LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM WITH MULTI-COMPONENT GRILL ASSEMBLY
A loudspeaker system comprises a speaker frame and a grill assembly formed of a number of components that can be molded in different colors, removed from the frame for painting or other customization and/or replaced with other grill components in order to vary, as desired, the aesthetic appearance of the loudspeaker system.
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This invention relates to loudspeakers, and, more particularly, to a loudspeaker system having a grill assembly formed of a number of components each of which can be removed for painting or other customization and/or replaced with other grill components in order to vary, as desired, the aesthetic appearance of the loudspeaker system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLoudspeakers generally comprise a frame, a motor structure, a diaphragm, a lower suspension or spider and a surround or upper suspension. Speakers may be mounted within the interior of an enclosure having a front panel formed with an opening such that a forward-facing surface of the diaphragm aligns with the opening. Alternatively, speakers may be mounted to a baffle that attaches to or is integrally formed as part of a wall, ceiling or the like that defines an enclosed interior area where the speaker may be located.
In order to protect the speaker components from damage, a grill is typically mounted to or formed as a part of the enclosure or baffle. Grills may comprise a screen formed of “soft” material such as fabric or “hard” material such as metal or wood. Grills may be attached directly to the frame of the speaker, to the enclosure that houses the speaker or to the baffle that mounts the speaker.
Known speaker designs of the type described above do not permit customization of the appearance of the speaker or grill, e.g. variation of the color or configuration. Further, in outdoor applications such as on patios or boats, typical speaker grills are not readily replaceable should they sustain damage or become weathered in appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention is directed to a loudspeaker system comprising a frame which mounts a grill assembly formed of a number of components that can be molded in different colors, individually removed for painting or other customization and/or replaced with other grill components in order to vary, as desired, the aesthetic appearance of the loudspeaker system.
The frame may mount a first loudspeaker such as a woofer. In the presently preferred embodiment, one end of the frame is formed with a seat which mounts the grill assembly having a tweeter mount, a grill tray and a grill. The tweeter mount has a centrally located core adapted to mount at least one second loudspeaker such as a tweeter. The grill tray overlies the tweeter mount, and the grill is positioned over the grill tray. The tweeter mount and grill tray are formed with bores which align with bores in the seat of the speaker frame. Self-tapping fasteners may be inserted through such aligning bores and tightened down in order to removably connect the tweeter component and grill tray to the frame. Additionally, the tweeter mount, grill tray, grill and seat are formed with aligning bores through which fasteners may be inserted in order to mount the entire loudspeaker system to an enclosure or to a baffle, and to secure the grill in place overlying the other grill assembly components.
The above-described construction permits variation of the aesthetic appearance of the speaker, and easy replacement of damaged or weathered parts. Each component of the grill assembly may be molded in any number of colors so that different color combinations may be used, as desired. Alternatively, one or more of the grill assembly components may be removed, custom painted with a particular color, and then replaced to achieve a desired cosmetic effect. Additionally, because the tweeter component, grill tray and grill are all removably mounted to the speaker frame and/or to an enclosure or baffle, each can be easily removed and replaced with new parts in the event of damage or weathering.
The structure, operation and advantages of the presently preferred embodiment of this invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring initially to
Except as set forth below, details of the frame 12, first speaker 14 and second speaker 18 form no part of this invention and are not described herein. For purposes of the present discussion, the frame 12 may be formed of molded plastic with an upper end 20 having a seat 22. The seat 22 is formed with a number of circumferentially spaced first bores 24 and second bores 27. The first speaker 14 may be a woofer, mid-range or other loudspeaker depending on the requirements of a particular application. It may be mounted in any conventional manner to the frame 12, such as by fasteners or adhesive. As seen in
The grill assembly 16 comprises a tweeter mount 32, a grill tray 34 and a grill 36, each of which is described separately below. As best seen in
Referring to
The grill 36 comprises a central hub 62 formed with a first portion 64 separated from a second portion 66 which collectively define a central opening 68. See
Referring to
The next step in the assembly operation is to locate the grill tray 34 in position relative to the tweeter mount 32 and the frame seat 22. As shown in
As best seen in
Referring now to
It can be appreciated from the foregoing discussion that the multi-component construction of the grill assembly 16 of this invention allows for easy and efficient assembly and disassembly. Any one of the tweeter mount 32, grill tray 34 and grill 36 may be removed and replaced by other(s) of different color, or removed for painting a custom color and then replaced, and/or removed and replaced in the event of damage or weathering. Essentially any color combination can be achieved to customize the grill assembly 16 in order to realize the desired aesthetic appearance.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. The loudspeaker system of claim 19 in which said speaker mount is formed with a central core connected to at least two spaced arms, each of said arms being releasably connected to said seat.
3. The loudspeaker system of claim 2 in which said grill tray is formed with an inner ring, an outer ring and a number of circumferentially spaced mounting tabs extending between said inner and outer rings, said grill tray being positioned relative to said speaker mount so that each of two of said mounting tabs aligns with one of said arms.
4. The loudspeaker system of claim 3 in which said outer ring is formed with a first surface, each of said mounting tabs being spaced from said first surface.
5. The loudspeaker system of claim 3 in which a recess is formed in said outer ring where each mounting tab is located.
6. The loudspeaker system of claim 3 in which said grill is formed with a hub and a number of circumferentially spaced spokes each extending outwardly from said hub, each of said spokes having an inner end joined to said hub and an outer end formed with a socket bore, said grill being positioned relative to said grill tray so that each of said socket bores in said outer end of said spokes aligns with one of said mounting tabs of said grill tray.
7. The loudspeaker system of claim 6 in which said hub includes a first portion and a second portion which define a central opening, said first portion being joined to a first spoke and to a second spoke, said second portion being joined to a third spoke and to a fourth spoke, each of said first and second portions being joined to a fifth spoke and to a sixth spoke.
8. The loudspeaker system of claim 6 in which adjacent spokes are connected to one another by a ring segment.
9-11. (canceled)
12. A loudspeaker system, comprising:
- a frame formed with a seat having a number of first seat bores and a number of second seat bores;
- a first loudspeaker mounted to said frame;
- a speaker mount having spaced mounting arms each being formed with a first arm bore and a second arm bore, said speaker mount being positioned to overlie said seat so that each one of said first arm bores aligns with one of said first seat bores and each one of said second arm bores aligns with one of said second seat bores;
- a second loudspeaker mounted to said speaker mount;
- a grill tray having a number of mounting tabs each formed with a first tab bore and a second tab bore, said grill tray being positioned to overlie said speaker mount and said seat such that at least some of said first and second tab bores align with respective first and second arm bores in said speaker mount and such that each one of said first and second tab bores aligns with respective first and second seat bores in said seat;
- a number of first fasteners inserted into said second seat bores in said seat and aligning second arm bores in said speaker mount to connect said speaker mount to said seat, a number of first fasteners inserted into said second seat bores in said seat and aligning second tab bores in said grill tray to connect said grill tray to said seat;
- a grill including a number of spaced spokes each having an end formed with a socket bore, said grill being positioned to overlie said grill tray such that each of said socket bores aligns with one of said first tab bores in said grill tray and one of said first seat bores in said seat, at least some of said socket bores aligning with each one of said first arm bores in said speaker mount;
- a number of second fasteners inserted through one of said aligning socket bores, first tab bores, first arm bores and first seat bores, said second fasteners being adapted to mount said loudspeaker system to a speaker enclosure or within an interior of a baffle;
- said speaker mount, said grill tray and said grill forming a stacked construction wherein each one is releasably mounted to said frame in overlying relationship with one another and may be individually removed from said frame for separate customization or replacement.
13. The loudspeaker system of claim 12 in which said grill tray is formed with an inner ring and an outer ring, said mounting tabs extending between said inner and outer rings.
14. The loudspeaker system of claim 13 in which said outer ring is formed with a first surface, each of said mounting tabs being spaced from said first surface of said outer ring.
15. The loudspeaker system of claim 14 in which a recess is formed in said outer ring at said first surface where each mounting tab is located.
16. The loudspeaker system of claim 13 in which said grill is formed with a hub connected to said spaced spokes, each of said spokes having an inner end joined to said hub and an outer end formed with one of said socket bores.
17. The loudspeaker system of claim 16 in which said hub includes a first portion and a second portion which define a central opening, said first portion being joined to a first spoke and to a second spoke, said second portion being joined to a third spoke and to a fourth spoke, each of said first and second portions being joined to a fifth spoke and to a sixth spoke.
18. The loudspeaker system of claim 16 in which adjacent spokes are connected to one another by a ring segment.
19. A loudspeaker system, comprising:
- a frame;
- a first loudspeaker mounted to said frame;
- a grill assembly, comprising: (a) a speaker mount releasably connected to said frame; (b) a grill tray releasably connected to said frame in position to overlie said speaker mount; (c) a grill releasably connected to said frame in position to overlie said grill tray;
- a second loudspeaker mounted to said speaker mount;
- said speaker mount, said grill tray and said grill forming a stacked construction wherein each one is releasably connected to said frame in overlying relationship with one another and may be individually removed from said frame for separate customization or replacement.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 25, 2018
Publication Date: Oct 31, 2019
Applicant: JL Audio, Inc. (Miramar, FL)
Inventors: Lucio Proni (Weston, FL), Dwayne Spanbroek (Boca Raton, FL), Carlos A. Gomez (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Application Number: 15/962,397