Headphone

Details Headphone Headphone

1999-09-10

2001-06-26

Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2643)

Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices

Electro-acoustic audio transducer

Plural or compound reproducers

C181S128000, C181S129000, C379S430000, C381S385000, C381S376000, C381S371000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06252970

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to a headphone and, particularly but not exclusively, to a headphone including a boom microphone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional headphones and headsets typically incorporate a headband for extending round the top of a user's head to support the headphone speakers against opposite ears of the user. The headband will inevitably disturb the user's hair, which some users will mind, and also may easily slide off from the wearing position. Although compact earphones will not disturb the user's hair, they are found to be uncomfortable or insecure to wear inside auricles and, more importantly, cannot normally support a boom microphone for use as a headset. Certain earphones are provided with an ear hook for positively engaging the user's ear, in the form of headsets as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,210,792 and 5,450,496, but they are designed for wearing with the boom microphone either on the left ear or on the right ear.
Recently, Sony Corporation introduced a headphone (model MDR-G61) incorporating a rear band which extends round the back of the user's neck and therefore does not disturb the hair. The band is shaped for comfortable wearing, but in a manner which does not permit swapping of the speakers between left and right.
The subject invention seeks to provide a modified headphone that avoids the aforesaid disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a headphone comprising a band for extending round the back of the neck of a user and having opposite ends; each of which is connected to the band proper by means of a swivel connection having a swivel axis, at least one speaker connected to one end of the band by means of a hinge connection having a hinge axis extending substantially transversely of the swivel axes, and a pair of hanging means provided at respective ends of the band for engaging opposite ears of the user to support the overall headphone, whereby the headphone is convertible through operation of the swivel and hinge connections between a first use configuration in which the speaker is on the left side and a second use configuration in which the speaker is on the right side.
Preferably, the two hanging means are in the form of hooks provided by respective ends of the band, as separate parts from the speaker.
More preferably, each hook is substantially C-shaped.
Further more preferably, the hook adjacent to the speaker has an upper end, to which the speaker is connected in a depending manner.
In a slightly different aspect, the invention provides a headphone comprising at least one speaker, a pair of ear hooks for engaging opposite ears of a user from behind, with one of them supporting the speaker by means of a hinge connection having a hinge axis, and a band for extending round the back of the neck of the user and interconnecting the ear hooks by means of respective swivel connections having respective swivel axes extending substantially transversely of the hinge axis, whereby the headphone is convertible through operation of the hinge and swivel connections between a first use configuration in which the speaker is on the left side and a second use configuration in which the speaker is on the right side.
In either case, the speaker may have a rear housing which supports a boom microphone.
Preferably, the housing is rotatable relative to the speaker for pivoting the boom microphone.
In the first case, the headphone includes two said speakers which are connected to the opposite ends of the band in substantially the same manner.
In the second case, the headphone includes two said speakers which are supported by the respective ear hooks in substantially the same manner.


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