AUDIO SPEAKER WITH EXTERNALLY REINFORCED PASSIVE RADIATOR ATTACHMENT

• US 20160173973A1
• Filed: 02/23/2016
• Published: 06/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAGG Inc. (Evercel, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Incipio Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Fathollahi, Andy
• Granted Patent: US 10,390,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 an aperture defined by a radial support surface;

one or more active radiator elements mounted to said chassis;

a retention gasket secured to said chassis; and

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

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 radiator elements, and the passive radiator define a sealed compartment when the 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 electronic device of claim 1, wherein the retention gasket includes a locking mechanism that locks the retention gasket to the chassis when the speaker is fully assembled.

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

12. The portable speaker of claim 1, wherein a 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 method of manufacturing a portable wireless battery powered speaker comprising:

providing a chassis, said chassis defining an internal compartment and having an aperture defined by a radial support surface;

mounting one or more active radiator elements to said chassis;

securing an outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator to said radial support surface; and

positioning a retention gasket such that said outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator is fixedly held in position between said retention gasket and said radial support surface of said chassis with compressive force against the outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the portable wireless battery powered speaker is configured to be water resistant.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the portable wireless battery powered speaker is configured to be waterproof.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising sealing the one or more active radiator elements and the passive radiator to the chassis to define a sealed compartment.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming the passive radiator as a flexible outer perimeter portion surrounding a more rigid central region.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing the retention gasket directly to the chassis.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing the retention gasket outside of the outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator relative to said internal compartment.