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Claims  |
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I claim:
1. self-retaining earset, comprising:
a housing shaped to fit in the pinna of an ear adjacent the auditory canal,
said housing having an inner end which will be positioned adjacent the
auditory canal when said housing is positioned in said pinna so that said
inner end can supply sound to said auditory canal, said housing having an
outer end which extends out of said pinna when said housing is positioned
in said pinna,
an extensions joined to said housing and extending therefrom in a direction
generally perpendicular to the direction between said inner and outer ends
of said housing, and
clamping means comprising a clamping member which is shaped and attached to
said extension such that:
said clamping member can be moved along said extension in a linear fashion
from a compacted position relatively close to said housing to an extended
position relatively distant from said housing,
when said clamping member is in its compacted position relatively close to
said housing, and when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said
clamping member will be positioned behind said pinna so that said pinna
will be positioned between said clamping member and said housing, and
when said clamping member is in its extended position relatively distant
from said housing and
when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said clamping member will be
positioned away from said pinna so that said housing can be withdrawn from
said pinna without said clamping member interfering with said pinna, and
when said housing is away from said pinna, said housing can be positioned
in said pinna without said clamping member interfering with said pinna.
2. The earset of claim 1, further including positioning means for either
locking said clamping member in its extended position or urging said
clamping member toward said housing when it is not in said extended
position.
3. The earset of claim 2 wherein said positioning means is arranged to urge
said clamping member toward said housing only when said clamping member is
moved to a position spaced from its extended position by a predetermined
distance.
4. The earset of claim 2 wherein said positioning means comprises a trough,
said trough having a cam-positioning surface with a crest and two swales
on the sides of said crest, respectively, and a spring-loaded cam follower
positioned to slide along said cam-positioning surface.
5. The earset of claim 4 wherein said trough is in said extension and said
cam follower is attached to move with said clamping member.
6. The earset of claim 2 wherein said positioning means comprises a bowed
lear spring and a post positioned to ride over said leaf spring as said
clamping member is moved from its extended position to its compacted
position.
7. The earset of claim 6 wherein said bowed leaf spring is attached to and
moves with said clamping member and said post is fixed to said housing.
8. The earset of claim 2 wherein said positioning means comprises a linear
surface having a notch therein, a cantilevered spring having a pawl at the
end thereof, said pawl positioned to mate with said notch when said
clamping member is moved to its extended position, and an expandable
spring urging said clamping member to its compacted position.
9. The earset of claim 8 wherein said linear surface with said notch
therein is fixed to said extension and said cantilevered spring is
attached to and moves with said clamping member.
10. The earset of claim 8 wherein said expandable spring is a tension
spring connected between said extension and said clamping member.
11. The earset of claim 8 wherein said expandable spring is a compression
spring positioned between said extension and said clamping member.
12. The earset of claim 1 wherein said clamping member comprises a crossbar
extending substantially perpendicular to said direction between said inner
and outer ends of said housing and an arm connecting said crossbar to said
extension.
13. The earset of claim 1 wherein said extension and said clamping member
are telescopingly mated.
14. The earset of claim 1 wherein said clamping member comprises a crossbar
extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said direction and
an arm having one end connected to said crossbar, said arm being parallel
to said direction, and a sliding housing telescopingly mated with said
extension, the other end of said arm being connected to said housing.
15. The earset of claim 1 wherein said clamping member comprises a crossbar
extending perpendicular to said direction, a sliding member positioned
inside said extension, and an arm connecting said sliding member to said
crossbar through a slot in said extension.
16. The earset of claim 1, further including a microphone boom with a
microphone attached to a distal end of said boom, the proximal end of said
boom being attached to said housing via a rectangular housing portion, and
a speaker in said housing.
17. A self-retaining earset, comprising:
a housing containing a speaker, said housing shaped to fit in the pinna of
an ear adjacent the auditory canal, said housing having an inner end which
will be positioned adjacent the auditory canal when said housing is
positioned in said pinna so that said speaker can supply sound to said
auditory canal, said housing having an outer end which extends out of said
pinna when said housing is positioned in said pinna,
an extension joined to said outer end of said housing and extending
therefrom in a direction generally perpendicular to a line extending from
said outer end to said inner end of said housing,
clamping means comprising a clamping member which is shaped and slidably
attached to said extension such that:
said clamping member can be moved along said extension in a linear fashion
from a compacted position relatively close to said housing to an extended
position relatively distant from said housing,
when said clamping member is in its compacted position relatively close to
said housing, and when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said
clamping member will be positioned behind said pinna so that said pinna
will be positioned between said clamping member and said housing,
when said clamping member is in its extended position relatively distant
from said housing and
when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said clamping member will be
positioned away from said pinna so that said housing can be withdrawn from
said pinna without said clamping member interfering with said pinna, and
when said housing is away from said pinna, said housing can be positioned
in said pinna without said clamping member interfering with said pinna,
and
positioning means for either locking said clamping member in its extended
position or urging said clamping member toward said housing when it is not
in said extended position, said positioning means being arranged to urge
said clamping member toward said housing only when said clamping member is
moved to a position spaced from its extended position by a predetermined
distance, said positioning means comprising a trough, said trough having a
cam-positioning surface with a crest and two swales on the sides of said
crest, respectively, and a spring-loaded cam follower positioned to slide
along said cam-positioning surface.
18. The earset of claim 17 wherein said clamping member comprises a
crossbar extending perpendicular to said line and an arm connecting said
crossbar to said extension.
19. A self-retaining earset, comprising:
a housing containing a speaker, said housing shaped to fit in the pinna of
an ear adjacent the auditory canal, said housing having an inner end which
will be positioned adjacent to auditory canal when said housing is
positioned in said pinna so that said speaker can supply sound to said
auditory canal, said housing having an outer end which extends out of said
pinna when said housing is positioned in said pinna, the direction between
said inner end of said housing and said outer end of said housing being a
first direction,
an extension joined to said outer end of said housing and extending
therefrom in a second direction generally perpendicular to said first
direction,
clamping means comprising a clamping member which is shaped and attached to
said extension such that:
said clamping member can be moved along said extension in a linear fashion
from a compacted position relatively close to said housing to an extended
position relatively distant from said housing,
when said clamping member is in its compacted position relatively close to
said housing, and when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said
clamping member will be positioned behind said pinna so that said pinna
will be positioned between said clamping member and said housing,
when said clamping member is in its extended position relatively distant
from said housing and
when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said clamping member will be
positioned away from said pinna so that said housing can be withdrawn from
said pinna without said clamping member interfering with said pinna, and
when said housing is away from said pinna, said housing can be positioned
in said pinna without said clamping member interfering with said pinna,
and
positioning means for either locking said clamping member in its extended
position or urging said clamping member toward said housing when it is not
in said extended position, said positioning means being arranged to urge
said clamping member toward said housing only when said clamping member is
moved to a position spaced from its extended position by a predetermined
distance, said positioning means comprising a bowed leaf spring and a post
positioned to ride over said leaf spring as said clamping meber is moved
from its extended position to its compacted position.
20. The earset of claim 19 wherein said clamping member comprises a
crossbar extending perpendicular to said first direction and an arm
connecting said crossbar to said extension.
21. A self-retaining earset, comprising:
(A) a housing shaped to fit in the pinna of an ear adjacent the auditory
canal, said housing having an inner end which will be positioned adjacent
the auditory canal when said housing is positioned in said pinna so that
said inner end can supply sound to said auditory canal, said housing also
having an outer end which extends out of said pinna when said housing is
positioned in said pinna, and
(B) clamping means comprising a clamping member and an upper extension
which is coupled to said housing such that:
(1) said clamping member can be moved with said upper extension in a linear
fashion from a compacted position relatively close to said housing to an
extended position relatively distant from said housing,
(2) when said clamping member is in its compacted position relatively close
to said housing, and when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said
clamping member will be positioned behind said pinna so that said pinna
will be positioned between said clamping member and said housing, and
(3) when said clamping member is in its extended position which is
relatively distant from said housing and
(a) when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said clamping member
will be positioned away from said pinna so that said housing can be
withdrawn from said pinna without said clamping member interfering with
said pinna, and
(b) when said housing is away from said pinna, said housing can then be
moved to said position in said pinna without said clamping member
interfering with said pinna.
22. The earset of claim 21 further including a lower extension coupled to
said housing and extending therefrom in a direction generally
perpendicular to the directin between said inner and outer ends of said
housing, and wherein said upper extension is telescopingly mated with said
lower extension.
23. The earset of claim 22, further including positioning means for locking
said clamping member in its extended position and urging said clamping
member toward said housing when said clamping member is not in said
extended position.
24. The earset of claim 23 wherein said positioning means comprises a
trough, said trough having a cam-positioning surface with a crest and two
swales on the sides of said crest, respectively, and a spring-loaded cam
follower positioned to slide along said cam-positioning surface.
25. The earset of claim 24 wherein said trough is part of and attached to
said upper extension and said cam follower is attached to said housing
means.
26. A combination headset-handset apparatus, comprising:
(A) a housing shaped to fit in the pinna of an ear adjacent the auditory
canal, said housing having an inner end which will be positioned adjacent
the auditory canal when said housing is positioned in said pinna so that
said inner end can supply sound to said auditory canal, said housing
having an outer end which extends out of said pinna when said housing is
positioned in said pinna,
(B) an extension joined to said housing and extending therefrom in a
direction generally perpendicular to the direction between said inner and
outer ends of said housing,
(C) clamping means comprising a clamping member which is shaped and
attached to said extension such that:
said clamping member can be moved in a linear fashion with respect to said
housing from a compacted position relatively close to said housing to an
extended position reltively distant from said housing,
when said clamping member is in its compacted position relatively close to
said housing, and when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said
clamping member will be positioned behind said pinna so that said pinna
will be positioned between said clamping member and said housing, and
when said clamping member is in its extended positin relatively distant
from said housing and
when said housing is positioned in said pinna, said clamping member will be
positioned away from said pinna so that said housing can be withdrawn from
said pinna without said clamping member interfering with said pinna, and
when said housing is away from said pinna, said housing can then be moved
to said position in said pinna without said clamping member interfering
with said pinna, and
(D) a boom connected to said housing, whereby said apparatus may be used as
a handset and a headset. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention:
This invention relates generally to telephony, specifically to a combined
handset and headset for a telephone.
2. Description of Prior Art:
In the 1930s telephone sets of the "candlestick" variety were widely used.
They comprised an elongated, upright housing with a dial at the bottom and
a funnel-like microphone at the top, together with a separate earpiece
which contained a speaker. The earpiece, the upright housing, and a
wall-mounted control box were connected by wires. Users found this set
awkward because they usually had to hold (a) the microphone housing in one
hand so that its microphone was close to the mouth, and (b) the earpiece
against the ear with the other hand. Users could leave the microphone
housing on a desk or table, but in this case they had to bring their heads
close to the microphone while holding the earpiece against an ear.
This type of telephone was replaced by one in common household use today.
This set has a dial in one housing and the microphone and speaker at
respective ends of another, elongated handheld housing, termed a handset.
This type of telephone allowed the user to hold just one housing for
speaking and listening--the handset--with one hand and still be able to
move about with one hand free. Thus it was a great improvement on the
former candlestick set. However it was not well suited for stockbrokers,
telephone operators, receptionists, and other users who had to remain on
the phone for long periods of time. This is because while users were
speaking or listening on the line, they had to hold the handset so that
its speaker was continuously against an ear and its microphone was
continuously close to the mouth. As this tired users physically and left
only one hand free for other tasks, they felt a need for a "hands-free"
handset, or headset.
Several types of headsets thus came into use, but these had various
disadvantages.
In one, the speaker was held to the head by an over-the-head clamp or band
while the micrphone was connected to the speaker by an arm or boom which
placed it in front of the user's mouth. While suitable for use as a
headset, users found it awkward to hold the headset by hand, as they would
want to do for intermittent use. This is because it took more effort to
install on the head than was justified by a brief use. While it could be
held in the user's hand and used like a handset, it was awkward and
difficult to use in this manner because of its relatively complex shape,
principally because its headband interfered with use.
Another type of headset is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,280,273 to Flygstad et
al. (1966), 3,610,841 to Hutchings (1971), 4,335,281 to Scott et al.
(1982), and 4,273,969 to Foley et al. (1981). These sets had housings
which fit behind the auricle or pinna (external part of the ear) and a
flexible eartube speaker which extended around and forward from the
post-pinna housing, or back from a fore-pinna part of the housing, into
the auditory canal. While these devices eliminated the need for a headband
by clamping or holding the pinna between the housing and the eartube, they
could not be used as a handset because their curved eartubes could not be
placed in the ear canal unless the device were fully installed on the
user's head. This involved putting the housing on the pinna and then
inserting the flexible tube into the auditory canal, an awkward operation.
In addition, for sanitary reasons, the eartube made the set suitable for
use only by a single user. Finally, they had poor positional stability;
this caused the location of the microphone to vary so that it was not
always in front of the mouth. Designers solved this problem by providing
an adjustable microphone boom, but the whole set was still unstable
becuase it was held in place simply by gravity. Also the boom had to be
adjusted frequently, depending on the current orientation of the set on
the head. Omni-directional microphones could solve this problem somewhat,
but they had poor signal-to-noise ratios since they picked up ambient
noise.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,474,135 to White (1949) shows an earpiece (no microphone
attached) which contains a speaker housing which is positioned adjacent
the ear canal and a curved part which is hinged to the speaker housing so
that it can be pivoted behind the ear to clamp the pinna between the
curved part and the speaker. U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,378 to Norris (1975) made
use of White's arrangement for headsets by extending a microphone boom
from the speaker housing. However this headset could not conveniently be
used as a handset because of interference from the curved part when the
speaker housing was held against the ear. Also it was somewhat awkward to
install on an ear because its curved parts had to be pivoted away from its
speaker housings and then released or pivoted back. Further, Norris's
device had a fixed spacing between its pivot and the speaker housing so
that it was suitable for one size of pinna only; users with very large or
very small pinnas could not wear the device comfortably or stably. Finally
it was suitable for the ear on a predetermined side of the head only.
Enokido, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,050 (1984) showed an earphone which could
be adjusted for varying pinna sizes, and could be used on either side of
the head. However it had to be manually adjusted for the ear side and for
the pinna size, the latter in a trial-and-error operation, which was
awkward and time consuming.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide
a device which will serve as both a handset and headset, to provide a
headset which can be used as a handset, which can be used as a handset in
a convenient manner, which can be used on either the left or the right
ear, which is relatively rugged, which can be used on either ear without
requiring any adjustments, which is relatively stable on the ear, can be
used by multiple users, can be used with highly directive microphones
which have low background noise, high clarity, and good signal-to-noise
ratio, can be easily installed on the ear, can be installed on pinnas of
varying sizes, and automatically adjusts to the pinna size.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of
the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings.
DRAWING FIGURES:
FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of the outer and inner sides,
respectively, of a combined handset and headset with a cam-positioning
trough according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 1C and 1D are partial sectional views of the set of FIG. 1A in
handset and headset positions, respectively.
FIG. 1E is an exploded view of the set of FIG. 1A.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are isometric views of the outer and inner sides,
respectively, of a combined set with a bowed-spring positioner according
to another embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 2C and 2D are side, outer-side views of the set of FIG. 2A in handset
and headset positions.
FIGS. 2E and 2F are partial sectional views of the set of FIG. 2A in a
handset and headset positions.
FIG. 2G is an exploded view of the set of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3 is a partial view, in cross section, of a set with tension and
feeler springs according to a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 ia a partial view, in cross section, of a set with compression and
feeler springs according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a partial view, in cross section, of a set with a moveable
extension and crossbar according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS:
______________________________________
10 body 12 microphone
14 crossbar
boom
16 cable 18 microphone
20 speaker housing
22 lower 24 upper 26 ear tab
extension extension
28 sliding 30 body part
32 arm
housing
34 knob 36 padded 38 speaker
covering
40 speaker 42 trough 44 head of user
hole
46 pinna 48 cusp 50 swale
52 spring 54 end block
56 holder
58 roller 60 axle 62 body
64 clamping 66 upper 68 arm
assembly extension
70 knob 72 inner slot
74 outer slot
76 sliding 78 end portion
80 post
body
82 opening 84 leaf spring
86 roller
88 axle 90 axle socket
92 wire guide
94 sliding 96 upper body
98 tension spring
body extension
100 post 102 eyelet 104 recess
106 flat 108 pawl 110 notch
spring
112 compression
114 compartment
116 common wall
spring
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DESCRIPTION--FIGS. A & 1B--SET WITH CAM-POSITIONING THROUGH
The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E is a combined
handset and headset which can clamp onto the user's pinna for use as a
headset and which can extend itself so as to allow its clamping part to be
free of the pinna so that is can also be used as a handset.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the set has, as its principal parts, a
telescoping body 10, a microphone boom 12 which extends from the left end
of body 10, a crossbar or behind-the-pinna clamping member 14, and an
electrical connecting cable 16.
Boom 12 comprises a bent tube with a microphone 18 at its distal end. Boom
is conventional and is shaped such that microphone 18 will be in front of
or near the user's mouth when the set is worn on or held against a user's
ear. A directional microphone with high sensitivity may be used for
microphone 18 since it will remain stably in front of the user's mouth
when worn as a headset. The length and shape of boom 12 are well known in
the art.
Body 10 comprises a main cylindrical speaker housing 20, a lower extension
22 of square cross section which extends integrally from the lower side of
housing 20, an upper extension 24 which extends integrally from the upper
side of housing 20, and an ear tab 26 at one end of housing 20.
An end housing 28 is mated with upper extension 24 such that extension 24
telescopes into end housing 28. End housing 28 is generally L-shaped with
a body part 30 and an orthogonal arm 32. A rectangular finger hold 34
extends out from the side at the lower end of body part 30 and crossbar 14
is attached to the distal end of arm 32. Arm 32 is hollow but contains an
end block 54 to be described infra.
All parts preferably are made of hollow hard plastic (see exploded view of
FIG. 1E), such as ABS, polycarbonate, or nylon, except for cord 16, and a
soft padded covering 36 which extends around 2/3 around the cylinder of
housing 20.
Tab 26 prevents housing 20 from entering the ear canal (not shown) and is
integral with housing 20 (see FIGS. 1C and 1D). Housing 20 contains a
speaker 38 (FIG. 1E--not shown in FIG. 1A or 1B) which supplies sound via
a speaker hole 40 in tab 26 of housing 20.
Upper extension 24 includes a trough or slot 42 with a curved bottom which
acts as a positioning cam. Only part of trough 42 is shown in FIG. 1B. In
accordance with the invention, end housing 28 slides telescopingly on
upper extension 24 and is urged by the camming surface in the bottom of
trough 42 to either of two discrete positions. These positions are (1)
extended as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B where the device can be used as a
handset, and (2) compacted as shown in FIG. 1D where the device is used as
a headset, as will now be described.
DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1C & 1D
The set is shown in partial cross section position on and against the body
of a user as both a handset and a headset in FIGS. 1C and 1D,
respectively. In both of these FIGS., the set is positioned against a head
44 of a user, specifically with speaker housing 20 and tab 26 in pinna 46
of the user. In FIG. 1C, end housing 28 is extended away from housing 20
so that crossbar 14 clears pinna 46. In FIG. 1D, end housing 28 is
compacted close to housing 20 so that crossbar 14 fits into the space
behind pinna 46 so as to clamp the pinna between crossbar 14 and housing
20.
As shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the bottom of trough 42 is curved so that it
has a cusp or crest 48 at its center and two depressions or swales 50i
(inner) and 50o (outer) adjacent each end of the trough and on each side
of cusp 48. Thus the bottom of trough 42 ramps down from cusp 48 in
opposite directions to swales 50i and 50o, respectively.
Arm 32 contains a compression spring 52 which is partially compressed and
positioned between an end block 54 and a holder 56 which holds a cam
follower roller 58. In FIG. 1C roller 58 is positioned in swale 50o and
end housing 28 is at its extended position, while in FIG. 1D roller 58 is
positioned on the downward ramp from cusp 48 to swale 50i. In the latter
position (FIG. 1D), the ramp and spring 52 cooperate to urge roller 58,
and hence entire end housing 28, to main housing 20, as indicated by the
arrow. End housing 28 cannot reach its fully compacted position where
roller 58 rests in swale 50i because of pinna 46, which it clamps in
cooperation with housing 20. Thus end housing 28 has two discrete, stable
end positions as it telescopes on upper extension 24: extended where
roller 58 rests in swale 50o and compacted where roller 58 rest in swale
50i. In any intermediate position, the position of housing 28 will be
unstable, i.e., the camming surface in trough 42 will urge the housing to
either end position.
As also in FIGS. 1C and 1D, cable 16 contains four individual wires which
lead into boom 12 and then to microphone 18 (not shown in these FIGS.) and
to speaker 38 which is positioned in main housing 20. Note also that in
FIG. 1D, pinna 46 is clamped between two portions: soft covering 36 of
housing 20 and rigid crossbar 14.
DESCRIPTION--FIG. 1E
FIG. 1E illustrates all of the parts of the set in detail in exploded
format. Note that body 10 with its bottom and top extensions 22 and 24 is
formed of two shell-like halves; these can be cemented, ultrasonically
welded, screwed, or latched together (screws and latching tabs not shown).
The bottom positioning cam surface of trough 42 is formed of two halves,
one on each half of the main body. The fabricator then telescopingly
assembles end housing 28 to upper extension 24 and then assembles spring
52, roller 58, its holder 56, its rotational axle 60, and end block 54,
which the assembler fixes in arm 32 by cement or force fit. The assembler
then cements covering 36 to housing 20 and boom 12. Captivating flanges
(not shown) or a force fit holds speaker 38. Body 10 preferably is about
105 mm long, crossbar 14 is about 51 mm wide, trough 42 is about 22 m
long, and the other parts have proportional dimensions.
OPERATION--FIGS. 1C & 1D
The operation of the set may be easily understood by returning to FIGS. 1C
and 1D.
If it is to be used as a handset, and the set is delivered in its compacted
position (FIG. 1D), end housing 28 is simply pulled back to the position
shown in FIG. 1C, using knob 34. It will lock in this position because
roller 58 will rest in outer swale 50o with spring 52 maximally extended
so that it stores minimum energy. When the user then picks up the set and
positions it against an ear (either ear can be used), crossbar 14 will not
interfere with the pinna because of its relatively great distance from
speaker housing 20. Thus the set can be positioned easily against the head
so that housing 20 is in the pinna, and it can easily be removed from the
ear without crossbar 14 contacting or interfering with the pinna. The
square shape of lower extension 22 enables the user to grip it more
securely than if it were circular.
If the user desires to use the set as a headset, he or she positions it
against the head as in FIG. 1C and the pulls end housing 28 toward housing
20, using knob 34. At first the user will feel some resistance as roller
58 rides up the ramp between swale 50o and cusp 48, compressing spring 52,
but then as the roller rides over the cusp, the resistance will diminish.
As soon as the roller begins to ride on the downward ramp to swale 50i,
spring 52 will release some of its energy and, in cooperation with the
ramp, will urge housing 28 toward housing 20 until crossbar 14 meets the
back of the pinna, as shown in FIG. 1D. In this position the set will grip
or clamp onto the pinna and the set will thus be held firmly to the head
in a fixed position. The user can thus talk hands free and even can move
about, according to the length of cable 16.
To remove the set from the head, the user simply pulls extension 22
forward, causing trough 42 to slide forward with respect to roller 58
until housing 28 locks in its extended or handset position (FIG. 1C). The
set can then easily be removed from the head, as described above in
conjunction with FIG. 1C. The set will normally remain in its extended
position (FIG. 1C) so that when it is to be used again, it is simply
picked up, placed against the ear and either used in this condition as a
handset, or placed in its compacted position using knob 34 for use as a
headset.
Note that the set is self-adjusting, no matter what the size of the user's
pinna. This is because the length of the ramp between cusp 48 and swale
50i is made long enough to accommodate a wide range of pinna sizes.
DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 2A TO 2D--SET WITH BOWED SPRING POSITIONER
The set of FIGS. 2A and 2B operates similarly to the set of FIGS. 1, but
uses a different positioning mechanism to maintain its extended and
contracted positions.
The set comprises, as its main parts, a body 62, boom 12 which is identical
to that of FIG. 1A, and a movable clamping assembly 64. Body 62 comprises
a lower extension 22 which is identical to that of FIG. 1A, a cylindrical
speaker housing 20 which is identical to that of FIG. 1A, and an upper
extension 66. As indicated supra, housing 20 has a cylindrical shape with
a padded covering 36 and an ear tab 26. Clamping assembly 64 comprises
crossbar 14 which is identical to that of FIG. 1A, an arm 68, and a finger
hold or knob 70 which is attached to arm 68. Knob 70 extends into upper
extension 66 via an outer slot 74 and arm 68 extends into extension 66 via
an inner slot 72. As before, cable 16 supplies suitable audio signals to
the set.
If not already in its extended position, the set is put into its handset or
extended position by pulling assembly 64 away from housing 20 to its
extended position, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. Here the set is
expanded and crossbar 14 is widely spaced from housing 20 so that it can
be used as a handset without crossbar 14 interfering with the pinna, as
described before and as shown clearly in the side view of FIG. 2C.
To put the set into its headset or compacted position, the user first
positions it on the head as shown in FIG. 2C and then pulls knob 70 toward
housing 20, to the position shown in FIGS. 2D and 2F. Here the set is
compacted and crossbar 14 is relatively closely spaced from housing 20 so
that it clamps the user's pinna between housing 20 and crossbar 14, as
before. Here the set will retain itself on the user's head to provide
hands-free telephone usage.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION--FIGS 2E TO 2G
The internal mechanism of the set of FIGS. 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 2E to
2G. It uses a bowed leaf spring positioning mechanism in lieu of the
curved trough bottom camming mechanism of FIGS. 1.
Movable clamping assembly 64 comprises arm 68, crossbar 14, and knob 70, as
stated. Inside upper extension 66 of the main assembly is a sliding body
76 which is integral to and forms an L-shaped assembly with arm 68. As
best seen in FIG. 2G, the middle of body 76 is attached to knob 70 and it
has a narrowed end portion 78 which has a post 80 orthogonally attached
thereto. The thicker part of body 76 is hollow and has an opening 82
adjacent end portion 78. A bowed leaf spring 84 has a hole on one end
which is positioned over post 80; its other end extends into opening 82
holds the spring securely.
As shown in FIG. 2G, housing 62 is formed of two shell-like halves, upper
half 62U and lower half 62L. A roller 86 is rotatably mounted inside
housing 20 in a position where it will ride over spring 84 when clamping
assembly 64 is moved between its two stable positions. Roller 86 is
mounted on an axle 88 which extends into respective axle sockets. One axle
socket is shown at 90 and is attached to lower half 62L and the other
socket (not shown) is similarly mounted in upper half 62U. A wire guide 92
is also mounted in body 62 near roller 86; it purpose is to dress the
wires coming out of cable 16 away from roller, 86, as shown in FIGS. 2E
and 2F.
Roller 86 is thus fixed in position in body 62, but can rotate on its axis.
Thus when the user pulls clamping assembly 64 out, as indicated in FIGS.
2A, 2B, 2C, and 2E, roller 86 will rest against spring 84, near its left
end as seen in FIG. 2E. In this position spring 84 still pushes roller 86
to the left so as to also push assembly 64 outwardly by an opposing
reaction. Outward travel of assembly 64 is limited by knob 70 contacting
the right end of slot 74.
When the user pulls clamping assembly 64 in, to the position indicated in
FIGS. 2D and 2F, this will push spring 84 under roller 86 so that the
final position of roller 86 is near the spring's right end, as shown in
FIG. 2F. When the user moves assembly 64 between its extended position
(FIG. 2E) to its compacted position (FIG. 2F), this will first | | |
