Abstract:
This invention provides a baffle isolation system for isolating a baffle from a housing in a loudspeaker mounting system. The isolation system may include an isolation mechanism that insulates the baffle from the speaker housing. The isolation mechanism may include a bumper member coupled to a hollow shaft. In another embodiment, the bumper member may also include at least two resistant members located on either side of the bumper and coupled to the hollow shaft. These resistant members act to acoustically reduce sound penetration through the isolation system. Radial isolation may be achieved by the bumper acting to reduce the transmission of vibrations from the baffle to the housing, while longitudinal isolation may be achieved by the resistant members. Ideally, the bumper and the resistant members may be manufactured out of an elastomeric material and may be designed as separate members or as one unitary member.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention.  
           [0002]    This invention generally relates to the field of loudspeakers. In particular, the invention relates to a system capable of isolating a loudspeaker baffle from a loudspeaker housing.  
           [0003]    2. Related Art.  
           [0004]    Installing a loudspeaker into a surface such as a wall and/or ceiling generally includes cutting an opening into the surface to insert the loudspeaker housing into the opening. The loudspeaker housing may be flush against the surface and have a recessed area to receive a baffle that covers the opening and loudspeaker housing. The baffle may incorporate at least one loudspeaker transducer. The loudspeaker housing may be first secured in the surface and then the baffle (with at least one loudspeaker transducer) may be secured to the loudspeaker housing.  
           [0005]    A general problem associated with mounting a loudspeaker to or within a surface is that the mechanical energy created by the operation of the loudspeaker is typically transferred to the surface. This mechanical energy is typically generated by the vibration of the loudspeaker transducer(s) that correspondingly creates vibrations in the loudspeaker housing. The loudspeaker housing typically transfers these vibrations to the surface generating undesirable noise from the movement of the surface.  
           [0006]    Prior attempts to solve this problem have included the installation of an isolator between the baffle and the loudspeaker housing to dampen the longitudinal vibration of the loudspeaker during operation. The isolator, however, typically results in misalignment between the baffle and the loudspeaker housing because of the effects of gravity on the weight of the baffle and the loudspeaker(s). This misalignment generally does not allow the isolator to perform properly. Therefore, a need exists for an isolator that isolates the baffle from the loudspeaker housing without misalignment.  
           [0007]    Another problem with utilizing isolators relates to differential loading. Differential loading occurs when four isolators are located at each corner of a rectangular shaped loudspeaker housing. Loads in longitudinal and radial directions may be different on the four corners of the loudspeaker housing because the weight of the baffle may not be centered. As an example, the center of mass may be in the lower portion of the baffle resulting in the lower half having greater longitudinal loading than the isolators in the upper half. As a result, utilizing four isolators that are substantially similar in each of the corners may not optimize the performance of the four isolators. Therefore, there is also a need for an isolation system that is capable of adjusting its dampening characters depending on the longitudinal and radial forces applied to the isolators.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    This invention provides a system for isolating a baffle from a housing. The system includes an isolation system having an isolation mechanism that insulates the baffle from the speaker housing. The isolation mechanism comprises a bumper member coupled to a hollow shaft member. The bumper mechanism in its simplest form may be constructed from one piece of an elastomeric material. The bumper may also be grooved to reduce the opportunity for slippage in the mount area between the baffle and the housing. The isolation mechanism may be held in position with end caps located on opposite sides of the hollow shaft member.  
           [0009]    In another embodiment, the hollow shaft member may also be capable of accepting and including at least two resistant members. These resistant members, positioned on either side of the bumper, act to acoustically reduce sound penetration through the isolation mechanism. The bumper radially isolates vibration transmission from the baffle, while the resistant members longitudinally isolate the baffle. Ideally, both the bumper and the resistant member may be manufactured out of an elastomeric material and may or may not be made of the same material.  
           [0010]    In another embodiment, the invention provides an isolation system between the baffle and the housing having two resistant members that are sculptured to allow the bumper to fit within the resistant members. This isolation system also supports the baffle relative to the housing in both the longitudinal and radial directions. The bumper may also be adapted to insert into an opening within the housing while also being capable of being secured to the baffle. In this embodiment, the assembly&#39;s two resistant members may be formed so that each resistant member can encompass at least a portion of the bumper. The baffle is positioned between the two resistant members so that the bumper and resistant members provide a cushion for the baffle.  
           [0011]    Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
           [0012]    The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.  
           [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loudspeaker mounting mechanism for mounting a loudspeaker within a surface.  
           [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the loudspeaker mounting mechanism taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.  
           [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the loudspeaker mounting mechanism in FIG. 1.  
           [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is an unassembled detailed perspective view of each member of the isolation system illustrated in FIG. 3.  
           [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 illustrates the members of the baffle isolation system of FIG. 4 as they would appear assembled.  
           [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the assembled baffle isolation system taken along line B-B of FIG. 5.  
           [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the assembled baffle isolation system illustrated in FIG. 5.  
           [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is an unassembled detailed perspective view of each member of an alternative embodiment of a baffle isolation system.  
           [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 illustrates the members of the baffle isolation system of FIG. 8 as they would appear assembled.  
           [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the assembled isolation system taken along line C-C of FIG. 8.  
           [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is an unassembled detailed perspective view of each member of an alternative embodiment of a baffle isolation system having a unitary baffle isolation member.  
           [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the unitary isolation member taken along line D-D of FIG. 11.  
           [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is an unassembled detailed perspective view of each member of another embodiment of a baffle isolation system.  
           [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the baffle and resistant members of the isolation system taken along line E-E of FIG. 13.  
           [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 is an unassembled detailed perspective view of each member of an alternative embodiment of a baffle isolation system incorporating washers to adjust the length of the isolation system.  
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a loudspeaker mounting system  100  for mounting at least one loudspeaker  101  within an opening in a surface (not shown), such as a wall or ceiling. As illustrated by FIG. 1, the mounting mechanism  100  includes a housing  104 , which may be inserted into an opening formed in a wall or other surface. The loudspeaker housing  104  is generally positioned flush against the surface and includes a baffle  102  that is positioned within a recessed area in the loudspeaker housing  104 . The baffle  102  will generally include at least one opening  160  for receiving and incorporating at least one loudspeaker transducer  101 . As illustrated, the baffle may also include a second opening  150  for receiving a second loudspeaker transducer  103 , such as a tweeter. Furthermore, each baffle  102  may include four isolation openings  118  at each of its corners for securing the baffle  102  to the housing  104  via a baffle isolation system (not shown), as described in further detail below.  
         [0029]    As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the loudspeaker mounting system  100  of FIG. 1 further includes a baffle isolation system  105  for isolating the baffle  102  from the housing  104  both in the radial and longitudinal directions. The isolation system  105  may be incorporated between the baffle  102  and the housing  104  to isolate the baffle  102  from the housing  104 . Each of the four isolation openings  118  along the four corners of the baffle  102  is adapted to receive a baffle isolation system  105 . By placing the isolation system  105  between the baffle  102  and the housing  104 , the isolation system  105  helps to prevent vibration generated by the loudspeaker  101  from transferring to the housing  104  and correspondingly to the surface in which the housing  104  is contained.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 illustrating the positioning of the baffle isolation system  105  assembled in one corner of the loudspeaker mounting mechanism  100 . As illustrated in FIG. 2, each isolation opening  118  of the baffle isolation system  105  aligns with a corresponding recessed opening  125  (FIG. 3) located in the housing  104 . The baffle isolation system  105  is then positioned in the isolation opening  118  of the baffle  102  such that it extends between the isolation opening  118  of the baffle  102  and the recessed opening  125  of the housing  104 .  
         [0031]    Each of the isolation openings  118  includes a baffle opening  106  for receiving a bumper  108 . The bumper  108  may include a groove or cavity  110  (FIG. 4) formed along the circumference of the bumper  108  that is designed to fit securely within the baffle opening  106  to substantially isolate the baffle  102  in the radial direction  115  relative to the housing  104 . Resistant members  112  and  114  are the placed on each side of the bumper  108  to isolate the baffle  102  in the radial direction  115  relative to the housing  104 . A first resistant member  112  is placed below the bumper  108  in the cavity of the corresponding recessed opening  125  in the housing  104 . A second resistant member  114  is placed above the bumper  108  in the cavity formed by the isolation recessed opening  118  in the baffle  102 . A first end cap  120  is place just below the first resistant member  112  and a second end cap  122  is place just above the second resistant member  114 . A hollow shaft  128  runs through the baffle isolation system  105  from the first end cap  120  to the second end cap  122 . The hollow shaft  128  is secured at both its distal ends to the first end cap  120  and second end cap  122  respectively, thereby containing the isolation system  105  between the first and second end caps  120  and  122  respectively. A hollow sleeve  124  may further be positioned within an opening  126  (FIG. 3) in the bumper  108 .  
         [0032]    The diameter of an isolation opening  118  in the baffle  102  and the recessed opening  125  in the housing  104  may be greater than that of the resistant members  112  and  114  so that the baffle may move both in the radial  115  and the longitudinal  116  direction without causing the baffle  102  to touch resistant member  114  or cause the housing to contact the resistant member  112 . This may allow the isolation system  105  to substantially isolate the baffle  102  from the housing  104  in both the radial  115  and longitudinal  116  directions.  
         [0033]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, a third end cap  130  may be aligned just above the second end cap  122 . The first, second and third end caps  120 ,  122  and  130  may all include a central bore of substantially the same size for receiving a pin or other securing mechanism for fastening or securing the isolation system  105  to the housing  104  and the baffle  102 . For example, a screw (not shown) may then be inserted through the central bore in the third end cap  130 , second end caps  122 , the hollow shaft  124  and the first end cap  120  of the isolating system  105  and into an opening  135  in the housing  104  for receiving the screw.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the loudspeaker mounting system  100  illustrated in FIG. 1. While the isolation system  105  may be used in each corner of the baffle  102  or in other alternative positions about the baffle  102 , for illustrative purposes, FIG. 3 only depicts the baffle isolation system  105  in the top right corner of the mounting system  100 .  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 shows the assembly of the baffle isolation system  105  between the baffle  102  and the housing  104 . The bumper  108  is inserted into the baffle opening  106  (FIG. 2) so that the cavity  110  (FIG. 4) may be flush against the baffle opening  106 . Once the bumper  108  is in place, a hollow sleeve  124  may be inserted through the bumper opening  126  until both ends of the sleeve  124  are flush against the bumper  108 . Then, first and second resistant members  112  and  114  may be placed against the baffle  102 , one on each side of the baffle  102 . The hollow shaft  128  of the first cap  120  may be then inserted through an opening in the first resistant member  112 , the sleeve  132  and the second resistant member  114  and coupled to the second end cap  122  to hold the system  100  in place.  
         [0036]    As previously discussed, the diameter  154  of the isolation opening  118  may be greater than that of the resistant members  112  and  114  such that the baffle  102  may move both in the radial  115  and the longitudinal  116  direction without causing the baffle  102  to touch resistant member  114  or cause the housing to contact the resistant member  112 . And, with the first cap  120  or the second cap  122  coupled to the housing  104 , the isolation system  100  may substantially isolate the baffle  102  from the housing  104  in all directions.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 is an unassembled detailed perspective view of each member of the isolation system  105 . As illustrated in FIG. 4, the bumper  108  may include a groove or cavity  110  formed along the circumference of the bumper  108  that is designed to fit securely within the baffle opening  106  (FIG. 2). Placing the bumper  108  in the baffle opening  106  assists with isolating the baffle  102  in the radial direction  115  relative to the housing  104 .  
         [0038]    The bumper  108  may further include an opening  126  for receiving a hollow sleeve  124 . The sleeve  124  may be sized to fit within the bumper opening  126  and may have a longitudinal length that may be substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the bumper  108 . This may allow the two ends of the sleeve  124  to be substantially flush against the opposing ends of the bumper  108  when positioned with the bumper opening  126 . Once the sleeve  124  is inserted into the bumper opening  126 , the outer surface of the sleeve  124  may resist against the inner surface of the bumper opening  126  so that the sleeve  124  may not easily fall out. The sleeve  124 , however, may be later removed from the bumper opening  126  if desired. The sleeve  124  may be made of a material that provides minimal resistance with the hollow shaft  128  so that there may be low friction between the two. The sleeve  124  may be made of such material as Teflon®, nylon, or delrin.  
         [0039]    The first resistant member  112  may have a first resistant member opening  130  and a first resistant member bore  140 . The second resistant member  114  may have a second resistant member opening  134  and a second resistant member bore  142 . The first and second central bores  140  and  142  may be contoured so that at least a portion of the bumper  108  may be between the two bores  140  and  142 . The contour of the first and second bores  140  and  142  may be varied or adjusted to provide a predetermined damping characteristic. For example, a larger bore means that the sidewall of the resistant members  112  and  114  may be thinner so that the sidewall may provide less resistance to the longitudinal loads. The bores  140  and  142  of the sidewall of the resistant member  112  and  114  may also be contoured to provide a “soft bottoming” as the two resistant members  112  and  114  reach their excursion limit in the longitudinal direction  134 . At least a portion of the bumper  108  may be disposed within the bores  140  and  142  and may have a sufficient space between the two bores  104  and  142  to allow the bumper  108  to move freely, both in the longitudinal axis  134  and in the radial directions  136 .  
         [0040]    The first cap  120  and a second cap  122  may be placed on the two opposite ends of the isolation system  105  and may be adapted to couple to each other via a hollow shaft  128  to hold the isolation system  100  together. The first or second cap  120  or  122  may have a hollow shaft  128  extending from the interior side of cap  120  or  122 . In the example embodiment illustrate in FIG. 4, the hollow shaft  128  extends from the first cap  120  and may be then inserted through the first resistant member opening  130 , the sleeve opening  132 , and the second resistant member opening  134 , respectively. The distal end  136  of the hollow shaft  128  may then be coupled to a second cap recess  138  located on the interior side of the second end cap  122  to hold the system  100  in place.  
         [0041]    To couple the hollow shaft  128  to the second cap recess  138 , the hollow shaft  128  may have a distal end  136  adapted to be releasable or fixedly coupled to the second cap recess  138  within the second end cap  122 . The hollow shaft  128  may have sufficient length to allow the distal end  136  to couple to the second end cap  122  when the isolation system  105  is assembled.  
         [0042]    The performance of the isolation system  105  may be modified by using a bumper  108  and resistant members  112  and  114  made from a material having a different durometer relative to one another. The bumper  108  and the two resistant members  112  and  114  may be made out of an elastomeric material having certain softness selected from a predetermined range of durometer hardness. Durometer may be a measurement of a material&#39;s hardness. Depending on the load on each of the pieces in the isolation system  105 , the bumper  108  and each resistant members  112  and  114  may be designed to have different durometers. For example, the bumper  108  may be made of material having greater durometer than that of the two resistant members  112  and  114  because the radial load on the bumper  108  may be greater than the lateral or longitudinal load on the two resistant members  112  and  114 . The second resistant member  114  may be designed to have a greater durometer than first resistant member  112  because the forward longitudinal load on the second resistant member  114  may be greater than the back longitudinal load on the first resistant member  112 . Both the bumper  108  and the resistant members  112  and  114  may have a durometer of about  20  to about  100 . The bumper  108  and resistant members  112  and  114  may be made from an elastomeric material, such a sorbothane, or other materials known to one skilled in the art.  
         [0043]    In addition to the durometer of the members of an individual isolation system varying, each isolation system  105  in any given loudspeaker mounting system  100  may be made of materials having different durometers depending upon the particular load on the isolation system  105  at its position in the loudspeaker mounting system  100 . For example, more longitudinal load will be placed on the isolation systems  105  that are closer in proximity to a low-frequency transducer  101  (FIG. 1) mounted in the bass opening  160  (FIG. 1). The closer the isolation system  105  to the low-frequency transducer  101 , the more back and forth motion of the low-frequency transducer the isolation system  105  will absorb, thereby putting more longitudinal load on those isolation systems  105  closer in proximity to the low-frequency transducer  101 . To handle to the additional load, the resistant members  112  and  114  in isolation systems  105  in close proximity to the low-frequency transducer  101  may be made of material having a higher durometer than the resistant members  112  and  114  in the isolation systems  105  more distal from the low-frequency transducer  101 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the members of the baffle isolation system  105  of FIG. 4 as they would appear assembled. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a gap  164  may be formed between the first and the second resistant members  112  and  114 . The thickness of the gap  164  may be substantially similar to a wall thickness  170  (FIG. 1) of the baffle  102  so that the baffle opening  106  (FIG. 2) may be positioned between the first and second resistant members  112  and  114 . Accordingly, as the baffle  102  moves back and forth along the longitudinal direction, the two resistant members  112  and  114  may substantially isolate the baffle from the housing  104 .  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the baffle isolation system taken along line B-B of FIG. 5. Central to the isolation system  105  is the bumper  108 , having a first resistant member  112  positioned directly below the bumper  108  and a second resistant member  114  positioned above the bumper  108 . End caps  120  and  122  are positioned at both ends of the assembly, one end cap  120  may have a hollow shaft  128  from the interior side of the end cap  120  through a central bore in the assembly to couple to the opposing end caps  120  and  122  to one another and to hold the members of the isolation system  105  together.  
         [0046]    The sleeve  124  may be firmly held in place within the bumper opening  126  (FIG. 4). The outer diameter of the hollow shaft  128  may be slightly less than the inner diameter of the sleeve opening  132  so that the hollow shaft  128  may freely slide within the sleeve opening  132 . At least a portion of the bumper  108  may be within the two central bores  140  and  142 , so that the bumper  108  may freely slide both radially and longitudinally without touching the first and second resistant members  112  and  114 . To engage the first cap  120  to the second cap  122 , the distal end  136  of the hollow shaft  128  may have a recess  165  adapted to engage with a tooth  162  formed within the second cap recess  138 . Accordingly, the two caps  120  and  122  may hold the isolation system  105  together. Alternatively, threads may be used between the distal end  136  and the second cap recess  138  to couple the two ends together. Any other methods known to one skilled in the art may also be used to releasably or fixedly couple the distal end  136  to the second cap recess  138 . While it may be more desirable to have assembly releasably coupled, the members of the isolation system  104  may be more permanently affixed to one another by adhesives or other more permanent method for affixing the members of the isolation system to one another.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the assembled baffle isolation system  105  illustrated in FIG. 5. In this illustration, the shape of the isolation system  105  is shown as having a circular shape. The shape of the isolation system  105 , however, may have a variety of shapes, such as rectangular, triangular, oval, octagonal, or square shaped. Accordingly, the shape of the isolation system  105  is not limited to the circular assembly illustrated. Furthermore, in this illustration, the central bore of the assembly may be easily seen. The central bore may accept a screw or other similar mounting mechanism for securing the baffle isolation system  105  to the housing  104  and baffle  102 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 8 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a baffle isolation system  800 . While FIGS.  2 - 7  depict the hollow shaft  802  as being integrated into one of the end caps  810  or  814 , as illustrated by FIG. 8, the hollow shaft  802  may be a designed as a separate piece from that of the first or second end caps  810  or  814 . In the example embodiment, the bumper  818 , first and second resistant members  816  and  820  and the sleeve  824  may be similar in design and function to the corresponding parts illustrated in FIGS.  2 - 7  above. The first end cap  810  is adapted to couple to one distal end  804  of the hollow shaft  802  via a first cap recess  808  formed on the interior side of the first end cap  810 . Similarly, the second end cap  814  may have a second cap recess  812  for receiving a second distal end  806  of the hollow shaft  802 . The hollow shaft  802  may be sized to fit through the central openings of the first resistant member  816 , sleeve  824 , bumper  818  and second resistant member  820 . The hollow shaft  802  may have a longitudinal length to allow the first and second distal ends of the shaft  802  to couple to the first and second cap recesses  808  and  812 , respectively, when the isolation system  800  is assembled.  
         [0049]    The hollow shaft  402  may be designed to freely slide within the openings fo the first resistant member  816 , the sleeve  824 , and the second resistant member  820 . Alternatively, the hollow shaft  802 , the first end cap  810 , and the second cap  814  may be made of a low friction material such as Teflon®, nylon, delrin, or any other suitable material substantially similar to the sleeve  824  so that once the isolation system  800  is assembled, it may be firmly held in place.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the members of the baffle isolation system of FIG. 8 as they would appear assembled. Similar to the isolation system  105  depicted in FIGS.  2 - 7 , the assembled isolation system  800  may have a gap  844  formed between the first and the second resistant members  832  and  834 . The thickness of the gap  844  may be substantially similar to the wall thickness  170  (FIG. 1) of the baffle  102  such that the baffle opening  106  (FIG. 2) may be positioned between the first and second resistant members  832  and  834 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled isolation system  800  of FIG. 4. Central to the isolation system is the bumper  818 , having a first resistant member  816  positioned directly below the bumper  818  and a second resistant member  820  positioned above the bumper  108 . End caps  810  and  814  are positioned at both ends of the assembly. In this embodiment, both end caps  810  and  814  have a cap recess  812  and  808  for receiving the distal ends  804  and  806  of the hollow shaft  802 . The sleeve  824  may be firmly held in place within the central opening of the bumper  818 . The outer diameter of the hollow shaft  802  may be slightly less than the inner diameter of the sleeve opening  826  so that the hollow shaft  802  may freely slide within the opening of the sleeve  824 . At least a portion of the bumper  818  may be within the two central bores  828  and  830  of the resistant members  820  and  816  so that the bumper  818  may freely slide both radially and longitudinally without touching the first and second resistant members  820  and  816 .  
         [0052]    The first end  804  of the hollow shaft  802  may have a first hollow shaft recess  836  adapted to engage a first cap tooth  838  formed within the first cap recess  808 . The second end  806  of the hollow shaft  802  may also have a second hollow shaft recess  840  adapted to engage a tooth  842  formed within the second cap recess  812 . Accordingly, the two end caps  810  and  814  may hold the isolation system  800  together. Alternatively, adhesive may be used between the first end  804  of the hollow shaft  802  and the first cap recess  808  to couple the two ends together. Moreover, adhesive may be used between the second end  806  of the hollow shaft  802  and the second cap recess  812 . Any other method known to one skilled in the art may be used to releasably or fixedly couple the first and second ends  804  and  806  of the hollow shaft  802  to the first and second cap recesses  808  and  812 , respectively.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of a baffle isolation system  1100  having a unitary isolation member  1102  that includes a bumper portion  1104  between a first resistant portion  1106  and a second resistant portion  1108 . The isolation system  1100  may be installed by inserting the unitary isolation member  1100  into the baffle opening  106  (FIG. 2), a hollow shaft member  1112  connected to a first end cap  1110  may be inserted into an opening  1114  extending through the unitary isolation member  1102 . The end of the hollow shaft  1112  may be coupled to a recess opening  1118  formed in an opposing second cap  1116  to assemble the isolation system  1100 . The first cap  1110  or the second cap  1116  may be coupled to the housing  104  so that as the baffle  102  moves relative to the housing  104 , the isolation system  1100  may isolate the baffle  102  from the housing  104 . As before, the hollow shaft member  1112  may formed as part of the end cap  1110  or may be separate from the end cap  1112 . The opposing distal ends of the hollow shaft member  1112  may be secured against the end caps  1110  and  1116  via a friction fit, or other means for releasably coupling the hollow shaft  1112  to the end caps  1110  and  1116 , or may be more permanently affixed to the end caps  1110  and  1116  via adhesive or other similar means.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the unitary isolation member taken along line D-D of FIG. 11. As illustrated by the cross-section of FIG. 12, the bumper  1104  may have a smaller circumference than the two resistant members  1106  and  1108  so that the bumper  1104  may fit into the baffle opening  106 . Once the bumper  1104  is inserted into the baffle opening  106  (FIG. 2), the baffle may snuggly fit between the two resistant members  1106  and  1108 . The bumper  1104  may isolate most of the radial load between the baffle  102  and the housing  104 . The resistant members  1106  and  1108  may isolate most of the longitudinal loads.  
         [0055]    The two cavities  1120  and  1122  may form sidewalls  1124  and  1126  where the thickness of the two sidewalls may vary along the longitudinal direction  1116 . For example, the thickness of the sidewalls may increase from the lip  1128  of the resistant member  1108  to the bumper  1104 . With the thinner sidewall  1126  near the lip  1128 , the initial resistance from the resistant member  1108  may be nominal, but as the baffle places additional longitudinal load on the resistant member  1108 , its resistance may increase because of the thicker sidewalls. This way, the isolation mechanism  1102  may be made of a material having desirable hardness and configured to resist the longitudinal load to improve the isolation of the baffle from the housing.  1102  where the resistant members  1106  and  1108  may have respective cavities  1120  and  1122 . For example, the thickness of the sidewalls may increase from the lip  1128  of the resistant member  1108  to the bumper  1104 . With the thinner sidewall  1126  near the lip  1128 , the initial resistance from the resistant member  1108  may be nominal, but as the baffle places additional longitudinal load on the resistant member  1108 , its resistance may increase because of the thicker sidewalls. This way, the isolation mechanism  1102  may be made of a material having desirable hardness and configured to resist the longitudinal load to improve the isolation of the baffle  102  from the housing  104 .  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 13 is an unassembled detailed perspective view of each member of another embodiment of a baffle isolation system. In this embodiment, the bumper  1302  and the two resistant members  1304  and  1306  of the isolation system  1300  may all have openings  1308 ,  1310 , and  1312  of constant diameters along their length. These openings  1308 ,  1310  and  1312  are adapted to receive a hollow shaft  1314  extending from or coupled to a first end cap  1318 . At its distal end, the hollow shaft  1314  couples to a second cap end  1316 . In operation, the isolation system  1300  of this embodiment, may be installed into the baffle  102  by inserting the bumper  1302  into the baffle opening  106  (FIG. 2) and positioning the first and second resistant members  1304  and  1306  on each side of the baffle  102 . The hollow shaft  1314  may then be inserted through the openings  1308 ,  1310 , and  1312 . To assemble the isolation system  1300 , the distal end of the hollow shaft  1314  may be coupled to the second cap  1316 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the baffle and resistant members of the isolation system taken along line E-E of FIG. 13. As illustrated by FIG. 14, the openings  1308 ,  1310  and  1312  of the bumper  1302  and the two resistant members  1304  and  1306 , respectively, are of a constant diameter along their length.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 15 illustrates an isolation system  1500  further including a first washer  1502  and a second washer  1508  that may be used for adjusting to the length of the isolation system  1500 . The first washer  1502  may be placed between the first cap  1504  and the first resistant member  1506 , and the second washer  508  may be between the second cap  1510  and the second resistant member  1512 . The number of washers added to the isolation system  1500  may vary to adjust for the longitudinal length of the hollow shaft  1514  and the longitudinal length of the hollow shaft  1514  due to added thickness of the washers  1502  and  1508 . The design of the sleeve  1516  and bumper  1518  may be similar to those depicted in earlier embodiments. While the use of washers to adjust for length is illustrated in connection with only one embodiment, washers may be used to increase the length of the isolation system  105  in a variety of embodiment, such as those earlier described, as well as other isolation system  105  designs with the scope of the invention.  
         [0059]    In generally, the isolation between the baffle  102  and the housing  104  may also generally be improved by providing a gasket (not shown) between the baffle  102  and the housing  104  (FIGS.  1 - 3 ). The gasket may be made out of an elastomeric material substantially similar to the bumper  108  and the resistant members  112  and  114 . The durometer of the gasket may be adjusted to improve the isolation of the baffle  108  from the housing  104 . The gasket may have sufficient flexibility and softness to absorb the energy transmitted from the speaker incorporated into the baffle  102  as it vibrates back and forth. The gasket may also have a variety of shapes to minimize atmospheric air from entering the housing  104  once the baffle  102  encloses the housing  104 .  
         [0060]    While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.