Acoustics – Plural diaphragm sound sources
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-29
2001-08-28
Ro, Bentsu (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Plural diaphragm sound sources
CD17S005000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279678
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a speaker assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a speaker assembly with reduced size and weight to enhance the performance of the speaker assembly within aircraft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The current global community has made it possible for people from around the country, and around the world, to interact for both business and personal reasons. For many people, this requires that they spend considerable time traveling from one location to another location. More often than not, these people travel in aircraft.
Whether these people travel in private or commercial aircraft, they desire high quality entertainment during the many hours they spend within the confines of an aircraft. However, while high quality entertainment, for example, digital video with CD quality sound, is readily available for theater and home use, the weight and size requirements for use in aircraft makes it very difficult to incorporate high fidelity systems within an aircraft. This problem is especially pronounced for audio speaker assemblies when one attempts to meet the size, weight and shape requirements for use in aircraft.
In the aircraft industry great priority is placed upon component weight and size reduction. Range and payload are adversely affected by conventional terrestrial designs. These concerns are notable when one attempts to make changes within smaller private jets. For example, a small increase in the weight carried by an aircraft results in a substantial increase in the fuel consumption of the aircraft. In addition, the limited space available within an aircraft dictates that the use of any space within the aircraft be carefully considered by those responsible for ensuring the comfort of passengers.
Lightweight and compact audio speakers are currently available. These speakers, however, substantially compromise sound quality for reductions in size and weight. An individual wishing to add an audio system to an aircraft must make a choice between high fidelity speakers which do not suit the size and weight requirements of the aircraft and lower quality speakers providing desirable size and weight characteristics.
A need, therefore, exists for a speaker assembly providing a high fidelity sound, while also meeting the size and weight requirements of an aircraft. The present invention provides such a speaker assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a speaker assembly including a speaker housing having a closed top wall and an opposed open end. The speaker assembly further includes a first sound source having a cone with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The first sound source is mounted within the speaker housing such that the interior surface of the cone faces the closed top wall and the exterior surface substantially faces the opposed open end. A portion of the exterior surface of the cone is covered, thereby, revealing an exposed portion which defines the directionality of the first sound source. The speaker assembly also includes a second sound source having a cone with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The second sound source is mounted within the speaker housing such that the interior surface of the cone faces the closed top wall and the exterior surface substantially faces the opposed open end. A portion of the exterior surface of the cone is covered, thereby, revealing an exposed portion which defines the directionality of the second sound source. The exposed portion of the first sound source faces a direction opposite the exposed portion of the second sound source to create stereo separation between the first and second sound sources.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein foam covers the exterior surface of the first sound source and foam covers the exterior surface of the second sound source.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the exposed portion of the first sound source amounts to a segment of approximately 25% to approximately 40% of the exterior surface of the first sound source and the exposed portion of the second sound source amounts to a segment of approximately 25% to approximately 40% of the exterior surface of the second sound source.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the first and second sound sources are midrange drivers.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a speaker including a first tweeter positioned adjacent the first sound source and a second tweeter positioned adjacent the second sound source. The first tweeter and the second tweeter are outwardly mounted in opposition to generate a stereo image.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the first tweeter is mounted between approximately a 25° angle and approximately a 75° angle relative to the opposed open end of the speaker housing and the second tweeter is mounted between approximately a 25° angle and approximately a 75° angle relative to the opposed open end of the speaker housing.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a speaker including a public address driver.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the cone of the first sound source directly engages the closed top wall to define an enclosed spaced bounded by the closed top wall and the interior surface of the cone and the cone of the second sound source directly engages the closed top wall to define an enclosed spaced bounded by the closed top wall and the interior surface of the cone.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein a first clamp secures the first sound source to the closed top wall and a second clamp secures the second sound source to the closed top wall.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a speaker assembly wherein the first sound source is mounted within the speaker housing such that the interior surface of the cone faces the closed top wall and the exterior surface substantially faces the opposed open end. A gasket is positioned between the edge of the cone and the closed top wall of the speaker housing. The gasket traps air between the interior surface of the cone and the closed top wall to enhance the performance of the sound source, such that the enclosed space defined by the interior surface of the cone and the closed top wall is substantially free of the gasket and the closed top wall, the depth of the gasket, and interior surface of the cone define the enclosed space.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the gasket includes an interior edge which substantially follows the edge of the cone.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the gasket is foam secured to the top closed wall upon which the edge of the cone is mounted.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the foam includes an interior edge which substantially follows the edge of the cone, and the closed top wall, the depth of the foam, and interior surface of the cone define the enclosed space.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a speaker wherein the foam covers all of the closed top wall with the exception of the enclosed space.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a speaker assembly including a first sound source covered to alter the resonant characteristics of the first sound source, a second sound source covered to alter the resonant characteristics of the first sound source, a first tweeter positioned adjacent the first sound source and a second tweeter positioned adjacent the second sound source. The first tweeter and the second tweeter are outwardly mounted in opposition to generate a stereo image. The frequency response altered by covering the first sound source and the second sound source create a physical crossover network.
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Lockett Kim
Ro Bentsu
Welsh & Flaxman LLC
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