Patent Application
20230396911
The described embodiments relate generally to tethering straps for wireless earphones. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to a strap that may be used to join together wireless earphones. The strap may be an aesthetically pleasing and convenient addition to the wireless earphones that may join the wireless earphones together around a user's neck.
The described embodiments relate generally to a tethering strap for wireless earphones, e.g., a strap that is optional such that a user may decide to couple the earphones together via the strap, or use them without the strap. Wireless earphones are convenient for users in many respects—they are easily worn, and different types are available for different user desires. For example, wireless earphones as described herein—including an earhook—provide additional security in terms of holding the earphone in place while the user is using them to listen to music while exercising, for example. For some, the feeling of the earhook around their ear has become what they expect when using wireless earphones.
In some situations, users may remove their wireless earphones, e.g., to talk to someone, listen for approaching traffic or other sounds, etc. In such situations, users may hold their earphones, or place them somewhere else such as on a table, in a pocket or bag. But holding or placing them away is not always a convenient solution, and misplaced earphones may result in loss of the product altogether. Finally, while branding opportunities on the earphones themselves exist, such as through logo display, color language, or simply the shape and overall design of the earphone, by including accessories further opportunities for branding or fashion choices exist. Thus, an opportunity to further enhance customer experience is ripe.
Some embodiments relate to an earphone tethering system, that may include a first wireless earphone, a second wireless earphone, and a tethering strap releasably couplable to the first and second wireless earphones. The tethering strap may include a strap body, a first tethering element, and a second tethering element. The first and second wireless earphones are couplable to the tethering strap, and the first and second tethering elements are securable to each other such that the first and second wireless earphones are held together.
In some embodiments, the tethering strap is configured to be worn around a user's neck. In some embodiments, the first and second tethering are securable to each other magnetically. In some embodiments, the tethering strap further includes a first tip and a second tip, each configured to receive an earhook tip of the first or second wireless earphone, respectively, such that the first and second wireless earphones are coupled to the tethering strap. In some embodiments, the first and second tips are made of silicone, and wherein the strap body is made of neoprene.
Some embodiments relate to a tethering strap for wireless earphones, which may include a strap body, first and second tips formed from a stretchable material and having a receiving portion configured to receive and retain one of a first or second earhook tips of wireless earphones, respectively, and first and second tethering elements configured to releasably couple the first and second tips such that the tethering strap is configured to be closed around a user's neck.
Some embodiments relate to a tethering strap for wireless earphones, including an elongated strap body having opposing ends, first and second tips each coupled to one of the opposing ends of the strap body. In some embodiments, each tip defines a cavity, and each of the cavities opens at a distal end of its respective tip. In some embodiments, each of the cavities has an internal dimension that is greater than a dimension of its opening. In some embodiments, the tethering strap includes a first magnetic tethering element coupled to the first tip.
In some embodiments, the tethering strap includes a second tethering element. the first and second tethering elements are securable to each other magnetically. In some embodiments, the first and second tips are made of silicone, and wherein the strap body is made of neoprene.
In some embodiments, the first and second tips each include a tip interface coupling the strap body to the first or second tip, respectively, and the tip interface is inserted into the strap body. In some embodiments, the first and second tips each include a tip interface coupling the strap body to the first or second tip, respectively, and the strap body is inserted into the tip. In some embodiments, the strap body and the first and second tips are integrally formed from the same material. In some embodiments, the material is silicone.
In some embodiments, the first tethering element comprises a magnet. In some embodiments, the receiving portion and the earhook tip have complimentary shapes such that the receiving portion includes a stopper shape such that the earhook tip cannot be pushed through the entirety of the tip. In some embodiments, the earhook tip is wingtip shaped, and the receiving portion includes a complimentary wingtip shape such that once the earhook tip is inserted into the receiving portion, the earhook tip is retained within the receiving portion. In some embodiments, the earhook tip is shaped such that the earhook tip is wider towards the distal end and bottom of the earhook tip, and the receiving portion comprises a complimentary shape to receive the earhook tip such that the opening of the receiving portion is narrower than a dimension further inside the receiving portion.
Some embodiments relate to a tethering strap for wireless earphones, that may include a strap body, first and second tips formed from a stretchable material and having a receiving portion configured to receive and retain a portion of a wireless earphone, and first and second tethering elements configured to releasably couple the first and second tips to each other, such that the tethering strap is configured to be closed around a user's neck when the wireless earphones are not in a user's ear, and is configured to be worn either in front of or behind a user's neck when the wireless earphones are in a user's ear.
In some embodiments, the first and second tethering elements include magnets embedded in the first and second tips, respectively. In some embodiments, the first and second tips are made of silicone, and wherein the strap body is made of neoprene. In some embodiments, the tethering strap may include a display surface comprising a branding element.
The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
What is needed is a paradigm that can improving the customer experience in providing a user an option to create a “tethered moment,” such as when exercising or coordinating their personal style, or exercising and needing to remove their earphones without setting them down, holding them in their hands, or putting them away in a pocket, case, or bag. The user's wireless earphones may be joined together via a strap as described herein, for example, coupled to the earhook or more particularly the earhook tip of the wireless earphones. And the strap may include a tethering element such as a pair of magnets that may secure the strap, and therefore the earphones, around a user's neck when the earphones are not being used.
The tethering straps described herein provide a solution to allow a user's wireless earphones to be joined together via a strap, and may include a tethering element such as a pair of magnets that may secure the strap, and therefore the earphones, around a user's neck when the earphones are not being used. Elements are described that achieve this security, while providing flexibility for use, and an intuitive mechanism for use.
As above, the described embodiments relate generally to wireless earphones with a tethering strap, e.g., one that is optional such that a user may decide to couple the earphones together via the strap, or use them without the strap. Particularly, wireless earphones including an earhook—especially for sports use—provide additional security in terms of holding the earphone in place while the user is using them to listen to music while exercising, for example. For some, the feeling of the earhook around their ear has become what they expect when using wireless earphones.
In some situations, users may remove their wireless earphones, e.g., to talk to someone, listen for approaching traffic or other sounds, etc. By providing a user an option to create a “tethered moment,” with a tethering strap, a user is free remove their earphones without setting them down, holding them in their hands, or putting them away in a pocket or bag. Instead, the user's wireless earphones may be joined together via a tethering strap including tethering element, such that the earphones may be worn around a user's neck when not being used. Additionally, streetwear style options and branding opportunities are increased for individuals to express their personal style, including changing the tethering strap out for different colors, patterns, shapes, etc.
These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.
As shown in
As shown in
Each of first and second tips 203 includes a receiving portion 201, configured to receive earhook tip 104. Each tip 203 also includes a tethering element 210 (e.g., a magnet, such as an ion magnet, permanent magnet, rare-earth magnet, neodymium magnet, etc.), such that a pair of tethering elements 210 are included on opposite sides of tethering strap 20. By positioning tethering elements 210 in tip 203 itself, it allows for earphone tethering system 1 to close in a loop at earhook tips 104 when earhook tips 104 are coupled to tethering strap 20 at tip interface 202. This avoids the need for including magnets in housing 100, and results in an optional accessory for a user. In some embodiments, tethering elements 210 operate via magnetism as described, and do not include mechanical fastening elements such as hook-and-loop elements, zippers, snaps, anoraks. This results in a cleaner and easier connection function that is not visually apparent. In some embodiments, tethering elements 210 may be embedded in a cavity in tip 203, or may be integrally molded therein. In some embodiments, tethering elements 210 are removable. In some embodiments, one tethering element 210 is a magnet, and the other tethering element 210 is attractable to the magnet (e.g., a magnetic material such as iron).
Tip 203 also includes a wingtip exterior shape 212, which leads into the portion of tip 203 that includes tip interface 202. In some embodiments, tip 203 is formed from a solid, yet flexible material, such as silicone. In this way, receiving portion 201 is configured to receive earhook tip 104 (e.g. as a cavity), which may stretch to accommodate earhook tip 104 and retain it via tension fit (or a type of snap fit or mechanical lock fit). This allows earhook tip 104 and receiving portion 201 to be releasably coupled. As shown in
While both earhook tip 104's and receiving portion 201's shapes have been described as “wingtip shape,” in some embodiments, earhook tip 104 and receiving portion 201 may have other shapes, such as a square shape, a triangle shape, curved shape, etc., such that they are complimentary and are sufficient to couple earhook tip 104 to tip 203, thus joining wireless earphone 10 and tethering strap 20.
In some embodiments, strap body 208 is the same material as tip 203. In some embodiments, strap body 208 is a different material as tip 203. By using different materials in some embodiments, different goals may be achieved, such as using neoprene in strap body 208 for use against the neck for comfort and wicking, with silicone at the tips 203 so they can be molded and have a secure fit on the earphones. Additionally, screenprinting logos or other branding may be useful in some materials for the strap, but other options such as molding logos or other branding may be attractive in other contexts. In some embodiments, the materials used to make components of tethering strap 20 are waterproof, thereby increasing their durability when in use (e.g., by protecting against sweat).
When user 2 decides to remove wireless earphones 10, e.g., to talk to someone, listen for approaching traffic or other sounds, etc., they may remove bud portion 106 and earhook 102 from both ears, and place wireless earphones 10 around their neck (e.g., so tethering strap rests on the back of their neck). In this way, user 2 creates a “tethered moment,” where tethering elements 210 are temporarily used to fasten earphone tethering system 1 around their neck such that they are free to remove their wireless earphones 10 without setting them down, holding them in their hands, or putting them away in a pocket or bag. Indeed, by using magnets (such as ion magnets) as tethering elements 210, a user may magnetize tethering strap 20 closed—by tethering tips 203 to each other in front of a user's neck (e.g., similar to a necklace). Additionally, closing tethering strap 20 around another element for safekeeping is also possible, such as around the handle of a gym bag, hook in a locker, etc.
Tip 303 also includes a wingtip exterior shape 312, which leads into the portion of tip 303 that includes tip interface 302. In some embodiments, tip 303 is formed from a solid, yet flexible material, such as silicone. Tip 303 includes receiving portion 301.
Tip 403 includes a receiving portion 401, configured to receive earhook tip 104, as described above. Tip 403 also includes a tethering element 410 (e.g., a magnet, such as an ion magnet), such that a pair of tethering elements 410 are included on opposite sides of tethering strap 40. By positioning tethering elements 410 in tip 403 itself, it allows for earphone tethering system 1 to close in a loop at earhook tip 104 when earhook tip 104 is coupled to tethering strap at tip interface 402. This avoids the need for including magnets in housing 100, and results in an optional accessory for a user. In some embodiments, tethering elements 410 do not include elements such as hook-and-loop elements, zippers, snaps, anoraks. In some embodiments, tethering elements 410 may be embedded in a cavity in tip 403, or may be integrally molded therein. In some embodiments, tethering elements 410 are removable. Tip 403 also includes a wingtip exterior shape 412. Tip 403 includes receiving portion 401.
As can be appreciated, the dimensions of the constituent components of the wireless earphones 10 and tethering straps 20/30/40 may be varied to accommodate different sizes and shapes of products or product variants (e.g., across wireless earphone product lines, or to accommodate various lengths or dimensions of tethering strap product lines). But while the dimensions and shapes may vary, the design may be scaled such that assembly is substantially the same, notwithstanding any dimensional differentiation.
Each of the components and their constituent parts, and other variations described herein may include corresponding features described with reference to each of the other components and features described without limitation.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.
