Grille Patents (Class 381/391)
  • Publication number: 20120163650
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver. The loudspeaker assembly can be used to replace ceiling tiles having any size or configuration, and can also me mounted in other surfaces, such as ceiling walls, floors, table tops, etc. made of drywall, hard decking, wood, stone, cement, glass, or any other material or type of construction, or configured in a stand-alone loudspeaker frame or cabinet. The loudspeaker assembly of the present invention can be mounted in any orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: William Cameron Stewart, JR., Andrew C. Edwards, Michael Hudson, Andrew Evans
  • Patent number: 8170266
    Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include speaker grill structures. A speaker grill structure may be formed by creating an array of small holes (perforations) in a portable computer housing structure such as a planar housing wall. A speaker may be mounted adjacent to the array of holes. The planar housing wall may be formed in a block of milled aluminum and may have a thickness of less than 1 mm. The speaker holes may have with small diameters without overly attenuating sound from a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hopkinson, John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Chris Ligtenberg, Ruchi Goel
  • Patent number: 8130999
    Abstract: A cover assembly used in a portable electronic device is described. The cover assembly includes a body member defining a hole and a cover member defining at least one latching block. The hole is surrounded by an inner peripheral wall. The inner peripheral wall is defined at least one L-shaped slot. The latching block is releasably received in the L-shaped slot, while the cover member cover is rotatably connected to the body member to expose or close off the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Xue-Jie Ren
  • Patent number: 8127885
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided for mounting a loudspeaker driver in a loudspeaker driver aperture defined in a ground plane and installing a grille in relation to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases as the distance from the loudspeaker driver increases. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: RGB Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cameron Stewart, Jr., Andrew C Edwards, Michael Hudson, Andrew Evans
  • Patent number: 8116507
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an electronic-apparatus housing provided with a sound release hole, a speaker unit housed in the electronic-apparatus housing and facing the sound release hole, a grille body made of a conductive material, configured to allow sound to pass therethrough, and having a plate-like shape that is of sufficient size to cover the sound release hole, a frame made of an insulating material and detachably attached to the electronic-apparatus housing while supporting the grille body, such that the grille body covers the sound release hole, a cushion member provided on the frame and having elasticity and conductivity that allows the cushion member to be electrically continuous with the grille body, and a conductive member grounded inside the electronic-apparatus housing and, when the frame is attached to the electronic-apparatus housing, becoming electrically continuous with the grille body through the cushion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takanobu Wada, Atsushi Miyata
  • Patent number: 8091681
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided which comprises forming a loudspeaker frame so as to define a driver housing portion, a horn portion, and a conformal portion. A driver aperture is defined for the driver housing portion, and a port aperture is defined for the horn portion. A driver is attached to the loudspeaker frame proximate to the driver aperture. A rear baffle is applied to a first conformal portion surface of the conformal portion of the loudspeaker frame. The rear baffle defines a horn cavity wall of a horn cavity of the horn portion. The horn cavity has an increasing cross sectional area as the distance from the driver housing portion increases. A grille is applied to a second conformal portion surface of the conformal portion of the loudspeaker frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: RGB Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cameron Stewart, Jr., Andrew C Edwards, Michael Hudson, Andrew Evans
  • Patent number: 8090137
    Abstract: A speaker mount has differently shaped coverings. Preferred speakers have a mount that is coupled to a base. The speaker has two interchangeable covers with speaker grills that fit over the mount and have two visibly different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Dana Innovations
    Inventor: Todd Ryan
  • Patent number: 8064629
    Abstract: A loudspeaker grille for a wall-mount loudspeaker in a home environment is disclosed, which comprises a frame attached directly to a wall where a loudspeaker being mounted, the loudspeaker enclosure lending no support to the frame, and a cover stretched across the frame, the cover being substantially transparent to acoustic energy, wherein the cover provides protection as well as decoration to the underneath loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventor: Peigen Jiang
  • Patent number: 7940948
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a speaker frame having a peripheral flange defining a central axis and a plurality of studs extending from the peripheral flange parallel to the axis; and a carrier plate having an aperture through which at least one of: a portion of a speaker may extend or through which the speaker may direct acoustic energy, a plurality of receiving elements disposed about the aperture, each receiving element having at least one ramped surface extending generally tangentially with respect to a perimeter of the aperture and rising in a direction parallel to the central axis, wherein the studs engage and slide along the ramped surfaces when the speaker frame is coupled to the carrier plate and rotated to lock the speaker frame to the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James O. Campbell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7929276
    Abstract: A cover assembly is described. The cover assembly includes a body section defining a hole, a cover section for covering the hole, and an elastic member mounted to the cover section. The elastic member includes a latching arm. The interior wall of the hole defines a latching slot. The latching arm latches into the latching slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Zhi-Bin Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20110081039
    Abstract: A speaker assembly having a removable grill. The grill includes a perforated portion circumscribed by a flange. The flange has one or magnets disposed around an outer periphery of the flange. The speaker body has corresponding slugs disposed so as to align with the magnets of the grill upon assembly. The magnetic bond formed between the slugs and magnets keeps the grill attached to the speaker body during operation of the speaker assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: KSC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Belanger, Guillermo Escobar
  • Patent number: 7886868
    Abstract: A self-draining grill and system incorporating the same. The grill includes a plurality of ribs extending from a surface of a housing and angled downward in a direction across the surface of the housing. One or more openings are disposed between the ribs and allow air flow to a sound generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: SimplexGrinnell LP
    Inventors: Emmanuel Stathopoulos, Simon Jean Vezina, Parimal Patel
  • Patent number: 7866438
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided for mounting a loudspeaker driver in a loudspeaker driver aperture defined in a ground plane and installing a grille in relation to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases as the distance from the loudspeaker driver increases. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: RGB Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cameron Stewart, Jr., Andrew C. Edwards, Michael Hudson, Andrew Evans
  • Patent number: 7861825
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided which comprises forming a loudspeaker frame so as to define a driver housing portion, a horn portion, and a conformal portion. A driver aperture is defined for the driver housing portion, and a port aperture is defined for the horn portion. A driver is attached to the loudspeaker frame proximate to the driver aperture. A rear baffle is applied to a first conformal portion surface of the conformal portion of the loudspeaker frame. The rear baffle defines a horn cavity wall of a horn cavity of the horn portion. The horn cavity has an increasing cross sectional area as the distance from the driver housing portion increases. A grille is applied to a second conformal portion surface of the conformal portion of the loudspeaker frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: RGB Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cameron Stewart, Jr., Andrew C. Edwards, Michael Hudson, Andrew Evans
  • Patent number: 7856114
    Abstract: A speaker assembly having a removable grill. The grill includes a perforated portion circumscribed by a flange. The flange has one or magnets disposed around an outer periphery of the flange. The speaker body has corresponding slugs disposed so as to align with the magnets of the grill upon assembly. The magnetic bond formed between the slugs and magnets keeps the grill attached to the speaker body during operation of the speaker assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: KSC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Belanger, Guillermo Escobar
  • Patent number: 7840021
    Abstract: A weather-proof notification device includes an enclosure having an integrally formed grille and a speaker located within and attached to the enclosure proximate the grille. The grille is configured to inhibit the entry of rainwater into the interior of the enclosure. A water-resistant or water-tight seal is provided between the speaker and the enclosure, and the speaker includes a water-repellent diaphragm, in order to prevent water from migrating from the sound chamber into the operating electrical compartment. A drain is provided on the grille to permit free drainage of water from the sound chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Greco, Walter R. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 7840024
    Abstract: A wide dispersion speaker system 1 comprises a cone type speaker unit 2, and a restricting element 10A. The restricting element 10A is provided with a center hole 11 at a center section thereof, and a peripheral hole 12 located outward relative to the center hole 11. The restricting element 10A has an annular sound travel inhibiting portion 19 positioned radially outward relative to the center hole 11 and radially inward relative to the peripheral hole 12. An outer end in a radial direction of the sound travel inhibiting portion 19 is positioned at a substantially middle point between an outer end in the radial direction of the center hole 11 and an outer end in the radial direction of the peripheral hole 12 or positioned radially outward relative to the substantially middle point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: TOA Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Iwayama, Takashi Nishino
  • Patent number: 7760900
    Abstract: A speaker grille attachment system for a loudspeaker securely and easily attaches a speaker grille to the speaker as well as attains an improved aesthetic effect by hiding components used for the attachment. The attachment system includes a plurality of fastening members, a plurality of clamp hole pieces each having a hole for inserting the fastening member therethrough, a plurality of openings formed on an outer rim of the speaker grille, a speaker gasket having a plurality of openings each receiving the clamp hole piece and the fastening member, a speaker frame or cabinet having a plurality of fastening means for attaching the speaker grille, and a cover member for covering an area of the outer rim of the speaker grille thereby making the components for the attachment invisible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Kemmerer
  • Publication number: 20100092022
    Abstract: Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include speaker grill structures. A speaker grill structure may be formed by creating an array of small holes (perforations) in a portable computer housing structure such as a planar housing wall. A speaker may be mounted adjacent to the array of holes. The planar housing wall may be formed in a block of milled aluminum and may have a thickness of less than 1 mm. The speaker holes may have with small diameters without overly attenuating sound from a speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Ron Hopkinson, John Raff, Bartley K. Andre, Chris Ligtenberg, Ruchi Goel
  • Patent number: 7697711
    Abstract: A perforated plate includes a plurality of holes divided into a first set of holes and a second set of holes. Each hole in the second set of holes has an area smaller than that of each hole in the first set; and the holes of the first and second sets are arranged with respect to one another to form a graphic pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Bosch Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan P. Whitehouse, Daniel Koren
  • Patent number: 7677353
    Abstract: In a noise suppression structure of the present invention, a sound absorption sheet is pinched between a flange of a speaker grille and an interior trim. An opening of a space formed by the flange of the speaker grille and a sound guiding tube is covered with the sound absorption sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nissen Chemitec Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shinohara, Shiro Kikuchi, Yutaro Kan, Damion Edward Manns
  • Publication number: 20100054523
    Abstract: An audio speaker assembly is provided with a grill which twist locks with the speaker housing for assembly and disassembly. The housing includes a perimeter edge with a plurality of slots and tab retainers. The grill includes a perimeter edge with a plurality of tabs. The tabs of the grill align with the slots of the housing, and the grill is then rotated so that the tabs under lay the tab retainers so as to lock the grill into securement with the speaker housing. The grill is rotated in the opposite direction to unlock the grill for disassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: THREE AMIGOS LLC
    Inventors: RONALD D. MAURER, SEAN P. McDERMOTT, RICHARD P. APGAR
  • Publication number: 20090324003
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided which comprises forming a loudspeaker frame so as to define a driver housing portion, a horn portion, and a conformal portion. A driver aperture is defined for the driver housing portion, and a port aperture is defined for the horn portion. A driver is attached to the loudspeaker frame proximate to the driver aperture. A rear baffle is applied to a first conformal portion surface of the conformal portion of the loudspeaker frame. The rear baffle defines a horn cavity wall of a horn cavity of the horn portion. The horn cavity has an increasing cross sectional area as the distance from the driver housing portion increases. A grille is applied to a second conformal portion surface of the conformal portion of the loudspeaker frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: William Cameron Stewart, JR., Andrew C. Edwards, Michael Hudson, Andrew Evans
  • Patent number: 7616775
    Abstract: An engaging device for a speaker cabinet includes a grille, a cabinet housing, a positioning seat, and a positioning member. The grille includes one of an assembling hole and a positioning hole, and the cabinet housing includes the other of the positioning hole and the assembling hole. The positioning seat is mounted in the assembling hole and includes a deformable flange and a receptacle. An inner circumferential wall delimiting the assembling hole squeezes the deformable flange to form a neck in the receptacle. The positioning member includes a shank mounted in the positioning hole. A head of the positioning member is mounted into the receptacle of the positioning seat. The neck retains a retaining flange on the head of the positioning member, thereby securely engaging the grille with the cabinet housing by the positioning seat and the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Tzu-Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 7543681
    Abstract: An architectural speaker assembly includes a speaker supported within the speaker enclosure of a mounting fixture. A grill is provided to conceal the speaker. A grill support is configured to support the grill substantially flush with a facing ring of the mounting fixture to blend into the surrounding ceiling or wall. The grill support includes a concave wall that surrounds the speaker. A number of bosses project form the wall, each boss supporting a permanent magnet that magnetically engages the grill to firmly hold it on the grill support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Audio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Brent Howard, Christopher A. Swan
  • Publication number: 20090110229
    Abstract: A speaker mount has differently shaped coverings. Preferred speakers have a mount that is coupled to a base. The speaker has two interchangeable covers with speaker grills that fit over the mount and have two visibly different shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Dana Innovations
    Inventor: Todd Ryan
  • Publication number: 20090052723
    Abstract: A speaker cabinet assembly is disclosed to include a main cabinet, which is covered with a face panel and a grille in the face panel for carrying a tweeter and a woofer and having a through hole at one side and a tubular flange protruded from the outside wall around the through hole, a sub cabinet, which has a through hole at one side and a tubular flange protruded from the outside wall around the through hole, and a flexible tubular connector is connected between the tubular flange of the main cabinet and the tubular flange of the sub cabinet to guide sound waves from the main cabinet into the sub cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: HI-TECH SOUND SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Steff Lin
  • Patent number: 7443994
    Abstract: In a gasket which is interposed between a speaker unit and a cabinet to which the speaker unit is attached, a dust-proof net is secured to an annular portion, which is clamped between the speaker unit and the cabinet, and supporting ribs configured integrally on an inner side of the annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7412267
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining an attachment and acoustic port on a housing of a mobile device is disclosed herein. The mobile device includes a speaker disposed within the housing. A combined attachment and acoustic port disposed on the housing is configured to project audible sound from the speaker, via an acoustic channel, and includes an attachment member for attaching an external member to the mobile device. The mobile device may comprise any personal electronic device, such as a portable radio, cassette player, CD player, or MP3 player. Further, the mobile device may comprise a mobile communication device, such as a cellular telephone, pager, or PDA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Chris Eaton, Matt Murray
  • Publication number: 20080137900
    Abstract: A wide dispersion speaker system 1 comprises a cone type speaker unit 2, and a restricting element 10A. The restricting element 10A is provided with a center hole 11 at a center section thereof, and a peripheral hole 12 located outward relative to the center hole 11. The restricting element 10A has an annular sound travel inhibiting portion 19 positioned radially outward relative to the center hole 11 and radially inward relative to the peripheral hole 12. An outer end in a radial direction of the sound travel inhibiting portion 19 is positioned at a substantially middle point between an outer end in the radial direction of the center hole 11 and an outer end in the radial direction of the peripheral hole 12 or positioned radially outward relative to the substantially middle point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: TOA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Iwayama, Takashi Nishino
  • Patent number: 7364009
    Abstract: A loudspeaker mounting frame (1) for an electronic appliance has a central opening for receiving a loudspeaker membrane (24), and a plurality of through holes (11) surrounding said central opening for receiving fixing means (25). The through holes (11) are tapered so as to accommodate the fixing means (25) in varying orientations. Spherical bosses (6) surrounding said through holes (11) are formed at a rear side (5) of the mounting frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Cornelius Sperle, Patrice Fremanteau, Gilles Bourgoin
  • Patent number: 7346181
    Abstract: A releasable loudspeaker grille is described that can be attached and removed from a loudspeaker without the use of tools. The grille flexes so that it can form, for example, static convex and concave states. When the grille is in the convex state, a plurality of tabs attached to the grille grasp onto or push against a contact or peripheral surface of the loudspeaker assembly to thereby affix the grille to the loudspeaker. When the grille is in the concave state, the plurality of tabs disengages from the contact surface of the loudspeaker assembly to thereby release the grille from the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: KSC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Menchaca Rivera
  • Publication number: 20080044053
    Abstract: A speaker assembly having a removable grill. The grill includes a perforated portion circumscribed by a flange. The flange has one or magnets disposed around an outer periphery of the flange. The speaker body has corresponding slugs disposed so as to align with the magnets of the grill upon assembly. The magnetic bond formed between the slugs and magnets keeps the grill attached to the speaker body during operation of the speaker assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Donald Belanger, Guillermo Escobar
  • Patent number: 7324656
    Abstract: A wide dispersion speaker system 1 comprises a cone type speaker unit 2, and a restricting element 10A. The restricting element 10A is provided with a center hole 11 at a center section thereof, and a peripheral hole 12 located outward relative to the center hole 11. The restricting element 10A has an annular sound travel inhibiting portion 19 positioned radially outward relative to the center hole 11 and radially inward relative to the peripheral hole 12. An outer end in a radial direction of the sound travel inhibiting portion 19 is positioned at a substantially middle point between an outer end in the radial direction of the center hole 11 and an outer end in the radial direction of the peripheral hole 12 or positioned radially outward relative to the substantially middle point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: TOA Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Iwayama, Takashi Nishino
  • Patent number: 7316290
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a frame, a magnet coupled to the frame and a diaphragm secured to the frame. An acoustic lens may be positioned in front of the diaphragm. An aperture extends through the acoustic lens. The acoustical directivity pattern of the loudspeaker may be modified by the acoustic lens to improve the uniformity of the off axis vs. on axis sound pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven W Hutt, John F Steere, D. B Keele, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070274554
    Abstract: A loudspeaker having a speaker basket including a basket rim, a speaker mounting hole, and a coupling hole disposed through the basket rim. The loudspeaker includes a first grill coupling engaged with the coupling hole, as well as a grill removably attached to the basket rim via the first grill coupling. The grill defines a solid surface portion which completely covers the speaker mounting hole and the coupling hole. The first grill coupling is interposed between the basket rim and the grill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sumitani, Lin Chun-Yi
  • Patent number: 7266211
    Abstract: A speaker grille is disposed in front of a speaker having a diaphragm and reproducing the sounds of 1 kHz and higher. The speaker grille is provided with a sound opening which includes a sound opening portion that opposes a region extending from the edge portion of a diaphragm to the fixing portion o n the outer circumference of the diaphragm of the speaker. The speaker grille offers superior sound characteristics, and at the same time a sufficient mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Ikeuchi
  • Patent number: 7095313
    Abstract: A meter apparatus for a vehicle, includes a circuit board, a sound generating element mounted on one face of the circuit board, a back cover covering the face of the circuit board on which the sound-generating element is mounted, and a separate sound-generating element cap attached to the back cover and covering the sound-generating element in the state that the circuit board is covered with the back cover, the sound-generating element cap being adapted to adjust a sound pressure level of the sound-generating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Saburou Gobe, Nobuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7043045
    Abstract: An edge damper frame 18b is disposed in between a part of an outer peripheral surface 20a of a frame-cover 20 and a leveling surface 14c-1 of a frame 14. A slope 18e of a diaphragm 15 is extended from the edge damper frame 18b toward the frame 14 and provided alongside an outer side surface 14c-2 of a convex portion 14c of the frame 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6993145
    Abstract: A speaker grille (10) comprises a cloth (18) and a frame (20) to support the cloth (18). The cloth (18) is preferably stretched taunt over the frame (20) for minimal movement in response to speaker excursion. The frame (20) includes a plurality of sidewalls (29) defining a plurality of slots (30) through which sound waves may travel between a smooth surface (26) supporting the cloth (18) and a mounting surface (28) with which the frame (12) mounts to a speaker box (12). The slots (30) preferably penetrate all four sides of the frame (20) and may also penetrate all four corners of the frame (20). The slots (30) form channels that act as waveguides and allow sound waves to travel from speakers (16) through the frame (20). The frame (20) and the channels may be configured to direct the sound waves at various angles to the speaker box (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Multi-Service Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Combest
  • Patent number: 6987860
    Abstract: A speaker mounting structure is provided in which a speaker frame (11) is fixed to a mounting panel (P) by engaging latching hooks (24L, 24R) and a latching clip (26) provided on the speaker frame (11) with mounting holes (22, 23L, 23R) formed in the inner panel (P) of an automobile door. The latching hooks (24L, 24R) and the latching clip (26) are disposed inside the outer peripheral edges of annular seal members (16, 17) that are bonded to a mounting surface (11a) of the speaker frame (11) and are in intimate contact with the inner panel (P). As a result, even when water infiltrates to the speaker (C) side from an opening (21) or the mounting holes (22, 23L, 23R) of the inner panel (P), the seal members (16, 17) can block the water and prevent it from flowing to the passenger compartment side. It is thereby possible to reliably avoid ingress of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Kurihara, Hiroyuki Tanno, Shinsaku Sawa, Katsuya Shimomura
  • Patent number: 6987445
    Abstract: The invention is an modified audible signal, such as a piezoelectric noise-making and audible signaling device, which further includes a hydrophobic covering material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The hydrophobic covering material is known to be water resistant, but does not effect the sound of the audible signaling device, thereby delaying or preventing the failure of the audible signaling device from water corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Mallory Sonalert Products, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Burnett, Joshua K. Brown, Daniel W. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6975740
    Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic structure which complies with protection standard IP 67 and which can be used to provide hands-free capability e.g. in cellular terminals or small radio receivers. The acoustic structure comprises, in a device body (100), two interconnected, separate cavities for speaker means (151, 152, 153) and isolating means (120, 125, 130, 140). An isolating diaphragm (125) belonging to the speaker arrangement according to the invention is utilized simultaneously as an isolating means against dust and water and as a sound-reproduction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Janne Rautio, Juha Petteri Jylänki
  • Patent number: 6944312
    Abstract: A light weight fully assembled speaker enclosure is provided that includes a backbox having a peripheral edge; a grill that is crimped around the peripheral edge of the backbox, and a sound-baffle sheet disposed between the backbox and the grill, the sound-baffle sheet having an opening for placement of a speaker. Also provided is a speaker system having an audio speaker; a backbox having a peripheral edge; a grill that is crimped around the peripheral edge of the backbox and that is affixed to the speaker; and a sound-baffle sheet disposed between the backbox and the grill, the sound-baffle sheet having an opening for placement of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Valcom, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Mason, Kevin G. Lane
  • Publication number: 20040264730
    Abstract: A speaker grille (10) comprises a cloth (18) and a frame (20) to support the cloth (18). The cloth (18) is preferably stretched taunt over the frame (20) for minimal movement in response to speaker excursion. The frame (20) includes a plurality of sidewalls (29) defining a plurality of slots (30) through which sound waves may travel between a smooth surface (26) supporting the cloth (18) and a mounting surface (28) with which the frame (12) mounts to a speaker box (12). The slots (30) preferably penetrate all four sides of the frame (20) and may also penetrate all four corners of the frame (20). The slots (30) form channels that act as waveguides and allow sound waves to travel from speakers (16) through the frame (20). The frame (20) and the channels may be configured to direct the sound waves at various angles to the speaker box (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher Combest
  • Patent number: 6768805
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to adjustably accommodate, align and reinforce an audio speaker's installation within a speaker enclosure irrespective of said speaker's diameter, the enclosure having an external mounting surface and a speaker aperture opening which abuts horizontal and vertical plane mounting surfaces for an enclosure ring, the speaker being insertable into and through said aperture from a front direction comprising an enclosure ring section having a hollow center portion, a surface mount portion and an insertion collar portion, said insertion collar portion extending perpendicularly from said surface mount portion; a mounting ring adjustably and removably mountable to the speaker and enclosure ring by fastening means with the mounting ring having a hollow center portion dimensioned to adjustably accommodate a speaker diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Rockford Corporation
    Inventor: William Tracy Basore
  • Publication number: 20040037445
    Abstract: An in-vehicle speaker rotational mounting structure including a speaker unit having a claw portion provided thereon, and a panel member on which the speaker unit is mounted, wherein the claw portion is inserted into a slit formed in the panel member, so that the speaker unit is mounted on the panel member by being rotated in a circumferential direction. A jig inserting hole is provided in the speaker unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA ENGINEERING KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Karebu Kirihara, Taizo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6661898
    Abstract: A speaker comprises a lower frame assembly and an upper frame assembly. The lower frame assembly comprises a lower frame provided with a yoke, a permanent magnet secured to the yoke, and a top plate secured to the permanent magnet. The upper frame assembly comprises an upper frame provided with a diaphragm secured to the upper frame, and a voice coil secured to the diaphragm and disposed in a magnetic gap between the yoke and the top plate. A plurality of axial grooves are formed in a peripheral wall of the lower frame, and a plurality of engaging portions are formed on the upper frame, corresponding to the grooves of the lower frame. Each of the engaging portions comprises an engaging plate and a hook formed at an end of the engaging plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20030190050
    Abstract: The invention discloses a single anchor screw speaker mount 10 with substantially tool free installation where the speaker mount 10 itself can be utilized as the mounting tool. Utilizing a surface specific screw 52, speaker mount 10 is affixed to surface 15 by hand rotation until flush with mount plate 20 then adjusted for speaker placement by rotation around the anchor screw hexagonal head receptacle 40 and ball joint component 60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Monster Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Noel Lee
  • Patent number: 6577741
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to adjustably accommodate, align and reinforce an audio speaker's installation within a speaker enclosure irrespective of said speaker's diameter, the enclosure having an external mounting surface and a speaker aperture opening which abuts horizontal and vertical plane mounting surfaces for an enclosure ring, the speaker being insertable into and through said aperture from a front direction comprising an enclosure ring section having a hollow center portion, a surface mount portion and an insertion collar portion, said insertion collar portion extending perpendicularly from said surface mount portion; a mounting ring adjustably and removably mountable to the speaker and enclosure ring by fastening means with the mounting ring having a hollow center portion dimensioned to adjustably accommodate a speaker diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Rockford Corporation
    Inventor: William Tracy Basore