GB2166924A - Tiltable loudspeaker - Google Patents

Abstract

A loudspeaker case (10) has a base (12) composed of two alternative support surfaces (20 and 22) which are at an angle to each other so that the loudspeaker case can take up either one of two alternative stable positions of rest. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tiltable loudspeaker This invention relates to loudspeakers and other sound-emission units, and is especially concerned with the shape of the case in which the electrical and electronic parts of the loudspeaker are housed.

The aim ofthe invention iso so shape the case that the sound-emission from it can be directed in two different directions at an angle to each other-for example in a horizontal direction and in a direction lying between the horizontal and the vertical.

With this aim in view, the loudspeaker case or other sound-emission case has a base composed oftwo support surfaces at an angleto each otherto permit the case to take up either one of two alternative stable positions of rest.

In one form of case in accordance with the invention, the base of the casing is in the form of a shallow V when viewed in cross-section, with one limb of the V being at rightanglesto thefrontface of the case so as to allow sound to be emitted from th at front face in a horizontal direction, while the other limb of theV is at an angle otherthan 90"to the rear face ofthe case so as to permitthe case to take up a position wherethatother limb oftheV rests on a flat support surface such as a table with the result that sound is emitted from the front face ofthe casing in an upwardly inclned direction.

An example of a loudspeaker in accordance with the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure lisa front perspective view from below of the loudspeaker; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view from below of the loudspeaker; Figure 3 is a side view of the loudspeaker in one position of rest; and Figure 4 is a side view of the loudspeaker in its alternative position of rest.

Theloudspeakershown inthedrawingscomprises a casing 10 made of wood, metal, synthetic plastics or other suitable material within which is contained electrical and/or electronic sound-emitting components. These form no part of the present invention and will not therefore be described.

Except for its base portion 12, the casing is of generally rectangularform as is usual in many loudspeaker cases. An opening 14 in the front face 16 ofthe casing allowsforthe emission of sound from within the casing in the usual way, the opening 14 being covered by a suitable fabric or metal mesh covering 18.

As is well known, the bases of loudspeaker casings are usually planar so asto allowthe loudspeakerto be supported on a table or other horizontal support. The illustrated loudspeaker differs from this conventional form of loudspeaker however in that the base portion 12 is composed of two support surfaces 20 and 22 which are atan angle to each other so that the base 12 is of shallow V section when seen in side view as shown in n in Figures3and4.Thismeansthatthe loudspeaker case can take up either one ortwo alternative stable positions of rest.Thus, Figure 3 shows the loudspeaker case in one position of rest where the base portion 20 is supported on a table top 24 or other horizontal supportwith the resultthat sound is emitted from the casing through the front opening 14 in a generally horizontal direction as shown bythearrow26in Figure 3.

Figure 4 illustrates the alternative position of rest of the casing in which the base portion 22 is resting on the table top or other support 24. Sound is now emitted from the front face of the casing in an upward direction indicated by the arrow 28.

Itwill beappreciatedthatthe direction of the sound emission in the upward direction will depend on the angle which the two base portions 20 and 22 make with each other. If therefore the loudspeaker case is intended for use in a hall or corridor, the angle between thetwo base portions 20 and 22 will be greaterthan in a loudspeaker designed for use in, say, a lounge or living room in the home.

1. A loudspeaker or other sound-emission unit comprising a case having a base composed oftwo alternative support surfaces at an angle to each other to permit the caseto take up either one of two alternative stable positions of rest.

2. Aloudspeakerorothersound-emission unit according to claim 1, in which the base of the case is in the form of a shallowVwhenviewed in cross-section.

3. Aloudspeakeror othersound-emission unit according to claim 2, in which one limb of the V lies at right angles to the front face of the case so as to allow soundto be emitted from that front face in a horizontal direction, while the other limb ofthe V is at an angle otherthan 900 to the rearface ofthe case so asto permit the case to take up a position where that other limb ofthe V rests on a flat support surface with the result that sound is emitted from the front face of the case in an upwardly inclined direction.

4. Aloudspeakerorothersoundemission unit according to any one of claims 1-3, in which the two support surfaces of the base are each of rectangular planarform.

5. Aloudspeakerorothersound emission unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rutes 1982.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tiltable loudspeaker This invention relates to loudspeakers and other sound-emission units, and is especially concerned with the shape of the case in which the electrical and electronic parts of the loudspeaker are housed. The aim ofthe invention iso so shape the case that the sound-emission from it can be directed in two different directions at an angle to each other-for example in a horizontal direction and in a direction lying between the horizontal and the vertical. With this aim in view, the loudspeaker case or other sound-emission case has a base composed oftwo support surfaces at an angleto each otherto permit the case to take up either one of two alternative stable positions of rest. In one form of case in accordance with the invention, the base of the casing is in the form of a shallow V when viewed in cross-section, with one limb of the V being at rightanglesto thefrontface of the case so as to allow sound to be emitted from th at front face in a horizontal direction, while the other limb of theV is at an angle otherthan 90"to the rear face ofthe case so as to permitthe case to take up a position wherethatother limb oftheV rests on a flat support surface such as a table with the result that sound is emitted from the front face ofthe casing in an upwardly inclned direction. An example of a loudspeaker in accordance with the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure lisa front perspective view from below of the loudspeaker; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view from below of the loudspeaker; Figure 3 is a side view of the loudspeaker in one position of rest; and Figure 4 is a side view of the loudspeaker in its alternative position of rest. Theloudspeakershown inthedrawingscomprises a casing 10 made of wood, metal, synthetic plastics or other suitable material within which is contained electrical and/or electronic sound-emitting components. These form no part of the present invention and will not therefore be described. Except for its base portion 12, the casing is of generally rectangularform as is usual in many loudspeaker cases. An opening 14 in the front face 16 ofthe casing allowsforthe emission of sound from within the casing in the usual way, the opening 14 being covered by a suitable fabric or metal mesh covering 18. As is well known, the bases of loudspeaker casings are usually planar so asto allowthe loudspeakerto be supported on a table or other horizontal support. The illustrated loudspeaker differs from this conventional form of loudspeaker however in that the base portion 12 is composed of two support surfaces 20 and 22 which are atan angle to each other so that the base 12 is of shallow V section when seen in side view as shown in n in Figures3and4.Thismeansthatthe loudspeaker case can take up either one ortwo alternative stable positions of rest.Thus, Figure 3 shows the loudspeaker case in one position of rest where the base portion 20 is supported on a table top 24 or other horizontal supportwith the resultthat sound is emitted from the casing through the front opening 14 in a generally horizontal direction as shown bythearrow26in Figure 3. Figure 4 illustrates the alternative position of rest of the casing in which the base portion 22 is resting on the table top or other support 24. Sound is now emitted from the front face of the casing in an upward direction indicated by the arrow 28. Itwill beappreciatedthatthe direction of the sound emission in the upward direction will depend on the angle which the two base portions 20 and 22 make with each other. If therefore the loudspeaker case is intended for use in a hall or corridor, the angle between thetwo base portions 20 and 22 will be greaterthan in a loudspeaker designed for use in, say, a lounge or living room in the home. CLAIMS

1. A loudspeaker or other sound-emission unit comprising a case having a base composed oftwo alternative support surfaces at an angle to each other to permit the caseto take up either one of two alternative stable positions of rest.

2. Aloudspeakerorothersound-emission unit according to claim 1, in which the base of the case is in the form of a shallowVwhenviewed in cross-section.

3. Aloudspeakeror othersound-emission unit according to claim 2, in which one limb of the V lies at right angles to the front face of the case so as to allow soundto be emitted from that front face in a horizontal direction, while the other limb ofthe V is at an angle otherthan 900 to the rearface ofthe case so asto permit the case to take up a position where that other limb ofthe V rests on a flat support surface with the result that sound is emitted from the front face of the case in an upwardly inclined direction.

4. Aloudspeakerorothersoundemission unit according to any one of claims 1-3, in which the two support surfaces of the base are each of rectangular planarform.

5. Aloudspeakerorothersound emission unit substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

The drawing(s) originally filed was (were) informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

The claims were filed later than the filing date within the period prescribed by Rule 25(1) of the Patents Rutes 1982.