1. A compound of general formula
wherein:
m is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
each R1 independently represents halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, \u2014NR9R10, C3-C6 cycloalkylamino, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6 alkylcarbonylamino, sulphonamido, C1-C6 alkylsulphonyl, \u2014C(O)NR11R12, \u2014NR13C(O)\u2014(NH)pR14, phenyl, or C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted by carboxyl or C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl;
p is 0 or 1;
X represents an oxygen atom or a CH2, OCH2, CH2O, CH2NH, NH, carbonyl or sulphonyl group and Y represents a CH or C(OH) group, provided that when X represents an oxygen atom or a CH2O, CH2NH or NH group, then Y represents a CH group;
Z1 represents a bond or a group (CH2)q where q is 1;
Z2 represents a bond or a group CH2, with the proviso that Z1 and Z2 do not both simultaneously represent a bond, and wherein Z1 and Z2 do not simultaneously represent CH2;
Q represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group CH2 or NH;
R2 represents a group
n is 0, 1 or 2;
each R3 independently represents a C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, \u2014CH2OH or carboxyl group;
R4, R5, R6 and R7 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group, or R4, R5, R6 and R7 together represent a C1-C4 alkylene chain linking the two carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a 4- to 7-membered saturated carbocycle, or R5, R6 and R7 each represent a hydrogen atom and R4 and R8 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a 5- to 6-membered saturated carbocycle;
R8 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group or is linked to R4 as defined above;
R9 and R10 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group, or R9 and R10 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle;
R11 and R12 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group optionally substituted by C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl;
R13 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group;
R14 represents a hydrogen atom, or a C1-C6 alkyl group optionally substituted by carboxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl;
R15 represents a group C2-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C5-C6 cycloalkenyl, adamantyl, phenyl or a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, wherein each group may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from nitro, hydroxyl, oxo, halogen, carboxyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl, Cl-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl and \u2014NHC(O)\u2014R17, with the proviso that R15 does not represent an unsubstituted 1-pyrrolidinyl, an unsubstituted 1-piperidinyl or an unsubstituted 1-hexamethyleneiminyl group;
t is 0, 1, 2 or 3;
each R16 independently represents halogen, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, hydroxyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, \u2014NR18R19, C3-C6 cycloalkylamino, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6 alkylcarbonylamino, sulphonamido (\u2014SO2NH2), C1-C6 alkylsulphonyl, \u2014C(O)NR20R21, \u2014NR22C(O)(NH)vR23, phenyl, or C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted by carboxyl or C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl;
R17 represents a C1-C6 alkyl, amino or phenyl group;
R18 and R19 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group, or R18 and R19 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 4- to 7-membered saturated heterocycle;
R20 and R21 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group optionally substituted by C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl;
v is 0 or 1;
R22 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6 alkyl group; and
R23 represents a hydrogen atom, or a C1-C6 alkyl group optionally substituted by carboxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein X represents an oxygen atom or a CH2 or NH group.
3. A compound according to claim 1, wherein Y represents a CH group.
4. A compound according to any one of claim 1, wherein Q represents an oxygen atom.
5. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R15 represents a group C2-C5 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C5-C6 cycloalkenyl, adamantyl, phenyl or a saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, wherein each group may be optionally substituted by one, two or three substituents independently selected from hydroxyl, oxo, halogen, carboxyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl and \u2014NHC(O)\u2014R17.
6. A compound according to claim 5, wherein the saturated or unsaturated 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring system comprising at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, is pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, pyrazolyl, thiazolidinyl, thienyl, thiadiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl or pyridinyl.
7. A compound according to claim 1, wherein each R16 independently represents halogen, cyano, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4 haloalkyl, C1-C4 alkylcarbonyl, phenyl or C1-C4 alkyl.
8. A compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as defined in claim 1 being selected from:
N-(5-Chloro-2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-isobutyramide,
Thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenylcarbamoyl)-methylbanzamide, -be
Pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-phthalamic acid methyl ester,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-3-hydroxy-butyramide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-2-ureido-acetamide,
4-Acetylamino-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-butyramide,
1-Acetyl-piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-3-methoxy-benzamide,
2-Acetylamino-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-3-methyl-butyramide,
2-Acetylamino-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-3-hydroxy-butyramide,
Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
2-Acetylamino-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-3-phenyl-propionamide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-2-methoxy-benzamide,
5-Methyl-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
1-Acetyl-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
1,5-Dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
5-Oxo-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
1H-Indole-6-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-propionamide,
Pentanoic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
Pent-4-enoic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-isobutyramide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-2-methylsulfanyl-acetamide,
2-Acetylamino-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-propionamide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-butyramide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-3-methyl-butyramide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-2-methoxy-acetamide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide,
5-Oxo-hexanoic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
2-Chloro-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-benzamide,
3-Chloro-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-benzamide,
(4R)-N-(2-{3-3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1-pyrrolidinyl-2-hydroxypropoxy}phenyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxamide ditrifluoroacetate,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1-pyrrolidinyl-2-hydroxypropoxy}phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide hydrochloride,
Furan-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
1H-Pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclopentanecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
5-Methyl-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
3-Chloro-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
5-Methyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
1,2,3Thiadiazole-4-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
3-Methyl-furan-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
2-Methyl-furan-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
3-Methyl-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-4-(3,4-dichloro-phenoxy)-piperidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-phenyl)-amide,
5-Nitro-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Furan-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-1-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
1H-Pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
3-Chloro-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
5-Methyl-isoxazole-4-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
3-Methyl-furan-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclopent-1-enecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
2-Methyl-furan-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
3-Methyl-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
5-Chloro-thiophene-2-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
2,5-Dimethyl-furan-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
Furan-3-carboxylic acid (2-{3-3-(4-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-propoxy}-4-methyl-phenyl)-amide,
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-fluorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxypropyl)oxy-4-methylphenyl}-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide,
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-chlorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxypropyl)oxy-4-methylphenyl}-3-thiophenecarboxamide,
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-chlorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)oxyphenyl}-2-thiophenecarboxamide, compound with trifluoroacetic acid,
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-fluorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxypropyl)oxy-4-methylphenyl}-2-thiophenecarboxamide,
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-chlorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxypropyl)oxyphenyl}-2-furancarboxamide,
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-chlorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl}-2-hydroxypropyl)oxyphenyl}-1-pyrrole-2-carboxamide
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-chlorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl)}-2-hydroxypropyl)oxy-4-methylphenyl}-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide,.
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-fluorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl)}-2-hydroxypropyl)oxy-4-methylphenyl}-2-furancarboxamide,
N-{2-(3-{3-(4-chlorophenyl)oxy-1-pyrrolidinyl)}-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)oxyphenyl}cyclopentanecarboxamide, compound with trifluoracetic acid,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propoxy}-phenyl)-benzamide,
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Cyano-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propoxy}-phenyl)-benzamide, and
N-(2-{3-3-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propoxy}-phenyl)-benzamide.
9. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1 which comprises reacting a compound of general formula
or a salt thereof, wherein m, n, t, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R16, Y, Q, Z1 and Z2 are as defined in claim 1, with a compound of general formula
R15\u2014CO2H\u2003\u2003(III)
or chemically equivalent derivative thereof, wherein R15 is as defined in claim 1;
and optionally thereafter forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of the compound of formula (I) obtained.
10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeudically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in claim 1 in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
11. A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, the process comprising mixing a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as claimed in claim 1 with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An external sound system for a portable electronic device having an electronic display screen, said external sound system comprising, in combination:
a mount configured to be secured to the portable electronic device;
at least one sound panel coupled to the mount and selectively movable relative to the mount between at least a first position and a second position;
at least one flat panel loudspeaker forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the sound panel and operably coupled to the portable electronic device to selectively produce sound;
wherein the at least one sound panel is configured so that the at least one flat panel loudspeaker faces and at least partially covers the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device to protect the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device when the sound panel is in the first position and so that the at least one flat panel loudspeaker is located laterally beside the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device and faces in the same direction as the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device when the sound panel is in the second position; and
wherein the sound panel includes a frame and the at least one flat panel loudspeaker includes a vibratable panel having inner and outer surfaces, an exciter fixed to the frame and secured to the inner surface of the vibratable panel to selectively impart vibrations to the vibratable panel, and a flexible support sheet secured to the outer surface of the vibratable panel and coupled to the frame to partially support the vibratable panel.
2. The external sound system according to claim 1, wherein there are two of the sound panels, there are two of the flat panel loudspeakers, a first one of the two flat panel loudspeakers forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of a first one of the two sound panels, and a second one of the two flat panel loudspeakers forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of a second one of the two sound panels.
3. The external sound system according to claim 2, wherein the first and second sound panels are pivotally secured to the mount on opposed sides of the portable electronic device and pivot in opposite directions between the first position and the second position.
4. (canceled)
5. The external sound system according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a first frame member and a second frame member, the first frame member is coupled to the mount and encircles the vibratable panel, the second frame member encircles the vibratable panel is secured to the first frame member with the flexible support sheet at least partially wrapped around the second frame member to secure the flexible support sheet to the frame.
6. The external sound system according to claim 5, wherein the flexible support sheet is fabric.
7. The external sound system according to claim 6, wherein the sound panel further includes a rear enclosure having a plurality of openings and secured to the first frame member, the rear enclosure is located behind the vibratable panel with the exciter between the vibratable panel and the rear enclosure and the exciter secured to the rear enclosure, and wherein the sound panel includes a breathable sheet covering the rear enclosure.
8. The external sound system according to claim 7, wherein the breathable sheet is fabric.
9. The external sound system according to claim 7, wherein the first frame member has a flange forming opposed outward and inward facing abutments encircling the vibratable panel, and wherein the second frame member is secured directly to the rear enclosure to clamp the second frame member and the rear enclosure to the flange of the first frame member.
10. The external sound system according to claim 1, wherein the sound panel is pivotally secured to the mount and selectively pivotal between the first position, the second position about 180 degrees from the first position, and a third position about 360 degrees from the first position and behind the portable electronic device with the flat panel loudspeaker facing in a direction opposite of the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device.
11. An external sound system for a portable electronic device having an electronic display screen, said external sound system comprising, in combination:
a housing configured to hold the portable electronic device;
at least one sound panel coupled to the housing and selectively movable relative to the housing to between at least a first position and a second position;
at least one flat panel loudspeaker forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the at least one sound panel and operably coupled to the portable electronic device to selectively produce sound;
wherein the at least one sound panel is configured so that the at least one flat panel loudspeaker faces and at least partially covers the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device to protect the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device when the sound panel is in the first position and so that the at least one flat panel loudspeaker is located laterally beside the electronic display screen of the portable electronic and faces in the same direction as the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device when the sound panel is in the second position; and
wherein the sound panel includes a frame and the at least one flat panel loudspeaker includes a vibratable panel having inner and outer surfaces, an exciter fixed to the frame and secured to the inner surface of the vibratable panel to impart vibrations to the vibratable panel, and a flexible support sheet secured to the outer surface of the vibratable panel and coupled to the frame to partially support the vibratable panel.
12. The external sound system according to claim 11, wherein there are two of the sound panels, there are two of the flat panel loudspeakers, a first one of the two flat panel loudspeakers forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of a first one of the two sound panels, and a second one of the two flat panel loudspeakers forms at least a portion of an exterior surface of a second one of the two sound panels.
13. The external sound system according to claim 12, wherein the first and second sound panels are pivotally secured to the housing on opposed sides of the housing and pivot in opposite directions between the first position and the second position.
14. (canceled)
15. The external sound system according to claim 11, wherein the frame has a first frame member and a second frame member, the first frame member is coupled to the housing and encircles the vibratable panel, the second frame member encircles the vibratable panel is secured to the first frame member with the flexible support sheet at least partially wrapped around the second frame member to secure the flexible support sheet to the frame.
16. The external sound system according to claim 15, wherein the flexible support sheet is fabric.
17. The external sound system according to claim 15, wherein the sound panel further includes a rear enclosure having a plurality of openings and secured to the first frame member, the rear enclosure is located behind the vibratable panel with the exciter between the vibratable panel and the rear enclosure and the exciter secured to the rear enclosure, and wherein the sound panel includes a breathable sheet covering the rear enclosure.
18. The external sound system according to claim 17, wherein the breathable sheet is fabric.
19. The external sound system according to claim 17, wherein the first frame member has a flange forming opposed outward and inward facing abutments encircling the vibratable panel, and wherein the second frame member is secured directly to the rear enclosure to clamp the second frame member and the rear enclosure to the flange of the first frame member.
20. A protective cover for a portable electronic device having an electronic display screen, said protective cover comprising, in combination:
a housing configured to hold the portable electronic device;
first and second sound panels pivotally coupled to the housing on opposed sides of the housing and selectively pivotal in opposite directions relative to the housing to cover and uncover the electronic display screen of the portable electronic device;
a first flat panel loudspeaker forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the first sound panel and operably coupled to the portable electronic device to selectively produce sound and a second flat panel loudspeaker forming at least a portion of an exterior surface of the second sound panel and operably coupled to the portable electronic device to selectively produce sound; and
wherein the first and second sound panels each include a frame and the first and second flat panel loudspeakers each include a vibratable panel having inner and outer surfaces, an exciter fixed to the frame and secured to the inner surface of the vibratable panel to impart vibrations to the vibratable panel, and a flexible support sheet secured to the outer surface of the vibratable panel and coupled to the frame to partially support the vibratable panel.