Patent Publication Number: US-5253933-A

Title: Speaker stand

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a speaker stand which elevates the speaker cabinet above the floor. More particularly, a speaker stand which absorbs the vibrations induced by the speaker cabinet. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A speaker cabinet usually houses a variety of speakers, such as a woofer, a mid-range, and a tweeter. The woofer produces a bass tone. It has a low frequency response. While the tweeter produces a treble tone. It has a high frequency response. The higher the frequency response, the more directional the sound travels and, on the converse, the lower the frequency response the less directional the sound travels. When the speaker is sitting on the floor, the base, having more non-directional characteristics, becomes boomy and has a tendency to echo. The treble, on the other hand, being very directional, is coupled to the floor and not directed towards the listeners ear. This audibly altered sound is often not the desired effect of the listening audience. By elevating the speaker above of the floor, the echo of the base is reduced. If elevated properly, the treble can be directed to produce the quality of sound desired by persons both seated or in a standing position. 
     To remedy this problem, speaker stands are commonly used to elevate the speaker cabinets above the floor. U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,653 to DORING ET AL. (issued Jul. 5, 1977) discloses a universal speaker stand that elevates the speaker cabinet above the floor. It is universal in that it may be adjusted to accommodate various size speaker cabinets. The stand is comprised of a rigid frame having four legs which are removably adjustable to support the base of the speaker cabinet. This stand, however, being a rigid frame, offers little absorption of the vibrations induced by the speaker cabinet. These vibrations also produce an adverse effects on the quality of sound. 
     Accordingly, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a speaker stand that will elevate speaker cabinets above the floor, thus producing a greater quality sound for the listener. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a speaker stand that will absorb the vibrations induced by the speaker cabinet, thus further improving the quality of the sound produced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above objects are accomplished in accordance with the present invention, a speaker stand which includes two basic components, an enclosure and an internal structure. The enclosure is basically for ornamental purposes. It conceals the internal structure. In other words, the internal structure functions independent of the enclosure. 
     The internal structure is characterized by its ability to absorb the vibrations produced by the speaker cabinet. It is comprised of a top lateral surface and a bottom lateral surface separated by substantially upright u-shaped members. This structure is constructed of a flexible material and has other properties which enable it to break up the vibrations. 
     The internal structure may be inserted into the enclosure. The underside of the top lateral surface of the enclosure is juxtaposed the top of the top lateral surface of the internal structure. The enclosure makes no other contact with the internal structure, nor does it contact the floor, therefore, it does not compromise the functionality of the internal structure. 
     The foregoing and other features, advantages and other objects of the invention may be more fully appreciated by the reference to the following detailed description and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental drawing of a front cutaway elevational view showing the first alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a cubic enclosure. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a cylindrical enclosure. 
     FIG. 4 is a exploded perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of the present invention, showing a hexagonal enclosure. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded elevational perspective view of the first alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 the bottom plan view of the first alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Now, referring to the drawing, particular FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the speaker cabinet 10 rests upon the top of the speaker stand 12. The speaker stand 12 is preferably constructed of wood because of its inherent acoustical qualities. It is comprised of two basic components, an internal structure 22 and an enclosure 20. 
     The enclosure 20 has an opening in the bottom for the insertion the internal structure 22. The height of the internal structure 22 is slightly greater than that of the enclosure 20 to prevent the enclosure 20 from making contact with the floor 14. 
     Now, referring also to FIG. 5, the internal structure 22 is comprised of a top lateral surface 50a and a bottom lateral surface 50b separated by two substantially upright u-shaped intersecting members 52. The u-shaped members 52 form a cruciform when assembled with the top and bottom lateral surfaces 50a,50b. The internal structure 22 is assembled in a manner to prevent the u-shaped members 52 from making contact with one another. The u-shaped members 52 are provided with at least one aperture 54 to assist in breaking up the vibrations induced by the speaker cabinet 10. These u-shaped members 52 are fastened in the slots 56 in the top and bottom lateral surfaces 50a,50b. 
     The internal structure 22 makes no contact with the enclosure 20 with the exception that the underside of the top lateral surface 24 of the enclosure 20 is juxtaposed the top of the top lateral surface 50a of the internal structure 22. Guides 58 on the underside of the top lateral surface 24 of the enclosure 20 function to center and prevent the internal structure 22 from making any other contact with the enclosure 20. There is a close tolerance between the bottom lateral surface 50b of the internal structure 22 and the opening in the bottom of the enclosure 20 to provide an air passage for air to enter and exit adjacent the bottom of the speaker stand 12 through the crevice 60. 
     Based on the construction of the speaker stand 12, there exists a freedom of air flow within the enclosure 20. This freedom of air flow, the acoustical characteristics of wood, and the flexibility of the internal structure 22 break up and absorb the vibrations induced by the speaker cabinet 10. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the speaker stand 12 is not limited by shape or size. It can be constructed as, but is not limited to, a cube 20, a cylinder 30, or a hexagon 40. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.