Abstract:
The present invention is directed to earphone apparatus having a first earphone and a second earphone. The apparatus also includes a distinguishing mechanism for distinguishing the first earphone from the second earphone by the touch of a user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to earphones and, more particularly, to earphones which are distinguishable from one another by the touch of a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Earphones that are constructed for insertion into (and removal from) the outer portions of ear canals, are frequently supplied with electronic entertainment equipment (e.g., portable radios and playback devices). The left earphone is adapted for removable insertion into the left ear, while the right earphone is adapted for removable insertion into the right ear. Typically, a user visually identifies the left and right earphones in order to properly insert the left and right earphones into his/her left and right ears, respectively. 
     When the user is exercising (e.g., riding a bicycle or running) and wishes to insert earphones into his/her ears while continuing to exercise, the aforesaid visual identification procedure can distract the user and contribute to an accident and/or injuries. The aforesaid visual identification is also impossible when the earphones are used in the dark or if the user suffers from presbyopia or other visual impairment. What is needed, but has yet to be provided, are earphones which are distinguishable from each other by the touch of a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art discussed above by providing earphone apparatus having a first earphone and a second earphone. The apparatus also includes a distinguishing mechanism for distinguishing the first earphone from the second earphone by the touch of a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a set of earphones constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a set of earphones  10 ,  12  constructed in accordance with the present invention. More particularly, the earphone  10  is adapted to be inserted into the left ear of a user, while the earphone  12  is adapted to be inserted into the user&#39;s right ear. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the basic construction of each of the earphones  10 ,  12  is similar to the basic construction of a conventional earphone. For instance, the earphones  10 ,  12  include housings  16 ,  18 , respectively, each of which houses therein a conventional electronic and/or electronic component or components (not shown) adapted to produce audible sounds. Moreover, the earphones  10 ,  12  also include elongated bodies  20 ,  22  which are attached to the housings  16 ,  18 , respectively, and cables  24 ,  26 , which extend through the elongated bodies  20 ,  22 , respectively, and are connected to the electrical/electronic components of the housings  16 ,  18 , respectively. The elongated bodies  20 ,  22  are sized and shaped so as to be grasped by the fingers of the user in removably inserting the earphones  10 ,  12 , respectively, into the left and right ears of the user. Once inserted, the earphones  10 ,  12  project sounds in a conventional manner into the left and right ears, respectively. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the earphone  12  includes at least one tactile feature for allowing a user to readily distinguish between the earphone  12  and the earphone  10  by touch (i.e., without a visual inspection of the earphones  10 ,  12  by the user). For instance, the tactile feature can be in the form of a sandpaper-like member  28 , which is attached to the elongated body  22  and/or the housing  18 . The member  28  includes a surface texture such that when sensed by a user, it provides a distinct tactile sense (e.g., a sandpaper-like feel) to the user so as to indicate that the earphone touched by him/her is the right earphone. The tactile feature can also be in the form of a plurality of grooves  30 , which are formed in the elongated body  22  and/or the housing  18 , and a rib-like member  32 , which is attached to the elongated body  22  and projecting outwardly therefrom. Like the member  28 , the grooves  30  and the member  32  each function to provide a distinct tactile sense to the user so as to indicate that the earphone is a right earphone. Because the earphone  12  is provided with the member  28 , the grooves  30  and/or the member  32 , the user can easily distinguish the earphone  12  from the earphone  10  and insert them into the correct ears without visually inspecting the earphone  12  or the earphone  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the earphone  12  can include all of the member  28 , the grooves  30  and the member  32 . Alternatively, the earphone  12  can include only one of the member  28 , the grooves  30  and the member  32 . In addition, the earphone  10  can include one or more tactile features or members, which are different from the tactile feature or features provided on the earphone  12 , so as to indicate that the earphone  10  is a left earphone. Alternatively, tactile features or members can be provided only on the earphone  12 . 
     It will be understood that the embodiment described herein is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the number, location, shape, orientation and/or surface texture of the tactile features may vary infinitely. Accordingly, any member, feature or structure (e.g., dimples, swirls, pins, dots, etc.) that provides a distinct tactile sense to a user can be utilized in connection with the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.