Earphones with eyeglass attatchments

• US 5,737,436 A
• Filed: 03/27/1997
• Issued: 04/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Inventors: Boyden, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, SINH N
• Application Number:
  US08/826,477
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 381/187, 381/183, 381/68.7, 381/68.6, 381/68, 381/68.5, 351/41, 351/111, 351/121, 351/123
• US Class Current: 381/385
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/06 Hearing aids construction of hearing aids H04R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/02 Magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• 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 25/405 by combining a plurality of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/607 of earhooks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/656 Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/658 Manufacture of housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

A portable, wearable personal audio system which includes an acoustic sample chamber and an acoustically transparent ear insert member. A tubular member transmits the audio from the sample chamber and module to the ear canal. An additional transducer, preferably made from a piezoelectric material, can be provided in the ear insert member or at the outer end of the tubular member. An electronics mechanism is preferably supplied as part of a behind-the-ear module or as part of the temple of a pair of eyeglasses. Stereo systems require separate systems for each ear. A quick exchange adapter mechanism is provided to connect the eyeglasses with a behind-the-ear module. A Velcro-type fastener or magnetic fastener mechanism connects the end of the eyeglasses to the module.

Claims

1. A portable, wearable communication and entertainment audio system comprising:

an audio mechanism, said audio mechanism comprising a body member adapted to be positioned behind the ear of the user, a tubular member for transmitting audio from said audio mechanism to the ear of a wearer, and an ear insert member positioning said tubular member in the ear;

said ear insert member being made from an acoustically transparent material which allows substantially full acoustic transmission therethrough;

said audio mechanism having a first output transducer in said body member for providing transmission of acoustic sounds in the frequency range of normal human hearing; and

an adapter mechanism for connecting said audio mechanism to the end of a shortened earpiece of a pair of eyeglasses, said shortened earpiece terminating in front of the wearer'"'"'s ear and said adapter mechanism comprising a first connector member adapted to be attached to said audio mechanism, a second connector member having a socket for attaching to the end of said shortened earpiece, and a selectively releasable attachment mechanism positioned between said first and second connector members.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said selectively releasable attachment mechanism comprises a hook-and-loop type mechanism.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said hook-and-loop type mechanism comprises a Velcro attachment mechanism.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second connector member is a tubular member.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said selectively releasable attachment mechanism comprises first and second magnetic members.

6. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said acoustically transparent material is an open-cell foam.

7. The system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a layer of perforated flexible material covering at least a portion of said ear insert member for improved wearing comfort.

8. The system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a second output transducer.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second output transducer is positioned on said ear insert member and comprises a perforated piezoelectric material.

10. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second output transducer is positioned on said tubular member.