Headphone mechanism for comfortably coupling ear cups to the head

Abstract

An apparatus comprising an arcuate headband with a continuous band having a left side portion (12) and a right side portion (12) joined at an apex (14). The left side portion (12) and the right side portion (12) terminate in respective arcuate end portions (16). A headgear band (18) spans between the side portions and is connected to the side portions below and spaced apart from the apex (14). Left and right ear cups (20) defining respective centers (22) and respective perimeters (24) are attached to the arcuate end portions (16) of the left and right side portions (12), respectively. The arcuate end portions (16) of the left and right side portions (12) are juxtaposed with the respective perimeters (24) and distanced from the respective centers (22) of the respective ear cups (20). The left and right ear cups (20) are inclined inwardly and outwardly from front to back and each comprise an element coupling the respective arcuate end portion segment (16) to a hinge inside the respective ear cup (20).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application relates generally to a headphone mechanism for comfortably coupling ear cups to a person's head. BACKGROUND

[0002] Increasingly, people wear headphones to listen to music, play computer games, and the like. As understood herein, long-term wearing of headphones can cause discomfort. SUMMARY

[0003] Accordingly, in one aspect, an apparatus includes an arcuate headband with a continuous band having a left side portion and a right side portion joined at an apex. The left and right side portions terminate in respective arcuate end portions. A headgear band spans between the side portions and is connected to the side portions below and spaced apart from the apex. Left and right ear cups defining respective centers and respective perimeters are attached to the arcuate end portions of the left and right side portions, respectively, such that the left and right ear cups are inclined inwardly and outwardly from front to back. The arcuate end portions of the left and right side portions are juxtaposed with the respective perimeters and distanced from the respective centers of the respective ear cups. The left and right ear cups each include a stem or other element within the respective ear cup that couples a respective arcuate end portion to a swivel hinge inside the respective ear cup. The stem extends radially inwardly from the respective arcuate end portion within the respective ear cup and also extends axially inwardly from the respective arcuate end portion within the respective ear cup.

[0004] In example implementations, the arcuate end portion segments can be elongated and seated flush with the respective ear cups, which can include respective audio speakers and ear pads configured to engage a side of a person's head. The arcuate end portion segments can also have a curvature approximating a respective curvature of the perimeters of the respective ear cups. Each side portion can define a long axis in a plane, and the respective arcuate end portion segment can extend along an arc in the plane. Each arcuate end portion segment can define a width in a dimension extending away from the respective ear cup and a thickness in a dimension extending along the respective ear cup, and the width is greater than the thickness.

[0005] In some implementations, the arc of the headgear band can be less than the apex segment of the headband.

[0006] In another aspect, an apparatus includes an arcuate headband including a continuous band having a left side portion and a right side portion joined at an apex segment. The left side portion and the right side portion terminate in respective end segments. The apparatus further includes a left ear cup and a right ear cup defining respective centers and respective perimeters. The ear cups are attached to the end segments of the left and right side portions, respectively, such that the left and right ear cups are inclined inwardly and outwardly from front to back and such that the end segments of the left and right side portions are juxtaposed with the respective perimeters and away from the respective centers of the respective ear cups.

[0007] In some examples, the headgear band can span between the side portions and can connect to the side portions below the apex segment, spaced apart from the apex segment. The headgear band can include a compliant mechanism for movement of the headgear band relative to the arcuate headband.

[0008] In yet another aspect, an apparatus includes an arcuate headband including a band having a left side portion and a right side portion joined at an apex segment. The left side portion and the right side portion terminate in respective end segments. A left ear cup and a right ear cup define respective centers and respective perimeters and are attached to the end segments of the left and right side portions, respectively, such that the end segments of the left and right side portions are juxtaposed with the respective perimeters and away from the respective centers of the respective ear cups.

[0009] The details of the application, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view from a first aspect of an example implementation of a headphone;

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view from a second aspect of an example implementation of a headphone;

[0012] Figure 3 is a top view of a headband of an example implementation of a headphone;

[0013] Figure 4 is a top view of an ear cup of an example implementation of a headphone;

[0014] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a view of an example implementation looking toward left and right portions of a headband;

[0015] Figure 7is a front elevational view of an example embodiment of the left ear cup, showing the ear cup's outer roll;

[0016] Figure 8 is a view looking down on the ear cups and showing the ear cups' outer roll when spaced apart from one another;

[0017] Figure 9 is a view looking down on the ear cups and showing the ear cups' outer roll when in contact with one another under bias from the arcuate headband;

[0018] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the interior of one of the cups according to an example embodiment;

[0019] Figure 11 is a transparent plan view of the headgear band attached to the arcuate headband according to an example embodiment; and

[0020] Figure 12 is a transparent perspective view of the headgear band according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Initially referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Device 10 includes an arcuate headband defined by a continuous band having left and right side portions 12 joined at an apex segment 14. Side portions 12 can not be as rounded as apex segment 14, as shown, and can be integral with apex segment 14. Side portions 12 and apex segment 14 can be made of plastic or other suitable material, and can be substantially biased toward the configuration shown, it being understood that side portions 12 can be pulled apart from one another by a person with his / her hands to place device 10 on his / her head and then released to push inwardly toward one another to securely engage the person's head.

[0022] In the example shown, left and right side portions 12 terminate in respective arcuate end segments 16, which can be integral with side portions 12 and are further described below.

[0023] Headgear band 18 spans between side portions 12 and is connected to side portions 12 under apex segment 14 using, for example, screws that originate in side portions 12 and extend into respective tracks within headgear band 18, as will be described below with respect to Figure 11 and Figure 12Further described. However, in other embodiments, headgear strap 18 can be glued to side portions 12 or can be joined with side portions 12 using, for example, radio frequency (RF) welding or ultrasonic sealing. Alternatively, in some embodiments, headgear strap 18 can be integrally made with side portions 12 using, for example, injection molding techniques. Alternatively, in yet other embodiments, headgear strap 18 can be mechanically joined with side portions 12, for example, by snapping posts on the ends of headgear strap 18 into holes of the respective side portions 12. In the illustrated example, headgear strap 18 is spaced apart from vertex segment 14 by a distance "D". Also, in the illustrated example, the curvature of headgear strap 18 (or at least the portion of headgear strap 18 immediately under vertex segment 14) is less than the curvature of vertex segment 14 of headgear.

[0024] Figures 1 to 4 Also shown are left and right ear cups 20 (as well as Figure 4 Best shown, ear cups 20 can be attached to arcuate end segments 16 of left and right side portions 12, respectively, at respective front portions such that arcuate end segments 16 of left and right side portions 12 are at least along respective front portions of cups 20 juxtaposed with respective perimeters 24 and away from respective centers 22 of respective cups 20.

[0025] Ear cups 20 can be made of plastic or other suitable material and can be attached to arcuate end segments 16, as described below with respect to Figure 10 Further described. However, in other embodiments, cups 20 can be attached to / integrally joined with or glued to arcuate end segments 16 or otherwise attached to arcuate end segments 16 by mechanical means (e.g., snapping posts on the ear cups into holes in the end segments) or by other means described herein.

[0026] As Figure 1 Best shown, each ear cup can support one or more audio speakers 26 and can have an inner soft and / or elastic ring-like ear pad 28 configured to gently engage the side of a person's head.

[0027] Figure 5 And Figure 6 Additional details are shown consistent with the principles of the application, wherein Figure 5 A respective cup 20 is shown for a person's right ear, while Figure 6 A respective cup 20 is shown for a person's left ear. The front portion of respective cup 20 is shown relative to a forward facing direction / axis of device 10 itself, as indicated via arrow 30 for the forward facing direction / axis.

[0028] Also, as Figure 5 And Figure 6As shown, the curved end segment 16 can be elongated and positioned flush with the corresponding ear cup 20. The curved end segment 16 can have a curvature approximating the curvature of the periphery 24 of the corresponding ear cup 20. Each side portion 12 can define a major axis "A" in the plane. Figure 5 Furthermore, the corresponding arcuate end segment 16 can extend along an arc in the plane. Therefore, the arcuate end segment 16 can be placed along the corresponding periphery of the corresponding ear cup 20 and has a curvature that substantially matches the curvature of the corresponding periphery of the ear cup 20.

[0029] Figure 4 Perhaps best illustrated in one example, each end segment 16 has a width “W” extending in a dimension away from the corresponding ear cup 20 and a thickness “t” extending in a dimension along the corresponding ear cup 20. In the example shown, the width “W” is greater than the thickness “t”, such that the curved end segment 16 appears to stand upright on the edge of the corresponding ear cup 20.

[0030] It should be noted that, since the corresponding arc-shaped end segment 16 is attached to the corresponding front portion of the corresponding ear cup 20, the arc-shaped end segment 16 itself may be able to apply pressure to the head at the position where the front portion of the cup 20 and the ear pad 28 touches the head.

[0031] Moreover, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the earcups 20 can tilt outwards and inwards from front to back, such that when the device 10 is worn, the corresponding rear portion of the earcup 20 can exert greater pressure on the head than the corresponding front portion of the earcup 20, based on the outward tilt itself. The outward tilt of the earcup 20 can be established and maintained by attaching the earcup 20 to the arcuate end segment 16, such that the earcup does not move relative to the segment 16 at least along the deflection axis.

[0032] Figure 7 Further illustration shows the outward tilt, including a frontal view of the left ear cup 20, wherein the front portion 32 of the cup 20 is tilted outward away from the forward-facing axis of the device 10 itself, and the rear portion 34 of the cup 20 is tilted inward toward the forward-facing axis, such that the cup 20 as a whole is oriented to tilt inward and outward from front to back. Further illustration shows... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The bottom view plan. Figure 8 The cups 20 are shown spaced apart from each other. Figure 9 The cups 20 are shown in contact with each other under bias from the curved headband when not being worn, such that at least some portions of the respective bottom portions of the cups 20 are in contact with each other, and at least some portions of the respective rear portions 34 of the cups 20 are also in contact with each other.

[0033] Now for reference Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the interior of the left cup 20 is shown, from which it will be understood that the right cup 20 may also have similar components. Figure 10As shown, a portion of the left arcuate end segment 16 can extend axially into the cup 20 through a recess or opening in the outside of the cup 20's outer shell, such that the segment 16 can be attached to the extension rod 44 or other structural element inside the cup 20 using a screw (not shown). The screw itself can extend through a corresponding hole 40 in the first end segment 48 of the rod 44 and into a threaded hole in the segment 16. The recess or opening itself can be configured such that the segment 16 (e.g., including its outermost portion in some examples) can be disposed flush with the outer surface of the outside of the cup 20's outer shell.

[0034] Also, as Figure 10 shown, the first end segment 48 of the rod 44, once engaged or attached with the segment 16, can axially approach, abut, or contact the inner surface of the outside of the cup 20's outer shell. In some examples, the end segment 48 can have an arcuate or curved shape that generally matches the curvature of the perimeter of the cup 20 itself, as shown.

[0035] Figure 10 It is also shown that the opposite end segment 49 of the rod 44 can form part of a rotational hinge 50, it will be understood that there can be no deflection hinge on the cup 20 and / or that the cup 20 is not permitted to deflect rotation relative to the side portion 12 and / or specifically the segment 16. The end segment 49 can be established from a partially dish-shaped structure, as shown, and can have a generally rectangular hole inside it, also as shown. As shown, a pin 52 can extend from one side of the rectangular hole to the opposite side of the rectangular hole, the pin also integrally forming part of the end segment 49 and thus part of the rod 44. A bracket 54 can then be placed into the rectangular hole and over the pin 52. The bracket 54 can then be screwed into the structure of the cup 20 (possibly including part of the inner surface of the outside of the cup 20's outer shell) using the four holes shown on the bracket 54 to sandwich the pin 52 between the bracket 54 and the structure. Thus, the bracket 54 can permit the cup to rotate one degree along a rotational axis, without permitting the cup to rotate along a deflection axis (or, in this regard, an inclination axis).

[0036] Furthermore, as noted above, the components of the cup 20 and the segment 16 can be configured (e.g., shaped) such that the rod 44, once attached to the segment 16, can be oriented within the cup 20 such that the end segment 48 can axially approach or abut the inner surface of the outside of the cup 20's outer shell. Then, as the rod 44 extends radially inward within the cup 20 from the end segment 48 to the end segment 49, the rod 44 can also extend axially inward from the end 48 to the end segment 49 at an angle that is between five and ten degrees, and specifically possibly between six and a half and eight and a half degrees, from the inner surface of the outside of the outer shell. In some examples, the angle can specifically be seven and a half degrees. This can help to establish the above-referenced Figures 7 to 9The described canting, and thus, the lever 44, can help to divert the pressure that a person would otherwise feel at the front portion of the cup 20 due to the arcuate end section 16 being attached to the cup 20 at the front portion and biasing inward toward the person's head. Thus, the aforementioned angular range, and particularly the seven and a half degree angle, can help to promote user comfort and maintain a more even pressure distribution of the cup 20 against the head.

[0037] As to the materials that can be used to form the brace 54 and the lever 44, those components can be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal.

[0038] Continuing with the detailed description of Figure 11 and Figure 12 both of which show transparent views of the internal components of the headgear strap 18 described above. Figure 11 shows a top planar transparent view, while Figure 12 shows a perspective transparent view.

[0039] For example, as shown in these figures, an outer surface 60 of the headgear strap 18 can define the outer shape and contour of the headgear strap 18, can be at least partially hollow to accommodate the internal components that will be briefly described, and can be made of a suitable material, such as rubber or silicone, or another polymer. The headgear strap 18 can also establish opposite end sections 64, 66, as shown.

[0040] The hollow space inside the headgear strap 18 can house a compliant mechanism 62 or an elastic band, or another suitable component. If an elastic band is used, the elastic can be established, for example, by a cord, a band, or a fabric woven with rubber strips, such that the elastic can return to its original length and / or shape after being stretched or manipulated. A rubber band can also be used instead of Figure 11 and Figure 12 The shown compliant mechanism 62, and / or a silicone or another polymer type of band can also be used. In addition, in addition to or instead of using the compliant mechanism 62 or a rubber band or an elastic band, a spring can be positioned longitudinally within the headgear strap 18 at the same location as the compliant mechanism 62 for similar use consistent with the inventive principles. Regardless, the used compliant mechanism 62 or other component can be attached at its opposite end sections to tabs 72, 74, again as shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12 The tabs 72, 74 can be glued to the mechanism 62 or other component or integrally formed therewith.

[0041] During manufacture, the tabs 72, 74 can also be attached to the mounts 68, 70 by screws, tacks, or a nut / bolt combination using holes in the tabs 72, 74 and matching holes in the mounts 68, 70. The mounts 68, 70 themselves can form part of the headgear strap 18 and can be statically disposed within the headgear strap 18. Further, the screws or other engagement members that attach the tabs 72, 74 to the mounts 68, 70 can originate from the respective side portions 12 / segments 16 themselves. The screws can then extend through respective longitudinal tracks, slots, or openings in the side of the outer surface 60 facing the portions 12 / segments 16 and ultimately attach to the tabs 72, 74. Doing so can enable the shafts of the screws to slide along their respective tracks on the left and right sides of a person’s head as the person dons the device 10 and adjusts the headgear strap 18 relative to the portions 12 / segments 16 using the compliant mechanism to accommodate the person’s preferences, head profile, and / or head size.

[0042] In some examples, the screws or other engagement members can be configured such that they can be invisible to an observer with the device 10 fully assembled (e.g., by hand). Even if other portions of the outer surface 60 can be visible, the tracks themselves in the outer surface 60 can be invisible. In some non-limiting implementations, the end segments 64, 66 of the headgear strap 18 can extend a predetermined amount even beyond the respective tracks in the headgear strap 18 and toward the cup 20 itself to facilitate the screws and tracks being invisible via the fully assembled device 10.

[0043] Still referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12 It should also be noted that, in some example implementations, the compliant mechanism 62, tabs 72, 74, and / or mounts 68, 70 can be wrapped or disposed within an inner sheet or sleeve 80 made of polypropylene or another suitable material such that the compliant mechanism 62 itself (or the springs or other components used instead of the mechanism 62) can not impede or catch on the outer surface 60. The sheet or sleeve 80 can be open at the opposite ends near or at the mounts 68, 70, but in other examples it can be closed at its ends and only have openings, for example, for the screws of the mounts 68, 70 to extend therethrough.

[0044] It is noted that, while Figure 11 and Figure 12 example implementations, the main body of the headgear strap 18 itself can have a fixed and / or non-adjustable length (e.g., without a compliant mechanism), but can also have a rigid bar or other mechanical feature at each end to enable the headgear strap 18 to adjust position along the inner length of the arcuate headband itself.

[0045] It will now be appreciated that the device 10 provides a comfortable fit to a person by, inter alia, distributing the weight load of the device between the headband 18, which rests on the head of the person wearing the device, and the ear pads 28, which rest against the sides of the head and depend downwardly from the apex segment 14. The lateral pressure of the ear cups 20 against the person's ears can also be distributed to improve comfort.

[0046] While particular headphone mechanisms for comfortably coupling ear cups to a head are shown and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the subject matter encompassed by the present application is not limited by the specific mechanisms.

[0047] Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and / or depicted in the drawings can be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.

[0048] A "system having at least one of A, B, and C" (likewise "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" and "a system having at least one of A, B, C") includes systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, two of A, B, and C, three of A, B, or C, and / or any combination of A, B, and C.

Claims

1. A head-mounted device, the device comprising: An arc-shaped headband comprising a continuous band having a left portion and a right portion connected at a apex segment, the left portion and the right portion terminating in corresponding arc-shaped end segments; A headband that spans across the side portions and is connected to and spaced apart from the vertex segment below the vertex segment; as well as A left and right ear cup, the left and right ear cups defining a corresponding center and a corresponding periphery and respectively attached to the arcuate end segments of the left and right portions, such that the left and right ear cups are tilted inward and outward from front to back and that the arcuate end segments of the left and right portions are juxtaposed with the corresponding periphery and away from the corresponding center of the respective ear cup, wherein each of the left and right ear cups includes a rod within the respective ear cup, the rod connecting the corresponding arcuate end segment to a rotating hinge inside the respective ear cup, the rod extending radially inward from the corresponding arcuate end segment within the respective ear cup and also extending axially inward from the corresponding arcuate end segment within the respective ear cup.

2. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate end segment is elongated and positioned flush with the corresponding ear cup.

3. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the arcuate end segment is elongated and has a curvature that approximates the curvature of the periphery of the corresponding ear cup.

4. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein each side portion defines a major axis in a plane, and the corresponding arcuate end segment extends arcuately in the plane.

5. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the curvature of the headband is smaller than the vertex segment of the headband.

6. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted device includes a left speaker and a right speaker in respective left and right ear cups.

7. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein each ear cup includes an ear pad configured to engage the side of a person's head.

8. The head-mounted device of claim 1, wherein each arcuate end segment includes a width in a dimension extending away from the respective ear cup and a thickness in a dimension extending along the respective ear cup, and the width is greater than the thickness.

9. A head-mounted device, the device comprising: An arc-shaped headband comprising a continuous band having a left portion and a right portion connected at a apex segment, the left portion and the right portion terminating in corresponding end segments; as well as A left and a right ear cup, the left and right ear cups defining a corresponding center and a corresponding periphery and respectively attached to the end segments of the left and right portions, such that the left and right ear cups are tilted inward and outward from front to back, and such that the end segments of the left and right portions are juxtaposed with the corresponding periphery and away from the corresponding center of the respective ear cup. The left and right ear cups each include an element within the respective ear cup, the element connecting the corresponding end segment to a rotating hinge inside the respective ear cup, the element extending radially inward from the corresponding end segment within the respective ear cup and also extending axially inward from the corresponding end segment within the respective ear cup.

10. The head-mounted device of claim 9, wherein the device comprises: A headband that spans between the side portions and is connected to and spaced apart from the apex segment below the apex segment, wherein the headband includes a compliant mechanism for movement of the headband relative to the curved headband.

11. The head-mounted device of claim 9, wherein the end segment is elongated and positioned flush with the corresponding ear cup.

12. The head-mounted device of claim 9, wherein the end segment is elongated and has a curvature approximating the curvature of the periphery of the corresponding ear cup.

13. The head-mounted device of claim 9, wherein each side portion defines a long axis in a plane, and the respective end segment extends in an arc in the plane.

14. The head-mounted device as described in claim 9, Each end segment includes a width in a dimension extending away from the corresponding ear cup and a thickness in a dimension extending along the corresponding ear cup, wherein the width is greater than the thickness.

15. A head-mounted device, the device comprising: An arc-shaped headband, the arc-shaped headband comprising a band having a left portion and a right portion connected at a apex segment, the left portion and the right portion terminating in corresponding end segments; as well as A left and a right ear cup, the left and right ear cups defining a corresponding center and a corresponding periphery and respectively attached to the end segments of the left and right portions, such that the end segments of the left and right portions are juxtaposed with the corresponding periphery and away from the corresponding center of the respective ear cup. The left and right ear cups each include an element within the respective ear cup, the element connecting the respective arcuate end segment to a hinge inside the respective ear cup, the element extending radially inward from the respective arcuate end segment within the respective ear cup.

16. The head-mounted device of claim 15, wherein the left ear cup and the right ear cup are respectively attached to the arcuate end segments of the left side portion and the right side portion, such that the left ear cup and the right ear cup are tilted inward and outward from front to back.

17. The head-mounted device of claim 15, wherein the end segment is elongated and positioned flush with the corresponding ear cup.

18. The head-mounted device of claim 15, wherein the end segment is elongated and arcuate, having a curvature approximating the corresponding curvature of the periphery of the respective ear cup.

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