AU732546B2

AU732546B2 - Telephone accessory

Info

Publication number: AU732546B2
Application number: AU10094/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Zvi Grinfas; Zeev Jabotinsky; Maurice Miller
Original assignee: System RM Ltd
Current assignee: System RM Ltd
Priority date: 1996-08-09
Filing date: 1997-01-09
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-09
Also published as: GB2316263B; DE29702430U1; ITMI970101A1; AU1009497A; GB2316263A; GB9701670D0; IT1289923B1; IL119047A0; IL119047A

Description

S F Ref: 363673

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: System RM Ltd 18 St. Georges Street Douglas Isle of Man UNITED KINGDOM Zvl Grinfas, Zeev Jabotlnsky and Maurice Miller Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Telephone Accessory The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cellular telephony in general and more particularly to portable, hand-held cellular telephones and other mobile radio communication equipment and accessories therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of portable hand-held cellular telephones has spread throughout the world in recent years. A concern. has arisen regarding the safety of the users of such telephones due to the \o radiation emitted thereby.

The patent literature includes various devices for shielding a user from radiation emitted by a cellular telephone.

The U.S. patents listed hereinbelow are believed to represent the state of the art: 5,126,639; 5,012,513; 4,905,276; 4,864,611; 4,823,384; 4,736,418; 3,980,842; 3,666,898; 3,231,688; 5,335,366.

*e *eoee g *oo SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a hand-held portable cellular telephone and auxiliary apparatus for spacing the telephone from the head of the user, when the telephone is in Suse.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cellular telephone including a body, a telephone transmitter and receiver disposed within the body and a mouthpiece and an earpiece coupled to the (O transmitter and receiver respectively, and a collapsible sound conduit associated with the earpiece, having a collapsed state when not in use and an extended state when in use, for enabling a user to space the earpiece from his head while nevertheless maintaining an acceptable level of hearing, such that the IS telephone is both spaced from the ear of the user and angled with respect to the head of the user, thereby to reduce the amount of i radiation impinging on the user's head during use.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred Sembodiment of the present invention, a cellular telephone 2o carrying case for use with a cellular telephone, the telephone including a body, a telephone transmitter and receiver disposed within the body and a mouthpiece and an earpiece coupled to the .o.goi transmitter and receiver respectively, the carrying case including a collapsible sound conduit associated with the °4 earpiece, having a collapsed state when not in use and an extended state when in use, for enabling a user to space the earpiece from his head while nevertheless maintaining an acceptable level of hearing, such that the telephone is both spaced from the ear of the user and angled with respect to the head of the user, thereby to reduce the amount of radiation impinging on the user's head during use.

There is further provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for use with a cellular telephone, the telephone including a body, a telephone transmitter and receiver disposed within the body and a mouthpiece and an earpiece coupled to the transmitter and io receiver respectively, a device for reducing radiation impinging on a user's head from the telephone, the device including a collapsible sound conduit associated with the earpiece, having a collapsed state when not in use and an extended state when in use, for enabling a user to space the earpiece from his head while nevertheless maintaining an acceptable level of hearing, such that the telephone is both spaced from the ear of the user and angled with respect to the head of the user, thereby to reduce the amount of radiation impinging on the user's head during use.

o In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit is attached to the telephone by bonding thereto. Alternatively, the collapsible sound conduit includes at least one fastener for attaching to the telephone.

l In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit is integrally formed with the telephone.

Alternatively in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the telephone includes a carrying case wherein the collapsible sound conduit is attached to the carrying case.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit includes a plurality of telescoping sections. The telescoping sections may be threadable with each other. Alternatively or additionally, the telescoping sections may include a plurality of coils.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit includes a resilient portion which is collapsible and foldable into itself.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit further includes a plurality of stiffeners.

IS Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stiffeners include ribs which arranged to define an acoustical path.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stiffeners are adapted to limit lo collapsing of the collapsible sound conduit.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit includes a bellows.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bellows includes a surface which is pivotable about a pivot.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit includes a conduit pivotable about a pivot wherein in the collapsed state the collapsible sound conduit is pivotable to be substantially parallel to the telephone, and in the extended state the &collapsible sound conduit is pivotable to be substantially perpendicular to the telephone.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit further includes a plurality of detents for fixing the collapsible sound 1Q conduit in the collapsed and extended states.

o*oo* BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: CFig. 1 is a simplified, partially cutaway, pictorial illustration of a cellular telephone with a collapsible sound conduit in a collapsed, non-operational state, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the cellular telephone of Fig. 1 with the collapsible sound conduit in an extended, operational state; Fig. 3 is a simplified, exploded pictorial illustration of a cellular telephone and a collapsible sound conduit bondable iSthereto, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 4A and 4B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a cellular telephone and a collapsible sound conduit fastenable thereto with straps, constructed and operative in o accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively, before and after strapping the collapsible sound conduit to the telephone; Fig. 5 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a cellular telephone with an integrally formed collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a cellular telephone and a collapsible sound conduit integrally formed with a carry case of the telephone, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 7A and 7B are simplified sectional illustrations of a resilient collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states; Figs. 8A, 8B and 8C are simplified sectional illustrations of a bellows type collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended, collapsed and tilted states; Figs. 9A and 9B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in tS accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states; Figs. 10A and 10B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a collapsible sound conduit, constructed and Soperative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states; Figs. 11A and 11B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states; Figs. 12A and 12B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states; Figs. 13A and 13B are simplified sectional illustrations of a collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states; (0 Figs. 14A and 14B are simplified sectional illustrations of a collapsible sound conduit, constructed and operative in accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states; and lb Figs. 15A and 15B are simplified sectional illustrations of a collapsible sound conduit which collapses by pivoting about a pivot, constructed and operative in accordance Swith another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states.

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S.

0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which illustrates a cellular telephone 10, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

SCellular telephone 10 preferably includes a body 12, a telephone transmitter 14 and receiver 16 disposed within body 12, and a mouthpiece 18 and an earpiece 20 coupled to transmitter 14 and receiver 16.

Cellular telephone 10 also includes a collapsible sound lo conduit 30 associated with earpiece 20. Collapsible sound conduit may be integrally formed with body 12 of cellular telephone (described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. or alternatively may be manufactured as a separate unit attachable to telephone 10 (described hereinbelow with reference to Figs. 3, id 4A and 4B). In another alternative embodiment, collapsible sound conduit 30 may be integrally formed with a carrying case (not shown in Fig. 1) used with telephone 10 (described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. 6).

i Fig. 1 illustrates telephone 10 in a non-operative I, mode. It is seen that collapsible sound conduit 30 is preferably in a collapsed state when not in use.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which illustrates telephone 10 in an operative mode. It is seen that collapsible sound conduit 30 is preferably in an extended state when in use, Z which enables a user 32 to space earpiece 20 from his/her head while nevertheless maintaining an acceptable level of hearing.

Telephone 10 is both spaced from an ear 34 of user 32 by a distance 36 and angled with respect to the head of user 32 by an angle 38, thereby reducing the amount of radiation impinging on the head of user 32 during use.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3 which illustrates a cellular telephone 40 and a collapsible sound conduit 42 bondable 6thereto, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Collapsible sound conduit 42 may be bonded to an earpiece 44 of telephone 40 by bonding with an adhesive. Alternatively, collapsible sound conduit 42 may be provided with an adhesive pad 46 for bonding to earpiece 44.

i Reference is now Fig. 4A which illustrates a cellular telephone 50 and a collapsible sound conduit 52 fastenable thereto with straps 54, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Straps may be provided with a multiple hook and loop fastener 56, L as shown in Fig. 4A, although any other conventional fastener may be used, such as a buckle or hook. Fig. 4B shows collapsible :eooo o sound conduit 52 strapped to telephone Reference is now made to Fig. 5 which illustrates a cellular telephone 60 with an integrally formed collapsible sound ab conduit 62, constructed and operative in accordance with a S preferred embodiment of the present invention. Collapsible sound conduit 62 may be injection molded together with telephone 60 or may be manufactured separately and attached to telephone 60 by a manufacturer.

Reference is now made to Fig. 6 which illustrates a cellular telephone 70 which includes a carrying case 71, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A collapsible sound conduit 72 is attached to carrying case 71. Collapsible sound conduit 72 may be integrally formed with carrying case 71 or it may alternatively be manufactured separately for later attachment Sthereto, such as by bonding, either by a manufacturer or a user.

The collapsible sound conduits of the present invention may collapse and expand in a variety of manners which are described with reference to Figs. 7A Reference is now made to Figs. 7A and 7B which illustrate a collapsible sound conduit 80, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states.

Collapsible sound conduit 80 preferably includes a resilient ~portion 82 which, as seen particularly in Fig. 7B, is collapsible 1" Land foldable into itself. Resilient portion 82 may be made of any elastomeric material, such as rubber or neoprene, for example, S with a suitable durometer so that collapsible sound conduit has sufficient stiffness or hardness when fully extended.

i Stiffeners or a stiffening material (not shown) may be integrally molded in the elastomeric material of resilient portion 82 to achieve the required stiffness or hardness. Resilient portion 82 may include recesses 84 that increase the foldability of collapsible sound conduit Collapsible sound conduit 80 may include a plurality of Sstiffeners 86 protruding from a user listening portion 88 and/or a plurality of stiffeners 90 protruding from a telephone attachment portion 92. Stiffeners 86 and 90 are preferably shaped as ribs which either protrude perpendicularly or at any other suitable angle. Stiffeners 86 and 90 preferably define an acoustical path 94 from an aperture 96 formed on telephone attachment portion 92 to an aperture 98 formed on user listening portion 88. Stiffeners 86 and 90 are adapted to limit collapsing of collapsible sound Conduit Telephone attachment portion 92 may comprise a bonding pad 99 for attachment to a telephone.

Reference is now made to Figs. 8A, 8B and 8C which illustrate a bellows type collapsible sound conduit 100, io constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Collapsible sound conduit 100 preferably includes a bellows 102 made of a resilient material, a user listening portion 104 and a telephone attachment portion 106. Collapsible sound conduit 100 also preferably L includes a clasp 108 which includes a male fastener 110 and a female fastener 112. Male fastener 110 preferably includes a rounded pivot 114.

In Fig. 8A, collapsible sound conduit 100 is fully extended. In Fig. 8B, it is collapsed. In Fig. 8C, it is seen d that user listening portion 104 may pivot about pivot 114, S thereby possibly conforming with the motions of a user or the contour of his/her face.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible sound conduit may collapse by Smeans of telescoping sections. Examples of such embodiments are describe with reference to Figs. 9A 14B.

Reference is now made to Figs. 9A and 9B which illustrate a collapsible sound conduit 120, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states.

Collapsible sound conduit 120 includes a plurality of telescoping S sections 122 which are threadable with each other by means of threads 124 (Fig. 9A).

Reference is now made to Figs. 10A and 10B which illustrate a collapsible sound conduit 130, constructed and operative in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of Io the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states. Collapsible sound conduit 130 preferably includes a plurality of telescoping sections 132 which comprise a plurality of coils.

Reference is now made to Figs. 11A and 11B which 16 illustrate a collapsible sound conduit 140, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states. Collapsible sound conduit 140 preferably includes a plurality of telescoping sections 142 which comprise a plurality ~o of coils. Telescoping sections 142 are preferably provided with a plurality of detents 144 for fixing sections 142 in an extended position.

Reference is now made to Figs. 12A and 12B which illustrate a collapsible sound conduit 150, constructed and Z operative in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states. Collapsible sound conduit 150 preferably includes a plurality of telescoping sections 152 and a biasing device, such as a spring 154 for providing tension in the extended state. A catch (not shown) may be provided for holding spring 154 in the collapsed state.

Reference is now made to Figs. 13A and 13B which ,illustrate a collapsible sound conduit 160, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states. Collapsible sound conduit 160 preferably includes a plurality of telescoping sections 162 interconnected to each lo other, a user listening portion 164 and a telephone attachment portion 166.

Collapsible sound conduit 160 may include a plurality of stiffeners 167 protruding from user listening portion 164 OO o and/or a plurality of stiffeners 168 protruding from telephone (:iS attachment portion 166. Stiffeners 167 and 168 are preferably shaped as ribs which either protrude perpendicularly or at any other suitable angle. Stiffeners 167 and 168 preferably define an acoustical path 169 from an aperture 170 formed on telephone eooo: attachment portion 166 to an aperture 172 formed on user .2 listening portion 164. Stiffeners 167 and 168 are adapted to S limit collapsing of collapsible sound conduit 160.

Reference is now made to Figs. 14A and 14B which illustrate a collapsible sound conduit 174, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of Z the present invention. Collapsible sound conduit 174 is substantially identical to collapsible sound conduit 160, with like elements being designated by like numerals. Collapsible sound conduit 174, unlike collapsible sound conduit 160, is provided with one or more additional sets of telescoping sections 162, and stiffener 167 has been eliminated.

Reference is now made to Figs. 15A and 15B which Sillustrate a collapsible sound conduit 180, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in respective extended and collapsed states.

Collapsible sound conduit 180 preferably includes a user listening portion 182 with an aperture 184 formed thereon. User iv listening portion 184 is preferably pivotally attached to a telephone attachment portion 186 at a pivot 187. Telephone attachment portion 186 preferably has an aperture 188 formed thereon. A bonding pad 190 may be attached to telephone attachment portion 186 for bonding collapsible sound conduit 180

OS..

0 "to a cellular telephone (not shown).

In the extended state shown in Fig. 15A, collapsible sound conduit 180 is pivotable to be substantially perpendicular to a telephone (not shown). In the collapsed state shown in Fig.

15B, collapsible sound conduit 180 is pivotable to be do substantially parallel with the telephone. One or more detents 192 may be provided for fixing user listening portion 182 in the collapsed and/or extended states.

It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of Sthe present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims

3. For use with a cellular telephone, said telephone comprising a body, a telephone transmitter and receiver disposed within said body and 'a mouthpiece and an earpiece coupled to said transmitter and receiver respectively, a device for reducing radiation impinging on a user's head from said telephone, said device comprising: a collapsible sound conduit associated with said earpiece, having a collapsed state when not in use and an extended state when in use, for enabling a user to space said earpiece from his head while nevertheless maintaining an *ii acceptable level of hearing, such that said telephone is both oooo spaced from an ear of said user and angled with respect to the head of said user, thereby to reduce an amount of radiation impinging on the head of said user head during use. eoo o
4. A telephone according to claim 1 wherein said collapsible sound conduit is attached to said telephone by bonding thereto. A device according to claim 3 wherein said collapsible sound conduit comprises at least one fastener for attaching to said telephone.
6. A telephone according to claim 1 wherein said collapsible sound conduit is integrally formed with said telephone.
7. A telephone according to claim 1 and comprising a carrying case wherein said collapsible sound conduit is attached to said carrying case.
8. A device according to claim 3 wherein said collapsible sound conduit comprises a plurality of telescoping sections.
9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said telescoping sections are threadable with each other. A device according to claim 8 wherein said telescoping sections comprise a plurality of coils. 4r 4444 4 4 4*44 4 4. 4
11. A device according to claim 3 wherein said sound conduit comprises a resilient portion which is and foldable into itself. collapsible collapsible
12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said collapsible sound conduit further comprises a plurality of stiffeners.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein said stiffeners comprise ribs which arranged to define an acoustical path.
14. A device according to claim 12 wherein said stiffeners are adapted to limit collapsing of said collapsible sound conduit. A device according to claim 3 wherein said collapsible sound conduit comprises a bellows.
16. A device 'according to claim 15 wherein said bellows comprises a surface which is pivotable about a pivot.
17. A device according to claim 3 wherein said collapsible sound conduit comprises a conduit pivotable about a pivot wherein in said collapsed state said collapsible sound conduit is pivotable to be substantially parallel to said telephone, and in said extended state said collapsible sound conduit is pivotable to be substantially perpendicular to said telephone. **so 0*0 0 18. A device according to claim 17 wherein said collapsible sound conduit further comprises a plurality of detents for fixing said collapsible sound conduit in said collapsed and extended states. 0
19. Apparatus, substantially as described herein with. reference to the accompanying drawings. *00 Method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this NINTH day of JANUARY 1997 System RM Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON