Position adjustable stand for directional speakers

Abstract

The invention relates to a stand that enables a smart home device or a directional speaker to be selectively positioned in order to optimize audibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to stands for loudspeakers and smart devices, and more particularly to position-adjustable stands for directional loudspeakers and smart devices. Background Technology

[0002] Smart home assistant devices, such as And associated speakers, such as These have become a very popular feature in modern homes and businesses. Typically, these types of devices are very compact, and the small speakers within are directional to improve audibility. Additionally, it is generally desirable to mount the devices to a wall or other surface. Existing brackets are often non-adjustable, which usually causes the directional speakers to be oriented in a suboptimal direction.

[0003] What is needed is a bracket that allows the installed equipment to be oriented in the best direction for optimal hearing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention addresses the market demand for stands that enable smart home devices or directional speakers to be positioned for optimal audibility.

[0005] In one embodiment, a bracket for a smart device or a directional speaker includes a device interface having: a rear wall defining an opening with a periphery, wherein a plurality of recesses are defined in the periphery; the device interface also includes a plurality of engagement bevels, each of the engagement bevels being disposed adjacent to a single recess in the recesses; and a plurality of resilient device receiving forks projecting forward at the outer periphery of the rear wall, the device receiving forks being adapted to receive a smart device or a directional speaker between the device receiving forks. The bracket also includes a structural interface comprising a body defining a periphery, the body having a hole for receiving a fastener to attach the body to a wall of the structure; a plurality of engagement features projecting radially from the periphery of the body, the engagement features corresponding to and receivable in the recesses of the device interface; the structural interface being selectively rotatable relative to the device interface to engage the engagement features with the engagement bevels, thereby attaching the device interface to the structural interface.

[0006] In this embodiment, the engagement features are oval and oriented tangentially relative to a circle. The device interface may have at least three resilient device receiving forks. The device interface may have six notches defined in the periphery of an opening in the rear wall, and the structural interface may have six engagement features corresponding to the six notches. At least one of the resilient device receiving forks may define an opening for receiving wires through which they pass.

[0007] In one embodiment, the bracket may further include an electrical socket suspension portion, and the structural interface is operably connected to the electrical socket suspension portion.

[0008] In other embodiments, a bracket for a smart device or a directional speaker includes a device interface having a rear wall and a plurality of resilient device receiving forks projecting forward at the outer periphery of the rear wall, the device receiving forks being adapted to receive a smart device or a directional speaker between the device receiving forks. The bracket also includes a back plate, a retaining plate, a bias spring, a connecting pin defining a longitudinal axis, and a structural interface adapted to be attached to a wall of a structure. The back plate is disposed on a rear portion of the structural interface, and the retaining plate is disposed on a front portion of the device interface. The back plate and the retaining plate are operably connected to the connecting pin. The bias spring is configured to bias the device interface toward the structural interface via the back plate and the retaining plate. The device interface is selectively displaced along the longitudinal axis defined by the connecting pin, resisting the bias of the bias spring, between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the device interface abuts against the structural interface; in the disengaged position, the device interface is spaced apart from the structural interface. When the device interface is in the disengaged position, the device interface is rotatable relative to the structural interface about the longitudinal axis.

[0009] In various embodiments, the device interface may have at least three resilient device receiving forks. At least one of the resilient device receiving forks may define an opening for receiving a cable through which it passes. The bracket may also include an electrical socket suspension portion to which the structural interface is operably coupled.

[0010] The foregoing description is not intended to depict every illustrated embodiment or all implementations of the subject matter of this disclosure. The following drawings and detailed description illustrate various embodiments in more detail. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The subject matter of the invention can be more fully understood by taking into consideration the following detailed description of various embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of a bracket for holding a directional loudspeaker according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded isometric view of the support frame;

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A front view of the bracket, with the device interface in the engaged position;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A front view of the bracket, in which the device interface is shown as being engaged;

[0016] Figure 5 This is an isometric view of a bracket for holding a directional loudspeaker according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Rear isometric view of the bracket;

[0018] Figure 7 This is a side isometric view of a bracket according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Partial exploded view of the stent; and

[0020] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Front view of the bracket.

[0021] While the various embodiments can be modified into various alterations and alternatives, details of the various embodiments have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the claimed invention to the specific embodiments described. Rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject matter defined by the claims. Detailed Implementation

[0022] exist Figures 1 to 9 The text describes various implementations of brackets for smart devices or directional speakers. For example... Figures 1 to 4 As depicted, in the first embodiment, the bracket 20 typically includes a device interface 22 and a structural interface 24. The device interface 22 has resilient device-receiving forks 26, 28, 30 for gripping and holding the directional speaker 32. It will be understood that although the directional speaker 32 is depicted as spherical, other shapes such as squares, rectangles, trapezoids, or any other geometry may be used, and the forks 26, 28, 30 may be adapted to grip and hold the device. Furthermore, although three forks 26, 28, 30 are shown, any other number of forks or other holding configurations consistent with the shape of the directional speaker 32, such as partial enclosures, may be used. The fork 28 defines a hole 34, thereby allowing power and / or audio and data cables to be routed to the directional speaker 32.

[0023] The rear wall 36 defines an opening 38 having a periphery 40. Recesses 42 are defined in the periphery 40 and are spaced at approximately 60 degrees, wherein a engagement bevel 44 is adjacent to each of the recesses 42 in the recesses 45. Although six recesses and engagement bevels are depicted, it should be understood that any other number of recesses and engagement bevels may be provided in the periphery 40.

[0024] The structural interface 24 typically includes a body 46 having a periphery 48 slightly larger than the opening 38 in the device interface 22, such that the contact surface 50 abuts against the contact surface 52 of the device interface 22 when the device interface 22 and the structural interface 24 are engaged. The body 46 also defines an oval engagement feature 54 oriented to... Figure 3 The circle 56 depicted is tangent to the device interface 24. A hole 58 is provided for receiving a fastener (not depicted) to attach the device interface 24 to a structure such as a wall, support column or other support.

[0025] In use, the structural interface 24 is first attached to a wall or other support using a fastener (not depicted) passing through hole 58. Then, with engagement feature 54 aligned with recess 42, the device interface 22 is pushed onto the structural interface 24, as shown. Figure 4 As depicted in the diagram. The device interface 22 is then rotated clockwise so that the engagement feature straddles the engagement ramp 44 until the end of the engagement feature 54 contacts the wall defining the recess 45. In this position, the device interface 22 is securely attached to the structural interface 24. The directional speaker 32 can then be inserted into the fork-shaped portions 26, 28, 30 as described. Figure 1 The device interface 22 is installed as depicted. It can be removed by rotating the device interface 22 counterclockwise until the engagement feature 54 aligns with the notch 42. The device interface 22 can then be pulled away from the structural interface 24. It should be understood that the bracket 20 thus provides six separate positions in which the directional speaker 32 can be oriented to optimize audibility. Similarly, it should be understood that by providing more or fewer notches 42, engagement bevels 44, and engagement features 54, the number of discrete positions can be more or fewer.

[0026] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 The image depicts another embodiment of the bracket 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment, the bracket 20, as described above, is attached to an electrical socket suspension portion 62. The electrical socket suspension portion 62 generally includes a cover 64 and a back plate 66. The bracket 20 is attached to the back plate 66, which in turn is held within the cover 64. The cover 64 is suspended from a power adapter 68. The operation of the bracket 20 is as described above.

[0027] exist Figures 7 to 9The image depicts yet another embodiment of the support 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example... Figure 8 As depicted in the partially exploded view, the bracket 70 typically includes a device interface 72, a back plate 74, a tension spring 76, a retaining plate 78, a connecting pin 79 in the form of a rivet 80 defining the longitudinal axis L, and a rivet retainer 82. The bracket 70 also includes, as shown in the figure... Figure 7 The structural interface 84 is described in the document.

[0028] Similarly, device interface 72 has resilient device receiving forks 86, 88, and 90 for gripping and holding the directional speaker 32. It should be understood that although the directional speaker 32 is spherical, other shapes such as square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or any other geometry can be used, and forks 86, 88, and 90 can be adapted to grip and hold the device. Furthermore, although three forks are shown, any other number of forks or other holding configurations consistent with the shape of the directional speaker 32, such as partial enclosures, can be used. Fork 88 defines a hole 92, thereby allowing power and / or audio and data cables to be routed to the directional speaker 32. Structural interface 84 can be secured to any structure such as a wall, support post, or other support using fasteners or by any other suitable means.

[0029] A biasing spring, in the form of a tension spring 76, is connected to the back plate 74 and the retaining plate 78 to bias the device interface 72 toward the structural interface 84. A connecting pin 79 is slidable within the back plate 74 so that the device interface 72 can resist the bias of the spring 76 and be pulled outward from the structural interface 84 along the longitudinal axis L until it reaches its limit applied by the rivet retainer 82. When pulled out to this disengaged position, the device interface 72 can rotate about the longitudinal axis L to any desired position, and once the outward pressure is released, the device interface 72 will return to the new rotated position. In this engaged position, the device interface 72 abuts against the structural interface 84 and is held in this position by the tension spring 76. Therefore, the device interface 72 can rotate freely relative to the structural interface 84 to any desired position. If desired, a stop (not depicted) can be provided between the device interface 72 and the structural interface 84 to provide discrete positions in which the device interface 72 can be positioned.

[0030] Various embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the various features of the described embodiments can be combined in various ways to produce many additional embodiments. In addition, although various materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, and positions, etc., for use with the disclosed embodiments have been described, other materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, and positions, etc., besides those disclosed, may be used without exceeding the scope of the claimed invention.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter of this invention may include fewer features than those shown in any of the individual embodiments described above. The embodiments described herein are not intended to be an exhaustive representation of how various features of the subject matter of this invention can be combined. Therefore, embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, various embodiments may include combinations of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments. Furthermore, elements described with respect to one embodiment may be implemented in other embodiments, even if not described in those embodiments, unless otherwise indicated.

[0032] While dependent claims may relate to specific combinations with one or more other claims, other embodiments may also include combinations of the subject matter of the dependent claim with each of the other dependent claims, or combinations of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are presented herein unless stated otherwise.

[0033] Any combination of references to the foregoing documents is limited to such that no combination is made with subject matter contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any combination of references to the foregoing is also limited to such that any limitations provided in the documents are not incorporated herein by reference unless expressly included herein. For the purpose of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.SC §112(f) do not apply unless the specific terms “means for…” or “steps for…” are recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A stand for a smart device or a directional speaker, the stand comprising: A device interface having: a rear wall defining an opening with a periphery and a plurality of recesses defined therein; the device interface further including a plurality of engagement bevels, each of the engagement bevels being disposed adjacent to a single recess among the recesses; and a plurality of resilient device receiving forks projecting forward at the outer periphery of the rear wall, the device receiving forks being adapted to receive the smart device or a directional speaker between the device receiving forks. as well as A structural interface includes a body defining a periphery, the body having a hole for receiving a fastener to attach the body to a wall of a structure, and a plurality of engagement features projecting radially from the periphery of the body, the engagement features corresponding to and being received in a recess of a device interface, the structural interface being selectively rotatable relative to the device interface to engage the engagement features with engagement bevels, thereby attaching the device interface to the structural interface.

2. The stent according to claim 1, wherein, The joining feature is oval-shaped and oriented tangentially relative to a circle.

3. The stent according to claim 1, wherein, The device interface has at least three flexible device receiving forks.

4. The stent according to claim 1, wherein, The device interface has six notches defined in the periphery of the opening in the rear wall, and the structural interface has six engagement features corresponding to the six notches.

5. The stent according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the flexible device receiving forks defines an opening for receiving wires through which they pass.

6. The bracket according to claim 1 further includes an electrical socket suspension part, wherein the structural interface is operably connected to the electrical socket suspension part.

7. A stand for a smart device or a directional speaker, the stand comprising: A device interface having a rear wall and a plurality of resilient device receiving forks projecting forward at the outer periphery of the rear wall, the device receiving forks being adapted to receive the smart device or a directional speaker between the device receiving forks; Back panel; Retaining plate; Bias spring; A connecting pin, wherein the connecting pin defines a longitudinal axis; as well as A structural interface adapted to be attached to a wall of a structure, a back plate disposed on the rear side of the structural interface, a retaining plate disposed on the front side of the device interface, the back plate and the retaining plate being operably connected to a connecting pin, a biasing spring configured to bias the device interface toward the structural interface via the back plate and the retaining plate, the device interface being selectively displaced along the longitudinal axis defined by the connecting pin, against the biasing of the biasing spring, between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in which the device interface abuts against the structural interface, and in the disengaged position, the device interface is spaced apart from the structural interface, and when the device interface is in the disengaged position, the device interface is rotatable relative to the structural interface about the longitudinal axis.

8. The stent according to claim 7, wherein, The device interface has at least three flexible device receiving forks.

9. The stent according to claim 7, wherein, At least one of the flexible device receiving forks defines an opening for receiving wires through which they pass.

10. The bracket according to claim 7 further includes an electrical socket suspension portion, wherein the structural interface is operably connected to the electrical socket suspension portion.

Images