Single Band Patents (Class 381/378)
  • Patent number: 11910151
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to audio headsets and more particularly to a headset including improved comfort and functionality. The headset may be shaped to provide a comfortable and proper seal to, for example, exclude ambient noise. In addition, the headset may configured to include various interchangeable components and may further include several input ports. Advantageously, the headset may be modular and may facilitate coupling with one or more interfaces, such as an audio source and a microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FREEDMAN ELECTRONICS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Pieter Schillebeeckx, Stephanie Gertrude Winkler, Samuel Dean Trewartha, Sun Kyung Sunwoo
  • Patent number: 11877114
    Abstract: A speaker securement assembly for headwear comprising a body member, a first speaker arm and a second speaker arm. One end of each of the speaker arms are inserted within the body member. The position of the speaker arms can be adjustable with respect to the body member. The non-insertion ends of the first and second speaker arms can be provided with speaker connectors, which in one embodiment can be an opening, for snugly received an associated Speaker. Preferably, two Clasps can be provided at or near the outer ends of the body member for removably securing the body member to the headwear to be worn by the user. With the body member secured to the headwear and the headwear worn by the user, the Speakers received within connectors at the ends of the speaker arm can be positioned at or near to the wearer's ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Ben Edward Johnson
  • Patent number: 11812212
    Abstract: A headphone device includes (i) a first earpiece including an antenna at least partially disposed within the first earpiece, (ii) a second earpiece, (iii) a headbow adjustably connecting the first earpiece and the second earpiece, where one or both of the first and second earpieces are extendable from the headbow, the headbow including an inner cavity, and (iv) a cable assembly including a cable that is formed into a sinusoidal pattern having a series of peaks and valleys when the cable assembly is in a resting position, the cable at least partially formed from an elastomeric material, the cable assembly extending between the first and second earpieces within the inner cavity of the headbow in the resting position such that the cable assembly is extendable within the inner cavity of the headbow from the resting position when one or both of the first and second earpieces are extended from the headbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Rapitsch, Patrice Billaudet
  • Patent number: 11689857
    Abstract: A headband for a headset and a method for producing the headband for the headset is disclosed. The headband is configured to carry at least one earcup of the headset. The headband comprises a carrier and a rubber suspension formed by overmolding. The method comprising the steps of providing the carrier, arranging the carrier in an injection molding tool, and forming the suspension from a rubber material by overmolding such that the suspension forms at least two attachment points to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GN AUDIO A/S
    Inventors: Frank Lin, Seven Huang, Alice Lin, Jon Grane Madsen, Bill Zeng
  • Patent number: 11671743
    Abstract: A personal acoustic system and flexible mount for the same are disclosed. The flexible mount is comprised of an elastomeric material. The personal acoustic system further includes a band comprising a first mount and an earpiece comprising a second mount. An acoustic element is housed within the earpiece. The elastomeric mount is positioned intermediate the first mount and the second mount to flexibly connect the band to the earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Koss Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Blair
  • Patent number: 11665465
    Abstract: A method and system for a headset with major and minor adjustments, where the headset comprises a headband, a headband endcap at each end of the headband, a headband slide coupled to each headband endcap, and ear cups operatively coupled to the headband slides. A major adjustment of the headset may include actuating a headband slide in a vertical direction. The ear cups may be operatively coupled to the headband slides utilizing ball detents that may hold the position of the ear cups with respect to the headband slides. The ball detents may comprise a portion of a ball on the headband slide and holes in the ear cup or may comprise a portion of a ball in the ear cup and holes in the headband slide. Each headband slide may be coupled to a headband endcap via a headband pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Robert Cochran, Tim Wiley, Andy Logan
  • Patent number: 11523207
    Abstract: An example headphone device includes a first earpiece and a second earpiece, each earpiece including a respective antenna at least partially disposed within the earpiece. The headphone device includes a headbow adjustably connecting the first earpiece and the second earpiece, where the first earpiece and second earpiece are each extendable from the headbow, which includes an inner cavity. A cable assembly including a cable extends between the first earpiece and the second earpiece. The cable assembly is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material and is positioned within the inner cavity of the headbow in a resting position such that the cable assembly is extendable within the inner cavity of the headbow from the resting position when one or both of the first and second earpieces are extended from the headbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Rapitsch, Patrice Billaudet
  • Patent number: 11477565
    Abstract: A personal acoustic system and flexible mount for the same are disclosed. The flexible mount is comprised of an elastomeric material. The personal acoustic system further includes a band comprising a first mount and an earpiece comprising a second mount. An acoustic element is housed within the earpiece. The elastomeric mount is positioned intermediate the first mount and the second mount to flexibly connect the band to the earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KOSS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Blair
  • Patent number: 11350201
    Abstract: A headband structure for headphones, comprising: a headband set, and an adjustment module arranged at an end of the headband set, wherein the adjustment module includes: an earphone hanger which is consisted of a hanger frame, a fixing base arranged at an end of the hanger frame, a spring arranged on the fixing base and a convex face arranged on the spring, a first cap body arranged at a side of the earphone hanger, a wave form fastener arranged on the first cap body to contact with the convex face, a second cap body arranged at another side of the earphone hanger, and a sliding space formed between the first cap body and the second cap body for accommodating an end of the earphone hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CHENG UEI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Tseng, Chin-Chung Lin
  • Patent number: 11317187
    Abstract: Headphones include left and right earpieces mounted to rotatable arms and connected by a resilient U shaped band. The left and right earpieces can be positioned by folded the earpieces inwards toward the headband or extending the earpieces away from the headband. A sensor can detect the position of the left and right earpieces and transition the headphones between three operating modes, including a playback mode, a standby mode, and an off mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christina J. Smiechowski, Carlos M. Santana
  • Patent number: 11272287
    Abstract: Various implementations include headphone systems. In one implementation, a headband for a headphone system, includes: a continuous spring section sized to extend over a head of a user; an earcup mount coupled with an end of the continuous spring section, the continuous spring section and the earcup mount forming an arcuate joint, and the earcup mount configured to rotate relative to the continuous spring section at the arcuate joint; and a friction assembly spanning between the continuous spring section and the earcup mount, the friction assembly linearly arranged across the arcuate joint and configured to provide a substantially constant resistance to the rotation of the earcup mount relative to the continuous spring section, where the friction assembly includes a coupler having a primary axis extending across the arcuate joint, where the earcup mount rotates off-axis relative to the primary axis of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bennett P. Daley, Eric Douglas Curtiss, Allen Timothy Graff, Richard Arthur Grebe
  • Patent number: 11184695
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Bloom
  • Patent number: 11172281
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adjusting a head-mounted audio device. The technique includes determining that the head-mounted audio device has been placed on a head of a user. The technique further includes, in response to determining that the head-mounted audio device has been placed on the head of the user, causing the head-mounted audio device to transition from a first state to a second state. The first state corresponds to a first set of physical parameters associated with the head-mounted audio device, and the second state corresponds to a second set of physical parameters associated with the head-mounted audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Davide Di Censo, Stefan Marti, Jaime Elliot Nahman, Mirjana Spasojevic
  • Patent number: 11082768
    Abstract: An apparatus with acoustic enhancement and corresponding frequency response is disclosed. The apparatus includes a driver with a primary bass port having a primary bass port chamber and a secondary bass port having a secondary bass port chamber. The secondary bass port can be coupled to the primary bass port at one end and have substantially unimpeded air flow at another end. The apparatus may further include an acoustic chamber that is separated or isolated from either the primary bass port chamber, secondary bass port chamber, or both primary and secondary bass port chambers. A switch may also be included to dynamically control an air flow resistor at the latter end of the secondary bass port. The primary bass port chamber, secondary bass port chamber, acoustic chamber, and the air flow resistor can separately or collectively be used for tuning the frequency response according to the acoustic enhancement desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Kok Huan Ong, Jiaqi Wang, Wei-Peng Renny Lim
  • Patent number: 10966013
    Abstract: A rotary bracket that comprises a first bracket, a second bracket, a fixing piece, and a rotary connecting piece, wherein the fixing piece comprises a fixing body, the transfer end of the first bracket is rotatably connected with the rotary connecting piece, the plug end of the second bracket penetrates through the insertion interface and is fixed in the mounting cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN QIANHAI PATUOXUN NETWORK AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yanan He
  • Patent number: 10848870
    Abstract: Various implementations include headphone systems. In one implementation a headband for a headphone system includes: a continuous spring section sized to extend over a head of a user; an earcup mount coupled with an end of the continuous spring section, forming an arcuate joint, where the earcup mount is configured to rotate relative to the continuous spring section at the arcuate joint; and a friction assembly spanning between the continuous spring section and the earcup mount, and configured to provide a substantially constant resistance to the rotation of the earcup mount relative to the continuous spring section, the friction assembly including a coupler having: an upper collar in the continuous spring section, the upper collar comprising a radial protrusion; and a lower collar in the earcup mount, the lower collar comprising a rotation stop for interacting with the radial protrusion in the upper collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bennett P. Daley, Eric Douglas Curtiss, Allen Timothy Graff, Richard Arthur Grebe
  • Patent number: 10848847
    Abstract: This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that reduce the size of headphones and allow for small form-factor storage configurations are discussed. User convenience features that include synchronizing earpiece stem positions and automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel R. Bloom, Michael E. Leclerc, David H. Narajowski, Kristopher P. Laurent, Daniele de Iuliis, Markus Diebel, Sung-Ho Tan
  • Patent number: 10645482
    Abstract: An input device of an electronic apparatus including an input detection unit which is provided on the electronic apparatus at a position that is difficult to be seen by a user who uses the input device, and which detects an input operation of the user; a movement distance detection unit that detects a movement distance of an input position over the input detection unit; and an action control unit that controls a predetermined action of the electronic apparatus based on the movement distance detected by the movement distance detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Akaike, Takahiro Muraguchi
  • Patent number: 10616673
    Abstract: A headband cushion cover for installation on a headphone assembly is provided. The headband cushion cover includes an elongated foam member, an elongated rear flap, an inner edge of the rear flap foldably attached along a first edge of the elongated foam member; and an elongated front flap, an inner edge of the front flap foldably attached along a second edge of the elongated foam member, wherein each of the front and rear flaps snaps between two opposite arched positions when folded along the respective inner edges of the front and rear flaps, and wherein the headband cushion cover is designed to cover an arched portion of the headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darius Mobed, Joel H. Miller
  • Patent number: 10616677
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multifunction personal audio emulation device having a cushioned headband with noise cancelling ear cups. The cushioned headband is approximately half an inch thick and with cups being one inch thick. Fitted into the headband further is an independent rechargeable battery source a USB connection for data and electric power input and at least one other universal serial bus output. The personal audio device may connect to an external audio output device using a wired or a wireless connection. The personal audio device is further capable of data storage, including storage for replay of content via the sound drivers of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventors: Meir Bozaglo, Habib Halabi
  • Patent number: 10455314
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for headbands and headband cushions are disclosed. In one example, an air bladder headband cushion includes a base layer arranged to be attached to a headband, and an inflatable and deflatable air bladder cushion disposed along a length of a surface of the base layer. The inflatable and deflatable air bladder cushion includes a plurality of individualized cushions configured so that when the inflatable and deflatable air bladder cushion is in an inflated state at least one individualized cushion has a first maximum height with respect to the inner surface of the headband different from a second maximum height of a second individualized cushion, and at least one individualized cushion has a contoured surface having a varying height with respect to the inner surface of the headband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W Yang, Gregor Daniel Magnusson
  • Patent number: 10334352
    Abstract: An earcup to headband joint for headphones, wherein the headphones comprise an electrical cable that extends from the headband into the earcup. The earcup to headband joint includes joint structure that couples the earcup to the headband and that is constructed and arranged to provide for earcup translation along a vertical axis and rotation about the vertical axis, and at least one friction element in the earcup and in contact with at least one of the joint structure and the cable. The friction element is constructed and arranged to provide forces that resist rotational motion of the earcup about the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Bennett Daley, Benjamin Eisenberg Zelnick
  • Patent number: 10206053
    Abstract: Headphones are provided with a pair of speakers adapted to be suspended a distance away from the listener's ears and movable between a plurality of test positions. At least one microphone is adapted to be positioned near one of the listener's ears. A controller is in communication with the pair of speakers. The controller is programmed to activate the pair of speakers to produce a test sound at a plurality of test positions. The controller receives playback signals from the microphone based on each of the test sounds at the plurality of test positions. A head related transfer function (HRTF) is determined based on the playback signals received by the microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Todd S. Welti
  • Patent number: 10182287
    Abstract: An earphone includes an electro-acoustic transducer and an earphone assembly. The electro-acoustic transducer is configured to generate an acoustic signal in response to an electrical signal. The earphone assembly has an inner surface and an earphone acoustic opening. The electro-acoustic transducer is disposed inside the earphone assembly and defines a front cavity between the electro-acoustic transducer and the earphone acoustic opening along a first portion of the inner surface and a back cavity between the electro-acoustic transducer and a second portion of the inner surface. The earphone assembly further includes an acoustic impedance branch having an impedance aperture in acoustic communication with the front cavity. The acoustic impedance branch includes an acoustic resistive element and a branch volume that reduce a resonance at a first resonance frequency for an occluded ear canal defined by the front cavity of the earphone assembly and an ear canal of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan C. Struzik, Andrew D. Dominijanni
  • Patent number: 10129632
    Abstract: A headphone that includes a headband and one or two earcups. The earcups are movably coupled to the headband by a joint that is constructed and arranged to allow translation of the earcup relative to the headband along a translational axis, and rotation of the earcup from a neutral position in both directions about the translational axis, where in a first direction the rotation extends for at least about 90 degrees from the neutral position. The joint is further constructed and arranged to accommodate an electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: George Chute, Eric Wallace, Michael Ting, Harry Kuh, Kenny Ku, Eric Huang
  • Patent number: 10129630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a floating-cup pivot for a head-worn audio device. The head-worn audio device includes an earcup defining an inner cavity. A wall of the earcup includes an aperture. Also, the head-worn audio device includes a pivot within the inner cavity of the earcup. The pivot defines a rotational axis. Further, the head-worn audio device includes an arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm is rotatably attached to the pivot. Still yet, the head-worn audio device includes a stem disposed toward the second end of the arm. The stem is configured to rotate along a path passing through the aperture of the earcup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John A Kelley, Nicholas W Paterson, Stann N Sheperd
  • Patent number: 10104465
    Abstract: A hanger has a support column having a protrusion. The protrusion has a first and a second protrusion formed to be protruding in opposite directions with each other on a second axial line that intersects orthogonally with a first axial line, and a third protrusion formed to be protruding on a third axial line that intersects orthogonally with the first axial line and the second axial line. A link portion has an accommodation portion for engaging and accommodating the protrusion. The hanger is linked with the link portion, such that a revolution within a first prescribed angle range around the first axial line is permitted, and a folding revolution that is a revolution within a second prescribed angle range around the second axial line is permitted when the support column is located at either one of both ends of the first prescribed angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hikaru Nagata, Yuji Yanagishita, Shohei Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 10085085
    Abstract: A headphone that includes a headband and one or two earcups. The earcups are movably coupled to the headband by a joint that is constructed and arranged to allow translation of the earcup relative to the headband along a translational axis, and rotation of the earcup from a neutral position in both directions about the translational axis, where in a first direction the rotation extends for at least about 90 degrees from the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: George Chute, Eric Wallace, Michael Ting
  • Patent number: 10085080
    Abstract: Earphone assemblies with multiple subassembly housings are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John Bruss, Robert A. Boyd, Carlos M. Santana, Vijay Koneru
  • Patent number: 9854346
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a protective, sound absorbing, and/or decorative device and/or a plurality thereof can be attached and/or coupled to one or more earpiece portions of a headphone and/or earphone device. For example, in certain embodiments, one or more caps can be configured to be attached and/or coupled to one or more earpieces of headphones and/or earphones to provide additional protection for the earpiece portion from damage, such as scratches, to provide an additional layer of sound absorbing, and/or to provide means for displaying one or more graphics as determined by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Nectar Sound Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Erik Devon Adams
  • Patent number: 9838776
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint preventing rotation of the ball about the axis of radial symmetry of the socket and restricting rotation of the ball about both axes orthogonal to the axis of radial symmetry to a predetermined angular value. The ball is irregular in shape and has grooves that receive ridges in the socket to accomplish the axial rotational restriction. The interaction of socket shape with ball shape accomplishes the rotational restrictions about the orthogonal axes. An exemplary use is for joining headset ear cups to headset side pieces to provide flexibility to accommodate a wide range of head shapes and sizes. The ball is preferably made of one piece with the headset side pieces and the socket is preferably made of one piece with the shell of the ear cup. Embodiments for head-mounted headsets and helmet-mounted headsets are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventors: Simon Broadley, Brian VanderPloeg, Calvin Toothaker
  • Patent number: 9756415
    Abstract: A mono-body set of headphones made from a foam material and having a fixed length of headband between ear pads is provided. The mono-body headphones are, preferably, flexible and durable, permitting the headphones to be straightened, twisted or bent without breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Hsu-Sheng Yu
  • Patent number: 9344794
    Abstract: A music playing and listening apparatus comprising a headband having opposing ends, and having at least one hinge; at least two connectors, each of the connectors having at least two arms, a first arm being shorter than a second arm, the first and second arm forms an axis; and at least two speakers, each of the speakers having opposing sides and comprising an audio output element on a first side and a compartment on a second side, the first and second arms of each of the connectors being pivotally attached to a portion of each of the speakers to thereby allow rotation of the speakers about the axis, each of the audio output elements of each of the speakers generally face one another during a first music listening mode, each of the speakers being rotatable about the first and second arms of each of the connectors to thereby allow each of the audio output elements of each of the speakers to turn away from one another during a second music playing mode; the rotation of the speakers allowing for changes in modes;
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: IdeaVillage Products Corp.
    Inventor: Greg E. Blonder
  • Patent number: 9301039
    Abstract: A headphone includes a pair of right and left headphone units, a resilient band formed substantially into a U shape to be mounted on a human head, and a pair of arm members. Each of the arm members is rotatably coupled via a pivot joint to an end part of the band and supporting one the headphone units. Each of the pivot joints includes a detent hinge for locking into a plurality of rotational positions an arm member relatively to the corresponding end part of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Brunner, Kenny Sweet, Gregoire Vandenbussche, Chris Fruhauf
  • Patent number: 9301052
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for allowing a user to change the stiffness of their headband, thus changing the clamping force of the headset. The section properties of the headband equivalent spring, which is a cantilevered beam, are changed by engaging a secondary spring, which is also a shorter cantilevered beam. The change is achieved by manipulating the effective length of the secondary spring, which can be accomplished with a set of clamps. Thus, the stiffness of the headband can be modified to the desire of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles William Amurgis, James David Wahl
  • Patent number: 9271065
    Abstract: An audio headset includes a support structure, one or more audio feed wires, one or more ear buds or other single ear speakers coupled thereto, and one or more ear guides adapted to be worn about the ear(s) of an individual user. The ear guide(s) include groove(s) running therethrough that contain the audio feed wire(s) for the speaker(s), such that each respective speaker dangles from its ear guide thereby. Groove(s) can also contain part of the support structure, and the ear guide(s) may extend beyond the ear regions to the point of meeting each other. Each speaker can be removed from and replaced to the ear of the user independently while the headset is being worn without requiring movement or adjustment of the support structure or ear guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Point Source Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lamb, Yvonne Ho
  • Patent number: 9258636
    Abstract: In a conventional headphone set, there is a possibility that a headband cannot be put in a suitable position when an ear pad is snugly mounted on an ear. A headphone set of this disclosure includes speaker units which output a sound. The headphone set also includes: speaker housings which are brought into contact with a user; connecting portions which are connected to the speaker housings in a state where the speaker housings are movable in a forward and rearward direction of the user; and a headband which has connecting portions on end portions thereof and is mounted on a head of the user in directions toward a crown of the head of the user. Due to such a constitution, the headphone set can be used in a more stable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakano, Mikiyasu Ishikura, Yusaku Shimaoka, Hitoshi Nakagawa, Tetsuya Kaneshiro
  • Patent number: 9143854
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a headgear including an audio player. The headgear includes a slap-on-band configured to coil around a head of a user, having an elongated state and a coiled state, and the slap-on-band being covered by a fabric cover. The headgear further includes an audio player disposed on the slap-on-band, and a pair of earphones electrically connected to the audio player to generate sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: Emmanuel Adedolapo Alao
  • Patent number: 9094757
    Abstract: A headset apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprises: a headband; two speakers and a cord; the apparatus comprises grooves and/or channels for allowing the cord to be wrapped around the apparatus during a stowage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory Blonder, Dan DeLaRosa
  • Patent number: 9042587
    Abstract: A headphone including two earphone cups, a main strap and a decorating strap is provided. Two ends of the main strap are connected to the earphone cups. Two ends of the decorating strap are detachably connected to the earphone cups or the main strap and rotatable corresponding to the earphone cups or the main strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cotron Corporation
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Publication number: 20150139472
    Abstract: A mono-body set of headphones having a fixed length of headband between ear pads is provided. Although the distance between the ear pads is fixed, the fit of the headphones can be adjusted to the head of the user by coupling or decoupling a removable/insertable headphone pad. More particularly, a pad is provided that can be mated with, or removed from, the headband of the headphones, thus raising or lowering the lower surface of the headband relative to the crown of the user's head, in order to change the position of the ear pads relative to the user's ears. The mono-body headphones are, preferably, flexible and durable, permitting the headphones to be straightened, twisted or bent without breaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: PETER SOLOMON, CHRISTOPHER PIEDRA, JUAN GALINDO, EDWARD MARTIN
  • Patent number: 9008346
    Abstract: A headphone with articulating earpieces includes a headband, a hinged fork, and earpieces connected to the fork in a manner allowing the earpieces to articulate relative to the fork as a hinge on the fork articulates. The earpieces are arranged on the fork in a manner allowing them to face each other while articulating from a folded position adjacent the headband, to an unfolded position for listening. When unfolded for listening, the earpieces are adapted to fully extend into a biased open position with an audible click. Similarly, when articulating the earphones to a closed position, they are biased against the headband with an audible click.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Timothy Val Kolton
  • Publication number: 20150086059
    Abstract: A headset system for interchangeable wearing styles is disclosed. A retention element is detachably coupled to an earpiece, allowing the headset to interchange between a headband, ear loop and neckband wearing style. The retention element comprises a security element that prevents rotation of the earpiece when coupled, providing a stable and ergonomic wearing experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Gougherty, John Kelley, Erik Tews
  • Publication number: 20150063623
    Abstract: A simple structure that is easy to store is to be formed, and portability of the structure is to be increased. The structure includes: a headband to be mounted on a head; and a pair of speaker units detachably attached to the headband, wherein a suction portion is formed in the headband, a to-be-sucked portion to be sucked into the suction portion by a magnetic force from a magnet is formed in the speaker units, and one of the suction portion and the to-be-sucked portion is longer in shape than the other one. With this configuration, the structure is simplified and is made easier to store, and accordingly, portability of the structure can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8971562
    Abstract: A headphone can have at least one wireless audio reproducing element attached to a headband. The headband may have parietal and temporal features with the temporal feature contacting a user's temporal bone and the parietal feature having a curvilinear extension from the temporal feature that contacts a predetermined portion of a user's parietal bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: WR Nine Ventures LLC
    Inventors: Mark Clayton, John Grayson Estes, Phillip Dale Lott
  • Patent number: 8965029
    Abstract: A headphone includes a housing having a storage space in the interior thereof and a driver unit provided within the storage space movably with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenzi Mizuno, Tomohiro Ito, Yuusuke Oosato
  • Publication number: 20150030193
    Abstract: A circumaural earphone and a decorating strap thereof are provided. The circumaural earphone includes two earphone cups, a main strap, a decorating strap, a photosensitive switch, a power supplier and a light emitter. Two ends of the main strap are connected with the two earphone cups. Two ends of the decorating strap are detachably connected with the two earphone cups or the main strap. The photosensitive switch is disposed in one of the two earphone cups, the main strap or the decorating strap. The power supplier is disposed in one of the two earphone cups, the main strap or the decorating strap. The light emitter is disposed in the decorating strap and electrically connected with the power supplier through the photosensitive switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Cotron Corporation
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Patent number: 8929581
    Abstract: A headphone apparatus is provided that may include a headphone and a writing surface. The headphone may include a headband, supports, and earpieces. The writing surface may be attached to a portion of the headphone. The writing surface may comprise a surface adapted to be written and erased on repeatedly, such as a dry-erase panel. The headphone apparatus may also include an eraser, which may be adapted to substantially and repeatedly erase what is written on the writing surface. The eraser may be slidably attached to at least a portion of the writing surface. Alternatively, the eraser may be attached to a portion of the headphone and/or the writing surface removably and/or via a flexible material. The headphone apparatus may further include a writing apparatus, which may be attached to a portion of the headphone apparatus and/or the writing surface removably and/or via a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Zeikos Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Kost
  • Patent number: 8913772
    Abstract: The ear speaker device includes a mount section that is provided with ear-hook sections, and rotation sections that rotate speaker movable sections with respect to the mount section. Tubular ducts are positioned more inside than the ear-hook sections in a natural state. When the ear speaker device is mounted, the speaker movable sections are rotated to the most outside positions. Then, the ear-hook sections are brought into contact with auricle base upper sections, respectively, and the speaker movable sections are rotated inwardly. In this manner, the tubular ducts can be positioned in the vicinity of the external acoustic meatus openings, respectively, of the listener without interfering with auricles and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yukimasa Yamaguchi, Makoto Yamagishi, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140348371
    Abstract: A headphone includes a pair of acoustic reproduction units, a supporting member connecting the pair of acoustic reproduction units, and a soft member configured to be rotatable relative to the supporting member and arranged on the side opposite to the head of a person wearing the headphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Ishizaki