Elastic Suspension Means Patents (Class 181/172)
  • 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
  • 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: 6332508
    Abstract: The loudspeaker comprises a cone (2) and a beading (4) attached to the cone (2). The beading (4) is composed of a sprayable plastic layer which is soft in its solid state. The manufacture of the loudspeaker is facilitated by a process in which an open negative mold (16) is used in which the cone (2) is arranged and immobilized. Following this, the plastic is sprayed into the open negative mold (16) and the beading (4) is formed as a soft plastic layer which attaches itself to the cone (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Inventor: Siegfried Schriever
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010011615
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: MIKIO IWASA, HIROYUKI TAKEWA, KAZUE SATO
  • Patent number: 6266427
    Abstract: A damped structural panel includes a panel having bending modes including demanding bending modes. The demanding bending modes have subsonic bending waves along at least one axis, and require damping treatment based on sound radiation properties of the panel. A viscoelastic material is applied within a limited area adjacent to the panel edges based on the demanding bending modes. The viscoelastic material damps sound radiation caused by bending waves during use of the structural panel, such as use as a body panel on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Gopal P. Mathur
  • Patent number: 6198831
    Abstract: A panel form loudspeaker/microphone combination has a distributed resonant bending wave member and two transducers mounred on the member at sites where the number of vibrationally active resonance anti-nodes is relatively high. One transducer is capable of vibrating the member to couple to and excite resonant bending wave modes in the member and cause the member to produce an acoustic output. The other transducer also is capable of coupling to he resonant bending wave modes in the member, but it produces an output signal in response to resonance of the member due to incident acoustic energy. The combination may be part of a loudspeaker system including an amplifier for the source signal coupled to the first transducer, and a signal receiver coupled to the second transducer for treating the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: New Transducers Limited
    Inventors: Henry Azima, Martin Colloms, Neil Harris
  • Patent number: 6144753
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus has a damper for supporting vibrating elements including a vibrating diaphragm. The damper is formed by injecting a predetermined amount of a resin material into a metal mold of an injection molding equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ohyaba, Shunichi Takahashi, Showichiro Terauchi, Takanobu Saito, Tatsuya Ando, Yoshiya Usami, Hiroyuki Kataoka
  • Patent number: 6044925
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph Yaacoub Sahyoun
  • Patent number: 6039145
    Abstract: A diaphragm for speakers comprises a self-support, shaped body including a tightly woven synthetic polymer fiber cloth substrate which has, at least a diaphragm portion and edge portion shaped integrally with and extending from the diaphragm portion. The diaphragm portion of the cloth substrate had a polymer resin at least partially impregnated therein and the edge portion has a relatively flexible polymer material at least partially impregnated therein so that the edge portion is lower in stiffness than the diaphragm portion. The diaphragm-edge integral molding is fabricated by applying the respective types of polymers to the diaphragm and edge portions of the cloth substrate and subjecting the applied substrate to hot pressing in a mold capable of forming the integral molding. When applied as dynamic speakers, the integral molding exhibits a broad frequency band, low distortion rates and high sound quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogura, Kousaku Murata
  • Patent number: 6039146
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a speaker diaphragm comprising the steps of forming a plurality of virtual concentric circles between central point of a circle having a predetermined size and a circumference thereof; dividing said each concentric circle with a predetermined angle, forming divided points on the circumference of each concentric circle and arranging a plurality of yarns from a point on the circumference of said circle to another point thereof to come in tangential contact with said divided points, thereby forming a omnidirectional pseudo-textile fabric; thermosetting said pseudo-textile fabric; and removing a gap formed on said pseudo-textile fabric using a resin, a film or a sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: LG Foster Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong J Byun, Jun W Lim, Hwi C Park
  • Patent number: 5892184
    Abstract: A passive radiator comprising a chassis, a mass element suspended within the chassis, and a suspension means for flexibly suspending the mass element from the chassis. In order to obtain a large amplitude of the mass element, a sub-chassis extends between the chassis and the mass element, first flexible connecting elements connecting the mass element to the sub-chassis, and second flexible connecting elements connecting the sub-chassis to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Guido O.M. D'Hoogh
  • Patent number: 5892185
    Abstract: A speaker unit has a cylindrical yoke, an annular frame secured to the yoke, and a diaphragm having a central spherical vibrating portion and an annular support portion formed around the vibrating portion and mounted on the annular frame. An annular vertical holding wall is formed on the annular frame, and an annular vertical abutment portion is formed on the annular support portion and abutted against the annular vertical holding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignees: Pioneer Electronic Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Takahashi, Hideyuki Murakami, Kunio Mitobe
  • Patent number: 5847333
    Abstract: An electrodynamic loudspeaker comprising a chassis, a diaphragm, and an actuator. The diaphragm is disposed within the chassis and has a front part and a back part. The actuator comprises a first actuator part connected to the diaphragm and a second actuator part connected to the chassis to cooperate with the first actuator part via an air gap. In order to obtain a large amplitude of the diaphragm a sub-chassis extends between the chassis and the diaphragm, a first flexible connecting element connecting the diaphragm to the sub-chassis, and a second flexible connecting element connecting the sub-chassis to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Guido D'Hoogh
  • Patent number: 5748759
    Abstract: Disclosed is a loudspeaker apparatus having at least one support surface provided therein adjacent to a complaint surround for providing lateral support thereto, the surround mounting the diaphragm of the speaker to a speaker frame for permitting longitudinal movement of the diaphragm with respect to the frame. The support surface may be used with a variety of surrounds. A second support surface may also be provided. The support surfaces may be contoured to achieve a desired response from their engagement with the surround. A negative air spring is formed from a pair of opposed support surfaces contoured to form a necked region therebetween for deformingly engaging a surround formed as a resilient member. The negative air spring negatively balances, or counterbalances the diphragm against the box pressures with the enclosure. The resilient member is formed as a tube for containing a fluid such as air therein. The pressure within the resilient member is controlled in response to a variety of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Carver Corporation
    Inventors: James Joseph Croft, Robert C. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5740264
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer has a diaphragm body including a planar diaphragm having an outer periphery in an elongated generally elliptical shape with semicircular ends and major and minor axes, and an elastometic edge having an outer periphery of an elongated generally elliptical shape with semicircular ends and major and minor axes aligned with the major and minor axis of the diaphragm, the edge being wider along the major axis than along the minor axis and coupled at an inner periphery to the outer periphery of the diaphragm. The edge has a concave cross-section perpendicular to the diaphragm. A cylindrical voice coil bobbin is secured at one end to a central area of the diaphragm, and a voice coil is wound on the voice coil bobbin. A molded resin frame having a generally rectangular shape includes an opening conforming in shape to and receiving the diaphragm body, and is connected to and supports an outer periphery of the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Foster Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Kojima
  • Patent number: 5739481
    Abstract: A speaker mounting system wherein the speaker is mounted to a support surface indirectly by a compliant gasket with no rigid mechanical coupling between the speaker and the surface. Accordingly, mechanical transmission of vibrations from the speaker to the surface is greatly reduced. The gasket has a cross-section configured as a curved beam with one end secured to the support surface and the other end terminated by a thickened portion having an interior annular groove receiving the open end edge of the rigid outer basket of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Baumhauer, Jr., Chen-Chieh Lin, Raymond Motluck, Christopher T. Welsh
  • Patent number: 5732140
    Abstract: An audio speaker system has at least one expandable speaker enclosure which comprises a rigid upper wall, a speaker mounted to the upper wall and a rigid bottom wall. One edge of the bottom wall is pivotally attached to a corresponding edge of the upper wall. Flexible side walls interconnect the upper and bottom walls so as to form a substantially closed speaker enclosure, the side walls being configured for enabling the enclosure to be varied between a first, collapsed configuration for carrying and a second, expanded configuration having a predetermined optimum enclosed volume for sound quality when in use. A stereo pair of such enclosures have provisions for detachable attachment to the bottom of a keyboard portion of a notebook-type computer. Variations are described in which the stereo pair of expandable disclosures are integrated, in one case, into the keyboard portion, and in another case, into the display portion of a specialized notebook-type computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Keith Thayer
  • Patent number: 5608810
    Abstract: A loudspeaker structure utilizing a curved member or cone having an endless rim and a continuous curved surface between the rim. A rigid support is attached to the endless rim in order to provide a mounting structure for the curved member. A surround formed of vibration damping material is connected to the rim of the curved member. A former for voice coil is connected to the curved member and extends outwardly from the continuous curved surface. The voice coil is placed on the former at a predetermined distance from the continuous curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Velodyne Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventor: David Hall
  • Patent number: 5578800
    Abstract: A loudspeaker member comprising a viscoelastic foam obtained by vulcanization-foaming a viscous rubber mixture comprising the following components (A), (B), (C), and (D), wherein the viscoelastic foam has a tensile strength of from 0.1 to 100 kg/cm.sup.2 and a specific gravity of from 0.07 to 1.2;(A) a rubber,(B) a softening agent,(C) a organic foaming agent,(D) a vulcanizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Kijima
  • Patent number: 5455396
    Abstract: For transducers such as loudspeakers and actuators which must operate at unusually low or high ambient temperatures, a robust resilient annular support member for mounting the vibratable diaphragm extends outwardly therefrom to the main frame. The support member is formed from silicone elastomer or a silicone rubber composite in a molding process which may be a constant temperature process, preferably transfer molding. A diaphragm and a surround member may be bonded together in the molding process by inserting the edge of the diaphragm into the cavity mold. The molding techniques of silicone rubber composites containing pulp and weave fiber grades of commercially available mix materials allow transfer, compression or injection molding of diaphragm suspension system members with good control of the mechanical properties and thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignees: JBL Incorporated, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Willard, Earl R. Geddes, Robert H. Benedict
  • Patent number: 5432758
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer having a diaphragm and a magnetic driving portion respectively housed in a housing wherein the magnetic driving portion vibrates the diaphragm magnetically in response to an electric signal. A base member for closing an opening at the rear side of the housing is formed of a metallic plate. Lead portions are provided by extending both ends of a coil of the magnetic driving portion. Terminal patterns are formed on a surface of the base member with an insulating film between them. The lead portions of the coil of the magnetic drive portion are connected to the terminal patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Sone
  • Patent number: 5425002
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating acoustic pressure pulses in an acoustic medium has a membrane that can be driven which adjoins the acoustic medium and which is driven in an impact-producing manner. The membrane is mechanically pre-stressed so that it returns into its initial position after a pressure pulse is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Plisek, Benedikt Hartinger
  • Patent number: 5371805
    Abstract: A speaker has an edge member which includes a plurality of peripheral pieces and a plurality of connecting portions for connecting neighboring ones of the pieces. The neighboring ones of the pieces have cross-sectional shapes symmetric with respect to each other in an axial direction of the edge member. Each of the connecting portions has a cross-sectional shape that changes gradually and continuously. A diaphragm which is secured to an inner periphery or an outer periphery of the edge member, and a frame is secured to an outer periphery or an inner periphery of the edge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Saiki, Kazuki Honda, Satoshi Koura
  • Patent number: 5273243
    Abstract: A radio speaker is mounted in an aperture of a vehicle panel having an outerside and underside. A flange is provided the panel underside underlying the aperture. The aperture is larger than the speaker and the speaker is installed from the panel outerside through the aperture to rest on the flange. The flange surrounds only a portion of the aperture to define an opening laterally of the speaker through which the speaker may be removed from the panel underside by movement laterally of the aperture. A fastener is installed from the panel outerside to retain the speaker on the flange and is removable from the panel underside to dismount the speaker from the panel. Alternatively, the aperture may be smaller than the speaker and a series of flanged tabs struck from the panel surrounding only a portion of the aperture so that the speaker may be installed from the underside of the panel by sliding the speaker laterally of the panel to engage the speaker with the flanged tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ali M. Abdallah, Kenneth W. Hensley
  • Patent number: 5243150
    Abstract: A ribbon transducer has the ends of its ribbon held by end fixings which incorporate damping member. The end fixing may include a resilient support member fixed to the ribbon, with the ribbon overlying a pad of damping material and having its outer end held clamped, or alternatively left free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventors: Graham Bank, Harold C. Pinfold, deceased, by Laurence P. Ross, executor
  • Patent number: 5148888
    Abstract: A ribbon transducer has its ribbon which is held at each end made capable of lateral movement for adjustment puroses by providing a plurality of traverse cross-suspension elements to which the ribbon is secured, with each of these cross-suspension elements being capable of transverse displacement, for example by rotation of mounting pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventors: Graham Bank, Harold C. Pinfold, deceased, by Laurence P. Ross, executor
  • Patent number: 5143169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a loudspeaker diaphragm which is provided with a rear load and the vibration characteristic of which is improved in that the work to be performed for compressing the air behind the loudspeaker diaphragm is reduced. For this purpose, the loudspeaker diaphragm is provided with openings so that the air located behind the loudspeaker diaphragm can escape. At the same time, the introduction of the openings causes a decoupling of the vibrating diaphragm parts with respect to the frequency response when the loudspeaker diaphragm and the openings are suitably dimensioned, so that it is predominantly the inner part of the loudspeaker diaphragm which vibrates in the case of high notes, while the entire loudspeaker diaphragm vibrates in the case of low notes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Alfred Ziegenberg, Edmund Schiessle
  • Patent number: 5115884
    Abstract: In an audio speaker system and speaker-cabinet combination, a speaker positioned in a cabinet is mounted to the cabinet by a mounting assembly made of non-resonant material and clamping a flange of the speaker so as to prevent contact of the speaker with the cabinet wall, and at the same time flush with the front panel of the cabinet. The cabinet is substantially non-resonant and may be made of plywood or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventor: James Falco
  • Patent number: 5115474
    Abstract: In a speaker system with a speaker unit attached to a baffle board, the frame of the speaker unit vibrates so that the quality of sound transmitted from the speaker is impaired. These vibrations can be attenuated by coating the outer circumferential edge of the frame with an elastic material such as rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Tsuchiya, Hiroshi Tanaka, Shunichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5111510
    Abstract: A speaker and manufacturing method therefor includes a diaphragm having an integral edge, first and second frame pieces and a driver unit. The first and second frame pieces are formed by molding so that the first frame piece is integrally combined with the diaphragm edge, and the second frame piece is integrally combined with the driver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Kunio Mitobe
  • Patent number: 5099949
    Abstract: A speaker and manufacturing method therefor includes a diaphragm having an integral edge, first and second frame pieces and a driver unit. The first and second frame pieces are formed by molding so that the first frame piece is integrally combined with the diaphragm edge, and the second frame piece is integrally combined with the driver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Kunio Mitobe
  • Patent number: 4997059
    Abstract: A transducer for mounting in an opening (90) defined in a baffle (84) includes an axis and a frame (10) for supporting the remaining transducer components in the baffle (84). The frame (10) includes at least a first finger (40) deflectable toward the transducer axis to permit passage of a portion of the frame (10) through the opening (90). The first finger (40) includes at least one camming surface (52, 54) for resiliently urging the first finger (40) toward the axis as the camming surface (52, 54) of the first finger (40) contacts the baffle (84) adjacent the opening (90) and a locking surface (94) for engaging the baffle (84) adjacent the opening (90) once the camming surface (52, 54) has passed completely through the opening (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Walter E. See
  • Patent number: 4980873
    Abstract: A diaphragm tensioning arrangement for a Sell-type ultrasonic transducer assembly is disclosed. The transducer includes a fixed backplate having a substantially planar electrically conductive front surface and a diaphragm having a front surface and back surface, the back surface of the diaphragm overlying the substantially planar surface of the backplate. The diaphragm includes an insulating layer adapted to contact the backplate and a conducting layer electrically isolated therefrom. The diaphragm tensioning arrangement includes means for applying a load to the front surface of the diaphragm in order to maintain diaphragm tension. A groove disposed in the backplate extension or base has at least one groove opening into its front surface. A tension element engages the front surface of the diaphragm pressing a portion thereof into the groove in order to maintain diaphragm tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventors: William C. Gross, Dean D. Campbell, James N. Kniest
  • Patent number: 4967871
    Abstract: A body-sensible acoustic device and an electromechanical vibration converter for use in the same. The body-sensible acoustic device includes frames forming the structure of a chair having a seat and a back, canvas members spread on the frame, and driver units driven by low-frequency audio signals for transmitting vibration to the canvas members. The canvas members are formed of a net of fibers covered with a foamed synthetic resin. The vibration converter includes a drive coil disposed in the air gap of a magnetic circuit, a coil bobbin transmitting motion of the drive coil to the outer case of the converter, and a damper supporting the magnetic circuit on the outer case. A guide hole is formed in the magnetic circuit at its center and extending in the direction of the acoustic axis. A coupling member is fitted in the guide hole having end portions coupled to the outer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Komatsubara
  • Patent number: 4939783
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a speaker system within a closed wooden cabinet in which the speaker is suspended in closed cell foam within a cabinet speaker circular-port, devoid of rigid attachment of the foam and of the speaker to the cabinet, the closed-cell foam being mounted in an open-ended slot between flanges mounted on the speaker cabinet, and the speaker magnet being supported by a resilient gasket mounted on the cabinet by a gasket-support structure, and a rear port being closed by an inner non-porous membrane and an outer porous fabric membrane having foam therebetween, mounted within a membrane-support frame that is suspended within open cell foam suspended within the rear port devoid of rigid attachment to the cabinet, supported between inner and outer flanges mounted on the cabinet, the cabinet being devoid of open ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Inventor: William S. Dunning
  • Patent number: 4919369
    Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a loudspeaker in a front panel includes a plurality of arms having lips affixed to the front panel. A plurality of fingers are affixed to the loudspeaker. The arms and fingers resiliently engage to enable the loudspeaker to be mounted on the panel using a linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Electronic-Werke Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stehn
  • Patent number: 4903308
    Abstract: An improved audio transducer includes a diaphragm having a pair of cylindrically-shaped webs that provide greater bandwidth, reduced distortion and greater horizontal dispersion of sound. The audio output of the transducer is further improved by forming the diaphragm of a polyvinyl fluoride film. Other improvements include the use of damping pads to damp internal sound waves and damping strips on the diaphragm to minimize distortion at the resonant frequency of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Linaeum Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Paddock, Steven R. Geist
  • Patent number: 4881617
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved acoustic speaker having a cone located about a transducer wherein the cone has a plurality a thin, pie-shaped segments radiating outwardly from the transducer with each of the segments having an accuated cross-section, thereby creating a concave side and a convex side. The segments are highly concave at the transducer and less concave with increasing radial distance from the transducer. The segments are made from a metal foil and the width of the segments may increase lineraly with radial distance so as to create a constant acoustical resistance radially. The segments preferably terminate at a flexible, high sound absorption ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Inventor: Alexander Faraone
  • Patent number: 4847908
    Abstract: An electrodynamic loudspeaker (1) has a diaphragm comprising a central part (2) and a peripheral part (3), and a voice-coil device (9, 10) coupled to the central part (2). The surface ratio S.sub.2 /S.sub.1 complies with the relationship 0.5.ltoreq.S.sub.2 /S.sub.1 .ltoreq.6, where S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are the surface areas of the central part (2) and the peripheral part (3) respectively. The mass ratio m.sub.2 /m.sub.1 complies with the relationship 0.5.ltoreq.m.sub.2 /m.sub.1 .ltoreq.8 where m.sub.1 and m.sub.2 are the mass of the central part (2) and the voice-coil device (9, 10) and the mass of the peripheral part (3) respectively. Further, the stiffness imposed on the diaphragm by the space (6, 6') defined by the diaphragm (2, 3) and the chassis (4) and/or the magnet system (7) is smaller than the stiffness of the diaphragm itself. Thus it is possible to derive a car loudspeaker which has a specific dip in its frequency response characteristic P (FIG. 2a), measured in an anechoic room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventors: Joris A. M. Nieuwendijk, Johannes W. T. Bax, Johannes J. M. Kamphues, Franciscus C. M. de Haas
  • Patent number: 4837838
    Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer is disclosed wherein separate elongated strips of magnetic material are secured on both sides of a plane containing a flat flexible insulating thin-film diaphragm. Conductors attached to the diaphram extend primarily parallel to the magnetic strips and cause movement of the diaphram when excited electrically. The conductors can also deliver current induced by diaphram movement within the field. The magnetic strips are fastened to a frame that clamps the perimeter of the diaphram. The sub-assemblies containing the magnetic strips provide maximum available area for the propagation of acoustic waves to and from the environment and provide increased flux density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Eminent Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Bruce Thigpen, David E. Collie
  • Patent number: 4823907
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a thin plate type vibrating element mounted in, and brought into contact with, a balloon formed of a synthetic rubber or resin film. The balloon comprises a balloon member formed of a flexible film such as a vinyl chloride resin or synthetic rubber film and having therein a pocket, in which an inner film forming the pocket has an area somewhat larger than that surrounded with a laminating line on an outer film forming the pocket, whereby the inner film is brought in pressure contact or engagement with the outer film, when the balloon assembly is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Inventor: Hatsuo Hoshi
  • Patent number: 4805221
    Abstract: An installation of sound converters (e.g., speakers) in an enclosure having mechanical fasteners such that the transmission of solid-borne sound from the speakers to the enclosure is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventor: Jurgen Quaas
  • Patent number: 4803733
    Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm mounting system where there is a perimeter frame to which is mounted a planar flexible diaphragm having electrically conductive elements thereon. The frame has two perimeter sections which have matching perimeter grooves to receive an elongate tensioning member which presses the edge portion of the diaphragm into at least one of the grooves. By controlling the force with which the two frame sections are pushed together, tension on the diaphragm can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Inventors: Robert W. Carver, James J. Croft
  • Patent number: 4633972
    Abstract: A speaker retainer for mounting a speaker to a vehicle body panel is formed of molded elastomeric material and includes a cup-shaped portion for receiving the magnet portion of the speaker and oppositely extending straps which are releasably cooperable with integral attachment means on the body panel to releasably hold the cone shaped portion of the speaker against the panel. The cup-shaped portion can also mount a fastener for mounting an acoustic cover on the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Benjamin K. DeRocher
  • Patent number: 4601361
    Abstract: On an electronic musical instrument, a loudspeaker is fitted to a space through a bellows. Therefore, it can be freely pulled out and push into the space. Further, the use of the bellows contribute to making the space smaller and an acoustic effect easily changeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Nakada
  • Patent number: 4582163
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer comprising a diaphragm (1) and means for shifting the high-frequency roll-off of the frequency-response characteristic of the transducer towards lower frequencies. This is accomplished by making the diaphragm (1) permeable to air, the permeability to air over the entire surface area of the diaphragm being such that at least a passage of 50 liters of air per second per square meter is obtained for a pressure difference of 200 Pa (=200 N/m.sup.2) between opposite sides of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Raphael F. A. Catthoor
  • Patent number: 4531608
    Abstract: A compression speaker driver has a relatively stiff, light weight diaphragm 11, including a dome portion and a rim portion around the periphery of the dome portion. The mounting plate 17 has an opening larger than the dome portion of the diaphragm 11, and a ring 31 is laminated to both the diaphragm 11 rim and to the mounting plate 17. Producing a composite compliance which prevents significant radial movement of the dome portion and which distributes the stress of flexing across the width of the compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Inventor: Harro K. Heinz
  • Patent number: 4461932
    Abstract: An improved ribbon-type speaker having an independent magnetic circuit unit and vibration system assembly to thereby reduce second harmonic wave distortion and to provide a speaker which is easy to assemble and disassemble. The case of the magnetic circuit unit can be used as a jig in assembling the magnetic circuit thereby largely reducing the number of steps and the number of tools needed in assembly. The ribbon-type speaker further incorporates advantageously recess portions in a supporting frame of the vibration system assembly together with semicircular cut-out portions provided at both ends of long sides of the opening in the supporting frame. The rigidity of the vibrating plate is thus enhanced and the deformation and elongation of the damper member of the vibration system assembly is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Oyaba
  • Patent number: 4454927
    Abstract: A miniaturized cone driven reentrant loudspeaker is provided. A cone spea is positioned within a housing. The housing includes a front wall for radiating sound and a side wall. The cone speaker is directed towards a reflector back plate having a generally spherical surface which protrudes into the cone speaker for directing sound waves towards sidewalls of the housing to define a miniaturized cone driven reentrant loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Atlas Sound Division of American Trading and Production Corp.
    Inventor: Frederick L. Seebinger