Audio broadcasting system

Abstract

Audio broadcasting system The invention relates to an audio broadcasting system (100) comprising a transmitter device (101) comprising at least one connection member (101a) to an audio device (200) and a means for remotely transmitting (101b) an audio signal, and a receiver / transmitter device (300) comprising a means for holding (302) the receiver / transmitter device (302) on a piece of furniture (400), a means for receiving (301a) the audio signal housed inside a housing (10) and a means for broadcasting (301b) the audio signal. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Audio broadcasting system

[0001] The present invention relates to an audio broadcasting system configured to be installed on a piece of furniture comprising a backrest. Its subject is such a broadcasting system.

[0002] Document WO 2005 / 074753 describes an armchair comprising a seat, a backrest and armrests. The armchair is equipped with a diffusion system which comprises a plurality of loudspeakers. Each armrest is provided with an articulated arm equipped with a loudspeaker. The articulated arm is arranged in such a way that the loudspeaker it carries is adjustable in different positions relative to a head of a user installed in the armchair. These arrangements aim to optimize listening to an audiovisual program such as a video game in the present case.

[0003] A first disadvantage lies in the permanent fixing of the arms on the armrests. This results in a constant cluttering of the environment of the armchair. In addition, in the event of wear or aging of the armchair leading to its disposal, the diffusion system is also discarded, which generates significant replacement costs which follow significant purchase costs.

[0004] A second disadvantage lies in the inadaptability of the diffusion system, which is attached to the chair, to a change of location. Moving the diffusion system involves moving the chair, which sometimes makes it impossible to use the diffusion system in a location other than that where the chair is initially installed.

[0005] The present invention falls within this context and proposes an audio broadcasting system comprising a transmitter device which comprises at least one member for connection to an audio device. It is understood that the transmitter device is capable of being connected to an audio device, such as a television, a hi-fi system or equivalent via the connection member which plugs into an audio output of the audio device. The connection member is for example a jack, HDMI or equivalent socket.

[0006] The transmitter device also comprises a means for remotely transmitting an audio signal from the audio device via the connection between the connection member of the transmitter device and the audio output of the audio device. The transmission means is a remote transmission means, for example of the Bluetooth type or equivalent.

[0007] The broadcasting system also comprises a receiver / transmitter device which comprises means for holding the receiver / transmitter device on a piece of furniture, such as a back of the piece of furniture or a lower part of the piece of furniture. The lower part is likely to be a seat, or even legs of the piece of furniture. The holding means is arranged to be adaptable to a relatively arbitrary piece of furniture. The piece of furniture is preferably an armchair but can also be a bed top, a sofa or similar. The holding means is easy to install on the piece of furniture, and is easy to uninstall from the piece of furniture. In addition, the holding means does not require any adaptation of the piece of furniture for its reliable and lasting reception, while offering a rapid possibility of removing the piece of furniture. The holding means can be used and handled by any user, in particular an elderly person, without any difficulty, its usability being without difficulty.

[0008] The receiver / transmitter device also comprises an audio signal receiving means which is capable of receiving the audio signal transmitted by the remote transmission means. Preferably, the receiving means and the transmitting means are exclusively paired with each other, any communication in reception and / or transmission with another similar device being impossible.

[0009] Preferably, the receiving means is housed inside a housing which forms a protective envelope of the receiving means.

[0010] The receiving means is connected by wired means to a means for broadcasting the audio signal. The broadcasting means preferably consists of at least two loudspeakers.

[0011] According to a first embodiment, the holding means comprises at least two first articulated arms mounted on the housing. Each first articulated arm extends between a proximal end fixed to the housing and a distal end carrying a gripping member. The first articulated arms are movable between a holding position in which the first articulated arms at least partially enclose the furnishing element and a rest position in which the first articulated arms are placed at a distance from the furnishing element. The first articulated arms are in particular swan necks whose deformability allows an optimized positioning of the gripping members on the furnishing element. The gripping members are for example arranged in spheres which also give the holding means an improved and secure aesthetic appearance.

[0012] The audio signal diffusion means comprises at least two second articulated arms which are mounted on the housing and which each carry a loudspeaker. Each second articulated arm extends between a proximal end fixed to the housing and a distal end carrying a loudspeaker. The second articulated arms are movable between a listening position in which the loudspeakers are placed close to a user's head installed on the furnishing element and a storage position in which the speakers are placed at a distance from the user's head installed on the piece of furniture. The second articulated arms are in particular goosenecks whose deformability allows the speakers to be optimally positioned around the user's head on the chair. This results in easy positioning.

[0013] According to a second embodiment, the holding means comprises at least two sheets arranged to be placed on the back of the furniture element. The sheets are connected to each other by an electric wire housed at least partially inside a support forming a spacer for the wires, the support also constituting a counterweight for the sheets. The sheets are made of a flexible material which easily conforms to the shape of the back. The sheets are preferably two-layered to enclose the electric wire.

[0014] According to one embodiment, a loudspeaker is assigned to at least one of the layers by being positioned in a first plane parallel to a layer plane. The layer plane is the plane in which the layer extends.

[0015] According to one embodiment, a loudspeaker is assigned to at least one of the layers by being positioned in a second plane intersecting the layer plane.

[0016] The invention and the advantages resulting therefrom will be better understood upon reading the description and the non-limiting embodiments which follow, with regard to the appended figures in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] represents an audio broadcasting system according to the present invention

[0018] [Fig.2] represents a first variant embodiment of a receiver / transmitter device constituting the broadcasting system illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0019] [Fig.3] represents a second variant embodiment of a receiver / transmitter device constituting the broadcasting system illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0020] In [Fig.l], an audio broadcasting system 100 according to the present invention is shown. The audio broadcasting system 100 comprises a transmitting device 101 which is provided with a connection member 101a to an audio device 200. The audio device 200 is indifferently a television, a hi-fi system or any other electronic device capable of emitting sound.

[0021] The audio device 200 is commonly equipped with sound diffusion members 202, of the loudspeaker type or equivalent. The audio device 200 is also provided with an audio output 201a, analog or digital, such as a female Jack, HDMI or equivalent socket. The connection member 101a is for example a male Jack, HDMI or equivalent socket, capable of cooperating by fitting with the audio output 201a.

[0022] The audio broadcasting system 100 also comprises a means 101b for remotely transmitting an audio signal. This means 101b for remotely transmitting an audio signal is, for example, of the Bluetooth type or equivalent, so as to transmit the audio signal to a means 301a for receiving the audio signal which constitutes a receiver / transmitter device 300.

[0023] The receiver / transmitter device 300 therefore comprises the means 301a for receiving the audio signal as well as a means 301b for broadcasting the audio signal. The receiver / transmitter device 300 also comprises a means 302 for holding the receiver / transmitter device 300 on a piece of furniture 400. It is understood that the piece of furniture 400 is for example an armchair comprising a backrest 401 and a seat 402 on which a user can sit. The furnishing element 400 also comprises a lower part 403 which may comprise the seat 402, or even feet 404 of the furnishing element 400. It is also understood that the holding means 302 of the receiver / transmitter device 300 is a reversible means which easily allows the receiver / transmitter device 300 to be placed on the furnishing element 400 and which just as easily allows the receiver / transmitter device 300 to be removed from the furnishing element 400.Such a holding means 302 is also recognizable by the fact that the latter is capable of being installed on the furnishing element 400 without any modification of the latter, and a fortiori of degradation of the latter, in an intrusive manner in particular. It is also understood that the holding means 302 allows installation of the receiver / transmitter device 300 on various and varied furnishing elements 400.

[0024] In [Fig. 2], the holding means 302 comprises at least two first articulated arms 11 mounted on a housing 10, the first articulated arms 11 being movable between a holding position in which the first articulated arms 11 at least partially enclose the backrest 401 or the lower part 403 of the furnishing element 400, and a rest position once the first articulated arms 11 are moved away from the furnishing element 400. It is understood that in the rest position the first articulated arms 11 are placed at a distance from the backrest 401 of the furnishing element 400.

[0025] The means 301a for receiving the audio signal is housed inside the housing 10.

[0026] The means 301b for broadcasting the audio signal comprises at least two second articulated arms 12 which are mounted on the housing 10 and which each carry a loudspeaker 20, the second articulated arms 12 being movable between a listening position in which the loudspeakers 20 are placed close to a user's head installed on the furnishing element 400 and a storage position in which the loudspeakers 20 are placed at a distance from the user's head installed on the furnishing element 400.

[0027] Note the presence of a power cord 30 for supplying electrical energy to the receiver / transmitter device 300 to which the power cord 30 is connected. The electrical cord 30 is interposed between an electrical outlet 31 and the receiving means 301a.

[0028] In [Fig. 3], the holding means 302 comprises at least two sheets 41 arranged to be placed on the backrest 401 of the furnishing element 400. The sheets 41 are connected to each other by electrical wires 42 housed at least partially inside a support 43 forming a spacer for the electrical wires 42. The support 43 also constitutes a counterweight for the sheets 4L. The support 43 is preferably arranged in a tube or a bar supporting the housing 10 housing the means 301a for receiving the audio signal.

[0029] Also noted is the presence of a power cord 30 for supplying electrical energy to the receiver / transmitter device 300 to which the power cord 30 is connected. The electrical cord 30 is interposed between an electrical outlet 31 and the receiving means 301a.

[0030] According to a first variant, a loudspeaker 20 is assigned to at least one of the layers 41 by being positioned in a first plane PI parallel to a layer plane PO.

[0031] According to a second variant, a loudspeaker 20 is assigned to at least one of the layers 41 by being positioned in a second plane P2 intersecting the layer plane PO.

Claims

Claims

1. Audio broadcasting system (100) comprising a transmitter device (101) comprising at least one connection member (101a) to an audio device (200) and a means for remote transmission (101b) of an audio signal, and a receiver / transmitter device (300) comprising a means for holding (302) the receiver / transmitter device (302) on a piece of furniture (400), a means for receiving (301a) the audio signal housed inside a housing (10) and a means for broadcasting (301b) the audio signal, characterized in that the holding means (302) comprises at least two first articulated arms (11) which are mounted on the housing (10), each first articulated arm (11) extending between a first proximal end fixed to the housing (10) and a first distal end carrying a gripping member,the means for broadcasting (301b) the audio signal comprising at least two second articulated arms (12) which are mounted on the housing (10) and which each carry a loudspeaker (20), each second articulated arm (12) extending between a second proximal end fixed to the housing (10) and a second distal end carrying a loudspeaker (20).,

2. Audio broadcasting system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first articulated arms (11) are movable between a holding position in which the first articulated arms (11) are able to at least partially grip the furnishing element (400) and a storage position in which the first articulated arms (11) are able to be placed at a distance from the furnishing element (400).

3. Audio broadcasting system (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that in the holding position the first articulated arms (11) are capable of at least partially enclosing a backrest (401) of the furnishing element (400) and in that in the storage position the first articulated arms (11) are capable of being placed at a distance from the backrest (401) of the furnishing element (400).

4. Audio broadcasting system (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that in the holding position, the first articulated arms (11) are capable of at least partially enclosing a lower part of the furnishing element (400), and in that in the storage position, the first articulated arms (11) are capable of being placed at a distance from the lower part of the furnishing element (400).

5. Audio broadcasting system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second articulated arms (12) are movable between a listening position in which the loudspeakers (20) are placed close to a user's head installed on the furnishing element (400) and a storage position in which the loudspeakers (20) are placed at a distance from the user's head installed on the furnishing element (400).

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