Patent Publication Number: US-6656000-B2

Title: Speaker terminal block assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention provides an improved electrical terminal block for speakers, particularly vehicle audio speakers. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     As consumer interest in high power speakers have increased, manufacturers have accordingly enhanced the performance capabilities of their speaker product line. However, the increased cost of such enhanced speakers have caused customers to look at other options which will utilize existing speakers or woofers. In this regard, it has been suggested that a connection of multiple speakers, in parallel or series, will provide enhanced performance without the attendant increase in costs. However, a low cost terminal block assembly that would enable such connections is currently unavailable. 
     What is therefore desired is to provide a terminal block assembly which enables speakers, or woofers, to be connected in parallel or series. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a terminal block assembly that enables multiple speakers, or woofers, to be connected in series or parallel. 
     In a first embodiment, the terminal block assembly has four receiving ports, two ports being formed in a first metal block, or holder, and two ports being formed in a second metal holder. The output leads from a first speaker are coupled to the two of the receiving ports; the output leads from a second speaker are coupled to the other two receiving ports. The output leads are mounted securely in the receiving ports using fastening screws. The output leads from a power amplifier are connected to input terminals formed on the terminal block 
     In a second embodiment, the terminal block assembly comprises two receiving ports, each port being formed in a metal holder, the configuration otherwise being similar to that of the first embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein: 
     FIG. 1 is perspective view of the four wire terminal block assembly; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the block assembly shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of a two wire terminal block assembly; 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of the terminal block assembly shown in FIG. 6; and 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a four channel terminal block assembly  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated. Assembly  10  is particularly adapted for use with audio equipment, such as vehicle speakers and comprises a plastic block portion  12 , screw  14 , wire retaining screws  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  and terminals  24  and  26 , terminals  24  and  26  receiving the electrical acoustic signal through the speaker amplifier (not shown). Screw  14  mounts the terminal block assembly  10  to the speaker, or woofer, chassis. 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the block shown in FIG.  1  and illustrates four receiving ports  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  1  and illustrates set screws  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  inserted into wire ports  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34 , respectively through apertures formed in terminal block  12 . Ports  28  and  30  are formed in a machined metal block  40  and ports  32  and  34  are formed in machined metal block  42 . Metal blocks  40  and  42  electrically couple ports  28  and  30  and  32  and  34 , respectively. Set screws  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22  connect the input lead wires from multiple speakers to the terminal block assembly  10 . Metal blocks  40  and  42  do not deform from the heat generated when the lead wires are soldered to assembly  10 , an improvement to existing terminal blocks. 
     Assembly  10  enables two positive input channels  28  and  30  to be coupled together and two negative input channels  32  and  34  to be coupled together, improving terminal reliability for applications requiring specific wire connections. In addition, a connecting wire is not required, reducing manufacturing costs. 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a two channel assembly  50  formed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and FIG. 7 is a top view thereof Assembly  50  comprises plastic block  52 , screw  54 , wire retaining screws  56  and  58  and input terminals  60  and  62  connected to the output of the speaker power amplifier (not shown). Assembly  50  has receiving ports  64  and  66  (FIG.  8 ), retaining screws  56  and  58  being positioned in ports  64  and  66 , respectively, as illustrated. Ports  64  and  66  are formed in metal holder  68 . As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, metal holder  68  does not deform as a result of the heat generated when the lead in wires are soldered to assembly  50 . 
     The design of the terminal blocks as set forth hereinabove allows the wiring connection of multiple speakers, or woofers, in parallel or series, providing dual voice coil coupling and impedance ohms variations in a simple and cost efficient manner. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.