WO2010053216A1

WO2010053216A1 - Headphone

Info

Publication number: WO2010053216A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/006494
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Bae Lee
Original assignee: Cresyn Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2008-11-04
Filing date: 2008-11-04
Publication date: 2010-05-14
Also published as: KR101248841B1; KR20110011672A

Abstract

Supra- aural headphones are disclosed. The headphones are configured to include the coupling members that space the headphone housings from the headband at a certain distance and fix them thereat and are made of a conductive material to electrically connect the signal lines in the headband to the signal lines connected to electrical parts in the headphone housings, so that the coupling members serve as a signal line and a conventional housing hanger, simultaneously. The coupling members serve to fix the headphone housings to the headband and to electrically connect the signal lines in the headband and in the headphone housings. Therefore, the headphones do no need additional parts, such as conventional housing hangers that fix headphone housings to the headband and protect the signal lines placed in the housing hangers.

Description

Description HEADPHONE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to headphones, and more particularly, to supra-aural headphones. Background Art

[2] Headphones are a part of audio players and used for listening to music, lecture, etc. without interference from peripheral noise. According to the size, headphones are classified as in-ear headphones, placed into the ear canals, and supra-aural headphones covering the external ears.

[3] Supra-aural headphones are composed of headphone housings, a headband, a signal line, etc. One signal line is composed of plural strands of sub-signal lines. The conventional signal line employs a two- strand method where an electrical signal is transmitted from an external device to the left and right speakers through the sub- signal lines.

[4] When a user wears the conventional headphones, the signal line of the plural strands of sub-signal lines is placed on the chest, forming the letter Y. The signal line on the user's chest disturbs the user's activity.

[5] To resolve this problem, part of the plural strands of sub-signal lines are connected to the left speaker and the remainder are connected to the right speaker, which is called a single-strand method.

[6] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a conventional headphone 10 employing a single- strand method, which is the same structure as the opposite headphone, not shown.

[7] As shown in Figure 1, the headphone 10 includes a headphone housing 12, a signal line 14, a headband 16, and housing hangers 18.

[8] The headphone housing 12 goes over the user's external ear. To this end, the headphone housing 12 is formed as a pair. It allows the signal line 14 to be guided into its inner portion, so that the line 14 can be connected to a speaker (not shown) for outputting audio sounds according to an input electrical signal. It is also connected to the headband 16 through the housing hangers 18.

[9] The signal line 14 is inserted into the left headphone housing, so that part of the plural strands of sub-signal lines are connected to the left speaker, and then the remainder are extended along the headband 16 to the right speaker placed within the right headphone housing. The signal line 14 transmits electrical signals from an external device to the speakers.

[10] The headband 16 is placed on the user's head. It is connected through the housing hangers 18 to two headphone housings 12, so that the headphone housings 12 is formed as a pair. It allows the signal line 14 to go through there within.

[11] The housing hangers 18 connect the headphone housings 12 and the headband 16.

When a user wears the headphones 10, the housing hangers 18 are connected to the headband 16 in such a way that their length increases or decreases with respect to the headband 16, so the headphone housings 12 can be closely placed on the user's external ears. That is, the housing hangers 18 serve to adjust the length of the headband 16 in the arrow direction.

[12] The housing hangers 18, however, fix their one side ends to the headphone housing

12. Due to such a connection structure, the headphone housings 12 are not intended to be closely placed on the user's external ears and thus the user does not feel comfortable when wearing the headphones. In particular, external noise is introduced into the headphone housings 12, so that the user cannot listen clearly to the original audio sound.

[13] In addition, since the signal line 14 is exposed out of the headphone housing 12 to adjust the length of the headband 16, it may be disconnected and is visually unappealing.

[14] In order to resolve these problems, another conventional headphone was developed as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is another conventional headphone 20 using a single- stand method, which is illustrated as simply as possible in terms of the same parts as the headphone of Figure 1. The headphone 20 is the same structure as the opposite headphone, not shown.

[15] As shown in Figure 2, the headphone 20 includes a headphone housing 22, a signal line 24, a headband 26, and housing hangers 28.

[16] The headphone housing 22 is formed as a pair. It is connected to the signal line 14. It receives a speaker, not shown, for outputting audio sounds according to an input electrical signal. It is rotatably connected to the housing hanger 28.

[17] The signal line 24 is composed of plural strands of sub-signal lines covered by a cover. A portion of the plural strands of sub-signal lines are connected to the left speaker and the remainder to the right speaker, so the electrical signals can be transmitted from an external device to the speakers. The sub-signal lines are inserted and placed in a groove of the housing hangers 28.

[18] The headband 26 connects both its ends to two headphone housings 22 through the housing hangers 28, so that the headphone housings 22 form a pair. It receives the signal line 24 therewithin. When a user wears the headphone 20, the headband 26 increases or decreases its length in the arrow direction, so the headphone housings 22 can be closely placed to the user's external ears.

[19] The housing hangers 28 are made of a plastic material and shaped as the Roman letter 'U'. Both one-side ends of the housing hangers 28 are rotatably connected to the headphone housing 22. The housing hangers 28 form a groove 28a into which the signal line 24 is inserted and placed.

[20] The housing hangers 28 connect their one-side ends to opposite ends of the headphone housing 22, respectively. The bodies of the housing hangers 28 are curved along the periphery of the headphone housing 22 from their one-side ends until they meet each other and are bent at the meeting point. The bent portions of the housing hangers 28 are connected to the headband 26. The housing hangers 28 form a groove 28a shaped as the Korean letter " read as 'Di Geut' in Korean. The groove 28a receives the signal line 24.

[21] Another conventional headphone 20 improves the problem in the headphone 10 shown in Figure 1 as it places the signal line 24 in the groove 28a of the housing hanger 28 and thus does not expose it to the outside. Therefore, another conventional headphone 20 prevents the signal line 24 from being disconnected and aesthetically improves its appearance.

[22] However, another conventional headphone 20 has still disadvantages in that the signal line 24 must be covered with a cover to be inserted and placed in the groove 28a of the housing hanger 28. In addition, although the signal line 24 is placed in the groove 28a, it is still exposed to the outside and thus may be damaged when it is pulled out by an external object. To prevent this type of damage, another conventional headphone 20 requires an additional part for the housing hanger 28.

[23] That is, although another conventional headphone 20 reduces the exposure of the signal line 24 as the signal line 24 is inserted and placed in the groove 28a of the housing hanger 28, it still needs an addition part for the housing hanger 28, like the conventional headphone 10 of Figure 1, and still allows the signal line 24 to be partially exposed. Furthermore, the appearance of the headphone 20 is not smooth. In particular, when the housing hangers 28 are rotated or twisted, the signal line 24 may be exposed to the outside and thus damaged. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[24] The present invention solves the above problems, and provides headphones that can prevent the signal line form being damaged without any additional part. Technical Solution

[25] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides headphones including: headphone housings for going over the user's ears, wherein each headphone housing has a speaker for outputting audio sounds according to input electrical signals; a headband placed on the user's head for exerting an elastic force to the headphone housings; and coupling members spacing the headphone housings from the headband with a certain distance and fixing them thereat, wherein the coupling members are made of a conductive material and electrically connect signal lines included in the headband to electrical parts in the headphone housings.

[26] Preferably, the coupling members are shaped as a cylindrical rod. Here, one-side ends of the coupling members are coupled to the headphone housings and opposite- side ends are coupled to the headband.

[27] Preferably, the coupling members are shaped as a pipe form. Here, one-side ends of the coupling members are coupled to the headphone housings and opposite-side ends are coupled to the headband.

[28] Preferably, the headphone housings are rotatably coupled to the coupling members.

Advantageous Effects

[29] As described above, the headphones according to the present invention are configured to include the coupling members that space the headphone housings from the headband at a certain distance and fix them thereat and are made of a conductive material to electrically connect the signal lines in the headband to the signal lines connected to electrical parts in the headphone housings, so that the coupling members serve as a signal line and a conventional housing hanger, simultaneously. The headphones have the following advantages.

[30] First, since the coupling members serve to fix the headphone housings to the headband and to electrically connect the signal lines in the headband and in the headphone housings, the headphones do no need additional parts, such as conventional housing hangers that fix headphone housings to the headband and protect the signal lines placed in the housing hangers.

[31] Second, since the coupling members are shaped as a cylindrical rod, they do not need to be covered.

[32] Third, the overall design of the headphones is not damaged, but rather improved in appearance aesthetically.

[33] Fourth, since the headphone housings are rotatably coupled to the coupling members, although they are rotated to exceed the rotatable angle, the signal line is not separated from the headphone housings, compared to the conventional housing hanger that is damaged or twisted.

[34] Fifth, since the coupling members are made of various metals, the audio sound quality can be variously reproduced which makes it easy for users to select the headphones according to their preference. Brief Description of Drawings [35] The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[36] Figure 1 is a view illustrating a conventional headphone employing a single-strand method;

[37] Figure 2 is a view illustrating another conventional headphone using a single-strand method;

[38] Figure 3A is a schematic view illustrating the left headphone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[39] Figure 3B is a schematic view illustrating the right headphone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[40] Figure 4 is a view illustrating the overall structure of headphones according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[41] Figure 5 is an enlarged view illustrating both end portions of a coupling member included in the left headphone illustrated in Figure 3A.

[42] <Brief Description of Symbols in the Drawings>

[43] 100: headphone

[44] 120: headphone housing

[45] 122a, 122b: speaker

[46] 140: headband

[47] 161a, 161b, 162a, 162b, 163a, 163b, 164a, 164b: signal line

[48] 180: coupling member

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[49] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[50] Figures 3A and 3B are schematic views illustrating the left and right headphones, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a view illustrating the overall structure of headphones according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[51] As shown in Figures 3 A, 3B and 4, the headphones 100 include headphone housings

120, a headband 140, a signal line of plural strands (sub-signal lines 161a, 161b, 162a, 162b, 163a, 163b, 164a and 164b) and coupling members 180.

[52] The headphone housings 120 form a pair and go over the user's ears. They include speakers 122a and 122b, respectively and correspondingly, which output audio sounds according to input electrical signals. They also form holes at both sides, respectively, so that the coupling members 180 are connected to the holes.

[53] The headband 140 exerts an elastic force to the pair of headphone housings 120 so that the headphone housings 120 can be closely placed on the user's ears while a user wears the headphones 100. As shown in Figure 4, each of the coupling members 180 spaces each of the headphone housings 120 from the headband 140 with a certain distance and fixed thereto or is used to adjust the distance, in the arrow direction, between each of the headphones 120 and the headband 140. The headband 140 allows the sub-signal lines 163a and 163b to go through therewithin.

[54] The sub-signal lines 161a, 161b, 162a, 162b, 163a, 163b, 164a and 164b transmit electrical signals from an external device to a left speaker 122a and a right speaker 122b, so that the speakers 122a and 122b can output audio sounds according to the electrical signals.

[55] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sub-signal lines 161a, 161b, 162a,

162b, 163a, 163b, 164a and 164b are stranded according to a single-strand method. A part of the sub-signal lines, 161a and 161b, are connected, respectively, to the left speaker 122a in the left headphone housing 120a, one of the headphone housings 120. The remainder sub-signal lines, 162a and 162b, are connected, respectively, to the left coupling members 181a and 181b that are fixed to the left headphone housing 120a. The left coupling members 181a and 181b are connected to the sub-signal lines 163a and 163b included within the headband 140. The sub-signal lines 163a and 163b are connected to the right coupling members 182a and 182b, respectively. The right coupling members 182a and 182b are connected, respectively, to the signal lines 164a and 164b that are connected to the right speaker 122b in the right headphone housing 120b. It should be understood that connection between the sub-signal lines 161a, 161b, 162a, 162b, 163a, 163b, 164a and 164b and the coupling members 180 means electrical connection.

[56] Briefly, as shown in Figure 4A, a signal line of four sub-signal lines 161a, 161b,

162a, and 162b enter the left headphone housing 120a. Two of the sub-signal lines 161a and 161b are connected to the left speaker 122a and the remaining two, 162a and 162b, are connected to the left coupling members 181a and 181b, respectively. In order to transmit an electrical signal from an external device to the right speaker 122b, the left coupling members 181a and 181b are connected electrically and respectively to the right coupling members 182a and 182b through the sub-signal lines 163a and 163b of the headband 140. The right coupling members 182a and 182b are connected electrically to the right speaker 122b through the sub-signal lines 164a and 164b in the right headphone housing 120b.

[57] Each of the coupling members 180 serves to space each of the headphone housings

120 from the headband 140 with a certain distance and fix them thereat. That is, the distance between each of the headphone housings 120 and the headband 140 is properly adjusted by the coupling members 180 while the user wears the headphones. [58] The sub-signal line 162a connected to one of the left coupling members, 181a, needs to be electrically connected, via the headband 140, to the sub-signal line 164a that is connected to the right speaker 122b in the right headphone housing 120b. To this end, the left coupling member 181a, coupled to the left headphone housing 120a, electrically connects the sub-signal line 162a entered the left headphone housing 120a to the sub-signal line 163a installed in the headband 140. Similarly, the right coupling member 182a, coupled to the right headphone housing 120b, electrically connects the sub-signal line 163a, installed in the headband 140, to the sub-signal line 164a that is electrically connected to the right speaker 122b in the right headphone housing 120b. The sub-signal line 164a is used to connect the right speaker 122b of the right headphone housing 120b and the right coupling member 182a coupled to the right headphone housing 120b.

[59] The coupling members 180 (181a, 182a) must be made of a conductive material, since they need to serve as electrical signal lines that connect the sub-signal lines 162a, 162b, 164a, and 164b in the headphone housing 120 and the sub-signal lines 163a and 163b in the headband 140.

[60] Since the coupling members 180 serving as a signal line function must space the headphone housings 120 from the headband 140 with a certain distance and fix them thereat, it is preferable that they must have a certain strength and are shaped as a cylindrical rod. One side ends of the coupling members 180 are coupled to the headphone housings 120, respectively, and opposite side ends are coupled to both ends of the headband 140, respectively.

[61] The another conventional headphones, as shown in Figure 2, is disadvantageous in that the plastic housing hangers 28 are damaged and twisted when the headphone housing 22 is rotated, and thus the signal line 24 is exposed to the outside and damaged. On the contrary, in accordance with the present invention, the coupling members 180, which couple the headphone housings 120 and the headband 140, are shaped as a cylindrical rod and thus do not cause such a conventional problem.

[62] It should be understood that the coupling members 180 are shaped as a pipe form. In that case, the headphones 100 can reduce its weight, which increases the user's comfort while wearing the headphones.

[63] Figure 5 is an enlarged view illustrating both end portions of one of the left coupling members 181a and 181b included in the left headphone illustrated in Figure 3 A. As shown in Figure 5, in order to electrically connect the sub-signal lines 162a, 162b, 163a, 163b, 164a and 164b and the coupling members 180, the sub-signal lines 162b and 163b are connected to the coupling member 181b by a welding or clamping method. Similarly, the remaining signal lines 162a, 163a, 164a and 164b are also connected to the coupling members 181a, 182a, and 182b by the same method. [64] Each of the coupling members 180 is composed of two cylindrical rods whose one- side ends are coupled respectively to holes at both opposite sides of the headphone housing 120 and whose bodies each are curved along the periphery of the headphone housing 120 toward the headband 140 to approximately the starting point of the width of the headband 140 and then bent to the headband 140. After that, the opposite side ends, respectively located at the bent portions, are coupled to the headband 140.

[65] The coupling members 180 serve as a housing hanger function that couples its one- side ends to the headphone housings 120 and its opposite-side ends to the headband 140. That is, they serve to couple the headphone housings 120 and the headband 140 and serve as a signal line function that transmits electrical signals from an external device to the left and right speakers 122a and 122b.

[66] Since the coupling members 180 serve as a housing hanger and a signal line simultaneously, the headphone of the present invention does not needs an additional part, such as a housing hanger, etc. Since the coupling members 180 are shaped as a cylindrical rod, they do not need to be covered by a cover. Since the signal line is formed by plural strands of sub-signal lines 161a, 161b, 162a, 162b, 163a, 163b, 164a, and 164b that transmit electrical signals from an external device to the left and right speakers 122a and 122b and the sub-signal liens are not exposed to the outside, the sub-signal lines are protected against disconnection. Such a structure aesthetically improves the overall design of the headphones in appearance.

[67] In order to increase the comfortable wearing feeling and to maximally block external noise from the outside to the headphone housings 120 when a user wears the headphones 100, it is preferable that the headphone housings 120 are rotatably coupled to the coupling members 180.

[68] It is preferable that the coupling members 180 are made of conductive metals, such as silver, platinum, copper, etc. In that case, since the high frequency band is faithfully output according to the described sequence of the metals, the user can have a chance to select various types of headphones.

[69] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Industrial Applicability

[70] The present invention can be widely applied to audio systems and audio- system-related industrial fields.

Claims

[1] Headphones comprising: headphone housings for going over the user's ears, wherein each headphone housing has a speaker for outputting audio sounds according to input electrical signals; a headband placed on the user's head for exerting an elastic force to the headphone housings; and coupling members spacing the headphone housings from the headband with a certain distance and fixing them thereat, wherein the coupling members are made of a conductive material and electrically connect signal lines included in the headband to electrical parts in the headphone housings. [2] The headphones according to claim 1, wherein: the coupling members are shaped as a cylindrical rod; and one-side ends of the coupling members are coupled to the headphone housings and opposite-side ends are coupled to the headband. [3] The headphones according to claim 1, wherein: the coupling members are shaped as a pipe form; and one-side ends of the coupling members are coupled to the headphone housings and opposite-side ends are coupled to the headband. [4] The headphones according to claim 1, wherein the headphone housings are rotatably coupled to the coupling members.