Speaker apparatus and a computer system incorporating same

Abstract

An internal subwoofer apparatus is provided for mounting within a computer system. The computer system is a multi-media computer system that processes visual and audio recording and playback. The central processing unit box typically includes the motherboard on which is mounted the main central processing unit as well as any ancillary processing chips needed for the computer system. The computer system also includes memory modules such as short term memory, long term memory storage in the form of hard disk drives or removable floppy disk drive systems, as well as long term disk storage systems, such as CD-ROM systems. User input to the computer system is provided by either a keyboard and optionally a pointing device, such as a mouse or track ball. A monitor that displays video signals is provided and the audio system includes a pair of satellite speakers serving as a first channel and a second channel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A speaker apparatus installable within a computer housing for generating low frequency sounds, comprising: 
 a speaker container;    a speaker removably retained within said container;    a speaker port coupled to said container to provide acoustic coupling between said speaker and a region outside said container and said computer housing.    
     
     
         2 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one fastener to couple said speaker to said container.  
     
     
         3 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said container further comprises: 
 a first unit having a speaker retainer; and  
 a second unit, substantially similar to said first unit, further having a speaker retainer, said first container unit and said second container unit being configured to mate in such a fashion as to securely retain said speaker within said container.  
 
     
     
         4 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising an acoustic dampening element mounted to an interior surface of said speaker container.  
     
     
         5 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said speaker is mounted to an interior surface of said speaker container.  
     
     
         6 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said container comprises a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each wall having the same area.  
     
     
         7 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said port has a length that is ⅘ a depth of said container and a diameter that is ⅕ a height of said container.  
     
     
         8 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said speaker is mounted behind said port coupled to said container.  
     
     
         9 . A speaker apparatus installable within a computer housing for generating low frequency sounds, comprising: 
 a speaker container having a top, back, front, bottom, and two side interior portions;    a speaker removably retained within said container, said speaker facing said bottom interior portion;    a speaker port formed in said front interior portion of said container to provide acoustic coupling between said speaker and a region outside said speaker container and said computer housing.    
     
     
         10 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 9  further comprising at least one fastener to couple said speaker to said container.  
     
     
         11 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said container further comprises: 
 a first unit having a speaker retainer; and  
 a second unit, substantially similar to said first unit, further having a speaker retainer, said first container unit and said second container unit being configured to mate in such a fashion as to securely retain said speaker within said container.  
 
     
     
         12 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 9  further comprising an acoustic dampening element mounted to an interior surface of said speaker container.  
     
     
         13 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said speaker is mounted to an interior surface of said speaker container.  
     
     
         14 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said container comprises a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each wall having the same area.  
     
     
         15 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said port has a length that is ⅘ a depth of said container and a diameter that is ⅕ a height of said container.  
     
     
         16 . A speaker apparatus installable within a computer housing for generating low frequency sounds, comprising: 
 a speaker container having back and front interior portions;    a speaker removably retained within said container, said speaker facing said front portion of said speaker container;    a speaker port coupled to said front interior portion of said speaker container to provide acoustic coupling between said speaker and a region outside said container and said computer housing.    
     
     
         17 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one fastener to couple said speaker to said container.  
     
     
         18 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said container further comprises: 
 a first unit having a speaker retainer; and  
 a second unit, substantially similar to said first unit, further having a speaker retainer, said first container unit and said second container unit being configured to mate in such a fashion as to securely retain said speaker within said container.  
 
     
     
         19 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 16  further comprising an acoustic dampening element mounted to said back interior portion of said speaker container.  
     
     
         20 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said speaker is mounted to an interior surface of said speaker container.  
     
     
         21 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said container comprises a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, each wall having the same area.  
     
     
         22 . The speaker apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said port has a length that is ⅘ a depth of said container and a diameter that is ⅕ a height of said container.