth speaker unit, and the third speaker module includes a seventh speaker unit. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh speaker units are arranged along a central axis of the loudspeaker device, and the output sound frequencies of the first, second, and third speaker units are less than those of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh speaker units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Leslie C. Koo
  • Patent number: 10015584
    Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to a shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and describe may be placed on reflective surfaces without sever audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Simon K. Porter, Suzanne Hardy, John H. Sheerin
  • Patent number: 9930444
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to speakers and more specifically to an array speaker for distributing music uniformly across a room. A number of audio drivers can be radially distributed within a speaker housing so that an output of the drivers is distributed evenly throughout the room. In some embodiments, the exit geometry of the audio drivers can be configured to bounce off a surface supporting the array speaker to improve the distribution of music throughout the room. The array speaker can include a number of vibration isolation elements distributed within a housing of the array speaker. The vibration isolation elements can be configured reduce the strength of forces generated by a subwoofer of the array speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Stanley, Simon K. Porter, John H. Sheerin, Glenn K. Trainer, Jason C. Della Rosa, Ethan L. Huwe, Sean T. McIntosh, Erik L. Wang, Christopher J. Stringer, Molly J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9913035
    Abstract: A speaker system may include a dome-shaped shell defining an internal cavity, a receiver configured to receive audio signals from a wireless-enabled device and positioned in the internal cavity, and a plurality of speakers positioned at least partially within the internal cavity and in audio communication with the receiver, wherein the wireless receiver and speakers are configured to project audio outward of the dome-shaped shell. At least some of the plurality of speakers are facing outward of the dome-shaped shell. Some of the plurality of speakers could also be downward facing. The shell can take the form of a sports helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Audio Icons, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Clark, Ted Mayer
  • Patent number: 9788121
    Abstract: A flat plate bass loudspeaker comprising a flat plate diaphragm, at least three driving units and a housing. The driving unit comprises a voice coil unit and a magnetic circuit unit; the voice coil units are dispersedly coupled to one side of the diaphragm near the housing; mounting holes for accommodating and fixing the magnetic circuit units, and voice outlet holes penetrating through the housing are arranged on the housing; the number and position of the mounting holes are corresponding to those of voice coils attached to the spherical top of the diaphragm; and ratio of the total area of the voice outlet holes to the orthographic projection area of the diaphragm on the housing is in a range less than 0.9. The flat plate bass loudspeaker provided by the present invention can avoid the problems occurred in thick and heavy voice coils and excessive magnet performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Chao Jiang, Jianbin Yang, Zhi Li, Qijin Jiao
  • Patent number: 9769572
    Abstract: A tablet woofer and an electronic device using same. The woofer comprises a vibrating diaphragm, at least four mutually independent drive units, and a housing. The vibrating diaphragm is a rectangle shape, and comprises a rigid arc portion at the central position and a spiral curve portion at the periphery; the drive unit comprises a voice coil unit and a corresponding magnetic circuit unit, and four angles of the arc portion of the vibrating diaphragm are each combined with one voice coil unit; the housing is provided with mounting holes for accommodating and mounting the drive units, and sound holes penetrating through the mounting plane; the spiral curve portion of the vibrating diaphragm is fixedly connected to the periphery of the upper side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Goertek Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Jiang, Jianbin Yang, Zhi Li, Qijin Jiao
  • Patent number: 9712917
    Abstract: A speaker system may include a dome-shaped shell defining an internal cavity, a receiver configured to receive audio signals from a wireless-enabled device and positioned in the internal cavity, and a plurality of speakers positioned at least partially within the internal cavity and in audio communication with the receiver, wherein the wireless receiver and speakers are configured to project audio outward of the dome-shaped shell. At least some of the plurality of speakers are facing outward of the dome-shaped shell, wherein the at least some of the plurality of speakers are at least partially upward and partially forward facing and configured to project audio outward of the dome-shaped shell in at least a partially forward direction. Some of the plurality of speakers could also be forward facing and downward facing. The shell can take the form of a sports helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Audio Icons, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Clark, Ted Mayer
  • Patent number: 9668059
    Abstract: This invention discloses a kind of modular speaker component. A characteristic is that it includes a fixed part. This fixed part has a thin-walled structure. An active loudspeaker unit and passive diaphragm units are installed on it. Another characteristic is that it includes a sealed connection part. This sealed connection part is fixed on the said fixed part and it has sealing material; the said sealed connection part aligns, connects and secures the said fixed part to the opening of a rigid container. This causes the said fixed part and the rigid container to jointly form an airtight resonant space. The fixed part integrates the active loudspeaker unit and passive diaphragm units on top and combines with the sealed connection part fixed on it to form overall a universal high sound quality module that is unaffected by the rigid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TGI Technology Private Limited
    Inventor: Shihuang Li
  • Patent number: 9432764
    Abstract: A loudspeaker and a method of operation which allow for the production and emphasis of extremely low bass tones. The loudspeaker generally is formed from a loudspeaker driver cone of conventional type which is placed in a very small enclosure with two waveguides attached thereto. A smaller balance waveguide is positioned forward of the face of the cone and a larger tuning waveguide is positioned to the side of the cone. The cross-sectional area of the aperture connections of both waveguides to the enclosure are small compared to the cross-sectional area of the loudspeaker driver cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: William Eugene Wheeler
  • Patent number: 8995695
    Abstract: A speaker system includes: a first speaker unit having a predetermined directivity angle in the horizontal direction; and a pair of second speaker units which are disposed opposite to each other with the first speaker unit sandwiched between them when viewed in the vertical direction and which have a directivity angle in the horizontal direction greater than the directivity angle of the first speaker unit, wherein distances from the center of the first speaker unit to the centers of the pair of second speaker units are equal to each other, and the first speaker unit and the pair of second speaker units are disposed so as to face toward the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Kazuko Yamagishi, Yoshiyuki Kaku, Yoshihiro Iwami, Shin Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8750540
    Abstract: An omnidirectional speaker having a high frequency driver, which generates sound over a high frequency range and which has a first diameter, and a high frequency waveguide having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. A first midrange driver and a second midrange driver have a third diameter and a fourth diameter, respectively. Each midrange driver generates sound over a middle frequency range and the first midrange driver faces the second midrange driver. First and second midrange waveguides have a fifth diameter and a sixth diameter, respectively, and correspond to the first and second midrange drivers, respectively. The fifth diameter is larger than the third diameter and the sixth diameter is larger than the fourth diameter. Both of the midrange frequency waveguides are positioned between the first midrange driver and the second midrange driver so as to block a direct path from the first midrange driver to the second midrange driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dream Audiolab Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kok Leong Tan
  • Patent number: 8515102
    Abstract: A line array speaker provides highly uniform frequency response throughout a wide listening field, while also reducing distortion and improving fidelity, clarity, and output level. In a symmetrical embodiment, central apertures are straddled by a sequential pairs of sets of apertures. The straddling pairs emit frequencies in the next lower frequency band relative to the frequency band of the immediately preceding frequency band apertures. In an asymmetrical embodiment, sequential frequency bands are emitted by adjacent sets of apertures rather than straddling pairs of sets of apertures. Each of the apertures may be a loudspeaker cone, one or more straight slots, one or more arbitrarily curved slots, one or more arbitrarily angled slots, one or more holes or the mouth of a horn. The speaker may have a front baffle which is a flat panel or multiple facets arranged in one or multiple recesses across a front of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Jon J. Waller
  • Patent number: 8511422
    Abstract: A flexible multiple speaker support apparatus is provided for supporting a plurality of speakers therein and includes a flexible, hollow speaker support unit which includes a plurality of open, sound emission channels. The speakers are housed within the flexible, hollow speaker support unit, and the speakers are placed in registration with the open, sound emission channels. With one embodiment of the invention, the flexible, hollow speaker support unit includes a flexible, tubular speaker support member, and the flexible, tubular speaker support member includes a plurality of the open, sound emission channels. The speakers are placed in registration with the open, sound emission channels. With another embodiment of the invention, a suspension bracket assembly is connected to the flexible, hollow speaker support unit for supporting the flexible, hollow speaker support unit in a desired orientation from a ceiling, wall or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Steven L. Adams
  • Patent number: 8284977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a multi-chamber ported stereo speaker is disclosed. The stereo speaker is a single unit with multi-chambers in an enclosure box. The multi chamber ported speaker comprises an enclosure housing a shared acoustic chamber having an external port for allowing air external of the enclosure box to flow into the shared acoustic chamber, and at least two additional chambers comprising a corresponding internal port in each additional chamber for forming an air pass from each additional chamber with the shared chamber, each additional chamber comprising a corresponding driver mounted through a wall of the chamber and enclosure box for forming the ported speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Kok Huan Ong
  • Patent number: 8229155
    Abstract: An improved audio speaker assembly is provided for directional adjustability of the woofer or driver. The assembly includes a housing comprising a baffle, a swivel, a swivel cup, and a retainer. The driver is mounted in the swivel. The swivel and swivel cup are mounted between the baffle and the retainer. The swivel is pivotal approximately 60° relative to the swivel cup, and is rotatable 360° relative to the baffle, thereby selectively positioning the driver in a desired direction. A pair of screws extend through the baffle and into the retainer, and can be tightened so as to lock or clamp the swivel and driver in the selected position, and preclude directional movement due to vibrations, temperature, and humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Three Amigos LLC
    Inventors: Ronald D. Maurer, Sean P. McDermott, Richard P. Apgar
  • Patent number: 8224001
    Abstract: A line array speaker provides highly uniform frequency response throughout a wide listening field, while also reducing distortion and improving fidelity, clarity, and output level. In a symmetrical embodiment, central apertures are straddled by a sequential pairs of sets of apertures. The straddling pairs emit frequencies in the next lower frequency band relative to the frequency band of the immediately preceding frequency band apertures. In an asymmetrical embodiment, sequential frequency bands are emitted by adjacent sets of apertures rather than straddling pairs of sets of apertures. Each of the apertures may be a loudspeaker cone, one or more straight slots, one or more arbitrarily curved slots, one or more arbitrarily angled slots, one or more holes or the mouth of a horn. The speaker may have a front baffle which is a flat panel or multiple facets arranged in one or multiple recesses across a front of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Jon J. Waller
  • Patent number: 8167083
    Abstract: A reconfigurable loudspeaker enclosure. A loudspeaker enclosure, includes a first section that includes a mounting location for an acoustic driver. The mounting location includes a first section mating surface and first section walls, a second section that includes an exit for an acoustic element from which acoustic energy can be radiated. The second section includes a second section mating surface and second section walls. The first section mating surface and the second section are rotatably coupled so that in a first configuration the first section walls and the second section walls are substantially continuous, and so that in a second configuration, the walls of the two sections are substantially non-continuous or perpendicular or both and so that in both the first configuration and the second configuration the two sections are coupled acoustically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Roman N. Litovsky, Chester Smith Williams
  • Patent number: 8144900
    Abstract: A speaker system which includes a housing and a linear array of a plurality of sound-generating transducers. A housing is in the form of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis and substantially circular cross-section. The linear array of sound-generating transducers are mounted upon a substantially planar chord configured within a sidewall of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: J. Craig Oxford, D. Michael Shields
  • Patent number: 8094860
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to stereo sound boxes, and more particularly to a sound box assembly containing micro stereo sound boxes joined magnetically together. The sound box assembly contains at least a pair of sound boxes with magnets of opposite polarities, respectively, so that the sound boxes could be magnetically attracted together for convenient transportation and then later could be easily detached for placing apart to achieve superior stereo sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Tian-Xu Huang
  • Patent number: 8050432
    Abstract: To conclude, in a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, the sound system comprises two loudspeakers (LA, LB) which mask their spectral signatures at the ear (C1) of the listener by positioning the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) such that their maxima of the polar radiation patterns have directions which at least differ 30 degrees, and which generate coherent sound in the direction of the listener. These two aspects together cause different gradients of the sound of the two loudspeakers (LA, LB) at the same ear (C1) of the listener, while the information which reaches the ear (C1) from the spatially shifted different loudspeakers (LA, LB) is still coherent and not blurred by diffusion. The loudspeakers LA, LB should be spaced apart to obtain sufficient different gradients of their sound at the same ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bloomline Acoustics B.V.
    Inventor: Leendert De Klerk
  • Patent number: 7886867
    Abstract: A flexible multiple speaker support apparatus is provided for supporting a plurality of speakers therein and includes a flexible, hollow speaker support unit which includes a plurality of open, sound emission channels. The speakers are housed within the flexible, hollow speaker support unit, and the speakers are placed in registration with the open, sound emission channels. With one embodiment of the invention, the flexible, hollow speaker support unit includes a flexible, tubular speaker support member, and the flexible, tubular speaker support member includes a plurality of the open, sound emission channels. The speakers are placed in registration with the open, sound emission channels. With another embodiment of the invention, a suspension bracket assembly is connected to the flexible, hollow speaker support unit for supporting the flexible, hollow speaker support unit in a desired orientation from a ceiling, wall or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Steven L. Adams
  • Patent number: 7577265
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a first, second and third sound radiators with the second sound radiator positioned medially between the first and third sound radiators. The radiators project first, second and third sound vectors respectively, with the second sound vector oriented vertically and the first and third sound vectors directed generally toward each other at angles above the horizontal so as to intersect at an inclusive angle between 90 and 170 degrees. Sound from the first and third radiators impinges on the second radiator so as to cause an echo effect improving sound spaciousness. The first and third radiators are placed at different angles relative to the listener and at different heights as well to improve time delays in the two radiated signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Ira Pazandeh
  • Patent number: 7553288
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pad and sound transmission system which is adapted to directly transmit audible sound waves into the body at high intensity levels. In one embodiment, the subject invention includes a back pad and a seat pad. Each pad includes a speaker module having an acoustic speaker disposed within the pad and surrounded by a plurality of different layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel E. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7418104
    Abstract: A speaker system having a first speaker, a second speaker, and a housing having a first mounting surface to which the first speaker is mounted and a second mounting surface to which the second speaker is mounted. The first mounting surface and the second mounting surface are substantially planar and abut one another to form an included angle of between 120 degrees and 140 degrees. By so arranging the mounting surfaces, the sound produced by each speaker is allowed to mix to provide a full sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Robert G. Spinale
  • Patent number: 7350618
    Abstract: A satellite speaker system includes a side firing low mid driver mounted in a sub-enclosure which is vented into a second sub-enclosure through an acoustic resistance vent and to a third sub-enclosure through a variable aperture second vent. The vents further serve as pivots to allow the side-firing speaker to be rotated through a predetermined range, simultaneously varying the aperture of the second vent. The pivots are isolated by o-rings to provide an airtight seal to the sub-enclosures, as well as to provide vibration control. Third, fourth and fifth resistively damped vents allow the first and second sub-enclosure to establish acoustic communication with the environment. The front firing driver/s that reproduces the mid and high frequencies are mounted in a fourth sub-enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Aik Hee Goh, Susimin Suprapmo, Kar Choon Ng
  • Patent number: 7333626
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for changing a coverage angle of sound produced from a loudspeaker system. The loudspeaker system includes an enclosure that projects sound at a predetermined angle. A sound integrator includes an inner surface positioned adjacent to a mid-range frequency sound source. An outer surface of the sound integrator includes a planar and a curved surface. The surfaces control the angle which sound radiates from the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott M. Opie, Mark E. Engebretson, Yoshiyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7225895
    Abstract: A speaker that is designed to substantially eliminate wobble of the voice coil during operation, and thus remove that source of distortion and early failure of the speaker. This is accomplished with the creation of triangular ring that extends upward from the top edge of the voice coil bobbin with that ring mating with a flat diaphragm at a right angle directly above the top edge of the bobbin. The outer edge of the diaphragm connects to the inner edge of the surround at the point where a sloping side of the “triangle” is also connected and slopes down to the top edge of the bobbin where the opposite end is connected. The outer portion of the diaphragm provides the third side of the triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 7185735
    Abstract: A speaker that is designed to substantially eliminate wobble of the voice coil during operation, and thus remove that source of distortion and early failure of the speaker. This is accomplished with the creation of triangular ring that extends upward from the top edge of the voice coil bobbin with that ring mating with a flat diaphragm at a right angle directly above the top edge of the bobbin. The outer edge of the diaphragm connects to the inner edge of the surround at the point where a sloping side of the “triangle” is also connected and slopes down to the top edge of the bobbin where the opposite end is connected. The outer portion of the diaphragm provides the third side of the triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 7134523
    Abstract: This invention provides a radiation boundary integrator (“RBI”) for integrating sound radiation from mid-range and high-frequency sources in multi-way loudspeakers. The RBI is a substantially solid boundary that is placed over the mid-range speakers to provide smooth, wave-guiding side walls to control the angular radiation of the high-frequency sound waves emanating from the high-frequency sound sources. To allow the mid-range frequency sound waves generated from mid-range sound sources to pass through the RBI, the RBI is designed with openings. To further prevent the possibility of having high-frequency sound radiate through the openings in the RBI, the RBI may be designed with porous material in the openings of the RBI. The porous material would be transparent to the mid-range sound radiation, but would prevent the high-frequency sound radiation from being disturbed by the openings in the RBI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark Engebretson
  • Publication number: 20020134613
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a first speaker; a second speaker; and a first spacer for separating the first speaker and the second speaker from each other so that the first speaker and the second speaker face each other. The first speaker and the second speaker are located so that opposing faces of the first speaker and the second speaker output sounds of an identical phase. The first speaker, the second speaker and the first spacer form a first sound path through which the sounds output from the opposing faces of the first speaker and the second speaker pass. The speaker system according to the present invention includes n number speakers and (n−1) number of spacers and can be arranged so that the opposing faces of even-numbered speakers and odd-numbered speakers output sounds of an identical phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogura, Kosaku Murata
  • Patent number: RE49437
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to speakers and more specifically to an array speaker for distributing music uniformly across a room. A number of audio drivers can be radially distributed within a speaker housing so that an output of the drivers is distributed evenly throughout the room. In some embodiments, the exit geometry of the audio drivers can be configured to bounce off a surface supporting the array speaker to improve the distribution of music throughout the room. The array speaker can include a number of vibration isolation elements distributed within a housing of the array speaker. The vibration isolation elements can be configured reduce the strength of forces generated by a subwoofer of the array speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Craig M. Stanley, Simon K. Porter, John H. Sheerin, Glenn K. Trainer, Jason C. Della Rosa, Ethan L. Huwe, Sean T. McIntosh, Erik L. Wang, Christopher J. Stringer, Molly J. Anderson