WO2013028127A1

WO2013028127A1 - Headphone assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013028127A1
Application number: PCT/SE2012/050887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus RUDBÄCK
Original assignee: Zound Industries International Ab
Priority date: 2011-08-23
Filing date: 2012-08-17
Publication date: 2013-02-28
Also published as: SE536045C2; SE1150759A1

Abstract

A headphone assembly (1) has a headband (2) for wearing on the head of a user and for adjustably supporting a pair of earpieces (13) with speaker elements (14) for positioning adjacent a respective ear of the user, whereby each earpiece (13) has a base section (15) for a speaker element and headband attachments (16, 17) extending outwardly from opposite sides of the base section and each having an essentially closed loop (18, 19) through which the headband extends. The headband (2) has at least one inner channel formed along parts of its length and forming an earpiece (13) and speaker element (14) receiving pocket, and the inner channel or channels each have a slit (9) extending partially along one outer or inner side (6) of the headband, forming an earpiece introduction opening and the headband attachments (16, 17) each have guide portions (20, 21) for guiding a part (11, 12) of the headband on each side of the slit. An earpiece (13) for such a headphone assembly is also provided.

Description

TITLE: HEADPHONE ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally concerns audio accessories and in particular relates to an audio headgear assembly having a headband with integrated headphone speaker elements.

BACKGROUND

Headphones have for a very long time been used both for enhancing comfortable, undisturbed listening to music and for increasing mobility by enabling listening to music from portable music players, i.e. when jogging, bicycling and even skiing. In later years there has been a quite dramatic increase in such mobile use of headphones. This increase has been due in part to the use of music players (mp3 players) that in spite of very small size electronically store ever increasing amounts of music, but even more so it has been due to the increased use of mobile phones. Nowadays, headphones are thus used in all circumstances and not only during sports activities. As a consequence thereof the look of the headphones has become more and more important and they are often considered as fashion items. Headsets having a microphone as well as speaker elements and thus allowing for handsfree two-way communication are often used in combination with mobile phones and are in many of the above aspects comparable to headphones.

In the past attempts have been made to improve mobility with regard to the use of headphones in sports activities and other outdoor activities of different kinds. One example thereof is given in US 5,881,390 A that discloses a headband formed as a continuous tube wherein the headphone speakers are introduced from a rear buttonhole. Although the docu- ment claims to provide easy and comfortable adjustment of the speaker positions it requires that the speakers are worked around from the rear buttonhole to the desired position. Such manipulation may be very troublesome and inconvenient, especially if the speakers are displaced during sports activities. Speaker displacement may easily occur since the speakers are loosely accommodated in the tube and are only maintained in position by the stretchable material of the headband. A similar solution is presented in US 2008/0044052 Al that likewise discloses a tubular headband into which the speaker elements are introduced through one or several rear openings. In this case unintentional displacement of the speaker elements is counteracted by the use of a plurality of hook and loop fasteners (Velcro) or alternatively male and female snap lock connectors attached to the speaker element and attached in fixed positions to the headband, respectively. This solution does not permit free adjustment of the speaker element positions and the fastener/connector parts may risk becoming inadvertently detached, in particular from the headband stretchable cloth material. SUMMARY

It is a general object of the present invention to provide improvements in audio accessories and to solve the above discussed problems.

In particular it is an object of the invention to suggest an improved headphone assembly.

In particular it is another object of the invention to suggest an improved earpiece for a headphone assembly.

These and other objects are met by the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

The invention generally relates to a headphone assembly having a headband for wearing on the head of a user. The headband is adapted to adjustably support a pair of earpieces with speaker elements for positioning adjacent a respective ear of the user. In a basic configuration each earpiece has a base section accommodating the associated speaker element and head- band attachments that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the base section and the speaker element. The headband attachments each have an at least essentially closed loop and the headband extends through both loops of each headband attachment.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention it generally relates to an earpiece for inte- gration in a headphone assembly according to the invention. In a basic configuration the earpiece has a base section accommodating a speaker element, headband attachments extending outwardly from opposite sides of the base section and an at least essentially closed loop in each headband attachment. The basic headphone assembly according to the invention presents the advantages of:

- easy, quick and convenient personal adjustment of the headphone earpieces;

- great versatility by enabling simple and uncomplicated mounting and dismounting;

- high degree of optional personal positioning of earpieces; secure support for earpieces without risk of being displaced or even falling out; and allowing the use of different types/designs of headbands and earpieces both for practical and for fashion purposes. Preferred further developments of the basic inventive idea as well as embodiments thereof are specified in the dependent subclaims.

Advantages offered by the present invention, in addition to those described, will be readily appreciated upon reading the below detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its further objects and advantages will be best understood by reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the headphone assembly of the invention as carried by the schematically indicated head of a user;

Fig. 2A is a side view of the headphone assembly as shown in Fig. 1 , schematically illustrating the earpiece being essentially received inside the headband;

Fig. 2B is a schematical illustration of the headphone assembly of Fig. 1 , schematically showing the inside of the opposite half of the headband that is not visible in Fig. 1 and likewise showing the earpiece being essentially received therein; Fig. 3 is a schematical top view of the headphone assembly as shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the earpiece of the headphone assembly of Figs. 1-3, showing the side of the earpiece that during use faces the ear of the user; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the earpiece of the headphone assembly of Figs. 1-3, showing the side of the earpiece that during use faces away from the ear of the user;

Fig. 6 is a top view of the earpiece as shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7A is a schematical illustration of a first phase of the assembly of the headband and an earpiece of the headphone assembly of the invention;

Fig. 7B is a schematical illustration of a second phase of the assembly of the headband and an earpiece of the headphone assembly of the invention;

Fig. 8A is a detailed schematical illustration of the headband configuration during the second phase of the assembly of Fig. 7B;

Fig. 8B is a schematical illustration of the completed assembly of the headband and an earpiece of the headphone assembly of the invention;

Fig. 9A is a partial schematical illustration of an embodiment of the headphone assembly of the invention, employing a buckle type headband connector;

Fig. 9B is a detailed and enlarged end view of the buckle type connector of Fig. 9A;

Fig. 10A is a partial schematical illustration of an alternative embodiment of a loop of a headband attachment of the headphone assembly of the invention; and

Fig. 10B is a partial schematical illustration of a further alternative embodiment of a loop of a headband attachment of the headphone assembly of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be explained with reference to exemplifying embodiments of the headphone assembly of the invention as well as of the earpiece thereof. These embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures and relate to an application of the inventive solution specifically to a headphone including a headband intended for supporting speaker elements. It is emphasized that the drawings are for the sole purpose of describing exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to details or to any specific field of application thereof. In this connection shall be emphasized that the inventive solution may be used with other specific headband and speaker element combinations that are appropriate for such applications and with or without an in- corporated microphone for allowing two-way communication. Throughout this specification the expression headphone is therefore intended to include also such headsets having a microphone as well as speaker elements enabling handsfree two-way communication with mobile phones. It shall be realized that the invention covers the incorporation of such application related features and any combination of features disclosed herein.

As was discussed in the introduction the presently and previously available headphone assemblies of the general type where earpieces and/or speaker members are integrated in a headband all suffer from one or more of several unpractical and unwanted drawbacks. It is apparent that problems appear in all products where the adjustment of the speaker member position can not be easily, quickly and conveniently performed at all times, even during active use the product. Many headphone assemblies of this type are frequently used during sports activities and it will be an annoying problem that the earpieces/speaker members cannot be easily dismounted from and remounted in the headband when desiring to wash a dirty and/or sweaty headband. It is likewise apparent that good listening conditions can not be obtained in case the speaker members are not securely maintained in position, at least during active use of the product.

The invention attempts to overcome disadvantages and problems encountered with known headphone assemblies. A new approach is proposed for providing a headphone assembly of this type that enables easy, quick and convenient adjustment as well mounting and dismounting of headband and earpieces/speaker members. This significantly improves free, stepless adjustment of the positions of the speaker members and ensures secure support of the speaker members in position relative to the headband. Another major advantage of the head- phone assembly of the invention is the practical versatility provided by allowing for the use of different combinations of headband and earpieces. Any damaged or otherwise unwanted parts of the headphone assembly may also be easily exchanged.

The basic idea of the proposed solution is to provide a unique and improved support for the earpieces of a headband type headphone assembly. This creates basic conditions for enabling the discussed secure support for the speaker members and the easily adjustable positioning of them relative to the ears of a user. In addition, the solution presented by the invention provides totally new possibilities for the use of headphone assemblies as fashion items. It allows for both the earlier mentioned free combination of differently styled headbands and speaker members and for the use of earpieces having parts that may function as bijouterie pieces. This will also open for a new use of this type of headphone assembly in association with various types of festivities, both public and private.

The invention will be explained below with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures 1 to 1 OB. In the drawing figures are disclosed schematical embodiments of the inventive solution, in which an elongate material is used for the headband 2 of the headphone assembly 1. The headband 2 is preferably made of flexible material and one particularly appropriate example of a headband material is a fabric that is resilient or elastic at least in parts thereof. The advantage of using such a material is that the resiliency of the material allows for an automatic adaption to different head sizes of users, at least within reasonable limits. Such a material may be used with great advantage, but the invention is by no means restricted to the use thereof but covers the use of any appropriate material having the required properties. The headband might alternatively be provided with a known type of band or belt size adjustment in connection with later described buckle-type end connectors thereof.

In Fig. 1 is illustrated a first exemplary embodiment of an audio headphone assembly 1 to which the basic concept of the invention has been applied. In particular, Fig. 1 illustrates a headphone assembly 1 including a headband 2 that is intended for wearing on the head 31 of a user 30. In this embodiment the headband 2 consists of an elongate band of flexible material, preferably made of suitable fabric. The headband 2 is here discontinuous and is at opposite free ends 3, 4 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 9A) thereof provided with complementary releas- able and interconnecting or interfitting buckle type connectors 26, 27 allowing a user 30 to easily close and open the headband 2. Parts 2A of the headband 2 close to the respective ends 3, 4 are here elastic in order to allow for easy adaption of the width of the closed headband 2 to the size and form of the users head 31.

The headband 2 serves to support a pair of earpieces 13, one for each ear 32 of the user 30. The earpieces 13 are each equipped with an associated speaker element 14 and are adjustably supported by the headband 2 to enable proper positioning of the earpieces 13 and their speaker elements 14 adjacent a respective ear 32 of the user 30. In particular, each earpiece 13 has a base section 15 that supports and accommodates an associated speaker element 14 and two headband attachments 16, 17 that serve as headband 2 receiving extensions. They extend generally outwardly from opposite sides of the base section 15 and the associated speaker element 14. At their outer end the headband attachments 16, 17 each have a loop 18, 19 that in this embodiment is completely closed for threadably receiving the headband 2. The loops 18, 19 shall be at least essentially closed to provide secure support for the mounted earpieces 13 on the headband 2.

To mount the earpieces 13 on the headband 2 one end 3, 4 thereof is threaded successively through both loops 18, 19 of the two headband attachments 16, 17 of the two earpieces 13. In Figs. 9A and 9B is shown a practical example of a buckle type connector 26, 27 that may advantageously be used for this embodiment. In one end 3 of the headband 2 is secured a first ring 26 of generally rectangular shape that for connecting the two headband 2 ends 3, 4 may be introduced into a recess 27C in a main body 27A of a buckle frame 27. The buckle frame 27 is in turn secured to the opposite headband 2 end 4 by means of a similar second ring 27B of generally rectangular shape that is fixed to the buckle frame 27.

In this embodiment having the buckle type connectors 26, 27 the end 3 with the thin first ring 26 is extended through the closed loops 18, 19 of the headband attachments 16, 17 of the two earpieces 13. After such mounting the headband 2 is closed by means of the buckle type connectors 26, 27 and is put on the head 31. When the described headphone assembly 1 has been put on the head 31 the earpieces 13 are very easily and conveniently slid along the headband 2 to adjust their position perfectly with respect to the respective ear 32. During this adjustment the earpieces 13 are always securely supported on the headband 2, thereby also allowing for easy corrective adjustment during use, even with the headphone assembly 1 still being worn.

As described so far the illustrated headphone assembly 1 may be used with the earpieces 13 being visibly supported on an outer side 5 of the headband 2, as visualized by the alternative dash-dot line headband extension 2' in Fig. 7 A. In theory it might even be used with ear- pieces 13 supported directly at an inner side 6 of the headband 2, as visualized by the headband 2 of Fig. 7A during a first mounting phase of a further development of the inventive approach. This further development is disclosed in and will be explained with reference to drawing figures 1 -8B. Here, the base section 15 of each earpiece 13 will be received inside an inner channel 7 being provided in the headband 2. This inner channel 7 thus forms an earpiece 13 and speaker element 14 receiving pocket, as is in itself previously known.

For such a developed embodiment the headband 2 has an inner channel 7 (Fig. 3) formed along at least parts of a length thereof that will approximately overlie the ears 32 of the user 30. The channel 7 forms the earpiece 13 and speaker element 14 receiving pocket in a manner that will be explained further below. The headband 2 material consists of double layers, forming an outer side or side wall 5 and an inner side or side wall 6 of the headband 2 and its inner channel 7. The inner channel 7 is provided with a longitudinal slit 9 extending at least partially along the inner side 6 of the headband 2. The slit 9 divides the inner side 6 of the headband 2 in first and second halves 11, 12, respectively, that may be brought apart to form an earpiece 13 introduction opening 10 (Fig. 8A). In particular, the first and second halves 11, 12 overlap so that the first half 11 in normal condition overlies the second half 12 and effectively closes the earpiece 13 and speaker element 14 receiving pocket.

A headphone cable 40 of the headphone assembly 1 has a plug end connector 42 at one end and is at an opposite end connected to the two earpieces 13. The cable 40 will preferably be extended partly through the inner channel 7. In Fig. 1 is illustrated a cable 40 having a microphone 41 for allowing two-way communication with e.g. a mobile phone. At an optional position between its ends the cable 40 is split (not shown) into separate signal cables 40A, 40B. In particular, the signal cables 40A, 40B enter the channel 7 at an appropriate opening (not specifically shown) in a rear area of the headband 2 adjacent to its ends 3, 4. From such an opening they are then extended to an associated earpiece 13, through the channel 7. In the further developed embodiment the headband attachments 16, 17 are each provided with guide portions 20, 21 for properly guiding an associated part or half 11, 12 of the headband 2 inner side 6 on each side of the slit 9 of the inner channel 7. The headband attachment 16, 17 guide portions 20, 21 are positioned generally between the associated loop 18, 19 and the earpiece base section 15. In particular said guide portions 20, 21 each include a pair of partially open guide grooves 22, 23 that open in generally opposite directions. In this respect the headband attachments 16, 17 of each earpiece are provided as mirror images at the two opposite sides of the base section 15, with two guide grooves 22 opening in the same direction being positioned closest to the opposite sides of base section and with the other two guide grooves 23 being positioned closest to the respective loop 18, 19. The guide grooves 22, 23 are intended for receiving the respective half 11, 12 of the headband 2 inner side 6. Specifically the guide portions 20, 21 are provided for securely guiding the material of the headband 2 during and after the below explained headband 2 and earpiece 13 assembly as well as for securing the supported earpieces 13 in the adjusted position. They will also assist in closing the earpiece 13 insertion opening 10 after insertion and securely maintaining it in closed position during use.

The mounting of the earpieces 13 on the headband 2 having the earpiece 13 and speaker element 14 receiving pocket will now be described with reference specifically to Figs. 7A-B and 8A-B. In Fig. 7 A is illustrated how the headband 2 (in the normal situation drawn with full lines) is first threaded through a respective earpiece 13, from one headband 2 attachment 16 loop 18 and to the other headband 2 attachment 17 loop 19. It is threaded so that the headband 2 extends along an outer side of the earpiece 13 that during use faces away from the ear 32. Next, the insertion opening 10 is opened by spreading the overlapping halves 11 and 12 of the headband 2 inner side 6, as shown in Fig. 8 A. With the pocket of the inner headband 2 channel 7 exposed, the earpiece base section 15 and speaker member 14 may be introduced therein. The base section 15 is then securely accommodated in the pocket by pulling the inner headband 2 halves 11, 12 over it and then returning them to their overlapping position, as shown in Figs. 7B and 8B. The inventive concept provides trouble- free adjustment of the earpiece 13 position by securely guiding and maintaining the earpiece 13 base section 15 and speaker element 14 protected in the inner channel 7 during all such adjustment. To accomplish this, the inner side 6 headband halves 11, 12 shall be properly arranged in the guide portion 20, 21 guide grooves 22, 23. Specifically, in the illustrated configuration the overlapping headband half 11 is guided in the outer guide grooves 23, being positioned closest to the loops 18, 19 and the underlying headband half 12 is guided in the inner guide grooves 22, being positioned closest to the base section 15. The guide grooves 22, 23 may serve a purpose of maintaining an earpiece 13 position also in the above mentioned basic embodiment of the headband 2' having no earpiece 13 and speaker element 14 receiving pocket.

In Figs. 10A and 10B are shown alternative embodiments of the earpieces (only partly illustrated) of the inventive headphone assembly 1 and in particular of the headband attachments thereof. The common feature of said alternative embodiments is that the loops 118, 218 of the headband attachments 1 16, 216 each have a partially open or openable and closeable shape allowing sideways insertion of a headband 2 therein. This modification will enable the use of the inventive concept also for a headphone assembly including a headband that is continuous, without ends, and that is resiliently expandable along at least parts of its length to fit different head sizes and shapes. In Fig 10A the loop has a narrow slit 119 formed at one corner, in one short side 120 of the loop 118. This narrow slit 119 will allow lateral insertion of a headband but will effectively prevent inadvertent removal of the headband during use. In Fig. 10B the corresponding short side 220 of the loop 218 is formed by a pivotally supported flap 21 . The flap 219 is supported by a pivot pin 220, is pivotal inwardly and is preferably outwardly spring-loaded towards a loop locked position engaging an undercut stop 218 A. Thus, it will function like a spring safety hook to allow lateral insertion of the headband but prevent inadvertent removal thereof. In further alternative, but not specifically illustrated embodiments of the invention variations of the different illustrated parts of the inventive units may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. An example of this is the above mentioned use of a continuous headband. According to a further alternative the inner channel longitudinal slit may instead extend at least partially along an outer side of the headband, forming an outer ear- piece introduction opening. Likewise, not only the earpieces but also their cable and the buckle may be easily removable so that the headband may be washable. Further, the headband may optionally be formed having two or more distinct inner channels formed along at least parts of a length thereof and forming separate earpiece and speaker element pockets. It shall also be emphasized that although the invention has been described and illustrated with specific reference to an application in a headphone, the invention is in no way restricted to such applications. The basic principles of the invention may be applied to other audio appliances such as headsets for two-way communications.

The invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered the most practical and preferred embodiments but it shall be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It likewise covers any feasible combination of features described and illustrated herein and is therefore intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A headphone assembly (1) including a headband (2) for wearing on the head (31) of a user (30) and for adjustably supporting a pair of earpieces (13) with associated speaker elements (14) for positioning adjacent a respective ear (32) of the user, whereby each earpiece (13) has a base section (15) for accommodating the associated speaker element and headband attachments (16, 17; 116; 216) extending generally outwardly from opposite sides of the base section and the associated speaker element (14), the headband attachments each have an at least essentially closed loop (18, 19; 118; 218) and the headband extends through the loop of each headband attachment, characterized in that the headband (2) has at least one inner channel (7) formed along at least parts of a length thereof and forming an earpiece (13) and speaker element (14) receiving pocket, that the inner channel or channels (7) each have a longitudinal slit (9) extending at least partially along one outer or inner side (5 and 6, respectively) of the headband, forming an earpiece introduction opening (10) and that the headband attachments (16, 17; 116; 216) each have guide portions (20, 21) for guiding a part (11 , 12) of the headband on each side of the slit of the inner channel.

2. A headphone assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the headband attachment (16, 17; 116; 216) guide portions (20, 21) each include a pair of guide grooves (22, 23) that are open in generally opposite directions for receiving a respective part (11, 12) of the headband (2) on each side of the slit (9).

3. A headphone assembly (1) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the headband (2) is discontinuous and at free ends (3, 4) thereof is provided with complementary releasable and interconnecting means (26, 27), such as of the buckle type.

4. A headphone assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the loops (18, 19) of the headband attachments (16, 17) are each completely closed for threadably receiving the headband (2).

5. A headphone assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the headband (2) is continuous and is resiliently expandable along at least parts of its length.

6. A headphone assembly (1) according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the loops (118; 218) of the headband attachments (116; 216) each have a partially open or openable and closeable shape allowing sideways insertion of the headband (2) therein.

7. An earpiece (13) for a headphone assembly (1) including a headband (2) for wearing on the head (31) of a user (30) and for adjustably supporting a pair of earpieces (13) with associated speaker elements (14) for positioning adjacent a respective ear (32) of the user, whereby each earpiece has a base section (15) for accommodating the speaker element, headband attachments (16, 17; 116; 216) extending generally outwardly from opposite sides of the base section and its speaker element (14) and an at least essentially closed loop (18, 19; 118; 218) provided in each headband attachment, characterized in that the headband attachments (16, 17; 116; 216) each have guide portions (20, 21) for guiding a material of a headband (2) and positioned between the associated loop (18, 19; 118; 218) and the earpiece base section (15).

8. An earpiece (13) according to claim 7, characterized in that the headband attachment (16, 17; 116; 216) guide portions (20, 21) each include a pair of partially open guide grooves (22, 23) opening in generally opposite directions.