GB2385739A

GB2385739A - Extendable earphone sound conduit for mobile phones

Info

Publication number: GB2385739A
Application number: GB0304161A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David James Bellchambers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-26
Filing date: 2003-02-25
Publication date: 2003-08-27
Also published as: GB0304161D0

Abstract

A headphone / earphone system comprises an extendable sound conduit 8 that may be fitted to a mobile telephone 1 to convey sound waves to the user's ear, via earplugs 10, without electrically conducting radiation to the user's head. The conduit 8 may connect to the phone 1 via a jack plug 4 or may be fixed over the phone speaker 2 using a stretch fit band or fixing clips 14. The conduit 8 may be extendable using concertina grooves 11, a reel bobbin (19 fig.6), a telescopic tube (fig.7), a coil (fig.8), or an elasticated segmented hollow tube (fig.9). The earplug 10 may be ergonomically designed to be easily gripped between finger and thumb.

Description

A NON E. M. F. CONDUCTIVE TELESCOPIC HEADPHONE SYSTEM There is a lot of concern and debate as to whether E. M. F. radiation is harmful to people using electronic appliances such as cell phone devices for example. Most scientists will agree that any reduction in exposure can only be a good thing. There have been many attempts to minimise E. M. F. exposure by using in built Faraday's Shield systems, but these have proved fairly impractical due to the fact they tend to reduce transmitted output between the cell phone and the pick up terminal. Other attempts have been employed, such as the use of headphones to create a distance between the cell phone and the head of the user, but there is evidence that although the headphones shielded wires work to minimise radio interference, they do in fact pick up and direct the cell phones transmitted E. M. F. energy directly into the users brain. Cell phones have been devised whereby amplifiers can be attached, allowing the person to communicate at a distance. This method is expensive, causes sound distortion for the listener and does not offer privacy of use. Authorities are introducing a new communications network that uses a cell phone system that emits up to four times the radiation output as compared to conventional cell phones thereby possibly causing some health hazard to users, some researchers have published in the media, hence a greater need for distance between vulnerable parts of the body, such as the head.

This invention is a convenient, safe, portable and compact headphone system, which enables a user of ; cell phones, radios, tape recorders, disc players, and computers, to be kept at a safe distance from any E. M. F. radiation that these devices can emit.

The method is to use a non-conductive conduit, which may be made out of: rubber, silicon or a suitable plastics material, for example. This conduit can be made to unwind, concertina or pull out, thus creating a safe distance for transmitted radio waves to disperse from a cell phone, for instance and thus minimise E. M. F. exposure to the users head.

The invention can be made to be portable and used on any electrical appliance whereby headphones are used or the invention can be manufactured as a functional part of the item.

DISCRETION OF THE NUMBERED ELEMENTS OF THE INVENTION: (1) Cell phone.

(2) Loudspeaker.

(3) Aerial.

(4) Jack plug-pin.

(5) Jack plug-outer casing-sound and ear plug housing.

(6) Wires to transducer-microphone.

(7) Transducer-loudspeaker.

(8) Sound conduit.

(9) (Y) Connector-conduit (single or double).

(10) Ear plugs-plugs.

(11) Concertina grooves (for flexibility).

(12) Male fastening press stud.

(13) Female fastening press stud.

(14) Bracket-fixing cup or stretch to fit rubberised band.

(15) Microphone.

(16) Jack plug socket for headphone-ear plug etc.

(17) Guide for flexible sound conduit.

(18) Ear plug fixing clip (for behind the ear).

(19) Reel-bobbin (spring loaded-ratchet locking).

(20) Stretch elastic cord.

(21) Container to house device when not in use.

(22) Inner parabolic shaped sound chamber.

(23) Grooves in ear plug to ergonomically enhance the gripping action (between finger and thumb).

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION WILL NOW BE DESCRIBED ALONG WITH ACCOMPANY ILLUSTRATIONS Fig. 1 Illustrates a cell phone 1 connected to the invention Fig. 2 via a jack plug 4.

When in use, sound is electronically carried by wires 6 to a transducer 7 thus sound waves are created inside a jack plug casing 5 and carried via conduit 8, for example, to an earplug 10.9 Is a (Y) connector for use when a stereo sound is required. The cell phone can be thus operated at arms length by speaking towards the microphone 15 and by listening through earplugs 10.

Fig. 3 Illustrates a concertina design of the invention the device being in a compressed and fastened state for carriage. The device can be kept secured to a cell phone, for example, by inserting a jack plug 4 into the phone socket. When the device is needed the earplug 10 can be pulled out, thus disconnecting the female fastening stud 13 from its anchorage at 12. The flexible conduit 8 can thus be made to extend by use of concertina grooves as shown in fig. 4. Thus the earplug 10 can be placed in the ear and the cell phone used at a safe distance from the head of the user.

To replace the device after use, earplug 10 is pushed back, so that the device compacts in a concertina fashion. Fastening studs 12 and 13 hold the device in a compact form when not in use. A container for housing the device can be employed.

Fig. 5 Shows a similar devices to figures 3 and 4 the main difference being that it may fit over the phones internal speaker 2 and thus does not need to use a transducer 7 although the device may be made to incorporate both systems enabling greater versatility.

Fig. 6 Illustrates, a device, as in figure 2, with the inclusion of a transducer 7 inside a jack plug casing 5 which is in the form of a reel-bobbin 19. The conduit is coiled around 19 and thus extends, uncoiled when pulled. This device may incorporate a spring-loaded ratchet locking system, which enables conduit 8 to self-wind, thus pre-wind itself after use. (Note-THIS DEVICE CAN BE USED WITH CONVENTIONAL EAR PHONES/HEADPHONES THUS AVOIDING A TANGLE OF WIRES).

Fig 7 shows how the device can be made to extend and contract by use of a segmented telescopic hollow conduit 8. The concertina grooves 11 help ergonomically when in use by giving greater flexibility.

Fig. 8 Shows an example of the invention in which conduit 8 has been pre-formed into a compact, sprung coil which may be housed in a container 21 when not in use and to thus uncoil or extend when pulled out. The addition of an ear clip helps secure the earplug by fitting neatly behind the ear. (Note-THIS DEVICE CAN BE USED WITH A CONVENTIONAL EAR PHONES/HEADPHONES THUS AVOIDING A TANGLE OF WIRES).

Fig 9 shows how a segmented hollow conduit 8 may be made so as to collapse in a compact manner and thus be extended for use by using as a stretch elastic connection cord 20 which runs inside conduit 8 keeping the segments together by use of tension.

The device can be made to operate in stereo mode using two transducers, which can be wired to a stereo jack plug and by doubling the hollow conduit either by running a second conduit inside another or by laying another in parallel. A further conduit attachment may be used to direct voice sound waves into a cell phone, for example.

A variable resister-volume, tone and switch control may be fitted to the devices. Paints or dye may be used to enable devices to be easily seen or devices may be luminous, for example, for use in the dark.

Figs. 10-18 show a preferred embodiment of the invention, which uses a preformed nylon, coiled tube set in an extended position to the required length. The device springs out for use as soon as the earplug 10 is pushed back using finger grooves 23. After use the earplug is pushed back into the housing 5, which keeps it neatly stored for future use. This action mentioned makes for instant use when needed and avoids the entanglement of wires which conventional hands free headsets or earplugs create for the user.

The device can use a stretch fit garter or fixing cup 14 which allows it to fit most mobile phones by stretching over the sound holes 2 whilst insuring space can be left for electrical buttons or alarm sound holes which may operate around the speaker hole area.

The device does not cause any sound break-up in use, which conventional headsets can, because there is no electrical connectors used which may work loose when in use. An ear-fixing clip 18 can be used with this device if required.

Figs. 10,11 and 12 Illustrate how the device can be made using a pre-formed nylon conduit 8 and having a stretch-fitting bracket 14. This device utilises grooves 23 in the earplug 10 to ergonomically enhance the gripping action between finger and thumb when in use. It has been found that by using a parabolic curve 22 in sound-earplug-housing 5, a better sound quality is produced.

Fig. 10 Top perspective view from the side.

Fig. 11 Top perspective view from one side.

Fig. 12 Horizontal view from one side.

Fig. 13 Front elevation.

Fig. 14 Plan.

Fig. 15 Rear elevation Fig. 16 Underneath plan.

Fig. 17 Shows section of line A/A

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A non-E. M. F. telescopic headphone/earphone for the purpose of keeping a safe distance between a cell phone and the head of the user by means of an extendable non-E. M. F. conducting sound conduit and can be fitted to most cell phones by means of a stretch fit rubberised band or fixing clip.

Attached to the sound conduit is an earplug/s to convey the sound to the users ear/s also allowing privacy.
2. A non-E. M. F. telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in claim 1 is designed to be compact and portable so as to enable it to remain on the phone at all times thus preventing entanglement of wires and providing ease of use.
3. A non-E. M. F telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in claim 1 and 2 comprising of a preformed nylon expandable and contractile coil sound conduit having a sound and earplug housing enabling the earplug to be kept clean and the coil to held in a compressed state when not in use. The preformed coil being preformed at the required distance for the user to remain safe from E. M. F. radiation while using the device in comfort. The coils have a spring affect thus enhancing speed and ease of operation.
4. A non-E. M. F telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in claim 1,2 and 3 having an earpiece ergonomically designed to be gripped between finger and thumb and incorporating grooves to facilitate this action. The earplug itself being designed to fit neatly into the ear and also to connect snugly into the sound and earplug housing thus providing an airtight seal for cleanliness when not in use as well as holding the coil in a compressed state by frictional contact.
5. A non-E. M. F telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in claim 1, 2,3 and 4 using a sound and earplug housing which may cup over a cell phone speaker thus directing and amplifying sound waves which can be past up the sound conduit to the earpiece also for the purpose of holding the earpiece which in turn holds the sound conduit in place. Also providing an airtight housing for the earpiece itself.
6. A non-E. M. F telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in claim 1,2, 3,4 and 5 having a stretch fit rubberised band/fixing clip which will ergonomically adjust to fit most cell phones thus positioning the sound and earplug housing over the speaker fitting securely enough to enable the device to remain attached the phone.
7. A non-E. M. F telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in claim 1,2, 3,4, 5 6 and 7 which comprises of a concertina sound conduit with an earplug at one end and a fixing bracket at the other incorporating fixing studs.
8. A non-E. M. F. telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in claims 1,2, 3,4, 5,6, and 7 having a segmented extendable tube either held with or without an elastic cord.
9. A non-E. M. F. telescopic headphone/earphone as claimed in 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, and 8 using a reel-bobbin (spring loaded-ratchet locking) for the extension of the sound conduit.
10. A non-E. M. F. telescopic headphone earphone as claimed in any claims, which can use electrical speakers/microphones and jack-plugs therein described.
11.

11. A non-E. M. F conductive telescopic headphone/earphone system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of effecting a non-E. M. F telescopic headphone/earphone operation, which includes the devices as, claimed in any one of claims 1 to