Portable sound system

A new Portable Sound System for providing a sound system which is operable while mounted in a vehicle and also operable independent of any such mounting The inventive device includes a housing, a sound signal generating unit located in the housing a housing speaker mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the sound signal generating unit and a mounting frame permanently mountable in a vehicle wherein the housing is removably mountable in the mounting frame and wherein the housing and the mounting frame include mating connectors for connecting the sound signal (generating unit to the electrical power system of the vehicle and the vehicle speakers when the housing is mounted in the mounting frame. A power supply is provided in the housing for powering the sound signal generating unit when the housing is removed from the mounting frame. The power supply may be a rechargeable battery that can be recharged by the electrical power system of the vehicle when the housing is inserted in the mounting frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to sound systems and more particularly 
pertains to a new Portable Sound System for providing a sound system which 
is operable while mounted in a vehicle and also operable independent of 
any such mounting. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The use of sound systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, 
sound systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist 
basically of familiar., expected and obvious structural configurations, 
notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art 
which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and 
requirements. 
Known prior art sound systems include U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,361; U.S. Pat. 
No. 5,441,421; U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,684; U.S. Pat. No. D317,607; U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,450,495 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,434. 
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and 
requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Portable 
Sound System. The inventive device includes a housing, a sound signal 
generating unit located in the housing, a housing speaker mounted in the 
housing and electrically connected to the sound signal generating unit, 
and a mounting frame permanently mountable in a vehicle, wherein the 
housing is removably mountable in the mounting frame and wherein the 
housing and the mounting frame include mating connectors for connecting 
the sound signal generating unit to the electrical power system of the 
vehicle and the vehicle speakers when the housing is mounted in the 
mounting frame. 
In these respects, the Portable Sound System according to the present 
invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs 
of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily 
developed for the purpose of providing a sound system which is operable 
while mounted in a vehicle and also operable independent of any such 
mounting. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sound 
systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new 
Portable Sound System construction wherein the same can be utilized for 
providing a sound system which is operable while mounted in a vehicle and 
also operable independent of any such mounting. 
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described 
subsequently in greater detail is to provide a new Portable Sound System 
apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the sound systems 
mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new Portable 
Sound System which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or 
even implied by any of the prior art sound systems, either alone or in any 
combination thereof. 
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a housing, a 
sound signal generating unit located in the housing, a housing speaker 
mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the sound signal 
generating unit, and a mounting frame permanently mountable in a vehicles 
wherein the housing is removably mountable in the mounting frame and 
wherein the housing and the mounting frame include mating connectors for 
connecting the sound signal generating unit to the electrical power system 
of the vehicle and the vehicle speakers when the housing is mounted in the 
mounting frame. 
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features 
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that 
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present 
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional 
features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which 
will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention 
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its 
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the 
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the 
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being 
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood 
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose 
of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon 
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the 
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the 
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, 
that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions 
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present 
invention. 
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the 
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar 
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a 
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of 
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention 
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to 
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new 
Portable Sound System apparatus and method which has many of the 
advantages of the sound systems mentioned heretofore and many novel 
features that result in a new Portable Sound System which is not 
anticipated, rendered obvious suggested, or even implied by any of the 
prior art sound systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new Portable 
Sound System which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and 
marketed. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new Portable 
Sound System which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Portable Sound System which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture 
with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then 
susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public thereby making 
such Portable Sound System economically available to the buying public. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Portable Sound System which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the 
prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming 
some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new Portable 
Sound System for providing a sound system which is operable while mounted 
in a vehicle and also operable independent of any such mounting. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new Portable 
Sound System which includes a housing a sound signal generating unit 
located in the housing, a housing speaker mounted in the housing and 
electrically connected to the sound signal generating unit, and a mounting 
frame permanently mountable in a vehicle, wherein the housing is removably 
mountable in the mounting frame and wherein the housing and the mounting 
frame include mating connectors for connecting the sound signal generating 
unit to the electrical power system of the vehicle and the vehicle 
speakers when the housing is mounted in the mounting frame. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Portable Sound System that expands the use of a sound system by offering a 
single sound system that can be used in multiple environments. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Portable Sound System that eliminates the need for purchasing a separate 
sound system for use in a vehicle, use at home use at work, use at the 
park or beach, etc. 
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new 
Portable Sound System that is removable from a vehicle to prevent theft of 
the system in the owner's absence. 
These together with other objects of the invention, along with tile various 
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with 
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this 
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating 
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should 
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there 
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 
thereof a new Portable Sound System embodying the principles and concepts 
of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 
10 will be described. 
More specifically, it will be noted that the Portable Sound System 10 
comprises a housing 20 a sound signal generating unit 30 located in the 
housing 20, a housing speaker 40 mounted in the housing 20 and 
electrically connected to the sound signal generating unit 30, and a 
mounting frame 50 permanently mountable in a vehicle 2, wherein the 
housing 20 is removably mountable in the mounting frame 50 and wherein the 
housing 20 and the mounting frame 50 include mating connectors 70 for 
connecting the sound signal generating unit 30 to the electrical power 
system 3 of the vehicle 2 and the vehicle speakers 4 when the housing 20 
is mounted in the mounting frame 50. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, it can be shown that the 
housing 20 has a front surface 21, a rear surface 22, a top surface 23, a 
bottom surface 24, and a pair of side surfaces 25. A carrying strap 19 is 
provided for carrying the housing 20 when the housing 20 is removed from 
the mounting frame 50. The housing 20 includes a carrying strap connection 
means 27 for permitting the carrying strap 19 to be removably connected to 
the housing 20. The carrying strap connection means 27 comprises a 
connection strap cavity 28 provided in each of the pair of side surfaces 
25 and a connection strap bar 29 provided in the opening of the connection 
strap cavity 28, whereby the carrying strap 19 is removably connected to 
the connection strap bar 29. 
The sound signal generating unit 30 generates sound signals and includes an 
AM/FM radio receiver, a cassette player, or a compact disc player. As best 
illustrated in FIG. 1, it can be shown that operating knobs and buttons 32 
for operating the sound signal generating unit 30. a display area 33, and 
an opening 34 for a cassette or a compact disc are provided on the front 
surface 21 of the housing 20. The operating knobs and buttons 32 include a 
power knob, a volume control knob, a tone knob, radio preset knobs, etc. A 
headphone jack 35 is provided on the front surface 21 of the housing 20 
for accommodating a headphone plug (not shown) of a pair of headphones 
(not shown). 
The housing speaker 40 is mounted in the housing 20 and electrically 
connected to the sound signal generating unit 30 for converting the sound 
signals of the sound signal generating unit 30 into sound. As best 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be shown that the housing speaker 40 
is mounted flush with the top surface 23 of the housing 20 so as not to 
interfere with the mounting frame 50 when tile housing 20 is inserted in 
and removed from the mounting frame 50. 
As best illustrated in FIG. 7 it can be shown that a deactivation and 
signal direction means 60 is provided in the housing 20 for deactivating 
operation of the housing speaker 40 when the housing 20 is inserted in the 
mounting frame 50 and for directing the sound signals generated by the 
sound signal generating unit 30 to the vehicle speakers 4 provided in the 
vehicle 2 when the housing 20 is inserted in the mounting frame 50. 
A power supply 65 is provided in the housing 20 for powering the sound 
signal generating unit 30 when the housing 20 is removed from the mounting 
frame 50. The power supply 65 may be a rechargeable battery that can be 
recharged by the electrical power system 3 of the vehicle 2 when the 
housing 20 is inserted in the mounting frame 50. The sound signal 
generating unit 30 may also be powered by 120 volts AC when the housing 20 
is removed from the mounting frame 50. A power supply access panel 66 is 
provided in the bottom surface 24 of the housing 20 to allow access to the 
rechargeable battery. 
As best illustrated in FIG. 2, it can be shown that the mounting frame 50 
has an interior cavity 51 therein for removably receiving the housing 20 
such that the housing 20 is removably supported in the vehicle 2. The 
mounting frame 50 has a rear wall 52 and a pair of side walls 53. Each of 
the pair of side walls has a front end 54 and a rear end 55. A slot 56 is 
provided in the front end 54 of each of the pair of side walls 53. The 
mounting frame 50 includes a pair of mounting ears 57 extending from the 
pair of side walls 53 for securing the mounting frame 50 in the vehicle 2. 
Each of the pair of mounting ears 57 has a fastener receiving hole 58 
therein. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, it can be shown that a connection 
means 70 is provided for connecting the power supply 65 and the sound 
signal generating unit 30 to the electrical power system 3 of the vehicle 
2, the vehicle speakers 4, and the vehicle antenna 5 when the housing 20 
is inserted in the mounting frame 50. The connection means 70 comprises a 
first terminal 71 connected to the power supply 65 and the sound signal 
generating unit 66 and a second terminal 72 connected to the electrical 
power system 3 of the vehicle 2. The vehicle speakers 4, and the vehicle 
antenna 5. The first terminal 71 is provided in the rear surface 22 of the 
housing 20 and the second terminal 72 is provided in the rear wall 52 of 
the mounting frame 50, wherein the first terminal 71 and the second 
terminal 72 are joined together in mating engagement to provide electrical 
connections therebetween when the housing 20 is inserted in the mounting 
frame 50. A recessed cavity 26 is provided in the rear surface 22 of the 
housing 20 and the first terminal 71 is positioned within the recessed 
cavity 26 so as to protect the first terminal 71 against damage when the 
housing 20 is removed from the mounting frame 50. 
As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 4, it can be shown that a handle 14 
is pivotally mounted to the pair of side surfaces 25 of the housing 20 
adjacent the front Surface 21. The handle 14 includes a pair of arms 15 
which extend from opposites ends of the handle 14 whereby when the handle 
14 is lowered each of the pair of arms 15 engages the slot 56 provided in 
the front end 54 of each of the pair of side walls 53 of the mounting 
frame 50 and the housing 20 is securely mounted in the mounting frame 50. 
When the handle 14 is raised, each of the pair of arms 15 disengages the 
slot 56 and the housing 20 can be removed from the mounting frame 50. 
In use, the housing 20 is inserted in the interior cavity 5 1 of the 
mounting frame 50 wherein the first terminal 71 and the second terminal 72 
are joined together in mating engagement to provide electrical connections 
therebetween thereby connecting the power supply 65 and the sound signal 
generating unit 30 to the electrical power system 3 of the vehicle 2, the 
vehicle speakers 4, and the vehicle antenna 5. The handle 14 is lowered 
and each of the pair of arms 15 engages the slot 56 provided in the front 
end 54 of each of the pair of side walls 53 of the mounting frame 50 
whereby the housing 20 is securely mounted in the mounting frame 50. The 
deactivation and signal direction means 60 provided in the housing 20 
deactivates operation of the housing speaker 40 and directs the sound 
signals generated by the sound signal generating unit 30 to the vehicle 
speakers 4 provided in the vehicle 2. The sound signal generating unit 30 
is operated by the operating knobs and buttons 32 and the generated sound 
signals are converted into sound by the vehicle speakers 4 while the 
rechargeable battery is recharged by the electrical power system 3 of the 
vehicle 2. 
For operation away from the vehicle 2, the handle 14 is raised and the pair 
of arms 15 disengage the slots 56 provided in the front end 54 of each of 
the pair of side walls 53 of the mounting frame 50. The housing 20 is then 
removed from the mounting frame 50. The carrying strap 19 is removably 
connected to the connection strap bar 29 of the housing 20 whereby the 
housing 20 can be easily carried. The sound signal generating unit 30 is 
operated and the sound signals generated are converted into sound by the 
housing speaker 40 mounted in the housing 20. 
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the 
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. 
Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and 
operation will be provided. 
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the 
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to 
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of 
operation, assembly and use, are described readily apparent and obvious to 
one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those 
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are 
intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the 
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and 
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired 
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and 
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents nay 
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.