CA1080844A

CA1080844A - Personal audio listening system

Info

Publication number: CA1080844A
Application number: CA294,911A
Authority: CA
Inventors: William J. Hass
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-02-10
Filing date: 1978-01-13
Publication date: 1980-07-01
Also published as: JPS53100220A; DE2805685C3; DE7803947U1; US4070553A; DE2805685B2; NL7800665A; GB1574282A; NL174211B; DE2805685A1; NL174211C

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A personal audio listening system to be worn by an individual listener is disclosed and includes a pair of speakers mounted within a flexible supporting body which surrounds the back and side portions of the listener's neck.
The supporting body may include portions which extend generally forward from both sides of the listener's neck and may be joined by a safety releasable fastener to form a closed loop around the listener's neck. The supporting body includes acoustical and safety padding, speaker grills for protecting the speaker comes and the necessary electrical connections for coupling to an audio signal source. The audio signal source may be external to the supporting body or may be enclosed within the supporting body.

Description

~ OUNI~ Ol 1111 -rNv3~N3~loN

The subject invention relates to personal audio listening systems which are worn by indiviclual listeners.
Specifically, the subject invention is directed to a per-; sonal audio listening system to be worn by an individual listener around the neck without interfering with arm move-ment ancl without severely dimillis]lillg the listener's hearillg of amhient sounds.
Some prior art listening systems which allow a listener to carry the source of audio sounds such as music include headphone -type apparatus. The major disadvantages of headphone type systems are the discomfort and incon-venience of wearing a device on the head, the restriction of vigorous activity which might dislodge the headphone, and non-realistic audio reproduction wherein the apparent source seems to be in the listener's head. Such non-realistic reproduction becomes very evident in the headphone repro-. . .
duction of stereo programming. From a safety viewpoint,headphones generally prevent the listener from hearing ambient sounds which may include warning signals and also present a potential source of injury to the listener's head in the event of an accident. Some states have macle the use ; of headphones by the driver of an automobile illegal speci-fically because of such potential hazards.
Related prior art devices can also be found in the field of portable two-way communication devices wherein the need for sound reproduction in a variety of situations such as police emergencies and rescu~ operations encouraged the development o~ portable electronic communication devices.
Examples of such two-way communication devices can be Eound

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in u.S. Pa~ents 3,11~,105 and 3,370,236. The disadvantayes of such two-way communication devices generally include non-acceptable music reproduction resulting from the use of components which acceptably reproduce sounds only in the normal voice frequency range and the placement of the transducers of such devices which is yenerally optimized for microphone use. It i5 therefore evident that such prior art two-way communication devices are generally un-acceptable for musical entertainment purposes. Moreover, some of the prior art portable two-way communication devices include complicated straps and harnesses for maintaining the transducers near the wearer's mouth so that the wearer's voice could be readily detected.
A common disadvantage of the above described prior art devices is the high cost of manufacturing such reproduction systems which generally require specially manufactured components such as molded earpieces.
; Objects of the present invention are to provide a personal audio listening system which can be worn by an individual listener without having to wear any sort of device attached to the head or ears, which allows the listener to clearly hear ambient sounds, which provides excellent musical reproduction and to provide a personal audio listening system worn by an individual listener which reproduces stereo sound with excellent stereo imaging when the listening system is used with a source of stereo programming.
Other objects of the present invention are to provide a personal audio listening system which can be worn by the listener while engaging in various vigorous activities which require the unhindered use of the arms and head of the listener, to provide a personal audio listening system wherein the listener is not encumbered with complic-.

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ated harnesses and straps an~ to provide a personal audio listenin~ system which is of low cost and can be readily manufactured.
SUMMARY OF T~lE INVENTION
The foregoing and other objects are accomplished by the subject invention by providing a listening system which is worn by the listener around the neck. The system includes a first and second small audio speaker for genera-ting audible sound in response to an electrical signal input and the first and second audio speakers are coupled to a source of the electrical signal input. The first and second audio speakers are enclosed and supported by means beneath a corresponding ear of the listener and in the proximity of the listener's neck and shoulders. The supporting means comprises a flexible body for surrounding at least the back and sides of the listener's neck and further is adapted to conform to the neck and shoulder body contours of the listener and to support the audio speakers in such a manner that audible sounds are transmitted by the first and second audio speakers to a corresponding ear of the listener by acoustic radiation as well as by conduction through the listener's body. For example, the audio source can be attached to the supporting body or may be carried and supported by some other device. All or some of the electronic components of the audio source coupled to the speakers can also be mounted within the supporting body.
The source of audio electrical signals may be a stereo source which is appropriately connected to the speakers or : transducers.

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One eml)o-linlellt oF the invention is dircctcd to a su~porting bocly havillg provisions for allowing the posi-tioning of the speakcrs in at least two positions in order to bring the speakers closer to the listener's ears. Stereo imaging is produce(l b)~ the cmho(liments of the subject invention because of tlie distributed sound reproduced by the embodiments of the subject invention which is complctely different from the localized sound of convcntlonal head-phones. Moreover, the disclosed personal listening system enhances the stereo effect by the advantageous use of sound conduction through the listener's shoulder, neck and head which is achieved by placement of the speakers in the - proximity of the listener's neck and shoulders when the disclosed listening system is being worn.

-BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS

The various objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed disclosure and claims when read in conjunction Witll the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed listening system showing the supporting body and the locations of the speakers.
FIGURE 2 shows the system ~f FIGURE 1 being worn by a listener along with a source of audio signals appro-priately strapped to the listener.
FIGURE 3 is a cross-section view of the listening system showing the relative positioning of the speakers within the supporting body and with respect to the listener's shoulders, neck and ears.

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J~ is .1 I).II';.:i.al ~;ide view ol~ tllC di.;closcd listening system sllo~ g the l)ositiorling of a sl~eaker with respect to the corresponcling ear.
FIGURr 5 is a pclrtial cross-sectioll of tlle clisclosed personal audio listening systeln s]lowillg provisions within the supporting bocly fol allowing tlle speakeIs to be selec-tively positioned in at least two positions.
FIGURE 6 shows the disclosed listening system Wit]l an external audio source which is attached to the supporting body.
FIGURE 7 shows the personal audio listeniIlg system of the subject invention indicating where the electronic components for the audio source may be enclosed within the supporting body.

: DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DISCLOSURr.

Figure 1 shows the basic elements of a personal audio listening system 10. The system 10 includes a flexible supporting body 11 and speakers 13 and 15 acousti-cally mounted within the supporting body 11. The details of the speaker mounting end structure within the supporting body 11 will be discussed further below with respect to Figure 3. The system 10 further includes a flexible con-necting wire 17 which may be appropriately coiled for stretching to a desired length. A selectively engageable connector 19 is connected to the free end of the connector wire 17 and can be any of the commercially available con-nectors having provisions for accepting stereo signais.
For example, a standard phono-plug can be used. Enclosed within the supporting body 11 are electrical coupling wires 21 which are appropriately connected hetween the connecting wire 17 and speakers 13 and 15.

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Ihe s~ ortin~ bo~ly ll can be ma~lc from various combinations of naterials wllich accomplish the desirable features of adccluate support Eor the speakers 13 and 15, light weight, durability and streng~ll, ease of cleaning, and sufficient flexibility to con~orm to the l;stener's neck and shoulder contours for wearing comfort. ~or example, the outside o~ the supportillg body 11 may be denim, nylon or vinyl or other material which is wear-resistent and flexible. Enclosed within the outer cover-ing should be some material which gives the supportingbody ll shape and provides wearing comfort for the lis-tener. ~xamples of such materials include molded flex-ible plastic, foam padding~ fiber padding, and supporting wires.
The supporting body 11 shown in Figure 1 includes downwardly extending portions which are joined together - to rest on the listener's chest and form a closed loop.
The downwardly extending portions are joined together by safety releasable fasteners 23 which are shown as snap fasteners. However, a zipper or a cloth fastener such as those marketed under the trademark "Velcro", may also be used. Of course, the supporting body 11 need not have the downwardly extending portions and can form a smaller loop around the listener's neck. Moreover, a closed loop is not necessary and the supporting body 11 may be U-shaped.
Figure 2 illustrates one way of using the lis-tening system 10 with an external source of audio signals.
Specifically, the listening system 10 is worn around the - neck of the listener with the speakers 13 and 15 having been mounted within the supporting body 11 in such a manner that each speaker is substantially beneath the corresponding ear of the listener and substantially rests in the proximity of .

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t~le .l isteller' ~i ncel~ ari~l ~llou:l~lcr. ~\ SC)~II'CC O~ iO sigll-lls 1ll may be approl~riately str.-l~ped to the l-istener's body by strap 113. Tlle audio source 11l accepts the conncctor 19 and may be, for cxam~le, an F~ sterco source, a cas-sette player, or an ~M radio.
From the Eoregoing it is clear that in order to achieve optimum sound reproduction, particularly stereo reproduction? each of the speakers 13 and 15 should be located beneath a corresponding ear and as close to the corresponding ear as is practicable without causing a dangerous condition or a deterioration in thc ambience of the reproduced ste`reo imaging. Figure 3 illustrates how the speakers 13 and 15 may be positioned within the supporting body 11 in order to achieve the desired repro-duction qualities. The speakers 13 and 15 are covered by protective screens 25 and 27, respectively, which may be of metal or plastic or similar rigid material which is reasonably acoustically transparent. Some form of padding 29 and 31 is provided around the speakers 13 and 15, respectively, for providing listener comfort and acoustic padding and for maintaining the positions of the respective speakers 13 and 15. Of course, it would be possible to increase the amount of padding 29, 31 or to use a form maintaining padding material, such as foam or rubber, in order to raise the speakers 13, 15 closer to the ears. The choice of padding material, the amount of material, and the location of the material can also be used to direct the respective speaker cones in the desir-able direction of the respective ear. It should be noted that the speaker cones of the respective speakers 13, 15 need not be directed exactly at the respective ears of ; - 8 -~ L~8438~
the listencr, hut m;ly l)e direc-te(l ~ htly o~ltwar~ly an~l away from the respective ears. Since the d:istance between the lower portion o~ the listcner's neck and the listener's ears is reasonal)ly short, such outwardly directed positioning will not substantially cleteriorate the perceivecl sound and will still result in e~cellent soun~ reproduction. It should be noted that both accurately directing the speakers 13 and 15 toward the respective ears and closer placement of the speakers 13 and 15 to the respective ears brings about a reduction in the power required to drive the speakers 13 and 15. Therefore, it would be advantageous to optimize speaker placement.
Figure 4 shows a partial side view of the listening system 10 of Figure 1 and indicates in outline the relative ~`
position of the speaker 13 with respect to the corresponding listener's ear.
Figure 5 illustrates à particular mounting struc-~ ture for allowing the listener to selectively position :< the speakers in the supporting body of the personal lis-tening system 20.
Specifically, the listening system 20 of ~igure 5 includes a flexible supporting body 33 similar to the supporting body Il shown in Figure 1. Enclosed within the supporting body are base plates 35 and 37 which are suitably hinged with movable speaker plates 39 and 41.
Springs 43 and 45 are used to bias the movable plates 39, 41 away from the base plates 35, 37, respectively. The springs 43 and 45 may be coil or leaf springs, and, of course, could be made from any sufficiently resilient `
~ 30 material. Speakers 47 and 49 are mounted on the movable .. .' ` '"' ; ,'- , ' :"' . ' .:; .

plates 39 and ~ ich can ~)e wire or plastic scrccns or can also bc rigid plates with openings for the speakers 47 and 49. Sucll openings sh~ulcl be coverecl with protective screens. Padding 51 and 53 is provided underneath the base plates 35 and 37, respectively, arld silo~lld also be in other portions of the supporting bocly 33 for listencr comfort and safety. On the outside of the supporting body, fasteners 55 and 57 are provided for allowing the struc-tures including the movable plates 39, 41 and corresponding speakers 47, 49 to be positioned in a lowered position adjacent the respective base plates 35, 37 when desired. (~s shown by the dotted lines in Figure 5.) The fasteners 55 and 57 may be snap fasteners or flexible fasteners such as those sold under the trademark "Velcro". A short zipper, al-though not shown, could also be used to allow the selective positioning of the speakers 47 and 49.
The advantages provided by the listening system 20 of Figure 5 include improved control of the acoustic radiation, lower power requirements because of the closer placement of the speakers 47 and 49 to the respective ears of the listener, and the choice of placing the speakers 47 and 49 in a lowered position in situations where the raised position might be a hinderance, dangerous or incon-~ venient.
;~ Figure 6 shows a listenlng system 30 similar to the system 10 shown in Figure 1 with the additional fea-ture of having an audio source 59 attached to the terminal portions of the downwardly extending por~ions of the sup-porting body 61. The audio source may be of any readily available compact commercial audio sources such as an FM
stereo radio or a cassette tape player. The positions for speakers 63 and 67 are shown in outline form along with - 10 `

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elec~riccll coul~lirlg ~ircs ()~. O~ course, tllc sclectivcly positionable s~-eaker feature showll in Figu-re 5 can also be incorporated into tile system 30 of r:igure 6. An auxiliary strap (not shown) migllt bc used to stabili~e -tl~e audio source 5~ on the listener's chest. Although Figurc 6 silows a particular placement of -the audio source S~ on the down-wardly extending portions oF the supporting body Gl J it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that other locations for the attachment of the audio source 59 would be possible. ~s previously discussed, the downwardly extending portions of the supporting body 61 may not be required in a structure where the supporting body is a smaller loop which more closely surrounds the listener's neck.
Figure 7 shows a personal listening system 40 wherein all or some of the electronic components of an audio signal source can be supported within a supporting body 71. Two speakers 73 and 75 are supported within the supporting body 71 in a manner similar to the speakers shown in Figure 1. Of course, the positionable speaker structure shown in Figure 5 can be incorporated into the system ~0 shown in Figure 7.
The supporting body 71 should include a protective ~ -.
outer covering, an internal support structure such as flexible plastic or wire, and padding, as discussed above with respect to the listening system lO shown in Figure 1.
The elements 77 are identically numbered outlines represen- -tative of the locations within the supporting body where electronic components for an audio source may be located.
It is evident that the components for an audio source may be distributed such that some of the components may be .
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w:ithin -tl~e sul)~)or-ting hody 71, whilc thc remailling compo-nents may be external to the supporting body. The external components may then be coupled to the supporting body 71 - -and the internal components 77 in a manner similar to the systems sllown in Fi.gures 2 and 6. For exampl.e, the mechan-ical driving po-rtions of an auclio tape sysyem can be exter-nal to the supporting body 71 and the electroni.c portions such as amplifiers can be mountecl within the supporting body 71. Structures not shown and utilizing the place-ment of components for an audio source within the sup-porting body 71 will be obvious to one skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure.
Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of specific embodiments of the invention, various modifications and changes thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A personal audio listening system to be worn by an individual listener, comprising:
a first and a second small audio speaker for generating audible sound in response to an electrical signal input;
means for coupling said first and second audio speakers to a source of the electrical signal input;
means for supporting and enclosing each of said first and second audio speakers beneath a corresponding ear of the listener and in the proximity of the listener's neck and shoulders, said supporting means comprising a flexible body for surrounding at least the back and sides of the listener's neck and further being adapted to conform to the neck and shoulder body contours of the listener and to support said audio speakers in such a manner that audible sounds are transmitted by said first and second audio speakers to a corresponding ear of the listener by acoustic radiation as well as by conduction through the listener's body.

2. The personal audio listening system of claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises an electrical coupling connected to said first and second audio speakers and a selectively engageable connector for accepting the electrical signal input.

3. The personal audio listening system of claim 2 wherein said electrical coupling and said connector are adapted to accept a stereo signal input for providing said first and second audio speaker with the proper stereo channel signals.

4. The personal audio listening system of claim 1 wherein each of said audio speakers is mounted to be selec-tively positionable in one of at least two predetermined positions within said supporting means.

5. A personal audio listening system to be worn by an individual listener, comprising:
first and second transducer means for generating audible stereo sound in response to electrical stereo input signals;
means for generating electrical stereo signals for appli-cation to said first and second transducers;
means for electrically coupling said audio signal source to said first and second transducer means; and means for supporting and enclosing said first and second transducer means beneath a corresponding ear of the listener, said supporting means being adapted to conform to the neck and shoulder body contours and to support said first and second transducer means in such à manner that audible sounds are transmitted to the corresponding ear of the listener by acoustic radiation as well as by conduction through the listener's body so as to create a stereo effect when used by the listener.

6. The personal stereo listening system of claim 5 wherein each of said first and second transducers comprises a small adio speaker acoustically mounted within said supporting means in the proximity of the listener's neck and shoulder and beneath the corresponding ear of the listener.

7. The personal audio listening system of claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises a flexible body for surrounding at least the back and sides of the listener's neck while resting on the listener's shoulders.

8. The personal stereo listening system of claim 7 wherein said stereo signal generating means comprises a stereo audio source which is external to said supporting means.

9. The personal audio listening system of claim 8 wherein said source of electrical stereo signals comprises a radio receiver attached to the outside of said flexible body.

10. The personal stereo listening system of claim 8 wherein said coupling means includes an electrical coupling between said stereo audio source and said first and second audio speakers and a selectively engageable connector.

11. The personal audio listening system of claim 7 wherein each of said audio speakers is mounted to be selec-tively positionable in one of at least two predetermined posi-tions within said supporting means.

12. The personal audio listening system of claim 7 wherein said radio receiver includes electronic components being supported and enclosed within said flexible body.