# US 11,299,080 B2 · Backrest speakers with acoustic channels

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- Number: US 11,299,080 B2
- Document ID: US11299080B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/907,439
- Filed: 2020-06-22
- Published: 2020-10-08
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-28
- Assignees: Bose Corporation
- Applicants: Bose Corporation
- Inventors: Charles Oswald; Bradford Kyle Subat; Tobe Z. Barksdale; Muhammad Haris Usmani
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299080B2

## CPC

- B60N 2/879: with additional features not related to head-rest positioning, e.g. heating or cooling devices or loudspeakers
- B60R 11/0217: {for loud-speakers}
- B64D 11/00154: {Loudspeakers mounted in the seat back}
- B60R 2011/0012: {Seats or parts thereof}
- B60R 2011/0015: {Back-rests}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

## Abstract

The technology described in this document can be embodied in a vehicle seat that includes a seat headrest portion for supporting the head of an occupant, and a seat backrest portion for supporting the back of the occupant in a seated position. The backrest portion includes an enclosure for receiving at least a portion of an acoustic transducer. The vehicle seat also includes an acoustic channel having a first end that is configured to be fitted around a driver of the acoustic transducer in an acoustically sealed configuration, and a second end. The second end is opposite the first end and disposed at a location closer to the seat headrest portion than the seat backrest portion. The acoustic channel is configured to radiate acoustic energy from the acoustic transducer through the second end.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vehicle seat comprising:
a seat headrest portion;
a seat backrest portion;
a mount within the seat backrest portion for receiving an acoustic transducer positioned so the acoustic transducer is angled upward relative to the seat backrest portion and so a driver of the acoustic transducer is angled upward between 10 and 40 degrees relative to horizontal when the seat backrest portion is positioned for use by a seat occupant, when the acoustic transducer is installed; and
an acoustic channel having a first end configured to be fitted around the driver of the acoustic transducer in an acoustically sealed configuration, and a second end being opposite the first end and disposed at a location closer to an ear of an occupant when occupied.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the seat headrest portion is disposed on top of the seat backrest portion in a detachable configuration.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the seat headrest portion and the seat backrest portion are portions of an integrated structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising the acoustic transducer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The vehicle seat of claim 4 wherein the acoustic transducer is angled inward.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein a cross section of the second end of the acoustic channel is larger than a cross section of the first end.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein an outer layer of the vehicle seat is disposed over the acoustic channel to enclose at least a portion of the acoustic channel and the seat backrest.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the acoustic channel includes an adjustable length between the first end and the second end.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the acoustic channel is angled upward and inward.

### Claim 10

A vehicle comprising:
a plurality of seating positions; and
a seat in at least one of the plurality of seating positions, the seat having
a headrest portion,
a backrest portion,
an acoustic transducer within the backrest portion and angled upward relative to the backrest portion and having a driver angled upward between 10 and 40 degrees relative to horizontal when the backrest portion is positioned for use by a seat occupant, and
an acoustic channel having a first end fitted around a driver of the acoustic transducer in an acoustically sealed configuration, and a second end being opposite the first end and disposed at a location closer to an ear of an occupant when occupied.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10 wherein the acoustic transducer is angled inward.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10 wherein a cross section of the second end of the acoustic channel is larger than a cross section of the first end.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10 wherein an outer layer of the vehicle seat is disposed over the acoustic channel to enclose at least a portion of the acoustic channel and the seat backrest.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10 wherein the acoustic channel includes an adjustable length between the first end and the second end.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10 wherein the acoustic channel is angled upward and inward.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The vehicle of claim 10 wherein the seat headrest portion is disposed on top of the seat backrest portion in a detachable configuration.