An audio device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an audio device for a laptop computer which has a loudspeaker holder arranged to secure on to a rear of a screen on the laptop computer. The holder has a resiliently d

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an audio device, in particular an audio device for listening to music or audio; more particularly but not exclusively at a laptop computer or similar. Background In many societies across the world it is increasingly common for people to work remotely or on laptop computers. It is often noted that the loudspeakers on laptop computers are ineffective and have poor sound quality. However it is undesirable to have separate loudspeakers when using a laptop computers, for practicality, cost and space reasons amongst others. Prior Art US20150125019 PORTER speaker assembly adapted to secure over the upper surface and sides of a display device, comprising: a substantially U-shaped frame comprising an upper portion and a first and second arm member; said upper portion having ends and the first and second arm member extending substantially perpendicularly from said ends; said first and second arm member comprising a front surface, an interior volume, and an interior surface; a plurality of speaker elements disposed within said interior volume of each arm member, said speaker elements being positioned through cutouts in said front surface thereof; at least one audio input wire extending from one or both of said first and second arm member for driving said speaker elements; said upper portion of said U-shaped frame comprising a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member disposed in a telescoping relationship with regard to one another such that the length of said upper portion is adjustable. WO2009 / 126131 SZOLYGA et al electronic device, comprising: a housing; at least one sound panel slidably coupled to the housing; at least one speaker mounted on the at least one sound panel; and a sound chamber holding the at least one sound panel in a first position, wherein the at least one sound panel forms an expandable speaker system with the sound chamber when the at least one sound panel is held in the first position, the expandable speaker system configured to proportionally increase a resonant frequency range of the at least one speaker based on a contiguous volume created by the sound chamber and the at least one sound panel. US20030063765 LU externally mounted speaker for a notebook computer mainly has a connecting piece and two sliding members disposed, wherein a concave opening is disposed inwardly on the outer lateral end of the sliding member; two sides of one of the ends of the two speaker boxes are disposed with pivots; the pivot is pivotally jointed to the outer side end portion of the concave opening permitting the speaker box to be embedded in the sliding member and also capable of being pulled outward; two retaining sides are disposed downward at the end portions of the two sliding members; on the sliding member, switches for the electric source, the sound control and sockets are disposed to fitly assemble with the computer; two ends of the connecting piece extend into the sliding member and fork to form a convex portion respectively; a resilient element is disposed at the rear end of the convex portion; when two sliding members are respectively pulled along the two ends of the connecting piece, the resilient element is compressed between the convex portion and the rib side at the end portion of the sliding member to have a inward pulling force to transversely mount the two sliding members on the screen, so the retaining sides with convex tenons thereof are fixedly retained; after being connected with proper circuits, the speaker box can be lifted toward the most suitable sound transmitting area. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an audio device suitable for a laptop computer, comprising: a loudspeaker holder arranged to secure onto the rear of the screen of a laptop computer, comprising a resiliently deformable securement means and a frame for one or more loudspeaker arranged to displace within and extend from the frame. In some embodiments of the device the resiliently deformable securement means comprises an elastic band. In some embodiments of the device the frame comprises sliding sides. In some embodiments of the device the loudspeaker is arranged to move from a first compact position to a second opened position. In some such embodiments of the device the loudspeaker comprises concertina side faces In some other embodiments of the device the device comprises folding side faces, or telescopic side faces. In some embodiments of the device the loudspeaker comprises an extending brace member. Such brace may be hinged at a hinge to a side of the loudspeaker. In some embodiments of the device the loudspeaker comprises a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments of the device the loudspeaker comprises a local individual control means. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an audio device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures, comprising a holder and two loudspeakers. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a loudspeaker for a device according to any of the preceding claims. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, installed on a laptop computer, with loudspeakers extended and opened; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, without the laptop, with loudspeakers retracted into the frame but opened; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, without the laptop, with loudspeakers extended from the frame and opened; Figure 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the holder from the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of an audio device 199 suitable for a laptop computer 1000, generally comprising: a loudspeaker holder 100 arranged to secure onto the rear of the screen of a laptop computer 1000 with a screen 105 and a keyboard 101, comprising a resiliently deformable securement means 3 and a rear frame 79,13 for one or more loudspeaker 99 arranged to displace within and extend from the frame. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a holder that comprises a front frame 1,2,10 with a resiliently deformable elastic means 3 of securement onto a laptop computer, as shown in Figure 1. An elastic band 3 provides this resiliently deformable means extends behind a main body 10 which forms the front face of the frame, which main body is planar and substantially rectangular and in use is against the rear face of the laptop screen. The elastic band extends between two side grips 2, which grip the sides of the laptop screen 100, and which are adapted to slide in and out of the main body 10, being connected thereto by a sliding rail 95 proximate their top end and proximate their bottom end. The side grips comprise rounded top ends and open bottom ends, such that the top ends extend around the laptop screen. At the top of the body 10 there is a top lip 1 which rests on the top of the screen 105. The rear of the frame comprises a top channel 79 and a bottom rail 13, within which two loudspeakers 99 slide. The side grips 2 of the frame comprise brackets 14,11, which continue the channel 79 and rail 13 respectively of the rear frame, such that when the side grips 2 are slid outward the loudspeaker 99 will remain supported. It may be envisaged that the side grips 2 may have resiliently deformable inner surfaces, so as to provide higher friction of securement and / or limit damage to the laptop screen. The loudspeakers 99 are separate such that they may be wholly removed from the rail of the holder and comprise a rear housing 20 and a front cover 94. The rear housing 20 is smaller than the front cover, and is arranged to move from a closed position nearer to the front cover 25, to an open position further from the front cover, wherein a concertina bellow 22 provides side faces between the rear surface of the front cover and the front surface of the rear housing. A lower spacer 24 provides a sliding surface on the rail, below the rear housing and bellow. 5 The front cover comprises a mesh grille 94, a physical control button 91, status LED (light emitting diode) 92 and a USB (universal serial bus) charging socket 93 for an internal battery. The loudspeakers further comprise a side brace 23, which comprises an elongate leg 10 that is stored when not in use (as shown) against the outer side rear face of the front cover of the loudspeaker. At its bottom edge the brace comprises a hinge 26, which enables the leg to be hinged down and out from the rear face of the front cover to support the loudspeaker against 15 a surface where the laptop is being used. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An audio device suitable for a laptop computer, comprising: a loudspeaker holder arranged to secure onto the rear of the screen of a laptop computer, comprising a resiliently deformable securement means and a frame for one or more loudspeaker arranged to displace within and extend from the frame.

2. An audio device according to claim 1 wherein the resiliently deformable securement means comprises an elastic band.

3. An audio device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the frame comprises sliding sides.

4. An audio device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the loudspeaker is arranged to move from a first compact position to a second opened position.

5. An audio device according to claim 4 wherein the loudspeaker comprises concertina side faces.

6. An audio device according to claim 4 wherein the loudspeaker comprises folding side faces.

7. An audio device according to claim 4 wherein the loudspeaker comprises telescopic side faces.

8. An audio device according to any preceding claim wherein the loudspeaker comprises an extending brace member.

9. An audio device according to claim 8 wherein the brace is hinged at a hinge to a side of the loudspeaker.

10. An audio device according to any preceding claim wherein the loudspeaker comprises a rechargeable battery.

11. An audio device according to any preceding claim wherein the loudspeaker comprises a local individual control means.

12. A device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a holder and two loudspeakers.

13. A loudspeaker for a device according to any of the preceding claims.T +44(0)30 0300 2000

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