GB2255471A - A telephone handset/headset - Google Patents

Abstract

Telephone headset appliance comprising a housing in two parts which together form the usual handset. Flexible retractible rods, with an elastic gripping effect (20, 22) are linked, at one end, to a part of a respective housing (14) and, at their other end, to a central element (26) into which they can be retracted. When the two parts of the housing are moved away from one another, the rods take up an extension position making it possible to fix the headset onto the head of a user. One of the housing parts contains a microphone and the other an earpiece loudspeaker. A second loudspeaker can be provided close to the microphone, the connection between the two loudspeakers being cut off in extension position. The headset can be used with telephone instruments with a cord or without a wire and cellular or non-cellular telephone systems. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVED HEAD-SET TELEPHONE DEVICE AND METHOD The invention generally relates to telephone devices and methods, and in particular, the invention relates to head set type telephone devices and methods there for.

In the past, various telephone devices were developed for the ease and use of the subscriber.

Generally speaking, many of these various telephone devices were developed for use with electrical type telephone cords connected to a hand-held unit that a person used for both speaking and listening purposes.

In recent times remote type telephone devices were developed which did not use electrical type telephone cords connected to the hand-held unit. These remote type (cordless) telephone devices were developed for both conventional telephone systems and for cellular telephone systems.

One problem with these prior art telephone devices is that one hand of the user is fully occupied with holding the hand-held unit for speaking and listening purposes.

Accordingly, there was a need to provide head-set type telephone devices that were reliable and capable of use for either conventional or remote telephone systems.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide improved head-set type telephone devices and methods therefor.

It is a further object of this invention to provide improved head-set type telephone devices and methods therefore which can be used with either remote (cordless) or cord type telephone systems.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide improved head-set type telephone devices and methods therefor which have means associated therewith to insure more reliable gripping action on a person's head.

It is still another object of this invention to provide improved head-set type telephone devices and methods which have unique mechanical means associated therewith to facilitate both coupling to telephone cradles and provide better gripping action on a person's head.

According to the present invention, various telephone devices are provided. One telephone device comprises a cradle and a headset. The headset has a center housing with a chamber. This housing has first and second ear speakers and first and second retractable means with respective outer ends fixedly connected respectively to the first and second speakers and with respective inner ends slidable connected to the center housing for disposition in the chamber when retracted.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an improved headset telephone device is provided. The headset has a two-piece housing that resembles a conventional telephone handset when the headset is retracted, with one piece containing the ear speaker and the opposite piece containing the microphone. The headset may be used in its retracted state as a standard hand-held telephone handset. The device is extended by mechanically (not electrically) separating the two pieces of the headset housing, which separation causes retractable means to extend from each piece of the housing to form a headset.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, an additional ear speaker is provided on the piece of the housing where the microphone is located. The ear speaker on the piece where the microphone is located always functions as a speaker. The ear speaker on the other piece of the housing functions as a speaker when the headset is retracted. Extending the headset by separating the two pieces of the housing of the headset causes connections to the ear speaker farthest from the microphone to be broken thereby causing this ear speaker to not function as a speaker when the headset is used in its extended position.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the headset telephone device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the headset telephone device of Figure 1 fitted on the head of a user thereby showing the headset in an extended position; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the headset of Figure 1 showing the extension of the two housing pieces from the retracted position 3A to the extended position 3B to form a headset; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the headset telephone device in Figure 3 taken along line 4-4; Figure 5 is a partial front view of the telephone device in Figure 1 showing a cross section of the retractable means which allows expansion and retraction of the two housing pieces of the headset; Figure 6 is a partial front view of the housing piece shown in Figure 5 showing how the housing piece pivots on the retractable means;; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the headset telephone device according to the present invention in a retracted position showing an additional ear speaker located on the same housing piece where the microphone is located, with connector means for disconnecting the second ear speaker when the headset is in its extended position; Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the device of Figure 7 in its retracted position; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 7 in its extended postion; Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the telephone headset device of Figure 7, showing the connector means for disconnecting the second ear speaker when the headset device is extended; Figure lOb is a perspective view of the headset telephone device according to the invention;; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the headset telephone device of Figure 10b fitted on the head of a user thereby showing the headset in an extended position; Figure ila is another perspective view of the headset of Figure 11 showing the headset from the inside and in the retracted position shown in Figure 10b.

Figure lib is still another perspective view of the headset of Figure 11 showing the headset in its extended position; Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the headset of Figure 10b showing the headset in its retracted position; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the headset telephone device according to the invention; Figure 14 is a view as taken along the line 14-14 of Figure 13 showing the headset from an inside view; Figure 16 is a front view of the headset of Figure 14 showing how its arms are extended; Figure 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the headset telephone device according to the invention showing the top or outside portion; Figure 18 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 17 with its arms partly extended; ; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 17 with its arms fully extended; Figure 20 is a perspective view of the telephone headset device of Figure lOb, but showing the device in its extended position with a telephone cord or line for connection to a cradle; Figure 21a is a perspective view similar to the perspective view of Figure 10b showing the telephone headset device of Figure 20 in its retracted position and connected to its associated cradle; Figure 21 is a side elevational view of the telephone headset device of Figure 13 showing the device in its extended position with a telephone cord or line for connection to a cradle; and Figure 22 is a perspective view of the telephone headset of Figure 17 showing the device in its extended position with a telephone cord or line for connection to a cradle.

As shown in Figures 1,2,3,4,5, and 6, a first embodiment of a telephone device headset 11 in accordance with this invention is provided. Headset 11 (Figure 1) may be connected with a cord to a base telephone unit, or may be a remote or cordless type headset for use by a subscriber away from the base telephone unit. The headset 11 is shown in its retracted position in Figure 1. The base telephone unit and the electronic components for the headset 11 are not shown because they are known.

As shown in Figure 1, headset 11 is a headset which can be used in a home or office or for cellular type applications or systems. Headset 11 has a two-piece housing comprising housing pieces 13 and 14.

Housing piece 14 contains an ear speaker (not shown) beneath the ear piece 17, which is used to listen to the telephone. Housing piece 13 contains a microphone (not shown) located under the mouthpiece 15 in the housing 13, and a voice tube 16. Figure 1 shows the voice tube 16 in a movable, retractable configuration, but voice tube 16 may have other configurations within the scope of the present invention. Voice tube 16 may use the microphone located under the mouthpiece 15, or may have a separate microphone which may be located within the housing 13 or at any point along the length of the voice tube 16. In addition, voice tube 16 may also be used as an antenna for cordless phone applications.

Figure 3 shows the extension of the two housing pieces 13 and 14 to form a headset which can be worn on a person's head. With the headset 11 in its retracted position 3A, the user places one hand on the housing piece 13, the other hand on housing piece 14, and pulls the two housing pieces 13 and 14 apart, which separation reveals the retractable means which connect the two housing pieces 13 and 14. Once extended to position 3B, the headset may be placed on the user's head for hand-free use of the headset, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3 taken along line 4-4 and shows the outline of the housing and the retractable means 18 and 19.

Retractable means 18 and 19 are comprised of a center enclosure which houses stainless steel bars of substantially rectangular cross-section, which have an inwardly-biased spring action to provide reliable gripping of the headset 11 (Figure 1) to the head of the user 12 (Figure 2). These bars slide into and out of the center enclosure of the retractable means, providing the extending and retracting action. These stainless steel bars may also be used as antennae for cordless or cellular phone applications.

Figure 5 shows the retractable means 18 and 19 of Figure 4 in more detail. Retractable means 18 includes a bar portion 20 and a track 21. Retractable means 19 is of similar construction, and includes a bar portion 22 and a track 23. As can be seen from Figure 5, the two tracks 21 and 23 are overlapping, allowing the bars 20 and 22 to overlap when the headset 11 is in its retracted position, as shown in Figure 1. These two overlapping tracks 21 and 23 form the central enclosure portion 26 of the retractable means, as shown in Figure 2. The bars 20 and 22 have respective stops 24 and 25 to prevent the bars 20 and 22 from completely disengaging the tracks 21 and 23 of the central enclosure portion 26 of the retractable means 18 and 19.

The headset 11 has features to assure a comfortable fit and reliable gripping action on the user's head. Figure 6 shows in more detail how the housing piece 14 pivots on the bar portion 20 of the retractable means 18 shown in Figure 4. The point 27 where the bar 20 attaches to the housing 14 is a movable pivot, which allows the surface of the ear piece 17 to move as shown to accommodate different shapes of the heads of users. Although not shown, tongue 22 attaches to housing 13 in the same manner.

The inwardly biasing action of the retractable means 18 and 19 causes both housing pieces 13 and 14 to pivot to a position flat against the user's ears, giving greater comfort to the user and a more sure grip on the head of the user.

As shown in Figures 7,8,9, and 10, a second embodiment of the present invention is provided. All features of this second embodiment that correspond to like features in the first embodiment are numbered with the same numerals used in the description of the first embodiment with the addition of the suffix "A". In addition, the features and operation of this second embodiment of the invention are similar to those detailed in the explanation of the first embodiment, with the exceptions described hereafter.

Housing piece 13A, in addition to the microphone and voice tube explained in the first embodiment, also contains an ear speaker 29 located under the mouthpiece 15A in housing 13A. This ear speaker 29 is connected to the ear speaker 28 in housing 14A by way of wires 31, which pass through connectors 32 where the two housings 13A and 14A meet (see Figure 7).

Connectors 32 have pin portions 33 and socket portions 34, as shown in Figure 10. By extending the headset, pin portions 33 are separated from socket portions 34 of connectors 32, thereby breaking the connection to the ear speaker 28 located in housing 14A, making ear speaker 28 inoperable while the headset lIA is in an extended position.

Figure 8 shows a side view of the headset llA shown in Figure 7 in its retracted position. Once the headset llA is extended as shown in Figure 9, the headset 11A may be placed on the user's head for hand-free use of the headset llA, as shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figures lOb, 11 and 12 another embodiment of a telephone device lOB in accordance with this invention is provided. Device lOB includes a cradle 12B, and a headset 14B which is moved in a direction 16B for resting on cradle 12B. The headset 14B is a remote or cordless type headset for use by a subscriber away from the cradle 12B. The headset 14B shown in its retracted position in Figure lOb. Wiring to the cradle 12B and the electronic components for the headset 14B and the cradle 12B are not shown because they are known.

As shown in Figure lOb, cradle 12B has left and right side walls 18B, 20B and has front and back end walls 22B, 24B and has lower and upper walls 26B, 28B, which together enclose a cavity 29B for housing electronic components (not shown). Upper wall 28B has a recess 30B, and has an on-off switch button 31B for use with the headset 14B. Upper wall 28B also has a cradle antenna 32B, a microphone 34B, a speaker 35B, and a control panel 36B. Panel 36B has control buttons 38B, 40B, 42B, 44B. In many remote or cordless telephone system embodiments the cradle 12 may not need to have the features of elements 34B, 35B, 36B, 38B, 40B, 42B and 44B.

As shown in Figure lOb, 11, lla, llb and 12, headset 14B is a remote or cordless type of headset which can be used in a home or office or for cellular type applications or systems. Headset 14B is placed on the head of its operator or user or person 45B (see Fig. 11). Headset 14B has a center housing 46B (see Figs. lOb, 11, 11 ila llb and 12) a first ear housing or speaker 48B and a second ear speaker SOB. Headset 14B also has a first retractable and extendable spring-biased arm, or bar, or strip 52B and has a second retractable and extendable spring-biased strip 54B.

Housing 46B, which has an arcuate shape, has arcuate-shaped lower and upper walls or plates 56B, 58B (see Fig. 12). Housing 46B also has first and second end plates 60B, 62B and has first and second side plates 64B, 66B (see Fig. lla) which together enclose a chamber 68B (see Fig. 12) for placement therein of electroniccomponents (not shown). Upper plate 58B has a plurality of buttons 70B (see Fig. llB) which are punch type buttons, and has a microphone 72B.

Speakers 48B, SOB have respective cushions 74B, 76B. Speaker 48B has a headset antenna 78B which is extended (see Fig. 11) when the headset is used away from the cradle 12B.

Strips 52B, 54B, which are both extendable and retractable, are resilient, spring-biased strips to provide a positive gripping action on the head of any person regardless of the size of the person's head.

Strip 52B has an inner end 80B (see Fig. llb), which is slidable through an opening in plate 60B. Strip 52B has an outer end 82B, which is fixedly connected to speaker 48B. Strip 54B also has an inner end 84B, which is slidable through an opening in plate 62B.

Strips 54B also has an outer end 86B which is fixedly connected to speaker SOB.

Strips 52B, 54B are normally somewhat arcuate in shape as shown in Figure 11. Strips 52B, 54B are flexed to a substantially flatter shape, when retracted and when disposed in chamber 68B as shown in Figure 12.

Strips 52B, 54B normally exert respective inward directed force on the head of user 45B, as strips 52B, 54B are spring biased for this purpose. This provides a positive gripping action and prevents the headset from coming off a person's head when in use thereby enabling hand-free operation. Electrical contacts at the bottom of speaker 48B (three are shown) electrically contact the electrical contacts on the cradle 12B (see Fig. lOb) to permit charging of the headset 14B by the cradle 12B when the headset 14B is placed on the cradle 12B.

As shown in Figures 13,14 and 16 another embodiment telephone device lOaB is provided. Parts of embodiment lOaB which are the same as corresponding parts of embodiment lOB, have the same numerals, but with a subscript "aB" added thereto. Device lOaB includes a cradle 12aB and a headset 14aB.

Cradle 12aB has left and right side walls 18aB, 20aB, and has front and back end walls 22aB, 24aB, and has lower and upper walls 26aB, 28aB, which enclose a cavity 29aB. Upper wall 28aB has a recess 30aB and has an on-off switch button 3laB. Upper wall 28aB also has a cradle antenna 32aB.

As shown in Figures 13,14 and 16 headset 14aB has a center housing 46aB, a speaker 48aB, and a second speaker 50aB. Headset 14aB also has a first spring-biased bar 88B of preferably round cross-section, and has a second spring-biased bar 90B of preferably round cross-section.

Housing 46aB has lower and upper plates 56aB, 58aB (see Fig. 16), and has first and second end plates 60aB, 62aB (see Fig. 16) and has first and second side plates 64aB, 66aB (see Fig. 14) which enclose a chamber 68aB. Plate 58aB has a plurality of buttons 70aB, and has a microphone 72aB (see Fig. 14).

Speakers 48aB, 50aB have respective cushions 74aB, 76aB (see Fig. 16). Speaker 50aB has a retractable-extendable headset antenna 78aB.

Bar 88B has an inner end 92B and has an outer end 94B. Inner end 92B has a pivot means 96B with axis 97B (see Fig. 14). Pivot 96B is fixedly connected to plate 60aB (see Fig. 16). Bar 90B has an inner end 98B and has an outer end lOOB. Inner end 98B has a pivot means 102B with its axis 103B (see Fig. 14). Axis 97B and 103B are horizontal axes. Plate 56aB has a first clip 104B (see Figs. 13 and 16) for holding bar 88B when retracted. Plate 56aB also has a second clip 106B for holding bar 90B when retracted.Plate 58aB of headset 14aB has electrical contacts 108B, 110B which permit charging of the headset 14aB is placed on the cradle 12aB to permit the electrical contacts 108B, llOB to be contacted by electrical contacts 112B, 114B (see Fig 13) of the cradle 12aB.

As shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19 another embodiment or telephone device is provided. Parts of this embodiment, which are the same as corresponding parts of embodiment lOB, have the same numerals, but with a subscript "bB" added thereto. The device has a cradle (not shown) and a headset 14bB.

Headset 14bB in Figure 17 is fully retracted or folded inward. Head 14bB in Figure 18 is partly extended or opened. Headset 14bB in Figure 19 is fully extended. Headset 14bB has a housing 46bB, a first speaker 48bB, and a second speaker 50bB. Headset 14bB also has a first bar unit 118B (see Fig. 18) of preferably square cross-section, and has a second bar unit 120B of preferably square cross-section.

Housing 46bB has lower and upper plates 56bB, 58bB (see Fig. 17) and has end plates 60bB, 62bB, and has side plates 64bB, 66bB, which enclose a chamber 68bB.

Upper plate 58bB has a plurality of buttons 70bB, and has a microphone 72bB (see Fig. 17). Speakers 48bB, 5ObB, have respective cushions 74bB, 76bB (see Fig.

19) As shown in Figure 18, bar unit 118B is identical to bar unit 12013. Bar unit 120B has an inner bar 122s and an outer bar 124B. Inner bar 122B has a first pivot 126B with a vertical axis 128B at its inner end.

Inner bar 122B also has a second pivot 130B with a vertical axis 132B at its outer end. Inner bar 122B also has lower and upper gusset or pivot plates 134B, 136B at its outer end. Outer bar 124B has a third pivot 138B with a vertical axis 140B at its inner end.

Outer bar 124B is fixedly connected to speaker 50bB at its outer end.

As shown in Figures 17 and 19, side plates 64bB, 66bB have respective elongated recesses 142B 144B, which receive respective bar units 118B, 12013. Recess 144B, which is identical to recess 142B, has a wedge pin 146B (see Fig. 19) or the like, which is received in a groove 148B within recess 144B, in order to provide frictional engagement with inner bar 122B for latching or holding bar unit 120B within recess 144B.

In Figure 17, bar units 118B, 120B are shown in an unflexed, retracted, substantially flat configuration in respective recesses 142B, 144B. In Figure 19, for units 118B, 120B as shown in their extended biased position to permit the headset 14bB to be mounted on a person's head.

Figures 20 and 21a depict the headset 14B of the type shown in Figures lOb, 11, lla, 11b and 12, but with a telephone cord or line 200B connected to the headset 14B to enable the headset 14B to be connected to a cradle 12B thereby depicting the use of the headset 14B in a conventional wired (not a remote or cordless) connection to the cradle 1213.

Figure 21 depicts the headset 14aB of the type shown in Figures 13,14 and 16 similarly (like the headset 14B of Figures 20 and 21a) connected to a cradle (not shown) by wire or cord 200aB.

Figure 22 depicts the headset 14bB of the type shown in Figures 17,18 and 19 similarly (like the headset 14B of Figures 20 and 21a) connected to a cradle (not shown) by wire or cord 200bB.

While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description rather than limitation and that changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects. For example, strips 52B, 54B of the embodiment of Figure lOb, round bars 88B, 90B of the embodiment of Figure 13 and square bars 118B, 120B of the embodiment of Figure 17 can be made hollow, so that wires to the speakers can be enclosed within the strips and bars, as desired. It should also be understood that the headset 14B of Figures lOb and 20, the headset 14aB of Figures 13 and 21, and the headset 14bB of Figures 17 and 22 can be used, because of the retractability features of the arms thereof, as a conventional hand-held telephone headset, if desired. Furthermore, the element 78B of Figures 11, lla llb, the element 78aB of Figure 14,16 and the element 78bB, of Fig. 19, which is described as being an antennna, could, if desired, be made to be a microphone to permit the user to speak into the microphone 78B, 78aB, 78bB.

Claims (40)

1. A telephone headset device comprising: a headset having a two-piece housing; means coupled to each piece of said two-piece housing of said headset for providing resilient, spring-biased, and retractable members to firmly attach said headset to a person's head.

2. The device of Claim 1 wherein an ear speaker is coupled to one piece of said two-piece housing, and a microphone is coupled to the other piece of said two-piece housing.

3. The device of Claim 1 wherein said headset having a configuration of a conventional telephone handset device when said means are in a retracted position.

4. The device of Claim 1 wherein said means comprising a pair of resilient, spring-biased, retractable members and an intermediate member, each of said retractable members being movably coupled to each piece of said two-piece housing at one end thereof, and movably coupled to said intermediate member at the other ends thereof.

5. The device of Claim 4 wherein each of said pair of retractable members comprising a bar shaped element, said intermediate member having first and second end walls having respective first and second opening means for permitting each bar shaped element to slide in and out of said intermediate member.

6. The device of Claim 5 wherein each of said pair of retractable members have a protruding portion on an end thereof for retaining the end of said retractable members within said intermediate member.

7. The device of Claim 4 wherein at least one of the pair of said retractable members comprising antenna means for coupling the device to one of a cordless and cellular phone.

8. The device of Claim 4 wherein each of said retractable members being pivotally coupled to each piece of said two-piece housing to allow angular movement of each piece of said two-piece housing.

9. The device of Claim 2 further comprising a voice tube coupled to said microphone.

10. The device of Claim 9 wherein said voice tube is rigidly mounted in a fixed position with respect to said housing.

11. The device of Claim 9 wherein said voice tube is movably connected to said housing.

12. The device of Claim 9 wherein said voice tube has retractable means movably connected to said housing for positioning said voice tube in a plurality of positions.

13. The device of Claim 9 wherein said voice tube comprising antenna means for coupling the device to one of a cordless and cellular phone.

14. The device of claim 2 further comprising a second ear speaker located adjacent to the microphone in said housing.

15. The device of Claim 14 wherein the two ear speakers are connected to each other by wires, and electrical connector means for making an electrical connection to said wires and located between each piece of said two-piece housing, said connector means are fixedly connected to each piece of said two-piece housing.

16. The device of Claim 15 wherein said connector means are separated when the two pieces of said housing are separated, causing the electrical connection to one of the ear speakers to be broken.

17. A method of providing a telephone device comprising the steps of: providing a headset having a two-piece housing; and providing means coupled to each piece of said two-piece housing of said headset for providing resilient, spring-biased, and retractable members to firmly attach said headset to a person's head.

18. The method of Claim 17 wherein said means comprising a pair of resilient, spring-biased, retractable members and an intermediate member, each of said retractable members being movably coupled to each piece of said two-piece housing at one end thereof, and movably coupled to said intermediate member at the other ends thereof.

19. The method of Claim 18 wherein each of said pair of retractable members comprising a bar shaped element, said intermediate member having first and second end walls having respective first and second opening means for permitting each bar shaped element to slide in and out of said intermediate member.

20. A telephone device comprising: a cradle; a headset for use with said cradle and having a center housing; and means coupled to said center housing of said headset for providing resilient, spring-biased, retractable members to firmly attach said headset to a person's head.

21. The device of Claim 20 wherein said means comprising a pair of resilient, spring-biased retractable members, and a pair of speakers connected to said pair of members each of said pair of members is connected at one end thereof to its respective speaker and movably coupled at the other end thereof to said center housing.

22. The device of Claim 21 wherein each of said pair of resilient, spring-biased retractable members being fixedly connected at one end thereof to its respective speaker and movably coupled at the other end thereof to said center housing.

23. The device of Claim 22 wherein each of said pair of members comprising a bar shaped element having a substantially rectangular cross-section, said center housing having first and second end walls having respective first and second opening means for permitting each bar shaped elements to slide in and out of said center housing.

24. The device of Claim 22 wherein each of said pair of members comprising a bar shaped element having a substantially uniform cross-section, an outer end of each bar shaped element fixedly connected to its respective speaker and an inner end of each bar shaped element coupled to pivot means for permitting swingable connection to said center housing of said headset.

25. The device of Claim 24 wherein said pivots means are mounted on the center housing.

26. The device of Claim 25 wherein said center housing having latching means for latching each said bar shaped element when fully retracted.

27. The device of Claim 26 wherein each said bar shaped element having a round cross-section; said latching means includes first and second clip members mounted on said center housing.

28. The device of Claim 22 wherein each said bar shaped element having a square shaped cross-sections; and recess latching means located on said center housing including first and second recesses disposed respectively in first and second side walls of said center housing for permitting each said bar shaped element to be held on said center housing.

29. The device of Claim 27 wherein each said bar shaped element comprising two-piece bars each having an inner bar piece and pivot means therebetween for pivoting the outer bar piece relative to the inner bar piece.

30. The device of Claim 20 wherein said headset being connected by a telephone cord to said cradle.

31. The device of Claim 23 wherein said headset being connected by a telephone cord to said cradle.

32. The device of Claim 24 wherein said headset having a telephone cord connected thereto for connection to said cradle.

33. The device of Claim 28 wherein said headset having a telephone cord connected thereto for connection to said cradle.

34. The device of Claim 20 wherein said headset being used as a handset when said means are retracted and said headset being used as a headset when said means are extended.

35. A method of providing a telephone device comprising the steps of: providing a cradle; providing a headset for use with said cradle and having a center housing; and providing means coupled to said center housing of said headset for providing resilient, spring-biased, retractable members to firmly attach said headset to a person's head.

36. The method of Claim 35 wherein said means comprising a pair of resilient, spring-biased retractable members, and a pair of speakers connected to said pair of members, each of said pair of members is connected at one end thereof to its respective speaker and moveably coupled at the other end thereof to said center housing.

37. The method of Claim 36 wherein each of said pair of resilient, spring-biased retractable members being fixedly connected at one end thereof to its respective speaker and movably coupled at the other end thereof to said center housing.

38. The method of Claim 35 wherein each of said pair of members comprising a bar shaped element having a substantially rectangular cross-section, said center housing having first and second end walls having respective first and second opening means for permitting each bar shaped elements to slide in and out of said center housing.

39. The method of Claim 36 wherein each of said pair of members comprising a bar shaped element having a substantially uniform cross-section, an outer end of each bar shaped element fixedly connected to its respective speaker and an inner end of each bar shaped element coupled to pivot means for permitting swingable connection to said center housing of said headset.

40. The method of Claim 36 wherein each said bar shaped element having a square shaped cross-section; and recess latching means located on said center housing including first and second recesses disposed respectively in first and second side walls of said center housing for permitting each said bar shaped element to be held on said center housing.