Abstract:
Speaker mounting systems and methods of mounting speakers are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the invention a speaker mounting system can include a mounting member attachable to a structure, a connector attachable to the mounting member, a docking member attachable to the connector, and a speaker housing releasably attached to the docking member. The speaker housing has a side with a receiving portion. The receiving portion removably receives the docking member. In another embodiment of the invention, a method for attaching a speaker housing to a structure includes mounting a mounting bracket to the structure, connecting a docking member to the mounting bracket using a connector, removably attaching a speaker housing to the docking member, and aiming the docking plate or speaker housing as a unit relative to the mounting bracket and structure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to an audio system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a speaker mounting system.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Audio systems are commonly used in restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, office buildings, and other commercial establishments. In addition to commercial buildings, many residential buildings also have audio systems. As part of an audio system, speakers are often installed throughout the building. For example, speakers are sometimes installed in kitchens, offices, bathrooms, hallways, lobbies, and elevators. Frequently, multiple speakers in different areas of the building are connected via speaker wire to one or more playback or broadcasting devices (e.g., amplifier, radio, tape player, CD player). The speaker wire must be routed throughout portions of the building to connect to each of the speakers.  
           [0003]    In buildings, speakers are often mounted to a wall or a ceiling. Mounting speakers helps prevent theft and accidents. Mounting speakers, however, can pose several difficulties. For example, sometimes speakers are installed after a wall or ceiling has been painted. In these situations there is a risk that the installation of the speaker will damage the new paint on the wall or ceiling. Alternatively, sometimes the speakers are installed before the wall or ceiling is painted. In these situations there is a chance of inadvertently getting paint on the speaker. In addition, speakers are often mounted in a location that provides a minimum amount of room around the speaker. Accordingly, connecting the speaker wire to the speaker, or accessing the wire connection on the speaker when the speaker is mounted to the wall or ceiling can be difficult.  
           [0004]    Furthermore, the size and weight of speakers can make it difficult to fasten them to a wall, ceiling or other structure. The installation can be challenging if the speaker is big or heavy because generally the speaker will need to be held while connecting it to the speaker wire, or while connecting it to a mounting plate. Oftentimes speakers are placed high on a wall or on a ceiling, which can make installation even more difficult.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0005]    The present invention is directed to speaker mounting systems and methods of mounting speakers. In one embodiment of the invention, a speaker mounting system can include a mounting member attachable to a structure, a connector attachable to the mounting member, a docking member attachable to the connector, and a speaker housing releasably attached to the docking member. The speaker housing has a side with a receiving portion in the side. The receiving portion removably receives the docking member.  
           [0006]    In another embodiment of the invention, a method for attaching a speaker housing to a structure includes mounting the mounting bracket to the structure, connecting the docking member to the mounting bracket using the connector, removably attaching the speaker housing to the docking member, and aiming the docking plate or speaker housing as a unit relative to the mounting bracket and structure. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a rear isometric view illustrating a speaker mounting system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a front isometric view illustrating the speaker mounting system of FIG. 1.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a rear isometric view of the speaker mounting system of FIG. 1 shown in a docked position.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view taken substantially along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3 with a latch shown in an open position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the latch in a closed position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 2 illustrating a mounting plate and a docking member of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the mounting plate and the docking member of FIG. 6.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the docking member and the mounting plate of FIG. 6 showing the mounting plate separated from the docking member. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    The following description is directed toward speaker mounting systems and methods for mounting speakers to a structure, such as a wall or ceiling. In the following description numerous specific details are provided, such as types of connectors, specific speaker assembly components, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, embodiments of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details. For example, even though many of the embodiments of the speaker mounting system are described as having a latch and catch connection assembly, other quick connect mechanisms can also be used. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a rear isometric view illustrating a speaker mounting system  1  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the speaker mounting system  1  of FIG. 1. The mounting system  1  of the illustrated embodiment includes a mounting plate  6  connected to a docking member  4 , and a speaker housing  2  that releasably docks with the docking member  4  to securely hold the speaker housing  2  in a selected position and orientation. The mounting plate  6  is configured to be attachable to a structure (not shown), such as a wall or ceiling. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plate  6  has four mounting holes  40  through which fasteners (not shown) can be inserted to attach the mounting plate  6  to the structure. In alternative embodiments, the mounting holes  40  can be arranged differently and the mounting plate  6  can have a different number of mounting holes  40 .  
         [0017]    In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting plate  6  is pivotally and rotatably connected to the docking member  4  by a connector  42 . The connector  42  of the illustrated embodiment is an elongated rod having an enlarged ball  70  on one end. The ball  70  is movably retained in a socket  72  formed in the mounting plate  6 , thereby forming a ball and socket joint  44 . The ball and socket joint  44  enables the connector  42  to pivot and rotate relative to the mounting plate  6 . Accordingly, the ball and socket joint  44  is advantageous because it allows the speaker assembly  58  to be aimed. In alternative embodiments, the mounting plate  6  can have other types of joints, such as a fixed joint preventing the connector  42  from rotating or pivoting, or a hinge joint that allows pivoting. Moreover, in other embodiments, other connectors can be used. For example, one connector could mechanically support the docking member  4  and another connector could electrically connect the docking member  4  to the mounting plate  6 . The connector  42 , in the illustrated embodiment, is a hollow rod that provides a conduit through which speaker wires  74  are routed to connect to the docking member  4 . In alternative embodiments, the connector  42  can have a channel or another configuration for receiving the speaker wire  74  extending to the docking member  4 . In other embodiments, the speaker wire  74  can be routed to the docking member  4  in other ways, such as connecting directly to the docking member  4 .  
         [0018]    In the illustrated embodiment, the connector  42  is securely attached to the docking member  4  so that the docking member  4  is spaced apart from the mounting plate  6 . The connector  42  is securely fixed to the docking member  4  by a nut  46  that connects to the docking member  4 . The connector  42 , thus, provides mechanical support to the docking member  4  and an electrical conduit between the mounting plate  6  and the docking member  4 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the connector  42  detached from the docking member  4 . The nut  46  that connects the docking member  4  to the connector  42  is slidable along the axis of the connector  42  in the illustrated embodiment. In one embodiment, the nut  46  is retained on the connector  42  by a retaining ring (not shown) mounted on the connector  42 . The outer surface of the nut  46  has a flat edge portion  102  and a threaded portion  104 . The flat edge portion  102  of the nut  46  allows the nut  46  to be easily grasped by a tool for tightening. The threaded portion  104  of the nut  46  has threads on the outside surface so that the nut  46  forms the male portion of a male/female connection.  
         [0020]    When the connector  42 , in the illustrated embodiment, is connected to the docking member  4 , the threaded portion  104  of the nut  46  screws into a threaded aperture  100  in the docking member  4 . At the bottom of the threaded aperture  100  is a hexagonal aperture  94 . As the threaded portion  104  of the nut  46  screws into the threaded aperture  100 , a hexagonal end  96  of the connector  42  moves into the hexagonal aperture  94  of the docking member  4 . Once the nut  46  is screwed into the threaded aperture  100  of the docking member  4 , the placement of the hexagonal end  96  of the connector  42  in the hexagonal aperture  94  prevents the connector  42  from rotating relative to the docking member  4 . Accordingly, the hexagonal configuration provides a key-way-type locking configuration. In alternative embodiments, other key-way-type configurations can be used, such as rectangular connectors, slotted connectors, and the like. One advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the nut  46  allows the docking member  4  to easily and quickly detach from the mounting plate  6 . Detachment might be desirable if, for example, a user wanted to place the speaker housing  2  on a bookshelf or other location where the mounting plate  6  is not needed. In alternative embodiments, the connector  42  can connect to the docking member  4  by other means. For example, the connector  42  can have a threaded end that screws into the aperture  100  of the docking member  4 . Alternatively, the connector  42  could connect to a ball and socket joint in the docking member  4 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other ways to attach the connector  42  to the docking member  4 .  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 1, in addition to the mounting plate  6  and the connector  42 , the speaker mounting system  1  of the illustrated embodiment includes a speaker housing  2 . The speaker housing  2  has a top surface  28 , a bottom surface  27 , and a curved side surface  23 . The curved side surface  23  extends from one side of the speaker housing  2  around the back to the other side and includes a contour  22 . In alternative embodiments, the speaker housing  2  can have side surfaces that are flat rather than curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface  28  has a handle  24  to enable the speaker housing  2  to be carried more easily. Alternatively, the speaker housing  2  can have the handle  24  on another surface, or the speaker housing  2  might not have it at all.  
         [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, the speaker housing  2  has a speaker cover  64  positioned adjacent to the top surface  28 , the bottom surface  27 , and the curved side surface  23 . The speaker cover  64  can be made of metal (and have holes) or any other material that allows the sound from the speakers  80  and  82  (shown in FIG. 4) to pass through. Inside the speaker housing  2  is a small speaker  80  (such as a tweeter) and a large speaker  82  (such as a woofer). The small speaker  80  is positioned adjacent to the large speaker  82 . In alternative embodiments, the speaker housing  2  can include any number of speakers, and speakers of any size. Furthermore, the speakers  80  and  82  can be arranged in a different manner.  
         [0023]    The speaker housing  2  of the illustrated embodiment has a recess  17  in the curved side surface  23 . A top surface  52 , a bottom surface  54 , and a back surface  15  form the recess  17 . Attached to the top and bottom surfaces  52  and  54  are elongated projections  8   a  and  8   b . The elongated projections  8   a  and  8   b  extend along the top and bottom surfaces  52  and  54  in a direction substantially transverse to the back surface  15 . The projections  8   a  and  8   b  increase in width as they project a short distance from the top and bottom surfaces  52  and  54 . In alternative embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces  52  and  54  can be flat (without projections), or they can have one or more grooves and/or projections. In other embodiments, the recess  17  might not include the top and bottom surfaces  52  and  54 , but extend from the top surface  28  to the bottom surface  27  of the speaker housing  2 . The back surface  15  of the recess  17  has a plate  16  fastened to the speaker housing  2  by fasteners  18 . The plate  16  is removable to permit access inside the speaker housing  2 . In alternative embodiments, the back surface  15  might not have a removable plate  16 .  
         [0024]    In FIG. 1, the docking member  4  is detached from the speaker housing  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the docking member  4  has a curved side surface  37 , a top surface  48 , and a bottom surface  50 . The curved side surface  37  includes a contour  36 . The top surface  48  has a groove  30   a  configured to slidably receive the projection  8   a  on the top surface  52  of the recess  17  in the speaker housing  2 . Similarly, the bottom surface  80  has a groove  30   b  (FIG. 2) configured to slidably receive the projection  8   b  on the bottom surface  54  of the recess  17  in the speaker housing  2 . The interface between the projections  8   a  and  8   b  and the corresponding grooves  30   a  and  30   b  provides for proper alignment of the docking member  4  and the speaker housing  2  as they are docked. In alternative embodiments, the speaker housing  2  can have grooves and the docking member  4  can have projections. In other embodiments, the docking member  4  and the speaker housing  2  might not have grooves or projections.  
         [0025]    In the illustrated embodiment, the docking member  4  is configured to be slidably received in the recess  17  of the speaker housing  2 . Docking occurs by aligning the projections  8   a  and  8   b  of the speaker housing  2  with the grooves  30   a  and  30   b  of the docking member  4  and then sliding the docking member  4  into the recess  17 . FIG. 3 illustrates the speaker mounting system  1  in the docked position. In the docked position, the contour  36  on the curved side surface  37  of the docking member  4  substantially matches the contour  22  on the curved side surface  23  of the speaker housing  2  in the illustrated embodiment. The substantially matching contours  36  and  37  create an aesthetically smooth interconnection surface between the speaker housing  2  and the docking member  4 . In alternative embodiments, the contours  36  and  37  might not match or create a smooth interconnection surface between the speaker housing  2  and the docking member  4 .  
         [0026]    When the speaker housing  2  is in the docked position, the docking member  4  connects to the speaker housing  2  by a quick connect mechanism. The quick connect mechanism permits a user to quickly connect the speaker housing  2  to the docking member  4 . FIGS.  1 - 7  illustrate one embodiment of the quick connect mechanism including a catch  12  mounted to the speaker housing  2  and a latch  32  mounted to the docking member  4 . Alternative embodiments can have other types of quick connect mechanisms, such as a socket fitting, detent mechanism, lock pin, spring pin, cam lock, quarter turn fastener, and the like. Referring to FIG. 1, the catch  12  is securely mounted to the plate  16  of the speaker housing  2  and positioned to be releasably engaged by the docking member  4 . The catch  12  has a back plate  76 , attached to the plate  16 , a pair of spaced apart ears  78  extending from the back plate  76  and a crossbar  14  extending between the ears  78 . In alternative embodiments, other configurations of the catch  12  can be used to provide a mechanical attachment point for the docking member  4 . For example, the catch  12  could be a hole in the plate  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch  32  of the docking member  4  releasably engages the catch  12 . As best seen in FIG. 4, the latch  32  of the illustrated embodiment has a cylindrical body  89 , a handle  56  and a curved finger  85  attached to the cylindrical body  89 . Between the curved finger  85  and the cylindrical body  89  is a slot  91 . The latch  32  is secured to a latch housing  66  (shown in FIG. 2) by a pin  87 . The pin  87  is placed in the center of the cylindrical body  89  so that the latch  32 , including the curved finger  85 , can rotate about the pin  87 .  
         [0027]    Referring to FIG. 4, the speaker housing  2  is docked on the docking member  4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the latch  32  on the docking member  4  is in the open position, thus, the handle  56  of the latch  32  protrudes away from the docking member  4 , and the crossbar  14  of the catch  12  is positioned outside of the slot  91  of the latch  32 . With the latch  32  in the open position, the speaker housing  2  can be pulled off the docking member  4 , or the latch  32  can be rotated to a closed position (shown in FIG. 5) by placing a downward force on the handle  56 . As the latch  32  rotates about the pin  87  to a closed position, the curved finger  85  wraps around the crossbar  14  of the catch  12  and the crossbar  14  is received in the slot  91 . In the closed position, the engagement of the crossbar  14  by the curved finger  85  locks the speaker housing  2  to the docking member  4 . In the closed position the handle  56  of the latch  32  is received in an opening  38  (shown in FIG. 1) on the docking member  4 .  
         [0028]    In alternative embodiments, the docking member  4  can be selectively attached to the speaker housing  2  by other quick connect mechanisms. For example, the top and bottom of the speaker housing  2  can have holes with corresponding holes in the docking member  4 . Pins can be selectively inserted into the holes to attach the docking member  4  to the speaker housing  2 .  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 6, the docking member  4  has a detent  92  to selectively retain the latch  32  in the open position in the illustrated embodiment. The detent  92  is an extension of the docking member  4  that contacts the cylindrical body  89  of the latch  32 . The detent  92  is flexible so that it allows the latch  32  to close when a downward force is placed on the handle  56 . Alternative embodiments might not have a detent or might have another device for selectively retaining the latch  32  in the open position.  
         [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and  7 , the docking member  4  has a locking mechanism  84  with a tip  98  for selectively locking the latch  32  in the closed position in the illustrated embodiment. When the latch  32  closes, the tip  98  of the locking mechanism  84  passes through an aperture  90  in the handle  56  of the latch  32 . As the locking mechanism  84  passes through the aperture  90  it rubs against the latch  32  causing the locking mechanism  84  to flex so that the latch  32  can close. When the latch  32  is closed, the locking mechanism  84  flexes back and the tip  98  returns to its former position locking the latch  32  in the closed position. To open the latch  32 , a user pushes the tip  98  of the locking mechanism  84  away from the latch  32 , causing the locking mechanism  84  to flex. The user can then place a finger in the opening  38  and under the handle  56  of the latch  32  to rotate the latch  32  upward to the open position. In alternative embodiments, other devices for locking the latch  32  can be used, or the latch may not have a locking mechanism.  
         [0031]    In FIG. 2, the speaker housing  2  is shown detached from the docking member  4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the docking member  4  has a transformer  60  mounted above the latch  32 . The transformer  60  has a transformer switch  34  with an adjustment dial or knob  68  (shown in FIG. 1). A user can adjust the adjustment knob  68  to vary the voltage provided to the speaker  82 . Adjusting the voltage of the speaker  82  allows a user to individually select the volume of each speaker  82 . This is particularly useful when it is desirable to have one speaker at a different volume than another speaker. For example, it might be desirable to have the speaker in a bar at a louder volume than the speaker in a bathroom. In alternative embodiments, the docking member  4  may not include the transformer  60 .  
         [0032]    In addition to the transformer  60 , the docking member  4  of the illustrated embodiment has an electrical connector  62  positioned to electrically connect the docking member  4  to the components in the speaker housing  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  62  is a banana plug. In other embodiments, the electrical connector  62  can have a floating- or soft-spring mounting system to avoid fret corrosion. As best seen in FIG. 1, the electrical connector  62  is positioned to connect to an electrical connector  20  on the speaker housing  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector  20  is a conventional five-way binding post. In alternative embodiments, other types of electrical connectors can be used to electrically connect the components in the speaker housing  2  to the docking member  4 . In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connectors  20  and  62  are axially aligned so that the banana plug will slide into and electrically engage the five-way binding post when the speaker housing  2  docks with the docking member  4 . When the speaker housing  2  is docked with the docking member  4  the electrical components are electrically coupled together. In the illustrated embodiment, the speaker wire  74  passes through the connector  42  and is electrically connected to the transformer  60  and transformer switch  34 . The transformer  60  and transformer switch  34  are electrically connected to the electrical connector  62  on the docking member  4 , which is electrically connected to the electrical connector  20  on the speaker housing  2 . The electrical connector  20  is electrically connected to the components in the speaker housing  2 . In alternative embodiments, if the docking member  4  does not include a transformer  60  the speaker wire  74  can be electrically connected to the electrical connector  62 .  
         [0033]    One advantage of the illustrated embodiment of the invention is that the mounting plate  6  can be attached to a structure before it is painted, thereby decreasing the possibility of scuffing or scraping the newly painted structure during the installation. Furthermore, the mounting plate  6  can be attached and wired to the structure without supporting the weight of the speaker  82  or speaker housing  2 . Another advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the speaker housing  2  can be installed quickly after the mounting plate  6  has been connected to the structure and the docking member  4  has been attached to the mounting plate  6 . Accordingly, the speaker housing  2  can be docked to the docking member  4  simply by sliding the speaker housing  2  onto the docking member  4  and actuating the quick connect mechanism.  
         [0034]    From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.