WO2011059440A1

WO2011059440A1 - Portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device

Info

Publication number: WO2011059440A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/064285
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew H. Lew; Jin Fang
Original assignee: Liu, George, K.; Lu, Elsa, L.R.
Priority date: 2009-11-12
Filing date: 2009-11-12
Publication date: 2011-05-19

Abstract

A portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device is disclosed to include a so ft hanging strap, which produces a static friction force when mounted around the user ' s neck and shoulders, two small-sized speaker cabinets each individually suspended from the two ends o f the so ft hanging strap in front of the user ' s front chest for emitting sound directly towards the user ' s ears and an electric wire embedded in the so ft hanging strap and electrically connected between the small- sized speaker cabinets. The small-sized speaker cabinet may communicate with an external audio electronic device through a wired or wireless arrangement.

Description

PORTABLE NECK AND SHOULDER MOUNTED HANGING PERSONAL AUDIO LISTENING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a personal audio listening device and more particularly, to a portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device for the positioning of two small-sized speaker cabinets on the front side of the user's front chest by means of hanging. BACKGROUND ART

Many head mounted, ear-plug type, or ear-clip type personal audio listening devices are known. In order to satisfy the user's need for ease of mobility and transport, to provide high standards of comfort, safety and excellent audio quality, as well as to achieve better positioning, many improved designs were created. First of all, US Patent No. 5,757,929 (Wang, et al.), US Patent No. 4,070,553 (Hass; William J.), US Patent Application No.2007223761 and Japanese Patent Application No. JP2003268609(A) (Adachi Hidehiko) all involved the design of a personal audio listening device. These designs commonly had very tiny speaker cabinets concealed inside the garment collar, scarf or other article of clothing. Due to space and weight limitations, only miniature-speaker cabinets or speakers without cabinets could be used. Consequently, these designs performed poorly with respect to their sound quality and staging. Moreover, the reproduction of bass tones by these previous devices was nearly nonexistent, resulting in poor sound quality. Further, the garment collar, scarf or article of clothing used to install the miniature speaker cabinets or speakers are all personal items of clothing belonging to one individual. As such, the aforementioned designs are not for shared use since they lack generality and can be used only by the particular person who owns the item of clothing, thereby limiting their functionality. In other words, it is extremely difficult and uncommon to share the use of these personal audio listening devices with others.

Second, Korean Patent Application No. 20040011859(A) (Park O Jun) and Japanese Patent Application Nos. JP6178384 (Karasawa Makoto); JP2005303707(A) (Nakamichi Niro); JP2008263374(A) (Kurihara Atsushi) teach the use of a hard shaped, inflexible member to connect two speaker cabinets for mounting on the user's shoulders and neck. However, the use of these designs cause unwanted stress to accumulate around the user's shoulders and neck. After a long period of use, the accumulation of stress causes the user to feel discomfort in the shoulder and neck areas. Further, because the hard shaped mounting member is inflexible, it tends to slip when the user is moving. Moreover, these designs do not allow the user to adjust the position of the speaker cabinets, or distance between the speaker cabinets and the user's ears. Another drawback of these devices is that they are inconvenient to put on and take off, since their structures are more complicated.

Third, US Patent No. 5,212,734 (Tsao) discloses a shoulder-mounted speaker and audio listening device, which allows hanging of the two speaker cabinets perpendicularly on the user's shoulders. However, this design does not allow for easy adjustment of the position of the speaker cabinets. Additionally, because shoulder sizes vary, a shoulder-mounted speaker and audio equipment device with only one size cannot fit everyone. Further, this design also has a complicated structure and is inconvenient to wear.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been developed with the above-circumstances and shortcomings in mind. It is one object of the present invention to provide a simple personal audio listening device with numerous advantages, which comprises a soft hanging strap and two small-sized speaker cabinets each individually connected to the two distal ends of the soft hanging strap. The soft hanging strap is adapted for mounting around the user's neck and shoulders to hold the two speaker cabinets in front of the user's front chest. Due to the weight of the two small-sized speaker cabinets, the soft hanging strap is inherently kept in close contact with the user's neck and shoulders, thereby creating a static friction force which firmly holds the two small-sized speaker cabinets in a natural hanging position on the user's front chest.

The invention has the following advantages:

1. The whole audio listening device has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

2. The audio listening device can be conveniently and rapidly mounted around the user's neck and shoulders and adjusted to the desired position and distance to the user's ears.

3. The audio listening device is practical for use by any person, regardless of body size.

4. The soft hanging strap evenly distributes the weight of the small-sized speaker cabinets through the user's neck and shoulders, drastically reducing stress and discomfort due to prolonged periods of use.

5. Due to the neck and shoulder hanging design, the sound output direction is ideal, the left and right speaker cabinets are easily adjustable to the desired position and distance to the user's ears in a balanced manner, and the entire weight of, and pressure caused by the device, is evenly distributed through the user's neck and shoulders, and therefore the invention allows the use of larger speaker cabinets to obtain a much better bass response, thereby creating better sound quality and staging compared with the known art.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device comprising a soft hanging strap and two small-sized speaker cabinets each individually connected to the two distal ends of the soft hanging strap, wherein the two speaker cabinets can be arranged to connect to an external audio electronic device by means of a wired or wireless connection. As an example of the wired connection application, one speaker cabinet is provided with a cable having a plug for connection to an audio output jack of an audio electronic device, such as audio player, MP3 player, MP4 player, radio, TV or any stereo system.

As an example of the wireless connection application, a battery is installed in one speaker cabinet to provide the two speaker cabinets with the necessary working voltage, and a wireless receiver is installed in the other speaker cabinet for receiving a wireless signal from an external audio electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.2 is a schematic drawing of the present invention, showing the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device hung around the user's neck and shoulders.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one speaker cabinet of the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG.4 is an assembly view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate form of the present invention, showing two swivel adapters each individually connected between the speaker cabinets and the two distal ends of the soft hanging strap.

FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of another alternate form of the present invention, showing a battery and a wireless receiver each individually installed in the two speaker cabinets.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a flat cabinet speaker for the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a soft hanging strap 1 and two speaker cabinets 2 and 3.

The soft hanging strap 1 is made from a soft or flexible material, such as woven fabric, soft plastics or the like, in a narrow elongated shape of any desired width or thickness. Further, the soft hanging strap 1 has a high coefficient of static friction for excellent stability and adhesion to the user's neck and shoulder using friction.

The two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 are small-sized speaker cabinets each individually fastened to the two distal ends of the soft hanging strap 1. Further, the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 are connected together by an electrical wire 4, which, as shown in FIG. 1, is embedded in the soft hanging strap 1 and extended along the length of the soft hanging strap 1 to electrically connect the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 together.

During use of the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device, the soft hanging strap 1 is curved and hung around the user's neck (see FIG. 2) so that the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 naturally and firmly position themselves bilaterally on the user's front chest below the user's two ears as an inherent result of the weight of the speaker cabinets 2 and 3 themselves. Therefore, the speaker cabinets 2 and 3 are kept in position and will not move or fall from the user's body or strike against the user's chest when the user is walking or exercising, assuring high standards of comfort and safety. Further, the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 emit sound waves directly towards the user's ears so that the user can hear high quality sound from the speaker cabinets 2 and 3. Additionally, the user can adjust the distance of the speaker cabinets 2 and 3 to the user's ears easily and quickly by simply pulling the soft hanging strap 1, thereby assuring the best sound quality.

FIGS.3 and 4 illustrate the composition of one speaker cabinet 3.

As illustrated, the speaker cabinet 3 comprises a cabinet shell 31, a circuit board 32, a speaker 33 and a grille 34 (the other speaker cabinet

2 has the same composition). Since the composition of the speaker cabinets 2 and 3 is of the known art, no further detailed description in this regard is necessary.

Furthermore, the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 can be fastened to the two distal ends of the soft hanging strap 1 by any of a variety of known methods such as, but not limited to, bonding, hooks, locking devices such as a screw or nail, pivot joint, sleeve joint or by wrapping. Adapter means may be used to achieve connection between the two distal ends of the soft hanging strap 1 and the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a swivel adapter 6 is used to pivotally connect one speaker cabinet 2 or 3 to one of the two distal ends of the soft hanging strap 1.

Further, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1~4, one speaker cabinet 3 is provided with a cable having a plug 5 for connection to an audio output jack of an external audio electronic device (audio player, MP3 player, MP4 player, radio, TV or any stereo system), forming a wired audio system.

The connection between the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device of the present invention and an external audio electronic device is not limited to the aforesaid wired connection method. A wireless connection may also be employed for the connection between the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device and an external audio electronic device. FIGS.5 and 6 show a wireless application of the present invention. According to this application example, a battery 7 is installed in one speaker cabinet 2 to provide the speaker cabinets 2 and 3 with the necessary working voltage; a wireless receiver 8 is installed in the other speaker cabinet 3 for receiving a wireless signal from an external audio electronic device 9. With respect to wireless transmission, many different prior art techniques are known, and therefore there is no need to state more detail in this regard.

In order to keep the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 in balance, counterweights (not shown) can be selectively embedded in the speaker cabinets 2 and 3. Thus, when the portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device is hung around the user's neck, the two speaker cabinets 2 and 3 can be kept in balance. The arrangement of the counterweights also facilitates adjustment of the position of the speaker cabinets 2 and 3 and distance of the speaker cabinets 2 and 3 to the user's ears.

The cabinet shell 31 in FIG.7 of the speaker cabinet 3 can be made integrally in a single piece (the cabinet shell of speaker cabinet 2 is identical). Alternatively, the cabinet shell 31 can be formed by affixing two half shells into shape. Further, there are no special limits on the outer appearance of the speaker cabinet 3. For example, the speaker cabinet 3 can be made having shapes including, but not limited to, rectangular, cylindrical, spherical or conical. The cabinet shell 31 of the speaker cabinet 3 can be made having a circular, rectangular or oblong cross section, or any regular or irregular geometric shape. Preferably, the speaker cabinet 3 has a flat shape (see FIG. 7) for attaching to the user's front chest naturally, firmly and comfortably.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Due to its many advantages discussed in the foregoing sections, this portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device will find broad applications in the audio-video, consumer electronics and entertainment industries.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device, comprising a soft hanging strap and two speaker cabinets, wherein:

said soft hanging strap is a narrow elongated member made from a soft or flexible material that produces a static friction force when kept in contact with the neck or shoulders of a person;

said two speaker cabinets are small-sized speaker cabinets each individually fastened to two distal ends of said soft hanging strap for hanging on a user in front of the user's front chest;

by means of hanging said soft hanging strap around the user's neck and shoulders, a static friction force is produced between said soft hanging strap and the user's neck/shoulders as a natural result of the weight of said speaker cabinets so that said the two speaker cabinets are firmly suspended from the two distal ends of said soft hanging strap on the front side of the user's front chest.

2. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said soft hanging strap is made from a woven fabric.

3. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said soft hanging strap is made from a soft plastic material.

4. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electric wire or wires embedded in said soft hanging strap and electrically connected between said two speaker cabinets.

5. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cable electrically connected to one said speaker cabinet and terminating in a plug.

6. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two adapter members each individually coupled between said two speaker cabinets and the two distal ends of said soft hanging strap.

7. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a battery mounted in one said speaker cabinet to provide said two speaker cabinets with the necessary working voltage, and a wireless receiver mounted in the other said speaker cabinet for receiving an external wireless signal.

8. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said speaker cabinets each comprise a cabinet shell having a circular cross section.

9. The portable neck and shoulder mounted hanging personal audio listening device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said speaker cabinets each comprise a cabinet shell having a rectangular or oblong cross section.