Abstract:
A modular earbud system for listening to an audio device includes a bridge having a first earbud cord connector and a second earbud cord connector. The system also includes a first earbud and a second earbud. A first earbud cord has a distal end removably connected to the first earbud and a proximal end removably connected to the first earbud cord connector of the bridge. A second earbud cord has a distal end removably connect to the second earbud and a proximal end removably connected to the second earbud cord connector of the bridge. An audiojack cord has a distal end connected to the bridge and a proximal end adapted to connect to the audio device.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/213,973, filed Sep. 3, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF TIRE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to personal audio systems and, in particular, to a modular earbud system and method for personal audio systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    An earbud is an audio device that a user wears in his or her ear. The earbud is configured so that it sits within the ear of the user. As a result, there is no need for a headband or strap to hold the earbud in position. Earbuds typically are part of a system or set where two earbuds are provided. A generally Y-shaped wire arrangement includes a pair of earbud wires where a distal end of each wire is attached to a corresponding earbud. The proximal ends of the earbud wires are typically joined at a junction. The distal end of a headphone or earbud jack wire runs from the junction and terminates at a proximal end that features a plug that engages the headphone or earbud jack of a smart phone or personal electronic audio device. Earbud sets are known to break very easily, usually due to the fraying of the earbud and jack wires. The remaining components of the set, however, are typically still functional. This forces the user to purchase a replacement set of earbuds when it would be much more cost-efficient to replace the wiring in order to repair the broken earbud set. Modularity would allow for this to happen by separating the earbud set into different parts or components. If one part or component breaks or malfunctions, only that part or component needs to be replaced, allowing the user to keep the remaining parts. As a result, the user is not required to buy an entirely new set and he or she only needs to pay for the broken or malfunctioning part. The user therefore saves money. Modularity would also allow for greater customization of the earbud set, which is a driving factor in customers choice of earbuds. By allowing for easy repair as well as quick and post purchase customization, a modular earbuds set or system improves a user&#39;s listening experience. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the earbud system of the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view showing assembly of the earbud system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are front and rear perspective views of an earbud in a second embodiment of the earbud system of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of receptacle positioned on the distal end of an earbud cord in the second embodiment of the earbud system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a plug member of the second embodiment of the earbud system; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are front and rear perspective views of a bridge connector of the second embodiment of the earbud system; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate assembly of the second embodiment of the earbud system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    A first embodiment of the earbud set or system of the present invention is indicated in general at  10  in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the earbud system features a pair of earbuds  112   a  and  12   b  that are placed one each in the ears of a user. A pair of earbud wires or cords  14   a  and  14   b  run from earbuds  12   a  and  12   b , respectively, to a bridge (or bridge connector)  16 . An audio jack wire or cord  18  runs from the bridge and terminates in an audio jack plug  22  that is adapted to be inserted into the jack of a smart phone or other personal electronic audio device (such as an IPHONE, IPOD, etc.), illustrated in phantom at  23  in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0012]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , earbuds  12   a  and  12   b  are configured with plug members  24   a  and  24   b,  respectively. The distal end of earbud cords  14   a  and  14   b  are provided with receptacles  26   a  and  26   b,  that receive earbud plug members  24   a  and  24   b,  respectively, in a removable snap lock fashion. The proximal ends of the earbud cords  14   a  and  14   b  are provided with plug members  28   a  and  28   b  that removably engage corresponding earbud cord connectors such as ports  32   a  and  32   b  formed in the bridge  16  in a snap, twist, and lock fashion. The distal end of the audio jack cord  18  is similarly provided with a plug member  34  that removably engages a corresponding audio jack cord connector such as port  36  formed in the bridge connector  16  in a snap lock fashion. As a result, if any of the components (earbuds, earbud cords, bridge, audio jack cord or audio jack plug) breaks or malfunctions, the damaged component may simply be unplugged from neighboring components, removed from the system and replaced. The positioning of the plug members and receptacles/ports described above may be reversed in alternative embodiments. Furthermore, standard mini micro coax connectors (MMCX connectors) may be used in place of the illustrated plug members and receptacles/ports. 
         [0013]    An earbud in a second embodiment of the earbud system of the invention is indicated in general at  112  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the earbud  112  is provided with a threaded plug member  124 . Of course, as explained below, the second embodiment of the earbud set includes two such earbuds  112 . 
         [0014]    The distal end of an earbud cord  114  is shown in  FIG. 4  and includes a receptacle  126 . The receptacle features a threaded bore  127 . The threaded bore is configured to receive the threaded plug member  124  of the earbud  112  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . More specifically, the plug member of the earbud screws into the bore of the receptacle to provide a locking connection that also provides a pleasant appearance. Of course the second embodiment of the earbud set includes two such earbud cords and receptacles (one for each earbud). 
         [0015]    The proximal end of the earbud cord  114  of  FIG. 4  is provided with the plug member  128  of  FIG. 5 . The plug member features a threaded portion  130 . The distal end of the audio jack cord is also provided a plug member, such as the one illustrated at  128  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0016]    A bridge (or bridge connector) in the second embodiment of the earbud set is indicated at  116  in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the bridge  116  includes a pair of earbud cord connectors such as ports  132   a  and  132   b  that are threaded. As illustrated in  FIG. 6B , the opposite side of the bridge connector is provided with a threaded audio jack cord connector such as port  136 . Each port  132   a,    132   b  and  136  of the bridge receives a corresponding threaded portion of a plug member (such as threaded portion  130  of plug member  128  of  FIG. 5 ). As a result, the plug members may be screwed into the ports of the bridge  116  to removably attach the earbud cords ( 114  of  FIG. 4 ) and audio jack cord ( 118  in  FIG. 7C ). As illustrated for the audio jack cord  18  of  FIG. 2 , the proximal end of audio jack cord  118  is provided with an audio jack plug ( 22  in  FIG. 1 ) that is adapted to be inserted into the jack of a smart phone or other personal electronic audio device (such as an IPHONE, IPOD, etc.). 
         [0017]    With reference to  FIGS. 7A-7C , the assembly and disassembly of the second. embodiment of the earbud system will be described. 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIG. 7A and 7B , the threaded plug member  124   a  of earbud  112   a  is inserted into the threaded port of receptacle  126   a,  as illustrated by arrow  140  of  FIG. 7A , and then turned, as illustrated by arrow  150  in  FIG. 7B , so that the threads of the earbud plug member engage the threads of the receptacle port. The procedure is repeated using the threaded plug member  124   b  of earbud  112   b  and the threaded port of receptacle  126   b . As a result, the earbuds  112   a  and  112   b  are secured to earbud cords  114   a  and  114   b.    
         [0019]    The threaded portion  130   a  of plug member  128   a  is then inserted into the earbud cord port  132   a  of the bridge connector  116 , as illustrated by arrow  142  of  FIG. 7A , and then turned, as illustrated by arrow  152  of  FIG. 7B , so that the threads of the plug member threaded portion  130   a  engage the threads of the bridge connector earbud port  132   a.  The procedure is repeated using the plug member threaded portion  130   b  and bridge connector earbud port  132   b.  As a result, the earbuds  112   a  and  112   b  and the earbud cords  114   a  and  114   b  are secured to the bridge connector  116 . 
         [0020]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7C , the audio jack cord  118  is provided with a plug member  128   c  that has a threaded portion that engages the audio jack cord port  136  ( FIG. 7A ) of the connector  116  in the manner described above for the earbud cords. As a result, the audio jack cord  118  is connected to the bridge connector  116 . 
         [0021]    The earbud system is now assembled and ready to plug into a smart phone or personal audio device, such as the one illustrated at  23  in  FIG. 2 , so that the listener may listen to the device through the earbuds. 
         [0022]    The assembly steps described above with respect to  FIGS. 7A-7C  may be performed in any order. 
         [0023]    If any of the components of the earbud system of  FIGS. 3A through 7C  becomes damaged, breaks or malfunctions, it may be removed from the set by reversing any of the steps described above for  FIGS. 7A-7C , and then installing a replacement component. 
         [0024]    In addition, the components of  FIGS. 3A through 7C  may be provided in a variety of colors, enabling the user to create his or her own customized earbud set featuring his or her choice of colors. For example, the earbuds  12   a,    12   b  or  112   a,    112   b  could be black, the earbud cords  14   a,    14   b  or  114   a,    114   b  could be red, the bridge connector  16  or  116  could be white, and the audio jack cord  18  or  118  could be red. Of course other colors and color combinations could be used. 
         [0025]    Alternative connection arrangements known in the art could be substituted for the snap, twist, and lock mechanism or threaded connections described above. 
         [0026]    While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.