Bass Reflex (e.g., Rear Wave) Patents (Class 381/349)
  • Patent number: 7252175
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus is a bass-reflex type woofer used in a speaker system, and includes a body portion for housing a speaker unit and a bass-reflex port mounted and fixed in the body portion. Further, in the speaker apparatus, a protrusion for temporarily fastening the bass-reflex port in the case of mounting and fixing the bass-reflex port is provided in the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7218747
    Abstract: An externally ported speaker enclosure includes a primary enclosure having a port or opening. The primary enclosure may continuously vary from a first dimension to a dimension of the port or opening. Alternatively, a duct or tube may extend from, and external to, the primary enclosure. The duct or tube may transition from a first dimension to a dimension of the port or opening. The dimensions of the port, primary enclosure, and transition from primary enclosure to port are configured to reinforce the low frequency response of a speaker mounted to the enclosure. A cylindrical primary enclosure may transition gradually or continuously to a port. The cylindrical primary enclosure can include a closed first end and an open port end. A speaker can be mounted to the cylindrical face of the primary enclosure. Alternatively, the speaker may be mounted parallel to an axis of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Nick Huffman
  • Patent number: 7201252
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a loudspeaker drive unit (1) and a rear sound absorption system (20) having a multiplicity of tubes connected to the rear of the loudspeaker drive unit. In one example, the rear sound absorption system (20) comprises a collector tube (22) for sound waves emerging from a passage in the magnet assembly of the loudspeaker drive unit, an annular diffuser (24) for sound waves coming from the back of the diaphragm (4), and a disk-shaped diffuser (26) for second waves collected by the collector tube (22). The disk-shaped diffuser (26) is part of a basket-like assembly (28) mounted on the rear of the magnet assembly (6). The annular diffuser (24) is mounted against the wall (2) of the enclosure in which the loudspeaker drive unit (1) is mounted. The annular diffuser (24) includes a base portion (24A) with integral upstanding vanes (24B) arranged in a spiral configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: B & W Loudspeakers Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Michael Nevill
  • Patent number: 7142686
    Abstract: A case of the information equipment is provided for setting various parts in. A speaker and receiver are provided in the frame. A first back chamber is formed in the speaker and a second back chamber is formed in the receiver. A baffle is formed on a part of the frame for dividing the inner space of the case so as to separate the first and second back chambers from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Furuya, Hironori Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 7133533
    Abstract: An audio device has passive radiators that are driven by acoustic drivers. The passive radiators are arranged so that the net mechanical vibration is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Chick, Hal P. Greenberger, Roman Litovsky, Christopher B. Ickler, Roger Mark, George Nichols
  • Patent number: 7111706
    Abstract: The acoustic enclosure comprises a box, on which is mounted at least one electro-acoustic transducer, and a vent which together with the box produces a bass-reflex system with a specified bass-reflex resonant frequency. The vent comprises means of attenuation at the bass-reflex resonant frequency. Included is an audiovisual apparatus comprising a display device and such an enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Gilles Bourgoin
  • Patent number: 7051835
    Abstract: The loudspeaker construction comprises a loudspeaker chamber delimited by a loudspeaker enclosure structure, a reflex duct communicating with the loudspeaker chamber so as to connect the loudspeaker chamber to the exterior environment of the loudspeaker enclosure, and at least one loudspeaker unit mounted on the loudspeaker enclosure structure so as to form a portion of the delimiting walls of the loudspeaker chamber. According to the invention, the loudspeaker enclosure structure comprises a curved spiral structure closed from its both sides by gable elements so as to form the loudspeaker chamber, and the reflex duct is adapted at least partially running on the outer periphery of the spiral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Genelec Oy
    Inventor: Ilpo Martikainen
  • Patent number: 7039212
    Abstract: A port for a loudspeaker is disclosed which is sufficiently weather resistant for long term outdoor use and which prevents debris, insects and other vermin from entering the loudspeaker and which is compact and efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Britannia Investment Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Poling, Bradley M. Starobin, Allen S. Baran, Matthew S. Polk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7011178
    Abstract: A sound transmitter includes at least a vibrating membrane mounted on the wall of an enclosure so that one surface of the speaker membrane radiates in the enclosure, the enclosure being provided with a vent forming a conduit between an outlet inside the enclosure and an outlet outside the enclosure. The vent comprises aerodynamic turbulence attenuating elements at least at one of the outlets, the turbulence resulting from an air stream caused by the large amplitude displacements of the membrane. The invention also concerns a sound transmitter wherein air moves in a conduit (33) extending from the membrane to an outlet (35) of the conduit (33) on the outside. The invention further concerns a speaker whereof the members have an aerodynamic shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignees: Universite Pierre et Marie Curie
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Morkerken
  • Patent number: 6968067
    Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a portable entertainment system that includes a housing unit and an audio system supported by the housing unit. A transport structure is coupled to the housing unit such that the housing unit is portable. The audio system includes electronic audio equipment and at least a first pair of speakers coupled to the electronic audio equipment. The housing unit contains a speaker enclosure and a support panel is disposed between and substantially parallel to the front and rear panels and the support panel divides the speaker enclosure to form a front air-filled section and a rear air-filled section. A first audio port extends through the housing unit into a front air-filled section of the speaker enclosure and a second audio port extends through the housing unit at least into a rear air-filled section of the speaker enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Patrick Lopez
  • Patent number: 6955241
    Abstract: The invention provides a speaker unit for low frequency reproduction wherein distortion is reduced and the orientation of a sound image of the lower side frequency region is augmented. To that end, the phase characteristic in an actually used frequency band is made substantially flat. The speaker unit includes a speaker enclosure, a duct formed in the speaker enclosure and having a port thereon, and a speaker mounted in the speaker enclosure. The speaker is formed such that it has a first resonance frequency set higher than a higher side frequency of the actually used frequency band (about 20 Hz to 100 Hz), while the port is formed such that it has a second resonance frequency set lower than a lower side frequency of the actually used frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Thorsell, Glenn Cass, Tetsuya Oishi
  • Patent number: 6907955
    Abstract: An electromagnetic electroacoustic transducer, includes: a diaphragm; a magnet; an electromagnetic coil; and a casing for storing the diaphragm, the magnet and the electromagnetic coil therein. The case has at least one first sound emitting hole through which a front space on a front surface of the diaphragm in the casing communicates with a front outer space in front of the casing and at least one second sound emitting hole through which a rear space on a rear surface of the diaphragm in the casing communicates with the front outer space in front of the casing. A resonant frequency Fv2 of the rear space is set at a value in the range: F0<Fv2?Fv1 in which F0 is a resonant frequency of the diaphragm, and Fv1 is a resonant frequency of the front space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Masuda
  • Patent number: 6870942
    Abstract: A loudspeaker assembly includes a housing defining a bass-reflex enclosure. The housing has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in a vertical section running from front to back of the housing. A conventional low frequency cone woofer is mounted in an aperture in the front face of the enclosure. An elongated port is defined in part by one of the sides of the housing and its top and bottom sides. The elongated port has varying vertical and horizontal cross sectional dimensions to conform to the sides of the enclosure while maintaining a constant cross sectional area. A planar is mounted to the front face of the enclosure over a tuned rear chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Curtis H. Graber
  • Patent number: 6862360
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided which includes a sound box and a speaker mounted in the sound box. The sound box is divided into a plurality of air chambers, each of which is formed with at least an air dissipating hole connecting the atmosphere of the box and at least an air passing hole connecting at least a neighboring air chamber, so as to generate behind the speaker pressurized air cushions corresponding to each frequency band of the frequency response of the speaker. Meanwhile, upon reaching the air dissipating hole of each air chamber the air cushions are generated depressurized and vanished at an appropriate timing so that formerly air cushions do not interfere with those generated in succession; therefore each frequency band of the frequency response of the speaker is provided with an appropriate and independent pressurized air cushion so that high fidelity sound frequencies can be reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Jen-Hui Tsai
  • Publication number: 20040240689
    Abstract: A speaker unit is arranged in a casing of an electronic apparatus. The speaker unit includes a cabinet, a speaker arranged in the cabinet and exposed to the outside of the cabinet, and a port which is defined in the cabinet to open the outside of the cabinet and through which a sound emitted from the backside of the speaker into the cabinet is radiated outward from the cabinet. The speaker is exposed to the outside of the casing through an opening defined in an outside wall of the casing. The port of the speaker unit opens into the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Tomofumi Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20040234082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a system for reproduction of sound, said system for reproduction of sound including as least one bass reflection box equipped with a bass reflection tube and/or a bass reflection opening and with at least one built-in speaker. For that purpose, the bass reflection box is arranged in a side compartment of the interior of the vehicle, and a wall of the bass reflection box, oriented towards the interior of the vehicle, is at least partially coverable with a sound-transmissive lid, the service tools and emergency aids being arranged between depressions in said wall and the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Reitter & Schefenacker Sound GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Rosental, Andreas Heim, Werner Stuffle
  • Publication number: 20040218774
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system comprising a closed cabinet containing a tuned port, an electromechanical driver, an acoustic radial transmission line (VARTL), a reactive alternate density transmission medium (ADTM) load and a radial right angle wave guide (RRAWG). The VARTL is disposed around and in front of the cone of the driver so as to isolate the driver from reflected signals it produces, while simultaneously allowing the driver to remain inert to the reflected signals, acoustic summation or stimulus. The ADTM slows the speed of the wave, thereby causing delay and intentional attenuation of the initial waveform while, by way of radial expansion, allows the proper exit velocity. This system allows the cone to drive the port air mass and the VARTL air mass with essentially equal pressure on each cycle throughout the frequency range of the VARTL and substantially reduces mechanical vibrations in the cabinet by effecting balanced pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Virtual Bass Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan P. Plummer
  • Publication number: 20040190746
    Abstract: A loudspeaker apparatus in which sound from a loudspeaker is emitted from a top surface of a loudspeaker cabinet, wherein the top surface is slanted obliquely backward and, in which a sound reflecting panel is mounted such that that the panel can swing on the rear plate of the loudspeaker cabinet, so that the emitted sound is reflected by the panel toward the listener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Hideki Seki, Makoto Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 6782112
    Abstract: An acoustical transducer enclosure has an acoustic lever acoustically coupled to an electro-acoustical transducer so as to force all radiated sound through the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Earl R. Geddes
  • Patent number: 6763117
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly for use in an audio speaker includes a driver support, a plurality of cavity forming layers disposed rearward of the driver support, and an end piece disposed adjacent a rearward most cavity forming layer. The driver support includes a front and rear and is adapted to support a driver. Each cavity forming layer includes an outer peripheral edge and a void disposed inward of the outer peripheral edge. The void defines an inner circumferential edge. The cavity forming layers may be removably joined such that the voids and the end piece cooperate to form a cavity rearward of the driver support. The cavity forming layers cooperate to advantageously modify the sound performance of the speaker, while providing a high degree of adjustability to the speaker's application environment. Methods of providing the enclosure assembly are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventors: Barry Goldslager, Philip A. Goldslager, Philip W. Goldslager
  • Publication number: 20040131218
    Abstract: An embedded loudspeaker system is set forth incorporating at least two asymmetric enclosures having different but overlapping frequency responses in order to achieve a substantially flat frequency response. At least one of the speaker enclosures is preferably ported (bass-reflex system) to provide as much output as possible in the low-frequency range. By using a plurality of speakers at least one of which has a bass reflex enclosure, a monophonic system is provided with a flat frequency response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Stephane Dedieu, Philippe Moquin, Anders Fahrendorff
  • Publication number: 20040131219
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes a cabinet with an interior air volume, a transducer, a first port extending from an opening in the front wall of the cabinet to the interior of the cabinet, and a second port extending from and opening in the rear wall of the cabinet to the interior of the cabinet. The first and second ports are aligned along a common longitudinal axis and the interior ends of the ports are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. First and second flanges having a diameter larger than the first and second ports are disposed at the interior ends of the first and second ports, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Matthew S. Polk
  • Patent number: 6744902
    Abstract: An enclosure for one or more loudspeakers includes a housing having a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel and opposed end panels collectively defining a hollow interior which is open at an aperture formed in one of the panels. A baffle is mounted within the housing interior which supports one or more loudspeakers and forms a port to direct sound radiating from the back of the speakers to the aperture. All of the panels, and at least the portion of the baffle which is visible through the aperture, are covered with carpeting to provide a finished appearance for mounting of the enclosure within the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio Proni
  • Patent number: 6735320
    Abstract: A loudspeaker comprises an enclosure including a bottom wall, a front wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and a rear wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and opposite the front wall and having an angled wall portion facing generally upwardly and rearwardly. At least one speaker is mounted on the front wall in a given plane to direct sound waves outwardly therefrom and at least one passive device is mounted on the angled wall portion to direct sound waves generally upwardly and rearwardly of the given plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen J. Gertner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6704426
    Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure system including at least one electro-acoustic transducer with a vibratable diaphragm having a first acoustical coupling surface and a second acoustical coupling surface, and at least one differential area passive radiator with three separate acoustical coupling surface areas. The first acoustical coupling surface of the vibratable diaphragm is substantially air coupled through a first enclosure volume to a first of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator. A second of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator is substantially air coupled through a second chamber to the external environment through a restricted acoustic opening or passive acoustic radiator of predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: American Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Croft, III
  • Publication number: 20040017924
    Abstract: A speaker system in which it is possible for power amplifier heat radiation and satisfactory audio characteristics to coexist. The power amplifier, and other components which are sources of heat, are arranged in an air flow convection path that is formed in a curved path from a lower bass reflex port toward an upper bass reflex port of a speaker box. The heat is exhausted (radiated) to the outside from the interior air space of the speaker box by the air flow and air from outside is introduced into the interior air space with good efficiency. In addition, the power amplifier includes a heat sink. The heat sink includes gaps that are formed between each of a plurality of fins which are opened in a vertical or diagonal direction such that the air flow convection path passes through the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kuratani, Kosuke Takata
  • Patent number: 6665413
    Abstract: An infrasonic Helmholtz resonator capable of producing clean sinusoidal frequencies in the range of 6-14 Hz is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John K. Domen
  • Patent number: 6658127
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speaker system that can be advantageously used in a television set. The speaker system has a support member which is provided with a partition wall and mounted on both sides of the television cabinet. A speaker is securely installed in the partition wall of the support member and provided with a frame. An amplifying horn is connected to the frame for collecting and amplifying the sound waves projected toward the frame. A cover is coupled to the rear side of the support member. The speaker system collects and amplifies not only the midrange-frequency and high-frequency sounds projected toward the front of the speaker, but also some of the sound waves projected in the backward direction of the speaker, thereby providing greatly amplified bass and harmonious and sensitive sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 6658129
    Abstract: A passive radiator includes a chassis (11) and a radiator body which is connected to the chassis and which is movable with respect to the chassis along a translation axis (T*). The radiator is capable of displacing comparatively large air volumes. The radiator body includes a central mass element (13a) and at least one mass element (13b) which is arranged concentrically with respect to the central mass element. The radiator further comprises connection units for movably interconnecting each pair of adjacent mass elements and for movably connecting one of the mass elements to an element (11a) of the chassis. Each of the connection units includes two resilient annular connecting rings (5a1, 5a2; 5b1, 5b2), which have two adjacent elements which are parts of said elements secured to them. The connecting rings of at least one of the connection units bound a closed chamber (17a) containing a gaseous medium in order to counteract undesired noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Guido Odilon Maurits D'Hoogh
  • Patent number: 6654472
    Abstract: Speaker system in a display including a speaker for presenting a sound, a rear sound box coupled to a back of the speaker, and a changeable duct disposed to pass through a front surface of the speaker and to be positioned in the rear sound box, and detachably fitted to the speaker, for inverting a phase of a particular frequency of sound among sound generated in a back surface of the speaker, and presenting the inverted sound, thereby permitting, not only to change of the duct only for phase inversion of a desired frequency of a sound, but also to discharge of the phase inverted sound to the front of the speaker system for reducing a loss of a sound pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang Wook Jeon
  • Patent number: 6628799
    Abstract: The outer peripheral site of a loudspeaker unit is provided with predetermined air passages formed along substantially the overall inner perimeter of an opening in a baffle plate for allowing a communication between the interior and the exterior of an enclosure, whereby there is provided a loudspeaker system capable of achieving, e.g., improvements in low-frequency characteristics and in transient characteristics while implementing reductions in size and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Sakuji Fukuda
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6625289
    Abstract: A stereo loudspeaker system (1) consists of a unitary enclosure (2), the rear wall (3) of which is oriented towards a reflecting wall (13), said enclosure (2) including an even number of low-frequency loudspeakers (15) which are disposed symmetrically in the rear wall (3) at an angle to each other. In addition to the low-frequency loudspeakers, the system includes a number of the loudspeakers (16, 17) which are all housed in the same enclosure (2) and are disposed approximately in the same loudspeaker plane or, at least some of them, in pairs at equal distances therefrom. The reflecting wall (13) can consist of a wall of a listening room or of a reflector belonging to the stereo loudspeaker system and connected to said enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Triple W Trading B.V.
    Inventor: Robert J. Oliemuller
  • Patent number: 6625292
    Abstract: An enclosure for one or more loudspeakers includes a housing having a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel and opposed end panels collectively defining a hollow interior which is open at an aperture formed in one of the panels. A baffle is mounted within the housing interior which supports one or more loudspeakers and forms a port to direct sound radiating from the back of the speakers to the aperture. All of the panels, and at least the portion of the baffle which is visible through the aperture, are covered with carpeting to provide a finished appearance for mounting of the enclosure within the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
    Inventor: Lucio Proni
  • Patent number: 6618488
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a speaker box and a speaker mounted thereon. A bass reflex duct is provided in the speaker box at a position corresponding to an approximate center portion of the speaker. In addition, another duct is provided around the speaker in the speaker box. The bass reflex duct is arranged inside of a duct so that the bass reflex duct and the duct overlap each other. The speaker system is arranged to efficiently direct the back pressure of a speaker to the bass reflex duct and greatly increases the sound pressure in resonance even when a compact speaker box is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6597795
    Abstract: A waveguide for use in a loudspeaker. The waveguide is positioned within a loudspeaker enclosure and connect to a low frequency transport duct of the loudspeaker. The waveguide has a hollow body which is perforated with apertures. The body presents a high mechanical impedance to the low frequency waves increasing the duct input impedance of the loudspeaker which improves transmission of the low frequency waves to the exterior of the loudspeaker enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Swenson
  • Patent number: 6561311
    Abstract: An improved structure of speaker cabinet comprising a housing opened on one side thereof, and comprising a front panel, wherein, a plurality of intermediate speakers can be held firm and get increased connecting strength when the front panel is integrally connected with the housing to thereby offset the frontward and rearward thrusts of the speakers. Moreover, a plurality of hollow posts located at the positions in correspondence with those of the connecting areas of the speakers to the cabinet can be filled therein with vibration absorbing material in order to reduce vibration at the earliest time. Such a design not only can reduce volume and weight of the cabinet, but also can improve sound quality and provide a hidden port to improve beauty and waterproofing effect of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Po-An Chuang
  • Patent number: 6560343
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a speaker having a cone which converts an electric signal into a sound wave signal; a frame attached to a rear side of the speaker and having a plurality of sound wave radiating holes formed therein; and a sound wave amplifying horn for amplifying and radiating only a portion of sound waves which are radiated through the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Nam Kim
  • Publication number: 20030076975
    Abstract: This invention provides a speaker port with a flare having an inner wall that minimizes or reduces boundary layer separation. Fluids, such as air and sound waves, flow through the port at a higher velocity when boundary layer separation is minimized or reduced. The inner wall of the port is contoured so that the pressure gradient or change in pressure along the longitudinal axis of the port from its inlet duct to outlet duct is substantially constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Brendon Stead, Clayton Williamson
  • Publication number: 20030063766
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly for use in an audio speaker includes a driver support, a plurality of cavity forming layers disposed rearward of the driver support, and an end piece disposed adjacent a rearward most cavity forming layer. The driver support includes a front and rear and is adapted to support a driver. Each cavity forming layer includes an outer peripheral edge and a void disposed inward of the outer peripheral edge. The void defines an inner circumferential edge. The cavity forming layers may be removably joined such that the voids and the end piece cooperate to form a cavity rearward of the driver support. The cavity forming layers cooperate to advantageously modify the sound performance of the speaker, while providing a high degree of adjustability to the speaker's application environment. Methods of providing the enclosure assembly are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Barry Goldslager, Philip A. Goldslager, Philip W. Goldslager
  • Patent number: 6522757
    Abstract: In a bass intensifying device for a speaker system, a passive radiator (5) constructed by a speaker having a voice coil (7) is disposed at a location where it receives a sound pressure from a main speaker (1) driven by a main amplifier (4). A motion feed-back circuit independently of the main amplifier (4) for driving the main speaker (1) is connected to this passive radiator (5). Since the motion feed-back circuit is closed only in the passive radiator (5), it is possible to reinforce the bass while preventing the motion feed-back circuit from degrading the sound quality of the main speaker (1). The selection of the main amplifier 4 for driving the main speaker is free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignees: Azden Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenori Hiramatsu, Fuminori Sato, Koji Osuga, Akihiro Ozono, Yuichi Honda
  • Patent number: 6504938
    Abstract: An economical and compact dual-chamber loudspeaker includes a small driver received within a partition extending between, and in acoustical and pneumatic communication with, both a front and a back chamber, each of which has a relatively small volume. An elongated vent is in acoustical and pneumatic communication between the front and back chamber at a substantially planar opening in the partition. The drone cone is in acoustical and pneumatic communication between the front chamber and the outside environment at a substantially planar opening in the housing. The two openings are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the chambers is minimized by securing an elongated concentric vent around the vent extending between the front and back chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Anderson, Jason N. Linse, Raymond K. Weikel
  • Patent number: 6504939
    Abstract: The outer peripheral site of a loudspeaker unit is provided with predetermined air passages formed along substantially the overall inner perimeter of an opening in a baffle plate for allowing a communication between the interior and the exterior of an enclosure, whereby there is provided a loudspeaker system capable of achieving, e.g., improvements in low-frequency characteristics and in transient characteristics while implementing reductions in size and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Sakuji Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20020154788
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided which includes a sound box and a speaker mounted in the sound box. The sound box is divided into a plurality of air chambers, each of which is formed with at least an air dissipating hole connecting the atmosphere of the box and at least an air passing hole connecting at least a neighboring air chamber, so as to generate behind the speaker pressurized air cushions corresponding to each frequency band of the frequency response of the speaker. Meanwhile, upon reaching the air dissipating hole of each air chamber the air cushions are generated depressurized and vanished at an appropriate timing so that formerly air cushions do not interfere with those generated in succession; therefore each frequency band of the frequency response of the speaker is provided with an appropriate and independent pressurized air cushion so that high fidelity sound frequencies can be reproduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Jen-Hui Tsai
  • Patent number: 6470088
    Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure includes a rectangular cabinet having an acoustical port mounted in one of the vertical walls. A loudspeaker is installed in a bottom wall of the cabinet facing away from an interior volume of the cabinet. A highly resistive acoustic foam is positioned in front of the loudspeaker to restrict the direct radiation of the loudspeaker, so that the usable acoustic radiation emanates from the acoustical port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Wayne M. Schott
  • Patent number: 6445806
    Abstract: The enclosure of the invention enables greater response in the base range by converting the rear wave present within the enclosure. The enclosure is flexible and is able to act in a manner analogous to a lens in that below a transition frequency, the back wave is reversed to be in phase with the acoustic wave produced by the speaker outside the enclosure and then passed to the listening environment. Above the transition frequency, the enclosure acts as a baffle to dissipates the back wave and acts as a baffle. The result is greater bass response. The speaker system is able to use an underdamped speaker (driver). In this manner, a smaller magnet is used with the speaker (driver) than would otherwise be conventional. The enclosure itself is a simple construction and the result is a low cost speaker system that delivers greater base response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Michael L. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20020085731
    Abstract: An acoustic waveguide system, having source of acoustic radiation and a source of opposing acoustic radiation. An acoustic waveguide has an open end and an interior. A first acoustic driver having a first radiating surface and a second radiating surface is arranged and constructed so that the first radiating surface radiates sound waves into free air and the second radiating surface radiates sound waves into the acoustic waveguide so that sound waves are radiated at the open end. A source of opposing sound waves in the acoustic waveguide opposes a predetermined spectral component of the sound waves radiated into the acoustic waveguide to reduce the acoustic radiation of the predetermined spectral component from the acoustic waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: J. Richard Aylward
  • Patent number: 6411721
    Abstract: The present invention involves a speaker system for sound reproduction. A low frequency transducer is mounted in one end of the elongated speaker enclosure, and the other end of the enclosure is at least partially open. The speaker enclosure is completely open, i.e., without stuffing, and is dimensioned such that the length of the internal chamber is about one-eighth the length of the wavelength of the lowest frequency sounds to be produced by the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: William E. Spindler
  • Patent number: 6411720
    Abstract: Speaker systems with lower frequency of resonance have a short air passage in a cabient from the speakers or drivers to an air passage exit. Teh resulting column of air lowers the resonant frequency or the drivers from within a frequency range of interest to below the frequency range. With the resonance out of the way, the resulting system is smaller and smoother.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Eric K. Pritchard
  • 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