PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9301039-B2
Application Number: US-97247610-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Headphone

Abstract:
A headphone includes a pair of right and left headphone units, a resilient band formed substantially into a U shape to be mounted on a human head, and a pair of arm members. Each of the arm members is rotatably coupled via a pivot joint to an end part of the band and supporting one the headphone units. Each of the pivot joints includes a detent hinge for locking into a plurality of rotational positions an arm member relatively to the corresponding end part of the band.

Claims:
The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A headphone comprising:
 a resilient, curved band having opposed first and second end parts and an intermediate part positioned therebetween, wherein the band defines an interior region; 
 an arm member extending between a proximal end and a distal end; 
 an earphone unit physically coupled to the arm member adjacent the distal end thereof; 
 a pivot joint pivotally coupling a region adjacent the proximal end of the arm member with one of the opposed end parts of the band to define an axis of rotation oriented transversely relative to a wearer&#39;s head when the headphone is donned, wherein the pivot joint is configured to stop rotation of the arm member in a first direction at a first position and to stop rotation of the arm member in an opposed rotational direction at a second position substantially opposite the first position, and to inhibit rotation of the arm member at one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. A headphone according to  claim 1 , wherein the earphone unit comprises a first earphone unit, the headphone further comprising a second earphone unit positioned opposite the first earphone unit relative to the band. 
     
     
       3. A headphone according to  claim 2 , wherein the arm member comprises a first arm member, the headphone further comprising a second arm member pivotally coupled to the band, wherein the second earphone unit is physically coupled with the second arm member. 
     
     
       4. A headphone according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the first rotational position, the arm member is substantially aligned with the band and the earphone unit is in a distal-most rotational position relative to the band. 
     
     
       5. A headphone according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the second rotational position, the arm member is substantially aligned with the band and the earphone unit is positioned within the interior region of the band. 
     
     
       6. A headphone according to  claim 1 , wherein the pivot joint is further configured to inhibit rotation of the arm member in the first direction and the second direction at each of a plurality of discrete rotational positions between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       7. A headphone according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of discrete rotational positions comprises a rotational position in which the arm member is substantially perpendicular to the band. 
     
     
       8. A headphone according  claim 1 , wherein the pivot join is further configured to continuously inhibit rotation of the arm member relative to the band. 
     
     
       9. A headphone according  claim 6 , wherein the pivot join is further configured to continuously inhibit rotation of the arm member relative to the band. 
     
     
       10. A headphone according to  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a sliding member slidably coupling the arm member to the intermediate part of the band. 
     
     
       11. A headphone according to  claim 1 , wherein the sliding member is included in the corresponding end part of the band and at least partially defines a lower end of the interior region. 
     
     
       12. A headphone according to  claim 11 , further comprising extension portions slidably coupling the sliding member to an internal channel formed at the corresponding end of the intermediate part of the band. 
     
     
       13. A headphone according to  claim 11 , wherein the pivot joint rotatably couples the arm member to the sliding member in the end part of the band. 
     
     
       14. A headphone according to  claim 1 , further comprising a slidable member configured to slidingly couple the pivot joint to the respective one of the opposed end parts of the band. 
     
     
       15. A headphone comprising:
 a resilient, curved band defining an interior region configured to receive a wearer&#39;s head; 
 a left earphone unit and a right earphone unit, each being rotatably coupled to the band; and 
 a pivot joint corresponding to each earphone unit, wherein each pivot joint is configured to allow the respective earphone unit to rotate relative to the band in a first direction rearwardly of the wearer&#39;s corresponding ear from a first position corresponding to the wearer&#39;s ear when the headphone is worn, wherein each pivot joint is further configured to allow the corresponding earphone unit to rotate in the first direction to a second position positioned within the interior region, to inhibit rotation of the earphone unit at one or more selected rotational positions between the first position and the second position, and to prevent the respective earphone unit from rotating past the second position in the first direction and past the first position in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 
 
     
     
       16. A headphone unit according to  claim 15 , wherein each respective pivot joint is further configured to lock the corresponding earphone unit in one or more intermediate rotational positions between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       17. A headphone unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the one or more intermediate rotational positions comprises a 90-degree rotational position. 
     
     
       18. A headphone unit according to  claim 15 , wherein each respective pivot joint is further configured to frictionally resist rotation of the corresponding earphone unit at the one or more selected rotational positions. 
     
     
       19. A headphone according to  claim 15 , further comprising a slidable coupler configured to slidingly couple the pivot joint to the band. 
     
     
       20. A headphone comprising:
 a left earphone unit and a right earphone unit; 
 a resilient, substantially U-shaped band mountable on a human head and having a left arm corresponding to the left earphone unit and a right arm corresponding to the right earphone unit, and an intermediate portion extending between the left arm and the right arm, wherein the band defines an interior region; 
 a respective pivot joint defining a corresponding axis of rotation oriented to extend outwardly of the interior region of the U-shaped band, wherein each respective pivot joint is positioned between the intermediate portion and each of the left arm and the right arm, wherein each pivot joint is configured to prevent rotation of the respective arm relative to the intermediate portion in a first direction when the respective arm is positioned in the interior region defined by the band, and to prevent rotation of the respective arm relative to the intermediate portion in a second direction when the respective arm is substantially aligned with the intermediate portion, and to inhibit rotation of the respective arm at one or more discrete rotational positions. 
 
     
     
       21. A headphone according to  claim 20 , wherein each respective pivot joint is further configured to inhibit rotation of the respective arm continuously. 
     
     
       22. A headphone according to  claim 20 , further comprising a respective slidable coupler corresponding to each pivot joint and configured to slidingly couple the intermediate portion of the band to the respective pivot joint.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Non-Provisional Application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/292,159, filed on Jan. 4, 2010 entitled “Headphone” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention generally relates to headphones and, more specifically, to a compact foldable headphone with rotatable earphone units. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Commercially available headphones typically comprise a pair of earphones, coupled to one another by a resilient curved band for pressing the earphones against the ears of a user. The resilient band can be a headband type supported by the user&#39;s head, and a neckband type that presses down on the rear of the head of the user. 
     Among the commercially available headband type headphones, a few of them can be folded into a compact form when not in use. Once such headphone, disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,052 B2, to Hugo Lenhard-Backaus, issued on Feb. 6, 2007, includes a headband and two earpieces each connected to the headband so as to be pivotable about at least two pivot axes. The two pivot axes intersect one another at a point of intersection that is positioned on or near a central axis of the earpiece, respectively. Arms connect the earpieces to the headband, wherein the arms define a first one of the two pivot axes, respectively. A second one of the two pivot axes is fixedly arranged on the headband, respectively. In this way, the earpieces are rotatable about the arms and the arms are rotatable relative to the headband about the second pivot axes. U.S. Pat. No. 7,172,052 B2, is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,896 B2, to James T. Embach, is directed to a headphone structure and storage thereof. The headphone structure concept provided includes headphones with rotatable earphones to provide a slimmer profile for storage. Each of the earphones is rotatable between a use position, in which the earphone is sufficiently positioned for listening use by a person wearing the headband, and a stored position. The headphone may have a first width or dimension when the earphone is in the use position and a second lesser width or dimension when the earphone is in the stored position. U.S. Pat. No. 7,188,896 B2 is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention. 
     However, none of the prior headphones is configured so that the two earphones can be rotated or swiveled to a position away from the user&#39;s ear while the headphone is worn by the user. Therefore, there exists a need for a headphone that allows a user to free up or uncover one or both ears without removing the headphone from the user&#39;s head for greater artistic freedom and flexibility. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is defined by the appended claims. This description summarizes some aspects of the present embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. 
     The foregoing problems are solved and a technical advance is achieved by a system, method, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention, which provides a headphone having rotatable earphones that can swivel to a position away from the user&#39;s ear while the headphone is on the user&#39;s head. 
     One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a headphone, which includes a pair of right and left headphone units, a resilient band formed substantially into a U shape to be mounted on a human head, and a pair of arm members. Each of the arm members is rotatably coupled via a pivot joint to an end part of the band and supporting one the headphone units. Each of the pivot joints includes a detent hinge for locking into a plurality of rotational positions an arm member relatively to the corresponding end part of the band. A first rotational position corresponds to the arm member being housed within the internal space formed by the band when the headphone in not mounted on the head. A second rotational position corresponds to the arm member being locked into a rearward facing position with respect to the head when the headphone is mounted on the head. 
     Other articles of manufacture, features, and advantages of the present invention will be, or will become, apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional articles of manufacture, features, and advantages included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an embodiment of a headphone in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the headphone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the headphone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the headphone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the headphone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one of the arm members rotated and slid away relative to the headband in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is front view of the headphone of  FIG. 1  with the earphones folded in the space underneath the headband in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8  A-B are side views of the headphone of  FIG. 1  being worn by a person, with one of the earphone units shown swiveled toward the back of the person&#39;s head in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a view of the main elements of a detent hinge coupling the headband to one the arm members in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a detent hinge of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an exposed view of a headband end which includes the ball side of the detent hinge of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIGS. 12  A-B illustrate an embodiment of a friction hinge associated with the detent hinge of  FIG. 9  and a plurality of washers that form the friction hinge; and 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an earphone unit in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
    
     Illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to and in conjunction with the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is defined by the appended claims. This description summarizes some aspects of the present embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. 
     While the present invention may be embodied in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects. 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a plurality of views of an embodiment of a headphone  102  in accordance with the present invention. The headphone  102  includes a pair of headphone units  104 ,  104  which are interconnected by a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped flexible or elastic and resilient headband assembly  106 . The headband assembly  106  has an adjustable curvature so as to be arranged along the top of the head of the user or wearer, and when mounted ranges from the wearer&#39;s head&#39;s crown to both sides of the head, as shown in  FIGS. 8  A - B. The headband assembly  106  includes a headband  110  and two bow-shaped arms  112 , to each one of which one of the headphone units  104  is pivotally attached. The headband assembly  106  includes a pair of sliding members  114 , each having an extension  115  that can slide internally and relatively to one end of the headband  110 . The headband  110  and the pair of sliding members  114  are coupled via a friction-based adjust mechanism, generated by external surfaces of the extensions  115  and corresponding internal surfaces of a channel (not shown) formed internally to the headband  110 . Oppositely to the headband  110 , one of the arms  112  is rotatably attached to one of the sliding members  114 . 
     The friction-based adjust mechanism, provided at both ends of the headband  110 , is a mechanism for adjusting the size of the headphone  102  so as to adapt to the size of the wearer&#39;s head. To that end, the sliding members  114  are formed so as to create a biasing frictional force when they are slid relatively to the headband  110 . Before the headphone  102  is fitted onto the wearer&#39;s head, each of the extensions  115  can be substantially hidden within the corresponding channel. In this position, the distance between each of the headphone units  104  and the apex of the headband  110  is minimal, thus corresponding to the smallest head size that can comfortably accept or wear the headband  110 . When the wearer puts on the headphone  102  by holding the earphone units  104  in his/her hands, he/she can adjust the headphone  102  by simply applying a force slightly greater than the frictional forces exerted by the sliding members  114  onto the channel to slide down the earphone units  104  towards his/her ears. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  A-B, in accordance with the present invention, when the headphone  102  is not in use, the arms  112  and their associated headphone units  104  can be rotated to be housed in the internal space formed by the headband  110 . Moreover, when the headphone  102  is in use, the arms  112  can be swiveled or flipped up to a position away from the wearer&#39;s ear. To accomplish these rotations of the arms  112  with respect to the headband  110 , a pivot joint  116  couples rotatably the arms  112  to the headband  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 9-12  A-B, to provide a rotational position locking feature and a desirable rotating friction of one of the arms  112  with respect to one of the sliding members  114 , the pivot joint  116  includes a detent hinge  118  and a friction hinge  120 , both of which are substantially centered on the axis of rotation of one of the arms  112  with respect to an end part of the corresponding sliding members  114 . Each detent hinge  118  releasably retains or locks the corresponding arm member  112  in a predetermined position relative to the headband  110  when the arm member  112  is rotated. Alternately, the pivot joint  116  may include a detent hinge only, a friction hinge only, or any other suitable hinge that facilitates the rotation of the arm members  112  relative to the headband  110 , and the locking of the arm members  112  in desirable positions relative to the headband  110 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , the detent hinge  118  comprises two opposing faces, a detent face  122  and a ball and spring face  124 , which are pressed together by force of at least one spring washer of the friction hinge  120 , shown in  FIG. 12  A and to be discussed in detail hereafter. The ball and spring face  124 , which is affixed to one end of the arms  112 , includes a crescent-shaped opening  126  and a circular opening  128  for accepting a portion of a detent ball  130  therethrough. The crescent-shaped opening  126  includes a screw boss  132  for accepting a screw (not shown) to attach one of the arm  112  to the headband  110 . The detent face  122 , which is affixed to the headband  110  via a couple of screws, includes an opening  125  for accommodating therethrough the screw boss  132 , and a plurality of detents  134  that can be engaged by the ball  130 . The plurality of detents  134  defines a set of repeatable “soft stop” positions for the detent ball  130 . The plurality of detents  134  includes an “all-the-way-down” detent  134   d  for locking the corresponding arm  112  into an in-line arrangement with the headband  110 , and an “all-the-way-up” detent  134   u  for locking the corresponding arm  112  in the internal space formed by the headband  110 . The crescent-shaped opening  126  includes a couple of diametrically opposite stops  136  and  138 , which correspond to the “all-the-way-down” detent  134   d  and the “all-the-way-up” detent  134   u , respectively. The detent face  122  further includes intermediate detents  134   i  situated between “all-the-way-down” detent  134   d  and the “all-the-way-up” detent  134   u , which enables the corresponding arm  122  to be locked in place at intermediate positions. The detent face  122  further includes a hard-stop  123  extending radially away from the opening  125 , and which includes a wire hole  136  for enabling an electric wire  139 , connected to a transducer (not shown) of a corresponding earphone unit  104 , to pass through the crescent-shaped opening  126  towards the other earphone unit  104  via the headband  110 . The hard-stop  123  is configured to bump against the couple of diametrically opposite stops  136  and  138  when the arm  112  is rotated relatively to the headband  110  to define the “all-the-way-up” position and the “all-the-way-down” position of the arm  112 , respectively. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 10 , a cross-sectional view of the detent hinge  118  is shown. As illustrated, the detent ball  130 , located within a hole  140 , is biased against the narrow opening  128  by a spring  144  to engage as deep as possible one of the plurality of detent  134  when the two faces  122  and  124  are pressed against each other by the force of a spring washer assembly  146 , shown in  FIGS. 12  A-B. In  FIG. 11 , one end of one of the sliding members  114  is shown with the ball and spring face  124  removed. As illustrated, the sliding extension  115  is formed of two die-cast longitudinal pieces  117  separated by a groove  119 , through which runs the electric wire  138 . The two die-cast pieces  117  are each securely attached to the corresponding arm  112  by a screw  121 . Although, the detent face  122  and the ball and spring face  124  are affixed to one end of the headband  110  and to the arm  112 , respectively, in an alternate embodiment the two faces  122  and  124  can have their locations swapped. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 12  A, an embodiment of a friction hinge  120  is shown along with the spring washer assembly  146 , which includes a plurality of washers  127 ,  129 ,  131  and a screw  133 . The friction hinge  120  is positioned opposite the detent hinge  118  with respect to the carrying arm  112 . As shown in  FIG. 12B , the friction hinge  120  includes a plurality of regular flat washers  127 , a spring washer  129  and a stepped washer  131  which accommodates screw  133  that engages screw boss  132 , thereby rotatably securing the arm  112  to one end of the extension  114 . The spring washer  129  is configured to provide, in conjunction with the other flat washers  127 , the desired friction to the pivot joint  116 , when pressed in place by the screw  133 . In accordance with the present invention, the detent hinge  118  is configured to be strong enough to hold the weight of a headphone unit  114 , even without friction, and the combination of the detent hinge  118  and the friction hinge  120  is configured to provide some protection factor for tolerance and wear. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 13 , a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an earphone unit  104  is shown. The earphone unit  104  has a casing or outer cup  150  which has a substantially disc-shaped outline, an inner cup  152 , and an ear cup  154 . The earphone unit  104  is pivotally attached to the corresponding arm  112  via a couple of pivot supports (not shown) positioned on an internal surface of an opening formed in the arm  112 . The pivot supports are diametrically positioned to allow a pivoting of the earphone unit  104  along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longer side of the arm  112 . The inner cup  152  is pivotally mounted to the outer cup  150  along a pivot axis that is substantially orthogonal to the pivoting axis of the outer cup  150 , thereby enabling the inner cup  152  to substantially pivot about tow orthogonal axes with respect to the arm  112 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the inner cup  152  includes a the transducer  156  for converting an electrical signal into sound, and on the sound radiating side the ear cup  154  is wrapped circumferentially by a cushioning doughnut-shaped ear pad  158 . Due to the two pivot axes and the bow shape of the arm  112 , when the headphone  102  is mounted on the wearer&#39;s head each of the earphone units  104  is completely self-adjustable with respect tom the wearer&#39;s ear to become substantially parallel to the ear, thereby adopting an optimum position which minimizes the travel of the sound outside the ear pad  158 . As such, the cushioned headphone units  104  provide very comfortable listening and superior passive sound isolation. 
     As stated above, the arm  112  is rotatable about the pivot joint  116  whose axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the detent face  122  of the end of the headband  110 , which faces the internal space formed by the headband  110 . When the headphone  102  is mounted on a wearer&#39;s head, the wearer can swivel each of the headphone unit  114  backward or rearward from an ear-covering position to positions away from the wearer&#39;s ear. These rearward positions of the headphone unit  104  can be predetermined by judicious locations of the intermediate detents  134   i  on the detent face  122 . As the wearer&#39;s head typically falls away to the rear, the bow shape of the arm  112  combined with the pivotable and pad-cushioned features of the earphone unit  104  enables the headphone unit  104  to follow the contour of the wearer&#39;s head in a virtually pressure-less manner. Preferably, one of the intermediate detents  134   i  is positioned substantially centrally between the “all-the-way-up” detent  134   u  and the “all-the-way-down” detent  134   d  to lock the arm  112 , when swivel backwards, in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the headband  110 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the headphone units  104  includes a cable port  108 . In accordance with the present invention, by plugging a headphone cable (not shown) into the cable port  108  of one the headphone units  104 , the cable port  108  of the other headphone unit  104  automatically switches to output mode. As such, each cable port  108  is configured as an input/output cable port. By having dual input/output cable ports  108 , the headphone  102  can be daisy-chained with any other headphone to share audio signals inputted from either one of the two headphone units  104 . In practice, a second headphone wearer can plug his earphone cable into one cable port  108  operating in output mode to listen to the audio signal received by the cable port  108  operating in input mode. 
     Accordingly, the above discussed adjustable headphone  102  can be comfortably worn by the wearer for an extended listening period. This is achieved by headphone units  104 , connected to a flexible headband, that automatically adjust, via a couple of pivoting axes, to achieve a comfortable and substantially pressureless precise fitting to the wearer&#39;s ear. The headphone units  104  flip-up to the rear of the head to allow for easy monitoring of outside environment by the wearer and for greater artistic freedom and flexibility, and this flip-up of the headphone units  104  is supported by a duo of hinges  118  and  120 , detent and friction, which help maintain the headphone units  104  in any desirable rotational position relatively to the headband  110 . The dual input/output cable ports  108  enable a daisy-chaining of the headphones  102 . In addition, the headphone  102  is preferably constructed from strong yet lightweight aluminum, which help minimize vibrations, thereby minimizing unwanted audio artifacts. The plush cushioned earphone units  104  yield superior sound isolation with maximum comfort and minimal ear fatigue. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20101219
Publication Date: 20160329
Grant Date: 20160329
Priority Date: 20100104
Inventors: BRUNNER ROBERT
SWEET KENNY
VANDENBUSSCHE GREGOIRE
FRUHAUF CHRIS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04R2420/09", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1066", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1075", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/09", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/1066", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 44476501