Patent Application
20250227399
This disclosure generally relates to audio devices. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an audio device with at least one accessory coupler.
Certain audio devices, such as portable speakers, can benefit from accessories such as carrying straps, mounting straps, etc., that make transport and dynamic usage easier. However, accessories on conventional audio devices can be unwieldy, and have limited use when the device is not being transported.
All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.
Various implementations include audio devices with an accessory coupler. Certain implementations include accessories for coupling with an audio device.
In particular aspects, an audio device includes: a body, a slot recessed from an outer surface of the body, and a coupler in the slot, the coupler including at least one protrusion for selectively engaging an accessory attachment for an accessory.
In additional particular aspects, an accessory for an audio device includes: a main body; and an accessory attachment coupled with the main body and configured to selectively engage a coupler on the audio device, where the accessory attachment is configured for toolless engagement and disengagement with the coupler.
In further particular aspects, an audio device includes: a body, a slot recessed from an outer surface of the body, a coupler in the slot, the coupler including at least one protrusion, and an accessory including an accessory attachment connected with the coupler, the accessory attachment enabling selective engagement of the coupler.
Implementations may include one of the following features, or any combination thereof.
In some cases, the coupler provides a detent against removal of the accessory attachment when engaged.
In particular implementations, the at least one protrusion requires multi-step actuation to overcome the detent.
In certain aspects, the coupler includes at least two protrusions.
In some cases, the coupler includes at least three protrusions. In further examples, the coupler includes four protrusions.
In certain examples, the audio device weighs at least two (2) kilograms (kg). In particular cases, the audio device weighs approximately 2 kg to approximately 3 kg.
In particular implementations, the coupler includes a metal or a metal alloy.
In some aspects, the coupler enables toolless attachment and removal of the accessory attachment.
In particular cases, the coupler is located in a port and is recessed from an outer surface of the body.
In some implementations, the port complies with an ingress protection (IP) rating for the audio device.
In certain aspects, the IP rating is at least IP 67.
In particular cases, the port is sized to receive the accessory attachment.
In some examples, the audio device further includes a removable plug configured to substantially fill the port and provide aesthetic continuity in the outer surface of the body.
In particular implementations, when coupled, the accessory enables transport of the audio device.
In certain aspects, the coupler enables at least two distinct types of accessory to selectively engage with the audio device.
In some cases, the slot includes a compliant material along at least one surface thereof, where interaction between the accessory attachment and the compliant material aids in retention of the accessory attachment by the coupler.
In some examples, the compliant material includes a silicone over-molded on a rigid material. The compliant material can provide an ingress protection (IP) seal at a bottom of the slot, and in particular examples, provides and IP seal around a screw or fastener.
In particular cases, the compliant material provides spring pressure to aid in retention of the accessory attachment by the coupler.
In particular aspects, the accessory attachment includes at least two materials.
In certain cases, the main body includes an arcuate feature and the accessory attachment includes an eyelet coupler connected with the arcuate feature. In some examples, the arcuate feature includes a loop or a hook
In some aspects, the eyelet includes a rigid core material and a compliant cover material. In certain examples, the rigid core material includes nylon and the compliant cover material includes silicone.
In particular implementations, the compliant cover material aids in impact protection for the audio device.
In certain cases, the accessory attachment includes at least one complementary coupler for selectively engaging the coupler and maintaining connection with the audio device during at least one of transport or use of the audio device.
In some aspects, the coupler includes a protrusion and the complementary coupler includes a slot having at least one turn. In some examples, a set of protrusions and complementary couplers are used to maintain connection with the audio device, for example, along a quarter turn path.
In certain cases, a shoulder strap or carrying strap includes the accessory.
In some cases, the accessory includes a carrying strap.
In particular aspects, the accessory is configured for toolless engagement and disengagement with the coupler.
In certain implementations, the audio device further includes another accessory including an accessory attachment configured to connect with the coupler, where only one of the accessory or the other accessory is configured to connect with the coupler at a time.
In some cases, the audio device further includes at least one driver and a set of passive radiators in the body.
Two or more features described in this disclosure, including those described in this summary section, may be combined to form implementations not specifically described herein.
The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects and benefits will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
It is noted that the drawings of the various implementations are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the implementations. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
This disclosure provides, at least in part, an audio device that beneficially incorporates a coupler in a recessed slot for selectively engaging an accessory attachment for an accessory. This disclosure is also based, at least in part, on an accessory for an audio device that includes an accessory attachment for selectively engaging a coupler on the audio device, for example, in toolless engagement and/or disengagement with the coupler. In various implementations, the coupler is located in a port that is recessed from an outer surface of the audio device, and the port provides ingress protection for the audio device. In certain cases, the coupler enables at least two distinct types of accessory to selectively engage with the audio device. In further cases, the coupler provides a detent against removal of the accessory attachment when engaged. The audio devices disclosed according to various implementations can enable selective coupling of a device accessory such as a handle or strap, without the need for a tool. Further, the device accessory can be securely engaged with the coupler to enable transport and/or suspension of the audio device.
Commonly labeled components in the FIGURES are considered to be substantially equivalent components for the purposes of illustration, and redundant discussion of those components is omitted for clarity.
The outer enclosure 20 is shown in this example implementation as having a back 30, sidewalls 40, and a front 50. In some cases, the front 50 includes a grille 52. However, it is understood that the grille 52 can be located in distinct positions in different implementations. In some cases, vents (or additional grilles 62) are shown along portions of sidewalls 40, e.g., on sides of the outer enclosure 20. In one example, the back 30 and sidewalls 40 are formed of a single (i.e., continuous) piece of material, e.g., a compliant material including silicone and/or rubber. However, the back 30 and sidewalls 40 can be formed of distinct materials or distinct pieces of material in additional implementations. Additional examples of material types, sidewall and back configurations, and features of an outer enclosure for an audio device are described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,683,621 (“Ingress Resistant Portable Speaker,” issued on Jun. 20, 2023), the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In one example, the back 30 and sidewalls 40 include a cover (or an outer surface) 42 that is the outermost surface of the audio device 10. In the example audio device 10 shown in
In certain examples, such as illustrated in the isolated view of the accessory attachment 70 and the coupler 130 in
In a particular example, the accessory attachment 70 includes at least one complementary coupler 150 for selectively engaging the coupler 130 and maintaining connection with the audio device 10 (e.g., main body 12) during transport and/or use of the audio device 10. In specific cases, the complementary coupler 150 includes a slot 160 including at least one turn 170 for engaging a protrusion 140.
As described herein, the coupler 130 can provide a detent against removal of the accessory attachment 70 when engaged. In certain cases, the protrusion 140 requires multi-step actuation to overcome the detent. Turning to
As described herein, the slot 120 in the outer surface 42 can include a compliant material 200 along at least one surface 210 thereof. In some cases, the compliant material 200 is located along a portion of a sidewall of the slot 160 and/or a portion of a bottom of the slot 160. In various implementations, the compliant material 200 in the slot 160 is configured to provide a spring pressure against the accessory attachment 70 when engaged. In one example, interaction between the accessory attachment 70 and the compliant material 200 aids in retention of the accessory attachment 70 by the coupler 130. In a particular example, to disengage the protrusion 140 from the slot 160 via the notch or recess 180, a user applies downward force on the accessory attachment 70 to overcome the spring pressure from the compliant material and remove the protrusion from the notch or recess 180. In the same or continuous motion, the user rotates the accessory attachment 70, thereby guiding the protrusion 140 through the slot 160 and drawing the accessory attachment 70 from the slot 120.
In some cases, the compliant material 200 includes a silicone 220 over-molded on a rigid material 230. In other cases, the compliant material 200 is a soft material over-molded on the rigid material, e.g., a soft over mold material. The compliant material 200 can provide an ingress protection (IP) seal at a bottom 240 of the slot 120, and in particular cases, provides and IP seal around a screw or fastener 250 at the bottom of the slot 120. In some cases, the screw or fastener 250 includes or otherwise interfaces with a washer 252. In certain cases, the screw or fastener 250 is an integral part of the coupler 130, e.g., at or near the base 132. In particular cases, the compliant material 200 provides spring pressure to aid in retention of the accessory attachment 70 by the coupler 130. The spring pressure can at least partially enable toolless engagement and disengagement of the accessory attachment 70 and the coupler 130.
In particular implementations, as shown in the perspective view of the slot 120 in
Returning to
In a particular example, as is visible in
Various compliant features of the audio device 10 can be configured to absorb impact and/or aid in sealing the device, e.g., to provide ingress protection. In addition to the interface 310 between compliant material 200 around the slot 120 and the compliant cover material 300 of the accessory attachment 70, the compliant material 200 can also be configured to provide impact protection and/or aid in sealing the audio device in additional areas around the slot 120. For example,
As noted herein, the modular nature of the accessory 60, e.g., via accessory attachments 70 and corresponding slots 120 in the audio device 10 can enable distinct uses of the audio device, as well as distinct aesthetics. In various implementations, the accessory attachments 70 and corresponding slots 120 are configured to enable support of the audio device 10 in transport, suspension, active usage, etc. In various implementations, the audio device 10 weighs at least two (2) kilograms (kg). In particular cases, the audio device 10 weighs approximately 2 kg to approximately 3 kg. As such, an accessory 60 can ease transport of the audio device 10 for many users. Examples of such accessories 60 can include shoulder straps, carrying straps, etc. Further, the modular nature of the accessory attachment 70 and slot 120 interface enables at least two distinct types of accessory 60 to selectively engage with the audio device 10. For example, distinct accessories 60 can be exchanged with the slot 120 in a manner of seconds without the need for a tool. In these examples, two or more distinct accessories can be configured to connect with the coupler, one at a time.
As noted herein, the audio devices 10 disclosed according to various implementations provide numerous benefits relative to conventional audio devices. For example, audio devices disclosed herein can be easily adapted for distinct uses, while maintaining ingress protection (IP) standards. Further, the audio devices disclosed according to various implementations can enable selective coupling of a device accessory such as a handle or strap, without the need for a tool. The device accessory can be securely engaged with the coupler to enable transport and/or suspension of the audio device.
It is understood that the relative proportions, sizes and shapes of the audio device 10 and components and features thereof as shown in the FIGURES included herein can be merely illustrative of such physical attributes of these components. That is, these proportions, shapes and sizes can be modified according to various implementations to fit a variety of products. For example, while a substantially block (or rectangular cross-sectional) shaped loudspeaker may be shown according to particular implementations, it is understood that the loudspeaker could also take on other three-dimensional shapes in order to provide acoustic functions described herein.
The term “approximately” as used with respect to values herein can allot for a nominal variation from absolute values, e.g., of several percent or less. Where the term “comprising” is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or operations. The term “based on” (as in “A is based on B”) is used to indicate any of its ordinary meanings, including the cases (i) “based on at least” (e.g., “A is based on at least B”) and, if appropriate in the particular context, (ii) “equal to” (e.g., “A is equal to B”). Similarly, the term “in response to” is used to indicate any of its ordinary meanings, including “in response to at least.”
In various implementations, components described as being “coupled” to one another can be joined along one or more interfaces. In some implementations, these interfaces can include junctions between distinct components, and in other cases, these interfaces can include a solidly and/or integrally formed interconnection. That is, in some cases, components that are “coupled” to one another can be simultaneously formed to define a single continuous member. However, in other implementations, these coupled components can be formed as separate members and be subsequently joined through known processes (e.g., soldering, fastening, ultrasonic welding, bonding). In various implementations, electronic components described as being “coupled” can be linked via conventional hard-wired and/or wireless means such that these electronic components can communicate data with one another. Additionally, sub-components within a given component can be considered to be linked via conventional pathways, which may not necessarily be illustrated.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
