Portable speaker system for outdoor umbrella

• US 8,116,497 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oliver Joen-An Ma
• Original Assignee: Oliver Joen-An Ma
• Inventors: Li, Wanda Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Faulk, Devona
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paul, Disler
• Application Number:
  US11/827,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20090014041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,677 Days
• Field of Search: 381/124, 381/87, 381/334, 381/386, 381/332, 135/16, 135/15.1, 135/98
• US Class Current: 381/332
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0068 the support arm being foldable
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/00 Sticks combined with other objects

Abstract

A portable system for an outdoor umbrella includes a portable housing, a detachable locker, and an audio device. The portable housing includes a first housing body and a second housing body defining a mounting slot for a shaft of the outdoor umbrella fitting therewithin. The detachable locker includes a first locker provided at the first housing body and a second locker which is provided at the second housing body and is releasably locked with the first locker so as to detachably lock up the second housing body with the first housing body. The audio device includes a speaker supported in the first housing body and an audio input operatively coupling with the speaker such that when the audio input sends an audio signal to the speaker, the speaker is adapted for producing audio sound as an additional function for the outdoor umbrella.

Claims

1. A portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella having a shaft, comprising:

a portable housing which comprises a first housing body and a second housing body defining a mounting slot when said first and second housing bodies are coupled with each other, wherein said mounting slot has a size for said shaft of said outdoor umbrella fitting therewithin;

a detachable locker comprising a first locker provided at said first housing body and a second locker which is provided at said second housing body and is releasably locked with said first locker to detachably lock up said second housing body with said first housing body for securely mounting said portable housing around said shaft of said outdoor umbrella;

an audio device which comprises two or more speakers supported in said first and second housing bodies of said portable housing respectively and an audio input operatively coupling with said speaker such that when said audio input sends an audio signal to said speakers, said speakers are adapted for producing audio sound as an additional function for said outdoor umbrella; and

an adjustable retainer for adjusting the size of said mounting slot for said shaft of said outdoor umbrella, wherein said adjustable retainer comprises a retention arm, having a pusher surface facing towards said mounting slot, slidably mounted said first housing body and an adjustable locker controllably driving said retention arm at a position that when said retention arm is driven towards mounting slot, said pusher surface is arranged for biasing against an outer surface of said shaft of said outdoor umbrella until said shaft thereof being fitted at said mounting slot so as to substantially mount said portable housing at said outdoor umbrella, wherein said adjustable locker comprises a compression spring supported in said first housing body for applying a pushing force against said retention arm so as to normally push said pusher surface towards said mounting slot.

2. A portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella having a shaft, comprising:

a portable housing which comprises a first housing body and a second housing body defining a mounting slot when said first and second housing bodies are coupled with each other, wherein said mounting slot has a size for said shaft of said outdoor umbrella fitting therewithin;

a detachable locker comprising a first locker provided at said first housing body and a second locker which is provided at said second housing body and is releasably locked with said first locker to detachably lock up said second housing body with said first housing body for securely mounting said portable housing around said shaft of said outdoor umbrella;

an audio device which comprises two or more speakers supported in said first and second housing bodies of said portable housing respectively and an audio input operatively coupling with said speaker such that when said audio input sends an audio signal to said speakers, said speakers are adapted for producing audio sound as an additional function for said outdoor umbrella; and

an adjustable retainer for adjusting the size of said mounting slot for said shaft of said outdoor umbrella, wherein said adjustable retainer comprises a retention arm, having a pusher surface facing towards said mounting slot, slidably mounted said first housing body and an adjustable locker controllably driving said retention arm at a position that when said retention arm is driven towards mounting slot, said pusher surface is arranged for biasing against an outer surface of said shaft of said outdoor umbrella until said shaft thereof being fitted at said mounting slot so as to substantially mount said portable housing at said outdoor umbrella, wherein said adjustable locker comprises a compression spring supported in said first housing body for applying a pushing force against said retention arm so as to normally push said pusher surface towards said mounting slot;

wherein said audio input comprises an auxiliary input provided on said portable housing for communicatively connecting to a portable music player to receive said audio signal therefrom, such that said audio signal is transmitted to said speakers for music broadcasting;

wherein said audio device further comprises a control panel, which is provided at said portable housing, comprising a control circuitry operatively connecting to said speakers to selectively operate and control said speakers and a display screen electrically connected to said control circuitry for displaying an operation status thereof;

wherein said control panel comprises a radio broadcasting circuit for receiving radio wave as said audio signal, such that said control panel transmits said audio signal to said speakers for radio broadcasting;

wherein said first and second housing bodies are two identical half circular bodies pivotally coupling with each other via a pivot hinge, wherein each of said first and second housing bodies has two biasing surfaces arranged when said biasing surfaces of said first housing body engage with said biasing surfaces of said second housing body respectively, said portable housing is formed to have a donut shape and to define said mounting slot at a center of said portable housing;

wherein said pivot hinge comprises a pivot shaft provided at said first housing body and a detachable coupler which is extended from said second housing body and is detachably coupled with said pivot shaft to pivotally connect said second housing body with said first housing body;

wherein said audio device further comprises an electric plug which is extended from said corresponding biasing surface of the first housing body and is electrically coupled with said speaker thereat, and an electric socket which is extended from said corresponding biasing surface of said second housing body and is electrically coupled with said speaker thereat, wherein said electric plug is electrically coupled to said electric socket when said first and second housing bodies are coupled with each other to electrically connect said speakers with each other.

3. A portable speaker system for an outdoor umbrella having a shaft, comprising:

a portable housing which comprises a first housing body and a second housing body defining a mounting slot when said first and second housing bodies are coupled with each other, wherein said mounting slot has a size for said shaft of said outdoor umbrella fitting therewithin;

a detachable locker comprising a first locker provided at said first housing body and a second locker which is provided at said second housing body and is releasably locked with said first locker to detachably lock up said second housing body with said first housing body for securely mounting said portable housing around said shaft of said outdoor umbrella;

an audio device which comprises two or more speakers supported in said first and second housing bodies of said portable housing respectively and an audio input operatively coupling with said speaker such that when said audio input sends an audio signal to said speakers, said speakers are adapted for producing audio sound as an additional function for said outdoor umbrella; and

an adjustable retainer for adjusting the size of said mounting slot for said shaft of said outdoor umbrella, wherein said adjustable retainer comprises a retention arm, having a pusher surface facing towards said mounting slot, slidably mounted said first housing body and an adjustable locker controllably driving said retention arm at a position that when said retention arm is driven towards mounting slot, said pusher surface is arranged for biasing against an outer surface of said shaft of said outdoor umbrella until said shaft thereof being fitted at said mounting slot so as to substantially mount said portable housing at said outdoor umbrella, wherein said adjustable locker comprises a compression spring supported in said first housing body for applying a pushing force against said retention arm so as to normally push said pusher surface towards said mounting slot;

wherein said audio input comprises an auxiliary input provided on said portable housing for communicatively connecting to a portable music player to receive said audio signal therefrom, such that said audio signal is transmitted to said speakers for music broadcasting;

wherein said audio device further comprises a control panel, which is provided at said portable housing, comprising a control circuitry operatively connecting to said speakers to selectively operate and control said speakers and a display screen electrically connected to said control circuitry for displaying an operation status thereof;

wherein said control panel comprises a radio broadcasting circuit for receiving radio wave as said audio signal, such that said control panel transmits said audio signal to said speakers for radio broadcasting;

wherein said first and second housing bodies are two identical half circular bodies pivotally coupling with each other via a pivot hinge, wherein each of said first and second housing bodies has two biasing surfaces arranged when said biasing surfaces of said first housing body engage with said biasing surfaces of said second housing body respectively, said portable housing is formed to have a donut shape and to define said mounting slot at a center of said portable housing;

wherein said pivot hinge comprises a pivot shaft provided at said first housing body and a detachable coupler which is extended from said second housing body and is detachably coupled with said pivot shaft to pivotally connect said second housing body with said first housing body;

wherein said audio device further comprises an electric plug which is extended from said corresponding biasing surface of the first housing body and is electrically coupled with said speaker thereat, and an electric socket which is extended from said corresponding biasing surface of said second housing body and is electrically coupled with said speaker thereat, wherein said electric plug is electrically coupled to said electric socket when said first and second housing bodies are coupled with each other to electrically connect said speakers with each other;

wherein said first locker comprises a first locking latch outwardly protruded from one of said biasing surfaces of said first housing body, wherein said second locker comprises a second locking latch movably supported in said second housing body to align with a locking hole on said respective biasing surface of said second housing body, wherein when said first locking latch is engaged with said second locking latch through said locking hole, said second housing body is locked up with said first housing body;

wherein said second locker further comprises a resilient element supported in said second housing body for applying an urging force against said second locking latch so as to normally retain said second locking latch being locked up with said first locking latch, and a lock actuator coupling with said second locking latch and actuating said second locking latch to disengage with said first locking latch.