# US 12,192,691 B2 · Speaker and shower

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- Number: US 12,192,691 B2
- Document ID: US12192691B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/489,200
- Filed: 2023-10-18
- Published: 2024-02-08
- Granted: 2025-01-07
- Earliest claimed: 2011-09-06
- Assignees: Kohler Co.
- Applicants: Kohler Co.
- Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna; Michael James Soetaert; Keith Scott Ruh; William Clement Kuru; Gregory de Swarte
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12192691B2

## CPC

- H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles}
- B05B 1/08: of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities
- B05B 1/16: having selectively- effective outlets
- B05B 1/18: Roses; Shower heads
- B05B 1/182: {characterised by their outlet openings or elements; Mounting arrangements therefor}
- B05B 1/1823: {Concentric or coaxial groups}
- B05B 1/185: {characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor}
- B05B 1/1882: {actuated by a linear movement, e.g. push buttons}
- B05B 1/1894: {located in or on the outlet wall}
- B05B 1/192: {combined with features functioning other than as a support or as a portion of the fluid handling elements, e.g. audio systems, speakers or lights}
- E03C 1/0408: {Water installations especially for showers (E03C1/06 takes precedence; shower heads B05B1/18)}
- E03C 1/0409: {Shower handles}
- F21V 33/004: {Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers}
- F21V 33/0056: {Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers}
- B05B 7/0416: {with arrangements for mixing one gas and one liquid}
- H04R 1/021: {incorporating only one transducer}
- H04R 1/026: {Supports for loudspeaker casings}
- H04R 2201/021: Transducers or their casings adapted for mounting in or to a wall or ceiling
- H04R 2201/025: Transducer mountings or cabinet supports enabling variable orientation of transducer of cabinet
- H04R 2201/029: Manufacturing aspects of enclosures transducers
- H04R 2420/07: Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
- H04R 2430/01: Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
- H04R 2499/10: General applications
- 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)
- B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D)
- E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

An assembly including a speaker and a stand. The speaker including a speaker housing, speaker components supported in the speaker housing and operable to produce and audio output, and a rechargeable power source operable to power the speaker components. The stand being operable to support the speaker, the stand including a stand housing and a stand electrical circuit connectable to an external power source. The speaker and the stand are operable to perform a charging operation, the charging operation including the speaker supported on the stand and power supplied to the rechargeable power source. During the charging operation, the speaker components are operable to produce the audio output.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An assembly comprising:
a speaker including
a speaker housing,
a magnet operable to releasably retain the speaker on a support,
speaker components supported in the speaker housing and operable to produce an audio output,
a rechargeable power source operable to power the speaker components; and
a stand operable to support the speaker, the stand including
a stand housing, and
a stand electrical circuit connectable to an external power source; and
a shower device providing the support, the shower device including a magnetic connecting structure cooperating with the magnet to releasably couple the speaker to the shower device;
wherein the speaker and the stand are operable to perform a charging operation, the charging operation including the speaker supported on the stand and power supplied to the rechargeable power source, and
wherein, during the charging operation, the speaker components are operable to produce the audio output.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the speaker further includes a speaker electrical contact and a speaker electrical circuit electrically connected between the rechargeable power source and the speaker electrical contact, wherein the stand further includes a stand electrical contact electrically connected to a stand electrical circuit, and wherein the assembly further comprises a power cord removably, selectively and alternatively directly physically engageable to the stand electrical contact to electrically connect the external power source to the stand electrical circuit and to the speaker electrical contact to electrically connect the external power source to the speaker electrical circuit to charge the rechargeable power source.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2, wherein the speaker defines a speaker port, the speaker electrical contact being provided by the speaker port, and wherein the assembly further comprises a cover engageable with the speaker housing to selectively cover and uncover the speaker port, the speaker port being uncovered to connect with the power cord.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the speaker includes a secondary coil, wherein the stand includes a primary coil connectable to the external power source, and wherein in the charging operation, the primary coil is energized and the secondary coil generates a current to charge the rechargeable power source.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the speaker is supported by the stand in an orientation in which the audio output projects in a primary direction extending away from the stand.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the stand defines a recess for receiving a portion of the speaker.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the speaker includes an indicator configured to provide an indication relating to battery life of the rechargeable power source.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1, wherein the charging operation includes power supplied to the speaker passing from the external power source and through the stand electrical circuit.

### Claim 9

An assembly comprising:
a speaker including
a speaker housing,
a magnet operable to releasably retain the speaker on a support,
speaker components supported in the speaker housing and operable to produce an audio output,
a rechargeable power source operable to power the speaker components, and
a secondary coil;
a stand operable to support the speaker, the stand including
a stand housing, and
a primary coil connectable to an external power source; and
a shower device providing the support, the shower device including a magnetic connecting structure cooperating with the magnet to releasably couple the speaker to the shower device;
wherein the speaker and the stand are operable to perform a charging operation, the charging operation including the speaker supported on the stand and power supplied to the rechargeable power source through the primary coil and the secondary coil, and
wherein, during the charging operation, the speaker components are operable to produce the audio output.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the secondary coil generates a current to charge the rechargeable power source through wireless induction.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the speaker further includes a speaker electrical contact and a speaker electrical circuit electrically connected between the rechargeable power source and the speaker electrical contact, wherein the stand includes a stand electrical contact electrically connected to the primary coil, and wherein the assembly further comprises a power cord removably, selectively and alternatively directly physically engageable to the stand electrical contact to electrically connect the external power source to the primary coil and to a speaker electrical contact to electrically connect the external power source to the speaker electrical circuit to charge the rechargeable power source.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The assembly of claim 11, wherein the speaker defines a speaker port, the speaker electrical contact being provided by the speaker port, and wherein the assembly further comprises a cover engageable with the speaker housing to selectively cover and uncover the speaker port, the speaker port being uncovered to connect with the power cord.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the speaker is supported by the stand in an orientation in which the audio output projects in a primary direction extending away from the stand.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the stand defines a recess for receiving a portion of the speaker.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the speaker includes an indicator configured to provide an indication relating to battery life of the rechargeable power source.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9, wherein the charging operation includes the external power source energizing the primary coil such that the secondary coil generates a current to charge the rechargeable power source.