Reflective audio assembly and picture

• US 4,541,188 A
• Filed: 02/04/1983
• Issued: 09/17/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Talkies International Corporation Decatur IL A Corporation of
• Original Assignee: Talkies International Corporation
• Inventors: Sadorus, George P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stone, Cary E.
• Application Number:
  US06/463,978
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 40/152, 40/152.1, 40/455, 40/906, 40/456, 40/312, 40/10 D, 381/24, 381/124, 381/28, 381/64, 381/88, 381/90, 179/146 E, 181/152, 181/155, 181/156, 181/150, 181/175, 181/182, 181/185, 181/189, 181/191, 181/199
• US Class Current: 40/717
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/0616 Ornamental frames, e.g. with illumination, speakers or decorative features
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2001/0694 comprising means allowing the frame to be supported on a horizontal surface
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/06 combined with other apparatus having a different main function
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/345 for loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 40/906 Sound

Abstract

A reflective audio assembly and picture frame defines a personalized audio visual combination. The frame displays a picture and a housing supports the frame in a substantially upright condition on a planar surface such as a table. The housing includes a sound receiving enclosure for receiving the sound from a speaker of a tape sound reproducing assembly which may also be contained in the housing. The sound receiving enclosure includes a front wall having an opening therein which is directed towards the front of the picture and downwardly to deflect the sound toward the planar surface upon which the combination is supported to enhance the tonal and directional qualities of the sound.

Claims

1. A reflective audio visual assembly comprising:

a housing including a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls and a front wall, said walls defining a sound receiving enclosure;

support means for supporting said enclosure on a substantially planar surface;

means for mounting a sound speaker to direct the sound from said speaker into said enclosure at a location spaced from the front wall;

an opening in said front wall, said opening including sound deflecting means which deflects the sound which leaves said opening from said enclosure downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said housing is supported; and

picture frame means, said frame means defining at least a portion of said top wall.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said top wall and bottom wall are inclined relative to each other such that they are nearer each other at their edges opposite said front wall.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said speaker comprises an opening in one of said walls adjacent which the speaker is mounted outside of said sound receiving enclosure.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said last mentioned opening is in said top wall.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said front wall is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to said bottom wall to deflect the sound which leaves said opening downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said housing is supported.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said opening in said front wall is beneath said picture frame means.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said housing supports said picture frame means on the planar surface.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said opening in said front wall is beneath said picture frame means.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said housing supports said picture frame means on the planar surface.

10. The assembly of claim 1, including a second enclosure adjacent said sound receiving enclosure, said second enclosure being defined at least in part by one of said walls, said second enclosure containing sound reproducing means.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said sound reproducing means comprises audio tape playback means and a speaker, said second enclosure is defined by at least a pair of walls including a bottom wall which is said top wall of said sound receiving enclosure, the other of said pair of walls including access means for the audio tape.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said front wall is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to said bottom wall to deflect the sound which leaves said opening downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said housing is supported.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said opening in said front wall is beneath said picture frame means.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein at least one of said housings support said picture frame means on the planar surface.

15. A personalized audio visual combination of a picture receiving frame and a housing,

said frame including means for receiving and displaying a picture;

said housing supporting said frame on a substantially planar surface for display of the picture, said housing comprising a plurality of walls defining a sound receiving enclosure and including a front wall adjacent the bottom of said frame;

means for mounting a sound speaker to direct the sound from said speaker into said enclosure at a location spaced from said front wall; and

an opening in said front wall, said opening including sound deflecting means which deflects the sound which leaves said opening from said enclosure in the direction in which the picture is displayed and downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said combination is supported.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said housing includes a bottom wall and said front wall is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to said bottom wall to deflect the sound which leaves said opening downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said combination is supported.

17. The combination of claim 16, wherein said picture frame defines at least a portion of said sound receiving enclosure.

18. The combination of claim 15, including a second enclosure adjacent said sound receiving enclosure, said second enclosure being defined at least in part by one of said walls, said second enclosure containing sound reproducing means.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein said sound reproducing means comprises audio tape playback means and a speaker, said second enclosure is defined by at least a pair of walls including a bottom wall which also constitutes a top wall of said sound receiving enclosure, the other of said pair of walls including access means for the audio tape.

20. The combination of claim 18, wherein said front wall is inclined at an obtuse angle relative to said bottom wall to deflect the sound which leaves said opening downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said housing is supported, and said picture frame defines at least a portion of said sound receiving enclosure.

21. The combination of claim 20, wherein said opening is beneath said picture frame.

22. The combination of claim 15, wherein said opening is beneath said picture frame.

23. A personalized audio visual combination;

said combination comprising;

a picture receiving frame including means for receiving and displaying a picture;

support means for supporting said frame on a substantially planar surface for display of the picture;

a housing on said frame including a front wall adjacent the bottom of said frame;

means for mounting a sound speaker to direct the sound from said speaker into said housing and toward said front wall; and

an opening in said front wall, said front wall with said opening being inclined at an obtuse angle relative to the planar surface upon which said frame is supported to deflect the sound which leaves said opening from said sound speaker in the direction in which the picture is displayed and downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said frame is supported.

24. A personalized audio visual combination;

said combination comprising;

a picture receiving frame including means for receiving and displaying a picture;

support means for supporting said frame on a substantially planar surface for display of the picture;

a housing on said frame including a front wall adjacent the bottom of said frame;

means for mounting a sound speaker to direct the sound from said speaker into said housing and toward said front wall; and

an opening in said front wall, said front wall and said opening being positioned beneath said frame, said opening being positioned to deflect the sound which leaves said opening from said sound speaker in the direction in which the picture is displayed and downwardly toward the planar surface upon which said frame is supported.