AU2022201381A1

AU2022201381A1 - Bracket

Info

Publication number: AU2022201381A1
Application number: AU2022201381A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Sorensen
Original assignee: Altronic Distributors Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Altronic Distributors Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-01-27
Filing date: 2022-02-28
Publication date: 2022-03-24
Also published as: AU2017200556A1; AU2024205174A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a bracket (21) for mounting a speaker (23) to a supporting surface (25). The bracket comprises a first arm (27) and a second arm (29) extending from a first member (31) in spaced apart, parallel configuration. The first member is adapted to be secured to the support surface. Each arm (27, 29) has an end portion (37) which is adapted to releasably support the speaker, and which is angled relative to an intermediate portion (39) of each arm. In use, the speaker is supported by the bracket and is movable between an installation position, wherein an installer can access the first member to secure the bracket to the supporting surface, and an operational position wherein the speaker is correctly positioned for operation.

Description

Bracket

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a bracket for mounting a speaker to a surface or structure.

[0002] The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, for securing a speaker, such as a horn speaker, onto a wall or ceiling so as to allow for easy positioning of the speaker thereon.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] When installing speakers onto surfaces such as ceilings and walls the speaker is typically secured to the surface using fasteners such as screws or bolts. In some installations the speaker incorporates a bracket having two or more holes through which bolts pass to secure the bracket, and therefore the speaker, to the surface. The bracket is designed to be bolted to the surface such that the speaker is supported by the bracket in the desired position. This is particularly the case with horn speakers where a U-shaped bracket is secured to a back portion of the speaker, allowing the speaker to be secured to the surface via the bracket.

[0004] A horn speaker is typically supplied with a U-shaped bracket attached. Hence when an installer installs the speaker he/she must unscrew the bracket from the speaker, position and secure the bracket to the surface before re-attaching the speaker to the bracket. This is because the rear portion of the speaker presents an obstacle to the installer preventing access to the bracket with the appropriate tools. While such a process is not overly tedious when installing one or two speakers, the task does become very time consuming and laborious when doing a large fit out.

[0005] The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of this invention to provide a bracket which ameliorates, mitigates or overcomes, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.

[0007] Throughout the specification the invention is disclosed in relation to a speaker, in particular a horn speaker. However, the invention can be used to secure/mount any other similar object to a support surface. These variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

[0008] The present invention provides a bracket for mounting a speaker to a supporting surface, the bracket comprises:

a first member adapted to engage the supporting surface;

a first arm extending from the first member, the first arm having an end portion which is angularly arranged relative to the first member;

a second arm extending from the first member, the second arm having an end portion which is angularly arranged relative to the first member, the second arm being adapted to co-operate with the first arm to support the speaker, the first arm and second arm being arranged such that the speaker may be received therebetween;

wherein the speaker, once attached to the bracket, can be placed in an installation position wherein an installer can access the first member to secure the bracket to the supporting surface, after which the speaker can be rotated to an operational position.

[0009] The present invention provides a bracket for mounting a speaker to a supporting surface, the bracket comprises:

a first arm and a second arm extending from a first member in spaced apart, parallel configuration, the first member being adapted to be secured to the support surface; each arm has an end portion which is adapted to releasably support a speaker, and which is angled relative to an intermediate portion of each arm; whereby in use, the speaker is supported by the bracket and is movable between an installation position, wherein an installer can access the first member to secure the bracket to the supporting surface, and an operational position wherein the speaker is correctly positioned for operation.

[0010] In contrast to the prior art, the bracket of the present invention can be secured to the surface without having to remove the speaker from the bracket. This allows the bracket and speaker to be supplied and installed as an assembly.

[0011] Each arm may be in the form of a flat metal strap.

[0012] Each intermediate portion may extend from respective ends of the first member.

[0013] Each intermediate portion may extend perpendicularly from the first member.

[0014] The end portion may angularly extend from the intermediate portion in the same plane, such that the end portion is angularly orientated relative to the first member.

[0015] The orientation of the end portion relative to the first member is such that upon rotation of the speaker (when installed) the means to fasten the bracket to the surface is no longer obstructed by the speaker, providing the installer with access for his/her tools.

[0016] Each end portion may have a hole adjacent the end for receiving a fastener to attach the speaker thereto.

[0017] The first member may be in the form of a flat metal strap having a first surface adapted to engage the support surface. The first member may have one or more apertures through which fasteners may pass for fastening the bracket to the support surface.

[0018] The bracket may be formed from an elongate element.

[0019] The present invention provides a bracket comprising:

a first arm and a second arm extending from a first member in spaced apart, parallel configuration, the first member being adapted to be secured to a surface;

each arm has an end portion which is adapted to releasably support an object, each end portion is angled relative to an intermediate portion of each arm;

each arm has a dog leg therein, the intermediate portion incorporating the dog leg.

[0020] Each intermediate portion may extend from respective ends of the first member.

[0021] Each intermediate portion may extend perpendicularly from the first member.

[0022] The end portion may extend angularly from the end of the intermediate portion in the same plane as the intermediate portion.

[0023] Each end portion may have a hole adjacent the end for receiving a fastening means.

[0024] The first member may be in the form of a flat metal strap having a first surface adapted to engage the support surface. The first member may have one or more apertures through which fasteners may pass for fastening the bracket to the support surface.

[0025] The object may be a horn speaker.

[0026] The present invention further provides a speaker assembly comprising a speaker, such as a horn speaker, releasably secured to a bracket, the bracket being as herein before described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of two non-limiting embodiment thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 to 4 show a prior art bracket supporting a horn speaker;

Figure 5 is a is front perspective view of a bracket according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a rear view of figure 5;

Figure 7 is a side view of figure 5;

Figure 8 is a is front perspective view of a bracket according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a top view of figure 8;

Figure 10 is a bottom view of figure 8;

Figure 11 is a side view of figure 8;

Figure 12 and 13 are perspective views of the bracket of the second embodiment secured to a support surface and supporting a horn speaker in an installation position;

Figure 14 is a view similar to figure 12 wherein the speaker is moving towards an operational position; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the bracket supporting the horn speaker in an operational position.

[0028] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The invention according to the embodiments shown in figures 5 to 15 are directed to a bracket for securing a horn speaker to a support surface, such as a wall.

[0030] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the problem associated with prior art brackets 11 when securing a horn speaker 13 to a wall 15. As best illustrated in figure 4, a bracket 11 has a plurality of apertures 17 through which fasteners (not shown) pass to secure the bracket 11 to the wall 15. However, the horn speaker 13, when secured to the bracket 11, renders it particularly difficult to access the apertures 17 to secure the fasteners in position. Figures 1 to 4 clearly illustrate that the obstacle is present regardless of the position of the speaker 13. As a result, when installing/removing the speaker assembly it is necessary to remove the speaker 13 from the bracket 11 before installing/removing the bracket 11 relative to the wall. Once the bracket 11 is secured to the wall 15, the speaker 13 must be repositioned on and secured to the bracket 11.

[0031] Referring to figures 5 to 7, the invention according to the first embodiment is in the form of a bracket 21 for securing a horn speaker 23 to a support surface, such as a wall 25.

[0032] The bracket 21 is made from sheet metal. The thickness of the material may be selected to provide the required strength/stiffness, or the bracket may comprise other means to strengthen/stiffen the bracket, as would readily be known to a person skilled in the art (e.g. ribs, recesses, flutes).

[0033] The bracket 21 comprises a first arm 27 and a second arm 29 both extending from a first member 31. The first arm 27 extends from a first end 33 of the first member 31, while the second arm 29 extends from a second end 35 of the first member 31 such that the first arm 27 and second arm 29 are in spaced apart relation.

[0034] Each arm 27, 29 extends perpendicularly from the first member 31 such that each arm 27, 29 is parallel to each other.

[0035] Each arm 27, 29 comprise an end portion 37 and an intermediate portion 39 which extends between the first member 31 and the end portion 37. In this embodiment the end portion 37 and intermediate portion 39 lie in the same plane. In other embodiments the end portions may be angled inwardly or outwardly to accommodate different sized objects therebetween.

[0036] The intermediate portion 39 provides an angled section, or dog-leg, such that when the bracket is installed on a vertical wall, the longitudinal extent of the end portion is angled away from a horizontal plane.

[0037] Each end portion 37 has a hole 41 adjacent its end for reasons which will be clear from the below description of the second embodiment.

[0038] The first member 31 provides a first surface 36 adapted to engage the wall 15. The first member 31 has plurality of apertures 43 through which fasteners (not shown) pass to fasten the bracket 21 to the wall 15.

[0039] A bracket 121 according to a second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in figures 8 to 15. For convenience features of the bracket 121 that are similar or correspond to features of the bracket 21 of the first embodiment have been referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0040] The bracket 121 of the second embodiment varies from the bracket 21 of the first embodiment in that the end of each arm is squared as opposed to having angled edges, and the first member 131 of the bracket 121 has fewer apertures. These features do not have a bearing on the function of the invention.

[0041] As shown in figures 9 and 10, the end portion 37 and intermediate portion 39 lie in the same plane.

[0042] Figures 12 to 15 show the speaker 23 connected to the bracket 121 and illustrate how the speaker 23 may be positioned relative to the bracket 121 such that the speaker 23 does not obstruct the installation process.

[0043] The speaker 23 is angularly movable relative to the bracket 121 from an installation position (figure 12) to an operational position (figure 15). The speaker 23 is rotatably supported between the arms 27, 29 by fasteners 45 which pass through the hole 41 adjacent each end of the end portion 37 of each arm 27, 29. These fasteners may be loosened to allow the angular repositioning of the speaker 23 and subsequently tightened to hold the speaker in position.

[0044] Referring to figures 12 and 13, the speaker 23 is supported in the bracket 121 in the installation position. In this position an installer is able to readily access the apertures 43 in the first member 31 to secure the bracket 121 to the wall 25. As a result the speaker 23 does not need to be removed from the bracket 121 in order to secure the speaker and bracket assembly to the wall 25. This is as a result of the angle of the end portions 37 of each arm away from the horizontal plane.

[0045] When the bracket 121 is secured to the wall 25, the speaker can be rotated to the operational position and the fasteners 45 tightened to support the speaker in the desired position.

[0046] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.

[0047] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0048] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0049] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0050]Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Claims

1. A bracket for mounting a speaker to a supporting surface, the bracket comprises:

a first member adapted to engage the supporting surface;

2. A bracket for mounting a speaker to a supporting surface, the bracket comprises:

a first arm and a second arm extending from a first member in spaced apart, parallel configuration, the first member being adapted to be secured to the support surface;

each arm has an end portion which is adapted to releasably support a speaker, and which is angled relative to an intermediate portion of each arm;

whereby in use, the speaker is supported by the bracket and is movable between an installation position, wherein an installer can access the first member to secure the bracket to the supporting surface, and an operational position wherein the speaker is correctly positioned for operation.

3. The bracket according to claim 2 wherein each arm is in the form of a flat metal strap.

4. The bracket according to claim 2 or 3 wherein each intermediate portion extend from respective ends of the first member.

5. The bracket according to claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein each intermediate portion extends perpendicularly from the first member.

6. The bracket according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein each end portion extends angularly from the intermediate portion in the same plane, such that the end portion is angularly orientated relative to the first member.

7. The bracket according to claim 6 wherein the orientation of the end portion relative to the first member is such that upon rotation of the speaker (when installed) the means to fasten the bracket to the surface is no longer obstructed by the speaker, providing the installer with access for his/her tools.

8. The bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each end portion has a hole adjacent the end for receiving a fastener to attach the speaker thereto.

9. The bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member is in the form of a flat metal strap having a first surface adapted to engage the support surface.

10. The bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member has one or more apertures through which fasteners pass for fastening the bracket to the support surface.

11. The bracket according to any one of the preceding claims formed from an elongate element.

12. A bracket comprising:

13. The bracket according to claim 12 wherein each intermediate portion extends from respective ends of the first member.

14. The bracket according to claim 12 or 13 wherein each intermediate portion extends perpendicularly from the first member.

15. The bracket according to claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein the end portion extends angularly from the end of the intermediate portion in the same plane as the intermediate portion.

16. The bracket according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein each end portion has a hole adjacent the end for receiving a fastening means.

17. The bracket according to any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the first member is in the form of a flat metal strap having a first surface adapted to engage the support surface.

18. The bracket according to any one of claims 12 to 17 wherein the first member has one or more apertures through which fasteners pass for fastening the bracket to the support surface.

19. A speaker assembly comprising a speaker releasably secured to a bracket, the bracket being in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.