GB2535430A

GB2535430A - Radio

Info

Publication number: GB2535430A
Application number: GB1420877.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Neal Merricks Jonathan; copley Daniel
Original assignee: NEW DAWN INNOVATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: NEW DAWN INNOVATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-24
Filing date: 2014-11-24
Publication date: 2016-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-24
Also published as: GB2535430B; GB201420877D0

Abstract

Electronic audio apparatus, such as a radio receiver, has a main body 5 capable of being positioned to stand on a surface in at least two orientations. The body is preferably substantially rectilinear shape and at least two positions are preferably orthogonal. The body has a control console 3 that includes a display 4, and preferably controls for the radio operation. The control console can be rotated within the main body such so that its orientation, relative to the surface, is maintained in either of the two orientations. Preferable, when the body is rectilinear, it can stand in a portrait (fig 3) or landscape (fig 1) orientation and the display can rotate on the face of the body by a matching angle, such has 90 degrees, so the display can stay vertical. Figure 5 shows how the control console may rotate with a spring latch (27, 28) defining two orientations with notches 25 in ring 5. An exploded drawing is in figure 4.

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a radio. More especially the invention relates to a radio which has a center console that is capable of being rotated such that the radio can be used in different orientations whilst the orientation of the center console is maintained.

Background to the invention

Radios are available in a large variety of designs. Radios and other audio appartus are often chosen to fit in with the specific location at which they are intended for use. As such, people tend to always keep a radio in the same location and are reluctant to move it around as the overall shape and design is often not suitable for other locations.

For example, the length of a radio may not be important if the location is on a kitchen worktop whereas the length may be an issue for location on a bed side table where space is much more limited.

Consequently, many consumers find themselves having a number of, often different styled, radios around the home with shapes and dimensions specifically chosen for the location.

The present invention seeks to provide a radio which has center console, including a control and display panel, that is rotatable to different orientations to allow the center console to remain in standard view when the main body of the radio is orientated differently.

Statement of invention

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided audio playing apparatus comprising a main body capable of being positioned in at least two orientations and having a control console including a display rotatable with respect to the main body such that control control console is able to maintain the same orientation irrespective of the orientation of the main body.

Brief description of the drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a radio constructed in accordance with the invention in a landscape orientation; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the radio of figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a radio constructed in accordance with the present invention in a portrait orientation; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the radio; and Figures 5(A) to (C) are schematic views o the rotating U-ring of a constructed in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Figure 1 shows a radio, for example a DAB radio 1 constructed in accordance a first embodiment of the invention. The embodiment described is a radio but it will be appreciated that the concept could apply to any suitable audio player or sound system that includes a control panel and display.

The radio 1 has a generally rectangular body 2. Figure 1 10 shows the radio in a landscape orientation (standing on a long side).

The front face of the body has a center console including a circular control panel 3 including an LCD display 4. 15 The LCD display is generally rectangular and also has a landscape or horizontal orientation.

The center console 3 is secured within a rotarable UT ring 5.

Figure 2 shows the top surface of the radio 1. The top surface includes a battery compartment 6, telescopic aerial 7 and built-in speaker 8 together with standard input and output sockets 9 for connection to and from other devices.

Figure 3 shows the radio 1 in a portrait orientation (standing on a short side). When the radio is in a portrait orientation the ring 5 is rotated 90 degrees so that the center console remains in the same landscape orientation.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the radio 1. As can be seen from this figure, the control panel 3 and LCD display 4 fit within the rotatable UI ring 5. The ring 5 is rotabable about a circular housing 10 formed as a section of a front frame 11.

The main body 2 comprises two sections which are held together between the front frame 11 and a back frame 12. The front frame 11 has a plurality of connecting arms 13 which extend through the main body sections 2 to be received within corresponding tubular members 14 extending from the back frame 12.

The main body sections 2 may be constructed from wood and may have a leather wrap.

Located between the front frame 11 and its neighbouring body section 2A and the back frame and its neighbouring body section 2B are silicon rubber rims 15.

A front facia comprising a main section 16 and outer frame boundary sections 17 is secured to the front frame 11 and held in place with a supporting frame 18 which includes connecting arms 20 which are received within corresponding apertures 21 in the front frame 11. The front facia may, for example, be made from enameled steel.

The supporting frame 18 and front facia 16 have circular recesses through which the ring 15 extends to be connected to the circular housing section 10 of the front frame 11.

A back plate 22 is secured to the back frame 12. The back plate 22 includes a recess 23 for batteries and an input for a telescopic antenna 24. A main PCB and associated electronics (not shown) are located internally within the housing and are linked to the center console control using a cable ribbon that is able to twist to accommodate rotation of the ring 5 and thus the center console.

Figure 5 shows the center console rotation mechanism. Two spherical recesses 25A, 25B are cut into the ring 5, 90 degrees apart. A slight ridge 26 is formed along the ring 5 between the two recesses 25. A steel ball bearing 27 sits within the ring 5 held in place by a compression spring 28 located in a projection 29 extending outwardly from the ring 5.

When the ring is initially turned manually by the user(to suit the change in orientation of the radio) the movemner of the ridge 26 pushes the ball bearing 27 out of the recess 25A towards the compression spring 28 thereby allowing the ring 5 to rotate 90 degrees to the point where the ball bearing 27 is received into the other recess 25B at which point the ring is once again locked in place in the second position, maintaining the center console in a landscape orientation even though the radio itself is in portrait orientation.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely an example of an embodiment and just an example of its use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Audio playing apparatus comprising a main body capable of being positioned in at least two orientations and having a control console including a display rotatable with respect to the main body such that control console is able to maintain the same orientation irrespective of the orientation of the main body.
2. Audio playing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the main body is substantially rectangular and is capable of being positioned in a landscape or portrait orientation.
3. Audio playing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control console is substantially circular and is secured to the main body within a -- rotatable UI ring.

--
4. Audio playing apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the ring is rotatable within a circular housing formed as a section of a front frame of main body.
5. Audio playing apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the front frame is secured to a back frame which together form the main body.
6. Audio playing apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein electronics are located internally within the housing and are linked to the control console using a cable ribbon that is able to twist to accommodate rotation of the ring and thus the control console.
7. Audio playing apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the ring includes at least two spherical recesses between which a ball bearing can travel to lock the ring in a specific orientation when the ball bearing is located within any one of the recesses.
8. Audio playing apparatus as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying figures.