|
(11) | EP 2 597 890 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | System and method for securing headphone transducers |
| (57) A system for securing audio transducers to each other or to another surface allowing
the relative positions of the transducers or the transducer and the surface to remain
fixed while secured.
|
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of US Provisional Application Serial No. 61/562,955 filed on November 22, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a system and method for securing headphone transducers and, more particularly, to a system and method for securing headphone transducers through the implementation of coupling means, such as, for example, magnets, hooks, hooks and loops, etc. Such systems are not new. See, e.g., US 7,436,974, US 7,693,295, and US 8,189,843, whose disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. However, existing systems that only use flat magnets as securing means are not ideal. When the outer surfaces of the transducers, or the outer surface of the transducer and the outer surface of the coupling base, are substantially planar, the transducer or transducers risk being decoupled under shear forces. Such forces are commonplace in today's uses of such inventions, for example when working out, or during inadvertent collisions in increasingly crowded areas. Magnets are a very convenient coupling means, but an improvement is needed to accommodate the aforementioned environments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a system and method for securing headphone transducers using magnets with a protrusion and depression to prevent movement in the securing plane.
[0005] 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. Where the first and second coupling devices are magnets, the improvement comprises of a protrusion on the outer surface of the first transducer and a corresponding depression on the outer surface of the second transducer wherein the protrusion and depression are similarly shaped and positioned such that when the first coupling device is secured to the second coupling device, the protrusion nests inside the depression in such a way as to prevent relative movement of the first and second transducers in the plane of their respective outer surfaces.
[0006] Alternatively, the system comprises a transducer device having a mechanical housing, which has an outer surface and an inner surface. A coupling device is affixed to the outer surface of the mechanical housing of the transducer device. A coupling base has an outer surface and an inner surface. The coupling device is coupled to the coupling base when in close proximity to each other. Where the coupling device and coupling base are magnets, the improvement comprises a protrusion on the outer surface of the transducer and a corresponding depression on the outer surface of the coupling base wherein the protrusion and depression are similarly shaped and positioned such that when the coupling device is secured to the coupling base, the protrusion nests inside the depression in such a way as to prevent relative movement of the transducer and the coupling base in the plane of their respective outer surfaces. In an alternative embodiment the depression may reside on the outer surface of the transducer and the protrusion may reside on the outer surface of the coupling base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the two transducer devices of the invention in the process of magnetic attachment.
[0013] FIGS. 7-9 depict perspective views of three alternate protrusion-and-depression arrangements for maintaining the relative positions of the transducer devices while attached.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following describes preferred embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to those embodiments. The description that follows is for purpose of illustration and not limitation. Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the inventive subject matter, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
[0015] Wherever possible, the numbering of elements is consistent throughout the figures. A lack of numbering does not necessarily imply an element is not represented in the figure. Its labeling may be omitted to reduce clutter or improve clarity where appropriate.
[0016] FIGS. 1-6 show various perspectives of headphone transducer devices. In the depicted embodiment, the transducer devices can be inserted into a user's ear.
[0017] The outer surface 30 of the mechanical housing 12 of the first transducer 28 comprises a protrusion, which, as depicted, is a small ring 22 attached to a magnet 24. The outer surface 32 of the mechanical housing 14 of the second transducer 18 comprises a depression, which, as depicted, is a large outer ring 20. When the first and second transducers 28 and 18 are coupled, the large ring 20 and the small ring 22 are nested together in order to secure the headphone transducers 28 and to keep them from moving relative to each other in the plane 16. The plane 16, shown in FIG. 6, is between and parallel to the surfaces of the magnets 24, and is perpendicular to the surface of the drawings sheet on which the figure appears.
[0018] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bond between the magnets 24 is not permanent, thereby allowing the user to pull apart or separate the ear-bud transducers, 28 and 18 and place them back into the ears of the user without difficulty.
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates the headphone transducers in the process of being attached. The outer surfaces 30 and 32 of the first and second transducers 28 and 18 are pointed towards each other as they are being attached. The nested smaller outer circle 22 is brought together to nest within the larger outer circle 20. Magnets 24 attract each other enabling the securing of the headphone, wherein the polarity of the magnets is opposite and attractive, such that the magnets are attracted to each other when in close proximity.
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates the headphone transducers 28 and 18 securely attached. The nested circles 20 and 22 are intertwined to securely hold the headphone transducers 28 and 18 together.
[0021] FIGS. 7-9 shows three alternative embodiments of protrusions and depressions. FIG. 7 depicts the protrusion as a mound 34 and the depression as a dimple 36 wherein there are magnets 24 offset and embedded into the first and second mechanical housings 12 and 14. FIG. 8 depicts the protrusion as an elliptical column 38 and the depression as an elliptical cavity 40 wherein there are magnets 24 underneath and embedded into the first and second mechanical housings 12 and 14. FIG. 9 depicts the protrusion as a rectangular column 42 and the depression as a rectangular cavity 44 wherein there are the rectangular column 42 and rectangular cavity further comprise magnets 24.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
a. a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, the first mechanical housing having an outer surface and an inner surface;
b. a first coupling device affixed to the outer surface of the first mechanical housing of the first transducer device;
c. a second transducer device having a second mechanical housing, the second mechanical housing having an outer surface and an inner surface;
d. a second coupling device affixed to the outer surface of the second mechanical
housing of the second transducer device;
wherein 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;
wherein the first and second coupling devices are magnets, wherein the polarity of
the magnets are opposite and attractive, such that the magnets are attracted to each
other when in close proximity;
wherein the improvement comprises:
e. a protrusion on the outer surface of the first mechanical housing;
f. a depression on the outer surface of the second mechanical housing; and
wherein the protrusion and depression are similarly shaped and positioned such that
when the first coupling device is secured to the second coupling device, the protrusion
nests inside the depression in such a way as to prevent relative movement of the first
and second transducers in the plane of their respective outer surfaces.
a. a transducer device having a mechanical housing, the mechanical housing having an outer surface and an inner surface;
b. a coupling device affixed to the outer surface of the mechanical housing of the transducer device;
c. a coupling base having an outer surface and an inner surface, the coupling base
comprising a bonding layer at least partially disposed on the inner surface such that
the coupling base is permanently or removably affixed to an exterior surface of an
object; wherein the coupling device is secured to the coupling base when in close
proximity; wherein the coupling device and the coupling base are magnets, wherein
the polarity of the magnets are opposite and attractive, such that the magnets are
attracted to each other when in close proximity;
wherein the improvement comprises:
d. a protrusion on the outer surface of the mechanical housing;
e. a depression on the outer surface of the coupling base; and
wherein the protrusion and depression are similarly shaped and positioned such that
when the coupling device is secured to the coupling base, the protrusion nests inside
the depression in such a way as to prevent relative movement of the transducer and
the coupling base in the plane of their respective outer surfaces.
a. a transducer device having a mechanical housing, the mechanical housing having an outer surface and an inner surface;
b. a coupling device affixed to the outer surface of the mechanical housing of the transducer device;
c. a coupling base having an outer surface and an inner surface, the coupling base
comprising a bonding layer at least partially disposed on the inner surface such that
the coupling base is permanently or removably affixed to an exterior surface of an
object; wherein the coupling device is secured to the coupling base when in close
proximity; wherein the coupling device and the coupling base are magnets, wherein
the polarity of the magnets are opposite and attractive, such that the magnets are
attracted to each other when in close proximity;
wherein the improvement comprises:
d. a depression on the outer surface of the mechanical housing;
e. a protrusion on the outer surface of the coupling base; and
wherein the protrusion and depression are similarly shaped and positioned such that
when the coupling device is secured to the coupling base, the protrusion nests inside
the depression in such a way as to prevent relative movement of the transducer and
the coupling base in the plane of their respective outer surfaces.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description