EP1725068B1 - Snap-fit connection for an assembly of loudspeaker boxes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a fastening device for constructing an arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes, an arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes and method for constructing an arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes.

Recently, arrangements of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes are increasingly being used for the sounding of listening areas in large events. These are also called line arrays. A typical prior art line array 1 is shown in FIG Fig. 1 shown. The line array 1 is composed of a plurality of speaker systems or boxes 2, the housing are hung on housing at a precisely defined intermediate angle each other. The entire assembly is suspended on a so-called flying frame 5 and aligned. The vertical profile of the resulting wavefront - determined by the angles between the individual loudspeakers 2 - specifies the sound level distribution in the listener area. In order to make these variable, connecting elements between the individual housings are provided, which on the one hand ensure a secure cohesion of the individual housing in the high loads occurring and on the other hand must allow the variability of the intermediate angle adjustment. Furthermore, for reasons of cost, short assembly and disassembly times are essential for the erection and dismantling of such line arrays 1. In addition, it should be noted that attachment systems for line arrays 1 should be inexpensive and must meet high safety requirements, in particular, the risk of accidents during assembly and disassembly must be kept as low as possible.

Usually, the housings or loudspeaker boxes 2 in the front region are provided by articulated connecting elements 3, which are provided on both sides of the loudspeaker boxes 2, for example. an anchored in a speaker housing pivot and an anchored in the other speaker housing, the pivot receiving female perforated plate - interconnected. The hinged connecting elements each define the axis of rotation between a pair of speakers. The setting of the intermediate angle (angle between the emission axes of adjacent speakers) is usually carried out in the rear of the speakers 2. Usually, the speakers 2 are equipped there with side-mounted perforated plates 4. To fix the speakers 2 below the desired intermediate angle to each other, the speakers 2 must be aligned with each other and set by inserting a locking bolt through a suitable pair of holes two perforated plates 4 in their relative position to each other.

A disadvantage of this system is that assembly and disassembly are expensive. An assembly / disassembly on a hanging system is difficult and accident-prone, since the insertion or removal of the locking pin under load (weight of the speakers) must be made. In addition, there is not the possibility of preselection of an intermediate angle in the not yet fixed state during assembly.

Furthermore, various connection solutions are known in which the rear connecting element 4 is realized in the form of an adjustable stop. By adjusting the stop, the intermediate angle can be preselected before the loudspeaker boxes 2 are hung or pulled up against each other at their front articulated connecting elements 3. After the loudspeaker boxes 2 are connected in the front region via the articulated connection elements 3, they hang down in a straight line (the intermediate angle is 0 °). The curvature of the line array 1 now takes place via a Belt, which is attached to the lowest speaker box 2 and at the back of the line array 1 upwards (eg to the flying frame 5 back) out. By tightening this belt, the line array 1 is bent so far until the end position is reached by the action of the attacks between the speakers 2. It is advantageous in this system that the one or more intermediate angles, under which the speakers 2 are to be aligned with each other, are preselected. The disadvantage, however, is that with the belt an additional fastener and the bracing of the belt an additional assembly step are needed.

Another known fastening system also uses a stop for the rear connecting elements 4, which however-unlike the above-described system-defines the minimum possible intermediate angle (the maximum possible intermediate angle is predetermined by the trapezoidal cross-section of the housing 2). This system has the disadvantage that it can typically only be used with relatively short line arrays 1, since with long line arrays 1 and / or high curvature (not only tensile forces, but also) shear forces occur in the region of the rear connecting elements 4 can, for which such an angle stop is ineffective.

The publication US 5,714,723 describes a detent connection for loudspeakers, with the speakers in a speaker wall are joined together.

The publication US 5,996,728 describes a latching connection for loudspeaker boxes, with which loudspeaker boxes can be suspended from one another.

The documents US 2002/0071580 A1, US 2002/0153195 A1 and DE 40 25 627 A1 describe connections that allow speakers to be connected at different angles.

The invention has for its object to provide a fastening device for constructing an arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended speakers, which allows a simple, time-saving and at the same time secure assembly / disassembly of the device (e.g., line array). Furthermore, the invention aims to provide methods for constructing an arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes, which meet the above requirements.

The object of the invention is based solved by the features of the independent claims. advantageous Embodiments and developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

According to claim 1, the fastening device according to the invention for the construction of the arrangement of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes comprises a latching connection, with which two in the arrangement adjacent loudspeaker boxes are zusammenschließbar. The particular advantage of the latching connection is that the connection is formed automatically as a result of the latching. The connection can therefore be realized both under load (that is to say when mounting loudspeaker boxes to an already suspended system) and without load, without difficulty. This reduces the assembly time, allows different installation procedures and reduces the risk of accidents during assembly / disassembly.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the latching connection is designed so that the two adjacent speakers in the arrangement are zusammenschließbar at a presettable angle. This allows the preselection of a desired angular position, in which the latching engagement is formed automatically.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the latching connection comprises a latching hook mounted on a loudspeaker box and a holding element mounted on another loudspeaker box and cooperating with the latching hook. In this case, the fastening device preferably has a profiled part provided with a perforated grid, wherein the retaining element is a locking pin which can be inserted into holes of the perforated grid. Preferably, the latching hook is pivotally mounted on the profile part, whereby the profile part serves both for fastening of the holding element and for fastening the latching hook.

According to the latching connection in the locked state by means of a mechanical securing element against loosening securable from the detent position and / or interpretable for absorbing shear forces. By the mechanical securing element can be achieved that the locking connection can also absorb shear forces (which act in the direction of increasing intermediate angle), whereby the dimensionability of the arrangement is extended from one another arranged hanging loudspeaker boxes. For example, the securing element can be realized in the form of a securing bolt, which can be inserted into a securing hole provided in the hook area of the latching hook and cooperates with holes in the perforated grid of the profile part.

In a method according to the invention for constructing an arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes using the fastening device according to the invention loudspeaker box for loudspeaker box are attached to the already suspended, partially assembled arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended loudspeaker boxes. The method is characterized by the steps that one (each) speaker box, e.g. is attached at its front area to the currently lowest speaker of the partially assembled arrangement (or the uppermost speaker to the flying frame), and that the attached speaker is then raised at its rear area until the latching connection engages. In this way, a simple floating mounting of such an arrangement without additional aids, such as straps, etc., are performed.

In an advantageous embodiment of this method, groups of loudspeakers are preassembled in the state (ie not hanging) and then the groups of preassembled loudspeaker boxes are group by group attached to the already suspended, partially constructed arrangement of a plurality of mutually suspended loudspeakers. The advantageous method is characterized by the steps of stacking the preassembled loudspeaker boxes of a group, the articulated connecting them eg in their front area, the hanging of the top speaker of the preassembled stack (ie the group) of speakers eg at its front on a flying frame or on the lowest speaker of the partially assembled arrangement, the forming the latching connection between the flying frame or the lowermost speaker of the partially assembled arrangement and the uppermost speaker of the stack of loudspeakers and forming the latching connections within the stack of loudspeakers. This variant of the method benefits from the automatic forming of the latching connections between the loudspeaker boxes of the stack when pulling up or lifting the preassembled group of loudspeaker boxes.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Line-Arrays mit Flugrahmen und daran aufgehängten Lautsprecherboxen;

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Flugrahmens und zweier Lautsprecherboxen von vorne;

Fig. 3

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Flugrahmens und zweier Lautsprecherboxen von hinten;

Fig. 4

eine Querschnittsdarstellung von zwei Lautsprecherboxen mit eingerasteter und gesicherter Befestigungsvorrichtung im Rückbereich der Lautsprecherboxen;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines U-förmigen Befestigungsprofils an der Rückseite einer Lautsprecherbox;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Rastverbindung zwischen dem Flugrahmen und der daran angehängten obersten Lautsprecherbox; und

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Montageteils am vorderen Bereich der Lautsprecherbox.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawings; in these shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a line array with flying frame and suspended speaker boxes;

Fig. 2

an exploded view of the flying frame and two speakers from the front;

Fig. 3

an exploded view of the flying frame and two speakers from behind;

Fig. 4

a cross-sectional view of two speakers with locked and secured fastening device in the rear of the speakers;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a U-shaped mounting profile on the back of a speaker;

Fig. 6

a perspective view of the latching connection between the flying frame and attached thereto the top speaker; and

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a mounting part at the front of the speaker.

According to the invention loudspeaker boxes 2 after the FIGS. 2 and 3 according to the in Fig. 1 shown linear array (line array consisting of a series of hanging below each other arranged speakers 2) suspended from a flying frame 5. In the front area of the loudspeaker boxes 2, two parallel steel sheet strips 30 are provided on both side edges of a loudspeaker box 2, which extend laterally adjacent to the front side (radiation area 31) of the loudspeaker box 2 over the height dimension of the loudspeaker box 2. The steel strip pairs 30 each hold a housing side wall 36 of the speaker 2 and are firmly connected thereto. The steel strip pairs 30 have, as in Fig. 7 recognizable, at their ends mounting holes 32. At the mounting holes 32, a tab 33 may be mounted with a bearing eye 34. The tab 33 with the bearing eye 34 is above the top of the speaker 2 via. For hingedly connecting two speakers 2, the two tabs 33 of the lower speaker are brought to the lower end of the sheet steel strip 30 of the overlying speaker 2 and there is a respective Lagerbolzen35 through the bearing eye 34 on the sheet steel strip pair 30 of the lower speaker 2 and the mounting holes 32 in Stahlblechstreifenpaar 30 of the upper speaker 2 plugged. This connection in the front area defines the pivot axis between the two speakers 2. The front connection between the flying frame 5 and the top speaker 2 is carried out in a corresponding manner. In addition to the connection of the speakers 2 shown here in the front area and others Connection mechanisms are used, which allow a pivoting of the speakers 2 relative to each other. In particular, instead of the steel strip pairs 30 also mounted on the housing of the speaker box 2 square tubes or U-profiles can be used, in which then inserted a hinge element with two connected via a hinge attachment legs in opposing square tubes or U-profiles or inserted and locking pins on both sides his attachment legs is locked. In this case, the axis of rotation is not realized by the locking pin, but by the joint in the joint element.

According to the Fig. 3 to 6 For example, each loudspeaker box 2 has on its rear side a high-strength profile 20 with a wide base plate 21 and a double web 22. The base plate 21 is firmly anchored to the rear wall 29 of the speaker 2. The double web 22 forms the legs of a U and is formed in the upper region in the manner of a double-hole grid 23. Furthermore, there are two opposite bearing holes 24 in the lower region of the double web 22nd

The bearing holes 24 are used for the pivotable mounting of a latching hook 25 (in Fig. 5 not shown). The latching hook 25 can according to the arrow P in Fig. 4 be pivoted about 180 °. In a transport position (see Fig. 3 Lower speaker box 2), the latch hook 25 is pivoted upward and stowed between the two double webs 22. In its downwardly pivoted detent position (see Fig. 4 ) is the latch hook 25 on the bottom of the speaker 2 over. In this case, the latching hook 25 engages in its latched position a locking pin 26, which previously by a pair of holes in the double-hole grid 23 of the double web 22 of a speaker 2, which is located under the latch hook 25 carrying speaker 2 is inserted. In order to prevent the release of the latching connection, a securing bolt 27 is provided, which by another hole pair in the Double hole grid 23 and a hole 28 provided for this purpose in the remote storage hook area of the latching hook 25 is pushed and locked the locking connection securely. By the securing bolt 27 is also achieved that the latching connection can absorb and forward not only tensile forces, but also (high) shear forces.

The double-hole grid 23 may have, for example, two or more rows of holes, wherein the spacing between the holes is chosen so that on the one hand the required stability of the profile 20 can be guaranteed and on the other hand a sufficiently fine Winkeleinstellbarkeit is made possible. It can optionally holes of the outer or inner row of holes of the double hole grid 23 for the locking pin 26 and the locking pin 27 are used.

It should be noted that instead of the U-profile 20 with double web 22, a T-shaped profile with a single web is possible. The latching hook 25 may be executed in this case, for example, with a longitudinal slot for the single web.

The latching hook 25 is preferably locked via a locking pin in its transport position. The hole for the locking pin is in Fig. 4 designated by the reference numeral 40. This ensures that the snap hook 25 is not damaged during transport or can cause damage / injury. To produce a latching connection, the securing pin is removed and the latching hook 25 is folded out of its transport position. The latching hook 25 falls due to gravity against a provided on the profile 20 of the upper speaker 2 stop (not shown), which causes the latching hook 25 in a defined position (see Fig. 3 , upper loudspeaker box 2) rests. If the lower loudspeaker box 2, which is hinged in the front region, of the upper loudspeaker box 2 is now approximated by a pivoting movement, the locking bolt 26 will follow the acting as a baffle frontal inclined surface portion 41 of the latching hook 25 and lifts the latching hook 25 while his seat. The relative to the longitudinal extent of the latching hook 25 at an acute angle oriented inclined surface portion 41 may extend substantially over the entire end face of the latching hook 25. The latching then takes place due to gravity by falling back of the latching hook 25 on the locking pin 26 as soon as the desired intermediate angle is reached.

The latching hook 25 can also be biased by a spring mechanism (not shown) so that it remains on the one hand in its transport position and on the other hand - after a manual unfolding - in its unfolded rest position (see Fig. 3 , upper speaker box 2) against the stop (not shown), ie in the direction of the rear wall 29 of the speaker housing 2 of the lower speaker 2 is pressed. Thus, the latching hook 25 is also secured during transport and beyond the bias secures the defined rest position of the latching hook 25 (and thus ensures the automatic engagement of the latching connection) even in the case of installation of the speaker 2 with a slightly upward radiation of the same.

The Figures 3 and 6 show the connection between the flying frame 5 and the uppermost speaker box 2. The flying frame 5 has at its rear region on a latching hook 51 which may be identical to the latching hook 25. As in Fig. 6 recognizable, this latching hook 51 is the same as the latching hook 25 by a locking pin 26 and a locking pin 27 attached to the double web 22 of the U-section 20.

It should be noted that the latching connection according to the invention can be modified in many ways. For example, instead of a latching hook another Verrastungsteil, eg a rack with side or front and / or Rear-mounted locking teeth and instead of the locking bolt 26 may be provided a displaceable locking pawl with a complementary trained teeth. The preselectability of the angular position can be realized in this case, for example by an adjustable stop for the rack. It should also be noted that the latching connection does not necessarily have to be provided in the rear area of the loudspeaker boxes 2. In principle, it is also conceivable to arrange the axis of rotation between adjacent loudspeaker boxes 2 in the region of the rear side of the housing and to provide detent connections according to the invention in the front area of the loudspeaker boxes (instead of the pairs of sheet steel strips 30) in order to spread apart adjacent loudspeakers at right angles. In addition, it should be noted that instead of the locking connection according to the invention shown in the exemplary embodiment per loudspeaker box 2, two or more detent connecting strands can be provided.

The individual loudspeakers 2 can be e.g. Weigh 60 kg. For example, the speaker boxes 2 can measure 110 cm x 36 cm x 58 cm (width x height x depth). The flight frame 5 can be designed for a system load of 1.5 t with tenfold security. The hole pattern 23 can be dimensioned so that an intermediate angle between the speakers 2 in the range of 0 ° to 7 ° can be set in 1 ° increments. The trapezoidal cross-section of the loudspeaker boxes 2 can be dimensioned such that the upper and lower sides of adjacent loudspeaker boxes 2 enclose a housing angle of 7.5 ° at an intermediate angle of 0 ° (parallel radiation). All connecting elements 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 51 are dimensioned so that tensile and compressive loads of 20 kN per element are ensured with a safety factor of 5. The line array 1 can carry more than 10, in particular more than 20 loudspeaker boxes 2.

After a first construction variant loudspeaker box 2 for speaker 2 can be attached. This happens in the Way, that the speaker boxes 2 are first "pinned", ie the locking pin 26 are inserted into the desired mounting holes of the double hole grid 23 in the double web 22. The line array 1 is then constructed from top to bottom by successively attaching speakers 2. For this purpose, each speaker box 2 is first hung on the front (on sheet steel strip 30) and then raised back so far until the latch hook 25 automatically locks in the preselected angular position. Subsequently, the securing bolt 27 is inserted, whereby a rigid connection is formed on the back of the line array 1, which also has no problem with shear forces.

An alternative construction variant is to pre-assemble the loudspeaker boxes 2 in groups of suitable size on the floor (ie not in the suspended state) and then suspend the pre-assembled groups in succession. First, the speakers 2 are pre-pinned in the manner already described. Then, for example, four loudspeakers 2 each stacked on a cart or skateboard and connected to each other at the front, articulated connection elements 30, 33, 35. Since, for example, four loudspeaker boxes 2 of a group of housings overlap one another on the housing and thus result in a curved housing stack corresponding to the housing angle (eg 7.5 °), it is advantageous if the carriage / the roller board is wedge-shaped in order to counteract an inclination of the housing stack , The latch hook 25 is in its folded down position. The preassembled group of speakers 2 is then attached to the front (to the steel strip pairs 30 of the top speaker 2) to the flying frame 5 and to the lowest speaker 2 of the partially constructed line array 1. If possible, the rear locking connection between the flying frame 5 and the lower speaker 2 of the semi-finished line array 1 and the top speaker 2 of the preassembled speaker group is now formed, for example by the flying frame 5 is slightly lowered. Subsequently, the flying frame 5 pulled up, whereby the latching connections realize one after the other within the speaker group. An alternative possibility for generating the individual latching connections within the group of preassembled loudspeaker boxes 2 is that after attaching this group to the flying frame 5 or to the lowest loudspeaker box 2 of the partially constructed line array 1, each individual loudspeaker box 2 of the group starting with the uppermost Loudspeaker box 2 is raised slightly at its rear until the corresponding latching connection with the overlying speaker box 2 results. In this way, the speakers 2 of the group are successively fixed from top to bottom in the desired angular position on the line array 1. Subsequently, the securing bolts 27 are used in the manner already described.

Claims (17)

1. Attachment apparatus for forming an arrangement comprising a plurality of loudspeaker boxes hanging one above the other,
   comprising a latching connection (25, 26) by means of which two loudspeaker boxes (2) which are adjacent in the arrangement can be connected together,
   characterized in that
   the latching connection (25, 26) can be secured in the latched-in state by means of a mechanical securing element (27) against becoming loose from the latched position, and/or can be designed to absorb shear forces.
2. Attachment apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that
   the latching connection comprises means for pre-selecting an angle for the connecting together of two loudspeaker boxes (2) which are adjacent in the arrangement at the pre-selected angle.
3. Attachment apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the latching connection (25, 26) has a latching part (25), which is mounted on a loudspeaker box (2), and a holding element (26), which is mounted on another loudspeaker box (2) and interacts with the latching part (25).
4. Attachment apparatus according to Claim 3, characterized in that
   the latching part is a latching hook (25).
5. Attachment apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that
   the attachment apparatus has a profiled part (20) which is provided with a hole grid (23), with the holding element (26) being a strain bolt which can be inserted into holes in the hole grid (23).
6. Attachment apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that
   the profiled part (20) is in the form of a U-profile with hole grids (23) in the profile limbs (22).
7. Attachment apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6,
   characterized in that
   the latching hook (25) is fitted to the profiled part (20) such that it can pivot.
8. Attachment apparatus according to one of Claims 5 to 7,
   characterized in that
   the latching hook (25) can be secured in the position is which it is latched to the holding element (26) by means of a securing bolt (27), which can be inserted into holes in the hole grid (23), against becoming loose from the latched position.
9. Attachment apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized in that
   the latching hook (25) is provided with a hole (28) for the securing bolt (27).
10. Attachment apparatus according to one of Claims 4 to 9,
    characterized by
    an inclined surface area (41), which acts as a striking surface for operation of the latching hook (41), at the end of the latching hook (25).
11. Attachment apparatus according to one of Claims 4 to 10,
    characterized by
    a stop which holds the latching hook (25) against the force of gravity in a position in which it automatically latches with the holding element (26) on approaching it.
12. Arrangement comprising a plurality of loudspeaker boxes hanging one above the other, which has at least two loudspeaker boxes (2) which are arranged one above the other and are connected to one another in the front area via a hinged joint and are connected on the rear face via at least one attachment apparatus according to one of the preceding claims.
13. Arrangement comprising a plurality of loudspeaker boxes hanging one above the other according to Claim 12,
    characterized in that
    two loudspeaker boxes (2) are connected to one another on the rear face via a plurality of attachment apparatuses.
14. Method for forming an arrangement comprising a plurality of loudspeaker boxes hanging one above the other, with the loudspeaker boxes (2) being equipped with attachment apparatuses according to one of Claims 1 to 11, having the following steps:

    - one loudspeaker box (2) is hung on its front or rear area on a fly frame (5) or on the lowermost loudspeaker box (2) in the partially constructed arrangement; and

    - the loudspeaker box (2) which has been hung in is raised until the latching connection latches in.
15. Method according to Claim 14, having the following steps:

    - stacking one above the other of loudspeaker boxes (2) which are to be initially installed;

    - hinged connection of the loudspeaker boxes at their front or rear areas;

    - hanging of the uppermost loudspeaker box (2) of the initially installed stack of loudspeaker boxes (2) in the area of their hinged joint on a fly frame (5) or on the lowermost loudspeaker box (2) in the partially constructed arrangement;

    - formation of the latching connection between the fly frame (5) or the lowermost loudspeaker box (2) in the partially constructed arrangement and of the uppermost loudspeaker box (2) in the stack of loudspeaker boxes (2); and

    - formation of the latching connections between the loudspeaker boxes (2) in the stack of loudspeaker boxes (2).
16. Method according to Claim 15,
    characterized in that
    the latching connections between the loudspeaker boxes (2) in the stack of loudspeaker boxes are formed automatically when the arrangement comprising a plurality of loudspeaker boxes (1) hanging one above the other is raised.
17. Method according to one of Claims 14 to 16,
    characterized by the further step:

    securing of the latching connection (25, 26) in the latched-in state by means of a mechanical securing element (27) against becoming loose from the latched position.

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