Adjustable Patents (Class 381/379)
  • Patent number: 8503711
    Abstract: A hat mounted music system includes a semi-rigid hatband and a flexible crown and hat bill mounted to the hatband. A retaining pocket is mounted to the hatband and is sized and shaped to hold a portable music player. First and second headphone mounts are located to align with the ears of a user. The mounts have first and second hinges. First portions of the hinges are attached to the hatband and second portions of the hinges are attached to the mounts. The hinges permit movement of the mounts from a first, open position to a second, listening position. First and second headphone modules are adapted to fit the headphone mounts. Connection wires connect the player to the headphone modules. The headphone mounts are spring-loaded and are retained in the second position by a latching mechanism. A release device allows the headphone mounts to return to the first, open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Flynn
  • Patent number: 8472660
    Abstract: An adaptation device that removably attaches to earbud style headphone/s and provides security and retention of the earbud to a wearer's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Innovelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric John Wengreen
  • Patent number: 8434493
    Abstract: The adjustable mouth shield device provides an adjustably fitted mouth shield with adjustable headband for secure fit. The adjustable headband is fastened to the padded earpiece. The straight first extension from the earpiece is angled downwardly and forwardly to terminate in a swivel joint providing almost 360 degrees of swivel. The second extension is arced both downwardly and forwardly. The u-shaped mouthpiece is fitted to the adjustable spring mount for horizontal pivot of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may, by virtue of the swivel joint and the spring mount, be moved completely away from a user's mouth and, in turn, pivoted and swiveled to be directly in front of the user's mouth. The inward curves at the distal end of the mouthpiece aid in sliding on the disposable pads that shield a user from objects, foods and other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventors: Eric McGhie, Darrell Harvey
  • Patent number: 8428289
    Abstract: An adaptation device that removably attaches to earbud style headphone/s and provides improved security and retention of the earbud to a wearer's ear yet positions the speaker in substantially the same distance relative to the concha and/or ear canal of a wearer as a wearer would ordinarily wear an earbud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Innovelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric John Wengreen
  • Patent number: 8422718
    Abstract: A foldable headphone set in which the earphones of the headphone set may rotate between a folded (or closed) position and an unfolded (or open) position due to a torsion- or spring-loaded hinge associated with each earphone. The headphone set may be held in the folded position by way of a magnetic latch. Also, the user may adjust the amount of rotation by the respective hinges so that the earphones rotate to the user-defined limit position. The user could set the user-defined limit position to a comfortable position for the user. That way, the earphones will unfold to the user-defined limit position every time (until the user-defined limit is readjusted). In addition, a friction grommet in the hinge may provide for a slow, controlled, smooth opening of the hinge. In at least one embodiment, a hinge is provided for use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventor: Ronaldo J. Santiago
  • Publication number: 20130089214
    Abstract: A headset is described. The headset includes a headset insert worn on a head of a user. The headset insert includes a first connector having a first mechanical coupler. The first connector is configured to mate in at least two different orientations with a second connector having a second mechanical coupler. A frame includes the second connector that mates with the first connector. The frame is adapted to receive the headset insert in at least two different orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole D. Tricoukes, Juliet T. Chon, Ian R. Jenkins, Mitchell Maiman, Jorg Schlieffers
  • Patent number: 8411893
    Abstract: There is provided a headphone including: a housing that accommodates a driver unit; a sound guiding tube that protrudes from the housing in a predetermined direction and guides a sound generated from the driver unit to an external auditory canal; and a hanger that rotatably supports the housing via a supporting shaft provided in approximately the same direction as a depth direction of the external auditory canal and in a direction inclined to a protruding direction of the sound guiding tube. According to this structure, by rotating the housing with respect to the hanger via the supporting shaft, the protruding direction of the sound guiding tube with respect to the hanger can be adjusted. Thus, by adjusting the protruding direction of the sound guiding tube according to the inclined angle of the external auditory canal of a user, wearability of a headphone can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ito, Tomohiro Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20130064411
    Abstract: An earphone plug for receiving sound signals, having a first headphone cord connected to the earphone plug having a first length and a second headphone cord connected to the earphone plug having a second length is provided. A first earphone body connected to the first headphone cord is provided for converting the sound signals to audible sounds. A second earphone body, connected to the second headphone cord, is provided for converting the sound signals to audible sounds. A flexible strap, having a portion thereof in communication with one of at least a portion of the first headphone cord and the second headphone cord is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Shawn ALSTAD
  • Patent number: 8396243
    Abstract: An earphone has a casing that consists of a base housing (12) and a rear housing (10). The base housing and the rear housing enclose the speaker of the earphone and the base housing has an orifice (19) in it so that a wire carrying an audio signal could be provided to the speaker. The base housing is attached to the rear housing using a catch locking mechanism (22, 24). The earphone further includes a ring which fits on the position where the catch lock engages and provides added strength to catch locking mechanism. The earphone is able to withstand a drop from a height of up to 1.8 m with the ring locking mechanism in engaged position on the earphone casing. Furthermore the ring could be easily removed when the earphone requires servicing or repair and reattached for reuse without causing damage to the earphone casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventor: Chin Ngiap Heng
  • Publication number: 20130051594
    Abstract: An in-the-ear technology delivery, positioning and sound management system includes a body portion that provides support for a conformable fitting element to be positioned in the user's ear canal and is structured and arranged to anchor sound management technologies and medical instrumentalities at selected positions in the canal for the delivery and control of sound or for the performance of medical procedures. A sound tube is provided to deliver sound in close proximity to the ear drum and a method for selectively fitting the system to the wearer's personal comfort level is provided. An apparatus and a method for a fitting pressure to be automatically applied along the device or aided by a fitting element that facilitates placement and a secure fit in the ear canal are presented. A coating element manages, acoustically alters, or occludes sound properties and sound at selected depths within the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Semcken
  • Publication number: 20130051593
    Abstract: An in-the-ear technology delivery, positioning and sound management system comprises a body portion that provides support for a conformable fitting element adapted to be positioned in the user's ear canal and which is structured and arranged to anchor sound management technologies and medical instrumentalities at selected positions in the canal for the delivery and control of sound or for the performance of medical procedures therein. In an embodiment, a sound tube is provided which is adapted to deliver sound in close proximity to the ear drum and a method for selectively fitting the system in accordance with the wearer's personal comfort level is provided. In another embodiment, an apparatus and a method for a fitting pressure to be automatically applied along the device or aided by a fitting element that will facilitate placement and a secure fit in the ear canal is presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin Semcken
  • Patent number: 8363875
    Abstract: There is provided a headphone having a pair of units being attached to both ends of a band, and at least one of the units being made slidable relative to the band. The headphone comprises a slider that supports the unit, accommodates a part of a cord for connecting end parts of the band and the unit, and includes an engaged part for regulating a sliding range of the unit, a slider guide fixed to an end part of the band and inserted through the slider, for guiding a sliding motion of the slider in the sliding motion of the unit, and an engaging part having approximately the same width as that of the engaged part, attached to the end part of the band, and engaged with the engaged part so as to be locked to the end part of the engaged part in the sliding motion of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ito, Mitsuyoshi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8358800
    Abstract: An earphone comprises two earbuds, a plug assembly, and a wire connected to the earbuds and the plug assembly. The plug assembly comprises a first insulation shell, a second insulation shell, an adjusting wheel located between the first insulation shell and the second insulation shell, a plug fixed in the inside of the first insulation shell, two stopping blocks fixed to one side of the first insulation shell away from the wire, and a resetting element received in the second insulation shell. The plug comprises a plug core and a sleeve set on the outside of the plug core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Xin Yang
  • Patent number: 8351637
    Abstract: An earhook (1), for example for a headset, to be worn around the root of the auricle (14) in the postauricular sulcus. The earhook (1) extends between a first end (5) and a second end (6) and has at least a first (2) and a second (3) curved element interconnected at the first end (5). Each curved element (2, 3) has a concave first side pointing forward towards the root of the auricle (14) and a convex second side pointing away from the root of the auricle (14) when worn. The curved elements (2, 3) are arranged with lateral distance (w) seen in a direction essentially perpendicular to the side of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventors: Marcus Hoggarth, Raun Forsyth, Stephen De Saulles
  • Publication number: 20130003984
    Abstract: A headphone set includes a head band and a pair of speaker assemblies supplied on opposite ends of the headband. Each of the speaker assemblies comprises an earphone speaker for reproducing sound to be directed toward one of the wearer's ears, a relatively larger and more powerful broadcast speaker for reproducing sound to be broadcast in the vicinity of the headphone set; and an expandable speaker enclosure for supporting the earphone speaker and the broadcast speaker. Each speaker enclosure defines a sound chamber having an enclosed air volume for improving the acoustical characteristics of the headphone set and each speaker enclosure is shiftable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. When the speaker enclosures are shifted to their expanded configurations, the sound chambers have a relatively larger enclosed air volume. When they are shifted to their collapsed configurations relatively smaller enclosed air volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: MS Electronics LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Belafonte, Christopher Combest, Chris Witham, David Staley
  • Patent number: 8345912
    Abstract: An earphone having an under hanger reduces movement of the earphone from vibrations that occur while a user is typically in motion. The earphone preferably includes: a housing for housing a speaker therein; a protector installed in a front surface of the housing and having a mesh for delivering a sound from the speaker; and an under hanger provided at a lower part of the housing to closely contact along a lower part of the rear side of an earflap of a user. The provision of an under hanger in a lower part of the earphone prevents from being easily separated from a user's ear. Further, by providing an under hanger made of a soft material, as the earphone closely contacts with the user's ear, a sound quality is improved and a wearing feeling of the earphone is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hosaka Akihiko, Jung Hun Kwak
  • Patent number: 8335334
    Abstract: A convertible headset includes a headband having first and second ends, a first speaker affixed to the first end of the headband, and a termination member connected to the second end of the headband designed to be removably connectable to the second end of the headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis M. Luna Rosas, Pedro A. Rivas Huerta
  • Patent number: 8331603
    Abstract: A wireless headset comprises a body portion and a boom pivotably coupled to the body portion. The boom is resiliently biased from a first position towards a second position relative to the first headset portion. The headset includes a sensor for detecting movement of the boom between the second to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Rasmus Martenson, Niko Eiden
  • Publication number: 20120269374
    Abstract: This invention provides continuously adjustable headphones that utilize a ball and socket hinge arrangement that allows the ear cup shell portion of the headphone to rotate in any direction, allowing the speaker housing to articulate about the ball joint in any directional plane to provide comfort and superior acoustic performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Noel Lee, David Leung
  • Publication number: 20120243723
    Abstract: An earphone including a mounting element for mounting the earphone to an auricle is provided. The mounting element is attachable to a body of the earphone. The earphone further includes an adjusting element for adjusting the position of the mounting element with respect to the body of the earphone. A mounting element for mounting the earphone to an auricle is provided. The mounting element is attachable to a body of an earphone, and the mounting element includes an adjusting element for adjusting the position of the mounting element with respect to the body of the earphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SAVOX COMMUNICATIONS OY AB (LTD)
    Inventors: Teemu HALKOSAARI, Jukka KORTESOJA
  • Patent number: 8270654
    Abstract: A customizable audio earpiece includes an ear bud body with an ear bud size of which is adjustable along with some control over its orientation. The ear bud body comprises a ball point with teeth that couples to a mating cavity with teethed groves to movably lock or snap with each other on an ear bud stick. The flexibility of one or more petal shaped fingers provides an adequate level of stiffness for the ear bud when resting therein. The teeth on the ends of these petal shaped fingers releasably couple to teeth on a speaker body. In this way, users have varying size of ears with different size of ear canal cavities and conchal bowls can comfortably use the customizable audio earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 8270658
    Abstract: An active headworn device that includes a position sensing device used to determine whether the headworn device is in an extended state upon a user's head or in a contracted state off of the user's head. The position sensing device may be coupled with a microcontroller adapted to power up or power down the active headworn device based on a signal from the position sensing device. The position sensing device may various devices such as a Hall-effect device used in combination with a magnet or a LED in combination with a detector. The movement of the headworn device between positions changes the distance between components of the position sensing device such that the device signals the microcontroller to power up or down the active headworn device. The microcontroller may mute a portion of circuitry prior to the powering up or down the active headworn device to prevent undesirable feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hearing Enhancement Group
    Inventors: Jack Goldberg, Randy L. Houk, Michael J. Stern, Luk Ching Chug
  • Patent number: 8265328
    Abstract: There is provided an earphone having an ear hook, at one end of which is arranged a first end of a sliding shaft and at the other end of which (at the ear lobe abutment end) the cable is fixed. The housing of the electroacoustic transducer is connected to the second end of the shaft in such a way that the housing of the electroacoustic transducer can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars Milde, Markus Kuhr
  • Patent number: 8265325
    Abstract: An earphone device for a portable terminal, including a body connected to the terminal; an earphone having a pair of ear speakers, a connection plug, and a cable joining the ear speakers to the connection plug; a fixed member fixedly positioned on the cable; and a coupling member adapted to slide on the cable while surrounding overlapping portions of the cable, which is bent at the fixed member. The cable between the coupling member and the fixed member is used as a strap of the terminal when the ear speakers are mounted on the body. This makes it possible to carry the terminal conveniently and prevents the cable from being tangled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chan-Yeol Park
  • Patent number: 8233655
    Abstract: Headphones capable of giving an optimum mounting feeling to the head of everybody by merely being mounted and without special adjustment, and also capable of being mounted for many hours without giving stress to the user. A headphone cabinet is connected to one end of a link arm, a head pad is provided at the other end of the link arm, and a lateral pressure produced by a spring member is distributed to the headphone cabinet and the head pad via the link arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Mitsuo Miyata
  • Patent number: 8229521
    Abstract: A head set device includes an antenna housing, a speaker housing connected to the antenna housing while protruding from one face of the antenna housing, and a hinge device for rotatably combining the speaker housing to the antenna housing. The speaker housing rotates with respect to a rotation axis that extends outwardly from one face of the antenna housing. The antenna housing and the speaker housing are rotatably connected together using a hinge device, thereby allowing the user to selectively wear the head set device on either ear and thus facilitating the use of the head set device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyo-Sung Kang, Sung-Sun Park, Young-Jun Jung, Yeong-Moo Ryu
  • Publication number: 20120177240
    Abstract: An earphone has an ear cushion mounted thereon to be freely tiltable. The body includes an outer case enclosing a sound wave generating means, and a ball joint provided at an end portion of the outer case that has a sound wave path that propagates sound waves out of the body and having an opening communicating with the sound wave path. An operation holder mounted on the outer circumference of the ball joint includes a frictional ball seat whose inner surface contacts with the outer circumference of the ball joint so as to combine an internal passage communicating with the inner space of the frictional ball seat, and a periphery for the ear cushion. Thus, the earphone becomes sturdier because the body and its outer portion are not structurally weakened. Productivity improves by process simplification. The assembly of the sliding portion is done only on the outside of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Feel's Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon Ahn Hwang
  • Patent number: 8213647
    Abstract: An electroacoustic device includes a rear body portion containing electronic circuits, being so dimensioned and shaped as to be carried by a human user behind the user's ear and having an upper end portion and a frontal body portion with an upper end portion connected to the upper end portion of the rear body portion. The device may include an electroacoustic speaker transducer connected to the frontal body portion and arrangeable in a sound transmitting relationship to the user's ear canal when the device is carried by the human user. The speaker transducer may be rotatable about an axis which is arranged on a plane that is substantially parallel to the side of the head of the user when the device is carried by the human user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Casper van der Bilt, Gerjo Sampimon, Angelique Hofstede, Hedzer van der Kamp
  • Publication number: 20120155689
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an adjustable ear insert, such as an earbud style earphone, that may be inserted in a user's ear canal in a compact configuration and adjusted by a user to expand and fit snugly against the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Allan Milodzikowski, Lain Roberts, Georg Aye, Jerry O'Leary, Michael J. Koss, Martin Thaler, Michael Pelland
  • Patent number: 8204268
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wired control of an earphone. The wired control includes a ring and a body. The ring defines an elastic material structure and a plurality of rails. The body defines at least one protrusion which is mounted with a plurality of circuit boards, wherein each circuit board is electrically mounted with a switch thereon; the ring is rotatably mounted on the body; and each switch is operable in response either to the elastic material structure being pressed or to the rails of the ring being rotated. When one of the switches is activated by the movement of the ring, the circuit board corresponding to the activated switch generates a trigger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiong Li
  • Patent number: 8204267
    Abstract: There is thus provided an earphone having a hoop band (100) for receiving at least one electroacoustic reproduction transducer. The hoop band has at least two hoop band portions (110, 120) which respectively include an angle, wherein at least two of the hoop band portions (110, 120) are rotatably connected together. The hoop band also has at least one adjusting unit (20) for adjusting and fixing the angle, wherein the adjusting unit is coupled to the first and second hoop band portions (110, 120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Leske, Olav Nisse
  • Publication number: 20120140973
    Abstract: A headphone that is, in one embodiment, collapsible into a fully collapsed, self-protecting form factor, and includes a headband that mechanically interconnects the two earpieces and fits around the head when worn. The headband can optionally include one or more telescoping linkages to allow it to collapse in length. The headband is attached to each of the two earpieces by two hinges in one embodiment: one hinge connects the headband to an intermediate part, which exists between an earpiece and the headband, another hinge connects the intermediate part to its corresponding earpiece. The wrapping of the headband around the two earpieces can leave no part extending outside from the structure which resembles a hockey puck in one embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Olodort, Peter Cazalet
  • Publication number: 20120140974
    Abstract: A personal audio device including a flexible headband is disclosed. The flexible headband includes a left and right headband portion. The headband has a longitudinal centerline which occupies a substantially single plane. The personal audio device also includes a left earphone, which is secured to a first end of the left headband portion, and a right earphone, which is secured to a first end of the right headband portion. A connector portion connects a second end of the left headband portion with a second end of the right headband portion. The connector portion is linearly adjustable, which enables a distance between the left headband portion and right headband portion to be variable. A change in the distance causes an inversely proportional change in bent compression force applied by a left earphone and applied by the right earphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Alexander S. Danielson, Jason Lin, Neil O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8194909
    Abstract: There is provided an earphone comprising a hoop (1) with a first and a second pivot point (A0, B0) at least one end of the hoop (1). The earphone has at least one earpiece (3) for receiving at least one electroacoustic transducer. The earpiece (3) has a first and a second pivot point (A, B). The earphone further has a first coupling element (2) for coupling the first pivot point (A0) of the hoop (1) to the first pivot point (A) of the earpiece (3) and a second coupling element (4) for coupling the second pivot point (B0) of the hoop (1) to the second pivot point (B) of the earpiece (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Peter Kuhtz, Olav Nisse
  • Patent number: 8180090
    Abstract: An earpiece speaker system including an earpiece body through which an audio signal is provided, the earpiece body having a speaker mount surface, and a plurality of speaker modules mountable to the body. Each of the speaker modules includes a mount surface for mating with the earpiece body speaker mount surface for securing the speaker module thereto in order to reproduce the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Ernst Hupkes
  • Patent number: 8174569
    Abstract: An image display apparatus, which is mounted on a head or face of a wearer attachably and detachably and allows the wearer to view an image and hear sound, includes a long formed temple supported by a temporal region of head or an ear when the wearer is wearing the image display apparatus; a speaker that generates sound, a sound generating face thereof being insertable into the ear at a vicinity of an opening of the ear; and a position adjusting mechanism that holds the speaker, attachably to and detachably from the temple, and movably at least substantially along a surface of the temporal region of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Tanijiri, Sei Mitsui, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8170231
    Abstract: A user wearable accessory provides push-to-tall (PTT), microphone and adjustable electrical cord length features in a single device. First and second adjustable electrical cords couple a portable communication device to an earpiece. The accessory is formed of front and back housing portions coupled together to provide a spooling feature therebetween. The spooling feature accommodates the two electrical cords such that a user is able to wrap each cord to provide an overall desired length. Users of different heights can adjust the cord length as desired thereby minimizing tangling of the cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: LanTing L. Garra, Vance M. McGary, Craig F Siddoway
  • Publication number: 20120099754
    Abstract: In an audio headphone assembly (1) having a pair of earpieces (3, 5) with associated speaker units (4, 6), being attached generally to an end region (2C, 2D) of head band (2), whereby each earpiece is associated with the headband, for adjustment of the position of the ear-pieces relative to the head band in at least two senses, are provided wire loops (7, 8) that each have two spaced legs that at one end are attached to a respective earpiece and that are inter-connected at a second end (7C, 8C), earpiece hinges (9, 14) that are each supported at a respective headband end area (2C, 2D) and that each have a hinge body with a first through-bore extending through the body for receiving a first leg of a loop for rotation and for longitudinal displacement and with a second through bore extending through the hinge body and being open to the outside of the hinge body at one side for receiving the second loop leg through a pivoting movement of the loop around an axis of the first leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Erik Petersén
  • Patent number: 8160287
    Abstract: A headset includes an element to be held to the head of a wearer and a headband coupled to the element and configured for engaging a head of a wearer to hold the element thereon. The headband includes a plurality of headband arms coupled to pivot with respect to each other. A torsion spring is positioned between the arms and portions of the torsion spring are coupled to the arms for acting on the arms with a torsion force. An adjustment member is coupled between the torsion spring and a headband arm and is operable for adjusting the torsion force of the torsion spring to adjust the torsion force on the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Slippy, Doug Keeports
  • Publication number: 20120057739
    Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
  • Patent number: 8121334
    Abstract: A Bluetooth earphone having a semi-automatic receiving function includes a housing, an earphone, a first flexible portion, a button, and a fastening mechanism. The housing has a receiving slot. The earphone is pivoted with the housing and received in the receiving slot that can be rotated to the outside of the housing. The first flexible portion located between the housing and the earphone provides a force to eject the earphone. The button is located on the housing and connected with the earphone. The fastening mechanism is located between the button and the housing to fasten the earphone in the receiving slot. The user presses the button to eject the earphone by utilizing the flexible force of the first flexible portion. Thereby, the earphone can be received in the housing to prevent the earphone from being broken due to the impacts of external forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited
    Inventor: Tse-Ming Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120014554
    Abstract: A foldable headphone set in which the earphones of the headphone set may rotate between a folded (or closed) position and an unfolded (or open) position due to a torsion- or spring-loaded hinge associated with each earphone. The headphone set may be held in the folded position by way of a magnetic latch. Also, the user may adjust the amount of rotation by the respective hinges so that the earphones rotate to the user-defined limit position. The user could set the user-defined limit position to a comfortable position for the user. That way, the earphones will unfold to the user-defined limit position every time (until the user-defined limit is readjusted). In addition, a friction grommet in the hinge may provide for a slow, controlled, smooth opening of the hinge. In at least one embodiment, a hinge is provided for use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Koss Corporation
    Inventor: Ronaldo J. Santiago
  • Patent number: 8098873
    Abstract: In headphones in which headphone units are worn on the head via a headband having a predetermined urging force, a substantially constant urging force is always obtained without being influenced by a difference in width and shape of the user's head. In headphones 100 including a headphone unit 200 in which an electroacoustic transducer is incorporated in a housing 210; and a head wearing means (for example, a headband 110) for supporting the headphone unit 200 via a hanger member, the headphone unit 200 being held at the ear position of the head in a state of being urged by the head wearing means, the hanger member is a support frame 120 arranged around the housing 210 of the headphone unit 200, and the headphone unit 200 is supported on the support frame 120 via a plurality of constant force spiral springs 130.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventors: Okitsugu Furuya, Yosuke Sato, Mitsuo Miyata
  • Patent number: 8059851
    Abstract: A hearing protection and/or loudspeaker element (1) is provided which includes a carrier part (2) arranged on a protective helmet (5) and a module (4) which can be actively connected to an outer ear of the wearer to act as a hearing protection and/or loudspeaker module. The carrier part (2) and protective helmet can be fixed to the head of the wearer. The module (4) which acts as the hearing protection and/or loudspeaker module can be adjusted in relation to the loudspeaker part (2) and shifted from a position of rest to a position of use. The module (4) itself is like a plug and is embodied as a part that covers the entrance of the human outer ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Anton Pfanner
  • Patent number: 8055007
    Abstract: An open-air type earphone having a duct that communicates between an inside and an outside of the earphone and applies an inductance component to an acoustic signal generated by an electroacoustic transducer. The earphone includes the electroacoustic transducer to convert an electric signal into an acoustic signal, a housing to accommodate the electroacoustic transducer, and a variable duct unit that inwardly extends from the housing to communicate between the earphone and the surrounding atmosphere, and to adjust an inductance component for the acoustic signal generated by the electroacoustic transducer. Since a length or sectional area of the duct can be varied at an end of the housing, a frequency characteristics, particularly, a loss bass characteristic of the earphone, can be easily adjusted according to a user's taste, a genre of music, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-bae Kim
  • Patent number: 8055006
    Abstract: A foldable headphone set in which the earphones of the headphone set may rotate between a folded (or closed) position and an unfolded (or open) position due to a torsion- or spring-loaded hinge associated with each earphone. The headphone set may be held in the folded position by way of a magnetic latch. Also the user may adjust the amount of rotation by the respective hinges so that the earphones rotate to the user-defined limit position. The user could set the user-defined limit position to a comfortable position for the user. That way, the earphones will unfold to the user-defined limit position every time (until the user-defined limit is readjusted). In addition, a friction grommet in the hinge may provide for a slow, controlled, smooth opening of the hinge. In at least one embodiment, a hinge is provided for use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventor: Ronaldo J. Santiago
  • Patent number: 8050444
    Abstract: A headphone, headset, or ear protector incorporating adjustable clamping pressure and providing configurable distribution of headband pressure. In one embodiment, the headphones, headsets, or ear protectors include a headband or neckband and at least one earcup coupled to the headband or neckband. The headphone, headset, or ear protector further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the headband or neckband and the at least one earcup that provides continuously variable adjustment of clamping pressure provided by the at least one earcup to the head of a user. In another embodiment, the headphone, headset, or ear protector include a headband or neckband, a first earcup coupled to the headband or neckband and a second earcup coupled to the headband or neckband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Dale Trenton Smith
  • Publication number: 20110222719
    Abstract: A wired headset (1) comprising an earphone (2) with an earphone housing (12) a speaker and a wearing device (33) for attaching the earphone housing (12) to the head of the user. The earphone (2) further comprising a wire (3) for connecting the earphone (2) to external equipment, the wire (3) extending from the earphone housing (12) in an essentially downwards direction at a wire position (13) at the lower end of the earphone housing (12) during use. The earphone housing (12) is essentially mirror symmetric about a first plane (32), which is orthogonal to the first side (9), and which extends through the wire position (13) and the centre (8) of the earphone housing (12). The wearing device (33) extends from the earphone housing (12) at an attachment position (14), which lies at the upper end of the earphone housing (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GN NETCOM A/S
    Inventors: Ola Hagberg, Ole Birch, Kim Ziersen Jakobsen
  • Patent number: 8019111
    Abstract: An improved headphone support assembly comprises a hook-shaped member for positioning over the ear of a user. The assembly comprises a clip or series of clips for releasably retaining a headphone wire, and disposes the wire at one terminal end of the hook-shaped member adjacent the auditory canal of a user. An ‘earbud’ type headphone wire is affixed to the member, with a predetermined amount of slack between the member and the headphone speaker to allow the speaker to move independently of the member. An adjustable arm attached to the lower portion of the hook-shaped member, and connected by a hinge, extends under the ear lobe of a user, and articulates to accommodate a variety of ear sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Arian Soheili
  • Patent number: 7978870
    Abstract: A headset apparatus having a headwear member (9) e.g. an ear shell, possessing a surface formation to which a separate attachment device (1) is reciprocally shaped to attach by a push-fit (e.g. by sliding, slotting or clipping) into engagement with the surface formation. In this way the attachment means may be fitted to the surface formation on the headwear member without requiring the use of through-holes passing through the body of the headwear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Racal Acoustics Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Derek Cozens, Timothy Robert Burnham