Holding strap for wireless ear-bud style earpieces having a stem

Abstract

A holding strap for wireless ear-bud style earpieces having a cylindrical or prismatic stem, includes: a pair of stem housings, each of which is constructed to form a hollow cylinder or prism having a hollow cylindrical or prismatic space to receive the cylindrical stem, wherein the hollow cylinder or prism has an inlet, an inlet rim, an outlet, and an outlet rim; a connecting strap connecting the pair of stem housings; and a strap holder for holding two places of the connecting strap. The hollow cylindrical or prismatic space is sized for the cylindrical or prismatic stem to fit in, and the stem housing is constructed so that the stem passes through the inlet, the hollow cylindrical or prismatic space and the outlet and then, the cylindrical or prismatic stem is retained in the cylindrical or prismatic space of the stem housing by a friction fit.

Claims

1. A holding strap (10) detachably coupled to ear-bud style earpieces (110) having a cylindrical stem (120), the holding strap (10) comprising: a pair of stem housings (20), each of which is constructed to form a hollow cylinder (20) having a hollow cylindrical space (25) to receive the cylindrical stem (120), wherein the hollow cylinder (20) has an inlet (21), an inlet rim (22), an outlet (23), and an outlet rim (24); and a connecting strap (30) extending directly from each of the stem housings (20) and connecting the pair of stem housings (20), wherein the hollow cylindrical space (25) is constructed to receive the cylindrical stem (120) to fit in, wherein the hollow cylinder (20) is constructed so that the cylindrical stem (120) passes through the inlet (21), the hollow cylindrical space (25) and the outlet (23) and then, the cylindrical stem (120) is retained in the cylindrical space (25) of the stem housing (20) by a friction fit, wherein the connecting strap (30) is flat and constructed to extend from the outlet rim (24), and wherein an area of the connecting strap (30) that extends from the outlet rim (24) and abuts the stem (120) is rounded to correspond to the shape of the cylindrical stem (120) and be in contact with the stem (120).

2. The holding strap (10) of claim 1, wherein the inlet rim (22) is tapered toward the hollow cylindrical space (25) to allow insertion of the cylindrical stem (120) into the hollow cylindrical space (25).

3. The holding strap (10) of claim 1, wherein the pair of stem housings (20) and the connecting strap (30) are made of thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, or mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane and silicone.

4. The holding strap (10) of claim 1, further comprising a clip for holding the connecting strap (30) together when the connecting strap is wound.

5. The holding strap (10) of claim 4, wherein the clip is configured to attach to a charging case (200) using an adhesive.

6. The holding strap (10) of claim 1, further comprising a strap holder (40) for holding two places of the connecting strap (30) together, wherein the strap holder (40) comprises: a first space (41) and a second space (42) for respectively receiving first and second places (31, 32) of the connecting strap (30); a first entry space (43) and a second entry space (44) wherein the first and second places (31, 32) of the connecting strap (30) respectively enter the first entry space (43) and the second entry space (44) to be retained in the first space (41) and the second space (42); a dividing wall (45) which is located between the first and second spaces (41, 42); first side walls (46) abutting opposite sides of the first space (41); first flange walls (48) formed on both sides of the first entry space (43); and second side walls (47) abutting the second space (42) wherein the second side walls (47) form an L-shaped wall extending from the dividing wall (45), wherein the first and second spaces (41, 42) are sized for the connecting strap (30) to fit in and be retained therein by a friction fit.

7. The holding strap (10) of claim 6, wherein the strap holder (40) further comprises a second flange wall (49) abutting one side of the second entry space (44), wherein the dividing wall (45) abuts another side of the second entry space (44).

8. The holding strap (10) of claim 6, wherein the connecting strap (30) comprises first faces and second faces, wherein a width of the first faces is greater than a width of the second faces, wherein the first and second entry spaces (43, 44) have opening widths less than the width of the first faces, and the opening widths of the first and second entry spaces (43, 44) are sized to receive the width of the second faces, of which, allow insertion of the connecting strap (30) into the first and second entry spaces (43, 44).

9. The holding strap (10) of claim 6, wherein a height of the first side walls (46) and the first flange walls (48) is greater than a height of the second side walls (47) and a second flange wall (49).

10. A holding strap (10) detachably coupled to ear-bud style earpieces (110) having a stem (120) that is substantially cylindrical, the holding strap (10) comprising: a pair of stem housings (20), each of which is constructed to form a hollow body (20) having a hollow space (25) to receive the stem (120), wherein the hollow body (20) has an inlet (21), an inlet rim (22), an outlet (23), and an outlet rim (24); and a connecting strap (30) extending directly from each of the stem housings (20) and connecting the pair of stem housings (20), wherein the hollow space (25) is substantially cylindrical, wherein the hollow space (25) is constructed to receive the stem (120) to fit in, wherein the hollow body (20) is constructed so that the stem (120) passes through the inlet (21), the hollow space (25) and the outlet (23) and then, the stem (120) is retained in the space (25) of the stem housing (20) by a friction fit, and wherein the connecting strap (30) is flat and constructed to extend from the outlet rim (24), and wherein an area of the connecting strap (30) that extends from the outlet rim (24) and abuts the stem (120) is substantially rounded to correspond to the shape of the stem (120) and be in contact with the stem (120).

11. The holding strap (10) of claim 10, wherein the inlet rim (22) is tapered toward the hollow space (25) to allow insertion of the stem (120) into the hollow space (25).

12. The holding strap (10) of claim 10, wherein the pair of stem housings (20) and the connecting strap (30) are made of thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, or mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane and silicone.

13. The holding strap (10) of claim 10, further comprising a clip for holding the connecting strap (30) together when the connecting strap is wound.

14. The holding strap (10) of claim 13, wherein the clip is configured to attach to a charging case (200) using an adhesive.

15. The holding strap (10) of claim 10, further comprising a strap holder (40) for holding two places of the connecting strap (30) together, wherein the strap holder (40) comprises: a first space (41) and a second space (42) for respectively receiving first and second places (31, 32) of the connecting strap (30); a first entry space (43) and a second entry space (44) wherein the first and second places (31, 32) of the connecting strap (30) respectively enter the first entry space (43) and the second entry space (44) to be retained in the first space (41) and the second space (42); a dividing wall (45) which is located between the first and second spaces (41, 42); first side walls (46) abutting opposite sides of the first space (41); first flange walls (48) formed on both sides of the first entry space (43); and second side walls (47) abutting the second space (42) wherein the second side walls (47) form an L-shaped wall extending from the dividing wall (45), wherein the first and second spaces (41, 42) are sized for the connecting strap (30) to fit in and be retained therein by a friction fit.

16. The holding strap (10) of claim 15, wherein the connecting strap (30) comprises first faces and second faces, wherein a width of the first faces is greater than a width of the second faces, wherein the first and second entry spaces (43, 44) have opening widths less than the width of the first faces, and the opening widths of the first and second entry spaces (43, 44) are sized to receive the width of the second faces, of which, allow insertion of the connecting strap (30) into the first and second entry spaces (43, 44).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1(a) shows Apple Inc.'s AirPods;

(3) FIG. 1(b) shows AirPods and the charging case;

(4) FIGS. 2(a)-2(c) show one embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIGS. 3(a)-3(b) show perspective views of the stem housing of the present invention;

(6) FIGS. 4(a)-4(b) show the strap holder according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 5(a) shows AirPods and the stem housings of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 5(b) shows the present invention wrapped around the charging case;

(9) FIG. 6(a) shows another embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 6(b) shows a cross-sectional view of the strap holder according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(11) FIG. 6(c) shows a cross-sectional view of the strap holder according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

(12) FIG. 6(d) shows a cross-sectional view of the strap holder according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(13) Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention.

(14) Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately one particular value and/or to about or approximately another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

(15) FIG. 1(a) shows Apple Inc.'s AirPods 100 and FIG. 1(b) shows AirPods 100 and the charging case 200. The holding strap 10 of the present invention is intended for wireless ear-bud style earpieces, having a stem, such as AirPods. The holding strap 10 has a pair of stem housings 20 to respectively receive the stems 120 of the earpieces 110 and a connecting strap 30. Accordingly, the holding strap 10 connects and holds the earpieces 110 and thus, it is easy to find the earpieces 100 and the holding strap 10 prevents the earpieces 100 from being lost.

(16) A holding strap 10 for wireless ear-bud style earpieces 110, having a cylindrical stem 120, comprises: a pair of stem housings 20, each of which is constructed to form a hollow cylinder 20 having a hollow cylindrical space 25 to receive the cylindrical stem 120, wherein the hollow cylinder 20 has an inlet 21, an inlet rim 22, an outlet 23, and an outlet rim 24; and a connecting strap 30 connecting the pair of stem housings 20. The hollow cylindrical space 25 is sized for the cylindrical stem 120 to fit in as shown in FIG. 5(a). The hollow cylindrical space 25 does not necessarily receive the whole height of the stem 120. The hollow cylinder 20 or the hollow cylindrical space 25 is constructed so that the cylindrical stem 120 passes through the inlet 21, the hollow cylindrical space 25 and the outlet 23 and then, the cylindrical stem 120 is retained in the cylindrical space 25 of the stem housing 20 by a friction fit. In this structure, one end of the cylindrical stem 120 can be exposed. A microphone is usually installed at the end of the cylindrical stem 120 and thus, the holding strap 10 should not block the end of the cylindrical stem 120.

(17) Here, cylinder for the meaning of cylindrical means a geometric figure with substantially straight parallel sides and substantially circular or oval cross section. The stem 120 is cylindrical and thus, the hollow space 25 is cylindrical as well so that the stem 120 can pass through the inlet 21, hollow space 25 and outlet 23. However, the present invention is not limited to such cylindrical configuration. The hollow space 25 may be constructed to correspond to different shapes of the stem in order to receive and retain the stem 120 therein.

(18) As shown in FIG. 3(a), the inlet rim 22 of the stem housing 20 may be tapered toward the hollow cylindrical space 25 for easy insertion of the cylindrical stem 120 into the hollow cylindrical space 25.

(19) The connecting strap 30 is preferably flat. Here, flat means the thickness of the connecting strap 30 is substantially smaller than the width of the connecting strap 30 in cross-sectional view of the connecting strap 30. The cross-sectional view of the connecting strap 30 may be rectangular or substantially rectangular, but not necessarily in a rectangular shape as long as it has two substantially parallel opposite sides.

(20) In addition, the connecting strap 30 may be constructed to extend from the outlet rim 24 of the stem housing 20 as in FIG. 3(b). The connecting strap 30 is constructed not to interfere with the stem 120 coming out of the outlet 23. The area of the connecting strap 30 extending from the outlet rim 24 and abutting the stem 120 may be rounded, corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the stem 120, and in contact with the stem 120.

(21) The pair of stem housings 20 and the connecting strap 30 may be made of soft material such as rubber or silicone or other soft flexible plastic. Preferably, the pair of stem housings 20 and the connecting strap 30 are made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or more preferably, made of TPE. The pair of stem housings 20 and the connecting strap 30 may be made of mixture of two or more materials of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), including mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane and silicone.

(22) The holding strap 10 may further comprise a length adjusting means (not shown) for adjusting the length of the connecting strap 30. Such length adjusting means is well known in the art.

(23) The holding strap 10 may further comprise a clip (not shown) for holding the wound connecting strap 30 together. Such clip is well known in the art. Preferably, the clip is provided with an adhesive for attaching the clip to a charging case 200. The holding strap 10 can be wound around the charging case 200 and held together by the clip. The adhesive can be any type of adhesives, including glue or double-sided tape. FIG. 5(b) shows the holding strap 10 wound around the charging case 200.

(24) The holding strap 10 may further comprise a strap holder 40 for holding two places of the connecting strap 30 together to adjust the length of the connecting strap 30. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show the strap holder 40 of the present invention.

(25) The strap holder 40 may comprise: a first space 41 and a second space 42 for respectively receiving first and second places 31, 32 of the connecting strap 30; a first entry space 43 and a second entry space 44 wherein the first and second places 31, 32 of the connecting strap 30 respectively enter the first entry space 43 and the second entry space 44 to be retained in the first space 41 and the second space 42; a dividing wall 45 which is located between the first and second spaces 41, 42; first side walls abutting opposite sides of the first space 41; first flange walls 48 formed on both sides of the first entry space 43; second side walls 47 abutting the second space 42; and a second flange wall 49 abutting one side of the second entry space wherein the dividing wall 45 abuts the other side of the second entry space 44. The first and second spaces 41, 42 are sized for the connecting strap 30 to fit in and be retained therein by a friction fit.

(26) In the alternative embodiment, there may be a pair of second flange walls 49 formed on both sides of the second entry space 44 as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). There are two second flange walls 49 as in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). However, there is only one second flange wall 49 as in FIG. 6(b) or 6(c). In FIG. 6(d), there is no second flange wall.

(27) As in FIG. 4(a) or 4(b), the strap holder 40 may further comprise a second flange wall 49 abutting one side of the second entry space 44 and the dividing wall 45 may abut the other side of the second entry space 44. In this embodiment, the second place 32 is easier to slide in or pull out of the second space 42 than the first place 31 in or out of the first space 41. The embodiment of FIG. 6(d) also has this advantage.

(28) The connecting strap 30 may be flat and a width of the connecting strap 30 may be greater than a thickness of the connecting strap 30, and the first and second entry spaces 43, 44 may be sized to allow insertion of the connecting strap 30 in width direction, but not to allow insertion of the connecting strap 30 in thickness direction. In other words, the first and second entry spaces 43, 44 are sized about the thickness of the connecting strap 30, or substantially same size or slightly greater or smaller than the thickness. Accordingly, the connecting strap 30 can be inserted into the first and second spaces 41, 42, and after the insertion, it can be securely retained therein by a friction fit.

(29) In preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6(a), the height of the first side walls 46 and the first flange walls 48 is greater than the height of the second side walls 47 and the second flange wall 49. In this embodiment, the first place 31 of the connecting strap 30 can be retained in the strap holder 40 more securely than the second place 32 of the connecting strap 30 because of the greater height of the dividing wall 45. Because of this construction, the first place 31 can be retained in the strap holder 40 and only the second place 32 is inserted into and pulled out of the strap holder 40. When the first and second places 31, 32 are spread out, only second place 32 is pulled out of the strap holder 40. Additionally, a height of the dividing wall 45 abutting the first space 41 may be greater than a height of the dividing wall 45 abutting the second space 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6(a).

(30) There may be only one second flange wall 49 as in FIG. 6(b) or 6(c), or there may be two second flange walls (49) as in FIG. 4(a). In the embodiments of FIG. 6(b) or 6(c), the receiving directions of the first and second places 31, 32 are different. The first place 31 is harder to be inserted into the first space 41 than the second place 32 into the second space 42, but the first place 31 is more securely held in the first space 41 than the second place 32 held in the second space 42. Accordingly, it is possible that only the second place 32 is inserted into or pulled out of the second space 42 while the first place 31 remains in the first space 41. Thus, the strap holder 40 (40 as shown in FIG. 6(b) and 40 as shown in FIG. 6(c)) is less likely to be lost and it is convenient for a user to use the strap holder 40 for the connecting strap 30.

(31) In the construction of FIG. 6(b) or 6(c) coupled with the height difference in FIG. 6(a), the first place 31 is even harder to be inserted into the first space 41 than the second place 32 into the second space 42, but the first place 31 is even more securely held in the first space 41 than the second place 32 held in the second space 42.

(32) As in FIG. 6(c), the end of the second flange wall 49 may be curved outwardly for easy insertion of the second place 32 into the second space 42.

(33) Alternatively, there may be no second flange wall 49 for the strap holder 40 as shown in FIG. 6(d). The height of the first side walls 46 and the first flange walls 48 may be about the same as the height of the second side walls 47. This construction is easy to manufacture and thus, the manufacturing cost is low. In addition, the second place 32 can be easily inserted into the second space 42.

(34) In the alternative embodiment, the present invention is not limited to such cylindrical configuration, and the hollow space 25 may be constructed to correspond to the shape of the stem in order to receive and retain the stem 120 therein. For example, the stem 120 may be prismatic and the hollow space 25 may be prismatic as well.

(35) Here, the holding strap 10 for wireless ear-bud style earpieces 110 having a prismatic stem 120, comprises: a pair of stem housings 20, each of which is constructed to form a hollow prism 20 having a hollow prismatic space 25 to receive the prismatic stem 120, wherein the hollow prism 20 has an inlet 21, an inlet rim 22, an outlet 23, and an outlet rim 24; and a connecting strap 30 connecting the pair of stem housings 20. The hollow prismatic space 25 is sized for the prismatic stem 120 to fit in. The stem housing 20 is constructed so that the prismatic stem 120 passes through the inlet 21, the hollow prismatic space 25 and the outlet 23 and then, the prismatic stem 120 is retained in the prismatic space 25 of the stem housing 20 by a friction fit.

(36) Here, prismatic or prism means a geometric figure with substantially straight parallel sides and substantially parallelogramic sides, paralleglogramic meaning four-sided shape with opposite sides substantially parallel. The prism may be triangular prism, rectangular prism, cube, pentagonal prism, hexagonal prism, or the like. The cross sectional view can be triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or in other various shapes, as long as the stem 120 is prismatic and the hollow space 25 is of a corresponding shape to receive the stem 120 therein.

(37) The inlet rim 22 of the stem housing 20 may be tapered toward the hollow prismatic space 25 for easy insertion of the prismatic stem 120 into the hollow prismatic space 25.

(38) The connecting strap 30 may be flat and constructed to extend from the outlet rim 24 of the stem housing 20. In addition, the area of the connecting strap 30 extending from the outlet rim 24 and abutting the stem 120 may correspond to the shape of the prismatic stem 120 and be in contact with the stem 120.

(39) The holding strap 10 may further comprise a strap holder 40 for holding two places of the connecting strap 30 together. The strap holder 40 may have the structure as described above. The strap holder 40 may comprise: a first space 41 and a second space 42 for respectively receiving first and second places 31, 32 of the connecting strap 30; a first entry space 43 and a second entry space 44 for the first and second places 31, 32 of the connecting strap 30 respectively to enter the first entry space 43 and the second entry space 44 for being respectively retained in the first space 41 and the second space 42; a dividing wall 45 which is located between the first and second spaces 41, 42; first side walls 46 abutting opposite sides of the first space 41; first flange walls 48 formed on both sides of the first entry space 43; and second side walls 47 abutting the second space 42 such that the second side walls 47 form an L-shaped wall extending from the dividing wall 45. The first and second spaces 41, 42 are sized for the connecting strap 30 to fit in and be retained therein by a friction fit.

(40) In the alternative embodiment, there may be a pair of second flange walls 49 formed on both sides of the second entry space 44 as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). There are two second flange walls 49 as in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). However, there is only one second flange wall 49 as in FIG. 6(b) or 6(c). In FIG. 6(d), there is no second flange wall.

(41) As in FIG. 4(a) or 4(b), the strap holder 40 may further comprise a second flange wall 49 abutting one side of the second entry space 44 and the dividing wall 45 may abut the other side of the second entry space 44. In this embodiment, the second place 32 is easier to slide in or pull out of the second space 42 than the first place 31 in or out of the first space 41. The embodiment of FIG. 6(d) also has this advantage.

(42) Alternatively, there may be no second flange wall 49 as shown in FIG. 6(d). The height of the first side walls 46 and the first flange walls 48 may be about the same as the height of the second side walls 47. This construction is easy to manufacture and thus, the manufacturing cost is low. In addition, the second place 32 can be easily inserted into the second space 42.

(43) The connecting strap 30 is flat and a width of the connecting strap 30 is greater than a thickness of the connecting strap 30, and the first and second entry spaces 43, 44 are sized to allow insertion of the connecting strap 30 in width direction, but not to allow insertion of the connecting strap 30 in thickness direction. Preferably, the height of the first side walls 46 and the first flange walls 48 may be greater than the height of the second side walls 47 and the second flange wall 49. Additionally, the height of the dividing wall 45 abutting the first space 41 is greater than the height of the dividing wall 45 abutting the second space 42.

(44) The present invention includes the strap holder 40 on its own to be used for any kind of cable, cord or strap.

(45) The strap holder 40 for holding two places of a connecting strap 30, including connecting cable or cord, together, may comprise: a first space 41 and a second space 42 for respectively receiving first and second places 31, 32 of the connecting strap 30; a first entry space 43 and a second entry space 44 wherein the first and second places 31, 32 of the connecting strap 30 respectively enter the first entry space 43 and the second entry space 44 to be retained in the first space 41 and the second space 42; a dividing wall 45 which is located between the first and second spaces 41, 42; first side walls 46 abutting opposite sides of the first space 41; first flange walls 48 formed on both sides of the first entry space 43; and second side walls 47 abutting the second space 42 wherein the second side walls 47 form an L-shaped wall extending from the dividing wall 45. The first and second spaces 41, 42 are sized for the connecting strap 30 to fit in and be retained therein by a friction fit.

(46) In addition, the connecting strap 30 is flat and a width of the connecting strap 30 is greater than a thickness of the connecting strap 30, and the first and second entry spaces 43, 44 are sized to allow insertion of the connecting strap 30 in width direction, but not to allow insertion of the connecting strap 30 in thickness direction. Furthermore, the strap holder 40 may further comprise a second flange wall 49 abutting one side of the second entry space 44, and the dividing wall 45 may abut the other side of the second entry space 44.

(47) The height of the first side walls 46 and the first flange walls 48 may be greater than the height of the second side walls 47 and the second flange wall 49.

(48) While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.