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Description  |
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DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to a communication device and a
method of making it. More particularly, the invention relates to a new and
improved headset construction adapted for rugged use, such as for use in
fast food restaurants or the like, for extended periods of time, as well
as to a method of making such a headset construction.
2. BACKGROUND ART
A headset is a communication device which can be worn on the head to permit
the user to exchange verbal communication with another person over a
communication link, such as a full duplex radio communication link. A
headset generally includes one or two earphones, that are pressed against
the user's ears, and a microphone that is positioned in front of the
user's mouth. The microphone usually fits on the tip of a short curved arm
known as a boom.
The conventional headset frequently includes an adjustable headband, and a
metallic spring which positions and maintains forceably the headset
against the temples, ears and crown of the user. However, the continuous
pressure of the metallic spring for extended periods of time can cause
severe discomfort to the user.
While several attempts have been made to relieve the pressure caused by the
metal spring, none of these attempts have been completely satisfactory.
One attempted solution includes loosening the metallic spring. Such
attempt has proven to be particularly unsuccessful, in that the loose
headset becomes easily shiftable, and detachable from the user's head.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved headset
construction, and method of making it, whereby the headset construction is
light in weight, as well as comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of
time, without shifting from its desired position on the user's head.
Another problem associated with known headset constructions, relates to the
damage caused to the electrical wiring housed within the boom, connecting
the microphone and the earphone to the transceiver and the source of
power. In order to protect such wiring from damage caused by the unlimited
rotation of the boom about its axis, the conventional boom is provided
with stops or detents, to limit its rotation to a certain predetermined
angular movement to prevent twisting the wiring unnecessarily. However,
the stops can be damaged all too readily and easily, by inadvertently or
even deliberately forcing the boom beyond its present limits by forcing
the boom past its stops. Thus, when the stops are damaged, the boom
becomes rotatable unrestrictedly about its axis, and causes the wiring to
twist, to become entangled, and finally to break. Consequently, the entire
headset is usually discarded, due to the relatively high cost of repair.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved headset
construction and method of making it, whereby such a headset is not only
comfortable to wear, but also its wiring is protected against damage
resulting from continuous and unrestricted rotation of the boom. Such a
headset should also be relatively simple and inexpensive to repair and to
maintain.
When the conventional headsets are used heavily, or handled improperly, for
instance when the headsets are used by relatively young personnel in fast
food restaurants, or in other similar commercial institutions, the
headsets can be subjected to premature breakage. The increased risk of
damage is due mainly to the personnel's vigorous and brisk activities,
tending to shift the headset from its desired position on the user's head,
and to cause it to drop on the floor, or onto other undesirable places,
such as hot cooking areas.
The numerous attempted solutions to reduce the risk of premature breakage
of the conventional headsets have proven to be less than completely
satisfactory. One such attempted solution is to make some parts of the
headset of polybutylene terephthalate material, having embedded therein
glass and/or mineral fibers. The fibrous fill is used to enable the
headset to flex without breaking readily.
However, the polybutylene terephthalate material is semi-rigid, and causes
the headset to break when subjected to sudden impacts. Additionally, the
use of the fibrous fill material generally increases the maintenance
requirement of the molding machinery and tools, due to its highly abrasive
nature. Thus, the use of polybutylene terephthalate material has
strengthened the headset structure to some extent, at the expense of an
increase in the maintenance cost of the headset molding tools.
Furthermore, such attempted solution has failed to render the headset more
comfortable to wear over prolonged periods of time, and to protect the
electrical wiring.
Therefore, it would be highly desirable to have such a new and improved
headset, and method of making it, whereby the headset possesses all of the
foregoing attributes, and also is durable even under heavy usage
conditions. It should be relatively simple and inexpensive to produce, to
repair and to maintain. The method of making such a headset construction
should be relatively simple and inexpensive.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Therefore, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a
new and improved headset and a method of making it, which headset is
durable and comfortable to wear over extended periods of time, and which
has a moveable boom with little or no risk of wire breakage or tangling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a new and
improved headset and method of making it, whereby such headset is
relatively simple and inexpensive to produce and to repair.
Briefly, the above and further objects and features of the present
invention, are realized by providing a headset for fitting and engaging
the user's crown and temple, and for holding a speaker against the user's
ear in a comfortable manner. The headset houses a microphone which is
retained adjustably in front of the user's mouth by an adjustably moveable
boom. A slip ring arrangement enables the boom to rotate freely about its
axis without tangling the wiring for the microphone. The headset further
includes a substantially semi-circularly shaped headband for fitting onto
and overlying the user's crown, and an earpiece assembly for engaging the
user's ear. A temple piece is secured to one end of the headband for
engaging the user's temple. The headband has an integral, unitary
construction and a compliant, thermoplastic rubber material.
Most of the mechanical components of the headset including the headband,
are composed of a compliant, thermoplastic rubber material, sold under the
tradename SANTOPRENE, a registered trademark of Monsanto Company, located
in Missouri. Thus, the unique and novel use of the Santopren material
renders the headset durable, easily moldable, and relatively inexpensive
to manufacture. Additionally, due to the low specific gravity of the
SANTOPRENE material, the headset is light in weight and comfortable to
wear.
The use of the SANTOPRENE, a thermoplastic rubber material eliminates the
need for the conventional abrasive fill material. Thus, the maintenance
cost of the tooling and injection machinery, as well as the overall
manufacturing cost of the headset are reduced substantially.
The present headset is comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time,
without shifting from its desired position on the user's head due to the
Santoprene material. The wiring of the present headset is protected
against damage resulting from continuous and unrestricted rotation of the
boom by the provision of the slip ring arrangement. The headset is
relatively simple, durable and inexpensive to repair and maintain.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above mentioned and other objects and features of this invention and
the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention
itself will be best understood by reference to the following description
of the embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanyiny
drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a headset which is constructed
according to the present invention and which is adapted for use in fast
food restaurants;
FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the headset of FIG. 1;
FlG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevational view of an earpiece
assembly, which forms a part of the headset of FIG. 1, and which
illustrates the composition of the various constituent parts thereof;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially-exploded pictorial view of
the earpiece assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of a temple piece
which forms a part of the headset of FIG. 1, with a portion thereof broken
away to illustrate the composition of the various constituent parts and to
show the construction thereof;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary pictorial view of the temple piece of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional side elevational view of a
boom, which forms a part of the headset of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevational view of a wiper, which forms a part of
the earpiece assembly of FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the process of making a headband,
which forms a part of the headset of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the process of making the temple
piece of FIG. 5.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2
thereof, there is illustrated a headset 10, which is constructed in
accordance with the present invention. The headset 10 generally comprises
an arcuate substantially semi-circularly shaped headband or bow 12, for
fitting over, and for overlying the crown of a user's head (not shown).
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, an earpiece assembly 14 is mounted on
one end 26 of the headband 12, for engaging the user's ear (not shown),
and for housing a speaker 41 (FIG. 3). A boom 36 (FIG. 1) is connected
rotatably to the earpiece assembly 14, and supports a microphone 18 (FIG.
7), at a desired predetermined distance from the user's mouth (not shown).
The headband 12 terminates at its other substantially diametrically
opposed end 28 in a temple piece 20, for engaging the user's temple (not
shown). Therefore, when the headband 12 is positioned over the user's
crown, the earpiece assembly 14 engages the user's ear, while the temple
piece 20 engages the opposed temple.
A conventional metallic or steel guide 22 interconnects adjustably the end
26 of the headband 12 and the earpiece assembly 14. A substantially
similar guide 24 interconnects adjustably the opposite end 28 of the
headband 12 and the temple piece 20. The guides 22 and 24 enable the
headset 10 to fit a variety of head sizes, by adjusting the overall size
of the headband 12 to fit comfortably over the user's crown. A transceiver
unit (not shown) is connected electrically to the microphone 18 and to the
earpiece assembly 14 through a substantially coiled cord or cable 33 via a
connector 33A. The transceiver unit is generally carried in a remote
location relative to the headband 12, such as on the user's belt.
The headband 12 generally includes an arcuate substantially semi-circular
outer member or band 12A and an arcuate semi-circularly shaped inner
member or band 12B. The outer member 12A has a similar curvature as the
inner member 12B, and is secured in overlying relationship therewith. The
members 12A and 12B are made of a compliant, resilient thermoplastic
rubber material, such as the material sold under the name SANTOPRENE.
The thermoplastic rubber material known by the tradename SANTOPRENE, has
been particularly selected for use in the construction of the headband 12,
and other parts of the headset 10, due to its availability in various
durometric ratings. The wide range of durometric ratings of the SANTOPRENE
material renders it suitable for producing rigid resilient members such as
the outer member 12A, as well as soft, resilient cushiony members such as
the inner member 12B. Furthermore, the unique and novel use of the
SANTOPRENE material renders the headset 10 durable, easily moldable, and
relatively inexpensive to produce. Additionally, due to the low specific
gravity of the Santoprene material, the headset 10 is light in weight and
comfortable to wear. The cushiony member 12B also adds to the wearing
comfort for the user.
The headset 10 may be made conveniently by various conventional techniques.
For instance, the headset 10 can be injection molded, pressure or vacuum
formed, thermoset, extruded, or foam molded. Furthermore, the
manufacturing process of the headset 10 can be achieved with a high degree
of precision and accuracy due to the low shrinkage rate of the SANTOPRENE
material.
The use of a common raw material, such as the SANTOPRENE material for the
production of most of the mechanical components of the headset 10, renders
the manufacturing process more manageable and less expensive, in that it
reduces substantially the logistics and labor costs of the manufacturing
process. Furthermore, the use of the SANTOPRENE material eliminates the
need for the conventional abrasive fill material. Thus, the maintenance
cost of the tooling and injection machinery, as well as the overall
manufacturing cost of the headset 10, are reduced substantially.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the boom 36 is mounted to be rotatable
continuously and freely through 360.degree. about the axis of the earpiece
assembly 14. Therefore, there are no detents or other devices to limit the
angular rotation of the boom, and thus are not subject to malfunctioning
or breakage. In order to prevent the cord 33 from becoming tangled
unreasonably, the unrestricted angular rotation of the boom 36 is realized
by a slip ring connector 39, which generally includes a pair of concentric
smooth conductive ring contacts or tracks 43 and 48. A pair of wipers 49
and 51 travel along the entire circumferential length of the corresponding
tracks 43 and 48, and maintain continuous electrical contact between the
microphone 18, the earphone 41, the transceiver and the source of power,
even when the microphone boom 36 is rotated about its axis. Thus, the use
of the slip ring connector 39 eliminates the need for the conventional
stops or detents, and enables the boom 36 to be rotated in an unrestrained
manner, without the risk of damaging the headset 10 or the wiring
therefor.
In use, the headset 10 is placed on the user's head, by flexing the
headband 12 outwardly, and by placing the inner member 12B on the crown.
The overall length of the headband 12 is then adjusted by the steel guides
22 and 24. Next, the earpiece assembly 14 is engaged with the user's ear,
and the headband 12 is released, to cause the temple piece 20 to press
against the user's temple. The microphone boom 36 is then rotated about
its axis for positioning adjustably the microphone 18 in front of the
user's mouth.
Considering now the headband 12 in greater detail, with particular
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it generally includes the
soft, flexible, cushiony, elongated arcuate inner member 12B for overlying
the crown of the user's head, to maintain a prolonged comfortable contact
therewith. Thus, the inner member 12B replaces the conventional headband
padding material.
The outer elongated arcuate member 12A overlies the inner member 12B, for
rigidifying it, to cause the headband 12 to flex resiliently. The outer
member 12A is connected integrally to the inner member 12B, and it
replaces the conventional steel spring. As illustrated n FIG. 2, the inner
member 12B is wider than the outer member 12A, for providing a relatively
large surface of contact with the crown, to cause the pressure exerted by
the outer member 12A to spread over a wider area of the crown, and thus to
render the headset 10 more comfortable to wear over prolonged periods of
time.
While both the outer and inner members 12A and 12B are made of SANTOPRENE,
a thermoplastic rubber material, each member has a particular composition,
and a different degree of rigidity, resiliency and softness, for serving a
distinct purpose. For instance, the outer member 12A has a more rigid
structure for flexing resiliently in order to withstand severe impacts
without breaking. Furthermore, while the outer member 12A is designed to
apply sufficient pressure to the crown, for maintaining the headset 10
securely in position without shifting, the inner member 12B has a softer
composition to provide comfort during the extended periods of use.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer member 12A terminates at both ends in
two enlarged sections 50 and 53, for retaining the substantially flat,
elongated and bowed steel guides 24 and 22, respectively. The enlarged
sections 50 and 53 are interconnected by a bowed section 54, and are
generally similar in design and construction. Therefore, only the enlarged
section 53 will be described hereinafter in greater detail with reference
to FIG. 3 of the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 3, the enlarged section 53 depends integrally from the
bowed section 54, and is substantially rectangular in cross-section. In
order to adjust the overall length of the headset 10, the enlarged section
53 has a central elongated narrow opening 60 which extends throughout the
entire length thereof, for receiving the steel guide 22, which extends
therethrough. In this regard, the steel guide 22 has one of its ends 65
anchored fixedly to the earpiece 14, and has its other opposite free end
67 (FIG. 1) extending arcuately from the enlarged section 53.
A bead or projection 70 protrudes outwardly integrally from a wall 73 of
the enlarged section 53 facing away from the head for deforming the steel
guide 22. In this regard, a cross or side opening 75 communicates with the
opening 60, and is disposed opposite the bead 70 for receiving a deformed
or bowed portion 22A of the steel guide 22. Thus, the deformation of the
guide 22 prevents it from slipping, and causes it to be retained securely
and frictionally in position during use. Furthermore, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1, and 2, a free end 67 of the steel guide 22 has a crimp 69 which
acts as a stop, and which prevents the free end 67 from entering the
opening 60, in order to keep the guide 22 and the earpiece 14 from
becoming detached from the headband 12.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the enlarged portion 50 is generally oppositely
diametrically disposed relative to the enlarged portion 53. The enlarged
portion 50 generally includes a narrow opening 80 which is substantially
similar to the opening 60, for receiving the guide 24. An internal bead or
projection 72 protrudes outwardly integrally into an opening 80 for
deforming the steel guide 24 thereabout, in order to retain it releasably
in position, and to prevent it from slipping undesirably through the
opening 80. A large side opening 85 is similar to the opening 75, and
receives the deformed portion of the steel guide 24.
The steel guide 24 has one of its ends 95 anchored fixedly to the temple
piece 20, and has its opposite free end 87 extending arcuately beyond the
enlarged section 50. The free end 87 has a crimp 89 which acts as a stop,
and which prevents the free end 87 and the temple piece 20 and the guide
24 from becoming disassembled from the headband 12.
Therefore, the headset 10 can fit various head sizes by simply adjusting
the distances of the earpiece 14 and the temple piece 20 from the
respective enlarged sections 53 and 50 of the headband 12. Furthermore,
the retention of the steel guides 22 and 24 inside the enlarged sections
53 and 50, relieves the ear and temple of the user from the pressure
required to maintain the earpiece 14 and the temple piece 20 connected to
the headband 12.
Considering now the earpiece assembly 14 in greater detail with respect to
FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 8, it is mounted adjustably at the end 26 of the
headband 12, and it is secured to the guide 22. The earpiece assembly 14
generally includes an earmuff 42 which engages the user's ear, and which
receives a speaker 41, and a speaker holder 68. The speaker holder 68 is
mounted rotatably to a speaker interface module 45, which in turn, is
connected electrically to, and mounted to, a microphone interface module
35. An end cap 52 engages the speaker interface module 45 and the
microphone interface module 35, for providing the headset 10 with an
aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The earmuff 42 is composed of SANTOPRENE, a thermoplastic rubber material
and has a soft and smooth composition, for providing comfort to the user,
when it engages the ear. The earmuff 42 has a substantially semi-spherical
outer shape for engaging the cavity of the ear, in order to prevent
accidental shifting of the headset 10. The earmuff 42 provides a
cushioning support member to the earpiece assembly 14, and it is
substantially acoustically transparent, to allow the passage and
propagation of the sound therethrough, to the user's ear.
The earmuff 42 defines an inner elongated opening 100 which is shaped and
dimensioned to receive the speaker holder 68 snugly. An inner annular
shoulder 105 is also defined by the earmuff 42, and extends inside the
inner opening 100 for retaining the speaker holder 68 securely inside the
opening 100.
The speaker holder 68 includes a flared annular forward portion 110, which
is circular in cross-section, which fits inside the opening 100, and which
is retained therein by an annular shoulder 105 surrounding a mouth 100A of
the opening 100. An internal annular groove 110 receives an annular flange
112 of the speaker. A centrally disposed ball 120 extends rearwardly
integrally from a rear wall 68A, for engaging rotatably a socket 111 of
the speaker interface module 45 to provide a universal, spherical,
freely-moveable joint between the holder 68 and the module 45.
An inner opening or cavity 125 of the holder 68 is sized and dimensioned to
receive the speaker 41. A forwardmost annular inner shoulder or flange 130
retains the speaker 41 in position inside the speaker holder 68 and the
earmuff 42.
Therefore, while the steel spring 22 provides latitude for coarse
adjustments of the earpiece assembly 14 relative to the ear, the speaker
holder 68 provides fine axial adjustments of the earmuff 42 relative to
the ear. In this respect, the shoulder 105 is disposed at a relatively
short distance from the speaker interface module 45 for defining a
clearance space 135, in order to permit fine adjustments of the earmuff 42
relative to the speaker interface module 45.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the speaker interface module 45 is
generally cup-shaped, and includes a base member or back wall 140 which is
integrally formed with an annular wall 143 defining an inner cavity 145
receiving a portion of the speaker holder 68. The socket 111 is centrally
disposed concentrically relative to the annular wall 143, and is
positioned within the inner cavity 145.
The ball joint connection enables the user to make fine adjustments to the
earpiece assembly 14.
When the ball joint 120 is assembled, the latter is disposed axially
rearwardly of the bottom wall 68A of the speaker holder 68, with a
clearance space 157 therebetween, to enable the positioning of the speaker
holder 68 relative to the speaker interface module 45.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an inwardly projecting generally elongated
member 160 of the module 45, is hollow throughout its entire length for
defining a narrow opening 164 to receive the lower end 65 of the steel
guide 22 in a snug and tight manner. The opening 164 is generally axially
aligned with the opening 60 of the enlarged section 53 for enabling the
steel guide 22 to extend continuously through both openings.
In order to cause the guide 22 to be retained by, and anchored to, the
raised member 160, the opening 164 is narrower than the opening 60. In
this regard, the lower end 65 of the guide 22 includes a plurality of
holes, such as the holes 171 and 173 which extend through the the guide
22. During the injection molding process of the speaker interface module
45, the molten SANTOPRENE, a thermoplastic rubber material, infiltrates
the holes 171 and 173 to enhance the retention of the guide 22 within the
raised member 160.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the raised member 160 is generally complementary
shaped relative to the enlarged section 53, and has a width which is
substantially equal to that of the inner member 12B, for giving the
headset 10 a generally slim-looking, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The wall 143 defines an aperture 179 which extends radially throughout its
entire thickness, and which is generally diametrically opposed relative to
the raised member 160. The aperture 179 enables electrical conductors,
such as the conductors 180, 181, 182 and 183 to extend therethrough into
the cable 33, which is connected to the remotely located transceiver. An
opening 150 in the rear wall of the holder receives the conductors 180 and
181, which terminate at the speaker.
For illustration purposes only, the cable 33 is shown to include four
conductors 180 through 183. The conductors 182 and 183 are connected to
the microphone 18 via the microphone interface module 35, as will be
described later in greater detail. It will become apparent to those
skilled in the art, that, if desired, other conductors can also be
extended through the microphone interface module 35, for various purposes.
For the purpose of mounting rotatably the boom supporting module 35 to the
interface module 45, a central rodlike pivot post or pin 190 projects
rearwardly from a rear wall 191 for engaging frictionally and rotatably a
complementary tubular socket 192 of the end cap 52 projecting toward the
rear wall 191. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 the rear wall 191 includes
an internal annular groove 195 for receiving a corresponding complementary
shaped annular bead 197, which protrudes integrally toward the groove 195
from the microphone interface module 35 for riding freely within the
groove 195.
The microphone interface module 35 is connected to the end cap 52 by an
annular bead 200 which extends integrally outwardly from the microphone
interface module 35 into a groove 200A in the end cap 52 to ride freely
therein. Therefore, the microphone interface module 35 can be rotated
freely relative to the module 45 and the end cap 52. The entire earpiece
assembly 14 is a single unitary modular type structure, which can be
assembled or disassembled readily and conveniently for construction and
maintenance, or for other purposes.
Considering now the microphone interface module 35 in greater detail with
particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it generally includes a generally
circular disc-like body 202, having a circular wall 205. The wall 205 is
centrally and complementary apertured at 205A for receiving and engaging
frictionally the tubular member 192 of the end cap 52 to enable the module
35 to rotate freely about the socket 192. In this respect, and as shown in
FIG. 3, the post 190 and the socket 192 are substantially equal in length
and to the width of body 202, for providing a compact interengagement
therewith. A hollow tubular member 210 depends from the body 202 for
receiving and engaging fixedly the boom 36, and for providing a passageway
or conduit for electrical conductors or wires 209 and 211, between the
microphone 18 at the end of the boom and the remote transceiver.
The slip ring connector generally indicated at 39 is disposed partly on the
outer surface 191 of the speaker interface module 45, and partly within
the microphone interface module 35, for providing a continuous
uninterrupted electrical communication between the microphone 18 and the
remote transceiver, during the rotation of the boom 36 about its axis. In
this regard, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slip ring connector
39 includes a plurality of generally smooth circular and concentric
annular tracks or ring contacts. For illustration purposes only, the slip
ring connector 39 is shown equipped with only two annular tracks 43 and 48
on the back side of the wall 140. However, it will become apparent to
those skilled in the art, that there may be more than that number of
tracks used for providing additional electrical contact. The conductors 43
and 48 are connected respectively to the terminals 43A and 48A that extend
substantially orthogonally to the plane of the conductors 43 and 48. The
terminals 43A and 48A are in turn connected to the conductors 182 and 183
by conventional techniques, such as by soldering, for providing part of
the communication path between the microphone 18 and the transceiver.
A corresponding number of wipers 49 and 51, form a part of the slip ring
connector 39, and are secured fixedly to the microphone interface module
35 and engage slidably and electrically the respective tracks 43 and 48.
The wipers follow their respective tracks when the microphone interface
module 35 is rotated about its axis, in order to maintain a continuous and
uninterrupted electrical contact therewith. Thus, the boom 36 is rotatable
360 degrees freely about its axis, without the requirement for
conventional stops or limits, and without causing the electrical wiring to
become entangled and to break, Thus, proper positioning relative to the
user's mouth can be achieved readily, and the chance of inadvertent
breakage or damage is minimized or greatly reduced.
Considering now the wipers 49 and 51 in greater detail with reference to
FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, they are generally similar to one another, and therefore
only the wiper 49 will be described in greater detail. The wiper 49
includes a flat elongated member 222 is generally J-shaped and composed of
a conductive resilient metal material. The member 222 extends through an
opening in the rear wall 205 and is embedded in place. The member 222 has
one of its ends connected to the conductor 209 by conventional techniques
such as by soldering, for connecting it electrically to the microphone 18.
The member 222 is a unitary one-piece construction, and extends at its
opposite end into a bowed or arcuate portion 224, which is substantially
semi-circular and which engages the track 43, frictionally and
tangentially, for providing an electrical contact therewith. The bowed
portion 224 has a smooth surface to prevent the track 43 from becoming
scratched or unnecessarily worn. The bowed portion 224 extends integrally
to a rigidifying crimped portion 227, and from there terminates at a
distal end 230.
Considering now the composition of the various parts of the earpiece
assembly 14 with reference to FIG. 3, the earmuff 42, the speaker holder
68, the speaker interface module 45, the microphone interface module 35
and the end cap 52, are made of SANTOPRENE, a thermoplastic rubber
material having different durometric ratings. In this respect, the earmuff
42 is soft and spongy for cushioning purposes, and the remaining parts are
solid and rigid. The wipers 49 and 51 are preferably made of beryllium
copper. The tracks 43 and 48 are made of thermoplastic material, such as
the SANTOPRENE, a thermoplastic rubber material, having impregnated
therein silver or aluminum flakes, in order to render them electrically
conductive.
Considering now the cable 33 in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1
and 2, it includes the electrical conductors 180, 181, 182 and 183 which
extend through the speaker interface module 45 via an aperture 179. The
cable 33 is coated externally with a relatively thin layer of SANTOPRENE,
a thermoplastic rubber material, to rigidify its structure and to of
protect the conductors 180-183.
Considering now the boom 36 in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2
and 7, it generally includes an elongated bowed tubular member 236, which
is hollow throughout its entire length, for enclosing and protecting the
conductors 209 and 211, which extend from the microphone interface module
35, through the tubular member 210 to the microphone 18 at the distal end
of the boom. The boom 36 is a unitary construction, and has one of its
ends secured to the microphone interface module 35. The boom 36 has its
opposite distal end 238 terminate in an enlarged hollow portion 240 for
confining the microphone 18. A perforated cover 250 (FIG. 7) fits over an
opening 250A to the hollow interior of the enlarged portion 240 for
retaining the microphone 18 therewithin, and for enabling audio signals to
propagate therethrough, to the microphone 18. The boom 36 is preferably
made of rigid SANTOPRENE, a thermoplastic rubber material.
Considering now the temple piece 20 in greater details with respect to
FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, it generally includes an elongated support member 245
which is fixed at one end of the steel guide 24, in a similar manner as
the guide 22 and the speaker interface module 45. The support member 245
has a tapered end 247 which retains a generally rectangular pad 255, which
extends transversely to the member 245. The pad 255 is made preferably
composed of a soft SANTOPRENE, a thermoplastic rubber material, and has a
soft, cushiony composition to provide a comfortable engagement of the
headband 12 with the user's temple.
A rectangular backing plate 260 is disposed intermediate the pad member 255
and the support member 247, for rigidifying the structure of the soft pad
member 255. The support member 245, the pad member 255 and the rigidifying
plate 260 can be injection molded in such a manner as to become connected
unitarily. The method of making the temple piece 20 is hereinafter
described in greater detail. The temple piece 20, as well as the earpiece | | |
