# US 10,375,468 B2 · Rigging system for speakers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,375,468 B2 - Document ID: US10375468B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/158,375 - Filed: 2014-01-17 - Published: 2014-07-24 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-18 - Assignees: Harman International Industries, Incorporated - Applicants: Harman International Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Jacques Spillmann; Derrick Rodgers; Lawrence Romestant - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10375468B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/18: Holders for styli; Mounting holders on transducers - H04R 1/026: {Supports for loudspeaker casings} - H04R 1/323: {for loudspeakers (H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence)} - H04R 1/403: {loud-speakers} - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A speaker assembly rigging system is provided with a first frame and a second frame that is adapted to couple to the first frame. The system includes a cam and a link. The cam is pivotally connected to the first frame about a pivot point. The cam includes at least two cam surfaces, and each of the at least two cam surfaces are offset at a different radial distance from the pivot point corresponding to a splay angle. The link has a proximal end that is pivotally connected to the second frame and a distal end having a contact surface. The link extends from the second frame in a deployed position such that the contact surface engages one of the cam surfaces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A speaker rigging assembly comprising: a frame; a cam pivotally connected to the frame about a pivot point, with at least two cam surfaces, each of the at least two cam surfaces being offset at a different radial distance from the pivot point corresponding to a splay angle, with an intermediate surface between the at least two cam surfaces; and a unitary link having an elongate shape with a proximal end pivotally connected to an upper rear portion of the frame and a distal end having a contact surface, wherein the distal end of the unitary link extends from the frame in a deployed position and the contact surface engages a cam surface of a cam of an adjacent speaker rigging assembly; wherein at least one of the frame and the unitary link are adapted to be mounted to a speaker assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 1 wherein the link engages the cam and maintains the splay angle therebetween without a fastener during compressive loading. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A speaker array comprising: a first speaker rigging assembly according to claim 1; and a second speaker rigging assembly according to claim 1; wherein the link of the second speaker rigging assembly engages the cam of the first speaker rigging assembly and maintains the splay angle therebetween without a fastener during compressive loading; and wherein the splay angle comprises an angle between a first longitudinal axis that bisects the frame of the first speaker rigging assembly and a second longitudinal axis that bisects the frame of the second speaker rigging assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 1 wherein the cam further comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart plates that collectively define the at least two cam surfaces; and wherein the distal end of the link further comprises an end portion that extends from a shoulder, the end portion having a smaller lateral thickness than the shoulder such that the end portion extends between the pair of laterally spaced apart plates, and the shoulder provides the contact surface to engage the cam surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the link comprises a pair of laterally spaced apart end portions that define a channel for receiving the at least two cam surfaces, and wherein the contact surface is formed within the channel to engage the cam surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 1 wherein the cam further comprises at least two apertures formed therethrough, each cam aperture being angularly aligned with one of the cam surfaces, and wherein the distal end of the link further comprises an aperture formed therethrough; and wherein the link aperture of the speaker assembly is aligned with one of the cam apertures to receive a fastener and maintain the splay angle during tensile loading. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises: a first plate; and a second plate laterally spaced apart from the first plate, the first plate being adapted to mount to a side surface of a speaker cabinet; wherein the cam is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 7 further comprising: a shaft aligned with the pivot point and mounted for rotation relative to the frame, the shaft having a first end connected to the cam; and a handle connected to a second end of the shaft, wherein the cam pivots about the pivot point in response to rotation of the handle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 8 wherein the second plate is provided with an outer surface with an array of detents formed therein and spaced about the pivot point, and wherein the handle is laterally spaced apart from the second plate; and wherein the speaker rigging assembly further comprises: a spring biased element secured to an inner surface of the handle and adapted to engage each of the array of detents as the handle is rotated to provide tactile feedback to a user corresponding to the position of the cam. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The speaker rigging assembly of claim 8 further comprising: ornamental indicia indicative of a range of splay angle values associated with the at least two cam surfaces disposed on one of the frame and the handle; and ornamental indicia indicative of a pointer disposed on the other of the frame and handle to align with the range of splay angle values. ### Claim 11 A speaker array comprising: a first speaker assembly with a first speaker cabinet having laterally spaced apart first side surfaces; a first frame mounted to one of the first side surfaces; a first cam pivotally connected to the first frame about a first pivot point; a first link formed unitary, with a first proximal end pivotally connected to the first frame and a first distal end having a first contact surface formed therein; a second speaker assembly with a second speaker cabinet having laterally spaced apart second side surfaces; a second frame mounted to one of the second side surfaces; a second cam pivotally connected to the second frame about a second pivot point, wherein the second cam has at least two steps formed into a peripheral surface, each step being formed with an independent cam surface that is offset at a different radial distance from the second pivot point corresponding to a splay angle; and a second link formed unitary, with a second proximal end pivotally connected to the second frame and a second distal end having a second contact surface formed therein; wherein the first link extends from the first frame in a deployed position such that the first contact surface engages one of the steps of the second speaker assembly for orientating the first speaker assembly and the second speaker assembly at a splay angle therebetween corresponding to the step. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The speaker array of claim 11 wherein the proximal end of the first link is pivotally connected to an upper rear portion of the first frame and extends upward therefrom to engage one of the steps of the second speaker assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The speaker array of claim 12 further comprising a first front link having a first front proximal end pivotally connected to an upper front portion of the first frame and a first front distal end for connecting to a lower front portion of the second speaker assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The speaker array of claim 11 wherein the first link of the first speaker assembly engages one of the steps of the second speaker assembly and maintains the splay angle therebetween without a fastener during compressive loading. ### Claim 15 A speaker assembly rigging system comprising: a first frame; a second frame adapted to couple to the first frame; a cam pivotally connected to the first frame about a pivot point, with at least two cam surfaces, each of the at least two cam surfaces being offset at a different radial distance from the pivot point corresponding to a splay angle; and a unitary link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the second frame and a distal end having a contact surface, wherein the unitary link extends from the second frame in a deployed position such that the contact surface engages one of the cam surfaces. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The speaker assembly rigging system of claim 15 wherein the link engages the cam and maintains the splay angle therebetween without a fastener during compressive loading. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The speaker assembly rigging system of claim 15 wherein the frame comprises: a first plate; and a second plate laterally spaced apart from the first plate, the first plate being adapted to mount to a side surface of a speaker cabinet; wherein the cam is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The speaker assembly rigging system of claim 17 further comprising: a shaft aligned with the pivot point and mounted for rotation relative to the frame, the shaft having a first end connected to the cam; and a handle connected to a second end of the shaft, wherein the cam pivots about the pivot point in response to rotation of the handle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The speaker assembly rigging system of claim 18 wherein the second plate is provided with an outer surface with an array of detents formed therein about the pivot point, and wherein the handle is laterally spaced apart from the second plate; and wherein the rigging system further comprises: a spring biased element secured to an inner surface of the handle and adapted to engage each of the array of detents as the handle is rotated to provide tactile feedback to a user corresponding to the position of the cam. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The speaker assembly rigging system of claim 18 further comprising: ornamental indicia indicative of a range of splay angle values associated with the at least two cam surfaces disposed on one of the frame and the handle; and ornamental indicia indicative of a pointer disposed on the other of the frame and handle to align with the range of splay angle values.