Adjustable Patents (Class 381/379)
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110164776
    Abstract: Ear bud headphones configured for use with a portable media player include a main body portion with an extended curvature configuration. In one example implementation, the ear bud headphones include a speaker housing and an extension that form a gap between the speaker housing and the extension. A user can secure a portion of the user's outer ear in the gap (i.e., between the extension and speaker housing) such that the ear bud is securely and comfortably held in place within a user's ear. Additionally, the ear bud headphones can be interchangeable such that a user can customize the size, fit, and style of the ear bud headphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Skullcandy, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Kelly, Richard P. Alden
  • Publication number: 20110158456
    Abstract: A head-mounted support device for carrying at least one un-inflated inflatable or expandable inner portion of an in-ear device thereon includes a main body adjustably mountable on a user's head, with at least one settable compound delivery device mounted thereon, and a at least one receptacle to receive an inflatable in-ear device inner portion. The invention also refers to a head-mounted settable compound delivery system kit, along with the earphone wire assembly that receives the customized in-ear device inner portions thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Jérémie Voix, Michael C. Turcot, Katrin Braun, Steve Boa, Lawrence Yane
  • Publication number: 20110129111
    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: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Ronaldo J. Santiago
  • Patent number: 7940947
    Abstract: According to the invention a headphone set comprises a hoop band, to each of the two ends of which is fixed a respective acoustic transducer and which extends arcuately in a plane, with at least one joint for folding the ends of the hoop band inwardly in the plane and an elastic region for resiliently expanding and narrowing the hoop band is either characterized in that the fixing of each of the transducers to the ends of the hoop band has a joint for pivoting the transducers into the plane and that arranged in the region of the two ends of the hoop band is a respective connecting structure which can be connected to each other and which then in co-operating relationship hold the folded-in ends of the hoop band in a crossed position or that the one joint for folding the ends of the hoop band inwardly is arranged at the apex of the hoop band, that the headphone set is of mirror image symmetry about a plane and that the fixing of each of the transducers to the ends of the hoop band has a joint for pivoting the t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaulfuss, Axel Grell
  • Patent number: 7936895
    Abstract: The present invention provides an earphone storage structure comprising a necklace, two fasteners formed in the two ends of the necklace respectively and a stopper formed in the necklace. The size of the fasteners is less than the size of the stopper and the size of the earphones. Therefore, the earphone may couple with the necklace with the fasteners fastening the earphones. Moreover, the stopper and the fasteners may together determine the extendable distance of the earphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Wang, Yi-Shen Wang
  • Patent number: 7925037
    Abstract: A communications headset may be worn on an ear of a user. The headset may include a housing provided with a protruding concha-engaging part and a hook. The hook has an ear-engaging part and a joint part. The joint part is connected to the housing in that it is retained by a lug which is provided on an upper surface of a bottom wall of the housing. The joint part has an end portion which is configured as a rotation axis around which the hook is rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Johan Te Riet
  • Patent number: 7889881
    Abstract: An earpiece adapted to transmit acoustic sound into an year, the earpiece having a flexible ear canal engagement member that is adapted to be repositioned longitudinally inwardly by way of some form of an extension member. When the extension member is released, the member contracts to a first position, thereby increasing a portion of its cross-sectional diameter at some portion thereof to engage the ear canal of a user's ear to securely fit the device to the user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Chris Ostrowski
  • Publication number: 20100296683
    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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Gordon Slippy, Doug Keeports
  • Patent number: 7822220
    Abstract: An earphone assembly (100) includes an insulative body (1), an audio plug (5) and an earphone (3). The insulative body (1) includes a main body (11), two side walls (12) located at two sides of the main body (11) and a connecting portion (13) connecting with the main body (11) and the two side walls (12). The main body (11), the side walls (12) and the connecting portion (13) together define a receiving space (10). The audio plug (5) is retained in the bottom of the connecting portion (13). The earphone (3) includes two headphones (31) and two rings (33) respectively connecting with the headphones (31) and the audio plug (5). The side walls (12) respectively form a pair of bulges (14) extending transversely and outwardly. The rings (33) include two resilient sections (331) respectively received in the bulges (14) and capable of elastically moving along the extending direction of the bulges (14) for changing the position of the headphones (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Kuo
  • Publication number: 20100240310
    Abstract: The invention provides an earpiece. The earpiece includes a main body and a speaker disposed in the main body. The main body includes a sound output member and a bending member connected to the sound output member, wherein the sound output member and the bending member are integrally formed as a single piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Hung-Yi HUANG
  • Publication number: 20100220885
    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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar Singh
  • Patent number: 7773767
    Abstract: A headset is adapted to be positioned on a head and includes a headband assembly for spanning across the head of a user, an earcup assembly coupled proximate one end of the headband assembly, and a power source assembly coupled proximate the other end of the headband assembly. A flexible stabilizing strap has a first end coupled to the headset proximate the earcup assembly and a second end coupled to the headset terminal proximate the power source assembly. The stabilizing strap is adapted to engage the head of a user to further stabilize the headset on the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: James Wahl, Martin M. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20100124349
    Abstract: An ear loop, and an assembly of an ear loop and ear bud, wherein the ear loop retains the shaft of the ear bud such that the position and angle of the ear bud relative to the ear loop can be adjusted axially and rotationally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Bass
  • Publication number: 20100111347
    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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Arian Soheili
  • Patent number: 7697709
    Abstract: A sound direction/stereo effect 3D adjustable earphone in one aspect contains an adjustable headband clip to hold the left and right earphone parts. An adjustable holder is at the left and right ends of the earphone and at the topside of an ear cup. The ear cup contains a 3D adjustable ear speaker at the center of the earphone for delivery of sounds from the earphone to a user. A 3D direction adjustable unit works with the ear speaker. The adjustable unit contains a connector such as a little ball at one end to fit in a corresponding connector such as a hole at the holder and another connector such as a little ball to fit into another corresponding connector such as a hole at the speaker. In this way, the ear speaker can be freely pushed out/pulled in and pulled/pushed/rotated adjustably in X-Y-Z or three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Cyber Group USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Mei, Jin-Xia Bao, Si Ping Bao
  • Publication number: 20100008530
    Abstract: A personal audio set formed that includes an ear-clip mounting portion pivotally secured to a frame is disclosed. In one embodiment, the frame of the personal audio set includes a sliding portion to define a first axis of rotation, and the ear hook is pivotally secured to the sliding portion to define a second axis of rotation so that the headset may be properly worn on either the wearer's left or right ear by moving the sliding portion and ear hook about their respective axes. The ear hook is preferably substantially c-shaped and dual molded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Kevin Hlas, Alex Danielson, Bernhard Wildner, Omer Kotzer, Jamian Cobbett
  • Publication number: 20090323978
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Leske, Olav Nisse
  • Publication number: 20090226024
    Abstract: An improved audio headphone device that securely places and suspends an audio output device or transducer at or about a person's ear for a personal listening experience, and that provides a comfortable fit regardless of a person's ear type, and that delivers rich sound across the full spectrum of low and high frequencies
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas M. DEAN
  • Publication number: 20090220118
    Abstract: A behind-the-head mounted personal audio set that has a first earphone portion pivotally secured to a behind-the-head headband at a first pivot which is positioned below the longitudinal centerline of the headband. In disclosed embodiments the earphone is also slidably secured to the headband thereby allowing additional adjustment to optimize wearer comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Meier, Donald G. Varga, Dominic Amae
  • Patent number: 7580539
    Abstract: A headphone is made handy for carrying or storing. The headphone includes a pair of right and left headphone units, and an elastic band formed substantially into a U shape, which is mounted ranging from the human head to both sides of the head, and supports the headphone units in end portions thereof. A multiaxial arm joint is provided between an end part of the elastic band and the headphone unit, and includes a first arm, one end of which is connected turnably to the end part of the elastic band, and a second arm, one end of which is connected turnably to the other end of the first arm and the other end of which is connected turnably to the headphone unit. By turning the connecting portions of the multiaxial arm joint, the headphone units are housed within an internal space encircled by the elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tachikawa
  • Publication number: 20090190785
    Abstract: One or more embodiments may provide for a size adjustable earphone that may include a foldable sleeve attached to an earphone housing. A first end of the foldable sleeve may embrace the earphone housing, where an opposite second end of the foldable sleeve may be adapted to be folded. The foldable sleeve may be adapted to be kept in a first unfolded position, providing the earphone housing including the foldable sleeve with a first diametrical size, and in a second folded position, providing the earphone housing including the foldable sleeve with a second diametrical size. The second diametrical size may be larger than the first diametrical size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventor: Karin Sandberg
  • Publication number: 20090185705
    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 code 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ito, Mitsuyoshi Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20090147971
    Abstract: A phone, particularly an ear phone, is provided that features two transducer housings (41, 42) and a flexible head strap (43). The head strap (43) is pre-shaped in such a way that it is coiled up and has at least one turn in its relaxed and unworn state. In this way, the phone can be stowed in a space-saving fashion when it is not worn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: SENNHEISER ELECTRONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Kuhr, Lars Milde, Joachim Scholz
  • Publication number: 20080253604
    Abstract: An ear speaker device includes an electroacoustic transducer including a housing mounted at a predetermined position of listener's head, a speaker unit mounted on one surface in the housing, and positioned away from an entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus for a predetermined distance when the housing is mounted on the listener's head, and a tubular duct extended so as to allow a sound generated by the housing in the inner space thereof to reach the vicinity of the entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus, and a hole for emitting sound of the duct is oriented to the opposite direction with respect to the entrance of the external acoustic meatus; and a mounting part used for mounting the electroacoustic transducer on the listener's head in a manner that the predetermined distance is provided between the speaker unit and the entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Makoto Yamagishi, Hideki Seki, Noriyuki Hiyama, Yukimasa Yamaguchi, Takeshi Hara
  • Patent number: 7406180
    Abstract: There is provided a headphone with a behind-the-head headband comprising at least one transducer and a behind-the-head headband for receiving the transducer. The behind-the-head headband further comprises first and second contact locations for resting against a temporal bone of a wearer of the headphone. The spacing between the transducer and the first or second contact location can be adjusted. By virtue of the possibility of adjusting the spacing with respect to the contact location the transducer can be positioned exactly over the auditory channel of the headphone wearer without pressure points on the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lars Milde
  • Publication number: 20080144877
    Abstract: An antihelix stabilizer with easy donning action for an audio device such as an ear set to provide support and stability when the audio device is worn on the ear is disclosed. The ear set may include a housing, an ear bud extending from the housing and configured to be at least partially positionable in the concha, and a stabilizer extending from the housing. The stabilizer may be resiliently compressible toward the ear bud upon application of force thereon. When donned, the stabilizer is at least partially positioned in a concha of the ear to exert pressure on an antihelix and/or concha wall of the ear which, in cooperation with the ear bud, facilitates in stabilizing the ear set. The stabilizer may be configured in any suitable shape such as a flexible loop, tab, and/or spiral and/or may include an arm extending from the housing and terminating in a flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Soohyun Ham, Scott A. Dallmeyer
  • Patent number: 7356156
    Abstract: In a headset (100, 200) for receiving infrared or radio signals and transforming them into an audio transmission in the audible range, the headset essentially comprises a base housing (101), one continuous or two individually guided supporting bands (102, 103) each with a miniature loudspeaker (300, 400) arranged at the end. The miniature loudspeaker has a loudspeaker body (305, 405) on the ear side, which loudspeaker body assumes a place in the auditory passage or surrounds the whole external ear. The loudspeaker body (305, 405) on the ear side is supported rotatably with respect to the supporting band (102, 103) or a joining part (301, 401).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: Heinz Rūegg
  • Publication number: 20080080733
    Abstract: A sound direction/stereo effect 3D adjustable earphone in one aspect contains an adjustable headband clip to hold the left and right earphone parts. An adjustable holder is at the left and right ends of the earphone and at the topside of an ear cup. The ear cup contains a 3D adjustable ear speaker at the center of the earphone for delivery of sounds from the earphone to a user. A 3D direction adjustable unit works with the ear speaker. The adjustable unit contains a connector such as a little ball at one end to fit in a corresponding connector such as a hole at the holder and another connector such as a little ball to fit into another corresponding connector such as a hole at the speaker. In this way, the ear speaker can be freely pushed out/pulled in and pulled/pushed/rotated adjustably in X-Y-Z or three dimensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: David Mei, Jin-Xia Bao, Si Ping Bao
  • Publication number: 20080037816
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fit adjuster for a neckband type headset, which includes a headset band and a pair of earpieces connected to both ends of the headset band and placed on the ears of a user. The fit adjuster includes at least one opening formed at a stress concentration portion of the headset band; and an adjustment pin inserted into the opening to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Jae LEE, Ki-Yeol YOON, Ki-Taek KIM, Young-Ki KIM, Jae-Chul JIN
  • Publication number: 20080013772
    Abstract: An earphone with adjustable volume of a front chamber between a speaker and a housing is provided, which includes a speaker unit, a housing and a movable element. The speaker unit is disposed within the housing, and the housing includes an earplug formation formed in front of the speaker unit. A chamber within the earplug formation has a volume, and the movable element is disposed on the housing and moves correspondingly with the chamber, so as to adjust the volume of the chamber. Therefore, the frequency response of the sound sent by the speaker unit varies depending upon the variation of the volume of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: COTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Publication number: 20080013773
    Abstract: An earphone with adjustable area of sound holes on a housing behind the speaker is provided, which includes a speaker unit, a housing and a cover plate. The speaker unit is covered by the housing having at least one adjustable sound hole located thereon behind the speaker unit. In addition, the cover plate is disposed on the housing and used to selectively cover at least one of the adjustable sound holes. The cover plate is a pivoting plate or a sliding plate for adjusting the exposed area of the adjustable sound holes, such that the frequency response of the sound sent by the speaker unit varies depending upon the requirements of customers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: COTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Publication number: 20070258614
    Abstract: A dual-mode speaker system comprising a selector that selects between a first audio mode and at least one other mode; an audio pack for receiving an input signal from an external device, and for converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first signal for audio reproduction by a speaker driver when the selector is in the first mode, and for converting at least a portion of the input signal into a second signal for audio reproduction when the selector is not in the first mode; a speaker driver connected to the audio pack, the speaker driver adapted to receive the first and/or second signal for audio reproduction and to output an audio reproduction corresponding to the received signal; wherein the selector is operated by changing the orientation of the speaker driver with respect to at least one other portions of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Altec Lansing, a Division of Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Aaron Langberg
  • Patent number: 7245737
    Abstract: A reversible behind-the-head mounted personal audio set that may be worn on either a wearer's left or right ear is disclosed. The behind-the-head headband occupies a substantially horizontal plane and a headset-mounting portion is pivotally secured to the headband at a first pivot so that the center of the earphone is positioned below the plane of the headband. In one embodiment, a boom microphone is pivotally secured to the headset mounting portion at a second pivot axis spaced apart from said first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Dominic Amae, Jamian Cobbett, Omer Kotzer
  • Patent number: 7181037
    Abstract: A headset with an adjustable microphone boom which can be adjusted to and from a position near the mouth of a user and is mounted in a housing by a friction part being coupled to a flexible friction coupling which is configured in a plate in that co-operating plates are stamped out of the plate and are connected to the plate by means of flexible arms. The friction part has a shaft which can be accommodated in a bearing defined by recesses which are configured partly in the inside of the housing and partly in the plate. The microphone boom, the housing and the plate with friction coupling are held together by means of a locking ring. In this way a stable, adjustable microphone boom is provided which does not become loose with time, understood in the way that no matter in which position and regardless of how frequently the position is changed, the microphone boom will remain secured with a sufficient force in the friction coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 7097300
    Abstract: A binocular assembly that includes a hands free support mechanism for supporting a lens element like a pair of binoculars in front of the user's eyes without using any use of the user's hands. The hands-free support mechanism can include an adjustable head securing strap, at least one positioning arm, a user tuneable radio, and at least one earphone. The binocular element can extend from a positioning arm or arms at an angle of from around zero to ninety-five degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Tristram Himmele
  • Patent number: 6993143
    Abstract: A system and method for a collapsible headphone unit is provided. Generally, the system contains a first extendable sidepiece and a second extendable sidepiece, both rotatably attached to a top member. The first extendable sidepiece is attached to a first earpiece, and the second extendable sidepiece is attached to a second earpiece. Each earpiece has an open portion that fits against the ear of the user. The first and second extendable sidepieces may be extended, thereby allowing the first and second earpieces to pivot, resulting in the open portions of the first and second earpieces being directly opposed, and allowing the first and second earpieces and the first and second extendable sidepieces to fold upward toward the top member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc
    Inventors: David Harris, Rudy Woodard, Vian Li, Baird Little
  • Patent number: 6970572
    Abstract: A headphone device having a headband assembly worn on the head and a headphone main body attached to one end of the headband assembly. The headphone device is provided with an ear device that prevents slipping when worn and stabilizes wearability. The headphone main body is attached to the headband assembly in a rotatable manner so that the axis of rotation may be inclined with the center line of the headphone main body. The headphone main body can be matched to the inclination of the ear and the headphone device has stabilized wearability, improved sound quality, and improved comfort when worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Murozaki, Koji Nageno
  • Patent number: 6914997
    Abstract: A flexible earhook for positioning an earphone adjacent a wearer's ear, the earhook including a mounting element capable of being provided with the earphone. The mounting element may be substantially annular. The earhook further includes a hook element comprising a material capable of being contoured and thereafter maintaining its shape. The hook element may comprise a wire. The hook element and the mounting element may be connected such that the flexible earhook can be used on either ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: GN Netcom/Unex, Inc.
    Inventors: James T. MacDonald, Joseph L. Freni, Jr., John Depiano, Roy Heinz
  • Patent number: 6912291
    Abstract: An improved structure of a receptacle for earphone wire is disclosed. The present receptacle for an earphone wire is characterized in that the front shell contains a switching button, an interconnection rod urged against the switching button and a swinging rod which can actuate the rolling disc, and a pulling rod passed through the front shell capable of triggering the interconnection rod is provided to the clipping hook, the earphone seat is provided with a pushing rod pivotally mounted at the front shell, and the pushing rod passes through the front shell and interconnects with the swinging rod to swing, thereby the withdrawing out or inserting in the earphone can control the switching button of the earphone or the rotating of the rolling disc so that the earphone can be automatically switched ON or switched OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Fang Tien Huang
  • Patent number: 6879699
    Abstract: A head worn entertainment and communication device (10, 110) including at least a first ear assembly (11, 112) which further includes a transducer (19, 119) in communication with a radio receiver housed within an equipment module (27, 127). In particular forms the ear assembly includes a lower limb (20, 120) and an upper limb (22, 122) defining an ear containing space (23, 123) therebetween. In other particular forms a first ear assembly (11) is interconnected with a second ear assembly (12) by means of an interconnect device (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Ty Logan
  • Patent number: 6826288
    Abstract: A support for earphone unit for a scuba diver mask (18) comprises a U-shaped base (20) with a rod (21) extending from it, associable to an earphone unit (12), to be arranged close to the scuba diver's ear, wherein the U-shaped base (20) in each of its two legs (23) can be attached to a carrying band (14) of the mask (11) by freely removable coupling means (24, 25) and a free end of the rod (21) is arranged into a seat (30) of the earphone unit (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Mestel S.r.l.
    Inventor: Sergio Gamberini
  • Patent number: 6819772
    Abstract: A personal audio set, such as a headphone, earphone, or headset, that includes a pivoting clip-type mounting portion is disclosed. A pair of arms are pivotally secured to the mounting portion to define a substantially c-shape for engaging the ear-base of a wearer's ear. Each arm is pivotally secured to the mounting portion preferably at a common first pivot, and biased to a neutral position with respect to each other. The arms move apart from each other about the pivot when being installed or removed from an ear, and seek to return to their neutral positions when placed on an ear, thereby securing the personal audio set on the base of a wearer's ear. Preferably, the mounting portion is also pivotally secured to the personal audio set at a second pivot hat is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot and biased to a neutral position such that the audio set is biased against the wearer's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventor: Dominic Amae
  • Publication number: 20040218776
    Abstract: EXTENSIVE MOBILITY HELMET HEADSET AND HELMET WHICH INCLUDES SAID HEADSET. It comprises a hinged headband (2) composed by a setting support (4) to secure it onto the helmet (1), an intermediary arm (6) and a mounting support (9) of an earcup (3); the mounting support (9) being hinged (14) with the earcup (3) and the intermediary arm (6) being hinged (7a)(7b) with the mounting support (9); the hinged headband (2) can be folded and unfolded between the user's ear position (20) and the side wall of the helmet (1). On the one hand, the hinged headband (2) can be folded from the user's ear position (20) towards the side wall of the helmet (1). On the other hand, the hinged hedband (2) can be unfolded from the side wall of the helmet (1) towards the user's ear position (20). The helmet (1), which includes the present headset, has a pair of headsets on its side walls. These headsets are mounted by means of respective setting supports (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Jose Maria Rolla
  • Publication number: 20040213428
    Abstract: A headphone has a headband and two earpieces each connected to the headband so as to be pivotable relative thereto. When assuming a Cartesian coordinate system having a Z plane that is a symmetry plane of the headphone, having a Y plane that is positioned perpendicularly to the Z plane and extends through a center of the headband, and having an X plane that is positioned perpendicularly to the Z and Y planes at any desired height, a pivot axis is provided between the headband and the earpiece, respectively, wherein the pivot axis is positioned at an angle of at least 10° relative to the X, Y, and Z planes, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Hugo Lenhard-Backhaus
  • Patent number: 6804364
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new type of headset solution. The headset according to the invention has a spring loaded hinge placed in front of the ear, which guarantees a stable pressure for any ear size. The headset according to the invention can be used, for example, as a cordless telephone headset or a cordless computer headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Johannes De Jonge
  • Publication number: 20040190745
    Abstract: An adjustable earpiece includes an aperture formed in a housing, and a speaker attached to the housing. An arm includes one end having a projection rotatably engaged into the housing, and having a cavity. An arc includes one end rotatably secured to the other end of the arm and rotatable relative to the arm. A retainer is secured in the housing with such as a lock pin, and includes a catch engaged through the aperture of the housing, and engaged into the cavity of the arm, to rotatably secure the arm to the housing. The arm includes a ball rotatably secured in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: I Tao Chen
  • Publication number: 20040184635
    Abstract: A spring biased earmuff, having a flexible and generally ring-shaped frame (2) covered on an outer side and on an inner side by a fabric material (3), the frame being flexible between an open position wherein an ear may be inserted through an elongate hole (4) from the inner side of the earmuff such that the earmuff covers the ear on the outside and on the back side, and a snap on position wherein the frame exerts a biaising force for holding the earmuff to the ear, the frame having a frame front member (5) and a frame back member (6). An earphone (L) is supported by the frame, the ear phone being covered by the fabric material on the outer side of the earmuff. The earphone is removably attached to the frame (2) in a portion thereof, from where the earphone is supported outside the auditory canal of the ear in a user position of the ear muff. The frame exerts a biaising force on the earphone, away from the ear, in the hold position of the earmuff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Tom Natvig
  • Publication number: 20040170294
    Abstract: In order to obtain an ear-hook headphone that is light and comfortable to wear, a supporting portion that supports a housing portion is provided in the vicinity of one end of an approximately U-shaped bend of an arm-shaped guide portion; a pushing portion that resiliently pushes from behind the auricle of a user toward the housing portion is provided in the vicinity of the other end; and a sound-outputting surface of the housing portion is disposed on the face side of the listener wearing the headphone to be approximately perpendicular to the surface formed by the bend of the arm-shaped guide portion. According to this construction, the housing portion can be easily accommodated in the earhole of the user's ear with the guide portion being slipped along the base of the user's ear, and the headphone can be reliably worn with the pushing portion resiliently pushing from behind his/her auricle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Katsunori Murozaki, Koji Nageno
  • Patent number: 6772853
    Abstract: An earphone device having a clip-on member coupled to a connecting base via a resilient repositioning mechanism, wherein a chute is disposed at the bottom of the connecting base; a connecting member having a sliding element coupled to the chute such that the sliding element slides in the chute; and an earphone coupled to the connecting member via a positioning mechanism such that the earphone rotates in an angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Data-Fountain International Co.
    Inventor: Chin-Nian Yang