A decorative element having an integrated loudspeaker system

Abstract

The claimed invention relates to a field of interior and sound playback device, and it has a housing in a form of an anthropomorphous animal figure that consists of elements which imitate body parts, namely, a head, a body, upper limbs and lower limbs, elements such as speakers, volume adjustment means, audio files playback control means, a control unit and a power supply unit are arranged in the housing. According to the invention, at least two limbs consist of a distal element and a proximal element, and they are interconnected via a shaft so as to enable rotation and fixation of the distal element relative to the proximal element, and the adjustment and control means are formed by switches which are arranged on a circuit board that is secured in the proximal elements of the limbs and by cams which are arranged on the shaft that is made integral with the distal element, and they are configured to be activated upon rotation of the distal elements of the limbs, and the distal element and the proximal element of the limb are equipped with an elastic element that retains the distal element of the limb in a single static position relative to the proximal element of the limb. This structural arrangement enables to increase the integrity of the visual appearance without using any visible control elements such as buttons, keys etc., while providing a reliable manual control and at the same time retaining a static position of the decorative element without any alterations of the visual appearance.

Description

[0001] A DECORATIVE ELEMENT HAVING AN INTEGRATED LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to a field of interior design and sound playback devices, it concerns decorative articles or collector’s items, namely, in a form of an anthropomorphous figure having an integrated loudspeaker system, which are used to create aesthetic and functional interior, and they not only create a visual attraction, but also may be used as a loudspeaker system within a room.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One of mandatory requirements as to decorative elements having an integrated loudspeaker system is their unique visual appearance that should complement the interior harmonically. This problem is often solved by integration of a loudspeaker system into a decorative object. However, in most cases, the decorative object has a standard geometrical shape, e.g., a cube, a parallelepiped or a cylinder, which restricts its aesthetic appearance. Rather often, a production of an original visual appearance of the decorative element is not acceptable in view of significant technological difficulties and costs, since it is necessary not only to provide an attractive visual appearance of the device, but to make it capable of distributing a high-quality sound, enabling a convenient control, while at the same time ensuring its structural stability and immovability when using as a loudspeaker device. Nowadays, control and management of decorative elements having integrated loudspeaker systems are carried out mainly by means of a wireless connection and / or buttons arranged in a prominent location on a housing of the device. Technological progress in this field is very rapid which allows to ensure a convenient remote control. However, it is important to note that the decorative element at the same time loses its tactile nature and interaction with a user. Besides, introduction of functional buttons at a surface of the object affects its visual appearance and feelings, thereby resulting in reduction of aesthetic qualities and disruption of a balance between functionality and design. Development of technologies in this direction has an objective nature, but it is important to ensure a balanced combination between a high-quality sound field and aesthetically attractive visual appearance.

[0006] PRIOR ART

[0007] Decorative elements having an integrated loudspeaker system are specially designed decorative articles which comprise acoustic components for sound playback. This is a combination of the aesthetic decorative function with a possibility of creation an atmospheric sound background or even playback of music within a room. These elements may be used in various applications such as domestic interior, restaurants, hotels, business spaces and other locations.

[0008] Prior art teaches a variety of elements having an integrated loudspeaker system, e.g., portable speakers, abstract objects (having a shape of geometric figures, sculptural abstractions), natural elements (integrated into natural objects such as trees, stones, waterfalls etc.), light objects (lamps, chandeliers or illumination panels), furniture elements (integrated into various furniture details such as tables, shelves, chairs etc.), sound figurines, busts or heads.

[0009] Also, the prior art teaches various sound generation devices in a form of toys. They may be used as entertainment tools or they may serve as standard acoustic speakers for sound playback. Usually, they possess shared drawbacks, namely, a presence of an interface arranged on / in a head of the device, while control and management of a toy is carried out by means of buttons arranged on the interface which is a solution that is standard and easy to make, but it is not a balanced combination of technical characteristics and a visual appearance, e.g., US2007060020 (Al) dated March 15, 2007, US2007087652 (Al) dated April 19, 2007.

[0010] There are numerous decorative devices having integrated loudspeaker systems such as portable speakers which are controlled only by means of a wireless connection, e.g., an application US2008137880 (Al) dated June 12, 2008 teaches a loudspeaker system comprising a first device having a supporting surface, the first device comprising a positioning element that protrudes from the supporting surface and forms a distal end, the positioning element tapering from the supporting surface to a smaller dimension at the distal end; and a first electrical contact adjacent to the positioning element; and a second device comprising a cavity receiving the positioning element; and a second electrical contact engaging the first electrical contact, wherein one of the first device and the second device is a speaker. A drawback of this technical solution is a fully remote control without any tactile nature, so an interaction between a user and the device is lost.

[0011] A creative way to combine a decorative nature and an audio function is to use anthropomorphous figures as decorative elements having an integrated loudspeaker system. The figures may have various shapes and styles, from realistic to abstract ones.

[0012] The anthropomorphous figures are important elements in interior design, thereby providing its additional uniqueness and style. Owing to acoustic capabilities of these figures, they may reproduce a pleasant sound background which helps to create a certain mood and atmosphere in a room.

[0013] Patent US6530818 (Bl) dated March 11, 2003 teaches an audio device in a form of an animal, the device comprises a sound generator having a face; two speakers in a general shape of animal eyes, the speakers mounted to the sound generator at two locations on a front face of the sound generator; an actuation switch associated with the sound generator; and a power supply adapted to provide electrical power to the sound generator, wherein the speakers pop-out on a spring mount from the sound generator, and the speakers rotate in front of the sound generator by actuation of a corresponding switch. A drawback of this technical solution lies in that the audio device comprises a rather bulk control panel in a form of buttons which are responsible for volume of the device and playback of audio files. This solution lacks any balanced combination of the visual appearance and control of the audio device. This solution is simpler and more traditional; however, it distorts the aesthetic aspect by disrupting its integrity.

[0014] Patent CN202004951 (U) dated October 5, 2011 teaches a sound box which comprises a replaceable external universal mobile phone battery, a left speaker, a right speaker and a bass speaker, as well as a sound box shell for containing and installing the left speaker, the right speaker and the bass speaker, wherein the sound box shell is of a flat rectangular sphere, a head part is arranged at one end of the sound box shell, the left speaker and the right speaker are respectively arranged at two sides of the sound box shell, the bass speaker is arranged at a bottom of the sound box shell downwards, and support legs capable of keeping a distance between the sound box shell and a placing surface are arranged at the bottom of the sound box shell. Keys are arranged in the head part connected with the sound box shell, thus presenting an animal body structure The integrated model of the sound box is not influenced, and the model design has larger adjustment space so as to better meet the individual design demands. A drawback of this technical solution lies in that the sound box comprises a control panel that is arranged on / in the head. This hardware-interface concept allows to control the device, however, at the same time it is a common and already known solution, thereby causing a lack of aesthetic nature and disrupts the design.

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The claimed invention is aimed to provide a decorative element in a form of an anthropomorphous figure having an integrated loudspeaker system which may be used, either simultaneously or alternately, as an individual interior decorative element and as a loudspeaker system, where manual control elements of the loudspeaker system are made using a concealed mounting so as to avoid disruption of a visual appearance integrity of the decorative element regardless of which parameters of the loudspeaker system are set at a certain moment of their use.

[0017] Said task is resolved by providing a decorative element having an integrated loudspeaker system, the element has a housing in a form of an anthropomorphous animal figure that consists of elements which imitate body parts, namely, a head, a body, upper and lower limbs. Elements of the loudspeaker system such as speakers, volume adjustment means, audio files playback control means, a control unit and a power supply unit are arranged in the housing. The limbs consist of a distal element and a proximal element, and they are interconnected via a shaft so as to enable rotation and fixation of the distal element relative to the proximal element. The adjustment and control means are formed by switches which are arranged on a circuit board that is secured in the proximal elements of the limbs and by cams which are arranged on the shaft that is made integral with the distal element, and they are configured to be activated upon rotation of the distal elements of the limbs. Therewith, the distal element and the proximal element of the limb are equipped with an elastic element that retains the distal element of the limb in a single static position relative to the proximal element of the limb.

[0018] The decorative element having the integrated loudspeaker system has the housing in the form of the anthropomorphous animal figure that consists of elements which imitate body parts, namely, the head, the body, the upper and lower limbs. This structure of the housing allows to provide a unique combination of an aesthetic attraction and a high-quality sound. The invention is an innovative approach as to creation of a multimedia object that goes beyond usual decorative articles and supplements them with a functionality of the loudspeaker system.

[0019] Elements of the loudspeaker system such as speakers, volume adjustment means, audio files playback control means, a control unit and a power supply unit are arranged in the housing. This structure hides all elements which are responsible for operation of the loudspeaker system, while providing a full functionality of parameters of control and management of the loudspeaker system, as well as providing an integrity of the object without any redundant elements arranged on the housing.

[0020] The limbs consist of a distal element and a proximal element, and they are interconnected via a shaft so as to enable rotation and fixation of the distal element relative to the proximal element.

[0021] The adjustment and control means are formed by switches which are arranged on a circuit board that is secured in the proximal elements of the limbs and by cams which are arranged on the shaft that is made integral with the distal element, and they are configured to be activated upon rotation of the distal elements of the limbs. This allows to adjust the parameters of sound and playback of the audio files by rotating the elements. Also, this provides the user with interactive capabilities by providing a tactile contact with the decorative element.

[0022] The distal element and the proximal element of the limb are equipped with an elastic element that retains the distal element of the limb in a single static position relative to the proximal element of the limb. A presence of the elastic element between the distal element and the proximal element of the limbs ensures their fixation in the given static position. This structure ensures stability and convenience of adjustment of sound characteristics, as well as allows to adjust the volume and to control the playback of the audio files by rotating the distal element, and upon completion of corresponding actions, by means of the elastic element, the distal element returns to its initial position, i.e., an initial form of the decorative element is preserved without any additional efforts or without any additional actions.

[0023] The speakers are arranged in different parts of the head of the anthropomorphous figure, thereby enabling to create an extensive and spatial sound effect. A number of the speakers defines a possibility of playback of a wide frequency range, including high, mid and low frequencies. It enhances the sound quality and allows to reproduce the audio files with higher quality.

[0024] A set of features of the present solution enables to achieve a technical effect that lies in increase of integrity of the visual appearance without using any visible control elements such as buttons, keys etc., while providing a reliable manual control and at the same time retaining a static position of the decorative element without any alterations of the visual appearance.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to provide more complete understanding of the claimed invention and advantages thereof, the following description provides an explanation of possible exemplary embodiments thereof with a reference to figures of the appended drawings, wherein identical designations denote identical parts, and * which illustrate the following:

[0027] Fig. 1 illustrates an axonometrical view of the decorative element having the integrated loudspeaker system;

[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates a rear view of the decorative element having the integrated loudspeaker system;

[0029] Fig. 3 illustrates a partial cross-section of the limb;

[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates an adjustment and control scheme of the loudspeaker system.

[0031] Main designations:

[0032] 1. Housing;

[0033] 2. Head;

[0034] 3. Body;

[0035] 4. Upper limbs;

[0036] 5. Lower limbs; 6. Ears;

[0037] 7. Speakers;

[0038] 8. Volume adjustment means;

[0039] 9. Audio files playback control means;

[0040] 10. Distal element;

[0041] 11. Proximal element;

[0042] 12. Shaft;

[0043] 13. Switches;

[0044] 14. Cams;

[0045] 15. Circuit board;

[0046] 16. Elastic element;

[0047] 17. Control unit;

[0048] 18. Bluetooth module.

[0049] Figures that illustrate the claimed invention and the disclosed specific exemplary embodiments do not limit the scope of claims in any way, rather they only explain the essence of the invention.

[0050] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] One of possible embodiments of the invention is described in detail below. Implementations, which are disclosed in the following description of the embodiment, do not encompass all implementations of the invention, rather they serve solely to provide an additional explanation of the essence thereof.

[0052] A decorative element having an integrated loudspeaker system comprises a housing (1) in a form of an anthropomorphous animal figure. The anthropomorphous animal figure is made as an imitation of a bear figure.

[0053] The decorative element may be made of any suitable materials such as metal, plastic, wood, composite materials etc. Also, the decorative element may have any color depending on user needs and demands. The housing (1) consists of elements which imitate body parts, namely, a head (2), a body (3), upper limbs (4) and lower limbs (5).

[0054] Speakers (7) are arranged in the head (2) of the housing (1). Therewith, one speaker (7) that is configured to reproduce predominantly high and mid frequencies is arranged at a front side of the head (2), in each ear (6), while one speaker (7) that is configured to reproduce predominantly low and mid frequencies is arranged at a rear side of the head (2).

[0055] A control unit (17) and a power supply unit (not depicted in the drawings) are arranged in the body (3) of the housing (1), and they are integrated directly into the body (3) of the housing (1) without any visible evidence that the loudspeaker system is present on a surface of the decorative element.

[0056] The control unit (17) comprises a Bluetooth module (18) to which a phone, a smartphone, a tablet etc. may be further connected. Control and adjustment of the loudspeaker system may be performed both by means of the connected device and by means of adjustment means (8) and control means (9).

[0057] The upper limbs (4) and the lower limbs (5) are configured to move and to perform actions such as upward and downward movements relative to the body.

[0058] The upper limbs (4) comprise volume adjustment means (8) and audio files playback control means (9).

[0059] The upper limbs (4) consist of the distal element (10) and the proximal element (11). Therewith, the distal element (10) and the proximal element (11) are interconnected via a shaft (12) so as to enable rotation and fixation of the distal element (10) relative to the proximal element (11).

[0060] The adjustment means (8) and the control means (9) are formed by switches (13) and cams (14). The switches (14) are arranged on a circuit board (15) that is secured in the proximal elements (11) of the limbs. The cams (14) are arranged on the shaft (12) that may be secured in the distal element (10) or made integral with the distal element (10). Prior art switches, e.g., mechanical, contactless, magnetic, piezoelectric or other switches, may be used as the switches (14).

[0061] The distal elements (10) and the proximal elements (11) of the limbs are equipped with an elastic element (16) that retains the distal element (10) of the limb relative to the proximal element (11) of the limb in a single static position and enables rotation the distal element (10) of the limb relative to the proximal element (11), thereby performing a single bridging of the switch (13).

[0062] Cylinder springs, torsion springs, spiral springs, Belleville springs, wave springs etc. may be used as the elastic element (16). Their main function is to return the shaft (12) of the distal element (10) back to its initial position.

[0063] The exemplary embodiment of Fig. 4 demonstrates an arrangement of the volume adjustment means (8) and the audio files playback control means (9) in the upper limbs (4). And they are made such that one limb (4), e.g., a left one, adjusts the volume, while another limb is responsible for playback of the audio files. A rotation angle of the distal element (10) and the proximal element (11) of the limbs (4) relative to each other is not more than 90°. Rotation of the distal element (10) of one limb, e.g., the left one, by 45° to the right, increases the volume, while rotation by 45° to the left reduces the volume. Rotation of the distal element (10) of another limb (4) by 45° to the right results in playback of a next audio file, while rotation by 45° to the left results in playback of a previous audio file.

[0064] Parts of the device which are movable relative to each other are made so as to avoid their possible oscillations under action of sound waves. To this end, elements of the parts being connected may be provided with an elastic coating, thereby ensuring firm adjoining of surface, while at the same time enabling their movement relative to each other. If the parts of the device are made of a rigid metal which almost avoids firm adjoining and relatively easy movement relative to each other, then this connection also may be made using elastic gaskets. This arrangement is necessary to avoid resonant phenomena in the elements of the device during playback of the sound that especially has a high volume level. This structural arrangement enables to create the decorative element having the integrated loudspeaker system which allows to achieve a maximum convenient and aesthetic management and control of the loudspeaker system which are made using a concealed mounting so as to avoid disruption of the visual appearance integrity of the decorative element regardless of which parameters of the loudspeaker system are set at a certain moment of its use.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 03 December 2024AMENDED CLAIMS1. A decorative element having an integrated loudspeaker system, and the decorative element has a housing (1) in a form of an anthropomorphous animal figure that consists of a head (2), a body (3), upper limbs (4) and lower limbs (5), while speakers (7), volume adjustment means (8), audio files playback control means (9), control unit and power supply unit are arranged in the housing (1), wherein each of at least two limbs (4) consists of a distal element (10) and a proximal element (11), while the distal element (10) and the proximal element (11) are interconnected via a shaft (12) so as to enable rotation and fixation of the distal element (10) relative to the proximal element (11), while the volume adjustment means (8) and the audio files playback control means (9) are formed by switches (13) which are arranged on a circuit board (15) that is secured in the proximal element (11) and by cams (14) which are arranged on the shaft (12) that is made integral with the distal element (10), the switches (13) are configured to be activated upon rotation of the distal element (10) , and the distal element (10) and the proximal element (11) are equipped with an elastic element (16) that retains the distal element (10) in a single static position relative to the proximal element (11).

2. The decorative element according to claim 1, wherein the anthropomorphous animal figure is made as an imitation of a bear figure.

3. The decorative element according to claims 1-2, wherein at least three speakers (7) are arranged in the head (2) of the figure.

4. The decorative element according to claims 1-3, wherein one speaker (7) that is configured to reproduce predominantly high and mid frequencies is arranged at a front side of the head (2), in each ear (6).

5. The decorative element according to claim 1, wherein one speaker (7) that is configured to reproduce predominantly low and mid frequencies is arranged at a rear side of the head (2).14AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)6. The decorative element according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (16) is made as a torsion spring that is secured on the shaft (12) and that interacts with the proximal element (13).

7. The decorative element according to claim 1, wherein a rotation angle of the distal element (10) and the proximal element (11) of each of the limbs (4) relative to each other is not more than 90°.15AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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