Wearable action sports audio system

Abstract

A garment may be built with a compartment in or adjacent to the neck collar to mount and immobilize a personal audio device, and provide for the routing of audio transducers and wires. The configuration of the mounting provides for an unobtrusive listening experience for the user, is readily removable to allow for garment cleansing and personal audio player maintenance, maximizes the potential for freedom-of-motion required in various sports-related activities, and addresses safety issues not accounted for in the prior art. The garment may also be equipped with a mechanism (such as a hook and loop closure) to capture and immobilize audio transducers and wires when not in use.

Claims

1. A garment of any material, cut, or style comprising: A compartment comprising an elongated passageway constructed from, embedded within, affixed to, or located adjacent to the neck collar of the garment that contains and limits the motion of an electronic device such as a personal audio player, and An aperture, hole, grommet, slit, button hole, passage, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings or other passage in said compartment to allow for ingress and egress of transducer wire leading to an audio transducer, and A loop, tube, hook and loop enclosure, section of fabric, hollow lanyard, or series of such attached to or around the neck collar wherein the transducer wire leading to an audio transducer threads through, and One or more apertures, holes, grommets, slits, button holes, passages, channels, or any other type of opening or combination of openings or passageways through the neck collar to allow for transducer wire to thread through from the interior of the garment to the exterior

2. The combined garment, personal audio player, transducer wire and audio transducer, or any set of such, as specified in claim one, wherein a separable fastener is attached to said garment to contain and immobilize an audio transducer (or set of such) when not in use

3. The garment of claim 1 wherein legs are attached to the garment, as in a wetsuit or shorty wetsuit, famer john, spring suit, drysuit or any other cut of cloth or combination of materials regardless of style or fashion.

4. The garment of claim 1 wherein a hood is attached or integrated, or any other cut of cloth or combination of materials regardless of style or fashion.

5. The garment of claim 1 wherein the aperture, hole, grommet, slit, button hole, passage, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings or passageways that allows for ingress and ingress of transducer wire to and from the personal audio player compartment is eliminated

6. The garment of claim 1 wherein the loop, tube, hook and loop enclosure, section of fabric, hollow lanyard, or series of such attached to or around the neck collar to contain and direct transducer wires is eliminated

7. The garment of claim 1 wherein one or more apertures, holes, grommets, slits, or passageways through the neck collar to allow for the conductive wire to thread through from the interior of the personal audio player compartment to the interior of the garment is eliminated

8. The garment of claim 1 wherein audio transducers are paired to a personal audio player via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, A2DP, AirPlay, DLNA, NFC or any other form of audio streaming protocol.

9. The garment of claim 1 wherein the personal audio player is controlled by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, A2DP, AirPlay, DLNA, NFC or any other electronic signal or streaming protocol through a paired button, switch, bracelet, or any other form of electromechanical device

10. The garment of claim 1 wherein audio from the personal audio player is transmitted to another electronic or electromechanical device (for example, but not limited to, a camera, video recorder, action cam, cellphone or memory storage device) via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, A2DP, AirPlay, DLNA, NFC or any other form of audio and/or video streaming protocol.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary type of mounting of a personal audio player within a personal audio player compartment located on the posterior neck collar of said garment.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the neck mounting of the personal audio player depicted in FIG. 1

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the garment showing an exemplary routing of transducer wires

[0018] FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of the garment showing an exemplary routing of transducer wires and transducer immobilizer

[0019] FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the left side of the garment showing an exemplary routing of transducer wires on, through and within the neck collar of said garment and lanyards

[0020] FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the right side of the garment showing an exemplary routing of transducer wires on, through and within the neck collar of said garment and lanyards

[0021] FIG. 7 is a close-up anterior view of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depicting an exemplary type of routing of transducer wires on, through and within the neck collar of said garment and lanyards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] In the present invention, a personal audio player is mounted within a compartment on or within the posterior neck collar of a garment, and the transducer wiring is routed around and through said compartment, lanyards, and collar. Loose transducers are immobilized within a hook and loop or similar device on the external anterior of the garment. Where they are used, left side and right side refers to the wearer's left and right side.

[0023] An exemplary illustration of the posterior mounting 4 of the personal audio player to a garment 1a on or within the neck collar 1b is depicted in FIG. 1 including a compartment cover 7 to isolate the movement of the personal audio player (as depicted in 15 FIG. 2) within the personal audio player compartment 4, an illustration of a space 6 within the collar of the garment to allow for ingress and egress of the personal audio player, a grommet 5 surrounding a hole 8 to allow for ingress and egress of the transducer wire 3 and transducer wire male connector 2. Transducer wire 3 is shown to proceed from transducer wire male connector 2 to the interior of garment 1a by going up and over the neck collar 1b. The routing of the transducer wire 3 in and around the neck collar 1b of the garment 1a is depicted in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

[0024] In other exemplary forms, space 6 may be minimized, or be flush with the exterior of personal audio player compartment 4. In other embodiments, grommet 5 may be substituted for a hole, button hole, slit, passage, grommet, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings in the fabric of personal audio player compartment 4, or may be located differently so as to allow transducer wire 3 to pass into the interior of garment 1a by means of a hole, button hole, slit, passage, grommet, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings in neck collar 1b. In other embodiments, transducer wire 3 may proceed from the transducer wire male connector 2 to the internal section of the garment by means of a hole, button hole, slit, passage, grommet, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings. In embodiments where the transducer wires 3 have been eliminated, hole 8 and grommet 5 may be eliminated. In the exemplary form depicted in FIG. 1, the shape of the personal audio compartment 4 is tubular. This is illustrative only, as the shape of personal audio compartment 4 may encumber any number of differing forms, shapes and materials so long as it contains and limits the egress of the personal audio player. In other embodiments, personal audio compartment 4 is square, circular, or any other shape. In other embodiments, the personal audio player compartment 4 is made of a stretchable fabric, neoprene, waterproof breathable, or any other type of material and/or fabric, and may contain any configuration of holes, panels, transparent materials or otherwise to facilitate the drainage of liquid, visibility of personal audio player status, or operation of personal audio player.

[0025] An exploded view of the posterior mounting depicted in FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2, showing the personal audio player 15, passage 13 allowing access to the personal audio player compartment 4, retaining stitches 16, and other details not evident in FIG. 1. Said personal audio player 15 can be mounted and dismounted within a compartment 4 created within the posterior neck collar 1b of the garment 1a by means of a hole, button hole, slit, passage, grommet, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings 13. Movement of the personal audio player 15 is minimized vis--vis retaining stitches 16 and a compartment cover 7 (shown attached in FIG. 1). The compartment cover 7 is affixed to partially or wholly cover the slit 13 through which the personal audio player 15 is mounted and dismounted. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a hole 8, surrounded by a grommet 5, through which the transducer wire male jack 2 and transducer wires 3 exit the compartment 4 housing the personal audio player 15. When the personal audio player 15 is mounted within the compartment 4, the male transducer jack 2 is inserted into the female transducer jack 14 on the personal audio player 15. The transducer wires 3 are routed through and within the interior space of the garment 1a as depicted in the exemplary illustrations in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and are held in place by way of one or more lanyards 9. The transducer wires 3 then terminate in one or more audio transducers (10, as depicted in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6). In other embodiments, the lanyards 9 may be positioned differently or eliminated, resulting in a loose draping of the transducer wires 3.

[0026] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, a personal audio player 15 is mounted within a compartment 4 built into the collar. In other embodiments, a personal audio player 15 may be mounted to the collar 1b within a compartment adjacent to (as opposed to within) said collar of the garment. Additionally, personal audio player 15 may not require the use of transducer wires 3 in an embodiment where wirelessly paired streaming audio transducers are employed. In other embodiments, the retaining stitches 16 may take the form of staples, seams, or other materials. In other embodiments of the current art, retaining stitches 16 may be unnecessary to limit the motion of the personal audio player 15, and thusly removed. The shape of the personal audio compartment cover 7 is similarly illustrative in nature only, and may be constructed and positioned differently depending upon the shape and location of the personal audio player 15 and personal audio player compartment 4. The shape and positioning of the slit, passage or hole 13 in the personal audio player compartment 4 may be shaped or positioned differently depending upon the shape of both personal audio player 15 and compartment 4. Instead of residing within the collar 1b of the garment 1a, the personal audio player compartment 4 may be attached to the exterior or interior of said neck collar 1b.

[0027] An exemplary depiction of the anterior of a garment 1a is depicted in FIG. 3, illustrating interior and exterior routing of transducer wires 3 in, around, and through the neck collar 1b of a garment 1a. In the embodiment depicted, the transducer wires 3 pass through the interior of said garment 1a, are routed through one or more lanyards 9, and then emerge through one or more holes, button holes, slits, passages, grommets, channels, or any other type of opening or combination of openings 12 in the neck collar lb. In the embodiment depicted, lanyards 9 are located on the lateral left side and anterior portions of the neck collar 1b. In other embodiments, lanyards 9 may be positioned differently, constructed differently, or eliminated altogether. Also depicted is an immobilizer 11 used to secure audio transducers 10 and transducer wires 3 when not in use. The immobilizer 11 in the embodiment depicted is a hook and loop type enclosure, and is sewn on one side to allow for easy opening and closing by means of a tab affixed to or cut out of the unsecured side of the immobilizer. Said immobilizer 11 may encompass any number of different forms and materials to restrain and secure audio transducers 10 when not in use. In other embodiments, immobilizer 11 may consist of a pocket, strap, clip or other means of securing wireles sly paired audio transducers 10.

[0028] FIG. 4 depicts a three dimensional rendering of said garment 1a as worn by a user. The exterior routing of the transducer wires 3 is illustrated, along with the placement of the right side slit 12 in neck collar 1b, through which a transducer wire 3 passes. Also depicted are audio transducers 10 being contained within the immobilizer 11 when not in use by the wearer. The style of the garment 1a depicted in FIG. 4 is a long sleeved t shirt, although this is illustrative only for the purpose of making clear the present invention. As such, the garment depicted in the current invention may embody any number of different forms, styles, and materials, and is not stylistically confined to a long sleeved t-shirt.

[0029] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict left and right side views of the garment 1a, illustrating exemplary embodiments of the interior and exterior routing of transducer wires 3 in, around, and through the neck collar 1b. FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the routing of the transducer wires 3 on the left side of the garment 1a. The transducer wire 3 exits the personal audio player compartment 4, and then passes over the neck collar 1b, proceeding through the interior of the garment 1a in the space between user and collar. In other embodiments, the transducer wire 3 may pass into the interior of the garment 1a by means of a hole, button hole, slit, passage, grommet, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings. After passing through the interior of the garment 1a and a lanyard 9 located on the interior left side of the garment neck collar 1b, the transducer wire exits the interior through a slit 12 located on the left side of said neck collar 1b, and then terminates in an audio transducer 10. Also depicted is a lanyard 9 located on the interior anterior position of the neck collar 1b. The position of the compartment 4 affixing the personal audio player is also depicted on the anterior neck collar 1b. In the embodiment depicted, slit 12 is illustrated as a button hole. In other embodiments, slit 12 may comprise a hole, button hole, slit, passage, grommet, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings.

[0030] The location and existence of the lanyards 9 depicted in this figure are for illustration purposes only. Their use and positioning may be changed in future embodiments of the present art. Alternatively, lanyards 9 may be eliminated altogether in future embodiments. The locations and shape of the personal audio player compartment 4 may be altered in other embodiments of the current invention. The routing of the transducer wires 3 is merely representative of the routing as depicted in this embodiment. In other embodiments, the transducer wires 3 may pass through any configuration of holes, button holes, slits, passages, grommets, channels or openings. It is the nature of the current invention to maximize the flexibility of the mounting of the transducer wires 3, which inhibits their ability to be placed in or fall within a specific location on or within the garment 1a. In other embodiments, transducer wires 3 may be eliminated.

[0031] FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the interior and exterior routing of the transducer wire 3 on the right side of the garment 1a in, around, and through the neck collar 1b. The transducer wire 3 proceeds through the interior of the garment 1a, then exits the interior of the garment 1a through a slit 12 in the right side of the garment neck collar 1b before terminating in an audio transducer 10. Also shown is the location of the personal audio player compartment 4 on the anterior neck collar 1b, and an example of the placement of the transducer immobilizer 11. The location and shape of the immobilizer 11 may be different in other embodiments. The location of the transducer wires 3, and transducer immobilizer 11 may be positioned differently in other embodiments, the current diagrams being only illustrative in nature. The location and shape of the personal audio player compartment 4 may be altered in other embodiments of the current invention. The routing of transducer wires 3 is merely representative of the routing as depicted in this illustration. It is the nature of the current invention to maximize the flexibility of the mounting of the transducer wires 3, which inhibits their ability to be placed in or fall within a specific location on or within the garment 1a. In other embodiments, and in practical use, the location of the transducer wires 3 may vary, or be eliminated altogether in the case where wireless audio transducers are employed.

[0032] A close-up view of the anterior routing of transducer wires 3 in, around, and through the neck collar 1b is depicted in FIG. 7. The transducer wires exit the personal audio player compartment 4 and then proceed up and over the neck collar 1b, travelling through the interior space of the garment 1a and one or more lanyards 9 before exiting the interior of the garment 1a through one or more holes, button holes, slits, passages, grommets, channels or openings 12 in said collar 1b. In other embodiments, transducer wire 3 may proceed from the transducer wire male connector (2, in FIG. 1) to the internal section of the garment by means of a hole, button hole, slit, passage, grommet, channel, or any other type of opening or combination of openings. The lanyards 9 depicted in this diagram are illustrative in nature only, and other embodiments of the current art may have lanyards positioned differently, located differently, or removed altogether. The positioning of transducer wires 3 is also illustrative in nature, and it is the intent of the current art to allow for flexibility and movement in transducer wires 3 to facilitate greater freedom-of-motion on the part of the user. In other embodiments, and in practical use, the location of the transducer wires 3 may vary, or be eliminated altogether in the case where wireless audio transducers are employed. Also depicted is the positioning of the personal audio player compartment 4 on the anterior portion of the neck collar 1b.

[0033] The personal audio player 15 depicted in the foregoing diagrams and descriptions was tubular in shape. This is merely for illustrative purposes to inform those skilled in the art of the nature of this invention. As such, other shapes, styles, and types of personal audio players mounted within or adjacent to the neck collar (1b in FIG. 1) are covered under the intent of this patent. Likewise, the transducer wires 3 depicted in the foregoing art may be eliminated and replaced by other types of audio transducers, including those that do not require the use of transducer wires. In the exemplary form depicted in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, garment 1a is a t-shirt. In other embodiments and/or applications, the garment may encompass a long sleeved shirt, rash guard, wetsuit, drysuit, jacket, spring suit, jumpsuit, or any other form or cut of cloth and any combination of materials so long as the personal audio compartment housing the personal audio player is mounted on or within the anterior or lateral neck collar 1b of the garment 1a.

[0034] In the foregoing diagrams and detailed description of the diagrams, the depictions are illustrative only, and neither intended to constitute an exhaustive description of embodiments of the present invention nor to limit the ways in which the current invention can be constructed or the form it may assume. Those skilled in the art will unquestionably recognize that the current invention is capable of being modified significantly, and therefore is capable of assuming a multitude of varying forms. An exhaustive compendium of the myriad forms the present invention could take is beyond the scope of the legal requirements which this document is intended to fulfill. The disclosing of the current embodiments is representative of the current state of the art, and also makes reference to future modifications and enhancements that may transcend the embodiments thus depicted.

FIELD OF CLASSIFICATION SEARCH

[0035] USPC . . . 2/69, 88, 102, 170, 215, 220, 227, 243, 247, 250, 251, 252, 265, 905; 224/181, 222, 231, 267, 576, 676; 455/66, 90; 38.sup.1/.sub.74, 301, 304, 333, 338, 375, 388;

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

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