Intensifying Horn Patents (Class 181/177)
  • Patent number: 11849296
    Abstract: A vibration device includes a plate-like glass vibrator and a plurality of exciters that are attached to the glass vibrator and configured to generate vibration according to an input electrical signal. An aspect ratio La/Lb of a length La of a longer side to a length Lb of a shorter side of a rectangle in which the glass vibrator is inscribed is 1.2 to 50. Provided that the number of the exciters is n and a minimum value of distance between the exciters is Smin, a relational value ? (?=Smin?1)/La) is 0.2 to 0.8. In the case where the number n of exciters is 3 or larger, a value ?(?=S?/Save) obtained by dividing a standard deviation S? of distances by an average Save of the distances between the exciters is 0 to 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Akiyama, Kento Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11682378
    Abstract: An acoustic lens is presented that redirects high frequency voice sounds over a barrier to improve the intelligibility of speech when a protective barrier is used to isolate people from each other. The acoustic lens includes curved sheets to delay sound to create focal points on each side of a barrier, where the focal points are lower than the top of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SIGNAL ESSENCE, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Joseph McLaughlin, Ryan Hugh McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 11683636
    Abstract: A coaxial compression driver including a housing, a first vibrating membrane for lower frequencies housed in the housing and facing a first compression chamber in communication with a first acoustic conduit, a second vibrating membrane for higher frequencies housed in the housing and facing a second compression chamber in communication with a second acoustic conduit, and a passive acoustic low pass filter housed in the first acoustic conduit, where the first and second vibrating membranes are arranged in the housing coaxial with respect to each other, where the first and second acoustic conduits converge into a common output acoustic conduit, and where the passive low pass filter is a lumped parameters filter which prevents frequencies above a predetermined cutoff frequency from passing from the second to the first acoustic conduit and allows frequencies below the predetermined cutoff frequency to pass from the first to the common output acoustic conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: B & C SPEAKERS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Casadei, Valentina Cardinali
  • Patent number: 11343608
    Abstract: A coaxial compression driver including a housing, a first vibrating membrane for relatively lower frequencies housed in the housing where the first vibrating membrane faces a first compression chamber in communication with a first acoustic conduit, a second vibrating membrane for relatively higher frequencies housed in the housing, where the second vibrating membrane faces a second compression chamber in communication with a second acoustic conduit the first vibrating membrane and the second vibrating membrane arranged in the housing being coaxial or substantially coaxial with respect to each other, the first acoustic conduit and the second acoustic conduit converge into a common output acoustic conduit, and the coaxial compression driver includes a passive low pass filter at least partially housed in the first acoustic conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: B&C SPEAKERS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Casadei, Valentina Cardinali
  • Patent number: 10321223
    Abstract: A mobile computing device receptacle is provided. The mobile computing device receptacle has a rear enclosure with a receiving area for receiving a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device receptacle also has a first acoustic amplification component operably connected to a first side of the rear enclosure. In addition, the mobile computing device receptacle has a second acoustic amplification component operably connected to a second side of the rear enclosure. Further, the mobile computing device receptacle has a front enclosure having a first side speaker hole arrangement and a second speaker hole arrangement. The first side speaker hole arrangement is configured to be positioned over the first acoustic amplification component. In addition, the second side speaker hole arrangement is configured to be positioned over the second acoustic amplification component. A coupling mechanism couples a mobile computing device between the front enclosure and the rear enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Language Line Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lindsay D'Penha, Jeffrey Cordell, Greg Weisenfeld
  • Patent number: 9943265
    Abstract: A sensing assemblage for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium is disclosed to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing assemblage comprises a transducer and a waveguide. The transducer is coupled to the waveguide at a first location. A reflective surface can be coupled to the waveguide at a second location. The reflective surface is configured to reflect energy waves away from the reflective surface. An interface material that is transmissive to acoustic energy waves can be placed between the transducer and a waveguide to improve transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Orthosensor Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Stein, James Ellis, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9008343
    Abstract: An annular diaphragm compression driver for electro-acoustic conversion has an annular diaphragm, which bears a moving coil, and a compression driver housing with a closed housing base. Opposite the housing base is a sound wave routing element having a sound discharge channel. The compression driver also has an annular magnet system unit, which has an annular magnet gap (M) and a compression chamber, adjoining the magnet gap (M), for the annular diaphragm. The open exit end of the sound discharge channel is in slot form and its entry start is annular. The sound path between the compression chamber and the entry start contains an annular collecting space. The collecting space and the sound discharge channel contain a central sound guidance body having a portion which merges to match the slot-like exit end. The sound discharge channel is formed between the sound guidance body and the sound wave routing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: BMS Speakers GmbH
    Inventor: Dimitar Kirilov Dimitrov
  • Publication number: 20150027802
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device that in many embodiments may be comprised of what is commonly described as a “case” in the portable electronic device industry, which is largely a cavity which envelopes the portable electronic device. This case may be one solid piece, or be multiple pieces that then assemble around the portable electronic device to protect and/or decorate the device. In one embodiment, the case's functional purpose is serving as a wallet, with a slot to store items such as credit or identification cards. In a preferred embodiment the case component may then be comprised of one or more sound guides which are designed to control and direct sound from its origin and emit the sound towards the front or the face of the case. This origin is typically one or more speakers, and the guides may additionally serve to alter or enhance the acoustics of the produced sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Catalyst Medium Four, Inc. (dba CM4, Inc.)
    Inventors: Matthew Timothy Altschul, Beejan Soheili
  • Patent number: 8858892
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system has a housing defining an interior space. The housing has an inlet port for receiving liquid into the interior space of the housing and an outlet port for allowing liquid to exit the interior space of the housing. The outlet port is spaced from the inlet port so that liquid flows through the interior space of the housing from the inlet port to the outlet port. An ultrasonic waveguide assembly is disposed within the interior space of the housing and includes an ultrasonic horn disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port of the housing. The ultrasonic horn is operable at an ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize liquid flowing within the housing. An ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light into the interior space of the housing to treat liquid flowing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Janssen, John G. Ahles, Robert A. Cool, Thomas David Ehlert, John Gavin MacDonald, Earl C. McCraw, Jr., Patrick Sean McNichols, Paul W. Rasmussen, Steve J. Roffers
  • Publication number: 20140233781
    Abstract: A sound transmission, material is made of fibers entangled with each other and has a self-standing property and a high performance sound transmission property, namely the Taber stiffness is not less than 5 mN·m, the bending resistance is not less than 100 mN, the porosity is not less than 50%, and the thickness is not more than 3 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOMOEGAWA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fukushi Kawakami, Takayuki Sano
  • Publication number: 20140174846
    Abstract: Protective cases for use with mobile devices (phones and tables) are disclosed herein and include a sound amplification feature which is integral to the case and serves to amplify the sound emitted from the speaker of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Molinaro
  • Patent number: 8649544
    Abstract: A phasing plug for a compression driver includes a base portion and a hub portion. The base portion includes a first side, a second side, and a plurality of apertures extending between the first and second sides. The hub portion extends from the base portion along an axis. The hub portion includes an outer surface and a plurality of ribs disposed on the outer surface. A plurality of recesses are defined by the outer surface and respective pairs of adjacent ribs. At least one aperture fluidly communicates with at least one of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexander Voishvillo
  • Patent number: 8548184
    Abstract: This invention provides an acoustic waveguide with a continuous least-energy-surface formed from an upper vertical control curve, a lower vertical control curve, right horizontal control curve and a left horizontal control curve. In addition, a circular throat end and a non-elliptical closed control curve form a mouth such that the continuous least-energy-surface is coincident with the six control curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Bernard M. Werner
  • Patent number: 8488826
    Abstract: A horn enclosure combines sound output emanating from a plurality of acoustic drivers. The horn enclosure includes a plurality of sound input plenums, a plurality of flow passageways, and a common sound output chamber. Each of the input plenums is coupled to an acoustic driver for receiving generated sound output from the associated driver. A plurality of partitions defining the plurality of flow passageways provides for a plurality of acoustic paths from each acoustic driver and through the input plenum. The common sound output chamber is in acoustic communication with each plenum through respective flow passageways and has a sound output opening for passage of the combined sound output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas J. Danley
  • Patent number: 8479873
    Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a horn waveguide having a throat and a waveguide surface; an acoustic radiator assembly, located at the throat of the waveguide, comprising a diaphragm having a rigid acoustically radiating surface shaped as a section from a toroidal surface for generating acoustic wavefronts, the waveguide surface being adapted to match the shape of the wavefronts coming from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GP Acoustics (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Mark Dodd
  • Patent number: 8469140
    Abstract: A radial waveguide assembly comprises a transducer section and a waveguide section. The transducer section includes first and second cone loudspeakers arranged coaxially and in an opposed relationship. A compression plug having two input surfaces is mounted between diaphragms of the cone loudspeakers. Channels from the first and second cone loudspeakers feed common sound chambers located in a belt around the circular perimeter where they connect to external ports. A radial; folded waveguide has a circular throat which connects to the external ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Curtis E. Graber
  • Patent number: 8327974
    Abstract: A sound enhancer for use with a speaker assembly, comprising a sound manifold forming an enclosure having upper and lower hollow interior portions, the enclosure defining an interior zone within an upper interior portion and having an inlet that faces angularly forwardly, and upwardly, a speaker assembly facing rearwardly through an inlet and into an interior zone to transmit sound rearwardly within the upper interior portion, the enclosure having a back panel to reflect sound transmission downwardly toward and into the enclosure lower interior portion, the lower interior portion having a frontward facing outlet from which sound is transmitted forwardly below the level of the speaker assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Harold N. Smith, Jr., Harold N. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 8256568
    Abstract: A protective sleeve having an external sound-amplifying member is configured to cover a portable electronic product having an audio port, and it includes a covering element covering the portable electronic product and a sound-amplifying member. A surface of the covering element is provided with a connecting hole in communication with the audio port. The sound-amplifying member is hollow and connected to the outside of the covering element. One end of the sound-amplifying member is formed into an insertion section inserted into the connecting hole, and the other end thereof is formed into a sound-amplifying section. The sound of the portable electronic product is emitted from the audio port and amplified through the sound-amplifying member and the sound-amplifying section. By this structure, an external loud speaker is unnecessary, and the protective sleeve itself can generate a sufficient sound-amplifying effect, thereby increasing the functionality and practicability of the protective sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Chin-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8194904
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a speaker system unit with a cone type vibration plate, a horn and a diffuser. The horn is disposed such that a small-diameter opening thereof is positioned inward from a front opening of the vibration plate, and an outer surface of the horn is arranged along an inner surface of the vibration plate to form a first acoustic path. The diffuser has a base portion, a front end portion and an outer peripheral surface extending therebetween, and is disposed such that the base portion is positioned inward from a front opening of the horn, opposite the small-diameter opening of the horn. The diffuser has a specific shape such that the outer peripheral surface expands along an inner surface of the horn to form a second acoustic path and then narrows toward the front end portion of the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Iwayama
  • Patent number: 7936892
    Abstract: This invention provides an acoustic waveguide with a continuous least-energy-surface formed from an upper vertical control curve, a lower vertical control curve, right horizontal control curve and a left horizontal control curve. In addition, a circular throat end and a non-elliptical closed control curve form a mouth such that the continuous least-energy-surface is coincident with the six control curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Bernard M. Werner
  • Publication number: 20100219012
    Abstract: An amplification device for use with a phone or other electronic device having a speaker. The amplification device typically includes an amplification structure having an input end and an output end, and an adapter located proximal to the input end and configured to engage a phone or other electronic device such that a speaker on the phone or other electronic device emanates sound into the input end, whereby the sound is amplified by the amplification structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Gryphon Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Baumbach
  • Publication number: 20100193281
    Abstract: A megaphone comprises a rigid but bendable material with a tapered shape. When the material is folded, the produced megaphone has a small opening at one end and a larger opening at the other end. The megaphone has edges that form an opening along the side such that when pressure is applied to the edges the opening expands allowing the megaphone to be positioned on a person's arm or leg. Once positioned on the arm of leg the rigidity of the material causes the megaphone return to its original cone shape. The megaphone can enclose around a user's arm or leg for storage purposes during an event. Information can be displayed on the surface of the megaphone. The megaphone of the present invention can be folded and unfolded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Andre Roberson
  • Patent number: 7708112
    Abstract: An improved horn for a compression driver which has an interior foam plug for reducing the amplitude of unwanted non-fundamental wave propagation and better control over the sound radiation pattern of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Earl Russell Geddes
  • Patent number: 7506721
    Abstract: A low frequency exponential bass horn enclosure employing a large area unitary throat pathway, bifurcated at a substantially parabolic rearward channel wall, convertible to a front-loaded or rear-loaded configuration by the use of interchangeable parts, with driver access from the front. Intended for corner placement, however, fully enclosed horn channel allows for floor use. The axially-centered throat expands vertically, exhausts rearward, and is bifurcated at the back of the enclosure with two hard reflection points, comprising a single fold, in which the vertically arranged horn terminus exhausts with a forward-canted splay angle around a partially rectangular back chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Dana A. Moore
  • Publication number: 20090032617
    Abstract: A spray cap for generating a spraying sound having enhanced perceived loudness, the spray cap having an acoustic structure provided around a nozzle to modify a spraying sound produced by spraying through the nozzle as a function of sound pressure level and frequency into a modified spraying sound having a sound spectrum in a sensitive part of the spectrum of human hearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Philip Craig Withers
  • Patent number: 7454030
    Abstract: A single folded, expanding horn loudspeaker reproduces low frequency audible sound at high power output levels. A compact enclosure houses a plurality of identical transducers, characterized by small vibrational surface areas. The throats for each transducer into the horn are acoustically differentially spaced from the mouth of the horn. Transducer drive circuitry adjusts a drive signal for the transducers to compensate for the different impedance and propagation time to the horn mouth at each throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Curtis H. Graber
  • Publication number: 20080185424
    Abstract: A megaphone popcorn cup is provided. The cup includes a first end, which is open to an interior of the cup, and a second end, which has a smaller diameter than the first end. The cup has a side wall with overlapping first and second side edges that are attached to one another. An end cap at least partially seals the second end. The end cap is vertically offset from the second end toward the first end and is formed with the side wall as a single, continuous piece of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Jon A. Richie
  • Patent number: 7299893
    Abstract: A loudspeaker horn (11) having a throat end (13) for receiving acoustic power from aligned acoustic power sources (41, 43, 45), an elongated throat (33), and a flared section (17) is provided with grating lobe mitigation fins (27, 29) that extend substantially parallel to the propagation axis of the horn from the throat end toward the mouth end of the horn's flared section. The length of the grating lobe mitigation fins is established in accordance with the degree of suppression of the grating lobes produced by the aligned acoustic power sources that is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Meyer, Perrin Meyer, Roger Schwenke
  • Patent number: 7252176
    Abstract: A low frequency exponential/hyperbolic hybrid folded horn enclosure intended for use in proximity with at least one planar surface, such as a floor, ceiling, or wall, with access to the horn throat from the top of the enclosure. The horn is bifurcated at the throat and folds horizontally around a central trapezoid-shaped vertical back chamber which is reflex ported for enhanced low frequency response below the frequency cutoff of the horn. The back chamber outer sides define part of the horn channel, resulting in a relatively simple structure with a small footprint and no void internal space. The throat exponential expansion cross-sectional area is consistently maintained while the proportions of the throat channels are elongated to the height of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Dana A. Moore
  • Patent number: 7095868
    Abstract: A phase plug for optimally matching a drive-unit's diaphragm to the throat of a waveguide is disclosed. Specific embodiments of a circular diaphragm matched to an elliptical waveguide and a circular diaphragm to a rectangular waveguide are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Earl Geddes
  • Patent number: 7027605
    Abstract: A midrange loudspeaker for operation in conjunction with low-frequency and high-frequency loudspeaker modules in a theater sound system, having a reduced depth for deployment in limited space. The midrange module is configured with a plurality of drivers and a waveguide unit that provides uniform sound coverage throughout a theater auditorium with substantially seamless crossovers at 250 Hz and 1.5 kHz and with the vertical beam-width held substantially constant by an electrical filter network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Bernard M. Werner
  • Patent number: 6837334
    Abstract: A folded structure (and a blank of sheet material) capable of being folded to said structure is provided which structure is an acoustic horn comprising an acoustic horn comprising a tapered structure having a base end and an apex end, the tapered structure being formed from a sheet of foldable material, and comprising a wall member having a plurality of fold lines defining the edges of a plurality of juxtaposed panels, characterised in that at least two of the fold lines (73, 74) are arcuate to form a non-planar panel (55) bound by said arcuate fold lines both base end (51) and apex end (52) being open. The structure provides an inexpensive party product which can easily be shaped in flat form but provides pleasing acoustical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Dominic Le Prevost
  • Publication number: 20040005069
    Abstract: A new approach has been developed to combine mid-range and high frequency sound into the throat of a horn designed for sound reinforcement. An acoustic low pass filter element is interposed between the lower frequency passage and the higher frequency passage, so that a smooth combination of the two frequency bands is achieved at the entrance to the horn bell. Thus, each frequency band has nearly identical dispersion, and the two sources have equal delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Marshall D. Buck
  • Patent number: 6668969
    Abstract: A manifold for a horn loudspeaker has an input end having at least one input port for receiving acoustic power from at least one acoustic driver, and an output end for delivering acoustic power to the throat end of the horn. The output end of the manifold has at least two and suitably multiple output ports. An acoustic power waveguide is provided for each output port and connects each of the output ports to the input port of the manifold. Acoustic power received by the input port is divided between the acoustic waveguides such that it is delivered to the aligned output ports to simulate a line array of acoustic power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Meyer, Perrin Meyer, Richard D. Herr
  • Patent number: 6658128
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer of a horn loudspeaker emits sound, which is supplied through a sound conduit pipe to a horn and propagated out of the horn through a mouth of the horn. The sound conduit pipe is coupled to the horn via a rectangular opening in the upper one of the upper and lower walls forming the horn, to thereby provide a linear sound source for the loudspeaker. The location where the sound conduit pipe is coupled to the horn and/or the tilt angle of the sound conduit pipe with respect to the horn may be varied to control the sound radiation characteristic of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: TOA Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yoshioka, Yasuhiro Fukunaka, Hiroshi Kubota, Ken Iwayama
  • Patent number: 6574344
    Abstract: A directional speaker system includes an enclosure having an inner surface, an outer surface, an open end, and a closed end, a speaker driver directed toward the open end and mounted near the closed end of the enclosure, an in-line phase plug mounted in front of the speaker driver for manipulating the wavefront of sound waves produced by the speaker driver, and a preferably frustoconical shaped wave guide provided between the speaker driver and the open end of the speaker enclosure. A preferably annular space is provided between the enclosure and the wave guide and a plurality of openings are provided between the enclosure at the open end of the enclosure. Out-of-phase sound waves produced by the speaker driver travel into the space and exit the speaker system through the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Soundtube Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wiener, Steven Burgess
  • Patent number: 6530451
    Abstract: A system for sound diffusion, particularly at low and infra-low frequencies in rooms used for the reproduction of music and speech including at least one large horn enclosure and an architectural structure with a continuous or intermittent “multi-hemicylindrical” surface. The surface covers the walls of the room, for the diffusion/reflection of the sound in a broad spectrum of frequencies and with absorption that is adjustable at least at the low frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Outline S.N.C. di Noselli G. & C.
    Inventor: Guido Noselli
  • Patent number: 6519348
    Abstract: A first feature of the present invention is that the opening of a sound output port 3b is smaller in area than the opening of a sound input port 3a in a horn 3. A second feature is that the sound output port 3b of the horn 3 is located so as not to be in the way of a center axis of sound radiation from a speaker 2. A third feature is that a length L of the horn 3 is set at 370 mm or below. A fourth feature is that the horn 3 is gradually narrowed such that vertical sections thereof from the sound input port 3a to the sound output port 3b respectively have areas based on a predetermined rule. Thus, it is possible to realize a speaker apparatus in which a sound output port of a horn is smaller in area than a vibrating surface of a speaker while reproducing sound whose quality is equal or similar to that in conventional speaker apparatus, and a television set equipped with the speaker apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ikeuchi, Tomio Shiota, Seiji Harada
  • Patent number: 6516076
    Abstract: A modular horn loudspeaker principally intended for use on emergency vehicles consists of three coaxially aligned cup-shaped parts, a sound chamber, a cover fitted to the sound chamber and a housing. The first embodiment of the modular, compact horn loudspeaker is implemented with a single siren driver and includes a dome-shaped driver diaphragm integrally formed onto an interior surface of the sound chamber. The sound chamber is an acoustical boundary defining member having curved propagation paths or horn throat channels formed in relief on a cup-shaped exterior surface. The sound chamber is coaxially aligned with and received in a tightly fitted cup-shaped cover member to define a plurality of curved horn throats of expanding rectangular cross sectional dimension directing the sound waves rearwardly around the diaphragm periphery and toward a housing rear wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Atlas Sound, L.P.
    Inventor: Bruce Marlin
  • Patent number: 6478109
    Abstract: A laminated composite panel-form loudspeaker consists of a peripherally stiffened laminated composite radiating panel on which a preselected number of transducers are mounted and a rectangular frame carrying a flexible suspension device which supports the panel radiator. The laminated composite radiating panel comprises a predetermined number of orthotropic laminae with predetermined specific moduli and stacking sequence. The peripheral edge of the laminated composite radiating panel is reinforced with strips of which the rigidities are determined in such a way that beneficial natural normal modes of the radiating panel are excited and satisfactory operation of the panel radiator over a desired acoustic frequency range achieved. The standing waves at the peripheral edge of the stiffened radiating panel are damped out via the use of the flexible suspension device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Tai-Yan Kam
  • Patent number: 6466680
    Abstract: A high-frequency cinema loudspeaker module for deployment behind a perforated cinema screen is configured with a waveguide to compensate for the beam-spreading effects of the perforated screen at the high end of the frequency range and to facilitate and co-ordinate integration with a complementary midrange module of a total sound system in providing defined coverage in a theater. A compression driver is coupled to a waveguide that is specially shaped to narrow the horizontal beamwidth at the higher frequencies affected by the perforated screen, and thus provide compensation that results in a more uniform overall defined sound coverage in the theater within the designated high-frequency range. The module is configured with the driver and waveguide axes inclined downwardly at an angle of 6 degrees from horizontal to facilitate overall coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Gelow, Bernard M. Werner
  • Publication number: 20020074184
    Abstract: A multi-purpose device for use in a wide variety of circumstances including at sporting events. The device can (1) serve as a hat or headgear, (2) it can amplify a user's voice, (3) it can be used as a hearing aid, (4) it can be used as a carrying utensil, (5) it can serve as a banner to advertise a logo, (6) it can be used as a traffic safety cone, and (7) it can serve as a Christmas ornament. The device is tubular in shape; however, the tube is larger at one end than at the other end. The small end is about the size of mouth piece and the large end is several times larger than the small end. The device is made of a soft material that can fold and the inside of the device has sound reflective properties. The device is made of semi-flexible material that can support its own weight when held at the ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Sportniks, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Cowgill, Charles W. Elroy
  • Patent number: 6394223
    Abstract: A loudspeaker horn, loudspeaker and a loudspeaker system wherein at least one loudspeaker includes a horn composed of a waveguide, a plurality of throats acoustically coupled to a single waveguide at their mouths and to respective drivers of a plurality of drivers at their inlets. The axis of the throats form an arc in the plane of the long axis of the waveguide to optimize energy distribution in this plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Clair Brothers Audio Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20020029926
    Abstract: A sound-producing device includes an acoustical generator associated with a rigid acoustical waveguide. The waveguide has a first section aligned with the exit and a second section aligned with the entry and the two sections are connected by a curved reflecting surface having the shape of part of a conic section surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Eric Vincenot, Francois Deffarges
  • Patent number: 6334505
    Abstract: The invention presents a design of optimum edges for antennas of loudspeakers, microphones, hydro-speakers, hydro-phones, brass and wind instruments, and ultrasonic transducers. These edges have a serrated-roll shape, and enhance the acoustical field strength uniformity. Loudspeakers, hydro-speakers, and ultrasonic transducers will become more effective in radiating acoustical power. The quality of these apparatuses are enriched. The musical tone emitted by loudspeakers, brass and wind instruments becomes more smooth, mellow, rich, clean, and elegant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Ming-Chiang Li
  • Publication number: 20010033124
    Abstract: A sonic emitter, horn array with enhanced emitter-to-air acoustic coupling, with particular application to ultrasonic frequencies. The emitter comprises a plate support member having opposing first and second faces separated by an intermediate plate body. The plate body includes a plurality of conduits configured as an array of acoustic horns, with a small throat opening at the first face and an intermediate horn section which diverges to a broad mouth opening at the second face. An emitter membrane is positioned in direct contact with the first face and extends across the small throat openings. The emitter membrane is biased for (i) applying tension to the membrane extending across the throat openings and (ii) displacing the membrane into a non-planar configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Elwood G. Norris, James J. Croft
  • Patent number: 6129173
    Abstract: A personal removable mouthpiece can be slipped over the mouthpiece of a voice amplification instrument. An aperture in the removable mouthpiece allows a user to use the voice amplification instrument without the user's mouth coming into contact with the instrument. When a second user begins using the instrument, the removable mouthpiece is replaced thereby preventing the second user from being exposed to any communicable disease of the first user. The removable mouthpiece includes inner and outer annular walls with an annular opening defined therebetween into which the mouthpiece of the voice amplification instrument is inserted. The inner and outer annular walls are connected at bottom ends thereof by a bottom annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Paula Panton
  • Patent number: 6059069
    Abstract: A loudspeaker horn has straight wall section and a curved wall section. The straight wall section has diverging walls defining a coverage angle and the curved wall portion is connected to the straight wall portion at a point tangent thereto, and has a proximal end disposed perpendicular to the plane of the throat entrance. At least one coverage angle in orthogonal planes has a common apex in the plane of the throat entrance and along the horn axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Peavey Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Emory Hughes, II
  • Patent number: 5991421
    Abstract: The present invention is a waveguide for an acoustic speaker having a predetermined cone weight. The waveguide body has a speaker end and an open end and an even number of segments with a flat surface in a plane parallel to the speaker end. The segments have inside wall surfaces which flare increasingly outwardly from the speaker, and these inside wall surfaces have a speaker end length, L.sub.1, determined by the following formulas, L.sub.1 minimum=0.7.times.w.sub.s /0.0012 g/cm.sup.3 .times.1/A.sub.SE, and L.sub.1 maximum=1.2.times.w.sub.s /0.0012 g/cm.sup.3 .times.1/A.sub.SE, wherein L.sub.1 is a straight line length of the lower portion of the segment wall surface, w.sub.s is the weight of a speaker cone in grams/cm.sup.3, and A.sub.SE is the cross-sectional area of the speaker end in square centimeters. Each of the segment inside wall surfaces has an outer end length L.sub.2 which has a predetermined length related to L.sub.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Single Source Technology and Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Faraone
  • Patent number: 5910648
    Abstract: In a sound generator of the type having a motor powered piston (7-9) limiting a chamber (18) connected to a resonance tube (16) and which is adapted to generate sound waves for cleaning heat exchange surfaces, the piston (7-9) is according the invention provided with two axially spaced piston membranes (8, 9) and a device (19) for establishing a vacuum between the two membranes (8, 9) and thus ensuring only tensile stresses in membranes (8, 9) thereby increasing their life time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Kockum Sonics AB
    Inventor: Mats Moritz