Mounting Or Support Feature Of Housed Loudspeaker Patents (Class 381/386)
  • Patent number: 8295524
    Abstract: A speaker unit for a projector includes a first speaker, a fixing portion and a second speaker. Either the first speaker or the second speaker has a central hole to hold the vertical post of a projector. Two holes that are diagonally opposing each other are provided in the inner wall of the central hole. The two holes of the fixing portion may align with the two holes of the first speaker and fasteners may be used to fixedly connect the first speaker with the vertical post. A connective portion is provided on either of the two vertical walls of the first speaker and a connective portion is provided on either of the two vertical walls of the second speaker. Therefore, the second speaker may be connected with the first speaker by these connective portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Jazz Hipster Corporation, Everest Display Inc.
    Inventors: Yueh-Hua Hsu Huang, Chun-Ti Chen, Miyashita Yoshiaki
  • Patent number: 8292246
    Abstract: An apparatus for an inclinable support of a speaker on a rod includes a sleeve for receiving an end portion of the rod provided with a closed head section, a mounting device adapted to be attached to the speaker having an elongated opening formed as a guidance for the sleeve and a bearing spaced apart from the opening, in which the sleeve with the head section is supported pivotally, and at least one locking device for the sleeve provided in the region of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Adam Hall GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Drumm, Dipl.-Ing. Guntram Pletz
  • Patent number: 8295534
    Abstract: A flat panel display device includes a cabinet with front and rear cabinet parts, a flat panel display component, a holder, a speaker, and a pair of retaining members. The front cabinet part includes a speaker mount and a pair of support tubes. The holder includes an annular main body, a pair of arm, and a pair of engagement portions. The annular main body is disposed on the speaker mount. The engagement portions are disposed at distal end portions of the arms, respectively. The engagement portions engage with lower faces of the support tubes, respectively. The speaker is disposed on the annular main body of the holder. The retaining members are disposed at distal end portions of the support tubes, respectively. The retaining members have a diameter that is larger than that of support tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Hamada
  • Patent number: 8290195
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having an omnidirectional radiation pattern at high frequencies. The loudspeaker includes an acoustic device that includes an acoustic enclosure; an acoustic driver, mounted in the acoustic enclosure; and a sheet of compliant material with a aperture therethrough, mounted in the enclosure, between the acoustic driver and the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Chick, Dewey L. Potter
  • Patent number: 8284983
    Abstract: A coaxial loudspeaker including a tweeter unit and a low/midrange unit with a cone diaphragm suspended in a loudspeaker basket, which comprises an electromagnetic drive fixedly attached to a loudspeaker basket on its tapered end, in the area of which the tweeter unit is positioned, whose sound radiation surface is directed away from this drive. In one embodiment, in order to suppress the sound focusing of traditional coaxial loudspeakers with a woofer/midrange cone diaphragm, and to ensure a simple and cost-efficient assembly of the tweeter unit, the electromagnetic drive for the cone diaphragm of the woofer/midrange unit is located within the space bordering the convex curved exterior side of the cone diaphragm, and the tweeter unit is positioned outside of this space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Klaus Reck
    Inventor: Klaus Reck
  • Publication number: 20120250929
    Abstract: An apparatus that has an electro-acoustic transducer, a frame supporting the transducer, and an enclosure made from two enclosure members that are each coupled to the frame. At least one of the enclosure members is made partially or entirely of foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Brad Subat, Daniel Hodgkins, David Meeker, Daniel J. Sheehan, Martin A. Weber
  • Publication number: 20120250928
    Abstract: An electronic device having an enclosure including an upper panel and a bottom panel operably connected to the upper panel. A transducer is operably connected to the enclosure and the transducer is configured to mechanically vibrate the enclosure. The transducer includes a magnet, an electromagnetic coil and a retention element maintaining a relationship between the magnet and the electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Craig Leong, Martin E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8280080
    Abstract: A device includes a first wafer, a second wafer, a gasket bonding the first wafer to the second wafer to define a cavity between the first wafer and the second wafer, and an acoustic transducer disposed on the first wafer and disposed within the cavity between the first wafer and the second wafer. One or more apertures are provided for communicating an acoustic signal between the acoustic transducer and an exterior of the device. An aperture may be formed in the cavity itself, or the cavity may be hermetically sealed. An aperture may be formed completely through the first wafer and located directly beneath at least a portion of the acoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Joel Philliber, John Choy, David Martin
  • Patent number: 8280095
    Abstract: A mobile apparatus includes a main body; a wall forming part of an enclosure forming a sound space in the main body, the wall having an opening therein; a speaker disposed in the sound space; a signal line connected to the speaker and passing through the opening in the wall; and an opening sealing member that seals the opening in the wall through which the signal line passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-il Lee, Boo-sang Kim, Cheul-hae Park
  • Patent number: 8270659
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a speaker system including a speaker unit with a speaker body incorporated therein; and a speaker panel disposed on the front side of the speaker unit; wherein the speaker panel has a multiplicity of fine holes permitting a sound of the speaker body to pass therethrough, and has an opaque part hiding the presence of the speaker unit, and a transparent part in the periphery of the opaque part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Koizumi, Hiroyuki Nakamura, Katsuhiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8270660
    Abstract: A simple structure will achieve dissipation of heat from the area inside a voice-coil bobbin and a diaphragm without a reduction in sound quality, in which a process for assembling a speaker device with high accuracy is performed in a simple operation. A speaker device comprises a recess-shaped frame 5 which supports, through an edge 9, a vibration system member 68 provided with a diaphragm 8 coupled to a voice-coil bobbin 6, and a magnetic circuit 4 which comprises an approximately ring-shaped magnet 2 and an approximately ring-shaped plate 3 which are mounted on a yoke 1 disposed in the frame 5, and a magnet gap 4g in which a voice coil 7 wound on a voice-coil bobbin 6 is disposed. In the magnetic circuit 4 a through hole 45 extending in the vibration direction of the diaphragm is fitted over a center boss 51 of a shape protruding from the bottom of the frame 5 in the direction of the sound emission, so that the magnetic circuit 4 is positioned and fixed with respect to the frame 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Endo
  • Patent number: 8270652
    Abstract: A television mount incorporating an integrated audio system. The mount attaches the television to a wall or a pedestal. The mount includes an electronics/subwoofer enclosure. This enclosure house an audio amplifier and a low-range speaker. One or more external speakers are attached to a speaker assembly which is connected to the mount—preferably by attaching the supports to the electronics/subwoofer enclosure. The speaker supports is preferably made adjustable so that the degree of extension from the mount may be adjusted by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Metra Electronics, Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Caldes, Raymond I. Leake
  • Patent number: 8270651
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting modular audio-visual components on a surface such as a wall. In particular, a modular mounting bar may comprise at least one audio-visual module which may be affixed to a rail configured to be attached to a wall at a plurality of locations along the rail and configured to receive a module at a plurality of locations along the rail. A cover or grille may be configured to be attached in front of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: KSC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. McCarty, Jeff W. King
  • Patent number: 8265317
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a speaker cabinet and a link mechanism. The second body rotates relative to the first body by a hinge. The speaker cabinet, disposed in the first body, is selectively lengthened or shortened. The link mechanism connects the hinge with the speaker cabinet. When the second body is closed relative to the first body, the speaker cabinet is concealed in the first body, and when the second body is opened relative to the first body, the hinge drives the link mechanism to press the speaker cabinet, enabling the speaker to be lengthened or to be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chen Tseng, Yi-An Lai, Chun-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8265330
    Abstract: A material for improving the sound pressure level at the bass reproduction limit of the present invention is composed of an activated carbon having a cumulative pore volume of 0.4 ml/g or more for the pores each having a radius of 50 angstroms or less. Preferably, this activated carbon has a cumulative pore volume of 0.1 ml/g or less for the pores each having a radius of 7 angstroms or less. In particular, when a sound pressure level improving material in which the activated carbon has a cumulative pore volume of 0.5 ml/g or more for the pores each having a radius of 18 angstroms or less is installed in a cabinet of a loudspeaker device, the material alleviates pressure fluctuations of a gas within the cabinet caused by vibration of a loudspeaker, and thus a very good bass reproduction effect is attained. Moreover, in the case where a sound pressure level improving material in which the activated carbon has a cumulative pore volume of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd., Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Fukunishi, Takanori Kitamura, Kengo Tabata, Toshiyuki Matsumura, Shuji Saiki, Yoshimichi Kajihara, Satoshi Koura
  • Patent number: 8265319
    Abstract: Speaker assemblies for portable media players are disclosed herein. Speaker assemblies can include means for contracting and expanding the speakers to facilitate viewing and listening to a PMP in multiple orientations. Preferred means for contracting and expanding the speaker casings are operably coupled with means for rotating the PMP, such that when the PMP is in a wide viewable configuration, the speakers are expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zipbuds, LLC
    Inventors: Erik Groset, Robin Michael Defay
  • Patent number: 8265329
    Abstract: Improved approaches for providing a speaker within a housing of a portable electronic device are disclosed. The housing of the portable electronic device can be compact, such as a low profile housing. In one embodiment, an acoustic chamber for a speaker can be formed internal to a housing for a portable electronic device using non-dedicated space. In another embodiment, irregular surfaces can be sealed so that an acoustic chamber for a speaker can be formed internal to a housing for a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gloria Lin, Derek B. Barrentine, Michael Rosenblatt
  • Patent number: 8256566
    Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure accommodates at least one speaker. Sound waves emanating from the rear of the speaker exit through a port in the enclosure. The interior of the enclosure contains at least one partition to lengthen the acoustic path from the rear of the speaker to the port and to cause alternating expansion and contraction of the sound waves emanating from the rear of the speaker. The partitions are arranged in relation to the speaker(s) so as to reduce sound wave reflections that would create non-linearities in the frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rogersound Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Howard Rodgers
  • Patent number: 8256728
    Abstract: Speaker assemblies are disclosed that are configured for simple installation and removal. Speaker assemblies include a gear ring, a plurality of screws adapted to rotate when the gear ring is rotated, and a latching mechanism adapted to extend one or more latches outward when the screws are rotated. Methods of installing speaker assemblies include inserting a frame through a mounting hole in a mounting panel. A gear ring coupled to a plurality of screws is rotated, and a plurality of latches extend outward to engage a back-side surface of the mounting panel. Methods of making speaker assemblies include coupling a plurality of screws with a gear ring to enable rotation of the plurality of screws upon rotation of the gear ring. A latching mechanism is coupled to each of the plurality of screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Doug S. Wright
  • Patent number: 8259985
    Abstract: A speaker set configured for a portable electronic device includes a hollow shell, a back cover, and a loudspeaker sandwiched between the shell of the back cover. The shell includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber and a fourth chamber. The second and third chambers are positioned at opposite sides of the first chamber, and communicate with a surrounding environment at opposite sides of the shell. The loudspeaker is accommodated in the first chamber, and divides the first chamber into a front sub-chamber and a rear sub-chamber. The front sub-chamber communicates with the second and the third chambers thereby forming a front resonance chamber. The rear sub-chamber communicates with the fourth chamber thereby forming a rear resonance chamber. Sound waves generated from the loudspeaker are transmitted to and resonate in the front and rear resonance chambers and then transmitted to the surrounding environment in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Tsung-Lung Yang, Pei-Rong Li, Wen-Yun Zhao, Xing-Xiong Deng
  • Patent number: 8260343
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a printed circuit board and a speaker box defining an acoustic volume between spaced apart first and second speaker box walls with the first speaker box wall being between the second speaker box wall and the printed circuit board. A loudspeaker may be coupled to the first speaker box wall, and the loudspeaker may include an acoustic actuator that is configured to generate displacements in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. The loudspeaker may further include a speaker membrane that is mechanically coupled to the acoustic actuator and that is configured to deflect in directions toward and away from the second speaker box wall responsive to displacements of the acoustic actuator. Related assemblies and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: William Chris Eaton, Randolph Cary Demuynck, Kok Eng Looi
  • Patent number: 8259967
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic device includes a signal device and a sound wave generator. The sound wave generator includes a base structure and a conductive material located on the base structure. The base structure includes nano-scale elements. The signal device is capable of transmitting an electrical signal to the sound wave generator. The sound wave generator is capable of converting the electrical signal into heat. The heat is capable of being transferred to a medium to cause a thermoacoustic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Feng, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8254102
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a case, a first sliding member, a second sliding member, a first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The first sliding member is slidably received in the case. The second sliding member is slidably received in the first sliding member. The first supporting member is rotatably connected to the second sliding member. The second supporting member is rotatably connected to the second supporting member and configured for positioning a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhen-Xing Ye
  • Patent number: 8254622
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a audio player, a speaker, a fixing member and an engaging opening. The audio player is configured for playing audio files and videos. The speaker is detachably couple to the audio player. The fixing member is connected to one of the audio player and the speaker. The engaging opening is defined in the other of the audio player and the speaker. The engaging portion is detachably engaged in the engaging opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Jiang, Man-Zhong Wang, Yong He, Jian-Zong Qin
  • Patent number: 8249282
    Abstract: A speaker assembly includes a speaker housing with a closed top wall, an opposed open end and first, second, third and fourth sidewalls extending downwardly from the closed top wall. The closed top wall is substantially planar and forms a support surface. First and second midrange drivers and first and second high frequency drivers are mounted within the housing, wherein the first midrange driver and the first tweeter are mirror images of second midrange driver and the second tweeter. A first support bracket supports the first midrange driver and first tweeter along a first side of the closed top wall adjacent the first sidewall of the speaker housing. The first support bracket includes a planar support surface which is obliquely oriented relative to a plane in which the closed top wall lies. A second support bracket supports the second midrange driver and the second tweeter along a second side of the closed top wall adjacent the third sidewall of the speaker housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis A. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8249289
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic apparatus of splittable type comprising at least two speaker portions, the two speaker portions are connected by electro-wires, wherein in one speaker portion is provided a winding mechanism for pulling-out and retracting-in the electro-wires; each of the speaker portions has a voice chamber, and the voice chambers in the two speaker portions have the different shapes from but substantially the same volumes as each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sony (China) Limited
    Inventors: Hajime Mizuno, Zhixiong Yao, Shen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120202559
    Abstract: An electronic device 100 includes a signal converter 110 and a housing 120. The signal converter has a diaphragm 111 and, when one of an acoustic signal and an electric signal is inputted, converts the inputted signal into the other signal by the vibrations of the diaphragm. The housing is provided with an internal space SPD. The housing holds the signal converter in the internal space. The housing is provided with an opening 121. The housing has a bulkhead 122 dividing the internal space into plural division spaces including a first division space SPD1 and a second division space SPD2. The diaphragm configures at least part of a bulkhead forming the first division space. The housing is provided with a first communicating path that makes the first division space communicate with the opening, and a second communicating path that makes the second division space communicate with the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Shiogama, Tomofumi Osako
  • Patent number: 8238588
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system has a plurality of relatively small transducer elements configured in a closely spaced transducer array such that their acoustic outputs combine to produce a focused beam of sound in front of the array that is substantially uniform about the beams radiation axis. The transducer array lies in a plane and has a perimeter that approximates a circle, and will have fill-factor with respect to a circle circumscribing the array of at least approximately 70%. In one variation of the loudspeaker system, the transducer array is constructed in smaller transducer array modules that are operatively fitted together to produce a larger array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Meyer, Perrin Meyer, Roger Schwenke, Alejandro Antonio Garcia Rubio, Paul Joseph Kohut, Richard D. Herr, Jon M. Arneson, Peter C. Soper
  • Publication number: 20120195456
    Abstract: A speaker terminal mount structure has a frame having a slit, and a terminal supported by the frame when inserted into the slit. The slit has a shape including two first side support sections, and at least one second side support section abutting on a second surface and positioned on an inner side of a region sandwiched between the two first side support sections when viewed from a direction in which the terminal is inserted. Assuming that a first virtual straight line is formed by connecting the two first side support sections, and a second virtual straight line extends in parallel to the first straight line at a distance smaller than a thickness of the terminal from the first straight line in a first direction, the second side support section is positioned in a second direction with respect to the second straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideki Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 8229155
    Abstract: An improved audio speaker assembly is provided for directional adjustability of the woofer or driver. The assembly includes a housing comprising a baffle, a swivel, a swivel cup, and a retainer. The driver is mounted in the swivel. The swivel and swivel cup are mounted between the baffle and the retainer. The swivel is pivotal approximately 60° relative to the swivel cup, and is rotatable 360° relative to the baffle, thereby selectively positioning the driver in a desired direction. A pair of screws extend through the baffle and into the retainer, and can be tightened so as to lock or clamp the swivel and driver in the selected position, and preclude directional movement due to vibrations, temperature, and humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Three Amigos LLC
    Inventors: Ronald D. Maurer, Sean P. McDermott, Richard P. Apgar
  • Patent number: 8229152
    Abstract: There is provided a speaker connector including first and second speaker elements each having an inward face, an opposing outward face, and an engagement wall extending between the inward and outward faces. The speaker elements are connectable to the first and second speakers, respectively. A connector housing includes first and second end faces disposed on opposing sides of a housing medial portion. First and second inner walls extend inwardly from the first and second end faces, respectively, to define first and second housing recesses. The first and second inner walls are configured to engage with the engagement wall of the respective speaker elements with the first speaker element being received within the first housing recess and the second speaker element being received within the second housing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sumitani, Chun-Yi Lin
  • Publication number: 20120183170
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing and a speaker unit. The housing includes an upper housing half and a lower housing half connected to and disposed under the upper housing half. The lower housing half is provided with at least one insert post. The speaker unit includes a magnetic element disposed on the upper housing half of the housing, and a speaker module including a speaker body disposed above and abutting against the lower housing half of the housing and having at least one post-connecting portion, and a magnetic body adapted for generating an audio signal. The post-connecting portion has a hole permitting the insert post to extend movably therethrough. A magnetic attractive force or a magnetic repulsive force exists between the magnetic element and the magnetic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Hung-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 8223987
    Abstract: An object is to enhance workability in attachment in a sound generating apparatus that generates sound by vibrating a vibration plate with a vibrator while ensuring acoustic performance as good as that achieved by fastening with fine screw threads. Workability in attaching operation is improved while ensuring acoustic performance as good as that provided by fastening with fine screw threads, by providing first fixing portion that brings engagement portions into screw engagement with each other by rotation by a predetermined angle that can be attained by a user without taking his/her hand that holds a coupler off it and second fixing portion for fixing the coupler to a bracket so as to prevent the coupler from rotating relative to said bracket in a direction to loosen the engagement achieved by said first fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyoda Boshoku Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyosei Shibata, Kiyoshi Ootani, Munekazu Yanagida, Yuichi Nakajima, Naoki Fujikawa, Koichi Toyama
  • Patent number: 8224014
    Abstract: A loudspeaker mounting assembly includes a frame, a sleeve, and a tilt-angle adjustment mechanism. The frame may include an outer frame, an inner frame rotatable about a frame axis relative to the outer frame, and a frame wall extending away from a rear side. The sleeve is coupled to the inner frame at a pivot axis and is tiltable to a plurality of tilt angles relative to the inner frame. The tilt-angle adjustment mechanism is engageable with the sleeve to enable selection of a desired tilt angle. A loudspeaker may be mounted to the sleeve such that the loudspeaker may be swiveled about the frame axis and tilted about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles M. Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20120177232
    Abstract: A luminaire used to support audio equipment and more specifically act as a transmission means to transfer mechanical acoustic energy to a soundboard using inertial type audio transducers. Any part of the luminaire may alternatively be employed to act as a soundboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Katz
  • Publication number: 20120170791
    Abstract: A micro-speaker is disclosed. The micro-speaker includes a frame defining a hollow space, a diaphragm attached to the frame, a voice coil positioned on the diaphragm, a cover covering the diaphragm and attached to the frame forming a housing, a yoke received in the hollow space and attached to the frame, a magnet received in the yoke, and a pole plate attached on the magnet. The yoke includes a bottom wall, and two ends of the base wall are provided with a groove corresponding to the magnetic gap, respectively. A width of the groove is greater than that of the thickness of the voice coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Ming MENG
  • Patent number: 8213659
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a housing, the housing including a first body part and a second body part, the first body part being moveable relative to the second body part, wherein the housing has a first configuration when the first body part is in a first position relative to the second body part between and a second configuration when the first body part is in a second position relative to the second body part; and a speaker arrangement, wherein the speaker arrangement comprises a transducer, a front cavity coupled to a first side of the transducer, and an opening. The opening connects the front cavity to an exterior of the housing. A rear cavity is coupled to a second side of the transducer, the second side of the transducer being on an opposite side of the transducer to the first side of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Pekka Mottonen, Hong-Jae Park, Koray Ozcan
  • Patent number: 8208676
    Abstract: There is provided an earpiece comprising: a main unit having a cylindrical shape having made therein a through hole that can allow sound to be transmitted therethrough; a cap portion that has a film-like shape which is formed to extend from all around a front-end surface, in a direction of making the through hole, of the main unit toward a rear-end surface side, and which covers at least a portion of the main unit on the front-end surface side, and in which space between the main unit and the cap portion expands as it goes toward the rear-end surface side; and at least one cutting portion formed in the cap portion so that the cap portion can deform in a direction of the main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Murozaki, Koji Nageno, Kiminobu Ichimura
  • Patent number: 8208675
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an enclosure and at least one sound wave generator disposed in the enclosure. The sound wave generator includes at least one carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure is capable of converting electrical signals into heat. The heat is transferred to a medium and causes a thermoacoustic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Li Jiang, Lin Xiao, Zhou Chen, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8208679
    Abstract: A transducer membrane enhances sound reproduction. Curved portions of the membrane periphery contribute to the enhanced sound reproduction. The transducer membrane may add or improve sound reproduction capability in cell phones, gaming systems, personal data assistants, or other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: AKG Acoustics GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Opitz
  • Patent number: 8208661
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a headphone. The headphone includes at least one housing; and at least one sound wave generator disposed in the housing. The sound wave generator includes at least one carbon nanotube structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Li Jiang, Lin Xiao, Zhuo Chen, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20120155693
    Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer is disclosed. The electroacoustic transducer includes a frame forming a hollow space, an elastic plate mounted on the frame, a vibrating member suspended in the hollow space by the elastic plate, a diaphragm arranged facing the vibrating member, a voice coil positioned on the diaphragm. The vibrating member includes a yoke defining a bottom wall, a side wall extending upwardly and perpendicularly from an outer periphery of the bottom wall, a lapel extending vertically from the side wall. A width of the lapel is greater than that of the side wall or the bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Suo-He WEI
  • Patent number: 8204245
    Abstract: A sound projecting bumper may include a vehicle bumper configured to be attached to a vehicle, the bumper comprising a plurality of uprights and at least one generally horizontal member, the bumper further comprising a horn for emitting sound, the horn comprising a driver, a cone, a speaker and a diaphragm for producing the sound, and wiring to connect the bumper device to the vehicle's electrical system. The horn may be configured to focus sound particularly forward of the vehicle. The driver may be attached to one of the uprights, and the bumper may include a second driver attached to a second one of the uprights. The horn may be generally aligned with one of the uprights, or the horn may be formed in a generally horizontal member. The bumper may further include a channel in the generally horizontal member, wherein the channel extends generally along a portion of the generally horizontal member, turning to form the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Lund Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Tobin, Paul A. Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20120148084
    Abstract: An audio speaker assembly including a housing defining an internal compartment, and a glass membrane having a first portion supported in the housing and a second portion extending externally from the housing. The second portion having a length greater than its width, the length of the second portion extending orthogonal to the width of the housing, the second portion defining at least one aperture and a curved section formed along an edge of the glass membrane. A driver is mounted to the membrane that is responsive to an electrical signal causing the membrane to vibrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Nausser Fathollahi
  • Publication number: 20120148081
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the acoustical performance associated with a speaker, such as a piezoelectric speaker, are disclosed. According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a substrate, a can mounted on the substrate, and a piezoelectric speaker arrangement. The piezoelectric speaker arrangement is at least partially mounted on the can. In one embodiment, the substrate is a printed circuit board (PCB) and the can is an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Kyle Yeates, Stephen Brian Lynch, Teodor Dabov
  • Patent number: 8199957
    Abstract: A speaker unit includes: a speaker that contains a magnet for vibrating a diaphragm to output sound; a speaker housing unit that houses the speaker so that the front of the diaphragm is exposed outside; an opening-and-closing unit that is attached to the speaker housing unit so that the opening-and-closing unit can both open, with respect to the speaker housing unit, to expose the front of the diaphragm outside and close to cover the front of the diaphragm; and a metallic component that is, when the opening-and-closing unit is closed with respect to the speaker housing unit, attracted to the magnet of the speaker to pull the opening-and-closing unit in a closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Ohguchi, Wataru Kokubo, Kenichi Hirano, Toshihiro Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 8199960
    Abstract: An integrated speaker and display that includes a display and a speaker assembly. The display is substantially integrated within the speaker assembly. The display is embedded between a coil of the speaker assembly and/or magnets of the speaker assembly. The speaker assembly may include a diaphragm located either on a side of the display facing a viewer of the display or opposite a side of the display facing a viewer of the display. The electronic device may be any type of device, for example, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic game, a computer, an audio player, a video player, a television, or a display device. The display may be any type of display, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital light processing (DLP) display, a light-emitting diode display (LED), or a plasma display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: William Chris Eaton
  • Patent number: 8199926
    Abstract: An object is to enhance workability in attachment in a sound generating apparatus that generates sound by vibrating a vibration plate with a vibrator while ensuring acoustic performance as good as that achieved by fastening with fine screw threads. Workability in attaching operation is improved while ensuring acoustic performance as good as that provided by fastening with fine screw threads, by providing first fixing portion that brings engagement portions into screw engagement with each other by rotation by a predetermined angle that can be attained by a user without taking his/her hand that holds a coupler off it and second fixing portion for fixing the coupler to a bracket so as to prevent the coupler from rotating relative to said bracket in a direction to loosen the engagement achieved by said first fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignees: Fujitsu Ten Limited, Toyoda Boshoku Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyosei Shibata, Kiyoshi Ootani, Munekazu Yanagida, Yuichi Nakajima, Naoki Fujikawa, Koichi Toyama
  • Patent number: 8199961
    Abstract: A speaker device (100) includes a speaker unit (2) including a diaphragm (6); a windshield cover (3) covering the speaker unit and including a sound emitting unit (130) emitting a sound produced by the speaker unit; and a cabinet (5) connected to a bottom of the windshield cover, and supporting the speaker unit so as to form an angle equal to or greater than 0 degree and equal to or smaller than 90 degree between a vibration direction X of the diaphragm and the sound emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Omoda, Masahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8199940
    Abstract: An audio reproduction system includes: a first speaker arranged near a listener and behind a head of the listener with a speaker unit being held by first holding means to make it possible to mix sounds emitted from front and rear of a vibration plate of the speaker; second and third speakers held by second holding means and arranged near the listener and on left and right of the first speaker; separating means for separating and obtaining low-frequency components and medium- and high-frequency components for left and right channels from an input audio signal; means for supplying the low-frequency components separated by the separating means to the first speaker; and means for supplying the medium- and high-frequency components for the left and right channels separated by the separating means to the second and third speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Teppei Yokota