WO2025181589A1

WO2025181589A1 - Earcup and headgear

Info

Publication number: WO2025181589A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/051130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Baker; Ian Sansom
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-29
Filing date: 2025-02-03
Publication date: 2025-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-29

Abstract

There is provided an earcup for headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer's head, the earcup comprising a housing to be supported over an ear of the wearer, the housing comprising a housing attachment feature, and a cover releasably attachable to the housing. The cover comprises a first portion comprising a first member and a second member coupled to the first member, the second member comprising a cover attachment feature to engage and disengage with the housing attachment feature by rotation of at least the second member of the first portion relative to the housing.

Description

1 P005C

EARCUP AND HEADGEAR

BACKGROUND

Earcups for headgear are often complicated multi-part assemblies that are not intended for disassembly after initial assembly. This means that the appearance of an earcup is often fixed over the lifetime of a product.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided an earcup for headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head, the earcup comprising: a housing to be supported over an ear of the wearer, the housing comprising a housing attachment feature; and a cover releasably attachable to the housing for covering the cover, the cover comprising: a first portion comprising a first member and a second member coupled to the first member, the second member comprising a cover attachment feature to engage (e.g. lock) and disengage (e.g. unlock) with the housing attachment feature by rotation of at least the second member of the first portion, for example, the first and second members, or the entire first portion, relative to the housing.

Providing the cover with two members such that one of the two members has a cover attachment feature may enable that one of the two members, i.e. the second member, to provide the function of attachment to the housing. This may enable the other member to not have the function of attachment to the housing. The first member may then be made with other considerations as a priority, such as aesthetics and/or weight reduction, without being compromised by also serving an additional function of attachment to the housing. For example, the first member may be made (e.g. firstly pressed by stamping and then optionally machined to a final shape) from sheet metal (e.g. aluminium; e.g. with a substantially constant thickness of less than 1mm) which may help to reduce manufacturing cost. The second member, which may comprise intricate functional features to enable the cover attachment feature, such as deflection or biasing features (such as resiliently deformable portions), may then be made separately in a process that is more cost-effective for such intricate functional features for example, and then combined (e.g. snap-fitted and/or coupled by way of a suitable adhesive) to the first member. Providing the cover attachment feature 2 P005C on a member (e.g. the second member) that is not the first member, may allow the first member to be dedicated to being a facade, for example, without compromising the function of appearance.

The earcup may be referred to as an earcup assembly.

There is provided an earcup with a housing having a cover attachable to, and detachable from, the housing by (e.g. the wearer) rotating at least a part of a portion of the cover relative to the housing. The wearer may detach a given cover from the housing in order to replace the given cover with a different cover, for example, to customize the feel and/or appearance of the earcup by the different cover being attached to the housing. The cover is therefore supplementary to the housing such that the cover does not form part of the housing. For example, the earcup may function as normal without the cover attached to the housing. The cover may not function purely as a facade, for example, the sole purpose of the cover is for aesthetic benefit. The cover may not be configured to contain another removable component of the earcup.

Put another way, there is provided a means of removing a cover from a housing by rotating at least a part of a first portion of the cover with respect to the housing. In this way, the first portion of the cover performs the function of coupling the cover to the housing, for example, by rotating the first member and causing the second member to rotate. The second member may be referred to as an actuator for actuating the cover attachment feature to the housing attachment feature, the cover attachment feature and housing attachment feature forming a locking mechanism. The first and second members may work in combination to form the actuator (for example, when rotation of the first member is configured to cause the second member to rotate resulting in engaging/di sengaging the cover attachment feature with the housing attachment feature).

An amount (i.e. degree) of rotation of at least the second member of the first portion (e.g. about an axis of rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member)) relative to the housing to engage and disengage the cover attachment feature to the housing attachment feature may be no more than 90 degrees, 45 degrees, or 30 degrees. For example, the amount of rotation may be anywhere from 5 to 20 degrees. Disengaging the cover from the housing along the axis of rotation may be inhibited or prevented by the cover attachment feature being engaged to the housing attachment feature. The cover may only be disengaged 3 P005C from the housing by rotation of the cover around the axis of rotation (e.g. in the reverse rotation direction to engaging the cover with the housing).

The first and second members may be coupled to so as to inhibit relative rotation between the first and second members occurs when engaging and disengaging the cover attachment feature to the housing attachment feature. The first and second members may be rotatably fixed relative one another, for example, even when not engaging and disengaging the cover attachment feature to the housing attachment feature (e.g. permanently) when coupled. The first and second members may be coupled, for example, rotatably fixed relative one another, during manufacture. The first member may be overmoulded to the second member. The first member may be a receptacle for receiving the second member. The second member may be referred to as an insert received by the first member, such as a cavity of the first member.

The cover may comprise a second portion. The second portion may be configured to rotate with at least the second member of the first portion (for example, the first and second members or the entire first portion) when releasably attaching the cover to the housing. Thus, no rotation of the second portion relative to at least the second member of the first portion (for example, the first and second members or the entire first portion) may occur when the cover attachment feature is engaged and disengaged with the housing attachment feature. This enables the cover to be attachable by a rotational force applied directly to the first portion (e.g. to the second member via the first member) or the second portion because, during attachment, no relative rotation of the first portion and the second portion occurs. The second portion of the cover may be fixed to the first portion (e.g. to the second member or and/or the first member) of the cover. The first and second portions may be rotatably fixed relative one another, for example, even when not engaging and disengaging the cover attachment feature to the housing attachment feature (e.g. permanently). The first portion (e.g. at least the second member) and the second portion may not relatively rotate. The second portion may be inherent (i.e. integral) to the first portion (e.g. to the at least the second member) or combined to the first portion (e.g. to the at least the second member) during manufacture of the cover. The first and second portions may be concentric to each other. The first and second portions may be rotationally symmetric.

The second portion of the cover may act as a covering for the housing, rather than performing a coupling function, meaning that the second portion may be subject to minimal 4 P005C handling and therefore be less likely to be damaged during assembly (e.g. by the wearer). This may help to preserve an appearance of a removable cover that may be prone to damage. In contrast, the first portion provides duality of function: a covering function (provided by the first member) and a coupling function (provided by the second member).

The second portion may be or may comprise a flange. The flange may be radially outwardly flared from the first portion. The second portion may overlap a perimeter of the housing.

In other words, there is provided a cover having a portion of the cover (for example, the second member, which may form part of a top portion of the cover, e.g. the first portion) that may rotate with respect to the housing in order to selectively engage the cover with, or selectively lock/unlock the cover to/from, the housing. Another portion of the cover (for example, the second portion, which may be a bottom portion of the cover) may remain rotationally fixed with respect to the portion when the portion of the cover (e.g. the second member) is rotated. When the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover is rotated for attaching/ detaching the cover to/from the housing, the first and/or second portion may move towards/away from the housing along an axis of rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member).

The first portion and the second portion may combine to form the cover, for example a majority or an entirety thereof. Put another way, the first portion and the second portion may form between (and including) 50% and 100% of the cover. For example, the first portion and the second portion may form between (and including) between 50% and 100% of an external surface of the cover, the external surface being configured to form an external appearance of the earcup when the cover is attached to the housing. The first portion may be concentric with the second portion. The first portion may have a circular cross-section and the second portion may be annular (e.g. in the shape of a ring). The second portion may partially overlap the housing, i.e., the second surface may cover more than one surface of the housing. For example, the second portion may comprise a main annular surface and a flange (or collar or rim) projecting from a perimeter of the main annular surface, wherein the flange overlaps the housing. The first portion (e.g. at least the second member) may be rotatably fixed to the second portion about an axis of rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) to engage/disengage the cover. The first and second portions may be coupled to so as no relative rotation between the first and second members occurs. Thus, the 5 P005C first and second members may be rotatably fixed relative one another. The first and second members may be coupled during manufacture.

The first member is a covering member, also referred to as a covering element, and the second member is a coupling element comprising the cover attachment feature. The first member may be configured as a blind hole. The cover may be configured so as to prevent airflow through the cover. The second member may be received within the first member, for example a recess or socket of the first member. For example, the second member may be mechanically attached to the first member, for example, by press-fit or snap-fit, or may be overmoulded onto the first member. The socket may be a cylindrical socket. For example, the second member may only be physically accessible from one side of the cover.

When the cover is attached to the housing, the housing attachment feature is covered by the cover. When the cover is detached, or removed, from the housing, the housing attachment feature may be exposed. The housing attachment feature may be outwardly facing, i.e., may face away from the axis of rotation, and the cover attachment feature may be inwardly facing, i.e., may face towards the axis of rotation.

The cover may be referred to as a facade, for example a housing facade. The first member of the first portion may be an externally facing component when the cover is attached to the housing. The second member of the first portion may be an internally facing component when the cover is attached to the housing. For example, the first member may conceal the second member from view when the cover is attached to the housing. The cover may be understood to be an element for covering an external surface of the housing, for example, a central external surface. The cover may cover only a portion of the housing, for example only a central portion of the housing. The cover may cover the central portion of the housing. The cover may be enclosed in a centre of the cover. The cover may be any suitable face, facing, case for covering an external surface of the housing. The cover may contain no active elements, for example, no electronic components, related to the electronic function of the earcup and/or headgear. Put another way, the cover may be an unpowered feature of the earcup. The cover may provide impact / surface damage protection to other components of the ear cup.

The cover is attachable directly to the housing. Put another way, the cover is attachable to the housing without any intervening components that do not form part of the cover or the housing themselves being provided therebetween. 6 P005C

The housing may be a chassis for housing a speaker driver for driving a speaker. The housing may cover an ear of the wearer when supported over the wearer’ s ear. The housing may further comprise an ear cup adapted to contact the wearer’s head around the ear. The ear cup may be made from a flexible, or pliable, material. The housing may be a sealed housing, for example sealed from the external environment.

The first portion may comprise a plurality of cover attachment features, and wherein the housing comprises a corresponding plurality of housing attachment features. The housing attachment features may be equally spaced, for example, the housing attachment features may be at regular intervals around an annulus.

By providing a plurality of attachment features on the cover and housing, the stability of the attachment between the cover and the housing may be improved. The plurality of cover attachment features may engage and disengage with the plurality of housing attachment features simultaneously.

The plurality of cover attachment features may be arranged in an annular array. The cover attachment features may be equally spaced, for example, the cover attachment features may be at regular intervals around an annulus.

The plurality of cover attachment features may be arranged in an annular array and the plurality of housing attachment features may be arranged in a concentric annular array. The annular array may be centred on an axis of rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member).

Each cover attachment feature is arranged at least 90° from each adjacent cover attachment feature about the annular array.

By distributing the cover attachment features, and the corresponding housing attachment features, about the axis of rotation of the cover (e.g. at least the second member), the attachment features level the cover as the cover is attached to, and detached from, the housing. Put another way, the plurality of cover attachment features may keep the first portion of the cover, and optionally, the second portion of the cover, substantially parallel with an outer surface of the housing as the cover is attached to, and detached from, the housing.

The plurality of cover attachment features may be arranged uniformly in the annular array. 7 P005C

In this way, the stability of the attachment between the cover and the housing may be further improved.

The first portion may comprise three cover attachment features, and wherein the housing comprises three corresponding housing attachment features.

By providing three points of attachment between the cover and the housing, the stability of the attachment between the cover and the housing may be further improved.

The cover attachment feature and the housing attachment feature may form a bayonet fitting.

The bayonet fitting may comprise a projection and a track adapted to receive the projection, the track having an opening, wherein the track is adapted to receive the projection at the opening, and wherein the projection is moved from the opening along the track by rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction, e.g. a clockwise direction, in order to attach the cover to the housing.

In other words, the housing may comprise a track adapted to receive a projection provided on the coupling element of the cover. The track is adapted to receive the projection at one end and releasably secure the projection at another end after the wearer has rotated the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover, and so rotated the coupling element (e.g. at least the second member), in the first direction.

The cover attachment feature may comprise the projection and the housing attachment feature may comprise the track. The housing attachment feature may comprise the projection and the cover attachment feature may comprise the track.

The track may be angled to bring the cover closer to the housing as the cover is engaged with the housing. The track may be partially helical and partially circumferential. The track may be opened by a helical section and lead to a circumferential section with a closed end.

In other words, the track is angled such that the first portion of the cover is further away from the housing when the projection is received at the opening of the track compared to when the cover is engaged with the housing after the projection has travelled along the track in the first direction. 8 P005C

For example, the track may be angled with respect to a base of the housing at an angle between 30 degrees (30°) and 60 degrees (60°), for example at an angle of 45 degrees (45°).

Put another way, as the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover is rotated in the first direction when the projection is received at the opening of the track, the housing and the cover are brought closer together, for example as measured along an axis normal to an outer surface of the housing, or an axis of rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover. Similarly, as the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover is rotated in the second direction when the projection travels towards to opening of the track, the housing and the cover are forced apart.

In this way, the interaction between the track and the projection may guide the wearer in the proper placement of the cover when the cover is being attached to the housing and may also assist the wearer in the removal of the cover from the housing when the cover is being detached from the housing.

The projection may comprise: a rigid portion rigidly attached to the first portion; and a resiliently deformable portion attached to first portion by way of a resilient element, wherein the rigid portion is adapted to guide the projection along the track, and wherein the track comprises a ridge section connected to a seat section, and wherein rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) in the first direction (i) urges the resiliently deformable portion to deflect so that the resiliently deformable portion passes over the ridge section and (ii) permits the resiliently deformable portion to return towards a rest state as the resiliently deformable portion enters the seat section so as to releasably rotationally inhibit rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) in the second direction. The ridge section may be parallel to the rotation axis of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) which may assist with engagement/disengagement of the cover to the housing.

Put another way, the projection may be divided into a guide portion (e.g. the rigid portion) and a flexible portion (e.g. the resiliently deformable portion), where the guide portion serves to guide the movement of the cover as the projection moves through the track and the flexible portion serves to releasably secure the projection within the track to prevent unintentional decoupling of the cover from the housing. 9 P005C

The resilient element may be a resilient arm or a spring. The resiliently deformable portion need not return entirely towards a state of rest when entering the seat section, but may be partially sprung/deflected/deformed instead. That is, in the rest state, the resiliently deformable portion may be partially deformed but to a lesser degree than when urged by the ridge section. The seat section may be bordered by a single ridge or two ridges on either side. A ridge section may be a ledge or a lip between the track and the seat section, which may be a recess, or an elevated portion of the track. The ridge may be provided in a base or a side wall of the track.

The track may comprise a base having two opposing side walls extending therefrom, the base of the track being parallel to the axis of rotation of at least the second member of the first portion (e.g. a top portion) of the cover, and wherein the resiliently deformable portion is biased in a direction angled to, the track.

In this way, vibrations from movement between the housing and the cover may be dampened by the resilient arm. In some examples, the resiliently deformable portion is biased in a direction perpendicular and towards, the base of the track, for example towards the axis of rotation.

The track may further comprise a stop structure spaced from the opening, wherein the projection is moved from the opening to the stop structure by rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover with respect to the housing in the first direction.

The stop structure may comprise a stop surface adapted to contact the rigid portion of the projection to inhibit rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover in the first direction.

In this way, over rotation of the first portion (e.g. at least the second member) of the cover in the first direction may be prevented.

The earcup may further comprise a vibration dampener arranged between the cover and the housing. The vibration dampener may be provided on the first portion, for example, the first member, and/or on the second portion when formed as part of the cover.

In this way, vibrations from movement between the housing and the cover may be dampened. The vibration dampener may comprise any elastic or flexible or pliant material. For example, the vibration dampener may comprise a foam. The vibration dampener may be provided on the cover or the housing. The housing may further comprise a protrusion, e.g. a central protrusion, and wherein the first portion defines a socket for receiving the protrusion. The second portion may comprise an aperture through which the protrusion of the first portion protrudes.

In this way, the housing may comprise a protrusion that can accommodate various components therein, whilst also providing a locating feature for locating the cover in the correct position when attaching the cover to the housing.

The housing attachment feature may be provided on the protrusion and the cover attachment feature may be provided within the socket. The housing may be generally cylindrical. The housing attachment feature may be provided on an inner outwardly-facing cylindrical wall of the housing. The protrusion may comprise a sloped surface arranged to contact a surface of the socket. In this way, the protrusion may act as an alignment feature for guiding the wearer in the proper placement to couple the cover to the housing.

The housing may comprise one or more external surfaces, and wherein the cover covers a majority of the one or more external surfaces of the housing.

The external surface may include surfaces that are exposed to the environment surrounding the earcup and/or headgear during use. The external surface may exclude surface that are covered by the wearer in use. The external surfaces of the housing may be any surface of the housing arranged to contact the cover. The external surfaces of the housing may be any surface of the housing arranged to not contact the ear of the wearer. The housing may comprise one or more internal surface, facing a space at least partially enclosed by the housing, and the wall of the housing may comprise the one or more internal surfaces on one side and the one or more external surfaces on the other.

The cover may cover a majority of the one or more external surfaces of the housing, for example more than 50% of the one or more external surfaces of the housing. A majority of the one or more external surfaces of the housing may be more than 50% of the one or more external surfaces of the housing, such as more than 60% of the one or more external surfaces of the housing, such as more than 70% of the one or more external surfaces of the housing, such as more than 80% of the one or more external surfaces of the housing, such as more than 90% of the one or more external surfaces of the housing.

The second portion of the cover, when formed as part of the cover, may comprise a gap portion, and wherein the housing comprises a protrusion portion adapted to protrude through the gap portion when the cover is attached to the housing. The protrusion portion may project in a direction away from the ear of the wearer. Put another way, the protrusion portion may project along a longitudinal axis of the housing away from a base of the housing.

The gap portion may comprise a notch for exposing the housing through the cover. The notch may be any shaped indent, cut-away, aperture, window, opening, hole or the like in the cover through which at least a portion of the housing is exposed. The notch may be formed at an edge of the cover.

The protrusion portion may substantially fill the gap portion, for example, the notch. For example, when the cover is attached to the housing, the protrusion portion may occupy at least 90% of an area or volume of the gap portion, the area or volume being the area or volume required to complete rotational symmetry of the cover.

In this way, undesirable movement and vibrations between the cover and the housing may be reduced. Put another way, the perimeter of the protrusion portion may be sized and shaped to substantially match a boundary of the gap portion.

The first member may be formed from sheet material. The first member may have a substantially constant thickness of less than 3mm, preferably less than 2mm, preferably between 0.3mm and 1mm. The first member may impede physical access to the housing (e.g. to prevent ingress of debris/airflow to a surface of the housing).

The first member may be made from metal or comprise metal. The metal may be or may comprise aluminium.

The second member may be made from a polymer, for example, polycarbonate.

The first member may be annular.

The cover, the first portion and/or the first member may be generally cylindrical. The cover may comprise a tactile feature for assisting with locating the first portion on the housing without visual reference of the first portion. For example, the first portion (e.g. the first member) may be raised from the second portion. The first portion may form a step from the second portion, wherein the step forms the tactile feature. By providing a tactile feature, the wearer is provided with a tactile differentiation between the first and second portions to assist with locating the first portion on the housing by hand without any other sensory reference of the first portion.

The earcup may comprise a control interface adapted to generate a control signal for causing control of an operation of the earcup and/or headgear. The control interface may be provided on the protrusion portion. The control interface may comprise one or more sensors.

In this way, the control signal may be generated based on sensor signals generating by the one or more sensors in response to an external stimulus.

The one or more sensors may comprise one or more microphone sensors.

In this way, the control signal may be generated based on sensor signals generating by the one or more microphone sensors in response to external audio inputs, such as monitoring environmental sounds for active noise cancelling or speech for telephony.

The control interface may comprise one or more user input interfaces.

In this way, the control signal may be generated based on a user input, for example a physical input by the wearer (e.g. the wearer of the headgear). The user input interfaces may include one or more of a button; a dial; a slider; a switch; a joystick; and the like.

The control interface may comprise one or more input and/or output ports.

In this way, the control signal may be generated based on an external control signal. The input and/or output port may be an input/output (I/O) port, such as a USB port.

The housing attachment feature may be provided on the protrusion, and the cover attachment feature may be provided within the socket.

In a second aspect, there is provided a headgear comprising the earcup of the first aspect. The headgear may further comprise a headband adapted to contact the wearer’s head and adapted to support the housing over the ear of the wearer.

The headgear may comprise a speaker housed by the housing.

The headgear may comprise: a pair of housings to be supported over the ears of the wearer; and a pair of covers, wherein each cover of the pair of covers is defined according to the cover of any preceding claim, and each cover is adapted to be removably attached to a respective housing of the pair of housings.

In a third aspect, there is provided a cover releasably attachable to a housing of an earcup for headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head, the cover for covering the housing, the cover comprising: a first portion comprising a first member (e.g. a covering element) and a second member (e.g. a coupling element) coupled to the first member, the second member comprising a cover attachment feature to engage and disengage with the housing to secure the cover to the housing by rotation of at least the second member part of the first portion relative to the housing. The second member may be attached to the first member during manufacture.

The covers may be handed, i.e., each cover may only connect to one of the pair of housings, or unhanded, i.e., each cover may be connectable to either of the housings. Both of the covers may rotate in the same direction, e.g. a clockwise direction, to engage with the housing. One of the covers may rotate in one direction, e.g. a clockwise direction, to engage with the housing, and the other one of the covers may rotate in one other direction, e.g. an anticlockwise direction, to engage with the housing.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cover releasably attachable to a housing of an earcup for headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head, the cover for covering the housing, the method comprising: coupling first and second members of the cover, the second member comprising a cover attachment feature for releasably attaching the cover by rotation of at least the second member to the housing.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a cover releasably attachable to a housing of an earcup of a headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head, the cover for covering the housing, the method comprising: inserting a cover insert, e.g. the second member of the first aspect, into a socket, e.g. the first member of the first aspect of the cover, the cover insert having a cover attachment feature or being arranged to receive the cover attachment feature, the cover attachment feature arranged to couple with a housing attachment feature of the housing; and bonding the cover insert to the socket.

In an embodiment, inserting the cover insert into the socket of the cover comprises snap, or press, fitting the cover insert into the socket.

In an embodiment, bonding the cover insert to the socket comprises applying an adhesive to the cover insert, and/or the socket, to adhere the cover insert and the socket to each other.

Any feature of any of the aspects described above may be combinable with any feature of any other aspect described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an earcup;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a cap removed from a housing;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a housing with a cover removed;

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the cover of Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the cover of Figure 3; and

Figure 7 shows a cross section of the cover of Figure 3 attached to the housing of Figure 4;

Figure 8 shows a rear elevation view of the headgear shown in Figure 2; and Figure 9 shows a bottom elevation view of the headgear shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an earcup 100 comprising a housing 110 and a cover 120.

The cover 120 is releasably attachable to the housing 110 by way of a cover attachment feature 130 provided on the cover 120 and a housing attachment feature 140 provided on the housing. The various embodiments of the cover attachment feature 130 and the housing attachment feature 140 are discussed in further detail below.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a headgear 200 for wearing on a wearer’s head. In the example shown in Figure 2, the headgear 200 is a pair of headphones having a pair of earcups 310, 315, supported over each ear of the wearer by a headband 210, each earcup 310, 315 is covered by a respective cover 320, 325 (each cover which may be referred to as a cap; the left cover 320 is visible, the right cover 325 is blocked from view but is functionally identical to the left cover 320). The headband 210 is adapted to apply a clamping force against the wearer’s head to hold the headgear 200 on the wearer’s head. When the wearer goes to remove the headgear 200 from their head, the wearer will apply a force against the clamping force in order to remove the headgear 200. As the covers 320, 325 are on the outside of respective housings (corresponding to housing 311 in Figures 4 and 8), the wearer may grip the covers 320, 325 in order to remove the headgear 200 from their head. Each earcup 310, 315 comprises the respective housing, a portion of each housing (a central portion) is covered by one of the respective covers 320, 325, such that the respective housings are not visible in Figure 2 apart from the protrusion portion 312 of one of the housings, which protrudes through the cover 320. The protrusion portion 312 is described in further detail below. Each earcup 310, 315 comprises a respective cushion, or earpad, 220, 225 provided between the earcups 310, 315 and the side of the wearer’s head.

In the example shown in Figure 2, the headgear includes a pair of speakers (one speaker 230 of the pair of speakers is schematically shown by dashed lines in Figure 2), each directed towards a respective ear of the wearer. The speakers 230 are each housed by one of the respective housings of the earcups 310, 315. The speakers 230 are driven by speaker drivers housed by the earcups 310, 315.

The ear cup comprises a covering member 324. In this example, the covering member 324 is separate from the cover 320, and the covering member 324 is non-removable from the housing by the wearer, in use, but is attached during manufacture.

In some examples, the covering member 324 may be removable in use by the wearer, for example, the covering member 324 may be a second portion of the cover 320. When the covering member 324 is a second portion of the cover 320, a plurality of vibration dampeners 235 (shown in dashed lines) may be provided to absorb/eliminate vibrations between the cover 320 and the respective housing. Alternatively, a plurality of vibration dampeners may be provided on a first portion 321 of the cover 320 (the first portion 321 as described in relation to Figure 3 below). One or more vibration dampeners 235 may be provided according to the desired implementation.

In some examples, the covering member 324 is a portion of the housing 311, such as external surface of the housing 311.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the outside of the cover 320 removed from the housing 311, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the housing 311 with the cover 320 (and the non-removable covering member 324) removed, Figure 5 shows a cross section of the cover 320 and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the inside of the cover 320.

The cover 320 comprises a first portion 321. In some examples, the first portion 321 is coupled to a second portion (dashed lines are used for an example covering member 324, included as an example of a second portion, to show the optionality of the second portion). When the first portion 321 is coupled to the second portion (e.g. the covering member 324), the first portion 321 is not rotatable relative to the second portion (e.g. the covering member 324) attaching or detaching the cover 320 from the housing 311. In addition, and as shown by Figure 2, the covering member 324 comprises a gap portion (corresponding to the region between two gap portion ends 381, 383 in Figure 2) through which a protrusion portion 312 of the housing 311 projects when the covering member 324 is attached, for example, during manufacture, to the housing 311. The protrusion portion 312 and the gap portion are dimensioned such that the protrusion portion 312 substantially fills the gap portion when the covering member 324 is attached during manufacture, to the housing 311 as shown in Figure 2. In the example shown in Figure 3, no gap portion is provided. Omitting the gap portion enables the cover 320 to be attached to the housing in more than one rotational position which may improve usability of the cover 320.

The first portion 321 comprises a perimeter 327. The length of the perimeter 327 of the first portion 321 is smaller than the length of the perimeter 329 of the covering member 324, which may be provided as the second portion of the cover 320. In the example shown in Figure 3, the first portion 321 and covering member 324, for example, the second portion, are coaxial cylinders, with the first portion 321 having a circumference/diameter less than the covering member 324.

When the cover 320 is attached to the housing 311, the height of the protrusion of the first portion 321 from the covering member 324 is equal to a height of a protrusion of the protrusion portion 312. In other examples, the heights may differ. For example, when the cover 320 is attached to the housing 311, the height of the protrusion of the first portion 321 from the covering member 324 may be greater than the height of the protrusion of the protrusion portion 312.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the first portion 321 of the cover comprises a first member in the form of a covering element 322 and a second member in the form of a coupling element 323. The coupling element 323 is snap-fit into the covering element 322 in order to form the first portion of the 321 of the cover 320. The coupling element 323 is rotatably fixed to the covering element 322 of the cover 320. In other examples, the coupling element 323 may be overmoulded to the covering element 322.

The coupling element 323 comprises three cover attachment features 330 in an annular array that engage/di sengage with corresponding housing attachment features 340 of the housing 311. In the examples shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the cover attachment features 330 and the housing attachment features 340 define bayonet fittings. The housing attachment features 340 are arranged in a uniformly spaced annular array formed of the three housing attachment features 340. It should be noted that any number of housing attachment features 340, and corresponding cover attachment features 330, may be provided for coupling the cover 320 to the housing 311 and they need not be uniformly spaced; however, three attachment features provides a stable connection between the cover 320 and the housing 311 without overly complicating the manufacture and design of both the cover 320 and the housing 311. The three housing attachment features 340 are arranged about a protrusion 350 of the housing. The cover attachment features 330 are arranged in a corresponding uniformly spaced annular array formed of the three cover attachment features 330. The cover attachment features 330 are located within a socket 360 of the cover. The socket 360 is defined by the first portion 321 of the cover 320. When the cover 320 is attached to the housing 311, the protrusion 350 is received within the socket 360.

The cover attachment features 330 each comprise a projection 334, which is divided into a rigid portion 331 and a resiliently deformable portion 332 attached to the rigid portion 331, and specifically the coupling element 323, by way of a resilient element 333 in the form of a flexible arm. The curved profile of the rigid portion 331 may aid with the alignment of the cover attachment features 330 with the housing attachment features 340.

The housing attachment features 340 each comprise a track 341 for receiving the rigid portion 331 and the resiliently deformable portion 332 of the projection 334. The track 341 has an opening 342 for receiving the projection 334 when the cover 320 is brought towards the housing 311. Both the rigid portion 331 and the resiliently deformable portion 332 of the projection 334 are moved from the opening 342 along the track 341 by rotation of at least the coupling element 323 of the first portion 321 of the cover 320 with respect to the housing 311 in a first direction in order to attach the cover 320 to the housing 311.

When the projection 334 is received at the opening 342 of the housing attachment feature 340, the rigid portion 331 guides the projection 334 along the track 341 as at least the coupling element 323 of the first portion 321 is rotated relative to the housing 311.

The track 341 comprises two ridge sections, a first ridge section 343, and a second ridge section 344, connected to a seat section 345 provided therebetween. Rotation of at least the coupling element 323 of the first portion 321 in the first direction urges the resiliently deformable portion 332 to deflect so that the resiliently deformable portion 332 passes over the first ridge section 343 and into the seat section 345. The resiliently deformable portion 332 then returns towards a rest state as the resiliently deformable portion 332 enters the seat section 345, which releasably inhibits the rotation of at least the coupling element 323 of the first portion 321 in the second direction, which is opposite the first direction. The second ridge section 344 can help to prevent over-rotation of the first portion 321 in the first direction.

The resiliently deformable portion 332 protrudes, for example towards the axis of rotation 328 of the first portion 321 further than the rigid portion 331. Thus, the rigid portion 331 does not engage with the first and second ridge sections 343, 344 as the projection 334 passes over the first and second ridge sections 343, 344. Rather, the rigid portion 331 is guided by the side wall of the track 341.

As shown in Figure 4, the track 341 comprises a base having two opposing side walls extending therefrom. The base, on which the ridges 343, 344 and the seat section 345 are provided, is parallel to an axis of rotation 328 of the first portion 321 of the cover. The resilient element 333 biases the resiliently deformable portion 332 towards the base of the track 341, i.e., towards the axis of rotation 328.

As shown in Figure 4, the track 341 includes an angled portion 346 adapted to bring the cover 320 closer to the housing 311 as the cover 320 is engaged with the housing 311 and move the cover 320 away from the housing 311 as the cover 320 is disengaged with the housing 311.

In addition, at the end of the track 341 opposite the opening 342 is a stop surface 347 that forms part of a stop structure. When at least the coupling element 323 of the first portion 321 of the cover 320 is rotated in the first direction, the projection 334 of the cover attachment feature 330 moves towards the stop surface 347. The stop surface 347 contacts the rigid portion 331 of the projection 334 in order to prevent over rotation of the first portion 321 in the first direction.

As shown in Figure 4, the housing 311 comprises a plurality of recesses 335 for each receiving one of the plurality of vibration dampeners 235 adapted to ab sorb/ eliminate vibrations between the cover 320 and the housing 311 when the covering member 324 is a second portion of the cover 320. One or more recesses 335 may be provided according to the desired implementation.

As shown in Figure 2, when compared to Figure 4, the cover 320 covers a majority of the external surfaces of the housing 320, other than the protrusion portion 312. In use, the protrusion portion 312 sits below and behind the ear of the user.

As shown in Figure 4, the protrusion portion 312, and correspondingly the gap portion (region between two gap portion ends 381, 383 in Figure 2), is arcuate and extends around a perimeter of the housing 311, such that an outer edge of the protrusion portion 312 follows a curvature of an outer edge of the cover 320.

Figure 7 shows a cross section of the cover 320 attached to the housing 311 illustrating the resiliently deformable portion 332 of the projection 334 received within the seat section 345 of the track 341. To engage the cover 320, the resiliently deformable portion 332 undergoes a degree of rotation of 8.5 degrees when passing over the ridge section 343. To disengage the cover 320, the resiliently deformable portion 332 undergoes the same degree of rotation of 8.5 degrees, in an opposite direction of rotation back over the ridge section 343.

Figure 8 shows two elevation views of the housing 311 of Figure 4. The elevation views show the same housing 311, with the right elevation showing the housing 311 being mirrored and rotated by 90° with respect to view shown in the left elevation. The left elevation shows the rear side of the housing 311, which faces generally backwards (i.e., facing away from the wearer’s front) when worn (e.g., see Figure 9). The right elevation shows the rear side of the housing 311, which faces generally downwards (i.e., towards the wearer’s shoulders) when worn (e.g., see Figure 10).

Each elevation view shows a portion of a control interface 500 provided on the perimeter surface of the protrusion portion 312 of the housing 311. The control interface 500 is adapted to generate a control signal for causing control of an operation of the headgear.

In the example shown in Figure 8, the control interface includes a microphone sensor 510, a user input interface 520 in the form of a button, an LED 530 and an input/output port 540.

Figures 9 and 10 show rear and bottom elevation views of the headgear 200 of Figure 2, respectively. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the relative positioning of control interfaces 500, 501 on the earcups 310, 315 of the headgear 200. The elevation view shown in Figure 9 shows the rear side of the headgear 200, which faces generally backwards (i.e., facing away from the wearer’s front) when worn. The elevation shown in Figure 10 shows the bottom of the headgear, which faces generally downwards (i.e., towards the wearer’s shoulders) when worn.

Each earcup 310, 315 of the headgear 200 shown in Figures 9 and 10 comprise a respective control interface 500, 501. The control interface 500 comprises the control elements shown in Figure 8. The further control interface 501 may comprise a further button 521 and two further microphones 511, 512 (one for active noise cancellation, similar to the microphone 510 on the other earcup 315, and the other for telephony).

Claims

1. An earcup for headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head, the earcup comprising: a housing to be supported over an ear of the wearer, the housing comprising a housing attachment feature; and a cover releasably attachable to the housing for covering the housing, the cover comprising: a first portion comprising a first member and a second member coupled to the first member, the second member comprising a cover attachment feature to engage and disengage with the housing attachment feature by rotation of at least the second member of the first portion relative to the housing.

2. The earcup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of cover attachment features, and wherein the housing comprises a corresponding plurality of housing attachment features.

3. The earcup as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of cover attachment features may be arranged in an annular array.

4. The earcup as claimed in claim 3, wherein each cover attachment feature is arranged at least 90° from each adjacent cover attachment feature about the annular array.

5. The earcup as claimed in any of claims 3 to 4, wherein the plurality of cover attachment features are arranged uniformly in the annular array.

6. The earcup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover attachment feature and the housing attachment feature form a bayonet fitting.

7. The earcup as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bayonet fitting comprises a projection and a track adapted to receive the projection, the track having an opening, wherein the track is adapted to receive the projection at the opening, and wherein the projection is moved from the opening along the track by rotation of at least the second member of the first portion of the cover with respect to the housing in a first direction in order to attach the cover to the housing.

8. The earcup as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cover attachment feature comprises the projection, and wherein the housing attachment feature comprises the track.

9. The earcup as claimed in any of claims 7 to 8, wherein the track is angled to bring the cover closer to the housing as the cover is engaged with the housing.

10. The earcup as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the projection comprises: a rigid portion rigidly attached to the first portion; and a resiliently deformable portion attached to first portion by way of a resilient element, wherein the rigid portion is adapted to guide the projection along the track, and wherein the track comprises a ridge section connected to a seat section, and wherein rotation of at least the second member of the first portion in the first direction (i) urges the resiliently deformable portion to deflect so that the resiliently deformable portion passes over the ridge section and (ii) permits the resiliently deformable portion to return towards a rest state as the resiliently deformable portion enters the seat section so as to releasably rotationally inhibit rotation of at least the second member of the first portion in the second direction.

11. The earcup as claimed in claim 10, wherein the track comprises a base having two opposing side walls extending therefrom, the base of the track being parallel to the axis of rotation of at least the second member of the first portion, and wherein the resiliently deformable portion is biased in a direction angled to, the track.

12. The earcup as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the track further comprises a stop structure spaced from the opening, wherein the projection is moved from the opening to the stop structure by rotation of at least the second member of the first portion of the cover with respect to the housing in the first direction.

13. The earcup as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stop structure comprises a stop surface adapted to contact the rigid portion of the projection to inhibit rotation of at least the second member of the first portion of the cover in the first direction.

14. The earcup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the headgear further comprises a vibration dampener arranged between the cover and the housing.

15. The earcup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a protrusion, and wherein the first portion defines a socket for receiving the protrusion and the second portion comprises an aperture through which the protrusion protrudes.

16. The earcup as claimed in claim 15, wherein the housing attachment feature is provided on the protrusion, and wherein the cover attachment feature is provided within the socket.

17. The earcup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first member is formed from sheet material.

18. The earcup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second member is overmoulded onto the first member.

19. The earcup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises a second portion configured to rotate with at least the second member of the first portion when releasably attaching the cover to the housing.

20. A headgear comprising the earcup as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the headgear further comprises a headband adapted to contact the wearer’s head and adapted to support the housing over the ear of the wearer.

21. The headgear as claimed in claim 20, wherein the headgear comprises a speaker housed by the housing.

22. The headgear as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the headgear comprises: a pair of housings to be supported over the ears of the wearer; and a pair of covers, wherein each cover of the pair of covers is defined according to the cover of any preceding claim, and each cover is adapted to be removably attached to a respective housing of the pair of housings.

23. A cover releasably attachable to a housing of an earcup for headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head, the cover for covering the housing, the cover comprising: a first portion comprising a first member and a second member coupled to the first member, the second member comprising a cover attachment feature to engage and disengage with the housing to secure the cover to the housing by rotation of at least the second member part of the first portion relative to the housing.

24. The cover as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second member is coupled to the first member during manufacture.

25. A method of manufacturing a cover releasably attachable to a housing of an earcup for headgear, the headgear for wearing on a wearer’s head, the cover for covering the housing, the method comprising: coupling first and second members of the cover, the second member comprising a cover attachment feature for releasably attaching the cover by rotation of at least the second member to the housing.