Audio speaker with externally reinforced passive radiator attachment

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.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable wireless battery powered speaker comprising:
 a chassis defining an internal compartment and having an aperture dimensioned to receive a passive radiator, said aperture defined by a radial support surface; 
 one or more active radiator elements mounted to said chassis; 
 a passive radiator having an outer perimeter portion secured to said radial support surface; 
 a perforated cover dimensioned to overlie an external surface of said passive radiator and having an internal surface spaced apart from said passive radiator; and 
 a retention gasket residing between said perforated cover and said outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator that positively locates said outer perimeter portion between a distal surface and said radial support surface of the said chassis with compressive force against the outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter portion of the passive radiator comprises a flexible element surrounding a more rigid central region. 
     
     
       3. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the retention gasket is formed of rigid plastic. 
     
     
       4. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the retention gasket is integrally formed with said perforated cover. 
     
     
       5. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the retention gasket is formed of a continuous segment that is corresponds in radial dimensions with the outer perimeter portion of the passive radiator. 
     
     
       6. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the retention gasket is formed by non-continuous segments, at least some of which are attached to said internal surface of said perforated cover. 
     
     
       7. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis is a unitary construction that defines a sealed compartment when the speaker is fully assembled. 
     
     
       8. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the retention gasket is formed at least in part of a rubber. 
     
     
       9. The portable speaker of  claim 1 , wherein the retention gasket is firmly sandwiched between the internal surface of said perforated cover and the outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator. 
     
     
       10. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the retention gasket has multiple segments integrally formed with the internal surface of said perforated cover, wherein some of such segments have voids between them. 
     
     
       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 , wherein the distal surface of the retention gasket is formed of different materials. 
     
     
       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 dimensioned to receive a passive radiator, said 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; 
 attaching to said chassis a perforated cover dimensioned to overlie an external surface of said passive radiator, wherein said cover is dimensioned to include an internal surface spaced apart from said passive radiator when said cover is attached to said chassis; and 
 positioning a retention gasket between said perforated cover and said outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator such that said outer perimeter portion of said passive radiator is positively located between a distal surface of 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 water proof. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein said retention gasket is integrally formed with said perforated cover. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein said retention gasket is independently formed from said perforated cover.