Electronic furniture systems with integrated internal speakers

• US 10,212,519 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2016
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lovesac Company
• Original Assignee: Lovesac Company
• Inventors: Nelson, Shawn, Underwood, David, Kuchler, Brian, Cowan, David M., Gallo, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Quynh H
• Application Number:
  US15/348,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20170150264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 381301
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/028 Upholstered chairs, e.g. metal, plastic or wooden chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/727 with speakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/025 Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/028 Structural combinations of loudspeakers with built-in power amplifiers, e.g. in the same acoustic enclosure H04R2499/10 takes precedence; Single (sub)woofer with two or more satellite loudspeakers for mid- and high-frequency band reproduction driven via the (sub)woofer H04R2205/026
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow

Abstract

An electronic furniture assembly of the present invention comprises: (i) a furniture assembly comprising: (A) a base (e.g., a seat portion), (B) at least one transverse member (e.g., a side, armrest or backrest), and (C) a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member; (ii) an electrical hub for providing electrical power to the speakers, the hub configured to selectively reside within the furniture assembly; and (iii) a speaker system mounted within one or more portions of the furniture assembly. The speaker system comprises one or more speakers mounted within the base and transverse member, hiding the speakers therein, and saving space within a home or office, using the same footprint for both furniture and speakers, providing a high fidelity surround sound system.

Claims

1. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising:

(i) an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising;

(A) a base; and

(B) a transverse member;

(ii) a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising a first speaker mounted within the base and a second speaker mounted within the transverse member, wherein the base and transverse member can be selectively positioned in different locations with respect to each other, thereby selectively positioning the speaker system; and

(iii) a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member,

wherein the transverse member comprises;

a frame; and

cushioning material covering one or more exterior surfaces of the frame;

wherein a hole is formed through the frame, the second speaker positioned adjacent the hole,

wherein an inner fabric cover extends over the cushioning material and the frame of the transverse member and connects to the frame, such that the second speaker is hidden from view, and

wherein the cushioning material has a hole therein, the inner fabric cover extending over the holes in the frame and in the cushioning material, protecting the speaker;

wherein the furniture system is configured to be used with a removable outer cover that extends over the inner fabric cover during use.

2. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the base is selectively coupled to the transverse member;

the base comprises a frame assembly having a top portion and a bottom portion, the frame assembly having a hollow cavity in a bottom portion thereof;

the first speaker has a speaker housing and a speaker driver coupled to the speaker housing, wherein the first speaker is configured to be conveniently, removably coupled to the frame assembly of the base, such that a portion of the first speaker housing is positioned within the cavity of the frame assembly of the base and is selectively removable from the cavity of the frame assembly of the base; and

the second speaker is embedded within the transverse member of the furniture assembly, the transverse member being selectively removable from and selectively couplable to the base.

3. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, wherein the base frame assembly has, on an upper portion thereof, one or more resilient cushioning elements, and on a bottom portion thereof, a hollow cavity, the hollow cavity configured to selectively receive a portion of the speaker housing therein.

4. The audio-enhanced furniture system, as recited in claim 3, wherein a space exists between the one or more resilient cushioning members and the speaker.

5. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, further comprising feet that couple to the base frame assembly of the base, wherein the feet couple the speaker to the base.

6. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, further comprising feet that couple to the base frame assembly of the base, wherein the feet couple the speaker to the base, wherein portions of the feet sandwich attachment arms of the speaker between the portions of the feet and a lower surface of the frame assembly of the base.

7. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, wherein the speaker is configured to be conveniently retrofit onto the base.

8. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, wherein the speaker is configured to be conveniently interchangeable with another speaker that is conveniently retrofit onto the base.

9. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, further comprising first and second attachment arms attached to the speaker housing, the first and second attachment arms being configured to be attached to the frame assembly of the base by feet that couple to the base.

10. An audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 9, wherein first and second ends of respective first and second respective arms are mounted by the feet to corresponding corners of the frame assembly of the base.

11. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, wherein the speaker is substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism and the base frame assembly is substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism, a portion of the speaker selectively fitting inside the base frame assembly.

12. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 11, wherein the configuration of the speaker within the base is substantially that of a box within a box.

13. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 2, wherein the transverse member is an arm rest.

14. The audio enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 1, comprising wherein:

the base comprises a base frame assembly and a plurality of feet coupled to the base frame assembly;

the speaker system comprises a self-contained speaker comprising a speaker housing and a speaker driver coupled to the speaker housing, a portion of the self-contained speaker being coupled to a lower surface of the base frame assembly;

a portion of the speaker housing is contained within a cavity of the base; and

wherein the feet of the base selectively, removably couple the speaker to the lower surface of the base frame assembly.

15. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first speaker having has a speaker housing, a speaker driver coupling to the speaker housing, and an attachment arm coupled to the speaker housing;

the transverse member has a transverse member frame assembly and a plurality of feet coupled thereto; and

a foot coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member;

the base has a base frame assembly and a plurality of feet coupled thereto,

wherein the foot coupler is configured to receive a foot of the transverse member and a foot of the base therein to thereby couple the transverse member to the base, and

wherein the first speaker is coupled to the base with a portion of the speaker housing removably mounted within a cavity within the base, the first speaker coupled to the base by first and second ends of the attachment arm of the speaker being sandwiched between a lower surface of the base frame assembly and respective portions of the feet of the base.

16. The audio-enhanced furniture system of claim 1, wherein the removable outer cover comprises upholstery fabric, and wherein the speaker system is tuned to compensate for sound being emitted from the speaker and through the upholstery fabric, wherein the speaker system is tuned so that the overall frequency response tuned output is within ±

3 dB of the unattenuated target value as heard through the upholstery fabric.

17. The audio-enhanced furniture system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical hub mounted within the transverse member, the electrical hub acting as a source of power for the speaker system, an electrical cord extending from the hub, the electrical cord extending out of an opening in a bottom portion of a frame of the transverse member, so that the electrical hub can be plugged into an external power source.

18. The audio-enhanced furniture system of any of claim 1, wherein the first speaker is a subwoofer speaker mounted within the base, and wherein the furniture assembly comprises at least two transverse members that are each selectively coupled to the base, each transverse member having a speaker therein.

19. The audio-enhanced furniture system of claim 1, wherein the furniture system comprises a plurality of feet that are selectively coupled to the base to thereby maintain the base above a support surface, wherein the feet of the base selectively, removably couple the speaker to a lower surface of the base.

20. The audio-enhanced furniture system of claim 19, wherein the speaker system further comprises one or more arms configured to selectively couple the first speaker to the frame of the base;

and wherein at least a portion of each foot extends through a respective arm to secure the speaker system to the frame.

21. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first speaker comprises a speaker housing and a speaker driver coupled to the speaker housing, wherein the speaker is configured to be conveniently, removably coupled to a frame of the base, such that a portion of the speaker housing is positioned within a cavity of the frame of the base and is selectively removable from the cavity of the frame of the base.

22. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 1, wherein the furniture system comprises a plurality of feet that are selectively coupled to the base to thereby maintain the base above a support surface, wherein the feet of the base selectively, removably couple the speaker to a lower surface of the base.

23. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner fabric cover extends into the hole in the frame, wherein the speaker is received in the hole in the frame and coupled to the frame of the transverse member, so that the inner fabric cover extends about the speaker, or is tucked into the hole in the frame.

24. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising:

(i) an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising;

(A) a base; and

(B) a transverse member;

(ii) a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising a first speaker mounted within the base and a second speaker mounted within the transverse member, wherein the base and transverse member can be selectively positioned in different locations with respect to each other, thereby selectively positioning the speaker system; and

(iii) a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member,

wherein the speaker system further comprises one or more arms configured to couple the first speaker to a frame of the base, each of the one or more arms comprised of a shaft body having an angled L-shaped cross section, the shaft body having terminating extensions extending from the shaft body, the terminating extensions being angled to extend laterally outward from the shaft body, the terminating extensions extending in the same plane as one of the legs of the L-shaped shaft body; and

wherein the frame of the base has four corners and a foot selectively mounted to each corner, wherein the feet are selectively received into the frame of the base through the terminating extensions of the speaker system so that the terminating extensions of the speaker system are sandwiched between the feet and the frame, the feet thus selectively securing the speaker system to the frame.

25. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising:

(i) an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising;

(A) a base; and

(B) a transverse member;

(ii) a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising a speaker mounted within the transverse member, wherein the base and transverse member can be selectively positioned in different locations with respect to each other, thereby selectively positioning the speaker system;

(iii) a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member,

wherein the transverse member comprises;

a frame having a hole; and

cushioning material covering one or more exterior surfaces of the frame, the cushioning material having a hole;

wherein the speaker is positioned at least partially inside the transverse member and adjacent the hole of the frame of the transverse member; and

(iv) an inner fabric frame cover covering the frame and extending over the cushioning material, the inner fabric frame cover extending over the holes in the frame and in the cushioning material, protecting the speaker, such that the speaker is hidden from view;

wherein the furniture system is configured to be used with a removable outer cover that extends over the inner fabric cover during use.

26. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 25, wherein the inner fabric cover extends into the hole in the frame, wherein the speaker is received in the hole in the frame and coupled to the frame of the transverse member, so that the inner fabric cover extends about the speaker, or is tucked into the hole in the frame.

27. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising:

(i) an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising;

(A) a base; and

(B) a transverse member;

(ii) a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising a speaker mounted within the transverse member, wherein the base and transverse member can be selectively positioned in different locations with respect to each other, thereby selectively positioning the speaker system;

(iii) a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member,

wherein the transverse member comprises;

a frame having a hole; and

cushioning material covering one or more exterior surfaces of the frame;

wherein the speaker is positioned at least partially inside the transverse member and adjacent the hole of the frame of the transverse member; and

(iv) an inner fabric frame cover covering the frame and extending over the cushioning material, the inner fabric cover extending into the hole in the frame, the inner fabric frame cover extending about the speaker, or being tucked into the hole in the frame;

wherein the furniture system is configured to be used with a removable outer cover that extends over the inner fabric cover during use.

28. The audio-enhanced furniture system as recited in claim 27, wherein an outer removable fabric cover extends over the hole in the frame, hiding the speaker from view.

29. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising:

an assemble-able modular furniture assembly, comprising;

(A) a base; and

(B) a transverse member;

(ii) a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising a speaker mounted within the base, wherein the base and transverse member can be selectively positioned in different locations with respect to each other, thereby selectively positioning the speaker system; and

(iii) a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member,

wherein the speaker system further comprises one or more arms configured to couple the speaker to a frame of the base, each of the one or more arms comprised of a shaft body having an angled cross section, the shaft body having terminating extensions extending from the shaft body, the terminating extensions extending laterally outward from the shaft body; and

further comprising a plurality of feet selectively mounted to the frame of the base, wherein the feet are selectively received into the frame of the base through the terminating extensions of the speaker system so that the terminating extensions of the speaker system are sandwiched between the feet and the frame, the feet thus selectively securing the speaker system to the frame.

30. An audio-enhanced furniture system, comprising:

(i) an assemble-able modular furniture assembly comprising;

(A) a base; and

(B) a transverse member;

(ii) a speaker system positioned within the furniture assembly, the speaker system comprising a speaker mounted within the transverse member, wherein the base and transverse member can be selectively positioned in different locations with respect to each other, thereby selectively positioning the speaker system; and

(iii) a coupler for selectively coupling the base to the transverse member, wherein the transverse member comprises;

a frame; and

cushioning material covering one or more exterior surfaces of the frame;

wherein a hole is formed through the frame, through which sound from the speaker is emitted, and

wherein an inner fabric cover extends over the cushioning material and the frame of the transverse member such that the speaker is hidden from view;

wherein the furniture system is configured to be used with a removable outer cover that extends over the inner fabric cover during use.