CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No.

2,014,904,234 filed on 23 October 2014 by the present inventor.

FIELD

[0002] This invention generally relates to the combination of headphones and bobble toys.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Bobble toy is a category of toys that generally includes two or more

substantially rigid portions which are operatively engaged to each other with a spring or other connector with elasticity or springiness. This permits a first substantially rigid portion to move in relative independence from a second substantially rigid portion. An impact to at least one of the portions will cause one of the portions to bobble, i.e., wiggle, wobble, vibrate, swing back and forth, or simply move as a pendulum.

Bobble toys can also have just one substantially rigid portion coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness, in a way that users can hold the connector and impart a force to the connector or to the substantially rigid portion, causing the bobble toy to bobble.

[0004] The most known and successful bobble toys are the bobble heads and bobble dolls.

[0005] Bobble heads, also known as bobbleheads, nodders, or wobblers, are classic collectible toys with bobbling-connected heads. Instead of a solid connection, the head is attached to the body or other object by a spring or a connector with elasticity or springiness, in such a way that a light tap will cause the head to bobble. The term bobble can be understood herein as swing back and forth, wiggle, wobble, vibrate, or move like a pendulum.

[0006] Bobble head collectibles are usually figures of famous people or characters, ranging from sport stars, television celebrities, film and cartoon characters, legendary musicians, etc.

[0007] Bobble heads main consumers and collectors include sport fans, single character fans and collectors, subculture fans, television series fans, cartoon fans, video game fans, comics fans, and pop culture fans in general.

[0008] A big portion of consumers of bobble toys and bobble heads consists of adults. Collecting bobble toys and bobble heads has become some kind of hysteria among adults and fans of pop culture.

[0009] Currently, Lucas Films, Marvel, Game of Thrones, NBA, and DC Comics are some of the most successful companies and brands licensing their characters to bobble head manufacturers.

[0010] Bobble heads are part of a more generic classification known as bobble dolls. Sometimes the terms bobble heads and bobble dolls are used interchangeably. However, bobble dolls are not limited to toys with a bobbling head only. Bobble dolls can also have bobbling features on any part of the dolls' body, for example, they can have bobbling limbs, bobbling upper body, bobbling lower body, bobbling waist, bobbling fingers, bobbling jaw, or any combination of bobbling body parts, which bobbles when stimulated by a physical, mechanical, or electrical force. U.S. Patent Application 20,130,045,659 to Tobias (2013) describes a bobble doll with movable lower body.

[001 1 ] In most circumstances, to see bobble heads, bobble dolls, and other bobble toys bobbling, people need to tap them. This limitation has encouraged fans and other professionals to look for more creative and innovative ways to keep bobble toys bobbling. However, most of the time, these new alternatives are not in line with pop culture target audiences.

[0012] Mechanisms to make bobble heads and other bobble toys move without being tapped have been created. U.S. patent 20,130,084,771 to Innovation First, Inc. (2013), describes the Autonomous Bobble Head Toy, which has a drive and vibrating mechanism attached to the base for causing the base to move across a support surface while causing the bobble head to vibrate or bobble. Bobble Head Shaker, U.S. patent 7,048,605 to Hawthorne (2006), is another invention that has a motor to cause the bobble head to agitate and bobble. However, these mechanisms are too deliberate and artificial to appeal to adults and fans of pop culture. Adults and fans of pop culture are interested in something more interactive, genuine, and believable.

[0013] The use of bobble heads and other bobble toys on cars' dashboards has been an indicative of the willingness of people to show off the bobbling feature of these toys without having to tap it. Despite bringing a certain degree of interaction, portability, and amusement to onlookers, this method does not have a mass market penetration and visibility demanded by the young generation and fans of pop culture. As a matter of fact, a big percentage of pop culture fans do not have a car.

[0014] The solar power bobble toys are another attempt to get bobble toys moving all the time and amusing people, but it does not have a big appeal to adults and fans of pop culture either. Bobbling solar power toys are preferably used as a home decorative piece, or a toy to entertain toddlers. One of the reasons of the

unpopularity of bobbling solar power toys among adults and fans of pop culture is that these toys do not have the full range of motion of a traditional bobble toy. They also lack the interactivity inherent to conventional bobble toys. The way the solar power toys move is somehow boring and predictable. These toys usually utilise a solar cell to charge a capacitor and make an in-built magnet move constantly with part of the toy. The solar power bobble toys behave in a very systematic and artificial way, keeping the toys moving like a pendulum, either side to side or up and down, always in the same speed. [0015] Most of the methods to get bobble toys moving without being tapped, as described above, lack appeal, portability, believability, and interaction, especially considering the new generation of collectors, geeks, and fans of pop culture worldwide, who crave for more interactivity, portability, fashion, believability, and technology presence. As a matter of fact, most of the current available methods to keep bobble toys bobbling are too mechanical, childish, or unpopular among fans of pop culture.

[0016] The pocket-size bobble heads and the key ring bobble heads or bobble toys are other contemporary spin of the bobble toys. These tiny bobble heads or bobble toys were created based on the demand for alternatives to have bobble heads and other bobble toys more portable, accompanying their owners everywhere and all the time. However, this alternative does not have great exposure of the bobbling feature of bobble toys, requiring people to tap the doll or the toy. Also, a key ring is not a modern or fancy gadget to appeal to the more demanding new generation of consumers of pop culture. Moreover, the pocket-size bobble heads or bobble toys are most of the time hidden inside pockets.

[0017] More recent variations of bobble head toys include the computer sitter bobble heads, where bobble heads can sit on top of computer monitors. The idea of combining or associating bobble head toys to technology has proven successful and appealing to adults and fans of pop culture. Nevertheless, despite being appealing to geeks and fans of pop culture, the computer sitter bobble heads do not provide any genuine, portable, and amusing way to get bobble heads bobbling without being tapped. Combining bobble toys with a popular tech device, while having a genuine and interactive way of showing the bobbling features of these toys without having to tap them, remains to be solved or discovered.

[0018] There is a gap and demand for a more culturally engaging way to get bobble toys, bobble dolls, and bobble heads bobbling while being portable, wearable, more interactive, more visible, more believable, in tune with new technology, in tune with music devices, and more appealing to adults and the new generation of geeks and pop culture fans. [0019] Invented in 1910 by Nathaniel Baldwin, headphones, also known as earspeakers, earphones, or headsets, have become an important tool for people interested in consuming and interacting with media individually and portably.

[0020] In addition to delivering music, headphones function as a fashion and amusing accessory, also expressing something about personality and style to onlookers.

[0021 ] Stickers, glue-ons, cards, and other 2 dimensional ornaments are used in modern headphones in order to change their appearance by users. There are also headphones in the market where users can paint the external part of the ear cups to fit their own artistic style.

[0022] Headphones appealing to fans of pop culture start to gain popularity in the latest years. The Frenzy & Rumble Transformers Headphones, manufactured by Takara Tommy, for example, have ear cups that can be morphed into a robot.

[0023] Star Wars fold-up headphones and earbuds by Funko, and Adventure Time Headphones by Jazzware are examples of headphones ornamented with pop culture characters that are successfully sold in the market.

[0024] Headphones sold in the market, with characters targeting fans of pop culture, lack interactivity between the characters and the music playing through the headphones. In the majority of cases, pop culture characters are just a two dimensional drawing or illustration on the ear cups of the headphones. Pop culture characters function as mere ornaments. In a few cases, toys have a partially three dimensional shape or have some movable piece. However, the functionality of these toys is totally independent from the headphones or the music playing through such headphones.

[0025] The popularity of headphones and bobble toys, sharing a common target market, and facing problems that can be solved through the cooperation between both, can produce a new amusing device with great exposure, appeal, and portability to a new generation of collectors, geeks, and fans of pop culture worldwide.

SUMMARY

[0026] The present invention provides apparatuses for making a bobble toy bobble through the combination of headphones and a bobble toy.

[0027] According to one embodiment of this invention, headphones combined with one or more bobble toys produce a unique and cooperative amusing effect where a bobble toy bobbles whenever the user nods or moves his or her head to the sound or music playing through the headphones. The nods or movements of the user impart a force to the headphones transferring energy (kinetic) to a bobble toy coupled to the headphones. The toy, in turn, appears to nod or move to the sound of the music playing through the headphones. This increases the realism, interaction, and cooperation of this combined invention. People like to nod or bang their heads while listening to music in their headphones. Likewise, they like to show bobble toys bobbling. This produces a genuine and cooperative way to have bobble toys bobbling, without having to tap them, while being portable and interactive with music and headphones.

[0028] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

DRAWINGS - Figures

[0029] FIG. 1 shows headphones with bobble toys, in this case bobble heads, connected to each ear cup, in accordance with preferred embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 2 details the bobble toys of FIG. 1 , showing an exploded view of the bobble toy on the right ear cup of the headphones. [0031 ] FIG. 3 shows headphones with bobble toys, in this case bobble heads, detached from the right and left ear cups.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows bobble toys, in this case bobble heads, where the heads are facing sideways, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a bobble toy, in this case a bobble head enclosed by a shell, attached to the right ear cup of the headphones, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a bobble toy, in this case a bobble head enclosed by a shell, detached from the headphones with a coupling system to attach/detach bobble toys, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the bobble head with a shell depicted in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a hook type coupling system for bobble toys and headphones, in accordance with preferred embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 9 shows a slide-in coupling system for bobble toys and headphones, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

[0038] FIG. 10 shows a stud-socket coupling system for bobble toys and

headphones, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 1 1 shows a multiple stud-socket coupling system for bobble toys and headphones, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

[0040] FIG. 12 shows a twist-lock coupling system for bobble toys and headphones, in accordance with other preferred embodiments. [0041 ] FIG. 13 shows a magnet coupling system for bobble toys and headphones, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 14 shows bobble toys, in this case bobble heads, coupled to the headband of the headphones, in accordance with other embodiments.

[0043] FIG. 15 shows a bobble toy, in this case just the bobbling arm of a doll, coupled to the headphones, in accordance with other embodiments.

[0044] FIG. 16 shows a bobble toy, comprising the full-body of a doll, coupled to the headphones, in accordance with other embodiments.

[0045] FIG. 17 shows a bobble toy, in this case a wobbling car, coupled to the headphones, in accordance with other preferred embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0046] FIG. 1 is a front view of bobble toys combined with headphones according to preferred embodiments. Each bobble toy, in this particular embodiment, comprises the head of a doll. However, bobble toys including, but not limited to, other parts of a doll, a full body of a doll, cars, and music instruments are also contemplated. Bobble toys that comprise a bobbling head of a doll are also called bobble heads. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the right-ear bobble toy 1 12, in this case a bobble head, is coupled to the right ear cup 1 10 of the headphones. The left-ear bobble toy 1 16, in this case a bobble head, is coupled to the left ear cup 1 14 of the

headphones. Preferably, the bobble toys can be attached and detached on and off the headphones utilising a coupling system, but in less preferred embodiments they can also be permanently connected to the headphones. According to preferred embodiments, the opposite ear cups of the same headphones can have different bobble toys coupled to.

[0047] FIG. 2 details the bobble toys from FIG. 1 , showing an exploded view of the bobble toy on the right ear cup of the headphones, according to preferred embodiments. Bobble toys generally comprise two substantially rigid portions coupled to each other by a spring or a connector with elasticity or springiness. An impact to at least one of the substantially rigid portions will cause one of the portions to bobble. The term bobble means swing back and forth, wobble, vibrate, wiggle, or simply move as a pendulum. In the example detailed in FIG. 2, the first substantially rigid portion comprises a bobble doll's head 210 that couples to the second substantially rigid portion, a bobble doll's base 214, via a connector with elasticity or springiness, in this case a spring 212. When users of the headphones nod or move their heads, they impart a degree of force onto the headphones. The second substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy, in this case the base 214, which is coupled to the headphones, transfers energy to the spring. The spring 212 then stores potential elastic energy and vibrates, transferring energy to the first substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy, in this case the bobble doll's head 210. This transfer of energy between the two substantially rigid portions, according to this embodiment, gives the bobbling effect to the toy. Thus, since the bobble toy is coupled to the headphones and generally moves as a result of the rhythmic nods of the headphones' user, these bobble toys do not need to be tapped to bobble as required by some prior art. As such, bobble toys bobble in a more genuine, interactive, and believable way. In other similar preferred embodiments, a bobble toy comprises just one substantially rigid portion coupled directly to the headphones via a connector with elasticity or springiness (not shown). In this particular case (not shown), the headphones function as the second substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy, transferring energy directly to the spring. Other connectors with elasticity or springiness to store elastic potential energy and transfer energy from one substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy to the other substantially rigid portion, or from the headphones to the first substantially rigid portion, can replace the spring, including, but not limited to, bamboo, wire, metal plates, and rubber, as long as they keep the bobbling functionality of the bobble toy. People like to nod or bang their heads while listening to music in their headphones. Likewise, they like to show bobble toys bobbling without having to tap them often. As a result, preferred embodiments, as shown by FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, produce a genuine and cooperative way to have bobble toys bobbling, without being tapped, while being portable and interactive with music and technology devices. In other preferred embodiments, bobble toys can receive energy from electric, acoustic, electromagnetic, radio, infrared, or other suitable signals produced by the speaker or by any device coupled to or communicating with the headphones. These signals, according to preferred embodiments, can be directly related to the pulses or frequencies of the music playing through the headphones. In preferred embodiments, a bobble toy can be coupled to one or both ear cups. Coupling a bobble toy to a technology device also contributes to make bobble toys more appealing to adults and fans of pop culture as experienced by some of the prior art. Distinctively from the pure ornamental associations of bobble toys with technology as seen in prior art, or yet different from the unnatural mechanical and repetitive behavior resulting from the combination of bobble toys and technology devices, embodiments described herein provide a genuine, functional, and amusing cooperation between headphones (popular technology device) and a bobble toy.

[0048] According to preferred embodiments, bobble toys can be attached and detached from headphones, utilising a coupling system. FIG. 3 shows the bobble toys, in this case the bobble heads or bobble dolls as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, detached from the headphones' right ear cup 1 10, and from the headphones' left ear cup 1 14, according to preferred embodiments. As per FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows bobble toys comprising a bobble doll's head 210 (first substantially rigid portion) connected to a bobble doll's base 214 (second substantially rigid portion) through a bobble doll's connector with elasticity or springiness, in this case a spring 212. Bobble toys comprising other parts of a doll, or other substantially rigid objects are also contemplated (not shown). Different coupling systems can be utilised to couple the bobble toys to the headphones, as it will be explained in some of the next figures. Attachable and detachable headphones bobble toys allow collectors to wear and exhibit their collections without being limited to indoor spaces as some of the prior-art bobble toys. In one type of coupling system, as shown in FIG. 3, the bobble doll's base (second substantially rigid portion) has a concave fastening surface 312 (shown in FIG. 3 just on the left-ear bobble toy, but also applicable to the right-ear bobble toy) that allows the bobble toy to slide-engage into the headphones' ear cups through its matching convex fastening surface 310 (shown in FIG. 3 just on the right ear cup, but also applicable to the left ear cup) on the headphones' ear cups. Herein, according to preferred embodiments, the second substantially rigid portion is also considered as part of the coupling system to connect the bobble toy to the

headphones. The bobble toys substantially rigid portions, in this case the bobble doll's head 210 and the bobble doll's base 214 are preferably made from resin, vinyl or plastic, but other materials, including, but not limited to, ceramic, papier-mache, rubber, silicone, metal, and wood are also contemplated. Bobble toys having just one substantially rigid portion coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness, with the connector with elasticity or springiness coupled directly to the headphones are also contemplated in preferred embodiments (not shown). In this case (not shown), the headphones act as the second substantially rigid portion.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a small variation of the bobble toys presented in the previous figures, according to preferred embodiments. FIG. 4 depicts a bobble doll's head (first substantially rigid portion) 410 facing sideways, connected to a bobble doll's base (second substantially rigid portion) 412 via a connector with elasticity or springiness, in this case a spring (not shown). The bobble doll's base 412 is coupled to the headphones' right ear cup. The head of the right side bobble doll 410 is facing one direction and the head of the left side bobble doll 414 is facing the opposite direction. The left side bobble doll is a mirror of the right side bobble doll, in this example. However, different bobble toys (not shown) can be coupled to opposite ear cups of the same headphones. The example shown in FIG. 4 illustrates a toy with just the head of a doll and a base. Other bobble toys comprising different parts of a doll, combination of parts of a doll, a full doll, representation of motor vehicles, representation of music instruments, and other substantially rigid objects are also contemplated.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows another aspect of this inventive subject matter. In FIG. 5, the bobble toy 510 comprises a shell 610 partially surrounding the head of a doll 612. In this example, the head of the doll 612 is the first substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy, and the shell 610 is the second substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy. The head 612 is coupled to the shell 610 via a connector with elasticity or springiness (not shown). The shell 610 partially surrounds the sides and back of the doll's head 612, exposing the front and part of the sides of the doll's head. The shell can be considered as part of the coupling system to couple the bobble toy to the headphones. When users of the headphones nod or move their heads, energy is transferred to the shell 610, which is coupled to the headphones. The shell then transfers energy to the connector with elasticity or springiness (not shown), which vibrates and makes the doll's head 612 (first substantially rigid portion) bobble. FIG. 5 depicts a rounded shell, but other shapes, including, but not limited to, oval, squared, triangular, rectangular, are also contemplated, according to preferred embodiments. Preferably the material of the shell is plastic, vinyl, resin, tin, or zinc, although other materials including, but not limited to, rubber, iron, brass, and other metals are also contemplated. The shell can also represent the body, the bust, or part of the body of a doll, according to other embodiments (not shown). In FIG. 5 the bobble toy comprises the head of a doll, but other toys including, but not limited to, toys with part of a doll or the full body of a doll, toys representing motor vehicles, and toys representing musical instruments are also contemplated (not shown), according to other embodiments. The head of a doll or other toys surrounded by the shell can have any size. FIG. 5 shows a fairly big head of a doll, but preferred embodiments can also include smaller heads of a doll, making the bobble toy more discrete and appealing to adults and fans of pop culture. Bobble toys can also include, in accordance with other embodiments, toys totally enclosed by a completely or partially transparent shell or case (not shown). Shells surrounding a bobble toy or a bobble head, as the one shown in FIG. 5, can offer a more discrete and adult-like appearance to bobble toys and headphones, having a greater appeal to fans of pop culture.

[0051 ] FIG. 6 shows the bobble toy 510, depicted in FIG. 5, detached from the headphones, according to preferred embodiments. In less preferred embodiments, similar bobble toys can be permanently attached to the headphones. As in FIG. 5, the bobble toy shown in FIG. 6, comprises a head of a doll 612 partially enclosed by a shell 610. In FIG. 6, the bobble toy 510 is detached from the right ear cup of the headphones with support to attach/detach bobble toys, according to preferred embodiments. Bobble toys can be attached and detached from both ear cups of the headphones, according to preferred embodiments. In the coupling system

exemplified in FIG. 6, the headphones' ear cups contain a protruding surface 614 with small spring-loaded balls 616 on the edge, on the outer part of the ear cups (FIG. 6 details just the right ear cup), to attach the bobble toy's shell onto the headphones. The back side of the bobble toy's shell has a caved-in surface (not shown) for the ear cup's protruding surface 614 of the headphones to engage into. When the bobble toy is pushed towards the ear cups of the headphones, the spring- loaded balls retract when in contact with a salient edge that surrounds the entry of the caved-in surface of the back of the shell in the bobble toy, and the protruding surface 614 of the ear cup makes its way through the caved-in surface (not shown). When the bobble toy's shell is pulled out from the ear cups, the spring-loaded balls 616 on the headphones retract once again when in contact with the salient edge that surrounds the entry of the caved-in surface (not shown) of the back of the shell, releasing the bobble toy's shell off the headphones. This is just one example of fastening system utilised in preferred embodiments. The bobble toys with shell can also utilise any other mechanical, chemical, non-mechanical, or non-chemical attachment methods, including, but not limited to, threaded attachments, non- threaded attachments, stud-socket, buttons, magnets, glues, and adhesives.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the bobble toys comprising a shell, as depicted in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, according to preferred embodiments. The head of the doll 612 (first substantially rigid portion) is coupled to the shell 610 (second substantially rigid portion) via a connector with elasticity or springiness, in this case a spring 710. The spring 710 is glued to a stem 712 in the inner center of the shell. Alternatively, other methods of coupling the spring to the shell, eliminating the stem and glue parts, are also contemplated, including, but not limited to, welding, soldering, and screwing. Other connectors with elasticity or springiness to store elastic potential energy and transfer energy from one substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy to the other substantially rigid portion, can replace the spring, including, but not limited to, bamboo, wire, metal plate, and rubber, as long as they keep the bobbling spirit and functionality of the bobble toy. In other preferred embodiments, bobble toys with shell can receive energy from electric, acoustic, electromagnetic, radio, infrared, or other suitable signals produced by the speaker or produced by any device coupled to or communicating with the headphones. These signals can be a real match to the waves or frequencies of the music or sound playing through the headphones.

[0053] In preferred embodiments, headphones have a coupling system to attach and detach bobble toys. This provides ways for users to collect, wear, and swap bobble toys to connect with headphones. If they are going to a sport event, they can wear the bobble head of their favourite athlete or team star; if they are going to a political protest, they can wear the bobble head of a political leader or candidate, for example. And these bobble heads become more functional, interactive, and portable. When coupled to the headphones, they bobble as in tune with the music, and grabbing onlookers' attention. It's a new way to collect and get bobble toys or bobble heads moving and amusing. People do not need to tap bobble toys to see them bobbling. Moreover, bobble toys no longer need to be limited to indoor environments or be attached to cars' dashboards as suggested by prior art. In the case of bobble heads, different characters can be worn on each ear cup of the headphones, making interesting combinations to spark the curiosity and interest of onlookers. For example, one can wear antagonist characters on opposite ear cups, characters from the same tv series on opposite sides, creator and creature characters on opposite ear cups, good and evil characters on opposite ear cups, etc. Sky is the limit when it comes to combining bobble head characters on the

headphones. In other preferred embodiments, bobble toys can be permanently coupled to headphones.

[0054] FIGS. 8-13 show different types of coupling systems to attach bobble toys to headphones. Generally a coupling system comprises a connector pertaining to the group formed by mechanical connectors, chemical connectors, non-mechanical connectors, and non-chemical connectors. The coupling system term used herein may also refer to the combination of a connector (to connect to the headphones) and a substantially rigid portion, including, but not limited to, the base of a bobble toy with a connector (to connect to the headphones), the lower body of a bobble toy with a connector (to connect to the headphones), and the shell of a bobble toy with a connector (to connect to the headphones). [0055] In FIG. 8, the base of the bobble toy, in this particular case a bobble head, has a hook 810 that slides into a pocket 812 located at the outer part of the headphones' ear cup. The hook 810 and pocket 812 can be made from aluminum, titanium, other metals, carbon fiber, plastic, or resin. Other suitable materials are also contemplated.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a close-up view of a coupling system to attach/detach bobble toys or bobble heads on and off the headphones, as previously shown in FIG. 3, according to preferred embodiments. The convex attaching surface 310, on the outer part of the ear cups of the headphones, slide-engages into the concave attaching surface 312 of the bobble doll's base, in this case a bobble head's base, locking both parts together. In a different configuration, the protrusion (convex attaching surface) is on the bobble toy and the cavity (concave attaching surface) on the headphones (not shown).

[0057] FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment where bobble toys, in this case bobble heads, are attached/detached by a stud-socket connection (coupling system). The stud 1010 snaps into the socket part 1012, just like a snap button utilised in jackets or purses, for example. The stud part 1010 can be on the bobble toy (bobble head), while the socket 1012 is on the headphones, or vice-versa (not shown). The number of studs and sockets may vary. FIG. 1 1 shows an embodiment with multiple studs 1 1 10 and multiple sockets 1 1 12. Pre fabricated buttons, such as buttons used in the clothing and bags industry, can also be used in the construction of the bobble toys and the headphones. Magnetic buttons is another option contemplated in preferred embodiments.

[0058] FIG. 12 shows another type of coupling system between the bobble toys and the headphones, according to preferred embodiments. In this coupling system, the external part of the headphones' ear cups has circumferential perforations 1212, while the bobble toy's base, in this case the bobble head's base, contains pins 1210, or vice-versa (not shown), which engage into each other with a push and twist, allowing users to attach and detach bobble toys on and off the headphones. [0059] In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the bobble toys, in this case bobble heads, can be attached and detached from the headphones by magnets, according to preferred embodiments. The headphones' part has a magnet 1312 and the bobble toy's part has a metal base 1310, or vice-versa. Moreover, the headphones and the bobble toys can contain magnets with opposite poles of attraction in order to attach the parts together.

[0060] In different embodiments, headphones and bobble toys can also be attached and detached by screw locks, where the threaded sleeve may be in either the headphones or the bobble toy. The parts are fastened by screwing one into the other.

[0061 ] Mechanical, chemical, non-mechanical, and non-chemical connectors can be utilised in preferred embodiments of this invention to couple bobble toys to headphones. Therefore, other coupling systems with connectors, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fastener, hook-and-eye closure, buckles, spring pins, rubber bands, and threaded fasteners are also contemplated.

[0062] Alternative to attachable/detachable bobble toys, a bobble toy can be permanently connected to the headphones, according to less preferred

embodiments.

[0063] In preferred embodiments, bobble toys are coupled to one or more ear cups of the headphones. In less preferred embodiments, bobble toys are coupled to the headband or head harness of the headphones, or yet to connectors that couple the ear cups to the headband or to the head harness, including, for example, head adjustment parts. Bobble toys can be coupled to the headphones utilising any type of mechanical connectors, some of them discussed herein, including, for example, screws, or stud-socket connectors. Alternatively, bobble toys can be coupled to the headphones utilising any type of chemical connectors including glues, adhesives, and so forth. Other suitable non-mechanical and non-chemical connectors can be utilised, including magnets, strings, elastics, suction cups, and so forth. [0064] FIGS. 1 -17 show headphones with a body portion comprising a pair of ear cups and a headband. However, headphones without headband, including, but not limited to, ear clip headphones, are also contemplated in preferred embodiments.

[0065] Headphones with different shapes, materials, sizes, colors and components to the ones shown in the figures discussed above are also contemplated, according to other embodiments.

[0066] Bobble heads or bobble toys depicted in the figures herein have a fairly big size. However, other sizes of bobble heads and bobble toys are also contemplated. Bobble heads and bobble toys with smaller sizes may contribute for a more discrete embodiment with greater appeal to adults and pop culture fans.

[0067] Some embodiments discussed herein are targeted to adults and pop culture fans, but other embodiments targeting children and other audiences are also contemplated.

[0068] Different aspect of preferred embodiments includes toys with multiple substantially rigid portions connected to each other via a connector with elasticity or springiness, where at least one of the rigid portions or connector is coupled to the headphones. One example of a toy with multiple substantially rigid portions connected to each other via a connector with elasticity or springiness is a doll with limbs that connect to the body via a spring, and the base of the doll connects the doll to the headphones.

[0069] Also, a bobble toy, in accordance with preferred embodiments, can be a representational head of a human, animal, or creature, coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness. Alternatively, according to other preferred embodiments, the bobble toy can be the representational bust of a human, animal, or creature, coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness; the representational full body of a human (see FIG. 16), animal, or creature, coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness; representational parts of the body of a human (see FIG. 15), animal, or creature, coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness; or simply a representational motor vehicle as shown in FIG. 17, or a representational part of a motor vehicle coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness; Other toys including, but not limited to, toys representing musical instruments, coupled to a connector with elasticity or springiness, are also contemplated, according to other embodiments.

[0070] In the case of bobble toys that comprise bobble dolls or bobble heads, a doll, a head of a doll, or part of a doll can be a representation of any character, including, but not limited to, a famous character, a cartoon character, a game character, a movie character, a real or fictitious literary character, a sports persona, a politician, a famous musician, an infamous character, a mythical or traditional character, a religious leader, a historic figure, or a celebrity. A doll herein may refer to a representation of any known or unknown human being, animal, creature, or character. In other preferred embodiments, characters or dolls can also be manufactured or depicted wearing headphones to make the interaction among the toy, the user, and the real headphones more believable.

[0071 ] Alternative to springs, other connectors or objects to store or transfer energy from the second substantially rigid portion of the bobble toy, or from the

headphones, to the first substantially rigid portion are contemplated according to preferred embodiments, including, but not limited to, bamboo, wire, rubber, silicone, other elastomers, and other objects with elasticity or springiness, as long as they keep the bobbling spirit and functionality inherent to bobble toys.

[0072] Headphones with support for attaching/detaching bobble toys may also be used without any bobble toy attached to them according to preferred embodiments.

[0073] According to preferred embodiments, generally a bobble toy bobbles whenever users of the headphones, in which the bobble toy is attached to, move to the sound playing through the headphones. Those movements can be the rhythmic nods or shakes of the head. Generally, users like to nod their heads or dance to the music playing through the headphones. This creates an amusing cooperation between bobble toys and headphones. The bobble toys can also bobble whenever the user talks, walks, runs, jumps, or moves, while using the headphones. Tapping one of the substantially rigid portions of the bobble toy connected to the headphones can also make the bobble toy bobble, just like a conventional bobble toy. Vibrations or movements caused by the environment where the user of the headphones is located can also make the bobble toy connected to the headphones bobble.

Alternatively, bobble toys can also move in response to electrical, acoustic, electromagnetic, radio, infrared, or other suitable signals produced by the speaker of the headphones or produced by any device coupled to or communicating with the headphones, according to other preferred embodiments. One example would be a MP3 player, connected to the headphones, that converts digital data into analog electrical impulses. Electrical signals outputted from the MP3 player are inputted into the headphones and make the spring coupled to the bobble toy vibrate, producing the bobbling effect. The use of transducer to convert one type of signal or energy into another can be used in preferred embodiments to make the bobble toy bobble. For example, a tactile transducer, hooked to a speaker or audio amplifier, can be coupled to any of the substantially rigid portions of the bobble toy, to the connector with elasticity or springiness, or any other component of the headphones, converting frequencies into mechanical energy and making the bobble toy bobble. A tactile transducer is an electro-mechanical device that shakes. Generally tactile

transducers are hooked up to an audio amplifier and mount to a solid object, in order to make this object to shake or vibrate. Bass shakers, amplifiers, actuators, and sound-motion augmentation devices, are examples of other devices that can assist or make the bobble toy bobble. In other preferred embodiments, the use of subwoofers can be utilised to make the bobble toy bobble. According to other embodiments, bobble toys wobbling features may be activated and controlled by devices in which the headphones with support for bobble toys are connected to, or communicating with (via wired or wireless communication), for example, mobile phones, smart phones, video game consoles, MP3 players, or computers.

Headphones can communicate with devices by means of pairing the headphones with the devices. In a more sophisticated form, the users can send commands via those devices, for the bobble toys connected to or communicating with the

headphones to move. Commands can be sent via Bluetooth, or other wireless and/or wired forms of communication. In less preferred embodiments, other mechanisms in- built in the bobble toy, including, but not limited to, solar power, and battery, can make the bobble toy with support to be attached to headphones bobble, in a way that the bobble toy seems to be bobbling in response to the music or sound playing through the headphones. In other preferred embodiments, a bobble toy, coupled to headphones, can interact with a game or program running in a computer, console, or other device to which the headphones with support for bobble toys are connected or communicating with.

[0074] With the popularity of pop culture headphones and digital music devices, and the role of bobble toys, bobble dolls, and bobble heads in a soaring market of collectors, geeks, and fans worldwide, this synergistic combination of bobble toys and headphones has a distinctive and unique function. Several advantages of one or more aspects are to provide, to adults, geeks, and fans of pop culture, a more genuine and appealing way of having bobble toys and bobble heads bobbling without being tapped. Other advantages of one or more aspects are to make bobble toys more portable, more engaging to technology and music devices, more interactive and visible outside indoor spaces, and more amusing to adults and fans of pop culture. From a different perspective, advantages include making headphones more interactive, unique, and appealing to adults, geeks and fans of pop culture.

[0075] Whenever bobble toys are not attached to the headphones, they can still be part of a collection and stand on shelves, wall frames, or tables. On the shelves, they may stand on their own or they can have an extra base or stand. Stands that resemble the character's low body part, or any other part of the doll, can also be utilised. Wall frames or boards can also be produced to display headphones bobble toys, headphones bobble dolls, or headphones bobble heads, whenever they are not used on the headphones. Bobble toys can be attached to wall frames or boards utilising mechanical, chemical, non-mechanical, or non-chemical fastening

mechanisms, including the ones described herein to connect bobble toys to headphones.

[0076] Embodiments described herein will make bobble toys to behave more genuinely and believably, responding directly or indirectly to music playing through headphones and moving in a full range of movements that do not look mechanical or systematical like battery moving toys or solar bobbling toys. This will be much more in line with expectations from adults and pop culture fans, who expect products more believable, interactive, and in connection with technology devices. Moreover, some embodiments described here, do not need to be tapped to cause amusement to onlookers. Yet, from a different aspect, bobble toys become more portable and wearable, being less restricted to indoor spaces. This will fulfill the desire to exhibit pop culture items, something inherent to the new generation of geeks and pop culture fans.

[0077] Headphones are a big market for pop culture fans. The fact that headphones lead people to nod their heads, while listening to music, sparks an amusing synergistic combination with bobble toys. From a different perspective, according to some embodiments described here, having characters' heads directly connected to a device, while the head of the user is also connected to the same device, and with all heads nodding or moving, responding to the music playing through the

headphones, will certainly provoke a surprising and amusing effect.

[0078] Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of apparatuses to make a bobble toy bobble through the combination of headphones and a bobble toy provides a more functional, amusing, genuine, portable, effective, believable, interactive, music driven, fashionable, and culturally engaging pop culture device.

[0079] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.