Loudspeaker rigging apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US2021250669A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Loudspeaker rigging apparatus",
  "abstract": "A loudspeaker rigging apparatus (100) for suspending a plurality of loudspeakers from temporary or permanent structure. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus (100) comprises a beam (102) configured to be secured to an uppermost speaker in an array of speakers (106) and a trolley (121) coupled to the beam (102) and moveable along at least part of a length of the beam (102). The trolley (121) comprises a rigging point (110) configured for connection to the rigging or scaffold, and the beam (102) may be angularly displaced with respect to a horizontal plane when the rigging point (110) is connected to the rigging or scaffold.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A loudspeaker rigging apparatus for suspending a plurality of loudspeakers from temporary or permanent structure, the loudspeaker rigging apparatus comprising: a beam configured to be secured to an uppermost speaker in an array of speakers; and a trolley coupled to the beam and moveable along at least part of a length of the beam, the trolley comprising a rigging point configured for connection to the rigging or scaffold, wherein the beam may be angularly displaced with respect to a horizontal plane when the rigging point is connected to the rigging or scaffold. 2. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a trolley driver configured to provide a force for moving the trolley along the at least part of the length of the beam. 3. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the trolley driver comprises a threaded lead screw, and wherein the trolley comprises a threaded aperture through which the lead screw is received, such that rotation of the lead screw causes linear movement of the trolley. 4. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trolley comprises at least one rotatable element in contact with a surface of the beam and configured to rotate on movement of the trolley. 5. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one rotatable element comprises at least one wheel. 6. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, in use, the at least one rotatable element of the trolley is configured to contact a downward facing surface of the beam, such that at least a part of the load resulting from suspension of the array of loudspeakers is supported by the at least one rotatable element. 7. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an outer wall of the beam forms an internal cavity in which the trolley is received and that permits movement of the trolley along at least part of the length of the beam. 8. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an internal upper surface of the internal cavity forms the downward facing surface. 9. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an actuator configured to rotate the lead screw. 10. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor. 11. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a motor controller for receiving operating instructions for the actuator from a remote device, and controlling the motor based on the received instructions. 12. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an inclinometer, configured to detect the angle of displacement of the beam with respect to the horizontal plane. 13. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the inclinometer comprises inertial sensors configured to determine angular displacement. 14. The loudspeaker rigging apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a display configured to receive and display data indicative of the angle of displacement. 15. The loudspeaker rigging assembly according to claim 1, wherein the trolley is housed, at least partially, within the beam. 16. The loudspeaker rigging assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rigging point protrudes from an upper surface of the beam and is retained within a longitudinal slot formed in an outer wall of the beam. 17. The loudspeaker rigging assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rigging point comprises a single suspension point about which the beam may rotate. 18. A rigged loudspeaker array comprising the loudspeaker rigging assembly of claim 1. 19. A method for suspending a plurality of loudspeakers from a temporary or permanent structure, the method comprising: securing an uppermost speaker in an array of speakers to a beam; connecting a rigging point of a trolley to the temporary or permanent structure, wherein the trolley is connected to the beam and moveable along at least part of a length of the beam, and wherein the beam may be angularly displaced with respect to a horizontal plane when the rigging point is connected to the temporary or permanent structure; tensioning the array of speakers; and adjusting a position of the trolley along the length of the beam for achieving a desired angular displacement of the beam."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to methods and apparatus for rigging loudspeaker systems. In particular, embodiments may relate to rigging loudspeaker systems for concerts, nightclubs and music festivals having large audiences. The invention may relate to rigging loudspeaker systems that comprise multiple loudspeakers suspended in an array from a temporary structure, such as a scaffold, or a permanent structure.\n\nLoudspeakers for concerts, nightclubs and music festivals may be rigged in vertically aligned arrays. In such arrays, the loudspeakers may be suspended from a temporary or permanent structure, with each loudspeaker being suspended from the loudspeaker above. For the remainder of this document, the term scaffold is used for ease, although this may be interpreted as a temporary or permanent structure. It will be appreciated that the loudspeakers are typically housed in a speaker enclosure that is more regular in shape and therefore more easily formed into an array. The term loudspeaker or speaker may be used herein to encompass a speaker enclosure containing a loudspeaker\n\nIn arrays of loudspeakers, the loudspeakers typically are arranged as one or more columns and are required to be angled relative to each other so as to provide the desired vertical coverage of sound. In certain arrangements, the speakers will be angled to produce an arced or curved array, which may form a “J” shape.\n\nTypically, each column comprises a top loudspeaker which is attached to a lifting frame.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04R 1/023",
    "B66C 1/10",
    "F16M 11/18",
    "F16M 11/42",
    "H04R 1/026",
    "H04R 1/403",
    "H04R 2201/025",
    "H04R 2201/403",
    "H04R 27/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16M 11/18",
    "F16M 11/42",
    "H04R 1/02",
    "H04R 1/40"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "FUNKTION ONE RESEARCH"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Anthony John Andrews"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-02-08",
  "publication_date": "2021-08-12",
  "priority_date": "2020-02-10",
  "application_number": "US-202117170077-A",
  "family_id": "69897085",
  "cited_by_count": 4
}