CA2612400A1

CA2612400A1 - Headset with magnetic breakaway switch permitting removal and reinstallation of an earphone

Info

Publication number: CA2612400A1
Application number: CA 2612400
Authority: CA
Inventors: Rishi Persaud
Original assignee: Iskin Inc
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-26
Filing date: 2007-11-26
Publication date: 2009-05-26

Abstract

A headset comprising a pair of earphones is constructed with a breakaway magnetic switch that allows one earphone to be removed for storage when a user wishes to listen to audio materials but remain aware of noises or sounds in the vicinity of the user.

Description

HEADSET WITH MAGNETIC BREAKAWAY SWITCH
PERMITTING REMOVAL AND REINSTALLATION OF AN EARPHONE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to headsets, and more specifically, to a headset in which one of a pair of earphones can be conveniently removed for temporary storage and reinstalled when required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Headsets are widely used in connection with playback of audio recordings and receipt of radio transmissions. A typical headset comprises a pair of earphones, a plug adapted to receive left and right audio signals and a reference signal from a playback device, and cables in a Y-configuration that couple the earphones to the plug. There are circumstances in which a user may not want to occupy both ears with both left and right audio signals. For example, many individuals like to listen to music on a portable playback device while jogging but need to be aware of traffic noises to avoid mishaps. In such circumstances, only a single earphone may be used, and it would be desirable to provide a convenient way to handle the unused earphone that does not leave the earphone dangling and does not require the earphone and associated cable to be tied off or otherwise attached to a user's clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a headset comprising a plug adapted to receive a first audio signal, a second audio signal and a reference signal.
The headset also comprises first and second earphones, and first and second housings. A first pair of electrical contacts are mounted to the first housing, and a second pair of electrical contacts, to the second housing, the housings having a predetermined relative orientation in which the first pair of contacts engages the second pair of contacts for signal transfer between the pairs of contacts. A
length of cable couples the plug to the first housing and conveys the various signals to the first housing, and the first pair of contacts is coupled to the length of cable such that the second signal and the reference signal are applied to the first pair of contacts.
Another length of cable couples the first earphone to the first housing for application of the first signal and the reference signal to the first earphone. Another length of cable couples the second earphone to the second pair of contacts for application of the second signal and the reference signal to the second earphone when the pairs of contacts are engaged with one another for signal transfer.
Magnetic materials are located in the first and second housings and oriented such that housings are urged toward one another when in the predetermined orientation.
This arrangement effectively defines a magnetic breakaway switch that permits the second earphone to be removed from the headset by physically separating the housings and to be reinstalled by bringing the housing sections into proximity in substantially the predetermined orientation.

Various aspects of the invention will be apparent from a description below of preferred embodiments, and will be more specifically defined in the appended claims. For the purposes of claim interpretation, the term "headset"

refers to a headset in which there is no headband joining earphones.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood with reference to drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a headset embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an expanded view of the area designated 2 in fig. 1 and containing two housings associated with the headset;

Fig. 3 is a view along lines 3-3 of fig. 2 showing the interior of one housing associated with the headset;

Fig. 4 is a view along lines 4-4 of fig. 2 showing the interior of the other housing associated with the headset;

Fig. 5 is a view along lines 5-5 of fig. 2 further detailing a socket associated with the one housing;

Fig. 6 is a view along lines 6-6 of fig. 2 further detailing a plug associated with the other housing;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the plug received in the socket;
Fig. 8 is a view along line 8 of fig. 2 further detailing the socket associated with the one housing and showing the position of electrical contacts;
and, Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of the headset.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to fig. 1, which illustrates a headset 10 embodying the invention. The headset 10 comprises first and second earphones 12, 14 and a conventional plug 16 adapted to receive a first audio signal intended for the first earphone 12, a second audio signal intended for the second earphone 14, and a common reference signal (ground). The headset 10 also comprises first and second housings 18, 20, which cooperate to define a breakaway switch that permits physical separation of the second earphone 14 from the headset 10 when not required and simple reinstallation afterwards.

A length of input cable 22, which extends between the plug 16 and the first housing, comprises three signal lines 24, 26, 28 (shown in fig. 9) that convey the three signals applied to the plug to the first housing. A length of output cable 30, which extends between the first housing and the first earphone 12, comprises two signal lines 32, 34 (shown in fig. 9) that apply the first signal and the reference signal to the first earphone 12. Another length of output cable 36, which extends between the second housing and the second earphone 14, comprises two signal lines 38, 40 (shown in fig. 9) that serve to apply the second signal and the reference signal to the second earphone 14 when the first and second housing are joined in a predetermined relative orientation (shown in fig. 7).

The housings 18, 20 are configured to transfer the second signal and the reference signal therebetween. To that end, the first housing comprises a socket 42 in which a first pair of electrical contacts 44 are mounted and coupled to the signal lines 26, 28 (shown in fig. 9) associated with the length of input cable 22.

The second housing comprises a hollow plug 46 to which are mounted a second pair of electrical contacts 48 coupled by the signal lines 38, 40 (shown in fig. 9) to the second earphone 14. The plug 16 has a trapezoidal cross-section transverse to its length (as apparent in fig. 2) and the socket 42 has a complementary trapezoidal cross-section, ensuring that the plug 16 is received in the socket 42 only in a single orientation. In that orientation, the electrical contacts 44 within the socket 42 mate with the electrical contacts 48 on the exterior of the plug 46 to transfer the second audio signal and the reference signal.

Magnetic materials are installed in both housings 18, 20. These include a bar magnet 50 mounted in the hollow interior of the plug 16, and presenting a north pole adjacent to the tip of the plug 16. An annular magnet 52 is located around the socket 42 and presents a south pole at the operative face of the first housing. The magnets 50, 52 cause the housings 18, 20 to be drawn together when proximate to one another and resist separation of the plug 16 from the socket 42.

It should be appreciated that a particular embodiment of the invention has been described and that modifications may be made therein without necessarily departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A headset comprising:

a plug adapted to receive a first audio signal, a second audio signal and a reference signal;

first and second earphones;
first and second housings;

a first pair of electrical contacts mounted to the first housing;

a second pair of electrical contacts mounted to the second housing;
the housings having a predetermined relative orientation in which the first pair of contacts engages the second pair of contacts for signal transfer between the pairs of contacts;

a length of cable coupling the plug to the first housing and conveying the first signal, the second signal, and the reference signal to the first housing;

the first pair of contacts being coupled to the length of cable such that the second signal and the reference signal are applied to the first pair of contacts;

a length of cable coupling the first earphone to the first housing for application of the first signal and the reference signal to the first earphone;

a length of cable coupling the second earphone to the second pair of contacts for application of the second signal and the reference signal to the second earphone when the pairs of contacts are engaged with one another for signal transfer; and, magnetic materials located in the first and second housings and oriented such that housings are urged toward one another when the housings are in the predetermined orientation;

whereby, the second earphone can be removed from the headset by physically separating the housings and can thereafter be reinstalled in the headset by bringing the housings into proximity in substantially the predetermined orientation.

2. The headset of claim 1 in which:

the first housing comprises a receptacle;

the first pair of electrical contacts is located in the receptacle;
the second housing comprises a plug dimensioned to be received within the receptacle; and, the second pair of contacts is located on the plug.

3. The headset of claim 3 in which the receptacle and the plug are shaped such that the plug is received in the receptacle only in a single orientation.