IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,993,143
Granted Patent B2
US 6,993,143 · App. 10/658,560 · Granted Jan 31, 2006

Foldable headphones

Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,993,143
App. No.
10/658,560
Granted
Jan 31, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for a collapsible headphone unit is provided. Generally, the system contains a first extendable sidepiece and a second extendable sidepiece, both rotatably attached to a top member. The first extendable sidepiece is attached to a first earpiece, and the second extendable sidepiece is attached to a second earpiece. Each earpiece has an open portion that fits against the ear of the user. The first and second extendable sidepieces may be extended, thereby allowing the first and second earpieces to pivot, resulting in the open portions of the first and second earpieces being directly opposed, and allowing the first and second earpieces and the first and second extendable sidepieces to fold upward toward the top member.

Claims (96)

1. A foldable headphone unit, comprising:

a top-member;

a first extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member about a first rotatable connection;

a second extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member about a second rotatable connection, wherein said first rotatable connection is spaced from said second rotatable connection along said top member;

a first earpiece coupled to said first extendable sidepiece, said first earpiece comprising at least one open portion; and

a second earpiece coupled to said second extendable sidepiece, said second earpiece comprising at least one open portion,

wherein said first and second extendable sidepieces may be extended, thereby allowing said first and second earpieces to pivot, resulting in said open portions of said first and second earpieces being directly opposed, and allowing said first and second earpieces and said first and second extendable sidepieces to fold upward toward said top member.

2. The foldable headphone unit of claim 1 , further comprising a padding material coupled to an underside of said top member, said padding material substantially covering said underside.

3. The foldable headphone unit of claim 2 , wherein said padding material has a thickness sufficient to provide clearance between a first coupling means that couples said first extendable sidepiece to said top member and said head of said user, and a second coupling means that couples said second extendable sidepiece to said top member and said head of said user.

4. The foldable headphone unit of claim 1 ,

wherein said first extendable sidepiece comprises a first upper-side member, a first extension band, first lower-side member, and a first yoke assembly, and

wherein said second extendable sidepiece comprises a second upper-side member, a second extension band, a second lower-side member, and a second yoke assembly.

5. The collapsible headphone according to claim 4 ,

wherein said first yoke assembly has a first end rotatably coupled to a second end of said first lower-side member; and

wherein said second yoke assembly has a first end rotatably coupled to a second end of said second lower-side member,

whereby said first and second yoke assemblies may be rotated axially with respect to said first and second lower-side members.

6. The collapsible headphone unit of claim 5 , wherein said first yoke assembly further comprises a second end having a forked shape with a dimension sufficient to accommodate coupling to said first earpiece, allowing said earpiece to pivot within dimension of said forked shape, and wherein said second yoke assembly further comprises a second end having a forked shape with a dimension sufficient to accommodate coupling to said second earpiece, allowing said second earpiece to pivot within dimension of said forked shape.

7. The foldable headphone unit of claim 1 wherein said top member further comprises an elongated, one-piece member with said first and second rotatable connections located adjacent opposing ends of said elongated, one-piece member.

8. A foldable headphone unit, comprising:

a top-member;

a first extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member;

a second extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member;

a first earpiece coupled to said first extendable sidepiece, said first earpiece comprising at least one open portion; and

a second earpiece coupled to said second extendable sidepiece, said second earpiece comprising at least one open portion,

wherein said first and second extendable sidepieces may be extended, thereby allowing said first and second earpieces to pivot, resulting in said open portions of said first and second earpieces being directly opposed, and allowing said first and second earpieces and said first and second extendable sidepieces to fold upward toward said top member,

wherein said first extendable sidepiece comprises a first upper-side member, a first extension band, first lower-side member, and a first yoke assembly, and

wherein said second extendable sidepiece comprises a second upper-side member, a second extension band, a second lower-side member, and a second yoke assembly,

wherein a first end of said first extension band is fixedly coupled to said first upper-side member,

wherein a second end of said first extension band is slideably coupled to said first lower-side member, said first lower-side member being longer than said first upper-side member, whereby said first lower-side member may be extended and retracted along said first extension band,

wherein a first end of said second extension band is fixedly coupled to said second upper-side member, and

wherein a second end of said second extension band is slideably coupled to said second lower-side member, said second lower-side member being longer than said second upper-side member, whereby said second lower-side member may be extended and retracted along said second extension band.

9. A foldable headphone unit, comprising:

a top-member;

a first extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member;

a second extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member;

a first earpiece coupled to said first extendable sidepiece, said first earpiece comprising at least one open portion; and

a second earpiece coupled to said second extendable sidepiece, said second earpiece comprising at least one open portion,

wherein said first and second extendable sidepieces may be extended, thereby allowing said first and second earpieces to pivot, resulting in said open portions of said first and second earpieces being directly opposed, and allowing said first and second earpieces and said first and second extendable sidepieces to fold upward toward said top member,

wherein said first extendable sidepiece comprises a first upper-side member, a first extension band, first lower-side member, and a first yoke assembly, and

wherein said second extendable sidepiece comprises a second upper-side member, a second extension band, a second lower-side member, and a second yoke assembly,

wherein a first end of said first extension band is slideably coupled to said first upper-side member, said first upper-side member being longer than said first lower-side member, whereby said first upper-side member may be extended and retracted along said first extension band,

wherein a second end of said first extension band is fixedly coupled to said first lower-side member,

wherein a first end of said second extension band is slideably coupled to said second upper-side member, said second upper-side member being longer than said second lower-side member, whereby said second upper-side member may be extended and retracted along said second extension band, and

wherein a second end of said second extension band is fixedly coupled to said second lower-side member.

10. A method of folding a headphone unit, wherein said headphone unit comprises a top member, a first extendable sidepiece, a second extendable sidepiece, a first yoke assembly, a second yoke assembly, a first earpiece comprising at least one open portion, and a second earpiece comprising at least one open portion, said method comprising the steps of:

extending said first and second sidepieces;

rotating said first yoke assembly towards an inner portion of said first sidepiece;

rotating said second yoke assembly towards an inner portion of said second sidepiece;

pivoting said first and second earpieces, resulting in opposed positioning of said open portions of said earpieces;

rotating said first extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member about a first rotatable connection; and

rotating said second extendable sidepiece coupled to said top member about a second rotatable connection, wherein said first rotatable connection is spaced from said second rotatable connection along said top member.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of retracting said first and second sidepieces towards said top member.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said first extendable sidepiece further comprises a first upper-side member, a first extension band, and a first lower-side member, and.

wherein said second extendable sidepiece further comprises a second upper-side member, a second extension band, and a second lower-side member.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of extending said first and second sidepieces further comprises the steps of:

extending said first upper-side member along said first extension band; and

extending said second upper-side member along said second extension band.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein a first end of said first extension band is slideably coupled to said first upper-side member, said first upper-side member being longer than said first lower-side member,

wherein a second end of said first extension band is fixedly coupled to said first lower-side member,

wherein a first end of said second extension band is slideably coupled to said second upper-side member, said second upper-side member being longer than said second lower-side member, and

wherein a second end of said second extension band is fixedly coupled to said second lower-side member.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of retracting said first and second upper-side members towards said top member.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of extending said first and second sidepieces further comprises the steps of:

extending said first lower-side member along said first extension band; and

extending said second lower-side member along said second extension band.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of retracting said first and second side members toward said top member.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein a first end of said first extension band is fixedly coupled to said first upper-side member,

wherein a second end of said first extension band is slideably coupled to said first lower-side member, said first lower-side member being longer than said first upper-side member,

wherein a first end of said second extension band is fixedly coupled to said second upper-side member, and

wherein a second end of said second extension band is slideably coupled to said second lower-side member, said second lower-side member being longer than said second upper-side member.

19. The method of claim 10 wherein said top member further comprises an elongated, one-piece member with said first and second rotatable connections located adjacent opposing ends of said elongated, one-piece member.

20. A headphone unit, comprising:

a top-member;

a first upper-side member connected to a first portion of said top-member via a first means for connecting, wherein said first means for connecting comprises a first rotatable connection between said first upper-side member and said top-member;

a second upper-side member connected to a second portion of said top-member via a second means for connecting, wherein said second means for connecting comprises a second rotatable connection between said second upper-side member and said top-member, wherein said first rotatable connection is spaced from said second rotatable connection along said top-member;

a first lower-side member slidably connected to said first upper-side member via a third means for connecting;

a second lower-side member slidably connected to said second upper-side member via a fourth means for connecting;

a first yoke assembly rotatably coupled to said first lower-side member via a fifth means for connecting wherein said first yoke assembly may be rotated axially with respect to said first lower-side member; and

a second yoke assembly rotatably coupled to said second lower-side member via a sixth means for connecting, wherein said second yoke assembly may be rotated axially with respect to said second lower-side member

wherein a portion of said first yoke assembly has a forked shape having a dimension sufficient to accommodate coupling to a first earpiece, allowing said first earpiece to pivot within dimension of said forked shape, and

wherein a portion of said second yoke assembly has a forked shape having a dimension sufficient to accommodate coupling to a second earpiece, allowing said second earpiece to pivot within dimension of said forked shape.

21. The foldable headphone unit of claim 20 wherein said top member further comprises an elongated, one-piece member with said first and second rotatable connections located adjacent opposing ends of said elongated, one-piece member.

22. The headphone unit of claim 20 further comprising:

a first extension band; and

a second extension band;

wherein a first end of said first extension band is fixedly coupled to said first upper-side member,

wherein a second end of said first extension band is slideably coupled to said first lower-side member, said first lower-side member being longer than said first upper-side member, whereby said first lower-side member may be extended and retracted along said first extension band,

wherein a first end of said second extension band is fixedly coupled to said second upper-side member, and

wherein a second end of said second extension band is slideably coupled to said second lower-side member, said second lower-side member being longer than said second upper-side member, whereby said second lower-side member may be extended and retracted along said second extension band.

23. The headphone unit of claim 20 further comprising:

a first extension band; and

a second extension band;

wherein a first end of said first extension band is slideably coupled to said first upper-side member, said first upper-side member being longer than said first lower-side member, whereby said first upper-side member may be extended and retracted along said first extension band,

wherein a second end of said first extension band is fixedly coupled to said first lower-side member,

wherein a first end of said second extension band is slideably coupled to said second upper-side member, said second upper-side member being longer than said second lower-side member, whereby said second upper-side member may be extended and retracted along said second extension band, and

wherein a second end of said second extension band is fixedly coupled to said second lower-side member.

Assignments (13)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECUIRTY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RECORDED AT REEL 046539/FRAME 0357 Recorded Nov 18, 2018
From: SANPOWER (HONG KONG) COMPANY LIMITED
To: BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO, LLC
Reel/Frame 047597/0847 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 33282/FRAME 664, REEL 36992/FRAME 599, REEL 37333/FRAME 878, AND REEL 39669/FRAME 0205 Recorded Oct 23, 2018
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BIG BLUE AUDIO, LLC; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.
Reel/Frame 047296/0766 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 31, 2018
From: BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 047570/0677 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2018
From: BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC
To: SANPOWER (HONG KONG) COMPANY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 046539/0357 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY AGREEMENT FOR PATENTS Recorded Aug 12, 2016
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039669/0205 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2014
From: WELLS FARGO BANK
To: BROOKSTONE, INC.; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE PROPERTIES, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BROOKSTONE PUERTO RICO, INC.; BROOKSTONE STORES, INC.; GARDENERS EDEN, INC.; BROOKSTONE MILITARY SALES, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC; BNM, LLC
Reel/Frame 033282/0721 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2014
From: BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033282/0664 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2012
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: BROOKSTONE, INC.; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE PROPERTIES, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BROOKSTONE PUERTO RICO, INC.; BROOKSTONE STORES, INC.; ADVANCED AUDIO CONCEPTS, LTD.; GARDENERS EDEN INC.; BROOKSTONE MILITARY SALES, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO, LLC; BNM, LLC
Reel/Frame 027468/0495 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 30, 2011
From: BROOKSTONE, INC.; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE HOLDINGS, INC; BROOKSTONE PROPERTIES, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BROOKSTONE PUERTO RICO, INC.; BROOKSTONE STORES, INC.; GARDENERS EDEN, INC.; BROOKSTONE MILITARY SALES, INC.; BIG BLUE AUDIO LLC; BNM, LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 027463/0537 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: BROOKSTONE, INC.; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE PROPERTIES, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BROOKSTONE RETAIL PUERTO RICO, INC.; BROOKSTONE STORES, INC.; ADVANCED AUDIO CONCEPTS, LIMITED; BROOKSTONE MILITARY SALES, INC.; GARDENERS EDEN, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 025326/0911 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2005
From: BROOKSTONE, INC.; BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.; BROOKSTONE INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE HOLDINGS, INC.; BROOKSTONE PROPERTIES, INC.; BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.; BROOKSTONE RESTAIL PUERTO RICO, INC.; BROOKSTONE STORES, INC.; ADVANCED AUTIO CONCEPTS, LIMITED; GARDENERS EDEN, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 016902/0157 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2004
From: BROOKSTONE COMPANY, INC.
To: BROOKSTONE PURCHASING, INC.
Reel/Frame 014293/0815 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2003
From: HARRIS, DAVID; WOODARD, RUDY; LI, VIAN; LITTLE, BAIRD
To: BROOKSTONE COMPANY INC.
Reel/Frame 014772/0367 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050053255A1 · Mar 10, 2005