GB2413916A

GB2413916A - An over-the-head holder for a telephone handset

Info

Publication number: GB2413916A
Application number: GB0410239A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Marcus Stibbe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-07
Filing date: 2004-05-07
Publication date: 2005-11-09
Also published as: GB0410239D0

Abstract

The holder 1 comprises a headband 2, adapted to be positioned on the head of an individual and a support in the form of, for example, a cradle 5 adapted to so support a telephone handset that the receiver can be readily released from the cradle 5. The cradle 5 may be made from one or more sculptured or bent lengths of sprung wire 6,7,8 and 9 and may be adjustable relative to the band 2.

Description

The present invention relates to a carrier for a telephone receiver and

particularly, but not exclusively to a carrier for the handset of a corded or cordless, or mobile telephone.

A disadvantage of a conventional telephone is that the handset or receiver has to be held when making or answering a call. This is usually accomplished by wedging the receiver between the side of the head and the shoulder, which can be, at best an inconvenience or, at worst, dangerous, if there is a need to close off the free ear with one hand in order to cut out surrounding noise so as to be able to concentrate. It can be a nuisance if one needs to make notes during the call and dangerous if one is engaged in an operation that involves heat or electricity when a call comes and it is not possible easily to interrupt that operation.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce this disadvantage and to that end there is provided according to the present invention a carrier for a telephone receiver, comprising means adapted to be positioned adjacent or on the head of an individual as if hand held and support means adapted to so support a telephone receiver that the receiver can be readily released from the support means.

The means adapted to be positioned adjacent or on the head of an individual may comprise a resilient band adapted to be biased against the head.

The support means may be located in the region of an extremity of the band.

The support means may comprise a cradle for retaining the receiver, the carrier being of such configuration that it is able to hold the receiver in the region of the mouth and an ear of the individual.

The cradle may comprise a wire frame of such configuration that when a receiver is being supported by the frame, the frame resiliently engages regions of the receiver in such a manner that any receiver part, for example an aerial, is unhindered by the structure of the frame to such an extent that the receiver is held firmly but can be readily released.

The cradle may be adjustable relative to the band.

The cradle may be such that it is quickly releasable from the band, with or without the receiver.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which schematically shows a retainer for a telephone receiver, which retainer comprises a headband together with a wire cradle for holding the receiver.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, a retainer 1 comprises a headband 2 made from, for example, a sprung plastics material such as nylon. Connected to each end region of the headband 2 is another band 3 which supports the retainer against the head of an individual and is adjustable relative to the headband 2 by means of a ratchet arrangement 4, thereby ensuring that the wearer can move his or head forwards without fear ofthe retaining slipping.

Mounted to one extremity region of the headband 2 is a telephone receiver support in the form of a sculptured or bent wire cradle 5. The configuration of the cradle 5 is such that it can resiliently hold a conventional telephone receiver (not shown), hands free, in a sufficiently firm manner to prevent it falling out of the cradle 5 when the head is moved during a conversation. However, the grip on the receiver most not be so strong that is difficult to remove the receiver at the end of the l; conversation but should be sufficiently resilient to retain its shape after the receiver has been removed. The cradle 5 shown in the drawing comprises an outer part 6 for supporting the side regions of a receiver, an inner part 7 for supporting the back of the receiver and a lower hooked part 8 for supporting the base of the receiver.

The cradle also comprises an upper length of wire 9 which is connected to the headband 2 in such a manner that the cradle can be rotated about an axis A-A. In order to maintain the cradle 5 in a particular position, a ratchet arrangement 10 is provided at the cradle side ofthe headband 2 to facilitate quick release of the cradle 5 in order to switch to either the left or right ear as preferred. Furthermore, the cradle 5 is provided with a height adjuster 11 having notches 12 which engage in complementary depressions (not shown) in the headband 2. The cradle 5 is, therefore, adjustable both vertically and angularly relative to the headband 2 as the band 3 can be released from the ratchet arrangement 4 and placed on the other side since the headband 2 is symmetrical.

In order that the retainer is as comfortable as possible to use a nonslip air pad 13 is provided at each extremity region of the headband 2. Also, at the extremity region of the headband 2 which is not connected to the cradle, an ear flap 14 is provided which may be closed to reduce sound interference from the surroundings, or led partially or fully open as desired.

Although the cradle 5 is shown situated at the led hand side of the headband 2, it is equally possible for the cradle 5 to be located at the other side of the headband 2.

The retainer allows users of conventional telephones to have their hands free when making or receiving calls. The retainer is both time saving and an improvement to safety in both the home and the office as various operations can be carried out whilst the telephone is being used.

Using the retainer can help to prevent, for example, headache as a result of shoulder stiffness and stiffness of the back of the neck. It also aids good spine alignment because the retainer obviates the need to use the shoulder and jawbone as a holding device if the hands are also required to be used, such as when taking notes of the telephone conversation.

Claims

Claims 1 A carrier for a telephone receiver, comprising means adapted to

be positioned adjacent or on the head of an individual and support means adapted to so support a telephone receiver that the receiver can be readily released from the support means.
2 A carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means adapted to be positioned adjacent or on the head of an individual comprises a resilient band adapted to be biased against the head.
3 A carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support means is located in the region of an extremity of the band.
4 A carrier as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the support means comprises a cradle for retaining the receiver, the carrier being of such configuration that it is able to hold the receiver in the region of the mouth and an ear of the individual.
A carrier as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cradle comprises a wire frame of such configuration that when a receiver is being supported by the frame, the frame resiliently engages regions of the receiver to such an extent that the receiver is held firmly but can be readily released.
6 A carrier as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the cradle is adjustable relative to the band.
7 A carrier for a telephone receiver, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.