Display enclosure having thin speaker

• US 6,708,797 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2001
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Gilbarco Incorporated (Vontier Corp.)
• Inventors: Gromatzky, Jonathan A., Long, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAN MARTIN, EDGARDO
• Application Number:
  US09/840,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20020164044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 181/149, 181/148, 181/150, 181/199, 381/152, 381/162, 381/388, 381/333, 381/395, 381/191, 381/431, 381/306, 359/444, 359/445, 353/15-19
• US Class Current: 181/149
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/06 Loudspeakers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a LCD display that has a thin depth, rigid enclosure and includes a thin speaker so that the depth of the enclosure does not have to be increased to accommodate the speaker. The speaker is used to generate audio output that may correlate to the graphical information displayed on the LCD display. The enclosure has an opening for inclusion of a semi-rigid lens for viewing of an internal LCD module that is also used as a planar surface for the thin speaker. In order to provide a thin device in the enclosure that is driven by a driver to move air to generate sound, the driver is attached to the semi-rigid lens.

Claims

1. A thin speaker, comprising:

a rigid enclosure having an opening that is smaller in size than the dimensions of said rigid enclosure;

a semi-rigid lens placed in said opening;

a magnetic driver inside of said rigid enclosure and attached to said semi-rigid lens wherein said magnetic driver vibrates said semi-rigid lens to create sound;

said semi-rigid lens is attached to a thin semi-rigid surface that is attached to the outside of said rigid enclosure.

2. The speaker of claim 1, wherein said magnetic driver further comprises a magnetic coil and a diaphragm attached to said semi-rigid lens.

3. The speaker of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid lens is constructed from a material comprised from the group consisting of plastic;

and glass.

4. The speaker of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid lens is transparent.

5. The speaker of claim 1, wherein said rigid enclosure contains a LCD module that is viewable through said semi-rigid lens.

6. The speaker of claim 1, wherein said semi-rigid lens is attached to said rigid enclosure.

7. The speaker of claim 1, wherein said thin semi-rigid surface is larger in size than said semi-rigid lens.

8. The speaker of claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket for attaching said magnetic driver to said semi-rigid lens.

9. The speaker of claim 8, wherein said mounting bracket is rectangular in shape and has a left end and a right end and said magnetic driver is attached in between said left end and said right end.

10. The speaker of claim 9, wherein said mounting bracket is attached to aid semi-rigid lens for increased vibration of said semi-rigid lens for increased sound volume.

11. The speaker of claim 8, wherein said mounting bracket is attached to said semi-rigid lens.

12. The speaker of claim 1, wherein said rigid enclosure is environmentally sealed.

13. A method of producing a thin speaker for an enclosure, comprising the steps of:

cutting out an opening in a rigid enclosure;

placing a semi-rigid lens in said opening;

attaching a magnetic driver on the de of said rigid enclosure to said semi-rigid lens wherein said magnetic driver vibrates said semi-rigid lens to create sound,

placing a semi-rigid surface on the outside of said rigid enclosure; and

attaching said semi-rigid lens to said semi-rigid surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said attaching comprises:

attaching said magnetic driver to a mounting bracket and to said semi-rigid lens; and

attaching said magnetic driver to said semi-rigid lens.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising environmentally-sealing said rigid enclosure.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising attaching said rigid enclosure to a kiosk.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising attaching said rigid enclosure to a fuel dispenser.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising placing a LCD module on the inside of said rigid enclosure that is viewable through said semi-rigid lens.