Mounting Or Suspension Means Patents (Class 181/171)
  • Patent number: 8081791
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a frame, a magnetic circuit supported by the frame, voice coil body provided movably in relation to a magnetic gap provided at the magnetic circuit, a diaphragm having an outer rim being joined via a first edge to the frame and an inner rim being joined to the voice coil body, and a damper located towards the magnetic circuit from the diaphragm. The damper has an inner rim joined to the voice coil body. The damper has an outer rim joined via a second edge to the frame. The second edge protrudes towards the diaphragm or in a direction opposite to the diaphragm. The damper includes a first protrusion protruding towards the diaphragm and a second protrusion protruding in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first protrusion protrudes. A protrusion out of the first and second protrusions is closest to the second edge among the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Funahashi
  • Patent number: 8045745
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a speaker apparatus includes: a voice coil bobbin; and a diaphragm that is vibrated by the voice coil bobbin, the diaphragm including an edge portion at an outer circumference of the diaphragm, the edge portion including at least two ridge portions protruding forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Horigome, Teruaki Kaiya, Yuichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8027503
    Abstract: A diaphragm of a speaker device, formed into an elongated configuration, has a recessed shape and includes a voice coil arrangement part extending in its longitude direction. The voice coil arrangement part has a gap with a constant width in its lateral direction and includes a voice coil supporting part for supporting a voice coil and an expanded part provided at a position along it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Konuma, Akihiko Furuto, Kunio Mitobe
  • Patent number: 7980355
    Abstract: There is provided an acoustic diaphragm used for a loudspeaker, having an injection-molded edge molded using a thermoplastic elastomer, in which the edge is formed using a workable polyolefinic elastomer, as a material, containing a soft segment having rubber particles of 1 ?m to 10 ?m in diameter uniformly dispersed therein, and a hard segment composed of an olefinic resin, and the edge is formed into a shape allowing the resin to be aligned as being not causative of anisotropy in the physical characteristics of the edge, as a result of thin-wall molding by the injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Tokura, Masaru Uryu, Toru Takebe
  • Patent number: 7971337
    Abstract: The production of a hearing aid device can be simplified by the use of a microphone module with a plurality of microphones. To attach and electrically contact the microphones, the invention provides a microphone carrier with three-dimensionally directed conductor traces in MID technology. In a complicated microphone arrangement with a plurality of microphones, a single microphone module can thereby be used on which all microphones of the hearing aid device are attached and electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Kral, Joseph Sauer, Markus Trautner
  • Patent number: 7954215
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acceleration sensing unit includes: providing an element support substrate in which a plurality of element supporting members is arranged so as to form a plane, each of the element supporting members being coupled to the other element supporting member through a supporting part and having a fixed part and a movable part that is supported by the fixed part through a beam, the beam having a flexibility with which the movable part is displaced along an acceleration detection axis direction when an acceleration is applied to the movable part; providing an stress sensing element substrate in which a plurality of stress sensing elements is arranged so as to form a plane, each of the stress sensing elements being coupled to the other stress sensing element through an element supporting part and having a stress sensing part and fixed ends that are formed so as to have a single body with the stress sensing part at both ends of the stress sensing part; disposing the stress sensing element
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Epson Toyocom Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikuni Saito
  • Patent number: 7940948
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a speaker frame having a peripheral flange defining a central axis and a plurality of studs extending from the peripheral flange parallel to the axis; and a carrier plate having an aperture through which at least one of: a portion of a speaker may extend or through which the speaker may direct acoustic energy, a plurality of receiving elements disposed about the aperture, each receiving element having at least one ramped surface extending generally tangentially with respect to a perimeter of the aperture and rising in a direction parallel to the central axis, wherein the studs engage and slide along the ramped surfaces when the speaker frame is coupled to the carrier plate and rotated to lock the speaker frame to the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James O. Campbell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7937829
    Abstract: The Med-ic™ Electronic Compliance Monitor (ECM) addresses the problem of patient non-compliance with prescribed medication. The Med-ic™ ECM provides precise information about the patient's use of blister-packaged medication in clinical research and general pharmacy settings. Using an on-board central processing unit (CPU), the Med-ic™ ECM records the time each tablet or capsule is expelled from the blister package, keeping a record for later analysis. At the time of refilling or follow-up visit, the information is downloaded to the research assistant's, physician's or pharmacist's computer where it can be displayed graphically. The data can be stored for later analysis. Production of a Med-ic™ ECM Tag involves numerous steps. These steps incorporate certain methods and technologies to accomplish their objective, the steps being detailed in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Intelligent Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Petersen, Allan Wilson, Mykola Sherstyuk
  • Patent number: 7931115
    Abstract: A surround for a diaphragm includes at least one rib section oriented to be extended during excursions of the diaphragm. The surround includes at least one membrane section supported by one or more rib sections contributing to a compliance characteristic different from the contribution of the one or more rib sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventor: Jason D. Silver
  • Patent number: 7926163
    Abstract: An oscillator device having an oscillating member, a resilient support and a supporting member is produced. The oscillating member is supported by the resilient support for oscillation about an oscillation axis. The oscillating member is formed with a movable element having protrusions for adjusting its mass, the protrusions extending from the movable element parallel to the oscillation axis and being formed in pairs disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the oscillation axis. A sectional area of each protrusion along a plane perpendicular to the oscillation axis is constant in the oscillation axis direction. A laser beam is projected to a cutting position of protrusions, so as to partly remove the protrusion. The protrusions are cut based on adjusting the cutting position. The sum of the lengths removed from the protrusions by the cutting becomes equal to a predetermined length to thereby adjust an inertia moment of the oscillating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahisa Kato, Yukio Furukawa, Takahiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7905006
    Abstract: Provided is a faceplate for an In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aid and a method of manufacturing a faceplate for an In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing aid in which the faceplate can be manufactured in a compact size, using a foldable flexible printed circuit board (PCB), while maintaining the quality, enabling mass-production, and reducing the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Inventor: You Jung Kwon
  • Patent number: 7895727
    Abstract: In an electroacoustic transducer (21) with a stationary transducer part (23) and with a membrane configuration (17) comprising a membrane (15) and a handling ring (1) for the membrane (15) connected with the membrane (15), the membrane configuration (17) is connected with the stationary transducer part (23) via the handling ring (1), and the handling ring (1) and membrane (15) are connected together via an interlocking connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Ewald Frasl
  • Publication number: 20110026759
    Abstract: Ring-shaped membrane for an electro-acoustical loudspeaker, where said membrane comprises two or more dome-shaped annulus concentrically arranged around a central portion through which an imaginary axis of symmetry passes, where an outer periphery of said membrane is suitable to be attached to a surround; where the central portion is attached to a tower, which again is fastened to the loudspeakers driver, wherein the angle between a plane being perpendicular to the axis of symmetry and the attachment of the membrane to the surround resp. the tower is in the interval 0° to 40°, most preferred around 30°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Lars Goller
  • Patent number: 7877855
    Abstract: A method for forming a vertical coupling structure for non-adjacent resonators is provided to have a first and a second resonators, a dielectric material layer, a first and a second high-frequency transmission lines and at least one via pole. The first and the second resonators respectively have a first and a second opposite metal surfaces. The dielectric material layer is disposed between the opposite second metal surfaces of the first and the second resonators. The first and the second transmission lines are respectively arranged at sides of the first metal surfaces of the first resonator and the second resonator. The first high-frequency transmission line is vertically connected to the second high-frequency transmission line by the via pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chia-Cheng Chuang, Ruey-Beei Wu, Tze-Min Shen
  • Patent number: 7877856
    Abstract: An edge (29) for supporting a diaphragm assembly (100) with respect to a frame (26) is bonded to the frame (26) along the outer periphery thereof and joined to a diaphragm (27) in a position more peripherally inward than a voice coil (28) along the inner periphery thereof. The edge (29) partly overlaps diaphragm (27). This structure allows downsizing of the speaker, without reducing the sizes of a permanent magnet (21) and the edge (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Fukuyama, Tomoyasu Takase, Koji Sano, Hiroshi Yano, Masanori Nakano, Shigeru Tomoeda, Kazuki Honda, Kazuya Yamasaki, Kazutaka Kubo, Takeshi Shimokawatoko, Mitsutaka Enomoto, Masahide Sumiyama
  • Patent number: 7839052
    Abstract: A sensing membrane applied to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes a body, a stress releasing structure and a connecting portion. The stress releasing structure for releasing a membrane residual stress surrounds the body. The stress releasing structure has several first perforations and several second perforations. The first perforations are located between the body and the second perforations. The connecting portion connects the stress releasing structure and a substrate of the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Wu, Jien-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7798284
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes an electro-optical panel, a holding frame that holds the electro-optical panel, and a sound-production frame that is attached to the holding frame, constitutes a sound-production air space at the rear of the holding frame, and holds a sound-production unit. The holding frame is provided with an internal sound-guiding path that is connected to the inside of the sound-production air space and opens to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Wada
  • Patent number: 7793404
    Abstract: A resonant-oscillating-device fabrication method for integrally forming a structure comprising a support, a beam vibratably extending from the support, and an oscillating element which is supported by the beam so as to oscillate in resonance with the vibration of the beam at a desired resonant frequency, by using a substrate. The resonant-oscillating-device fabrication method having a thickness measurement step of measuring the thickness of the substrate, an etching condition determination step of determining conditions of etching a portion forming the beam in the substrate to provide the desired resonant frequency, in accordance with the thickness of the substrate measured in the thickness measurement step, and an etching step of etching the substrate in accordance with the etching conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Murakami, Nobuaki Asai
  • Patent number: 7699139
    Abstract: A surround for supporting a diaphragm used to create acoustic waves includes a rib section extending away from the diaphragm and a membrane section that is supported by the rib section. The membrane section has a thickness in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the membrane section which is substantially thinner than a thickness of the rib section in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the rib section. A restoring force returning the diaphragm to a home position is contributed to more due to deformation of the rib section than to deformation of the membrane section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: K. Venkat Subramaniam, Zhen Xu, Robert Preston Parker, Jason D. Silver
  • Patent number: 7669310
    Abstract: An acoustic mirror of alternately arranged layers of high and low acoustic impedances is manufactured in that a basic material having a first layer of the layer sequence is initially provided, on which a second layer of the layer sequence is created on the first layer such that the second layer of the layer sequence partially covers the first layer. Subsequently, a planarization layer is applied onto the layer sequence, and the planarization layer is removed in an area which in the common layer plane projects laterally beyond the second layer so as to result in a residual planarization layer. Finally, a termination layer is applied onto the layer sequence and the residual planarization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gernot Fattinger
  • Patent number: 7647688
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a low frequency quartz resonator includes metalizing a top-side of a quartz wafer with a metal etch stop, depositing a first metal layer over the metal etch stop, patterning the first metal layer to form a top electrode, bonding the quartz wafer to a silicon handle, thinning the quartz wafer to a desired thickness, depositing on a bottom-side of the quartz wafer a hard etch mask, etching the quartz wafer to form a quartz area for the resonator and to form a via through the quartz wafer, removing the hard etch mask without removing the metal etch stop, forming on the bottom side of the quartz wafer a bottom electrode for the low frequency quartz resonator, depositing metal for a substrate bond pad onto a host substrate wafer, bonding the quartz resonator to the substrate bond pad, and removing the silicon handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Chang, Randall L. Kubena, Frederic P. Stratton, Pamela R. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7643647
    Abstract: A speaker support system is adapted for use in a suspended ceiling with grid openings and ceiling panels. The system has a speaker support base capable of supporting at least one speaker within a ceiling opening without interfering with the operation of the speaker. A guide flange is integral to the speaker support base and is adapted to align at least a portion of a ceiling tile within the grid opening. A support flange having an offset at each end is integral to the system, connected to the guide flange, and supports at least a portion of the ceiling tile within the ceiling grid opening so that the opening is filled with the speaker support base and the remaining portion of the opening is filled with ceiling tile. The base and guide flange are formed from a single piece of material, which is perforated substantially to at least some of the edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lowell Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wilhelm R. Lowell, Jeffrey R. Garstick, Carey C. Porter, Daryl Schoolfield
  • Patent number: 7591344
    Abstract: There is provided: a lightweight peripheral component for audio equipment having a good balance between a large internal loss and excellent mechanical properties, and having excellent thermal resistance, dimensional stability, and an excellent S/N ratio; and a speaker using the same. The peripheral component for audio equipment of the present invention contains a polyphenylene ether-based resin (A), a polystyrene-based resin (B), and a polyolefin-based resin (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujitani
  • Patent number: 7568552
    Abstract: An acoustic passive radiator that controls “rocking mode” vibration. An acoustic passive radiator includes a diaphragm for radiating acoustic energy. The diaphragm has a perimeter portion and a central portion. The perimeter portion is thicker than the central portion. The passive radiator further includes a passive radiator suspension. The suspension includes a skin element encasing the diaphragm. The skin element comprises a surround for physically coupling the passive radiator to an acoustic enclosure, pneumatically sealing the diaphragm and the enclosure. The surround has a non-uniform width. The passive radiator a non-pneumatically sealing, non-surround, non-spider suspension element. The non-surround suspension element and the surround coact to control the motion of the diaphragm and to support the weight of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Roman Litovsky, Jingyi Liu, Roger Mark, Nachiketa Tiwari
  • Patent number: 7565949
    Abstract: An image display module include a flat panel display, a sound source element disposed on a rear surface side opposite to a display observation side of the panel display, and a sound leading path through which a sound wave generated from the sound source element is led to the display observation side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Tojo
  • Patent number: 7558399
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a vibrating plate of a dynamic microphone and a method of manufacturing the vibrating plate. The vibrating plate includes a center dome and a sub-dome which includes a damping thin film having stable quality. Referring to FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akino
  • Patent number: 7548632
    Abstract: An edge (29) for supporting a diaphragm assembly (100) with respect to a frame (26) is bonded to the frame (26) along the outer periphery thereof and joined to a diaphragm (27) in a position more peripherally inward than a voice coil (28) along the inner periphery thereof. The edge (29) partly overlaps diaphragm (27). This structure allows downsizing of the speaker, without reducing the sizes of a permanent magnet (21) and the edge (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Fukuyama, Tomoyasu Takase, Koji Sano, Hiroshi Yano, Masanori Nakano, Shigeru Tomoeda, Kazuki Honda, Kazuya Yamasaki, Kazutaka Kubo, Takeshi Shimokawatoko, Mitsutaka Enomoto, Masahide Sumiyama
  • Publication number: 20090139794
    Abstract: A surround for a diaphragm includes at least one rib section oriented to be extended during excursions of the diaphragm. The surround includes at least one membrane section supported by one or more rib sections contributing to a compliance characteristic different from the contribution of the one or more rib sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Jason D. Silver
  • Patent number: 7510047
    Abstract: A complex speaker edge and asymmetric resonator panel in which the acoustic vibration damping capacity of the speaker edge varies longitudinally around the speaker edge. The resonator panel has an aspect ratio of approximately 1.3:1 or more, and is composed of top and bottom panels held in spaced apart relationship by a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs extending therebetween. The ribs extend at an angle of from approximately 5 to 35 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the panel. The angle is acoustically matched to the complex speaker edge to improve the accuracy with which said acoustic vibration is reproduced. The effectiveness of the differential damping capacity of the edge in improving the quality of sound output from a speaker assembly is determined by observing the average magnitude of the excursions of the sound level pressure versus frequency curves for comparable complex and single speaker edges, particularly in the 200 to 10,000 Hertz range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Keiko Muto, Mayuki Yanagawa
  • Publication number: 20090026007
    Abstract: A large-excursion loudspeaker (20) comprising an acoustic member (10) and a drive unit (21). The acoustic member is intended for operation in piston mode and provided with a plate-like body (1). The drive unit is meant for translating the acoustic member along a translation axis (x) which is oriented substantially perpendicular to a main face of the plate like body. The acoustic member is suspended from a frame (23) by an arrangement of two flexible suspensions (25, 27) which are arranged at an axial distance from each other, seen along said translation axis. For manufacturing reasons the plate-like body comprises a structure of lips (3). The lips substantially extend perpendicular to said main face and are integral portions of the plate-like body. One of the suspensions is a spider-suspension (27) which is attached to the structure of lips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: David Magda Eddy Corynen
  • Publication number: 20080296086
    Abstract: A surround for supporting a diaphragm used to create acoustic waves includes a rib section extending away from the diaphragm and a membrane section that is supported by the rib section. The membrane section has a thickness in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the membrane section which is substantially thinner than a thickness of the rib section in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the rib section. A restoring force returning the diaphragm to a home position is contributed to more due to deformation of the rib section than to deformation of the membrane section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: K. Venkat Subramaniam, Zhen Xu, Robert Preston Parker, Jason D. Silver
  • Publication number: 20080277197
    Abstract: A diaphragm structure (10) includes an oscillating diaphragm (11) and a strengthening member (13) superposed on and surrounding a periphery of the oscillating diaphragm. The strengthening member is hot-pressed on the periphery of the oscillating diaphragm. The strengthening member has a higher melting temperature than that of the oscillating diaphragm, and the strengthening member and the oscillating diaphragm are cooled after they are heat-pressed in a mold to thereby obtain residual stress in the oscillating diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: TSUNG-LUNG YANG, HSIEN-SHENG PEI, SHENG-KAI HSU, KUEN-YING OU
  • Patent number: 7438155
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided, including a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brendon Stead, Clayton Williamson, Mark Trainer
  • Patent number: 7428946
    Abstract: A suspension with a plurality of roll sections each of which has a semi-cylindrical shape from a cross-section view. The roll sections are disposed side by side based on a straight line connecting two points on an inner periphery or an outer periphery. The roll sections form a closed loop in a manner that a roll section of the roll sections being disposed first adjoins a roll section of the roll sections being disposed last. Adjacent roll sections are coupled with each other through a boundary section forming a continuous three dimensional curved surface. A linearity of compliance improves, and generation of distortion or rolling is restricted using the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Honda, Koji Sano, Tatsuya Omori
  • Patent number: 7418107
    Abstract: A loudspeaker including a frame, a movable diaphragm that oscillates, and a suspension for mounting the diaphragm to the frame, where the suspension comprises a flexible surround having a substantially enclosed space where at least a portion of the flexible surround is air permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Gilles Milot, Francois Malbos
  • Patent number: 7377358
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a vibration system having a frame and a magnetic circuit. The frame has a magnetic circuit housing unit, an outer peripheral portion having an annular shape arranged on the outer side thereof, and multiple arm parts connecting the magnetic circuit housing unit and outer peripheral portion. Plural flat surfaces to which a cushion is attached are formed on an upper surface of the outer peripheral portion and a lower surface thereof. Each of the flat surfaces on the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion and each of the flat surfaces on the lower surfaces are connected by a corresponding connecting part. The plural flat surfaces to which the cushion member is attached are formed between the outer peripheral wall of the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral wall thereof, rather than the outer side of the outer peripheral wall of the outer peripheral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Sasaki, Yutaka Moriyama
  • Patent number: 7364009
    Abstract: A loudspeaker mounting frame (1) for an electronic appliance has a central opening for receiving a loudspeaker membrane (24), and a plurality of through holes (11) surrounding said central opening for receiving fixing means (25). The through holes (11) are tapered so as to accommodate the fixing means (25) in varying orientations. Spherical bosses (6) surrounding said through holes (11) are formed at a rear side (5) of the mounting frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Cornelius Sperle, Patrice Fremanteau, Gilles Bourgoin
  • Patent number: 7357218
    Abstract: A speaker device includes a magnetic circuit system and a vibration system including a frame. The frame has a magnetic circuit housing unit housing the magnetic circuit, an outer peripheral portion arranged on an outer side thereof and having an annular shape, and plural arm parts connecting the magnetic circuit housing unit and the outer peripheral portion. A damper mounting part on which an outer peripheral portion of a damper is mounted is formed at the outer peripheral portion of the magnetic circuit housing unit. A rib upwardly standing is provided at the outer peripheral portion of an upper surface of the damper mounting part. The height of the vicinity of the connecting part between the rib and the arm part is set larger than the height of the rib corresponding to an area other than the vicinity, and thus the height of the rib is partly different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7318496
    Abstract: Several different acoustic radiator designs improve performance over the prior art while providing a larger baffle (cone), a lesser volume of air displaced than by the smaller prior art speaker design, while maintaining the same enclosure mouth diameter and allowing the use of a shallower enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Y. Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 7319772
    Abstract: A speaker device for improving mid/high-range frequencies includes a magnetic base, a frame annularly mounted to the magnetic base, a cone mounted to an inner side of the frame, a voice coil mounted to the cone and suspended in a gap of the magnetic base, and a deadening phase plug mounted on a central portion of the magnetic base. The magnetic base includes a T-iron, a magnet, and a pole plate. The deadening phase plug is made of a sound-absorbing material for absorbing and eliminating sound waves generated by the voice coil and the cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: George Chang
  • Patent number: 7316289
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer includes a tone generator, a vibrator, and a case. The tone generator includes a diaphragm, and a voice coil joined to the diaphragm. The vibrator includes a magnetic circuit having a magnetic gap at which the voice coil is positioned, and a suspension made of metal and having a first end joined to the magnetic circuit to suspend the magnetic circuit for allowing the magnetic circuit to vibrate. The case is joined to a periphery of the diaphragm, and includes a metal plate joined to a second end of the suspension. The metal plate is joined to the suspensions reliably, hence allowing the electro-acoustic transducer to be manufactured stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ajiki, Kimihiro Ando, Masashi Kawabe
  • Patent number: 7281311
    Abstract: A transfer resistant RFID tag preferably includes an identification chip, a tag coil, a housing and a cap. The identification chip is electrically connected to the tag coil with two wires. A first quantity of bonding compound is applied to a surface that is slightly greater than a surface area of the identification chip. A second quantity of bonding compound is applied to the surface that is slightly greater than the end surface area of the housing. One end of the housing is attached to the second quantity of bonding compound. Then the identification chip is attached to the first quantity of bonding compound. The cap is snapped over the tag coil and the other end of the housing. If someone tries to transfer the RFID tag from one surface to another, the two wires or the identification chip will be destroyed during removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Diyar United Company
    Inventor: Hatem Sadek
  • Patent number: 7275620
    Abstract: A square speaker is disclosed having a novel surround with a novel rounded corner design and with a magnet assembly and former sized, shaped, and arranged to exploit the increased excursions enabled by the novel surround. The arcuate portion of the rounded corner features smoothed trapezoidal circumferential undulations of the radially outer portion and an extension pad forms the arcuate portion of the radially inner portion of the rounded corner. An apex groove separates the inner portion from the outer portion. Tapered protrusions of the outer portion flank the smoothed trapezoidal circumferential undulations. The rounded corner is bounded by edges making angles of between 20 degrees and 40 degrees (preferably about 35 degrees) with straight sides of the square surround. Most of the outer perimeter of the entire inner flange adjoins the inner portions of the rounded corners. Significant increases in volume displacement per speaker size are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitek Corp., Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Michael Diedrich, Chad A. Kautz, Daniel Frank Roemer
  • Patent number: 7237315
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a quartz nanoresonator which can be integrated on a substrate, along with other electronics is disclosed. In this method a quartz substrate is bonded to a base substrate. The quartz substrate is metallized so that a bias voltage is applied to the resonator, thereby causing the quartz substrate to resonate at resonant frequency greater than 100 MHz. The quartz substrate can then be used to drive other electrical elements with a frequency equal to its resonant frequency. The quartz substrate also contains tuning pads to adjust the resonant frequency of the resonator. Additionally, a method for accurately thinning a quartz substrate of the resonator is provided. The method allows the thickness of the quartz substrate to be monitored while the quartz substrate is simultaneously thinned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Randall L. Kubena, David T. Chang, Jinsoo Kim
  • 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: 7219873
    Abstract: A support base for supporting a structural pole is provided. The support base includes a frame having an internal cavity for housing hardware, such as a speaker assembly, that is associated with the corresponding structural pole. The frame is generally open laterally thereabout for permitting access to the internal cavity. A footing region of the support base secures the frame to an underlying support surface and a platform atop the frame receives the structural pole thereon. The frame is sized to receive an ornamental protective cover thereabout for enhancing the aesthetic perspective of the base and for protecting the hardware within the frame internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald Paul Harwood
  • Patent number: 7219763
    Abstract: A microphone assembly fitted to a panel of a vehicle-mounted control module, provided with a housing for housing a microphone and having an opening section on a surface facing the panel, and a holding case for holding the housing so as to be capable of pivoting, and when inserted into a receptacle provided in the panel the housing pivots so as to seal the opening section to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Mizoguchi, Yoshitaka Uchida
  • Patent number: 7204009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor electret condenser microphone capable of being reduced in size and including an acoustic sensor 100 and a case 200 for accommodating the acoustic sensor 100, the acoustic sensor 100 has a semiconductor chip 110 forming necessary electronic circuits 111A to 111C, and opening a through hole 112 away from the electronic circuits 111A to 111C, an electrode layer 120 formed on the surface of the semiconductor chip 110 away from the through hole 112, an electret member 130 laminated away from part of the electrode layer 120 and through hole 112, and a diaphragm 140 provided with a spacing 160 to the electret member 130, in which the electrode layer 120 exposed from the electret member 130 is connected to the electrode 111a of the electronic circuit 111A through the case 200 (FIG. 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hosiden Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kawamura, Yoshiaki Ohbayashi, Mamoru Yasuda
  • 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: 7174990
    Abstract: The invention is a suspension element having an outer edge and an inner edge. The suspension element, such as a spider or surround, varies in shape along at least a portion of the suspension element to help relieve both the radial and tangential stress placed on the suspension element when it is stretched. The shape employed in the suspension element allows the suspension element to stretch more easily, creating a higher performance speaker of the same size by increasing the diaphragm excursion and voice coil movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brendon Stead, Clayton Williamson, Mark Trainer