An example headset earcup adapter comprises: a housing that includes a clamp configured to secure about a stud of an earcup, a longitudinally extending bore configured to receive an arm of a headset wire form therein, an opening that extends through to the longitudinally extending bore, and a first protrusion and a second protrusion positioned above and below, respectively, an external entrance of the opening; a threaded insert positioned within the opening in the housing; and an adjustment screw threadedly received by the threaded insert that is long enough to extend through the threaded insert and into the longitudinally extending bore of the housing to make contact with an arm of a headset wire form positioned therein. The first protrusion and the second protrusion of the housing define an opening therebetween configured to receive the head portion of the adjustment screw therein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a headset earcup adapter.

BACKGROUND

Headsets are routinely used to protect a wearers hearing and to facilitate hands-free communication. In general, headsets are used in conjunction with a headband or protective headgear such as a helmet. As a result, various attachments have been developed to secure the earcups of a headset to a wire form (or frame) of a headband or helmet mount. Often, these attachments are configured to accommodate individual variations in head shape so that the earcups of a headset may be comfortably positioned over the ears of a wearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,857 (“'857 patent”) discloses a snap-in attachment for hearing-protection cups. The '857 patent discloses that each end section of a frame is slidably fitted in a socket that is part of a snap-in attachment.

However, the snap-in attachment disclosed in the '857 patent has at least two disadvantages. First, no means to adjust the tension securing the socket on the end section of a frame is provided. Over time, the fit between the two components can degrade causing the socket to lose its ability to maintain a selected position on the end section of a frame. Second, the sockets are prone to breaking during use due to their thin tubular construction.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for the headset earcup adapter disclosed herein. It is to the provision of a headset earcup adapter configured to address these needs, and others, that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of a headset earcup adapter are provided. In some implementations, a pair of headset earcup adapters may be used to secure an earcup to a wire form of a headset.

In some implementations, an example headset may comprise a headband having a wire form secured to each side. In some implementations, each wire form may comprise a first arm and a second arm that extend from a bend therein. In some implementations, the distal end of the first arm and the second arm of the wire form has a first headset earcup adapter and a second headset earcup adapter, respectively, secured thereon. In this way, an earcup may be secured to the wire form by the pair of headset earcup adapters. In some implementations, once the earcup has been secured to a wire form by a pair of headset earcup adapters, the earcup may be pivotable in relation to the headband of the headset.

An example headset earcup adapter comprises: a housing, the housing comprises a clamp positioned on a bottom end of the housing configured to secure about a stud of an earcup, a longitudinally extending bore that extends from a top end of the housing configured to receive an arm of a headset wire form therein, an opening that extends through to the longitudinally extending bore, and a first protrusion and a second protrusion positioned above and below, respectively, an external entrance of the opening; a threaded insert positioned within the opening in the housing; and an adjustment screw having a head portion and a threaded body portion, the adjustment screw is configured to be threadedly received by the threaded insert and is long enough to extend through the threaded insert and into the longitudinally extending bore of the housing to thereby make contact with an arm of a headset wire form positioned therein. The first protrusion and the second protrusion of the housing define an opening therebetween configured to receive the head portion of the adjustment screw therein.

In some implementations, an earcup having a pair of headset earcup adapters secured thereto may be transitioned between the wire form of a helmet mount and the wire form of a headband.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 2A-4illustrate an example implementation of a headset earcup adapter100according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, a pair of headset earcup adapters (100a,100b) may be used to secure an earcup105to the wire form112of a headset102(see, e.g.,FIG. 1).

As shown inFIG. 1, in some implementations, the example headset102may comprise a headband110having a wire form112secured to each side. In some implementations, each wire form112may comprise a first arm112aand a second arm112bthat extend from a bend114therein. In some implementations, the distal end of the first arm112aand the second arm112bhas a first headset earcup adapter100aand a second headset earcup adapter100b, respectively, secured thereon. In this way, an earcup105may be secured to the wire form112by the pair of headset earcup adapters100a,100b.

As shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, in some implementations, a headset earcup adapter100may comprise a housing120, a threaded insert140, and an adjustment screw150.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, in some implementations, the housing120may include a C-shaped clamp122, a longitudinally extending bore130, and an opening136configured to receive and secure the threaded insert140therein.

As shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, in some implementations, the C-shaped clamp122may be positioned on a second end121bof the housing120. In some implementations, the C-shaped clamp122is configured to be removably attached to a stud107extending from a side of an earcup105(see, e.g.,FIG. 1). While not shown, an equivalent of the stud107shown inFIG. 1is found on the opposite side of the earcup105. In some implementations, the clamp122may be any shape suitable for being removably attached to a stud107of an earcup105.

As shown inFIG. 3, in some implementations, the C-shaped clamp122may comprise a first jaw124aand a second jaw124b(collectively jaws124). In some implementations, the second jaw124bmay be on the bottom of the second end121bof the housing120and the first jaw124amay be spaced from the second jaw124bthereby forming a gap126. In some implementations, the width of the gap126formed between the jaws124may be less than the width of an earcup105stud107. In some implementations, the gap126between the jaws124expands towards a cavity configured to receive and/or retain a stud107of an earcup105therein. In some implementations, the jaws124may be manufactured from a resilient material. In this way, the jaws124are able to resiliently deform when being attached to and/or removed from a stud107of an earcup105.

As shown inFIG. 4, in some implementations, the longitudinally extending bore130may extend between a first end121aand the second end121bof the housing120. In some implementations, the longitudinally extending bore130is located within the interior of the housing120(see, e.g.,FIG. 4). In some implementations, the bore103is a cylindrical opening configured to receive an arm (112a,112b) of a wire form112therein. In this way, an arm (112a,112b) of the wire form112may be slidably received within the housing120of a headset earcup adapter100.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, in some implementations, the opening136configured to receive and secure the threaded insert140therein is positioned between the first end121aand the second end121bof the housing120. In some implementations, the opening136extends from the longitudinally extending bore130and is perpendicular thereto (see, e.g.,FIG. 4).

In some implementations, the threaded insert140may be molded into the opening136of the housing120. In some implementations, the threaded insert140may be configured to threadedly receive an adjustment screw150therein and allow a portion of the adjustment screw150to pass therethrough (see, e.g.,FIG. 4). In some implementations, the threaded insert140may be manufactured from an aluminum alloy, a steel alloy, and/or other material suitable for being molded into the opening136of the housing120and threadedly receiving an adjustment screw150therein.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, in some implementations, the adjustment screw150may comprise a head portion152and a threaded body portion154. In some implementations, the body portion154of the adjustment screw150is long enough to extend through the threaded insert140and into the longitudinally extending bore130of the housing120to thereby make contact with the arm (112a,112b) of a wire form112positioned therein (see, e.g.,FIG. 4). In this way, the adjustment screw150may be used to adjustably position and secure a headset earcup adapter100on an arm (112a,112b) of the wire form112.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, in some implementations, the housing120may include a first protrusion138aand a second protrusion138bpositioned above and below, respectively, the entrance of the opening136for the threaded insert140. In some implementations, the first protrusion138aand the second protraction138bmay define an opening139therebetween that is larger in diameter than the opening136for the threaded insert140. In some implementations, each protrusion (138a,138b) includes a curved interior wall configured to contour about the head portion152of the adjustment screw150without making contact therewith (see, e.g.,FIGS. 3 and 4). In some implementations, the head portion152of the adjustment screw150may be partially enveloped and shielded from inadvertent contact by the first protrusion138aand the second protrusion138bof the housing120(see, e.g.,FIG. 2A).

To secure an earcup105to a headset102having a wire form112using a pair of earcup adapters (100a,100b) constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, in some implementations, the following steps may be used:

First, in some implementations, loosen the adjustment screw150of a first headset earcup adapter100aso that the body portion154thereof is not extending into the longitudinally extending bore130of the housing120. Then, insert a first arm112aof a wire form112into the opening of the longitudinally extending bore120located in the first end121aof the housing120(see, e.g.,FIGS. 1 and 4). Next, orient the housing120of the earcup adapter100aso that the opening into the gap126of the C-shaped clamp122is facing towards the interior of the headband110(see, e.g.,FIG. 1). Then, position the first arm112aof the wire form112within the bore130so that the tip of the adjustment screw150may make contact therewith when tightened (see, e.g.,FIG. 4). Next, tighten the adjustment screw150until the distal end of the body portion154thereof makes contact with the first arm112aof the wire form112.

Then, in some implementations, loosen the adjustment screw150of a second headset earcup adapter100bso that the body portion154thereof is not extending into the longitudinally extending bore130of the housing120. Next, insert a second arm112bof a wire form112into the opening of the bore120located in the first end121aof the housing120(see, e.g.,FIG. 1). Then, orient the housing120of the earcup adapter100bso that the opening into the gap126of the C-shaped clamp122is facing towards the interior of the headband110(see, e.g.,FIG. 1). Next, position the second arm112bof the wire form112within the bore130so that the tip of the adjustment screw150may make contact therewith when tightened and so that the second earcup adapter100bis the same distance from the headband110of the headset102as the first earcup adapter100a(see, e.g.,FIGS. 1 and 4). Then, tighten the adjustment screw150until the distal end of the body portion154thereof makes contact with the second arm112bof the wire form112.

Next, as shown inFIG. 1, position an earcup105between the first and second earcup adapters (100a,100b) so that it will fit over an ear of a user when the headband110is donned. Then, snap the stud107positioned on the first side and the second side of the earcup105into the C-shaped clamp122of each earcup adapter100a,100b(see, e.g.,FIG. 1).

In some implementations, once the earcup105has been secured to the wire form112by the headset earcup adapters100a,100b, the earcup105may be pivotable in relation to the headband110.

In some implementations, the above steps may be used to secure a second earcup105to the second wire form112of the headset102using a pair of earcup adapters100constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. In this way, the headset102may have two earcups105secured thereto.

In some implementations, the positioning of each earcup105and thereby the overall fit of the headset102may be adjusted using the follow steps:

Initially, loosen the adjustment screw150of each earcup adapter (e.g.,100a,100b) secured to the first wire form112of the headset102. Then, reposition the earcup105on the arms (112a,112b) of the wire form112to a desired position. Next, tighten the adjustment screw150of each headset earcup adapter (100a,100b).

In some implementations, an earcup105having a pair of headset earcup adapters (100a,100b) secured thereto may be transitioned between the wire form112of a helmet mount and the wire form112of a headband.

It should be understood that the present invention, a headset earcup adapter100, is not limited to use with the earcup105shown inFIG. 1. Rather, some implementations of the headset earcup adapter100disclosed herein may be configured to secure any earcup having a stud extending from two sides thereof to a wire form.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.