Abstract:
An apparatus for affixing a headset to the ear of a user includes a first member having a first end and a second end. The first end is rotatably connected to the headset. A second member also includes a first end and a second end, and the first end of the second member rotatably connects to the second end of the first member. The second member contacts at least a portion of the ear of the user assisting in affixing the headset to the ear of the user.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority from and incorporates herein by reference the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/302,491 filed Jul. 2, 2001. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to headsets worn on the ear, and more particularly, to a foldable hook for connecting a headset to the ear of a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Headsets enable a user to carry out two-way communications while still leaving a user&#39;s hands free to perform other functions. Headsets are used with wireline telephones, wireless telephones and a variety of other communication devices wherein two-way communications occur between a user and another party or a voice actuated device. 
     One type of headset useful with portable communication devices are headsets that are attached to only the ear of a user, using some type of a hook or attaching component. The hook affixes the headset to the ear or head of the user and positions a speaker near the user&#39;s ear and a microphone near a user&#39;s mouth to enable hands free communication. These types of headsets are very popular with, for example, mobile telephones wherein a user may continue to perform other functions such as driving or working while still communicating via their mobile telephone. The problem with these types of headsets arises when they are not in use, i.e., placed upon the ear or head of a user. The combination of the main body of the headset and the hook for attaching it to a user produces a large product which is not easily stored. A headset having a hook sticking out from the main housing does not easily fit within a pocket or purse of a user. Additionally, the hook extending from the body of the headset makes it difficult to remove the headset from the storage area since the hook may snag or catch upon other items. Thus, there is needed some manner of providing a apparatus to provide a compact and more efficient storage for the headset when not in use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other problems with a foldable hook for affixing a headset to an ear or a user. The foldable hook consists of a first member having first and second ends. The first end of the first member rotatably connects to a headset. A second member also has first and second ends. The first end is rotatably connected to the second end of the first member and contacts at least a portion of the ear of the user. An integral third member can be used for rotating the second member about its connection with the first member and for rotating the first member about its connection with the housing of the headset. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the foldable headset hook of the present invention in an open position; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the foldable headset hook in a closed position; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the foldable headset hook in a closed position around a headset housing; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the foldable headset hook attaching a headset to the ear of a user; and 
     FIGS. 5 a  through  5   c  illustrate the range of movement of the foldable headset hook. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the foldable hook of the present invention. The main portion of the foldable hook  10  consists of a first member  15  and a second member  20 . The first member  15  interconnects the foldable hook  10  to the housing  40  of a headset via a rotatable joint  25 . The rotatable joint  25  enables the first member of the foldable hook  10  to rotate about the axis B and more compactly wrap the foldable hook  10  about a housing of the headset as will be more fully described in a moment. The rotatable joint  25  interconnecting the foldable hook  10  to a housing of a headset includes a spring or other biasing unit for biasing the foldable hook  10  to a closed (i.e., wrapped around the headset) position. The rotatable joint  25  also enables rotation of member  15  about axis C to allow the headset to be worn on the left and right ears. Alternatively, member  15  may be reattachable to joint  25  to enable left/right wearing. 
     A second member  20  of the foldable hook  10  is connected to the first member  15  via a second rotatable joint  30 . The second rotatable joint  30  enables the second member  20  to rotate about the axis A. As with the first joint  25 , the second joint  30  includes a spring (or other biasing unit) biasing the second member  20  to a closed position. The second member  20  has a generally arcuate shape enabling the second member  20  to more effectively wrap around and engage an ear of a user. The second member  20  may further include some type of padded covering to enable the second member  20  to more effectively and comfortably engage an ear of a user. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is illustrated the foldable hook  10  in a closed position both disconnected from (FIG. 2) and connected to (FIG. 3) the housing  40  of a headset. As can be seen from each figure, the first member  15  is rotated toward the housing  40  of the headset by the biasing forces of joint  25 . Likewise, the second member  20  is rotated toward the opposite side of the housing  40  by the biasing forces of the spring within joint  30 . In this way, the first  15  and second  20  members of the foldable spring  10  wrap around the earpiece  45  of the housing  40  providing a much more compact package than if the hook remained in an extended position. 
     An actuator arm  35  integrally connected with the second member  20  may extend from the second member  20  or form an integral portion thereof. By manipulating the actuator arm  35 , the second member  20  may be rotated about its connection with the first member  15  to enable the foldable hook  10  to move from a closed to an open position in order to more easily engage the ear of the user. Additionally, the actuator arm  35  may be used to rotate the first member  15  about its rotatable joint  25  with the housing of the headset in order to better position the foldable hook  10  for engaging the ear of a user. The actuator arm  35  may include a number of ridges  40  defined therein to provide the user&#39;s finger with a better grip of the actuator arm  35 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a headset housing  40  including a foldable hook  10  of the present invention mounted on the ear of a user. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the second member  20  clamps on the back of the ear of a user while the biasing forces of joint  30  maintain the second member  20  in contact with the ear. Likewise, the first member  15  is maintained in a position to support the second member  20  by the biasing forces of joint  25  which is not visible in FIG.  4 . In this manner, a microphone and speaker (not shown) within the headset housing  40  may be maintained in close proximity to both the mouth and ear of the user, respectively. While FIG. 4 illustrates the use of a wireless headset including a wireless transceiver  42  for establishing a connection with an associated device such as a mobile telephone, computer, etc., the foldable hook  10  of the present invention may also be used with any type of wireless or wireline headset using, for example, the Bluetooth protocol or any known wireless or wireline protocols. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 a  through  5   c  there is illustrated the manner in which the foldable hook  10  moves from an open position about the ear of a user to a closed position wrapped around a housing  40  of a headset. In the open position illustrated, in FIG. 4 a , the first member  15  is extended away from the housing  40  of the headset and the second member  20  extends to wrap around the ear of a user. FIG. 5 b  illustrates a partially closed configuration wherein the first member  15  has moved to a closed position wrapped around the housing  40  of the headset. The second member  20  remains open. In FIG. 5 c , the second member  20  has also moved to a closed position wrapped around the housing  40  of the headset. As can be seen, when the first member  15  and second member  20  are in the closed position and wrapped around the housing  40  of the headset, a much smaller package is created for storage. 
     Utilizing the above described invention, a user may store their headset in a substantially reduced size package enabling the headset to be easily placed within a pocket or purse of the user while greatly decreasing the potential for inadvertently snagging a hook on other items within a pocket, purse or other storage location. The previous description is of a preferred embodiment for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present invention is instead defined by the following claims.