US4070553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Personal audio listening system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-02-10
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Granted: 1978-01-24
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Expires: 1997-02-10
Abstract
Abstract 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 cones 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.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Hass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R5/00; H04R5/02; H04R5/023; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/04; H04M1/05; H04R2201/00; H04R2201/02; H04R2201/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
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.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
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.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The personal audio listening system of claim 1 wherein each of said audio speakers is mounted to be selectively positionable in one of at least two predetermined positions within said supporting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
A personal stereo 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 application 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 a 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.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A personal stereo 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 application 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 a 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.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The personal stereo listening system of claim 5 wherein each of said first and second transducers comprises a small audio 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.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
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.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
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.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The personal audio listening system of claim 7 wherein each of said audio speakers is mounted to be selectively positionable in one of at least two predetermined positions within said supporting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The personal audio listening system of claim 7 wherein said radio receiver includes electronic components being supported and enclosed within said flexible body.
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) | 1981-01-23 | 1981-07-25 | 1982-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-23 | 1985-07-25 | 1986-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-23 | 1989-07-25 | 1990-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |