Earpiece for a mobile device

• US 10,362,382 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2017
• Issued: 07/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thunderhill Investments, LLC
• Original Assignee: Thunderhill Investments, LLC
• Inventors: Kirschman, David Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robinson, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US15/472,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20180139526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/08 Non-electric sound-amplifying devices, e.g. non-electric megaphones amplifying by horns G10K11/02; amplifying by focusing G10K11/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0258 for a headset device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/035 Improving the acoustic characteristics by means of constructional features of the housing, e.g. ribs, walls, resonating chambers or cavities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1058 Manufacture or assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2811 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's

Abstract

Various embodiments of an earpiece for a mobile device. The earpiece is detachably mounted to the mobile device and provides sound amplification for a user.

Claims

1. An earpiece for use with a mobile device, said earpiece comprising:

an earpiece body having a sound entrance, a sound exit and at least one internal aperture coupling said sound entrance and said sound exit;

said earpiece body being adapted to be detachably mounted on at least one of said mobile device or a case for said mobile device so that said sound entrance becomes operatively associated with a speaker of said mobile device so that a user can position said sound exit in or near said user'"'"'s ear;

wherein said mobile device is a mobile telephone, said earpiece comprising a mount adapted to permit said earpiece to be removably mounted onto said mobile telephone or said case proximate to a speaker of said mobile device; and

wherein said mount comprises a mounting projection, said mobile device or said case having a wall that defines a connection area having a predetermined shape, said mounting projection being adapted and shaped to generally complement said predetermined shape so that when said mounting projection is received in said connection area, said earpiece becomes mounted to said mobile telephone or said case in proximity to said speaker of said mobile telephone.

2. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said sound exit defines a protrusion or earpiece tip.

3. The earpiece as recited in claim 2 wherein said protrusion or earpiece tip is at least one of angulated, beveled or offset from said sound entrance.

4. The earpiece as recited in claim 2 wherein said protrusion or earpiece tip comprises a protrusion shape that is adapted to complement said user'"'"'s ear anatomy.

5. The earpiece as recited in claim 4 wherein said protrusion shape comprises a shape that is generally spherical, cylindrical, bulbous, generally rectangular, polygonal, elongated, curved or the like.

6. The earpiece as recited in claim 2 wherein said protrusion or earpiece tip comprises a protrusion support post integrally formed in said earpiece body and said protrusion or earpiece tip defines a protrusion shape, said protrusion or earpiece tip being adapted to be removably mounted on said protrusion support post.

7. The earpiece as recited in claim 6 wherein said protrusion support post is substantially perpendicular with respect to a surface of said mobile device.

8. The earpiece as recited in claim 6 wherein said protrusion or earpiece tip is selected from a plurality of interchangeable earpiece tips, each being adapted to be removably mounted on said protrusion support post.

9. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said mount is configured so that said earpiece is at least one of reversible, moveable or immobile when mounted on said mobile device.

10. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting projection defines a first wall on said earpiece body, said wall of said mobile device having a mating second wall, said first and second walls cooperating to secure said earpiece to said case.

11. The earpiece as recited in claim 10 wherein said first and second walls are beveled and define a dovetail connection when said earpiece is mounted on said mobile device or said case.

12. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece body comprises a mounting clip for mounting on said mobile device, said mounting clip being adapted to be situated between said mobile device and said case for said mobile device to facilitate stabilizing or holding said earpiece in a predetermined position on said mobile device.

13. The earpiece as recited in claim 12 wherein said mounting clip is generally U-shaped and has a first wall having an aperture that defines said sound entrance.

14. The earpiece as recited in claim 13 wherein said mounting clip is generally U-shaped and has a second wall that generally opposes said first wall and a joining portion that joins said first and second walls, said first and second walls being flexible and elastic to permit said mounting clip to retain said earpiece body in operative relationship with a speaker of said mobile device.

15. The earpiece as recited in claim 12 wherein said mobile device comprises a first end and a speaker associated with said first end, said mounting clip being adapted and sized to engage and be mounted on said first end.

16. The earpiece as recited in claim 12 wherein said mobile device comprises a first end, a speaker associated with said first end, and a second end that generally opposes said first end, said mounting clip being adapted and sized to engage and be mounted on said first and second ends.

17. The earpiece as recited in claim 12 wherein said mounting clip is generally U-shaped and has a first wall that engages a first end of said mobile device, a second wall that engages a second end of said mobile device, and an elongated portion for joining said first wall and said second wall.

18. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece body is integrally formed in a case for said mobile device.

19. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece body is integrally formed in or affixed directly to a surface in operative relationship with a speaker of said mobile device.

20. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one internal aperture and said sound exit are configured to provide passive sound amplification.

21. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece has an active sound amplifier.

22. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said sound entrance defines an area that is larger than an area of said sound exit.

23. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece body is at least one of rigid, soft or malleable to engage said user'"'"'s ear and facilitate minimizing sound leakage between said user and said earpiece.

24. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece comprises a mechanical mount defining a clip for mounting on said mobile device.

25. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece body comprises at least one wing for providing support when said earpiece is mounted on said mobile device.

26. The earpiece as recited in claim 1 wherein said earpiece has at least one of an amplifier or a wireless system.

27. An earpiece for mounting on at least a portion of a mobile device, said earpiece comprising:

an earpiece support; and

an earpiece body associated with said earpiece support, said earpiece body comprising a sound inlet, a sound outlet and at least one internal channel for acoustically coupling said sound inlet to said sound outlet;

wherein said earpiece support is adapted to be detachably mounted on at least one of a portion of said mobile device, a mount for mounting on said mobile device, or a case for said mobile device so that said sound inlet becomes positioned in operative relationship with a speaker of said mobile device;

wherein said earpiece support comprises at least one projection defining a clip for mounting on said portion of said mobile device;

wherein said at least a portion of said clip becomes situated between said mobile device and a protective case that is mounted on said mobile device after said clip and said protective case are mounted on said mobile device.

28. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece body has a first end integrally formed in said case.

29. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece body has a first end that is fastened or adhered to at least one of said case or directly on said mobile device.

30. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece body has a first end that is fastened, adhered to or integrally formed in said earpiece support and a second end that has a predetermined shape.

31. The earpiece as recited in claim 30 wherein said predetermined shape defines an earpiece tip that is at least one of generally cylindrical, bulbous, spherical, tear drop, conical, frusto-conical or comprises a decreasing cross section from said sound inlet to said sound outlet.

32. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said sound outlet is coaxial with said sound inlet.

33. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said sound outlet is offset from, angulated or not coaxial with respect to said sound inlet.

34. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece body has a first end integrally formed or mounted on said mount, said earpiece body having an earpiece projection adapted to define or receive an earpiece tip.

35. The earpiece as recited in claim 34 wherein said earpiece tip is selected from a group or plurality of interchangeable tips.

36. The earpiece as recited in claim 35 wherein said group or plurality of interchangeable tips comprise different shapes or sizes adapted to fit or conform to at least a portion of a user'"'"'s ear.

37. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece support is configured and adapted to receive said mobile device.

38. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said clip is generally U-shaped.

39. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said clip comprises a width that is substantially the same as a diameter of said earpiece.

40. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said at least one projection comprises a first leg portion having a predetermined length, said predetermined length generally corresponding to a distance between a mounting edge of said mobile device and a speaker of said mobile device.

41. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said clip comprises a first end having a generally U-shape defining an aperture for receiving at least a portion of said mobile device, a second end for engaging an end of said mobile device and an elongated joining portion for joining said first and second ends, said earpiece being associated with said first end.

42. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said case comprises a protective case, said earpiece support of said earpiece comprises a portion that is integrally formed in said protective case adapted to be mounted on at least a portion of said mobile device.

43. The earpiece as recited in claim 42 wherein said protective case covers a majority of said mobile device.

44. The earpiece as recited in claim 42 wherein said protective case is mounted on said mobile device and covers less than a majority of said mobile device.

45. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said sound inlet defines an aperture that is larger than an aperture defined by said sound outlet.

46. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece body is frusto-conical in cross section.

47. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said case comprises a protective case, said earpiece support comprises a mount for mounting said earpiece on said protective case.

48. The earpiece as recited in claim 47 wherein said mount defines a connection comprising at least one beveled wall that defines a mounting area on said case, said earpiece support having a generally planar portion comprising at least one beveled surface adapted to mate with said at least one beveled wall so that said earpiece support can be removably mounted on said case.

49. The earpiece as recited in claim 48 wherein said at least one beveled wall and said at least one beveled surface defines a dovetail connection.

50. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece support comprises a mounting clip, said earpiece body having a first end integrally formed or mounted on said mounting clip and a second end that defines or is adapted to receive an earpiece tip.

51. The earpiece as recited in claim 50 wherein said earpiece tip is selected from a group or plurality of interchangeable tips.

52. The earpiece as recited in claim 51 wherein said group or plurality of interchangeable tips comprise different shapes or sizes adapted to fit or conform to at least a portion of a user'"'"'s ear.

53. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece has at least one of an amplifier or a wireless system.

54. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece comprises a plurality of wings for facilitating stabilization of said earpiece.

55. The earpiece as recited in claim 27 wherein said earpiece body has a wall having an aperture that becomes aligned with a component of said mobile device when said earpiece is mounted thereon.

56. A method of placing an earpiece on a mobile device, wherein said earpiece is not fully stabilized on said mobile device, said method comprising the step of:

placing a handset case on said mobile device, said handset case being defined as a covering that at least partially surrounds and/or is attached to said mobile device;

said placement of said handset case increasing the stabilization of said earpiece to said mobile device and resulting in said earpiece residing at least partially between said handset case and said mobile device;

wherein said mobile device is a mobile telephone, said earpiece comprising a mount adapted to permit said earpiece to be removably mounted onto said mobile telephone or said case proximate to a speaker of said mobile device;

wherein said mount comprises a mounting projection, said mobile device or said case having a wall that defines a connection area having a predetermined shape, said mounting projection being adapted and shaped to generally complement said predetermined shape so that when said mounting projection is received in said connection area, said earpiece becomes mounted to said mobile telephone or said case in proximity to said speaker of said mobile telephone.

57. An earpiece for mounting on at least a portion of a mobile device, said earpiece comprising:

an earpiece support; and

an earpiece body associated with said earpiece support, said earpiece body comprising;

a sound receiver for receiving a sound signal;

a sound outlet; and

at least one internal means for acoustically amplifying said sound signal to said sound outlet;

wherein said earpiece support is adapted to be detachably mounted on at least one of a portion of said mobile device, a mount for mounting on said mobile device or a case for said mobile device so that said sound receiver can receive said sound signal;

wherein said at least one internal means comprises an electronic means such as an electronic amplifier;

wherein said sound receiver comprises a microphone, or means for receiving a wireless signal such as Bluetooth or a direct signal from said mobile device, a related device or a network;

wherein said sound outlet comprises an electrically powered speaker;

wherein said earpiece covers or surrounds a portion of said electrically powered speaker;

wherein said mobile device is a mobile telephone, said earpiece comprising a mount adapted to permit said earpiece to be removably mounted onto said mobile telephone or said case proximate to a speaker of said mobile device;

wherein said mount comprises a mounting projection, said mobile device or said case having a wall that defines a connection area having a predetermined shape, said mounting projection being adapted and shaped to generally complement said predetermined shape so that when said mounting projection is received in said connection area, said earpiece becomes mounted to said mobile telephone or said case in proximity to said speaker of said mobile telephone.