Abstract:
A bracket assembly system is provided to hold side and center channel speakers. The assembly system may be positioned on a base support structure such as a television or cabinet. In a typical arrangement, left and right satellite speakers are positioned such that the center of gravity is approximately aligned with the pivot axis of the side arms. In addition, additional speakers may be positioned along the support arms and the speakers may be rotated adjusting to desired speaker angles to accommodate for various room acoustics.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority to a Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/302,830 field Jul. 2, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates generally to a bracket assembly adapted to support at least two satellite speakers and an optional center speaker over a base member. The use of screws on the base member may be eliminated and allows an easy adjustment of the satellite speaker angles.  
           [0004]    2. Related Art  
           [0005]    In a surround sound system, the positions and angles of different speakers determine the overall efficiency of the sound system. Depending on the shape, size and location of a particular surround environment, the speakers are positioned and arranged in a particular fashion to achieve the desired overall sound effect. With the conventional surround sound systems, speakers are often placed on a bookshelf or speaker stands or attached to a wall. Wiring and other physical attachment methodologies such as screws, clips, adhesives, etc. are often required to place multiple speakers in different locations in a room. In addition, once attached to a wall or otherwise positioned, it if often difficult to rearrange the speakers and adjust the angles of the speakers without incurring further physical maneuverings.  
           [0006]    In a relative small size environment or for a family entertainment system, it may be acoustically desirable to have multiple speakers in a same plane so that a uniform soundstage between the speakers is achieved. For example, home entertainment systems may provide multiple speakers placed on top of a TV set or be attached to the sides of a TV set. These conventional systems, however, are often not capable of postponing and maintaining the speakers in a same plane and allowing adjustments of the angles to achieve the most efficient and desired sound effect.  
           [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for a system allowing for easy installation and angle adjustment of the speakers of the surround sound system where the speakers can be secured on the top of a TV set.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    This invention provides a system to position and secure at least two satellite side speakers and/or an optional center speaker on a bracket assembly adapted to mount on top of a TV set or any other support structure. The bracket mounting assembly includes a center strut and a left and a right struts. The left and right strut may be slidably coupled to the center strut. The assembly further includes at least a left and right speakers pivotally coupled to the left and right struts respectively. The struts may also support additional speakers attached to the strut.  
           [0009]    The invention also provides a support mechanism of the strut. The strut may be supported by the base member, by a TV set or other support structure. This may be accomplished without using screws or other physical attachments. The left and right struts may slide with respect to the center strut providing adjustment between the speakers. The width between the left and right struts may be wider than the predetermined width of the base member so that each of the left and right struts extends out along the side of the base member. To hold the bracket assembly in its place, the weight of the two satellite speakers along the opposite sides of the base member may be used to hold the bracket assembly relative to the base member.  
           [0010]    This invention also provides an adjustment mechanism for the left and right satellite speakers relative to its respective speaker arms. This may provide a minimization of tipping over and a mechanism to hold the bracket assembly down. The center of gravity of each of the satellite speakers may be aligned with the pivot axis of each of the left and right speaker arms respectively. This alignment enables the satellite speakers to be held within the respective speaker arm and allows the satellite speakers to rotate without tipping over. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a front view of a bracket assembly illustrating two satellite speakers and an optional center speaker held on top of a base member.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a left portion of the bracket assembly in FIG. 1 illustrating a left strut extending from a center strut and a left speaker arm pivotally coupled to the left strut.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a satellite speaker coupled to the left speaker arm of FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a side view of a satellite speaker having its center of gravity aligned with the pivot axis of the speaker arm in FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of the bracket assembly.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a front view of a satellite speaker illustrating degree of rotation of the speaker.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a flow chart for installing a bracket assembly over a base assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a bracket assembly  100  positioned over a base member  110 . The base member  110  has a predetermined width and may vary in its shape. Examples of base members  110  may be a television set, entertainment box, cabinet, monitor, etc. The bracket assembly  100  includes a center strut  150  adapted to couple to a center speaker  140 . A right side strut  160  may be slidably coupled to the right side of the center strut  150 . A first support pad (not shown) may be coupled to the bottom side of the right side strut  160 , between the right side strut  160  and the base member  110 , to support the right side strut  160  on top of the base member  110 . A right corner bracket  190  may be also coupled to the bottom side of the right side strut  160  at a predetermined position. To minimize the side-to-side movement of the bracket assembly  100  on top of the base member  110 , the right side strut  160  may be inserted into the center strut  150  until the right corner bracket  190  is flush against the right side of the base member.  
         [0020]    On the left side of the bracket assembly  100 , a left side strut  170  may be slidably coupled to the left open end of the center strut  160 . Like the right side strut  160 , a second support pad (not shown) and a left corner bracket  180  may be coupled to the left side strut  170 . Again, to hold the bracket assembly  100  in place, both the right and left side struts may be inserted into the center strut  150  until the right and left corner brackets  190 ,  180  are flush against the left and right sides of the base member  110 . A left speaker arm and right side arm (not shown in FIG. 1) may be pivotally coupled to the left side strut  170  and the right side strut  160 , respectively, to hold a left satellite speaker  130  and a right satellite speaker  120 . Additional speakers (not shown) may also be shown attached to the struts  160  and  170 . Such an arrangement may be used in a 7.1 or greater speaker system where multiple left and right speakers may be positioned to further enhance the sound listening environment.  
         [0021]    The first and second support pads (not shown) help distribute the weight of the bracket assembly  100  across the top of the base member  110 . The left and the right corner brackets  180 ,  190  may be shaped like a “L” to snugly or firmly hold the sides of the base member  110 . To securely couple the center strut  150  to the two side struts  160 ,  170 , the center strut  150  may have a first and a second securing holes (not shown) each adapted to receive a securing pin (not shown) to prevent the left and right side struts  170 ,  160  from sliding once coupled to the center strut  150 . Alternatively, friction or adhesives may be used between the center strut and the two side struts may hold the two struts in place.  
         [0022]    The bracket assembly  100  may be placed on top of the base member  110 . This placement may be accomplished without using any screws or other attachment mechanisms. Other attachment mechanisms may be used to secure the bracket member  100  to the base member if desired. However, this invention minimizes the need of an attachment mechanism such as screws or adhesives and instead uses the weight of the speakers  130  and  120  to hold the bracket assembly  100  in place on top of the base member  110 . To balance the weight of the satellite speakers  130  and  120 , the center strut  150  may be placed along the center of the base member  110 . The two side struts  170  and  160  may extend from the center strut  150 . In addition, the weight of the center speaker  140  may be used as well to secure the center strut  150  on top of the base member  110 . With the bracket assembly  100 , the two satellite speakers and the center speaker may be located near the TV in the same vertical and horizontal planes to substantially provide a uniform soundstage for the front speakers, (typically the left, right and center speakers). As such, the bracket assembly  100  provides a platform for the speakers to generate acoustically ideal surround sound system.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 illustrates the speaker arms  125  pivotally coupled to the left strut  170 , that in turn may be slidably coupled to the center strut  150 . The left speaker arm  125  may pivot about a pivot point  111  on the left side strut  170 . A securing mechanism such as a pin or screw may be used to provide the pivot action between the left speaker arm  125  and the left strut  170 . The left speaker arm  125  may also have a cup  220  capable of receiving at least one of the left speakers. In particular, electrical wires  135  to the speaker may be hidden by running the wires  135  through the bottom side of the bracket assembly  100  and out the speaker wire access hole  155  located in the center strut  150 . The left speaker arm  125  may have an elbow  165  with a recess  175  to dispose the wires within the recess to further hide the wires  35  from the front view.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 also illustrates the left corner bracket  180  coupled along the bottom of the left side strut  170 . The left corner bracket  180  may rotate relative to the left strut  170  so that if the left side of the base member is oblique then the left corner bracket  180  may adjust to account for the oblique side of the base member. The right side of the bracket assembly  100  is a mirror image of the left side illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the left satellite speaker  130  adapted to couple to the left speaker arm  125 . The left speaker arm  125  may have a cup  220  adapted to receive a mounting ball  230  protruding from the left satellite speaker  130 . The mounting ball  230  may have a threaded opening  232  on the bottom side and a flange  231  on the upper side. The mounting ball  230  may be shaped to fit into the cup  220 , and the flange  231  on the mounting ball is adapted to fit into a notch  221  on the cup  220 . Fitting the flange  231  into the notch  221  acts to ensure that the speaker  130  is properly aligned with the bracket assembly  100 . To tie down the speaker  130  to the left speaker arm  125 , a screw  210  may be inserted into the threaded opening  232  through a hole  233  located at the bottom of the cup  220 . Likewise, the right satellite speaker may be coupled to the right speaker arm in a similar manner and additional speakers may be mounted to the speaker arm (not shown). This may be accomplished by attaching the additional speakers to an attachment mechanism secured to the speaker arm allowing the speaker arm to be adjusted. The attachment mechanism may also allow the speaker to be laterally moved and positioned along the speaker arm as well as pivotally rotated or aimed by moving the speaker such that the mounting ball moves within the cup.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 3 also shows the left speaker arm  125  pivotally coupled to the left side strut  170  about the left pivoting point  111 . That is, the left side speaker arm  125  may rotate about the longitudinal axis  195  that is substantially parallel to the left side strut  170 , which in turn allows the speaker  130  to rotate as well. This allows further flexibility to adjust the position and angle of the left satellite speaker  130  depending on the positioning of the bracket assembly. For instance, if the bracket assembly is above its optimum height level, then the speaker arm  125  may be rotated so that the speaker  130  faces down. Likewise, the right speaker arm  145  may pivot about the longitudinal axis  195  as well.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 is a side view of the left speaker arm  125  and the left satellite speaker  130 . The speaker  130  may have a center of gravity  250  that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis  195 . Put differently, the center of gravity  250  of the speaker  130  and the pivot point  111  are substantially aligned with respect to each other. As the speaker arm  125  is rotated about the pivot point  111 , the center of gravity  250  remain substantially aligned with the pivot point  111  and the longitudinal axis  195  so that the weight of the speaker  130  is always applied vertically about the pivot pint  111 . Rotating the speaker arm  125  typically does not affect the weight of the speaker  130  being applied to the bracket assembly and does not apply a torque load to the bracket assembly to tip the bracket assembly over from the base member. The speakers may be angled differently yet still maintain the symmetry in which the weight of the speakers are being applied to the bracket assembly.  
         [0028]    As illustrated in FIG. 4, the speaker arm  125  may be positioned so that the line  260  between the center of gravity  250  of the speaker  130  and the cup  220  is substantially vertical in the direction of gravity. In this position, the weight of the speaker  130  does not apply any torque load on the screw  210  used to couple the mounting ball  230  to the cup  220 . Alternatively, just the weight of the speaker  130  and the flange  231  fitted into the notch  22  may be used to hold the mounting ball  230  within the cup  220  without using additional securing mechanisms such as screws  210 . The flange  231  fitted into the notch  231  prevents the speaker  130  from moving side-to-side and tilting forward, and the weight of the speaker  130  may provide sufficient friction between the mounting ball  230  and the cup  220  to hold the speaker  130  within the cup  220 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the bracket assembly  100  with two satellite speakers  120 ,  130  and the center speaker  140  mounted on the base member  110 . To provide electrical signals to the speakers, the speaker wires  135  may run along the bottom and rear sides of the bracket assembly so that the wires  135  are hidden from the front view. The center speaker  140  may be coupled to the center strut  150  via a clip-on mechanism. That is, the center speaker  140  may be placed over the speaker wire access hole  155  (see FIG. 2), then lowering the center speaker  140  on to the center strut  150 , and clipping the center speaker  140  on the center strut  150 . FIG. 6 illustrates that a satellite speaker  120  may rotate from side-to-side relative to the mounting ball. That is, the satellite speakers  120 ,  130  may freely rotate and adjust to achieve the desired speaker angle and sound radiation output.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 illustrates one of many methods of installing the bracket assembly onto a base member. In step  300 , run the speaker wires through the access hole in the center strut and to the left and right side struts. In step  302 , couple the left and right speaker arms to the left and right side struts, respectively. In step  304 , as an option, couple one support pad on the bottom side of the left side strut and another on the right side strut. In step  306 , couple one corner bracket on the bottom side of the left side strut and another on the right side strut. The two support pads need to be inside of the two corner brackets. In step  308 , slide the left and right side struts into the two opposing ends of the center strut with the speaker access hole facing towards the rear. In step  310 , position the bracket assembly over a base member having a predetermined width, and push the two side struts until the two corner brackets flush against the left and right sides of the base member. In step  312 , as an option, mount the center speaker before coupling the left and right satellite speakers to the speaker arms to add stability to the bracket assembly. In step  314 . install the left and right satellite speakers to respective left and right speaker arms. And in step  316 , attach the speaker wires to all of the speakers.  
         [0031]    While various embodiments of the application have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.