U.S. patent number RE35,051 [Application Number 07/747,077] was granted by the patent office on 1995-10-03 for combination multiple supported variable position audio intake control devices.
Invention is credited to Michael R. Moore.
United States Patent |
RE35,051 |
Moore |
October 3, 1995 |
Combination multiple supported variable position audio intake
control devices
Abstract
A personal audio assembly including a pair of miniature speakers
releasably connected with the sidepieces of a pair of spectacles or
headgear in a manner permitting adjustment of the speakers
longitudinally, angularly and vertically with respect to the
sidepieces or headgear and toward and away from the ears of a user.
Leads connect the speakers with an audio source controlling sound
entering the ear and are provided with an adjusting member
maintaining the speakers in a selected position allowing the user
to simultaneously hear a combination of speaker and ambient
sounds.
Inventors: |
Moore; Michael R. (Dallas,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
26832493 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/747,077 |
Filed: |
August 19, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
892641 |
Aug 4, 1986 |
|
|
|
Reissue of: |
134613 |
Dec 14, 1987 |
04901355 |
Feb 13, 1990 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/381;
381/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
9/029 (20130101); G02C 11/06 (20130101); H04M
1/05 (20130101); H04R 1/1066 (20130101); G02C
11/10 (20130101); H04R 1/1008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
9/02 (20060101); G02C 11/00 (20060101); G02C
11/06 (20060101); H04M 1/04 (20060101); H04M
1/05 (20060101); H04R 1/10 (20060101); H04R
025/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;381/183,68.5,25,187
;379/430 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0273259 |
|
Aug 1969 |
|
AT |
|
1397803 |
|
Mar 1965 |
|
FR |
|
2289090 |
|
May 1976 |
|
FR |
|
2351504 |
|
Apr 1975 |
|
DE |
|
0178798 |
|
Sep 1985 |
|
JP |
|
61-95696 |
|
May 1986 |
|
JP |
|
0025937 |
|
May 1902 |
|
CH |
|
673128 |
|
Jun 1952 |
|
GB |
|
1114294 |
|
Mar 1969 |
|
GB |
|
1179946 |
|
Feb 1970 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Isen; Forester W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rhea; Robert K.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 892,641,
filed Aug. 4, 1986, now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A personal audio unit for connection with an audio source,
comprising:
a pair of speakers;
flexible leads extending between and having opposing ends
respectively operatively connecting said speakers with an audio
source;
mounting means including a clamp secured to each speaker of said
pair of speakers for attachment with means on the head of a user,
wherein the mounting means adjustably supports the respective
speaker of said pair of speakers in variable positions enabling the
user to select and hear combined sounds, the combined sounds
including speaker generated sounds mixed with external, ambient
sounds;
each speaker of said pair of speakers having a cylindrical portion
and having a transverse aperture therethrough slidably receiving an
intermediate portion of the respective lead for forming a closed
leading loop adjacent the speaker connected end of the respective
lead; and,
said clamp surrounding an intermediate portion of the respective
lead forming the lead loop in speaker supporting relation.
2. The audio unit according to claim 1 in which the means on the
head of the user includes:
a pair of spectacles having sidepieces adapted for
engaging a user's head adjacent the ears for supporting the
spectacles; and wherein
each mounting means adjustably connects each speaker of said pair
of speakers with the respective sidepiece of said spectacles for
manual longitudinal adjustment along an intermediate portion of the
respective sidepiece, each mounting means also being connected, in
chain link fashion, with the respective closed lead loop for
permitting swinging movement of the respective speaker toward and
away from a user's head.
3. The combination according to claim 1 in which each flexible
connector comprises:
an endless strap-like band; and,
a first tension means including a helically wound strand
transversely surrounding, in frictional sliding relation,
juxtaposed intermediate portions of the respective band for
reducing the area encompassed by the sidepiece surrounding closed
connector loop and precluding movement of the respective flexible
connector relative to the attached sidepiece.
4. The combination according to claim 3 in which the other end
portion of the flexible leads depend from the speakers and further
including:
a second tension means frictionally slidably surrounding the
flexible leads intermediate their ends for limiting movement of the
pair of speakers away from a user's head when the spectacles are in
normal wearing position and the second tension means is disposed
toward the speaker connected end of the leads.
5. A personal audio unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
speakers are positioned within the user's ears, thereby preventing
a substantial amount of the external, ambient sounds from being
heard by the user.
6. A personal audio unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
speakers are positioned forwardly and away from the user's ears,
thereby allowing the user to clearly and simultaneously hear sounds
coming from the speakers as well as the sounds coming from
external, ambient sources. .[.7. A personal audio unit for
connection with an audio source, comprising:
a pair of speakers;
flexible leads extending between and having opposing ends
respectively operatively connecting said speakers with an audio
source;
mounting means including a clamp secured to each speaker of said
pair of speakers for attachment with means on the head of a user,
wherein the mounting means adjustably supports the respective
speaker of said pair of speakers in variable positions enabling the
user to select and hear combined sounds, the combined sounds
including speaker generated sounds mixed with external, ambient
sounds;
a pair of spectacles having sidepieces adjacent and extending
forwardly from the ears of the user; and,
a pair of elongated arm means slidably connected together at one
end portion in longitudinal overlapping relation and connected at
their other ends with the respective said clamp and speaker of said
pair of
speakers..]. 8. A personal audio unit for connection with an audio
source comprising:
a pair of speakers;
flexible .[.lead.]. .Iadd.leads .Iaddend.extending between and
.[.having opposing ends.]. respectively operatively connecting said
speakers with an audio source; .Iadd.and,
.[.mounting.]. .Iadd.loop .Iaddend.means .[.including a clamp
secured to each speaker of said pair of speakers for attachement
with means on the head of a user.]. .Iadd.forming the only support
for said speakers during normal useage .Iaddend.and spuporting the
respective speaker of said pair of speakers .Iadd.on the head of a
user .Iaddend.in a predetermined audio range position relative to
the user's ears; and wherein
each speaker of said pair of speakers having a cylindrical portion
.[.and having a transverse aperture therethrough slidably.].
receiving .[.an intermediate.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.portion of the
respective lead for .[.forming a closed lead loop adjacent the
speaker connected end of the respective lead; and, said clamp
surrounding an intermediate portion of the respective lead.].
forming the .[.lead.]. loop .[.in speaker
supporting relation.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend.. 9. A personal audio
unit for connection with an audio source, comprising:
a pair of speakers;
flexible leads extending between and having opposing ends
respectively operatively connecting said speakers with an audio
source; .[.and,.].
mounting means .[.including a clamp.]. .Iadd.on each lead adjacent
each speaker .Iaddend.for attachment with means on the head of a
user and supporting the respective speaker of said pair of speakers
in a desired position relative to the user's ears, said mounting
means further including,
a pair of spectacles having sidepieces adapted for engaging a
user's head adjacent the ears for supporting the spectacles,
each speaker of said pair of speakers having a cylindrical portion
.[.and having a transverse aperture therethrough slidably.].
receiving .[.an intermediate.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.portion of the
respective lead .[.for forming a closed lead loop.]. adjacent the
speaker connected end of the respective lead; and, .Iadd.said
.Iaddend.means .[.adjustably connecting each speaker of said pair
of speakers with the respective sidepiece of said spectacles
including an elongated flexible connector having.]. .Iadd.on each
lead forming .Iaddend.a closed connecter loop .[.at each of its
ends.]. respectively surrounding for manual adjustment
longitudinally along an intermediate portion of .[.an.]. .Iadd.a
spectacle .Iaddend.sidepiece .[.and connected, in chain link
fashion, with a respective said closed lead loop.]. for permitting
swinging movement of each speaker of said pair of speakers toward
and away from a user's head and disposing each speaker of said pair
of speakers in a predetermined
position relative to the user's ears. 10. The audio unit according
to claim 9 in which .[.each flexible connector.]. .Iadd.said closed
connector loop forming means .Iaddend.comprises:
.[.an endless strap-like.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.band.[.; and, a first
tension means including a helically wound strand.].
transversely surrounding, in frictional sliding relation,
juxtaposed .[.intermediate.]. portions of the respective .[.band
or.]. .Iadd.lead for .Iaddend.reducing the area encompassed by the
sidepiece surrounding closed connector loop and precluding movement
of the respective .[.flexible.]. .Iadd.closed .Iaddend.connector
.Iadd.loop .Iaddend.relative to the
attached sidepiece. 11. The audio unit according to claim 10 in
which the .[.other.]. end portion of the flexible leads
.Iadd.opposite the closed connector loop .Iaddend.depend from the
speakers and further including:
.[.a second.]. tension means frictionally slidably surrounding the
flexible leads intermediate their ends for limiting movement of the
pair of speakers away form a user's head when the spectacles are in
normal wearing position and the .[.second.]. tension means is
disposed toward the speaker
connected end of the leads. .[.12. A personal audio unit for
connection with an audio source, comprising:
a pair of speakers;
flexible leads extending between and having opposing ends
respectively operatively connecting said speakers with an audio
source;
mounting means including a clamp secured to each mounting means
including a clamp secured to each speaker of said pair of speakers
for attachment with means on the head of a user and supporting the
respective speaker of said pair of speakers in a desired position
relative to the user's ears;
a pair of elongated arm means slidably connected together at one
end portion in longitudinal overlapping relation and connected at
their other ends with the respective said claim and speaker of said
pair of
speakers..]. 13. A personal audio unit for connection with an audio
source, comprising:
a pair of speakers;
flexible leads extending between and having opposing ends
respectively opeatively connecting said speakers with an audio
source; and,
.[.mounting.]. .Iadd.loop .Iaddend.means .[.including a clamp
secure to.]. .Iadd.formed by each lead adjacent .Iaddend.each
speaker of said pair of speakers for attachment with means on the
head of a user and supporting the respective speaker of said pair
of speakers in a desired position relative to the user's ears,
said means on the head of the user .[.further.]. including: a pair
of spectacles having sidepieces adjacent and extending forwardly
from the ears of the user.[.; and,
a pair of elongated arm means slidably connect together at one end
portion in longitudinal overlapping relation and connected at their
other ends with the respective said clamp and speaker of said pair
of speakers.]..
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to audio communication and more
particularly to a sound intake control device and adjustable
supports therefor.
Radios, tape players and other audio equipment have been
miniaturized to such an extent that they may be conveniently
carried on the person of a user, such as in a pocket or other
portion of the wearer's clothing or accessories. Many diverse audio
sources are now in use.
A need in terms of safety, further choice in listening capability,
and the intake and/or blocking of external sounds has arisen. This
device has been created to answer the needs of pilots,
communications personnel, music lovers, airport linemen or anyone
with the need to hear more than one audio source simultaneously
and/or in regulated quantities or levels. This invention is
designed to accurately achieve multiple source sound (sound on
sound), single source sound or no sound.
Presently and as technological and social change occur the demand
for safety, utility and convenience are major considerations. A
device which provides a means for greater discrimination of aural
sources will aid many people who desire to listen, communicate and
deal with sound more effectively.
This invention is also directed toward a means of providing high
quality sound reproduction with the versatility to be utilized as a
headset, earphones and/or hearing aid or earplugs. The device can
be worn in combination with, or as a means to secure spectacles or
headgear of the wearer. The design places the device where it can
be utilized on a regular basis.
This invention is directed toward a manner of mounting miniature
speakers or earphones to enhance their utility, versatility and
minimize any inconvenience or discomfort as a result of the
supporting components.
2. Description of the prior art
At present audio headsets and earphones are limited to a single
position; existing headsets and earphones enclose the ear, are
pressed adjacent to the ear, are placed in the outer ear, or, are
positioned inside the auditory canal.
Prior art, due to this single position limitation, has the inherent
effect of masking outside sounds with sound produced by the
earphones. With respect to safety, the wearer is hindered in his
ability to hear surrounding sounds such as instructions, warnings,
automobiles, sirens, conversations etc.
The most widely used, present design audio headset is awkward to
wear and cumbersome to carry. Cord entanglement problems occur
regularly and the resulting entanglement can cause short circuiting
of speaker or microphone leads, as well as incur the bother and
loss of time spent untangling headset wires.
Additional entanglement problems arise when the now common "leash"
(a retainer cord used to suspend the glasses around the wearer's
neck when not in use) is worn simultaneously with the prior art
headset.
Another difficulty involves the wearing of a hat, visor or helmet
and a prior art headset simultaneously. Since the majority of
headsets in use today consist of a band, which transversely spans
the head, a hat, helmet or visor does not fit the wearer's head
properly when worn in combination with the headset. At present the
small in ear-type headsets circumvent this problem however sound
quality is sacrificed due to the extra small size of the speakers
and they are limited to a single position.
Further shortcomings of prior art include the lack of single hand
placement. Both hands are needed to place the headset or earphones
in listening position.
Other prior art devices disclose speakers or earphones used as
hearing aids for the hard of hearing some of which were supported
by spectacles or constructed as a part thereof, such as disclosed
by Pat. No. 2,874,230 in which the terminal end of the respective
sidepiece supports a speaker.
The present invention is distinctive over prior art devices by
adjustably supporting a pair of miniature speakers on headgear or
spectacle sidepieces which can be positioned in the ear, adjacent
the ear or in varying distances from the ear as desired. The
inherent design serves multiple functions and places the sound in
the control device where it can be safely heard, worn, transported
and utilized more effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pair of miniature speakers, each connected with one end of an
audio lead are provided with members connecting the respective
speaker to means on the head of the user, such as a respective
spectacle sidepiece or headgear having a band horizontally
surrounding the head of the user or the user's hair which supports
each speaker in depending relation for vertical adjustment of the
speaker toward and away from the sidepiece or headgear and for
horizontal movement longitudinally of the sidepiece or headgear.
The other end of the respective audio lead is joined to a plug
removably received by an audio jack in equipment supplying an audio
signal. An audio lead gripping member surrounds the two leads
intermediate their ends which serves to maintain the two leads in
single cord fashion and by sliding movement longitudinally of the
leads acts as a retainer or chin strap for maintaining the speakers
and the glasses sidepiece adjacent the user's ears when the leads
are located in front of the user's neck, or alternatively as a
support or leash for hanging the speakers and spectacles from the
user's neck when the leads and plug end extend rearwardly of the
user's neck.
Horizontal movement of the speakers longitudinally of the
sidepieces or headgear allows the user to position the speakers
relative to the ear as desired. If very little external sound is
desired to be heard, the user locates the speakers in or adjacent
the ears. If more external sound is desired, the speakers are moved
forwardly and away from the ears as necessary and the volume
adjusted to attain the desired ratio of speaker and external sound
mixing (sound on sound).
Vertical movement of the speakers relative to the glasses allows
accurate positioning with respect to the ear for different
individuals and different sidepieces. Additionally, the vertical
movement can be utilized to perform the external sound versus
speaker sound (sound on sound) adjustment as primarily achieved by
the horizontal positioning.
The attachment to the spectacles or headgear allows the device to
be placed near the ears safely and easily with only one hand
because the spectacles or headgear are designed for single hand
placement. This eliminates the cord entanglement aggravation caused
when combining a headset with a spectacle leash, by combining both
devices into one apparatus.
The principal objects of this invention are to provide a personal
user supported audio unit comprising a relatively inexpensive
assembly of audio earphones easily connected with and supported by
headgear or the sidepieces of any conventional pair of spectacles
and which may be adjusted relative to the headgear or sidepiece
either laterally longitudinally or vertically to position the
ear-phones in a comfortable position adjacent or within the ear for
maximum audio and which can enable the user to hear and identify
sounds from sources other than the audio set connected with the
earphones.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device supported by a pair of
spectacles;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating spring
clips supporting the device on the spectacle sidepiece;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner of
supporting the device on the user's visor or other head encircling
band; and,
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective, similar to FIG. 2,
illustrating another embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Like characters of reference designate like parts in those figures
of the drawings in which they occur.
In the drawings:
The reference numeral 10 indicates the unit as a whole. The device
10 comprises a pair of conventional, commercially available
miniature speakers 12 and 14 operatively connected with one end of
audio leads 16 and 111, respectively, with the other end of the
leads connected with a plug 20 in a conventional manner. Each of
the speakers may include a cover 22 through which audio sounds are
transmitted and an opposite or rearward substantially cylindrical
portion 24, having a vent 25, which receives and is connected with
the above named one end portion of the respective audio lead. The
respective cylindrical portion 24 is transversely apertured, as at
26, for frictionally receiving, in sliding relation, a portion of
the respective audio lead adjacent its connected end to form an
audio lead closed loop portion 28 which may be increased or reduced
in size to allow the speakers 12 or 14 to be moved vertically for
adjustment purposes.
A flexible connector 30 is connected with each speaker loop 28. The
flexible connectors 30 are preferably endless bands with juxtaposed
portions of its wall surrounded and gripped in sliding relation by
a tension adjuster 32 to define substantially figure eight
configuration.
The connectors 30 may be formed by an endless band or may be a
strap-like length of flexible plastic material doubled back upon
itself from both of its ends and secured together. A tension
adjuster 32, transversely surrounding the connector band, is formed
by a helically twisted length of wire, or the like, and defines
oppositely disposed closed loops 34 and 36 at respective ends of
the flexible connector. The loop 34 is engaged with the speaker
loop 28 in chain link fashion and the other loop 36 of the flexible
connector transversely surrounds a respective one of a pair of
spectacle sidepieces 38 intermediate its ends. The loop 36 allows
horizontal movement of the speakers longitudinally of the
respective sidepiece.
A tension adjuster member 32' also surrounds the audio leads 16 and
18 intermediate their ends for the purpose presently explained. A
rheostat 50 is interposed in the leads 16 and 18 between the
tension adjuster 32' and the plug 20 as a volume control. An
alligator-type clip or clamp 52 is attached to the leads between
the volume control 50 and the tension adjuster 32' for supporting
the volume control in a convenient location as by attaching the
clamp 82 to a portion of the user's clothing 54.
Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, the reference numerals 40 and 41
indicate a pair of spring clips or clamps which may be used in
place of the connectors 30. This is accomplished by permanent
attachment of the clamp to the speaker cord or manually opening the
respective spring clamp so that the speaker cord loop 28 is
received between the gripping end portion 42 of the clamp and its
spring closed hinged connection 44 so that the respective speaker
12 or 14 is then supported in depending relation from the
respective clamp. The clamp gripping end 42 is then disposed on
opposing sides of the respective spectacle sidepiece 38 at a
selected location intermediate its length.
In the event the user of the device does not wear spectacles, the
clamps 40 permit attachment to other headgear, such as the
sweatband of a hat, not shown, or the band of a visor, as indicated
at 46 (FIG. 3). The respective clamp 40 and 41 is positioned as
shown with its gripping end edge 42 gripping opposing sides of the
depending edge portion of the visor band 48.
Referring more particularly to FIG. 4 other clamps 60, only one
being shown, similarly gripping the spectacle earpieces 38, support
similar speakers 62 in cantilever fashion by arm means 64. A pad 63
surrounds the major portion of the speaker. In the example shown
the arm means 64 comprises a forward bar 66 rigidly attached at one
end to the clamp 60 opposite its gripping end portion 68 and
longitudinally slidably attached at its other end portion to the
forward end portion of a rearward arm 70 having its opposite or
rearward end rigidly secured to the speaker 62. This permits
vertical adjustment of the speaker relative to the sidepiece 38 and
the user's ear, not shown, by the angular position of the clamp 60
relative to the longitudinal ads of the sidepiece. Forward and
rearward adjustment of the speaker 62 relative to the sidepiece and
the user's ear is achieved primarily by the sliding movement of the
arm 70 relative to the bar 66 and secondly by the position of the
clamp 60 longitudinally of the sidepiece. It seems obvious that the
arm 70 may serve as a gooseneck having a ball at its rearward end
cooperatively received by a socket formed in the housing supporting
the speaker components to impart substantially all the advantages
of ball and socket movement of the speaker 62 relative to the
user's ear, if desired.
OPERATION
In use the flexible connectors 30 have their free loop ends 36
transversely surrounding the respective spectacle sidepiece. With
the spectacles in wearing position, the speakers are adjusted by
moving the flexible connectors 30 longitudinally of the respective
sidepiece so that the speakers are positioned relative to the
user's ear in a desired position in accordance with other
parameters which may or may not be limiting the user's attention.
For example, the speakers may be positioned so that a desired audio
program may be heard and yet other sounds may also be received,
such as automobiles, warnings, instructions or the conversations of
others. By moving the adjuster 32 toward the respective sidepiece
the size of the loop 36 is reduced to grip the sidepiece so the
speakers are frictionally maintained adjacent or in the user's
audio canal, as desired. The speakers may be positioned
independently of each other to further enhance listening
capabilities.
The strap-like configuration of the connectors 30, in combination
with a small size for the loop 34, prevents angular rotation of
either speaker about a vertical axis through the respective
connector 30. The coefficient of sliding friction between the
connector loop 36 and the surface of the sidepiece 38 prevents
movement of one component relative to the other except as manually
induced. The speakers are easily adjusted vertically relative to
the sidepieces or the user's ears by increasing or decreasing the
size of the lead loop 28. Further, if the user desires the speakers
to be in close proximity to the ear the lead adjuster 32' may be
moved longitudinally of the leads until disposed in underlying
relation with respect to the user's chin to place a slight tension
on the leads 16 and 18 and draw the speakers inwardly toward each
other.
Alternatively, the leads may be positioned rearwardly of the user's
head and the adjuster 32' disposed adjacent the back of the head to
maintain the speakers adjacent the ears and to maintain the
spectacles in place on the face of the user. In this position the
speaker assembly 10 may also be employed to support the spectacles
in a position hanging from the user's neck.
It seems obvious that the spring clamps 40 and 41 may be connected
with the lead loops 28, as described hereinabove, for use with the
headgear as desired.
Obviously the invention is susceptible to changes or alterations
without defeating its practicability. Therefore, I do not wish to
be confined to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings and
described herein.
* * * * *