Linear speaker array

• US 5,802,190 A
• Filed: 04/17/1997
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
• Original Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
• Inventors: Ferren, Bran
• Primary Examiner(s): Loomis, Paul
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N.
• Application Number:
  US08/839,324
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 381/24, 381/89, 381/90, 381/154, 381/156, 381/159, 381/182, 381/186, 381/188, 381/199, 381/205, 381/82, 181/144, 181/156, 181/199
• US Class Current: 381/182
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/26 Spatial arrangements of separate transducers responsive to two or more frequency ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F

Abstract

A sound delivery system comprises at least one elongated speaker mounting element. A multiplicity of individual speakers are mounted in the mounting element to form a linear array of speakers with each speaker being adapted to radiate sound in a direction transverse to the array. The number of speakers and the spacing between them are selected so as to focus the sound emanated by the speakers by reducing dispersion of sound in the direction of the linear array. A device is also included for coupling audio signals to the speakers.

Claims

1. A public address sound delivery system, comprising

at least one elongated speaker mounting element;

a multiplicity of individual speakers mounted in said mounting element to form a vertical linear array of speakers with each speaker adapted to radiate sound in a direction transverse to the array, the number of speakers and the spacing between them being selected so as to focus the sound emanated by the speakers by reducing dispersion of sound in the direction of the linear array; and

means for coupling audio signals containing voice signals to said speakers, said means including means for separating the audio signals into at least a first signal containing said voice signals and a second signal in which a substantial part of said voice signals is not present, said first signal being connected to an upper group of speakers and said second signal being connected to an entire lower group of speakers whereby the likelihood of positive feedback between a microphone in proximity to said lower group of speakers and said lower group of speakers is substantially reduced.

2. A sound delivery speaker system according to claim 1 wherein said array comprises at least ten speakers.

3. A sound delivery speaker system according to claim 1 wherein said array comprises at least twenty speakers.

4. A sound delivery speaker system according to claim 1 wherein said array comprises at least thirty speakers.

5. A sound delivery speaker system according to claim 4, wherein said hollow tube is mounted on a base containing a space, the size of which is selected to enhance low frequency audio signals when the speakers are driven.

6. A public address sound delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said elongated speaker mounting element comprises a hollow tubular member.

7. A public address sound delivery system according to claim 6, wherein said hollow tubular member is extruded.