Abstract:
Improvements in a fixture housing for recessed speaker or lighting that can be installed from one side of a wall or ceiling is disclosed. Once the ideal location is identified an installer uses a hole saw to cut an opening in the desired location. The fixture housing can then be pushed into the opening. The fixture housing for recessed speaker includes a plurality of engaging tabs that allows an installer to simply lift the speaker into the fixture housing for recessed speaker, and then turn the speaker within the fixture to lock the speaker within the fixture housing for recessed speaker. The securing tabs fold inward to clear the hole opening and then fold back out where the securing ears are brought down onto the back side of the opening to clamp the fixture to the wall or ceiling and secure the fixture.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/888,925 filed Oct. 9, 2014 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to improvements in a fixture housing for recessed speaker. More particularly, the present fixture housing allows for quick installation of the housing by using a plurality of one-way securing members to connect the housing with the fascia trim. 
     Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
     In some home speakers are placed in recessed fixtures, these fixture are often similar to electrical lighting fixtures that are placed in the ceiling as recessed lighting. In this form of lighting a hole is made in the ceiling and a fixture is secured within the hole. Electrical wiring is connected to the fixture and lighting is placed into the recessed fixture to provide lighting that essentially shines downward. In new home construction the fixture is often secured to a horizontal ceiling joist. In other installations the fixture is secured to drywall or sheetrock between the joists where it may or may not be secured to the two adjacent joists. In any of these cases, after installation of the drywall or sheetrock a hole is cut through the sheetrock or drywall and the cosmetic fascia or trim is installed to the recessed fixture. In all installations within a house or building performing the installation is a quick and efficient manner reduces the cost to construct the building or house. While the installation is typically installed in the ceiling, the installation can also be installed in a vertical wall for speakers, controls or other purposes. 
     A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,540 issued on Feb. 10, 1981 to Paul J. Kristofek discloses a mounting Arrangement for Recessed Light Fixture Housing. To install the invention disclosed in this patent a user pushes the main housing into a hole and then engages clips that are secured with detents on the side of the main housing. While this patent discloses a recessed lighting housing the flange is integrated with the main housing and the electrical connection is from a separate socket that is installed into the top of the main housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,104 issued on Jul. 15, 2008 to Margaret Rappaport discloses a Universal Trim for Recessed Lighting. This patent uses a series of alternating tabs that grasp the inner and outer walls of a housing to retain the decorative trim plate. While the patent discloses a method of securing and removal of the trim piece, there is no retention of the housing within the hole. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,420 issued on Jun. 30, 1970 to R. M Kripp discloses a Recessed Light Fixture. The recessed light fixture uses a series of slots and pins to retain the trim plate onto the housing. The electrical connection is wired directly into the top of the housing. The connection is with slots and pins and requires an installer to have access to both sides of the ceiling to secure the fixture and bezel. 
     What is needed is a fixture that uses a plurality of one-way securing elements to center and lock the cosmetic bezel to the housing. The proposed fixture housing for recessed speaker provides this solution. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the fixture housing for recessed speaker to be installed from one side of a wall or ceiling. Installing the fixture housing for recessed speaker from just one side of a wall allows an installer to install the fixture within a finished house. This significantly increases the ability of the installer to place the fixture in a location that provides the best sound quality as opposed to using a location that provides the best access for the structure of the house and stud/joist locations. 
     It is an object of the fixture housing for recessed speaker to provide for quick installation that requires just a circular hole saw. An installer can use a stud finder to identify where the stud is located to ensure that the mounting hole is not cut through a stud or joist that is not visible from the installation wall. Once the ideal location is identified the installer uses a standard recessed lighting hole saw to cut an opening in the desired location. The installation of the fixture housing for recessed speaker can then be pushed into the opening for installation without requiring the use of any additional tools or requiring access to the back of the wall, ceiling or floor. 
     It is another object of the fixture housing for recessed speaker to be configured for speakers. The fixture housing for recessed speaker includes a plurality of engaging tabs that allows an installer to simply lift the speaker into the fixture housing for recessed speaker, and then turn the speaker within the fixture to lock the speaker within the fixture housing for recessed speaker. Wiring can be connected to the speaker prior to installation or can be connected to the speaker after it is installed depending upon the access behind the wall, ceiling or floor. 
     It is still another object of the fixture housing for recessed speaker to be configured as a single pre-assembled unit. The pre-assembled unit is sold as a single complete housing where an installer simply pushes the housing through the opening. The securing tabs fold inward to clear the hole opening and then fold back out where the securing ears are brought down onto the back side of the opening to secure the fixture. It is also possible for the fixture to be removed by lifting the locking tabs and sliding securing ears where the entire fixture can then be pulled back through the open hole. 
     Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the fixture housing for recessed speaker in free space. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the fixture housing for recessed speaker with a circular hole that accepts the fixture housing for recessed speaker. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  from the inside of the room being moved into the hole. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective of the fixture housing for recessed speaker pressed into the installation hole. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective from behind a wall with some of the retainers of the fixture housing for recessed speaker slid onto the wall. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective cross sectional view of the fixture housing for recessed speaker from  FIG. 5  cut through opposing retainers. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective of a speaker being installed into the fixture housing for recessed speaker. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective of a speaker installed into the fixture housing for recessed speaker. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the fixture housing for recessed speaker 
         FIG. 10  shows perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the fixture housing for recessed speaker with a speaker in the housing. 
         FIG. 11  shows a side plan view of a third preferred embodiment of the fixture housing for recessed speaker using two cams. 
         FIG. 12  shows a perspective sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of the fixture housing for recessed speaker using two cams. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  in free space. This figure shows the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  prior to installation into a ceiling wall. The fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  has essentially a supporting ring  20  has in internal vertical wall  21  that rises from the supporting ring  20 . Upon installation the visible top surface of the supporting ring  20  rests against the visible wall where the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  is installed. The vertical wall  21  fits within the circular hole opening in the wall or ceiling. 
     The supporting ring  20  has four retaining arms  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  43  extending from the supporting ring. Each retaining arm  40 - 43  has a smooth inner side that faces into the center of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  and a toothed outer surface that faces away from the center of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10 . While the toothed surface is shown on the outer surface it is contemplated that the toothed surface can be on the inside or on both sides. The profile of the toothed surface can be variety of shapes including but not limited to saw tooth, triangular, Acme, sine wave or other shape that has positive locking potential. Each retaining arm  40 - 43  has a double sided retaining handle  50 ,  51 ,  52  and  53 . In the preferred embodiment the retaining arms  40 - 43  and the double sided retaining handles  50 - 53  are interchangeable but could also be keyed or shaped to connect in only a specific location. The retainer  40  shows that the retainer extending through the double-sided handle  50  to item  44 . All of the retaining arms are essentially the same as they extend from the vertical wall  21  to the end of the retaining arms. 
     Each double sided retainer  50 - 53  has a locking tab  55  that engages into the respective retaining arm  40 - 43 . Each double sided retainer  50 - 53  has finger notches  54  that an installer can “feel” to pull down the double sided retainer. This will be shown and described in more detail in the remaining figures. The preferred embodiment shows four retaining arms  40 - 43  but as few as two to more than four can be used to provide an equivalent end product. Within the inside of the vertical wall  21 , the wall has an elongated protrusion  30  where the speaker assembly engages into the fixture housing  10 . The engagement is shown and described in more detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  with a circular hole that accepts the fixture housing for recessed speaker, shown looking down from the inside surface  18  where the hole  19  is cut. The retaining arms  40 - 44  are able to flex along their lengths as well as on the support ring  20  and vertical wall  21 . In the natural position the double-sided retaining handles extend over the sides of the hole  19 . The retaining arms  40 - 44  are flexible inward to allow the double sided retainers to clear the inside diameter of the hole  19 . The top of one of the retaining arms  45  is visible with one of the double-sided retainers  51  shown through the hole  19 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective from the inside of the room with the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  being moved into the hole  19  with the surface  17  of the inside wall. It can be seen from this view that the double-sided handles  50  must flex on the retaining arms  43 . To clear the inside diameter of the hole  19 . The fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  is pushed through the hole such that the support ring  20  makes contact with the surface  17  of the inside wall or ceiling. The retaining arms with the double-side handle(s)  50  will flex back into their natural position on the inside of the wall or ceiling as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  pressed into the installation hole  19 . After the supporting ring  20  is seated in the hole  19  where the surface of the supporting ring  20  is essentially flat on the outside (visible) surface  17  of the wall or ceiling the double-sided retainers  51  and  52  are brought down  88  along the retaining arms  40  and  42  to surface of the inside of the wall or ceiling. This view also shows the retaining tab(s)  30  for retaining the speaker assembly. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective from behind a wall with some of the retainers of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  slid onto the wall or ceiling through hole  19 . This figure shows the surface  18  behind the wall or ceiling. Double-sided retainers  50  and  53  are mid-position on their retaining arms. In this figure two of the double-sided retainers  51  and  52  slid down retaining arms  41  and  42  in contact with the inside surface  18  of the wall or ceiling. This view also shows the retaining tab(s)  30  for retaining the speaker assembly. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective cross sectional view of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  from  FIG. 5  cut through opposing retainers. Once the double-sided retainers  50 - 53  are against the inside surface  18  (behind the wall or ceiling) of the wall or ceiling the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  is clamped onto the drywall or sheetrock. This cross-section shows the engaging tang(s)  55  and  56  locking into the toothed surfaces  45  and  46  of the respective retaining arms  41  and  43 . Once the double-sided retainers are locked into position by sliding the double sided retainer  51  down  89 , they can be released by pulling back on the engaging tangs  55  and  56  where the double-sided retainers can be slid back up the retaining arms. 
     It is further contemplated that the double-sided retainers can be slid off of the retaining arms. While the double-sided retainers are shown and described in a particular shape and configuration it is contemplated that the double-sided retainers can take a variety of shapes and or configurations to perform the desired clamping on a drywall or sheetrock wall or ceiling. 
     Once all of the double-sided retainers are clamped onto the drywall or sheetrock the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  is secured onto the drywall or sheetrock and shown in  FIG. 7  where the bosses  91  of the speaker assembly can be engaged into the retaining tabs  30 . The bosses  91  from the speaker is raised through the opening between tabs  30  to clear the tip  31  of the tab  30  and then the speaker assembly is rotated to allow the bosses  91  to ride over the tab  30  and drop into an optional recess  32  that locks the speaker assembly within the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective of a speaker being installed into the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10 . The fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  shows some of the ends of the retainer arms  41  and  42 , with a double-sided retainer  52  clamping the supporting ring  20  on the drywall or sheetrock wall or ceiling  17 . Wiring to the speaker assembly  90  is connected to the wiring terminals  92 . The speaker assembly  90  is passed into the inside diameter  23  of the fixture housing for recessed speaker. The bosses  91  on the speaker assembly  90  pass between the retaining tabs  30  (not shown in this figure). The speaker assembly  90  is then rotated within the inside diameter  23  of the housing to secure the speaker assembly  90  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective of a speaker installed into the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10 . This image reflects what a user, owner, or person would see when they view the ceiling or wall surface  17 . The speaker  90  is shown inside of the supporting ring  20 . As previously described, the speaker assembly can be removed by rotating the speaker assembly and pulling the speaker assembly  90  out of the fixture housing. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the fixture housing  11  for recessed speaker, and  FIG. 10  shows perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the fixture housing  11  for recessed speaker with a speaker  90  in the housing  11 . In this embodiment the fixture housing for recessed speaker  11  has essentially a supporting ring  20  has in internal vertical wall  21  that rises from the supporting ring  20 . 
     The supporting ring  20  has four retaining arms  40 ,  41 ,  42  and  43  extending from the supporting ring. Each retaining arm  40 - 43  has a smooth inner side that faces into the center of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  10  and a toothed outer surface that faces away from the center of the fixture housing for recessed speaker  11 . While the toothed surface is shown on the outer surface it is contemplated that the toothed surface can be on the inside or on both sides. The profile of the toothed surface can be variety of shapes including but not limited to saw tooth, triangular, Acme, sine wave or other shape that has positive locking potential. Each retaining arm  40 - 43  has a double sided retaining handle  50 ,  51 ,  52  and  53 . In the preferred embodiment the retaining arms  40 - 43  and the double sided retaining handles  50 - 53  are interchangeable but could also be keyed or shaped to connect in only a specific location. The retainer  40  shows that the retainer extending through the double-sided handle  50  to item  44 . All of the retaining arms are essentially the same as they extend from the vertical wall  21  to the end of the retaining arms. The bottom of the double sided retainers  50 - 53  have flexible wings  57  that bend to maintain clamping pressure. 
     Each double sided retainer  50 - 53  has a locking tab  55  that engages into the respective retaining arm  40 - 43 . Each double sided retainer  50 - 53  has finger notches  54  that an installer can “feel” to pull down the double sided retainer. This second embodiment has a plurality of flexible wall member  22  with locking ramps  24  to retain the bosses  91  that are located in the speaker ring (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 11  shows a side plan view of a third preferred embodiment of the fixture housing for recessed speaker using two cams and  FIG. 12  shows a perspective sectional view of the third preferred embodiment of the fixture housing for recessed speaker using two cams  100  and  110 . A retainer  105  allows the two cam parts  100  and  110  to slidably rotate. The two cams  100  and  110  allow the direction of the speaker to be adjusted without requiring removal of the fixture or removal of the speaker  90 . The retention mechanism for retaining the speaker within the wall or ceiling is essentially the same with the arms  44  and the handles  50  as previously described herein. 
     Thus, specific embodiments of a fixture housing for recessed speaker have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.