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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ear-hang type headset applicable to a
communication terminal, a man-machine interface and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional headset with parts thereof being
cut away. Conventionally, this kind of headset comprises an earphone 9
having a receiver unit 10 and an ear pad 11, a microphone case 2 having a
microphone 1 and a pop filter 7, a head band 5 having a head pad 6 at one
end thereof, a microphone arm rotation mechanism 8 serving to hold and
rotate a microphone arm 3 at one end of which the microphone case 2 is
provided, an attachment base 4 by means of which the head band 5, the
earphone 9 and the microphone arm rotation mechanism 8 are combined, and a
plug 12 connected with the other end of the microphone arm 3 through a
cable 13, as shown in FIG. 1.
When it is intended to use the above-described conventional headset, it is
customary that the earphone 9 is put to the user's pinna and the head band
5 is stretched against its biasing force so as to be put on the user's
head, so that the earphone 9 can be held by being pressed against the
pinna due to the bending force of the head band 5. Further, since the
rotation mechanism 8 is capable of holding the microphone arm 3 in any
desired position as well as rotating the microphone arm 3 with respect to
the attachment base 4, it is possible to set the microphone case 2 in best
position near the user's lips.
However, since the above-described conventional headset has the head band
5, the user's hair is pressed and hair style is disheveled at the time of
setting and removing the headset, resulting in a serious problem
particularly for those who pay careful attention to hair style.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first invention is aimed at solving the above-described problem of the
prior art and an object thereof is to provide an excellent ear-hang type
headset which can be used without pressing hair and disheveling hair style
at the time of setting and removal.
To achieve this end, according to the first invention there is provided an
air-hang type headset which comprises a microphone case having a
microphone, a microphone arm having the microphone case disposed at the
forward end thereof, an ear hanger formed in a shape that is conformable
to the outer periphery of the pinna, an earphone having a receiver unit
and formed in a shape that is receivable in the concha, a microphone arm
base connected to the other end of the microphone arm, a rotation
mechanism serving to make the ear hanger and earphone rotatable with
respect to the microphone arm base, a rear ear pad fitted on a portion of
the ear hanger clipping the pinna, and an ear pad stuck to the front
surface of the receiver unit of the earphone.
In accordance with the first invention of the above construction, since the
pinna is clipped by the ear hanger and the earphone, it is possible to
hold the headset without using any head band.
However, the first invention has the problem that since the size of the gap
between the ear hanger and the earphone by which the pinna is clipped is
fixed, it is impossible to cope with the change of best size of the gap
attributable to differences among individuals in pinna shape.
A second invention is aimed at solving the problem of the first invention
and an object thereof is to provide an ear-hang type headset which is
capable of changing the size of the gap in correspondence to the
differences among individuals in pinna shape so as to realize an excellent
feeling when it is set.
To this end, according to the second invention there is provided an
ear-hang type headset in which a projection is provided in an ear hanger
with its height being variable in response to the pinna shape so as to
keep the best size of gap for everyone at all times.
With such construction, the pinna can be clipped by the ear hanger and the
earphone at all times so that it is possible to maintain the stable
holding force.
Further, the first and second inventions have the problem that since the
ear pad serves only to prevent dropping from the pinna and improve the
touch against the inner peripheral surface of the pinna, the ear pad stuck
to the earphone is made of a material which transmits sound waves so as to
cause the leakage of sound wave through between the earphone and the
pinna, thereby reducing the output sound pressure in the frequency range
below 1.5 KHz or so.
A third invention is aimed at solving the above problem of the first and
second inventions and an object thereof is to provide an ear-hang type
headset which is capable of increasing the output sound pressure by
reducing leakage so as to improve the reception performance.
To this end, according to the third invention there is provided an ear-hang
type headset in which an ear pad to be stuck to an earphone of the
ear-hang type headset is made of a material and formed in a shape that can
transmit sound waves and reduce the leakage of sound waves.
With such construction, it is possible to reduce the leakage of sound waves
and, hence, to realize the improvement of output sound pressure and the
widening of band.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partly cut-away front view of a conventional headset:
FIG. 2a is a partly cut-away front view of an ear-hang type headset
according to an embodiment of a first invention;
FIG. 2b is a side view of the headset shown in FIG. 2a;
FIG. 2c is a disassembled perspective view of an earphone of the headset of
FIG. 2a;
FIG. 2d is a sectional view of an ear pad shown in FIG. 2c;
FIG. 3 is a partly cut-away front view of an ear-hang type headset
according to a first embodiment of a second invention;
FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view showing essential portions of the
ear-hang type headset according to the first embodiment of the second
invention;
FIG. 5 is a partly cut-away front view of an ear-hang type headset
according to a second embodiment of the second invention;
FIG. 6 is a disassembled perspective view showing essential portions of the
ear-hang type headset according to the second embodiment of the second
invention;
FIG. 7 is a partly cut-away front view of an ear-hang type headset
according to a third embodiment or the second invention:
FIG. 8 is a disassembled perspective view showing essential portions of the
ear-hang type headset according to the third embodiment of the second
invention;
FIG. 9a is a disassembled perspective view of an earphone of an ear-hang
type headset according to a first embodiment of a third invention;
FIG. 9b is a sectional view of an ear pad shown in FIG. 9a;
FIG. 10 is a graph showing the received output sound pressure
characteristic of the earphone of FIG. 9a;
FIG. 11a is a disassembled perspective view of an earphone of an ear-hang
type headset according to a second embodiment of the third invention; and
FIG. 11b is a sectional view of an ear pad shown in FIG. 11a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, reference numeral 21 denotes a microphone
encased in a microphone case 22. The microphone case 22 is engaged with
the forward end of a microphone arm 23. Reference numeral 24 denotes a
microphone arm base fixed to the other end of the microphone arm 23, 27
denotes a receiver unit encased in an earphone 26, 25 denotes an ear
hanger, 12 denotes a plug connected with the ear hanger 25 through a cable
13, and 29 denotes a rear ear pad made of rubber foam or the like and
fitted inside the ear hanger 25, the rear ear pad 29 serving to cooperate
with the earphone 26 to hold the concha therebetween so as to fix the
device of this embodiment. The microphone arm base 24 has a rotation
mechanism so that the ear hanger 25 and the microphone arm base 24 are
engaged through an ear hanger rotation mechanism 28a and the earphone 26
and the microphone arm base 24 are engaged through an earphone rotation
mechanism 28b.
The inside of the ear hanger 25 is so shaped as to be conformable to the
outer periphery of the pinna. Further, the outer periphery of the earphone
26 is so formed as to have a size receivable in the concha. As shown in
FIGS. 2c and 2d, the earphone 26 is provided with an ear pad 32 at the
front thereof. The ear pad 32 is made of a material which transmits sound
waves and has elasticity. The ear pad 32 serves to improve the touch
against the inner peripheral surface of the pinna when the earphone 26 is
set.
Next, the rotation mechanism of the above embodiment will be described. In
the above embodiment, the ear hanger rotation mechanism 28a serves to
rotate the ear hanger 25 around a center axis A-A' of the microphone arm
base 24 with respect to the microphone arm base, while the earphone
rotation mechanism 28b serves to rotate the earphone 26 around the axis
B-B' of the earphone 26 perpendicular to the center axis A-A' with respect
to the microphone arm base.
As described above, according to the above embodiment, since the ear hanger
25 and the earphone 26 are movable with respect to the microphone arm base
24, the ear hanger 25 and the earphone 26 can be set in their best
positions on the outer periphery of the pinna and the concha,
respectively. Further, according to the above embodiment, since the
headset can be held without using any head band, it is possible to use the
headset without pressing hair and disheveling the hair style. Moreover,
the headset can be set on both right and left ears because the earphone 26
can be rotated through an angle of 180.degree. by the rotation mechanisms
28a and 28b. In addition, in the above embodiment, the microphone arm 23
may be made of a material which can be bent. When this is the case, the
microphone case 22 can be set in the best position near the lips.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a first embodiment of a second invention. FIG. 3
is a front view of this embodiment and FIG. 4 is a disassembled
perspective view showing essential portions of this embodiment.
In FIGS. 3 and 4, members of the same structure and function as those in
FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals and, therefore,
explanation thereof is omitted.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an ear hanger 40 is attached with a projection
41 which is slidable in the direction of X-X' in a portion thereof which
is to be in contact with the back side or the pinna. An opening 45 through
which the projection 41 is passed is formed in the ear hanger 40. The
inside surface of the projection 41 is supported by an elastic member 42
made of urethane foam rubber or the like, and the elastic member 42 is
combined with a support member 43 formed in the ear hanger 40.
In this embodiment, since the projection 41 is combined with the ear hanger
40 through the elastic member 42, the height of the projection 41
appearing from the ear hanger 40 is variable in accordance with the
pressure applied to the front surface of the projection 41. Further, in
order to define the range of variation of the height, stoppers 44 and 46
are formed on the projection 41 and the support member 43, respectively.
It is known from the results of experiments that upper and lower limits of
the range of variation of the height are from 0 to 8 mm. The ear hanger 40
is so set as to be brought into contact with the back side of the pinna,
so that the pinna is held in the gap between the ear hanger 40 and the
earphone 26. At this time, the height of the projection 41 is changed in
accordance with the thickness of the pinna, thereby realizing the most
suitable gap size. In consequence, it is possible to absorb differences in
headset holding force caused due to differences among individuals in pinna
thickness attributable to difference in pinna shapes.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the structure of a second embodiment of the second
invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 50 denotes an ear hanger and 51
denotes a projection which moves in the same manner as the projection 41
of the above first embodiment. The inside surface of the projection 51 is
supported by coiled springs 52a and 52b, and the coiled springs 52a and
52b are engaged with a support member 53 formed in the ear hanger 50. FIG.
6 shows the details of attaching structure of the projection 51. As shown
in FIG. 6, cylindrical protrusions 55a and 55b are formed on the support
member 53 so that the coiled springs 52a and 52b are combined with the
protrusions 55a and 55b, respectively. The coiled springs 52a and 52b are
made of a metal having elasticity, for example.
Next, operation of this embodiment will be described. The manner of
changing the height of the projecting portion of the projection 51 is
identical with that of the first embodiment. However, an outstanding
feature of the present embodiment is that the pressure exerted on the
pinna in the state of being held in the gap between the ear hanger 50 and
the earphone 26 can be selected in accordance with the spring constant of
the coiled springs 52a and 52b. In consequence, it is possible to provide
a headset which gives several magnitudes of pressure for the purpose of
being adapted to various shapes of pinnas as well as avoiding physical
pain at the time of being set. Incidentally, it has been proved from the
results of experiments that the selection limit of the pressure ranges
from 10 to 200 g/cm.sup.2.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the structure of a third embodiment of the second
invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 60 denotes an ear hanger and 61
denotes a projection made of a material having elasticity. FIG. 8 shows
the details of attaching structure of the projection 61. Cylindrical pins
63a and 63b are formed in the ear hanger 60 at positions near an opening
62. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the projection 61 is engaged with the pins
63a and 63b.
Next, operation of this embodiment will be described. The manner of
changing the height of the projecting portion of the projection 61 is
identical with that of the first embodiment. However, according to this
embodiment, since manufacture is facilitated by simplifying the structure
of the means for supporting the projection 61 and since the projection 61
itself is made of an elastic thin plate, the projection 61 has a
sufficient degree of freedom in its surface configuration so that it can
be deformed in agreement with the shape of the back side of the pinna,
thereby making it possible to realize a much better feeling when the
headset is set. Further, in order to give a sufficient degree of freedom
to the surface configuration, it is preferred to use German silver or
phosphor bronze as the material for the projection 61.
FIGS. 9a and 9b show the structure of a first embodiment of a third
invention, and FIG. 9a is a disassembled perspective view of the earphone
of an ear-hang type headset of the first embodiment and FIG. 9b is a
sectional view of an ear pad thereof.
In FIG. 9a, reference numeral 30 denotes holes formed in an ear phone plate
31 of the earphone 26, and 70 denotes an ear pad stuck to the ear phone
plate 31. As seen from FIGS. 9a and 9b, the ear pad 70 is so constructed
as to exhibit a low sound transmission coefficient in its outer peripheral
portion 70a and a high sound transmission coefficient in its inner portion
70b. In the present embodiment, the ear pad 70 made of urethane foam
rubber, for example, is applied with silicon rubber or the like in its
outer peripheral portion 70a so as to exhibit a low sound transmission
coefficient with its inner portion 70b being used as it is so as to
exhibit a high sound transmission coefficient.
Next, operation of this embodiment will be described. The earphone 26 is
set on the inner peripheral surface of the pinna through the ear pad 70.
Sound waves emitted from the holes 30 of the earphone 26 pass through the
portion 70b of high sound transmission coefficient of the ear pad 70 so as
to reach the pinna. In this case, if the sound waves leak significantly
from the outer periphery of the ear pad 70, the impedance of the acoustic
transmission line connecting between the earphone 26 and the pinna is
reduced remarkably. On the other hand, since the acoustic impedance on the
earphone side is constant, the gain is reduced as the transmission
frequency is lowered. However, since application of silicon rubber or the
like makes the outer peripheral portion 70a exhibit a low sound
transmission coefficient, leakage of sound waves is reduced, thereby
lessening the reduction of gain in this portion.
FIG. 10 shows the result of the received output sound pressure
characteristic of the ear-hang type headset according to this embodiment
when measured at the inlet of the pinna. A full line curve 71 represents
the received output sound pressure characteristic obtained in accordance
with the present embodiment and a dotted line curve 72 represents the
received output sound pressure characteristic obtained in accordance with
the prior art.
In consequence, according to the above-described first embodiment, leakage
of sound waves can be reduced and, as is apparent from comparison between
the curves 71 and 72 of FIG. 10, the output sound pressure can be
increased as well as widening of band can be realized.
Next, a second embodiment of the third invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. FIG. 11a illustrates the structure of the
earphone of an ear-hang type headset according to the second embodiment
and FIG. 11b shows the section of an ear pad of the second embodiment. In
FIG. 11a, reference numeral 73 denotes an ear pad stuck to the ear phone
plate 31. The ear pad 73 is formed in the shape of a doughnut as shown in
FIGS. 11a and 11b, which has an opening the inside diameter of which is so
selected as not to cover the holes 30. The ear pad 73 is made of a
material such as silicon rubber, for example, which exhibits a low sound
transmission coefficient.
Operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the above-described
first embodiment, so that the same effects can be achieved as well.
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