Audio speaker with externally reinforced passive radiator attachment

• US 10,390,128 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2016
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAGG Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zagg Amplified, Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fathollahi, Andy
• Primary Examiner(s): Ni, Suhan
• Application Number:
  US15/051,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20160173973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 381349, 381182
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/023 Screens for loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2834 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 31/003 for diaphragms or their outer suspension
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/06 Loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 Acoustic transducer

Abstract

A battery powered wireless audio speaker comprising a passive radiator is disclosed. The perimeter portion of the passive radiator is sandwiched between the speaker chassis and the retention gasket that resides between an external overlying perforated cover to firmly secure the passive radiator. The construction is capable of being well suited to enhance and improve integrity to the seal between the passive radiator and the speaker chassis in strenuous environment conditions such as when a speaker is submerged in water.

Claims

1. A portable wireless battery powered speaker comprising:

a chassis defining an internal compartment and having a space defined by a radial support surface of the chassis and a bottom cover, wherein the chassis further comprises a bottom side, and wherein the chassis comprises a plurality of steps from the radial support surface to the bottom side, including at least a first step on the radial support surface and a last step on the bottom side;

one or more active drivers mounted to said chassis;

a retention gasket having a distal surface, the retention gasket secured to said chassis and disposed within the space defined by the radial support surface and the bottom cover;

a passive radiator having an outer perimeter portion that is fixedly held in position between said distal surface of retention gasket and said first step of the radial support surface of said chassis with compressive force against the outer perimeter of said passive radiator; and

wherein the bottom cover is attached to at least the last step on the bottom side of the chassis.

2. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the passive radiator comprises a flexible outer perimeter portion surrounding a more rigid central region.

3. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the chassis, the one or more active drivers, and the passive radiator define a sealed compartment when the portable speaker is fully assembled.

4. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the retention gasket is integrally formed with a perforated cover dimensioned to overlie a surface of said passive radiator and having a surface spaced apart from said passive radiator.

5. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the retention gasket is secured directly to the chassis.

6. The portable speaker of claim 5, wherein the retention gasket is formed of non-continuous segments.

7. The portable speaker of claim 5, wherein the retention gasket is formed of a continuous segment that corresponds in radial dimensions with the outer perimeter portion of the passive radiator.

8. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the retention gasket is secured outside of the outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator relative to said internal compartment.

9. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the retention gasket is formed at least in part of plastic.

10. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the retention gasket includes a locking mechanism that locks the retention gasket to the chassis when the portable speaker is fully assembled.

11. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the distal surface of the retention gasket includes a curved shape.

12. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein the distal surface of the retention gasket includes ridges that correspond in shape and dimension to ridges on the opposing radial support surface.

13. The portable speaker of claim 1, further comprising a perforated cover dimensioned to overlie the external surface of said passive radiator and spaced apart from said passive radiator.

14. A portable wireless battery powered speaker comprising:

a chassis defining an internal compartment and having a space between a bottom cover and a radial support surface of the chassis;

wherein the chassis further comprises a bottom side, and wherein the chassis comprises a plurality of steps from the radial support surface to the bottom side, including at least a first step on the radial support surface and a last step on the bottom side;

one or more active drivers mounted to said chassis;

a retention means secured to said chassis, the retention means located in the space between the bottom cover and the radial support surface of the chassis; and

a passive radiator having an outer perimeter portion, the outer perimeter portion being fixedly held in position between the retention means and the radial support surface of the chassis with compressive force against the outer perimeter portion of the passive radiator.

15. The portable speaker of claim 14, wherein the passive radiator comprises a flexible outer perimeter portion surrounding a more rigid central region.

16. The portable speaker of claim 14, wherein the chassis, the one or more active drivers, and the passive radiator define a sealed compartment when the portable speaker is fully assembled.

17. The portable speaker of claim 14, wherein the retention means is integrally formed with a perforated cover dimensioned to overlie a surface of said passive radiator and having a surface spaced apart from said passive radiator.

18. The portable speaker of claim 14, wherein the retention means is secured directly to the chassis.

19. The portable speaker of claim 18, wherein the retention means is formed of non-continuous segments.

20. The portable speaker of claim 18, wherein the retention means is formed of a continuous segment that corresponds in radial dimensions with the outer perimeter portion of the passive radiator.