Abstract:
The combination of a stand and speaker enclosure having a plurality of walls, a driveable speaker located on one of the walls, connectors for interfacing to the speaker located on another wall and wherein the stand and the enclosure are cooperatively configured to facilitate the orientation of the speaker between a forward firing position and a down firing position and wherein the driveable speaker is elevated in the down firing position to optimize sound emanation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to speaker systems. More specifically, the present invention is directed to small-volume woofers or subwoofers that produce high-fidelity, low-frequency acoustic energy using one or more drivers. Traditionally, such devices have been provided front/forwarding firing systems or down-firing systems.  
         [0003]     Today, stereo systems, audio/visual equipment and computers to name a few electronic devices, are an integral part of every home or office. In conjunction with this myriad of devices there are numerous shapes, sizes, forms and variations of speaker systems that are utilized by such devices to provide acoustical energy or sound to a listener. These speaker systems address both functional and aesthetic needs within the environment that they are placed. Directional sound, room acoustics, surround sound effects and other such attributes, which are essential to enhancing listener experience, are key elements in the design of speaker systems. In order to provide less physically intrusive speakers in the environment into which speakers are placed, issues of appearance or methods of blending the speaker into the environment are also taken into account by manufacturers and designers of such systems. In some instances, the speaker is camouflaged to blend in with the environment. In other instances the speakers are scaled down in size to be less noticeable. Irrespective of the physical characteristics, such speakers must ultimately be installed or placed somewhere within a room, a confined area, or some other environment, or in some cases the speakers are built into a cabinet or other enclosure. These speakers are manufactured and designed primarily to provide a pleasant end user audible experience. To accomplish this task, there are several types of speaker systems, each of which span a range of output frequencies and tones and are designed for strategic placement within a listening environment.  
         [0004]     In home audio and home theatre applications in particular, a high resolution speaker system for providing low frequency acoustic energy, known as a sub woofer, is one of the generally utilized speakers. Traditional sub woofers are designed and installed in one of two configurations namely, down firing or front firing. An end customer must decide on one of the directional firing options of a speaker at the time of purchase and live with that choice. When a room is redesigned or the speaker is moved to a new environment, that earlier choice may no longer be appropriate either for acoustical reasons or for aesthetic reasons. Regardless, the end customer is locked into the configuration that was initially purchased with the only other option being the purchase of a second system that has the alternate configuration. There are several reasons for this, for example, if a listener were to physically orient a front firing sub woofer into a down firing position, the sounds would be muffled and the acoustic characteristics of the speaker will be greatly distorted. Conversely, orienting a down firing sub woofer in a front firing position would not be as aesthetically pleasing because areas of the speaker enclosure that were not intended to be visible may be exposed.  
         [0005]     There is therefore a need for a system that provides versatility to an end user, allowing the end user to place a subwoofer in varying locations in a room, choose between front firing or down firing configuration and present a more aesthetically pleasing piece of equipment that can look good or blend in with other furnishings. Even further there is a need for a system that allows the end user a variety of installation options.  
         [0006]     The present invention addresses this need and overcomes the limitations of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     To address these and other concerns, the present invention provides, among other things, a sub-woofer speaker apparatus, comprising a speaker enclosure having a driveable speaker located on a first side of the speaker enclosure, with the first side having one or more grommets recessed therein. A plurality of electrical connectors provide an interface to the speaker apparatus and are located on a second side of the speaker enclosure. This connector wall of the speaker apparatus also has one or more grommets recessed therein. A stand with an opening sized to enable reverberation in a down firing configuration, has one or more bosses to engage the grommets on either of the first or seconds sides of the speaker enclosure. The stand is removedly attachable to either side of the speaker enclosure for orienting the speaker apparatus between a front firing position and a down firing position.  
         [0008]     The present invention further provides a driveable speaker located on a first side of the speaker enclosure and a plurality of connectors located on a second side of the speaker enclosure, wherein the two sides are perpendicular to each other. Even further, in the present invention the speaker enclosure is rotatable approximately 90 degrees between the front firing position and the down firing position.  
         [0009]     Further still, the present invention includes a stand to elevate the sub-woofer speaker from the floor level. The height of the speaker&#39;s elevation is computed as a function of the characteristic of the driveable speaker system, including the speaker&#39;s dimension.  
         [0010]     Further yet, the present invention provides a speaker enclosure that is a cube and which utilizes a stand having a perimeter that matches the perimeter of the cubed speaker enclosure.  
         [0011]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various constructions and implementations of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. The various elements and combinations of elements described below and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently to result in constructions which are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an exemplary speaker system and components of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a speaker system in a front firing configuration of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded side view of the speaker system of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded side view of embodiment of the speaker system of the present invention in a down firing configuration; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross section view of a corner portion of the speaker system of the present invention illustrating an exemplary attachment of a grill and stand. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     The detailed embodiment of the present invention is described herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary and that the invention may be embodied in a variety of forms. Therefore, the illustrated drawing figures and description herein should not be construed to limit or otherwise set forth the scope of the invention but rather to provide a basis for the claims and to teach the making of the present invention.  
         [0019]     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a subwoofer assembly  10  in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The subwoofer assembly  10  includes a speaker enclosure  12  shaped and dimensioned to fit a stand  14  and includes a grill  16 . The speaker enclosure  12  houses one or more acoustic sound source. Specifically, and as shown in an exploded view of an exemplary speaker system in  FIG. 1 , the speaker enclosure  12  includes a number of rigid side walls  18   a, b, c , and  d , a cone wall  20 , and a connector wall  22 . The cone wall  20  is connected by a first and second side wall  18   a ,  18   b , a top wall  18   c , a back wall  18   d  and the connector wall  20 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sidewalls  18 , cone wall  20  and connector wall  22  are approximately equally dimensioned, to form a cube like speaker enclosure  12 . While the present invention calls for the speaker enclosure  12  to be cubic in shape, it is contemplated that certain sides thereof may be rectangular or polygonal depending on the corresponding stand (described later) to accommodate enclosure  12 . The speaker enclosure  12  is preferably made of light weight materials in a variety of colors which are traditionally found in audio-visual equipment, although other materials may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
         [0020]     The cone wall  20  includes a speaker cone  24  and a plurality of rubber or elastomeric grommets  26 . The speaker cone  24  is recessed into the cavity of the speaker enclosure  12 , as are the grommets  26 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the grommets  26  are located close to each corner of the cone wall  20 ; however, recessed areas could be formed in the same locations without the grommets.  
         [0021]     The connector wall  22  has a number of electrical connectors  28  mounted on its surface. The connectors  28  provide for the connection of signal wires (not shown) to internal wiring of the speaker. The connector wall  22  also includes a plurality of rubber grommets  26 , which are also located approximately in the corners of the connector wall  22 .  
         [0022]     The stand  14  provides a horizontal supporting surface for the speaker enclosure  12 . The stand  14  includes an aperture  30 , a stand surface  32 , legs  34  and stand bosses  36  (see  FIGS. 3, 4 , and  5 ). As will be discussed in detail later in this document, the aperture  30  serves two functions with respect to the subwoofer assembly  10  of the present invention. Generally, the speaker enclosure  12  is oriented in a first configuration wherein the cone wall  20  contacts and rests upon the stand surface  32 . In a second configuration, the connector wall  22  contacts and rests upon the stand surface  32 . The legs  34  of the stand  14  elevate the speaker enclosure  12  off the floor or other supporting surface. The legs  34  are dimensioned to provide proper sound emanation for the speaker assembly  10  of the present invention when the speaker enclosure  12  is appropriately oriented with the cone wall  20  facing downward. The bosses  36  provide a mechanism by which the stand  14  may be attached to the speaker enclosure  12 . However, it is within the scope of the invention that the speaker enclosure  12  need not be attached to the stand  14 .  
         [0023]     The grill  16  provides an aesthetic covering for portions of the speaker enclosure  12 . The grill  16  includes a front material side  38 , a rear contact side  40 , and a plurality of grill bosses  42  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In operation, the grill  16  is preferably attached to the speaker enclosure  12 , with the front material side  38  facing outwardly and the rear contact side  40  facing inwardly towards the speaker enclosure  12 . Attachment of the grill  16  is preferably by introducing the plurality of grill bosses  42  into the grommets  26  on either of the cone wall  20  or the connector wall  22 .  
         [0024]     A perspective view of the subwoofer assembly  10  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . This figure depicts the speaker enclosure  12  in the front firing position. As shown, the speaker enclosure  12  is mounted on the stand  14 . The grommets  26  located on the connector wall  22  receive the stand bosses  36 . The grommets  26  and stand bosses  26  are well known in the art and are dimensioned to create a snug fit when engaged, so as to secure the stand  14  to the speaker enclosure  12 . Similarly, the grill bosses  42  are also dimensioned to snuggly fit the grommets  26 . The grill  16  is removedly attached to the cone wall  20 . In this orientation, the grill bosses  42  engage the grommets  26  located on the cone wall  20 . The alignment of the stand  14  and grill  16  with the speaker enclosure  12 , along with one orientation of the speaker enclosure  12  is further illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a partially exploded side view of the speaker assembly  10  illustrating the relative positions of the grill  16 , stand  14 , and connectors  28 . In this orientation of the speaker assembly  10 , i.e. a front or forward firing position which is known in the art, the cone wall  20  faces the selected direction or other environment where a listener may be located. Thus the terms front or forward are directional terms relative to the speaker&#39;s location on the stand and not necessarily relating to the speaker assembly&#39;s location in a room or space. Notably, in the present invention, the connectors  28  on the connector wall  22  are positioned within the circumference of the aperture  30  of the stand  14 , thus enabling the speaker enclosure  12  to rest squarely onto the stand  14 . Further, the stand bosses  36  hold the speaker enclosure  12  in position. Even further, the elevation provided by the stand  14  prevents the connectors  28  from resting directly upon the surface on which the speaker assembly  10  is located and provides a clearance for signal wires to be connected.  
         [0026]     An alternative orientation and configuration for the speaker enclosure  12 , stand  14  and grill  16  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 4 , an exploded side view of an embodiment of the speaker assembly  10  of the present invention in a down firing configuration is shown. In this embodiment, the down firing orientation is an alternative from the front firing orientation of  FIG. 3  and is achieved by detaching the stand  14  and grill  16  from the speaker enclosure  12 . The speaker enclosure  12  is then rotated ninety degrees in order to have the speaker cone  24  facing the floor or other supporting surface. In this orientation of the speaker assembly  10 , i.e. a down firing position, the cone wall  20  faces the surface on which the speaker assembly  10  is resting. The connector wall  22  is directed into a room or other environment where a listener may be located. Notably, the elevation provided by the stand  14  enables proper sound emanation for the speaker assembly  10 . The speaker cone  24  is positioned within the circumference of the aperture  30  of the stand  14 , thus further enabling proper acoustic delivery. The speaker enclosure  12  rests squarely on the stand  14 , on its cone wall  20 . Further, the stand bosses  36  hold the speaker enclosure  12  in position by engaging the grommets  26  of the cone wall  20 . If desired, the grill  16  can be attached to the connector wall  22  to obscure the electrical connectors  28  and present a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the subwoofer assembly  10 .  
         [0027]     An important feature of the present invention that enables the functional versatility provided by the ability to rotate and utilize the speaker enclosure  12  of the present invention in a front firing or down firing configuration, is the interchangeable placement of the different walls  20 , 22  of the speaker enclosure  12  upon stand  14 . The aesthetic versatility is achieved by a similar interchangeable placement of the grill  16 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross sectional view of a corner portion of the speaker system of the present invention illustrating an exemplary attachment of the grill  16  and stand  14 , to the speaker enclosure  12 . As shown, the matching placement of the grommets  26  on each of the cone wall  20  and connector wall  22 , along with a corresponding matching placement of the stand bosses  36  and grill bosses  42  enable either of the stand  14  or grill  16  to be attached to either of the walls  20 ,  22  of the speaker enclosure  12 . When either the stand  14  or grill  16  is attached to the speaker enclosure  12 , the grummet  26  snuggly secures the corresponding boss  36 ,  42 . Also as shown in  FIG. 5 , the perimeter surface of each of the stand  14  and grill  16  essentially line up with the corresponding surfaces of the speaker enclosure  12 . It would be understood by one skilled in the art that the illustrated grommets  26  or bosses  36 ,  42  for attaching the components of subwoofer assembly  10  are merely exemplary and that other methods for attaching or placing such components, are contemplated and within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0029]     The constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.