GB2577712A - Case for headphones - Google Patents
Case for headphones Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2577712A GB2577712A GB1816162.0A GB201816162A GB2577712A GB 2577712 A GB2577712 A GB 2577712A GB 201816162 A GB201816162 A GB 201816162A GB 2577712 A GB2577712 A GB 2577712A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- headphones
- flap portion
- case according
- storage structure
- headphone case
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
- H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
- H04R1/1033—Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
- A45C2011/001—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 for portable audio devices, e.g. headphones or MP3-players
Abstract
A headphone case comprising: a shell portion 12 defining a storage space; a flap portion 14 that encloses the space; wherein the flap portion is rotatable from a closed to open configuration by a pivoting member 30. When in a closed position the planar surface of the flap 14 and the planar surface of the shell (20, Fig. 4) may be parallel. The planar wall portions may include curved end portions to define a U-shaped surface about the pivoting member. The flap portion 14 may include a storage structure 22 supported by wings 28a, 28b. The storage structure may extend into the storage space; comprise one or more recessed receptacles 24 for receiving headphones; and comprise a flange 32 to restrict the rotational movement of the flap portion with respect to the shell portion. The headphones may be in-ear headphones. The flap portion may be operable with a single hand and remove the need for an additional locking or securing structure.
Description
CASE FOR HEADPHONES
The invention relates generally to a headphone case, that is a case for storing headphones, in particular an in-ear headphone case, that is a case for storing in-ear headphones.
INTRODUCTION
A number of ways of storing headphones are known in the art. For example, typical storage cases for headphones include two complementary portions that can be zipped together to close the case. The two complementary portions are typically hard shelled, that is to say that they do not tend to be resilient. Other storage cases include a plastic frame and a clip on cover for securing the headphones therein.
However, such storage means are not without their drawbacks. For example, the storage cases discussed above typically require the user to use both hands to open or close the case, which is cumbersome and difficult when handling the case and headphones simultaneously.
Therefore, there is a need to eliminate this problem with storage cases in the art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided a headphone case, comprising: a shell portion defining a storage space for storing headphones; and a flap portion configured to enclose the space; wherein the flap portion is connected to the shell portion by a pivoting member, and wherein the flap portion is thereby rotatable from a closed configuration to an open configuration.
That is to say, the headphone case includes a shell portion, comprising a housing, casing or frame portion, that defines a storage space within the shell portion that is capable of storing headphones therein.
Connected to the shell portion is a flap portion. The flap portion serves to enclose the space, or otherwise close off the enclosed space from the user.
The flap portion and the shell portion are connected by a distinct, separate pivoting member. The pivoting member allows for rotation of the flap portion about a pivot point, with respect to the shell portion. In this way, the user can rotate the flap portion with respect to the shell portion to reveal or close off the enclosed space of the shell portion. In this way, the flap portion acts as a door to allow the user to open or close the headphone case. Advantageously, this configuration, and in particular the provision of the pivoting member, allows for a simple closure action by the user, and in particular enables embodiments where this can be performed without the use both hands to open or close the case.
In a possible advantageous arrangement, the flap portion includes a first planar wall portion, the shell portion includes a second planar wall portion, and the flap portion is connected to the shell portion by the pivoting member such that in the closed configuration the respective planar wall portions lie parallel and spaced apart either side of the storage space such as to at least in part enclose the same.
That is to say, the shell portion and the flap portion define mutually opposable walls that sit either side of the storage space in the closed configuration. In this way the first and second planar wall portions sit parallel in the closed configuration but define a more open structure with the first and second planar wall portions divergent and the storage space accessible in the open configuration.
In a possible advantageous arrangement one or both of the first and second planar wall portions may include end portions configured to define a continuously curved surface about the pivoting member.
In this way the first and second planar wall portions and the end portion(s) define a generally U-shaped structure with the first and second planar wall portions parallel in the closed configuration.
For reference purposes with reference to a viewing direction defined as having the flap portion forwardmost, but without any further structural limitation being implied, the first planar wall portion thus serves as a back wall of the case and the second planar wall portion thus serves as a front wall of the case when the shell portion and the flap portion are in the closed configuration.
In a possible configuration, the shell portion may further include a pair of side walls and a top wall all connected to and extending from the back wall, wherein the side walls, the top wall and the back wall including any end portion thereof define the space for storing headphones, and wherein the front wall including any end portion thereof completes enclosure of the same in the closed configuration in use.
That is to say, the shell portion may include a first side wall and a second side wall that are connected by a back wall and a top wall. The first side wall, second side wall, back wall and top wall define the space in which headphones can be stored.
Preferably, the storage space may contain a storage structure configured to store headphones in use wherein the storage structure is not accessible in the closed configuration and wherein the storage structure is accessible in the open configuration.
That is, the storage space defined within the shell portion is configured to enable the storage structure to locate in this defined space when the case is in the closed configuration. When in the open configuration, the storage structure is revealed to, and is accessible by, the user.
That is, in the closed configuration, the storage structure may not be accessible by the user, and, in the open configuration, the storage structure may be accessible by the user.
That is to say, when the headphone case is in a closed configuration, the storage structure may be located within the shell portion and closed off from the user by the flap portion. In this way, in the closed configuration, the headphones stored are not accessible by the user.
Conversely, when the headphone case is in an open configuration, the storage structure may be located out of, either in part, substantially or fully, the shell portion and thus accessible by the user. In this way, in the open configuration, the headphones stored are accessible by the user.
The space for storing headphones may serve to define a space in which the storage structure can extend into. The storage structure may be the specific component in which the user places headphones to be stored within the headphone case. The rotation of the flap portion between the closed and open configurations allows the user to store headphones securely, and access headphones easily, in their respective configurations.
The storage structure may be mounted on or formed integrally with one or other of the shell portion or the flap portion. Preferably, the flap portion may include the storage structure extending therefrom and into the space for storing headphones. For example, the storage structure may be mounted on or formed integrally with an inwardly facing surface of the flap portion, and for example an inwardly facing surface of the planar wall portion of the flap portion.
That is to say, the flap portion may comprise a storage structure that is configured to specifically store headphones in use. The storage structure can extend from the flap portion towards and into the space defined by the shell portion, when in the closed configuration.
That is, the space defined within the shell portion allows for the storage structure to extend into this defined space when the case is in the closed configuration. When in the open configuration, the storage structure is revealed to, and is accessible by, the user.
In another aspect, the storage structure may extend from the flap portion and be integrally formed with or supported by a pair of projecting wings.
That is to say, the storage structure may be connected to the flap portion, specifically the door of the flap portion, by a pair of wings. The wings are located at each side of the flap portion, and may be parallel with the side walls of the shell portion. The wings can take any suitable form to connect the flap portion to the storage portion.
The wings may be regarded as a side wall of the storage structure, and connect the flap portion to a back wall of the storage structure. The wings can be continuous, that is not interrupted, or may have holes or otherwise interruptions therein. For example, if the wings are indeed interrupted, they may take the form of slats or bars extending from the front wall defined by the flap portion to the back wall defined by the shell portion.
Preferably, the storage structure may include one or more receptacles for receiving headphones to be stored.
That is, the storage structure may include one or more receptacles, containers or otherwise an area for specific storage of one or more headphones, in which one or more headphones may be stored in use.
More preferably, the one or more receptacles may be of complementary shape to the headphones to be stored.
That is to say, the receptacles have a shape that substantially corresponds to, or is substantially similar to or exactly the same as, the shape of the headphones to be stored. In other words, the shape of the one or more receptacles matches the shape of the one or more headphones to be stored such that the headphones can be stored therein.
For example, the storage structure may comprise a storage formation with recessed portions shaped to receive the headphones in use.
In another aspect, the storage structure may include a flange to provide a stop point, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the flap portion with respect to the shell portion.
That is to say, the storage structure may include a flange. The flange may be included on, or as part of, a back wall of the storage structure. The flange serves to provide a stop point, such that the user is restricted in how fall they can rotate the flap portion with respect to the shell portion. The flange may serve to prevent the flap portion, and the storage portion, from being displaced completely from the shell portion.
In some aspects, the headphones may be in-ear headphones. In other aspects, the headphones may be over-the-head headphones. It may be preferable that the headphones are in-ear headphones.
In one aspect, the shell portion may comprise a pair of opposed side walls, each of the side walls of the shell portion may comprise a hole, and the pivoting member may comprise a rod, or otherwise elongated bar, wherein the rod or bar may be located through each hole.
That is to say, the pivoting member may include a rod, or otherwise elongated bar, which is connected to the frame portion and the flap portion to allow rotation thereabouts. That is, the pivoting member may include a rod which allows the flap portion to rotate with respect to the shell portion.
The rod, or elongated bar, may be located through a hole in the first side wall of the shell portion, through an elongate bore of the flap portion, and through a hole in the second side wall of the shell portion. The rod, or elongated bar, may be sealed at each end, located near to or at each side wall. For example, the rod or elongated bar may have peened ends, or may have a screw thread on which a corresponding nut is screwed. Any suitable means to seal each end in place may be utilised.
It is most preferably that the flap portion may be operable without the need for an additional locking or securing structure.
That is, the flap portion may be operable without an additional locking or securing structure, for example a zip or a clip. That is to say, the headphone case excludes a locking or securing structure. Instead, the construction of the flap portion, shell portion and the pivoting member provide for securing the headphones to be stored within the enclosed space. Thus, there is no need for a zip, a clip or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate a presently exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiment given below, serve to explain, by way of example only, the principles of the disclosure. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the storage case of the invention in the open position, without headphones; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the storage case in the open position, without headphones; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the storage case in the open position, with headphones stored therein; Figure 4 shows a side view of the storage case in the open position, with headphones stored therein; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the storage case in the closed position; and Figure 6 shows a side view of the storage case in the closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to Figures 1 -5, there is provided a headphone case 10 including a shell portion 12 and a flap portion 14. The shell portion 12 is designed to provide the principal part of the casing defining the storage space for storing headphones therein, whilst the flap portion 14 is designed to complete the enclosure by enclosing the space within the shell portion 12 and allow the user to open or close the headphone case 10 thereby.
The shell portion 12 includes a pair of side walls 16a, 16b connected by a top wall 18 and a back wall 20. The flap portion 14 defines a front wall of the casing. The shell portion 12 and the flap portion 14 have curved end portions downwardly extending from the respective back and front walls and form a continuously curved bottom wall about the hinge point 30 such that the back wall and front wall including these curved end portions define a U-shaped structure. The side walls 16a, 16b, the top wall 18 and the back wall 20 define the storage space for storing headphones and together with the front wall created by the flap portion 14 enclose the storage space.
The flap portion 14 includes a storage structure 22 extending from the inner wall of the flap portion 14. That is, the flap portion 14 may include a door having an inner and an outer side. What is referred to as the inner wall is the inner side in the respect. The storage structure 22 extends from the inner wall and into the space defined by the side walls 16a, 16b, the top wall 18 and the back wall 20. The storage structure 22 also includes one or more receptacles 24, preferably two in the depicted embodiment, for receiving headphones to be stored. In the depicted embodiment, the receptacles 24 are shaped and designed such that they are of complementary shape to the headphones 26 (see Figures 3 and 4) to be stored.
For example, referring to Figures 1 -3 in particular, the receptacles 24 are of substantially the same shape as the headphones 26, shown as in-ear headphones, which are stored therein. In this way, the headphones 26 are received within the receptacles 24 to provide frictionally engagement, thereby retaining the headphones 26 within the receptacles 24. The receptacles 24, and indeed the storage structure 22, may be constructed from any appropriate material, for example a resilient material, to provide the appropriate frictionally engagement to retain the headphones 26.
As best shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the storage structure 22 extends from the flap portion 14 by a pair of wings 28a, 28b. When in the closed configuration, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, these wings 28a, 28b are not visible.
As best seen in Figures 1 and 3 -6, the shell portion 12 and the flap portion 14 are connected by way of a pivoting member 30. The pivoting member 30 can be any appropriate pivoting, or hinging, means which provides for a point by which the flap portion 14 can pivot, or otherwise rotate, with respect to the shell portion 12. In the depicted embodiment, the pivoting member 30 is an elongate rod which is located through corresponding holes in the side walls 16a, 16b of the shell portion 12. However, as the person skilled in the art readily recognises, other pivoting members 30 are included and within the scope of the invention.
The pivoting member 30 allows for the user to open and close the storage case 10. That is to say, the pivoting member 30 allows the user to open the flap portion 14 by rotating it away from the shell portion 12 about an axis defined by the pivoting member 30. In this way, the user can operate the storage case 10 from a closed configuration (Figures 5 and 6) to an open configuration (Figures 1 -4) and vice versa. The construction of the pivoting member 30, together with the shell portion 12 and the flap portion 14, provides a headphone storage case 10 which can be operated with a single hand, or finger, swipe in use. That is to say, the user can operate the case 10 from a closed configuration to an open configuration, and vice versa, by simply "swiping" the case open and closed.
The storage structure 22 may include a flange 32 that provides a stop point when the user opens the case 10. The flange 32 may cooperate with a lip (not shown) on the innermost side of the top wall 16 of the shell portion 12 to provide a stopping point such that the flap portion 14 cannot be fully rotated away from the shell portion 12.
That is, the flange 32 and the lip (not shown) cooperate to restrict the rotational movement of the flap portion 14 with respect to the shell portion 12. This prevents the user from unintentionally removing the flap portion 14, and thus the storage structure 22, from the shell portion 12.
Likewise, the storage structure 22 may be sized such that it engages with an inner face of the back wall 20 when the case 10 is in the closed configuration. In this way, the flap portion 14 sits flush, or creates an otherwise continuous surface, with the shell portion 12. In other embodiments, the flap portion 14 may include a flange such that it prevents the user from pushing the flap portion 14 further into the space enclosed by the shell portion 12. In some embodiments, both configurations may be used simultaneously.
The headphone case 10 may be constructed from any suitable material, for example plastic or metal. The component parts, i.e. the shell portion 12 and flap portion 14, may be constructed from the same or different materials.
It will be appreciated for persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and not in any limiting sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (15)
- CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.A headphone case, comprising: a shell portion defining a storage space for storing headphones; a flap portion configured to enclose the space; wherein the flap portion is connected to the shell portion by a pivoting member, and wherein the flap portion is rotatable from a closed configuration to an open configuration.
- A headphone case according to claim 1, wherein the flap portion includes a first planar wall portion, the shell portion includes a second planar wall portion, and the flap portion is connected to the shell portion by the pivoting member such that in the closed configuration the respective planar wall portions lie parallel and spaced apart either side of the storage space.
- A headphone case according to claim 2, wherein one or both of the first and second planar wall portions includes end portions configured to define a continuously curved surface about the pivoting member so that the first and second planar wall portions and the end portion(s) define a generally U-shaped structure.
- A headphone case according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the shell portion further includes a pair of side walls and a top wall all connected to and extending from the back wall, wherein the side walls, the top wall and the back wall define the space for storing headphones, and wherein the front wall including completes enclosure of the same in the closed configuration.
- A headphone case according to any preceding claim, wherein the storage space contains a storage structure configured to store headphones in use wherein the storage structure is not accessible in the closed configuration and wherein the storage structure is accessible in the open configuration.
- 6. A headphone case according to claim 5, wherein the flap portion includes the storage structure extending therefrom and into the storage space.
- 7. A headphone case according to claim 6 wherein the storage structure is mounted on or formed integrally with an inwardly facing surface of the flap portion.
- 8. A headphone case according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the storage structure extends from the flap portion and is integrally formed with or supported by a pair of projecting wings.
- 9. A headphone case according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the storage structure comprises one or more receptacles for receiving headphones to be stored.
- 10. A headphone case according to claim 9, wherein the one or more receptacles are of complementary shape to the headphones to be stored.
- 11. A headphone case according to one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the storage structure comprises a storage formation with recessed portions shaped to receive the headphones in use.
- 12. A headphone case according to any of claims 5 to 11, wherein the storage structure includes a flange to provide a stopping point, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the flap portion with respect to the shell portion.
- 13. A headphone case according to any preceding claim, wherein the headphones are in-ear headphones.
- 14. A headphone case according to any preceding claim, wherein the shell portion comprises a pair of opposed side walls, each of the side walls of the shell portion comprises a hole, and the pivoting member comprises a rod located through each hole.
- 15. A headphone case according to any preceding claim, wherein the flap portion is operable without the need for an additional locking or securing structure.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1816162.0A GB2577712A (en) | 2018-10-03 | 2018-10-03 | Case for headphones |
| PCT/GB2019/052798 WO2020070507A1 (en) | 2018-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Case for headphones |
| EP19801401.1A EP3860389A1 (en) | 2018-10-03 | 2019-10-03 | Case for headphones |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1816162.0A GB2577712A (en) | 2018-10-03 | 2018-10-03 | Case for headphones |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2577712A true GB2577712A (en) | 2020-04-08 |
Family
ID=68503175
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1816162.0A Withdrawn GB2577712A (en) | 2018-10-03 | 2018-10-03 | Case for headphones |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP3860389A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2577712A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2020070507A1 (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN201097744Y (en) * | 2007-08-28 | 2008-08-13 | 中名(东莞)电子有限公司 | Telephone earphone collecting case |
| KR101004715B1 (en) * | 2010-05-12 | 2011-01-04 | 필스전자 주식회사 | Earphone package |
| CN102480659A (en) * | 2010-11-20 | 2012-05-30 | 高彪 | Earphone box |
| CN202587332U (en) * | 2012-04-26 | 2012-12-05 | 季宸昕 | Earphone line storage device capable of protecting earphones and earphone lines |
| WO2017004428A1 (en) * | 2015-07-02 | 2017-01-05 | Kurt Solland | Receptacle with pivoting closure |
| CN206948570U (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2018-01-30 | 河海大学 | A kind of earphone accommodating apparatus of energy automatic winding |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US391145A (en) * | 1888-10-16 | haedin | ||
| US5806678A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 1998-09-15 | Dalloz Safety Ab | Box for earplugs |
| CN2353342Y (en) * | 1999-01-28 | 1999-12-15 | 宝山钢铁(集团)公司 | Hanging-type noise-proof earplug case |
| US8631934B2 (en) * | 2012-02-14 | 2014-01-21 | James K Chun | Multi-functional video device support accessory |
-
2018
- 2018-10-03 GB GB1816162.0A patent/GB2577712A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2019
- 2019-10-03 EP EP19801401.1A patent/EP3860389A1/en active Pending
- 2019-10-03 WO PCT/GB2019/052798 patent/WO2020070507A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN201097744Y (en) * | 2007-08-28 | 2008-08-13 | 中名(东莞)电子有限公司 | Telephone earphone collecting case |
| KR101004715B1 (en) * | 2010-05-12 | 2011-01-04 | 필스전자 주식회사 | Earphone package |
| CN102480659A (en) * | 2010-11-20 | 2012-05-30 | 高彪 | Earphone box |
| CN202587332U (en) * | 2012-04-26 | 2012-12-05 | 季宸昕 | Earphone line storage device capable of protecting earphones and earphone lines |
| WO2017004428A1 (en) * | 2015-07-02 | 2017-01-05 | Kurt Solland | Receptacle with pivoting closure |
| CN206948570U (en) * | 2017-07-19 | 2018-01-30 | 河海大学 | A kind of earphone accommodating apparatus of energy automatic winding |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2020070507A1 (en) | 2020-04-09 |
| EP3860389A1 (en) | 2021-08-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |