Headphone

Abstract

A headphone includes a headband and a carrier pivotably coupled to the headband. The bracket includes a first bracket arm and a second bracket arm each extending from a pivot point to a respective distal end. The earpiece is pivotally coupled to the carrier. The earpiece includes an earmuff defining a first recess and a second recess for receiving the distal end of the cradle arm. The earmuff and the cradle are configured such that the distal end of the cradle arm can slide into a recess in the earmuff for assembly without elastically deforming the cradle arm or the earmuff.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to headphones. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] All of the examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

[0003] In one aspect, a pair of headphones includes a headband and a cradle pivotally coupled to the headband. The cradle includes a first cradle arm and a second cradle arm, each cradle arm extending from a pivot point to a respective distal end. An earcup is pivotally coupled to the cradle. The earcup includes a first recess and a second recess for receiving the distal ends of the cradle arms. The earcup and the cradle are configured such that the distal ends of the cradle arms slide into the recesses in the earcup for assembly without elastically deforming the cradle arms or the earcup.

[0004] Specific implementations may include one or any combination of the following features.

[0005] In some specific implementations, the distal end of the first cradle arm includes a threaded hole, and the pair of headphones includes a fastener that passes through a first hole extending through the first recess and into the threaded hole to secure the earcup to the cradle.

[0006] In certain specific implementations, the fastener is the only mechanical component that prevents the cradle and the earcup from separating.

[0007] In some cases, the distal end of the second cradle arm includes a protrusion received in the second recess. The second cradle arm may include a rib extending outwardly from the protrusion.

[0008] In certain cases, the second recess includes a pit for receiving the rib on the protrusion.

[0009] In some examples, the pit is shaped to limit rotation of the earcup by defining a hard stop for the rib.

[0010] In some specific implementations, the second cradle arm includes a channel extending through the protrusion.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the earcup includes a second hole that extends through the second recess and is aligned with the channel to allow wiring to pass through the channel for powering the earcup.

[0012] In some cases, the protrusion has a semi-circular cross-section, and the channel passes through the semi-circular cross-section to accommodate wiring for powering the earcup.

[0013] In certain cases, the earcup hides the channel.

[0014] In some examples, the second bracket arm is free of any mechanical features for preventing the second bracket arm from separating from the second recess.

[0015] In some examples, the cradle further includes a first arcuate surface extending from a distal end of the first cradle arm to a distal end of the second cradle arm, the first surface facing the ear cup and defining a channel to accommodate wiring for powering the earpiece.

[0016] In some implementations, the channel extends from the pivot point to the distal end of the second bracket arm.

[0017] In some implementations, the bracket is formed from a non-compliant material.

[0018] In some cases, the bracket is formed from metal.

[0019] In some cases, the first and second bracket arms include first and second projections, respectively, that engage the first and second recesses to provide a pivot axis about which the ear cup can pivot relative to the bracket.

[0020] In some examples, the first and second recesses are configured such that the first and second protrusions can slide into the first and second recesses, respectively, without deforming the bracket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a front view of a pair of headphones.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 view of headphones.

[0023] Figure 3 Is from Figure 1 A perspective view of a pivot mount for a headphone.

[0024] Figure 4 It is shown installed in Figure 3 A perspective view of a pivot in a pivot mounting.

[0025] Figure 5 and Figure 6 are shown as insert Figure 1 The headphone slider Figure 4 Perspective and cross-sectional side views of a pivot and pivot mounting.

[0026] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a pair of pivot mount caps used to secure the pivot and pivot mount in a slide.

[0027] Figure 8 It is shown from Figure 7A perspective view of the pair of pivot mounting caps.

[0028] Fig. 9 is a detailed view showing the raised portion of the pivot mount cap contacting the cradle of the headphone.

[0029] Fig. 10A Is from Figure 1 perspective view of a bracket for headphones.

[0030] Fig. 10B It shows that Fig. 10A Detailed perspective view of the top surface of the bracket.

[0031] Fig.11 It is shown Fig. 10B Bracket to Figure 4 Detailed perspective view of the pivot attachment.

[0032] Fig.12 is shown attached to Figure 1 Headphones with earmuffs Fig. 10B Perspective view of the bracket.

[0033] Fig.13 yes Fig. 10B A detailed perspective view of the end portion of the arm of the bracket.

[0034] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B yes Figure 1 perspective view of earmuffs of headphones.

[0035] For the purpose of explanation, components generally labeled in the drawings are considered to be substantially equivalent components, and redundant discussion of those components is omitted for clarity. The numerical ranges and values ​​described according to various embodiments are merely examples of such ranges and values ​​and are not intended to limit these embodiments. In some cases, the term "about" is used to modify a value, and in these cases, may refer to a value + / - a margin of error (such as measurement error), which may be in the range of up to 1% to 5%. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1A headset 100 is shown. The headset 100 includes a headband 102, which includes a flat tubular pad assembly 104, which is constructed and arranged to be placed above the top of a person's head. Tubular sliders 106a and 106b (collectively referred to as "106") support earpieces 108a and 108b (collectively referred to as "108"). The slider engages with the pad assembly 104 in a manner that allows the slider to move in and out of the pad assembly to adjust the overall length of the headband so that the headset can be comfortably worn on, in or above the ear of the wearer. This overall arrangement of the headset is known in the art. Moreover, in some cases, a microphone (not shown) may be included so that the headset can be used as an earphone. In addition, some headsets or earphones only include an earphone, in which case only one slider may be present.

[0037] The cushion assembly 104 is preferably generally tubular. This arrangement allows the slide to be received within a volume on the inside of the tube and also allows wiring to pass along the length of the cushion assembly. Slides 106a and 106b are partially positioned within this internal volume of the cushion assembly. Each slide has a proximal end 110a, 110b (e.g., end 110a of slide 106a) and a distal end 112a, 112b (e.g., end 112a of slide 106a) positioned in the cushion assembly. Connecting members 114a and 114b (collectively referred to as "114") are pivotally connected to the slide 106. The connecting members each carry an earpiece 108 (also known as an "earpiece") at its distal end. Figure 1 1 and 108b are shown. Each earpiece in the earpiece 108 includes an ear pad 109 and a supporting electroacoustic transducer 113 ( Figure 2 ) earmuffs 111.

[0038] The slides are preferably, but not necessarily, generally hollow tubes having a generally flat outer surface closest to the head. In the example shown in the drawings, the slide 106a has a flat outer surface 141 of the lower half 140 of the slide tube. The pivot axis 50 defined by the shaft 130 is located below and generally parallel to the surface 141. The slide can have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, such as a stadium (also known as a "racetrack"), oval or elliptical shape.

[0039] exist Figure 2 One example of a coupling member 114b is shown in more detail in FIG. Figure 2A left coupling member 114b is shown. A mirror image of this design will be used for the right coupling member 114a. Coupling member 114b includes a bracket 116 having legs 118 and 120 that carry the earpiece 18. The earpiece coupling member (also referred to as "first protrusion 1010 and second protrusion 1012") Fig. 10A )) is coupled to the earpiece 108b and allows it to rotate around the axis 122. Moreover, the coupling member 114b engages with the slider 106b in a manner that allows the bracket to pivot around the axis 124.

[0040] Conductive cable 126 (also called "wiring") Figure 6 ) interconnects the earpieces 108a and 108b and carries the audio signals played by the earpieces. The cable 126 is flexible and passes through the coupling members 114a and 114b, the sliders 106a and 106b, and the cushion assembly 104. The cable 126 needs to have a sufficient length to accommodate the two sliders that slide out of the cushion assembly to their end points, and also allow the earpieces to move from the deployed position to the stowed position. At the same time, the cable 126 needs to be managed so that it is less likely to bunch or pinch during use.

[0041] Unlike some conventional circum-aural headphone products that include plastic brackets, the headphone 100 may include machined metal brackets. This may provide a desirable look and feel, but unlike the plastic brackets used in some prior art headphones (which can be elastically deformed to fit around the ear cups during assembly), these metal brackets are not flexible. Therefore, a different way of coupling these brackets to the ear cups may be required.

[0042] Pivot attachment

[0043] refer to Figure 3 , a pivot mount 300 is disposed in each of the slides 112. The pivot mount 300 is a U-shaped plastic component having two arms 302, each of which defines a pivot pin 402 ( Figure 4 ) concave portion 304. Figure 4 A pivot 400 is shown mounted to the pivot mount 300 with its pivot pin 402 resting in a recess 304. The arm 302 further defines a pair of cavities 306 for receiving silicone dampers 404. The silicone dampers create friction to provide a damped feel when the pivot is folded, and they also help center the pivot within the slide.

[0044] Figure 5 and Figure 6The pivot and pivot mount subassembly is shown inserted into the open end of a corresponding one of the slides 106. The slide 106 is generally in the form of a hollow tube (e.g., extruded aluminum). The walls of the slide 106 hold the pivot pin 402 and silicone damper 404 in place in corresponding recesses in the pivot mount 300. The slide 106 defines a slot (or notch) 500 that allows the pivot to rotate about the pivot pin 402 relative to the slide 106. Figure 6 As shown, the pivot axis 200 is off-center, which allows a conductive cable (not shown) to reach far side of the pivot axis 200, which is beneficial because it hides the cable from the outside when the pivot is folded.

[0045] refer to Figure 7 The pivot and pivot mount subassembly is secured in position within the slide 106 by a pair of pivot mount caps 700 secured to the arms 302 of the pivot mount 300 by a pair of screws 702 ( Figure 3 ) at the free end. Figure 8 The pivot mount cap 700 is shown as being generally T-shaped. Each of the pivot mount caps 700 includes a ridge 802 configured to engage a corresponding groove 502 ( Figure 5 ). The pivot mount cap 700 is installed by rotating (pivoting) the pivot 400 away from the open end of the slide 106 and inserting the pivot mount cap 700 near the center of the open end of the slide 106, and then pushing the pivot mount cap 700 out to the side so that the ridge 802 engages the groove 502 in the wall of the slide 106. Once the pivot mount cap 700 is in place, the screw 702 is installed to prevent the pivot mount cap 700 from moving. Thus, the screw that holds the assembly in place is arranged at the open end of the slide 106, and therefore, the bracket 116 ( Figure 2 ) has been installed and the hardware is hidden to help provide the headset with a seamless appearance without visible fasteners.

[0046] The pivot mount cap 700 also serves another purpose. In this regard, the pivot mount cap 700 protrudes slightly (above flush) from the end of the slide 106 and provides a surface for the aluminum bracket 116 to rub against, thereby preventing aluminum-on-aluminum contact between the bracket 116 and the slide 106, such as Fig. 9 shown.

[0047] Bracket attachment

[0048] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B One of the right brackets 116 is shown (a mirror image of this design will be used for the other bracket). Bracket 116 includes a top surface 1002 that is pivoted via pivot 400 ( Figure 7 ) to cooperate with a corresponding one of the sliders 106 of the headband 102. An opening 1003 having a recess 1004 is provided in the top surface 1002 of the bracket 116. The recess 1004 terminates at a groove 1006 within the opening 1003. The groove 1006 extends partially around the opening 1003. The mating portion on the pivot 400 has a ridge 602 ( Figure 6 ), which is sized to fit in recess 1004. During assembly, pivot 400 is inserted into opening 1003, and bracket 116 is then rotated relative to pivot 400 so that protuberance 602 moves in groove 1006. Because groove 1006 only partially extends around opening 1003, there is a rotational limit.

[0049] The hole 1008 extends from the top surface 1002 of the bracket 116 to the second opposing surface 1102 ( Fig.11 ). With the pivot 400 inserted into the opening 1003 and the bracket 116 rotated so that the protuberance 602 rotates within the groove 1006 and is misaligned with the recess 1004, the pin 1104 ( Fig.11 ) is inserted into hole 1108 from second surface 1102. Pin 1104 prevents protuberance 602 from rotating back into alignment with recess 1004, thereby locking the protuberance within groove 1006 and preventing bracket 116 from separating from pivot 400 and slide 106.

[0050] The second surface 1102 is located within a channel 1106 in the bracket 116 and is used to pass a conductive cable (not shown) to the ear cup 111 (not shown) of a corresponding one of the earpieces 108. Fig.12 ). Once the ear cup is mounted to the bracket 116, the ear cup covers and thus hides the conductive cable and the pin 1104. Thus, the hardware (i.e., the pin 1104) and the conductive cable are hidden after the ear cup has been mounted to help provide the headset with a seamless appearance with no visible fasteners or wires.

[0051] Earmuff attachment

[0052] See again Fig. 10A , the exemplary bracket 116 has first and second protrusions 1010 and 1012, respectively (also referred to as "earpiece coupling members"), which engage the ear cup 111 ( Fig.12 ) to provide a pivot axis 200 ( Figure 2 ), the earmuff 111 can pivot relative to the bracket 116 around the pivot axis. Fig.13As shown, the first protrusion 1010 has a semicircular cross-section, wherein a channel 1302 passes through the semicircular cross-section. The channel 1302 is connected to the channel 1106 in the associated arm 120 of the bracket 116 for passing a conductive cable (not shown) to the earmuff 111. The rib 1304 extends outwardly from the protrusion 1010. See again Fig. 10A The second protrusion 1012 is generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder.

[0053] refer to Fig.14A and Fig. 14B The earmuff 111 has a first recess 1402 and a second recess 1404 for receiving the protrusions 1010 and 1012 ( Fig. 10A The first recess 1402 and the second recess 1404 are designed so that the protrusions 1010 , 1012 can slide into the recesses 1402 , 1404 without deforming the bracket 116 .

[0054] like Fig.14A As shown, the first recess 1402 includes a recess 1406 for receiving the rib 1304 ( Fig.13 The recess 1406 is shaped to limit the rotation of the ear cup 111 by defining a hard stop for the rib 1304. The first hole 1408 ( Fig. 14B ) extends through the first recess 1402 and is aligned with the channel 1302 ( Fig.13 ) to allow wiring to pass through the channel for powering the ear cup 111.

[0055] refer to Fig. 14B The second hole 1410 extends through the second recess 1410 and is arranged to align with the threaded hole 1014 ( Fig. 10A ) is aligned. Fig.12 As shown, the screw 1202 is inserted from the interior 1204 of the earmuff 111 through the second hole 1410 and screwed into the threaded hole 1014 in the second protrusion 1012 ( Fig. 10A ), thereby securing the earmuff 111 to the bracket 116. The interior 1204 of the earmuff 111 is covered by other components (not shown) during assembly, and therefore, the screws are hidden to help provide a headset with a seamless appearance without visible fasteners.

[0056] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to encompass dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0057] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, the indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used herein in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "at least one".

[0058] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "and / or" should be understood to mean "either one or both of the elements so combined," i.e., elements that are present in combination in some cases and separately in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be understood in the same manner, i.e., "one or more of the elements so combined." In addition to the elements explicitly identified by the "and / or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those elements explicitly identified.

[0059] As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" should be understood to be inclusive, i.e., including at least one element and more than one element in a plurality of elements or element lists, and optional additional unlisted items. Only the terms (such as "only one of ... in " or "exactly one of ... in " or "consisting of ... (when used in the claims)) that are clearly pointed out in the opposite direction will refer to including exactly one element in a plurality of elements or element lists. Generally speaking, when it is followed by an exclusive term (such as "any one", "one of ... in ", "only one of ... in " or "exactly one of ... in "), the term "or" as used herein should only be understood to indicate exclusive alternatives (that is, "one or another but not two").

[0060] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" (with respect to a list of one or more elements) should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but does not necessarily include at least one element of each element specifically listed within the list of elements, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements other than the elements explicitly identified within the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those elements explicitly identified.

[0061] It should also be understood that in any method claimed herein that includes more than one step or action, the order of the method steps or actions is not necessarily limited to the order in which the method steps or actions are described unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

[0062] In the claims and the above description, all transitional phrases (such as "include", "comprising", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", "containing", "consisting of", etc.) should be understood as open-ended, i.e., meaning including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" should be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0063] Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and other claims that the applicant may claim.

[0064] Although various examples have been described and illustrated herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other devices and / or structures for performing the functions described herein and / or obtaining one or more of the results and / or advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is considered to be within the scope of the examples described herein. More generally, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary, and that actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on one or more specific applications using the teachings of the present invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents of the specific examples described herein using only routine experiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the above examples are presented by way of example only, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, examples may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described and claimed. The examples disclosed herein relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits and / or methods is included within the scope of the present disclosure if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent.

Claims

1. A headphone, include: Headband; a bracket pivotably coupled to the headband, the bracket comprising a first bracket arm and a second bracket arm, the first bracket arm and the second bracket arm each extending from a pivot point to a respective distal end; and an earpiece pivotably coupled to the cradle, the earpiece comprising an earcup defining a first recess and a second recess for receiving the distal end of the cradle arm, The earmuff and the bracket are configured such that the distal end of the bracket arm can be slid into the recess in the earmuff for assembly without elastically deforming the bracket arm or the earmuff.

2. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the first bracket arm comprises a threaded hole, and The headphone further includes a fastener passing through a first hole extending through the first recess and into the threaded hole to secure the ear cup to the bracket.

3. The headphone of claim 2, wherein the fastener is the only mechanical component preventing the bracket from separating from the ear cup.

4. The headset of claim 2, wherein the distal end of the second bracket arm includes a protrusion received in the second recess, the second bracket arm further comprising a rib extending outwardly from the protrusion.

5. The headphone of claim 4, wherein the second recess comprises a depression for receiving the rib on the projection.

6. A headphone as claimed in claim 5, wherein the indentation is shaped to limit rotation of the ear cup by defining a hard stop for the rib.

7. The headset of claim 4, wherein the second bracket arm includes a channel extending through the projection.

8. The headset of claim 7, wherein the ear cup includes a second hole extending through the second recess and aligned with the channel to allow wiring to be passed through the channel for powering the earpiece.

9. The earpiece of claim 4, wherein the protrusion has a semicircular cross-section, wherein a channel passes through the semicircular cross-section to accommodate wiring for supplying power to the earpiece.

10. The headphone of claim 9, wherein the ear cup conceals the channel.

11. The headphone of claim 1 , wherein the second bracket arm is free of any mechanical features for preventing the second bracket arm from separating from the second recess.

12. The headset of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises a first arcuate surface extending from the distal end of the first bracket arm to the distal end of the second bracket arm, the first surface facing the ear cup and defining a channel to accommodate wiring for powering the earpiece.

13. The headset of claim 12, wherein the channel extends from a pivot point to the distal end of the second bracket arm.

14. The headphone of claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed from a non-compliant material.

15. The headphone of claim 14, wherein the bracket is formed of metal.

16. The headset of claim 1, wherein the first bracket arm and the second bracket arm include first and second protrusions, respectively, the first and second protrusions engaging the first and second recesses to provide a pivot axis about which the ear cup can pivot relative to the bracket.

17. The headphone of claim 16, wherein the first recess and the second recess are configured such that the first protrusion and the second protrusion can slide into the first recess and the second recess, respectively, without deforming the bracket.

Images