Abstract:
A headphone and earbud device for receiving an audio signal may include a headphone including a speaker acoustic device to amplify the audio signal and to define a speaker chamber to cooperate with an aperture and an earbud to be detachably connected to the speaker chamber to transmit the audio signal to the speaker chamber.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section 119 and based upon a provisional application which was filed on Sep. 2, 2011 with a Ser. No. of 61/530,572 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of acoustics and more particularly to the fields of headphones and earbuds. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The distinction and advantages between headphones and earbuds has been repeatedly discussed by the users of each. Evidently, each one has its own strengths and weaknesses across a wide range of audio scenarios. Headphones may be good in a stationary, at home or in the studio environment. Headphone users typically may choose headphones for their better sound quality, noise-canceling capabilities and comfortable fit on the head/ears. Earbuds may come in handy when users are on-the-go, and need a quick and simple way of listening to audio that can be easily stored in their pocket or bag. 
         [0004]    However, headphones and earbuds both have disadvantages of their own; headphones can be bulky, overly expensive, difficult to adjust to a perfect fit, and difficult to take on-the-go because of their larger size. Earbuds may be uncomfortable, fall out of the ears, produce less quality sound, and cause more hearing loss/damage. Earbuds may be easily damaged as they are wrapped around mp3 players, and stuffed in pockets and bags. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention includes headphones which may be adapted to detachably connect to earbuds. 
         [0006]    A headphone and earbud device for receiving an audio signal may include a headphone including a speaker acoustic device to amplify the audio signal and to define a speaker chamber to cooperate with an aperture and an earbud to be detachably connected to the speaker chamber to transmit the audio signal to the speaker chamber. 
         [0007]    The ear bud may be frictionally connected to the speaker chamber. 
         [0008]    The earbud may include a earbud speaker to cooperate with the aperture. 
         [0009]    The headphone may include an ear cushion member. 
         [0010]    The speaker acoustic device may be a trumpet shaped device. 
         [0011]    The speaker acoustic device may include a truncated cone shaped device. 
         [0012]    The trumpet shaped device may include a neck which reverses in direction. 
         [0013]    The truncated cone device may include a concave surface. 
         [0014]    The truncated cone device may include a convex surface. 
         [0015]    The speaker acoustic device may include a plurality of trumpet shaped devices. 
         [0016]    The plurality of trumpet shaped devices may extend from a common base. 
         [0017]    The headphone may include an earbud containing compartment for storing the earbuds. 
         [0018]    The speaker acoustic device may include an amplification device. 
         [0019]    The amplification device may be a microphone. 
         [0020]    The headphone may include a first headphone and a second headphone. 
         [0021]    The first headphone and the second headphone may be foldable. 
         [0022]    The first headphone may be connected to the second headphone by a headband. 
         [0023]    The headband may telescope from a first position to a second position in order to accommodate various users head size. 
         [0024]    The headphone may include a connector to rotate the first headphone with respect to the second headphone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of the headphone and earbuds device of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the headphone and earbuds device of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the headphone and earbuds device of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the headphone and earbuds device of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 5-10  illustrate a perspective view of the speaker acoustic device of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a detached headphone and earbuds; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of connected headphone and earbuds; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the headphone and earbuds device of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of an earbud storage compartment of the headphone of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of the headphone and earbud device of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of the headphone and earbud device of the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of a headphone without the earbuds; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of the first headphone; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  illustrates another perspective view of the first headphone; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 20-23  illustrates a perspective view of folding headphones; 
           [0041]      FIG. 24-26  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the headphones of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 27  illustrates a side view of the headphones of the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 28  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the headphones of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    Today, there is a nearly equal demand for both headphones and earbuds. So by combining the two into one versatile product possessing the benefits of each, users will not have to choose between the two, or buy both separately. 
         [0045]    With the present invention, versatile headphones of the present invention may be used as headphones or may be used with earbuds. The present invention may include of a pair of over-ear headphones, but with or without the built in speakers mounted inside the headphones. Instead, the audio may be supplied from earbud which may be detachably connected into an aperture on the outer side of each headphone. The aperture may be audio connected to a device that actively amplifies the acoustic audio from the earbud. 
         [0046]    In one example, the earbud may be positioned at the base of a truncated cone shaped piece (kind of like a classic megaphone); this way the audio from the earbud may be enhanced and amplified as the audio enters the headphone, thus improving the users listening experience. 
         [0047]    In another example, the headphone may include a miniature megaphone, microphone, or another electronic sound amplifier built into each headphone. When the earbud is connected to the headphone, the audio from the earbud may be amplified and enhanced electronically to make the headphones sound louder and clearer, thus making it closer to the experience of a pair of headphones without the earbuds. 
         [0048]    For the non-electric audio amplifier cone the present invention may employ a speaker acoustic device as described below. 
         [0049]    When the combination of earbuds and headphones are no longer desired, the user simply detaches the earbuds from the headphone, and then the user may have a pair of in-ear earbuds to use in the traditional way. 
         [0050]    Also, the headphones may include a compartment that is capable of storing the earbuds when they are not being used with the headphones. The user would wrap the earbuds up, take off the headphone cushion/cover and place them inside the compartment of the headphone for safe keeping. 
       Advantages 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             The present invention provides the comfort, quality sound, and noise-cancellation capabilities of headphones and the versatility of earbuds as desired by the user. 
             The present invention provides only one pair of our versatile headphones, eliminating the need for 2 separate pairs of headphones and earbuds. 
             Earbud sound quality is now enhanced into headphone quality audio 
             If the headphone wires fray, the headphones may still be used with a new pair of earbuds providing working headphones and earbuds. 
             The present invention eliminates the need to sloppily wrap your headphone wire around the headphones or an mp3 player. The compartment within the headphone provides storage for earbuds and wires. Also, this can extend the life of a pair of earbuds. 
           
         
       
     
         [0056]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of the headphone and ear buds device  100  of the present invention which may include a first headphone  101  and a near mirror second headphone  103 . The description of the first headphone  101  may apply equally to the second headphone  103 . The first headphone  101  may be connected to the second headphone  103  by a headphone headband  105  which may be substantially U-shaped, adjustable and flexible in order to accommodate varying users head sizes. The headphone headband  105  may include a connector  107  with the first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103  to allow the respective headphone  101 ,  103  to pivot and rotate to provide a swivel operation. Each headphone  101 ,  103  may include a headphone aperture  109  which may or may not interfere with the operation of the headphone  101 ,  103  and may be substantially centered on the exterior surface (distal side) of the headphone  101 ,  103 . The headphone  101 ,  103  may include an ear cushion member  111  which may be a elongated flexible ring to cushion the headphone  101 ,  103  from the ear of the user and may include a speaker acoustic device  113  which may include a speaker chamber  115  which may be dome shaped and may cooperate with ear cushion member  111 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 1  illustrates the earbud device  131  which may include an earbud speaker  133  which may be connected to an earbud wire  135  which may be flexible and connect to the earbud speaker  133  to allow the earbud speaker  133  to receive audio signals from an audio source (not shown). The earbud speaker  133  may cooperate with the aperture  109  to achieve a detachable connection for example by a friction fit. 
         [0058]      FIG. 1  additionally illustrates headphone speaker wire  135  to provide audio signals to the headphone  101 ,  103 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the headphone  103  which may include headphone headband  105  and illustrates an earbud device  131  inserted in the aperture  109 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a headphone  101 ,  103  and illustrates the earbud device  131  inserted in aperture  109 , the ear cushion member  111 , the speaker acoustic device  113 , and the speaker chamber  115 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of a headphone  101 ,  103  and illustrates the earbud device  131  being inserted into the headphone  101 ,  103 , at aperture  109 , the ear cushion member  111 , and the speaker acoustic device  113 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 5  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  113  which may be a truncated cone. 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  113  which may include a truncated cone with concave curved surfaces and convex curved surfaces. 
         [0064]      FIG. 7  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  113  which may be a trumpet shaped having a neck which reverses in direction. 
         [0065]      FIG. 8  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  113  which may be trumpet shaped. 
         [0066]      FIG. 9  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  113  which may include multiple trumpet shaped devices from a common base. 
         [0067]      FIG. 10  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  113  which may include a convex surface and a concave surface. 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the earbud device  131  being inserted into the first headphone  101 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the earbud device  131  positioned within the first headphone  101 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the headphones  101 ,  103  with earbud  131  inserted in headphone  101 , headphone acoustic device  113 , speaker chamber  115 , and ear cushion member  111 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 14  illustrates headphone  101  which may include an earbud containing compartment for earbud device,  131 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 15  illustrates the ear cushion member  111  and the speaker chamber  115 , and  FIG. 15  may additionally illustrate the speaker acoustic device  113 . The speaker acoustic device  113  may include an amplification device  141  which may be a microphone or other device to collect acoustic signals from the earbud device  131  and amplify the transmitted acoustic signals to the user. 
         [0073]      FIG. 16  illustrates the speaker chamber  115  and an ear bud device  131 , and  FIG. 16  additionally illustrates the ear cushion member  111  and the speaker acoustic device  113  of the present invention. 
         [0074]      FIG. 17  illustrates a perspective view of the first headphone  101 , the second headphone  103  and the headphone headband  105 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 18  illustrates a sectional view of the first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103 . 
         [0076]      FIG. 19  illustrates a sectional view of the first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 20  illustrates a first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103  being folded together by a folding headphone headband  105 , and the first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103  may be adapted to receive the earbud device  131  (not shown). 
         [0078]      FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of the first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103  in a first position which may be folded. 
         [0079]      FIG. 22  illustrates a perspective view of the first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103  in a second position which may be partially unfolded. 
         [0080]      FIG. 23  illustrates a perspective view of the first headphone  101  and the second headphone  103  in a third position which may be fully unfolded. 
         [0081]      FIGS. 24-28  illustrates additional features of the present invention which may include a cylinder tube having several advantages. The present invention provides a substantially direct channel from the earbud to the users ear channel. The present invention may concentrate the sound energy in the cylindrical tube by maintaining the sound energy. The present invention concentrates volume and provides clarity of sound from the earbud. In effect, the present invention creates an extension of the ear canal of the user to provide for direct travel of this sound. 
         [0082]      FIG. 24  illustrates a perspective view of the headphone and ear buds device  500  of the present invention which may include a first headphone  501  and a near mirror second headphone  503  (not shown). The description of the first headphone  501  may apply equally to the second headphone  503 . The first headphone  501  may be connected to the second headphone  503  by a headphone headband  505  which may be substantially U-shaped, adjustable and flexible in order to accommodate varying users head sizes. The headband  505  may include a first portion which may telescope into a second portion in order to vary the size of the headband  505 . The headphone headband  505  may include a connector  507  with the first headphone  501  and the second headphone  503  to allow the respective headphone  501 ,  503  to rotate to provide a rotating operation. Each headphone  501 ,  503  may include a headphone aperture  509  which may or may not interfere with the operation of the headphone  501 ,  503  and may be substantially centered on the exterior surface (distal side) of the headphone  501 ,  503 . The headphone  501 ,  503  may include an ear cushion member  511  which may be a elongated flexible ring to cushion the headphone  501 ,  503  from the ear of the user and may include a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a speaker chamber  515  which may be dome shaped and may cooperate with ear cushion member  511 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 25  illustrates a perspective view of the headphone and ear buds device  500  of the present invention which may include a first headphone  501  and a near mirror second headphone  503  (not shown). The description of the first headphone  501  may apply equally to the second headphone  503 . The first headphone  501  may be connected to the second headphone  503  by a headphone headband  505  which may be substantially U-shaped, adjustable and flexible in order to accommodate varying users head sizes. The headphone headband  505  may include a connector  507  with the first headphone  501  and the second headphone  503  to allow the respective headphone  501 ,  503  to rotate to provide a rotating operation. Each headphone  501 ,  503  may include a headphone aperture  509  which may or may not interfere with the operation of the headphone  501 ,  503  and may be substantially centered on the exterior surface (distal side) of the headphone  501 ,  503 . The headphone  501 ,  503  may include an ear cushion member  511  which may be a elongated flexible ring to cushion the headphone  501 ,  503  from the ear of the user and may include a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a speaker chamber  515  which may be dome shaped and may cooperate with ear cushion member  511 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 25  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a cylinder (tube) being defined by a cylinder wall  513   a  and an aperture  513   b.    
         [0085]      FIG. 26  illustrates a perspective view and cross-sectional view of the headphone and ear buds device  500  of the present invention which may include a first headphone  501  and a near mirror second headphone  503  (not shown). The description of the first headphone  501  may apply equally to the second headphone  503 . The first headphone  501  may be connected to the second headphone  503  by a headphone headband  505  which may be substantially U-shaped, adjustable and flexible in order to accommodate varying users head sizes. The headphone headband  505  may include a connector  507  with the first headphone  501  and the second headphone  503  to allow the respective headphone  501 ,  503  to rotate to provide a rotating operation. Each headphone  501 ,  503  may include a headphone aperture  509  which may or may not interfere with the operation of the headphone  501 ,  503  and may be substantially centered on the exterior surface (distal side) of the headphone  501 ,  503 . The headphone  501 ,  503  may include an ear cushion member  511  which may be a elongated flexible ring to cushion the headphone  501 ,  503  from the ear of the user and may include a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a speaker chamber  515  which may be dome shaped or may be shaped to correspond to the ear cushion member  511  and may cooperate with ear cushion member  511 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 26  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a cylinder (tube) being defined by a cylinder wall  513   a  and an aperture  513   b.    
         [0087]      FIG. 27  illustrates a side view of the headphone and ear buds device  500  of the present invention which may include a first headphone  501  and a near mirror second headphone  503  (not shown). The description of the first headphone  501  may apply equally to the second headphone  503 . The first headphone  501  may be connected to the second headphone  503  by a headphone headband  505  which may be substantially U-shaped, adjustable and flexible in order to accommodate varying users head sizes. The headphone headband  505  may include a connector  507  with the first headphone  501  and the second headphone  503  to allow the respective headphone  501 ,  503  to rotate to provide a rotating operation. Each headphone  501 ,  503  may include a headphone aperture  509  which may or may not interfere with the operation of the headphone  501 ,  503  and may be substantially centered on the exterior surface (distal side) of the headphone  501 ,  503 . The headphone  501 ,  503  may include an ear cushion member  511  which may be an elongated flexible ring to cushion the headphone  501 ,  503  from the ear of the user and may include a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a speaker chamber  515  which may be dome shaped or may be shaped to correspond to the ear cushion member  511  and may cooperate with ear cushion member  511 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 27  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a cylinder (tube) being defined by a cylinder wall  513   a  and an aperture  513   b.    
         [0089]      FIG. 27  illustrates the earbud device  531  which may include an earbud speaker  533  which may be connected to an earbud wire  535  which may be flexible and connect to the earbud speaker  533  to allow the earbud speaker  533  to receive audio signals from an audio source (not shown). The earbud speaker  533  may cooperate with the aperture  513   b  to achieve a detachable connection for example by a friction fit. 
         [0090]      FIG. 27  additionally illustrates headphone speaker wire  535  to provide audio signals to the headphone  501 ,  503 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 28  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the headphone and ear buds device  500  of the present invention which may include a first headphone  501  and a near mirror second headphone  503  (not shown). The description of the first headphone  501  may apply equally to the second headphone  503 . The first headphone  501  may be connected to the second headphone  503  by a headphone headband  505  which may be substantially U-shaped, adjustable and flexible in order to accommodate varying users head sizes. The headphone headband  505  may include a connector  507  with the first headphone  501  and the second headphone  503  to allow the respective headphone  501 ,  503  to rotate to provide a rotating operation. Each headphone  501 ,  503  may include a headphone aperture  509  which may or may not interfere with the operation of the headphone  501 ,  503  and may be substantially centered on the exterior surface (distal side) of the headphone  501 ,  503 . The headphone  501 ,  503  may include an ear cushion member  511  which may be an elongated flexible ring to cushion the headphone  501 ,  503  from the ear of the user and may include a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a speaker chamber  515  which may be dome shaped or may be shaped to correspond to the ear cushion member  511  and may cooperate with ear cushion member  511 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 28  illustrates a speaker acoustic device  513  which may include a cylinder (tube) being defined by a cylinder wall  513   a  and an aperture  513   b.    
         [0093]      FIG. 28  illustrates the earbud device  531  which may include an earbud speaker  533  which may be connected to an earbud wire  535  which may be flexible and connect to the earbud speaker  533  to allow the earbud speaker  533  to receive audio signals from an audio source (not shown). The earbud speaker  533  may cooperate with the aperture  513   b  to achieve a detachable connection for example by a friction fit. 
         [0094]      FIG. 28  additionally illustrates headphone speaker wire  535  to provide audio signals to the headphone  501 ,  503 . 
         [0095]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.