# US 8,542,859 B2 · Interchangeable headphone audio system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,542,859 B2 - Document ID: US8542859B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/664,189 - Filed: 2009-11-25 - Published: 2011-09-29 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-11-25 - Assignees: Skullcandy, Inc. - Applicants: Richard P Alden - Inventors: Richard P Alden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542859B2 ## CPC - H04R 5/023: {in a chair, pillow} - 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 5/033: Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)} - 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 configurable audio system for use in a plurality of different settings includes a set of speaker assemblies that can be attached, detached and reattached to a plurality of different accessories configured for use in specific settings (e.g., ski goggles, or conventional headphones). In one implementation, each accessory comprises a set of engagement assemblies for detachably receiving the set of speaker assemblies. For example, a strap on a pair of goggles can comprise a set of engagement assemblies affixed in-line with the strap. By contrast, a traditional headphone band can comprise a pair of engagement assemblies that extend from each opposing end of the traditional headphone band. In either case, each engagement assembly of the goggle strap or the traditional headphone band is configured in size and shape to attach to, and detach from, each speaker assembly, as desired. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An audio kit, comprising: a headband configured to carry a speaker assembly on each side of two sides of the headband and to position each speaker assembly proximate an ear of a user; a user-wearable accessory comprising a pair of goggles comprising a flexible strap and two engagement assemblies attached to the flexible strap, each engagement assembly configured to carry a speaker assembly on each side of two sides of the user-wearable accessory and to position each speaker assembly proximate an ear of a user, wherein each engagement assembly comprises a ring attached to the flexible strap of the user-wearable accessory; and two speaker assemblies configured in size and shape to repeatedly attach to and detach from each side of the two sides of the headband and the two engagement assemblies without damaging the speaker assemblies, the two sides of the headband, and the two engagement assemblies. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The audio kit of claim 1, wherein each side of the two sides of the headband comprises an engagement assembly configured to attach to a speaker assembly of the two speaker assemblies. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The audio kit of claim 2, wherein each engagement assembly is positioned at an end of each side of the two sides of the headband. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The audio kit of claim 2, wherein each engagement assembly comprises opposing arms configured to attach to a speaker assembly of the two speaker assemblies. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The audio kit of claim 2, wherein each engagement assembly comprises one of at least one post configured for insertion into at least one recess and at least one recess configured to receive at least one post and wherein each speaker assembly comprises the other of at least one recess configured to receive at least one post and at least one post configured for insertion into at least one recess. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The audio kit of claim 1, wherein at least one speaker assembly of the two speaker assemblies comprises a local wire extending from the at least one speaker assembly configured for connection to another structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The audio kit of claim 6, wherein the local wire comprises a female socket at the end of the local wire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The audio kit of claim 6, further comprising a main wire configured to connect to the local wire and to a media player. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The audio kit of claim 1, further comprising another user-wearable accessory selected from the group consisting of a pair of sunglasses, a helmet, a skull cap, a hood, and a collar configured to carry the two speaker assemblies and to position each speaker assembly proximate an ear of a user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The audio kit of claim 1, wherein each engagement assembly is attached to the flexible strap of the user-wearable accessory using one of stitching, adhesive, riveting, and wherein each engagement assembly further comprises at least one clip and two posts extending inwardly toward a central axis of the ring and each speaker assembly comprises two recesses into which the posts are configured to be inserted. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The audio kit of claim 1, wherein each engagement assembly comprises one of at least one post configured for insertion into at least one recess and at least one recess configured to receive at least one post and wherein each speaker assembly comprises the other of at least one recess configured to receive at least one post and at least one post configured for insertion into at least one recess. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The audio kit of claim 1, wherein the ring of each engagement assembly is attached to the flexible strap of the pair of goggles using one of stitching, adhesive, riveting, and at least one clip. ### Claim 13 An audio system, comprising: a user-wearable accessory comprising a pair of goggles comprising a flexible strap and two engagement assemblies attached to the flexible strap, each engagement assembly configured to carry a speaker assembly and to position each speaker assembly proximate an ear of a user, wherein each engagement assembly comprises a ring attached to the flexible strap of the user-wearable accessory; and two speaker assemblies, each speaker assembly configured in size and shape to repeatedly attach to and detach from the two engagement assemblies without damaging the speaker assemblies or the two engagement assemblies. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The audio system of claim 13, wherein each speaker assembly comprises one of at least one post configured for insertion into at least one recess and at least one recess configured to receive at least one post and wherein each engagement assembly comprises the other of at least one recess configured to receive at least one post and at least one post configured for insertion into at least one recess. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The audio system of claim 14, wherein each speaker assembly is configured to engage with a respective engagement assembly using a snap-fit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The audio system of claim 14, wherein each engagement assembly is attached to the flexible strap using one of stitching, adhesive, riveting, and wherein each engagement assembly further comprises at least one clip and two posts extending inwardly toward a central axis of the ring and each speaker assembly comprises two recesses into which the posts are configured to be inserted. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The audio system of claim 13, wherein a local wire extends from each speaker assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The audio system of claim 17, wherein ends of the local wires opposing the speaker assemblies join to one another. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The audio system of claim 13, wherein a local wire extends from only one speaker assembly of the two speaker assemblies and a direct electrical connection extends between the two speaker assemblies.