Patent Application
20180184183
Described herein are devices relating generally to audio equipment, and specifically for speaker covers, for example, for use in a vehicle.
A speaker grille is often combined with a speaker to protect it from impact with foreign objects. The speaker grille is typically coupled to the basket of the speaker and at least partially covers the face of the speaker. The speaker grille may or may not be removable from the speaker. A speaker grille's primary purpose is to protect the speaker from damage by contact with other objects.
One problem with conventional speaker grilles is that they are not easily replaceable with substitute speaker grilles, such as speaker grilles of various designs, colors, and textures. This problem arises particularly in the context of speaker grilles for vehicles, for example ATVs or UTVs, where the user may wish to color coordinate the interior of a vehicle. For instance, the user may wish to have the color of the speaker grille match the color of the gearbox and seat covers within the vehicle.
Described herein is a modular speaker cover that is configured to be removably attached to a speaker basket. In some embodiments, the modular speaker cover is comprised of at least two parts: a modular grille and a grille insert. The grille insert fits over and is removably attachable to the modular grille and can be interchangeable with other grille inserts of various colors, shapes, and/or textures. The modular grille and the grille insert can both be attached to the speaker using the same means of connection such as, for example, the same screws, by aligning holes in the modular grille and grille insert to holes in the speaker basket.
In other embodiments, the modular speaker cover is a single piece that is comparable to the combined pieces of the modular grille and the grille insert. This type of modular speaker cover can be interchangeable with other modular speaker covers of various colors, shapes, and/or textures.
These and other further features and advantages of the invention would be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate corresponding parts in the figures, in which:
The present disclosure will now set forth detailed descriptions of various embodiments. These embodiments set forth modular speaker covers that can be efficiently replaced in part or whole with an alternate grille insert or modular speaker cover.
In some embodiments incorporating features of the present invention, the device comprises a modular grille and a grille insert. In some embodiments, the grille insert fits over and is removably attached to the modular grille and can be interchangeable with other grille inserts of various colors, shapes, and/or textures. In some embodiments, the modular grille and the grille insert are removably attached to the speaker using the same means of connection such as, for example, the same screws, by aligning holes in the modular grille and grille insert to holes in the speaker basket. The device can be configured to connect to the face of various types of speakers, such as speakers found in vehicles.
Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples illustrated should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the term “invention,” “device,” “present invention,” or “present device” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “invention,” “device,” “present invention,” or “present device” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
It is also understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on” or “adjacent” to another element or feature, it can be directly on or adjacent the other element or feature or intervening elements or features may also be present. It is also understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly attached, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly attached,” “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Relative terms, such as “outer,” “above,” “lower,” “below,” “horizontal,” “vertical” and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one feature to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another element or component. Thus, a first element or component discussed below could be termed a second element or component without departing from the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated list items.
The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to different views and illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of the regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
It is understood that when a first element is referred to as being “between,” “sandwiched,” or “sandwiched between,” two or more other elements, the first element can be directly between the two or more other elements or intervening elements may also be present between the two or more other elements. For example, if a first element is “between” or “sandwiched between” a second and third element, the first element can be directly between the second and third elements with no intervening elements or the first element can be adjacent to one or more additional elements with the first element and these additional elements all between the second and third elements.
The modular grille 101 and the grille insert 120 can be formed by any suitable method, for example, molding, injection molding, stamping/pressing, three-dimensional printing, extrusion and/or any methods known in the art of sound equipment manufacturing. The modular grille 101 and the grille insert 120 can each be formed from multiple component parts, or one or more portions of the body can be formed together as a single part. Forming portions of the modular grille 101 together as a single part can improve the structural integrity of the modular grille 101. Similarly, forming portions of the grille insert 120 together as a single part can improve its structural integrity.
The modular grille 101 can comprise an outer frame 102, an inner frame 104, and a center frame 108. The outer frame 102 defines the peripheral shape of the modular grille and can form numerous shapes, such as a circular shape, quadrilateral shape, or hexagonal shape. The embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, a grille mesh (not shown) is placed between the speaker 130 and the modular grille 101. The grille mesh can fully or partially cover the face of the speaker 130. One benefit to including a grille mesh is that the speaker is protected from small objects such as debris.
In the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the modular grille 101 also includes a center piece 110 within the center frame 108, which offers further protection to the face of the speaker 130. In some embodiments, the grille connectors 107 are concentric with the center frame 108 and connected to the most medial locations of the grille arms 106. The grille connectors 107 provide further structural stability to the modular grille 101. The grille connectors 107 are generally near or connected to the center piece 110, but they can connect to the grille arms 106 in various locations in other embodiments, such as between the outer frame 102 and the center frame 108, but separate from the center frame. Each grille connector 107 can also connect one or more grille arms 106 to the center frame 108. In some embodiments, the modular grille 101 further comprises aesthetic designs 114.
In some embodiments, the grille arms 106 are thicker by the center frame 108 than by the outer frame 102. This allows the modular grille 101 to have a rigid and durable structure while limiting the physical barriers that cover the speaker 130. The grille arms 106 can gradually and/or smoothly taper from the center frame 108 to the outer frame 102, or the thickness of the grille arms 106 can change incrementally. In other embodiments, the thickness of the grille arms 106 remains constant. In some embodiments, the thickness of the grille arms 106 varies according to a desired pattern for the modular grille 101.
The center frame 108 is located at the center of the modular grille 101. The center frame 108 connects to the grille arms 106 and/or the grille connectors 107.
In some embodiments, the center piece 110 contains holes to enhance the transmission of emitted sound waves from the speaker 130 through the center piece 110. The holes can be positioned to form concentric circles around the center of the center piece 110, or they can be in various patterns. In some embodiments, the center piece 110 is removable from the center frame 108 to allow for replacement with an alternate center piece. In some embodiments, the center piece 110 is connected and/or integral to the center frame 108. In other embodiments, the center piece 110 is connected and/or integral to the grille insert 120.
In some embodiments, the modular grille 101 contains grille holes 112. The modular grille 101 is removably attached to the speaker basket 132 by screws inserted through the grille holes 112 and aligned basket holes 134, which are generally contained in speaker baskets for mounting the speakers and/or attaching speaker grilles. In some embodiments, the grille arms 106 connect to the outer frame 102 near the grille holes 112. In some embodiments, the grille holes 112 are between paired grille arms 106. In some embodiments, the modular grille 101 connects to the speaker basket 132 by alternate attachment mechanisms, such as adhesives, clasps, snap-fit fasteners, hook and loop attachment mechanisms, or any attachment mechanisms known within the field.
The grille insert 120 fits over at least a portion of the modular grill 101.
In some embodiments, the grille insert 120 further comprises attachment areas 126 at the ends of the insert arms 122. In some embodiments, the attachment areas 126 comprise an insert hole 124 within a connection between adjoining insert arms 122. The insert holes 124 align with grille holes 112 when the grille insert 120 is on the modular grille 101. Attachment mechanisms, such as screws, fit through the insert holes 124 and the grille holes 112 and into the basket holes 134. Thus, the grille insert 120 is removably attached to the speaker 130 via the same means, with the same mechanisms with which the modular grille 101 is attached to the speaker 130. In some embodiments, the grille insert 120 connects to the modular grille 101 by alternative attachment mechanisms known within the art, such as adhesives, clasps, snap-fit fasteners, or hook and loop attachment mechanisms. In some embodiments, the grille insert 120 attaches to the speaker 130 by a means different from the means by which the modular grille 101 attaches to the speaker 130 and/or at a location other than where the modular grille 101 attaches to the speaker 130.
In some embodiments, the modular grille 101 comprises recessed areas where the grille insert 120 fits over the modular grille 101. These recessed areas can be in various locations on the modular grille 101, such as surrounding and/or near the grille holes 112. These recessed areas allow for the grille insert 120 to have a secure and integrated fit with the modular grille 101.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred configurations thereof, other versions are possible. Embodiments of the present invention can comprise any combination of compatible features shown in the various figures, and these embodiments should not be limited to those expressly illustrated and discussed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the versions described above.
The foregoing is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims, wherein no portion of the disclosure is intended, expressly or implicitly, to be dedicated to the public domain if not set forth in any claims.
