Apparatus and system for damping external noises with means for producing sound and preventing oversleeping

• US 6,014,345 A
• Filed: 12/09/1997
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin Lee Schmadeka
• Original Assignee: Kevin Lee Schmadeka
• Inventors: Schmadeka, Kevin Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): MISKA, VIT W
• Application Number:
  US08/987,712
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/41-43, 368/47, 368/72-74, 368/245, 368/250, 368/251, 455/140, 455/141, 455/171, 455/181.1, 455/231, 455/344, 455/346-349
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/02 at preselected times, e.g. alarm clocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/00 Stereophonic arrangements stereophonic pick-ups H04R9/16, H04R11/12, H04R17/08, H04R19/10

Abstract

An apparatus designed to damp external noises, allowing the user to sleep in noisy environments. More particularly, it relates to a pair of hearing-protecting ear covers that insulate the user'"'"'s ears from external noises, ear covers that incorporate a headphone stereo for transmission of a time, smoke, fire and/or security alarms. The headphone stereo can also transmit music, peaceful sounds, or noise reducing frequencies. The sound producing circuitry is connect in parallel to the alarm system to allow alarm detection even when the user is listening to music or other sounds.

Claims

1. An apparatus for promoting sleep and preventing oversleeping comprising:

a control unit comprising a time alarm;

a radio;

a music transmission means;

at least one input jack;

at least one speaker;

at least one output jack;

a selector switch whereby the user can select between said radio and said music transmission means; and

a master volume control whereby the volume of either said radio or said music transmission means, as determined by said selector switch, may be adjusted;

said time alarm, radio, music transmission means, and input jack are connected via parallel circuitry to said speaker and said output jack whereby said time alarm or an external alarm utilizing said input jack can be heard by the user even when music is playing;

said time alarm comprising a first output switch whereby the output of said time alarm can be directed to said speaker, said output jack, or both;

said time alarm further comprising a first volume control whereby the user can independently adjust the volume of said time alarm so as to be heard over any music playing;

said input jack comprising a second volume control whereby the user can adjust the volume of any device being transmitted through said input jack;

a second output switch whereby the user can direct the output from either said radio or said music transmission means to said speaker, said output jack, or both;

a noise canceling means comprising a third output switch whereby the user can direct the output of said noise canceling means to said speaker, said output jack, or both; and

at least one ear cover comprising a headphone and a wire lead;

said headphone rigidly attached to the inside of said ear cover;

said wire lead originating at said headphone and terminating in a plug complementary to said output jack whereby said headphone can be removably connected to said control unit by inserting said plug into said output jack.

2. An apparatus for promoting sleep and preventing oversleeping comprising:

a control unit comprising a time alarm;

a radio;

at least one output jack; and

a master volume control whereby the volume of said radio may be adjusted;

said time alarm and said radio connected via parallel circuitry to said output jack whereby said time alarm can be heard by the user when music is playing;

said time alarm further comprising a first volume control whereby the user can independently adjust the volume of said time alarm so as to be heard over any music playing;

at least one ear cover comprising a headphone, said headphone rigidly attached to the inside of said ear cover and communicating with said control center whereby output from said control center is heard by the user.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the communication between said control unit and said headphone is accomplished by a wire lead, said wire lead originating at said headphone and terminating in a plug complementary to said output jack whereby said headphone can be removably connected to said control unit by inserting said plug into said output jack.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising:

a music transmission means connected parallel to said time alarm and said radio whereby an alarm from said time alarm can be heard over music being played by said music transmission means;

a selector switch whereby the user can select either said radio or said music transmission means; and

wherein

said master volume control controls either said radio or said music transmission means, as determined by said selector switch.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising at least one input jack connected via parallel circuitry with said radio and said time alarm whereby a signal from an external source connected to said input jack can be heard over music being played;

said input jack comprising a second volume control whereby the user can adjust the volume of any device being transmitted through said input jack.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a noise canceling means whereby a frequency opposite that of ambient noises is transmitted to said headphones.

7. An apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising at least one speaker, a first output switch whereby the output of said time alarm can be directed to said speaker, said output jack, or both, and a second output switch whereby the output of said radio can be directed to said speaker, said output jack, or both.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a noise canceling means comprising a third output switch whereby the user can direct the output of said noise canceling means to said speaker, said output jack, or both.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising:

a music transmission means wired parallel to said time alarm and said radio whereby an alarm from said time alarm can be heard over music being played by said music transmission means;

a selector switch whereby the user can select either said radio or said music transmission means;

said second output switch also controls said music transmission means whereby the user can direct the output from either said radio or said music transmission means to said speaker, said output jack, or both; and

said master volume control controls either said radio or said music transmission means, as determined by said selector switch.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising at least one input jack connected via parallel circuitry with said radio and said time alarm whereby a signal from an external source connected to said input jack can be heard over music being played;

said input jack comprising a second volume control whereby the user can adjust the volume of any device being transmitted through said input jack.