Multimedia Installation

Abstract

Multimedia installation comprising a base to which base a video screen is mounted and where two movable loudspeaker assemblies are rotatably mounted to said base where the base has a stationary part and a movable part, such that by activating the multimedia installation the screen is elevated by the movable part, and the movable loudspeaker assemblies comprise means for rotating the movable loud-speaker assemblies from a first position where the loudspeaker assemblies cover at least a part of the screen as seen from a user's position, into a second position where at least a substantial and larger part of the screen is visible and if/when desirable back to the first position.

Claims

1. Multimedia installation comprising a base to which base a video screen is mounted and where two movable loudspeaker assemblies are rotatably mounted to said base where the base has a stationary part and a movable part, such that by activating the multimedia installation the screen is elevated by the movable part, and the movable loudspeaker assemblies comprise means for rotating the movable loudspeaker assemblies from a first position where the loudspeaker assemblies cover at least a part of the screen as seen from a user's position, into a second position where at least a substantial and larger part of the screen is visible and if/when desirable back to the first position.

2. Multimedia installation according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one electrically operated actuator suitable to elevate and lower the movable part relative to the stationary part of the base, and thereby the screen.

3. Multimedia installation according to claim 1, wherein the base is provided with two ground towers attached to the stationary part, where each ground tower in a distal end is provided with a pivotal connection to a first end of a lever arm, where said lever arm in the opposite end is pivotally connected to one loudspeaker assembly, and where the same loudspeaker assembly is pivotally connected to a loudspeaker assembly connection point provided on the movable part of the base, such that as the base is activated to elevate or lower the screen, and the movable part moves relative to the stationary part, the loudspeaker assemblies will be rotated at the same time.

4. Multimedia installation according to claim 3, wherein the connection points provided on the movable part are longitudinal apertures arranged with their longitudinal extent perpendicular to the direction of movement of the movable part, such that the pivotal connection between the lever arm and the movable part, may move inside said longitudinal aperture.

5. Multimedia installation according to claim 4, wherein a side control arm is provided for each movable loudspeaker assembly, said side control arm is in one end connected adjacent the connection points in the movable part, and in the other end pivotably fastened to the loudspeaker assembly, such that as the loudspeaker assembly rotates, the side control arm will ensure that a constant distance remains between adjacent and closest sides of the loudspeaker assemblies.

6. Multimedia installation according to claim 1, wherein the up and down movement of the movable part is controlled by a control unit, and where said rotatable loudspeaker assemblies are connected to respective electrical motors via axles, belts, rack and pinion or chains, where the control unit controls the turning of the axles such that the loudspeaker assemblies are rotated from the first position to the second position substantially during the time lapsed for the screen to reach its desired elevation, and vice versa.

7. Multimedia installation according to claim 1, wherein the loudspeaker assemblies in the first position substantially cover the screen as seen from a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the screen.

8. Multimedia installation according to claim 1, wherein a part of the screen is visible in the first position and where a control unit creates a display of information on the part of the screen not covered by the loudspeaker assemblies.

9. Multimedia installation according to claim 1, wherein the loudspeaker assemblies each comprise a housing and a front cover, where each housing and front cover have a lower side and an upper side, and an inner and outer side connecting distal ends of the upper and lower sides, such that in the first position the inner sides are proximate and substantially parallel to each other, the sides together defining the periphery of each substantial four sided housing and front cover, wherein the front cover may be substantially larger than the housing, and where the front covers of both loudspeaker assemblies in the first position are arranged such that the inner sides are parallel and flush with a corresponding side of the housing, and the lower sides are at the same level and flush with lower sides of respective housings.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0031] The invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a multimedia installation with screen and loudspeaker assemblies in their first positions.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates loudspeaker assemblies which have been rotated into their second position and the screen which has been lifted in its second position.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the various components

[0035] FIG. 4a-4c illustrate the rotational movement of the loudspeaker assemblies in three positions

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the stand is connected to a base

[0037] FIG. 6a illustrates the movable part of the base

[0038] FIG. 6b illustrates how the loudspeaker housings will begin to rotate

[0039] FIG. 6c illustrates the loudspeaker housings having reached the second position where a rotation of approx. 90 has been achieved

[0040] FIG. 7a illustrates loudspeaker housings in their first position and the side control arms keeping the loudspeaker housings close together

[0041] FIG. 7b illustrates the loudspeaker housings in an intermediate position with the side control arms having moved the loudspeaker housings away from each other to maintain the same distance between the loudspeaker housings and to avoid collision

[0042] FIG. 7c illustrates the loudspeaker housings in their final, second position, with the side control arms having pulled the loudspeaker housings close together again.

[0043] FIG. 8a-8c illustrate various combinations of screens and loudspeaker assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In the figures the same reference numbers will designate the same features.

[0045] In FIG. 1 is illustrated a multimedia installation 1 comprising a screen 2 and two loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4. The multimedia installation 1 also comprises a stand 5 which will be discussed in further detail below. In FIG. 1 the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 are in a first position where the loudspeaker assemblies' front covers cover a substantial part of the screen as seen from a user's viewpoint.

[0046] Turning to FIG. 2 the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 have been rotated into their second position where they do not cover the screen 2. The loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 have been rotated 90 degrees in opposite directions.

[0047] In the embodiments illustrated the side edges of the screen in the second position are flush with the edges of the loudspeaker assemblies. This is, however, not a given or requirement. The loudspeaker assemblies may have a size such that they for example cover the screen in the first position, or any other desirable size, as may the screen. Consequently both in the first and second positions the screen may be of the same size or be larger or smaller than the loudspeaker assemblies, as seen from a user's point of view.

[0048] In FIG. 3 an exploded view of the various components is illustrated. For illustrative purposes only some of the components of the system are illustrated, such as loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4, loudspeaker covers 3, 4 and loudspeaker housings 3, 4, screen, 2 and stand 5. The loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 each comprise a loudspeaker housing 3, 4 and a front cover 3, 4. As illustrated in FIG. 3 the front covers 3, 4 do not have to have the same size as the housings. Usually the front covers 3, 4 will have a size corresponding to or larger than a front surface of the loudspeaker housing 3, 4. See further below with respect to FIG. 8a-8c. The height of the front covers 3, 4in their first position may be chosen such that the combined width of the front covers 3, 4 in their second position matches the width of the screen 2.

[0049] In FIG. 4a-4c the rotational movement of the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 is illustrated in three positions relative to the elevation of the screen 2. In FIG. 4a the first position is illustrated corresponding to FIG. 1. Here the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 are in a position where they partly cover the screen 2.

[0050] The area of the screen 2 not covered by the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 may be used as display for displaying various information (time, date, emails, messages, pictures etc.).

[0051] As the multimedia installation 1 is activated the screen 2 is elevated. At the same time the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 will begin to rotate (illustrated by the arrows 6), see FIG. 4b.

[0052] Further elevation of the screen 2 will cause the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 to rotate further and arrive in the second position, illustrated in FIG. 4c. The horizontal dashed lines 7, 7 indicate the levels of the upper edge of the screen of the multimedia installation 1 in the first respective second positions.

[0053] The movement as described and illustrated above with reference to FIG. 4a-4c may be achieved in a multitude of manners. For example the screen 2 may by connected to one or more electric actuators, which may elevate the screen 2 from the lower position (level 7) to the higher position (level 7) and at the same time one or more further electrical motors may be operated to turn/rotate the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 from the first position to the second position in a movement controlled and coordinated by a control box.

[0054] It is also contemplated to only have one motor driving both the elevation of the screen 2 and the rotation of the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4.

[0055] A particular advantageous embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5-7c.

[0056] In FIG. 5-7c the screen is not depicted.

[0057] In FIG. 5 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention where the stand 5 is connected to a base 10. The base 10 comprises a stationary part 11 as well as a movable part 12. In order to create the relative movement between the stationary part and the movable part linear actuators 13, 14 are provided. The movable part 12 comprises a bridge 15 as well as a platform 16.

[0058] The bridge 15 and the platform 16 are used in order to mount the screen. The bridge 15 also comprises elongated apertures 17, 18. These apertures 17, 18 are used for creating a connection point to the loudspeaker assemblies, here illustrated by the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 (the front covers 3, 4 of the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 are not shown).

[0059] The stationary part 11 is furthermore provided with two ground towers 19, 20. Each ground tower 19, 20 is in one end connected to the stationary part 11 and in a free distal end 19, 20 provided with a pivotable connection point. The pivotable connection point in the distal ends 19, 20 is connected to a lever arm 21, 21. In FIG. 5 only one lever arm 21 is visible, but a symmetric arrangement is provided and hence a second lever arm 21 connected to the distal end 20 of the other ground tower 20 is also provided. This can be seen in FIG. 6a.

[0060] In the opposite end of the lever arm 21, 21 at the end of the lever arm 21, 21 connected to the distal end 19, 20 of the ground tower 19, 20 the lever arm 21, 21 is connected to the rear side of the loudspeaker housing 3, 4. The interaction between the parts described with reference to FIG. 5 will now be described with reference to the movement of the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 relative to the base 10 with the parts described above. In this context reference is made to FIG. 6a-6c.

[0061] FIG. 6a corresponds to the position which is also illustrated in FIG. 1, i.e. the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 are in the first position in front of the screen 2. The screen 2 is not illustrated in any of the FIG. 5-7c, but it is understood that a screen is or may be mounted on the bridge 15 and platform 16.

[0062] In FIG. 6a the movable part 12 of the base 10 is illustrated as being in its lowest position, i.e. in the first position where the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 are positioned in front of the screen 2. For the sake of clarity only the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 as well as only part of the base 10 necessary to explain the movement is illustrated in FIG. 6a-7c. The bridge 15 provided with the elongated apertures 17, 18 is connected to the rear side of the loudspeaker housings 3, 4. In the same manner the lever arms 21, 21 are in the end not connected to the ground towers 19, 20 pivotally connected to the rear side of the loudspeaker housings 3, 4.

[0063] As the actuators 13, 14 are activated the movable part 12 will move relative to the stationary part 11 mounted on the stand 5. As the lever arms 21, 21 are mounted on the stationary part 11 (to the distal ends 19, 20 of the ground towers 19, 20) there is an offset between the pivot points connected in the connection points with the elongated apertures 17, 18 and the attachment points for the lever arms 21, 21 to the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 such that, as the movable part 12 is elevated, the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 will begin to rotate as illustrated with reference to FIG. 6b.

[0064] As the bridge 15 and thereby the movable part 12 is elevated relative to the stationary part 11 mounted on the stand 5, the lever arms 21, 21 will pivot in the pivot points 19, 20.

[0065] At the end of the movement as illustrated in FIG. 6c the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 have reached the second position where a rotation of approx. 90 has been achieved. In this position the lever arms 21, 21 have swung into a position such that the connection points through the loudspeaker housing 3, 4 are between the ground towers 19, 20 whereas in the first position the connection points as illustrated with reference to FIG. 6a are outside the ground towers.

[0066] It is clear that in the reverse movement, i.e. lowering the movable part 12 and thereby the bridge 15 towards the stationary part 11 mounted on stand 5, the lever arms 21, 21 will swing back out into the position as illustrated in FIG. 6a and at the same time the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 will be rotated in the opposite direction as illustrated in FIGS. 6b and 6a.

[0067] During the movement from the position of the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 illustrated with reference to FIG. 6a to the second position of the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 illustrated with reference to FIG. 6c the elongated apertures 17, 18 providing a connection point on the rear side of the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 will allow the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 to move laterally with respect to the direction of movement, allowing that the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 do not interfere with each other which could otherwise be the case if the gap between the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 is desired to be very small.

[0068] Particularly the corners of the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 as illustrated in FIG. 6b may come into very close proximity, but by providing the elongated apertures 17, 18 in the bridge 15 lateral movement is allowed thereby avoiding interference of the two loudspeaker housings 3, 4.

[0069] In a further development of the construction the lateral movement of the loudspeaker assemblies is guided by secondary lever arms as will be explained with reference to FIG. 7a-7c.

[0070] The secondary lever arms 25, 26 are in one end connected to the rear side of respective loudspeaker housings 3, 4 and in opposite ends connected to the bridge 15 next to the elongated apertures 17, 18. In this particular embodiment the secondary lever arms 25, 26 are slightly curved, and as a consequence, connection points are offset from the loudspeaker housing rotation points in the elongated apertures 17, 18, and as a consequence, as the movement is initiated in order to bring the loudspeaker assemblies from the first position as illustrated with reference to for example FIG. 6a. into the second position as illustrated with reference to FIG. 6c, the secondary lever arms will retain a fixed distance between the closest points of the two loudspeaker housings 3, 4 with respect to each other such that they never touch during the rotational movement. The secondary lever arms 25, 26 need not be curved. The object of the secondary lever arms 25, 26 is to connect the connection points 17, 18 by a rigid member to a point on the loudspeaker housing 3, 4.

[0071] Furthermore, by positioning the connection points of the secondary lever arms 25, 26 appropriately, it is possible to maintain the same distance between the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 throughout the transition from the first position to the second position (see FIG. 6c) such that a very strict design regime is obtained. The secondary lever arms 25, 26 are necessary in order to guide and control the lateral movement of the connection points in the elongated apertures 17, 18 such that this lateral movement is not random during the movement of the loudspeaker housings 3, 4 from the first to the second position.

[0072] In practice the screen 2 as illustrated with reference to FIG. 1-3 is mounted on the movable part 12 of the base 10. This also facilitates that the screen may pass behind the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 such that in the first position the loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4 are at least partly covering the surface of the screen 2.

[0073] In FIG. 8a-8c are illustrated various combinations of screens 2 and loudspeaker assemblies 3, 4. The loudspeakers 3, 4 are illustrated both in the first position where the loudspeakers partly or completely cover the screen 2, and in the second position where the loudspeakers are moved away from the screen, exposing the front of the screen. In the illustrated positions the entire surface of the screen is exposed in the second position, but as mentioned above, it is also contemplated that the speakers in the second position may cover a (small) part of the screen.

[0074] In FIG. 8a the loudspeakers 3, 4 are substantially smaller than the screen 2, such that the loudspeakers 3, 4 in the first position only cover a relatively small portion of the screen 2, and in the second position have a width smaller than the width of the screen 2.

[0075] In FIG. 8b the loudspeakers 3,4 in the first position are not covering the width of the screen 2, and in the second position the width of the loudspeakers 3,4 is larger than the width of the screen 2.

[0076] In FIG. 8c the speakers 3, 4 together cover a larger area than the screen 2 (dashed lines) in the first position, thereby fully covering the screen 2. In the second position the loudspeakers 3, 4 have a width wider than the width of the screen 2.

[0077] The invention as illustrated may have any combination of screen size relative to the size of the loudspeakers 3, 4.