US3862376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cone construction for loudspeaker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-19
•
Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1993-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A cone for a loudspeaker in which the shear function is more nearly the same at all radii, the shear function being the product of the effective axial thickness at a given radius multiplied by the circumferential length at such radius. The cone is preferably of curved or ''''exponential'''' cross section, deeply angled at a central throat but flattening out to approach a plane at the periphery. The cone is made of light, dimensionally stable material characterized by a high velocity of sonic conduction and is preferably in the form of hollow spheres of glass of small dimension in a binder of epoxy or the like. In an alternate embodiment the cone is made of a hard solid acrylic plastic in thin section and with supporting ribs to provide both rigidity and a substantially constant shear function. Encircling the cone is a flexible hinge or ''''surround.'''' Interposed between the hinge and the edge of the cone is a light collar having axial rigidity to ensure that the edge of the cone remains in a planar locus. The cone, collar and surround may be made integral with one another in a production line setup. At the center of the cone a stiff cap is provided for closing the central opening and for imparting circular and axial rigidity in the region of attachment of the voice coil.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley F White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R7/00; H04R7/02; H04R7/12; H04R3/00; H04R3/002; H04R31/00; H04R31/003; H04R31/006; H04R7/16; H04R7/18; H04R7/20; H04R2231/00; H04R2231/003; H04R2307/00; H04R2307/204; H04R2307/207; H04R9/00; H04R9/02; H04R9/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
In a loudspeaker having a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone assembly which comprises a cone body forming a convexly curved front surface and having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, the cone body having an effective axial thickness which varies generally inversely with the radius so that the product of the effective axial thickness at a given radius multiplied by the circumferential length at that radius is substantially constant across the width of the cone body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a loudspeaker having a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone assembly which comprises a cone body forming a convexly curved front surface and having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, the cone body having an effective axial thickness which varies generally inversely with the radius so that the product of the effective axial thickness at a given radius multiplied by the circumferential length at that radius is substantially constant across the width of the cone body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A loudspeaker as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cone body has an exponentially shaped cross section which is deeply angled at the throat and which approaches a plane at the periphery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the exponent which characterizes the exponential function lies within a range of 2 and 4.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the cone is formed by a layer of glass cloth embedded in epoxy plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as claimed in claim 4 in which the glass cloth has a thickness on the order of 3 to 4 mils while the cone has a thickness on the order of 5 mils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the surround is of curved cross section having an edge which meets the periphery of the cone body at right angles for axial reinforcement of the periphery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the radial width of the surround varies from point to point about the periphery of the speaker body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the surround extends between the periphery of the cone body and the frame and in which the frame is of rectangular configuration while the periphery of the cone body is of circular configuration thereby producing a surround having a variable radial width.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as claimed in claim 1 in which both the surround and the spider have widths which vary as the function of polar angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a loudspeaker having a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone body having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for respectively mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, the cone body being formed of hollow spheres of glass in a hardenable binder of plastic capable of wetting the glass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a loudspeaker having a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone body having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for respectively mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, the cone body being formed of hollow spheres of glass in a hardenable binder of plastic capable of wetting the glass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
THe combination as claimed in claim 10 in which the plastic is an epoxy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as claimed in claim 10 in which the spheres have a diameter lying within the range of 10 Mu inches and 500 Mu inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a loudspeaker the combination comprising a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone assembly having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for respectively mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, the cone body being formed of hard and stiff plastic material forming a continuously smooth and uninterrupted front surface and including radial and circular axially-extending ribs which are integral with the back surface of the cone body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a loudspeaker the combination comprising a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone assembly having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for respectively mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, the cone body being formed of hard and stiff plastic material forming a continuously smooth and uninterrupted front surface and including radial and circular axially-extending ribs which are integral with the back surface of the cone body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as claimed in claim 13 in which the cone body is formed of acrylic plastic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination as claimed in claim 13 in which the cone body is formed of polycarbonate plastic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a loudspeaker having a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone assembly which comprises a cone body forming a convexly curved front surface and having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, and a rigid cap enclosing the throat and forming a concavely curved front surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a loudspeaker having a frame and a magnetic structure providing an annular magnetic air gap, a cone assembly which comprises a cone body forming a convexly curved front surface and having a periphery and a central throat with a voice coil at the throat extending into the air gap, a flexible surround and a flexible spider for mounting the periphery and voice coil for free axial movement, and a rigid cap enclosing the throat and forming a concavely curved front surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as claimed in claim 16 in which the axial thickness of said cap varies as an inverse function of the radius.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |