Folding speaker bracket

Details Folding speaker bracket Folding speaker bracket

2002-02-15

2004-07-06

Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)

Supports

Brackets

Specially mounted or attached

C248S027100, C248S289310, C248S343000, C181S150000, C181S171000, C381S386000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06758451

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of audio system speaker mounting brackets.
2. Description of the Related Art
The popularity of ceiling and wall-mounted speakers in various types of building has steadily grown over the past decade. A variety of methods and devices for mounting speakers in these locations have therefore been developed. Several types of straps and brackets have been designed that are mounted to the framing of the wall or ceiling behind the outer surface of the wall to which the speaker is then affixed to secure it in place. Brackets have been designed that are placed behind the mounting surface that the speakers are then affixed to. One of the problems with these brackets is that they often need to be assembled behind the mounting surface, which can be difficult and time consuming.
Other bracket designs that are used with acoustic or suspended ceilings require that the suspended ceiling tile be removed for the installation of the bracket, and then replaced. This is necessary because the hole required for the bracket is larger than that required by the speaker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The systems and methods have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments” one will understand how the features of the system and methods provide several advantages over traditional systems and methods.
One aspect is a method of mounting a speaker in a ceiling, by cutting a mounting hole in the ceiling, folding a bracket, inserting the folded bracket through the mounting hole, unfolding the bracket, and mounting the speaker to the unfolded bracket. Another aspect is for a folding ceiling mount speaker bracket, which is hinged along approximately a midpoint of said bracket.
Yet another aspect is a speaker bracket, having a speaker-mounting portion with a first half, a second half and a hinge connecting said first half to said second half. This aspect also has a first bracket support attached to the first half of the speaker mounting portion, and a second bracket support attached to the second half of the speaker mounting portion. For these aspects a spring can be included to bias the rotation of the first half of the bracket portion. In some aspects the spring can be configured to bias the rotation of the first half of the bracket portion towards a fully unfolded position.


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Product Description Document for NCB6 NCB0 NCBTL5 NCBTL8—New Construction Brackets for Boston Acoustics Designer Series Flush Mount Speakers, embedded in website on http://www.bostonacoustics.com/BostonOnlineStore.asp?ID×10; © 2001 Boston Acoustics, Inc.; Nov. 1, 2001.
Speco “Dream Series” Architectural In Wall & In Ceiling Speaker System, http://www.starkelectronic.com/spdream.htm; Nov. 1, 2001.
MTX, PCK5 Preconstruction Bracket for Model 520W and 502W (Pair), htp://www.audio-direct.com/cgl-bin/pgen_asp/papegen.asp?itemnum×PCK5; Nov. 1, 2001.
Hide a 1,000-Watt Powered Subwoofer in Your Ceiling, http:www.smarthome.com/97250601.html; Nov. 1, 2001.
Ceiling Mount Speaker Group—Designed for Flush Mounting in Ceilings, Technical Data Sheet, Nile Audio Corporation, © 2000 Niles Audio Corporation.

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