Conformable earhook for an over-the-ear headset

• US 6,449,374 B1
• Filed: 03/22/1999
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Skulley, Thomas G., Skulley, Gerald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): DABNEY, PHYLESHA LARVINIA
• Application Number:
  US09/274,434
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 381/370, 381/381, 381/374, 381/375, 381/379, 381/385, 381/330, 381/376, 381/327, 379/430, 181/129, 220/9
• US Class Current: 381/381
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/083 Special constructions of mouthpieces
• 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

Abstract

An earhook for a communications headset includes a prehensile portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear; a compressible portion coupled to the prehensile portion and disposed between the prehensile portion and the ear, the compressible portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear; and a digit receiving member coupled near a first end of the prehensile portion, the digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the first end directed away from a second end of the prehensile portion.

Claims

1. In a communication headset having an earhook, the earhook comprising:

a prehensile portion having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane to securely grasp the ear between first and second ends of the curved portion; and

a digit receiving member comprising a closed loop and coupled to the first end of the prehensile portion, the digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the digit receiving member directed away from the second end, in order to place the prehensile portion around the ear.

2. The earhook of claim 1 further comprising:

a second digit receiving member coupled to the second end of the prehensile portion, the second digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the second digit receiving member directed away from the first end.

3. The earhook of claim 1, wherein the digit receiving member is deformable.

4. The earhook of claim 1, wherein the prehensile portion is resiliently biased toward the ear in substantially the first plane to exert clamping pressure against the ear.

5. The earhook of claim 4, wherein the prehensile portion flexes within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased to exert a force normal to and directed toward the first plane.

6. The earhook of claim 1, wherein the prehensile portion includes a compressible surface for contacting the ear, wherein the compressible surface is conformable to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear.

7. The earhook of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the compressible surface has a substantially greater radial thickness than a radial thickness of the prehensile portion.

8. The earhook of claim 7, wherein the compressible surface has a point of greatest radial thickness between the apex and anti-apex of the ear and is tapered toward the apex and anti-apex.

9. The earhook of claim 1, wherein the prehensile portion includes at least one substantially rigid portion and a first flexible portion, the first flexible portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear.

10. The earhook of claim 9, wherein the first flexible portion has a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the cross-sectional area of the rigid portion.

11. The earhook of claim 9, wherein the prehensile portion comprises a second flexible portion, the second flexible portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane, the second flexible portion having a different degree of flexibility than the first flexible portion to provide progressive clamping pressure against the ear.

12. An earhook for a communication headset comprising:

a prehensile portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear, and wherein the prehensile portion comprises at least one substantially rigid portion and a first flexible portion, the first flexible portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure, and wherein the first flexible portion is corrugated; and

a compressible portion coupled to the prehensile portion and disposed between the prehensile portion and the ear, the compressible portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear.

24. The earhook of claim 12 or 13, wherein the prehensile portion flexes within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased to exert a force normal to and directed toward the first plane.

25. The earhook of claim 12, 13 or 15, wherein at least a portion of the compressible portion has a substantially greater radial thickness than a radial thickness of the prehensile portion.

26. The earhook of claim 12, 13 or 15, wherein the compressible portion has a point of greatest radial thickness between the apex and anti-apex of the ear and is tapered toward the apex and anti-apex.

27. The earhook of claim 12 or 13, wherein the first flexible portion has a reduced cross-sectional area relative to the cross-sectional area of the rigid portion.

13. An earhook for a communication headset comprising:

a prehensile portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear;

a compressible portion coupled to the prehensile portion and disposed between the prehensile portion and the ear, the compressible portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear; and

wherein the prehensile portion comprises at least one substantially rigid portion, a first flexible portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure, and a second flexible portion, the second flexible portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane and having a different degree of flexibility than the first flexible portion, the first and second flexible portions together providing progressive clamping pressure against the ear.

14. The earhook of claim 13, wherein the second flexible portion is located at about the apex of the ear, and the first flexible portion is located at about the anti-apex of the ear.

15. An earhook for a communication headset comprising:

a prehensile portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear;

a compressible portion coupled to the prehensile portion and disposed between the prehensile portion and the ear, the compressible portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear; and

a digit receiving member comprising a closed loop and coupled to a first end of the prehensile portion, the digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the digit receiving member directed away from a second end of the prehensile portion, in order to place the earhook around the ear.

16. The earhook of claim 15 further comprising:

a second digit receiving member coupled to the second end of the prehensile portion, the second digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the second digit receiving member directed away from the first end.

17. The earhook of claim 15, wherein the digit receiving member is a deformable.

18. An earhook for a communication headset comprising:

a substantially rigid outer member having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane to securely grasp the ear between first and second ends of the curved portion, the outer member comprising first and second flex points for resiliently biasing the outer member toward the ear and providing progressive clamping pressure against the ear; and

a compressible inner member coupled to the outer member and disposed between the outer member and the ear, the inner member adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear.

19. The earhook of claim 18, wherein the first flex point has a different degree flexibility than the second flex point.

20. The earhook of claim 18, wherein the second flex point is located at about the apex of the ear, and the first flex point is located at about an opposite side of the ear, when the earhook is worn.

21. The earhook of claim 18, further comprising:

a digit receiving member coupled to a first end of the outer member, the digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the outer member by exerting force upon the digit receiving member directed away from a second end of the outer member.

22. The earhook of claim 21, further comprising:

a second digit receiving member coupled to the second end of the outer member, the second digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the outer member by exerting force upon the second digit receiving member directed away from the first end of the outer member.

23. The earhook of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the inner member has a substantially greater radial thickness than a radial thickness of the outer member.

28. A communication headset comprising:

an earhook comprising;

a prehensile portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear, and wherein the prehensile portion flexes within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased to exert a force normal to and directed toward the first plane;

a compressible portion coupled to the prehensile portion and disposed between the prehensile portion and the ear, the compressible portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear; and

an audio receiver, coupled near an end of the earhook and disposed adjacent to the ear, for converting electrical signals into audible signals.

31. The communication headset of claim 28 or 29, further comprising:

an audio transmitter, coupled to the audio receiver, for converting audible signals into electrical signals.

29. A communication headset comprising:

an earhook comprising;

a prehensile portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear;

a compressible portion coupled to the prehensile portion and disposed between the prehensile portion and the ear, the compressible portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear;

an audio receiver, coupled near an end of the earhook and disposed adjacent to the ear, for converting electrical signals into audible signals; and

a digit receiving member coupled to a first end of the prehensile portion, the digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the digit receiving member directed away from a second end of the prehensile portion.

30. The communication headset of 29 further comprising:

a second digit receiving member coupled to the second end of the prehensile portion, the second digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the second digit receiving member directed away from the first end.

32. A method of donning a communication headset comprising an earhook, the earhook having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear to securely grasp the ear between first and second ends of the curved portion, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a digit receiving member comprising a closed loop at the first end for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

grasping the second end of the earhook with first and second digits;

inserting a third digit into the digit receiving member;

exerting a force on the digit receiving member directed away from the second end and in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear;

positioning the earhook on the ear; and

removing the third digit from the digit receiving member to allow the earhook to resiliently grasp the ear in response to the clamping pressure.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the earhook comprises first and second flex points, and the positioning step comprises positioning the second flex point at about the apex of the ear, and the first flex point at about an opposite side of the ear.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the grasping step comprises grasping the second end between an index finger and a middle finger.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the grasping step comprises grasping the second end between a middle finger and a ring finger.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the inserting step comprises inserting a thumb into the digit receiving member.

37. A method of donning a communication headset comprising an earhook and an audio transmitter coupled near a first end the earhook, the earhook having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a digit receiving member comprising a closed loop coupled to a second end of the earhook for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

grasping the audio transmitter with first and second digits;

inserting a third digit into the digit receiving member;

exerting a force on the digit receiving member directed away from the audio transmitter and in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear;

positioning the earhook on the ear; and

removing the third digit from the digit receiving member to allow the earhook to resiliently grasp the ear in response to the clamping pressure.

38. A method of removing a communication headset comprising an earhook, the earhook having a curved portion curving at least partially around and behind an ear in a substantially first plane, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a digit receiving member comprising a closed loop for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

inserting a digit into the digit receiving member;

exerting a first force on the digit receiving member directed away from the ear and in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear; and

exerting a second force on the digit receiving member substantially normal to the first plane and directed outward from the ear to remove the earhook.

39. A method of donning a communication headset comprising an earhook, the earhook having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear to securely grasp the ear between first and second ends of the curved portion, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a first digit receiving members comprising a closed loop and a second digit receiving member, said first and second digit receiving members disposed at the first and second ends, respectively, the first and second digit receiving members for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

inserting a first digit into the first digit receiving member;

inserting a second digit into the second digit receiving member;

exerting oppositely-directed forces on the first and second digit receiving members in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear;

positioning the earhook on the ear; and

removing the first and second digits from the first and second digit receiving members to allow the earhook to resiliently grasp the ear in response to the clamping pressure.

40. In a communication headset having an earhook, the earhook comprising:

a prehensile portion having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane to securely grasp the ear between first and second ends of the curved portion; and

a digit receiving member comprising a partially-closed loop that does not grip an earlobe and coupled to the first end of the prehensile portion, the digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the digit receiving member directed away from the second end, in order to place the prehensile portion around the ear.

41. An earhook for a communication headset comprising:

a prehensile portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear in substantially a first plane, the prehensile portion resiliently biased toward the ear in the first plane to provide clamping pressure against the ear;

a compressible portion coupled to the prehensile portion and disposed between the prehensile portion and the ear, the compressible portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind the ear in substantially the first plane to conform to the ear in response to the clamping pressure and the shape of the ear; and

a digit receiving member comprising a partially-closed loop that does not grip an earlobe and coupled to a first end of the prehensile portion, the digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit for opening the prehensile portion by exerting force upon the digit receiving member directed away from a second end of the prehensile portion, in order to place the earhook around the ear.

42. A method of donning a communication headset comprising an earhook, the earhook having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear to securely grasp the ear between first and second ends of the curved portion, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a digit receiving member comprising a partially-closed loop that does not grip an earlobe and coupled to the first end for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

grasping the second end of the earhook with first and second digits;

inserting a third digit into the digit receiving member;

exerting a force on the digit receiving member directed away from the second end and in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear;

positioning the earhook on the ear; and

removing the third digit from the digit receiving member to allow the earhook to resiliently grasp the ear in response to the clamping pressure.

43. A method of donning a communication headset comprising an earhook and an audio transmitter coupled near a first end the earhook, the earhook having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a digit receiving member comprising a partially-closed loop that does not grip an earlobe and coupled to a second end of the earhook for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

grasping the audio transmitter with first and second digits;

inserting a third digit into the digit receiving member;

exerting a force on the digit receiving member directed away from the audio transmitter and in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear;

positioning the earhook on the ear; and

removing the third digit from the digit receiving member to allow the earhook to resiliently grasp the ear in response to the clamping pressure.

44. A method of removing a communication headset comprising an earhook, the earhook having a curved portion curving at least partially around and behind an ear in a substantially first plane, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a digit receiving member comprising a partially-closed loop that does not grip an earlobe, said digit receiving member for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

inserting a digit into the digit receiving member;

exerting a first force on the digit receiving member directed away from the ear and in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear; and

exerting a second force on the digit receiving member substantially normal to the first plane and directed outward from the ear to remove the earhook.

45. A method of donning a communication headset comprising an earhook, the earhook having a curved portion adapted to curve at least partially around and behind an ear to securely grasp the ear between first and second ends of the curved portion, the earhook resiliently biased to exert clamping pressure against the ear, the earhook comprising a first digit receiving members comprising a partially-closed loop that does not grip an earlobe and a second digit receiving member, said first and second digit receiving members disposed at the first and second ends, respectively, the first and second digit receiving members for removeably receiving a digit, the method comprising:

inserting a first digit into the first digit receiving member;

inserting a second digit into the second digit receiving member;

exerting oppositely-directed forces on the first and second digit receiving members in opposition to the clamping pressure to open the earhook to a diameter larger than a diameter of the ear;

positioning the earhook on the ear; and

removing the first and second digits from the first and second digit receiving members to allow the earhook to resiliently grasp the ear in response to the clamping pressure.