AN INTERCONNECTABLE EARPHONE SET AND CONNECTOR THEREFOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The invention relates to interconnectable earphone sets and connectors to

connect earpieces of an earphone set.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many conventional earphone sets become tangled during activities such as

running should one or both earphones come loose from a user's ear, or when the user desires to keep exercising, but does not wish to continue exercising with the earphones placed in the ears. What is needed is an interconnectable earphone set that permits a user to conveniently carry earphones in a substantially ready-to-use configuration.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a set of earphones, comprising:

a first earpiece and a second earpiece, each earpiece including:

a speaker in electrical communication with a wire; and

a housing having arranged thereon an engagement means, the engagement means having a central longitudinal axis that is

substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the wire, the central longitudinal axis of the engagement means being substantially perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the speaker, each engagement means being complementary to the other engagement means such that the engagement means of the first earpiece may be releasably engaged with the engagement means of the second earpiece.

[0004] Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the engagement means of the first earpiece may have a raised configuration and the engagement means of the second earpiece may have a complementary sunken configuration. Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the engagement means on the first earpiece and the engagement means on the second earpiece may be configured to form a threaded fastening mechanism when the first earpiece and the second earpiece are coupled.

Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the engagement means on the first earpiece and the engagement means on the second earpiece may be configured to form a snap fastening mechanism when the first earpiece and the second earpiece are coupled.

Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the engagement means on the first earpiece and the engagement means on the second earpiece may be configured to form a hook-and-loop fastening mechanism when the first earpiece and the second earpiece are coupled.

Each engagement means of the set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may include a magnet.

The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may further comprise a first control element for controlling an audio output of the speaker of the first earpiece.

The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may further comprise a first control element for controlling an audio output of the speaker of the first earpiece and an audio output of the speaker of the second earpiece.

The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may further comprise at least one microphone.

The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may further comprise a second control element for controlling a device when the device is in electrical communication with the second control element. Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the engagement means of the first earpiece and the engagement means of the second earpiece may be configured to constrain the first earpiece and the second earpiece to a selectable orientation. Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the central longitudinal axis of the speaker of the first earpiece and the central longitudinal axis of the speaker of the second earpiece may be substantially parallel, when the engagement means of the first earpiece and the engagement means of the second earpiece are coupled.

Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the first earpiece and the second earpiece may be oriented in substantially the same direction, when the engagement means of the first earpiece and the engagement means of the second earpiece are coupled.

Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the set of earphones may form a loop when the engagement means of the first earpiece and the

engagement means of the second earpiece are coupled.

The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention, may further comprise:

a speaker spaced apart from the first earpiece and in electrical communication with the electrical wire in electrical communication with the first earpiece.

The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may further comprise a third control element configured to selectably direct audio output to:

at least one speaker of the first and second earpiece; or

the speaker spaced apart from the first earpiece and in electrical communication with the electrical wire in electrical communication with the first earpiece. [0018] The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may further comprise:

a speaker spaced apart from the first earpiece and in electrical communication with the electrical wire in electrical communication with the first earpiece; and

a speaker spaced apart from the second earpiece and in electrical communication with the electrical wire in electrical communication with the second earpiece.

[0019] The set of earphones according to the first aspect of the invention may further comprise a third control element configured to selectably direct audio output to:

at least one speaker of the first and second earpiece; or

the speaker spaced apart from the first earpiece and in electrical communication with the electrical wire in electrical communication with the first earpiece and the speaker spaced apart from the second earpiece and in electrical communication with the electrical wire in electrical communication with the second earpiece.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a connector for connecting together a set of earphones, the connector comprising:

a pair of sleeves, each sleeve being configured to overlie a rearward portion of a speaker housing, each sleeve having a complementary engagement means for engaging one another once the sleeves are engaged with respective earphones so as to engage the earphones to one another.

Each sleeve according to the second aspect of the invention may be configured to receive the rearward portion of the speaker housing in a snap-fit relationship.

[0022] The snap-fit relationship according to the second aspect of the invention may be selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a cantilever snap-fit;

(b) a torsional snap-fit; and

(c) an annular snap-fit. Further according to the second aspect of the invention, the complementary engagements means of one sleeve may have a raised configuration and the complementary engagement means of the other sleeve may have a

complementary sunken configuration.

Further according to the second aspect of the invention, the complementary engagements means of the sleeves may be configured to form a threaded fastening mechanism when the sleeves are coupled.

Further according to the second aspect of the invention, the complementary engagements means of the sleeves may be configured to form a snap fastening mechanism when the sleeves are coupled.

The complementary engagement means of the sleeves according to the second aspect of the invention may be configured to form a hook-and-loop fastening mechanism when the sleeves are coupled.

Each engagement means of the connector according to the second aspect of the invention may include a magnet.

The connector according to the second aspect of the invention may be configured to constrain the pair of earphones to a selectable orientation.

The selectable orientation according to the second aspect of the invention may orient the pair of earphones in substantially the same direction, once the sleeves are engaged with respective earphones so as to engage the earphones to one another.

At least a part of each wire leading to each speaker housing according to the second aspect of the invention may form a loop once the earphones are engaged to one another by a connector according to the second aspect of the invention. Each sleeve according to the second aspect of the invention may be further configured to overlie at least a portion of a wire leading to the speaker housing.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an earphone set that includes:

two earphones, each earphone including an earphone housing; and an attachment arrangement the enables attaching and detaching of the earphone housings to and from each other.

The attachment arrangement according to the third aspect of the invention may include cooperating attachment members, in which one attachment member may be carried by one of the earphone housings and another attachment member may be carried by another one of the earphone housings, the attachment members being attachable and detachable to and from each other, for attaching and detaching the earphone housings to and from each other.

The attachment arrangement according to the third aspect of the invention may include a snap fit joint, such as a cantilever-type snap fit joint having cooperating latch and lug members, in which case the latch members may be carried by the one earphone housing and the lug members may be carried by the other earphone housing.

The attachment arrangement according to the third aspect of the invention may include a snap fit joint, such as an annular-type snap fit joint having cooperating annular collar and annular groove members, in which case the annular collar member may be carried by the one earphone housing and the annular groove member may be carried by the other earphone housing. The attachment arrangement according to the third aspect of the invention may include a magnetic joint having cooperating magnetic members, in which case one magnetic member may be carried by the one earphone housing and another magnetic member may be carried by the other earphone housing. [0037] The attachment arrangement according to the third aspect of the invention may include a bayonet joint having a cooperating bayonet pin providing member and a complementary bayonet slot providing member, in which case the bayonet pin providing member may be carried by the one earphone housing and the bayonet slot providing member may be carried by the other earphone housing.

[0038] An embodiment of the invention is now described, by way of example, with

reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an earphone set in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows a partial expanded view of the earphone set of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a cross sectional side elevation view of the earphones taken along lines A--A of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a cross sectional top plan view of the earphones taken along lines B--B of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a partial expanded perspective view of an earphone set in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 6 shows a cross sectional side elevation view of the earphones taken along lines C--C of the earphones of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows a cross sectional top plan view of the earphones taken along lines D--D of the earphones Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 shows a partial expanded perspective view of an earphone set in accordance with further embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 9 shows a cross sectional side elevation view of the earphones taken along lines E--E of the earphones Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows a partial expanded perspective view of an earphone set in accordance with an additional embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 1 1 shows a cross sectional side elevation view of the earphones taken along lines F--F of the earphone set of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 shows a cross sectional side elevation of an exploded view of the earphone set of Fig. 11. [0051 ] Fig. 13 shows a partial perspective view of an earphone set with a pair of

slideable locking members in accordance with further embodiment of the disclosure.

[0052] Fig. 14 shows a partial expanded perspective view of the earphones Fig. 13 with the locking members engaged.

[0053] Fig. 15 shows a connector in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0054] Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of an earphone set in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 refers to an embodiment of an earphone set, in accordance with the invention. Broadly, the earphone set 10 includes two earphones 12, 14 in the form of earpieces. Each earpiece 12, 14 includes an earpiece housing 16, 18 that houses a speaker connected with flexible electrical wires 22 to a connector plug, such as a jack plug 24 for connecting with a sound output socket of an electronic terminal device (not shown), such as a mobile phone, tablet, or the like.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 3, each earpiece housing 16, 18 includes a generally bell- shaped formation 34 having sound mesh formations at its base. Towards its apex, the bell-shaped formation transitions into a tubular wire gland formation that sweeps laterally away from the bell-shaped formation so as to form a smoothly curved bell face 38 opposite a wire gland formation 36.

[0057] The earphone set 10 further includes an engagement means, generally indicated by reference numeral 20, for attaching and detaching the earpiece housings 16, 18, to and from each other. Each earpiece housing 16, 18, includes a protuberance 40, 42 that projects way from the bell face 38 in a direction opposite to the tubular wire gland formation 36.

[0058] In Figs. 1 to 4, the engagement means 20 is in the form of a snap fit joint, in

particular a cantilever-type snap fit joint. The cantilever-type snap fit joint 22 includes cooperating latch and lug members 26, 28. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, latch member 26 is in the form of two latch arms that are spaced apart and that project cantilever-fashion away from the protuberance 42 of earpiece housing 18. The latch arms 26 are formed so as to permit resilient deflection toward each other. Towards a free end of each latch arm 26 is a latch or hook formation that slants laterally away from a laterally outer side of the latch arm 26 towards the earpiece housing 18.

With continued reference to Figs. 3 and 4, lug member 28 is in the form of a tubular lug formation 32 that projects away from the protuberance 40 of ear-bud housing 16 in a direction opposite to the wire gland formation of earpiece housing 16. The tubular lug formation 32 defines lug openings 30 transversely opposite each other.

In Figs. 5 to 7, another embodiment of an earphone set, generally indicated by reference numeral 50, is shown. The earphone set 50 also includes earpiece housings 52, 54 having bell-shaped faces 56, 58, and wire gland formations 60, 70.

In this embodiment, the attachment arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 62, is also in the form of a snap fit joint particularly in the form of an annular-type snap fit joint or pop barrel joint. The pop barrel joint 62 includes an annular collar and annular groove member 64, 68.

The annular collar member 64 is in the form of a cylindrical protuberance that projects from the bell face 58 in a direction opposite to the wire gland formation 70 of the earpiece housing 54, and includes an outer circumferentially extending collar or ridge. The annular groove member 68 is in the form of a tubular formation that protrudes from the bell face 56 in a direction opposite to the wire gland formation 60 of earpiece housing 52, and includes an inner

circumferentially extending groove or recess that is complementary shaped to the collar or ridge of the annular collar member 64.

In Figs. 8 and 9, reference numeral 80 generally refers to another embodiment of an earphone set in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the engagement means 86 is in the form of a magnetic joint or magnetic clasp that includes cooperating magnetic members 88, 90. The magnetic members 88, 90, are shaped complementary for mounting over a brow portion of associated bell- faces 92, 94, of the earpiece housings 82, 84.

In Figs. 10 to 12, reference numeral 100 refers to another embodiment of an earphone set, in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the earphones 102, 104 are in the form of in-ear earphones. The in-ear earphones include in-ear earpiece housings 106, 108.

Each in-ear earpiece housing 106, 108, includes a generally frusto-conical formation 1 10, 114, having sound mesh formations at its relative wider end, and includes a circular cylindrical formation 112, 1 16, projecting axially away from a relative narrower end of the frusto-conical formation.

In this embodiment, the attachment arrangement 1 18 includes a bayonet joint having a cooperating bayonet pin providing member 120 and complementary bayonet slot providing member 122.

The bayonet pin providing formation 120 is in the form of a circular cylindrical cap that is located axially in the cylindrical formation 1 16 of the in-ear earpiece housing 106 in such a way that an end wall 128 of the cap formation is outside of the cylindrical portion 116 of the in ear-earpiece housing 106. Towards the end wall 128 of the cap formation 120 there are provided circumferentially spaced apart pin or latch formations 126 that project radially outwardly.

The bayonet slot providing member 122 is formed by the cylindrical portion 122 of the in-ear earpiece housing 108. The slots 124 are circumferentially spaced apart and define generally L-shaped passages that are complementary shaped for receiving the pin or latch formations 126 in bayonet coupling fashion.

A biasing member is provided that includes a helical coil spring 138 that extends axially through the slot providing member 122. One end of the helical coil spring 138 abuts an inner wall 136 of the frusto-conical portion 1 10 of the in-ear earpiece housing 108, and another end of the helical coil spring 138 is received within a bias cap 132.

[0071 ] In Figs. 13 and 14, reference numeral 150 refers to yet another embodiment of an earphone set. The earphone set 150 also includes earpieces 152, 154, and electrical wires extending from the earpieces 152, 154. In this embodiment the attachment arrangement includes two rings 158 that are capable of interlocking with each other, and of embracing respective earpieces, thereby to attach the earpieces 152, 154 to each other. Each ring includes an opening and closing attachment to clip the wire, thereby securing each ring in place when not securing the earphones together. In a preferred form, each ring is a partial coil so that it has two free ends (one of which is shown in Fig. 14). In use, from a state where the user is finished listening to audio, the user disengages the clip and slides the ring from proximate a "V" where the wires join to a position proximate the end of the earphone. Once at the earphones, the rings are engaged with one another by sliding one free end of one ring through the other ring, in a fashion similar to engaging two paperclips to one another.

[0072] In use, when the earphone sets 10, 50, 80, 100, 150 are not being used, then the earpiece can temporally be attached to each other so as to form a loop with the flexible electrical wires that can be hung around a neck of a user.

[0073] For example, with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, in use, the two latch arms 26 of the latch member are inserted ends first into the tubular lug formation 32. When so inserted, the latch formations at the ends of the latch arms 26 engage a side wall of the tubular lug formation 32 which urges or deflects the latch arms 26 towards each other until the latch formations reach and engage the lug openings provided by the tubular lug formation 32. The two earpiece housings 16, 18, are now attached to each other which enable the electrical wire to be hanged around the user's neck not unlike a necklace. When a user wishes to use the earpiece 12, 14, then the lug formations that protrude slightly through the lug openings can be depressed toward each other to disengage the latching openings, after which the lug arms 26 can be pulled out of the tubular lug member 28 thereby to detach the earpiece housings 16, 18 from each other. [0074] In Figs. 5 to 7, the pop barrel joint 62 is used by inserting the annular collar member 64 into the annular groove member 68 male-female fashion. A slight resilience of the groove member 68 permits a frictional engagement of the annular groove member 68 until the ridge or collar of the collar member 64 locates snugly into the groove of the groove member 68. Then, the two earpiece housings 52, 54, are attached to each other so that the user can hang the electrical wire around the neck of the user. When a user wishes to use the earpieces 52, 54, a sufficiently strong pull of the earpiece housings 52, 54 away from each other overcomes the frication fit between the collar member 64 and the groove member 68 to detach the earpieces from each other.

[0075] In Figs. 8 and 9, in use, the magnetic members 88, 90 of the earpieces housings

82, 84 are brought toward each other magnetically to attach to each other, and merely pulled apart from each other to detach the earpiece housing 82, 84 from each other.

[0076] In Figs. 10 to 12, in use, the in-ear earpiece housings 106, 108, are attached to each other by placing the end wall 128 of the cap formation 120 against the end wall 130 of the biasing cap, and by pushing the cap formation 120 against the bias of the helical spring 138 until the pin or latch formations on the cap formation 120 are able to engage with the slot formations of the slot providing member 122. The in-ear earpiece housings 106, 108 are then rotated relative to each other to slide the pin or latch formations into the circumferentially extending L-shaped slots. The bias member 138, 132 urges the pins or latches into frictional engagement with associated edges of the L-shaped slots to resist uncontrolled rotation of the pin providing member 120 relative to the slot providing member 122. To disengage the in-ear earpiece housings 106, 108, a user presses the in-ear earpiece housings 106, 108, towards each other against the bias and rotates them relative to each other to release the pins from the L- shaped slots of the slot providing member 122, thereby to detach the in-ear earpiece housings 106, 108, from each other. The embodiments described are particularly useful to enable a user to carry earphones, when not in use, in a convenient and effective manner simply by attaching the two earphones to each other so as to form a loop with the electrical wires of the earphone that facilitates hanging of the earphone set around the user's neck.

Also, the L-shaped slots of the slot providing member 122 (Fig. 1 1 ) may include serifs to facilitate secure attachment of the in-ear earpiece housings 106, 108 relative to each other.

The engagement means are sized and dimensioned such that it does not interfere with ordinary use of the earpieces.

Referring to Fig. 16, reference numeral 10 refers to an embodiment of an earphone set, in accordance with the invention. Broadly, the earphone set 10 includes two earphones 12, 14 in the form of earpieces. The earphone set 10 further includes speakers 200 spaced apart from each of earphones 12, 14 in electrical communication with the flexible electrical wires 22.

Variations of the above embodiments of the invention are envisaged. For example, the earpiece housing and engagement means, in some embodiments, can be unitary in construction.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the earpiece housing 160 and engagement means - in the form of a connector 15 - may be separately constructed as shown in Fig 15. In this embodiment, the connector 15 can comprise a pair of sleeves. Each sleeve, in this embodiment of the connector 15, is configured to overlie a rearward portion of a speaker housing, each sleeve having a

complementary engagement means for engaging one another once the sleeves are engaged with respective earphones so as to engage the earphones to one another.

Also, in some embodiments, the engagement means can be formed from metal, silicone, neoprene, or other synthetic plastic material. Also, in some embodiments the engagement means may include a pinch clasp fastener, such as a lobster claw clasp fastener, having a cooperating pinch clasp- and ring member in which case the pinch clasp member may be carried by the one earphone housing and the ring member may be carried by the other earphone housing.

Also, in some embodiments, each sleeve of the connector is configured to receive the rearward portion of the speaker housing in a snap-fit relationship. In these embodiments of the invention, the snap-fit relationship may be a cantilever snap-fit; a torsional snap-fit; or an annular snap-fit.

In the specification, including the claim, where the context permits, the term "comprising" and variants thereof such as "comprise" or "comprises" are to be interpreted as including the stated integer or integers without necessarily excluding any other integers.

[0087] It is to be understood that the terminology employed above is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The described embodiments are intended to be illustrative of the invention, without limiting the scope thereof. The invention is capable of being practised with various modifications and additions as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

[0088] Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary

embodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matter and all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, every combination of the above described elements, activities, and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more

embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.

Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, other than the claims

themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by any patent that issues based on this application is defined only by the claims of that patent.