US4609786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Band and the headphone utilizing the same
Assignee: Nippon Gakki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1984-10-12
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2004-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A band comprising many beam portions and arcuate hinge portions formed integrally so as to be alternately arranged, a fitting force being obtained at least due to the returning force of the hinge portion so that the band can be expanded even with a small force and, in spite of the repeated use over a long period, the fitting force and winding action will not deteriorate and the band will not crack. The bands are connected symmetrically to both ends of a top band and are utilized as head bands for headphones.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Omoto
- 👤 Takao Nakaya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R5/00; H04R5/033; H04R5/0335; H04R1/00; H04R1/10; H04R1/1008; H04R1/1058; H04R1/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
a headphone comprising an arcuate top band member having two ends, a pair of side band members each connected to an end of said top band member and comprising a plurality of beam portions and arcuate hinge portions integrally interconnecting the adjacent beam portions so that said beam portions and arcuate hinge portions are alternately arranged, and headphone units pivoted rotatably inward respectively to the free ends of said pair of side band members, said hinge portions having returning forces to obtain fitting forces symmetrical with respect to said top band member which act to wind and curve said side band members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
a headphone comprising an arcuate top band member having two ends, a pair of side band members each connected to an end of said top band member and comprising a plurality of beam portions and arcuate hinge portions integrally interconnecting the adjacent beam portions so that said beam portions and arcuate hinge portions are alternately arranged, and headphone units pivoted rotatably inward respectively to the free ends of said pair of side band members, said hinge portions having returning forces to obtain fitting forces symmetrical with respect to said top band member which act to wind and curve said side band members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A headphone according to claim 1 wherein said pair of side band members are in telescopic connection with the ends of said top band member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A headphone according to claim 2 wherein said side band members are connected to said top band member through a clicking member provided between them.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A headphone according to claim 1 wherein the hinge portions are made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A headphone according to claim 4 wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is a polyester elastomer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A headphone according to claim 1 wherein the hinge portions have second moments of inertia and, in each of said side band members, the larger the distance of each hinge portion from the corresponding headphone unit, the larger the second moment of inertia thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A headphone according to claim 1 wherein the hinge portions have thickness and, in each of said side band members, the larger the distance of each hinge portion from the corresponding headphone unit, the larger the thickness thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A headphone according to claim 1 further comprising operating grips for the headphone units which in use also exert side band member expanding forces each grip being rotatably supported in a position near the point at which the corresponding headphone unit is pivoted to the corresponding side band member, each headphone unit being turned outward when the direction of the corresponding side band member expanding force acting on the corresponding grip passes over the point which such force exerts no action to pivot the corresponding unit about said pivoting point.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A band comprising a plurality of beam portions and arcuate hinge portions integrally interconnecting the adjacent beam portions so that said beam portions and arcuate hinge portions are alternately arranged, said hinge portions having a returning force which has an action of winding and curving said band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A band comprising a plurality of beam portions and arcuate hinge portions integrally interconnecting the adjacent beam portions so that said beam portions and arcuate hinge portions are alternately arranged, said hinge portions having a returning force which has an action of winding and curving said band.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A band according to claim 9 wherein said hinge portions and said beam portions have a second moment of inertia, the second moment of inertia of said hinge portions being smaller than the second moments of inertia of said beam portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A band according to claim 9 wherein said hinge portions and adjacent beam portions have a thickness, the thickness of said hinge portions being less than that of said adjacent beam portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A band according to claim 9 wherein said hinge portions integrally bridge said beam portions adjacent to each other from the inner side of the band.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A band according to claim 1 wherein the hinge portions are made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A band according to claim 13 wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is a polyester elastomer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
A band comprising a pair of side band members each comprising a plurality of beam portions and arcuate hinge portions integrally interconnecting the adjacent beam portions so that said beam portions and arcuate hinge portions are alternately arranged, said hinge portions having returning forces that obtain symmetrical fitting forces which act to wind and curve said band.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
A band comprising a pair of side band members each comprising a plurality of beam portions and arcuate hinge portions integrally interconnecting the adjacent beam portions so that said beam portions and arcuate hinge portions are alternately arranged, said hinge portions having returning forces that obtain symmetrical fitting forces which act to wind and curve said band.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A band according to claim 15 wherein said hinge portions and said beam portions have second moments of inertia, the second moment of inertia of said hinge portions being smaller than the second moments of inertia of said beam portions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A band according to claim 15 wherein the hinge portions and beam portions have thickness and the thickness of said hinge portions is less than the thickness of the adjacent beam portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A band according to claim 15 wherein said hinge portions bridge said beam portions adjacent to each other, from the inner side of the band.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A band according to claim 15 wherein the portion producing said returning force is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A band according to claim 19 wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is a polyester elastomer.
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) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |