Illuminated speaker

• US 10,462,546 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2018
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: JL Audio, Inc.
• Inventors: Proni, Lucio, Spanbroek, Dwayne H, Gomez, Carlos A
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhu, Qin
• Application Number:
  US15/917,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20190281374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/025 Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2400/11 Aspects regarding the frame of loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/16 Mounting or tensioning of diaphragms or cones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/043 Inner suspension or damper, e.g. spider outer suspension or surround H04R7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/046 Construction

Abstract

A loudspeaker comprises a circuit board which mounts a number of light units each including multiple LEDs in a position so that when illuminated they are visible though a transparent or translucent diaphragm and protected from exposure to the environment external to the loudspeaker.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker, comprising:

a motor structure;

a frame connected to said motor structure;

a stand-off ring mounted to said frame, said stand-off ring comprising a first wall, a second wall spaced from said first wall and a third wall extending between said first and second walls;

a lower suspension connected between said motor structure and said third wall of said stand-off ring;

a circuit board connected to said third wall of said stand-off ring, said circuit board mounting at least one light unit operative to produce illumination;

an upper suspension connected to said frame;

a diaphragm connected between said motor structure and said upper suspension, said diaphragm being formed of a transparent or translucent material through which illumination from said at least one light unit may be viewed exteriorly of the loudspeaker;

a dust cap mounted to said diaphragm in position over at least a portion of said motor structure;

said upper suspension, said diaphragm, said dust cap and at least a portion of said frame collectively forming a barrier to protect said circuit board from exposure to elements external to the loudspeaker.

2. The loudspeaker of claim 1 in which said at least one light unit comprises a number of light units each including one or more LEDs.

3. The loudspeaker of claim 2 in which said circuit board is formed with a number of traces each connected to at least one of the LEDs in each of the light units.

4. The loudspeaker of claim 1 in which said frame is formed with a channel, said first wall of said stand-off ring being mounted within said channel.

5. The loudspeaker of claim 1 in which said second wall of said stand-off ring is coupled to said motor structure.

6. The loudspeaker of claim 1 in which said stand-off ring is formed with a sleeve which receives a power cable coupled to said at least one light unit.

7. A loudspeaker system, comprising:

an enclosure having a wall formed with an opening and an interior;

a loudspeaker, comprising;

(i) a motor structure;

(ii) a frame connected to said motor structure;

(iii) a stand-off ring mounted to said frame, said stand-off ring comprising a first wall, a second wall spaced from said first wall and a third wall extending between said first and second walls;

(iv) a lower suspension connected between said motor structure and said third wall of said stand-off ring;

(v) a circuit board connected to said third wall of said stand-off ring, said circuit board mounting at least one light unit operative to produce illumination;

(vi) an upper suspension connected to said frame;

(vii) a diaphragm connected between said motor structure and said upper suspension, said diaphragm being formed of a transparent or translucent material through which illumination from said at least one light unit may be viewed exteriorly of the loudspeaker;

(viii) a dust cap mounted to said diaphragm in position over at least a portion of said motor structure;

said loudspeaker being inserted through said opening in said enclosure such that said circuit board is located within said interior of said enclosure, said frame of said loudspeaker being connected to said wall of said enclosure, said upper suspension, said diaphragm, said dust cap and at least a portion of said frame collectively forming a barrier to protect said circuit board from exposure to the environment external to said loudspeaker and said interior of said enclosure.

8. The loudspeaker of claim 7 in which said frame is formed with a channel, said first wall of said stand-off ring being mounted within said channel.

9. The loudspeaker of claim 7 in which said second wall of said stand-off ring is coupled to said motor structure.

10. The loudspeaker of claim 7 in which said stand-off ring is formed with a sleeve which receives a power cable coupled to said at least one light unit.