System for housing an audio system in an aquatic environment

• US 7,263,032 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Issued: 08/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: H2O Audio, Inc.
• Inventors: Rauhala, Kari Kristian, Pena, Jim Abelardo, Pettersen, Carl Wilhelm, Griffin, Stephanie Ann, Polany, Rany
• Primary Examiner(s): PIHULIC, DANIEL T
• Application Number:
  US10/959,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20050123161A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 367/131, 367/188, 381/189, 381/334, 381/335, 381/379, 381/381, 381/386
• US Class Current: 367/131
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/44 Special adaptations for subaqueous use, e.g. for hydrophone

Abstract

A submersible, waterproof enclosure for a portable audio device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a removable lid allowing for the inserting and removing of the device from the enclosure. The disclosure further provides a connector system and an audio communication link connecting the housing to a device capable of generating sound, and to a device capable of producing sound while being submerged in an aquatic environment. Also disclosed are headsets containing at least one speaker within a waterproof enclosure. The speakers may be positioned in or near the ear canal, and attached to the ear or to the user'"'"'s equipment. The headsets may further comprise devices for controlling power and fidelity. The disclosed invention provides an affordable, easy to use and flexible appliance for utilizing an audio device while being submerged into an aquatic environment.

Claims

1. An audio system for use in SCUBA diving, the system comprising:

a rigid submersible waterproof housing;

an electronic device disposed within said housing, wherein said electronic device is capable of producing an audio signal; and

an amplifier electrically connected to said device, wherein said amplifier is capable of amplifying said audio signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier is also disposed within said housing.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier is disposed within a separate submersible waterproof housing.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more speaker elements electrically connected to said amplifier, wherein said amplifier provides said audio signal to said speaker elements in amplified form.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said amplifier and at least one of said speaker elements are disposed together in a separate waterproof housing.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein said speaker elements comprise piezo-electric elements.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein said speaker elements comprise bone conduction elements.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein said speaker elements comprise transducer elements.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein said speaker elements are disposed in one or more separate waterproof housings, wherein said housings are oil-filled.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier comprises a stereo jack to facilitate electrical connection to said device.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier can amplify a plurality of audio channels.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier comprises an LED power indicator.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier comprises a power button.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier automatically powers on when said audio signal is produced.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier is powered by a battery.

73. The system of claim 1 wherein said amplifier automatically powers on and off based on external pressure.

16. A housing for receiving an audio device, the housing comprising:

a rigid container and a rigid lid adapted to fit said container, wherein said container is adapted to receive said audio device, and wherein a seal between said container and said lid is configured to be waterproof under submersible conditions;

components which secure said lid to said container; and

an amplifier disposed within said container;

wherein said amplifier is capable of amplifying audio signals produced by said audio device.

17. An underwater audio headset comprising:

at least one first speaker disposed within a first waterproof enclosure;

at least one second speaker disposed within a second waterproof enclosure;

a first amplifier disposed within said first enclosure;

wherein said first amplifier is electrically connected to said at least one first speaker and capable of amplifying audio signals; and

a second amplifier disposed within said second enclosure;

wherein said second amplifier is electrically connected to said at least one second speaker and capable of amplifying audio signals.

18. An audio communication link comprising:

a waterproof and pressure resistant cable, wherein said cable is capable of transmitting an audio signal, and wherein said cable is capable of withstanding underwater pressures encountered while SCUBA diving;

components capable of connecting said cable to an audio jack, wherein said components provide a waterproof and pressure resistant connection between said audio jack and said cable, and wherein said connection is capable of withstanding underwater pressures encountered while SCUBA diving;

an amplifier electrically connected to said cable, wherein said amplifier is capable of amplifying said audio signal; and

a waterproof housing capable of withstanding underwater pressures encountered while SCUBA diving, wherein said amplifier is disposed within said housing.

19. A wireless underwater audio headset, comprising:

at least one submersible waterproof enclosure;

at least one speaker disposed within said waterproof enclosure; and

a wireless receiver electrically connected to said speaker.

20. The audio headset of claim 19 wherein the enclosure includes memory.

21. The audio headset of claim 19 wherein the enclosure includes a gland seal.

22. The audio headset of claim 19 wherein the enclosure includes a face seal.

23. A waterproof housing adapted to receive an electronic audio device, said housing comprising:

a rigid container adapted to receive the electronic audio device, said container waterproof under submersible conditions; and

at least one control device on the exterior of said rigid container, said control device adapted to control the electronic audio device and said control device adapted to withstand activation caused by underwater pressure.

24. The housing of claim 23, wherein the rigid container comprises a removable lid.

25. The housing of claim 23, wherein the waterproof housing is adapted to withstand underwater pressures.

26. The housing of claim 23, wherein the control device is adapted to withstand activation caused by underwater pressures.

27. The housing of claim 23, wherein the control device comprises a knob.

28. The housing of claim 23, wherein the control device comprises a camshaft.

29. The housing of claim 23, wherein the control device comprises a push pin.

30. The housing of claim 23, wherein the control device comprises an electronic control device.

31. The housing of claim 23, wherein the container comprises an audio output adapter adapted to form a connection with an audio communication link.

32. The housing of claim 23, further comprising a wireless audio communication link disposed within said container.

33. The housing of claim 23, further comprising an amplifier disposed within said container.

34. The housing of claim 23, further comprising a power source disposed within said container.

35. The housing of claim 23, further comprising an internal lighting source.

36. A method of using an electronic audio device in an aquatic environment, comprising:

placing the electronic audio device in a rigid container that is waterproof under submersible conditions; and

controlling the electronic audio device using at least one control device on the exterior of said rigid container, said control device adapted to withstand activation caused by underwater pressure.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of placing the electronic audio device in the rigid container comprises:

inserting the electronic device through an opening in said rigid container; and

securing a lid over said opening.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the rigid container is adapted to withstand underwater pressures.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the control device is adapted to withstand activation caused by underwater pressures.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of controlling the electronic audio device comprises manipulating a knob.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of controlling the electronic audio device comprises manipulating a camshaft.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of controlling the electronic audio device comprises manipulating a push pin.

43. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of controlling the electronic audio device comprises manipulating an electronic control device.

44. The method of claim 36, further comprising connecting an audio communication link to said electronic audio device using an audio output adapter disposed on said rigid container.

45. The method of claim 36, further comprising activating a wireless audio communication link.

46. The method of claim 36, further comprising activating an amplifier.

47. The method of claim 36, wherein a power source is disposed within said container.

48. The method of claim 36, further comprising activating an internal lighting source within said container.

49. A waterproof housing adapted to receive an electronic audio device, said housing comprising:

a rigid container adapted to receive the electronic audio device, said container waterproof under submersible conditions; and

at least one control device on the exterior of said rigid container, said control device comprising a rigid structure that extends from the exterior of said rigid container to the interior of said rigid container, wherein said control device is adapted to contact a control on the electronic audio device.

50. The housing of claim 49 wherein the control on the electronic audio device is a button.

51. A waterproof housing adapted to receive an electronic audio device, said housing comprising:

a rigid base adapted to receive the electronic audio device;

a rigid lid, wherein when said lid is secured to said base, the lid and base form a waterproof enclosure;

at least one button comprising a finger pad on an exterior side of said base or lid and a button manipulator on an interior side of said base or lid, wherein said button manipulator presses a button on the electronic audio device when the finger pad is pressed; and

at least one rotatable control mechanism comprising a rotatable structure on an exterior side of said base or lid and a rotatable structure on an interior side of said base or lid, wherein rotation of the rotatable structure on the exterior side causes rotation of the rotatable structure on the interior side, wherein the rotatable structure on the interior side manipulates a control feature on the electronic audio device.

52. The housing of claim 51, wherein the lid is at least partially secured to the base via a hinge.

53. The housing of claim 51, wherein the rotatable structure on the exterior side of the base or lid is a lever.

54. The housing of claim 51, wherein the rotatable structure on the interior side of the base or lid is a fork structure.

55. The housing of claim 51, wherein the control feature on the electronic audio device that is manipulated by the rotatable structure on the interior side of the base or lid is a joystick.

56. The housing of claim 51, wherein the lid comprises a window for viewing a display on the electronic audio device.

57. The housing of claim 56, wherein the window is lens like.

58. A waterproof housing adapted to receive an electronic audio device, said housing comprising:

a waterproof container adapted to receive the electronic audio device;

a waterproof lid adapted to form a waterproof seal with the waterproof container;

a waterproof control mechanism located in said container or lid, said control mechanism adapted to allow manipulation of a control feature on the electronic audio device by translating a user'"'"'s rotational motion applied to the control mechanism to the control feature.

59. The housing of claim 58, wherein the waterproof container, lid, seal, and control mechanism are waterproof under submersible conditions.

60. The housing of claim 58, wherein the waterproof container, lid, seal, and control mechanism are waterproof when in non-submersible incidental contact with water.

61. The housing of claim 58, wherein the control mechanism comprises:

an external rotatable structure;

an internal rotatable structure; and

a camshaft coupling the external and internal rotatable structures.

62. The housing of claim 61, further comprising a presser coupled to the internal rotatable structure.

63. The housing of claim 58, wherein the waterproof control mechanism comprises metal.

64. The housing of claim 63, wherein the metal is conductive.

65. The housing of claim 58, wherein the waterproof control mechanism comprises rubber.

66. The housing of claim 58, wherein the waterproof control mechanism comprises plastic.

67. The housing of claim 66, wherein the plastic is conductive.

68. The housing of claim 58, wherein the container comprises a rigid material.

69. The housing of claim 58, wherein the lid comprises a rigid material.

70. The housing of claim 58, wherein the control mechanism comprises a rigid material.

71. The housing of claim 58, wherein the control mechanism comprises a soft rubber molding.

72. The housing of claim 61, wherein the external rotatable structure comprises a feature configured to engage a finger of the user to facilitate rotation of the rotatable structure by the user.