WO2009034222A1

WO2009034222A1 - Behind-the-ear attachable brace for a head-mounted device

Info

Publication number: WO2009034222A1
Application number: PCT/FI2007/050491
Authority: WO
Inventors: Esko Savolainen
Original assignee: Esko Savolainen
Priority date: 2007-09-14
Filing date: 2007-09-14
Publication date: 2009-03-19

Abstract

The invention relates to a behind-the-ear attachable brace for a head-mounted device, said brace (1) comprising two arcuate brace elements (2, 3) which are maintained at a distance from each other by means of one or more spacer elements (4). The spacer element or spacer elements (4) allow for a movement of the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) relative to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof. Connected with one end of the brace (1) is an actuating means (5) for moving the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) longitudinally relative to each other for changing a curvature of the brace (1).

Description

BEHIND-THE-EAR ATTACHABLE BRACE FOR A HEAD-MOUNTED DEVICE

The invention relates to a behind-the-ear attachable brace for a head-mounted device, said brace comprising two arcuate brace elements which are maintained at a distance from each other by means of one or more spacer elements.

A brace of this type for an earphone is known e.g. from Patent publication US- 6,394,222 Bl. This prior known brace has arcuate resilient elements of unequal curvatures interconnected at the ends, whereby a distance between the resilient elements can be changed for changing the curvature of the brace in view of adapting it to an individual anatomy. However, this prior known brace does not solve the problem regarding how an arcuate brace element could be easily straightened from a curvature of the active use condition to a larger curve for an easy placement and removal of the brace behind and from behind the ear.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved brace, which adapts itself to an individual curvature of the ear and which additionally lends itself to be easily straightened to a larger radius of curvature for facilitating a placement and removal of the brace.

This object is achieved by the invention on the basis of the characterizing features presented in the appended claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims.

The brace according to the invention can be applied to a most diverse range of earphones, involving portable sound sources, mobile phone, wireless bluetooth, hearing aids, etc. The brace can also be applied to all sorts of devices which are mounted on the head by means of a behind-the-ear attaching brace. Such devices include for example breathing masks and spectacles and safety goggles.

A few embodiments for an earphone brace of the invention will now be described more closely with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment for an earphone brace of the invention in a side view, Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment for an earphone brace of the invention in

^• a side view,

Hg. 3 shows a third embodiment for an earphone brace of the invention in a side view,

Figs. 4 and 5 show a fourth embodiment for an earphone brace of the invention in a side view in different conditions of use,

Figs. 6 and 7 show a fifth embodiment for an earphone brace of the invention in different conditions of use,

Figs. 8 and 9 show a detail from an alternative earphone brace design of the invention in a side view and in a cross-section along a line IX-IX, respectively,

Figs. 10 and 11 show a detail from a second alternative earphone brace design of the invention in a side view and in a cross-section along a line XI- XI, respectively,

Figs. 12 and 13 show a detail from a third alternative brace design in a side view and in a cross-section, respectively, and

Fig. 14 shows a brace design according to the fourth embodiment of the invention in a side view, and

Figs. 15 and 16 show sections of fig. 14 along lines XV-XV and XVI-XVL

Although the invention shall be subsequently described as an earphone brace, it is obvious that similar behind-the-ear attaching braces can be used for mounting also other devices on the head.

The embodiments of figs. 1-7 include arcuate brace elements 2, 3 and spacer elements 4 therebetween which in general principle have a similar design. All of those have a brace 1, including two arcuate brace elements 2, 3 maintained at a distance from each other by means of a plurality of separate spacer elements 4, which are distanced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the brace and which are connected with the arcuate brace elements 2, 3 by way of membrane hinges 4a. In the embodiment of fig. 3, the spacer elements 4 themselves are made in a sufficiently flexible and resilient material, eliminating the need for actual membrane hinges. The spacer elements 4 permit a movement of the arcuate brace elements 2, 3 relative to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof. In all embodiments, the brace 1 has its butt end Ib provided with an actuating means 5 whereby the arcuate brace elements 2, 3 can be moved relative to each other in a longitudinal direction for changing a curvature of the arcuate brace elements and thereby the brace as a whole. Upon applying a finger pressure to the actuating means 5, the brace 1 made up of the arcuate elements 2, 3 straightens out to a considerably larger radius of curvature for an easy placement or removal of the brace 1 behind or from behind the ear. Appropriate choices of materials and designs in terms of stiffness enable a restoration of the brace to its smallest curvature to occur with such a gentle force that the brace does not squeeze the ear as it settles in a curvature defined individually by the ear. The best way for this action to proceed is to have the arcuate brace elements 2, 3 diminish in stiffness when progressing from the end proximal to the actuating means 5 towards the tip of the brace 1.

In the embodiment of figs. 1-3, the actuating means 5 is a turning lever connected with one arcuate brace element 2 in a butt region of the latter. The butt of this arcuate brace element 2 is connected by way of a pivot axle 6 with a body 7 of the earphone (figs. 1 and 3). In the case of fig. 2, the arcuate brace element 2 has its butt Ib connecting by way of the spacer element 4 and its membrane hinges 4a with a butt of the other arcuate brace element 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the lever 5 connects with the outer arcuate brace element 2, but it may optionally connect with a butt of the inner arcuate brace element 3, which has been passed alongside the body 7 to a position below the same, and the arcuate brace element 2 has its butt fixed rigidly to the body 7. Thus, the actuating lever 5 will be positioned underneath the body 7 and is pressed by the thumb with the forefinger on top of the body 7. At least in the embodiments of figs. 1 and 3, the arcuate brace element, having the actuating means 5 connected therewith, is substantially rigid over its arcuate portion 2a proximal to the butt Ib. In use, this rigid arcuate portion 2a positions itself in front of and above the ear and has a radius of curvature which is smaller than that of the resilient brace element 2 placing itself behind the ear. With this rigid arcuate portion 2a, a relative lengthwise movement of the arcuate elements 2, 3 can be passed effectively across the steepest arcuate portion over to the arcuate portion settling behind the ear. Thus, the actuating lever 5 and the arcuate portion 2a constitute a crank arm pivoting around the axle 6. Although a distance between the arcuate brace elements 2, 3 changes to some degree, the spacer elements 4 have a function of keeping the change adequately small for the relative lengthwise movement of the arcuate brace elements to have a straightening effect on the brace.

The spacer elements 4, along with their membrane hinges 4a, can be manufactured in the same injection mould as the arcuate brace elements 2, 3. The spacer elements 4 can be made in the same or different material as the arcuate brace elements 2, 3. In the case of fig. 3, the spacer elements 4 are made of a more flexible and resilient material by two-component technique.

The arcuate brace elements 2, 3 are interconnected in the common tip portion Ia, which is of the same material as and integral with the arcuate brace elements. The arcuate brace elements can also be otherwise interconnected within the brace tip region Ia. If desired, the earphone body 7 can be provided with a locking feature, in which the brace tip Ia snaps in its rest position but from which the tip Ia is readily released upon pressing the actuating means 5.

In the embodiment of figs. 4 and 5, as well as in the embodiment of figs. 6 and 7, the actuating means 5 is a push-button, which is associated with one of the arcuate brace elements 2 or 3 at its butt end which is guided in a sliding manner in a slide 8 connected with the earphone body 7. The only difference between these two embodiments is that the actuating button 5 is positioned on different sides of the earphone body 7 and is further connected with different arcuate brace elements 2, 3. In the embodiment of figs. 4 and 5, the actuating button 5 is pressed with the forefinger and in the embodiment of figs. 6 and 7 the actuating button 5 is pressed with the thumb. Figs. 5 and 7 illustrate a condition in which the curvature of the brace 1 has partially straightened as a result of having pressed the actuating button 5. It can be appreciated that in this straightened condition the brace is easy to place behind the ear and to remove therefrom. An inherent resilience of the arcuate brace elements 2, 3, and possibly also a deformation of the spacer elements 4, serves to return the same towards the condition of figs. 4 and 6.

In the embodiment of figs. 8 and 9, the spacer elements 4 are integral members of the inner arcuate brace element 3 and in a sliding engagement with a slide guide 9 of the outer arcuate brace element 2.

In the embodiment of figs. 10 and 11, the spacer element 4 comprises elastomer, extending as a continuous block between the arcuate brace elements 2, 3 and being in engagement with formations in the respective surfaces of the arcuate brace elements 2, 3. This engagement can be permanent, if the elastomer 4 is sufficiently resilient. The engagement can also be sliding.

In the embodiment of figs. 12 and 13, the arcuate brace elements 2, 3 have therebetween a spacer element 4 of elastomer, bearing against slide faces 11 of the arcuate brace elements 2, 3. The arcuate brace elements 2, 3 and the spacer 4 are surrounded by a thin flexible membrane 12 for bonding the same into an integral unit, yet permitting a lengthwise sliding of the components along the slide faces 11.

In the embodiment of figs. 14-16, a distance between the arcuate brace elements 2 and 3 is able to increase, because there is a slide face 11 between the spacer elements 4 and the arcuate brace element 2 and near their butt ends the arcuate brace elements 2 and 3 are shaped for sliding against each other, such that the inner arcuate brace element 3 lies in a slide channel 8' provided by the outer arcuate brace element 2. The outer arcuate brace element 2 terminates in a lever 5, which constitutes an actuating button. The inner arcuate brace element 3 terminates in an attachment member T for fastening the brace 1 to a head-held device. The tip portion Ia interconnects the arcuate brace elements 2 and 3, whereby a lengthwise movement of the arcuate brace elements relative to each other forces the brace 1 to change its curvature. In the foregoing exemplary embodiments, each arcuate brace element 2, 3 comprises a single piece, but such elements may also consist of several overlapping strips. The arcuate brace elements may additionally include flexibility-enhancing points, such as membrane hinges of a desired stiffness, at which points the arcuate brace element is more flexible than elsewhere.

The brace 1 may serve e.g. as an extension to the straight arm segment of spectacles, in which case it is substantially less arcuate than in the described exemplary embodiments. Thus, the body 7 is replaced by a straight arm segment of spectacles and the arcuate butt end portion of the brace 1 is omitted completely. The actuating means 5 can be provided with or the actuating means 5 can be constituted by an adjustment screw or another adjustment device, by means of which the brace 1 can be locked to a desired curvature.

The invention is not limited to the foregoing exemplary embodiments as the arcuate brace elements can be set at a distance from each other and adapted to be longitudinally movable relative to each other by many other solutions, as well.

Claims

1. A behi.nd-the-ear attachable brace (1) for a head-mounted device, said brace (1) comprising two arcuate brace elements (2, 3) which are maintained at a distance from each other by means of one or more spacer elements (4), the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) being interconnected in a tip region (Ia) of the brace, characterized in that the spacer element or spacer elements (4) allow for a movement of the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) relative to each other in a longitudinal direction thereof, and that the brace (1) has its other end provided with an actuating means (5) for moving the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) longitudinally relative to each other in order to change a curvature of the brace (1).

2. A brace as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the stiffness of the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) diminishes when progressing from the end proximal to the actuating means (5) towards the tip (Ia) of the brace (1).

3. A brace as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating means (5) is a turning lever connected with one arcuate brace element (2) in a butt region (Ib) of the latter, and that the butt of this arcuate brace element (2) is connected by way of a pivot joint (6, 4a) with a body (7) of the device or with a butt of the other arcuate brace element (3).

4. A brace as set forth in any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the arcuate brace element (2), having the actuating means (5) connected therewith, is substantially rigid over its arcuate portion (2a), which in use positions itself in front of and above the ear and the radius of curvature of which is smaller than that of the resilient brace element (2) placing itself behind the ear.

5. A brace as set forth in any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the spacer elements (4) are connected with the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) by way of membrane hinges (4a).

6. A brace as set forth in any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the spacer element (4) comprises one or more slide guides in a sliding engagement with at least one of the arcuate brace elements (2, 3).

7. A brace as set forth in any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the spacer elements (4) are manufactured in the same injection mould as the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) and consist of a material which is the same as or other than that of the arcuate brace elements.

8. A brace as set forth in any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) are interconnected in the common tip portion (Ia), which is of the same material as and integral with the arcuate brace elements.

9. A brace as set forth in any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the spacer elements (4) consist of a material other than that of the arcuate brace elements (2, 3).

10. A band as set forth in any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the actuating means (5) is a push-button or a lever, which is associated with one of the arcuate brace elements (2, 3) at its butt end which is guided in a sliding manner in a slide (8, 8') connected with a butt of the other arcuate brace element or with the body (7) of the device.

11. A brace as set forth in any of claims 1-10, characterized in that the actuating means (5) is provided with an adjustment or locking feature, which enables locking the brace (1) to a desired curvature.

12. Application of a brace as set forth in any of claims 1-11, characterized in that the brace (1) is a brace for the earphone (7).