Device for fixing earphones and/or mini-microphones

• US 7,013,492 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acronym GmbH
• Original Assignee: Acronym GmbH
• Inventors: Hugh, Errolson, Sachenbacher, Michaela
• Primary Examiner(s): VANATTA, AMY B
• Application Number:
  US10/204,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20030019015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,861 Days
• Field of Search: 2 6/9, 220/9, 220/8, 220/913, 233/6, 2DI/G 1.1, 224/31, 211/5, 210/2, 210/8, 2 9/4, 2/1, 226/5, 224/4, 224/9, 225/0, 381/322, 381/124, 381/1, 381/361, 381/364, 381/365, 381/366, 381/367, 381/171, 381/386, 381/87, 381/91, 381/188, 381/169, 243/03, 24/1, 24/31, 455/575.6, 455/569.1, 455/344
• US Class Current: 2/243.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/023 Transducers incorporated in garment, rucksacks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow

Abstract

A device for fixing ear-phones and/or mini-microphones, especially to items of clothing or equipment. The aim of the invention is to develop a secure, easy to handle, precisely positionable, economical, optional means of fixing even earphones and/or mini-microphones whose structural shapes are years old. The fixing means should neither increase the transport weight nor the construction volume of the earphones and/or mini-microphones, should be usable even in an adapted state in a appropriate position on the item of clothing and/or equipment, and should guarantee (with the exception of special structural shapes) overload protection with an emergency triggering function when there is a strong pull on the earphone and/or microphone cable. To this end, a permanent magnet, a magnet system or an adhesive system is provided at the designated fixing point for the earphones and/or mini-microphones outside or inside of the particular item of clothing and/or equipment.

Claims

1. A method of using a permanent magnet to attach an earphone or a small microphone to an article of clothing or equipment comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a planned attachment point for the earphone or the small microphone outside of or within the article of clothing or equipment;

(b) arranging a permanent magnet on the planned attachment point; and

(c) attaching the earphone or the small microphone to the attachment point using only magnetic properties inherent only in the earphone or small microphone in combination with the Permanent magnet.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein one or more pole plates are arranged on the permanent magnet to form with the permanent magnet a magnetic system.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the permanent magnet is bonded or cast in plastic and hermetically sealed to form an adhesion system.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the magnetic system is bonded or cast in plastic and hermetically sealed to form an adhesion system.

5. The method according to claim 3 wherein the plastic of the adhesion system projects beyond the permanent magnet in the form of an attachment border.

6. The method according to claim 4 wherein the plastic of the adhesion system projects beyond the magnetic system in the form of an attachment border.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the permanent magnet is inserted into, sewn onto, glued onto, sewn into or glued into a small pocket of the article of clothing or equipment, or releasably connected with the article of clothing or equipment.

8. The method according to claim 2 wherein the magnetic system is inserted into, sewn onto, glued onto, sewn into or glued into a small pocket of the article of clothing or equipment, or releasably connected with the article of clothing or equipment.

9. The method according to claim 3 wherein the adhesion system is inserted into, sewn onto, glued onto, sewn into or glued into, a small pocket of the article of clothing or equipment, or releasably connected with the article of clothing or equipment.

10. The method according to claim 3 wherein a catch hook or a positioning element for the earphone or the small microphone is formed on the adhesion system.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the article of clothing or equipment includes fabric, and on the article of clothing or equipment, in the planned attachment region for the earphone or the small microphone, the permanent magnet by itself or together with a positioning element for the earphone or the small microphone, is formed into the fabric of the article of clothing or equipment, using plastic.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the plastic comprises polyurethane foam.

13. The method according to claim 2 wherein the article of clothing or equipment includes fabric, and on the article of clothing or equipment, in the planned attachment region for the earphone or the small microphone, the magnetic system by itself or together with a positioning element for the earphone or the small microphone, is formed into the fabric of the article of clothing or equipment, using plastic.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the plastic comprises polyurethane foam.

15. The method according to claim 3 wherein the article of clothing or equipment includes fabric, and on the article of clothing or equipment, in the planned attachment region for the earphone or the small microphone, the adhesion system by itself or together with a positioning element for the earphone or the small microphone, is formed into the fabric of the article of clothing or equipment, using plastic.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the plastic comprises polyurethane foam.