# US 2021/0240013 A1 · Wearable audio device with cable-through hinge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0240013 A1 - Document ID: US20210240013A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/778,132 - Filed: 2020-01-31 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-31 - Assignees: Bose Corporation - Applicants: Bose Corporation - Inventors: Brandon Leo Hicks; Annu Kuriakose; Edgardo Alicea; Dallas Robert Tharrett; An Tran; Bennett Alexander Nadeau - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210240013A1 ## CPC - G02C 11/10: {Electronic devices other than hearing aids} - G02C 5/143: {having special ear pieces} - G02C 5/22: Hinges (pivotal connection in general F16C11/00) - H04R 1/08: Mouthpieces; {Microphones;} Attachments therefor - 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 1/1066: {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 5/0335: {Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests (for monophonic headphones H04R1/105)} - H05K 1/028: {Bending or folding regions of flexible printed circuits (H05K1/0283 takes precedence)} - G02C: SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES (trial frames for testing the eyes A61B3/04; goggles or eyeshields not having the same features as spectacles A61F9/00) - 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) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## Abstract Various aspects include wearable audio devices with through-hinge wiring configurations. In particular aspects, a wearable audio device includes a hinge coupling a first section and one additional section; and a cable extending through the hinge. In various implementations, the hinge is overmolded on the cable and includes: a body defining a cavity accommodating the cable with a first opening to a pathway in the first section, and a second opening to an additional pathway in the one additional section; an insert within the body and adjacent the first opening, the insert defining a minimum radius of a bend in the cable within the cavity; a hinge mechanism contained within the body; and a cable management feature contained within the body, wherein the hinge mechanism, cable management feature and cable are all located in a common plane that is radially oriented relative to the primary axis of the hinge mechanism. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable audio device, comprising: a frame for resting on a head of a user, the frame comprising: a first section; an additional section extending from the first section; a hinge coupling the first section and the additional section; and a cable extending through the hinge, wherein the hinge is overmolded on the cable and comprises: a body defining a cavity accommodating the cable, the cavity having a first opening to a pathway in the first section, and a second opening to an additional pathway in the additional section; an insert within the body and adjacent the first opening, the insert defining a minimum radius of a bend in the cable within the cavity; a hinge mechanism contained within the body; and a cable management feature contained within the body, wherein the hinge mechanism, the cable management feature and the cable are all located in a common plane that is radially oriented relative to a primary axis of the hinge mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, wherein the wearable audio device comprises audio eyeglasses, wherein the first section comprises a lens region, the additional section comprises an arm, and the hinge couples the lens region with the arm, and wherein a portion of the hinge is fixed within a slot in the lens region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, wherein the wearable audio device comprises a headset, wherein the first section comprises a headband, the additional section comprises an earphone, and the hinge couples the headband with the earphone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, further comprising: an electro-acoustic transducer at least partially housed in the frame and comprising a sound-radiating surface for providing an audio output. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, wherein the hinge permits movement of the additional section relative to the first section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, further comprising at least one microphone in the first section or the additional section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises a flexible printed circuit (FPC), and wherein the FPC is thinner in a region contained within the hinge than in a distinct region within the pathway or the additional pathway. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, wherein the body of the hinge comprises an overmolded plastic, wherein the insert is non-unitary with the body, and wherein the overmolded body of the hinge envelops the insert. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, wherein the cable wraps around the hinge mechanism radially outboard relative to the primary axis of the hinge mechanism about which the additional section moves relative to the first section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The wearable audio device of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a metal ledge separating the first section and the additional section, wherein the metal ledge is visible around an entirety of an interface between the first section and the additional section while the hinge is in a fully open position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The wearable audio device of claim 10, wherein the cable management feature and the hinge mechanism are unitary and formed of a metal, and wherein the hinge includes a set of mating features that are coupled with a complementary set of mating features in the additional section. ### Claim 12 A wearable audio device, comprising: a frame for resting on a head of a user, the frame comprising: a first section; an additional section extending from the first section; a hinge coupling the first section and the additional section; and a cable extending through the hinge, wherein the hinge is overmolded on the cable and comprises: a body defining a cavity accommodating the cable, the cavity having a first opening to a pathway in the first section, and a second opening to an additional pathway in the additional section; and an insert within the body and adjacent the first opening, the insert defining a minimum radius of a bend in the cable within the cavity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The wearable audio device of claim 12, wherein: a) the wearable audio device comprises audio eyeglasses, wherein the first section comprises a lens region, the additional section comprises an arm, and the hinge couples the lens region with the arm; or b) the wearable audio device comprises a headset, wherein the first section comprises a headband, the additional section comprises an earphone, and the hinge couples the headband with the earphone. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The wearable audio device of claim 12, further comprising: an electro-acoustic transducer at least partially housed in the frame and comprising a sound-radiating surface for providing an audio output; and at least one microphone in the first section or the additional section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The wearable audio device of claim 12, wherein the hinge permits movement of the additional section relative to the first section, and wherein the cable comprises a flexible printed circuit (FPC). ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The wearable audio device of claim 12, wherein the body of the hinge comprises an overmolded plastic, wherein the insert is non-unitary with the body, and wherein the overmolded body of the hinge envelops the insert. ### Claim 17 A wearable audio device, comprising: a frame for resting on a head of a user, the frame comprising: a first section; an additional section extending from the first section; a hinge coupling the first section and the additional section; and a cable extending through the hinge, wherein a portion of the hinge is overmolded on the cable and comprises: a body defining a cavity accommodating the cable, the cavity having a first opening to a pathway in the first section, and a second opening to an additional pathway in the one additional section; a hinge mechanism contained within the body; and a cable management feature contained within the body, wherein the hinge mechanism, the cable management feature and the cable are all located in a common plane that is radially oriented relative to a primary axis of the hinge mechanism. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The wearable audio device of claim 17, wherein: a) the wearable audio device comprises audio eyeglasses, wherein the first section comprises a lens region, the additional section comprises an arm, and the hinge couples the lens region with the arm; or b) the wearable audio device comprises a headset, wherein the first section comprises a headband, the additional section comprises an earphone, and the hinge couples the headband with the earphone. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The wearable audio device of claim 17, further comprising: an electro-acoustic transducer at least partially housed in the frame and comprising a sound-radiating surface for providing an audio output; and at least one microphone in the first section or the additional section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The wearable audio device of claim 17, wherein the cable wraps around the hinge mechanism radially outboard relative to the primary axis of the hinge mechanism about which the additional section moves relative to the first section. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The wearable audio device of claim 17, wherein the hinge comprises a metal ledge separating the first section and the additional section, wherein the metal ledge is visible around an entirety of an interface between the first section and the additional section while the hinge is in a fully open position. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The wearable audio device of claim 17, wherein the cable management feature and the hinge mechanism are unitary and formed of a metal, and wherein the hinge includes a set of mating features that are coupled with a complementary set of mating features in the additional section.