# US 10,771,876 B1 · Headphones with acoustically split cushions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,771,876 B1 - Document ID: US10771876B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/126,290 - Filed: 2018-09-10 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-29 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Miikka O. Tikander; Yacine Azmi; Derek W. Wright - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771876B1 ## CPC - H04R 1/1008: {Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type} - H04R 5/033: Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)} - H04R 1/105: {Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks (for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335)} - H04R 1/1058: {Manufacture or assembly} - H04R 1/1083: {Reduction of ambient noise (active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06)} - H04R 1/288: {for loudspeaker transducers} - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract Headphones are disclosed that include a first earcup assembly and a second earcup assembly. The headphones include a headband extending between the first and second earcup assemblies. The headband includes opposing ends attached to the first and second earcup assemblies, respectively. The first earcup assembly includes a first cushion coupled to an earcup. The first cushion includes a first portion that is acoustically open. The first cushion also includes a second portion acoustically sealed from the first portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A headphone, comprising: a first earcup assembly including a first acoustically split cushion coupled to a first earcup, the first acoustically split cushion including a first portion comprising porous foam that is acoustically open and a second portion comprising closed foam that is acoustically sealed from the first portion; a second earcup assembly; and a headband extending between the first and second earcup assemblies, the headband including first and second opposing ends attached to the first and second earcup assemblies, respectively. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein an acoustic seal separates the first cushion into the first and second portions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The headphone of any of claim 2, wherein the acoustic seal extends at an oblique angle relative to a lateral axis extending between front and back sides of the first earcup assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The headphone of any of claim 2, wherein the acoustic seal extends at a non-oblique angle relative to a lateral axis extending between front and back sides of the first earcup assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the first portion extends along an inner periphery of the first cushion and allows sound waves produced from a speaker of the first earcup assembly to propagate therethrough. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the second portion extends along an outer periphery of the first cushion and is acoustically closed such that sound waves from a speaker of the first earcup assembly are prevented from entering the second portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprising porous form extends along an inner periphery of the first cushion and the second portion comprising closed foam extends along an outer periphery of the first cushion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions comprise semi-circular cross-sectional configurations. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the second portion is acoustically sealed from the first portion with an acoustic seal and wherein the acoustic seal comprises a non-planar surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein a volume of the first portion is greater than a volume of the second portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein a volume of the first portion is equal to a volume of the second portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein a volume of the first portion is less than a volume of the second portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises an acoustically transparent material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the first earcup assembly comprises a closed-back and wherein the first portion forms a part of an effective front volume of the first earcup assembly when the first earcup assembly is positioned over a user's ear. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion each comprise foam, wherein the foam of the first portion is configured to be exposed to acoustic resonances and wherein the foam of the second portion is configured to be sealed from the acoustic resonances. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes an acoustic seal extending around an entire periphery of the second portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The headphone of claim 1, wherein the second earcup assembly includes a second cushion coupled to a second earcup, the second cushion including a third portion that is acoustically open and a fourth portion that is acoustically sealed from the third portion. ### Claim 18 An acoustically split over-ear headphone earcup cushion, comprising: a first portion of the earcup cushion comprising porous foam that is acoustically open; and a second portion of the earcup cushion comprising closed foam that is acoustically sealed from the first portion; wherein the ear cup cushion is sized and shaped to fit over and around a user's ear. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The earcup cushion of claim 18, wherein an acoustic seal separates the earcup cushion into the first portion and the second portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The earcup cushion of claim 19, wherein the acoustic seal comprises at least one of a coating, interface, or surface.