Mounting Or Suspension Means Patents (Class 181/171)
  • Patent number: 6655495
    Abstract: A damper 3A is provided with an inner peripheral waveform portion 11 and an outer peripheral waveform portion 12. A flat portion 10 is provided between the inner peripheral waveform portion 11 and the outer peripheral waveform portion 12. When the damper is used for a loudspeaker, the flat portion 10 does not elastically deform in a radial direction R, so that linearity of the damper 3A in a vibrating direction Z is ensured by elastic deformation of the waveform portions. In addition, a rolling phenomenon of a voice coil bobbin and a diaphragm can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsukazu Kuze, Hiroyuki Takewa, Kazue Satoh, Mikio Iwasa
  • Patent number: 6651772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a protector for a loudspeaker cone. The loudspeaker protector (25) comprises: a sheet of flexible material (26), the sheet being bounded by an edge (28); one or more mounting points (36) on the sheet (26), each mounting point (36) being adapted to receive a fixing member (38) through the sheet (26) and being positioned in a peripheral region (56) of the sheet (26); and one or more lines of weakness (50) in the sheet, the sheet (26) being thereby adapted to tear or break preferentially along the lines of weakness (50); in which the lines of weakness (50) separate the peripheral region (56) at each mounting point (36) from a central area (52) of the sheet (26), so that the central area (52) of the sheet may be torn from the peripheral regions (56) after the mounting points (36) have been held down by said fixing members (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timo Esser
  • Patent number: 6650759
    Abstract: A speaker includes a disk-shaped base. A substantially hemispherical surface vibrator is fitted into a substantially circular groove formed in the base to be bonded therein. Terminals are attached to electrodes located on both surfaces of the vibrator. The edge portion of the vibrator is bonded with a first adhesive, and further, its circumference is bonded with a second adhesive. The first adhesive has a sufficient bonding strength between the vibrator and the base. The second adhesive has a lower elastic modulus than the first adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakamura, Takayuki Kaneko, Yutaka Murai, Takao Mouri
  • Patent number: 6634456
    Abstract: A kind of vibrating diaphragm of false speaker structure which includes a center piece with integrated formation directly on a larger outer diameter surface layer body, a connected suspended edge provided at the side way of the surface layer body in circle, and the hardness of the center piece is greater than the surface layer body and a gap reserved at the separation of the formation of the surface layer body and the suspended edge; with this provision, it provides aesthetic and consistence in appearance to the vibrating diaphragm formation, and save the adhesion of the suspended edge and the center piece which reduce the process and lower cost and make the center piece embedded with the product firmly without loosen, meeting various test condition and prolong the service life of the structure in practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Peng
  • Publication number: 20030188919
    Abstract: A speaker's surround to be attached to an edge of a diaphragm in a speaker system is provided, which is capable of keeping its predetermined shape while repeating elastic deformation for accommodating large amplitude vibration of the diaphragm. Further, the surround is highly durable to withstand the repeated large amplitude vibration, and which can achieve high sound pressure levels. The surround for a speaker system includes a surround piece made of a rubber mold and a base member embedded in the surround piece. The base member is obtained by soaking a cloth material made of cotton or aramid fiber with a thermosetting resin such as phenol resin, and press-formed with heat into a predetermined shape. The surround thus has enhanced its shape maintaining capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation & Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Masatoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 6626263
    Abstract: A passive radiator and method is disclosed which improves frequency response linearity and greatly reduces the possibility that wobble of a passive radiator which will occur without the displacement limitations of a spider containing speaker structure. Two substantially flat surfaced speaker diaphragms are tied together and supported by two sets of surrounds oriented in opposite directions to reduce the non-linearity in the surround spring rate and improve low frequency sound generation. A vent (pressure relief) system is provided to improve the frequency response and range of motion of the passive speaker system. A progressive surround roll arrangement provides for improved sound quality by utilizing localized position based extension while maintaining the range of maximum travel during resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Publication number: 20030164262
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus includes an elliptical-shaped or a round-edged rectangular-shaped vibration plate; an edge damper portion disposed on an outer peripheral edge portion of the vibration plate; a recessed portion formed between said vibration plate and said edge damper portion, having a caliber of a shape corresponding to the shape of said vibration plate; and an air core voice coil fitted into an interior of said recessed portion. The speaker apparatus further includes a frame for mounting said edge damper portion to support said vibration plate, having a stepped portion and a vertical wall portion; and an edge damper frame arranged on an outer periphery of said edge damper portion, having a support portion placed on the stepped portion and a rising portion being in contact with the vertical wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanori Ito, Kunio Mitobe, Osamu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6612399
    Abstract: The invention described herein is a low-mass, light-weight sound generator with particularly good performance at mid and low audio frequencies. It is expected to find principal use in applications where mass is of crucial importance. It is capable of delivering the high acoustic levels, as required for sound generation or active sound control. The present invention uses a generally planar acoustic membrane as a diaphragm, the diaphragm being in tension and attached at its outer edge to a support frame which provides a soft boundary condition to the acoustic diaphram. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure is an inflatable toroidal tube of rubber or rubber-like material. A polymer membrane is attached to the support structure by heat sealing the membrane in place. A voltage is applied to a piezoelectric bender-type actuator, which imparts axial displacement to a region of the diaphragm, causing resonance of the diaphragm in the desired frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert D. Corsaro
  • Patent number: 6611604
    Abstract: An ultra low frequency transducer or subwoofer for automotive speaker systems with a rectangular or square, concave diaphragm. The square periphery preferably is sized to be substantially coextensive with the front of the speaker housing or cabinet. In this way, air displacement in the subwoofer is maximized for a given size of enclosure, and thus so is the loudness of the speaker. The transducer typically includes a frame or basket with a square front for supporting the periphery of the diaphragm. The preferred diaphragm includes a convex surround with pleated corners. For increased durability, trusses are formed in the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Stillwater Designs & Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Irby, William O. Doering
  • Patent number: 6607051
    Abstract: A yoke structure of a speaker diaphragm comprises a casing having a front side being installed with an enlarged opening and rear side thereof being installed with a magnetic element; a coil being placed in the magnetic element; a damper being engaged with the coil; and a diaphragm being placed at the enlarged opening of the casing and being sticky to the coil, and a diaphragm being placed at the enlarged opening of the casing and being sticky to the coil. In the present invention, a yoke portion with two layer curved portions is placed between the casing and the diaphragm; the yoke portion is made of elastic material and has front and a rear layer, and each layer is formed with bent arcs. As a result, the diaphragm can be assembled conveniently at one time and is adhered well. Moreover, the center thereof can be positioned preferably. Thus, the output of the speaker will avoid interference from the vibration of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Peng
  • Patent number: 6606392
    Abstract: A holder 1 is provided with two first engaging frame parts 2 and 3 and one second engaging frame part 4. The second engaging frame part 4 includes a pair of supporting parts 41, an elastic beam part 42, and an operating piece 44. The elastic beam part 42 is bendable outward and twistable. A width of the opening of the second engaging frame part 4 is shorter than the sum of a thickness of a flange 61 and a thickness of an edge frame member 62. When the elastic beam part 42 is twisted, the opening width of the second engaging frame part 4 is increased, and the elastic beam part 42 comes in engagement with the rear surface of the flange 61.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masuo Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20030121718
    Abstract: This invention provides a transducer having at least two surrounds supporting a cylinder. With at least two surrounds, the transducer may handle more power. This increased power may be used to drive the voice coil that is wrapped around the cylinder enabling a greater excursion range of the diaphragm. With a greater excursion range, the transducer may operate at low frequency as well as mid to high frequencies. The two surrounds may also be coupled to the cylinder increasing stability of the cylinder. With the two suspensions stabilizing the cylinder, the side-to-side movement of the cylinder may be reduced minimizing the chance of the voice coil short-circuiting with the other electrical and/or mechanical circuits in the transducer. In addition, the cylinder made a substantially rigid material may better support the two flexible surrounds so that the two surrounds do not induce wobbling in the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Brendon Stead, Mark Trainer, Clayton Williamson
  • Patent number: 6578661
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus which can remove undesirable vibrations and can produce sounds of excellent quality of acoustic signals having high audio frequencies is presented by increasing a strength of a flat joint portion and by properly setting a mass ratio between a central dome-like diaphragm and an edge-like diaphragm of a speaker diaphragm. This speaker apparatus includes a diaphragm portion in which a mass ratio of the edge-like diaphragm relative to the dome-like diaphragm falls within a predetermined range near 1 and a fixed portion at which a bobbin of a voice coil or an end face of a conductive one turn ring is bonded to and fixed to a flat portion for joining the dome-like diaphragm and the edge-like diaphragm so that mechanical strength of a joint flat portion of the diaphragms can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Masaru Uryu
  • Publication number: 20030106740
    Abstract: A speaker edge is made of a thermosetting composition consisting of a polyurethane prepolymer and an inactivated solid polyamine as a latent hardener. A gas is dispersed in the thermosetting composition, prior to feed into a mold, so that it can foam and solidify to give the speaker edge. In a method of making the speaker edge, the composition will be injected into a female mold segment heated below the critical thermosetting temperature, foaming the composition. Then placed in the female segment is a male segment heated above the critical temperature, causing the ingredients to react with each other to solidify in the mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Shinya Tabata, Shinya Mizone, Yoshiyuki Takahashi, Kiyoshi Ikeda, Hiroki Yamazaki, Shinji Okuda, Masaharu Takada
  • Patent number: 6577742
    Abstract: A system for tensioning a membrane within a frame for a loudspeaker or a microphone is characterized by a frame containing an opening, a membrane connected to an exterior surface of the frame and spanning the frame opening, and a tensioning device connected with the frame for deflecting a portion of the membrane within the frame opening. The tensioning device is compliant thereby allowing the membrane to exhibit a high degree of flexure both within and beyond a plane containing the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Paul F. Bruney
  • Patent number: 6568503
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided including a frame formed with an upper end having a seat which receives the outer edge of a surround. The surround is retained within the seat by the combination of an o-ring in contact with the surround, and a C-shaped clamp having an upper arm which engages the o-ring and a lower arm releasably mounted to the upper end of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio Proni
  • Publication number: 20030089549
    Abstract: A speaker damper comprises a damper casing and a metallic whisker, wherein the damper casing is substantially a woven pad formed as a circular wafer with corrugated sections, while the metallic whisker is substantially a conductive wire intermittently penetrated and buried in the damper casing. A fastening string is provided to tie the metallic whisker intermittently and hold it steadily to the damper casing without incurring the so-called repetitious jump-rope phenomenon during vibration of the later.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Yen-Chen Chan
  • Publication number: 20030079936
    Abstract: A damper 3A is provided with an inner peripheral waveform portion 11 and an outer peripheral waveform portion 12. A flat portion 10 is provided between the inner peripheral waveform portion 11 and the outer peripheral waveform portion 12. When the damper is used for a loudspeaker, the flat portion 10 does not elastically deform in a radial direction R, so that linearity of the damper 3A in a vibrating direction Z is ensured by elastic deformation of the waveform portions. In addition, a rolling phenomenon of a voice coil bobbin and a diaphragm can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Mitsukazu Kuze, Hiroyuki Takewa, Kazue Satoh, Mikio Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20030070869
    Abstract: A cone suspension is for mounting a speaker cone to a housing. The cone suspension has an inner periphery supporting the speaker cone, an outer periphery mounted to the housing, and a resilient central portion extending between the inner periphery and the outer periphery. In cross section, the resilient central portion is separated from a base plane extending between the inner periphery and the outer periphery, and has a central apex spaced from the inner periphery and the outer periphery and spaced from the base plane by a selected height. The inner periphery and the outer periphery are separated by a selected width. The selected height is substantially greater than ½ of the selected width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Stefan R. Hlibowicki
  • Patent number: 6543574
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a speaker edge which is high in strength, less in scattering of f0, high in waterproofness, small in amplitude at the time of resonance, easy to mold, and easy to be integrated with a cone body. That is, the present invention provides a speaker edge constituted by a molding which is molded in a manner so that a speaker edge raw material composition containing isocyanate and polyol is injected into a cavity of a mold by an agitating/mixing apparatus and subjected to reaction, foaming and curing in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Inoac Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sinya Mizone, Shinya Kaneko, Kiyosi Ikeda, Hiroko Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20030051940
    Abstract: A mid-frequency loudspeaker drive unit includes a substantially conical diaphragm having a forward periphery and a surround connected to and extending from the forward periphery of the diaphragm to form a substantially smooth transition from the diaphragm to the surround, the diaphragm and the surround presenting a substantially smoothly continuous outwardly facing surface. The drive unit can be part of a compound loudspeaker drive unit including a high-frequency drive unit coaxially disposed within the diaphragm and a chassis encompassing the mid-frequency drive unit with the surround being secured to the chassis to form the smooth transition from the diaphragm to the surround.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Philip Jeffrey Anthony, Stephen Halsall
  • Publication number: 20030047377
    Abstract: A loudspeaker is provided including a frame formed with an upper end having a seat which receives the outer edge of a surround. The surround is retained within the seat by the combination of an o-ring in contact with the surround, and a C-shaped clamp having an upper arm which engages the o-ring and a lower arm releasably mounted to the upper end of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio Proni
  • Patent number: 6526151
    Abstract: A high stability loudspeaker has a yoke with a plurality of vents installed therein. The yoke is combined to a bottom of a frame of the loudspeaker. A magnet is placed in the yoke. A washer is arranged above the magnet. A periphery of the magnet is surrounded by a voice coil. A coil winding surrounds the voice coil. A combining portion is formed at a periphery of the yoke. The combining portion serves to be combined with a surround connected to a bottom of end of the voice coil. The voice coils is vertically installed in a gap between the portions of the yoke. The top of the voice coil is connected to another surround. Thereby, vibration of the voice coil is confined at the two ends. As a result, the gap between portions of the yoke structure into which the voice coil extends between portions of the yoke is reduced and therefore, the sensitivity of the loudspeaker is increased and the distortion is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Peng
  • Patent number: 6522759
    Abstract: A reduced-size speaker for generating sound waves in wide low frequency audio region includes a cylindrical main body which is open at the top and bottom surfaces, a top lid being provided on the top surface of the main body and a circular ring-shaped base, which has a hole in its center, being provided on the bottom surface of the main body. A circular sound pipe is provided approximately in the center of the top lid and extends from the upper surface of the main body through the inside of the main body. A disc-like film is provided over the opening of the hole of the base, which is located at the outer side with respect to the main body, the disc-like film being held between the base and a circular ring-shaped bottom lid. A disc-like sound generator is provided in the opening of the hole of the base, which is located at the inner side with respect to the main body, with a circular ring-shaped damper provided in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takan Mori
  • Patent number: 6513623
    Abstract: A frame (14) supporting a diaphragm (12) by its outer periphery is constructed by a connecting ring (30) and a base (28) which comprises a bottomed cylinder portion (28A) and a mounting portion (28B) which extends radially outward from the bottomed cylinder portion (28A) which is a part of the magnetic circuit unit (18). The connection is achieved by the caulking of the ring (30) and the mounting portion (28B) with the diaphragm (12) clamped therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Sugiyama, Hajime Kitamura, Naohiro Fujinami, Yoshio Imahori, Hitoshi Yamashima
  • Publication number: 20020170774
    Abstract: A speaker edge is molded of a rubber material with 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % short fibers added to the rubber material which ranges from 1.0 mm to 10 mm in length and are resistant to softening by heat, in which the short fibers are oriented to the radial direction of the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiro Ishigaki
  • Publication number: 20020170773
    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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Brendon Stead, Clayton C. Williamson, Mark Trainer
  • Patent number: 6481173
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a flat panel sound radiator into a tegular ceiling. The tegular ceiling has openings defined by main beams and crossbeams. The main beams are secured through hanger wires to a hard ceiling. The main beams and the crossbeams have flanges with the crossbeams resting on the flanges of the main beams. The mounting apparatus has a tegular frame with reveal edges formed by multiple horizontal and vertical plates. A flat panel radiator is mounted inside a tegular frame with the lower edge of the tegular frame below the flanges of the main beams. The radiator panel can be fabricated from a honeycomb core. A combination of containment elements and isolation elements are used to isolate the radiator panel from the tegular frame both mechanically and acoustically. An acoustic scrim is attached to the bottom of the tegular frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Roy, Richard S. Hendricks, Wesley T. K. Bischel
  • Patent number: 6474440
    Abstract: A diaphragm for a speaker and a speaker device, a frequency characteristic as well as the endurance against input of which are improved, have been provided. A convexo-concave portion is radially formed at a neck of the diaphragm, which is stuck to a voice coil bobbin, to increase an adhesion area of the neck itself, thereby the endurance against input is improved. In addition, the neck is stuck to the voice coil bobbin by an adhesive to increase the mechanical strength of the neck itself, thereby a frequency characteristic as well as the endurance against input are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20020148678
    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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph Y. Sahyoun
  • Publication number: 20020144859
    Abstract: An annular surround for a loudspeaker cone wherein a radial cross-section of the surround varies around the circumferential extent of the surround, so as to accommodate peripheral expansion or contraction of the surround by bending. Thus a trough shaped cross-section of the surround may vary sinusoidally with angle around the polar axis of the surround between a semicircular and semielliptical cross-section. The trough section may bland to an adjacent portion of the surround by a fillet which also varies sinusoidally in cross-section in phase with the variation of the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Nicholas Pocock, Simon Yorick Pettman
  • Patent number: 6459800
    Abstract: A receiver suspension for isolating a hearing device receiver within a hearing device comprises a housing that defines a chamber. The housing is adapted to be inserted into a hearing device shell. The receiver suspension also comprises a cover that is adapted to engage with a proximal end of the housing. An isolation membrane at least partially surrounds the hearing device receiver such that, upon inserting the hearing device receiver into the housing, the isolation membrane suspends the receiver within the housing chamber, thus preventing the receiver from contacting the inside surface of the housing. Preferably, the isolation membrane is formed from a stretched polymer material such as polyurethane or silicone and forms a series of pleats when engaged with the receiver. Alternately, the receiver suspension includes an isolation spring having two grasping members interconnected with a flexure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Sonic Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Owen D. Brimhall
  • Patent number: 6457548
    Abstract: A passive radiator comprising a frame (1) and a radiator body (3) which is connected to the frame and which is movable relative to the frame along a translation axis (T). The radiator is suitable for the displacement of comparatively large air volumes. The radiator body comprises a central mass element (3a) and at least one mass element (3b, 3c, 3d) which is concentrically arranged with respect to the central mass element. The radiator further comprises connection units (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) for the movable interconnection of each pair of adjoining mass elements and for the movable fastening of one of the mass elements to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Guido O. M. D'Hoogh
  • Publication number: 20020125065
    Abstract: Electronic apparatus having a support structure or casing and a loudspeaker attached thereto, the loudspeaker comprising a resonant panel-form member and a vibration exciter mounted to the panel-form member to apply bending wave energy thereto to cause the member to resonate to produce an acoustic output. The vibration exciter is grounded on the support structure or casing and is adapted to support the panel-form member on the support structure or casing, thus forming a mount for the panel-form member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Graham Bank
  • Publication number: 20020112914
    Abstract: There is provided an electrically conductive damper device for a speaker in which local bending is reduced and break-downs of material of the damper and metallic wires incorporated in the damper are prevented, by additionally providing one or more sheets of damper fabric as a reinforcing damper 142 and by bonding it to a main damper 141 by way of various kinds of resin, in order to reinforce a neck portion of the electrically conductive damper. Further, properties of the damper can be adjusted by varying an outer diameter of the reinforcing damper 142, or by selecting the resin to be employed as an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Abe, Koji Matsumoto, Koji Takayama, Hiroyuki Tomiyama
  • Publication number: 20020108806
    Abstract: A kind of vibrating diaphragm of false speaker structure which includes a center piece with integrated formation directly on a larger outer diameter surface layer body, a connected suspended edge provided at the side way of the surface layer body in circle, and the hardness of the center piece is greater than the surface layer body and a gap reserved at the separation of the formation of the surface layer body and the suspended edge; with this provision, it provides aesthetic and consistence in appearance to the vibrating diaphragm formation, and save the adhesion of the suspended edge and the center piece which reduce the process and lower cost and make the center piece embedded with the product firmly without loosen, meeting various test condition and prolong the service life of the structure in practice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack Peng
  • Patent number: 6427016
    Abstract: Acoustic devices rely on bending wave action in a panel member, particularly distribution of resonant modes of such bending wave action and related acoustically significant surface vibration over area of said panel member favourable to desired or at least acceptable acoustic device performance. The devices comply with selecting parameters of said panel member affecting said distribution, including configuration/geometry and/or bending stiffness(es), and/or location(s) of bending wave transducer(s) in said area of said panel member; the selecting being in accordance with analytical assessment of power transfer related characteristic(s) of said panel member thus said acoustic device concerned and desiderata therefor correlating with achieving said acoustic device performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Henry Azima, Neil Harris, Bijan Djahansouzi
  • Patent number: 6427017
    Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric diaphragm with a transparent piezoelectric member and a transparent electrode. Also disclosed is a portable electronic device that has a display means to display an image and a piezoelectric speaker having a transparent piezoelectric member and a transparent electrode. In this portable electronic device, the piezoelectric speaker is disposed in front of the display means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Nozomi Toki
  • Patent number: 6422337
    Abstract: An outer marginal edge of a loudspeaker cone is connected to an annular suspension member of laminated structure which supports the loudspeaker cone on a support frame. The annular suspension member includes a layer of cloth and a first layer of flexible plastic foam integrally bonded to the cloth. The first layer of foam has an inner surface in contact with the outer marginal edge, and the cloth covers an outer surface of the first layer of foam opposite to the inner surface. A second layer of foam which is thinner than the first layer of foam is disposed between and bonded integrally to the cloth and the first layer of foam. The suspension member is strong and durable and still exhibits good formability and flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Deccon International Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason Tseng
  • Patent number: 6394224
    Abstract: A speaker structure having a supporting base with a magnetic circuit in a lower portion, a sound cylinder with a tube with wires on one end, which one end is placed in the magnetic circuit and the other end is higher than the supporting base. A vibration diaphragm having a round concave shape covers the top of the sound cylinder. A flexible free end fixture with a wave transmission in the middle section has one end connected to the supporting base and the other end directly connected to the tube of the sound cylinder. Thus favorable movement flexibility is achieved by the adhesion of the free end fixture at the lateral side of the sound cylinder. The space above the sound cylinder is vacant to independently install a vibration diaphragm with an enlarged area to effectively enhance the output of sound pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-I Liu
  • Patent number: 6396936
    Abstract: An auxiliary bass radiator unit is disclosed for mounting in an aperture in a loudspeaker enclosure. The unit comprises a substantially rigid panel member (10) mounted on a flexable surround member (12) so as to allow the panel member, when mounted, in use, in the aperture to move in sympathy with sound waves within the enclosure. The flexable surround member includes a hinge portion (14) mounting the panel member for movement as a hinged flap. Thus, movement of the panel member in twisting and other undesirable modes is substantially avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: B&W Loudspeaker Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Michael Nevill
  • Patent number: 6385327
    Abstract: A device including two bodies (3, 5) which are disposed coaxially with respect to a translation axis (1), and including a comparatively compact suspension via which at least one of the bodies is movable with respect to the other body along the translation axis. The suspension, which allows comparatively large and accurately defined axial excursions of the one body with respect to the other body, includes a set of at least three blade spring elements (7) which are positioned around the translation axis. These blade spring elements each include two blade springs (7a, 7b) which are inclined with respect to a plane (XY) oriented perpendicularly to the translation axis, the blade springs of each blade spring element each having two peripheral portions (7a1, 7a2; 7b1, 7b2) which each extend parallel to the plane which is oriented perpendicularly to the translation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Guido O. M. D'Hoogh
  • Publication number: 20020043424
    Abstract: A damper for a speaker includes an auxiliary damper 12 impregnated with a thermosetting resin, a laminate film 121 laminated on the auxiliary damper 12, and a primary damper formed on the auxiliary damper 12 or the laminate film 121. Alternatively, the damper may include the auxiliary damper 12 impregnated with the thermosetting resin (phenol) and coated with a coating agent, and the primary damper formed on the auxiliary damper and the coating agent 122. Thus, the dual damper which has enhanced reliability in resisting a high power and can be produced at a low cost without variation in the production can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomiyama, Masatoshi Sato, Satoshi Hachiya
  • Patent number: 6371241
    Abstract: A speaker frame is constructed from dried paper pulp. Features in the speaker frame such as holes or slits are formed by carbonizing corresponding sections in the dried paper pulp and applying shear processing to remove the carbonized material. A carbonizing mold contains protrusions corresponding to the sections in the dried pulp to be carbonized. The result is a high quality speaker frame that is biodegradable and can be produced economically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Foster Electric Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruho Yamada, Tsuyoshi Nakada, Seiji Mori, Toshikazu Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20020029925
    Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a bending wave panel, an enclosure in which the bending wave panel is mounted to enclose one face of the panel, a compliant suspension between the panel and the enclosure by which the panel is supported in the enclosure, a vibration exciter attached to the panel to apply bending wave energy thereto, and an acoustic absorber in the enclosure to reduce standing waves in the enclosure, wherein the compliant suspension and the acoustic absorber are integral. A method of making such a loudspeaker is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: NEW TRANSDUCERS LIMITED
    Inventors: Graham Bank, Julian Fordham
  • Publication number: 20020018574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing device and a speaker unit applicable to the device. In one aspect of the present invention, the device includes a housing, a pole piece, a voice coil, a magnet, and a frame. The housing has an elastically vibratory vibration region. The pole piece has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to the vibration region of the housing. The voice coil is fixed to the second end of the pole piece. The magnet forms a magnetic field interlinking the voice coil. The frame fixes the magnet to the housing at a region other than the vibration region, for example. With this configuration, vibration of the voice coil due to a current flowing through the voice coil is transmitted through the pole piece to the vibration region of the housing, thus eliminating the need for a vibration board of a speaker and further eliminating the need for formation of holes for sound transmission through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: HIDEYUKI OKUNO, WATARU TANAKA
  • Patent number: 6343136
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus includes a frame having a magnetic circuit, a voice coil bobbin installed in the frame to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic circuit, and a diaphragm movably installed in the frame and fixed to the voice coil bobbin so as to be driven by activating the magnetic circuit. The diaphragm has a positioning portion that had been used for securing the diaphragm relative to the magnetic circuit during an installation of the diaphragm in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignees: Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Tokusho, Yasuhisa Abe, Fumio Murayama
  • Patent number: 6305491
    Abstract: A speaker includes a diaphragm, a frame accommodating the diaphragm and an edge attached to an outer periphery of the diaphragm as well as to an inner periphery of the frame so as to retain the diaphragm within an interior of the frame. The edge has a thickness which is smallest at substantially a central portion between the diaphragm and the frame and the vicinity thereof, and increases toward the diaphragm and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Iwasa, Hiroyuki Takewa, Kazue Sato, Mitsuhiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6285773
    Abstract: The invention concerns a loudspeaker having an elongate parallelepiped hollow body, whereof one longitudinal surface is made up of a stretched elongate rectangular planar diaphragm. The diaphragm is suspended by its edges to the body adjacent side surfaces, and is integral with an elongate rigid inner part extending in the body longitudinal direction, and bearing a mobile electromagnetic coil, parallel to the diaphragm. The coil is arranged between two fixed magnets located along the body two longitudinal side surfaces which form, with the base of said body, polar parts. Said loudspeaker is useful as component of an active anti-noise system, associated with a double glazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignees: Technofirst, Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Christian Carme, Marc Rehfeld
  • Patent number: 6237716
    Abstract: The invention herein of a standard-sized Vibrating Diaphragm speaker structure, primarily includes a stand with an enlarged opening in the front and a magnetic element in the rear, a cylinder inside a magnetic element, a spring panel sticking with a cylinder, and a Vibrating Diaphragm located on the enlarged opening of the stand. The inner face of Vibrating Diaphragm sticks with cylinder. The improved structure of the invention is characterized as that the surface of Vibrating Diaphragm is free of end fixture and it sticks with a foam washer, which is located at the lower portion of Vibrating Diaphragm and is stuck with an enlarged opening of a stand. Thus, the effective vibration area for a Vibrating Diaphragm is maximized and the output of sound magnitude for a speaker is enhanced. A foam washer substitutes the function of flexible movement for an end fixture of the invention of prior art to achieve normal sound output of a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Jack Peng