Abstract:
The present invention comprises a loudspeaker system that includes a loudspeaker and a detachable mount. In one or more embodiments, the loudspeaker and mount include electrical connectors that are engaged when the loudspeaker is attached to the mount. In one or more embodiments, the loudspeaker and mount comprise mating mounting structures that support the loudspeaker on the mount when the mounting structure of the loudspeaker is engaged with the mounting structure of the mount. In one or more embodiments, mating electrical connectors are incorporated in the mounting structures such that engaging the mounting structures simultaneously engages the electrical connectors. In one or more embodiments, the loudspeaker comprises a locking mechanism that positively retains the loudspeaker on the mount. In one or more embodiments, the locking mechanism is hidden behind a flexible grill of the loudspeaker such that pressing on a corresponding location on the grill releases the locking mechanism allowing the loudspeaker to be detached from the mount. In one or more embodiments, the mount is configured to be mountable to a standard US or European electrical wiring box. In one or more embodiments, the mating mounting structures are configured to be engageable with a reduced amount of travel. In one or more embodiments, multiple configurations of the mount are provided that allow the loudspeaker to be mounted with a variety of orientations with respect to the mounting surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a loudspeaker system comprising a loudspeaker and a detachable mount. 
         [0003]    (2) Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    It is often desired to mount loudspeakers to walls, ceilings, or other surfaces at locations that are remote from the source of the electrical audio signals that are to be emitted from the loudspeakers. For appearance purposes, it is desirable that the speaker wires connecting the loudspeakers to their audio source (such as, for example, an amplifier or surround-sound system) are not visible. One way to achieve such invisibility is to run the speaker wires through walls. In some cases, structured wiring systems may have been installed in a building&#39;s walls that can be used to transmit the audio from the source to the speakers. In other cases, in-wall wiring can be retrofitted to a building. 
         [0005]    In-wall wiring typically terminates at an electrical junction box that is accessible through a corresponding opening that is created in the wall material. A wall plate is typically mounted to the electrical box to cover the wall opening. For speaker wire applications, the wall plate typically includes connectors on the outside of the plate that are electrically connected to the in-wall wires. Typical connectors include banana plugs, spring clips, and screw terminals. Wires are typically run from the wall plate connectors to terminals on the loudspeaker housing. Accordingly, although the bulk of the wiring from the audio source to the loudspeakers may be hidden inside the walls, the portions running from the wall plate to the loudspeaker remain visible. Further, if it is desired to mount the loudspeaker on a wall or other surface, several steps must be performed: a loudspeaker mount must be attached to the wall, the loudspeaker must be attached to the mount, and wires must be run from the wall plate to the loudspeaker. 
         [0006]    It is desirable to have a loudspeaker system that allows convenient and secure mounting of the loudspeaker to a wall plate and that eliminates unsightly exposed speaker wires. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention comprises a loudspeaker system that includes a loudspeaker and a detachable mount. In one or more embodiments, the loudspeaker and mount include electrical connectors that are engaged when the loudspeaker is attached to the mount. In one or more embodiments, the loudspeaker and mount comprise mating mounting structures that support the loudspeaker on the mount when the mounting structure of the loudspeaker is engaged with the mounting structure of the mount. In one or more embodiments, mating electrical connectors are incorporated in the mounting structures such that engaging the mounting structures simultaneously engages the electrical connectors. In one or more embodiments, the loudspeaker comprises a locking mechanism that positively retains the loudspeaker on the mount. In one or more embodiments, the locking mechanism is hidden behind a flexible grill of the loudspeaker such that pressing on a corresponding location on the grill releases the locking mechanism allowing the loudspeaker to be detached from the mount. In one or more embodiments, the mount is configured to be mountable to a standard US or European electrical wiring box. In one or more embodiments, the mating mounting structures are configured to be engageable with a reduced amount of travel. In one or more embodiments, multiple configurations of the mount are provided that allow the loudspeaker to be mounted with a variety of orientations with respect to the mounting surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention may be understood and its features made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a top view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker and a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15   a  is a side view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker and a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 15   b  is a side view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker and a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15   c  is a side view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker and a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a front view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a top view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a bottom view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a side view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a side view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker and a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  is a sectional side view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker and a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a speaker mount of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 26  is a cut-away view of an embodiment of a loudspeaker of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]      FIGS. 1 to 7  illustrate a loudspeaker  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , loudspeaker  100  includes a speaker housing  110  and a grille  120 . Speaker housing  110  and grille  120 , as well as the internal structure and configuration of loudspeaker  100 , are not critical and can be of any form, shape, and material as may be known in the art. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , housing  110  includes a recessed mounting channel  200  that is part of a mounting structure for mounting loudspeaker  100  to a mating speaker mount. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , mounting channel  200  includes a channel neck  400 , a locking pin  410 , and a mounting lip  420 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , mounting channel  200  includes conducting elements  700  and  710  that are configured to engage and provide electrical contact to corresponding conducting elements in a mating speaker mount. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 8 to 13  illustrate a speaker mount  800  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. In one or more embodiments, speaker mount  800  is configured to attach to loudspeaker  100  and to a standard electrical junction box (not shown). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , speaker mount  800  includes a rear portion  805  and a mounting structure portion extending outwards from rear portion  805  that includes a lower support portion  820  and an upper support portion  810 . Lower support portion  820  and upper support portion  810  are configured to engage, for example, recessed mounting channel  200  of loudspeaker  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , upper support portion  810  includes a slot  840  that is configured to accept locking pin  410  of loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is mounted to speaker mount  800 . In one or more embodiments, slot  840  includes a locking recess  850  that positively engages the head of locking pin  410  when loudspeaker  100  is fully seated on speaker mount  800 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , lower support portion  820  includes socket portions  830  and  835  that contain conducting elements that are configured to mate with conducting elements  700  and  710  of loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is mounted to speaker mount  800 . 
         [0039]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , rear portion  805  of speaker mount  800  includes a number of orifices. Those orifices include an upper orifice  910  that includes an upper screw recess  905  and lower screw orifices  930  and  935 . In one or more embodiments, lower screw orifices  930  and  935  are configured as slots that allow a degree of positional adjustment of speaker mount  800  with respect to an electrical junction box to which speaker mount  800  is mounted. In one or more embodiments, upper screw orifice  905  and lower screw orifice  930  are configured to correspond to the spacing of cover plate attachment screws for a first size of a standard electrical junction box (e.g. a standard metric electrical junction box that has 60 mm attachment screw spacing), while upper screw recess  905  and lower screw orifice  935  are configured to correspond to the spacing of cover plate attachment screws for a second size of a standard electrical junction box (e.g. a standard U.S. electrical junction box that has 3.25 inch attachment screw spacing). 
         [0040]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , socket portions  830  and  835  of speaker mount  800  include conducting elements  1110  and  1120  that are configured to engage conducting elements  700  and  710  of loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is mounted to speaker mount  800 . Conducting elements  700 ,  710 ,  1110  and  1120  can be any type of mating conducting elements. In one or more embodiments, conducting elements  700 ,  710 ,  1110  and  1120  comprise standard electrical connectors, for example, mating pin and socket Molex connectors. 
         [0041]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , upper support portion  810  of speaker mount  800  includes a tapered gap  1300  between upper support portion  810  and rear portion  805 . In one or more embodiments, gap  1300  is configured to accept mounting lip  420  of loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is mounted to speaker mount  800 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 14 and 15   a,    15   b  and  15   c  illustrate how loudspeaker  100  is mounted to speaker mount  800  according to one or more embodiments of the invention. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15   a , loudspeaker  100  is lined up such that the top of upper support portion  810  of speaker mount  800  is below mounting lip  420  of mounting channel  200  of loudspeaker  100  such that upper and lower support portions  810  and  820  of speaker mount  800  engage mounting channel  200  of loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is moved horizontally towards speaker mount  800 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 15   b , once loudspeaker  100  is positioned such that upper and lower support portions  810  and  820  of speaker mount  800  are engaged within mounting channel  200  of speaker mount  800 , loudspeaker  100  is moved vertically downwards with respect to speaker mount  800  until loudspeaker  100  is fully seated on speaker mount  800 , as shown in  FIG. 15   c . As is apparent from  FIG. 15   c , because mounting channel  200  is recessed into the housing of loudspeaker  100 , when loudspeaker  100  is seated on speaker mount  800 , there is only a small separation between the rear of loudspeaker  100  and the mounting surface. Having such a recessed mounting channel allows loudspeaker  100  to be mounted close to the mounting surface, such that the distance that the front of loudspeaker  100  extends from the mounting surface is not much more than the depth of loudspeaker  100  itself, thereby facilitating compliance with building codes (such as, for example, the Americans with Disabilities Act) that limit the distance that objects may extend outwards from inside building walls. 
         [0043]    In one or more embodiments, when loudspeaker  100  is fully seated on speaker mount  800 , mounting lip  420  of mounting channel  200  of loudspeaker  100  is seated in tapered gap  1300  of speaker mount  800 , locking pin  410  of loudspeaker  100  engages locking recess  850  of slot  840  of speaker mount  800 , and conducting elements  700  and  710  of loudspeaker  100  are in electrical contact with conducting elements  1110  and  1120  of speaker mount  800 . In one or more embodiments, mounting channel  200  of loudspeaker  100  and upper and lower support portions  810  and  820  of speaker mount  800  are configured such that the amount of vertical travel needed for loudspeaker  100  to engage speaker mount  800  (and hence the minimum clearance required above loudspeaker  100  when mounted to speaker mount  800 ) is approximately an inch. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 16 to 21  show an embodiment of an angled speaker mount  1600  of the invention. In one or more embodiments, angled speaker mount  1600  is configured to maintain a loudspeaker at an angle with respect to the mounting surface, such as a wall. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16 to 21 , angled speaker mount  1600  is configured to maintain loudspeaker  100  at an angle of approximately 10 degrees with respect to a mounting surface, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 22 . However, angled speaker mount  1600  can be configured to maintain loudspeaker  100  at any other angle. In one or more embodiments, angled speaker mount  1600  is configured to allow the angle of loudspeaker  100  to be varied by incorporating, for example, a hinged plate, or by use of adapter plates each of which increases the angle by a specified amount. 
         [0045]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 16 to 21 , angled speaker mount  1600  includes a wedge-shaped rear portion  1610  and upper and lower support portions  1615  and  1620 . Wedge-shaped rear portion  1610  maintains upper and lower support portions  1615  and  1620 , respectively, at an angle with respect to a mounting surface. Upper and lower support portions  1615  and  1620  have the same general configuration as upper and lower support portions  810  and  820  of speaker mount  800 , and are configured to engage mounting channel  200  of loudspeaker  100 , and mount to loudspeaker  100 , in the same manner as speaker mount  800 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , in one or more embodiments, wedge-shaped rear portion  1610  comprises a number of orifices on rear mounting face  1715 . In one or more embodiments, the orifices include an upper orifice  1705  comprising an upper screw orifice  1710  and lower screw orifices  1720  and  1730 , which have the same general configuration as upper orifice  910 , upper screw orifice  905 , and lower screw orifices  930  and  935  of speaker mount  800  of  FIG. 9 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 , angled speaker mount  1600 , like speaker mount  800  shown in  FIG. 13 , includes a tapered slot  2100  for engaging mounting lip  420  of loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is seated on angled speaker mount  1600 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 23  is a sectional view of an embodiment of speaker  100  mounted to an angled speaker mount  1600 , which in turn is mounted to a junction box  2300  mounted in a wall  2200 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , when speaker  100  is fully seated on angled speaker mount  1600 , mounting lip  420  of loudspeaker  100  is disposed within tapered slot  2100  of angled speaker mount  1600 , lower support portion  1620  of angled speaker mount  1600  is disposed in mounting channel  200  of loudspeaker  100 , and locking pin  410  of loudspeaker  100  is engaged in locking recess  1625  of upper support portion  1615  of angled speaker mount  1600 . In addition, conducting elements  700  and  710  of loudspeaker  100  are in electrical contact with conducting elements  1910  and  1920  of speaker mount  1600 . 
         [0047]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 23 , locking pin  410  is part of a locking mechanism that includes a plunger  2310  disposed in a channel  2315  formed in loudspeaker  100 . The end of plunger  2310  opposite from locking pin  410  is disposed inside loudspeaker housing  110  behind grille  120  so that it is “hidden” in the sense that the locking mechanism is disposed behind grille  120 . A spring  2320  (for example, a coil spring) that engages a shoulder  2325  on plunger  2310  biases plunger  2310  towards its recessed (retracted) position. In its retracted position, there is clearance between plunger  2310  and grille  120 . In one or more embodiments, grille  120  is sufficiently flexible such that pressing on grille  120  adjacent to the position of plunger  2310  causes grille  120  to deform so as to contact and push plunger  2310  away from its retracted position against the bias exerted by spring  2320 . If loudspeaker  100  is engaged on a speaker mount, pushing on grille  120  disengages locking pin  410  from the corresponding locking recess of the speaker mount, allowing loudspeaker  100  to be disengaged from the speaker mount. In one or more embodiments, grille  120  is formed from a flexible, resilient plastic material, which allows it to have a domed shape yet be sufficiently deformable so as to be able to contact and push plunger  2310  as described above and return to its original shape when released. In one or more embodiments, the grille is molded from a polycarbonate/ABS blend. However, any other materials capable of being formed into a grille may be used, as will be known to those of skill in the art. In one or more embodiments, the grille comprises a pattern of 3/16 inch diameter holes on staggered centers that provides approximately 51% of free area, and that is similar in appearance to grilles often used in ceiling vents. 
         [0048]      FIG. 24  shows electrical connections for the speaker wires for a speaker mount  800  in one or more embodiments of the invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 24 , a European type terminal block  2410  is attached to speaker mount  800 , for example, by one or more screws or rivets. Two wires,  2415  and  2420 , each with an electrical connector (for example a Molex™ or similar connector)  2425  and  2430 , respectively, are connected to the lower two terminals of terminal block  2410 . Electrical connectors  2425  and  2430  are inserted into corresponding holes in lower support portion  820 , and lock into place by means of metal tab portions on the sides of the connectors, as is known in the art. When mounted to an electrical junction box, in-wall speaker wires may be threaded through orifice  2440  and connected to the upper two terminals of terminal block  2410 , thereby creating an electrical connection to connectors  2425  and  2430 , which contact corresponding electrical connectors of a loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is mounted to speaker mount  800 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 25  shows electrical connections for the speaker wires for an angled speaker mount  1600  in one or more embodiments of the invention Like the embodiment of  FIG. 24 , in the embodiment of  FIG. 25 , a European type terminal block  2510  is attached to angled speaker mount  1600 , for example, by one or more screws or rivets. Two wires,  2515  and  2520 , each with an electrical connector (for example a Molex™ or similar connector)  2525  and  2530 , respectively, are connected to the lower two terminals of terminal block  2510 . Electrical connectors  2525  and  2530  are inserted into corresponding holes in lower support portion  1620 , and lock into place by means of metal tab portions on the sides of the connectors, as is known in the art. When mounted to an electrical junction box, in-wall speaker wires may be threaded through orifice  2540  and connected to the upper two terminals of terminal block  2510 , thereby creating an electrical connection to connectors  2525  and  2530 , which contact corresponding electrical connectors of a loudspeaker  100  when loudspeaker  100  is mounted to speaker mount  800 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 26  shows the internal wiring of a loudspeaker  100  according to one or more embodiments of the invention. In  FIG. 26 , the rear portion of housing  110  is not shown so that portions of the internal structure of loudspeaker  100  are visible.  FIG. 26  shows a front portion  2600  of a speaker housing that includes a speaker port  2610 , a locking plunger channel  2620 , and a speaker driver  2630  mounted to front portion  2600 . Speaker wires  2640  and  2645  are each attached to the electrical terminals of speaker driver  2630  at one end and to electrical connectors (for example Molex™ or similar connectors)  2650  and  2655 , respectively, at the other end. In one or more embodiments, in an assembled loudspeaker  100 , connectors  2650  and  2655  are inserted in corresponding holes in the rear housing portion (not shown) and lock into place by means of metal tab portions on the sides of the connectors, as is known in the art. In one or more embodiments, when installed in the rear housing portion, connectors  2650  and  2655  extend into mounting channel  200  such that they engage corresponding connectors  2430  and  2425  (shown in  FIG. 26  disembodied from any speaker mount to help show their interaction with connectors  2650  and  2655 ) of a corresponding wall mount when loudspeaker  100  is mounted to the speaker mount, as described above. 
         [0051]    Thus, a novel loudspeaker system comprising a loudspeaker and mating speaker mounts has been disclosed. Besides offering a more convenient manner to mount and wire surface mount speakers, the present invention allows division of the installation process into tasks that are easily allocated among conventional divisions of trade between, for example, a building contractor and an AV (“audio video”) installer. For example, the contractor is commonly responsible for installing in-wall wiring and junction boxes, while the AV installer is responsible for installing the speakers thermselves, as well as making electrical connections to the speaker. In an example installation process, the contractor would run the wires through the wall to a junction box affixed to a wall stud and create an appropriate opening in the wall surface (i.e. drywall) adjacent to the junction box. The AV installer would attach the speaker mount to the junction box, connect the in-wall wires to the speaker mount electrical connectors, and mount the speaker on the mount. 
         [0052]    Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the inventive features of the present invention are applicable to other embodiments as well, all of which are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, although specific configurations of a loudspeaker have been disclosed, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular size, shape, capacity, or type of loudspeaker. Further, although speaker mounts have been described that are configured to be mountable to a surface such as a wall or to an electrical junction box, speaker mounts incorporating the inventive features of the invention can be configured to be free standing or to mount to any type of surface, item, or object, and can be configured to provide electrical connections, including in-wall, exposed, and wireless connections to any type of audio source, including portable or mobile devices. In addition to or instead of providing electrical connections for audio signals, the mating mounting structures of the loudspeaker and speaker mount can provide additional and/or other types of electrical connections, such as, for example, power or network communications connections. Although embodiments have been described in which one speaker mount is used to mount one loudspeaker, for large loudspeakers, more than one speaker mounts may be used for a single loudspeaker. Although embodiments of the loudspeaker and speaker mount of the invention have been described as each having one mounting structure, the loudspeaker and speaker mounts can each have multiple mounting structures that allow attachment to the other at different positions or orientations. Although the mating mounting structures of the present invention have been described as being used for loudspeaker systems, other types of objects may use the mating mounting structures of the invention. Although particular configurations for the mating mounting structures for a loudspeaker and a speaker mount have been described, any other configuration can be used that provides a positive engagement of the loudspeaker with the speaker mount and that provides an electrical connection between the loudspeaker and the speaker mount when the loudspeaker is engaged with the speaker mount. Also, although a particular configuration of a “hidden” locking mechanism has been disclosed, any other configurations as will be apparent to those skilled in the art can be used.