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(11) | EP 0 474 167 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Method of mounting loudspeakers and device therefor |
| (57) A loudspeaker (5) is mounted on the surface board of a ceiling with front and back
sides by: forming in the surface board an opening (1) for mounting the speaker (5);
preparing an annular back plate (3) of deformable construction and of a size, in undeformed
state, greater than the opening size; deforming the back plate into a shape in which
it can be passed through the opening; passing the deformed back plate (3) through
the opening (1) from the front side to the back side; restoring the back plate to
its undeformed state; placing the speaker in mounting position over and in the opening
and against the board on its front side; and connecting the speaker (5) and back plate
(3) to clamp the board therebetween and thereby to securely mount the speaker. The
entire procedure is carried out efficiently from the front side of the surface material,
whereby there is no necessity of a separate access to the back side. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to methods of mounting loudspeakers (hereinafter referred to as "speakers") and device therefor. More particularly the invention relates to a method of mounting speakers on ceilings and walls by an efficient installation process carried out entirely from the front side of a ceiling or wall and to means for practicing this method.
[0002] In general, a speaker, particularly a speaker of the "thin type" (the type of relatively small depth or front-to-back dimension), is mounted in the following manner on a surface structure such as a ceiling or wall board. An opening of appropriate dimension is made in the ceiling or wall board. Then, on the back side of the board and around the opening, a back plate for mounting the speaker is fixed to the board. The speaker is placed against the front side of the board around the opening and is fixedly connected to the back plate by means such as screws. Thus the ceiling or wall board is clamped firmly between the back plate and the speaker, which is thereby securely mounted on the board.
[0003] As described above, the back plate and the speaker clamp the ceiling or wall board therebetween. Therefore, the back plate must be made larger than the opening in the board. For this reason, it has heretofore been necessary for the worker mounting the speaker to somehow attach the back plate to the back side of the board by working from the back side thereof.
[0004] One method for carrying out this work has been that wherein the worker goes around to the back side of the board. This has not been easy in many cases. In cases where it has not been possible for the worker to go around to the back side, it has been necessary to attach the back plate beforehand to the back side of the board at some stage in the general installation operation during which the work has access to the back side. This necessity has not only made the speaker mounting work difficult but may also adversely affect other installation work.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above described circumstances. An object of the invention is to provide a method of mounting speakers and device therefor by which the work of mounting the back plate and the speaker can be carried out entirely from the front side of the ceiling or wall board or material.
[0006] According to this invention in one aspect thereof, there is provided a method of mounting a loudspeaker on a ceiling or wall having a surface material with front and back sides, which method comprises: forming in the surface material an opening of a size suitable for mounting of the loudspeaker; preparing an annular back plate for loudspeaker mounting of deformable construction and of a size, in undeformed state, greater than the size of the opening; deforming the back plate to a shape permitting the passage thereof through the opening; passing the back plate thus deformed through the opening from the front side to the back side; restoring the back plate to the undeformed state thereof; placing the loudspeaker in mounting position over and in the opening and against the surface material on the front side; and fixing the loudspeaker to the surface material by means of and in conjunction with the back plate positioned over the opening and against the back side of the surface material.
[0007] According to the invention in another aspect thereof, there are provided means for mounting a loudspeaker on a ceiling or wall having a surface material with front and back sides, an opening of a size suitable for mounting the loudspeaker being formed in the surface material, said means comprising a mounting part of the loudspeaker itself for placement against the front side of the surface material around the opening and an annular back plate for loudspeaker mounting which is of deformable construction and of a size, in undeformed state, greater than the size of the opening, and which can be deformed to a shape permitting the passage thereof through the opening from the front side to the back side, where the back plate can be restored to its undeformed state to be placed against the back side of the surface material around the opening and thus fastened to the mounting part of the loudspeaker thereby to mount the loudspeaker.
[0008] According to the present invention, the back plate for speaker mounting is of a construction permitting it to be deformed by splitting, folding, or elastically deforming. Accordingly, by deforming the back plate by any of these modes, it can be passed through the opening in the surface material from its front side to its back side. Thereafter the back plate on the back side is restored to its undeformed state, in which it can be placed against the back side of the surface material around the opening therein. Then, by placing the speaker in mounting position over and in the opening on the front side of the surface material and fixedly connecting the speaker and the back plate, the speaker is securely mounted. A feature of this invention is that the entire process of mounting the speaker can be carried out efficiently from the front side of the ceiling or wall surface material.
[0009] The nature, utility, and further features of the present invention will be more clearly apparent from the following detailed description with respect to preferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view obliquely from below of the essential parts for mounting a speaker in one example of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view obliquely from above of the foldable back plate used in the example of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same back plate in folded state;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing a second example of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable back plate used in the example of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the same back plate in folded state;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view obliquely from above of a back plate used in a third example of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the same back plate in folded state;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the flange of the same back plate and a U-nut;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a back plate which can be split in a fourth example of the invention;
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a joint part of the same back plate at which it can be split;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hinged back plate used in a fifth example of the invention, the back plate being shown in folded state;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a hinged part of the same back plate;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an elastically deformable back plate formed from a flexible material and used in a sixth example of the invention;
FIG. 15 is perspective view of the foldable back plate used in a seventh example of the invention;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the back plate shown in FIG. 6 provided with spring members;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the back plate shown in FIG. 7 provided with spring members;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the back plate shown in FIG. 8 provided with spring members;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the back plate shown in FIG. 10 provided with spring members;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the back plate shown in FIG. 15 in which pins have been affixed to the outer parts of the spring members; and
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the back plate shown in FIG. 15 in which sharp projections have been affixed to the outer parts of the spring members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In a first example of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, a speaker 5 is mounted with the aid of mounting means of the following description in a room ceiling surface material 2 through an opening 1 formed therein for mounting the speaker 5. A back ring or plate 3 comprising an annular flange 3a and a fixing ring part 3b is so fitted in this opening 1 that its flange 3a contacts the back surface of the ceiling surface material 2, while the fixing ring part 3b fits through the opening 1 in contact with the peripheral wall thereof.
[0012] From the front surface side of the ceiling material 2, a hollow cylindrical part 4b of a back box 4 is inserted through the fixing ring part 3b of the back plate 3 until an annular flange 4a around a bottom opening of the back box 4 contacts the front surface of the ceiling material 2 around the opening 1. In succession, the speaker 5 of thin form is inserted so that its electrical parts 5b are enclosed within the cylindrical part 4b and its annular flange 5a presses against the flange 4a. Thus the part of the ceiling material 2 around the opening 1 and the flange 4a of the back box 4 are clamped between the flange 3a of the back plate 3 and the speaker flange 5a.
[0013] Around the inner surface of the fixing ring part 3b of the back plate 3, four bosses 7 having respective tapped holes therethrough are provided at equally spaced positions and project inward from the inner surface of the ring part 3b. The ends of corresponding mounting screws 8 are screwed into these tapped holes as described hereinafter. Furthermore, at a position between each pair of adjacent bosses 7, a nail hole 9 is formed through the fixing ring part 3b as shown in FIG. 2. Thus four nail holes 9 are provided. Correspondingly aligned nail holes 10 are formed through the cylindrical part 4b of the back box 4 near its flange 4a. Four nails 11 are driven through these holes 9 and 10 to fix the back box 4 together with the back plate 3 to the inner peripheral wall surface of the ceiling material 2 around the opening 1.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the back box 4 is of the shape of a hat with its cylindrical part 4b and a brim-like flange 4a. The front end (lower end as viewed in FIG. 1) of the cylindrical part 4b is open, while the rear end (upper end) is closed. Around the outer wall surface of the cylindrical part 4b, four grooves 12 are formed at equal intervals to extend parallelly to the axis of the cylindrical part 4b. These grooves 12 are adapted to slidably accommodate respective bosses 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the cylindrical part 4b of the back box 4 is provided with two holes 13, for example, for leading out lead wires or cords (not shown) of the speaker 5.
[0015] The aforementioned speaker flange 5a is of greater diameter than the flange 4a of the back box. Through this speaker mounting flange 5a, four through holes 14 corresponding to the bosses 7 and the grooves 12 are formed. Thus, by passing respective four mounting screws 8 upward through these holes 14, and the grooves 12 and screwing the screws 8 into the tapped holes in the bosses 7, the speaker 5 is mounted in a state wherein the flange 4a of the back box 4 and the rim part of the ceiling material 2 around the opening 1 are clamped firmly between the flange 3a of the back plate 3 and the speaker flange 5a.
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, and as described hereinbefore, the back plate 3 comprises an annular flange 3a for contacting the rear face of the rim part of the ceiling material 2 around the opening 1 and a fixing ring part 3b formed integrally with the flange 3a and adapted to be inserted downwardly through the opening 1. The fixing ring part 3b is cut at two diametrically opposite parts thereof. At the same time, the flange 3a is formed to be at parts thereof respectively corresponding to these cuts in the fixing ring part 3b and is provided at these thin parts with diametrically aligned folding parts 6. Thus, as indicated in FIG. 3, the back plate 3 can be partially folded along these folding parts 6 as a fold line. The minimum external dimension of the folded back plate 3 is then less than the diameter of the opening 1, whereby the back plate 3 can then be passed through the opening 1 from the front side to the rear side of the ceiling material 2.
[0017] The speaker 5 is mounted in the ceiling material 2 in the following manner with the aid of and in conjunction with the above described mounting means.
[0018] First, the back plate 3 in the unfolded serviceable state shown in FIG. 2 is partially folded along the folding parts 6 as shown in FIG. 3. Then, with the back plate 3 in this state, it is passed upward from the front side of the ceiling material 2, through the opening 1, and to the rear side. The back plate 3 is then returned to its unfolded state and fitted into the rear side of the opening 1 and against the rear surface of the ceiling material 2. In this state, the back plate 3 is not fixed to the ceiling material 2 and is merely resting on the rear surface thereof around the rim of the opening 1.
[0019] Next, the cylindrical part 4b of the back box 4 is inserted upward into the opening 1 from the front side of the ceiling material 2 and through the inner side of the fixing ring part 3b of the back plate 3 until the back box flange 4a abuttingly contacts the front surface of the ceiling material 2 around its rim part surrounding the opening 1. During this assembling procedure, the angular position of the back box 4 around its axis is so adjusted that the grooves 12 are respectively registered with corresponding bosses 7 projecting inward from the fixing ring part 3b of the back plate 3. The bosses 7 thereby move relatively within and along the grooves 12. Thus the back box 4 is not obstructed in its insertion movement.
[0020] Furthermore, the back plate 3 and the back box 4 are positioned relative to each other in their rotational positions about their common axis by this fitting of the bosses 7 in their respective grooves 12. Then, when the back box 4 is inserted fully so that its flange 4a abuttingly contacts the front face of the ceiling material 2, the nail holes 10 in the back box 4 are brought into complete register with respective nail holes 9 in the back plate 3. The four nails 11 can then be driven through the aligned nail holes 10 and 9 into the inner surface of the opening 1. The back plate 3 and the back box 4 are thereby fixed simultaneously to the ceiling material 2.
[0021] In some cases there may be a possibility of the back plate 3 being shifted rearwardly upon being contacted by the back box 4 during its insertion. In such a case, a measure such as temporarily fixing the flange 3a of, for example, to the rear side o the ceiling material 2 may be carried out.
[0022] When the back plate 3 and the back box 4 have been thus fixed to the ceiling material 2, the principal part of the speaker 5 (other than the flange 5a) is inserted into the cylindrical part 4b of the back box 4 from the front side of the ceiling material 2. At this time, the speaker lead wires or cord (not shown) are led out through the holes 13 in the cylindrical part 4b to the rear side of the ceiling material 2. In the case where the speaker lead wires have already been installed on the rear side of the ceiling material 2, they are previously led through the holes 13, pulled into back box 4, and connected to the speaker 5 before the back box 4 is fixed to the ceiling material 2. Thereafter, the four screws 8 are passed upward (or rearward) through the through holes 14 in the speaker flange 5a and the grooves 12, screwed into respective bosses 7, and tightened. The speaker 5 is then in a state wherein, together with the back plate 3, it is firmly clamping the ceiling material 2 at its region around the rim of the opening. The speaker 5 is thus securely mounted.
[0023] As described above, the back plate 3 can be folded and thus placed into a state wherein it can be carried through the opening 1 to the rear side of the ceiling material. Therefore all of the work of mounting the back plate 3, the back box 4, and the speaker 5 at the opening 1 can be carried out from the front side of the ceiling material 2. As a result, the work efficiency in mounting the speaker is greatly improved.
[0024] A feature of the back box 4 is that it completely covers the rear side of the speaker 5 and serves as a leakproof shield between the front side and the rear side of the ceiling material 2. This feature is a requirement from the viewpoint of disaster prevention, particularly in the U.S.A. The back box 4 thus functions to prevent smoke and toxic gases which have filled the space above the ceiling in the case of a fire from flowing through the opening 1 into other spaces on the front (lower) side of the ceiling. In the case where an equivalent protective means has been previously provided in the region above the ceiling, the back box 4 can be omitted.
[0025] In a second example of the invention as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, a back plate 23 and a back box 24 are used in place of the back plate 3 and the back box 4 of the preceding example.
[0026] The back plate 23 comprises a flange 23a of annular disc shape to contact the rear surface of the ceiling material 2 around its rim part surrounding the opening 1 and a fixing ring part 23b formed integrally with the flange 23a and projecting downward from the inner peripheral rim thereof, being adapted to be inserted downward into the opening 1. This fixing ring part 23b is provided at two diametrically opposed parts thereof with cuts extending completely therethrough. Parts of the flange 23a corresponding to these cuts are made thin and have folding parts 26 formed therein. The back plate 23 can be partly folded along these folding parts 26 as shown in FIG. 6. In this partly folded state, the back plate 23 assumes a minimum dimension such that it can be passed from the front side of the ceiling material 2, through the opening 1, and to the rear side of the ceiling 2.
[0027] At equal intervals around the inner wall surface of the fixing ring part 23b of the back plate 23, four bosses 27 with tapped thread holes are formed integrally with the fixing ring part 23b. The inner ends of four speaker mounting screws 8 are screwed into respective bosses 27 as described hereinafter.
[0028] Four nail holes 29 are formed through the fixing ring part 23b at positions between adjacent pairs of bosses 27. The back plate 23 is fixed to ceiling material 2 at its rim part around the opening 1 by four nails 31 driven through respective nail holes 29 and into the rim part.
[0029] The upper face of the flange 3a is provided with four twist-lock pins 32. A back box 24, described hereinafter, is mounted onto the rear side of the back plate 23 by these twist-lock pins 32.
[0030] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the back box 24 is of hat shape comprising a cylindrical part 24b with a closed upper end and an open lower end and an outer brim-like flange 24a to rest on the flange 23a of the back plate 23. In the cylindrical part 24b, holes 33 for passing therethrough speaker lead wires or cord (not shown) are provided at two positions, for example. Through the flange 24a, at equal intervals therearound, are provided four twist-lock holes 34 corresponding to and alignable with the twist-lock pins 32 described above.
[0031] The back box 24 is fixed in place by placing it coaxially on the rear side of the back plate 23 so that the twist-lock pins 32 are passed through the pin head entrance parts or the twist-lock hopes 34 and twisting the back box 24 in the arrow direction shown in FIG. 4, whereby the twist-lock pins 32 become locked in their respective twist-lock holes 34.
[0032] In other respects, this second example is of the same construction as that of the preceding example.
[0033] The speaker 5 in this second example is mounted in the following manner. First, the back plate 23, which is shown in opened or expanded state in FIG. 5, is partly folded at its folding part 26 as shown in FIG. 6. With the back plate 23 is in this folded state, it is passed through the opening 1 from the front side to the rear side of the ceiling material 2. The back plate 23 is then returned to its expanded state shown in FIG. 5 and is fitted into the rear side of the opening 1. It is then fixed in place against the inner side of the opening 1 by means of the nails 31.
[0034] Next, the back box 24 is mounted against the rear side of the back plate 23 thus fixed. This back box 24 cannot be passed through the opening 1 to the rear side of the ceiling material 2. For this reason, the back box 24 must be carried from another place to the rear side of the ceiling material 2 and then fixed to the back plate 23 by work carried out on the rear side of the ceiling material 2 similarly as in the conventional manner.
[0035] The speaker 5 is then positioned on the front side of the opening 1, and the four screws 8 are passed through the through holes 14 and screwed into the bosses 27. In this manner, the speaker 5 is mounted on the ceiling material 2 over the opening 1. In this state, the speaker 5 and the back plate 23 are clamping therebetween the ceiling material 2 at its rim part around the opening 1.
[0036] In the instant example, it is necessary to fix the back box 24 to the ceiling material 2 by a fixing work procedure carried out at the rear side of the ceiling material. For this reason, the work efficiency will drop somewhat in comparison with that in the case of the preceding first example. However, since a back box sold on the market can be used, its price is low. Moreover, the mounting of the back plate 23 involves only work from the front side of the ceiling material 2. Therefore, the overall work efficiency is greatly improved over that of a conventional mode of speaker installation.
[0037] In a third example of practice of the invention as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, a back plate 43 is used in place of the back plate 3 in the first example. This back plate 3 comprises an annular flange 43a and a fixing ring part 43b. The flange 43a is designed to rest in contact against the rim part of the opening 1 (FIG. 1) in the ceiling material 2 on the back side thereof. The fixing ring part 43b is formed integrally with the flange 43a around the inner part thereof and is designed to be fitted in the opening 1. This fixing ring part 43b is cut at two diametrically opposed parts thereof. At diagonally opposite positions on the flange 43a corresponding to these two cut parts, folding parts 46 are formed. As shown in FIG. 8, the back plate 43 can be partially folded along these folding parts 46. This feature enables the back plate 43, in folded state, to be passed through the opening 1 to the back side of the ceiling material 2.
[0038] The fixing ring part 43b is provided therearound at equal angular intervals with four nail holes 49. The fixing ring part 43b is secured to the ceiling material 2 by four nails 51 driven through the nail holes 49 and into the edge of the ceiling material 2 around the opening 1. In addition, the flange 43a is provided on its back face with four twist-lock pins 52 having the same function as the twist-lock pins of the preceding second example.
[0039] The flange 43a is further provided at positions thereof equidistant from each pair of adjacent twist-lock pins 52 with holes 53. A U-nut 54 is fitted in a manner to clamp the flange 43a from opposite faces thereof over each hole 53 so that holes 54a and 54b of the U-nut 54 are coaxially aligned with that hole 53. As shown in FIG. 9, each U-nut 54 is formed from a sheet material to have a lower flange with the lower hole 54a and an upper flange with the upper hole 54b, which is tapped. The speaker 5 is mounted and fixed in place by screws 8 (FIG. 1) passed through respective tightly fitting holes (not shown) through the ceiling material 2 near its edge around the opening 1 and screwed into the tapped holes 54b of respective U-nuts 54.
[0040] Other features of structure and function are similar to those of the preceding second example.
[0041] Thus, according to the instant third example, tightly fitting holes must be drilled through the ceiling material 2 for screwing the screws 8 into the U-nuts 54. However, this additional work is more than compensated for by the simplification of the construction of the back plate 43. Furthermore, the use of the U-nuts 54 provides ample screw connection strength without the use of a thick flange 43a.
[0042] In a fourth example of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, a back plate 63 of split type is used. This back plate 63 can be split into two split half plates 63A and 63B. In assembled state, the back plate 63 has an annular flange 63a and a fixing ring part 63b similar to the flange 43a and the fixing ring part 43b of the back plate 43 in the preceding third example. The two split half plates 63A and 63B can be connected together at two diametrically opposite joints by a snap engagement at each joint of a tongue 64 projecting from one half plate into and with a corresponding socket 65 formed in the opposite half plate as shown in FIG. 11. Each tongue 64 and its socket 65 resemble a tenon and a mortise in a well known wood joint. The two half plates 63A and 63B are thus rigidly and unitarily joined together.
[0043] Each of the two split half plates 63A and 63B is provided with two nail holes 69 of the same function as the nail holes 29 of the second example. Furthermore, each split half plate is provided with two twist-lock pins 72 of the same function as the twist-lock pins 32 of the second example and with two alternatingly positioned tapped holes 73 of the same function as the tapped holes 54b of the aforedescribed U-nuts 54.
[0044] Other features of structure and function of this fourth example are similar to those of the second example.
[0045] Thus, by the use of the split-type back plate 63, this back plate 63 can be split into two halves and passed through the opening 1 in the ceiling material 2 to the back side thereof. Therefore it has the same effectiveness as the back plates of the preceding examples.
[0046] In a further fifth example of the invention as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a back plate 83 is used in place of the back plate 63 in the preceding example. A feature of this back plate 83 is that its two half plates 63A and 63B are joined by two hinges 84 at diametrically opposite parts thereof. Other features of structure and function of this fifth example are similar to those of the preceding fourth example.
[0047] Thus the use of the hinges 84 produces the same effectiveness as the use of back plates 3, 23, and 43 of folding construction of the preceding examples.
[0048] In a still further sixth example of the invention as indicated in FIG. 14, a back plate 93 formed from a flexible material is used instead of the back plates 3, 23, 43, 63, and 83 of either a folding type construction or a split type construction of the preceding examples. This back plate 93 can be elastically deformed by applying thereto an external force by squeezing with a hand H, for example, as shown in FIG. 14. Therefore the back plate 93 can be passed through the opening 1 (FIG. 1) to the back side of the ceiling material 2. Thus this back plate 93 capable of being elastically deformed can be used to produce the same effectiveness and convenience as the back plates of the other preceding examples.
[0049] In a seventh example of this invention as shown in FIG. 15, the back plate 103 is a modification of the foldable back plate 3 shown in FIG. 2. The fixing ring part 103b of this back plate 103 formed integrally with and extending downward from the flange 103a is provided at equal intervals around and on its inner wall surface with snap-action spring members 104. Each spring member 104 is thus mounted in an arcuate form and is capable of deflecting elastically into arcuate shape alternately in the inward radial direction or outward radial direction relative to the fixing ring part 103b. Furthermore, each spring member 104 is provided at its middle part with an uneven surface 104a comprising convexities and concavities. The spring members 104 may be formed integrally with the fixing ring part 103b or may be fabricated separately.
[0050] The other features of construction of this example are the same as those of the example described hereinbefore and shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, those parts which are the same in the two examples are designated by like reference numerals, and detailed description of such parts will not be repeated.
[0051] According to the instant example shown in FIG. 15, the back plate 103 is installed in the opening 1 (as shown in FIG. 1) in the ceiling or wall material 2 in the following manner. The spring members 104 are deflected beforehand into their state wherein they protrude radially inward as shown in FIG. 15. Around the inner surface of the opening 1 at positions corresponding to the spring members 104, arcuate recesses (not shown) are formed beforehand to receive respective spring members 104 when, after the back plate 103 has been fitted into the opening 1, the spring members 104 are snapped elastically to be deflected outwardly.
[0052] The back plate 103 is installed by inserting its fixing ring part 103b into the opening 1 until the flange 103a is in contact with the back surface of the ceiling or wall material 2. The back plate 103 is then positioned angularly so that the spring members 104 are alined with their respective recesses in the ceiling material 2. The spring members 104 are then deflected outwardly by finger pressure to assume their outwardly bulging state. Thereupon the spring members 104 protrude into and engage with their recesses, and their uneven surfaces 104a contact the surfaces of the recesses in the ceiling material 2.
[0053] Since the spring members 104 engage by elastic deflection with their recesses in the above described manner, shifting of the back plate 103 in rotation in its circumferential direction is positively prevented. Thus the back plate 103 is secured to the ceiling or wall material 2 with even greater firmness.
[0054] FIGS. 16 through 19 show examples of applications of the spring members 104 respectively to the back plates of the examples illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 10. In these examples also, the back plates can be fixed to the ceiling or wall material 2 with greater firmness by the use of the spring members 104.
[0055] FIGS. 20 and 21 respectively illustrate examples of application of the example described above and shown in FIG. 15.
[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 20, a pin 105 is affixed to the middle part of each spring member 104 to project radially outward therefrom. In the example shown in FIG. 21, a triangular projection 106 is affixed to the middle part of each spring member 104 to project radially outward therefrom.
[0057] When the spring members 104 are elastically deflected and engage with their recesses, the pins 105 or projections 106 bite into the ceiling or wall material at its opening, whereby the back plate 103 is fixed even more securely in place.
[0058] As described above, in the practice of the speaker mounting method according to this invention, the back plate used for mounting a speaker takes the form of a split construction, a foldable construction, or an elastically deformable construction. Therefore the back plate can assume a shape whereby it can be passed through an opening formed in a wall or ceiling and be fixed to the back side of the wall or ceiling material. Then a speaker is so placed through the opening that its peripheral flange contacts the rim part of the wall or ceiling on its front side around the opening and is thus connected to the back plate. In this manner, all of the work of mounting the back plate and the speaker can be performed from the front side of the wall or ceiling. Therefore the work efficiency can be greatly improved.
[0059] Furthermore, the device for mounting a speaker according to the present invention comprises a speakermounting back plate to be fixed to the back side of the wall or ceiling around the rim part thereof around the opening and the speaker to be placed on the front side of the opening and to be connected and fixed to the back plate. The back plate is of a split construction, folding construction, or elastically deformable construction and therefore can be passed through the opening and secured to the back side of the wall or ceiling material. Accordingly, the mounting work can be accomplished entirely from the front side of the wall or ceiling with greatly improved efficiency.
1. A device for mounting a loudspeaker (5) on a ceiling or wall having a surface material
(2) with front and back sides, an opening (1) of a size suitable for mounting the
loudspeaker being formed in said surface material, said means comprising a mounting
part (5a) of the loudspeaker itself for placement against said front side of the surface
material around said opening and an annular back plate (3) for loudspeaker mounting
which is of deformable construction and of a size, in undeformed state, greater than
the size of said opening, and which can be deformed into a shape permitting the passage
thereof through said opening from said front side to said back side, where the back
plate (3) can be restored to the undeformed state thereof to be placed against said
back side of the surface material around said opening and thus fastened to said mounting
part of the loudspeaker with the surface material clamped therebetween thereby to
mount the loudspeaker.
2. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 1 in which said annular back
plate (3) has an annular flange (3a) for contacting the surface of said ceiling or
wall and a fixing ring part (3b) for fitting in said opening of said ceiling or wall.
3. A device of mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 1 in which said annular back
plate (3) can be deformed by folding the same along a folding line (6) provided therein.
4. A device of mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 1 in which said annular back
plate (63) can be deformed by splitting the same into split parts (63A, 63B) and can
be restored into the undeformed state thereof by rejoining said split parts by connecting
means.
5. A device of mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 1 in which said annular back
plate (83) comprises parts pivotally connected by hinges (84) to each other and can
be deformed by folding said parts relative to each other at said hinges.
6. A device of mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 1 in which said annular back
plate is made of a flexible material and can be elastically deformed by squeezing
the same by hand.
7. A device of mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 6 in
which a back box of fire-barrier and gas-tight construction is mounted together with
the loudspeaker on the surface material in a position further toward said back side
than the loudspeaker and in a manner to constitute a fire-proof and gas-tight partition
between said back and front sides.
8. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 2 in which at least one spring
member (104) capable of undergoing elastic deflection with a snap action in the radial
direction of said fixing ring part is secured to said fixing ring part.
9. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 8 in which a plurality of
said spring members (104) are thus secured at equal spacing intervals around said
fixing ring part in the circumferential direction thereof.
10. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 8 in which said spring member
(104) is formed integrally with said annular back plate.
11. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 8 in which said spring member
(104) is fabricated from a member separate from said annular back plate.
12. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 8 in which said spring member
(104) protrudes in an arcuate state in a radial direction of said back plate.
13. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 8 in which each spring member
(104) is provided with an uneven surface on the surface thereof on the radially outer
side of said fixing ring part.
14. A device for mounting a loudspeaker as claimed in claim 8 in which each spring member
(104) is provided with at least one sharp projection projecting (106) in the radially
outward direction of said fixing ring part.
15. A method of mounting a loudspeaker (5) on a ceiling or wall (2) having a surface material
with front and back sides, which method comprises: forming in said surface material
an opening (1) of a size suitable for mounting of the loudspeaker; preparing an annular
back plate (3) for loudspeaker mounting of deformable construction and of a size,
in undeformed state, greater than the size of said opening (1); deforming said back
plate (3) into a shape permitting the passage thereof through said opening; passing
the back plate thus deformed through the opening from said front side to said back
side; restoring the back plate to the undeformed state thereof; placing the loudspeaker
in mounting position over and in said opening and against said surface material on
said front side; and fixing the loudspeaker (5) to the surface material by means of
and in conjunction with the back plate positioned over the opening and against the
back side of the surface material.