Apparatus and method for a speaker mounting system including a lightpipe and a rotating base stand

Abstract

A system and a method for mounting a speaker unit (12). The system contains a surface mounting bracket (14) including at least one male attachment mount (20) and a speaker unit (12). The speaker unit 12 has at least one audio speaker and a semi-circular shaped surface which has angularly spaced apart female attachment grooves (44). The invention further includes a lightpipe (65). The angularly spaced apart female attachment grooves (44) are adapted for removably engaging the male attachment mount (20). In another embodiment, the speaker mounting system (10) contains a rotating base stand (80) having angular markings (92) for alignment of a shaft speaker unit (88).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part patent application which relates to, and claims priority from the date of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 654,627 entitled “Apparatus and Method for a Speaker Mounting System,” filed on Sep. 2, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention is related to a speaker mounting system. More particularly, the present invention is related to a speaker mounting system comprising a surface mounting bracket with at least one male attachment mount and a speaker unit defining a plurality of angularly spaced apart female attachment grooves. Even more specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method having at least one male attachment mount being removably engaged with one of the plurality of angularly spaced apart female attachment grooves for facilitating speaker pointing angle adjustment. BACKGROUND ART [0003] Speaker mounting system...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention provides a speaker mounting system and method. The speaker mounting system comprises a surface mounting bracket including at least one male attachment mount and a speaker unit. The speaker unit comprises at least one audio speaker and a semi-circular shaped surface. The semi-circular shaped surface comprises a plurality of angularly spaced apart female attachment grooves. The plurality of angularly spaced apart female attachment grooves are adapted for removably engaging the at least one male attachment mount. As such, the present invention allows a user to attach and to detach an audio speaker from the surface mounting bracket. In addition, the present invention allows a user to position the speaker unit within a surface mounting bracket for adjusting the acoustic sound pattern in a given room.

[0010] One benefit of this is attachment and detachment method is that the speaker unit may be relocated to a position that is more acoustically desirable for a user's listening pleasure. Further, this present invention speaker mounting system allows a speaker unit to be slid in and out of the surface mounting bracket multiple times without the need for tools or complicated removal schemes while a friction fit between mating surfaces will secure the speaker unit to the surface mounting bracket. In contrast, prior art wall mounting brackets require a user to physically disconnect the speaker from a wall using tools, such as a screwdriver or a wrench. Further, changing mounting location of prior art wall mounting brackets requires a user to drill new holes which will damage the mounting surface.

[0011] Another benefit of the present invention is that it allows a user to accurately replace a speaker in the same speaker pointing angle position from which it was taken. This benefit is the result of a plurality of angularly spaced apart female attachment grooves that are fixed in position which allow repeatable speaker unit adjustment in discretely spaced angular degree increments even after many attachments and detachments of a speaker unit. In contrast, prior art wall brackets that pivot may not accurately, or with repeatable results, provide alignment of a speaker unit, because the pivot, which may be a wall bearing or riveted joint, will over time wear, thereby producing inaccurate speaker pointing angle adjustment. Further, proper speaker pointing angle adjustment is critical for a home theater entertainment center, because a user wants the best sound quality for a given acoustical area.

Problems solved by technology

Current speaker mounting systems do not provide the needed mounting flexibility.

The speaker stand does provide vertical adjustment and provides limited options to locate a speaker.

Some fixed mounting brackets are problematic, because they do not provide a fixed speaker pointing angle adjustment.

However, this pivoting mounting bracket is problematic, because the pivot point plus adjustment arm may not provide an accurate user-defined adjustment angle for the speaker or a secure mount.

Further, the pivoting point will wear over time and with use, thereby causing the speaker to fall out of adjustment.

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