Abstract:
A portable wireless speaker system including a flexible spring band and a wireless speaker portion. The audio communication module is operably connected to the speaker module. The enclosure at least partially covers the speaker module and the audio communication module. The flexible spring band is capable of being positioned in an elongated configuration and a coiled configuration. The wireless speaker portion is attachable to the flexible spring band. The wireless speaker portion includes a speaker module, an audio communication module and an enclosure. The speaker module is capable of emitting sound. The audio communication module is capable of wirelessly receiving audio signals.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 61/901,224, which was filed on Nov. 7, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to components for an audio system. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable wireless speaker system that is removably attached to a user&#39;s body. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is popular for persons to carry portable devices that are capable of playing music and/or videos. In certain situations, headphones are directly plugged into the portable device to listen to sound associated with the music and/or videos. 
         [0004]    Other devices have been developed that enable wireless communication between the portable device and the speakers. An example of one such wireless communication protocol is Bluetooth. An advantage of using a standardized wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth is that it enables a variety of portable devices to be connected to a variety of speakers. For example, wireless headphones have been developed that are positioned proximate a person&#39;s ear(s). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An embodiment of the invention is directed to a portable wireless speaker system that includes a releasable mounting portion and a wireless speaker portion. The releasable mounting portion includes a flexible spring band that is positionable in an elongated configuration and a coiled configuration. 
         [0006]    The wireless speaker portion includes a speaker module, an audio communication module and an enclosure. The speaker module is capable of emitting sound. The audio communication module is capable of wirelessly receiving audio information. The audio communication module is operably connected to the speaker module. The enclosure at least partially covers the speaker module and the audio communication module. The wireless speaker portion is attached to the flexible spring band. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of using a portable wireless speaker system. A wireless speaker portion is provided that includes a speaker module, an audio communication module and an enclosure. The audio communication module is operably connected to a speaker module. The enclosure at least partially covers the speaker module and the audio communication module. 
         [0008]    The wireless speaker portion is attached to a flexible spring band. The flexible spring band is positioned in an elongated configuration. The flexible spring band is positioned adjacent to a portion of a person&#39;s body. The flexible spring band is moved to a coiled configuration where at least a portion of the flexible spring band extends around the portion of the person&#39;s body to retain the wireless speaker portion in a substantially stationary position with respect to the portion of the person&#39;s body. Audio signals are received with the audio communication module. Sound is emitted from the speaker module in the wireless speaker portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments and together with the description serve to explain principles of embodiments. Other embodiments and many of the intended advantages of embodiments will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of the portable wireless speaker system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the portable wireless speaker system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of a wireless speaker portion for use in the portable wireless speaker system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a lower perspective view of the wireless speaker portion of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a first side view of the wireless speaker portion. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a second side view of the wireless speaker portion. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the wireless speaker portion. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the portable wireless speaker system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    An embodiment of the invention is directed to a portable wireless speaker system, as illustrated and described herein. In certain embodiments, the portable wireless speaker system  10  includes a wireless speaker portion  12  and a releasable mounting portion  14 . 
         [0019]    The portable wireless speaker system  10  may be removably attached to a portion of a person&#39;s body such as a wrist. The portable wireless speaker system  10  thereby enables a person to listen to audio transmitted from a portable device as the person moves without the person having to carry speakers. The invention also enables the person to listen to audio without cords extending between the speakers and the device on which the audio is saved or on which an audio signal is received. 
         [0020]    The wireless speaker portion  12  comprises a speaker module  20 , an audio communication module  22  and a power module  24 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The speaker module  20  may be any of a variety of components that are able to emit sound such as a conventional speaker. 
         [0021]    The audio communication module  22  is capable of receiving audio transmissions. The audio transmissions can be transmitted from a variety of devices using a variety of protocols. In certain embodiments, the audio can be transmitted according to the provisions of one of the Bluetooth standards. In certain embodiments, audio files are stored on the device that emits the audio transmissions. In other embodiments, the device receives audio transmissions such as radio. 
         [0022]    The power module  24  may include at least one battery. In certain embodiments, the power module  24  may be removably mounted in the wireless speaker portion  12  such that the power module  24  can be replaced when depleted. 
         [0023]    In other embodiments, the power module  24  may be rechargeable. To facilitate recharging of the power module  24 , a connection port  26  may be provided on a surface of the wireless speaker portion  12 . The connection port  26  may assume a variety of configurations. In certain embodiments, the connection port  26  may be a micro or mini universal serial bus (USB) connector. 
         [0024]    In addition to facilitating recharging the power module  24 , it is also possible for the connection port  26  to be used in programming the components in the wireless speaker module  12  such as updating software stored therein. 
         [0025]    The wireless speaker portion  12  may also include a power control  30 . When the power control  30  is in first position, the wireless speaker portion  12  is turned on. When the power control  30  is in a second position, the wireless speaker portion  12  is turned off. The power control  30  may include an identifier to indicate the function of the power control  30 . 
         [0026]    The wireless speaker portion  12  may also have at least one volume control  32 . In certain embodiments, there are two volume control buttons. Pressing the first volume control causes the volume of sound emitted by the speaker module  20  to be increased. Pressing the second volume control causes the volume of sound emitted by the speaker module  20  to be decreased. The at least one volume control  32  may include an identifier to indicate the function of each of volume controls. 
         [0027]    While it is illustrated that the at least one volume control  32  is separate from the power control  30 , it is also possible for the at least one volume control  32  to be combined with the power control  30 . 
         [0028]    At least one of the power control  30  and the volume control  32  may be used in conjunction with additional features. For example, pressing the power control  30  for less than one second may cause the wireless speaker portion  12  to turn on or off and pressing the power control  30  for more than one second may cause the wireless speaker portion  12  to enter a programming mode such as for pairing the wireless speaker portion  12  with a particular device that is desired to transmit audio to the wireless speaker portion  12 . 
         [0029]    In yet another embodiment, the audio communication module  22  may be a wireless communication module that is capable of two-way communication. In such a configuration, the wireless speaker module  12  may also include a microphone. 
         [0030]    The components of the wireless speaker portion  12  may be mounted within an enclosure  40  that protects the components of the wireless speaker portion  12  such as from damage. Alternatively or additionally, the enclosure  40  may protect the components of the wireless speaker portion  12  from water. 
         [0031]    The shape of the enclosure  40  may be selected to provide the wireless speaker portion  12  with a desired appearance. In certain embodiments, the enclosure  40  may have a generally round configuration. 
         [0032]    An upper surface of the enclosure  40  may have a plurality of apertures  42  formed therein. The apertures  42  may enhance the ability of sound to be emitted from the speaker module  20 . The apertures  42  may be arranged in a pattern. In certain embodiments, the apertures  42  may be arranged in a plurality of circles as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0033]    The enclosure  42  may be fabricated in multiple components. In certain embodiments, the enclosure includes an upper enclosure section  44  and a lower enclosure section  46 . The upper enclosure section  44  and the lower enclosure section  46  may be attached together using a variety of mechanisms such as adhesives and screws. The attachment mechanisms may enable the upper enclosure section  44  to be separated from the lower enclosure section  46  such as to replace the batteries. 
         [0034]    The buttons used to control the operation of the wireless speaker portion  12  may extend therefrom proximate the intersection of the upper enclosure section  44  and the lower enclosure section  46 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 . 
         [0035]    At least a portion of the lower surface of the enclosure  40  may be shaped to conform to a portion of the person&#39;s body on which the portable wireless speaker system  10  is intended to be worn. Alternatively, at least a portion of the lower surface of the enclosure  40  may be curved upwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0036]    The wireless speaker portion  12  may include an alignment mechanism  46  that facilitates accurate placement of the wireless speaker portion  12  in the releasable mounting portion  14  so that the buttons on the wireless speaker portion  12  such as the power control  30  can be accurately identified and operated when the wireless speaker portion  12  is mounted in the releasable mounting portion  14 . 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, the alignment mechanism  48  includes a recess formed in a lower surface of the wireless speaker portion  12 . The recess should have a shape and size that facilitates the user readily identifying a correct orientation of the wireless speaker portion  12  with respect to the releasable mounting portion  14 . 
         [0038]    In certain embodiments, the alignment mechanism  48  comprises multiple recesses. While it is illustrated that the recesses have a similar configuration, it is possible to form the recesses with different configurations to thereby enable a user to determine the correct orientation of the wireless speaker portion  12  in the releasable mounting portion  14 . For example, the recesses may be formed with different shapes and/or sizes. The differences between the shape and/or size should be sufficiently great such that a person can readily determine such difference. 
         [0039]    The recesses may be oriented at an angle with respect to each other. For example, one of the recesses may be oriented at a 12:00 position and another recess may be oriented at a 7:00 position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0040]    The releasable mounting portion  14  may be configured for removable attachment to a portion of a wearer&#39;s body. For example, the releasable mounting portion  14  may have an elongated configuration that is capable of extending at least partially around the wearer&#39;s body such as a wearer&#39;s wrist. 
         [0041]    In certain embodiments, the releasable mounting portion  14  or bracelet is similar to a slap bracelet that includes at least one flexible spring band  50 . In other embodiments, there are a plurality of the flexible spring bands  50 . The flexible spring bands  50  may be fabricated from a variety of materials. An example of one such material is flexible stainless steel. 
         [0042]    In certain embodiments, the flexible spring band  50  is a bi-stable ribbon spring, which has unique characteristics in that the spring has a first stable generally linear state and a second stable coiled state. When flexed the releasable mounting portion  14  self-coils around a user&#39;s wrist assuming the stable coiled state. The releasable mounting portion  14  can be removed by straightening to the stable generally linear state. 
         [0043]    The at least one flexible spring band  50  may at least partially be covered, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In certain embodiments, the at least one flexible spring band  50  is entirely covered with the cover material  52 . The cover material  52  may be a flexible and/or resilient plastic. 
         [0044]    The releasable mounting portion  14  also includes a recess  54  formed therein that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the wireless speaker portion  12 . In certain embodiments, the recess  54  receives substantially all of the wireless speaker portion  12 . The area of the wireless speaker portion  12  from which the sound is emitted is not covered by the releasable mounting portion  14 . 
         [0045]    In certain embodiments, the part of the releasable mounting portion  14  that extends over the wireless speaker portion  12  may be fabricated from a flexible and/or resilient material so that the releasable mounting portion  14  can expand during the process of putting the wireless speaker portion  12  into and out of engagement with the releasable mounting portion  14 . 
         [0046]    Forming the releasable mounting portion  14  from a flexible and/or resilient material also enables the buttons on the wireless speaker portion  12  to be accessed without apertures being formed in the releasable mounting portion  14  through which the buttons are accessed. 
         [0047]    The releasable mounting portion  14  may include an area  60  having a different height than the other portions to enhance the ability of the user to identify the locations of the buttons, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In certain embodiments, the different height area  60  is elevated or recessed. Proximate thereto, identifying indicia such as graphics or text may be provided to assist the user in identifying the function of the associated button. 
         [0048]    The wireless speaker portion  12  may be formed in a color that is similar to a color of the releasable mounting portion  14 . Alternatively, the wireless speaker portion  12  may be formed from a color that complements or contrasts from the color from which the releasable mounting portion  14  is formed. 
         [0049]    Because of the configuration of the portable wireless speaker system  10 , it is possible for a person to purchase one wireless speaker portion  12  and multiple releasable mounting portions  14  so that different releasable mounting portions  14  may be used depending on the clothing or accessories worn by the person who intends to wear the portable wireless speaker system  10 . 
         [0050]    In the preceding detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The preceding detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0051]    It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.