Speaker grille frame
A speaker grille ( 10 ) comprises a cloth ( 18 ) and a frame ( 20 ) to support the cloth ( 18 ). The cloth ( 18 ) is preferably stretched taunt over the frame ( 20 ) for minimal movement in response to speaker excursion. The frame ( 20 ) includes a plurality of sidewalls ( 29 ) defining a plurality of slots ( 30 ) through which sound waves may travel between a smooth surface ( 26 ) supporting the cloth ( 18 ) and a mounting surface ( 28 ) with which the frame ( 12 ) mounts to a speaker box ( 12 ). The slots ( 30 ) preferably penetrate all four sides of the frame ( 20 ) and may also penetrate all four corners of the frame ( 20 ). The slots ( 30 ) form channels that act as waveguides and allow sound waves to travel from speakers ( 16 ) through the frame ( 20 ). The frame ( 20 ) and the channels may be configured to direct the sound waves at various angles to the speaker box ( 12 ).
1. A speaker grille frame for use with and designed to support a cloth, the frame comprising:
a substantially continuous smooth surface for supporting the cloth;
a plurality of sidewalls behind the smooth surface and defining a plurality of slots through which sound waves may travel; and
a mounting surface opposing the smooth surface and separated therefrom by the plurality of side walls, wherein the mounting surface is substantially continuous along a perimeter of the frame and is operable to mate with a speaker box in order to hold the frame over at least one speaker opening.
2. The frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the slots are aligned substantially parallel to a plane of the frame.
3. The frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the slots are aligned substantially perpendicular to a speaker axis.
4. The frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the frame is rounded.
5. The frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the frame is rectangular.
6. The frame as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the slots penetrate all four sides of the frame.
7. The frame as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the slots penetrate each corner of the frame.
8. The frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the slots have rectangular cross-sections.
9. The frame as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the frame is beveled around an exterior perimeter such that a back wall of each slot is longer than a front wall of each slot.
10. The frame as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the frame is constructed of two pieces, including
a top piece comprising the smooth surface and the front walls, and
a bottom piece comprising the mounting surface, the sidewalls, and the back walls.
11. A speaker grille operable to allow passage of sound waves therethrough, the grille comprising:
a cloth; and
a frame substantially completely covered by and operable to support the cloth and including
a substantially continuous smooth surface for supporting the cloth,
a plurality of sidewalls behind the smooth surface and defining a plurality of slots through which sound waves may travel, and
a mounting surface opposing the smooth surface and separated therefrom by the plurality of side walls, wherein the mounting surface is substantially continuous along a perimeter of the frame and is operable to mate with a speaker box in order to hold the frame over a plurality of speaker openings.
12. The grille as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the slots are aligned substantially parallel to a plane of the frame.
13. The grille as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the frame is rounded.
14. The grille as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the frame is rectangular.
15. The grille as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the slots penetrate the frame through all four sides and each corner.
16. The grille as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the slots have rectangular cross-sections.
17. The grille as set forth in claim 11 , wherein the frame is beveled around an exterior perimeter such that a back wall of each slot is longer than a front wall of each slot.
18. The grille as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the frame is constructed of two pieces, including
a top piece comprising the smooth surface and the front walls, and
a bottom piece comprising the mounting surface, the sidewalls, and the back walls.
19. A speaker assembly comprising:
a plurality of speakers;
a speaker box having a plurality of speaker openings operable to accept the speakers; and
a speaker grille including
a cloth, and
a rectangular frame substantially completely covered by the cloth, the frame including
a top piece comprising a smooth surface operable to support the cloth in front of the speakers,
a bottom piece comprising a mounting surface operable to removably mount to the speaker box, and
a plurality of sidewalls behind the smooth surface and defining a plurality of slots aligned substantially parallel to a plane of the frame through which sound waves may travel.
20. The assembly as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the slots penetrate the frame through all four sides and each corner of the frame.
21. The assembly as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the slots form rectangular channels through which sound waves may travel.
22. The assembly as set forth in claim 21 , wherein the frame is beveled around an exterior perimeter such that a back wall of each slot is longer than a front wall of each slot.