WO2000052910A1

WO2000052910A1 - Hands free extender head band device

Info

Publication number: WO2000052910A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/005417
Authority: WO
Inventors: David A. Ponder
Original assignee: Ponder David A
Priority date: 1999-03-04
Filing date: 2000-03-02
Publication date: 2000-09-08
Also published as: AU3390600A

Abstract

A handset holder (10) made up of a housing (12) having a coiled headband (14) disposed therein. The headband (14) may be extended over the head of a user to support the handset for hands-free operation. The holder (10) is adhesively attached to the handset or may be an integral part of the handset. A mechanism (16) is provided on the holder (10) so that the handset can be angularly adjusted for user comfort. When not in use, the headband (14) can be retracted into the housing (12) and the assembled handset and holder (10) may be conveniently stored.

Description

HANDS FREE EXTENDER HEAD BAND DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to handset holders. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a handset holder that mounts on the user's head for hands-free operation of a handset.

BACKGROUND ART

The ubiquitous modern-day handset (cell-phone, radio, walkie-talkie, etc.) has become a permanent part of the 90 's decade and promises extended utility well into the next century. A disadvantage of handset usage is that the handset, as indicated by its name, requires that a person's hand will be occupied when the device is used. This scenario is often inconvenient and sometimes (as when operating a motor vehicle) dangerous. An apparatus which would effectively allay this inconvenient and/or dangerous scenario would be a welcome addition in the handset art .

U.S. Patents numbers 1,951,332 (Barclay), 2,360,027 (Werner), 2,598,928 (McCorkell), 4,367,378 (Jordan), 4,821,317 (Wong), and British Patents 214,839 and 228,675 show the use of head-mounted supports for conventional corded telephones. The above patents apparently do not contemplate the employment of an extendable headband.

U.S. Patents numbers 5,407, 113 (Golliher) , 5,689,558

(Osgood et al . ) , 5,706,345 (Allen), and 5,828,749

(Brodskiy) , show support devices for modern-day handsets which permit hands -free operation. The instant inventions, however, require a preliminary insertion or mounting procedure prior to use. The present invention requires no such preparation, because it is attached to the handset and is small enough to be stored along with modern-day handsets.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe handset support apparatus having an extendable headband, angular adjustment mechanism, and handset attachment structure as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention is a compact, light-weight, head-mounted support structure for modern-day handset devices . The support structure in one group of embodiments can be attached to existing portable handset devices . In another group of embodiments the support structure can be an integral part of a handset yet to be designed and manu actured, either by being manufactured to have its housing permanently attached to the handset or to retract within the handset, so that the housing is part of the headset enclosure. The support structure comprises a thin, light-weight, extendable headband disposed within a housing. The headband is coiled within the housing so as to be self-curling and retractable in a manner similar to retractable tape measures and the like. A gear-like mechanism is disposed on an outer surface of the housing. A recessed, spring-biased actuator disengages the gear-like mechanism to permit angular adjustment of the handset as will be later explained. In the embodiment of the support structure to be used with existing handsets, a plate having adhesive layers on two sides thereof is adapted to be attached to a face of the gear- like mechanism on one of the two sides and to the handset device on the other of the two sides such that the support structure can be easily attached or removed from almost any handset device. In a second embodiment of the invention, the support structure can be made part of the handset by having it permanently attached to the handset. In a third embodiment, instead of being attached to the handset by adhesives, the support structure can be attached to the handset by means of a clamp. In a fourth embodiment of the invention in which the support structure is an integral part of the handset, the headband is coiled within the handset .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a hands- free headset holder attached to a handset according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a hands-free headset holder as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of a hands-free headset holder as an integral part of the headset according to the second embodiment of the invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings .

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The handset holder of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 1-3 and is generally designated at 10. The holder 10 comprises a housing 12, which has spaced respective front and rear faces 12a and 12b which are connected by end walls 12c and 12d. Housing 12 may be fabricated of any strong and durable material (metal, plastic, polymer, etc.) . The faces and end walls of housing 12 define a hollow interior in the upper portion of the housing. An extendable headband 14 is disposed in the hollow interior of housing 12. Headband 14 is constructed of a thin light-weight material capable of curling to form a coil when headband 14 is in a retracted position. When fully extended, headband 14 is 8-12 inches in length and will extend over the head of a user as best shown in Fig. 1. The mechanism used to retract headband 14 is well known in the art and is commonly utilized in retractable tape measure apparatus. A reversed-D shaped pad which loops over the ear with the curvature of the pad 14b towards the back of the wearer's head is provided to enhance comfort for the user and may further offer an ear clip for more support. In its retracted position, pad 14b fits against the top of housing 12 or the side of the headset in the fourth embodiment described below.

A gear-like mechanism 16 is positioned at the lower part of housing 12 on face 12b. Mechanism 16 includes a first part 16a rigidly attached on face 12b. A second part 16b is rigidly mounted on a disc 18. Parts 16a and 16b are provided with intermeshing teeth. Disc 18 is mounted on a rotatable, spring- biased shaft, which shaft is attached to a knob 22. Knob 22 is disposed on the housing surface 12c on the lower portion of housing 12. Also in the first embodiment, a mounting plate 30 has an adhesive applied to both faces 30a and 30b. The adhesive can be of any known and suitable type, including, but not limited to VELCRO™.

In use, face 30a will be mounted to handset 11. Holder 10 will be mounted to face 30b by way of disc 18. This provides for quick and easy attachment of holder 10 to almost any type of handset.

Hands-free operation in all embodiments can be achieved by simply pulling headband 14 to extend over the user's head as shown in Fig. 1. Angular adjustment can be made merely by pushing knob 22 to disengage the teeth of gear parts 16a and 16b and rotating the handset to the desired position. Release of actuator 22 will cause parts 16a and 16b to reengage to lock the apparatus in the desired position. When not in use, headband 14 can be retracted into housing 12 and the assembled holder and handset may be separated by releasing 16a from 16b and stored until needed.

A second embodiment of the invention is to have the headband and its housing permanently attached to the housing of the handset as shown in Fig. 2, at the surface of disk 18, thus eliminating the need for mounting plate 30 and adhesive surfaces 30a and 30b. In all other respects operation of the hands free support device would be as described in the description of the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the invention uses a clamp in place of the mounting plate 30 with its adhesive faces 30a and 30b. The clamp grasps the handset in its incisors, thus providing for quick and easy attachment of the handset to the support structure.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is to have the headband 14 retract into the housing of the handset itself, eliminating the housing 12 and the adjustment mechanism embraced in the knob 22 and the handset angular adjustment mechanisms at items 16, 18, 30, 30a, and 30b.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A hands-free holder for positioning a handset adjacent the head of a user comprising: a housing, said housing having walls defining a hollow interior; an extendable headband disposed in an upper portion of said hollow interior, said headband adapted for coiled retention in said upper portion; a mounting plate, said mounting plate having first and second planar surfaces; means for attaching said housing to said first planar surface; and means for attaching the handset to said second planar surface.

2. The hands-free holder according to claim 1, including angular adjustment means interposed between said housing and said first planar surface.

3. The hands-free holder according to claim 1, using a clamp instead of planar surfaces for attaching the hands-free holder to the handset.

4. The hands -free holder according to claim 1, being permanently affixed to and part of the handset .

5. A hands-free holder for positioning a handset adjacent the head of a user comprising a housing, and an extendable headband disposed in the housing of the handset, said headband structured and adapted for coiled retention in said handset housing.