WO1992016081A1 - Loudspeaker enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

A loudspeaker enclosure comprises front (12) and rear (14) faces together with opposed side faces (16) generally trapezoidal in outline. Upper (18) and lower (20) support faces are provided with ribs such that one of the support faces has an even number of ribs and the other has an odd number of ribs. Spacing of the ribs is arranged so that where like faces are brought together the ribs oppose and the faces stack, and where odd and even faces are brought together the ribs will intermesh and the adjacent faces will nest. This allows the loudspeakers to be stacked for use or for transport and yet when desired nested to produce an arcuate shape.

Description

LOUDSPEAKER ENCLOSURE

This invention relates to a loudspeaker enclosure.

Loudspeaker enclosures are available which, instead of the more common rectangular outline, have a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side. A number of such loudspeaker enclosures can be placed together, with adjacent sides touching, so as to form an arc in an attempt to distribute sound more evenly round a wide area. However, if it is desired to stack such speakers vertically, either for use or for transport, then the trapezoidal shape militates against this.

The invention seeks to provide a loudspeaker enclosure improved in the above respects.

According to the present invention there is provided a loudspeaker enclosure having front and back faces, a pair of opposed side faces generally trapezoidal in outline, and a pair of opposed support faces characterised in that one of the opposed support faces carries an even number of raised ribs and the other of the support faces carries an odd number of raised support ribs.

Preferably, the even and odd numbers are adjacent to one an other, for example four ribs and three ribs. The spacing of the ribs is chosen so that if odd and even faces are brought together then ribs will intermesh and the adjacent faces "nest"; whereas if like faces are brought together the ribs will oppose one another and the adjacent faces will stack.

In addition to the ribs, and between them, corresponding recesses are preferably provided so that in the "nesting" mode the adjacent faces are able to come into full contact. Preferably, the enclosure is moulded e.g. from a plastics material. In addition to the ribs of the invention the enclosure may be provided with a grill, connections, lifting handles, and the like commonly provided on loudspeaker enclosures.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a loudspeaker enclosure in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1 of four enclosures in stacking mode.

Referring to the drawings, a speaker enclosure generally designated 10 comprises front 12 and rear 14 faces, with the front face 12 being provided with a grill for covering the voice cone of a loudspeaker mounted within the enclosure. Side faces 16 are generally trapezoidal in outline, upper 18 and 20 support faces are provided with ribs as discussed more fully herein after.

The upper surface 18 is provided with an even number of ribs 22, in this case 4, with three corresponding depressions 24 therebetween. The lower face 20 is provided with three ribs 26 with four corresponding depressions 28. The ribs 22,26 as shown are essentially wedged shaped and the angle is such so as to compensate for the angle of tapering of the trapezoidal faces 16 so that the upper surfaces of ribs 22 and lower surfaces of ribs 26 respectively are essentially parallel.

When a number of enclosures 10 are stacked verically with like faces together (i.e. upper face 18 to upper 18 and lower face 20 to lower face 20) . The respective sets of ribs 22 and 26 stack upon one another as illustrated in figure 2 allowing a vertical array to be produced. However, if it is wished to place the speakers on their sides 16 so as to form an arc they are arranged so that the face 18 of one enclosure 10 is adjacent to the face 20 of the next adjacent enclosure 10. In this way the ribs 26 nest into the recesses 24 and the ribs 22 nest into the recesses 28 allowing the adjacent faces 18 and 20 to come into contact.

Thus, the enclosure 10 of the invention operates, in the nesting mode, as a traditional trapezoidal speaker and, in the stacking mode, as a traditional rectangular speaker enabling both functions to be carried out with the one design.

If desired, to increase grip, the upper and lower faces of the ribs 22 may be given an anti-friction surface such as a rubber pad or, indeed, the surfaces may be formed with ribs of a similar configuration in inature to the upper and lower surfaces 18 and 20 to prevent relative sideway slipage when the enclosures are stacked.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker enclosure having front and back faces, a pair of opposed side faces generally trapezoidal in outline, and a pair of opposed support faces characterised in that one of the opposed support faces carries an even number of raised ribs and the other of the support faces carries an odd number of raised support ribs.

2. A loudspeaker as claimed in claim 1 in which the odd number of support ribs is one greater or one less than the even number.

3. A loudspeaker as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the spacing of the ribs is chosen so that if odd and even faces are brought together the ribs will intermesh and the adjacent faces nest.

4. A loudspeaker as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the spacing of the ribs is such that if like faces are brought together the ribs will oppose one another and the adjacent faces will stack.

5. A loudspeaker as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 in which, in addition to the ribs and between them, corresponding recesses are provided so that when the loudspeakers nest adjacent faces are able to come into full contact with one another.

6. A loudspeaker as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the enclosure is moulded, for example from a plastics material.