DEVICE TO ENHANCE AN EAR BUD

• US 20110044463A1
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory Dirusso
• Original Assignee: Gregory Dirusso
• Inventors: DiRusso, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 8,503,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/71.6
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/105 Manufacture of mono- or stereophonic headphone components
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/01 Hearing devices using active noise cancellation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device to enhance an ear bud including a headband coupled to one or more ear pads. The ear pad being formed of a material for providing dampening of ambient sound and physiologic compression. For example, the pad can be formed of a visco-elastic foam having a thickness to provide noise reduction and sufficient comfort by avoiding excessive compression on any one part of the ear. The headband and the ear pad provide a force for compressing the tragus and antitragus to partially isolate the ear bud in the external auditory canal.

Claims

1. A device to enhance an ear bud comprising:

a headband coupled to one or more ear pads, said ear pad being formed of a visco-elastic foam providing sound absorption and noise reduction to said ear bud.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said material is a visco-elastic foam material.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said visco-elastic foam has an Indentation Force Deflection in the range of about 2 to about 15 pounds.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said Indentation Force Deflection is at least about 5.5 pounds.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said headband and said ear pad provide a force for compressing the tragus and antitragus to partially isolate the ear bud in the external auditory canal.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said ear pad has a thickness to provide noise reduction.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a base, said base being attached to said ear pad and said base being coupled to said headband.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said base is coupled to said headband in a fixed arrangement.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein said base is coupled to said headband with a movable interface for allowing said base to move around the circumference of said headband.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said headband is adapted to be positioned around the rear of a head of a user of the device.

11. The device of claim 7 wherein said base is formed of a rigid material selected from metal, rigid ABS plastic or nylon.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said headband comprises an adjustment portion for allowing said headband to be adjusted in length.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said adjustment portion is positioned at a middle portion of said headband.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein said adjustment portion is positioned at an end portion of said headband.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said ear pad includes a speaker.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said ear pads includes a speaker and a microphone and the other of said ear pads is used to anchor said headband to a head of said user.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said ear pads includes a speaker and one of said ear pads includes a microphone.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein a microphone is mounted on a boom to said headband.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein said ear pad bud further comprises an active, electronic noise cancelling system.

20. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cover, said cover covering said ear pad.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein said cover is removable and is made of a washable material.

22. The device of claim 1 wherein said ear bud protrudes from said ear pad and a rim of said ear pad is positioned around said ear bud.

23. The device of claim 1 wherein said ear pad covers said ear bud.

24. The device of claim 1 wherein said ear pad has a circular or oval shape.