Patent Publication Number: US-8116477-B2

Title: Fit adjuster for a neckband type headset

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C §119 to an application entitled “Fit Adjuster For Neckband Type Headset” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 11, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-76408, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a neckband type headset wearable on a particular part of the body, i.e. behind the user&#39;s head and neck, and in particular, to a fit adjuster for a neckband type headset using a short distance wireless communication module. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, mobile communication terminals refer to handheld devices, which are capable of providing a user and another party with wireless communication services, including voice communication, message transmission, file transmission, video calling and a camera function. Mobile communication terminals can also allow for personal secretary services, such as telephone number management and scheduling. 
     Mobile communication terminals are becoming smaller, slimmer and sleeker in order to improve portability and are also becoming multimedia devices which can offer multimedia services, for example, entertainment content services like music, videos and games. Mobile communication terminals have gone beyond merely being telephones and are becoming more multifunctional and complex to integrate various additional functions, including video calling, mobile gaming, Internet access and camera functions. 
     Recently, short distance wireless communication interfaces, such as Bluetooth®, have been applied to mobile terminals. 
     In addition, headsets that can be worn over the head are generally used with mobile terminals. Particularly, neckband type headsets with improved portability and wearing comfort have attained popularity. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a conventional wired neckband type headset  10 . As illustrated, the conventional neckband type headset  10  has a fit adjustment means for minimizing wearing discomfort according to different head sizes of individual users. The conventional neckband type headset  10  includes an adjustable band  120  and a pair of earpieces attached to both ends of the adjustable band  120 . The pair of earpieces are right and left speakers  100  and  110 . The adjustable band  120  is held behind the user&#39;s head and neck. The right and left speakers  100  and  110  are lined with sponge earpads  111  and  101  providing a soft attachment to the ears. The adjustable band  120  has a property of being retained in its original position. 
     The adjustable band  120  is generally made from plastic. It consists of a central part  122  and two extending parts  121  and  123 , which can be retracted into or withdrawn from the central part  120  to adjust the headset  10  for a comfortable fit. In other words, the conventional neckband type headset  10  has a structure that allows the user to adjust the length of the band  120  according to the size of the user&#39;s head to have a comfortable fit. 
     However, the fit adjustment means adopted in the conventional neckband type headset  10  cannot be applied to headsets equipped with a Bluetooth® module for short-distance wireless communication. A wireless headset with a Bluetooth® module mounts a wire within a head band to electrically connect the right and left speakers, which makes it difficult to adjust the length of the head band. Unlike the head band of a wired neckband type headset, the head band of a wireless neckband type headset is not length-adjustable due to the wire mounted therein. Therefore, a new means for adjusting the fit of a wireless neckband type headset is in high demand. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fit adjuster for a neckband type headset, which can provide long-wearing comfort. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a fit adjuster for a neckband type headset, which can make step-by-step fit adjustment. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fit adjuster for a neckband type headset, which allows a user to easily adjust the fit while wearing the headset. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fit adjuster for a neckband type headset, which can improve strength of a headset band. 
     In order to accomplish the above objects of the present invention, there is provided a neckband type headset including a headset band and a pair of earpieces connected to both ends of the headset band and placed on the ears of a user. The neckband type headset further includes a fit adjuster including at least one opening formed at a stress concentration portion of the headset band; and an adjustment pin inserted into the opening to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional neckband type headset; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a conventional neckband type headset; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a neckband type headset having a fit adjuster according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fit adjuster according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the fit adjuster shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partly enlarged front view of a neckband type headset with a fit adjuster incorporated according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the invention, detailed descriptions of functions and constructions incorporated herein, which are known to those skilled in the art are omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 through 5 , a neckband type headset  20  according to the present invention includes a fit adjuster at a stress concentration portion of a headset band  220  which is placed behind a user&#39;s head. More specifically, the fit adjuster is mounted in the stress concentration portion of the headset band  220 , which connects a pair of earpieces  200  and  210 . The fit adjuster is preferably applied to a neckband type headset using a short distance wireless communication module, for example, a Bluetooth® module. The headset  20  according to the present invention has openings  221  and  223  formed in the headset band  220  and an adjustment pin  231  which can be inserted into the openings  221  and  223 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the openings  221  and  223  are formed at the stress concentration portion  222  of the headset band  220 , which is symmetrical with respect to the center thereof. Preferably, the stress concentration portion  222  should be provided at the center of the headset band  220 . The openings  221  and  223  are formed to movably mount the adjustment pin  231  therein. More specifically, the first opening  221  is longitudinally formed in a tunnel shape within the headset band  220 . The second opening  223  is formed on the outer surface of the headset band  220  so as to spatially communicate with the first opening  221 . The first opening  221  is hidden inside the headset band  220 , whereas the second opening  223  is exposed on the headset band  220 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  7 , the adjustment pin  231  is a movable element, which is mounted in the first and second openings  221  and  223 . The adjustment pin  231  includes a rigid member  232  longitudinally movable within the first opening  221  and an adjuster knob  234  fixed at one end of the rigid member  232  and protruding outward from the headset band  220 . The rigid member  232  is movable within the first opening  221 . A neck portion connecting the rigid member  232  and the adjuster knob  234  is movable within the second opening  223 . Also, the adjuster knob  234  is movable above the second opening  223 . 
     The rigid member  232  is made from a metal. It is formed in a metal plate shape to effectively absorb the stress transferred to the stress concentration region while the user is wearing the headset  20 . The rigid member  232  has a protector  236  formed in a cylindrical shape at the other end thereof. The protector  236  reduces friction generated between the rigid member  232  and the interior of the headset band  220  during movement of the rigid member  231  within the first opening  221 . With the reduction of friction, the protector  236  can protect the wall of the first opening  221  in the headset band  220  from easily wearing away. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the fit adjuster of the present invention further includes at least one movement control means  225  provided in a longitudinal direction of the second opening  223 . The movement control means  225  is formed in a groove-like shape to allow the step-by-step movement of the adjustment pin  231 . It is preferable to provide a pair of movement control means  225  facing each other. 
     The user can forcibly move the adjustment pin  231  along the first opening. Referring to  FIG. 7 , when the adjustment pin  231  is moved in a left direction, the user will feel a higher pressure put on the ears. When the adjustment pin  231  is moved in a right direction, the pressure will be reduced. 
     The fit adjuster according to the present invention is mounted slightly above the longitudinal center of the cross-section of the headset band  220  because of a wire W ( FIG. 7 ) mounted in the band  220  to connect the right and left speakers. 
     As explained above, the fit adjuster according to the present invention is applicable to a neckband type headset using a short distance wireless communication module. The fit adjuster fits the headset tightly on the back of the neck, thereby preventing the headset from slipping off even during active sports or extended wearing time. The fit adjuster enables users of different head sizes to adjust the length of the headset band and find the most comfortable fit. Since the fit adjuster ensures tight fit on the ears of the user, it can minimize the leakage of sound outputted from the speakers. In addition, the fit adjuster mounted at the stress concentration portion of the headset band can improve the strength of the headset and thereby extend the headset life. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims, including the full scope of equivalents thereof.