US 12,143,759 B1
Method for making a speaker cover for enhanced audio performance
Richard Francois Audi, Dearborn, MI (US); Donald Scott Smith, Commerce, MI (US); Joel Matthew Cormier, Lathrup Village, MI (US); Michael Anthony Rossi, Grosse Ile, MI (US); Mark Steven Kunitz, Newport, MI (US); and Kevin Matthew Ward, Wyandotte, MI (US)
Assigned to OAKWOOD METAL FABRICATING CO., Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by OAKWOOD METAL FABRICATING CO., Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/154,715.
Application 17/154,715 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/751,080, filed on Jan. 23, 2020, granted, now 11,575,982.
Int. Cl. H04R 31/00 (2006.01); H04R 1/02 (2006.01); A63F 9/24 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 1/028 (2013.01) [A63F 2009/247 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for making an audio speaker cover from a blank workpiece either individually or from an assembly of stacked blank workpieces using a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, the method comprising steps, not necessarily in a sequence presented, of:
evolving a computer-aided design (CAD) model of the audio speaker cover with an array of apertures of varying or uniform size and spacing, the model having a central region surrounded by a peripheral region;
flattening the central and peripheral regions of the model to create a flat model of the audio speaker cover;
selecting a metal type and a metal thickness from which to create the blank workpiece or the assembly of stacked blank workpieces;
determining a desired blank workpiece configuration by electing to process one blank workpiece individually or the assembly of stacked blank workpieces together;
covering the one blank workpiece or the assembly of stacked blank workpieces;
affixing the one blank workpiece or the assembly of stacked blank workpieces together in relation to a moveable bed of the computer numerical control (CNC) machine;
providing the CNC machine with one or more cells, each cell being able to control a spin speed and an advancement rate of one or more drill bits in a cell so that the one blank workpiece or the assembly of stacked blank of the blank workpieces may be addressed by one cell alone or the one blank workpiece or multiple stacks of the blank workpieces can be addressed by multiple cells simultaneously or sequentially;
mounting the one or more drill bits that match the dimensions of each desired aperture into the one or more cells of the CNC machine that spins the one or more drill bits mounted therein;
advancing the one or more spinning drill bits towards, into and through the one individual workpiece or the assembly of stacked workpieces or multiple stacks of the blank workpieces; and
programming the CNC machine to form one or more audio speaker covers, each having a central region with apertures or other voids of a desired diameter, width and footprint with parallel walls and square shoulders, each formed audio speaker cover having its central region with lands separating the apertures and a peripheral region that is devoid of apertures.