U.S. patent application number 11/411347 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for carrying case for headphones.
This patent application is currently assigned to Travel Caddy, linc. d/b/a Travelon, Travel Caddy, linc. d/b/a Travelon. Invention is credited to Donald E. Godshaw, Zoran H. Gracer.
Application Number | 20070256946 11/411347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38660233 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070256946 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Godshaw; Donald E. ; et
al. |
November 8, 2007 |
Carrying case for headphones
Abstract
A carrying case for headphones includes first and second opposed
shell shaped, molded plastic case members hinged along one side and
connected on the opposite side by means of magnetic material.
Overlapping peripheral walls of the case members and projecting
tabs facilitate separation of the magnetically closed case.
Inventors: |
Godshaw; Donald E.;
(Evanston, IL) ; Gracer; Zoran H.; (Deerfield,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Travel Caddy, linc. d/b/a
Travelon
Elk Grove Village
IL
|
Family ID: |
38660233 |
Appl. No.: |
11/411347 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/16 20130101;
B65D 2585/6835 20130101; B65D 2313/04 20130101; B65D 25/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/320 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A carrying case for a headphone, said headphone including a
first and a second ear speaker and an arcuate bridge connected to
said first and second ear speakers, and further including a speaker
lead wire with a plug for attachment to an audio source socket,
said plug including a connector pin, said case comprising in
combination: a first lower, polymeric, molded case member generally
in the form of a shell with a central recess, a peripheral wall
extending about the central recess, said wall having a generally
straight hinge section, an arcuate front wall section opposite the
straight hinge section with first and second arcuate side wall
sections connecting the hinge section to the arcuate front wall
section and a flat circumferential top edge surface; an inwardly
extending land generally at the midpoint of the arcuate front wall
section with a magnetic material embedded therein generally flush
with the surface of the land, said land and the edge surface of the
peripheral wall being generally coplanar, a second, upper,
polymeric molded case member comprising a generally mirror image of
the first case member, said first and second case members joined by
a hinge in the hinge wall sections thereof and maintainable in a
closed position by the respective magnetic material with the edge
surface of the peripheral walls in generally flush contact, said
first and second case members including respectively a first and a
second edge projection tab generally off center of the midpoint of
the arcuate front wall section, said first and second tabs
providing a manual torsion release element; said second case member
peripheral edge wall surface at least in part extending
peripherally outwardly over the peripheral edge wall surface at
least in part of the first case member; and an interior socket
molded into the inside wall of a case member for retention of a pin
socket adapter.
2. The case of claim 1 wherein the first case member has a
generally flat bottom surface.
3. The case of claim 1 including a headphone retained within the
case.
4. The case of claim 3 wherein the headphone is in part
compressible and said first and second case members compress the
headphone within the closed case, and said magnet material retains
the case members in the closed position.
5. The case of claim 1, wherein the second case member peripheral
edge surface projects outwardly over the first case member
peripheral edge surface along the arcuate wall section and first
and second side wall sections of said first case member.
6. A carrying case for a headphone, said headphone including a
first and a second ear cover speaker and an arcuate bridge
connected to said first and second ear cover speakers, and further
including a speaker lead wire with a plug for attachment to an
audio source socket, said plug including a pin connector, said case
comprising in combination: a first lower, polymeric, molded case
member generally in the form of a shell with a central recess, a
peripheral wall extending about the central recess, said wall
having a generally straight hinge section, an arcuate front wall
section opposite the straight hinge section, first and second
arcuate side wall sections connecting the hinge section to the
arcuate front wall section, and a flat circumferential top edge
surface; an inwardly extending land generally at the midpoint of
the arcuate wall section with a magnetic material embedded therein
generally flush with the surface of the land, said land and the
edge surface of the peripheral wall being generally coplanar, a
second, upper polymeric molded case member comprising a generally
mirror image of the first case member, said first and second case
members joined by a hinge in the hinge wall sections thereof and
maintainable in a closed position by the respective magnetic
material with the edge surface of the peripheral walls in generally
flush contact, said first and second case members each including
respectively a first and a second edge projection tab generally off
center of the midpoint of the arcuate front wall section, said
first and second tabs providing a manual torsion release element;
said second case member peripheral edge wall surface extending
peripherally along the side wall sections and front wall section
outwardly over the peripheral edge wall surface of the first case
member.
7. A carrying case for a headphone, said headphone including a
first and a second ear cover speaker and an arcuate bridge
connected to said first and second ear cover speakers, and further
including a speaker lead wire with a plug for attachment to an
audio source socket, said case comprising in combination: a first
lower, polymeric molded case member generally in the form of a
shell with a central recess, a peripheral wall about the central
recess, said wall having a generally straight hinge section, an
arcuate front wall section opposite the straight hinge section
first and second arcuate side wall sections connecting the hinge
section to the arcuate front wall section, and a flat
circumferential top edge surface; an inwardly extending land
generally at the midpoint of the arcuate front wall section with a
magnet embedded therein flush with the surface of the land, said
land and the edge surface of the peripheral wall being generally
coplanar, a second, upper polymeric molded case member comprising a
generally mirror image of the first case member, said first and
second case members joined by a hinge in the hinge wall sections
thereof and maintainable in a closed position by the respective
magnets with the edge surfaces of the peripheral walls in flush
contact, said first and second case members each including
respectively a first and a second edge projection tab generally off
center of the midpoint of the arcuate front wall section, said tabs
providing a manual torsion release element; and said second case
member peripheral edge wall surface at least in part extending
peripherally outwardly over at least in part of the peripheral edge
wall surface of the first case.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a
carrying case for audio headphones.
[0002] The use of headphones by audiophiles is a well known
expedient. Headphones are used in many commercial and other
environments. For example, headphones are used in recording
studios, in retail outlets for sampling audio recorded products and
for recreational listening. Headphones have been used by travelers
and by persons who are walking, bicycling, or otherwise moving
about with some type of audio playing device.
[0003] Headphones come in various types and sizes. They may be as
simple as earplugs which fit into the channels of the ear of the
listener. Alternatively, more sophisticated headphones include ear
covers with speakers that fit over the ears and are connected by a
bridging section that fits over the top of the head of the user.
Headphones are often used in work environments.
[0004] A version of headphones incorporates circuitry designed to
eliminate background noise and enhance the listening experience.
The growth of the use of headphones thus has prompted the
development of carrying cases for such headphones. A carrying case
is desirable to protect a headphone when it is not in use and to
protect the wires and other component parts of a headphone not in
use. Thus, there has developed a need for improved carrying cases
for headphones which are compact, yet rugged and serviceable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Briefly, the present invention comprises a carrying case for
headphones which includes a lower molded polymeric shell and an
upper molded polymeric shell hinged to the lower shell so that the
shells may be folded about the hinge to enclose a headphone storage
space between the shells. Within that space, a headphone, along
with lead wires and a bridging section, may be placed safely and
conveniently. Each shell preferably includes an upstanding,
generally straight wall section of a peripheral, outer wall
surrounding a recess. The straight wall is joined to generally
arcuate side walls and an arcuate front wall. The front wall
includes a land with a magnetic material recessed in the land. The
case members or the shells are substantially mirror images of one
another, however, the upper or top case member or shell preferably
includes a peripheral wall which overlaps the lower wall, at least
in part. The lands which include the recessed magnetic material are
aligned and provide a means for maintaining the case in a closed
position. Outwardly projecting tabs in the arcuate front wall may
be engaged manually and twisted or torqued to open the closed case
by overcoming the force of the magnetic material which holds the
case members or shells in a closed position. The interior of the
case is designed to receive a set of headphones and to slightly
compress those headphones in order to retain them snuggly in a safe
condition within the case. Additionally, the interior of one of the
case members includes at least one molded socket retaining pocket
for a lead wire pin connector. Headphones typically include a lead
wire with a single pin connector to connect the headphone with an
audio output source. However, various types of audio outputs are
available and thus it is appropriate to store a pin connection
adapter within the carrying case. The carrying case shell members
or case members are typically made from a molded plastic or
polymeric material and thus are generally rigid. Preferably, at
least one of the outer surfaces of the carrying case is planar or
generally flat.
[0006] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an
improved carrying case for a headphone.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a carrying
case for a headphone which is rugged, economical, easily adaptable
to store various types and sizes of headphones, and which is easy
to use.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a carrying
case for headphones which is lightweight and which includes an
interior fabricated to avoid abrading or damaging a headphone which
is stored within the case.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a headphone
with a hinge connection that enables a bottom and top shell shaped
case member to be opened and which further includes a magnetic
material closure mechanism wherein the magnetic material is
maintained flush with a peripheral wall associated with each of the
upper and lower case members so that the peripheral edges of the
case member will not catch or damage any of the component parts of
the headphone.
[0010] These and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will be set forth in the detailed description which
follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be
made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the carrying
case of the invention in the closed or storage position;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
depicting the carrying case in the open position;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the carrying case of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the carrying case depicted in
FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the carrying case of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a side section
of the carrying case of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the carrying case of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side cross sectional view of the carrying case
depicted in FIG. 7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the carrying case of FIG. 1
as depicted from the underside or lower side thereof;
[0021] FIG. 10 is an isometric cross sectional view of a side of
the carrying case of FIG. 9;
[0022] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as
viewed from the underside of the embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1
depicting the vertical height of the case in the closed
condition;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a side elevation of a typical headphone
indicating the vertical height thereof and indicating the feature
of compressibility thereof when placed within a case as depicted in
FIG. 12; and
[0025] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the headphone of FIG. 13.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] The figures depict an embodiment of the carrying case of the
invention. In the embodiment depicted, the carrying case includes a
first or lower shell 20 and a second or upper shell 22. The shells
20 and 22 are generally mirror images of one another, but do have
variations in detail. Thus, referring to FIG. 2, the first or lower
shell 20 includes a peripheral wall 24 surrounding a molded recess
or interior 26. The wall 24 includes a hinge section 28 which is a
generally straight line section 26 adapted to cooperate with one or
more hinge members 30. Typically, each hinge member 30 is an over
center acting hinge which maintains the case in a closed condition
such as depicted in FIG. 1 or an open condition as depicted in FIG.
2.
[0027] The peripheral wall 24 further includes a generally arcuate
front wall section 32, a first side wall section 34 and an
opposite, second side wall section 36. The side wall sections 34
and 36 are generally arcuate and extend from the generally straight
line, hinge wall section 28 to connect with the generally arcuate
front wall section 32. The top surface 38 of wall 24 is flat. A
flat, coplanar land 40 is positioned at the midpoint of the front
wall section 32. The land 40 includes magnetic material 42 such as
magnets embedded therein flush with the level of the surface 38
forming the wall 24.
[0028] The second or upper shell or case member 22 includes a
congruent, peripheral wall 50 with a flat surface 52 and an
expanded land 54 with recessed magnetic material 56. The peripheral
wall 50 of the upper or second shell or case member 22 includes a
straight wall section 66 which is attached by the hinge 30 to the
straight wall section 28 of the lower case member 20 and opposed
arcuate wall sections.
[0029] An internal recess section 60 of second shell 22 in
combination with the recess section 26 of first shell 20 defines an
interior compartment into which headphones, such as headphones 80
in FIG. 13, can be fitted when the case is in the closed condition
as depicted in FIG. 12. The interior of the upper case member 22
further includes a molded pocket 64 in recess section 60 adapted to
receive a pin connector. That is, typically headphones, such as
headphones 80 in FIG. 13, will include a lead wire 82 with a single
pin connector 84 at the end of the lead wire 82. The pin connector
84 is designed to fit within a socket of an audio source device.
However, many audio source devices require a double pin connector.
Thus, the molded section 64 depicted in FIG. 2 can retain a double
pin connector adapter which can engage with the single pin
connector 84 depicted in FIG. 13 and thereby enable use of the lead
wire 82 with a two pin connection. In other words, the case
includes features which enable storage of ancillary elements and
fixtures associated with a headphone set.
[0030] The lower case member 20 and the upper case member 22 are
not the exact physical duplications. For example, as depicted in
FIGS. 5 and 11 the lower or first case member 20 include a flat
bottom surface 21. The upper case member 22 has a bulbous forward
end 23 adapted to receive headphones and, more particularly, the
ear covers 88 as depicted in FIG. 13. That is, ear covers 88
typically include a molded plastic housing 90 and a peripheral,
elastomeric compressible section 92. As depicted in FIG. 14 the
headphones also typically include the bridging section 81
connecting first and second cover sections 83 and 85. Each of the
cover sections 83 and 85 include compressible material 92. The
compressible material 92 is fitted into the case substantially in a
manner aligning the ear protectors or covers with the patterns as
depicted in FIG. 4; namely, the patterns 33 and 35. The bridging
section then fits around a molded retention element 37. The
compressibility of the material 92 enables the dimension of the
headphones as depicted in FIG. 13 to be compressed and fitted
within the closed case as depicted in FIG. 12. Thus, the headphones
are held snuggly within the case by virtue of utilizing the
compressibility associated with the compressible material 92. Of
course, since the lands 38 and 52 are generally flush, the
headphones are protected.
[0031] As a desirable feature of the construction, however, the
surface 52 associated with the second or upper case member 22
overlaps or extends over the edge, at least in part, of the surface
38 associated with the lower case or first case member 20. This
feature extends around the side walls and arcuate front wall as
depicted in FIGS. 6, 8 and 10. Such overlapping provides an
additional means for the user of the case to grip the upper case
member 22 and move it in opposition to the magnetic force holding
the case members 20 and 22 together for access to the interior
thereof.
[0032] Another feature of the invention, however, is the inclusion
of projecting tabs such as tab 74 for the upper case member 22 and
tab 76 for the lower case member 20. The tabs 74, 76 are offset
with respect to the center of the arcuate front wall of the
respective case members 20 and 22. By applying a twisting motion
manually to the tabs 74, 76 the case members 20 and 22 may be
separated by overcoming a magnetic force holding those case members
20, 22 together.
[0033] Various figures illustrate the case construction. Referring
to FIG. 8, the upper case 22 includes a polymeric molded outer
layer 77 and an interior cushion layer 79. Similarly, lower case 20
includes a polymeric layer which is a hard shell polymeric material
73 and an interior cushion layer 75. This provides another means
for functionally protecting headphones retained within the
case.
[0034] Various alternative constructions are within the scope of
the invention. The invention is to be limited only by the following
claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *