LOUDSPEAKER MOUNTING SYSTEM

Abstract

In a dropped ceiling assembly system elements are provided which include an elongate planar shelf held below an elongate spine. The shelf has lateral edges which can support edges of a ceiling tile resting thereon. This spine is configured to be held in position either adjacent to spines of other elements within a dropped ceiling or from above, such as by suspension wires passing through suspension holes in the spine. A compartment is provided on an underside of the shelf which is sized and shaped to receive and hold at least a portion of a loudspeaker therein. The loudspeaker mounting system is thus integrated into the shelf which also acts to hold ceiling tiles within a dropped ceiling.

Claims

1. A system for mounting a T-bar with a compartment from a ceiling, the system comprising: an elongated spine extending from a first terminal end to a second terminal end, the elongated spine being a thin planar structure extending between the first and second terminal ends; a planar shelf below the elongated spine and extending to both lateral sides of the elongated spine, wherein the planar shelf is positioned so that at least one ceiling tile may rest upon each lateral side of the planar shelf extending from the elongated spine; a plurality of connectors, each connector located at each terminal end of the elongated spine; and a compartment, the compartment located on the bottom side of the planar shelf.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the compartment includes a pair of sidewalls extending down from each of the lateral sides of the planar shelf, with the compartment between the pair of sidewalls.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the pair of sidewalls are oriented parallel with each other and spaced apart by a width of the compartment.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the compartment has a substantially constant cross-sectional form between the pair of sidewalls.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the pair of side walls each extend down to lower tips.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein each of the lower tips of each of the pair of sidewalls include horizontal grooves therein extending parallel with the planar shelf.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the grooves extend inwardly toward each other and within a common plane.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein an upper surface of the compartment is defined by a lower surface of the planar shelf.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of a loudspeaker is located within the compartment.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein electronic equipment is supported within the compartment.

11. A method for supporting an elongate compartment between ceiling tiles of a ceiling, the method including the steps of: placing at least two ceiling tiles with edges of the ceiling tiles resting upon opposite lateral sides of a planar shelf of a T-bar, the T-bar having an elongated spine extending from a first to terminal and to a second terminal and, the elongated spine being a thin planar structure extending up from the planar shelf between the first and second terminal ends, the planar shelf extending to both lateral sides of the elongated spine, wherein the planar shelf is positioned so that at least one ceiling tile may rest upon each lateral side of the planar shelf extending from the elongated spine; and connecting the T-bar to adjacent structures through a plurality of connectors, each connector located at each terminal end of the elongated spine, and with a compartment located on a bottom side of the planar shelf and between the ceiling tiles resting upon the planar shelf of the T-bar.

12. The method of claim 11 including the further step of placing electronic equipment within the compartment.

13. The method of claim 12 including the further step of placing at least a portion of a loudspeaker within the compartment.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the compartment of said placing step includes a pair of sidewalls extending down from the planar shelf to lower tips.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the compartment of said placing step includes the lower tips of the side walls having grooves therein which are oriented horizontally and parallel with the planar shelf, the grooves extending inwardly toward each other.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said connecting step precedes said placing step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system generally in the form of a T-bar of a dropped ceiling which includes a compartment for mounting of at least one speaker of a sound system for integration into a dropped ceiling according to this invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a variation on that which is shown in FIG. 1 with a longer form.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a further variation of that which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with a long form for a shelf and spine of the T-bar shown therein but with a smaller size for a speaker containing compartment thereof.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of a portion of that which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, revealing details of a speaker compartment and connector.

[0023] FIG. 5 is an end elevation full sectional view of that which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and with ceiling tiles resting on the shelf thereof according to one embodiment of this invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below of a dropped ceiling incorporating the loudspeaker mounting system of this invention, and with portions of a ceiling tile thereof cut away to reveal further details of the overall assembly.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a further alternative T-bar grid utilizing long T-bars such as those shown in FIG. 2, short T-bars such as those shown in FIG. 1 and hybrid T-bars such as that shown in FIG. 3 together into a dropped ceiling in one implementation of the system and method of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to a system for mounting a speaker S into a ceiling assembly 100, such as a suspended ceiling with ceiling tiles C located in spaces in a grid of T-bars or similar system 10 elements. The system 10 provides elongate elements which also function as T-bars within the ceiling assembly 100 and include a compartment 30 for supporting at least a portion of a speaker S therein, and preferably the entire speaker S contained within this compartment 30.

[0027] In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, basic details of the system 10 are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The system 10 provides elements within a ceiling assembly 100 which can come in a smaller size system embodiment 10, or a longer embodiment 110 (FIG. 2) or a hybrid/half embodiment 120 (FIG. 3) where the shortened compartment 125 is shorter than the length of the overall T-bar like hybrid embodiment element 120. Each system 10 element includes an elongate planar shelf 20 extending between opposing ends. A spine 40 extends up from the shelf 20, so that the spine 40 and shelf 20 together have a T-bar like form. A compartment 30 is provided beneath the shelf 20. This compartment 30 is configured so that it can contain at least a portion of a speaker S therein, and most preferably contain the entire speaker S therein. The compartment 30 has an elongate form similar to that of the shelf 20 (except in the half embodiment 120 where the compartment 30 has a length approximately half that of the shelf 20). Connectors 50 are provided at opposite ends 44 of the spine 40 to facilitate interconnection of separate system 10, 110, 120 elements together to form the grid structure of a ceiling assembly 100 for supporting of ceiling tiles C in spaces therein.

[0028] More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, details of the shelf 20 of the system 10 are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The shelf 20 is preferably formed as one part of an extrusion along with the spine 40 (and preferably also the compartment 30), with the shelf 20 and spine 40 formed from a common unitary mass of material, most typically aluminum. The shelf 20 could be formed of other materials besides aluminum and could be formed from other manufacturing processes either separate from the spine 40 or along with the spine 40. For instance, the shelf 20 could be formed of an injection molded or extruded plastic material or could be formed by bending of sheets of material such as a thin sheet of steel, bent to have the desired finished form of the shelf 20 alone or shelf 20 and spine 40 together.

[0029] The shelf 20 preferably has a constant cross-sectional form which is substantially planar and horizontal when installed as part of a dropped ceiling assembly 100 (FIGS. 6 and 7). The shelf 20 includes a planar top surface 22 which is bounded by lateral edges 24 on either side of this top surface 22. Opposing ends 26 of the shelf 20 define an overall length for the shelf 20.

[0030] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the distance between these opposing ends 26 is approximately half of a length of the long embodiment 110. As a typical example, the distance between the opposing ends 26 could be two feet with the long embodiment 110 having a distance between opposing ends 26 being four feet. Other appropriate measurements might include sixty centimeters for the shorter embodiment (FIG. 1) and one hundred twenty centimeters for the long embodiment 110. With the half embodiment 120 (FIG. 3) the shelf 20 has a length and configuration similar to that of the long embodiment 110. However, the shortened compartment 125 is half size with a size similar to that of the compartment 30 provided with the short embodiment shelf 20 (FIG. 1).

[0031] The top surface 22 of the shelf 20 is preferably bisected by the spine 40 joining to the shelf 20 at a midpoint thereof. A width of the shelf 20 between the lateral edges 24 is such that when the spine 40 divides the top surface 22 into two portions each portion is still sufficiently large to securely hold an edge of a ceiling tile C resting thereon. In a simplest embodiment, the ceiling tiles C have rectangular edges which merely rest upon the top surface 22 of the shelf 20. In the embodiment particularly shown in FIG. 5 the edges of the ceiling tiles C are notched to provide a lap joint J at the edge of the ceiling tile C. This allows the ceiling tile C to rest with a lower surface of the ceiling tile C a little bit lower than it would otherwise rest, and help the compartment 30 to be hidden somewhat by the ceiling tiles C. This effect can be further increased by providing ceiling tiles C which are thicker or with an asymmetrical joint J that still has sufficient material to support the weight of the ceiling tile C by resting upon the shelf 20, but extend down to hide a greater portion or all of sides of the compartment 30.

[0032] Furthermore, and particularly with speakers S which dissipate power directly at the compartment 30, heat transfer fins can optionally be provided extending up from an upper surface of the shelf 20 to assist in dissipating heat generated within the compartment 30 by operation of the speakers S therein. Where such heat transfer fins are supplied, most preferably they extend parallel with each other and vertically a similar height, except that fins at extreme edges extending up from the lateral edges 24 of the top surface 22 of the shelf 20 are preferably slightly higher to facilitate air circulation to access gaps between all of the heat transfer fins and for maximum heat transfer effectiveness. It is worth noting that the heated air coming off of these heat transfer fins is not located within the space beneath the ceiling tiles, but rather is in a space above the ceiling tiles C. Thus, load on air conditioning within a space below the ceiling tiles C is not increased by heat generated by the speakers S, but rather this heat is effectively routed to the space above the ceiling tiles C and outside of the air conditioned space beneath the ceiling tiles C.

[0033] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, details of the compartment 30, 125 for containing the speakers S are described. The compartment 30 is located beneath the shelf 20. In a preferred embodiment the compartment 30 is formed as a common extrusion along with the shelf 20 and spine 40. Alternatively, the compartment 30 can merely be attached to the shelf 20, preferably in a permanent fashion, but alternatively with removable fasteners, such as screws or with other fasteners such as rivets, or through a welding procedure.

[0034] The compartment 30 can have any of a variety of different geometric configurations in various different widths in various embodiments of this invention. Most preferably, and as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the compartment 30 has a constant cross-sectional form with a width similar to a width of the shelf 20 from which the compartment 30 extends downwardly. The compartment 30 has a width defined by side walls 34 which are preferably parallel and spaced from each other with the compartment 30 therebetween.

[0035] An upper surface 32 of the compartment 30 is defined by a lower portion of the shelf 20. End walls 36 are provided at ends of the compartment 30 defining an overall length of the compartment 30 and which are preferably adjacent to the opposing ends 26 of the shelf 20 (except with the half embodiment 120 (FIG. 3) where the end walls 36 include one end wall at a midpoint of the adjacent shelf 20).

[0036] A grille 38 preferably encloses the compartment 30 at least partially by spanning between lower tips of the side walls 34. This grille 38 could attach in a variety of different ways. In one embodiment the tips of the side walls 34 include a groove extending horizontally and inwardly. The grille 38 can snap into this groove to be held adjacent the tips of the side walls 34. The grille 38 can have any of a variety of different forms.

[0037] In one embodiment the grille 38 has a fabric-like form. In other embodiments the grille 38 is a sheet of metal or plastic or other material which is substantially rigid and includes a series of small holes therein. The grille 38 is preferably removably attachable to the side walls 34 to facilitate installation of speakers S into the compartment 30, and then with the grille 38 closing off the compartment 30 and tending to keep the speakers S clean and protected from damage.

[0038] With continuing reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, details of the spine 40 are described, according to this preferred embodiment. The spine 40 is preferably formed along with the shelf 20 as a common extrusion. As an alternative, the spine 40 could be formed separately and then joined to the shelf 20, such as through utilizing fasteners. The spine 40 is preferably formed of a material similar to that of the shelf 20 but could be formed of some different material if desired. The spine 40 preferably has a continuous form which is planar and elongate between opposite ends 44 defining an overall length of the spine 40 being similar to an overall length of the shelf 20.

[0039] The spine 40 includes a lower edge 42 which carries the shelf 20 thereto, and most preferably is formed as a unitary mass with the spine 40 joined to the shelf 20 at this lower edge 42 of the spine 40. An upper edge 43 is provided opposite the lower edge 42. This upper edge 43 can be fitted with further heat transfer fins if desired to further augment heat transfer away from speakers S within the compartment 30 (or such fins can be provided alone without the fins on the shelf 20).

[0040] The spine 40 also preferably includes suspension holes 46 periodically passing therethrough along with interconnection slots 48, with the interconnection slots 48 most preferably provided near each end 44 of the spine 40 and at a midpoint of the spine 40 (particularly for the long embodiment 110 of FIG. 2). The suspension holes 46 are typically utilized with wire routing therethrough and the wire anchored above the suspended ceiling area, so that the grid of T-bar like system 10 elements are suspended at a desired height above a space where the dropped ceiling is located. The suspension holes 46 provide that point at which this grid of system 10 elements are positioned.

[0041] The interconnect slots 48 preferably extend vertically and have a height similar to a height of the connectors 50 to join adjacent spines 40 together within a grid of the ceiling assembly 100. The connectors 50 are preferably in the form of generally rectangular rigid elements which have a base 52 opposite a tip 54. The base 52 is attached to one of the opposite ends 44 of the spine 40 and has the tip 54 extending horizontally away from the spine 40 past the end 44 to which the connector 50 is attached. This tip 54 can have a hook-like tooth extending downward from a tip thereof for more secure holding within an interconnect slot 48, or can have merely a rectangular form to allow it to slip into one of the interconnect slots 48. The connectors 50 thus hold ends 44 of one spine 40 within interconnect slots 48 of other spines 40.

[0042] Utilizing system 10 elements of either the short embodiment 10 (FIG. 1) or the long embodiment 110 (FIG. 2) or the half embodiment 120 (FIG. 3) can allow an overall ceiling assembly 100 along with ceiling tiles C to be formed, or an alternate ceiling assembly 200 (FIG. 7). In particular, a typical ceiling assembly 100, 200 includes long T-bar elements 210 which will often span between walls of a room or as far as a T-bar maximum length can conveniently be provided. These long T-bar elements 210 are typically spaced apart by a standard spacing distance such as every four feet. Long embodiment 110 system elements can then span perpendicularly between these longest T-bar elements 210. While it is conceivable that such longest T-bar elements 210 could have a compartment 30 therein for speakers S, most typically these longest T-bar elements are positioned where speakers S are not to be provided and merely provides structural support for the dropped ceiling assembly 100, 200.

[0043] Either plain four foot T-bar elements can span between the longest T-bar elements 210 or the long embodiment 110 system elements can span between these longest T-bar elements 210. Typically, such long embodiment 110 system elements or four foot long T-bars are placed every two feet between the longest T-bar elements 210. This results in spaces which are two feet by four feet which can have similarly sized ceiling tiles C placed therein. As an alternative, the short embodiment system 10 elements can be provided parallel to the longest T-bar elements 210 and spanning between the long embodiment 110 system elements or four foot plain T-bar elements spanning between the longest T-bar elements 210. Also plain two foot T-bars can similarly be provided in this parallel orientation between adjacent longest T-bar elements 210.

[0044] A resulting two foot by two foot space is provided for similarly sized ceiling tiles C to fit therein. In such an arrangement, it can be seen that there is a benefit to providing the half embodiment 110 system element which has a shortened compartment 125 on a portion thereof and with the remaining portion of the half embodiment 110 system element having a configuration similar to that of a plain T-bar with a shelf 20 and spine 40 but without any compartment 30. Accordingly, in such ceiling assemblies 100 and alternate ceiling assemblies 200 compartments 30 for speakers S can be provided at any location other than as part of the longest T-bar elements 210.

[0045] In other ceiling assemblies, and recognizing that each T-bar type element can be suspended independently from suspension holes 46 associated therewith, it is not required that longest T-bar elements 210 be provided, but rather an entire suspended ceiling can be provided from shorter T-bar type elements. It is conceivable that every shelf of every T-bar within a dropped ceiling could have a compartment 30 therein. Speakers S could then be provided everywhere within the suspended ceiling, rather than only in select locations. It is also conceivable that while the compartments 30 would be located everywhere, that the speakers S would be concentrated only in certain locations where sound is desired to be emitted. Thus, a ceiling of uniform appearance can be provided but with speakers S only at certain locations therein.

[0046] In a typical installation, speakers S would be provided within the compartments 30 entirely (as a potential alternative, the speakers could extend down from the compartment 30 somewhat so that the compartment 30 merely acts as containment for a portion of the speakers S and/or to provide mounting for the speakers S). The upper surface 32 and side walls 34 can be appropriately modified to facilitate mounting of speakers S therein. Such modification will typically involve at least one hole passing through the shelf 20 to allow for wiring and cabling to the speaker S within the compartment 30 to provide power and/or sound signal to the speaker S.

[0047] This cabling 134 can be routed all the way back to a centralized amplifier sound and power source. As an alternative, such amplification and sound source componetry can be distributed throughout the ceiling assembly 100, such as with power/signal supply modules 130 included on a bracket 132 which can mount to the upper edge 43 or otherwise to the spine 40 (FIG. 6) and with cabling 134 routed to such a power/signal supply 130, and then supplying power into the speakers S within the compartment 30 of each system 10 element. Such a power/signal supply 130 could be provided on each spine 40 for appropriately powering the speakers S within the compartment 30 associated with the spine 40, or only certain spines 40 of certain system 10 elements would be provided with such a power/signal supply 130 to supply power and signal to a region of speakers S within compartments 30 of adjacent system 10 elements.

[0048] A room having the suspended ceiling could have speakers S therein all powered with the same signal or different regions within the room could receive different sound signals. Differentiating the sound signals could include merely volume control but with the same sound signal or could include different sound signals so that sound appropriate for each region within the room can be provided.

[0049] This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.