Headband variable stiffness

• US 9,301,052 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vocollect, Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vocollect, Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Amurgis, Charles William, Wahl, James David
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tejash
• Application Number:
  US13/834,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20140263493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 220/9, 218/3, 217/1, 220/8, 219/52, 219/55, 381/370, 381/374, 381/376, 381/377, 381/378, 381/379
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 1/22 adjustable in size ; Form-fitting or self adjusting head coverings; Devices for reducing hat size
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for allowing a user to change the stiffness of their headband, thus changing the clamping force of the headset. The section properties of the headband equivalent spring, which is a cantilevered beam, are changed by engaging a secondary spring, which is also a shorter cantilevered beam. The change is achieved by manipulating the effective length of the secondary spring, which can be accomplished with a set of clamps. Thus, the stiffness of the headband can be modified to the desire of the user.

Claims

1. A method for changing a stiffness of a headband, comprising

aligning a primary spring and a secondary spring together, wherein the primary spring and the secondary spring are flexible curved beams, each having a shape of an arc, and wherein the primary spring and the secondary spring are shaped to caress and fit against a human head;

joining the primary spring and the secondary spring together with two or more moveable clamps;

moving a member of the two or more moveable clamps along the primary spring and the secondary spring such that the member clamps the primary spring and secondary spring together at that particular point and varies the stiffness of the headband relative to the member being located at a different point along the primary spring and secondary spring; and

increasing the stiffness of the headband by increasing a spacing between the two or more moveable clamps positioned along the primary spring and the secondary spring.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary spring and the secondary spring are cantilevered beams.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary spring and the secondary spring are made from a rigid polyurethane composite.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the member of the two or more moveable clamps comprises sliding the member of the two or more moveable clamps along the primary spring and the secondary spring such that the primary spring and secondary spring connect together along a path between the member and another member of the two or more moveable clamps.

5. A headband that enables a user to change a stiffness that results in changing a clamping force to a head of the user, comprising:

a first flexible material and a second flexible material that are elongated and shaped in an arc to fit over the head of the user;

the first flexible material having a length longer than the second flexible material;

the first flexible material and the second flexible material aligned together, and clamped together with two or more moveable clamps, wherein the two or more moveable clamps can slide along the first flexible material and the second flexible material when aligned together; and

the two or more moveable clamps operable to change the stiffness of the headband when located in different positions along the first flexible material and the second flexible material.

6. The headband of claim 5, wherein the stiffness is increased when a spacing between the two or more moveable clamps is increased.

7. The headband of claim 5, wherein the stiffness is decreased when a spacing between the two or more moveable clamps is decreased.

8. The headband of claim 5, wherein the first flexible material and the second flexible material are cantilevered beams.

9. The headband of claim 5, wherein the first flexible material and the second flexible material are made from a rigid polyurethane composite.

10. A method for changing a clamping force to a head of a user, comprising:

elongating a first flexible material and a second flexible material;

shaping the first flexible material and the second flexible material into an arc to fit over the head of the user;

creating the first flexible material with a length longer than the second flexible material;

aligning the first flexible material and the second flexible material together;

clamping the first flexible material and the second flexible material together with two or more moveable clamps; and

moving the two or more moveable clamps to different positions along the first flexible material and the second flexible material to change a stiffness of the headband.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein clamping the first flexible material and the second flexible material together with two or more moveable clamps comprises sliding the two or more moveable clamps along the first flexible material and the second flexible material when aligned together.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the stiffness is increased when a spacing between the two or more moveable clamps is increased.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the stiffness is decreased when a spacing between the two or more moveable clamps is decreased.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first flexible material and the second flexible material are cantilevered beams.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first flexible material and the second flexible material are made from a rigid polyurethane composite.