Abstract:
An improved manually operated flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure, for ceiling or other panel installation, has a biased sliding ratchet block that can be latched in place by an extension from a T-handle of an integral actuator rod. The ratchet block is controlled in its sliding motion by alignment rods extending from a vertical portion of a base and slidingly received in alignment bores of the ratchet block. A face of the ratchet block has downward pointing ratchet teeth that engage upward pointing ratchet teeth on a barrel of a flip dog to hold the flip dog in a clamped position. Over time, the biasing springs may lose their strength, but the latching of the ratchet block obviates this problem.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to providing an improved flip out dog leg mountable ceiling speaker enclosure. In particular, this invention relates to providing a manually installable flip out dog leg mountable ceiling speaker that is an improvement over the one described and claimed in US Pre-grant Publication US 20140305734 A1. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Installation of loudspeakers into panels, especially ceiling panels, presents unique challenges, especially in obtaining the desired balance between speed of installation and security of installation. Significantly, ceiling speaker installation in larger buildings can involve a thousand or more ceiling speakers, and the time it takes to install one ceiling speaker, multiplied a thousand times, becomes a noticeable factor in labor costs. A general class of devices used for ceiling speaker installation are “flip out dog legs” which clamp, or dog, a peripheral portion of ceiling panel between an annular flange and at least two dogs which are mounted peripherally around the speaker enclosure. Flip out dog legs are also known as “flip dogs”. Flip dogs are initially stowed within the outer circumference of the hole in the ceiling panel in which the loudspeaker enclosure is to be mounted. In conventional operation, a screw device is used to “flip” the dog into a radially aligned position and lower the dog to the clamping position, requiring a screw driver for installation, usually a powered screw driver. 
         [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,749 discloses flip dogs that are screw-driven to deployment and combine the lowering action with the downward travel of the dog. Dismounting can be achieved by reversing the screw to exploit a vertical spring bias. U.S. Pat. No. 7,780,135 discloses screw-driven, vertical spring biased flip dogs of a different design, but similar functionality. US published patent application 20070121988 discloses yet another design for screw-driven, vertically spring-biased dogs. 
         [0004]    US Pre-grant Publication US 20140305734 A1 made a step forward by creating a flip dog that did not need a tool for activation and taught a reed spring for a biasing mechanism for biasing the ratchet teeth between the flip dog and a supporting wall for the flip dog. Subsequent investigation has found that the spring may fatigue over time, resulting in undesirable disengagement of the flip dogs. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure that does not require tools for activating the flip dogs. In addition, there is a need for a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure that does not depend on the long-term viability of a biasing mechanism. In addition, there is a need for a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure that can be more rapidly installed. There is also a need for a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure that can be fitted with a speaker by the user. There is also a need for a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure that can be dismounted. There is also a need for a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure in which all flip dogs on the flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure can be deployed simultaneously. 
       OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A primary object and feature of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and fulfill the above-mentioned needs. 
         [0007]    Another object and feature of the present invention is to provide a system that does not require tools for activating the flip dogs. 
         [0008]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure that does not depend on the long-term viability of a biasing mechanism. 
         [0009]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a system that can be more rapidly installed. 
         [0010]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a system that can be dismounted. 
         [0011]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention that it can be provided as a mountable enclosure to be fitted with a user&#39;s speaker. 
         [0012]    It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure in which all flip dogs on the flip dog mountable ceiling speaker can be deployed simultaneously. 
         [0013]    It is an additional primary object and feature of the present invention to provide such a system that is efficient, inexpensive and handy. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Hereinafter, the term “speakers” is used to mean “audio loudspeakers”. The apparatus of the present invention provides a flip dog mountable speaker enclosure, with or without one or more speakers, that is installed rapidly and manually without tools, by providing an integrated actuator, such as a retainable T-handled pull rod. The system comprises apparatus for clamping an inserted speaker enclosure to the periphery of a ceiling panel into which the speaker enclosure has been inserted. The system may also include a dismounting device. The system also includes initially spring-biased interlockable ratchet teeth that are latched at installation. 
         [0015]    An improved manually operated flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure, for ceiling or other panel installation, has a biased sliding ratchet block that can be latched in place by an extension from a T-handle of an integral actuator rod. The ratchet block is controlled in its sliding motion by alignment rods extending from a vertical portion of a base and slidingly received in alignment bores of the ratchet block. A face of the ratchet block has downward pointing ratchet teeth that engage upward pointing ratchet teeth on a barrel of a flip dog to hold the flip dog in a clamped position. Over time, the biasing springs may lose their strength, but the latching of the ratchet block obviates this problem. 
         [0016]    While the exemplary embodiment is illustrated for speaker enclosures, the scope of the present invention also includes enclosures for lighting fixtures, such as can lights, or any other device that needs to be supported in an enclosure in a ceiling or wall. The present invention has, among other advantages, the ability to work well with very thin or very thick ceiling tiles or panels. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure with a flip dog in a stowed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a rotated position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position and a T-handle in a stowed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a stowed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a rotated position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a rotated position and the spring assembly cover removed and defining a detail “A”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8B  is a top front perspective view illustrating detail “A” of an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a rotated position and the spring assembly cover removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover removed and defining a detail “B”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  is a top front perspective view illustrating detail “B” of an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover removed; rim and support assemblies removed; and defining a detail “C”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10B  is a top front perspective view illustrating detail “B” of an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover removed; rim and support assemblies removed; and defining a detail “C”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a top front first perspective partially exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a top front second perspective partially exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13B  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position; the spring assembly cover removed; and defining cross section DD, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13C  is a front elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  through cross section DD with a flip dog in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  is a detail of a front elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  through cross section DD, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The term “speaker” as defined and used herein refers to an audio loudspeaker. Directional modifiers such as “top”, “bottom”, and the like are oriented to the preferred ceiling installation of the flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  with the diaphragm  108  pointed down from the ceiling. Those of skill in the art, informed by the present disclosure, will appreciate that the flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  can also be mounted in walls, including slanted walls. “Dog” as defined and used herein refers to a securing element, such as a clamping element, as in the nautical “Dog down that hatch!” 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  with a flip dog foot  116  in a stowed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Flip dog  148  includes flip dog barrel  142 , flip dog neck  150 , flip dog foot  116 , and resilient portion  118 . Exemplary speaker enclosure  100  includes a speaker can  102 , a rim assembly  140 , and three flip dog assemblies  112  (one of two visible is labeled). The speaker can  102  is generally cylindrical but has three indentations  134  accommodating, respectively, the three flip dog assemblies  112 . In various other embodiments, more or less than three flip dog assemblies  112  and corresponding indentations  134  may be used. The speaker can  102  retains speaker  106  in downward pointing direction, as shown. Speaker  106  includes grill  110  and diaphragm  108 , as well as the driver (not shown) for the diaphragm  108 . The design of grill  110  is not limited to the design shown. 
         [0039]    Rim assembly  140  includes rigid annular rim  104 , cylindrical inner wall  138 , and inner annular support panel  136 . Preferably, annular rim  104 , cylindrical inner wall  138 , and inner annular support panel  136  are made of one piece to form rim assembly  140 . In additional embodiments, the rim assembly  140  may be made of separate pieces affixed together. Inner annular support panel  136  supports all flip dog assemblies  112  and speaker can  102 . Inner annular support panel  136  has three perforations corresponding to each flip dog assembly  112 . The first perforation is a round hole  130  which accommodates actuator rod  122 . The second perforation is a rectangular hole  132  into which latch  128  is inserted as a last step of deployment of the speaker enclosure  100 . Inner annular support panel  136  forms a ceiling for a cavity  144  that is sized and shaped to receive T-handle  126 . The third opening is disengagement aperture  146  for receiving a tool for disengaging the ratchets and releasing the flip dog foot  116  from the clamping position. 
         [0040]    Actuator rod  122  is coupled to T-handle  126  and latch  128  extends from one end of T-handle  126 . Actuator rod  122  extends through round hole  130  in inner annular support panel  136  and into a chamber, described in detail below, of the flip dog assembly  112 . Compression coil spring  124  winds around actuator rod  122  and creates and upward force on a barrel  142  of flip dog foot  116 . Flip dog foot  116  has a resilient bottom portion  118  to compensate for uncertainty derived from the discrete steps inherent in a ratchet mechanism. Actuator rod  122  has a top end (described in detail below) that couples to the inside of the barrel  142  for pulling the flip dog foot  116  downward or, alternatively, pushing upward, free of flip dog barrel  142  and protruding above headpiece  114 . Ratchet spring assembly cover  120  covers the ratchet spring assembly  826  (see  FIG. 8B ), which will be described in more detail below.  FIG. 1  is exemplary of the state of the speaker enclosure  100  when shipped. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a rotated position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. When flip dog foot  116  is in the rotated position, as a result of manual turning of the T-handle  126 , a side of barrel  142  that has upward pointing ratchet teeth  202  is moved to align above the ratchet spring assembly  826  (see  FIG. 8B ). Once in the rotated position, as shown, flip dog foot  116  may be manually pulled downward by exerting downward force on T-handle  126 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a clamped position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, T-handle  126  has been pulled down against the bias of coil spring  124  to lower flip dog foot  116  into the clamped position. In the clamped position, flip dog foot  116  clamps a ceiling tile or panel (not shown) between resilient portion  118  and rigid rim  104 , thus securing the speaker enclosure  100  in the ceiling. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a bottom front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a clamped position and a T-handle  126  in a stowed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated configuration shows the completed installation for one of three flips dog assemblies  112  (one of three labeled). Each T-handle  126 , in turn, is rotated to un-stow the flip dog foot  116 , pulled down to clamp the flip dog foot  116 , and then pushed up to stow the T-handle  126  and, as will be seen below, to secure the ratchet spring assembly  826  (see  FIG. 8B ) with latch  128 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a stowed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Speaker wiring access plate  502  is closed with a screw but can be opened, usually prior to installation, for tap selection or similar tasks. Audio signal wire coupling  504  provides coupling for audio signal wires and electrical power, when needed. Cable guide  506  keeps wires in an orderly fashion. Chamber  520  is defined, in part, by arcuate walls  516  and  518 . Chamber  520  receives the actuator rod  122  and the compression coil spring  124 , as well as the flip dog barrel  142 . Left arcuate wall has an opening  508  that receives an end of the ratchet spring assembly  826  (within cover  120 ) and presents spring-biased downwardly-pointed teeth inside chamber  520  for engaging upwardly pointed teeth  202  on the flip dog barrel  142 . The flip dog assembly  112  includes a flip dog neck  150  between flip dog foot  116  and flip dog barrel  142 . 
         [0045]    Annular wall  514  defines the size of a hole in a ceiling tile or panel into which the speaker enclosure  100  will fit. The annular wall  514  has a lower-height portion  512  proximate each flip dog assembly  112 . Annular wall  514  may be of one piece with the rim assembly  140  and, in some embodiments, may be an extension of cylindrical inner wall  138 . Flange  510  is of one piece with speaker can  102  and is used to fasten speaker can  102  to annular support panel  136 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a rotated position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fastener receivers  602  and  606  are used to fasten the spring assembly cover  120  to the flip dog assembly  112 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a clamped position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. T-handle  126  has been stowed, as evidenced by the protrusion of actuator rod  120  from headpiece  114 . End piece  702  interacts with flip dog barrel  142  so as to be able to exert a downward force, but not an upward force on the flip dog barrel  142 . End piece  702  can move through a bore in head piece  114  in either direction. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a rotated position and the spring assembly cover  120  removed and defining a detail “A”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8B  is a top front perspective view illustrating detail “A” of an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a rotated position and the spring assembly cover  120  removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Ratchet spring assembly  826  includes L-shaped base  802  fixed at a distal end of channel  814 , which is fastened to inner annular support panel  136  through fastener receivers  602  and  606  using fasteners  812  and  816 , illustrated as screws. Three alignment rods  808  (one of three labeled) extend from a vertical face of L-shaped base and are slidingly received in bores in ratchet block  806 . Alignment rods  808  align ratchet springs  804  to engage ratchet block  806  and bias ratchet block  806  into opening  508  in arcuate wall  516 . At least a portion of the face of ratchet block  806  has downward pointing teeth for engaging upward pointing teeth  202  on the flip dog barrel  142 . Alignment rods  808  also align ratchet block  806  by remaining rigid and sliding in bores  1402  (see  FIG. 14 ) within ratchet block  806 . The horizontal portion of the L-shaped base  802  has an opening  824  which aligns with opening  132  in the inner annular support panel  136  to receive latch  128 , when T-handle  126  is in the stowed position. 
         [0050]    Sloped surface  820  on top of arcuate wall  516  and sloped surface  822  on the bottom of headpiece  114  act together to form a segment of a helical channel that engages the flip dog neck  150  between flip dog foot  116  and flip dog barrel  142  during rotation of the flip dog foot  116  from the stowed position to the rotated position. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover  120  removed and defining a detail “B”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9B  is a top front perspective view illustrating detail “B” of an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover  120  removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0053]      FIG. 10A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover  129  removed; rim assembly  140  removed; and defining a detail “C”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0054]      FIG. 10B  is a top front perspective view illustrating detail “B” of an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog in a clamped position and the spring assembly cover removed; rim and support assemblies removed; and defining a detail “C”, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Ratchet rack  1002  is part of ratchet block  806  and includes the ratchet teeth that engage ratchet teeth  202  on flip dog barrel  142 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 11  is a top front first perspective partially exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Actuator  1116  includes T-handle  126  and latch  128  extending from an end of T-handle  126 , as shown. Actuator rod  122  extends from T-handle  126  via a small portion  1118  of diminished diameter. Actuator rod  122  has an end piece  702  comprised of clip receiver  1114  and clip  1108 . During manufacture, actuator rod  122  with clip receiver  1114  is threaded through hole  130  into chamber  520 , though flip dg barrel  142 . Clip  1108  is then snap-fitted into clip receiver  1114  so that actuator rod  122  cannot be pulled out of flip dog barrel  142 . Ratchet spring assembly cover  120  has fastener receivers  1110  and  1112  that align with fastener receivers  602  and  606 , respectively for fastening the cover  120  over the ratchet spring assembly  826 . Rear arcuate wall  1104  completes chamber  520 , extending between arcuate walls  516  and  518 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  is a top front second perspective partially exploded view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A cavity  1202  at the top of flip dog barrel  142  is configured to allow clip receiver  1114  on rod  122  to pass through flip dog barrel  142 , but once clip  1112  is attached to clip receiver  1114  to form end piece  702 , end piece  702  cannot be pulled through flip dog barrel  142 . Downward pointing arcuate ratchet teeth  1204  extend from biased sliding ratchet block  806  through an opening  508  in wall  516  to engage upward pointing arcuate ratchet teeth  202  on the flip dog barrel  142 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 13A  is a top front perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a rotated position and the spring assembly cover  129  removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. T-handle  126  is stowed, as evidenced by the protrusion of the actuator rod  122 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 13B  is a top plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  with a flip dog foot  116  in a rotated position; the spring assembly cover  120  removed; and defining cross section DD, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0059]      FIG. 13C  is a front elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  through cross section DD with a flip dog foot  116  in a rotated position and the spring assembly cover  120  removed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The actuator  1116  is shown in the stowed position. Ratchet teeth  1304  of ratchet block  806  are engaged with ratchet teeth  202  of the flip dog barrel  142 , preventing upward movement of the flip dog foot  116  from the clamped position. Latch  128  is inserted through opening  824  and now prevents disengaging motion of the ratchet block  806 . The portion  1118  of diminished diameter on actuator rod  122  is engaged by O-ring seal  1302  to keep T-handle  126  stowed.  FIG. 13C  illustrates the operational configuration of flip dog assembly  112 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 14  is a detail of a front elevation view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of an improved flip dog mountable ceiling speaker enclosure  100  of  FIG. 1  through cross section DD, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. An apparatus  1404  and method for removing an installed speaker enclosure  100  is illustrated. Actuator rod  122  has been pulled down by T-handle  126 , exposing aperture  146 . A stiff rod  1408 , preferably with a comfortable handle  1404 , is inserted in aperture  146  and advanced to engagement with sloped wall  1406 , which is an integral part of ratchet block  806 . Advancing the rod  1408  further forces sloped wall  1406 , and ratchet block  806  with it, away from the engaged position. When ratchet block teeth  1304  disengage from ratchet teeth  202  on the flip dog barrel  142 , spring  124  will propel the flip dog barrel  142  upward, thereby unclamping the flip dog foot  116 . The helical segment channel formed by surfaces  820  and  822  will tend to rotate the flip dog  116  towards the stowed position. If the rotation is not complete, it may be completed manually with the T-handle  126 . Alignment rods  808  (one of three labeled) slide in bores  1402  (one of three labeled) to maintain alignment of the ratchet block  806  as it moves. 
         [0061]    Although applicant has described applicant&#39;s preferred embodiment of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and sizes and materials. Such scope is limited only by the above specification and the claims below. 
         [0062]    Further, many other advantages of applicant&#39;s invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions.