Claims
- 1. A mounting bracket for retaining an electro-dynamic loudspeaker of the type comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound, and mounting the electro-dynamic loudspeaker at a mounting location in a vehicle, comprising:
a generally planar back panel; a sidewall extending from the back panel so as to define an interior space of the mounting bracket; a rib extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the rib lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the back panel, the rib operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space; and a plurality of flanges extending from the sidewall outwardly away from the interior space.
- 2. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where the back panel is generally rectangular in shape and the sidewall extends from three sides of the back panel such that the mounting bracket includes an open end.
- 3. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where at least one of the plurality of flanges is located at a first end of the back panel and at least one of the plurality of flanges is located at a second end of the back panel, the second end being opposite of the first end.
- 4. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where at least one of the plurality of flanges further comprises a neck portion that allows the orientation of the at least one flange to be manipulated to conform to the mounting location.
- 5. The mounting bracket of claim 4, where each of the plurality of flanges has an aperture.
- 6. The mounting bracket of claim 1 where the mounting bracket further comprises means for attaching a grille to the mounting bracket.
- 7. The mounting bracket of claim 1 further comprising means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the mounting bracket.
- 8. The mounting bracket of claim 7, where the means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the mounting bracket comprises an adhesive.
- 9. The mounting bracket of claim 7, where the means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the mounting bracket comprises a hook and loop fastener.
- 10. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where the loudspeaker has an overall thickness and the distance is approximately equal to the overall thickness.
- 11. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where the rim of the frame of the loudspeaker has a thickness and the distance is approximately equal to the thickness.
- 12. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where the back panel has at least one aperture.
- 13. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where the back panel has a plurality of apertures.
- 14. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where the mounting bracket is integrally molded in a single piece from plastic.
- 15. The mounting bracket of claim 1 further comprising means for fixedly orienting the electro-dynamic loudspeaker at an acute angle with respect to the mounting location.
- 16. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where each of the plurality of flanges has a leg portion and wherein the leg portion of at least one of the plurality of has a length of a first distance and at least one of the plurality of flanges has a length of a second distance not equal to the first distance.
- 17. The mounting bracket of claim 1, where each of the plurality of flanges has a leg portion and each the leg portion has a length of a first distance.
- 18. An audio component installation for a vehicle comprising:
a mounting location in a vehicle; an electro-dynamic loudspeaker comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound; a mounting bracket for retaining and mounting the electro-dynamic loudspeaker at the mounting location; and a loudspeaker grille; the mounting bracket comprising:
a generally planar back panel; a sidewall extending from the back panel so as to define an interior space of the mounting bracket; a rib extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the rib lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the back panel, the rib operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space; and a plurality of flanges extending from the sidewall outwardly away from the interior space.
- 19. The audio component installation of claim 18, where the mounting location comprises a structure of an automobile.
- 20. The audio component installation of claim 19, where the mounting location comprises a structural pillar of a vehicle.
- 21. The audio component installation of claim 19, where the mounting location comprises the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle.
- 22. The audio component installation of claim 18, where the mounting location comprises a cavity formed by an exterior mounting surface, an interior mounting surface spaced a distance from the exterior mounting surface, and a plurality of interior sidewalls that span the distance between the interior mounting surface and the exterior mounting surface.
- 23. The audio component installation of claim 22, where the cavity is located in the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle at one of a door panel, a headliner, a seating unit, an overhead console, a floor console, an interior trim panel, a dashboard, or an instrument cluster.
- 24. A mounting apparatus for retaining an electro-dynamic loudspeaker of the type comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound, and mounting the electro-dynamic loudspeaker at a mounting location in a vehicle, comprising:
a loudspeaker grille comprising a generally planar panel; a sidewall extending from the panel so as to define an interior space of the grille; a plurality of ribs extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, each of the ribs lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the panel, the ribs operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space; and a plurality of flanges extending from the sidewall outwardly away from the interior space.
- 25. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where at least one of the plurality of flanges is located at a first end of the panel and at least one of the plurality of flanges is located at a second end of the panel, the second end being opposite of the first end.
- 26. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where at least one of the plurality of flanges further comprises a neck portion that allows the orientation of the at least one flange to be manipulated to conform to the mounting location.
- 27. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where each of the plurality of flanges has an aperture.
- 28. The mounting apparatus of claim 24 further comprising means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the grille.
- 29. The mounting apparatus of claim 28, where the means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the grille comprises an adhesive.
- 30. The mounting apparatus of claim 28, where the means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the grille comprises a hook and loop fastener.
- 31. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where the loudspeaker has an overall thickness and the distance is approximately equal to the overall thickness.
- 32. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where the rim of the frame of the loudspeaker has a thickness and the distance is approximately equal to the thickness.
- 33. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where the grille is integrally molded in a single piece from plastic.
- 34. The mounting apparatus of claim 24 further comprising means for fixedly orienting the electro-dynamic loudspeaker at a acute angle with respect to the mounting location.
- 35. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where each of the plurality of flanges has a leg portion and wherein the leg portion of at least one of the plurality of has a length of a first distance and at least one of the plurality of flanges has a length of a second distance not equal to the first distance.
- 36. The mounting apparatus of claim 24, where each of the plurality of flanges has a leg portion and each the leg portion has a length of a first distance.
- 37. An audio component installation for a vehicle comprising:
a mounting location in a vehicle; an electro-dynamic loudspeaker comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound; and a loudspeaker grille for retaining and mounting the electro-dynamic loudspeaker at the mounting location, the loudspeaker grille comprising:
a generally planar panel; a sidewall extending from the panel so as to define an interior space of the grille; a plurality of ribs extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, each of the ribs lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the panel, the ribs operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space; and a plurality of flanges extending from the sidewall outwardly away from the interior space.
- 38. The audio component installation of claim 37, where the mounting location comprises a structure of an automobile.
- 39. The audio component installation of claim 38, where the mounting location comprises a structural pillar of an automobile.
- 40. The audio component installation of claim 38, where the mounting location comprises the interior passenger compartment of an automobile.
- 41. The audio component installation of claim 37, where the mounting location comprises a cavity formed by an exterior mounting surface, an interior mounting surface spaced a distance from the exterior mounting surface, and a plurality of interior sidewalls that span the distance between the interior mounting surface and the exterior mounting surface.
- 42. The audio component installation of claim 41, where the cavity is located in the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle at one of a door panel, a headliner, a seating unit, an overhead console, a floor console, an interior trim panel, a dashboard, or an instrument cluster.
- 43. A mounting bracket for retaining an electro-dynamic loudspeaker of the type comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound, and mounting the electro-dynamic loudspeaker at a mounting location in a vehicle, comprising:
a generally planar first panel; a sidewall extending from the first panel so as to define an interior space of the mounting bracket; a rib extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the rib lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the first panel, the rib operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space; an arm pivotally connected to the sidewall; a second panel; and a hinge coupling the first panel and the second panel.
- 44. The mounting bracket of claim 43 where the arm further comprises a handle portion located at an end of the arm opposite the sidewall.
- 45. The mounting bracket of claim 44 where the handle portion extends transverse to the length of the arm.
- 46. The mounting bracket of claim 43 where the second panel comprises at least one fastener.
- 47. The mounting bracket of claim 46, where the at least one fastener comprises snap-fit-type male projections.
- 48. The mounting bracket of claim 43 where the second panel comprises a skeletal frame.
- 49. The mounting bracket of claim 43 where the second panel comprises at least one aperture.
- 50. The mounting bracket of claim 43 where the mounting bracket is integrally molded in one piece from plastic.
- 51. The mounting bracket of claim 43, where the hinge comprises a V-shaped groove located between the first panel and the second panel.
- 52. The mounting bracket of claim 43, where the first panel of the mounting bracket comprises at least one aperture.
- 53. The mounting bracket of claim 43, where the hinge comprises a V-shaped groove located between the first panel and the second panel.
- 54. The mounting bracket of claim 43, where the first panel is generally rectangular in shape and the sidewall extends from three sides of the first panel such that the mounting bracket includes an open end.
- 55. The mounting bracket of claim 43 further comprising means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the mounting bracket.
- 56. The mounting bracket of claim 55, where the means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the mounting bracket comprises an adhesive.
- 57. The mounting bracket of claim 55, where the means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the mounting bracket comprises a hook and loop fastener.
- 58. The mounting bracket of claim 43, where the loudspeaker has an overall thickness and the distance is approximately equal to the overall thickness.
- 59. The mounting bracket of claim 43, where the rim of the frame of the loudspeaker has a thickness and the distance is approximately equal to the thickness.
- 60. The mounting bracket of claim 43, where the back panel has a plurality of apertures.
- 61. A mounting apparatus comprising:
a mounting bracket; a grille; and a guide bracket; the mounting bracket comprising: a generally planar first panel; a sidewall extending from the first panel so as to define an interior space of the mounting bracket; a rib extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the rib lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the first panel, the rib operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space; an arm pivotally connected to the sidewall; a second panel; and a hinge coupling the first panel and the second panel; the grille comprising a vertically extending slot that is offset to one side of the grille; and the guide bracket comprising a base portion having an aperture; and a plurality of legs extending from the base portion.
- 62. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where the arm further comprises a handle portion located at an end of the arm opposite the sidewall.
- 63. The mounting apparatus of claim 62 where the handle portion extends transverse to the length of the arm.
- 64. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where the second panel comprises at least one fastener.
- 65. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where the second panel comprises a skeletal frame.
- 66. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where the second panel comprises at least one aperture.
- 67. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where the mounting bracket is integrally molded in one piece from plastic.
- 68. The mounting apparatus of claim 61, where the hinge comprises a V-shaped groove located between the first panel and the second panel.
- 69. The mounting apparatus of claim 61, where the slot in the grille comprises opposing sidewalls, each the sidewall including a plurality of protrusions.
- 70. The mounting apparatus of claim 69, where the plurality of protrusions are configured in horizontally-oriented pairs.
- 71. The mounting apparatus of claim 69, where the plurality of protrusions create stop locations along the length of the slot.
- 72. The mounting apparatus of claim 61, where the grille further comprises a plurality of fasteners about the periphery of the grille.
- 73. The mounting apparatus of claim 72, where the plurality of fasteners comprise snap-fit-type male projections.
- 74. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where the guide bracket further comprises at least one recess adjacent to the aperture.
- 75. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where the legs of the guide bracket are received in the slot of the grille in a first direction and the arm of the mounting bracket extends through the slot of the grille and the aperture of the guide bracket in a second direction.
- 76. The mounting apparatus of claim 61 where each of the legs of the guide bracket further comprise a projection for engaging the grille.
- 77. An audio component installation for a vehicle comprising:
a mounting location in a vehicle; an electro-dynamic loudspeaker comprising a flat panel loudspeaker; and a mounting apparatus comprising means for variably orienting the loudspeaker at an angle with respect to the mounting location.
- 78. The audio component installation of claim 77, where the means for variably orienting the loudspeaker at an angle with respect to the mounting location comprises:
a mounting bracket; a grille; and a guide bracket; the mounting bracket comprising; a first panel; a sidewall extending from the first panel so as to define an interior space of the mounting bracket; a rib extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the rib lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the first panel, the rib operative to retain the loudspeaker within the interior space; an arm pivotally connected to the sidewall; a second panel; and a hinge coupling the first panel and the second panel; the grille comprising a vertically extending slot that is offset to one side of the grille; and the guide bracket comprising a base portion having an aperture; and a plurality of legs extending from the base portion.
- 79. The audio component installation of claim 77, where the means for variably orienting the loudspeaker at an angle with respect to the mounting location comprises:
a ball component comprising a spherically-shaped head attached to the frame of the loudspeaker; and a mounting bracket comprising a framework having a base, a plurality of flanges, a plurality of support legs, and a socket component; the plurality of support legs projecting from the base and terminating at the socket component; the socket component comprising a receptacle for receiving the head of the ball component.
- 80. The audio component installation of claim 77, where the mounting location comprises a structure of an automobile.
- 81. The audio component installation of claim 80, wherein the mounting location comprises a structural pillar of the vehicle.
- 82. The audio component installation of claim 80, wherein the mounting location comprises the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle.
- 83. The audio component installation of claim 77, where the mounting location comprises a cavity formed by an exterior mounting surface, an interior mounting surface spaced a distance from the exterior mounting surface, and a plurality of interior sidewalls that span the distance between the interior mounting surface and the exterior mounting surface.
- 84. The audio component installation of claim 83, where the cavity is located in the interior passenger compartment of a vehicle at one of a door panel, a headliner, a seating unit, an overhead console, a floor console, an interior trim panel, a dashboard, or an instrument cluster.
- 85. A mounting apparatus for securing an audio component to a mounting location, comprising:
a flat panel loudspeaker comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound, and a ball component comprising a spherically-shaped head attached to the frame of the loudspeaker at a neck portion; and a mounting bracket comprising a framework having a base, a plurality of flanges, a plurality of support legs, and a socket component; the plurality of support legs projecting from the base and terminating at the socket component; the socket component comprising a receptacle for receiving the head of the ball component.
- 86. The mounting apparatus of claim 85 where each of the plurality of flanges comprises a neck portion that allows the orientation of the flange to be manipulated to conform to the exterior surface of the mounting location.
- 87. The mounting apparatus of claim 85 where the receptacle includes a surface having means for increasing the coefficient of friction between the receptacle and the head.
- 88. The mounting apparatus of claim 85 where the head includes a surface having means for increasing the coefficient of friction between the head and the receptacle.
- 89. The mounting apparatus of claim 85 where the socket component is located in a position generally central to the framework.
- 90. An electro-dynamic loudspeaker comprising:
a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound, and a ball component comprising a spherically-shaped head attached to a back of the frame of the loudspeaker at a neck portion.
- 91. A method for installing an audio component in a vehicle comprising:
(a) providing a mounting location comprising a structure of a vehicle; (b) providing an electro-dynamic loudspeaker comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim; and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound; (c) providing a mounting bracket comprising: a generally planar back panel; a sidewall extending from the back panel so as to define an interior space of the mounting bracket; a rib extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the rib lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the back panel, the rib operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space; and a plurality of flanges extending from the sidewall outwardly away from the interior space. (d) assembling the loudspeaker with the mounting bracket; (e) securing the mounting bracket at the mounting location by fastening at least one of the plurality of flanges to the mounting location.
- 92. A method for installing an audio component in a vehicle comprising:
(a) providing a mounting location comprising a cavity formed by an exterior mounting surface, an interior mounting surface spaced a distance from the exterior mounting surface, and a plurality of interior sidewalls that span the distance between the interior mounting surface and the exterior mounting surface; (b) providing an electro-dynamic loudspeaker comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim; and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound; (c) providing a mounting bracket comprising:
a first panel; a sidewall extending from the first panel so as to define an interior space of the mounting bracket; a rib extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the rib lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset a distance from the first panel, the rib operative to retain the loudspeaker within the interior space; an arm pivotally connected to the sidewall; a second panel; and a hinge coupling the first panel and the second panel; (d) assembling the loudspeaker with the mounting bracket; (e) providing a loudspeaker grille; (f) providing a guide bracket; (g) assembling the loudspeaker grille with the guide bracket; (h) securing the mounting bracket at one of the plurality of interior sidewalls of the mounting location; and (i) securing the loudspeaker grille at the exterior mounting surface of the mounting location.
- 93. A method for installing an audio component in a vehicle comprising:
(a) providing a mounting location comprising a structure of a vehicle; (b) providing a flat panel loudspeaker comprising a dish-shaped frame having an outwardly extending rim and a thin-film diaphragm attached to the rim under tension for providing a moveable membrane capable of producing sound, and a ball component comprising a spherically-shaped head attached to the frame of the loudspeaker at a neck portion; (c) providing a mounting bracket comprising a framework having a base, a plurality of flanges, a plurality of support legs, and a socket component; the plurality of support legs projecting from the base and terminating at the socket component; the socket component comprising a receptacle for receiving the head of the ball component; (d) attaching the loudspeaker to the mounting bracket by inserting the head into the receptacle; (e) securing the mounting bracket to the mounting location.
- 94. An audio component installation comprising:
a mounting location in a vehicle comprising a mounting surface in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; an electro-dynamic loudspeaker comprising a flat panel loudspeaker; and a grille cover comprising means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the grille cover; and means for attaching the grille cover to the mounting surface of the mounting location.
- 95. The installation of claim 94, where the means for attaching the grille cover to the mounting surface of the mounting location comprises a plurality of flanges extending from the grille cover in a direction generally parallel to the mounting surface of the mounting location, each of the plurality of flanges comprising a neck portion that allows the orientation of the flange to be manipulated to conform to the mounting surface of the mounting location.
- 96. The installation of claim 94, where the grille cover is integrally molded in a single piece from plastic.
- 97. The installation of claim 94, where the grille cover further comprises:
a generally planar front face; a sidewall extending from the front face so as to define an interior space of the grille cover; and where the means for attaching the electro-dynamic loudspeaker to the grille cover comprises a plurality of ribs extending from the sidewall inwardly toward the interior space, the ribs lying in a plane generally parallel to and offset from the front face, the ribs operative to retain the electro-dynamic loudspeaker within the interior space.
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/380,001, filed on May 2, 2002; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/378,188, filed on May 6, 2002; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/391,134, filed on Jun. 24, 2002. The disclosures of these patent applications are incorporated by reference.
[0002] This application incorporates by reference the disclosures of each of the following co-pending applications which have been filed concurrently with this application: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Mounting Bracket System,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Film Tensioning System,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Film Attaching System,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Electrical Connectors For Electro-Dynamic Loudspeakers,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Conductors For Electro-Dynamic Loudspeakers,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Frame Structure,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Acoustically Enhanced Electro-Dynamic Loudspeakers,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Directivity Control Of Electro-Dynamic Loudspeakers,” filed May 2, 2003; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Frequency Response Enhancements For Electro-Dynamic Loudspeakers,” filed May 2, 2003; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Magnet Arrangement For Loudspeaker,” filed May 2, 2003.
Provisional Applications (3)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60380001 |
May 2002 |
US |
|
60378188 |
May 2002 |
US |
|
60391134 |
Jun 2002 |
US |