Headset for a functional device

• US 8,073,180 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruckner Apparatebau GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bruckner Apparatebau GmbH
• Inventors: Bruckhoff, Henning
• Primary Examiner(s): Ensey, Brian
• Application Number:
  US11/826,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20070264850A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,602 Days
• Field of Search: 381/374, 381/375, 381/381, 379/430
• US Class Current: 381/381
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1058 Manufacture or assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/109 Arrangements to adapt hands free headphones for use on both ears

Abstract

Headset includes a signal interface configured for receiving and forwarding electrical signals, a bending-resistant, bendable retaining member, and a functional device attached to the retaining member. Retaining member being bendable and held in a bent position without a restoring force, and is connected to signal interface for positioning functional device. Electrical signal lines provided in retaining member, and running between signal interface and functional device. Fixing element which can be placed on retaining member in various longitudinal positions to secure retaining member. Retaining clip, which can be bent into position, extends between signal interface and fixing element; and. Rear section of retaining member, signal interface, retaining clip, fixing element form a loop, the size of loop being adjustable and changeable by displacing fixing element along retaining member, in use, and loop being configured for receiving an auricle of a user and running at least partially behind auricle, is use.

Claims

1. A headset, comprising:

a) a signal interface configured for receiving and forwarding electrical signals;

b) a bending-resistant, bendable retaining member;

c) a functional device attached to the retaining member;

d) the bending-resistant, bendable member configured for being bent and held in a bent position without a restoring force, and which is connected to the signal interface for positioning the functional device which is attached to the rigid retaining member;

e) electrical signal lines provided in the retaining member, and that run between the signal interface and the functional device;

f) a fixing element which can be placed on the retaining member in various longitudinal positions to secure the retaining member;

g) a bending-resistant, flexible retaining clip, which can be bent into position and extends between the signal interface and the fixing element, and the retaining clip being configured as a dimensionally stable wire clip that can be bent and that includes at least one individual wire; and

h) a rear section of the retaining member, the signal interface, the retaining clip, the fixing element form a loop, the size of the loop being adjustable and changeable by displacing the fixing element along the retaining member, the loop being configured for receiving an auricle of a user and running at least partially behind the auricle of the user.

2. The headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the fixing element is disposed between the functional device and the signal interface.

3. The headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) when attached to the auricle, the signal interface runs behind the auricle, and the retaining clip extends starting from the signal interface behind the auricle upward over the auricle forward and in front of the auricle downward, and the retaining member extends starting from the signal interface behind the auricle and under an earlobe of a user forward.

4. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) at least one electrical output line extends from the signal interface.

5. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the retaining clip and the retaining member have substantially the same elasticity.

6. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the retaining clip and the retaining member are configured as continuous clips.

7. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the retaining member is configured as a dimensionally stable wire member that can be bent and that includes at least one individual wire.

8. The headset according to claim 7, wherein:

a) the at least one individual wire runs continuously through the retaining member and the retaining clip and is one of received in and adjacent to the signal interface.

9. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the at least one individual wire is fastened to one of the functional device and the fixing element by laser welding.

10. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) one of the retaining member and the retaining clip is made of one of a rigid plastic and rubber material which can be bent into position.

11. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) one of the retaining member and the outer casing thereof is made of a material for frictionally engaging the fixing element in continuously adjustable longitudinal positions.

12. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the fixing element is a clamping element.

13. The headset according to claim 12, wherein:

a) the clamping element clamps on the retaining member with a clamping force that can be overcome manually.

14. The headset according to claim 12, wherein:

a) the clamping element includes an eye through which the retaining member extends while applying the clamping force.

15. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the fixing element can be fixed in place in a form-fit manner.

16. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the signal interface is configured as one of a single-piece and a multiple-piece control device; and

b) the headset includes an earpiece for receiving electrical signals and for transmitting sound signals into an auricle or auditory canal of the user, the earpiece being connected to the control device via electrical lines.

17. The headset according to claim 16, wherein:

a) the electrical lines run in the retaining clip to the earpiece.

18. The headset according to claim 17, wherein:

a) the electrical lines run in the retaining clip to the fixing element.

19. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the signal interface is configured as one of a single-piece and a multiple-piece control device for one of forwarding and receiving signals via one of a connecting line and wireless signals.

20. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the signal interface one of connects the internal electrical signal lines with external output lines and routes the internal signal lines out as external output lines.

21. A headset according to claim 1, wherein:

a) the signal interface is configured as one of integrated in and combined with the fixing element.

22. A headset, comprising:

a) a signal interface configured for receiving and forwarding electrical signals;

b) a bending-resistant, bendable retaining member;

c) a functional device attached to the retaining member;

d) the bending-resistant, bendable member configured for being bent and held in a bent position without a restoring force, and which is connected to the signal interface for positioning the functional device which is attached to the rigid retaining member;

e) electrical signal lines provided in the retaining member, and that run between the signal interface and the functional device;

f) a fixing element which can be placed on the retaining member in various longitudinal positions to secure the retaining member;

g) a bending-resistant, flexible retaining clip, which can be bent into position and extends between the signal interface and the fixing element, and the retaining clip being configured as a dimensionally stable wire clip that can be bent and that includes at least one individual wire;

h) one of the retaining member and the retaining clip includes a plurality of twisted individual wires and an outer casing surrounding them; and

i) a rear section of the retaining member, the signal interface, the retaining clip, the fixing element form a loop, the size of the loop being adjustable and changeable by displacing the fixing element along the retaining member, the loop being configured for receiving an auricle of a user and running at least partially behind the auricle of the user.

23. The headset according to claim 22, wherein:

a) the fixing element is disposed between the functional device and the signal interface.

24. A headset, comprising:

a) a signal interface configured for receiving and forwarding electrical signals;

b) a bending-resistant, bendable retaining member;

c) a functional device attached to the retaining member;

d) the bending-resistant, bendable member configured for being bent and held in a bent position without a restoring force, and which is connected to the signal interface for positioning the functional device which is attached to the rigid retaining member;

e) electrical signal lines provided in the retaining member, and that run between the signal interface and the functional device;

f) a fixing element which can be placed on the retaining member in various longitudinal positions to secure the retaining member;

g) a bending-resistant, flexible retaining clip, which can be bent into position and extends between the signal interface and the fixing element;

h) a rear section of the retaining member, the signal interface, the retaining clip, the fixing element form a loop, the size of the loop being adjustable and changeable by displacing the fixing element along the retaining member, the loop being configured for receiving an auricle of a user and running at least partially behind the auricle of the user;

i) the fixing element being a clamping element;

j) the clamping element including an eye through which the retaining member extends while applying the clamping force; and

k) the clamping element with the eye being tilted on the retaining member under the effect of a bending torque applied by the retaining clip.