Linear speaker array

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As used herein, the term "sound delivery" is not limited to any specific application.
Although the invention was designed for use in situations where audio programs are directed to the public at large, the ultimate use of a linear speaker array is not a feature of the invention.
FIG.
1 shows schematically a typical public address environment in which linear speaker arrays in accordance with the invention may be used.
Four speaker arrays 10, 12, 14 and 16 are illustrated.
These arrays will direct sound toward a location designated by numeral 18 which may contain a multitude of listeners.
For a stereophonic or multichannel effects, speaker arrays 10 and 12 may broadcast a "left" or channel 1 sound channel and FIGS.
14 and 16 a "right" or channel 2 sound channel.
Very often in theme and amusement parks, the listeners will be addressed by an announcer with a microphone who, for one reason or another, will walk back and forth in front of his or her audience, at times approaching any one of the speaker arrays.
If the speakers are generating voice signals, as the announcer approaches the speaker, positive feedback will occur and an unpleasant squeal will emanate from the speakers.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, and as explained below, high frequencies may be eliminated from the signals fed to those speakers (i.
e.
, the lower speakers) which are most likely to be approached by the announcer to prevent feedback which has frequently caused listener discomfort in previous systems.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.
2-5.
The speakers are mounted on an elongated mounting element comprising a hollow tube 20 having a flat mounting surface 22 containing apertures 24 (FIG.
5) in which respective individual speakers 26 are mounted.
Mounting holes (not numbered) around each aperture 24 enable the speakers to be secured to the mounting surface 22 by conventional fastening means.
In the preferred embodiment, the tubular mounting element 20 is an aluminum extrusion having the cross-section shown in FIGS