Adjustable receiver for digital sound storage devices

An audio player assembly comprising a housing, at least one speaker mounted in the housing, a recess formed in the housing and defining a bottom wall, a pair of oppositely disposed side walls and an angled rear wall. A digital sound storage device connection port, electrically connected to the speaker, is formed in the recess. A slot is formed in the angled rear wall, with a wedge member slidably connected to the slot, wherein the wedge member may move along the slot to effectively vary the depth of the recess, snugly engaging digital sound storage devices of varying dimensions.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a stand-alone or unitary speaker system for connection to a digital sound storage device and, more particularly, to a mechanical connection assembly for accepting digital sound storage devices of different dimensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of digital sound storage devices are currently offered in the marketplace. One of the most popular is the IPOD® MP3 player commercially produced by Apple Computer, Inc. (1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, Calif. 95014). Such digital sound storage devices are popular largely because of their portability and ease of use. However, digital sound storage devices have typically been restricted to personal use, by way of headphones, and have generally not been desirable for transmitting music to a group of persons.

Recently, however, a number of audio player assemblies have entered the market for usage with digital sound storage devices that allow the transmitting of music to a large group of people. These audio player assemblies typically consist of a stand-alone or unitary speaker system with a “docking” port. The docking port is meant to receive a digital sound storage device, and audio signals from the digital sound storage device are transferred to the speaker system by various means and amplified by the speakers.

For example, the BOSE® SoundDock™ is an audio system with a unitary speaker system and a docking port (The Mountain, Framingham, Mass. 01701). The docking port is compatible with the IPOD MP3 player. However, the SoundDock system is only compatible with specific sizes of the IPOD. To accommodate smaller or larger digital sound storage devices, the SoundDock system would require extra hardware for consumers to purchase to adapt the SoundDock system to receive smaller or larger digital sound storage devices, thus adding additional expense and effort.

Another current “dockable” sound system is the ALTEC LANSING® InMotion™ system (Route 6 and 209, Milford, Pa. 18337). The InMotion system is also compatible with the IPOD. Similarly, the InMotion system has the same disadvantage as the SoundDock, in that it only accommodates digital sound storage devices of a specific, predetermined size and will require consumers with digital sound storage devices of other sizes to purchase additional adaptor hardware at additional expenses.

Currently, there is offered no audio player assembly that effectively eliminates the need to locate and retain independent hardware when changing the size or configuration of digital sound storage devices.

There is thus a need for a stand-alone or unitary speaker system that provides long-term customer satisfaction and eliminates the need to locate and retain independent hardware when changing the size or configuration of digital sound storage devices. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanical connection assembly for accepting digital sound storage devices of different dimensions. One object of the present invention is to provide an improved assembly for accepting digital sound storage devices of different dimensions without requiring additional hardware. Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

FIGS. 1-3relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical connection assembly10including a housing11defining a recess12with a standard IPOD connection port14located therein. The port14is typically located in the bottom portion of the recess12. The recess defines a bottom wall16and two oppositely disposed sidewalls18. The recess12also includes an angled rear wall20with a slot30positioned therein and a wedge member40slidably connected to the slot30, such that the wedge member40may move up and down the angled rear wall20to effectively vary the depth of the recess12. Typically, the rear wall20intersects the bottom wall16at an obtuse angle. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, an IPOD50of any size may be operationally coupled to the IPOD port14, and the wedge member may be positioned anywhere from one end of the rear wall20to the other to snugly engage the IPOD regardless of its varying dimensions. The digital sound storage device connection port14electrically connects the IPOD50to at least one speaker60, mounted in the housing11. More typically, a pair of speakers60are mounted in housing11. Still more typically, speakers60are positioned on opposite sides of the recess12.

The wedge member40is manually adjusted to different positions in the slot30. As shown inFIG. 3, the rear wall20may have markings70at different positions to denote wedge positions corresponding to popular IPOD sizes (i.e. mini, 20 GB, 60 GB). The slot30could also have catches, or indentures, formed therein corresponding to common wedge positions.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the connection port14may be adapted to connect with digital sound storage devices other than an IPOD. The connection port14may be adapted either by utilizing different electric connections or by utilizing a suitable adaptor.

In operation, a user may move the wedge member40up and down the angled rear wall20to effectively vary the depth of the recess12. IPODs50of varying shapes and/or dimensions may thus be both mechanically and electrically coupled in the recess12to the standard IPOD connection port14and be snugly engaged regardless of IPOD size, and without the need for additional hardware.