# US 2019/0246197 A1 · Headphone Joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0246197 A1 - Document ID: US20190246197A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/390,389 - Filed: 2019-04-22 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-07 - Assignees: Bose Corporation - Applicants: Bose Corporation - Inventors: John J. Breen; Eric M. Wallace; Michael J. Monahan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190246197A1 ## CPC - 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 1/1008: {Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type} - H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)} - H04R 1/1058: {Manufacture or assembly} - H04R 1/105: {Earpiece supports, e.g. ear hooks (for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335)} - H04R 5/0335: {Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests (for monophonic headphones H04R1/105)} - H04R 2201/025: Transducer mountings or cabinet supports enabling variable orientation of transducer of cabinet - 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 headphone with a headband and at least one earcup. The at least one earcup is movably coupled to the headband by a joint that is structured to allow rotation of the earcup relative to the headband about two mutually perpendicular axes, and translation along one of these axes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A joint that is configured to couple an earcup of a headphone to a headband of the headphone, comprising: a slot in one of the headband and the earcup; and a projection on the other of the headband and the earcup, wherein the projection is at least in part located in the slot; wherein the projection comprises a structure that creates a frictional engagement of the projection in the slot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The joint of claim 1, wherein the structure that creates a frictional engagement of the projection in the slot comprises a compressible element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The joint of claim 2, wherein the compressible element creates an interference fit with the slot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The joint of claim 2, wherein the compressible element is compressed against an inner wall of the slot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The joint of claim 1, wherein the structure that creates a frictional engagement of the projection in the slot is configured to provide forces that resist translation of the earcup relative to the headband along a first axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The joint of claim 5, wherein the slot at least in part lies along a slot axis that is parallel to the first axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The joint of claim 1, wherein the projection comprises a generally cylindrical member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The joint of claim 7, wherein the slot is generally cylindrical. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The joint of claim 1, wherein the projection comprises a stem that is coupled to the earcup such that the stem is configured to pivot relative to the earcup. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The joint of claim 9, wherein the stem is coupled to the earcup by a pin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The joint of claim 1, wherein the slot is in a slider that is part of the headband. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The joint of claim 11, wherein the slider is curved. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The joint of claim 11, wherein the slider sits in a recess in the earcup. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The joint of claim 9, wherein the joint is structured such that rotation about one axis is constrained by the stem. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The joint of claim 14, wherein the stem passes through the slot, and the slot is wider than the stem and comprises end walls proximate the stem, wherein the stem can rotate relative to the slider, and end points of this rotation are established when the stem contacts either end wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The joint of claim 1, wherein the projection is on the earcup and the slot is in the headband. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The joint of claim 1, further comprising a friction element that constrains a rotation of the projection relative to the earcup. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The joint of claim 17, wherein the friction element that constrains a rotation of the projection relative to the earcup comprises a compressible element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The joint of claim 18, wherein the compressible element comprises an o-ring. ### Claim 20 A joint that is configured to couple an earcup of a headphone to a headband of the headphone, comprising: a generally cylindrical slot in the headband; a generally cylindrical member on the earcup and that is at least in part located in the slot, wherein the generally cylindrical member comprises a compressible element that is compressed against an inner wall of the slot and creates a frictional interference fit with the slot that is configured to provide forces that resist translation of the earcup relative to the headband along a first axis; and a stem that carries the generally cylindrical member and is coupled to the earcup such that the stem is configured to pivot relative to the earcup.