Speakerphone accessory assembly
View Patent ↗An acoustic accessory is provided having a loudspeaker and a circuit board disposed therein. An acoustic suspension system is formed within the acoustic accessory by board retention rings disposed within the upper and lower housings of the accessory. The board suspension rings clench the printed circuit board, which includes at least one aperture. Rubber gaskets are coupled to the board retention rings to form an airtight seal. The air mass above the printed circuit board joins with the air mass below the printed circuit board to form a unitary reactance against which the loudspeaker works. The size and number of apertures may be varied in accordance with the acoustic application. Board retention posts optionally seat within notches in the printed circuit board to prevent the printed circuit board from moving laterally. Electrical connections may be made through the printed circuit board into the acoustic chamber, thereby not compromising the airtight seal.
1. An acoustic accessory, comprising:
a. an upper housing comprising at least one board retention ring;
b. a lower housing comprising at least one board retention ring;
c. a printed circuit board disposed between the at least one board retention ring of the upper housing and the at least one board retention ring of the lower housing;
d. a loudspeaker; and
e. at least two gaskets, wherein a first gasket is coupled to the at least one board retention ring of the upper housing, further wherein a second gasket is coupled to the at least one board retention ring of the lower housing.
2. The accessory of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least one aperture.
3. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the printed circuit board comprises at least one notch.
4. The accessory of claim 3 , wherein the upper and lower housings comprise at least one board retention post.
5. The accessory of claim 4 , wherein when the upper and lower housing are joined together, at least one board retention posts is disposed within the at least one notch.
6. The accessory of claim 5 , wherein the upper and lower housing are joined together by at least one screw disposed within the at least one board retention post.
7. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the at least two gaskets have a U-shaped cross section.
8. The accessory of claim 7 , wherein the at least two gaskets are manufactured from an elastomer rubber.
9. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower housing are joined together by a fastener selected from the group consisting of screws, snaps, glue and ultrasonic welds.
10. The accessory of claim 2 , further comprising a compressible rubber member disposed between the loudspeaker and the printed circuit board.
11. The accessory of claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower housings are manufactured from injection molded plastic.