U.S. patent application number 12/585759 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for earpiece retainer.
Invention is credited to David A. Miller.
Application Number | 20100071168 12/585759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42036143 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100071168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; David A. |
March 25, 2010 |
Earpiece retainer
Abstract
The earpiece retainer is a retaining device for securing an
earpiece, such as a Bluetooth.RTM. earpiece or the like, to a
support, such as the user's belt. The earpiece retainer includes a
housing having opposed front and rear walls and at least one
sidewall. The housing defines and open interior region therein. A
slot is formed through the front wall. The slot is dimensioned and
configured for removably receiving an earphone portion of the
earpiece therethrough. The earphone portion of the earpiece is
releasably locked within the open interior region of the housing to
secure the earpiece to the to housing when not in use. A
spring-biased retaining member is disposed within the open interior
region, the retaining member resiliently engaging the earphone
portion and releasably holding the earphone portion against the
front wall to releasably lock the earphone portion in place.
Inventors: |
Miller; David A.; (Wallkill,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
POST OFFICE BOX 41200, SOUTH STATION
ARLINGTON
VA
22204
US
|
Family ID: |
42036143 |
Appl. No.: |
12/585759 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61136680 |
Sep 24, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/3.11 ; 24/3.1;
24/3.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/1394 20150115;
Y10T 24/1391 20150115; A45F 5/02 20130101; Y10T 24/13 20150115;
A45F 5/021 20130101; H04M 1/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/3.11 ; 24/3.1;
24/3.12 |
International
Class: |
A44B 21/00 20060101
A44B021/00 |
Claims
1. An earpiece retainer, comprising: a housing having opposed front
and rear walls and at least one sidewall, the housing defining an
open interior region therein, the front wall having a slot formed
therein, the slot being adapted for insertion of an earphone
portion of an earpiece therein; means for releasably locking the
earphone portion of the earpiece within the open interior region;
means for releasably securing an ear mounting portion of the
earpiece to the housing; and means for releasably attaching the
housing to a support.
2. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 1, wherein said
housing comprises front and rear housing portions, the front
housing portion including the front wall, a rear wall and at least
one sidewall.
3. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 2, wherein said rear
housing portion is configured to mate with the front housing
portion and has a substantially open front, the rear housing
portion defining a first retaining portion and a second retaining
portion facing the substantially open front.
4. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 3, wherein said rear
housing portion has a rear wall defining the rear wall of said
housing and a first substantially rectangular wall extending
therefrom defining a recess, the first substantially rectangular
wall, the rear wall, and the recess forming the first retaining
portion.
5. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 4, wherein said rear
housing portion has a second substantially rectangular wall having
an open upper end defining the second retaining portion.
6. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 5, wherein said means
for releasably locking the earphone portion of the earpiece within
the open interior region comprise: a first resilient member
disposed within the recess defined by the first retaining portion;
and an engaging member attached to the resilient member.
7. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 6, wherein the
engaging member is wedge-shaped, having a substantially rectangular
rear face, the rectangular rear face being disposed within the
first retaining portion.
8. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 7, wherein the rear
wall of the front housing portion has an opening defined therein,
the engaging member partially projecting through opening.
9. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 8, further comprising
a sliding actuator disposed between the front housing portion and
the rear housing portion.
10. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 9, further comprising
means for retaining the sliding actuator between the front housing
portion and the rear housing portion so that the sliding actuator
is free to slide in a vertical direction between the rear wall of
the rear housing portion and the front housing portion.
11. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 10, further
comprising a second resilient member disposed within the second
retaining portion, the sliding actuator having a button portion,
the button portion having a lower surface, the second resilient
member abutting the lower surface of the button portion of the
sliding actuator.
12. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 11, wherein the
sliding actuator has a lower end bearing against the wedge-shaped
engaging member when the button portion is pressed down,
compressing the second resilient member.
13. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 12, wherein said
means for releasably securing the ear mounting portion of the
earpiece to said housing comprises at least one opening formed
through the at least one sidewall of said housing.
14. An earpiece retainer, comprising: a housing having opposed
front and rear walls and at least one sidewall, the housing
defining an open interior region therein and a slot formed through
the front wall, the slot being adapted for removably receiving an
earphone portion of an earpiece therethrough, the at least one
sidewall having an opening formed therein adapted for releasably
receiving an ear mounting portion of the earpiece therethrough;
means for releasably locking the earphone portion of the earpiece
within the open interior region of the housing; and a clip secured
to an outer surface of the rear wall of the housing for releasably
securing the housing to a support.
15. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 14, wherein said
means for releasably locking the earphone portion of the earpiece
within the open interior region of said housing comprises a
spring-biased retaining member disposed within the open interior
region of said housing, the retaining member resiliently engaging
the earphone portion and releasably holding the earphone portion
against an inner surface of the front wall of said housing.
16. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 15, wherein said
housing comprises front and rear housing portions, said front
housing portion including the front wall, a rear wall and at least
one front sidewall.
17. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 16, wherein said rear
housing portion is contoured to mate with the front housing portion
and has a substantially open front, the substantially open front of
the rear housing portion defining a first retaining portion and a
second retaining portion.
18. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 17, wherein the first
retaining portion is defined by a substantially rectangular wall,
the substantially rectangular wall bordering a recess formed in the
rear wall.
19. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 18, wherein the
second retaining portion is defined by a substantially rectangular
wall having an open upper end.
20. The earpiece retainer as recited in claim 19, wherein said
means for releasably locking the earphone portion of the earpiece
within the open interior region comprise: a first resilient member
received within the recess; and an engaging member secured to the
resilient member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/136,680, filed Sep. 24, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to accessories for electronic
devices, and particularly to an earpiece retainer for wireless
earpieces, such as Bluetooth.RTM. earpieces and the like.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Portable devices, such as cellular telephones and the like,
have been extremely common in recent years. Many people utilize
holsters or clips for their portable devices, allowing the devices
to be carried on their belts or on other items of clothing.
Typically, a cellular telephone case includes a clip so that users
can attach the case and telephone to his or her belt or the
waistband of his or her pants.
[0006] Cellular telephones are provided with a range of accessories
that offer additional convenience, such as a wired headset or a
Bluetooth.RTM. (a protocol for wireless transmission) headset.
Bluetooth.RTM. headsets are typically provided as a single earpiece
for additional convenience and portability. When not wearing their
earpieces about their ears, many users typically carry their
earpiece in their hands or in an additional bag or carrying case.
Although wired headsets may be carried in some cellular telephone
carrying cases, the cases are not well adapted for wireless
earpieces. The wire itself is often used as a means for retaining
the headset, and this type of attachment is not available for a
wireless earpiece.
[0007] Thus, an earpiece retainer solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The earpiece retainer is a retaining device for securing an
earpiece, such as a Bluetooth.RTM. earpiece or the like, to a
support, such as the user's belt. The earpiece retainer includes a
housing having opposed front and rear walls and at least one
sidewall. The housing defines an open interior region therein, and
a slot is formed through the front wall. The slot is dimensioned
and configured for removably receiving an earphone portion of the
earpiece therethrough.
[0009] Further, at least one opening is formed through the housing.
The opening is dimensioned and configured for insertion of an ear
mounting portion of the earpiece therethrough. The earphone portion
of the earpiece is releasably locked within the open interior
region of the housing to secure the earpiece to the housing when
not in use. A resilient retaining member is disposed within the
open interior region of the housing to frictionally engage the
earphone portion and releasably hold the earphone portion against
an inner surface of the front wall of the housing, thereby
releasably locking the earphone portion in place.
[0010] Additionally, a clip or the like is secured to an outer
surface of the rear wall of the housing for releasably attaching
the housing to an external support surface, such as the user's
belt. These and other features of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an earpiece
retainer according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the earpiece
retainer according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view in section of the earpiece retainer
according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
an earpiece retainer according to the present invention.
[0015] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to an
earpiece retainer 10. The earpiece retainer 10 is a retaining
device for securing an earpiece E, such as the exemplary
Bluetooth.RTM. earpiece shown in FIG. 1 or the like, to a support,
such as the user's belt B.
[0017] As best shown in FIG. 2, the earpiece retainer 10 includes a
housing 12 including front and rear portions 18, 20. The front
housing portion 18 includes a front wall 11, a rear wall 13 and at
least one sidewall 33. As shown, the front housing portion 18
defines an open interior region. The housing 12 has an open upper
end 24 and a slot 22 formed through the front wall 11. The front
and rear portions 18, 20 may be formed from any suitable, rugged
material, such as plastic or the like. As will be described in
greater detail below, with particular reference to FIG. 4, the
dimensions and configuration of the front and rear housing portions
18, 20 may vary, and the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3 is shown
for exemplary purposes only.
[0018] The rear housing portion 20 has a shape conforming to the
front housing portion 18, as shown (and at least partially being
defined by at least one sidewall 35). The rear housing portion 20
has a substantially open front, defining a first retaining portion
40 and a second retaining portion 41. The first retaining portion
40 is preferably defined by a substantially rectangular wall, as
shown, and borders a recess 42 formed in the rear wall 37 of the
rear housing portion 20. The second retaining portion is also
defined by a substantially rectangular wall, but has an open upper
end 43.
[0019] A first resilient member 32, such as the exemplary helical
compression spring shown in FIG. 2, is received within recess 42.
An engaging member 30 is attached to resilient member 32. The
engaging member 30 preferably has a triangular cross-section, as
shown, forming a wedge with a substantially rectangular rear face.
The rectangular rear face of engaging member 30 is received within
the rectangular first retaining portion 40. Passages 44 are formed
through the rear wall 37 of the rear housing portion 20, as shown,
for receiving screws 48 or the like. Threaded recesses or the like
are formed in the rear surface of the rear wall 13 of the front
housing portion 18 for receiving screws 48 to secure the front and
rear housing portions 18, 20 together.
[0020] An opening 28 is formed through the rear wall 13 of the
front housing portion 18 and, in use, engaging member 30 partially
projects through the opening 28. A sliding actuator 36 is disposed
between the front and rear housing portions 18, 20, the sliding
actuator 36 having a slot 39 formed therethrough, as shown, for
passing the uppermost screw 48 therethrough, thus holding sliding
actuator 36 in place, and allowing the sliding actuator 36 to slide
in the vertical direction.
[0021] A second resilient member 34, such as the exemplary helical
compression spring illustrated in FIG. 2, is disposed within the
second retaining portion 41 and abuts the lower surface of a button
portion 38 of the sliding actuator 36. As shown in FIG. 3, a lower
end 45 of the sliding actuator 36 contacts an upper surface of the
engaging member 30. The lower end 45 of the sliding actuator 36 is
preferably sloped at an angle complementary to the wedge-shaped
engaging member 30 so that when the sliding actuator 36 is pressed
downward, the wedge-shaped engaging member slides rearward with
even pressure being exerted by the entire face of the lower end 45
bearing against the sloping wedge face of engaging member 30. In
use, the earphone portion of earpiece E is inserted through the
slot 22 in the front housing portion 18, as shown in FIG. 1. The
engaging member 30 preferably has a recess 31 formed in the front
edge thereof, and the earphone portion is inserted into the recess
31. The engaging member 30 is spring-biased by first resilient
member 32, and holds the earphone portion of the earpiece E against
an inner face of the front wall 11 through frictional engagement
therewith.
[0022] The sidewall 33 of the front housing portion 18 further
preferably has at least one opening 14, and preferably a pair of
aligned openings 14 defined in opposing sidewalls 33, formed
therethrough for insertion of an ear retaining portion of earpiece
E. When the user wishes to remove the earpiece E from retainer 10,
the user depresses the button portion 38 of the sliding actuator
36. The sliding actuator 36 slides downwardly with the uppermost
screw 48 sliding within slot 39, the downwardly moving lower end 45
forcing engaging member 30 towards the rear (to the right in FIG.
3). This disengages the earphone portion of earpiece E from recess
31 and from frictional engagement with front wall 11, allowing the
earpiece E to be removed.
[0023] A clip 16 is preferably attached to a rear face of rear wall
37 of the rear housing portion 20. The clip 16 preferably has a
pair of openings 46 formed therethrough, allowing the clip 16 to be
held to the rear wall 37 by screws 48. The clip 16 is adapted for
holding the housing 12 to the user's belt B or any other suitable
support surface.
[0024] It should be understood that the earpiece retainer 10 may
have any suitable shape and dimensions, and is not limited to the
configuration shown in the drawings. FIG. 4 illustrates an
alternative earpiece retainer 100 having a substantially circular
shape. The earpiece retainer 100 functions in a manner similar to
that described above with regard to FIGS. 1-3, and illustrates a
housing having a different shape. The earpiece retainer 100
includes front and rear housing portions 118, 120, a clip 116, and
a button portion 138 of a sliding actuator. The front housing
portion 118 includes an open upper end 124 and a slot 122 formed
through a front wall thereof, all functioning similarly to the
corresponding elements of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. Further, a
pair of openings 114 are formed through a sidewall of front housing
portion 118. A pair of recesses 110 have been formed in the
sidewall of front housing portion 118 adjacent the openings 114,
allowing for the reception of a greater portion of the ear
retaining portions of earpiece E.
[0025] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *