Abstract:
A system and method for a collapsible headphone unit is provided. Generally, the system contains a first extendable sidepiece and a second extendable sidepiece, both rotatably attached to a top member. The first extendable sidepiece is attached to a first earpiece, and the second extendable sidepiece is attached to a second earpiece. Each earpiece has an open portion that fits against the ear of the user. The first and second extendable sidepieces may be extended, thereby allowing the first and second earpieces to pivot, resulting in the open portions of the first and second earpieces being directly opposed, and allowing the first and second earpieces and the first and second extendable sidepieces to fold upward toward the top member.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to headphones, and more particularly is related to headphones that may be folded. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technology has enabled a decrease in size of many categories of audio devices including, but not limited to, Compact Disc (CD) and Moving Pictures Experts Group-audio layer 3 (MP3) players, thereby making portability of such devices both feasible and desirable. It is equally desirable that headphones utilized in association with these audio devices be small for ease of portability. 
     Currently, headphones incorporate different combinations of pivot points, extensions, and beam and hinge configurations to allow for folding. Certain foldable headphones contain a central pivot point located on a headband at a point corresponding to a top portion of the head of a user. This configuration typically uses an additional pivot point at each earpiece, or the earpieces are mounted on slideable extensions. An example of headphones that have a central pivot point with an additional pivot point at each earpiece is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,325, issued May 7, 2002, to Koji Nageno (herinafter “Nageno”). Generally, Nageno provides “collapsible” headphones having earpieces that fold inward towards the headband, while the headband folds in on itself. Unfortunately, the earpieces of Nageno are not protected from damage that may be provided by exterior elements and/or conditions. 
     Another example of foldable headphones is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,442, issued Oct. 11, 1983, to Tomohiko Kamimura (hereinafter “Kamimura”). Generally, Kamimura provides foldable headphones that contain a central pivot point and slideable extensions. In addition, Kamimura provides earpieces that are fully retracted on extensions, towards the headband, and the headband is folded in on itself. 
     Foldable headphones may also have a beam and hinge configuration. An example of such headphones is provided by U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,786, issued Sep. 2, 1986, to Hideo Omoto (herinafter “Omoto”). Generally, Omoto provides earpieces that roll inside the headband in a coiled fashion. Unfortunately, once again, the earpieces of Omoto are not protected from exterior elements and/or conditions. Variations of these configurations suffer similar disadvantages, specifically, unprotected earpieces, minimal foldability, or both. 
     Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a foldable headphone unit and method for folding the headphone unit. Briefly described, one embodiment of the invention, among others, can be implemented as follows. The foldable headphone unit has a first extendable sidepiece and a second extendable sidepiece, both rotatably attached to a top member. The first extendable sidepiece is attached to a first earpiece, and the second extendable sidepiece is attached to a second earpiece. Each earpiece has an open portion that fits against the ear of the user. The first and second extendable sidepieces may be extended, thereby allowing the first and second earpieces to pivot, resulting in the open portions of the first and second earpieces being directly opposed, and allowing the first and second earpieces and the first and second extendable sidepieces to fold upward toward the top member. 
     The present invention can also be viewed as providing methods for folding a foldable headphone unit. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: extending first and second sidepieces; rotating a first yoke assembly towards an inner portion of the first sidepiece; rotating a second yoke assembly toward an inner portion of the second sidepiece; and pivoting the first and second earpieces, resulting in opposed positioning of the open portions of the earpieces. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a headphone unit in a folded configuration, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the headphone unit of  FIG. 1  in an unfolded configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of the headphone unit of  FIG. 1  in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, where the headphone unit is in an unfolded configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a headphone unit  100  in a folded configuration, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. As is shown by  FIG. 1 , a first end of a top member  101  is rotatably coupled to a first end of a first upper-side member  103 A via a first connecting pin  105 A. Specifically, when the headphone unit  100  is being folded, the first connecting pin  105 A and the top member  101  allow the first upper-side member  103 A to rotate inward towards a lower surface of the top member  101 . When the headphone unit  100  is being unfolded for use, the first connecting pin  105 A and the top member  101  allow the upper-side member  103 A to rotate outward, away from the lower surface of the top member  101 , to form the generally arcuate shape defined by the headphone unit  100 , but prevent further outward rotation. 
     Similarly, a second end of the top member  101  is rotatably coupled to a first end of a second upper-side member  103 B via a second connecting pin  105 B. Rotation of the second upper-side member  103 B is similar to the rotation of the first upper-side member  103 A previously described. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the connecting pins  105 A,  105 B may be replaced by any other device that provides rotation capability between the top member  101  and the upper-side members  103 A,  103 B. The connecting pins may be replaced by, as an example, but not limited to, ball and joint mechanisms. 
     A first end of a generally arcuate first extension band  107 A is fixedly coupled internal to the first upper-side member  103 A at an approximate midpoint of the first upper-side member  103 A. Similarly, a first end of a generally arcuate second extension band  107 B is fixedly coupled to the second upper-side member  103 B. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that coupling between the upper-side member  103 A,  103 B and the extension band  107 A,  107 B may be achieved by any method or apparatus providing a fixed coupling, internal or external, between the upper-side member  103 A,  103 B and the extension band  107 A,  107 B. The coupling may be achieved by, as an example, but not limited to, welding, bonding, or bolting the upper-side member  103 A,  103 B to the extension band  107 A,  107 B. 
     A second end of the first extension band  107 A passes through a slot in a first end of a first lower-side member  109 A, and is slideably coupled internally to the first lower-side member  109 A, the coupling forming a frictional fit between the first lower-side member  109 A and the first extension band  107 A. Similarly, a second extension band  107 B is slideably coupled to a second lower-side member  109 B. The lower-side members  109 A,  109 B may be extended away from the upper-side members  103 A,  103 B, or retracted towards the upper-side members  103 A,  103 B along the slideably coupled extension bands  107 A,  107 B. Further, the frictional fit holds the lower-side members  109 A,  109 B in an extended or retracted position as required by the user for folding or use of the headphone unit  100 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the slideable coupling between the extension bands  107 A,  107 B and the lower-side members  109 A,  109 B may be made internally or externally to the lower-side members  109 A,  109 B, and may be achieved by any method, including, but not limited to, opposing frictional surfaces, or a detent arrangement. 
     Alternatively, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the headphone unit  200  shown in  FIG. 3 , a first end of a generally arcuate extension band  207 A,  207 B is slideably coupled internally to an upper-side member  203 A,  203 B, and a second end of the extension band  207 A,  207 B is fixedly coupled to a lower-side member  209 A,  209 B. In this second exemplary embodiment, the top member  101  and the upper-side members  203 A,  203 B may be extended away from the lower-side members  209 A,  209 B, or be retracted towards the lower-side members  209 A,  209 B along the slideably coupled extension bands  207 A,  207 B. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above-described methods of providing fixed coupling and slideable coupling between the extension bands  207 A,  207 B, the upper-side members  203 A,  203 B, and the lower-side members  209 A,  209 B apply similarly to this second exemplary embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is further described below. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the top member  101 , upper-side members  103 A,  103 B, extension bands  107 A,  107 B, and lower-side members  109 A,  109 B may be made of a resilient material, for example, but not limited to, plastic, and define a generally arcuate shape. 
     A second end of the first lower-side member  109 A is rotatably coupled to a first end of a first yoke assembly  111 A via a third connecting pin  105 C. Specifically, when the headphone unit  100  is being folded, the third connecting pin  105 C and the first lower-side member  109 A allow the first yoke assembly  111 A to rotate upward towards an inner surface of the first lower-side member  109 A. When the headphone unit  100  is being unfolded for use, the third connecting pin  105 C and the first lower-side member  109 A allow the first yoke assembly  111 A to rotate downward, away from the inner surface of the first lower-side member  109 A, to form the generally arcuate shape defined by the headphone unit  100 , but prevent further outward rotation. Similarly, a second end of a second lower-side member  109 B is rotatably coupled to a first end of a second yoke assembly  111 B via a fourth connecting pin  105 D. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the connecting pins  105 C,  105 D may be replaced by any other device that provides rotation capability between the lower-side members  109 A,  109 B and the yoke assemblies  111 A,  111 B. The connecting pins  105 C,  105 D may be replaced by, as an example, but not limited to, ball and joint mechanisms. 
     A second forked end of the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B has a dimension sufficient to accommodate coupling to an earpiece  113 A,  113 B. Each earpiece  113 A,  113 B has an open portion  117 A,  117 B ( FIG. 2 ) capable of transmitting sound to the ear of the user. Padding,  116 A,  116 B ( FIG. 2 ), for example, but not limited to, closed-cell foam, is attached to the open portion  117 A,  117 B of the earpiece  113 A,  113 B that is placed against the ear of the user to provide user comfort. The earpiece  113 A,  113 B is coupled approximately at its horizontal centerline to pivot points on the second end of the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B, allowing the earpiece  113 A,  113 B to fully rotate through the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the coupling may be achieved by any method or apparatus providing full rotation of the earpiece  113 A,  113 B through the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B, including, but not limited to, a shaft, or ball and joint configuration. 
     In addition to allowing the earpiece  113 A,  113 B to pivot in the vertical plane, the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B also provides for rotation of the earpiece  113 A,  113 B in the horizontal plane via a shaft (not shown) that axially couples the first end of the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B to the second end of the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shaft may be replaced by any other device that provides rotation capability between the first end of the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B and the second end of the yoke assembly  111 A,  111 B. The shaft may be replaced by, as an example, but not limited to, a ball and joint mechanism. Rotation of the earpieces  113 A,  113 B in the horizontal plane provides a comfortable fit for the user during use, and provides proper alignment of the opposed earpieces  113 A,  113 B in the folded configuration. 
     A pad  115  made of a material including, but not limited to, open-cell foam, covering a substantial length and width of a lower surface of the top-member  101 , is provided for user comfort. Additionally, the pad  115  provides increased clearance between coupling points  102 A,  102 B of the top member  101  to the upper-side members  103 A,  103 B, and the head of the user, thereby preventing discomfort associated with the coupling points  102 A and  102 B coming into contact with the head of the user. 
     In the folded configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the headphone unit  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , the extension bands  107 A,  107 B are extended, thereby allowing the earpieces  113 A,  113 B to pivot in the yoke assemblies  111 A,  111 B such that the open portions  117 A,  117 B of the earpieces  113 A,  1133 B are opposed as the yoke assemblies  111 A,  111 B are folded upward. Folding the headphone unit  100  in this manner provides protection for the sensitive components inside the earpieces  113 A,  113 B against exterior elements and/or conditions. When the headphone unit  100  is unfolded for use, the earpieces  113 A,  113 B may be properly positioned over the ears of the user by extending or retracting the lower-side members  109 A,  109 B. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of the headphone unit  100  of  FIG. 1  in an unfolded configuration, with the upper-side members  103 A,  103 B fixedly coupled to the extension bands  107 A,  107 B. The extension bands  107 A,  107 B are slideably coupled to lower-side members  109 A,  109 B that are longer to accommodate the length of the extension bands  107 A,  107 B as they are retracted into the lower-side members  109 A,  109 B. 
     Continuing with the description of  FIG. 3  from above,  FIG. 3  is an illustration in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the headphone unit  200 , where the headphone unit  200  is in an unfolded configuration. In the second exemplary embodiment of the headphone unit  200 , the upper-side members  203 A,  203 B are longer to accommodate the length of the extension bands  207 A,  207 B as they are retracted into the upper-side members  203 A,  203 B. The lower-side members  209 A,  209 B, alternatively, are fixedly coupled to the extension bands  207 A,  207 B. It should be noted that a third exemplary embodiment of the headphone unit may also be provided where the upper-side members  103 A,  103 B and the lower-side members  109 A,  109 B have the same length. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.