Acoustics – Diaphragm and enclosure – Moisture proof
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-14
2004-06-22
Duda, Rina (Department: 2837)
Acoustics
Diaphragm and enclosure
Moisture proof
C181S199000, C446S473000, C222S079000, C222S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06752238
DESCRIPTION:
Referring to FIG. 1 , a water gun generally indicated by the numeral 20 is provided with a sound effects module, generally indicated by the numeral 22 , to provide sound effects in conjunction with the operation of the water gun. In a typical application, the water gun will be of the elastic bladder type, wherein water is forced into the bladder to expand the bladder, with water being expelled from the gun on pulling the trigger of the water gun as a result of the elasticity of the bladder. Water guns of this general type are well known in the art, with merely a sample of such devices being disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,591,071, 4,854,480, 5,219,096, 5,735,440 and 5,902,162.
The sound effects module 22 in a typical application will be connected to a switch actuated by the trigger 21 of the water gun 20 , so that the sound effects will be coincidental with the discharge of water from the water gun 20 . Such sound effects may be fixed, such as simulating a machine gun or the like, or may be user selectable to simulate various real and/or imaginary weapons, such as machine guns, laser or other beam type weapons, other weapons of science fiction, etc. In that regard, any of various sound signal generating devices may be used, such as by way of example, single chip analog or digital storage and playback devices, such as, by way of example, the analog storage and playback devices manufactured by Information Storage Devices, Inc. of San Jose, Calif.
It is important to note that implementing an air-tight compression chamber to achieve a waterproof environment is not advisable as pressure differentials between the front and rear of the speaker caused from air freight or heat variations would cause the speaker to deform or potentially become damaged. Pressure differentials across the speaker will cause the speaker to have significant distortion during operation.
In the water gun environment, it is important that the sound effects module is capable of operation in a wet and humid environment and over some significant temperature range, as the water gun 20 may be exposed to relatively cool tap water or left in the sun on a summer day to warm up to 50-75° Fahrenheit above cool tap water temperatures. Accordingly, it is desired to have the sound effects module be water resistant. While absolute water resistance, which might be referred to as “waterproof,” would be ideal, the cost of achieving absolute water resistance may not be justified from an economic standpoint nor required from a functional standpoint.
FIGS. 2 a - 2 g , 3 a - 3 g , 4 a - 4 g , and 5 a - 5 g , disclose four exemplary alternate approaches for achieving the desired water resistance of the sound effects module 22 . As is representative of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 a - 2 g , 3 a - 3 g , 4 a - 4 g , and 5 a - 5 g , FIGS. 2 a - 2 g illustrate the general construction of the sound effects module. In particular, adjacent one end of the sound effects module housing 24 is a mylar speaker 26 , sealed around a periphery to the module housing 24 by the configuration of the speaker cover 28 . The mylar speaker 26 has an electromechanical actuator 50 and a speaker cone 52 made of mylar or other water impermeable material. The actuator 50 converts electrical signals to mechanical vibrations. The speaker cone 52 is glued to the actuator 50 so that vibrations of the actuator 50 propagate into the speaker cone 52 . The speaker cover 28 provides protection from mechanical damage for the mylar speaker 26 while also having openings to allow sound created by the mylar speaker 26 to propagate from the speaker cone 52 .
FIG. 2 d illustrates an exemplary configuration of the speaker cover 28 . FIGS. 2 a - 2 f illustrate the mylar speaker 26 , the speaker cover 28 , the module housing 24 , a speaker seal 202 , a speaker cover seal 204 , a ring 206 of the speaker cover 28 and a land 208 of the module housing 24 . The mylar speaker 26 closes the end of the module housing 24 so that speaker cone 52 prevents water from entering the module housing. FIGS. 2 a , 3 a , 4 a , and 5 a are magn
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Rago Paul S.
Small David
Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafmann
Duda Rina
Miller Patrick
Shoot the Moon Products 11, LLC
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