Sound equipment
By designing a detachable sub-speaker slot structure and a plastic shell in the speaker, the problems of sub-unit loss and inconvenient wiring in portable audio products are solved, and the portability and sound quality of the speaker are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422169335.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-04
AI Technical Summary
In existing portable stereo sound products, the surround speakers and subwoofer speakers are designed separately, which makes them easy to lose and inconvenient for outdoor use and wiring.
An audio structure is designed, in which the main speaker and the auxiliary speaker are detachably installed in the card slot of the host and fixed by an ejection mechanism and an elastic part. The controller is electrically connected to the speaker and uses a plastic shell. It supports Bluetooth communication and is easy to carry and wire.
It effectively avoids the loss of the auxiliary unit, realizes the overall installation and flexible movement of the speaker, simplifies the wiring process, and enhances the portability and sound quality experience of outdoor use.
Smart Images

Figure CN223414966U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of electronic equipment structures, in particular to a speaker. Background Art
[0002] At present, speakers convert audio electrical energy into corresponding sound energy and radiate it into space. They are responsible for converting electrical signals into sound signals for direct listening by human ears. The portable stereo audio products currently on the market generally include a subwoofer speaker and two surround speakers, and the surround speakers and the subwoofer speaker are connected by wires.
[0003] However, the subwoofer speaker cabinets are all designed with wooden boxes, and the two surround speakers are all designed with relatively small wooden boxes or plastic boxes. This type of design is more suitable for indoor use and is relatively troublesome to use outdoors, mainly because it is inconvenient to carry and wire. At the same time, because the two surround speakers and the subwoofer speaker are designed separately, they are easy to lose. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a speaker to solve the technical problem that existing portable stereo audio products generally include a subwoofer speaker and two surround speakers. Since the two surround speakers and the subwoofer speaker are designed separately, they are easily lost.
[0005] The utility model provides a sound system, comprising:
[0006] A host, comprising a main housing, a main speaker, a controller, and two ejection mechanisms, wherein the main speaker, the controller, and the two ejection mechanisms are all mounted on the main housing, and the ejection mechanisms and the main housing enclose a slot;
[0007] Two auxiliary machines, each comprising an auxiliary housing and an auxiliary speaker mounted on the auxiliary housing, the two auxiliary machines being detachably mounted in the two card slots respectively, the projection of the main speaker on the bottom of the main housing being located between the projections of the two auxiliary speakers on the bottom of the main housing, and the main speaker and the two auxiliary speakers being connected to the controller.
[0008] Furthermore, the main speaker is located on a side surface of the main housing, and the two auxiliary speakers are both located on the top of the main housing.
[0009] Furthermore, the ejection mechanism includes a top seat and at least one elastic member, the top seat includes a top plate and at least one support rod protruding from the bottom of the top plate, the main housing is provided with two accommodating grooves and at least two positioning cavities respectively recessed on the bottom walls of the two accommodating grooves, the top plate is located in the accommodating groove, the elastic member is annular, the elastic member is sleeved on the support rod, the support rod and the elastic member are both inserted into the positioning cavity, the top plate and part of the inner wall of the accommodating groove enclose the card slot.
[0010] Furthermore, the ejection mechanism also includes at least one fastener, the top seat also includes at least one limiting rod protruding from the bottom of the top plate, the main housing is also provided with a storage space and at least two first through-holes, the accommodating groove is connected to the storage space through the first through-hole, the limiting rod is slidably inserted into the first through-hole, the fastener is located in the storage space, and the fastener is fixedly connected to the limiting rod.
[0011] Furthermore, the top seat also includes a hook for limiting the stroke of the top seat, the hook includes a connecting rod protruding from the bottom of the top plate and a hook-shaped portion protruding from the connecting rod, and the main housing is also penetrated by two limiting holes, the two ends of the limiting holes are respectively connected to the accommodating groove and the storage space, the connecting rod slides through the limiting hole, and the hook-shaped portion is located in the storage space.
[0012] Furthermore, the controller includes a main control board, four first PIN pins electrically connected to the main control board, and four second PIN pins communicatively connected to the main control board, the main control board is mounted on the main housing, and two first PIN pins and two second PIN pins are mounted on the inner wall of each card slot;
[0013] The auxiliary machine also includes two first electrical chips, both electrically connected to the auxiliary speaker, and two second electrical chips, both communicatively connected to the auxiliary speaker. The first electrical chip and the second electrical chip are both fixed on the auxiliary machine housing. The two first PIN needles are respectively abutted against the two first electrical chips, and the two second PIN needles are respectively abutted against the two second electrical chips. The main speaker is connected to the main control board.
[0014] Furthermore, the controller also includes a plurality of wires, the main control board is located in the storage space, and the main housing is also provided with two second perforations, the two ends of the second perforations are respectively connected to the accommodating groove and the storage space, the first PIN needle and the second PIN needle are both fixed on the top plate, one end of each of the wires is connected to the main control board, and the other end passes through the corresponding second perforation and is connected to the corresponding first PIN needle and second PIN needle.
[0015] Furthermore, the host further comprises a first battery and a key assembly, wherein the first battery and the key assembly are both fixed to the host housing and connected to the controller;
[0016] The auxiliary machine also includes a second battery and a sub-control board. The second battery and the sub-control board are both fixed on the auxiliary machine housing. The auxiliary speaker and the second battery are both connected to the sub-control board. The controller is connected to the sub-control board via Bluetooth through the button assembly.
[0017] Furthermore, a plurality of ridges are provided on the inner side wall of the card slot, and the ridges are in contact with the auxiliary device.
[0018] Furthermore, the main housing and the auxiliary housing are both made of plastic.
[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:
[0020] In the present invention, the two auxiliary units are detachably installed in the two card slots of the main unit, and the main speaker in the main unit and the auxiliary speakers in the auxiliary units are both connected to the controller, which can effectively prevent the two auxiliary units from being lost when the audio system is in use, realize the overall installation of the main unit and the two auxiliary units, and facilitate users to flexibly move and place them. The projection of the main speaker on the bottom of the main unit shell is located between the projections of the two auxiliary speakers on the bottom of the main unit shell. The two auxiliary speakers are equivalent to being arranged on the left and right sides of the main speaker. The two auxiliary speakers can respectively produce two sound channels of left surround and right surround. Together with the central main speaker, they can be combined into a stereo sound system for music playback. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the speaker provided in an embodiment of the utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded diagram;
[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a host provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view along line AA;
[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Exploded diagram;
[0026] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a top seat provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0027] Figure 7The structure diagram of the auxiliary machine provided in the embodiment of the utility model Figure 1 ;
[0028] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Cross-sectional view along line BB;
[0029] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Exploded diagram;
[0030] Figure 10 The structure diagram of the auxiliary machine provided in the embodiment of the utility model Figure 2 .
[0031] In the picture:
[0032] 10. Main unit; 11. Main housing; 111. Accommodation slot; 112. Positioning cavity; 113. Storage space; 114. First perforation; 115. Limiting hole; 116. Second perforation; 117. Main housing; 118. Bottom cover; 12. Main speaker; 13. Controller; 131. Main control board; 132. First PIN; 133. Second PIN; 134. Wire; 14. Ejector mechanism; 141. Top base; 142. Top plate; 1421. Mounting hole; 143. Support rod; 144. Limiting rod; 1441. Threaded hole; 145. Hook; 1451. Connecting rod. 1452. Hook-shaped portion; 146. Elastic member; 147. Fastener; 15. Card slot; 151. Slot; 16. First battery; 17. Key assembly; 171. Start / Stop button; 172. Bluetooth switch button; 173. Volume minus button; 174. Pause button; 175. Volume plus button; 176. Bluetooth pairing button; 18. Positioning member; 181. Positioning plate; 182. Raised ridge; 20. Auxiliary machine; 21. Auxiliary machine housing; 22. Auxiliary speaker; 23. First electric chip; 24. Second electric chip; 25. Second battery; 26. Sub-control panel; 27. Iron mesh; 28. Mesh cover; 29. On / off button. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] Below, the present invention is further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. It should be noted that, under the premise of no conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.
[0034] See also Figures 1 to 6 ,as well as Figure 8As shown, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a sound system, including a main unit 10 and two auxiliary units 20. The main unit 10 includes a main housing 11, a main speaker 12, a controller 13 and two ejection mechanisms 14. The main speaker 12, the controller 13 and the two ejection mechanisms 14 are all installed on the main housing 11. The ejection mechanism 14 and the main housing 11 enclose a card slot 15, and the two card slots 15 are spaced apart and arranged on one surface of the outer wall of the main unit 10.
[0035] The auxiliary machine 20 includes an auxiliary housing 21 and an auxiliary speaker 22 installed on the auxiliary housing 21. The two auxiliary machines 20 are detachably installed in the two card slots 15 respectively. The projection of the main speaker 12 on the bottom of the main housing 11 is located between the projections of the two auxiliary speakers 22 on the bottom of the main housing 11. The two auxiliary speakers 22 are equivalent to being arranged on the left and right sides of the main speaker 12. The main speaker 12 and the two auxiliary speakers 22 are all connected to the controller 13, which can effectively prevent the two auxiliary machines 20 from being lost when the audio system is in use, realize the integrity of the main unit 10 and the two auxiliary machines 20, and facilitate users to flexibly move and place them.
[0036] The main unit 10 is a subwoofer, the main speaker 12 is located on one side of the main housing 11, and the two sub-speakers 22 are both located on the top of the main housing 11. The main speaker 12 and the two sub-speakers 22 are located on two different sides of the main housing 11. The two sub-speakers 22 can produce two sound channels, left surround and right surround, respectively. Together with the subwoofer of the middle main speaker 12, they can be combined into a stereo sound system for music playback.
[0037] In this embodiment, the ejection mechanism 14 includes a top seat 141 and at least one elastic member 146. The top seat 141 includes a top plate 142 and at least one support rod 143 protruding from the bottom of the top plate 142. The main housing 11 is provided with two receiving grooves 111 and at least two positioning cavities 112 respectively recessed on the bottom walls of the two receiving grooves 111. The number of elastic members 146 and support rods 143 in each ejection mechanism 14 is two. The number of positioning cavities 112 in the main housing 11 is four. Each receiving groove 111 corresponds to two positioning cavities 112. The top plate 142 is located in the receiving groove 111. 11, the elastic member 146 is annular, and the elastic member 146 is sleeved on the support rod 143. The length of the elastic member 146 is greater than the length of the support rod 143. The support rod 143 and the elastic member 146 are both inserted into the positioning cavity 112. The top plate 142 and the inner wall of part of the accommodating groove 111 are enclosed to form the said card slot 15. When it is necessary to remove the fixed auxiliary machine 20 from the card slot 15, continue to press the auxiliary machine 20 downward multiple times. Relying on the elastic force of the elastic member 146, the auxiliary machine 20 can be popped out of the card slot 15, thereby completing the disassembly of the auxiliary machine 20. The elastic member 146 can be a spring.
[0038] The ejection mechanism 14 also includes at least one fastener 147, and the top seat 141 also includes at least one limiting rod 144 protruding from the bottom of the top plate 142. The main housing 11 is also provided with a storage space 113 and at least two first through-holes 114. The accommodating groove 111 is connected to the storage space 113 through the corresponding first through-holes 114. The number of limiting rods 144 and fasteners 147 in each ejection mechanism 14 is two. The number of first through-holes 114 in the main housing 11 is four. The limiting rod 144 is slidably inserted into the first through-hole 114, and the fastener 147 is located in the storage space 113. The outer diameter of the fastener 147 is larger than the inner diameter of the first through-hole 114. The fastener 147 is fixedly connected to the threaded hole 1441 in the limiting rod 144 to prevent the ejection mechanism 14 from separating from the main housing 11 during the ejection process. The fastener 147 can be a screw.
[0039] The top seat 141 also includes a hook 145, which includes a connecting rod 1451 protruding from the bottom of the top plate 142 and a hook-shaped portion 1452 protruding from the connecting rod 1451. The main housing 11 is also penetrated by two limiting holes 115. The two ends of the limiting holes 115 are respectively connected to the accommodating groove 111 and the storage space 113. The connecting rod 1451 slides through the limiting holes 115, and the hook-shaped portion 1452 is located in the storage space 113. When the top seat 141 is lifted up, the hook-shaped portion 1452 will abut against the inner wall of the storage space 113 to limit the up and down movement of the top seat 141.
[0040] Please see further Figures 2 to 10 In this embodiment, the controller 13 includes a main control board 131, four first PIN pins 132 electrically connected to the main control board 131, and four second PIN pins 133 communicatively connected to the main control board 131. The main control board 131 is mounted on the main housing 11, and two first PIN pins 132 and two second PIN pins 133 are mounted on the inner wall of each card slot 15. The auxiliary device 20 also includes two first electrical chips 23 electrically connected to the auxiliary speakers 22 and two second electrical chips 24 communicatively connected to the auxiliary speakers 22. The first electrical chips 23 and the second electrical chips 24 are both fixed to the auxiliary housing 21. When the two auxiliary devices 20 are respectively inserted into the two card slots 15, the two first PIN pins 132 respectively abut against the two first electrical chips 23, and the two second PIN pins 133 respectively abut against the two second electrical chips 24, so as to realize the electrical and communicative connection between the auxiliary device 20 and the main control board 131, and the main speaker 12 is connected to the main control board 131.
[0041] The controller 13 also includes multiple wires 134. The main control board 131 and the main speaker 12 are both located in the storage space 113. The main housing 11 is also provided with two second through-holes 116. The two ends of the second through-holes 116 are respectively connected to the accommodating groove 111 and the storage space 113. The first PIN pin 132 and the second PIN pin 133 are both fixed on the respective embedding holes 1421 of the top plate 142. The wires 134 are in a bent state. One end of each wire 134 is connected to the main control board 131, and the other end passes through the corresponding second through-hole 116 and is connected to the corresponding first PIN pin 132 and second PIN pin 133, so that the first PIN pin 132 and the second PIN pin 133 can be raised and lowered with the top seat 141, so that the auxiliary machine 20 can be accurately electrically connected to the controller 13 during the installation process. The main housing 11 is provided with a sound hole corresponding to the main speaker 12.
[0042] In some embodiments, the first electrical sheet 23 and the second electrical sheet 24 are both annular structures. The diameters of the two first electrical sheets 23 on the same auxiliary machine 20 are different and are concentric circle structures. The diameters of the two second electrical sheets 24 are also different and are concentric circle structures. Each first electrical sheet 23 and the corresponding second electrical sheet 24 are coaxially arranged, and the two first PIN needles 132 and the two second PIN needles 133 are arranged in a horizontal row, so that the auxiliary machine 20 can be quickly electrically connected to the controller 13 during the installation process.
[0043] In this embodiment, the host 10 further includes a first battery 16 and a button assembly 17. The first battery 16 and the button assembly 17 are both fixed to the main housing 11 and are connected to the controller 13. The first battery 16 is located in the storage space 113. The auxiliary machine 20 further includes a second battery 25 and a sub-control board 26. The second battery 25 and the sub-control board 26 are both fixed to the auxiliary housing 21. The auxiliary speaker 22 and the second battery 25 are both connected to the sub-control board 26. The button assembly 17 includes a start-stop button 171, a Bluetooth switch button 172, a sound reduction button 173, a pause button 174, a sound The plus key 175 and the Bluetooth pairing key 176, the start / stop key 171, the Bluetooth switch key 172, the volume minus key 173, the pause key 174, the volume plus key 175 and the Bluetooth pairing key 176 are all connected to the main control board 131. The controller 13 is connected to the sub-control board 26 by Bluetooth through the key assembly 17, and can switch between the three audio information connections of Bluetooth, WIFI, and AUX-IN to facilitate music enjoyment. According to personal preference, the left and right auxiliary units 20 can be removed and placed at the position where you want the auditory effect, which is also convenient for carrying and wiring.
[0044] The inner wall of the card slot 15 is provided with a plurality of ridges 182, which abut against the auxiliary machine 20 to increase the friction between the card slot 15 and the auxiliary machine 20. The auxiliary machine 20 is installed in the card slot 15. During use, the first battery 16 can charge the second battery 25. The first battery 16 is a large-capacity lithium battery, and the second battery 25 is a small-capacity lithium battery.
[0045] Specifically, the main unit 10 also includes a plurality of positioning members 18, the positioning members 18 include a positioning plate 181 and the ridge 182 protruding from the positioning plate 181, the inner side wall of the card slot 15 is provided with a plurality of slots 151, the positioning plate 181 is inserted into the slot 151, and the ridge 182 abuts against the lower end of the sub-housing 21 to increase friction. Of course, the positioning member 18 can also be other structural forms.
[0046] In some embodiments, the main housing 11 and the auxiliary housing 21 are both made of plastic material, which can make the product smaller in size and lighter in weight, thereby reducing the weight of the entire audio system.
[0047] The audio system also includes an iron mesh 27 and a mesh cover 28. The iron mesh 27 is installed on the auxiliary housing 21 and covers the auxiliary speaker 22. The mesh cover 28 is installed on the iron mesh 27 to prevent external dust from entering the auxiliary speaker 22 through the iron mesh 27. A switch 29 connected to the sub-control panel 26 is provided at the bottom of the auxiliary machine 20 to facilitate starting and stopping the auxiliary machine 20.
[0048] The main housing 11 includes a main housing 117 and a bottom cover 118 . The receiving slot 111 is provided on the main housing 117 . The bottom cover 118 is installed at the bottom of the main housing 117 and encloses the main housing 117 to form the receiving space 113 .
[0049] How the speakers work:
[0050] When assembly is required, the two auxiliary units 20 are first turned on, and then the two auxiliary units 20 are respectively inserted into the two card slots 15, and the auxiliary units 20 are pressed downwards. The friction between the multiple ridges 182 on the inner wall of the card slot 15 and the outer wall of the auxiliary units 20 is used to achieve the snap connection; when the auxiliary units 20 need to be disassembled, the auxiliary units 20 are pressed downwards multiple times. The elastic force of the elastic member 146 can make the auxiliary units 20 pop out from the card slot 15, thereby completing the disassembly of the auxiliary units 20. The two disassembled auxiliary units 20 are placed in the position where the auditory effect is desired, and the playback effect can be achieved through the Bluetooth pairing button 176 on the main unit 10.
[0051] Beneficial effects of sound:
[0052] 1. The left and right sub-devices 20 can be connected to the main unit 10 via the Bluetooth transmission method in the key assembly 17, without the need for an audio cable connection to transmit signals;
[0053] 2. The materials of the main unit 10 and the auxiliary unit 20 are changed from wood to plastic, which makes the product smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry.
[0054] 3. The left and right auxiliary units 20 can be freely placed according to the user's personal preferences and space;
[0055] 4. The first battery 16 in the main unit 10 is a large-capacity lithium battery. The left and right auxiliary units 20 can be directly charged when they are installed on the main unit 10.
[0056] 5. The two auxiliary devices 20 can be directly connected to the two card slots 15 of the main device 10. The two auxiliary devices 20 are not easy to be lost, and the overall packaging is more concise and convenient to move.
[0057] To sum up, in the present invention, the two auxiliary units 20 are respectively detachably installed in the two card slots 15 of the main unit 10. The main speaker 12 in the main unit 10 and the auxiliary speaker 22 in the auxiliary unit 20 are both connected to the controller 13, which can effectively prevent the two auxiliary units 20 from being lost when the audio system is in use. The projection of the main speaker 12 on the bottom of the main housing 11 is located between the projections of the two auxiliary speakers 22 on the bottom of the main housing 11. The two auxiliary speakers 22 are equivalent to being arranged on the left and right sides of the main speaker 12. The two auxiliary speakers 22 can respectively produce two sound channels of left surround and right surround. Together with the central main speaker 12, they can be combined into a stereo sound system for music playback.
[0058] The above-mentioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any non-substantial changes and replacements made by technicians in this field on the basis of the present invention fall within the scope of protection required by the present invention.
Claims
1. A sound system, characterized in that: include: A host, comprising a main housing, a main speaker, a controller, and two ejection mechanisms, wherein the main speaker, the controller, and the two ejection mechanisms are all mounted on the main housing, and the ejection mechanisms and the main housing enclose a slot; Two auxiliary machines, each comprising an auxiliary housing and an auxiliary speaker mounted on the auxiliary housing, the two auxiliary machines being detachably mounted in the two card slots respectively, the projection of the main speaker on the bottom of the main housing being located between the projections of the two auxiliary speakers on the bottom of the main housing, and the main speaker and the two auxiliary speakers being connected to the controller.
2. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein: The main speaker is located on a side surface of the main housing, and the two auxiliary speakers are both located on the top of the main housing.
3. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein: The ejection mechanism includes a top seat and at least one elastic member, the top seat includes a top plate and at least one support rod protruding from the bottom of the top plate, the main housing is provided with two accommodating grooves and at least two positioning cavities respectively recessed on the bottom walls of the two accommodating grooves, the top plate is located in the accommodating groove, the elastic member is annular, the elastic member is sleeved on the support rod, the support rod and the elastic member are both inserted into the positioning cavity, the top plate and part of the inner wall of the accommodating groove enclose the card slot.
4. The sound system according to claim 3, wherein: The ejection mechanism also includes at least one fastener, and the top seat also includes at least one limiting rod protruding from the bottom of the top plate. The main housing is also provided with a storage space and at least two first through-holes. The accommodating groove is connected to the storage space through the first through-holes. The limiting rod is slidably inserted into the first through-hole. The fastener is located in the storage space, and the fastener is fixedly connected to the limiting rod.
5. The sound system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The top seat also includes a hook for limiting the stroke of the top seat, and the hook includes a connecting rod protruding from the bottom of the top plate and a hook-shaped portion protruding from the connecting rod. The main housing is also penetrated by two limiting holes, and the two ends of the limiting holes are respectively connected to the accommodating groove and the storage space. The connecting rod slides through the limiting hole, and the hook-shaped portion is located in the storage space.
6. The sound system according to claim 4, characterized in that The controller includes a main control board, four first PIN pins electrically connected to the main control board, and four second PIN pins communicatively connected to the main control board. The main control board is mounted on the main housing, and two first PIN pins and two second PIN pins are mounted on the inner wall of each card slot. The auxiliary machine also includes two first electrical chips, both electrically connected to the auxiliary speaker, and two second electrical chips, both communicatively connected to the auxiliary speaker. The first electrical chip and the second electrical chip are both fixed on the auxiliary machine housing. The two first PIN needles are respectively abutted against the two first electrical chips, and the two second PIN needles are respectively abutted against the two second electrical chips. The main speaker is connected to the main control board.
7. The sound system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The controller also includes multiple wires, the main control board is located in the storage space, and the main housing is also provided with two second through-holes, the two ends of the second through-holes are respectively connected to the accommodating groove and the storage space, the first PIN needle and the second PIN needle are both fixed on the top plate, one end of each of the wires is connected to the main control board, and the other end passes through the corresponding second through-hole and is connected to the corresponding first PIN needle and second PIN needle.
8. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein: The host further includes a first battery and a button assembly, wherein the first battery and the button assembly are both fixed to the host housing and connected to the controller; The auxiliary machine also includes a second battery and a sub-control board. The second battery and the sub-control board are both fixed on the auxiliary machine housing. The auxiliary speaker and the second battery are both connected to the sub-control board. The controller is connected to the sub-control board via Bluetooth through the button assembly.
9. The sound system according to claim 1, wherein: The inner side wall of the card slot is provided with a plurality of ridges, and the ridges abut against the auxiliary device.
10. The speaker according to claim 1, wherein The main housing and the auxiliary housing are both made of plastic material.