US 12,323,757 B2
Bistable hinge for portable wireless listening device case
Sean T. McIntosh, San Jose, CA (US); Jason C. Della Rosa, Morgan Hill, CA (US); Samuel G. Parker, Woodside, CA (US); Benjamin A. Cousins, Campbell, CA (US); and Ethan L. Huwe, Davis, CA (US)
Assigned to APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed by APPLE INC., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 3, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/626,024.
Application 18/626,024 is a continuation of application No. 17/992,332, filed on Nov. 22, 2022, granted, now 11,979,703.
Application 17/992,332 is a continuation of application No. 17/207,497, filed on Mar. 19, 2021, granted, now 11,540,039, issued on Dec. 27, 2022.
Application 17/207,497 is a continuation of application No. 16/584,894, filed on Sep. 26, 2019, granted, now 10,986,433, issued on Apr. 20, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/900,307, filed on Sep. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/865,070, filed on Jun. 21, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/738,772, filed on Sep. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/738,788, filed on Sep. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/738,828, filed on Sep. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/738,843, filed on Sep. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/738,803, filed on Sep. 28, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/738,813, filed on Sep. 28, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0348961 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. H04R 1/10 (2006.01); A45C 11/00 (2006.01); A45C 13/00 (2006.01); E05F 1/12 (2006.01); E05F 3/20 (2006.01); G01V 3/08 (2006.01); H01F 7/02 (2006.01); H04B 1/38 (2015.01); H04B 1/3827 (2015.01); H04R 1/02 (2006.01); H05K 5/00 (2025.01); H05K 5/02 (2006.01); H05K 5/03 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 1/1016 (2013.01) [A45C 11/00 (2013.01); A45C 13/005 (2013.01); E05F 1/1261 (2013.01); E05F 3/20 (2013.01); G01V 3/081 (2013.01); H01F 7/02 (2013.01); H04R 1/023 (2013.01); H04R 1/1041 (2013.01); H04R 1/1058 (2013.01); H04R 1/1091 (2013.01); H05K 5/0086 (2013.01); H05K 5/0217 (2013.01); H05K 5/0226 (2013.01); H05K 5/03 (2013.01); A45C 11/001 (2025.01); E05Y 2201/224 (2013.01); E05Y 2999/00 (2024.05); H04B 1/38 (2013.01); H04B 2001/3866 (2013.01); H04R 1/1025 (2013.01); H04R 2400/11 (2013.01); H04R 2420/07 (2013.01); H04R 2460/11 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hinge for a case that stores wireless listening devices, the hinge comprising:
a first shaft forming a first pivot point for the hinge;
a second shaft forming a second pivot point for the hinge and being positioned a distance away from the first shaft;
a third shaft forming a third pivot point;
a pushplate having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, the first end being coupled to the first pivot point and the second end being coupled to the third pivot point;
a rocker having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, wherein the first end of the rocker is coupled to the second end of pushplate by the third shaft and the second end of the rocker is coupled to the second shaft, and wherein combined movement of the pushplate and the rocker effects movement of the hinge; and
a spring positioned between the third shaft and a mounting structure on a lid of the case such that forces applied by the spring press against the pushplate to alter an angle between the pushplate and the rocker.
 
8. A case for a wireless listening device, the case comprising:
a lid movable between an opened position and a closed position;
a hinge coupled to the lid to allow the lid to move between the opened position and the closed position, the hinge comprising:
a first shaft forming a first pivot point for the hinge;
a second shaft forming a second pivot point for the hinge and being positioned a distance away from the first shaft;
a third shaft forming a third pivot point;
a pushplate having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, the first end being coupled to the first pivot point and the second end being coupled to the third pivot point;
a rocker having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, wherein the first end of the rocker is coupled to the second end of pushplate by the third shaft and the second end of the rocker is coupled to the second shaft, and wherein combined movement of the pushplate and the rocker effects movement of the hinge; and
a spring positioned between the third shaft and a mounting structure on a lid of the case such that forces applied by the spring press against the pushplate to alter an angle between the pushplate and the rocker;
a body coupled to the lid by the hinge.
 
14. A charging case for a pair of earbuds, each earbud comprising a wireless radio and an earbud battery, the charging case comprising:
a main body comprising a first cavity configured to receive a first earbud in the pair of earbuds and second cavity configured to receive a second earbud in the pair of earbuds;
a battery disposed within the main body;
a lid coupled to the main body a hinge and comprising a mounting structure positioned along an interior surface of the lid, wherein the lid is movable between a closed position in which the lid conceals the first and second earbuds within the charging case and an open position that allows a user to remove the first and second earbuds from the charging case;
the hinge comprising:
a first shaft forming a first pivot point for the hinge;
a second shaft forming a second pivot point for the hinge and being positioned a distance away from the first shaft;
a third shaft forming a third pivot point;
a pushplate having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, the first end being coupled to the first pivot point and the second end being coupled to the third pivot point;
a rocker having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, wherein the first end of the rocker is coupled to the second end of pushplate by the third shaft and the second end of the rocker is coupled to the second shaft, and wherein combined movement of the pushplate and the rocker effects movement of the hinge; and
a spring positioned between the third shaft and the mounting structure on the lid of the case such that forces applied by the spring press against the pushplate to alter an angle between the pushplate and the rocker.