Acoustics – Diaphragm – Mounting or suspension means
Patent
1989-12-18
1991-03-05
Fuller, Benjamin R.
Acoustics
Diaphragm
Mounting or suspension means
181141, 181150, 381193, 381205, G10K 1300
Patent
active
049970593
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to mounting techniques and apparatus. It is disclosed in the context of a mounting system for loudspeakers, but is believed to be useful in other fields as well.
In diaphragm-type loudspeaker manufacture and assembly, the most common technique for mounting the loudspeaker into a baffle is to provide holes around the perimeter of the speaker frame or "basket" and corresponding holes in the baffle. Fasteners, usually threaded fasteners, are inserted through aligned holes in the speaker frame perimeter and baffle to fix the speaker to the baffle. Typically, an elastomeric gasket having the same configuration as the perimeter of the frame is positioned between the perimeter and baffle to seal the two together to minimize the likelihood of relative movement and other phenomena which might otherwise result in the generation of noise between the frame and baffle.
This common technique requires the stocking of the fasteners, the provision of aligned holes in the frame, baffle and elastomeric gasket, and the labor involved in assembly of these components with the holes aligned using the fasteners. Frequently, this assembly is complicated by the configuration of the space in which the speaker is to be mounted. For example, when the mounting is into the baffle provided by the package tray underneath the rear window of an automobile, the fact that part of the process is conducted from inside the automobile interior and part is conducted from the trunk increases the complexity of the operation and thus the labor cost associated with assembly of the speaker into the baffle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a transducer provided with means for fixing the transducer into a baffle in which the transducer is to be supported. The means for fixing the transducer into the baffle is so constructed that the transducer snaps into the baffle without the need for any fasteners or hardware other than fasteners formed integrally with the transducer.
According to the invention, a transducer for mounting in an opening defined in a baffle includes an axis and a frame for supporting the remaining transducer components in the baffle. The frame includes at least a first finger deflectable toward the transducer axis to permit passage of a portion of the frame through the opening. The first finger includes at least one camming surface for resiliently urging the first finger toward the axis as the camming surface of the first finger contacts the baffle adjacent the opening and a locking surface for engaging the baffle adjacent the opening once the camming surface has passed completely through the opening.
Illustratively, according to the invention, the frame includes a sidewall which extends generally parallel with the transducer axis, and a section of the frame sidewall generally perpendicular to the axis defines a closed plane curve. The closed plane curve can be, for example, substantially elliptical or substantially circular.
According to an illustrative embodiment, the transducer further comprises a first flange extending from the transducer sidewall away from the axis. The first flange extends at least partway around the perimeter of the frame. The first flange includes a first generally axially facing surface which faces, and is axially spaced from, the locking surface of the at least one finger. The axial spacing of the first axially facing surface of the first flange from the locking surface of the at least one finger is at least as great as the thickness of the baffle in the region surrounding the opening.
Additionally, according to an illustrative embodiment, the transducer comprises a second flange extending from the transducer sidewall away from the axis. The second flange extends at least partway around the perimeter of the frame. The second flange includes a generally axially facing surface which faces, and is axially spaced from, the axially facing surface of the first flange. The axial spacing of the axially facing surfaces of the first and second flanges is at least as great as the t
REFERENCES:
patent: 3666040 (1972-05-01), Junk
patent: 3859480 (1975-01-01), Birkver et al.
patent: 4028504 (1977-06-01), Massa
patent: 4072829 (1978-02-01), Ogihara
patent: 4143249 (1979-03-01), Cinquino
patent: 4179009 (1979-12-01), Birkver
patent: 4387788 (1983-06-01), Slavin et al.
patent: 4546850 (1985-10-01), Litner
patent: 4752962 (1988-06-01), Thiele et al.
Fuller Benjamin R.
Harman International Industries Incorporated
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