HOLDING STRAP FOR WIRELESS EAR-BUD STYLE EARPIECES HAVING A STEM

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/393,086, filed Sep. 11, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a holding strap for wireless ear-bud style earpieces having a stem, and more specifically a holding strap having a pair of stem housings to respectively receive the stems of the earpieces and a connecting strap. Accordingly, the holding strap connects and holds the earpieces and thus, it is easy to find the earpieces and the holding strap prevents the earpieces from being lost.

[0003] Apple Inc.™ has introduced in September, 2016 wireless earbuds or earpieces called AirPods™ 100, which is compatible with iPhone™ or iPad™. See http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEF2AM/A/airpods. As in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), AirPods™ 100 is ear-bud style earpieces 110 having a stem 120 and can be charged in a charging case 200 which has its own battery. Accordingly, if a user carries AirPods™ 100 and the charging case 200 together, he can charge his AirPods on the go.

[0004] However, wireless ear-bud style earpieces 110 having a stem 120, such as AirPods™, are small and thus, they can be hard to find and easy to lose.

[0005] The present invention is directed to overcome such disadvantage and provides a number of other advantages in using wireless ear-bud style earpieces 110 having a stem 120.

[0006] The present invention is directed to a holding strap for wireless ear-bud style earpieces having a stem. The holding strap has a pair of stem housings to respectively receive the stems of the earpieces and a connecting strap.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a holding strap for wireless ear-bud style earpieces having a cylindrical stem, comprising: a pair of stem housings, each of which is constructed to form a hollow cylinder having a hollow cylindrical space to receive the cylindrical stem, wherein the hollow cylinder has an inlet, an inlet rim, an outlet, and an outlet rim; and a connecting strap connecting the pair of stem housings. The hollow cylindrical space is sized for the cylindrical stem to fit in, and the hollow cylinder is constructed so that the cylindrical stem passes through the inlet, the hollow cylindrical space and the outlet and then, the cylindrical stem is retained in the cylindrical space of the stem housing by a friction fit.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a holding strap for wireless ear-bud style earpieces having a prismatic stem, comprising: a pair of stem housings, each of which is constructed to form a hollow prism having a hollow prismatic space to receive the prismatic stem, wherein the hollow prism has an inlet, an inlet rim, an outlet, and an outlet rim; and a connecting strap connecting the pair of stem housings. The hollow prismatic space is sized for the prismatic stem to fit in, and the stem housing is constructed so that the prismatic stem passes through the inlet, the hollow prismatic space and the outlet and then, the prismatic stem is retained in the prismatic space of the stem housing by a friction fit.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a strap holder for holding two places of a connecting strap, including connecting cable or cord, together, comprising: a first space and a second space for respectively receiving first and second places of the connecting strap; a first entry space and a second entry space; a dividing wall which is located between the first and second spaces; first side walls and second side walls; and first flange walls formed on both sides of the first entry space and a second flange wall abutting the second entry space. The first and second spaces are sized for the connecting strap to fit in and be retained therein by a friction fit. Preferably, the height of the first side walls and the first flange walls is greater than the height of the second side walls and the second flange wall.

[0010] The advantages of the present invention are: (1) because of the holding strap of the present invention, it is easy to find the earpieces and the holding strap prevents the earpieces from being lost; (2) the stem housing of the present invention well retains the stem of the earpiece and does not block the microphone formed on the end of the stem of the earpiece; (3) the holding strap of the present invention has a simple structure but provides a number of benefits; (4) due to such simple structure of the present invention, it is easy to manufacture—one shot molding is possible—and the manufacturing cost is reduced; (5) it is easy to insert and remove the stem of the earpiece into or from the stem housing of the present invention; (6) due to the different heights in the dividing wall, the strap holder of the present invention well retains the connecting strap together and it is easy to put the connecting strap in or pull it out of the strap holder; (7) due to the clip, the holding strap of the present invention can be wound about the charging stand or charging station and retained thereto so that a user can carry the holding strap together with the earpieces stored in the charging case.

[0011] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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 42 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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).

[0041] 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 is less likely to be lost and it is convenient for a user to use the strap holder 40 for the connecting strap 30.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] The present invention includes the strap holder 40 on its own to be used for any kind of cable, cord or strap.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.