WO2009063196A2

WO2009063196A2 - Audio speaker

Info

Publication number: WO2009063196A2
Application number: PCT/GB2008/003814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Abraham; Anthony Jones; Kieron Dunk
Original assignee: Armour Home Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-14
Filing date: 2008-11-13
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: GB0722394D0; WO2009063196A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a speaker, said speaker having a rear surface, which includes a recessed portion to allow the same to be fitted to a support surface which may have protrusions such as coving or skirting with no, or a minimum of fitting and/or repair work required to be performed. The speaker can also be provided with a plug or socket which allows the speaker to be electrically and/or mechanically connected and located in position.

Description

Audio Speaker

The invention to which this application relates is to a form of speaker which has specific advantages, particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, in relation to the mounting of the speaker on a support surface.

Audio speakers are well known and are typically connected to an item of apparatus which is capable of generating audio signals which are transmitted to the speaker, amplified and sounded from the speaker to be listened to by users. Speakers can be used individually or, more typically, in combination, to provide a particular audio effect. When providing the particular audio effect, it is desired that at least some of the speakers are remotely positioned from the apparatus which generates the audio signals so as to provide a speaker system with a plurality of speakers at dispersed locations within the environment in which the audio is to be listed in.

Certain speakers, such as those typically known as rear speakers, are required to be located some distance from the apparatus generating the data signals and are typically connected to the apparatus via a cable or a wireless connection. A problem which is faced with cable connections is that, conventionally, the speaker is mounted on a side wall intermediate the floor and ceiling. This therefore means that in order to provide the cable connection, the cable is either required to be placed on the external surface of the wall, which is unsightly, or alternatively, is required to be located in a recess in the wall which, unless the speakers are installed at the time of forming the external surface of the wall, requires a line of the wall plaster to be removed to form the linear recess into which the cable can be placed and then the external surface re-plastered to cover over the same. In addition to the expense which this causes, the removal of plaster can cause significant debris to be created and furthermore, it is typically the case that even if using the most skilled plasterer, the work will result in a re-plastered line being visible. A further problem is that the location of the speaker is made permanent due to the integration of the cable within the wall, which therefore means that the alteration of the position of the speaker, or the replacement of the speaker, can be difficult.

A problem with the wifeless connection of the speakers is that while the audio data can be transmitted, a power supply is still required to be provided to the speaker and so the same problems are still experienced as with the cable connected speakers.

Furthermore, the conventional speakers typically have a rear face which is substantially planar and flat which means that the speaker can typically only be mounted with the rear surface of the speaker contacting a flat surface, such as a side wall. This prevents the speaker from being mounted adjacent to the floor when skirting boards are present or adjacent to the ceiling when coving is present.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a speaker of a form which allows the type and range of support surfaces onto which the same can be located to be increased. A further aim is to provide the speaker in a form which allows the problems experienced with the connection of cables thereto to be reduced.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a speaker, , said speaker provided to receive audio signals from audio generating apparatus and to generate audio therefrom, said speaker having a front face and an opposing rear face and wherein said rear face is formed with a recessed portion.

Typically at least part of the rear face is provided to be placed against, and located on, a support surface. In one embodiment the support surface is a wall.

In one embodiment, the recess is formed by providing the rear face of the speaker in an inwardly curved manner.

In one embodiment the thickness of the speaker between the front and rear faces, varies from a narrowest point at the recessed portion and from which the thickness increases.

In one embodiment, at least the rear face of the speaker is non planer so as to achieve the variation in thickness.

Typically, the rear face includes the recessed portion located adjacent the base of the speaker. Typically the recessed portion depends inwardly from an edge of the speaker, most typically the base edge or from the top edge of the speaker in use.

In one embodiment, the recess is of a dimension such as to allow a protrusion on the support surface to which the speaker is to be mounted, to be at least partially located therein.

In one embodiment, the protrusion is a skirting board or coving located on the support surface.

In one embodiment, the speaker is provided with a support stand.

In one embodiment, the location means are provided so as to allow the speaker to be mounted on the face of a wall and or coving and/or skirting boards mounted thereon. Typically the location means are located on the rear face of the speaker other than the recessed portion.

In one embodiment, the speaker is connected to the audio apparatus to allow audio data to be transmitted thereto via a cable connection, or wireless communication means.

In one embodiment, the speaker includes a passage depending from the side and/ or rear face to the front face and through which passage one or more cables can be passed so as to be connected to one or more terminals to allow the speaker to be connected to the audio apparatus via the one or more cables. Typically, access to the terminals can be gained from the front face of the speaker and allows the cables to be connected to the terminals once the speaker has been fitted in position, if required.

In one embodiment, once the cable is connected to the terminals, a cap or other masking means is positioned to close the opening from the front face.

Typically, and in accordance with the invention, the speaker can be mounted on the side wall of a building and, if required, at an interface between the side wall and the ceiling or the floor thereby allowing the cable leading to the speaker, to be located either behind the coving or skirting board or alternatively to be located adjacent to an edge face of the coving or skirting -board thereby minimising the visual impact of the cable. This avoids the need for a recess to be formed in the side wall and subsequent repair work to be performed.

In one embodiment the speaker is of a type known as a rear speaker which is provided to be used in combination with a plurality of other speakers as part of an audio reproduction system.

In one embodiment the speaker includes a plug-, said plug designed to be received within a socket located in the support surface. In one embodiment the plug and socket provide a mechanical support for the speaker and/ or provide an electrical supply to the speaker from the socket.

Typically the plug is formed as part of the speaker housing and/or is mechanically attached thereto. Typically the configuration of the pins of the plug is selected to be appropriate to the type of plug used in the country to which the speaker is being supplied. Alternatively, in certain countries the plug pins may need to be inserted into an adaptor which, in turn, is then placed into the socket to achieve the mechanical and/or electrical connection via the socket.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a speaker, said speaker having provided as part thereof or connectable thereto, a plug of a type suitable to be received, in a socket located on a support surface for the speaker.

In one embodiment the connection of the plug and socket allow a mains power supply to be provided to the speaker.

In one embodiment, the plug is provided as an integral part of the speaker housing. Typically, the plug is provided on a part of the speaker which will lie to the rear of the speaker when the plug is mounted in the socket.

In this embodiment, it is typically the case that the speaker will be connected for the receipt of audio signals to be reproduced from the speaker, via a wireless connection. Alternatively, audio signals may be passed through the mains power supply system and received by the speaker via the plug socket connection.

More typically, the power supply to the speaker is provided to allow the speaker to function upon receipt of the audio signals from a wireless communication link.

In one embodiment, the connection between the plug and socket, also acts as a mechanical location means so as to locate the speaker in the required position. Alternatively, or in addition, other mechanical location means may be provided such that once the plug and socket are connected, the mechanical engagement means are used to further secure the speaker in that position.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a speaker in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the speaker of figure 1 ;

Figures 3 illustrates a rear view of the speaker;

Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the speaker;

Figures 5a and b illustrate perspective views of the speaker with the connection passage open and closed respectively;

Figure 6 illustrates one of the speakers of Figure l -5b in a fixed position. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the speaker in a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly, to figures 1-4 there is illustrated a speaker 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The speaker comprises a front face 3, an opposing rear face 4, side faces 6, 8, base 10 and top face 12. In this case, the speaker is provided to be connected to a cable via which audio signals and power is supplied. The rear face of the speaker is formed such that there is a recessed portion 16 and, in this case, there is provided a stand 18 which can be selectively extended into the recess but which can be moved out of the way if required. The recessed portion 16 is used in the manner as described with regard to figure 6. The front face 3, is also shown as having a curved shape in this particular embodiment.

Figure 6 shows the speaker in a fixed position on a support surface 30 in the form of a side wall of a room. Suitable fixing means can be provided such as screws which are located in the side wall. The speaker is oriented such that in the this embodiment, the provision of the recessed portion 16 is located to accommodate the top portion of the skirting board 32 which depends upwardly on the side wall from the floor of the room in which the speaker is located. This therefore means that the speaker need not be located so that the entire rear surface of the same is positioned on the side wall but instead at least the portion with the recess 16 can be positioned over a protrusion which, in this case, is the skirting board 32.

It is also shown how, by providing the recess and allowing the protrusion to be located therein, the connecting cable 34 can be located to run along the top edge 36 of the skirting board which therefore allows the cable to be provided in a relatively unobtrusive location and avoids the need for the same to be placed within the side wall.

It should be appreciated that the same procedure can be adopted if the speaker is to be mounted with the recessed portion overlying coving at the top edge of the side wall. In this case the speaker orientation is turned through 180 degrees from the position shown in Figure 6 such that the recessed portion 16 overlies at least part of the coving.

The speaker is also provided with a passage 20 as shown in Figures 5a and b which passes from the rear face 4 to the front face 3 as shown. This passage allows the reception and passing therethrough of the audio cable from the rear face to connecting terminals 24 adjacent to the front face and thereby allows the cable to be connected to the speaker once the speaker is in position. Once the cable is connected to the terminals of the speaker, the passage 20 at the front face can be masked by a cap 22 as shown in Figure 5b to close the passage from view externally from the front face. The passage therefore allows the cable ends to be presented to the front of the speaker, when the speaker is mounted on the side wall. This, in turn means that the cables ends can then be connected to the terminals, and, once connected, masked by placing the cap in position.

The provision of the speaker with a rear face having a recessed area and with a thickness between the front and rear faces, which varies, as shown by the provision of the recessed portion 16, means that the speaker can be mounted on a surface which is not uniformly flat, and therefore greatly improves the range of possible locations, and, more importantly, allows preferred locations to become accessible and available to locate the speakers thereon. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a further version of the speaker in accordance with the invention. This embodiment can be particularly suited for use with a speaker which receives audio signals via a wireless communication system and as a result no cable connection to the speaker is required. However as speakers of this type still require a power supply, there would normally still be required to be provided a cable connection to the speaker for this purpose. The same reference numerals are used for common parts from Figures 1 -6 for ease of reference.

In this case the speaker 2 is provided, on the rear face 4, with a plug configuration 40 as shown in Figure 7 which in this case has pins in a configuration for use with UK power sockets. However it should be appreciated that the plug pin configuration can be adapted to suit particular country fitting requirements .

The plug 40 is provided such that it can be directly received in a power socket 42 provided in a wall 30 as shown in Figure 8. In this embodiment the plug is provided to carry mains electrical power from the socket into the speaker, and therefore allows the mains power to be supplied directly to the speaker without the need for an intermediate cable connection. In one embodiment the plug and socket connection can also be used as the mechanical location means for the speaker, such that the electrical and mechanical connection of the speaker can be achieved. This, if used in conjunction with wireless audio data communication means, results in a speaker which can be installed and used without any cable connections being required to the apparatus.

Although shown in Figures 7 and 8 with a recessed portion 16 the speaker in this embodiment need not include the recess and could still be used to advantage. However as in many cases power sockets ate positioned close to skirting boards, it will normally be of advantage to still include the recessed portion 16 so that the speaker can be selectively fitted and the plug be received by sockets regardless of their particular location on the wall.

The present invention, and the features thereof, therefore provide a significant advantage in that the speaker can be mounted more easily at any location on a wall rather than in a defined area. This, in turn, allows the speaker to be mounted in position with an improved visual impact and also with a reduction in the fitting work required to be performed.

Claims

1. A speaker, said speaker provided to receive audio signals from audio generating apparatus and to generate audio therefrom, said speaker having a front face and an opposing rear face and wherein said rear face is formed with a recessed portion.

2. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the rear face is provided to be located on a support surface.

3. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the recessed portion is formed by providing at least a portion of the rear face of the speaker in an inwardly curved manner.

4. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the thickness of the speaker between the front and rear faces, varies.

5. A speaker according to claim 4 wherein at least the rear face of the speaker is non planer so as to achieve the variation in thickness.

6. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the rear face includes a recessed portion located adjacent one edge of the speaker.

7 A speaker according to claim 6 wherein the recessed portion depends inwardly from the said edge.

8. A speaker according to claim 6 wherein the speaker can be rotated through 180° and mounted in either orientation.

9. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the recess allows a protrusion on the support surface to which the speaker is to mounted, to be at least partially located therein.

10. A speaker according to claim 9 wherein the protrusion is a skirting board or coving located on the support surface.

11. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the speaker is provided with a support stand.

12. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein location means are provided so as to allow the speaker to be mounted on the face of a wall and or coving and/or skirting board mounted thereon.

13. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the speaker is connected to audio data generating apparatus via a cable connection.

14. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the speaker includes a passage depending from the rear and/or side face to the front face and through which passage one or more cables can be passed so as to be connected to one or more speaker- terminals to allow the speaker to be connected to audio data generating apparatus .

15. A speaker according to claim 14 wherein access to the terminals can be achieved from the front face of the speaker.

16. A speaker according to claim 15 wherein once the one or more cables are connected to the terminals, a cap or other masking means is positioned to close the passage from the front face.

17. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the speaker is a rear speaker provided to be used in combination with a plurality of other speakers as part of an audio reproduction system.

18. A speaker according to claim 1 wherein the speaker includes, or is connectable with, a plug to be received in a socket to provide mechanical and/or electrical connection of the speaker.

19. A speaker, said speaker having provided as part thereof, or connectable thereto, a plug of a type suitable to be received in a socket to provide mechanical and/or electrical connection.

20. A speaker according to claim 19 wherein the connection allows power to be supplied to the speaker from the socket and allows electrical connection with the power supply of the premises.

21. A speaker according to claim 19 wherein the plug is provided as an integral part of the speaker housing.

22. A speaker according to claim 19 wherein the plug is provided to lie to the rear of the speaker when the plug is mounted in the socket.

23. A speaker according to claim 19 wherein the speaker is connected for the receipt of audio signals to be reproduced from the speaker, via a wireless communication means .

24. A speaker according to claim 19 wherein audio signals are passed through the mains power supply system and received by the speaker via the plug socket connection.

25. A speaket according to claim 19 wherein the connection between the plug and socket, acts as a mechanical location means so as to locate the speaker in the required position on the support surface in which the socket is provided.