Abstract:
A speaker mount has differently shaped coverings. Preferred speakers have a mount that is coupled to a base. The speaker has two interchangeable covers with speaker grills that fit over the mount and have two visibly different shapes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is finishing options for speakers 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known in the art to mount speakers on any suitable surface, including for example, walls, ceilings, automobile trunks, and cabinetry. Regardless of the surface being used, it is also known to cover speakers to portray a unique look or to match a decor of the environment. 
     A problem arises, however, when one wishes to change the look of the speaker. U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,968 to Lemmon (May, 1992) addresses the problem with a user-replaceable grill assembly. WO 9935636 to Claybaugh (January, 1998) addresses the problem through the use of a decorative cloth speaker cover that can be painted with a design, and can be replaced with other speaker covers of different designs. These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     The known speaker systems, however, still have no methods of changing the apparent shape of the speaker housing. Existing coverings for speaker housings always conform to the shape of the underlying mount. Thus, what is still needed in the art is a speaker covering system in which the cover can be easily replaced with other covers of different sizes and shapes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a fixture system that accommodates multiple finish options includes a mount coupled to a base, wherein the mount has differently shaped, interchangeable covers. 
     The mount can be coupled to the base in any suitable manner, including for example, magnets. In order to facilitate easy interchangeability, a detent can be used to maintain a disposition of the cover on the mount. Since contemplated covers could be asymmetric, a mechanism can advantageously be included that allows the mount to rotate relative to the base. The back side of the mount preferably has an electrical plug that automatically attaches to a mating jack when the mount is coupled to the base. 
     The interchangeable covers can have completely different shapes, colors, or sizes relative to one another. Among other things, different covers can have surface areas, which can advantageously differ from one another by at least 5%, and more preferably at least 20%, 30%, or even more. In especially preferred embodiments, the cover has a different overall shape from that of the mount. Thus, for example, an oval cover could be coupled to a rectangular mount, or a rectangular cover could be coupled to a rounded mount. 
     Where the mount includes a speaker, the cover would typically have a speaker grill. Differently shaped and sized covers can, of course, have differently shaped and sized grills, and grills can even be interchangeable relative to a given cover. 
     Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a first cover, an alternative second cover, a mount and a base. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the base, and a rear perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the mount, base, and alternative second cover of  FIG. 1 , coupled together. 
         FIG. 4A  is a rear perspective view of the second cover of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4B  is a side perspective view of a portion of the mount of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a set of five front perspective views of alternative covers for the mount of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG. 1  a fixture system  100  generally includes a first cover  110 , a second cover  120 , a mount  130 , and a base  140 . 
     First cover  110  and second cover  120  are shaped to have substantially round and rectangular perimeters, respectively, although either cover can be any suitable size or shape as long as they include a rear cavity that is able to be mounted on the mount  130 . In this case first cover  110  has cavity  114  that receives mount  130 , and second cover  120  has cavity  124  that couples with mount  130 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the coupling has range anywhere from a close mating to a loose footing. 
     In  FIG. 1 , first cover  110  has an approximately round horizontal cross-section, with sides of about 25 cm. Cover  110  can have a constant height of about 6 cm, or more preferably has a height of about 6 cm in the center, and the slopes downward to about 2 cm at the edge. Second cover  120  has an approximately square horizontal cross-section, with sides of 31 cm, and which additionally slopes in two dimensions from a height of about 2 cm at the corners, to 6 cm at the midpoint of the sides, and about 7 cm at the apex (all figures including the grill). One skilled in the art will appreciate that many different cover sizes and shapes are possible, and also that different sizes of a given shape could be interchanged on the mount  130 . 
     The surface area (defined herein to mean only outer surface area when installed unless the context dictates to the contrary) of first and second covers can differ as much as desired, including for example differing by at least 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% or more. As drawn in Figure, cover  110  should be interpreted as having at least 5% larger than the surface area of second cover  120 . 
     Each of the covers  110 ,  120  has an optional grill  112 ,  122 , respectively, and the different grills can have the same or different air hole patterns. The grills  112 ,  122  can be made from any suitable material or materials, including preferably a speaker grill cloth (acousticloth) stretched over a plurality of perforation holes to allow sound to easily pass through. Different grills can have any suitable sizes and shapes, with the shape of first grill  112  having a surface area that exceeds the surface area of grill  122  by at least than 5%. 
     First and second covers  110 ,  120  can be made of any suitable material(s). For durability and cost-effectiveness, contemplated materials include hard plastic, although metal, wood, and other materials. Preferred materials are durable, scratch resistant, and capable of including or being colored or patterned. It is contemplated that different surface colorations can be applied to, or included within, any of the covers. 
     In  FIG. 1 , mount  130  shows an installed speaker  132 . In other embodiments, a mount can include any a greater or lesser number of speakers, or other devices entirely, including for example a light, a control box, a television or other display, and so forth. 
     Base  140  generally comprises two flat pieces, an outer piece  142  that is rotatably coupled to an inner piece  144 . Female electrical connectors  146  are attached to the inner piece  114  with bolts (not shown) and are labeled with polarity indicators  147 . Base through holes  143  can be used to attach the base to an outlet box (not shown). 
     Inner piece  144  preferably comprises steel because it provides a high degree of durability when rotated against the outer piece  142 . Inner piece  144  need not be especially strong because it is not weight supporting, and can an alternatively be constructed of hard plastic or another other suitable material. Although not shown in the figures, inner piece  144  is preferably constructed of opposing members that are screwed together about a circumferential lip (not shown) extending inwardly from the outer piece  142 . In  FIG. 1  the inner piece  144  is about 6.5 cm in diameter, and about 3 mm in thickness. In other contemplated embodiments the inner piece can be larger or smaller, and can have any other suitable dimensions. 
     Outer piece  142  needs to be relatively strong because it supports the weight of the mount  130 . Steel is again currently preferred, not only for its strength but also because it is magnetically attractable. It is contemplated that plastic or non-ferrous metals could be used instead of steel, but in that case outer piece  142  should include ferrous or other magnetic contact areas that match magnets (not shown) on mount  130 . 
     Outer piece  142  also contains base through holes  143  for coupling with an electrical outlet box. In  FIG. 1 , six base through holes  143  are positioned to couple with a standard outlet box popular in the USA, but all other orientations, numbers and positions of base through holes  143  that would couple to alternative outlet boxes are also contemplated. 
     In  FIG. 1  outer piece  142  is approximately 18.5 cm in diameter, and again about 3 mm in thickness. In other contemplated embodiments outer piece  142  can be larger or smaller, and can have any other suitable dimensions. The major surface of outer piece  142  is preferably substantially flat so that magnets (not shown) of mount  120  can properly attach to any point on the major surface of outer piece  142 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the front of base  140  and the back of mount  130 . 
     In this view base  140  shows banana jack female electrical connectors  146  held to the inner piece  144  by nuts  212 . Banana couplings are preferred because they provide a particularly robust connection, and are relatively easy to orient the plug with respect to the jack. Although two separate jacks are shown, one could alternatively use a single plug and jack. In this embodiment, where there are separate connectors for positive (+) and negative (−) polarities, one can optionally include polarity designators  214 . 
     All other suitable types of connectors are also contemplated, including for example inductive connections (not shown), simple bent wire or other bump connectors (not shown), loudspeaker connectors (not shown), D-sub connectors (not shown), and combinations thereof. 
     Mount  130  is a housing that generally includes a mounting surface  222 , magnets  224 , male electrical connectors  226 , and polarity designators  227 . Mount  130  can have any suitable size or shape, as appropriate to the electrical/electronic device(s) being operated inside the housing. 
     Mounting surface  222  has a flat area  222 A that would abut a wall, ceiling or other surface upon which the mount is being placed, and further includes depression  222 B sized and dimensioned to receive the base  140 . The depression  222 B has a plurality of magnet seats  222 C (in this case  12  such seats), some of which hold magnets  224 . The precise number, size, and orientation of the magnet seats  222 C and magnets  224  are largely design choices, which are informed by the amount of weight to be held, the distribution of weight of mount  130 , and so forth. 
     Mounting surface  222  also has optional feet  222 D that cushion mount  130  when coupled against the base  140 , and a plurality of mount through holes  222 E that provide access to screws that couple the mounting surface  222  to the mount  130 . Although mount  130  attaches to base  140  using magnets  224 , other suitable coupling mechanisms can be used, for example quick-release tabs, hooks, screws, bolts, and nails (not shown) 
     Male electrical connectors  224  are banana plugs, which are sized, spaced, and oriented to mate with the female electrical connectors  146 , as mount  130  is being mounted on base  140 . In this embodiment, where there are separate connectors for positive (+) and negative (−) polarities, one can optionally include polarity designators  227 . 
     Regardless of the type of connectors and manner of providing the electrical connections, it is preferred that the electrical connection is a substantially automatic. As the mount is mounted on the base, the female electrical connectors  146  should mate with the male electrical connectors  224  without a separate act. In  FIG. 2 , as mount  130  is placed near base  140 , the magnetic force of magnets  224  upon outer surface  222  pulls male electrical connectors  224  into female electrical connectors  146 . Forcing the user to manually mate the connectors in a separate act, whether with a wire nut or otherwise, is contemplated, but less preferred. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the mount  130 , base  140 , and alternative second cover  120 , coupled together. Mount  130  mates with alternative second cover  120  and includes mounting surface  222 . Base  140  has outer piece  142  with base through holes  143 , and inner piece  144  with electrical connectors  146  and screws  212 . 
     Mount  130  has a cover  120  that can be removed for cleaning or replaced for functional or aesthetic reasons. Cover  120  is preferably attached to mount  130  without the use of hand tools, which aids in quick and easy replacement of covers. 
     Outer piece  140  can be attached to an outlet box with through holes  222 E. Inner piece  144  can be attached to an outlet using electrical connectors  146 . Electrical connectors  146  have holes (not shown) where wires can be threaded so as to create an electrical connection. Other suitable methods of connecting electrical connectors are contemplated, for example splice taps, clips, RF connectors, banana connectors, D-sub connectors, or even simple wire twists. Screws  302  hold inner piece  144  in place on a circumferential lip (not shown) extending inwardly from the outer piece  142 . 
     In  FIG. 4A , second cover  120  has with a cavity  124  and detent  410 . In  FIG. 4B , mount  130  has an indent  420 . 
     Second cover  120  has cavity  124  that mates or otherwise couples with mount  130 , and is in this case is shaped to substantially match the overall contour of mount  130 . Cavity  124  can be padded with a non-abrasive material to protect the exterior of mount  130 . 
     Detent  410  is sized, shaped, and oriented to mate with indent  420 . It is preferred that second cover  120  and mount  130  have a plurality of indents and detents, respectively, to provide for multiple coupling points around the perimeter of both apparatus. Detents are preferred because they provide inexpensive and reliable couplings that are easy and intuitive to use. Of course, one could use any other suitable connection means, including for example a locking tab, a hand screw, a weak adhesive, or a hook. 
       FIGS. 5A-E  are front perspective views of the alternative different covers. These widely varying covers are included to demonstrate that any practical cover shape can be used. 
     It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.