EP0779763A1

EP0779763A1 - Improved headphone including split earphones and coupling means for coupling it to the ears

Info

Publication number: EP0779763A1
Application number: EP95830512A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Augusto Salzani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-12-13
Filing date: 1995-12-13
Publication date: 1997-06-18

Abstract

The present invention relates to an acoustic headphone of the split earphone type, with coupling means for coupling the headphone to the ears, which comprises, for each earphone, a soft material cushion element which can be coupled to the ear pavilion and is supported by a bridging element. This bridging element is articulated with an insert portion of a curved element made of a comparatively soft material and which is coupled to the rear face of the ear pavilion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an acoustic headphone of the split earphone type, including specifically designed coupling means for coupling the headphone to the ears of an user.
As is known, prior commercially available headphones usually comprise a pair of earphones, coupled to one another by a resilient curved element allowing to provide a small pressure for coupling the earphones to the ears of an user.
Such an arrangement has, at first, the drawback that it is rather discomfortable since the. coupling element engaging at the rear of an user head or possibly passing under the chin of the user, represents frequently an obstruction, whereas the pressing exerted on the ear pavilion can be dangerous for the user.
Other prior arrangements, including split-earphone headset constructions, provide to make the earphones so as to be adapted to be directly introduced into the ear pavilion, thereby providing discomfort to the user.
Prior systems for connecting the earphones to the ears, and conventionally using clips or the like elements, have not encountered a satisfactory success, since they comprise comparatively stiff coupling elements provided for directly contacting the ear pavilion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a split-earphone headset or headphone including coupling means for quickly and easily coupling it to the ears of an user, which allows the split earphones to be coupled to the ears in a very comfortable manner.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a headphone in which the split earphones thereof can be practically clamped to the ear pavilions so as to provide a firm connection which is on the other hand very comfortable for the user.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a headphone which is very safe and reliable in operation, can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a split-earphone headphone, including means for coupling it to the ears of an user, characterized in that said headphone comprises, for each earphone thereof, a cushion element made of a soft material, which can be coupled to the ear pavilion of an user and being supported by a bridging element articulated with an insert portion of a curved element, made of a comparatively soft material and which can be coupled. to the rear face of the ear pavilion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of two preferred, though not exclusive, embodiments of the acoustic headphone according to the present invention which are illustrated, by way of a merely indicative, but not limitative, example, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where:
Figures 1 to 6 illustrate a first embodiment of the headphone according to the present invention and, more specifically:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the subject headphone as applied to the ears of an user;
Figure 2 is a further perspective view illustrating an earphone associated with the headphone according to the invention;
Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an earphone;
Figure 4 illustrates a detail of the articulation region between the bridging element and an insert portion;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view. illustrating an earphone in a closed condition thereof;
Figure 6 is a further cross-sectional view illustrating the earphone in a slightly spread-apart condition, in order to allow it to be easily applied to the ear pavilion;

Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating an earphone;
Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an earphone;
Figure 9 is a front elevation view illustrating the bridging element;
Figure 10 is a top plan view illustrating the bridging element;
Figure 11 is a rear elevation view illustrating the bridging element;
Figure 12 is a cross sectional view of Figure 11, substantially taken along the section line XII-XII;
Figure 13 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, a detail of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a front elevation view illustrating the insert portion of the curved element;
Figure 15 is a further elevation view illustrating the insert portion of the curved element;
Figure 16 is a further elevation view illustrating the bridging element coupled to the insert portion of the curved element, in the closure condition thereof; and
Figure 17 illustrates the bridging element coupled to the insert portion of the curved element in an opened position thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of Figures 1 to 6, the split-earphone acoustic headphone according to the present invention, provided with means for quickly and easily coupling it to the ears of an user comprises, for each earphone, indicated generally by the reference number 1, a cushion element 2, made of a soft material, advantageously a foamed polyurethane material, provided for bearing against the ear pavilion 3.
The cushion element 2 is provided, in its inside, with a cavity 4 into which can be introduced the conventional microphone 18, which is coupled, through a wire 5 to a playback appliance.
The cushion element 2 is supported by a bridging element 10, preferably made of a stiff plastic material, which, at the microphone application region, is provided with a plurality of throughgoing holes 11.
At one end portion thereof, the bridging element 10 is provided with hinge means 12 which, through a pivot-pin 13, are articulated with corresponding hinge means 14, comprising an insert portion 15 arranged inside a curved element 16.
The curved element 16, which has a substantially C-shape, is made of a foamed polyurethane material, and has preferably a softness less than that of the cushion element 2.
The curved element 16, in particular, can be coupled to the rear face of the ear pavilion.
In order to provide a firm coupling of the earphone to the ear pavilion, at said hinge means are provided resilient return means 20, advantageously comprising a pin spring 11, or flexure spring, which. resiliently connects to one another the curved element 16 and cushion element 2, by sweetly clamping them on the ear pavilion.
Thus, the user will have the earphone coupled to his/her ear, with an interposition of a soft material on all of the bearing regions, and with a clamping pressure which is very sweet and accordingly not dangerous, but adapted to provide a firm support for the earphone.
As shown, the cushion element 2 is moreover provided with an inside cavity 4, into which can be introduced a microphone 18, and, more specifically, a "horn" or trumpet microphone.
Such a configuration will allow to faithfully reproduce the "bass" tones which can be hardly reproduced by prior acoustical headphones.
Figures 7 to 17 illustrate a second embodiment of the split-earphone headphone according to the present invention.
In this second embodiment too, each earphone, generally indicated by the reference number 1a, comprises a cushion element 2a, of a soft material, having an inside cavity 4a into which can be introduced the microphone to be coupled to the playback appliance.
The cushion element 2a is supported by a bridging element 10a which is also preferably made of a rigid plastic material and being provided, at the microphone application region thereof, with a plurality of throughgoing holes 11a.
At one end portion thereof, the bridging element 10a is articulated to an insert portion 15a arranged inside a curved element 16a. The curved element 16a is also made of a foamed polyurethane material and is preferably provided with a softness less than that of the cushion element 2a.
The articulated connection between the bridging element 10a and insert portion 15a is obtained by a pivot-pin 13a which is rigidly connected to the bridging element 10a and with which a curved portion 14a of the insert 15a is rotatably connected. The curved portion 14a is suitably opened, so as to allow the bridging element to be quickly assembled to the insert 15a.
In this second embodiment, the resilient means holding the bridging element 10a in the closure condition thereof with respect to the insert 15a, or in the opening condition thereof, comprise a pair of cam elements 12a extending about the axis of the pivot-pin 13a in those regions of the bridging element 10 which are arranged at the end portions of said pivot-pin 13a. The cam elements 12a bear against wings or legs 20a laterally arranged on opposite portions of the curved part 14a of the insert 15.
Thus, the legs 20a will operate like the spring 20 of the first embodiment, with the advantage that the cam elements 12a will allow to firmly hold each earphone in its opened or closed position, thereby facilitating the fitting of the earphone to the ear.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that the provision of soft regions tor contacting the ear pavilion will greatly increase the comfort of the user and, moreover, the provision of a resilient return element at the articulation region will provide a firm connection without any discomfort for the user.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible to the intended application, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

A split-earphone headphone, including means for coupling it to the ears of an user, characterized in that said headphone comprises, for each earphone thereof, a cushion element made of a soft material, which can be coupled to the ear pavilion of an user and being supported by a bridging element articulated with an insert portion of a curved element, made of a comparatively soft material and which can be coupled to the rear face of the ear pavilion.
A headphone, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said soft material cushion element is provided with an inside cavity for housing therein a microphone.
A headphone, according to Claim 2, characterized in that said cavity of said cushion element has a horn configuration.
A headphone, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bridging element is provided with a plurality of throughgoing holes at a region thereof for coupling with said microphone.
A headphone, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cushion element is made of a soft foamed polyurethane material.
A headphone, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said curved element has a C-shape and is made of a foamed polyurethane having a softness less than that of the material forming said cushion element.
A headphone, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said headphone further comprises resilient means operating at the articulation region between said bridging element and said insert portion.
A headphone, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resilient means comprise a flexure spring or pin spring, operating between the articulation portion provided on the bridging element and the articulation portion provided on the insert portion.
A headphone, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said resilient means comprise at least a resiliently flexible leg associated with said insert portion and engaging with a cam element rigid with said bridging element and extending about the axis of the hinge in order to hold said earphone either in its opening position or in its closed position.
A headphone, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bridging element is hinge connected to said insert portion by a pivot-pin rigid with said bridging element and a curved portion of opened configuration rigid with said insert portion of said curved element rotatably engaging with said pivot-pin.