INTERCHANGEABLE LOUDSPEAKER BAFFLE ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A system of interchangeable loudspeaker baffle assemblies. The present invention is a system of baffle assemblies that enable a listener or installer to conveniently change in-wall, or automobile, loudspeaker configurations. More particularly, the present invention allows loudspeaker assemblies of varying configurations to be detachably affixed to the frame 60 attached to a wall or to the interior of a vehicle, a plurality of differently configured loudspeaker assemblies, and a means for easily attaching and detaching the loudspeaker assemblies form the frame 60. The means, for example, including a combination of snap-in clips 80 and locking feet 90.

Description: INTERCHANGEABLE LOUDSPEAKER BAFFLE ASSEMBLY TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to loudspeaker baffles and in particular to a loudspeaker baffle assembly that allows for convenient loudspeaker interchangeability. BACKGROUND ART The home audio industry places great emphasis on convenience, and sound quality. In-wall audio speakers are at the height of their popularity. While floor speakers may, at times, provide superior sound quality, the aesthetic appeal of in-wall speakers and their ability to deliver high-quality sound without the need to rearrange one's living room to make space for the speakers, have created a significant demand for quality in-wall speakers that deliver the hi-fidelity sound of floor speakers. Unfortunately, once in-wall speakers are mounted in a wall, they cannot easily be replaced should the user desire to alter the configuration of speakers employed by the sound system. For example, if one wished to replace or repair a loudspeaker assembly comprised of a high frequency transducer ("tweeter"), and a low frequency transducer ("woofer"), with another loudspeaker assembly, the entire speaker and mount would have to be detached from the wall, which could result in significant inconvenience and expense in connection with remounting and painting the assembly and the wall in which it is mounted. A solution to this problem would be to create a system of interchangeable loudspeaker assemblies. The interchangeability of such a system could be enhanced by using a convenient method of removing one loudspeaker assembly and replacing it with another. Previous attempts have been made to provide devices with convenient interchangeable parts such as are described in United States Patent No. 6,095,432 to Casagrande (the '432 patent); United States Patent No. 6,079,240 to Shvarts (the '240 patent); United States Patent No. 5,848,152 to Slipy et al. (the '152 patent); United States Patent No. 5,671,747 to Connor (the '747 patent); and United States Patent No. 5,334,121 to McPhilomy (the '121 patent). The '432 patent describes a fixed part and a mobile part. The mobile part includes a pipe head offering a curved path with an initial portion that commences axially and is deflected to form a final portion having a certain inclination. The inclined final portion is very short and forms a seat for an interchangeable nozzle selectable from a series of nozzles having tapering through orifices of different inclinations and all connectable to the deflection of the initial portion. Different inclination angles are thus possible. The '240 patent describes a removable core cylinder assembly which utilizes a plurality of modular parts to create a key-removable interchangeable core which will fit all existing interchangeable core locks of this kind. The removable core cylinder assembly includes a cylinder shell having an axial bore formed therein, the axial bore having an axial recess formed along an axial length of the axial bore; a cylinder plug rotatably mounted within the cylinder shell and having two stepped portions at the front end, wherein the second stepped portion has a smaller outer diameter and uses the front of the cylinder shell as a bearing surface; a locking tab seated within the axial recess of the cylinder shell, which locks the interchangeable core within the lock housing; a removable face plate which covers the axial recess in the cylinder shell for the locking tab and provides shelter to the head of the cylinder plug and protected from removal from the cylinder shell by two stepped portions of the cylinder plug; and a retainer which holds all the parts together and provides a stop for the key. The provision of the novel locking tab means that the walls of the cylinder shell can be made thicker, and yields a much stronger core. A sidebar can be used by to provide the user with greater security. The '152 patent describes a communication device such as a portable radiotelephone handset features interchangeable faceplates including a first faceplate and a second faceplate which are removably attachable to a housing. At least one of the plurality of faceplates includes a movable element such as a keypad cover. A sensor such as a switch detects the presence of the movable element and provides a detection signal to a controller which varies the operation of the communication device in response thereto. The '747 patent describes an intraoperative ultrasound transducer probe, or intraoperative probe, has a housing, to which, interchangeable accessories may be attached. The interchangeable accessories adapt the intraoperative probe's shape to provide access to a patient's body parts in confined spaces in intraoperative environments. In one embodiment of the present invention a first interchangeable accessory has an extension handle that may be attached to the intraoperative probe to enable an operator to reach into surgical incisions and view the patient's body parts. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention a second interchangeable accessory has a finger cuff for attaching the intraoperative probe to an operator's finger. The finger cuff may be used in place of the extension handle, providing access to a patient's body parts in confined spaces, such as the posterior side of the heart for epicardial imaging during open heart surgery. Since the interchangeable accessories are separable from the intraoperative probe, they are easily sterilized and may be disposed of after use. The interchangeable accessories used to adapt the intraoperative probe's shape have low manufacturing cost relative to the cost of multiple dedicated probes, reducing the overall cost of an ultrasound imaging system. The '121 patent describes an interchangeable/adjustable hurdle component assembly made of a collection of interchangeable parts. The assembly has a plurality of leg support pairs of varying lengths which can be utilized as vertical leg supports or horizontal leg supports. One leg support pair is utilized as a first and second vertical leg support, and one leg support pair is utilized as a first and second horizontal leg support. The first vertical leg support is connected to a first tee and to a first elbow, and the second vertical leg support is connected to a second tee and second elbow. The vertical leg supports determine the height of the hurdle. The first horizontal leg support is connected to the first tee and the second horizontal leg support is connected to the second tee to provide support to the hurdle assembly. A crossbar connects to the first and second elbows. The component parts are tubular for realizing snap-fit connections. Both tees of the assembly are identical and interchangeable as are both elbows. By using a leg support pair of a desired length for the first and second vertical leg supports, an individual can adjust the height of the hurdle to a practice height which is suitable to that individual's level of skill. While each of the above inventions describes devices with interchangeable parts, none of the devices mentioned above describe a loudspeaker assembly system which allows for convenient interchangeability of different in-wall loudspeaker configurations. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a loudspeaker assembly system that can allow a listener to conveniently interchange in-wall loudspeaker configurations. There is a further need in the art for a loudspeaker assembly system that can allow a listener to conveniently interchange automobile loudspeaker configurations. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Generally, the present invention provides a system of interchangeable loudspeaker baffles, comprising a loudspeaker frame, whereby the frame is affixed to a wall and defines a space capable of receiving a loudspeaker assembly; a plurality of loudspeaker baffle assemblies, whereby the assemblies are interchangeable in nature and provide for various loudspeaker assembly configurations; and means for removably attaching the baffle assemblies to the frame. In an alternate embodiment, what is provided is a system of interchangeable loudspeaker baffles, comprising a loudspeaker frame, whereby said frame is affixed to the interior of a vehicle and defines a space capable of receiving a loudspeaker assembly; a plurality of loudspeaker baffle assemblies, whereby said assemblies are interchangeable in nature and provide for various loudspeaker assembly configurations; and means for removably attaching said baffle assemblies to said frame. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a loudspeaker assembly system that can enable a listener or installer to conveniently interchange in-wall loudspeaker configurations. It is an additional object of the invention to provide a loudspeaker assembly system that can enable a listener or installer to conveniently interchange automobile loudspeaker configurations. This and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the baffle component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the frame component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of a loudspeaker assembly of the preferred embodiment including a high frequency transducer and leaving empty the low frequency transducer cavity. FIG. 4 an isometric view of the clip mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 a perspective view of the clip mechanism in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view of the back of a baffle incorporating the clips ofFIGS. 4 and 5. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, in a preferred embodiment the baffle 10 is generally made of plastic and is generally rectangular in shape. Depending upon the size of the cavity, a high-frequency transducer 40, mid-range frequency transducer, or low-range frequency transducer, are capable of being inserted within a loudspeaker assembly 50, an example illustrated in FIG. 3, supported by the baffle 10. The larger size cavity 30 retains the low-frequency transducer, commonly known as the woofer. The smallest cavity 20 retains the high-frequency transducer 40, commonly known as the tweeter. This configuration can be seen in FIG. 1. In the preferred embodiment, a high-frequency transducer 40 and low-frequency transducer are included in the assembly 50. However, in alternate embodiments, any combination of transducers, including mid-range transducers, are capable of being included in the assembly 50. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the loudspeaker assembly frame 60 is an in-wall component affixed within a wall opening or within a ceiling opening. FIG. 2 illustrates the frame 60 that would be affixed to a wall, thereby defining a space capable of receiving the loudspeaker assembly 50. The frame 60 is mounted to a bracket (not shown) which is positioned inside the wall. The frame 60 is provided with slots 70 on the inner wall capable of receiving any combination of connective means correspondingly located on the baffle 10. For example, the baffle 10 may employ snap- in clips 80 and locking feet 90. The locking feet 90 provide the means by which the baffle 10 may be precisely positioned so that the snap-in clips 80 secure the baffle 10 within the frame 60. FIGS. 4 and 5 represent two views of a snap-in clip 80 that could be used as described above. That is, to detachably secure the baffle 10, and therefore the loudspeaker assembly 50, to the frame 60. FIG. 6 illustrates the relationship between the baffle 10 and the clips 80. As an alternative embodiment, the present invention could also have use in automobiles. Accordingly, it will be understood that the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A system of interchangeable loudspeaker baffles, comprising: a loudspeaker frame, whereby said frame is affixed to a wall and defines a space capable of receiving a loudspeaker assembly; a plurality of loudspeaker baffle assemblies, whereby said assemblies are interchangeable in nature and provide for various loudspeaker assembly configurations ; and means for removably attaching said baffle assemblies to said frame. 2. The system of interchangeable loudspeaker baffles of Claim 1, whereby said means for removably attaching said assemblies to said frame are snap-in clips. 3. A system of interchangeable loudspeaker baffles, comprising: a loudspeaker frame, whereby said frame is affixed to the interior of a vehicle and defines a space capable of receiving a loudspeaker assembly; a plurality of loudspeaker baffle assemblies, whereby said assemblies are interchangeable in nature and provide for various loudspeaker assembly configurations ; and means for removably attaching said baffle assemblies to said frame. 4. The system of interchangeable loudspeaker baffles of Claim 3, whereby said means for removably attaching said assemblies to said frame are snap-in clips.

Inventors: BURDETT ALBERT, SMITH LOWELL J, STERNS FRANK, BURDETT, ALBERT, SMITH, LOWELL, J., STERNS, FRANK
Applicants: NILES AUDIO CORP, NILES AUDIO CORPORATION
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04R1
IPC codes: H04R1