Headband for reversible mounting of headsets

• US 6,356,635 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GN Netcom/Unex Inc.
• Original Assignee: GN Netcom/Unex Inc.
• Inventors: Lyman, Stephen R., MacDonald, James T., DePiano, John Jr., Heinz, Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiang, Jack
• Application Number:
  US09/312,443
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 379/430, 379/447, 381/370, 381/376, 381/377, 381/378, 381/379
• US Class Current: 379/430
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/083 Special constructions of mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication

Abstract

A headband for reversible mounting of headsets, wherein the headset can be used on either side of the wearer'"'"'s head. The headband may include two adjustably connected portions, for adapting to the wearer'"'"'s head. On one side, the headband has a fitting for a headset. The fitting may include a plurality of tabs surrounding a substantially circular cavity. The headset may be mounted to the headband by fitting at least a part of the headset inside the cavity, wherein the headset is held in place by the tabs. The tabs may be arranged to allow the headset to extend therebetween, and they may allow the headset to be adjusted as desired by the wearer.

Claims

1. A headband for headsets, the headband comprising:

a member capable of being positioned on a wearer'"'"'s head, the member provided with a fitting for receiving a headset;

wherein the fitting comprises a retaining ring defining a cavity therein for receiving a portion of said headset, a casing including a plurality of holding members extending generally orthogonally outwardly from the retaining ring in a direction generally away from the wearer, a tab on each of said holding members extending inwardly from the respective holding member into said cavity, thereby creating a narrowed opening to said cavity, so that the headset is retainable within said cavity by the retention effect of said tabs when the headset is inserted therein, so that the earpiece can be removed at any position.

2. A headband for headsets having earpiece transducer and a body extension, the headband comprising:

a member capable of being positioned on a wearer'"'"'s head, the member provided with a fitting for receiving a headset;

wherein the fitting comprises a retaining ring defining a cavity therein for receiving a portion of said headset, a casing including a plurality of holding members extending generally orthogonally outwardly from the retaining ring in a direction generally away from the wearer, said holding members extending inwardly into said cavity, thereby creating a narrowed opening to said cavity such that the cavity is at least in part, smaller than the transducer portion of the headset so as to create a inwardly biasing retention force on the transducer when inserted into the cavity,

at least one gap between holding members, said gap providing a passageway in said casing to permit the passage of the body extension of the headset to pass therethrough, while still retaining said headset.

3. A headband according to claim 2 wherein said at least one gap is of sufficient extent to allow rotational movement of said headset within said cavity and permit the movement of the body extension to be adjusted to different radial positions to suit the wearer'"'"'s desire.

4. A headband according to claim 3, wherein the fitting is swivelable to accommodate a wearer'"'"'s right or left ear and wherein said casing includes at least two holding members with at least two corresponding gaps, said gaps being located between said members such that the body extension may protrude thru the gaps and extend toward the wearer'"'"'s mouth whether the headband is configured for right of left ear usage.

5. A headband according to claim 3 wherein the gap is sized, relative to the headset to allow rotational movement of the headset within limits defined by the gap.

6. A headband according to claim 3 wherein said casing includes at least two holding members with at least two corresponding gaps, said gaps being located between said members such that the body extension may protrude through the gaps and extend toward the wearer'"'"'s mouth whether the headband is configured for right or left ear usage.