LANYARD ASSEMBLY FOR AUDIO DEVICE

Abstract

A lanyard assembly for a portable audio device including at least one lanyard adapted to be worn around the neck of a user and a connector member carried by the at least one lanyard. The lanyard assembly further includes a mounting member coupled to the connector member and an adjustable carrier for carrying the portable audio device. The adjustable carrier includes a main strap for wrapping around the portable audio device and a secondary strap coupled to the main strap and for supporting the portable audio device. A releasable fastening arrangement releasable couples a free end of the secondary strap and the main strap.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to audio devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to headsets and similar devices for use with portable audio devices such as portable music players and cellular phones. The present disclosure also more particularly relates to lanyards and similar items.

DISCUSSION

In recent times, there has been a proliferation of use of portable audio devices such as portable music players and cellular phones. Such devices are used in many situations and for many personal and business purposes. Known portable audio devices include but are not limited to cellular phones, portable music players, electronic games, laptop computers, dictation recorders (such as DICTAPHONES®), and other devices.

Portable audio devices can employ headsets, headphones, and similar devices. For instance, cellular phones can be used with headsets, a variety of which are known in the art. Headsets can each include a speaker to be worn in or near one or both of the ears of a user and a microphone to pick up the voice of the user. Headsets are typically connected to cellular phones via cords. Headsets can be desirable to free the hands of users, to keep antennas of cellular phones away from heads of users, and to improve communication. In another example, portable music players can be used with headphones, a variety of which are known in the art. Headphones can provide speakers in or near the ears of a user and can provide for stereo listening. Headphones typically have a cord from the speakers to a plug.

Conventional cords for headsets, headphones, and similar devices may be associated with disadvantages. Such cords can become entangled during use, can be inconvenient to store when not in use, and may become easily misplaced. These problems can be compounded by the concurrent use of items such as lanyards. For example, lanyards and cords can become entangled with each other. As lanyards and similar items are also used in many situations and for many purposes, it would be desirable to minimize these disadvantages.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the pertinent art to provide an assembly incorporating a headset or a similar device with a lanyard or a similar item which overcomes the disadvantages and limitations associated with the known prior art, including but not limited to those disadvantages and limitations discussed above.

SUMMARY

According to one particular aspect, the present disclosure provides a lanyard assembly for a portable audio device including at least one lanyard adapted to be worn around the neck of a user and a connector member carried by the at least one lanyard. The lanyard assembly further includes a mounting member coupled to the connector member and an adjustable carrier for carrying the portable audio device. The adjustable carrier includes a main strap for wrapping around the portable audio device and a secondary strap coupled to the main strap and for supporting the portable audio device.

According to another particular aspect, the present disclosure provides a carrier for a portable audio device. The carrier includes a main strap and a secondary strap. The main strap wraps around the portable audio device and is elongated along an axis. The secondary strap has one end secured to the main strap and extends from the main strap in the direction generally perpendicular to the axis. A releasable fastening arrangement releasable couples a free end of the secondary strap and the main strap.

According to yet another particular aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of securing a portable audio device. The method includes providing a carrier having a main strap for wrapping around the portable audio device. The main strap is elongated along an axis. A secondary strap has one end secured to the main strap and extends from the main strap in the direction generally perpendicular to the axis. A mounting member is secured to the main strap. The method additionally includes positioning the portable audio device proximate a rear surface of the main strap and wrapping the secondary strap about a bottom of the portable audio device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis. The method further includes wrapping the main strap about the portable electronic device and releasable securing a free end of the main strap to the mounting member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWNIGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lanyard assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the lanyard assembly shown operatively associated with an audio device.

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a lanyard assembly constructed in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the detail of Circle A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the detail of Circle B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the lanyard assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the lanyard assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of the lanyard assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a rear front view of a carrier of the lanyard assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the carrier of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the carrier of FIGS. 7 and 8 shown operatively attached to a clip member of the lanyard assembly.

DISCUSSIONS OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The following description will be understood to be merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses.

Certain features of the present disclosure may be similar to features of the lanyard assembly of commonly owned U.S. Ser. No. 11/288,460. U.S. Ser. No. 11/288,460 is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

With general reference to the drawings, a lanyard assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is illustrated and generally identified at reference 10. The lanyard assembly 10 is shown operatively associated with a portable audio device 11. The portable audio device may be a portable audio device including but not limited to cellular phones, portable music players, electronic games, laptop computers, dictation recorders (such as DICTAPHONES®), and other devices.

The lanyard assembly 10 is illustrated to generally include a first or primary lanyard 12 and a second or secondary lanyard 14 which may be formed into loops to be worn around the neck of a user. The first lanyard 12 may include first and second ends coupled to a connector member 15. Coupling to the connector member 15 may be in any manner known in the art.

The first lanyard 12 may be continuous. Alternatively, and as shown particularly in FIG. 2, the first lanyard 12 may include one or more coupled lengths. The one or more coupled lengths may allow the first lanyard 12 to be easily “broken away” when used. For example, while the first lanyard 12 is not included for audio transmission, the segments may be coupled at a male/female electrical type connection.

The second lanyard 14 may cooperate with the first lanyard 12 to provide a readily accessible earpiece 18 for the audio device 11. The second lanyard 14 may include a first end 30 and a second end 32. The first end 30 may include a plug. The second end 32 may include the earpiece 18. The second lanyard 14 may provide audio transmission between the first end 30 and the second end 32.

The lanyard assembly may additionally include a mounting member 40. The mounting member 40 may removably or otherwise be secured to the connector member 15. As shown particularly in FIG. 1A, the mounting member 40 may include a male portion 42 received within a female portion of the connector member 15. Alternatively, the mounting member 40 may include the female portion and the connector member 15 may include the male portion. The male portion 42 may include a pair of deflectable arms 44.

The mounting member 40 may further include a clip portion 46. The clip portion 46 may include a base 48 and a clasp 50. The clasp 50 may be coupled to the base 48 through a living hinge 52. The base 50 may include a plurality of teeth 54 or similar type projections. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the mounting member 40 may carry a clip 56 at a lower end for engaging an identification card or the like. Alternatively and as shown in FIG. 1A, for example, the mounting member 40 may carry a loop 58 or other structure for carrying an identification card or the like.

The lanyard assembly 10 may additionally include a carrier 62 for receiving the audio device 11. The carrier 62, which is shown most particularly in FIGS. 7 and 8, may be an adjustable carrier 62 that may accommodate audio devices of various sizes. In other applications, the lanyard assembly 10 may be provided with carriers specific to particular devices.

The carrier 62 may include one or more fabric pieces for snuggly wrapping about the audio device 11. As illustrated, the carrier 62 may include a main strap 64 and a secondary strap 66. The main and secondary straps 64 and 66 may be cut from a common piece of fabric or the secondary strap 66 may be sewn or otherwise secured to the main strap 64.

An inner side 67 of the main strap 64 may be provided with one of a hook material and a loop material (e.g., material sold under the trademark Velcro®). On outer side 70 of the secondary strap 66 may be provided with the other 71 of the hook material and loop material. For example, the main strap 64 may be provided with the hook material and the secondary strap 66 may be provided with the cooperating loop material. The material 68 of the main strap 66 may run substantially along the length of the main strap 66. The main strap 66 may also include a strip 72 of a high friction material. The strip 72 may be constructed of rubber or the like.

The mounting member 40 may be provided to the end user permanently attached to the carrier 62. For example, the carrier 62 may be glued or otherwise permanently secured to a rear side of the mounting member 40. As shown particularly in FIG. 9, the mounting member 40 may be secured to the main strap 64 proximate the secondary strap 66.

The end user may adjust the carrier 62 to accommodate a particular audio device 11. In this regard, the audio device is placed adjacent the inner side 67 of the main strap 64 immediately opposite the permanently attached mounting member 40. The secondary strap 66 is drawn up around a front side of the audio device 11. The main strap 66 may be wrapped about the audio device 11 such that the cooperating portions of hook and loop material 68 and 71 are releasably coupled. The free end 76 of the main strap 64 may be releasably captured between the hinge 50 and base 48 of the mounting member 40. Excess length of the main strap 64 may be trimmed as appropriate. In a final step, the cooperating male and female components of the mounting member 40 and the connector member 15 may be coupled.

While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present teachings as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art would appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the present teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it may be intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode of presently contemplated for carrying out the present teachings but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments following within the foregoing description and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lanyard assembly for a portable audio device, the lanyard assembly comprising:

at least one lanyard adapted to be worn around the neck of a user;

a connector member carried by the at least one lanyard;

a mounting member coupled to the connector member; and

an adjustable carrier for carrying the portable audio device, the adjustable carrier including a main strap for wrapping around the portable audio device and a secondary strap coupled to the main strap and for supporting the portable audio device.

2. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is releasably coupled to the connector member.

3. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member includes a clip portion for releasable engaging the adjustable carrier.

4. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 1, wherein the main strap of the adjustable carrier is permanently attached to the mounting member.

5. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 1, wherein the main strap is elongated along an axis and the secondary strap extends from the main strap in a direction generally parallel to the main strap.

6. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 5, wherein the secondary strap includes at least one end releasable coupled to the main strap.

7. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 5, wherein the secondary strap includes a first end permanently carried by the main strap and a second end releasably coupled to the main strap.

8. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 5, wherein the main strap includes one of cooperating hook material and loop material and a free end of the secondary strap includes the other of the cooperating hook material and loop material.

9. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 5, wherein the one of the cooperating hook material and loop material of the main strap extends substantially along the length of the main strap in the direction of the axis.

10. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 5, wherein the secondary strap is disposed proximate a free end of the main strap.

11. The lanyard assembly for a portable audio device of claim 5, further comprising a high friction member carried by the main strap and extending substantially along the length of the main strap in the direction of the axis.

12. A carrier for a portable audio device, the carrier comprising:

a main strap for wrapping around the portable audio device, the main strap elongated along an axis;

a secondary strap having one end secured to the main strap, the secondary strap extending from the main strap in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis; and

a releasable fastening arrangement for releasable coupling a free end of the secondary strap and the main strap.

13. The carrier for a portable audio device of claim 1, wherein the secondary strap extends from the main strap proximate an end of the main strap.

14. The carrier for a portable audio device of claim 13, wherein the releasable fastening arrangement includes one of cooperating hook material and loop material and a free end of the secondary strap includes the other of the cooperating hook material and loop material.

15. The carrier for a portable audio device of claim 14, wherein the one of the cooperating hook material and loop material of the main strap extends substantially along the length of the main strap in the direction of the axis.

16. The carrier for a portable audio device of claim 13, further comprising a high friction member carried by the main strap and extending substantially along the length of the main strap in the direction of the axis.

17. The carrier for a portable audio device of claim 13, in combination with a mounting member, the mounting member permanently fastened to the main strap proximate a first end.

18. The carrier for a portable audio device of claim 17, wherein the mounting member includes a clip portion for securing a second end of the main strap.

19. A method of securing a portable audio device, the method comprising:

providing a carrier having a main strap for wrapping around the portable audio device, the main strap elongated along an axis;

a secondary strap having one end secured to the main strap, the secondary strap extending from the main strap in the direction generally perpendicular to the axis; and

a mounting member secured to the main strap;

positioning the portable audio device proximate a rear surface of the main strap;

wrapping the secondary strap about a bottom of the portable audio device in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis;

wrapping the main strap about the portable electronic device; and

releasable securing a free end of the main strap to the mounting member.

20. The method of securing a portable audio device of claim 19, the method comprising:

wherein the main strap includes one of cooperating hook material and loop material and a free end of the secondary strap includes the other of the cooperating hook material and loop material and further comprising the step of releasably securing a free end of the secondary strap to the main strap by engaging the cooperating hook material and loop material.