Combination radio receiver and stereo headphones

Claim 2

An entertainment unit including a set of headphones alternatively responsive to a monaural signal source and a stereo signal source, there being means connectable to the set of headphones for supplying a stereo signal from the stereo source to the headphones, comprising: first and second speakers contained in said set of headphones; said monaural signal source comprising a monaural radio receiver contained in said set of headphones for providing a monaural audio signal; stereo signal input means mounted to said set of headphones for receiving a stereo signal from said source external to said set of headphones, said stereo signal having first and second channel signal components; and switching means actuated by said means for supplying the stereo signal, said switching means mounted to said set of headphones and connected to each of said speakers, said input means and said receiver for selectively connecting either (a) both said speakers to be driven by said monaural audio signal to provide a monaural sound reproduction of a signal received by said receiver or (b) said first and second speakers to be respectively driven by the first and second channel components to provide a stereo sound reproduction of said stereo signal.

Claim 3

The unit of claim 1 wherein said stereo signal input means includes a stereo jack for receiving a stereo plug and said switching means includes an electrical switch mounted to said jack, said switch including means for changing the speaker connections to selectively provide connections for (a) or (b) in response to said stereo plug being inserted into and withdrawn from the jack.

Claim 4

The unit of claim 2 wherein the set of headphones includes means for carrying a battery, said receiver including d.c. power supply terminals connectabLe to terminals of the battery while connection (a) is established and means for disconnecting the receiver from one of the power supply terminals in response to the plug being inserted into the jack.

Claim 5

The unit of claim 1 wherein the set of headphones includes means for carrying a battery, said receiver including d.c. power supply terminals, means for connecting the power supply terminals to terminals of the battery while connection (a) is established, and means for disconnecting one of the receiver power supply terminals from the battery terminals while connection (b) is established.

Claim 6

The unit of claim 1 wherein one of said headphones includes an outer surface having a cavity formed therein for receiving a battery for powering said receiver; and a cover for at least partially covering said outer surface.

Claim 7

The unit of claim 5 further including latching means for selectively securing said cover to said one headphone and releasing said cover to expose said battery in said cavity.

Claim 8

The unit of claim 6 wherein said latching means includes a rotatable lug mounted to said cover, and said outer surface includes a receiving slot, said lug and slot being relatively positioned for mutual engagement.

Claim 9

An entertainment unit comprising in combination: a set of headphones including first and second speakers; a radio receiver contained in said set of headphones for driving said speakers, one of said headphones having an outer surface with a cavity formed therein for receiving a battery for powering the receiver; a cover for at least partially enclosing said outer surface of said one headphone; and latching means for releasably securing said cover to said one headphone, wherein said latching means includes a lug mounted to said cover, and said outer surface includes an aperture, said lug and aperture being relatively positioned for mutual engagement, said lug being selectively engageable and disengageable with said aperture; and spacing means for maintaining a portion of said cover spaced apart a predetermined distance from said outer surface outside of said one headphone when said lug is engaged with said aperture.

Claim 10

An entertainment unit comprising in combination: a set of headphones including first and second speakers; a radio receiver contained in said set of headphones for driving said speakers, one of said headphones having an outer surface with a cavity formed therein for receiving a battery for powering the receiver; a cover for at least partially enclosing said outer surface of said one headphone; and latching means for releasably securing said cover to said one headphone, wherein said latching means includes a lug mounted to said cover, and said outer surface includes an aperture, said lug and aperture being relatively positioned for mutual engagement, said lug being selectively engageable and disengageable with said aperture; and spacing means for maintaining a portion of said cover spaced apart a predetermined distance from said outer surface outside of said one headphone when said lug is engaged with said aperture.

Claim 11

The entertainment unit of claim 8 further including an arm secured to said lug for rotation therewith and accessible externally of said cover, said latching means being operable with said arm.

Claim 12

The entertainment unit of claim 8 further including a stand-off disposed between said lug and said cover, and a rim formed in said aperture for supporting said stand-off, whereby said cover and said outer surface of said headphone are spaced apart.

Claim 13

The entertainment unit of claim 8 wherein said cover includes at least one projection extending toward the cavity for maintaining said battery within said cavity.

Claim 14

The entertainment unit of claim 11 further including a cushion disposed within said cavity for cushioning the battery, a space being provided between said projection and said cushion for receiving the battery.

Claim 15

The entertainment unit of claim 8 wherein said spacing means includes an island formed on said outer surface, said aperture being formed in said island to receive said lug.

Claim 16

An entertainment unit including a set of headphones alternatively responsive to an internal signal source and an external stereo signal source, there being means connectable to the set of headphones for supplying a stereo signal from the external stereo signal source to the headphones, comprising: first and second speakers contained in said set of headphones; said internal signal source comprising a radio receiver contained in said set of headphones for providing an audio signal; stereo signal input means mounted to said set of headphones for receiving a stereo signal from said source external to said set of headphones, via said connectable means said stereo signal having first and second channel signal components; switching means actuated by said means for supplYing the stereo signal, said switching means mounted to said set of headphones and connected to each of said speakers, said input means and said receiver for selectively connecting said speakers to be driven by either (a) the audio signal generated by said radio receiver or (b) the stereo signal generated by said external stereo signal source; said set of headphones including means for carrying a battery for powering said radio receiver, said receiver including d.c. power supply terminals; and said switching means further connecting the power supply terminals to terminals of the battery while connection (a) is established, and disconnecting one of the power supply terminals from the battery terminals while connection (b) is established.

Claim 17

An entertainment unit including a set of headphones alternatively responsive to an internal signal source and an external stereo signal source, there being means connectable to the set of headphones for supplying a stereo signal from the external stereo signal source to the headphones, comprising: first and second speakers contained in said set of headphones; said internal signal source comprising a radio receiver contained in said set of headphones for providing an audio signal; stereo signal input means mounted to said set of headphones for receiving a stereo signal from said source external to said set of headphones, via said connectable means said stereo signal having first and second channel signal components; switching means actuated by said means for supplYing the stereo signal, said switching means mounted to said set of headphones and connected to each of said speakers, said input means and said receiver for selectively connecting said speakers to be driven by either (a) the audio signal generated by said radio receiver or (b) the stereo signal generated by said external stereo signal source; said set of headphones including means for carrying a battery for powering said radio receiver, said receiver including d.c. power supply terminals; and said switching means further connecting the power supply terminals to terminals of the battery while connection (a) is established, and disconnecting one of the power supply terminals from the battery terminals while connection (b) is established.