US3880253A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speaker grills
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
•
Filing: 1974-06-24
•
Granted: 1975-04-29
•
Expires: 1994-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A speaker grill, particularly applicable to speaker-type telephone sets and similar items, is composed of a plurality of closely spaced thin parallel ribs having a sinuous cross-section, for example somewhat Z-shaped, with a mask attached to the near face of the grill. An aperture is formed in the mask at the position of the speaker. When assembled to the telephone set it is not possible to detect where the speaker aperture is. The ribs also create sinuous passages which prevent direct access to the speaker but permit passage of sound from the speaker.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerd Kuhfus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/02; H04R1/023; G; G10; G10K; G10K13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A speaker grill in a housing comprising a plurality of parallel ribs in said housing and a mask secured to the ribs on an inner surface of the housing; and an aperture in the mask at a position to correspond with a speaker position; the ribs each having a cross-section, secured normal to the longitudinal axis of the rib, in the form of a modified Z shape and including upper and lower crossbars connected by a web, the ribs separated by channels extending completely through the grill from the outside to the inside thereof, each channel of sinuous form, secured in cross-section normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel, and having outer and inner portions, the channel portions offset relative to each other to thereby substantially prevent direct view between the ribs in a direction normal to the outer surface of the grill.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A speaker grill in a housing comprising a plurality of parallel ribs in said housing and a mask secured to the ribs on an inner surface of the housing; and an aperture in the mask at a position to correspond with a speaker position; the ribs each having a cross-section, secured normal to the longitudinal axis of the rib, in the form of a modified Z shape and including upper and lower crossbars connected by a web, the ribs separated by channels extending completely through the grill from the outside to the inside thereof, each channel of sinuous form, secured in cross-section normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel, and having outer and inner portions, the channel portions offset relative to each other to thereby substantially prevent direct view between the ribs in a direction normal to the outer surface of the grill.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A speaker grill as claimed in claim 1, including narrow ribs extending along the inner surface of each lower crossbar, said mask in contact with said narrow ribs and sonically welded thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
A housing for a communication apparatus, including a top cover, and a speaker grill in said top cover, said speaker grill positioned at an upper end of the cover and comprising a plurality of parallel ribs in said cover and a mask secured to the ribs on an inner surface of the cover; and an aperture in the mask at a position to correspond with the speaker position; the ribs each having a cross-section, secured normal to the longitudinal axis of the rib, in the form of a modified Z shape and including upper and lower crossbars connected by a web, the ribs separated by channels extending completely through the grill from the outside to the inside thereof, each channel of sinuous form, viewed in cross-section normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel, and having outer and inner portions, the channel portions offset relative to each other to thereby substantially prevent direct view between the ribs in a direction normal to the outer surface of the grill.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
A housing for a communication apparatus, including a top cover, and a speaker grill in said top cover, said speaker grill positioned at an upper end of the cover and comprising a plurality of parallel ribs in said cover and a mask secured to the ribs on an inner surface of the cover; and an aperture in the mask at a position to correspond with the speaker position; the ribs each having a cross-section, secured normal to the longitudinal axis of the rib, in the form of a modified Z shape and including upper and lower crossbars connected by a web, the ribs separated by channels extending completely through the grill from the outside to the inside thereof, each channel of sinuous form, viewed in cross-section normal to the longitudinal axis of the channel, and having outer and inner portions, the channel portions offset relative to each other to thereby substantially prevent direct view between the ribs in a direction normal to the outer surface of the grill.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2214393A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |