WO2001030050A1

WO2001030050A1 - Apparatus for holding a telephone in order to enable hands-free speech

Info

Publication number: WO2001030050A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/004000
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aidan William Mccarthy
Original assignee: Aidan William Mccarthy
Priority date: 1999-10-19
Filing date: 2000-10-18
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Also published as: GB9924750D0; AU7933300A

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for holding a telephone (4) in order to enable hands-free speech, which apparatus (2) comprises fixing means (6) for fixing the apparatus (2) to the telephone (4), and a support band (8) for fixing around a person's head (10) and supporting the telephone (4) such as to permit the hands-free speech, the support band (8) being movable between a use position in which it fits around the person's head (10) and a non-use position in which the support band (8) is reduced in size; the support band (8) being pivotable with respect to the fixing means (6) whereby the support band (8) is storable alongside the telephone (4) in the non-use position; and the apparatus (2) being such that when the support band (8) is stored alongside the telephone (4) then the telephone (4) and the support band (8) are able to be gripped together for non-hands-free use when desired.

Description

APPARATUS FOR HOLDING A TELEPHONE IN ORDER TO ENABLE HANDS-FREE SPEECH

This invention relates to apparatus for holding a telephone in order to enable hands-free speech.

There are various types of known apparatus for holding a telephone in order to enable hands-free speech. The different types of apparatus all suffer from various disadvantages. For example, one known piece of apparatus is in the form of a shoulder rest for resting a telephone on a person's shoulder in order to enable the hands-free speech. The telephone rest requires the person to raise their shoulder and/or incline their neck and this can be uncomfortable. Another type of known apparatus is one in which an ear piece is connected to the telephone by a cord. This can be convenient when sitting in a vehicle but not so convenient when walking because the telephone is to be contained in a pocket or bag with the wiring extending to the ear piece. A further known piece of apparatus is one in which the telephone rests on a person's desk and is converted to a microphone so that the person can speak into the microphone. This type of known apparatus is often not possible if the telephone is a mobile telephone.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned disadvantages.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for holding a telephone in order to enable hands-free speech, which apparatus comprises fixing means for fixing the apparatus to the telephone, and a support band for fixing around a person' s head and supporting the telephone such as to permit the hands-free speech, the support band being movable between a use position in which it fits around the person's head and a non-use position in which the support band is reduced in size; the support band being pivotable with respect to the fixing means whereby the support band is storable alongside the telephone in the non-use position; and the apparatus being such that when the support band is stored alongside the telephone then the telephone and the support band are able to be gripped together for non-hands-free use when desired.

The apparatus of the present invention is thus both simple and convenient to use . The support band can easily be extended from the non-use position to the use position when it is desired to have hands-free speech. With hands- free speech, the person can then continue working, for example writing or typing on a computer keyboard. For short telephone conversations, there is no need to utilise the apparatus . The telephone and the support band can simply be gripped together. Thus, the apparatus can always be left on the telephone and it will not substantially hinder use of the telephone .

In one embodiment of the invention, the support band is movable between the use and the non-use positions by being formed in a plurality of sections which are pivotally connected together. Preferably, there are two of the sections but there may be more of the sections if desired. The sections will usually be appropriately curved and the degree of curvature may depend upon the number of sections employed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the support band is movable between the use and the non-use positions by being formed in a plurality of telescopic sections.

Preferably, there are four of the telescopic sections. However, more or less than four of the telescopic sections may be employed if desired.

Preferably, the support band pivots with respect to the fixing means on a pivot . The pivot may be a pivot pin or it may be in the form of a universal joint.

Preferably, the fixing means comprises interlocking plastics members. Interlocking plastics members are well known and sold under the registered trade mark VELCRO.

The interlocking plastics members may be on first and second portions, with the first portion being for fixing to the telephone, and the second portion being on the apparatus and being for fixing to the first portion.

The apparatus may include abutment means for limiting the degree of pivoting of the support band with respect to the fixing means, thereby to facilitate a more controlled and easier extension of the support band from the non-use position to the use position. Preferably, the abutment means is located on the second portion of the fixing means. Any suitable and appropriate type of abutment means may be employed.

The apparatus may include angle-limiting means for limiting the angle at which the support band extends with respect to the fixing means in the use position.

The angle limiting means may be a sliding abutment. The sliding abutment may be secured in a desired position by fastener means such for example as a nut and bolt.

The apparatus of the present invention may be made in any suitable and appropriate materials. Thus, for example, the apparatus may be made in metal or a plastics material. As and where appropriate, the apparatus of the invention may be provided with padding for ensuring that the apparatus is comfortable to use . The padding may be foam padding or any other suitable and appropriate type of padding.

The present invention also extends to the combination of the apparatus of the invention and the telephone.

The telephone may be a mobile telephone. In this case the fixing means will be fixed to the entire telephone. The telephone may alternatively be a land telephone. In this case, the fixing means will be. fixed to the hand set.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mobile telephone fitted with apparatus for holding the telephone in order to enable hands-free speech, the apparatus having a support band in a use position;

Figure 2 is a view of the telephone shown in Figure 1 with the apparatus such that the support band is in a non- use position;

Figure 3 illustrates part of fixing means forming part of the apparatus of the invention and secured to the mobile telephone as shown in Figures 1 and 2 ;

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 but shows a modification to the fixing means and another type of mobile telephone;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show from the rear three alternative positions for the support band in the use position;

Figure 8 illustrates how the apparatus of the present invention may be provided with abutment means for limiting the degree of pivoting of the support band with respect to the fixing means;

Figure 9 shows in more detail the abutment means shown in Figure 8 ;

Figures 10 and 11 show how the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is provided with angle-limiting means for limiting the angle at which the support band extends with respect to the fixing means in the use position; Figures 12 and 13 show two modifications to the apparatus shown in Figure 8 ;

Figure 14 shows second apparatus on a mobile telephone, the apparatus including a support band in a use position;

Figure 15 is a view like Figure 14 but shows the support band in a non-use position;

Figure 16 is a view like Figure 15 but shows the support band pivoted to a position in which it is stored alongside the telephone; and

Figure 17 is an exploded view illustrating how the fixing means is secured to the telephone shown in Figure 14.

Referring to Figures 1 - 11, there is shown apparatus 2 for holding a telephone 4 in order to enable hands-free speech. The apparatus 2 comprises fixing means 6 for fixing the apparatus 2 to the telephone 4. The apparatus 2 also comprises a support band 8 for fitting around a person's head 10 and supporting the telephone 4 such as to permit the hands-free speech.

The support band 8 is movable between a use position shown in Figure 1 and a non-use position shown in Figure 2. In the use position, the support band 8 fits around the person's head 10. In the non-use position, the support band 8 is reduced in size.

The support band 8 is pivotable with respect to the fixing means 6 whereby the support band 8 is storable alongside the telephone 4 in the non-use position. This storage of the support band 8 alongside the telephone 4 is also shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 still further illustrates how the apparatus 2 is such that when the support band 8 is stored alongside the telephone 4, then the telephone 4 and the support band 8 are able to be gripped together for non- hands-free use when desired, for example for short telephone conversations.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the support band 8 is movable between the use and the non-use positions by being formed in two curved sections 12, 14. The sections 12, 14 are pivotally connected together by a pivot 16. The pivot 16 may be, for example, a nut and bolt or a rivet.

As can also be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the support band 8 pivots with respect to the fixing means 6 on a pivot 18. The pivot 18 may be, for example, a nut and bolt or a rivet .

The fixing means 6 comprises interlocking plastics members of the type sold under the registered trade mark VELCRO. More specifically, the fixing means 6 comprises the interlocking plastics members in the form of a first portion 20 and a second portion 22. The first portion 20 is a flexible strip of the plastics interlocking members which is adhered to a rear face 24 of the telephone 4. The second portion 22 is a strip of the interlocking plastics members adhered to a plate 26. The first and the second portions 20, 22 are thus able to be secured together simply^' by pushing the interlocking plastics members together. This thus secures the apparatus 2 to the telephone 4. At any time that it should be desired, the apparatus 2 can be removed from the telephone 4 simply by pulling the first and the second portions 20, 22 apart.

The plate 26 is connected to the section 14 of the support band 8 by a hinge 28. The hinge 28 has a part 29 which overlaps along the inside of the section 14, and a part 27 which overlaps along the outside of the plate 26.

Figure 3 shows in detail the first portion 20 of the fixing means 6. As can be seen from Figure 3, the first portion 20 is in one piece. This is satisfactory because the telephone 4 is such that it has a cover 32 for permitting access to a battery back and the cover 32 is positioned below the first portion 20.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement like Figure 3 but the telephone is a telephone 34 having a larger cover 32. In this case, it is necessary to have the first portion 20 in two pieces as shown.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 show three possible positions of the support band 8 in the use position. The position shown in Figure 5 is a preferred position. The position shown in Figure 6 is similar to that shown in Figure 5 but the. right hand part of the hinge 28 is extending vertically as shown. In Figure 7, the hinge 28 is in the position shown in Figure 5 but the sections 12, 14 extend upwardly towards the pivot 16. In Figures 5 and 6, the sections 12, 14 extend downwardly towards the pivot 16.

Figure 8 shows in more detail the pivot 18 , the right hand part 27 of the hinge 28, and how the right hand part 27 of the hinge 28 is pivotally connected by a pivot 36 to the second portion 22. The pivot 36 may be a rivet, pin or any other suitable device.

Figure 8 and also Figure 9 show how the top part of the second portion 22 is provided with a raised portion 38. The raised portion 38 may be formed as a fold by slitting the second portion 22 and then pressing one part of the second portion 22 relative to an adjacent part of the second portion 22.. The raised portion 38 forms abutment means for limiting to 90° the amount of pivoting of the support band 8 with respect to the fixing means 6. This in turn facilitates a more controlled and easier extension of the support band 8 from the non-use position to the use position.

Figure 8 further illustrates the use of angle-limiting means 40. The angle-limiting means 40 comprises a sliding abutment in the form of a sliding plate 42 having a closed slot 44. A nut and bolt fastener arrangement 46 is located in the slot 44 with the bolt extending through an aperture

41 in the part 27. The fastener arrangement 46 is able to lock the sliding plate 42 in any desired position with respect to the part 27 of the hinge 28. The sliding plate

42 has a straight front edge 48 which is able to abut against an extension portion 50 formed integrally with the left hand part 29 of the hinge 28. In this way, the angle of opening the hinge 28 can be controlled.

The precise action of the hinge 28 and the angle- limiting means 40 is shown in Figures 10 and 11.

The sliding plate 42 may rotate when the fastener arrangement 46 connecting i to the part 27 of the hinge 28 is tightened. In order to prevent this happening, the sliding plate 42 may be provided with two downwardly extending lips 43 as shown in Figure 12. Alternatively, the part 27 of the hinge 28 may be provided with two upwardly extending lips 45 as shown in Figure 13.

Referring now to Figures 14, 15 and 16, there is shown second apparatus 52 secured to a telephone 54 by fixing means 56. The fixing means 56 is basically the same as the fixing means 6 and it will not again be described in detail .

The apparatus 52 has a support band 58 which is a telescopic support band having four sections 60, 62, 64, 66 as shown. The section 66 has a concave portion 68 fitting over the left ear on the person's head 10.

The sections 12, 14 of the support band 8 may be made of curved strip steel. The fixing means 56 is such that the first section 60 may be a hollow tube whilst the other sections 62, 64, 66 may be strips of metal as shown. Instead of using metal, plastics materials may be employed. The section 60 pivots from the position shown in Figures 14 and 15 to a storage position as shown in Figure 16.

Figure 17 shows how the fixing means 56 comprises a first portion 70 which is secured to the rear face 24 of the telephone 54, and a second portion 72 which is secured to a support plate and about which the tubular section 60 pivots via a pivot arrangement 74. The apparatus 2 , 52 shown in the drawings can easily be used both in the stored and the non-stored position. Hands-free operation of the various telephones shown is easily achieved,

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, other types of fixing means to the fixing means 6 and 56 shown in the drawings may be employed. Also, instead of the various telephones being mobile telephones, they could be land line telephones in which case the apparatus 2, 52 would be fixed to a hand set part of the telephones. The apparatus of the invention is also able to be used with devices for reducing the emission of electromagnetic radiation from telephones, which emissions are often regarded as being detrimental to health. As an alternative to the support band being in one of 'the positions shown in Figures 5, 6 or 7, the support band may pass over the top of the person's head so that the apparatus of the invention is then worn like headphones. The straight front edge 48 of the sliding plate 42 may alternatively be curved. The section 12 and/or the section 14 may be covered with a soft material, for example velvet, in order to provide additional comfort for a person wearing the apparatus of the present invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for holding a telephone in order to enable hands-free speech, which apparatus comprises fixing means for fixing the apparatus to the telephone, and a support band for fixing around a person's head and supporting the telephone such as to permit the hands-free speech, the support band being movable between a use position in which it fits around the person's head and a non-use position in which the support band is reduced in size; the support band being pivotable with respect to the fixing means whereby the support band is storable alongside the telephone in the non-use position; and the apparatus being such that when the support band is stored alongside the telephone then the telephone and the support band are able to be gripped together for non-hands-free use when desired.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the support band is movable between the use and the non-use positions by being formed in a plurality of sections which are pivotally connected together.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which there are two of the sections.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the support band is movable between the use and the non-use positions by being formed in a plurality of telescopic sections.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which there are four of the telescopic sections.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the support band pivots with respect to the fixing means on a pivot .

7.. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fixing means comprises interlocking plastics members .

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the interlocking plastics members are on first and second portions, with the first portion being for fixing to the telephone, and the second portion being on the apparatus and being for fixing to the first portion.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including abutment means for limiting the degree of pivoting of the support band with respect to the fixing means, thereby to facilitate a more controlled and easier extension of the support band from the non-use position to the use position.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 and claim 9 in which the abutment means is located on the second portion of the fixing means .

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including angle-limiting means for limiting the angle at which the support band extends with respect to the fixing means in the use position.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the angle- limiting means is a slidable abutment.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the slidable abutment is secured in a desired position by a nut and bolt.

1 . The combination of the apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and the telephone.

15. The combination according to claim 14 in which the telephone is a mobile telephone or a land telephone.