Patent Publication Number: US-8116497-B2

Title: Portable speaker system for outdoor umbrella

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to an outdoor umbrella, and more particularly to a portable speaker system which is adapted to detachably mount to a conventional outdoor umbrella so as to provide an add-on function for the conventional outdoor umbrella without altering its original structure. 
     2. Description of Related Arts 
     Outdoors umbrellas are set up in many places such as in beach areas, in patio areas, in campsites or in domestic gardens etc. They are usually used for shading sunlight in the daytime. A conventional outdoors umbrella usually comprises an umbrella base, a supporting stem upwardly extended therefrom, a foldable awning frame which comprises a plurality of awning supporting arms radically and outwardly extended from an upper end portion of the supporting stem, and a fabric-made awning securely and foldably mounted on the awning supporting arms. 
     Users would always like to listen to the music at their leisure such that the users usually carry a portable music player. However, such portable music player cannot be mounted to the outdoor umbrella. In other words, most of the users prefer the outdoor umbrella with built-in audio system. Actually, mounting an audio system on the outdoors umbrella is a challenging task. Not to mention the problems arise when one tries to design the mechanical connection between the audio system and the outdoors umbrella without interfering its smooth folding action, it is the problem as how to provide the audio system with enough and convenient power source which simply possesses the main difficulty in designing a practical audio system. 
     Since the outdoors umbrellas, as the name implies, are designed for use in outdoors, existence of an electrical power source cannot be guaranteed. Even through there are electrical sources exist, a tedious connection between the audio system and the electrical source is unavoidable in that long wires have to be used. For some cases, the audio systems may be compatible with portable dynamos, however, bring a bulky dynamo with the outdoor umbrella is not really a wise decision. Once the electrical connection the audio system is broken, the user is unable to replace the audio system. In other words, once the audio system is malfunction, the mood of all the participants may be ruined. 
     As a matter of fact, the very purpose of using outdoors umbrella is to shade vigorous sunlight. Therefore, it would be more economical, more convenient and more environmentally friendly if one were able to detachably add an additional audio system to any conventional outdoor umbrella for providing an add on function thereto without alternating the original structure of the outdoor umbrella. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein the portable speaker system is adapted to detachably mount to a conventional outdoor umbrella so as to provide an add-on function for the conventional outdoor umbrella without altering its original structure. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein no electric wire is required to electrically connect the audio system with the outdoor umbrella. In other words, the portable speaker system provides an independent power supply such that the audio system does not require any power supply from the outdoor umbrella. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein the audio system is adapted to detachably mount to any type of outdoor umbrella having an elongated shaft. Therefore, the user is able to mount the portable speaker system from one outdoor umbrella to another outdoor umbrella easily. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein the portable speaker system does not significantly alter the original structure of the outdoors umbrella, so as to minimize the manufacturing and marketing costs of the portable speaker system incorporating with the outdoor umbrella. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein no complicated mechanical and electrical processes are involved in installing and mounting the portable speaker system on the outdoor umbrella. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella, wherein the portable speaker system further provides an added lighting function for providing illumination. 
     Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella having a shaft, comprising: 
     a portable housing which comprises a first housing body and a second housing body defining a mounting slot when the first and second housing bodies are coupled with each other, wherein the mounting slot has a size for the shaft of the outdoor umbrella fitting therewithin; 
     a detachable locker comprising a first locker provided at the first housing body and a second locker which is provided at the second housing body and is releasably locked with the first locker so as to detachably lock up the second housing body with the first housing body; and 
     an audio device which comprises a speaker supported in the first housing body and an audio input operatively coupling with the speaker such that when the audio input sends an audio signal to the speaker, the speaker is adapted for producing audio sound as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella. 
     These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially schematic view of the portable speaker system according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the portable speaker system according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the first and second housing bodies being pivotally coupled with each other via a pivot hinge. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the adjustable retainer according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative mode of the pivot hinge according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the first and second housing bodies being detached with each other via a pivot hinge. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative mode of the adjustable retainer according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the portable speaker system of the present invention being mounted to the supporting shaft of the outdoor umbrella. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the portable speaker system of the present invention being mounted to the upper portion of the awning shaft of the outdoor umbrella. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the portable speaker system of the present invention being mounted to the lower portion of the supporting shaft of the outdoor umbrella. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, a portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella is illustrated, wherein the portable speaker system is adapted to detachably mount to the shaft  1  of the outdoor umbrella. As shown in  FIG. 7  the portable speaker system of the present invention is detachably mounted to the supporting shaft  1 A of the outdoor umbrella. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the portable speaker system of the present invention is detachably mounted to the upper and lower portions of the awning shaft  1 B of the outdoor umbrella. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, the portable speaker system comprises a portable housing  10 , a detachable locker  20  and an audio device  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the portable housing  10  comprises a first housing body  11  and a second housing body  12  defining a mounting slot  101  when the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  are coupled with each other, wherein the mounting slot  101  has a size for the shaft  1  of the outdoor umbrella fitting therewithin. 
     The detachable locker  20  comprises a first locker  21  provided at the first housing body  11  and a second locker  22  which is provided at the second housing body  12  and is releasably locked with the first locker  21  so as to detachably lock up the second housing body  11  with the first housing body  12 . 
     The audio device  30  comprises two or more speakers  31  supported in the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  of the portable housing  10  respectively and an audio input  32  operatively coupling with the speakers  31  such that when the audio input  32  sends an audio signal to the speakers  31 , the speakers  31  are adapted for producing audio sound as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  are two identical half circular bodies pivotally coupling with each other via a pivot hinge  13 , wherein each of the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  has two biasing surfaces  111 ,  121  arranged when the biasing surfaces  111  of the first housing body  11  engage with the biasing surfaces  121  of the second housing body  12  respectively, the portable housing  10  is formed to have a donut shape and to define the mounting slot  101  at a center of the portable housing  10 . 
     The portable speaker system further comprises a lighting device  50  for providing illumination under the portable housing  10 . The lighting device  50  comprises a plurality of illuminators  51  spacedly supported in the outer circumferential portion of the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  and electrically coupling with the audio device  30 ′. Accordingly, each of the illuminators  51  is a LED having a head portion protruded from the bottom sides of the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  and a tail portion electrically connecting to the audio device  30 . 
     The first locker  21  comprises a first locking latch  211  outwardly protruded from one of the biasing surfaces  111  of the first housing body  11 . The second locker  22  comprises a second locking latch  221  movably supported in the second housing body  12  to align with a locking hole  210  on the respective biasing surface  121  of the second housing body  12 , wherein when the first locking latch  211  is engaged with the second is locking latch  221  through the locking hole  210 , the second housing body  12  is locked up with the first housing body  11 . 
     Accordingly, the second locker  22  further comprises a resilient element  222  supported in the second housing body  12  for applying an urging force against the second locking latch  221  so as to normally retain the second locking latch  221  being locked up with the first locking latch  211 , and a lock actuator  223  coupling with the second locking latch  221  and actuating the second locking latch  221  to disengage with the first locking latch  211 . The resilient element  222  is a compression spring having two ends coupling with an inner wall of the second housing body  12  and the second locking latch  221  to apply the urging force against the second locking latch  221 . The lock actuator  223  is coupled with the second locking latch  221  such that when the lock actuator  223  is actuated, the second locking latch  221  is driven to move to disengage with the first locking latch  221  so as to unlock the second housing body  12  from the first housing body  11 . Once the lock actuator  223  is released from its actuated position, the resilient element  222  drives the second locking latch  221  backs to its original position. 
     According to the embodiment, there are two speakers  31  spacedly mounted in the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  for generating the audio sound in stereo manner. Accordingly, the portable housing  10  has an audio outlet formed at a bottom side of each of the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12 , wherein the speakers  31  are aligned with the audio opening for outputting the audio sound through the audio outlet. 
     The audio input  32  comprises an auxiliary input  321  provided on the portable housing for communicatively connecting a portable music player to receive the audio signal therefrom, such that the audio signal is transmitted to the speakers  31  for music broadcasting. Preferably, the auxiliary input  321  is provided on the outer surface of the first housing body  11  for the user to connect the portable music player to the speakers  31 . 
     The audio input  32  further a wireless receiver  323  supported in the portable housing  10  to electrically connect with the speakers  31  and a wireless transmitter  324  which is wirelessly linked with the wireless receiver  323  and is adapted for connecting with the portable music player to wirelessly sending the audio signal from the portable music player to the speakers  31  for music broadcasting. Accordingly, the wireless receiver  323  is a FM receiver and the wireless transmitter  324  is a FM transmitter such that the wireless receiver  323  and the wireless transmitter  324  form a wireless link to wirelessly send the audio signal from the portable music player to the speakers  31 . Therefore, when the wireless transmitter  324  is tuned automatically or manually to match the radio frequency of the wireless receiver  323 , the audio device  30  is wirelessly connected with the portable music player. Accordingly, the portable housing  10  further comprises a device holder  14  provided at the first housing body  11  for detachably holding the portable music player in position, wherein the device holder  14  comprises a plurality of holder arms  141  spacedly extended from a top side of the first housing body  11  to define a holding compartment for securely receiving the portable music player therein. 
     The audio device  30  further comprises a control panel  33  which is provided at the portable housing  10 , comprising a control circuitry  331  operatively connecting to the speakers  31  to selectively operate and control the speaker and a display screen  332  electrically connected to the control circuitry  331  for displaying an operation status thereof. It is worth to mention that the control circuitry  331  is also operatively connected to the wireless receiver  323  to operate and control the wireless receiver  323 . Accordingly, a remote controller can be incorporated to remote control the audio device  30 . 
     The control panel  33  further comprises a radio broadcasting circuit  333  for receiving radio wave as the audio signal, such that the control panel  33  transmits the audio signal to the speakers  31  for radio broadcasting. In other words, the user is able to listen to the music from his or her portable music player or to the radio through the portable speaker system of the present invention. 
     The audio device  30  further comprises a power supply  35  supported by the portable housing  10  to electrically connect with the speakers  31  and the control panel  33 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the power supply  35  comprises a solar energy collector  351  for collecting solar energy and a rechargeable battery  352  supported in one of the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  for storing electrical energy converted from the solar energy, such that the audio device  30  does not require any electrical power from the outdoor umbrella. Alternatively, the power supply  35  can be electrically connected to the power source of the outdoor umbrella, especially the outdoor umbrella incorporating with a solar energy. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the solar energy collector  351  comprises a plurality of solar collecting panels provided on a top side of the portable housing  10  for solar energy collection. It is worth to mention that the user is able to charge the rechargeable battery  352  by facing the solar energy collector  351  towards the sunlight such that the portable housing  10  is adapted to be mounted at the shaft  1  of the outdoor umbrella as an add-on speaker without any electrical connection to the outdoor umbrella. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the speakers  31  are supported in the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  respectively, wherein an electric cable  311  are extended between the two corresponding biasing surfaces  111 ,  121  of the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12  to electrically connect the speakers  31  with each other. Accordingly, the electric cable  311  not only electrically connects the speakers  31  with each other but also limits a pivot angle between the first and second housing bodies  11 ,  12 . 
     The portable speaker system, according to the preferred embodiment, further comprises an adjustable retainer  40  for adjusting the size of the mounting slot  101  for the shaft  1  of the outdoor umbrella. The adjustable retainer  40  comprises a retention arm  41  having a pusher surface  410  facing towards the mounting slot  101  and a control portion  411  rotatably coupling with the second housing body  12  such that when the control portion  411  is driven to rotate, the pusher surface  410  is adjustably move to adjust the size of the mounting slot  101 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the control portion  411  of the retention arm  41  has an outer threaded portion engaging with an inner threaded portion of a sidewall of the second housing body  12 . The adjustable retainer  40  further comprises a compression spring  42  coaxially mounted at the retention arm  41  for applying an urging force against the retention arm  41  to push the pusher surface  410  away from the mounting slot  101 . In other words, when the control portion  411  of the retention arm  41  is rotated to move the pusher surface  410  towards the mounting slot  101 ′, the compression spring  42  is being compressed. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative mode of the pivot hinge  13 ′. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first housing body  11 ′ is pivotally coupled with the second housing body  12 ′ via a pivot hinge  13 ′. The pivot hinge  13 ′ comprises a pivot shaft  131 ′ provided at the first housing body  11 ′ and a detachable coupler  132 ′ which is extended from the second housing body  11 ′ and is detachably coupled with the pivot shaft  131 ′ to pivotally connect the second housing body  12 ′ with the first housing body  11 ′. Therefore, once the detachable coupler  132 ′ couples with the pivot shaft  131 ′, the first and second housing bodies  11 ′,  12  are pivotally moved with respect to the pivot shaft  131 ′. In other words, the pivot hinge  13 ′ not only pivotally connects the first and second housing bodies  11 ′,  12 ′ with each other but also detachably mounts the first and second housing bodies  11 ′,  12 ′ with each other. 
     The adjustable retainer  40 ′ comprises a retention arm  41 ′, having a pusher surface  410 ′ facing towards the mounting slot  101 ′, slidably mounted the first housing body  11 ′ and an adjustable locker  42 ′ controllably driving the retention arm  41 ′ at a position that when the retention arm  41 ′ is driven towards mounting slot  101 ′, the pusher surface  410 ′ is arranged for biasing against an outer surface of the shaft  1  of the outdoor umbrella until the shaft  1  thereof being fitted at the mounting slot  101 ′ so as to substantially mount the portable housing  10 ′ at the outdoor umbrella. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , The adjustable retainer  42 ′ comprises a compression spring supported in the first housing body  11 ′ for applying a pushing force against the retention arm  41 ′ so as to normally push the pusher surface  410 ′ towards the mounting slot  101 ′. 
     In addition, since the first housing body  11 ′ can be detached from the second housing body  12 ′ via the pivot hinge  13 ′, the electric cable  311  should be omitted. In order to electrically connect the speakers  31 ′ at the first and second housing bodies  11 ′,  12 ′, an electric plug  311 ′ is extended from the corresponding biasing surface  111 ′ of the first housing body  11 ′ and is electrically coupled with the speaker  31 ′ thereat. An electric socket  312 ′ is extended from the corresponding biasing surface  121 ′ of the second housing body  12 ′ and is electrically coupled with the speaker  31 ′ thereat, wherein the electric plug  311 ′ is electrically coupled to the electric socket  312 ′ when the first and second housing bodies  11 ′,  12 ′ are coupled with each other via the pivot hinge  13 ′. 
     One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments and their alternatives have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.