TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to an insert earphone case comprising a housing comprising a first recess configured to accommodate at least one earphone and a lid hinged to the housing. The lid is pivotable between a first position and a second position, the lid closing the opening of the first recess when in the second position.

BACKGROUND

Wearable electronics are becoming increasingly popular among consumers ,one type of wearable device being wireless earbuds. Such earbuds are delivered with a charging case wherein the earbuds are stored and charged while not in use.

Wireless earbuds are very often arranged in the charging case in a way that makes them difficult to take out of the charging case. The earbuds are placed in a deep cavity and there is no purposive shape or surface on the earbuds which is particularly easy to grip with the fingers in order to take the earbud out of the charging case.

Previously suggested solutions are complex mechanisms comprising several moving and interacting parts which take up a lot of space in the charing case, is complex and expensive to manufacture, and which break easily. Hence, they are not implemented in real life.

There is therefore a need for an improved earphone case.

SUMMARY

It is an object to provide an improved insert earphone case. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an insert earphone case comprising a housing comprising a first recess configured to accommodate at least one earphone; a lid hinged to the housing, the lid being pivotable between a first position and a second position, the lid being configured to close an opening of the first recess when in the second position; and at least one lifting structure having a first end directly interconnected with the lid and a second end arranged within the housing, the second end of the lifting structure being configured to move away from the opening when the lid is pivoted from the first position to the second position, and the second end of the lifting structure being configured to move towards the opening of the first recess when the lid is pivoted from the second position to the first position, such that the second end of the lifting structure engages the earphone and pushes the earphone out of the first recess along a first axis, the lifting structure comprising an elongated element comprising the first end and the second end of the lifting structure, the first end being fixedly connected to the lid such that pivoting movement of the lid generates pivoting movement of the elongated element, or an elongated element comprising the first end of the lifting structure and a slider comprising the second end of the lifting structure, the first end of the lifting structure being pivotally connected to the lid and pivoting movement of the lid generating linear movement of the first end along a second axis, the second axis extending at an angle 0<a<90° to the first axis, the linear movement of the first end along the second axis generating linear movement of the second end along the first axis.

Such a solution facilitates a case which simplifies the removal of the earphone from the case, which is simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, comprises few parts, is durable, and takes up little space.

In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first recess is configured to accommodate two earphones and the insert earphone case comprises one lifting structure configured to engage both earphones simultaneously, facilitating a solution comprising as few parts as possible.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first recess is configured to accommodate two earphones and the insert earphone case comprises two lifting structures, each lifting structure being configured to engage one earphone, facilitating an as flexible solution as possible.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the insert earphone case further comprises a second recess configured to accommodate the lifting structure when the lid is in the second position, allowing the lifting structure to be recieved within the case without affecting the earphone storage space. In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the second recess is configured to allow sliding movement and/or pivoting movement of the elongated element in response to the first end of the lifting structure being moved linearly along the second axis, allowing the lifting structure to be moved within the case without affecting the earphone storage space.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the lid is hinged to the housing along a hinge axis, the first axis extending perpendicular to the hinge axis, allowing the solution to be used in products where the earphones are arranged within the case such that the respective audio outlet points of the earphones point away from, or towards, each other.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the lid and the elongated element form a single-piece element, facilitating simple and inexpensive manufacture.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first recess is configured such that a sound transmission axis of the earphone extends parallel with the hinge axis when the earphone is arranged within the first recess, allowing the solution to be used in products where the earphones are arranged within the case such that the respective audio outlet points of the earphones point away from, or towards, each other.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the second end of the elongated element is configured to pivot along a semi-circular path extending in a plane parallel with the first axis, allowing the solution to be used in products where the earphones are arranged in parallel within the cases such that the respective audio outlet points of the earphones point in the same direction, towards the hinge axis or away from the hinge axis.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the elongated element is pivotally connected to the slider, allowing the pivoting movement of the lid to be converted to linear movement of the slider.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first recess is configured such that a sound transmission axis of the earphone extends perpendicular to the hinge axis when the earphone is arranged within the first recess, allowing the solution to be used in products where the earphones are arranged in parallel within the cases such that the respective audio outlet points of the earphones point in the same direction, towards the hinge axis or away from the hinge axis.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the elongated element is configured to either pull the slider towards the opening or push the slider into the first recess in response to the pivoting motion of the lid, facilitating a simple yet effective solution for moving the earphones out of the case.

In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the second end of the lifting structure is pivotally connected to the slider, allowing the slider to move linearly without negatively affecting the connection with the lifting structure.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an insert earphone system comprising at least one earphone and the insert earphone case according to the above. Such a system has a case which allows simple removal of the earphone from the case, which is simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, comprises few parts, is durable, and takes up little space.

These and other aspects will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments, and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

Fig. la shows a front cross-sectional view of an insert earphone case in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. lb shows a side cross-sectional view of the insert earphone case of Fig. la;

Fig. 2a shows a front cross-sectional view of an insert earphone case in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 2b shows a side cross-sectional view of the insert earphone case of Fig. 2a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figs, la and lb, and Figs. 2a and 2b, show embodiments of an insert earphone case 1 comprising a housing 2 comprising a first recess 3 configured to accommodate at least one earphone 4; a lid 5 hinged to the housing 2, the lid 5 being pivotable between a first position Pl and a second position P2, the lid 5 being configured to close an opening 6 of the first recess 3 when in the second position P2; and at least one lifting structure 7 having a first end 7a directly interconnected with the lid 5 and a second end 7b arranged within the housing 2, the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7 being configured to move away from the opening 6 when the lid 5 is pivoted from the first position Pl to the second position P2, and the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7 being configured to move towards the opening 6 of the first recess 3 when the lid 5 is pivoted from the second position P2 to the first position Pl, such that the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7 engages the earphone 4 and pushes the earphone 4 out of the first recess 3 along a first axis Al, the lifting structure 7 comprising an elongated element 8 comprising the first end 7a and the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7, the first end 7a being fixedly connected to the lid 5 such that pivoting movement of the lid 5 generates pivoting movement of the elongated element 8, or an elongated element 8 comprising the first end 7a of the lifting structure 7 and a slider 9 comprising the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7, the first end 7a of the lifting structure 7 being pivotally connected to the lid 5 and pivoting movement of the lid 5 generating linear movement of the first end 7a along a second axis A2, the second axis A2 extending at an angle 0<a<90° to the first axis Al, the linear movement of the first end 7a along the second axis A2 generating linear movement of the second end 7b along the first axis Al.

The insert earphone case 1 comprises a housing 2 and a lid 5 that is hinged to the housing 2, as illustrated in Figs, lb and 2b.

The housing 2 comprising a first recess 3 configured to accommodate at least one earphone 4. Usually, the first recess 3 acommodates two earphones 4 next to each other, optionally separated by a partial separation wall within the first recess 3.

The lid 5 is pivotable between a first position Pl, shown in Figs, lb and 2b, and a second position P2, shown in Figs, la and 2a. The lid 5 is configured to close the opening 6 of the first recess 3 when in the second position P2.

The insert earphone case 1 furthermore comprises at least one lifting structure 7. The first recess 3 may be configured to accommodate two earphones 4 and the insert earphone case 1 may comprise one lifting structure 7 configured to engage both earphones 4 simultaneously. The first recess 3 may also be configured to accommodate two earphones 4 while the insert earphone case 1 comprises two lifting structures 7, each lifting structure 7 being configured to engage one earphone 4.

The lifting structure 7 has a first end 7a directly interconnected with the lid 5 and a second end 7b arranged within the housing 2. By directly interconnected means that the first end 7as in abutment with the lid 5 and not connected via other means such as gears. The lifting structure 7 and the lid 5 can be manufactured as one integral piece, for example by injection molding or casting of plastic or metal materials, or they can be manufactured as two separate elements subsequently attached to each other.

The second end 7b of the lifting structure 7 is configured to move away from the opening 6 when the lid 5 is pivoted from the first position Pl to the second position P2, i.e when the lid 5 is being closed and, presumably, the earphone 4 is at least partially arranged in the first recess 3. The movement of the second end 7b, away from the opening and further into the housing 2, allows the earphone 4 to slide further into place in the first recess 3 as the lid 5 closes.

The second end 7b of the lifting structure 7 is also configured to move towards the opening 6 of the first recess 3 when the lid 5 is pivoted from the second position P2 to the first position Pl, i.e. when the lid 5 is being opened, such that the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7 engages the earphone 4 and pushes the earphone 4 out of the first recess 3 along a first axis Al . The first axis Al may extend coaxially or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the earphone and the longitudinal axis of the first recess 3, as illustrated by the vertically extending dashed arrow in Figs, la, 2a, and 2b.

The lid 5 may be hinged to the housing 2 along a hinge axis A3, an the first axis Al may extend perpendicular to the hinge axis A3. The hinge may be any suitable type of hinge such as a traditional pin-and-hole type hinge or a snap-fit type hinge where a cylindrical bar snaps into correpsdoningly shaped fixing ears. Furthermore, the hinge may be a so-called “plastic hinge” or “living hinge” where parts connected by the hinge are manufactured as one integral part. This can be achieved if the material of the hinge is, for example, polypropylene shaped thick enough to be durable yet thin egugh to allow repeated bending without breaking. The lifting structure 7 may engage the underside of the earphone such that the lifting structure 7 pushes the earphone 4 out of the first recess 3. The lifting structure 7 may be configured to not engage the earphone at all when, oppositely, placing the earphone 4 in the first recess 3. The lifting structure 7 may instead be configured be in contact with the earphone 4 when placing the earphone 4 in the first recess 3, the earphone 4 pushing the lifting structure 7 into the housing

2.

The lifting structure 7 comprises an elongated element 8. The elongated element 8 can have any cross-sectional shape and this shape may vary. For example, the cross-section can be adapted generate any desired lifting height of the earbuds out from the first recess 3.

In one embodiment, the lifting structure 7 comprises an elongated element 8 which comprises the first end 7a as well as the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7, as shown in Figs, la and lb. The first end 7a is fixedly connected to the lid 5 such that pivoting movement of the lid 5 generates pivoting movement of the elongated element 8 as illustrated by the dashed arrow in Fig. lb. The second end 7b of the elongated element 8 may be configured to pivot along a semicircular path SI extending in a plane parallel with the first axis Al. When opening the lid, the elongated element 8 pivots partially towards the opening 6 such that the earphone 4 is pushed out of the first recess 3. When the lid is closed, the elongated element 8 pivots partially away from the opening 6 into the case 1 and first recess 3 and/or second recess 10. The lid 5 and the elongated element 8 may form a single-piece element.

The first recess 3 may be configured such that a sound transmission axis A4 of the earphone 4 extends parallel with the hinge axis A3 when the earphone 4 is arranged within the first recess

3, as shown in Figs, la and lb. The sound transmission axis A4 of the earphone 4 represents the main direction of audio propagation.

In one embodiment, the lifting structure 7 comprises an elongated element 8 comprising the first end 7a of the lifting structure 7 and a slider 9 comprising the second end 7b of the lifting structure 7, as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b.

The first end 7a of the lifting structure 7 is pivotally connected to the lid 5 and pivoting movement of the lid 5 generates linear movement of the first end 7a along a second axis A2, when opening the lid 5 in a direction at least partially away from opening 6. The second axis A2 extends at an angle 0<a<90° to the first axis Al, as illustrated by the angled dashed arrow in Fig. 2b. The linear movement of the first end 7a along the second axis A2 generates linear movement of the second end 7b along the first axis Al, when opening the lid 5 the second end 7b moves in a direction towards the opening 6 such that the earphone 4 is pushed out of the first recess 3. The lid 5 and the elongated element 8 may form a single-piece element.

The first recess 3 may be configured such that a sound transmission axis A4 of the earphone 4 extends perpendicular to the hinge axis A3 when the earphone 4 is arranged within the first recess 3, as shown in Figs. 2a and 2b.

The elongated element 8 may be pivotally connected to the slider 9. The second end 7b of the lifting structure 7 may be pivotally connected to the slider 9. Furthermore, the elongated element 8 may be configured to either pull the slider 9 towards the opening 6 or push the slider

9 into the first recess 3 in response to the pivoting motion of the lid 5.

The insert earphone case 1 may comprise a second recess 10 configured to accommodate the lifting structure 7 when the lid 5 is in the second position P2, i.e. when the lid 5 is closed and the lifting structure 7 is completely arranged within the case 1. The second recess 10 may be separate from the first recess 3 and/or interconnected with the first recess 3. The second recess

10 may furthermore be configured to allow sliding movement and/or pivoting movement of the elongated element 8 in response to the first end 7a of the lifting structure 7 being moved linearly along the second axis A2.

The present invention also relates to an insert earphone system 11 comprising at least one earphone 4, most commonly two earphones 4, and the insert earphone case 1 described above.

The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this disclosure. As used in the description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.