CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application

No. 62/977,129 filed February 14, 2020, titled “Waterproof Smartwatch Necklace

Headphones,” the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field

[0002] This invention relates to a waterproof headphone apparatus that communicates with a user’s smartwatch. More parti cularly, it relates to a wearable water sport necklace-like apparatus with waterproof Bluetooth headphones for use with an attached smartwatch.

Background

[0003] Water sportsman would enjoy listening to music during their water activity. However, the music producing device must be waterproof and the means to send the music to the ears must also be waterproof as well as secure enough to not fall out of the ears during the activity. Typical sound means are earphones or earbuds, connected via a hard wire line or via Bluetooth. If a wired connection is used, the movement of the wires can interfere with the user’s activity. However, Bluetooth is of limited range when underwater and connections can be repeatedly lost if the sending source is underwater.

[0004] Therefore, there has been a long-standing need in the sports activity community for a waterproof audio headphone design that does not encumber the user, is easy to use, seals the user’s ears from water, as well as avoid the problem of lost connection due to the source being under water. Aspects of a device and method that addresses these and other needs are elucidated below.

SUMMARY

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0006] One or more embodiments of the exemplary device is a waterproof audio device which enables users to listen to media from a smartwatch by wearing the smartwatch as a necklace. This device offers an elegant solution to the signal loss problem found when using wireless headphones connected to a smartwatch worn on the wrist, as the wrist/smartwatch is often immersed in signal-reducing water. The further the Bluetooth “receiver” is from the smartwatch, the more likely the signal will be compromised. In the exemplary embodiments, because the smartwatch is secured “around the neck” being in close proximity to the Bluetooth receiver for the headphones, the typical wrist/smartwatch immersion, loss of signal problem is avoided. Further, the exemplary device’s headphones earpieces are water-sealing so as to be able to perform in multi-sport as well as aquatic or semi-aquatic settings; and thus provides an optimal listening experience. The compact nature of the exemplary device, superior sealing, multi-aquatic sport use, and ease of implementation offer significant advantages over the prior art.

[0007] In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a waterproof audio earphone device is provided, comprising: at least one brace with a curved shape, configured to be worn in a necklace-like manner around a prospective user’s neck; an adjustable securing mechanism coupled to a top portion of the brace, configured to tighten the brace about the prospective user’s neck; a smartwatch cradle disposed in the brace; a waterproof Bluetooth module coupled to the brace and configured to communicate to a prospective smartwatch disposed in the cradle; audio control buttons disposed on the Bluetooth module or the brace, a pair of earphones coupled via wires to at least one of the Bluetooth module and the brace; and water-sealing tips disposed on an interior side of the earphones, the tips preserving an audio quality of the earphones when worn in an aquatic or semi-aquatic setting by a prospective user.

[0008] In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, the above device is described, wherein the device is suited for water sport activities; and/or wherein the at least one brace are two braces, joined at a bottom portion to form a U-like shape; and/or, wherein the smartwatch cradle is disposed at a bottom of the brace; and/or wherein the Bluetooth module is tethered to the brace; and/or wherein the brace is semi-rigid and formed from at least one of nylon, plastic, rubber, fluorosilicone, and silicone; and/or the adjustable securing mechanism is comprised of a clasp and a cord connected to the clasp and the brace; and/or wherein the cradle utilizes one of a snap in, magnetic, friction, spring, springbar, clasp mechanism for seeming the prospective smartwatch; and/or further comprising a Bluetooth module and power source located in the module or in the brace; and/or wherein the sealing tips are comprised of a plurality of discs of decreasing size; and/or wherein the sealing tips are made from silicone; and/or further comprising a hydrophobic material covering an inner side of the earphones; and/or further comprising a hydrophobic material covering an outer side of the earphones; and/or wherein each earphone wire is less than 10 inches in length; and/or wherein the Bluetooth module is less than 6 inches from the smartwatch cradle; and/or further comprising outwardly extending grips attached to the earphones; and/or further comprising loop holes in a top portion of the brace, for coupling a cord to the brace and to a clasp of the adjustable securing mechanism; and/or wherein the power source is rechargeable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view illustration of an exemplary embodiment. [0010] FIG. 2 is a front view illustration of fully configured embodiment with a smartwatch.

[0011] FIG. 3 provides a better illustration of the hook-like shape of the grips. [0012] FIG. 4 provides a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with an attached smartwatch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Individuals can choose from a variety of existing media players in existence for audio entertainment. However, in an aquatic setting, there are far fewer options, and for ocean and water sports athletes, there are practically no options. If one were to use an existing product for these activities, the best candidate would be a waterproof MP3 player. The problem then becomes the necessity of storage as well as the lack of compatibility with modem music streaming applications. Surfers and other sports athletes often lack pockets to secure valuables, and long headphone wires that run from any pockets they do have all the way to their ears would be cumbersome with rigorous movements. Also, joggers or other sports activities do not lend themselves well for a prominent music device bouncing around in the shorts or shirt, with dangling earphone wires.

[0014] The exemplary embodiments described herein offer the user the advantages of wearability (the user has no storage compartments/pockets), removes long, inconvenient wires from the equation, and ensures the security of the device in terms of preventing its potential loss. In some various embodiments, the exemplary device is wearable as a necklace, with a rear securing mechanism to ensure the security of the exemplary device on the user through high impacts and other threatening conditions such as ocean currents, waves, and/or sports activities. Additionally, the built-in earphones are designed for submersible use in water. By sealing the user’s ears completely, they deliver clear audio and offer insulation, in turn protecting from ear complications such as infections and “surfer’s ear.”

[0015] Various features are described below, which, in some embodiments can be used independently or in combination with other features from other embodiments. These described embodiments are not to be construed as the only modes or embodiments possible, but are presented here to help explain how some of the inventive features are implemented.

[0016] It is expressly understood that the term earphones is sometimes construed in the industry as a larger version of earbuds. However, for the purposes of this disclosure, no distinction is made and the usage of one term may be equivalent to the usage of the other term, noting the earphone or earbud is to be inserted into the ear.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view illustration of an exemplary embodiment and FIG. 2 is a front view illustration of fully configured embodiment with a smartwatch 250 and cord 32 attached to the brace(s) 10. The exemplary device is comprised of one or more “semi-rigid” arc-like brace(s) 10 joined to a smartwatch cradle 20, terminating with a rear securing mechanism 30. In the shown embodiment, this configuration is similar to the shape formed by the letter “U ” Extending from the upper portion of the brace(s) 10 are headphone wires 40L/R, a tethered waterproof Bluetooth (and audio controlling) module 50 in-line with one of the wires 40L/R, wherein the wires 40L/R lead to earphones 60L/R having ear sealing members 70L/R. The arc-like (or curved) semi-rigid brace(s) 10 can be designed to house various electronics, such as batteries for the tethered Bluetooth module 50 or as another option, a non-tethered Bluetooth module built into the brace(s) 10, as shown as element 52, In other possible embodiments, the Bluetooth module may be located at the cradle 20 portion of the device. It is understood that a version with an integrated Bluetooth module requires the brace(s) 10 to be waterproof with respect to regions about the integrated Bluetooth module.

[0018] It is also understood that the Bluetooth module 50 may contain batteries (i.e., power source) inside the module or receive power from batteries located inside the brace(s) 10. With respect to a battery or power source for the Bluetooth, it may be a rechargeable source with an appropriate charging connection. For example, in a prototype embodiment, a waterproof USB-C port was placed in the Bluetooth module 50. However, it is understood that a port can be placed on other parts of the device, a non-limiting example being near or at the smartwatch cradle 20,

[0019] The Bluetooth module 50 (or optionally 52) are fitted with audio source control buttons 55, non-limiting examples of which may be forward, reverse, volume up, volume down, and so forth. Pushing various combinations of buttons 55 at the same time or for a predetermined duration or sequence may reduce the need for individual buttons for each action. The Bluetooth module 50 (or optionally 52) communicate to a device-mounted smartwatch 250 via Bluetooth and converts the wireless signal to a wired signal, which is transmitted up to the earphones 60L/R via wires 40L/R (Signal for wire 40R can be fed through the bottom wire 45 of Bluetooth module 50 through the brace(s) 10 to exit out the right side to wire 40R). The choice of left or right for the location of the Bluetooth Module 50 (or optionally 52) is a design choice. The close proximity of the Bluetooth module 50 to the smartwatch 250 (less than 6 inches) avoids the typical signal loss problem and the short length of the wires 40L/R (less than 10 inches) avoids the typical tangling problem.

[0020] The semi-rigidity of the brace(s) 10 can be achieved using an elastomeric material (similar to an Apple® Watch sports band - Apple is a registered trademark of the Apple Corporation) in a molding, casting, etc. process. Any number of different kinds of materials can have semi-rigid properties, non-limiting examples, being nylon, plastic, rubber, fluoro silicone, silicone, combinations thereof, and so forth. Also, the semi-rigid curved brace(s) 10 could be replaced with a form factor that is smaller or larger than shown, or be in segmented portions, according to design preference.

[0021] In a prototype embodiment, the dimensions of the device were tailored for the average adult user, roughly 6” in width (left to right), 5” in height (top to bottom), and 5” in depth (front to back). As these are approximate dimensions, larger or smaller sizes can be implemented. It is noted the general concept is to provide a device that can be worn closely around the neck in a necklace-like apparatus, thus providing close proximity to the ears, minimal movement and easy to operate.

[0022] The top portion of the brace(s) 10 is joined with an adjustable rear securing mechanism 30, which can be a clasp or latch 35 in combination to one or more cord(s) 31 connected to the brace(s) 10 via the one or more loop holes 15. The cord(s) 31 may be of elastic material, paracord, etc. or may be in the form of a strap, if so desired. The cord(s) 31 may be adjusted to be tightened or loosened for user comfort via the clasp 35 or through the loop holes 15, For example, tightening may be achieved by pulling the cord(s) 31 through one or more of the loop holes 15, as seen in FIG. 2’s element 32 and tail of the cord 34. Or, the clasp 35 may be replaced with a pulley clasp. It is understood that the rear securing mechanism 30 shown is a simple design, therefore more complicated designs or different types of securing mechanisms can be incorporated by one of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0023] Smartwatch cradle 20 is located at the “front” and lower end of the device and contains a mechanism (one or more of 22, 24, 26, 28) to secure the smartwatch 250 to the device. As the type as well as size of the smartwatch to be secured is manufacturer-dependent, the cradling or securing mechanism will be appropriately matched. The type of attachment means possible is varied in the industry, however, snap-in, magnetic, friction, spring, clasps, etc. structure for securing the smartwatch can be used according to knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. In a prototype embodiment, spring bars were used to secure the smartwatch to the cradle 20.

[0024] Additionally, the adapters for different sized watches can be implemented. For illustrative purposes, the embodiment described is shown as having lateral mounted cradling mechanisms 26, 28, and forward and aft sleeves 22, 24, respectively, but as stated above, any suitable design can be utilized. In a prototype embodiment, the sleeves 22, 24 were configured to support a standard size Apple® smartwatch and were joined at their bottoms to provide protection to the smartwatch from impact. Of course, the bottom joining is a design option. Cradling mechanisms 26, 28 were similarly configured for a standard size Apple® smartwatch in the prototype embodiment and may be taller or shorter than shown. Moreover, the cradle 20 can he centered as shown or off-centered, elevated on one side, etc. and etc. [0025] The headphone wires 40L/R are wired integrally to the brace(s) 10 and protrude from an upper portion of the brace(s) 10 on a user’s neckline below his or her ears. The wiring 40L/R attaches to earphones 60L/R which contain speakers for audio output.

[0026] The earphones 60L/R include water sealing tips 70L/R which utilize one or more discs 72L/R of silicone or equivalent (in a prototype, 3 discs were uses) of decreasing size to help seal the user's ears and prevent water from entering the ear canal. The outer side of each earphone 60L/R may be covered with an optional hydrophobic mesh 80 to allow ambient noise to enter while stopping water entry into the speaker. In a prototype embodiment, the outer side of the earphones were sealed. The speaker holes 82 in the earphones 60L/R are covered with a hydrophobic mesh 80 to ensure that water cannot enter from the ear-side of the earphones. At the upper region of the earphones 60L/R are optional earphone handles or grips 62L/R that allow a user to easier-grip the earphones 60L/R. The grips 62L/R allow the earphones 60LZR to be secured into a user's ear when twisted in the appropriate direction (for example, clockwise for left ear, counter-clockwise for right ear),

[0027] FIG. 3 provides a better illustration of the hook-like shape of the grips 62L/R,

[0028] FIG. 4 provides a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment with an attached smartwatch.

[0029] In view of the above disclosure, an alternative embodiment, not shown, could be constructed with the curved brace(s) being replaced with lace, paracord, or nylon for the necklace functionality. This would require the integral headphones to be attached to the electronics housing.

[0030] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects and is not intended to be limiting,

[0031] Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.