Removable adapter with speaker and microphone for a wireless communications device

• US 8,478,357 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2012
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adrienne L. Harrington
• Original Assignee: Adrienne L. Harrington
• Inventors: Harrington, Adrienne L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHUONG, DAI
• Application Number:
  US13/560,045
• Time in Patent Office: 340 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/569.1, 455573-5758
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

An adapter for a wireless communications device has a speaker embedded in an upper end portion, a microphone embedded in a lower end portion, and a male electrical post connector mounted in the lower end portion. The post connector is electrically connected to the speaker and microphone. The post connector has an exposed tip and extends from the lower end portion generally toward the upper end portion. A theoretical plane bisects the base into left and right lateral portions and the microphone and connector are disposed on opposing sides of the theoretical plane. The adapter is configured such that when physically mounted to the wireless communications device, and the post connector is mated to the external communications port, the microphone and speaker are electrically connected to the wireless communications device. The combination may be used for VOIP communications.

Claims

1. An adapter for a wireless communications device having an external communications port, the adapter comprising:

a main unit comprising a generally planar base and having an upper end portion and a lower end portion longitudinally separated by an intermediate portion;

the upper end portion having a first hook-shaped flange and the lower end portion having a second hook-shaped flange, the flanges each extending forward from the base;

a cavity bounded by the base and the flanges;

a speaker embedded in the upper end portion;

a microphone embedded in the lower end portion;

a male electrical post connector mounted in the lower end portion and electrically connected to the speaker and the microphone;

the post connector having an exposed tip;

wherein the post connector extends from the lower end portion generally toward the upper end portion such that the tip is closer to the upper end portion than a remainder of the post connector;

wherein a theoretical plane bisects the base into left and right lateral portions;

wherein the microphone and the connector are disposed on opposing sides of the theoretical plane, in spaced relation thereto;

wherein the adapter is configured such that when physically mounted to the wireless communications device by the flanges, and the post connector is mated to the external communications port, the microphone and speaker are electrically connected to the wireless communications device;

wherein the lower portion comprises a third hook-shaped flange;

wherein the microphone is embedded in the second flange;

wherein the post connector is mounted to the third flange;

wherein the second and third hook-shaped flanges of the lower end portion are spaced apart to form an opening for a docking connector to access the wireless communications device.

2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein each flange comprises a lip disposed generally parallel to the base in spaced relation thereto.

3. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the main unit is flexible.

4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion is laterally narrower than the upper and lower end portions.

5. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the post connector is electrically connected to the speaker and the microphone via wires embedded in the main unit.

6. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the lower end portion comprises a port leading to the embedded microphone.

7. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the upper end portion comprises a port leading to the embedded speaker.

8. The adapter of claim 1 wherein the post connector comprises at least three electrically distinct electrical contact zones.