Abstract:
Systems and techniques to simply, easily and quickly attache and detach a speaker to a mounting location. A speaker bracket can provide a pivot point for the speaker that also serves as an audio signal connection point. The speaker bracket can be built in a robust fashion and can include a receptacle that is mounted on a surface, such as an indoor or outdoor wall, on the side of a pool or spa, or in any other suitable location. The speaker bracket can also include a support that can be attached and detached from the receptacle. When attached, the support rotates about the receptacle via a pivot point. A positioning mechanism can be included that allows the support to be removably fixed or locked into a desired position relative to the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Serial No. 60/429,656, filed Nov. 27, 2002, and entitled “SPA-BASED SPEAKER”; and U.S. Ser. No. 10/306,173, filed Nov. 27, 2002, and entitled “WIRELESS AUDIO SYSTEM IN A SPA.” Both applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and filed on the same day as the present application. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    The present application relates to brackets for supporting audio speakers.  
           [0003]    Audio speakers may be used in indoor and outdoor applications, and speakers may be mounted on brackets. Traditional speaker brackets allow speakers to be moved into various positions and to be locked in place. In addition, audio speakers have been included in spas. Such conventional spa speakers are typically embedded in an interior surface wall of a spa and/or nestled into spa cabinetry.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    The present application includes systems and techniques relating to a simple, robust speaker bracket that allows a speaker to be attached and detached easily and quickly. A speaker bracket can provide a pivot point for the speaker that also serves as an audio signal connection point. The speaker bracket can include a receptacle that is mounted on a surface, such as an indoor or outdoor wall, on the side of a pool or spa, or in any other suitable location. The speaker bracket can also include a support that can be attached and detached from the receptacle. When attached, the support rotates about the receptacle via a pivot point. The support may be integral to an audio speaker, or the support may be separate from the speaker. In the latter case, any speaker may be manufactured or modified to attach to the support.  
           [0005]    The speaker bracket includes a positioning mechanism that facilitates attaching and detaching of the support from the receptacle and allows the support to be removably and rotatably fixed in a desired position. The positioning mechanism can include a hole formed in the receptacle. The hole may be a standard ¼″ female audio jack, wired to the audio system. The support can include a standard ¼″ male audio plug that is inserted into the female jack on the receptacle. The male plug and female jack thus become the pivot point of the support, allowing the support to rotatably pivot relative to the receptacle, with the axis of rotation running through the male plug.  
           [0006]    The positioning mechanism can also include at least one female tab with a detent formed on or as part of the receptacle, in which case the support has a corresponding male tab with a button. When the support is rotated about the pivot point, the button on the male tab engages the detent on the female tab, rotatably and removably fixing the support in place relative to the receptacle. Thus, the support and speaker can be rotated into a desired position and temporarily locked in place. By reversing the process (i.e., by rotating the support to disengage the locking mechanism and pulling the support outward, thereby removing the male plug from the female jack), the support and hence the speaker are easily detached from the receptacle.  
           [0007]    The speaker bracket described herein can be used to mount a speaker on a wall, on a pool, or on a spa. The speaker bracket can allow the speaker to stand in a correct position, and the speaker bracket can be robust and resistant to breakage. In outdoor applications, the speaker bracket can stand up to exposure to the elements, such as cold, heat, humidity, and precipitation. At the same time, the speaker bracket can be low-cost. These advantages of the speaker bracket can be of particular value in outdoor applications, where speakers may be subject to collisions and to harsh elements, such as on the side of a pool or spa, and where pumping systems and water jets used to move water in the spa can generate a substantial amount of noise.  
           [0008]    By mounting speakers on the side of a spa, the spa users can easily hear the audio generated by the speakers over such noise, but such placement of speakers can make the speakers subject to collisions with both people getting into and out of the spa and with the spa cover, which is typically a heavy, removable cover. Moreover, spas are frequently placed in cold weather environments, but at the same time generate substantial heat and humidity from the heated water circulating in the spa. In the heat of the summer or during other periods, however, the spa may go unused. As a result, a speaker bracket, such as described herein, that allows the speaker to rotate and to be quickly and easily removed can be very advantageous.  
           [0009]    The receptacle and support structures of the speaker bracket can be made from sheet metal, contributing to the speaker bracket being low-cost and robust. Alternatively, other materials can be used for the receptacle and support, such as plastic or polymers, depending on environmental conditions, speaker weight, and cost constraints.  
           [0010]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages may be apparent from the description and drawings.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example speaker bracket.  
         [0012]    FIGS.  2 A- 2 C illustrate the process for attaching a support to a receptacle for the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a cut-away side view of a spa with an example detachable, rotatable speaker.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 shows a speaker attached to a spa in accordance with one embodiment.  
         [0015]    FIGS.  5 A- 5 C illustrate the process for detaching a support and speaker from a receptacle, in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 4. 
     
    
       [0016]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]    The present application describes systems and techniques relating to speaker brackets, such as may be used with a spa. As used herein, the term “spa” means a tub used for relaxation, invigoration, or health; the term “spa” includes free-standing spas, swim spas, and spas generally, regardless of size. A speaker bracket can include two pieces, a receptacle and a support, that can be rotatably and detachably connected to one another. The receptacle can be mounted on a surface, for example, a vertical surface such as a wall. The support is rotatably attached to the receptacle using a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism allows the support to be easily attached and detached from the receptacle and allows the support to be rotated about the receptacle. As part of the positioning system, a protrusion can be formed as part of the support, in which case the protrusion is inserted into a corresponding hole in the receptacle. The hole may also be extended into the wall on which the receptacle is mounted. The positioning mechanism may also include a means for rotatably and temporarily locking the support in a desired position relative to the receptacle.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 shows an example speaker bracket  100 . The speaker bracket can include a receptacle  102  and a support  104 . The support  104  can have a protrusion  106 , shown here as a ¼″ standard male audio plug. The male plug  106  can be inserted into a corresponding hole  108  in the receptacle  102 , shown here as a ¼″ standard female audio jack. The female jack  108  may be affixed to the receptacle  102  using a washer  110  and a threaded nut  112 . Similarly, the male plug  106  may be affixed to the support  104  using a washer and a threaded nut (not shown). Those skilled in the art will recognize that, alternatively, the male plug  106  and the female jack  108  may be affixed to the receptacle  102  and the support  104  using adhesive and friction, a grommet, or any other suitable means. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize that the male plug  106  and female jack  108  need not be ¼″ standard audio jacks, but could be any suitable audio connector, including RCA plugs, banana plugs, or a custom connector. Alternatively, an inactive (i.e., non-electrical) protrusion and hole could be substituted for the male plug  106  and female jack  108 , and the audio connection between the support  104  and the receptacle  102  could be accomplished in another manner, such as by running wires from the receptacle  102  to the support  104 . The protrusion could be part of the receptacle  102 , and the support  104  could have the corresponding hole for accepting the protrusion.  
         [0019]    The receptacle  102  and the support  104  can be made from sheet metal, making the speaker bracket  100  low-cost and robust. It will be understood, however, that the receptacle  102  and the support  104  may be made from other materials as well. Suitable alternative materials include plastic, polymer, aluminum, or titanium, depending on environmental conditions, speaker weight, and cost constraints. Any of these materials will work, provided the receptacle  102  and the support  104  are made of any flexible material that is sufficiently rigid to support shear. Many polymers meet this requirement, meaning the receptacle  102  and the support  104  can be made by injection molding, compression molding, or thermoforming. In addition, the receptacle  102  and support  104  can each be made from different materials, for example, a sheet metal receptacle and polymer support. Furthermore, a mixture of materials could be used on either of the receptacle  102  or support  104 .  
         [0020]    As shown in FIG. 1, the receptacle  102  and support  104  can include a positioning mechanism that includes the male plug  106 , the female jack  108 , at least one male tab on the support  104  (two male tabs  114  and  116  are shown), and at least one corresponding female tab on the receptacle  102  (two female tabs  118  and  120  are shown). Each male tab  114 ,  116  on the support  104  can include a button  122 ,  124 , while each female tab  118 ,  120  on the receptacle  102  can include a corresponding detent  126 ,  128  (shown in FIGS.  2 A- 2 C).  
         [0021]    FIGS.  2 A- 2 C illustrate a technique for rotatably attaching the speaker bracket  100 , including operation of an exemplary positioning mechanism. FIG. 2A shows the support  104  and the receptacle  102  prior to attachment. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the support  104  is positioned relative to the receptacle  102  such that the male tabs  114 ,  116  are not aligned with the female tabs  118 ,  120 . Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the male plug  106  on the support  104  is fully inserted into the opening in the female jack  108  on the receptacle  102 . Because the male tabs  114 ,  116  and female tabs  118 ,  120  are not aligned with each other, the male plug  106  may be inserted fully into the female jack  108 . Once insertion is complete, the support  104  may be rotated relative to the receptacle  102  about a pivot point located at the male plug  106  and female jack  108 , bringing the male tabs  114 ,  116  and female tabs  118 ,  120  into alignment with each other, and allowing the buttons  122 ,  124  to engage the detents  126 ,  128 , as shown in FIG. 2C. The support  104  is thus rotatably positioned and removably locked into a desired position relative to the receptacle  102 .  
         [0022]    In FIG. 2C, the male tabs  114 ,  116  are shown sandwiched between the female tabs  118 ,  120  and the back  130  of the receptacle  102 . Alternatively, one of the male tabs  114  or  116  could be sandwiched between the corresponding one of the female tabs  118  or  120  and the receptacle back  130 , while the other male tab  114  or  116  could be above its corresponding female tab  118  or  120 , with the button  122  or  124  being formed on the underside of the male tab  118  or  120 . This configuration is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A- 5 C.  
         [0023]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that a positioning mechanism that includes at least one male tab  114 ,  116 , at least one female tab  118 ,  120 , at least one button  112 ,  124 , and at least one detent  126 ,  128  is merely exemplary. Alternative positioning mechanisms could be employed. For example, instead of providing the female tabs  118 ,  120 , a hole could be formed through each male tab  114 ,  116  (for example, at the location of the buttons  122 ,  124 ), and a screw inserted through each hole and into a corresponding female threaded hole in the receptacle  102 , thereby rotationally and removably locking the support  104  in place relative to the receptacle  102 . As another alternative, one or more threaded screws (optionally, with a hand-twistable knob) could be inserted through a hole in the support  104  and screwed into corresponding threaded holes in the receptacle  102 . With the screw tightened down sufficiently, the support can be temporarily locked into a desired position based on friction between the support  104  and the receptacle  102 ; in addition, a button/detent system could be employed with the screw to align and further secure the support  104  into the desired position. These alternative positioning mechanisms are but two examples; other mechanisms could be used to fix the position of the support  104  relative to the receptacle  102 . For example, a hole and alignment pin could be used, or a radial cam and follower, a barrel cam and follower, a notch and gap, a spring loaded catch pin, or a gear and lever. In fact, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, nearly any radial positioning device can be employed.  
         [0024]    The remainder of the description will be in the context of a spa. However, as described above, the speaker bracket is not limited to use on a spa, and can be used to mount a speaker on essentially any flat surface, and particularly on vertical walls.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 illustrates the speaker bracket  100  mounted on a vertical wall  302  of a spa  304 . The speaker bracket  100  is attached to the vertical wall  302 , and a speaker  306  is attached to the speaker bracket  100 . The support  104  of the bracket  100  is positioned essentially vertically, such that the speaker  306  extends over the top of the spa  304 , proximally locating the speaker  306  relative to persons sitting in the spa  304  and allowing the sound generated by the speaker  306  to be heard clearly over the noise of the pumping system in the spa  304 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 shows the exemplary speaker bracket  100  in greater detail mounted on the vertical wall  302  of the spa  304 . The receptacle  102  can be affixed to the vertical wall  302  of the spa  304 , such that the long axis of the receptacle  102  is substantially horizontal to the floor. A speaker  306  can be attached to the support  104 . The speaker  306  may be a separate unit attached to the support  104 , or the support  104  may be integrally formed as part of the speaker  306 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, if not integral, the speaker  306  may be attached to the support  104  in many different ways, for example, rivets, nuts and bolts, adhesive, etc. In FIG. 4, rivets  402 ,  404  are used. FIG. 5A shows the exemplary speaker bracket  100  in a “nested” or “locked” position, in which the buttons  122 ,  124  are removably engaged in the detents  126 ,  128 . In the locked position, the support  104  is upright, with its long axis essentially perpendicular to the long axis of the receptacle  102 . By “locked,” it is intended that the support  104  can also be “unlocked,” to allow removal of the support  104  from the receptacle  102 .  
         [0027]    FIGS.  5 A- 5 C illustrate the technique for removing the support  104  from the receptacle  102  in the exemplary embodiment of the speaker bracket  100 . FIG. 5A shows the speaker bracket  100  in the locked position. FIG. 5B shows the support  104  and attached speaker  306  being rotated (or twisted) so as to disengage the male tabs  114 ,  116  from the female tabs  118 ,  120  and hence the buttons  122 ,  124  from the detents  126 ,  128 . Once the male tabs  114 ,  116  and female tabs  118 ,  120  and buttons  122 ,  124  and detents  126 ,  128  are disengaged, the support  104  can be removed from the receptacle  102  by pulling outward on the support  104 , disengaging the male plug  106  from the female jack  108 , as shown in FIG. 5C. As can also be seen in FIG. 5C, audio wiring  312  extends from the back of the male plug  106  and is connected to the speaker  306 . Within the spa, the female jack  108  is likewise connected by wiring to the audio source that drives the speaker  306 . The audio source may be a radio, CD player, tape player, DVD player, or any other source of audio.  
         [0028]    A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various other embodiments and modifications are also possible. For example, the positioning mechanism may include the male tabs  114 ,  116  with buttons  122 ,  124  and the female tabs  118 ,  120  with detents  126 ,  128 , or, as described above, the male tabs  114 ,  116  could have holes instead of the buttons  112 ,  124 , and screws could pass through the holes and into threaded holes in the receptacle  102 , dispending with the female tabs  118 ,  120  and detents  126 ,  128 . Alternatively, other positioning mechanisms could be used. The receptacle  102  and support  104  may be made from sheet metal, but, as described above, other suitable materials could be used, including plastics and polymers. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.