Abstract:
A hand carriable container for a portable personal audio device of the type which is normally listened to with earphones. The container includes: structure for holding the portable personal audio device; a device, separate from the personal audio device, for amplifying sound from said personal audio device; a source of power separate from the personal audio device, for the amplifying mechanism; a pair of speakers; and wiring for electrically connecting the personal audio device, the speakers, and the power supply to the amplifying mechanism. The speakers are mounted in compartments which are detachable and remotely positionable from the main portion of the container. The main portion of the container includes structure for storing pre-recorded audio material. The wires to the speaker are supported by a take-up reel supported in the main portion of the container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to carriers for holding portable personal audio devices, particularly of the type that utilize head or earphones. More particularly, the present invention relates to carriers which include built-in speakers, an amplifier and a power source. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Personal audio devices such as CD players, AM/FM radios, MP-3 players, hard drive audio recording devices are small self continued personal sound entertainment systems which, because they do not include speakers, utilize audio head gear to convey the audio output signal(s) to a single user. These devices are easily carried or transported by an individual, and operate on batteries or transformed power. Bags and containers to protect and transport these personal audio devices (“PADs”) and bags and containers for their respective media are popular and convenient. The utility of the devices is limited by the fact that they are single user devices. Currently there are no commercially available systems to convert their single listener use to multi listener use, unless done with stationary electronics already set up in a home or office. 
   A bag with speakers is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 409,378. However, if the user of such a personal audio device attempts to power speaker systems with such a device, the result is unsatisfactory as the audio output signal necessary to drive a set of headphones with good quality is somewhat less than the requirement for a set of speakers. This is also true of the optional speakers illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,243. 
   The use of an audio carrier, adapted for mounting on a bicycle, is disclosed is U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,901. The disclosed carrier includes a strap for holding a personal protable radio, speakers, a battery and amplifier circuit boards. 
   Carriers which include receivers, amplifiers, a power source and speakers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,001,779 and 5,771,305. However, these carriers are designed to support, in conjunction with the use on motorcycles, the type of audio components that are typically installed in automobiles and trucks. They are not designed for use with personal audio devices which require earphones. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier for a personal audio device, which incorporates an amplifier in a central unit and two detachable speaker units which can be placed remotely from the main unit. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a take-up reel mechanism for the convenient rewinding and storage of speaker wire when the speaker units are attached to the central unit. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a carrier with alternate power supplys. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a carrier of the above type which incorporates one or more areas for the storage of recorded media. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrier for a personal audio device, of the type which is normally listened to with earphones, which has a handle or other carrying device. 
   These and other objects will be apparent from the description which follows. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A hand carriable container for a portable personal audio device of the type which is normally listened to with earphones. The container includes: structure for holding the portable personal audio device; a device, separate from the personal audio device, for amplifying sound from said personal audio device; a source of power separate from the personal audio device, for the amplifying mechanism; at least one speaker; and wiring (or equivalent) for electrically connecting the personal audio device, the speaker, and the power supply to the amplifying mechanism. 
   Preferably, there are two speakers, each of which is supported in a separate compartment, which compartments are detachable and remotely positionable from the main portion of the container. Preferably, the speakers are connected to the amplifying device by wires, which wires are supported by a take-up reel supported in the main portion of the container. Alternately, the speakers and the amplifying device can be interconnected by a wireless signal transmitting and receiving mechanisms. The power supply, separate from the personal audio device, is either a battery or a transformer. The main portion of the container, which supports the amplifying device and power supply, includes structure for storing pre-recorded audio material (e.g. CDs, cassette tapes, etc.). 
   The invention also includes a wire take-up mechanism which includes a rotating spool. The spool includes a first section for supporting a portion of a first wire in a coiled fashion, and a second section for supporting a portion of a second wire in a coiled fashion. The spool also includes a hollow portion through which a portion of both wires pass, which hollow section includes a passage for the first wire and a second passage for the second wire. A section of the wires are twisted together prior to being threaded through the first and second passages. Both wires are wrapped in the same direction. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is the front view of the audio equipment bag of the present invention, with the speaker compartments attached; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the bag of the present invention with the front compartment opened, showing the amplifier/power supply/speaker wire take-up reel unit, and the CD holder; 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the bag of the present invention with the front compartment opened and the CD holder opened; 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of a CD holder which can be incorporated into the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the bag of the present invention, with the CD holder removed to show the amplifier/power supply/speaker wire take-up reel unit; 
       FIG. 5  is the back view of the bag of the present invention, with the speaker compartments attached, showing the exterior of the speaker wire take-up reel; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bag of the present invention with the speaker compartments detached; 
       FIG. 7  is a back perspective plain view of the amplifier/power supply/wire rewind reel unit incorporated in the bag of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plain view of the amplifier/power supply/wire rewind unit of  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the take-up reel itself; 
       FIG. 9B  is a partial perspective view of the housing of the amplifier/power supply/wire rewind; and 
       FIG. 10  is a top plain view of the take-up reel with the speaker wire uncoiled. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , carrier  11  includes a central, zip open compartment  13  and speaker compartments  15  and  17 . On the top of compartment  13  are attached both a carrying handle  19  and a strap  21 . Strap  21 , which can be adjusted in length by a conventional mechanism (not shown) can be used as a shoulder strap. Alternately, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , it can be tightly wrapped around compartments  13 ,  15  and  17  to provide a mechanism/additional mechanism for securing them together for transportation. Preferably, strap  21  is made of a web type fabric and can include any conventional attachment mechanism (e.g. buckles, snaps, hook and lop, etc.) for detaching it from compartment  13 . The front  23 , back, and sides of compartment  13  are made of a semi-rigid foam (not shown) sandwiched between two layers of fabric. Alternately, compartment could be made of rigid plastic with or without a fabric coating. 
   The front  23  of compartment  13  can be opened and folded down via zipper  25  having openers  27  and  29 , as illustrated in, for instance,  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . When so opened, the interior of compartment  13  is opened exposing CD holder  31 , and amplifier/power supply/speaker wire rewind (or take-up) reel unit  33 . The inside of front  23  includes a pocket  35  for holding a portable CD player  37  (such as illustrated in broken lines in  FIG. 4 ) or other personal audio device of the type which utilizes earphones. The inside of front  23  may also include a Velcro (or equivalent) strip  39  which can also (or alternately) be used to hold CD player  37 , if a mating Velcro strip (not shown) is secured to its bottom side. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  3 A, CD holder  31  includes a front cover  41  to which is secured a mesh storage pocket  43  and a pull tab  45 . Holder  31  also includes a bottom  47 , a back  49 , a top  51  and a plurality of envelopes  53  for holding individual CDs. Bottom  47  includes a Velcro strip  55  which mates with Velcro strip  57  on unit  33  (see  FIG. 4 ). Top  51  includes a second Velcro strip  59  which mates with a Velcro strip (not shown) secured to the inside of the top of compartment  13 . 
   Speaker compartments  15  and  17  are virtually identical. In the preferred embodiment each includes a molded plastic liner (not shown) having four sides and a front. Each front includes a cut-out (not shown) and support for a speaker (also not shown). Each speaker compartment also includes an opening in the side facing compartment  13  to permit the passage of a speaker wire. Preferably, the front of each compartments  15  and  17  is covered with a layer of foam (not shown) which is, in turn, covered with fabric as illustrated at  61  and  63 . The sides of compartments  15  and  17  are also covered with a thin layer of foam (not shown) and then a layer of fabric (such as the same fabric covering used for the exterior of compartment  13 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the respective backs are closed by covers  65  and  67 . As speaker compartments  15  and  17  are designed to be detachably secured to compartment  13 , so the speakers can be separated from each other and compartment  13 , the facing sides of the compartments are provided with mating Velcro strips, portions of which are illustrated at  71  and  73  in  FIG. 6 . As also illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the side of compartment  17  has a plate  75  having an aperture  77  therein through which speaker wire passes. Compartment  15  has an identical plate (not shown). 
   As those skilled in the art will appreciate, instead of one pair of Velcro strips, each compartment can be secured with two Velcro strips. Alternately, the mechanism for securing speaker compartments  15  and  17  to compartment  13  can include zippers (not shown), a hook and eye mechanism (not shown) or snaps (also not shown). Compartment  13  could also have pockets on either side (not shown) into which speaker compartments  15  and  17  could be dropped in. Finally, as noted above, strap  21 , either by itself or in conjunction with the foregoing, can be used to secure compartments  15  and  17  to compartment  13 . 
   A personal audio device such as a CD player  37  does not have enough audio output to satisfactorily drive the speakers mounted in compartments  15  and  17 . This drawback is overcome by amplifier/power supply/speaker wire take-up reel unit  33 , which is best illustrated in  FIGS. 6–10 . Unit  33  includes a housing  81  having a cover  83 , front panel  85 , back panel  87 , sides (one of which is illustrated at  89 ) and bottom  91 . The interior of housing  81 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , includes an electronics compartment  93 , a wire and take-up reel section  95  and a battery compartment  97  having a door  99 . Preferably, housing  81  is molded plastic. Supported within compartment  93  is a circuit board  101  on which are mounted electrical power switch  103 , volume control  105 , stereo speaker balance control  107 , head phone jack  109  and receptacle  111  (which is adapted to receive the male connector (not shown) of a conventional (off-the-shelf) 120 volt-9 volt transformer. Also connected to board  101  is wire pair  113  (which terminates in a conventional 9 volt battery connector  114 ), speaker wires  115  and  117 , and wire  119  (which terminates in male connector  121 ) which is adapted to be received in the audio output jack of portable CD player  37 . The bottom of pocket  35  includes an opening (not shown) to permit the insertion of wire  119  and connector  121 . Board  101  also includes a variety of other components (not shown) for (for instance) amplification, and connections (also not shown) between the components. All are conventional and, thus, not illustrated. 
   Take-up reel  131  is generally cylindrical in shape and includes interior disc  133 , middle/wire dividing disc  135 , and back disc  137 . All are circular discs having the same radius. These discs are interconnected by hollow cylinder  139 , which has a wire input opening  141  on the side of interior disc  133  and two wire outlets  143  and  145 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The outside surface of disc  137  supports turn knob  147 . 
   The circular perimeters of discs  133 ,  135  and  137  are supported by semi-circular surface  151  which is, preferably, molded into housing  81 . See, particularly,  FIG. 9B . The radius of curvature of surface  151  is just slightly greater than the radius of curvature of discs  133 ,  135  and  137 , to thereby permit the exposed edges of these three discs to rotate freely. Lateral movement is prohibited by lip  153  and end  155 . 
   Cover  83  includes a cylindrical section  161 , an arcuate section  163  and first and second wire channels  165  and  167 . The interior of section  161  includes a cylindrical surface (not shown) which mates with surface  151  to form a cylinder. A portion of arcuate section  163  forms a flange which mates with flange  153 . The back end  169  of cylindrical section  161  mates with end  155  to also prevent inward lateral movement of take-up reel  131 . Finally, cover  83  includes a second hollow cylindrical section  171  so that opening  141  is not covered to otherwise block wires  115  and  117 . 
   In operation, wires  115  and  117  are twisted, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9A , before being threaded through, respectively, holes  143  and  145 . Both wires are then wrapped, in the same direction, with wire  115  being between discs  135  and  137  and wire  117  between discs  133  and  135 . Enough wire is left uncoiled to connect to, respectively, the speakers in compartments  15  and  17  when they are adjacent to compartment  13 . These wire portions pass through channels  165  and  167 , openings in compartment  113 , such as illustrated at  173 , and openings in compartments  15  and  17 , such as opening  77  in plate  75 . See  FIG. 6 . When compartments  15  and  17  are detached from and moved away from compartment  13 , take-up reel  131  rotates as the wires  115  and  117  are spooled off take-up reel  131 . As take-reel  131  rotates those portions of wires  115  and  117  which are twisted together in section  93  of housing  81  are partially untwisted. When it is desired to reattach compartments  15  and  17  to compartment  13 , knob  147  is rotated in the opposite direction to take-up wire  115  and  117 . This action also re-twists those portions which are in section  93 . 
   To use the carrier of the present invention connector  121  is plugged into, for instance, CD player  37 , and the power is turned on. Balance and volume are adjusted as desired by the user. The speaker compartments  15  and  17  are typically uncoupled from compartment  13  and spaced apart as desired. In the process wires  115  and  117  are spooled off take-up reel  131  as discussed above. 
   As those skilled in the art will appreciate, there are numerous possible variations. The alternate manners of attaching compartments  15  and  17  to compartment  13  are discussed above. Other variations are possible. Instead of using a 9-volt battery, a conventional 120 volt to 9 volt transformer (or for automotive use a 12 volt to 9 volt transformer) can be used (via receptacle  111 ) illustrated in  FIG. 7 . If compartments  15  and  17  are attached to compartment  13  via pockets attached thereto, take-up reel  131  could be eliminated by storing the speaker wire in such pockets. Instead of take-up reel  131 , wires  115  and  117  could be wound (by hand) on ears or brackets. Alternately, speaker wires  115  and  117  and take-up reel  131  could be eliminated and replaced with a transmitter, in which case each speaker assembly would include a receiver. Another variation would be the inclusion of a woofer in compartment  13 .