IP Library Granted Patent US 8,166,887
Granted Patent B2
US 8,166,887 · App. 13/152,657 · Granted May 1, 2012

Sound systems for model railroad locomotives

Assignee: QS Industries, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,166,887
App. No.
13/152,657
Granted
May 1, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

On-board model railroad speaker enclosure designs are presented that isolate back and front speaker waves. In one example, a first speaker may be disposed inside of a model steam locomotive tender, and a second speaker disposed inside of the model steam locomotive. Bass sounds and mid-range sounds may be separately directed to the first and second speakers, and isolated from mixing with one another.

Claims (14)

1. A method for improved audio performance in a model railroad comprising the steps of:

providing a first speaker disposed inside of a steam locomotive tender;

providing an electronic apparatus arranged to generate first and second sound signals, the electronic apparatus disposed in the tender;

coupling the electronic apparatus to the first speaker to generate first sounds responsive to the first sound signals;

providing a second speaker disposed inside of a steam locomotive; and

coupling the electronic apparatus in the tender to the second speaker to generate second sounds responsive to the second sound signals; and further comprising

locating the second speaker substantially within a steam boiler of the steam locomotive;

arranging a lower smoke box area of the steam locomotive to provide a passageway allowing a front wave sound from the second speaker to exit the locomotive; and

substantially sealing a region of the steam boiler behind the second speaker so as to prevent a back sound wave of the second speaker from mixing with the front sound wave.

2. The method of claim 1 and wherein the first sounds are bass sounds and the second sounds are mid-range sounds.

3. The method of claim 1 including:

selecting low frequency sounds as the first sounds to be generated in the first speaker responsive to the first sound signals; and

selecting mid-range sounds as the second sounds to be generated in the second speaker responsive to the second sound signals.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first sound signals encode low frequency sounds and the second sound signals encode mid-range sounds.

Continuity (4)
Division 12176275 · Jul 18, 2008
Division 11075469 · Mar 8, 2005
Provisional Application 60551652 · Mar 8, 2004
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