# US 2019/0246193 A1 · Headphones With Adaptable Fit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0246193 A1 - Document ID: US20190246193A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/253,669 - Filed: 2019-01-22 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-25 - Assignees: Google Inc. - Applicants: Google LLC - Inventors: Haley Toelle; Jianchun Dong; Michael Kai Morishita; Eliot Kim; Hayes Solos Raffle; Livius Dumitru Chebeleu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190246193A1 ## CPC - H04R 1/1033: {Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels (cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06)} - H04R 1/1016: {Earpieces of the intra-aural type} - H04R 1/1058: {Manufacture or assembly} - H04R 1/1066: {Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support (earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335)} - H04R 1/028: {associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles} - 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 2420/09: Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones - 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 A wearable audio component includes a first cable and an audio source in electrical communication with the first cable. A housing defines an interior and an exterior, the audio source being contained within the interior thereof. The exterior includes an ear engaging surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the front and outer surfaces. The peripheral surface includes a channel open along a length to surrounding portions of the peripheral surface and having a depth to extend partially between the front and outer surfaces. A portion of the channel is covered by a bridge member that defines an aperture between and open to adjacent portions of the channel. The cable is connected with the housing at a first location disposed within the channel remote from the bridge member and is captured in so as to extend through the aperture in a slidable engagement therewith. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable audio component, comprising: a first cable; an audio generation source; and a housing defining an interior and an exterior, the audio generation source being contained within the interior of the housing, and the exterior including an ear engaging surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the ear engaging surface and the outer surface, the peripheral surface including a channel open along a length thereof to surrounding portions of the peripheral surface, a portion of the channel being covered by a bridge member that defines an aperture between and open to adjacent portions of the channel, the bridge member positioned at a second location along the channel that is remote from a first location; wherein the cable is of a fixed overall length and is connected with the housing at the first location, and wherein the cable is captured in the aperture in a slideable engagement therewith, a first portion of the cable extending between the first location and the aperture such that a length of the first portion can be varied by the slidable engagement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein the second location is disposed from the first location through an angle between 170 degrees and 190 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein the length of the first portion can be varied by extension and contraction of a loop of the first cable that can be configured to extend outwardly from a portion of the channel between the first location and the aperture, and wherein such extension and contraction can be implemented by a user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The audio component of claim 3, wherein the housing is receivable by portion of an outer ear of a wearer with a portion of the peripheral surface contacting a tragus of the ear and a portion of the ear engaging surface overlying an external auditory meatus of the ear, the housing further defining an audio port open to the interior of the housing and in communication with the audio generation source, the audio port being positioned at least within the portion of the ear engaging surface that overlies the external auditory meatus during wear, and wherein the loop is configured to be extendable so as to be positionable against a portion of a cavum of the ear opposite the external auditory meatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The audio component of claim 4, wherein the ear engaging surface includes a projection configured to extend into the external auditory meatus of the ear, the audio port being positioned on an end of the projection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein the bridge creates an interference fit with the cable within the aperture. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein the channel extends radially around the peripheral surface outside of the bridge member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The audio component of claim 7, wherein the peripheral surface defines a cylindrical profile in areas thereof outside of the channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein a projection is within the aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The audio component of claim 9, wherein the projection within the aperture engages with and applies a pressure to the cable within the aperture. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein the bridge member extends continuously across the portion of the channel between the ear engaging surface and the outer surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein the aperture is configured to be smaller than the adjacent portions of the channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The audio component of claim 1, wherein the audio generation source is in electrical communication with the first cable. ### Claim 14 A system, comprising: a first headphone unit, comprising: a first cable; a first audio generation source; a first housing defining an interior and an exterior, the first audio generation source being contained within the interior of the first housing, and the exterior including an ear engaging surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the ear engaging surface and the outer surface, the peripheral surface including a channel open along a length thereof to surrounding portions of the peripheral surface, a portion of the channel being covered by a bridge member that defines an aperture between and open to adjacent portions of the channel, the bridge member positioned at a second location along the channel that is remote from a first location; wherein the first cable is of a fixed overall length and is connected with the first housing at the first location disposed within the channel remote from the bridge member, and wherein the first cable is captured in the aperture in a slidable engagement therewith, a first portion of the first cable extending between the first location and the aperture such that a length of the first portion can be varied by the slidable engagement; and a second headphone unit, comprising: a second cable; a second audio generation source; a second housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the second location is disposed from the first location through an angle between 170 degrees and 190 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the first audio generation source is in electrical communication with the first cable. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the second audio generation source is in electrical communication with the second cable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the second housing defines an interior and an exterior, the second audio generation source being contained within the interior of the second housing, and the exterior including an ear engaging surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the ear engaging surface and the outer surface, the peripheral surface including a channel open along a length thereof to surrounding portions of the peripheral surface, a portion of the channel being covered by a bridge member that defines an aperture between and open to adjacent portions of the channel, the bridge member positioned at a fourth location along the channel that is remote from a third location; wherein the second cable is of a fixed overall length and is connected with the second housing at the third location disposed within the channel remote from the bridge member, and wherein the second cable is captured in the aperture in a slidable engagement therewith, a second portion of the second cable extending between the second location and the aperture such that a length of the second portion can be varied by the slidable engagement. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the fourth location is disposed from the third location through an angle between 170 degrees and 190 degrees.