Patent Publication Number: US-11641540-B2

Title: Ear-fitting headphone attachment apparatus

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/970,353 filed Feb. 5, 2020 of the same title and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/909,602 filed Oct. 2, 2019 of the same title, the contents of each of the foregoing being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     1. TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an attachment apparatus for use with ear-fitting headphones such as, for example, wireless headphones with a cylindrical outer housing (e.g., Apple AirPods®). 
     2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY 
     The use of wired or wireless headphones are well understood. Traditionally, these headphones came in a variety of shapes and sizes including circumaural headphones (i.e., over-ear headphones), supra-aural headphones (i.e., on-ear headphones), and so-called ear-fitting headphones that are designed to be fitted directly in the outer ear of the wearer. More recently, ear-fitting headphones have become smaller and more capable. For example, Apple AirPods® were introduced in late 2016 and, in addition to playing audio, featured a built-in microphone. The AirPods® design incorporates a unique aesthetic design feature, namely its cylindrical housing that protrudes down from the wearer&#39;s ear. Continuous and repetitive exposure to this untraditional design aesthetic has led to widespread acceptance for this product. As a result of this widespread acceptance, opportunities now exist for the introduction of unique functional and/or design aesthetics to compliment this untraditional design paradigm. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides for an attachment apparatus for an ear-fitting headphone attachment apparatus, as well as methods for manufacturing and using the same. 
     In one aspect, an attachment apparatus for attachment to a cylindrical housing located on an ear-fitting headphone is disclosed. In one embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes: an elastomeric sleeve; a compression clamp disposed external to the elastomeric sleeve, the compression clamp having a hinge and a fastening mechanism; and an attachment point located on the compression clamp for attachment of decorative items thereto. 
     In one variant, the elastomeric sleeve includes a cylindrical shape having a cylindrical cavity disposed within the cylindrical shape, the cylindrical cavity having a diameter, the diameter of the cylindrical cavity being greater than a diameter of the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone. 
     In another variant, the compression clamp is configured to compress the cylindrical shape of the elastomeric sleeve when the compression clamp is locked within a closed position, the compression of the cylindrical shape securely attaching the attachment apparatus to the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone. 
     In yet another variant, the compression clamp has a C-shape with the hinge residing on a diametrically opposed side of the compression clamp from the fastening mechanism. 
     In yet another variant, the fastening mechanism includes a plurality of interdigitated extensions, at least a portion of the plurality of interdigitated extensions having a rod portion as well as an end portion, the end portion having a spherical shape with a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the rod portion, the end portion being configured to interlock with another end portion of another interdigitated extension. 
     In yet another variant, the elastomeric sleeve has a cylindrical C-shape having a cylindrical cavity disposed within the cylindrical C-shape, the cylindrical cavity having a diameter when the cylindrical C-shape of the elastomeric sleeve is closed, the diameter of the cylindrical cavity being less than a diameter of the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone. 
     In yet another variant, the elastomeric sleeve is securely attached to the compression clamp, the compression clamp is configured to compress the cylindrical shape of the elastomeric sleeve when the compression clamp is locked within a closed position, the compression of the cylindrical shape securely attaching the attachment apparatus to the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone. 
     In yet another variant, the compression clamp includes a C-shaped clamp with the hinge residing on a diametrically opposed side of the compression clamp from the fastening mechanism. 
     In yet another variant, the fastening mechanism includes a plurality of interdigitated extensions, at least a portion of the plurality of interdigitated extensions having a rod portion as well as an end portion, the end portion having a spherical shape with a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the rod portion, the end portion being configured to interlock with two end portions of two other interdigitated extensions. 
     In another embodiment, the attachment apparatus includes: a coiled wire that is configured to fit over the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone and an attachment point located on the coiled wire for attachment of decorative items thereto. 
     In one variant, the coiled wire varies in circumference between a top portion of the coiled wire and a bottom portion of the coiled wire, the top portion having a larger circumference as compared with the circumference for the bottom portion of the coiled wire. 
     In another variant, the coiled wire has a top portion and a bottom portion, the coiled wire having a diameter dimension associated with the coiled wire, wherein the diameter dimension increases as the top portion and the bottom portion of the coiled wire are compressed towards one another, and wherein the diameter dimension decreases as the top portion and the bottom portion of the coiled wire are stretched away from one another. 
     In yet another variant, the attachment point is located on the bottom portion of the coiled wire and the attachment of a decorative item to the attachment point causes the diameter dimension of the coiled wire to decrease such that the coiled wire includes an interference fit with the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone. 
     In yet another variant, the attachment apparatus further includes an extruded or injection molded tube of flexible material, the extruded or injection molded tube of flexible material configured to be disposed between the coiled wire and the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone. 
     In yet another variant, the coiled wire includes a top portion and a bottom portion, the coiled wire having a diameter dimension associated with the coiled wire, wherein the diameter dimension decreases as the top portion and the bottom portion of the coiled wire are stretched away from one another, the decreasing diameter dimension being configured to compress the extruded or injection molded tube of flexible material onto the cylindrical housing located on the ear-fitting headphone. 
     In yet another variant, the stretching of the top portion and the bottom portion of the coiled wire is caused by attachment of a decorative item onto the attachment point. 
     In yet another embodiment, an attachment apparatus for attachment to a cylindrical housing located on an ear-fitting headphone is disclosed. 
     In one variant, the attachment apparatus includes an extruded or injection molded tube of material, a wire wraps around the tube of material, the wire residing around an outside perimeter of the tube of material and entering into the tube of material where it exits at a bottom portion of the tube of material, the wire including an attachment point for the attachment of a decorative item. 
     In another variant, the attachment apparatus includes a woven textile having a crosshatch pattern associated therewith, the woven textile having an attachment point for the attachment of a decorative item. 
     In yet another variant, the attachment apparatus includes thin metal strips that collectively have a crosshatch pattern associated therewith, the thin metal strips having an attachment point for the attachment of a decorative item. 
     In another aspect, systems consisting of an ear-fitting headphone and the aforementioned attachment apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system further consists of a decorative item attached to the attachment apparatus. 
     In yet another aspect, methods of using the aforementioned attachment apparatus are disclosed. 
     In yet another aspect, methods of manufacturing the aforementioned attachment apparatus are disclosed. 
     Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will immediately be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary implementations as given below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, objectives, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a front elevational view of first exemplary attachment apparatus for use with an ear-fitting headphone design, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a perspective view of the attachment apparatus of  FIG.  1 A , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1 C  is a perspective view of a second exemplary attachment apparatus, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view a third exemplary attachment apparatus, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a front plan view of a fourth exemplary attachment apparatus, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 B  is a right-side plan view of the attachment apparatus of  FIG.  3 A , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 C  is a back-side perspective view of the attachment apparatus of  FIG.  3 A , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 D  is a front-side perspective view of the attachment apparatus of  FIG.  3 A , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 E  is a right-side back perspective view of the attachment apparatus of  FIG.  3 A , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3 F  is a right-side front perspective view of the attachment apparatus of  FIG.  3 A , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     All Figures disclosed herein are ©Copyright 2019-2020 D Squared Ventures. All rights reserved. 
     Exemplary Ear-Fitting Headphone Attachment Apparatus— 
     Implementations of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology. Notably, the figures and examples below are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure to a single implementation or implementations, but other implementations are possible by way of interchange of or combination with some or all of the described or illustrated elements. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , one exemplary attachment apparatus  110  for use with an ear-fitting headphone  100  with a cylindrical housing  102  is shown and described in detail. The illustrated attachment apparatus  110  includes coiled wire  112 , made from metal and/or plastic of suitable mechanical properties, of proper interference dimension which slides onto and over the cylindrical housing  102  of the ear-fitting headphone  100 . The coiled wire  112  may be colored, bejeweled, glittered and/or have any manner of finish for cosmetic purpose. Additionally, the coiled wire  112  may be wound either clockwise or counterclockwise. 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates another exemplary attachment apparatus  110  that is similar to the attachment apparatus shown with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B . However, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1 C , the attachment apparatus  110  may consist of an extruded or injection molded tube  114  of silicone, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and/or any other suitable (or similar) types of materials. The length of the extruded or injection molded tube  114  may have any number of suitable lengths. The coiled wire  112  illustrated in  FIG.  1 C  consists of a single wire which is wrapped around the extruded or injection molded tube  114  in approximately two revolutions (i.e., approximately 720°). However, it would be readily appreciated that the number of revolutions may consist of three or more revolutions in some implementations. The top  113  of the coiled wire  112  may continue towards the bottom  115  of the coiled wire  112 , where an attachment point may be created for the attachment of a decorative item  120 . 
     The coiled wire  112  in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  may vary in circumference between the top  113  and bottom  115  of the attachment apparatus  110  in some implementations. For example, the coiled wire  112  may have a larger circumference towards the top  113  of the coiled wire  112 , while having a smaller circumference towards the bottom  115  of the coiled wire  112 . Such a variant may assist with the insertion of the coiled wire  112  onto the cylindrical housing  102  as less interference may be experienced with the insertion of the top portion  113  of the coiled wire  112 , with increasing amounts of interference towards the bottom portion  115  of the coiled wire  112 . While the use of coiled wire  112  having varying circumferential dimensions is exemplary, it would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill given the contents of the present disclosure that other dimensional schemes may be utilized. 
     For example, in some implementations, the circumference of the top portion  113  of the coiled wire  112  may have the same, or a nearly identical circumference—within normal manufacturing tolerances, as the bottom portion  115  of the coiled wire  112  (as well as other portions of the coiled wire). In such a variant, the interference dimension of the circumference of the coiled wire  112  may be such that the coiled wire  112  may be readily inserted over and onto the cylindrical housing. 
     In some variants, the circumference of the coiled wire  112  may be varied by compressing the top portion  113  of the coiled wire  112  toward the bottom portion  115  of the coiled wire  112 . For example, the circumference of the coiled wire  112  may increase as the top portion  113  is compressed towards the bottom portion  115  of the coiled wire  112 . Accordingly, a user of the attachment apparatus  110  may compress the coiled wire  112  in order to place the coiled wire  112  onto the cylindrical housing  102 . The user of the attachment apparatus  110  may then release the compression once the coiled wire  112  has been disposed over the cylindrical housing  102 , thereby resulting in a “snug-fit” of the attachment apparatus  110  to the cylindrical housing  102 . In some variants, a combination of varying circumference dimensions for the coiled wire  112 , as well as compression of the top portion  113  towards the bottom portion  115  may be utilized to facilitate attachment. 
     Once installed onto the cylindrical housing  102 , the grip of the attachment apparatus  110  onto the cylindrical housing  102  will increase as a force is applied to the attachment apparatus  110  in a downward direction  130 . In other words, as the bottom  115  of the attachment apparatus  110  is stretched away from the top  113  of the attachment apparatus  110 , the attachment apparatus&#39;  110  grip on the cylindrical housing  102  may increase. This force in the downward direction  130  may be applied by the weight of the decorative element  120 . This property of increasing interference when the coiled wire  112  is placed under tension and decreasing interference when the coiled wire  112  is compressed may assist with the adornment of decorative items  120  to the ear-fitting headphone  100 . The attachment of the decorative items  120  may be accomplished with a hook and loop mechanism, magnets, or any other suitable means of attachment of decorative items  120  to the attachment apparatus  110 . 
     The types of decorative items  120  that may be attached to the attachment apparatus  110  are virtually limitless and may be chosen based on the preferences of the wearer. For example, the decorative item  120  may consist of a hoop-style decorative item that may come in the form of a wide variety of sizes and shapes such as circular shapes, square shapes, oval shapes, triangle shapes, and the like. The decorative item  120  may consist of a drop-style decorative item which may consist of a stud towards the attachment point of the decorative item  120  to the attachment apparatus with a decorative portion hanging below the attachment point. The decorative item  120  may consist of a dangle-style decorative item which may be similar to a drop-style decorative item but may have design elements which are free to swing back and forth. These and other types of decorative items  120  may be readily attached to the attachment apparatus and may consist of differing types of materials (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, steel, plastic, wood and the like), as well as being adorned with any number of types of precious stones (e.g., diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and the like) and/or semi-precious stones (e.g., amethyst, garnet, pearl, turquoise, and the like). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , another variant of an attachment apparatus  110  is shown and described in detail. In this illustrated variant, the attachment apparatus  110  may consist of an extruded or injection molded tube  114  of silicone, EVA, TPU, and/or any other suitable (or similar) types of materials. The attachment apparatus  110  may be made from any color (or colors), including translucent or transparent colors, may be bejeweled, glittered, and/or coated to provide for a desired finish. This tube  114  of material may be sized so as to have an interference fit with the cylindrical housing  102 . 
     The attachment apparatus  110  may also include one or more wires  116  which may be wrapped around the tube  114  of material. These one or more wires  116  may penetrate the tube  114  of material so that the ends  119  of the wire  116  may exit from the tube  114  adjacent to the cylindrical housing  102  as illustrated in  FIG.  2   . This wire  116  may exert additional circumferential pressure to the cylindrical housing  102  when pulled downward. For example, the attachment of decorative items  120  to the wire  116  using any of the aforementioned techniques may cause the wire  116  to tighten, resulting in a more snug fit to the cylindrical housing  102  as compared with an attachment apparatus  110  in which the wire  116  is not placed under tension. 
     In variants in which two or more wires  116  are used, individual ones of the wires  116  may be wound in opposite directions (i.e., counterclockwise, and clockwise). The use of two or more wires  116  may be utilized in order to create a different suspension effect off of the cylindrical housing  102  as compared with a single wire variant  116 . In addition to, or alternatively then, the different suspension effect, two or more wires  116  may also be utilized to create a decorative pattern or for other aesthetic effect for the attachment apparatus  110 . These and other variants would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill given the contents of the present disclosure. 
     In some implementations, the attachment apparatus  110  may take the form of a woven textile and/or thin strips of material such as metal, polymers and the like, that collectively form a tube of proper interference dimension for the cylindrical housing  102 . The woven textile and/or thin strips may utilize a crosshatch pattern which provides for additional interference fit with the cylindrical housing  102  when the tube is placed under tension (e.g., through the addition of decorative items  120  attached thereto). In other words, the woven textile and/or thin strips may collectively behave such that additional circumferential pressure is applied when the tube is placed under tension (e.g., through the attachment of decorative items  120 ) around the cylindrical housing  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 F , yet another variant of an attachment apparatus  110  is shown and described in detail. Specifically, the attachment apparatus  110  may include, for example, an elastomeric sleeve  302  that is configured to be positioned around the cylindrical housing  102  of an ear-fitting headphone  100 . However, in some implementations the sleeve  302  may not initially have an interference dimension with the cylindrical housing  102  so that the sleeve  302  may easily slide over the cylindrical housing  102 . The sleeve  302  may be formed from silicone, EVA, TPU, and/or any other suitable (or similar) types of materials. The attachment apparatus  110  may also include a compression clamp  304  that is configured to have one or more openings  310 . One purpose for the compression clamp  304  is to apply external pressure to the sleeve  302  when the compression clamp  304  is closed as illustrated in, for example,  FIG.  3 A . This externally applied pressure may prevent the attachment apparatus  110  from releasing from the cylindrical housing  102 . The sleeve  302  may be unattached to the compression clamp  304 , may be removably attached to the compression clamp  304 , or may be permanently attached to the compression clamp  304 . For example, in instances in which the sleeve  302  is permanently attached, the sleeve  302  may be “C-shaped” and may be secured to the compression clamp  304  using adhesives or epoxies. These and other variations would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill given the contents of the present disclosure. 
     The compression clamp  304  may also include interdigitated extensions  308  with ends  306  that are configured to interlock thereby “closing” the compression clamp  304  around the sleeve  302 . As illustrated, the ends  306  are spherical in shape, although it would be readily appreciated that the ends  306  may take on a variety of other forms including polygon or rounded shapes in some implementations, so long as the interdigitated extensions  308  are configured to “lock” together, thereby holding the compression clamp  304  closed when desired. As illustrated, the number of interdigitated extensions  308  may be three (3), with the two outer interdigitated extensions  308  residing on one end of the clamp opening  310  and the internal interdigitated extension  308  residing on the other end of the clamp opening  310 . However, other contemplated variations may include four (4) or more interdigitated extensions  308  on the attachment apparatus  110 . The compression clamp  304 , interdigitated extensions  308  with ends  306 , and/or the sleeve  302  may be decorative in nature. For example, the compression clamp may be plated or colored so as to resemble (or be formed from) precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, etc. The ends  306  may resemble (or be formed from) precious or non-precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, etc. Moreover, the sleeve  302  may project past the ends of the compression clamp  304  as shown, although it would be readily appreciated that in some implementations, the sleeve  302  may remain hidden from view underneath the compression clamp  304  in some implementations. These and other decorative variations would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill given the contents of the present disclosure. 
     While the use of interdigitated extensions  308  with ends  306  is exemplary, it would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill given the contents of the present disclosure that these interdigitated extensions  308  may be obviated, or used in combination with, other closures including, for example, frictional elements, detents, latches, clasps, magnets, chains, ratchet mechanisms, hasps, catches, draw latches and/or other types of fasteners. As is shown in  FIGS.  3 B,  3 C,  3 E and  3 F , the attachment apparatus may include a hinge  312  that is located opposite from the clamp opening  310 . In some implementations, the hinge  312  may be obviated in favor of, for example, another clamp opening  310  and fastening mechanism (e.g., interdigitated extensions  308  with ends  306 ) such that the two halves of the compression clamp  304  may be effectively “snapped” together. 
     An attachment element (not shown) may be located at any location (or multiple locations) of the compression clamp  304  including the sides ( 314 ,  FIG.  3 C ), the hinge  312  (or adjacent the hinge  312 ), and/or on or adjacent the fastening mechanism (e.g., interdigitated extensions  308  with ends  306 ). The purpose of this attachment element is for the securing of decorative elements  120  to the attachment apparatus  110 . Similar to that described elsewhere herein, the types of decorative items  120  that may be attached to the attachment apparatus  110  are virtually limitless and may be chosen based on the preferences of the wearer. For example, the decorative item  120  may consist of a hoop-style decorative item that may come in the form of a wide variety of sizes and shapes such as circular shapes, square shapes, oval shapes, triangle shapes, and the like. The decorative item  120  may consist of a drop-style decorative item which may consist of a stud towards the attachment point of the decorative item  120  to the attachment apparatus with a decorative portion hanging below the attachment point. The decorative item  120  may consist of a dangle-style decorative item which may be similar to a drop-style decorative item but may have design elements which are free to swing back and forth. These and other types of decorative items  120  may be readily attached to the attachment apparatus and may consist of differing types of materials (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, steel, plastic, wood and the like), as well as being adorned with any number of types of precious stones (e.g., diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and the like) and/or semi-precious stones (e.g., amethyst, garnet, pearl, turquoise, and the like). 
     It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the present disclosure are described in terms of specific design examples, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the disclosure and may be modified as required by the particular design. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the present disclosure described and claimed herein. 
     While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the present disclosure as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. The foregoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the present disclosure. This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the claims.