System and method for securing headphone transducers

• US 8,798,305 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2012
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kaddan Entertainment, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kaddan Entertainment, Inc.
• Inventors: Harper, Patrick Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Ensey, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/479,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20130028461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 381/370, 381/374, 381/380, 381/384
• US Class Current: 381/374
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/10 Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones H04R1/28 takes precedence; stereophonic headphones H04R5/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/105 Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/17 Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

A system for securing headphone transducers is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the system comprises a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A first coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the first mechanical housing of the first transducer device. A second transducer device has a second mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A second coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the second mechanical housing of the second transducer device. The first coupling device is coupled to the second coupling device when in close proximity to each other, such that the inner surfaces of the first and second mechanical devices are opposed to each other.

Claims

1. A system for securing headphone transducers, the system comprising:

a first transducer having a first mechanical housing; and

a second transducer having a second mechanical housing;

wherein the mechanical housings comprise a clasping system having a first coupling device and a second coupling device and whereby the headphone transducers are secured to each other when the coupling devices are engaged;

wherein said first coupling device comprises a magnet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first coupling device is permanently or removably affixed to the first mechanical housing and the second coupling device is permanently or removably affixed to the second mechanical housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the clasping system is a temporary clasping system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling devices are engaged when in close proximity to each other.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnet of said first coupling device comprises a first magnet, said second coupling device comprises a second magnet, and the polarity of said first magnet and said second magnet are opposite and attractive.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and/or said second transducer is an ear-clip headphone.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and/or said second transducer is an ear-bud transducer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said first coupling device is coupled to said second coupling device at two or more points.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface of said first coupling device and the surface of said second coupling device are distinct but complementary.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said first coupling device is coupled to said second coupling device in a specific orientation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling devices are different, but interlocking.

12. A system for securing headphone transducers, the system comprising:

a first transducer having a first mechanical housing; and

a second transducer having a second mechanical housing;

wherein the mechanical housings comprise a clasping system having a first coupling device and a second coupling device and whereby the headphone transducers are secured to each other when the coupling devices are engaged;

wherein said first coupling device comprises a first and second magnet and said second coupling device comprises a third and fourth magnet, and wherein the polarity of said first and third magnets are opposite and attractive and the polarity of said second and fourth magnets are opposite and attractive.

13. A system for securing a headphone transducer, comprising:

a transducer having a mechanical housing;

a coupling device permanently or removably affixed to the mechanical housing of said transducer; and

a coupling base permanently or removably affixed to, or incorporated into an object,

whereby the headphone transducer is secured to the coupling base when the coupling device is engaged with the coupling base;

wherein the coupling device comprises a magnet, the coupling base comprises a magnet, and the polarity of said magnets are opposite and attractive, whereby said magnets are attracted to each other when in close proximity.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the coupling device and the coupling base are engaged when in close proximity to each other.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the coupling device and the coupling base are different, but interlocking.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said transducer is at least one of an ear-clip headphone or an ear-bud transducer.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said coupling base further comprises a perimeter having a raised edge.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said object comprises a bag, portable device, case, closet, locker, athletic equipment, or clothing.

19. A system for securing a headphone transducer, comprising:

a transducer having a mechanical housing;

a coupling device permanently or removably affixed to the mechanical housing of said transducer; and

a coupling base permanently or removably affixed to, or incorporated into an object,

whereby the headphone transducer is secured to the coupling base when the coupling device is engaged with the coupling base;

wherein said coupling base comprises two or more surfaces, and at least one of said coupling device and said coupling base comprises a magnet.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein both the coupling device and the coupling base comprise magnets and the polarity of said magnets are opposite and attractive, whereby said magnets are attracted to each other when in close proximity.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said object comprises a bag, portable device, case, closet, locker, athletic equipment, or clothing.

22. A system for securing a headphone transducer, comprising:

a first transducer having a first mechanical housing;

a second transducer having a second mechanical housing;

a first coupling device permanently or removably affixed to the first mechanical housing of said first transducer;

a second coupling device permanently or removably affixed to the second mechanical housing of said second transducer;

a coupling base permanently or removably affixed to, or incorporated into, an object, wherein the first and second transducers are secured to the coupling base; and

whereby the first and second transducers are secured to the coupling base when the first and second coupling devices are engaged with the coupling base.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the coupling base comprises two surfaces that are opposed to each other.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein:

the first and second coupling devices comprise magnets having polarities that are opposite and attractive; and

whereby the coupling devices are removably secured to the surfaces of the coupling base by the attractive force between the magnets in the coupling devices.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein:

the first coupling device comprises a magnet, and the second coupling device comprises a material to which the magnet will attract, whereby the coupling devices are removably secured to the surfaces of the coupling base by the attractive force between the magnet in the first coupling device and the material in the second coupling device.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said object comprises a bag, portable device, case, closet, locker, athletic equipment, or clothing.