US3667569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound tube headset
Assignee: Acoustifone Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A sound tube headset formed of flexible tubing having arcuate end portions adapted to rest on the ears, extend downwardly behind the ears and forwardly in front of the wearer and with an adjustable slider for holding the lower portions of the tubes together and for slightly tensioning the same in the region of the clavicle to effectively secure the ear engaging portions in position and substantially obviate inadvertent dislodgment.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C Mackey
- 👤 W James Neill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B7/00; A61B7/02; A61B7/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
In a headset for conducting sound waves from a source to the ears of a user: first and second elongated tubes each having at one end a portion adapted to engage an ear of the user, with said tubes being joined together over a substantial length near the other ends and having at said other ends a sound coupling member for operatively connecting said tubes to a sound source; each of said tubes being of a relatively flexible and resilient polymeric material and formed to provide adjacent the ear engaging end a generally U-shaped configuration including a slightly arcuate leg portion adapted to extend upwardly behind the ear a more sharply curved portion adapted to extend over and to be supported by the ear and a tip portion affixed to the end of the tube and adapted to be inserted into the ear canal so that said tubes are dependently supported from the ears; a slider member having first and second substantially longitudinally extending apertures, with said first and second tubes extending respectively through said first and second apertures, and said slider member being manually movable upwardly along said tubes to a position approximately adjacent the user''s clavicle so that the upper portions of said tubes are effectively secured to the user''s head in a manner substantially obviating inadvertent dislodgment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
In a headset for conducting sound waves from a source to the ears of a user: first and second elongated tubes each having at one end a portion adapted to engage an ear of the user, with said tubes being joined together over a substantial length near the other ends and having at said other ends a sound coupling member for operatively connecting said tubes to a sound source; each of said tubes being of a relatively flexible and resilient polymeric material and formed to provide adjacent the ear engaging end a generally U-shaped configuration including a slightly arcuate leg portion adapted to extend upwardly behind the ear a more sharply curved portion adapted to extend over and to be supported by the ear and a tip portion affixed to the end of the tube and adapted to be inserted into the ear canal so that said tubes are dependently supported from the ears; a slider member having first and second substantially longitudinally extending apertures, with said first and second tubes extending respectively through said first and second apertures, and said slider member being manually movable upwardly along said tubes to a position approximately adjacent the user''s clavicle so that the upper portions of said tubes are effectively secured to the user''s head in a manner substantially obviating inadvertent dislodgment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A headset in accordance with claim 1 in which each of said tubes includes a reversely curved portion immediately adjacent the tip portion thereof for causing said tip portion to extend inwardly toward the ear canal from the plane of the U-shaped configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A headset in accordance with claim 1 in which separate substantially L-shaped semi-rigid members are rotatably attached to the U-shaped portions of the respective sound tubes thereby obviating the need for right-left orientation marking of the sound tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A headset in accordance with claim 1 in which said tubes are formed of a flexible and resilient polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride and polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A headset in accordance with claim 1 in which said slider member comprises first and second half-slider elements, with each of said elements having a substantially planar inner surface and a pair of substantially parallel semi-cylindrical grooves extending the entire length of said surface, and with said first and second elements having cooperative fastening means for securing said elements together with said planar surfaces disposed in facing contiguity to provide first and second substantially parallel apertures in which the sound tubes are adjustably retained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A headset in accordance with claim 2 in which said tubes are distinguishably color-coded to provide for correct right-left orientation of the ear engaging portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A headset in accordance with claim 1 in which said sound coupling member is especially adapted for connecting to a stereo sound source and comprises first and second probe portions at one end forming a substantially figure 8 shaped aperture at the other end and web means intermediate said probes and said figure 8 aperture to tightly engage the end of the dual tubing in a manner to prevent sound leakage between the two stereo channels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |