AU2007101005B4

AU2007101005B4 - A display attachment for an earphone

Info

Publication number: AU2007101005B4
Application number: AU2007101005A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Justin Broomhead
Original assignee: IBINGZ Pty Ltd
Current assignee: IBINGZ Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-05-30
Filing date: 2007-10-11
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-11
Also published as: AU2007101005A8; AU2007101005A4

Description

Regulation 3.2 Revised 2/98

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act, 1990 COMPLETE INNOVATION SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT ACTUAL INVENTOR ADDRESS FOR SERVICE INVENTION TITLE: DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO: iBingz Pty Ltd (ACN 125 673 154) Justin Broomhead Peter Maxwell and Associates Level 6 Pitt Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 A DISPLAY ATTACHMENT FOR AN

EARPHONE

2007 902 899 30 May 2007 Australia The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:m:\docs\20071 025\1 29027.doc 0 2

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OFIELD OF THE INVENTION 0 This invention relates to a display attachment for an earphone. In particular it relates to a display attachment that is useable on both the n earphones and earphone cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Portable devices featuring earphones have become popular in recent Syears. Whereas traditionally such devices would have been used with larger, headphones which are worn over the ears, the advances made in miniaturisation have resulted in earphones worn inside the ear canal that exhibit similar functionality and dynamic performance of the earlier headphones.

Whereas headphones were larger, and of themselves, distinct in appearance, earphones on the other hand are often minimalist in their design, and are often identical to many other earphones as worn by others. Further, the popularity of certain brands of MP3 players have resulted in many identical sets of earphones being used by many people such that there is now a desire to personalise one's own set of headphones so that they appear different to the standard earphones provided with the popular devices.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a display device for use with earphones that will allow for aesthetically pleasing designs and adornments to be attached to at least the earphone portion of the earphones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a display device for an earphone having an earpiece containing a transducer, elongate cable attachment and elongate cable wherein the display device comprises a display support and attachment means, the attachment means being adapted to attach the display support to at 10/10/07 3 0 least one member of the list comprising elongate cable attachment and

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elongate cable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the a attachment means includes first and second opposed gripping arms, the arms being shaped to capture at least a portion of the elongate cable attachment to retain the display support thereon, and wherein the gripping means act upon the elongate cable Sattachment for attachment and subsequent display thereon.

Preferably the elongate cable attachment can have a circular crosssection.

Preferably the arms can form an arc of a circle.

Preferably the arms can be sized to extend beyond the mid-point of the cable attachment.

Preferably the distal ends of the arms can be profiled to provide a smooth engagement with the elongate cable attachment.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the attachment means include first and second opposed gripping arms, the arms being shaped to capture at least a portion of the elongate cable attachment to retain the display support thereon, and a cable gripping recess, wherein the display device is adapted to be attached to both the elongate cable and the elongate cable extension.

Preferably the cable gripping recess can extend the length of the gripping arrangement.

Preferably the cable gripping recess can have an aperture of reduced width compared with the body of the recess.

Preferably the cable gripping recess can be made of resilient material.

10/10/07 4 0 0 Preferably the aperture of the recess can be resiliently deformable.

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Preferably the aperture can be smaller than at least one dimension of the cable cross-section, whereby the aperture is resiliently deformable to receive the cable.

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In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the gripping means is provided by a tubular borehole through which a slit it cut along its vertical axis, 0 and wherein the elongate cable is first passed through the vertical slit and thereafter drawn downwards such that the elongate cable attachment is drawn into the tubular borehole where it is held in place against the device, and wherein the device is adapted to be retained against the elongate cable extension.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubular borehole is tapered such that the elongate cable attachment is gripped tighter after introduction into the tubular borehole and as it is being drawn downward.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the display support can include a display printed on the display support.

Preferably the display support can be shaped to represent an image.

Preferably the display support can be adapted to engage a separate display device.

Preferably the display can be a promotional display, a decorative display, an information display, or any other display adapted for the purpose of the invention.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an earphone.

Figure 2 is an end view of a display device having a clip arrangement.

Figure 3 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an underside perspective view illustrating the display support.

Figure 5 illustrates the display device connected to the stem of an earphone.

Figure 6 illustrates the operation of a clip arrangement in engaging a tubular member.

Figure 7 shows a further adaptation for gripping a headphone cable.

Figure 8 shows the arrangement of Figure 7 engaging a cable.

Figure 9 shows a cable grip adapted for a circular section cable.

Figure 10 shows an attachable display.

Figure 11 shows a plug for a cable attachment.

Figure 12 shows a further embodiment with the cable groove in the plug.

Figure 13 shows a clip attachment applied to a non-circular tubular member.

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 15 shows another embodiment of the invention.

10/10/07 6 o Figure 16 shows an arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 17 shows an arrangement according to a still further embodiment Sof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows an earphone 100 having a transducer housing 102 with Ci an elongated cable stem 104 via which a cable 106 connects the transducer to the source of electrical signals, such as analog electrical signals which are converted to acoustic signals by the transducer. The earphone may be adapted to be inserted into the ear of a user.

Figure 2 is an end view of a display device having a clip arrangement 220 adapted to clip on to an elongate member. The clip arrangement includes a resilient griping arrangement formed of opposed resilient arms 226, 228. The clip member 220 is attached to a display support 222 either directly or via an optional linking portion 224. The clip member 220 is formed to make a snap-on connexion with a tubular member 204 such as cable stem 104 of Figure 1. The display support can be of any suitable shape and thickness.

Figure 3 is a side view of the arrangement of Figure 2. The display support 322 is connected to the clip arrangement 320 by connexion portion 324. The arms of the clip arrangement 320 extend beyond the centre line 326 of the tubular member 304. The cross-section of the clip arrangement 220, 320 can partially enclose a cross-section conformed to the cross-section the tubular member. The cross-section partially enclosed by the arms of the clip arrangement 220, 320 can be made slightly smaller than the cross-section of the tubular member 204, 304, so the arms hold the tubular member with a compressive grip.

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SFigure 4 is an underside perspective view illustrating the display support 420, the connexion portion 424, and the clip arrangement 420 in the form of an arc of a circle.

Figure 5 illustrates the display device connected to the stem 504 of an earphone having transducer housing 502. The display support 522 is located on the opposite side of the stem 504 to the transducer 502.

Figure 6 illustrates the operation of a clip arrangement 620 in engaging a tubular member 660. The inner points 670 of the arms make initial contact with the tubular member 660, the distance 668 between the contact points 670 being less than the diameter of the tubular member 660. In this embodiment, the ends of the arms have been profiled to provide a smooth engagement between the ends of the arms and the tubular member. This can be done by rounding the ends of the arms or otherwise profiling the ends of the arms. In the embodiment shown, the inner portion 662 of the ends of the arms is shaped at an angle to provide a tangential contact surface with the tubular member 304. The outer end of the ends of the arms can be rounded.

When the contact point 670 passes the diameter transverse to the direction of attachment, and the resilient force of the arms 620 can overcome the frictional resistance, the resilient force will cause the arms to snap into position around the tubular member. Depending on the hardness of the materials of the clip and the tubular member, this can produce a "click" sound, confirming that the clip is attached to the tubular member.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, the optional intermediate portion between the display support and the clip arrangement is not included.

Figure 7 shows a further adaptation for gripping the headphone or earphone cable. A wedge shaped recess 770 has a narrowed opening and 10/10/07 8 O 0 broader interior dimension. The narrow opening can be less than the major

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dimension of the cable cross-section.

Where the cable has a major dimension and a minor dimension, the recess 770 can be shaped to permit the minor dimension to pass through the opening, and the interior dimension can be such as to contain the major dimension of the cable, as shown in Figure 8.

0Where the cable has a circular cross-section, as shown at 980 in Figure 9, the opening of the recess 970 can be less than the diameter of the cable while the interior section of the recess can be adapted to retain the cable. The material of the clip arrangement can be resilient and the aperture of the recess can be dimensioned to receive the cable in a press-fit.

The display support can be adapted to have a display printed thereon, or can be shaped to any desired shape forming a display. In this case, the display support and the clip arrangement can be formed as a unitary member, and can be moulded in a single moulding operation.

Alternatively, the display support can be formed as an engaging member to which a separate display element can be attached. Figure 10 shows a snapon display member 1000, having a display surface 1002 and a rear surface 1004. The rear surface includes a resilient recess having an aperture 1006 which is smaller than the interior dimension 1008. The aperture can be resiliently deformed to permit a display support, such as 522 in Figure 5, to pass therethrough and to retain the display and support together.

The engagement member can be a press-fit snap-action attachment adapted to engage the display support.

The display element can be attached by suitable means such as gluing or welding to the display support.

10/10/07 9 o The display can be text, images, shapes or a combination of these.

0 Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention adapted for connexion to a cable 1180. The cable is retained in recess 1170 and a plug member having a mating section 1182, and a grip portion 1184, is inserted into the connector arms as a press-fit to retain the cable in the recess. The handle portion 1184 can be used to withdraw the plug member.

0Where a plug member such as 1182 is used, the cable can be a loose fit in the recess and the material does not need to be distorted to permit the cable to be inserted in the recess.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the cable recess 1288 is in the plug 1282. This permits the clip to have a continuous curved inner surface. Cable 1280 can be a loose fit in the recess 1288 because the inner wall of the clip closes the recess 1288. Alternatively, the cable can be a friction fit in the recess so that it will be retained in place on the cable.

Figure 13 shows the attachment applied to a non-circular tubular cable attachment 1304. In this example, the cable attachment 1304 is square in section, but the clip can be applied to other compatible shapes. The opening between the arms of the clip is smaller than the side of the square. in general, the opening between the arms can be smaller than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of the member 1304 in the relaxed state (when not applied to the tubular member). In the applied state it is also preferable that the arms extend beyond the cross-section of the tubular member, and, have a smaller distance between the ends of the arms than the smallest dimension of the tubular member.

The embodiment shown in figure 14 includes a display support 1422 with clip arrangement having arms 1426 and 1428 forming cable aperture 10/10/07 0

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1425. Arm 1426 includes an shaped extension 1427, 1431, and arm 1428 has a similar extension 1429, 1433. The clip material is resilient and the L shaped extensions permit the user to open the aperture to the recess 1425 to n insert the cable.

Figure 15 shows a further variation in which cable apertures of various size, 1521, 1523, 1525 are formed by arms 1526, 1528. The largest aperture is 0provided near the top pf the arms. A notch 1515 is formed at the top of the junction between the arms to provide purchase when parting the arms. 1522 is the display support.

Figure 16 shows an arrangement in which one or more cable recesses 1621, 1623, 1625 are formed in a plug 1682. These recesses are analogous to the recesses 1521, 1523, 1525 of Figure Figure 17 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention with a second type of earphone 1700. This type of earphone has become more prevalent in recent years. The display assembly and earphone are not shown relatively to scale. The second earphone assembly 1700 includes earphone 1702, deformable cable extension 1704, and cable 1706.

The display device of the present embodiment of the invention includes display support 1722 and a cable gripping arrangement in which the arms 1726, 1728 are subsumed into an elongate member 1790, which, in this embodiment, is cylindrical. The recess 1792 for engaging the tubular element is formed as a transverse bore through the cylinder 1790. A longitudinal slit 1796 is provided to permit cylinder 1790 to be slid over the earphone cable 1706 and up to the end of the tubular cable extension 1704 from the earplug. The through hole 1792 is adapted to engage the tubular cable extension 1704. The leading edge of the recess 1792 can be bevelled as shown at 1794 to facilitate 10/10/07 11 0 Sengagement of the recess and tubular cable extension 1704. In this embodiment, the material of the cylinder need not be as flexible as in the arrangement of Figure 2 because the aperture of the recess 1792 (the n intersection of the bore with slit 1796) does not need to be opened to receive S 5 the cross-section of the tubular cable extension. This ability to use a more rigid material allows it to be used with earphones that have a deformable and 0flexible cable extension 1704.

In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), the through hole 1792 is larger at the upper, earphone receiving end than at the other end (not shown) such that the transverse bore formed in cylinder 1790 is tapered. The tapering of the transverse bore results in a display device that is able to accept the deformable and flexible cable extension 1704 through the through hole 1792 whereupon the earphone is pushed down into the device whilst pulling the earphone cable 1706. Depending on whether the hole at the opposite end is made big enough, either a portion of the cable extension 1704 or just the cable 1706 itself will exit the other end. In either case however, the tapered bore hole together with the deformable and flexible cable extension 1704, results in a tight grip being maintained by the display device on the cable extension.

The invention can be applied to earplugs, earphones, earbuds, headphones, stereophones, headsets, canalphones, earpieces, and these terms can be used interchangeably in this specification.

Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

10/10/07 O 12 O 0 It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein 0 extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations o constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

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While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be 0 embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

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Claims

1. A detachable display device for an earphone comprising an earpiece containing a transducer, elongate cable attachment and elongate cable and where the earphone components are affixed and not separable, wherein the O display device comprises a display support and detachable attachment means, the detachable attachment means being adapted to detachably attach the Sdisplay support to either the elongate cable attachment or the elongate cable.

2. The display device of claim 1 wherein the detachable attachment means comprises first and second opposed gripping arms, the arms being adapted to co-operate so as to grip at least a portion of the elongate cable attachment.

3. The display device of claim 2 wherein the detachable attachment means further comprises a cable gripping recess adapted to grip and retain the elongate cable.

4. The display device of claim 2 further wherein the detachable attachment means further comprises a plug and where the arms of the display device are further adapted to receive the plug therebetween and so retain the elongate cable in a fixed position in relation to the display device when the plug is inserted into the arms of the device The display device of claim 1 wherein the detachable attachment means is provided by tubular borehole formed in a cylindrical member through which a 20/03/08 00 C slit it cut along its longitudinal axis, and wherein the display device is adapted Sto receive the elongate cable through the slit and thereafter the elongate cable extension is drawn down into the tubular borehole whereby the display device is retained against at least a portion of the elongate cable extension. SDated this 20 day of March 2008 N iBingz Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL AND ASSOCIATES 20/03/08