Interchangeable wearing modes for a headset

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11044547-B2
Application number	US-201916270417-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 7, 2019
Priority date	Sep 23, 2013
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

Abstract

A headset system for interchangeable wearing styles is disclosed. A retention element is detachably coupled to an earpiece, allowing the headset to interchange between a headband, ear loop and neckband wearing style. The retention element comprises a security element that prevents rotation of the earpiece when coupled, providing a stable and ergonomic wearing experience.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus suitable for mounting a sound delivery device on a user's head, comprising:
a mounting element configured to support the apparatus on a user's head;
a retention element moveably coupled to the mounting element, comprising a body, the body comprising an arcuate portion having an outer surface, a first free end, a second free end, wherein:
the body is configured to retain a sound delivery device;
the retention element is pivotally coupled to an arcuate portion of the mounting element, so that the retention element may pivot about an axis that is generally parallel to a line intersecting the first free end and second free end;
the arcuate portion of the mounting element is arranged facing the outer surface of the body of the retention element; and
a first securing element is configured to resist movement of the sound delivery device relative to the retention element when retained by the retention element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate portion of the mounting element is coupled to the retention element at a distance from the first free end and the second free end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first securing element protrudes from the inner surface and is disposed between the first free end and the second free end.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention element further comprises a second securing element for securing the sound delivery device to the retention element and wherein the sound delivery device comprises a recess for receiving the second securing element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention element further comprises a release element, the release element configured to decouple the retention element from the sound delivery device when the release element is engaged.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mounting element is a headband or an ear loop.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate portion of the mounting element comprises a headband wire.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mounting element is a neckband.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retention element is detachably coupled to the mounting element.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first securing element prevents the sound delivery device from rotating about an axis generally parallel to a line stretched between the user's ears when the sound delivery device is retained by the retention element.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first securing element is a first retention tab disposed at the first free end and wherein the retention element further comprise a second retention tab disposed at the second free end.

12. An apparatus suitable for mounting a sound delivery device on a user's head, comprising:
a mounting element configured to support the apparatus on a user's head;
a retention element, comprising a body, the body comprising an arcuate portion having an inner surface, a first free end, a second free end, and wherein:
the body is configured to retain a sound delivery device;
the retention element is moveably coupled to the mounting element, so that the retention element may translationally move along an axis that is generally parallel to a line intersecting the first free end and second free end; and
a first securing element is configured to resist movement of the sound delivery device relative to the retention element when retained by the retention element.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the mounting element is coupled to the retention element near the apex of the arcuate portion.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first securing element protrudes from the inner surface and is disposed between the first free end and the second free end.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the retention element further comprises a second securing element for securing the sound delivery device to the retention element and wherein the sound delivery device comprises a recess for receiving the second securing element.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the retention element further comprises a release element, the release element configured to decouple the retention element from the sound delivery device when the release element is engaged.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the mounting element is a headband or an ear loop.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the retention element additionally is pivotally coupled to the headband and the retention element may pivot about an axis that is generally perpendicular to a line intersecting the first free end and second free end.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the mounting element is a neckband.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the retention element is detachably coupled to the mounting element.

21. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first securing element prevents the sound delivery device from rotating about an axis generally parallel to a line stretched between the user's ears when the sound delivery device is retained by the retention element.

22. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first securing element is a first retention tab disposed at the first free end and wherein the retention element further comprise a second retention tab disposed at the second free end.

Assignees

• Plantronics

Inventors

• Gougherty Stefan
• Kelley John
• Tews Erik

Classifications

• H04R1/1066 Primary

  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 title

• H04R1/105

  Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks (for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335) · CPC title