Loudspeaker mounting system

Abstract

In a dropped ceiling assembly system elements are provided which include an elongate planar shelf held below an elongate spine. The shelf has lateral edges which can support edges of a ceiling tile resting thereon. This spine is configured to be held in position either adjacent to spines of other elements within a dropped ceiling or from above, such as by suspension wires passing through suspension holes in the spine. A compartment is provided on an underside of the shelf which is sized and shaped to receive and hold at least a portion of a loudspeaker therein. The loudspeaker mounting system is thus integrated into the shelf which also acts to hold ceiling tiles within a dropped ceiling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for mounting a T-bar with a compartment from a ceiling, the system comprising:
 an elongated spine extending from a first terminal end to a second terminal end, the elongated spine being a thin planar structure extending between the first and second terminal ends;   a planar shelf below the elongated spine and extending to both lateral sides of the elongated spine, wherein the planar shelf is positioned so that at least one ceiling tile may rest upon each lateral side of the planar shelf extending from the elongated spine;   a plurality of connectors, each connector located at each terminal end of the elongated spine; and   a compartment, the compartment located on the bottom side of the planar shelf.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the compartment includes a pair of sidewalls extending down from each of the lateral sides of the planar shelf, with the compartment between the pair of sidewalls. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the pair of sidewalls are oriented parallel with each other and spaced apart by a width of the compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the compartment has a substantially constant cross-sectional form between the pair of sidewalls. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the pair of side walls each extend down to lower tips. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein each of the lower tips of each of the pair of sidewalls include horizontal grooves therein extending parallel with the planar shelf. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the grooves extend inwardly toward each other and within a common plane. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2  wherein an upper surface of the compartment is defined by a lower surface of the planar shelf. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of a loudspeaker is located within the compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2  wherein electronic equipment is supported within the compartment. 
     
     
         11 . A method for supporting an elongate compartment between ceiling tiles of a ceiling, the method including the steps of:
 placing at least two ceiling tiles with edges of the ceiling tiles resting upon opposite lateral sides of a planar shelf of a T-bar, the T-bar having an elongated spine extending from a first to terminal and to a second terminal and, the elongated spine being a thin planar structure extending up from the planar shelf between the first and second terminal ends, the planar shelf extending to both lateral sides of the elongated spine, wherein the planar shelf is positioned so that at least one ceiling tile may rest upon each lateral side of the planar shelf extending from the elongated spine; and   connecting the T-bar to adjacent structures through a plurality of connectors, each connector located at each terminal end of the elongated spine, and with a compartment located on a bottom side of the planar shelf and between the ceiling tiles resting upon the planar shelf of the T-bar.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  including the further step of placing electronic equipment within the compartment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  including the further step of placing at least a portion of a loudspeaker within the compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the compartment of said placing step includes a pair of sidewalls extending down from the planar shelf to lower tips. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the compartment of said placing step includes the lower tips of the side walls having grooves therein which are oriented horizontally and parallel with the planar shelf, the grooves extending inwardly toward each other. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said connecting step precedes said placing step.