Automatically switched headset

Abstract

A headset is provided, of a type which includes a pair of earmuff devices at opposite ends of a head band, which automatically switches an electronic circuit on or off when the headset is placed on the head or taken off, in a simple and rugged construction. Each earmuff device is of the type that includes a largely rigid housing (24, FIG. 3) and a soft resilient cushion (30) mounted on the housing and designed to receive the ear of the wearer and press against the side of the wearer's head which surrounds his ear. A switch (54) connected to the circuit includes an actuating device (60) that is depressed and released along with the cushion. One type of switch (54) is a mechanical type whose actuator device (60) has a front end lying against a rear side (64) of the cushion to be deflected and operate the switch when the cushion is rearwardly deflected during placement on the wearer's head. Another switch includes an electrically conductive element (92, FIG. 5) lying on the forward surface of the cushion to directly contact the wearer's skin, and a detect subcircuit (96) which is responsive to the electrical potential of the wearer's body to switch the electronic circuit.