Telephonic communications – Terminal – Housing or housing component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-24
2001-11-20
Chiang, Jack (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Terminal
Housing or housing component
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320960
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of headsets. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of over-the-ear headsets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many persons spend a large amount of time on the telephone and it is still a common practice for a person to hold the receiver against the shoulder when using the phone so the person's hands are available for writing or typing. Telephone communications headsets have been developed to overcome this problem and are well known in the art. Most of these prior art telephone communications headsets include an over-the-head band designed to be worn over a wearer's head for positioning a pair of speakers adjacent to each of the wearer's ears. One major problem with this type of prior art headset is the fact that when this headset is worn, the wearer cannot hear anything else since the speakers are positioned adjacent to both ears. Additionally, these prior art headsets are generally uncomfortable, and some of these prior art headsets often become dislodged if the wearer moves his head back and forth. Accordingly, more recent prior art telephone communications headsets have been designed to be worn around a single outer ear of a wearer for positioning a single earphone against either one of the wearer's ears, depending upon which side the headset is configured for wearing. One such prior art telephone communications headset is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,788, issued to Lucey et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,788 discloses an adjustable telephone headset which includes a boom microphone, an earphone speaker, and an ear support constructed and arranged to be adjustable. The adjustable telephone headset is configured with an adjustable ear support portion which is designed to fit around the ear of a user for holding the headset in place and positioning the earphone speaker against the wear's outer ear. The ear support portion includes a fixed curvilinear portion and a hollow adjustable curvilinear member having an engagement portion for engaging a metal shaft of the fixed curvilinear portion. When engaged, the hollow adjustable curvilinear member can rotate about the metal shaft of the fixed curvilinear portion, thereby allowing the ear support to be adjusted. A rotation tab and rotation tab recess limit the degree of rotation about the metal shaft and thus the degree of adjustment available.
A major problem with this adjustable telephone headset is that it may fit poorly around the wearer's ear. The fixed curvilinear portion and the hollow adjustable curvilinear member are both rigid structures and the design only permits adjustment by allowing one rigid member to rotate about a metal shaft of the other rigid member. Accordingly, the ear support may not fit comfortably around the wearer's ear. If the adjustable telephone headset does not fit properly it will fall off if the wearer moves his head. Another problem with this headset is the positioning of the earphone speaker against the wearer's ear. This placement is not ideal and can often cause discomfort as the wearer moves his head and the ear rubs against the earphone speaker.
Accordingly, what is needed is a lightweight over-the-ear headset which is comfortable to wear, is adjustable to enable appropriate positioning over the ear, and is stably positionable against the ear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A headset has an earpiece and a flexible microphone boom. The headset is designed and constructed to be lightweight, flexibly adjustable, and comfortable to wear. The earpiece fits comfortably over an external portion of an ear of a wearer and between a head of the wearer and the ear. The earpiece is designed to be easily adjusted for a secure, comfortable fit. In the preferred embodiment, the earpiece includes a rigid plastic backbone and a ductile wire. In an alternate embodiment, the earpiece includes a rigid plastic backbone, a spring, and a ductile wire. The earpiece has an asymmetrical U shape, facilitating easy adjustment to fit securely around the external portion of the ear. A first elastomer provides additional comfort and adjustability to the earpiece.
A speaker module is coupled to the earpiece and designed to rest over a pinna of the ear when the earpiece is worn over the ear. The speaker module is preferably ovular in shape and has a flat cover and a curved cover. The flat cover and the curved cover are coupled together, where a groove is formed along a circumferential edge between the flat cover and the curved cover. A small speaker is mounted inside the speaker module and faces an inner surface of the flat cover. The flat cover is configured with tiny openings to allow sound to pass from the small speaker through the flat cover of the speaker module.
The speaker module is coupled to the earpiece by a ball and socket joint integrally formed as part of the earpiece. This allows the speaker module to be rotated to allow the headset to be worn over either ear. The ball and socket joint design allows the speaker module to be easily maneuvered against the pinna.
A speaker cushion is configured to fit over the flat cover and has a lip which fits within the groove of the speaker module. The speaker cushion is compressible to facilitate stably positioning the speaker module against the pinna. The speaker cushion further includes a positioning notch and a raised surface for resting against the ear. The raised surface forms a compressible cavity between the flat cover and the raised surface. Additionally, the raised surface includes one or more apertures for directing sound into the ear.
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Lathrop, III Robert L.
Lutzinger Richard J.
Magnasco John H.
Olson Kenneth G.
Chiang Jack
Haverstock & Owens LLP
Hello Direct, Inc.
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