Patent Description:
Headphones have now been in use for over <NUM> years, but the design of the mechanical frames used to hold the earpieces against the ears of a user have remained somewhat static. For this reason, some over-head headphones are difficult to easily transport without the use of a bulky case or by wearing them conspicuously about the neck when not in use. Conventional interconnects between the earpieces and band often use a yoke that surrounds the periphery of each earpiece, which adds to the overall bulk of each earpiece. Furthermore, headphones users are required to manually verify that the correct earpieces are aligned with the ears of a user any time the user wishes to use the headphones. Consequently, improvements to the aforementioned deficiencies are desirable.

<CIT> is disclosing headphones with a headband, comprising a 1st slider which is provided in the one end side of the said headband and is slid with respect to the said headband; a 2nd slider which is provided in the other end side of the said headband, and is slid with respect to the said headband; the connection part to which a said 1st slider and a said 2nd slider are connected to, and a said 2nd slider is slid in response to the sliding motion of a said 1st slider whereby the sliders can be configured as pulleys.

Document <CIT> discloses a headband for headphones, the headband, or at least a substantial part thereof, being collapsible and comprising a plurality of pairs of elongate members, each pair being arranged such that first sides of the first and second members are facing, the first and second members of each pair being connected at a point remote from their ends so as to be pivotable about an axis passing through the connection point perpendicular to the first sides of the first and second members, the pairs of elongate members being connected such that an end portion of the first side of the first member of each pair faces an end portion of the first side of the second member of an adjacent pair and is connected thereto so as to be pivotable about an axis passing perpendicularly through the said end portions, the arrangement being such that the band has two free ends, each elongate member being curved along its length so that the first side of each first member forms the radially inner surface thereof while the first side of each second member forms the radially outer surface thereof.

Preferred embodiments are described by the dependent claims. This disclosure describes several improvements on circumaural and supra-aural headphone frame designs.

Headphones according to claim <NUM> are disclosed.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

Headphones have been in production for many years, but numerous design problems remain. For example, the functionality of headbands associated with headphones has generally been limited to a mechanical connection functioning only to maintain the earpieces of the headphones over the ears of a user and provide an electrical connection between the earpieces. The headband tends to add substantially to the bulk of the headphones, thereby making storage of the headphones problematic. Stems connecting the headband to the earpieces that are designed to accommodate adjustment of an orientation of the earpieces with respect to a user's ears also add bulk to the headphones. Stems connecting the headband to the earpieces that accommodate elongation of the headband generally allow a central portion of the headband to shift to one side of a user's head. This shifted configuration can look somewhat odd and depending on the design of the headphones can also make the headphones less comfortable to wear.

While some improvements such as wireless delivery of media content to the headphones has alleviated the problem of cord tangle, this type of technology introduces its own batch of problems. For example, because wireless headphones require battery power to operate, a user who leaves the wireless headphones turned on could inadvertently exhaust the battery of the wireless headphones, making them unusable until a new battery can be installed or for the device to be recharged. Another design problem with many headphones is that a user must generally figure out which earpiece corresponds to which ear to prevent the situation in which the left audio channel is presented to the right ear and the right audio channel is presented to the left ear.

A solution to the unsynchronized positioning of the earpieces is to incorporate an earpiece synchronization component taking the form of a mechanical mechanism disposed within the headband that synchronizes the distance between the earpieces and respective ends of the headband. The earpiece synchronization component according to the invention is a cable extending between both stems that is configured to synchronize the movement of the earpieces. The cable can be arranged in a loop where different sides of the loop are attached to respective stems of the earpieces so that motion of one earpiece away from the headband causes the other earpiece to move the same distance away from the opposite end of the headband. Similarly, pushing one earpiece towards one side of the headband translates the other earpiece the same distance towards the opposite side of the headband.

One solution to the conventional bulky connections between headphones stems and earpieces is to use a spring-driven pivot mechanism to control motion of the earpieces with respect to the band. The spring-driven pivot mechanism can be positioned near the top of the earpiece, allowing it to be incorporated within the earpiece instead of being external to the earpiece. In this way, pivoting functionality can be built into the earpieces without adding to the overall bulk of the headphones. Different types of springs can be utilized to control the motion of the earpieces with respect to the headband. Specific examples that include torsional springs and leaf springs are described in detail below. The springs associated with each earpiece can cooperate with springs within the headband to set an amount of force exerted on a user wearing the headphones. In some embodiments, the springs within the headband can be low spring-rate springs configured to minimize the force variation exerted across a large spectrum of users with different head sizes.

These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS. <NUM> - 17B; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

<FIG> shows a front view of an exemplary set of over ear or on-ear headphones <NUM>. Headphones <NUM> includes a band <NUM> that interacts with stems <NUM> and <NUM> to allow for adjustability of the size of headphones <NUM>. In particular, stems <NUM> and <NUM> are configured to shift independently with respect to band <NUM> in order to accommodate multiple different head sizes. In this way, the position of earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> can be adjusted to position earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> directly over the ears of a user. Unfortunately, as can be seen in <FIG>, this type of configuration allows stems <NUM> and <NUM> to become mismatched with respect to band <NUM>. The configuration shown in <FIG> can be less comfortable for a user and additionally lack cosmetic appeal. To remedy these issues, the user would be forced to manually adjust stems <NUM> and <NUM> with respect to band <NUM> in order to achieve a desirable look and comfortable fit. <FIG> also show how stems <NUM> and <NUM> extend down to a central portion of earpieces <NUM> in order to allow earpieces <NUM> to rotate to accommodate the curvature of a user's head. As mentioned above the portions of stems <NUM> and <NUM> that extend down around earpieces <NUM> increase the diameters of earpieces <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of headphones <NUM> with a headband <NUM> configured to solve the problems depicted in <FIG>. Headband <NUM> is depicted without a cosmetic covering to reveal internal features. In particular, headband <NUM> can include a wire loop <NUM> configured to synchronize the movement of stems <NUM> and <NUM>. Wire guides <NUM> can be configured to maintain a curvature of wire loop <NUM> that matches the curvature of leaf springs <NUM> and <NUM>. Leaf springs <NUM> and <NUM> can be configured to define the shape of headband <NUM> and to exert a force upon the head of a user. Each of wire guides <NUM> can include openings through which opposing sides of wire loop <NUM> and leaf springs <NUM> and <NUM> can pass. In some embodiments, the openings for wire loop <NUM> can be defined by low-friction bearings to prevent noticeable friction from impeding the motion of wire loop <NUM> through the openings. In this way, wire guides <NUM> define a path along which wire loop <NUM> extends between stem housings <NUM> and <NUM>. Wire loop <NUM> is coupled to both stem <NUM> and stem <NUM> and functions to maintain a distance <NUM> between an earpiece <NUM> and stem housing <NUM> substantially the same as a distance <NUM> between earpiece <NUM> and stem housing <NUM>. A first side <NUM>-<NUM> of wire loop <NUM> is coupled to stem <NUM> and a second side <NUM>-<NUM> of wire loop <NUM> is coupled to stem <NUM>. Because opposite sides of the wire loop are attached to stems <NUM> and <NUM> movement of one of the stems results in movement of the other stem in the same direction.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of stem housing <NUM> in accordance with section line A-A. In particular, <FIG> shows how a protrusion <NUM> of stem <NUM> engages part of wire loop <NUM>. Because protrusion <NUM> of stem <NUM> is coupled with wire loop <NUM>, when a user of headphones <NUM> pulls earpiece <NUM> farther away from stem housing <NUM>, wire loop <NUM> is also pulled causing wire loop <NUM> to circulate through headband <NUM>. The circulation of wire loop <NUM> through headband <NUM> adjusts the position of earpieces <NUM>, which is similarly coupled to wire loop <NUM> by a protrusion of stem <NUM>. In addition to forming a mechanical coupling with wire loop <NUM>, protrusion <NUM> can also be electrically coupled to wire loop <NUM>. In some embodiments, protrusion <NUM> can include an electrically conductive pathway <NUM> that electrically couples wire loop <NUM> to electrical components within earpiece <NUM>. In some embodiments, wire loop <NUM> can be formed from an electrically conductive material, so that signals can be transferred between components within earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> by way of wire loop <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another cross-sectional view of stem housing <NUM> in accordance with section line B-B. In particular, <FIG> shows how wire loop <NUM> engages pulley <NUM> within stem housing <NUM>. Pulley <NUM> minimizes any friction generated by the movement of earpiece <NUM> closer or farther away from stem housing <NUM>. Alternatively, wire loop <NUM> can be routed through a static bearing within stem housing <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another perspective view of headphones <NUM>. In this view, it can be seen that first side <NUM>-<NUM> and second side <NUM>-<NUM> of wire loop <NUM> shift laterally as they cross from one side of headband <NUM> to the other. This can be accomplished by the openings defined by wire guides <NUM> being gradually offset so that by the time sides <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> reach stem housing <NUM>, second side <NUM>-<NUM> is centered and aligned with stem <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows how second side <NUM>-<NUM> is engaged by protrusion <NUM>. Because stems <NUM> and <NUM> are attached to respective first and second sides of wire loop <NUM>, pushing earpiece <NUM> towards stem housing <NUM> also results in earpiece <NUM> being pushed towards stem housing <NUM>. Another advantage of the configuration depicted in <FIG> is that regardless of the direction of travel of stems <NUM> and <NUM>, wire loop <NUM> always stays in tension. This keeps the amount of force needed to extend or retract earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> consistent regardless of direction.

<FIG> show perspective views of headphones <NUM>. Headphones <NUM> are similar to headphones <NUM> with the exception that only a single leaf spring <NUM> is used to connect stem housing <NUM> to stem housing <NUM>. In this embodiment, wire loop <NUM> can be positioned to either side of leaf spring <NUM>. Instead of being positioned directly below one side of wire loop <NUM>, stems <NUM> and <NUM> can be positioned directly between the two sides of wire loop <NUM> and connected to one side of wire loop <NUM> by an arm of stems <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> show cross-sectional views of an interior portion of stem housings <NUM> and <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of stem housing <NUM> in accordance with section line D-D. <FIG> shows how stem <NUM> can include a laterally protruding arm <NUM> that engages wire loop <NUM>. In this way, laterally protruding arm <NUM> couples stem <NUM> to wire loop <NUM> so that when earpiece <NUM> is moved earpiece <NUM> is kept in an equivalent position. <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of stem housing <NUM> in accordance with section line E-E. <FIG> shows how wire loop <NUM> can be routed within stem housing <NUM> by pulleys <NUM> and <NUM>. By routing wire loop <NUM> above stem <NUM> any interference between wire loop <NUM> and stem <NUM> can be avoided.

<FIG> shows a flattened schematic view of another earpiece synchronization system that utilizes a loop <NUM> within a headband <NUM> (the rectangular shape is used merely to show the location of headband <NUM> and should not be construed as for exemplary purposes only) to keep a distance between each of earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> and headband <NUM> synchronized. Stem wires <NUM> and <NUM> couple respective earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> to loop <NUM>. Stem wires <NUM> and <NUM> can be formed of metal and soldered to opposing sides of loop <NUM>. Because stem wires <NUM> and <NUM> are coupled to opposing sides of loop <NUM>, movement of earpiece <NUM> in direction <NUM> results in stem wire <NUM> moving in direction <NUM>. Consequently, moving earpiece <NUM> into closer proximity with headband <NUM> also moves stem wire <NUM>, which results in earpiece <NUM> being brought into closer proximity with headband <NUM>. In addition to showing a new location of earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> after being moved into closer proximity to headband <NUM>, <FIG> shows how moving earpiece <NUM> in direction <NUM> automatically moves earpiece <NUM> in direction <NUM> and farther away from headband <NUM>. While not depicted it should be appreciated that headband <NUM> could include various reinforcement members to keep loop <NUM> and stem wires <NUM> and <NUM> in the depicted shapes.

<FIG> show a flattened schematic view of another earpiece synchronization system similar to the one depicted in <FIG>. <FIG> shows how the ends of stems <NUM> and <NUM> can be coupled directly to each other without an intervening loop. By extending stems <NUM> and <NUM> into a pattern, having a similar shape as loop <NUM>, a similar outcome can be achieved without the need for an additional loop structure. Movement of stems <NUM> and <NUM> is assisted by reinforcement members <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, which help to prevent buckling of stems <NUM> and <NUM> while the position of earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> are being adjusted. Reinforcement members <NUM>-<NUM> can define channels through which stems <NUM> and <NUM> smoothly pass. These channels can be particularly helpful in locations where stems <NUM> and <NUM> curve. While not defining a curved channel, reinforcement member <NUM> still serves an important purpose of limiting the direction of travel of the ends of stems <NUM> and <NUM> to directions <NUM> and <NUM>. Movement in direction <NUM> results in earpieces moving toward headband <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>. Movement in direction <NUM> results in earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> moving farther away from headband <NUM>.

<FIG> show cutaway views of headphones <NUM> that are suitable for incorporation of either one of the earpiece synchronization systems depicted in <FIG>. <FIG> shows headphones <NUM> with earpieces retracted and stem wires <NUM> and <NUM> extending out of headband <NUM> to engage and synchronize a position of stem assembly <NUM> with a position of stem assembly <NUM>. Stem <NUM> is depicted coupled to support structure <NUM> within stem assembly <NUM>, which allows extension and retraction of stem <NUM> to keep stem assembly <NUM> synchronized with stem assembly <NUM>. As depicted, stem assembly <NUM> is disposed within a channel defined by headband <NUM>, which allows stem assembly <NUM> to move relative to headband <NUM>. <FIG> also shows how data synchronization cable <NUM> can extend through headband <NUM> and wrap around a portion of both stem wire <NUM> and stem wire <NUM>. By wrapping around stem wires <NUM> and <NUM>, data synchronization cable <NUM> is able to act as a reinforcement member to prevent buckling of stem wires <NUM> and <NUM>. Data synchronization cable <NUM> is generally configured to exchange signals between earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> in order to keep audio precisely synchronized during playback operations of headphones <NUM>.

<FIG> shows how the coil configuration of data synchronization cable <NUM> accommodates extension of stem assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>. Data synchronization cable <NUM> can have an exterior surface with a coating that allows stem wires <NUM> and <NUM> to slide through a central opening defined by the coils. <FIG> also shows how earpieces <NUM> and <NUM> maintain the same distance from a central portion of headband <NUM>.

<FIG> show perspective views of the earpiece synchronization system depicted in <FIG> in retracted and extended positions as well as a data synchronization cable <NUM>. <FIG> shows how stem wire <NUM> includes an attachment feature <NUM> that at least partially surrounds a portion of loop <NUM>. In this way, stem wire <NUM>, stem wire <NUM> and support structures <NUM> move along with loop <NUM>. <FIG> also shows a dashed line illustrating how a covering for headband <NUM> can at least partially conform with loop <NUM>, stem wire <NUM> and stem wire <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a portion of canopy structure <NUM> and how an earpiece synchronization system can be routed through reinforcement members <NUM> of canopy structure <NUM>. Reinforcement members <NUM> help guide loop <NUM> and stem wire <NUM> along a desired path. In some embodiments, canopy structure <NUM> can include a spring mechanism that helps keep earpieces secured to a user's ears.

<FIG> show another way in which to limit the range of motion of a pair of headphones <NUM> using a low spring-rate band <NUM>. <FIG> shows cable <NUM> in a slack state on account of earpieces <NUM> being pulled apart. The range of motion of low spring-rate band <NUM> can be limited by cable <NUM> achieving a similar function to the function of compression band <NUM>, engaging as a result of function of tension instead of compression. Cable <NUM> is configured to extend between earpieces <NUM> and is coupled to each of earpieces <NUM> by anchoring features <NUM>. Cable <NUM> can be held above low spring-rate band <NUM> by wire guides <NUM>. Wire guides <NUM> can be similar to wire guides <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, with the difference that wire guides <NUM> are configured to elevate cable <NUM> above low spring-rate band <NUM>. Bearings of wire guides <NUM> can prevent cable <NUM> from catching or becoming undesirably tangled. It should be noted that cable <NUM> and low spring-rate band <NUM> can be covered by a cosmetic cover. It should also be noted that in some embodiments, cable <NUM> could be combined with the embodiments shown in <FIG> to produce headphones capable of synchronizing earpiece position and controlling the range of motion of the headphones.

<FIG> shows how when earpieces <NUM> are brought closer together cable <NUM> tightens and eventually stops further movement of earpieces <NUM> closer together. In this way, a minimum distance <NUM> between earpieces <NUM> can be maintained that allows headphones <NUM> to be worn comfortably around the neck of a broad population of users without squeezing the neck of the user too tightly.

Headphones are disclosed and include the following: a first earpiece; a second earpiece; and a headband coupling the first and second earpieces together and being configured to synchronize a movement of the first earpiece with a movement of the second earpiece such that a distance between the first earpiece and a center of the headband remains substantially equal to a distance between the second earpiece and the center of the headband.

According to the invention, the headband comprises a loop of cable routed therethrough.

According to the invention, a first stem of the first earpiece is coupled to the loop of cable and a second stem of the second earpiece is coupled to the loop of cable.

In some embodiments, the loop of cable is configured to route an electrical signal from the first earpiece to the second earpiece.

According to the invention, the headband includes two parallel leaf springs defining a shape of the headband.

According to the invention, the headband includes a loop of wire disposed within the headband, a first stem wire coupling the first earpiece to a first side of the loop of wire, and a second stem wire coupling the second earpiece to a second side of the loop of wire.

In some embodiments, the headphones also include a data synchronization cable extending from the first earpiece to the second earpiece through a channel defined by the headband, the data synchronization cable carrying signals between electrical components of the first and second earpieces.

In some embodiments, a first portion of the data synchronization cable is coiled around the first stem wire and a second portion of the data synchronization cable is coiled around the second stem wire.

Headphones are disclosed and include the following: a headband having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first earpiece coupled to the headband a first distance from the first end; a second earpiece coupled to the headband a second distance from the second end; and a cable routed through the headband and mechanically coupling the first earpiece to the second earpiece, the cable being configured to maintain the first distance substantially the same as the second distance by changing the first distance in response to a change in the second distance.

According to the invention, the cable is arranged in a loop and the first earpiece is coupled to a first side of the loop and the second earpiece is coupled to a second side of the loop.

According to the invention, the headphones also include stem housings coupled to opposing ends of the headband, each of the stem housings enclosing a pulley about which the cable is wrapped.

According to the invention, the headphones also include wire guides distributed across the headband and defining a path of the cable through the headband.

Headphones are disclosed and include the following: a first earpiece; a second earpiece; a headband assembly coupling the first and second earpieces together and comprising an earpiece synchronization system, the earpiece synchronization system configured to change a first distance between the first earpiece and the headband assembly concurrently with a change in a second distance between the second earpiece and the headband assembly.

In some embodiments, the headphones also include first and second members coupled to opposing ends of the headband assembly, each of the first and second members being configured to telescope relative to a channel defined by a respective end of the headband assembly.

In some embodiments, the earpiece synchronization system includes a first stem wire coupled to the first earpiece and a second stem wire coupled to the second earpiece.

In some embodiments, the first stem wire is coupled to the second stem wire in a channel disposed within a central region of the headband assembly.

In some embodiments, the headphones also include a reinforcement member disposed within the headband assembly and defining the channel within which the first and second stem wires are coupled together.

In some embodiments, the earpiece synchronization system includes a first stem wire having a first end coupled to the first earpiece and a second end coupled to a second end of the second stem wire and wherein a first end of the second stem wire is coupled to the second earpiece.

Claim 1:
Headphones (<NUM>), comprising:
a first earpiece (<NUM>);
a second earpiece (<NUM>); and
a headband (<NUM>), the headband (<NUM>) characterized by comprising stem housings (<NUM>, <NUM>) coupling the first and second earpieces (<NUM>, <NUM>) to opposite ends of the headband (<NUM>) and a loop of cable (<NUM>) routed through the headband (<NUM>) and wrapped around pulleys (<NUM>) positioned in each of the stem housings (<NUM>, <NUM>), the loop of cable (<NUM>) being configured to synchronize a movement of the first earpiece (<NUM>) with a movement of the second earpiece (<NUM>) such that a distance between the first earpiece (<NUM>) and a centre of the headband (<NUM>) remains substantially equal to a distance between the second earpiece (<NUM>) and the centre of the headband (<NUM>);
characterised by wire guides (<NUM>) distributed across the headband (<NUM>) and defining a path of the loop of cable (<NUM>) through the headband (<NUM>), wherein the loop of cable (<NUM>) interacts with the first and second earpieces (<NUM>, <NUM>) to keep the distance between the first earpiece (<NUM>) and a centre of the headband (<NUM>) substantially equal to the distance between the second earpiece (<NUM>) and the centre of the headband (<NUM>);
two parallel leaf springs (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining a shape of the headband (<NUM>); and
wherein each of the wire guides (<NUM>) includes openings through which opposing sides of the loop of cable (<NUM>) and the leaf springs (<NUM>, <NUM>) can pass, wherein the openings for the loop of cable (<NUM>) are defined by low-friction bearings.