Patent Publication Number: US-2016227309-A1

Title: Tangle-free earphones

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application 61884940, filed Sep. 30 2013, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments relate to earphones. More specifically, the embodiments relate to wired earphones. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A lead or cord is a long, slender, and flexible material that can take the form of many shapes and sizes, and be made of a large number of different materials. As used herein, lead encompasses cord, wire, string, cable and a multitude of other variations and materials. Some leads have one beginning and one end. One example of such a lead is an electric appliance cord that can be removed from the appliance. One end has a plug for insertion into an electric mains and the other end is inserted into a jack (either female or male) on the appliance. 
     Another example is a lead used for electronic earphones. Such earphone leads extend from an electronic device to a listener&#39;s ears, allowing the listener to hear audio. These cords have been used for decades. Such electronic devices serve a variety of purposes; examples include, but are not limited to, mobile telephones, tablet computers, MP3 players. Some users choose to listen to music while exercising, while others listen to an electronic device throughout the day no matter what the task. 
     In use, a listener inserts a male plug end of the headphone cord (e.g., a ⅛ in. male plug) into a corresponding female socket of the electronic device. After a certain length, the headphone cord splits into two separate cords, resulting in a “Y” configuration. These two ends are fitted with earphones that fit into or around a person&#39;s left and right ears. One example is the common earbud configuration. On some models, the earbud orientation is ear specific, whereas, in other models, the earbuds are interchangeable between the user&#39;s left and right ears. 
     One of the disadvantages regarding existing earphone technology is the likelihood of the cords becoming intertwined. Studies of tangling reveal that leads become tangled because loose ends are allowed to snake into loops of the cord or because loops are allowed to snake into other loops. When an end travels through a loop as the cord twists and turns, knots are created. When a user is not wearing the device, cord ends are unrestrained and free to move in any direction. While the headphones are stored, for instance, lying on a desk, in a drawer, or in a bag, to name a few, the free ends inevitably become intertwined and tangle. Once tangling occurs, a person is required to spend needless time and effort attempting to untangle the various ends. Moreover, once a person successfully untangles the earphone cords, there is nothing to prevent the cord ends from tangling yet again in the future. In addition, the tangling can result in knots, thereby creating kinks in the wires inside the cords and potentially damaging the operation of the headphones. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to an earphone device having reduced tendency to tangle. According to one aspect, the earphone device includes a plug at a first end, connectable to an electrical device; a lead, having a plurality of wires coupled to the plug, extends therefrom and connects the plug to a first earbud. The lead extends from the first earbud to a second earbud. The lead extends between the plug and the first and second earphones in a generally continuous manner. 
     In one approach, the earphone device comprises a plug adapted to be connected to an electrical device; a lead, having a plurality of wires coupled to the plug, the plurality of electrical wires electrically interconnecting the plug and first earbud, and electrically interconnecting the plug and the second earbud. The lead has a first lead portion and a second lead portion, wherein said first lead portion extends from the plug to the first ear bud in a generally continuous manner and wherein said second lead portion extends from the first earbud to the second earbud in a generally continuous manner. The lead can be a single, continuous and branchless lead. 
     Attaching the plug to the first earbud using a single length of lead without branching therebetween and attaching the second earbud  6  to the first earbud  4  using a single length of lead without branching therebetween, provides a beneficial continuous configuration of the earphones which are substantially tangle free. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a first embodiment of the earphones worn by a user; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a second embodiment of the earphones worn by a user; 
         FIG. 2A  is an alternate view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2B  is an alternate view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail of an earbud according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the earphones illustrating wires arranged in the lead according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the earphones illustrating wires arranged in the lead according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. It should be understood that the term earphones herein describes in-ear as well as on-ear type earphones. The terms “headphone(s)” and “earphone(s)” are used herein interchangeably. As used herein, the term “earbud” can be used to describe both in-ear and on-ear types of earphone. The terms “cord” and “lead” are also used herein interchangeably. The words “a” and “one,” as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. This terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of two or more items, such as “A, B, or C,” means any individual one of A, B or C as well as any combination thereof. 
       FIGS. 1A and 2A  depict the tangle-free earphone device  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The earphone device  1  includes a plug  2 , for connecting to an electrical (audio) device, e.g. telephones, computers, music players, etc., at a first end and a single lead  3  extending therefrom to a first earbud speaker or earbud  4  making a connection from the plug  2 . The lead  3  extends from the first earbud  4  to a microphone  5  thereby connecting the plug  2 , first earbud  4  and microphone  5 . The microphone  5  can be a voice operated switch, known as VOX or Voice Operated exchange type microphone. This type of microphone is a switch that operates when sound over a certain threshold is detected, which can be used for communication or as a noise canceling input device where it samples ambient sounds and adjust the output to the earphones accordingly (e.g. with a telecommunication device). From the microphone  5 , the lead  3  extends to the second earbud  6 , connecting it to the microphone  5 , plug  2  and first earbud  4 . The microphone  5  can additionally include controls for providing access to the device, e.g. volume control, phone answering, track selection, etc. Lead  3  includes the wires necessary to make electrical connections between the plug  2  and earbuds  3 , 4  and microphone  5 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 1A and 2A , lead  3  is a single continuous lead without any lead branching. By providing a single lead  3  that attaches the plug to the first earbud  4  and the first earbud  4  to the second earbud  4 , 6 , a continuous configuration of the earphones  1  is provided resulting in a substantially tangle-free wired earphone device. 
     In the example of  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the electrical connections (not shown) to the first earbud  4  pass through the side of the lead  3  attached to the first earbud  4 . The electrical connections to the second earbud  6  pass through the lead end attached to the second earbud  6 . 
     The earphone  1  of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1B and 2B  is arranged generally in the same manner, however does not include the microphone  5 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the device  1  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , respectively, with the earbuds  4 ,  6  rotated 90 degrees from the depiction in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     As shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A &amp; 2A  and  FIGS. 1B &amp; 2B , lead  3  has a first lead portion  31  and a second lead portion  32 . First lead portion  31  extends in a generally continuous manner from plug  2  to first earbud  4  and without any lead branching. Second lead portion  32  extends from first earbud  4  to second earbud  6  in a generally continuous manner and without any lead branching. In the embodiment of the accompanying drawings, each earbud  4 , 6  is an in-ear type of earphone. In other embodiments, earbuds  4 , 6  are earcups or other types of earphones that are configured to seat on or around the ears. 
     In the embodiments, branchless lead second portion  32  is coupled to the earbuds in a manner that allows lead second portion  32  to freely hang below the head of a user without unnecessarily obstructing movement of the users head or other body parts when the earphones are in use. For example, as shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in conjunction with  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , branchless lead second portion  32  has opposite physical connection points  9 , 10  where lead second portion  32  is physically coupled to first earbud  4  and second earbud  6 , respectively. An end of lead  3 , opposite the end connected to plug  2 , serves as physical connection point  10 . A sidewall portion  15  of lead casing  14  serves as connection point  9  (see  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 ). In the embodiments of the figures, lead connection points  9 , 10  are fixedly coupled to the earbud housings  16 ,  17 , respectively, at the earbud housing ends located away from the earbud diaphragms (see for example  FIG. 4  for an enlarged view of the earbuds  4 , 6 ). However, in other embodiments, the lead connection points may be coupled to other positions on the earbud housing. The length of lead second portion  32  between opposite connection points  9 , 10  is freely supported at the connection points by first earbud  4  and second earbud  6 . Lead casing  14  is any flexible insulating casing utilized or suitable for use in headphone leads, such as but not limited to a rubber casing. 
     As already mentioned above, lead  3  includes a plurality of conductive wires, such as copper or the like, for electrically connecting the earbuds  4 , 6  to plug  2 . Different wiring arrangements in lead  3  are envisaged. For example,  FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of the lead of  FIG. 1B  showing an electrical wiring arrangement therein according to one embodiment. A plurality of electrically conductive wires  11 ,  12 , are carried inside lead casing  14 . Conductive wires  11  are a first set of wires, typically a pair of wires comprising a ground wire and signal wire, electrically connecting plug  2  to first earbud  4 . Conductive wires  12  are a second set of wires, typically a pair of wires comprising a ground wire and a signal wire, electrically connecting plug  2  to the second earbud  6 . The arrangement of wiring within plug  2  is the same as for known earphone device plugs. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each wire  11  of the first set of wires extends from plug  2  into lead  3  within casing  14 , then through lead sidewall portion  15  and into first earbud housing  16  to electrical connect to the diaphragm of first ear bud  4 . The arrangement of wiring to the speaker within the earbud housing is the same as for known earphone devices. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , sidewall portion  15  of lead casing  14  is disposed contiguous or in close proximity with first earbud  4  and has an opening  17  through which each wire  11  extends from inside lead casing  14  to first earbud  4 . 
     In some embodiments, first set of wires  11  is a first set of single continuous wires without any wire branching within first lead portion  31 . Additionally, in some embodiments, second set of conductive wires  12  is a set of single continuous wires without any wire branching in lead  3  and extending inside lead casing  14  from plug  2  without interruption directly to second earbud  6  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Embodiments of the earphones with the microphone shown in  FIG. 1A  also have lead wiring arrangements as shown and described hereinbefore with reference to  FIG. 4 . However, a third set of wires  20  are also included such as for example shown in  FIG. 5  which is a partial cross-sectional view of the lead  3  of  FIG. 1A . The third set of wires  20  is typically a pair of wires comprising a ground wire and a signal wire, electrically connecting plug  2  to the microphone (note the microphone is not shown in  FIG. 5  for sake of clarity) 
     Other types of wiring arrangements within lead  3  are envisaged. For example, in other embodiments, the wire arrangement of the second set of wires  12  is modified such that each wire extends through the lead from plug  2  into first ear bud  4  and then from first earbud  4  further through second lead portion  32  to electrically connect with second earbud  6 . 
     In some other embodiments of the device, lead portions  31  and  32  are separate branchless leads that together form lead  3  and that are each physically coupled at one end to earbud  4 . The wiring arrangement is the same as the wiring arrangement of  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5  except that the electrical connections extending beyond the first earbud  4 , such as for example second set of wires  12  (and third set of wires  20  where the microphone is included), pass through both lead ends attached to first earbud  4 . The electrical connections to both earbud  4  and earbud  6  pass out of the end of a first lead attached to first earbud  4  and electrical connections to earbud  6  further pass into the end of a second lead attached to the first earbud  4  and out of the other end of second lead attached to earbud  6 . 
     By way of non-limiting example of such other embodiments of the device in which first and second lead portions are each individual leads, reference will now be made to an embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  with or without an auxiliary plug, the lead  3  may not be continuous and may comprise a first lead  3 A extending between first earbud  4  and plug  2 , and a second lead  3 B extending between the first earbud  4  and the second earbud  6 . Each of the first and second leads  3 A,  3 B are branchless leads. In such an example, the first lead  3 A has one end attached to the plug  2  and an opposite end attached to the first earbud  4 . The second lead  3 B has one end attached to the first earbud  4  and an opposite end attached to the second earbud  6  (see for example  FIG. 3 ). The electrical connection to the first earbud  4  passes through the end of the first lead  3 A attached to the first earbud  4 . The electrical connection to the second earbud  6  passes from plug  2  through the first lead  3 A attached to the first earbud  4 , on through the second lead attached to the first earbud  4 , and further on through the second lead end attached to the second earbud  6 . 
     In the examples in which first and second leads  3 A and  3 B are used, second lead  3 B is a single continuous lead attaching the first earbud  4  to the second earbud  6  without any lead branching. By providing a single branchless lead  3 A that attaches the plug  2  to the first earbud  4  and a single branchless lead  3 B that attaches the first earbud  4  to the second earbud  6 , a continuous configuration of the earphones  1  is provided resulting in a substantially tangle-free wired earphone device. 
     In the non-limiting example of  FIG. 3 , the first earbud  4  has a portion  8  configured to receive an auxiliary plug  7 , for example but not limited to a ⅛ inch type plug, which allows the lead  3 A to be replaced if necessary. Such an arrangement allows for interchanging of the lead cable to allow the earphones  1  to be used with different features, e.g. controllers, musical device interfaces, secondary audio sources, etc. The arrangement of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  also allow the auxiliary plug  7  to be disconnected from the connection portion  8  of the first earbud  4  instead of pulling the earphones  4 ,  6  from a user&#39;s ears should the lead become caught on something. Further, the arrangement of  FIG. 3  allows the earphones  1  to be used with different sized jacks, providing greater flexibility. In another embodiment, the first earbud  4  has connection portion  8  configured to receive an auxiliary plug  7  on the end of lead  3 B instead of, or in addition to, the auxiliary plug on the end of lead  3 A. Such an arrangement allows the auxiliary plug  7  on the lead  3 B to be disconnected from the connection portion  8  on the first earbud  4 . The second earbud  6  and lead  3 B can then be stored away for later use leaving the first earbud  4  and lead  3 A to serve as a single earbud earphone device. 
     As indicated hereinbefore, attaching the plug  2  to the first earbud  4  using a single length of lead without branching therebetween and attaching the second earbud  6  to the first earbud  4  using a single length of lead without branching therebetween, provides the beneficial continuous configuration of the earphones  1 . 
     When not in use the continuous configuration of the earphones  1  provides easy, tangle-free storage. To store, for example, the first earbud  4  is grasped between the user&#39;s thumb and forefinger the plug  2  and second earbud  6  and can be coiled about first earbud  4 . Alternatively the plug to can be grasped and the entire lead can be wrapped around the users fingers for easy storage. 
     As a result of the arrangement of the present invention, the lead  3  used to connect the plug to the first earbud  4  to the microphone  5  and the second earbud  6  can be of a continuous dimension. The dimension, as a result, is substantial enough to resist tangling since all of the leads  3  are of the same substantial thickness. Further, the arrangement as described herein due to the continuous arrangement, eliminates branching of the leads to the individual earphones, when compared to the conventional Y shaped arrangement, and which greatly reduces tangling when storing or using the earphones  1  of the present device. 
     The earbuds shown in the accompany figures are just an example of one type of ear bud and the positioning of those ear buds on the earphone wire. In other embodiments, earbuds  4 ,  6  may be earcups, earspeakers, or any other type of earphones that are configured to seat on or around the ear, or any other small loudspeakers that are designed to be held in place dose to a user&#39;s ears. 
     It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims; the above description; and/or shown in the attached drawings.