Patent Application
20240415217
The present invention relates generally to personal electronic devices, and more particularly to a wearable entertainment system that is integrated into a belt and buckle device.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Users performing various outdoor sporting activities such as golf often enjoy listening to music or other audio content. As such, it is not uncommon for a golfer to use a portable speaker inside their golf cart to listen to music as they drive from hole to hole. Unfortunately, golf etiquette necessitates a quiet playing environment. As such, golfers must keep the volume from their speaker at a minimum setting such that it cannot be heard more than a few feet away.
Because golf and other such sports require the player to be able to use their hands at all times, it is simply not feasible to carry a portable speaker from the cart to the hole and back. As a result, golfers are unable to listen to their music when they are not inside (or immediately next to) the cart, which is the majority of the day.
Aside from these problems, many older golfers and/or residents living on golf courses have a tendency to complain when they spot a fellow golfer using a portable speaker system. For these reasons, some golfers use other known types of portable speakers, such as wireless headphones, for example. However, the use of these devices have several practical and safety drawbacks, because they impede the wearer's ability to hear and/or interact with the other players.
Aside from music, many golfers also utilize a GPS based measuring system that provides approximate distances between the device and the hole on which the golfer is currently located. These systems typically comprise of a bulky electronic housing that remains clipped onto the golf cart throughout the round. As such, when the user is not standing next to the cart, they are unable to get the most accurate distance to the hole information.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an audio entertainment and distance measuring device that is incorporated into the design of an innocuous looking belt so as to overcome the drawbacks described above. It would also be beneficial if the device could be customized to allow the belt and buckle portion to be used for different occasions when the entertainment and distance measuring device are not needed.
The present invention is directed to a belt audio system. One embodiment of the present invention can include a buckle assembly having a first buckle body, a second buckle body and a belt. The first buckle body can include a pair of hooks extending outward from the front surface, and the second buckle body can include a pair of openings for receiving the hooks.
One embodiment of the invention can also include an entertainment device having a speaker, and a wireless transceiver. The entertainment device can communicate wirelessly with an external device to receive content, and the entertainment device can be magnetically coupled to each of the first buckle body and the second buckle body of the buckle assembly.
One embodiment of the invention can also include a buckle cover that is magnetically engaged to the buckle assembly. The buckle cover including decorative elements for use with the buckle and belt without the entertainment device.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
As described herein, a “unit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.
As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape, or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.
As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.
As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.
As described throughout this document, the term “decorative elements” can include any number and type of different colors, markings, words, shapes, symbols, logos, designs, types of materials, texturing of materials, patterns, images, lithographs, photographs, and/or jewels, for example. These elements can be secured onto and/or into the identified portion of a component in accordance with known techniques so as to be flush with the surface thereof or can be recessed, raised, and/or protruding outward therefrom, so as to give a three-dimensional effect.
As described herein, the term “connector” and “complementary connector” describe two components that work together to repeatedly join two separate items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples of connectors and complementary connectors include, but are not limited to, flexible strips of interlocking projections with a slider (i.e., zipper), thread-to-connect, twist-to-connect, and push-to-connect type devices, opposing strips of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), attractively oriented magnetic elements or magnetic and metallic elements, buckles such as side release buckles, clamps, sockets, clips, carabiners, and compression fittings such as T-handle rubber draw latches, hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector and complementary connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example.
As described herein, the belt 11 can include an elongated band having a first end 11a, a second end 11b and a central body section 11c. The belt is designed to be worn around the waist of a user in the expected manner and can therefore include any number of different shapes, sizes, and/or decorative elements. The belt can also be constructed from any number of flexible or inflexible materials such as nylon, leather, plastic, or heavy cloth, for example.
In one embodiment, one or more elongated belt slots 22 can be positioned along the buckle body at a location adjacent to the side wall 21f, for receiving and engaging the first end of the belt 11a. As shown at
In one embodiment, a central blind hole 23 can be formed along the front surface of the body, and a magnet 24 or other type of connector can be positioned within the hole. Additionally, a pair of raised hooks 25a and 25b can be positioned adjacent to the central hole. Each of the hooks can include protruding edges 25al and 25b1, respectively, that are oriented in opposite directions to each other. As will be described below, the hooks can function to engage the slots of the second buckle body and lock onto the same when the buckle bodies are rotated in opposite directions.
In one embodiment, a first set of alignment magnets 28a and 28b can be provided along the first buckle body. In the preferred embodiment, the magnets 28a and 28b will be positioned along the front surface 21a so as to be in line with hooks 25a and 25b, respectively, and to be adjacent to the central hole 23. The magnets will also preferably be mounted flush with the front surface; however, other mounting locations and depths are also contemplated.
The second buckle body 31 can also include a generally rectangular shaped member having a front surface 31a, a back surface 31b, a top wall 31c, a bottom wall 31d, and a pair of side walls 31e and 31f.
In one embodiment, the second buckle body can include an alligator-style belt connector having a plurality of serrated teeth 32a that are connected by a hinge 32b or other tensioning mechanism along the buckle body at a location adjacent to the side wall 31e, for receiving the second end of the belt 11b. Of course, any number of other components or different types of connectors capable of securing the belt onto the buckle body are also contemplated.
In one embodiment, a central opening 33 can be positioned through the center of the second buckle body 31, and a pair of slotted crescent-shaped openings 35a and 35b can be positioned angularly adjacent to the central opening. Each of the openings 35a and 35b including a shape, size and orientation that is complementary to the raised portions of the hooks 25a and 25b, respectively of the first buckle body 21, and can function to individually receive and engage the same via a twisting motion.
In one embodiment, the second body section can include a pair of blind holes 36 and 37 that are formed along the front surface 31a, and a second set of alignment magnets 38a and 38b can be positioned within the holes, respectively. The second set of alignment magnets can function dually to engage the first set of alignment magnets located in the first buckle body section, and to simultaneously engage either the third set of alignment magnets located in the below described entertainment device 40, or the fourth set of alignment magnets located in the below described buckle cover 60.
In either instance, each of the buckle body sections 21 and 31 can be constructed from any number of different materials that are strong and stiff for their weight such as various plastics, metals, or composite materials, for example.
As shown best at
Although described above as utilizing a combination of a specific hook and slot system with sets of magnets to connect the buckle bodies together, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, any number of other types of connectors and related components capable of removably securing the buckle bodies together are also contemplated. Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to auto-lock buckle systems, purely magnetic buckle systems, double ring buckle systems, automatic locking splice buckle systems plate buckle systems and snap buckle systems, for example, wherein the respective functionally equivalent components are positionable along the buckle bodies in place of the above identified hook, slot and magnets.
Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), malleable polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and/or various composite materials (e.g., carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, fiberglass, etc.). Moreover, although described as including a rectangular shape, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, the main body 41 can include any number of different shapes and can include any number of different colors and/or decorative elements.
As shown, a speaker 42 and microphone 43 can be positioned along or within the main body and can be connected to the internal controller 50. Although illustrated as a single speaker and microphone, any number of individual speakers and microphones can be provided at any number of locations along the main body. Moreover, each of the speakers can include sound specific elements such as bass speakers, tweeters, and the like.
Any number of user input devices can be provided along the main body in order to allow a user to control the operation of the entertainment device. For example, one embodiment of the device can include a plurality of buttons 44 for providing one way communication with the system controller. One embodiment of the device can also include a Graphic User Interface (GUI) screen for providing two-way communication with a user. To this end, GUI screen 45 can preferably include a color touch screen monitor for providing a menu of actions that a user can select for instructing the system to perform any number of different operations.
In one embodiment, a large magnet 46 and a third set of alignment magnets 47a and 47b, can be positioned along the back surface 41b of the main body so as to extend outward therefrom. Each of the magnets can include a shape, size and location that is complementary to the shape, size, and location of the magnets 24, 38a and 38b, respectively along the first and second buckle members described above. Likewise, the large central magnet can be situated on a protrusion 48 having a shape and a size that is complementary to the shape and the size of the opening 33. As such, will be described below, when the magnet 46 engages magnet 24, the protrusion 48 will be seated within the opening 33, thus preventing the device 40 from rotating relative to the buckle or becoming inadvertently separated from the same.
Although illustrated as separate elements, those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more system components 51-56 may include, comprise, or consist of one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) containing any number of integrated circuit or circuits for completing the activities described herein.
The processing unit 51 can include one or more central processing units (CPU) or any other type of device, or multiple devices, capable of manipulating or processing information such as program code stored in the memory 52 in order to allow the device to perform the functionality described herein.
Memory 52 can act to store operating instructions in the form of program code for the processing unit 51 to execute. Although illustrated in
In the preferred embodiment, the memory can function to store location information pertaining to golf courses so as to allow the below described location identification unit to determine the device location relative to the location of the pin on each hole of a golf course. This information can be displayed on the GUI 45 and/or provided audibly via the speaker 42.
The component interface unit 53 can function to provide a communicative link between the processing unit 51 and various system elements such as the speaker 42, microphone 43, buttons 44 and/or GUI 45, for example. In this regard, the component interface unit can include any number of different components such as one or more PIC microcontrollers, standard bus, internal bus, connection cables, and/or associated hardware capable of linking the various components.
In one embodiment, the component interface unit can include, or can be connected to one or more cable plugs such as a USB port for example which can function to recharge the onboard battery and/or communicate with a secondary device such as a computer so as to send or receive information therewith. Of course, any other means for providing one or two-way communication between the system components can also be utilized herein.
The wireless communication unit 54 can include any number of components capable of sending and/or receiving electronic signals with another device, either directly or over a network. In one preferred embodiment, the communication unit 54 can include a Bluetooth communicator/transceiver for communicating wirelessly with a smartphone or other user device. Such a feature allowing a user to select any type of content such as a music playlist, for example, from their phone or other such device to be played via the speaker 42 on the device 40. Likewise, the onboard buttons and microphone can allow a user to answer or make telephone calls over the Bluetooth connection.
Of course, the device is not limited to the use of a Bluetooth transceiver, as other embodiments are contemplated wherein the communication unit 54 includes a different type of transceiver such as Wi-Fi, or cellular, among others, for example. In either instance, it is preferred that the communication unit include functionality for communicating with external devices located at least 100 to 200 feet away, as this is the typical distance a golf cart (in which the user's phone may be located) is parked from a golf course hole during play.
The location identification unit 55 can function to provide real time location information (e.g., address, GPS coordinates, etc.) of the device 40 relative to the pin of a golf course hole on which the user is playing. To this end, the user can use the display to select a golf course which may be pre-loaded into the memory and can then use the location identification unit throughout round play to identify their distance to the hole. As noted above, these distances can be spoken audibly via the speaker 42 and/or displayed on the screen 45. In some instances, the screen can display information pertaining to the hole itself such as the Par number and a picture of the hole layout.
In one embodiment, the location module can comprise a discrete GPS transceiver for communicating with a third-party location tracking company that provides golf course hole and location tracking services for registered GPS enabled devices. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the location unit can use or consist of a cellular transceiver for utilizing cellular location services offered by many different cellular service providers.
The power unit 56 can function to supply the required power to each of the system components. In one embodiment, the power unit can comprise an onboard battery which can be replaced via a compartment in the main body or can comprise a rechargeable battery that can be permanently located within the main body and recharged via the USB port of the component interface, for example.
As shown at
The buckle cover can be constructed from the same materials as described above for the main body of the entertainment device 40 and can also include a large magnet 66, a protrusion 68 and a fourth set of alignment magnets 67a and 67b along the back surface 61b. As described herein, the protrusion 68 and magnets 66, 67a and 67b can be identical shape, size, location, and functionality as the protrusion 48 and magnets 46, 47a and 47b described above, respectively.
In this regard, the buckle cover can be connected to the buckle assembly in the exact same manner as that described above with regard to
In various embodiments, the buckle cover 60 can include a fanciful shape, such as the football shown at
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit to U.S. application Ser. No. 17/974,704 filed on Oct. 27, 2022, and U.S. Application Ser. No. 63/273,848 filed on Oct. 29, 2021, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63273848 | Oct 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17974704 | Oct 2022 | US |
| Child | 18817829 | US |
