Patent Application
20080060577
The present invention provides a paint shield with built-in levels. The paint shield is a piece of plastic that covers the speaker griller during installation. After installing the grille into the wall and before the speaker is installed, the paint shield is removed. It can be reused again. The built-in levels can be located anywhere on the paint shield to provide leveling for the installer.
As shown in
Member 20 can be a flat surface that has front side 100 and back side 102. Front side 100 and back side 102 can be as thick as 2 cm, but preferably, it is less than 1.5 cm. Preferably, member 20 is a rectangular shape and has four edges 104, 106, 108, and 110 extending towards to the back side and away from the front side. It is contemplated that member 20 is made of polyurethane plastic or any other type of durable material that compliments a mounting bracket system.
Vertical level 30 and horizontal level 40 are built in on an area of member 20. The levels preferably are in an area that is not around the perimeter of the member as to avoid being painted over. A special area 120 can be carved out on the member to emphasis the area where the levels are located as shown in
In preferred embodiments, the levels are of conventional level vials. Preferably, acrylic plastic ones are used. It is contemplated, however, that different other durable levels vials are used. The level vials are bubble level vials that can come in many shapes and sizes. Preferably, the levels with length range from 10 mm to 45 mm and a diameter of 5 mm to 12 mm. The levels, preferably, have tight tolerance cylindrical bodies have barrel-shaped interiors. The barrel-shaped or bubbled shaped vials have long lasting, hot-stamped markings and fluorescent color, such as green or yellow, fluid for high visibility.
Other types such as the circular and curved vials are also contemplated. Preferably, the levels have flanges and the level vials can be snapped into the flange with a “push-fit” into the paint shield to save space and to provide a non-protruding surface. However, it is possible to attach the level vial on top of a surface of the paint shield if desired. Flanges are made of extruded plastic or other type of suitable materials.
The most important requirement of a level is the sensitivity of the vial itself. Federal specifications call for a 45 minute minimum vial sensitivity. The lower the number falls below 45 minutes the more sensitive it is. Other types of levels, such as laser levels, are also contemplated.
The levels are preferably built in or embedded in the paint shield as shown in
By being embedded in the paint shield, this minimized damages that can be caused during operation or transport of the paint shield unit. It is also contemplated that the levels can be removed from the paint shield and installed when they are needed. Furthermore, while it is preferred to have the levels on just the front side of the paint shield, they can also be visible on both the back and front side. The levels are contemplated to be situated in a cut-out area (not shown) on member 20 to give more flexibility for using the levels.
It is contemplated that the paint shield can be round, square, or any other shape that accommodates a mounting bracket.
Similar to the rectangular paint shield,
Preferably the paint shield if made of a plastic material or any light weight materials protects the speaker grille. The dimension of the paint shield depends on the size of the speaker. It can be made into any length or width to accommodate different speaker sizes and shapes.
The paint shield with the built in levels are placed over the speaker bracket during installation. Preferably, the paint shield is screwed onto the bracket via screws 150. Preferably each paint shield has four screws at each corner of the shield for attachment as shown in
It is contemplated that other modes of attachment are possible, such as a snap-on mechanism or using a level. Alternatively, four edges 104, 106, 108, and 110 can slide onto a receiving slot on the speaker mounting bracket.
During installation, the bracket and the paint shield are attached and work as one unit. Since the paint shield is disposed on the bracket, it will not hinder the bracket installation. Users will attach the paint shield via screws or other attachment methods. Once attached to the bracket, user can then install the speaker mounting bracket onto a drywall or any other existing wall or ceiling.
To cut an opening in the wall, installer simply uses the paint shield with the built in levels to find a center in the wall. No other external levels are needed. The paint shield can be used alone to center. More preferably, the paint shield with the built in levels are attached to the mounting bracket as one unit and is used as one unit for leveling.
With a vertical and a horizontal level, user can assess more accurately whether the bracket is leveled both vertically and horizontally. After finding the leveled position, the mounting bracket with or without the paint shield is installed. Depending on the types of speakers, it may be that the some portion of the speaker unit, such as a terminal plate has to be installed first before painting and spackling. Thus, the paint shield can be attached back to the mounting plate after the terminal plate has been installed. Optionally, the paint shield can stay attached to the mounting bracket and be installed as one unit and be removed after spackling and painting. The built-in levels are still in tact and the whole paint shield can be reused for another mounting bracket. The paint shield not only prevent damages or paint from getting into the bracket, it also serves as a device to level the bracket.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the paint shield and the bracket are installed in different ways. The paint shield and the bracket could, for example, be joined together at a job site. More preferably, however, the paint shield and the bracket are provided as an item of manufacture to the installer. Thus, in various embodiments a kit could contain one or more of a paint shield, a mounting bracket, a speaker housing, a speaker grille, installation screws, and instructions for installation. The installer would then provide whatever labor is appropriate for the installation, including installing the paint shield onto the bracket, optionally mounting the speaker housing to the wall panel.
While the preferred embodiment of the paint shield is for a speaker unit installation, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the paint shield with the built-in levels can be used in other applications, such as installation of art work, electrical units or other items that require centering and leveling on a wall.
Thus, specific embodiments and applications of paint shield with levels apparatus and methods have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60824864 | Sep 2006 | US |
