US3565069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustical filter device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-03-21
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1989-03-21
Abstract
Abstract An acoustical filter device characterized by a filter element serving to screen out substantially all noise about a predetermined level while permitting sound below such level to pass therethrough without deleterious loss. The filter is preferably carried in a support body adapted to be inserted in the outer ear canal of the human ear and to form-fit the respective left-hand and right-hand ear canals. An acoustical filter passage is defined through the support body in open communication with the outside surroundings through which sound is screened out in the above manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Nelson Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/06; A61F11/08; A61F11/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An acoustic device comprising a support body of resilient material shaped and adapted to be inserted into the outer ear canal of the human ear to be worn therein, an acoustic filter passage defined within the body for open communication between the outside surroundings and said ear canal, said acoustic passage being formed to include an open end for collecting and receiving substantially all ambient sound substantially undiminished in energy from the outside surroundings, said filter passage comprising a resonant chamber of predetermined length open to receive substantially all said sound, and a vent of a reduced diameter relative to the diameter of said chamber and forming a junction therewith, said vent leading from said chamber to transmit sound to said canal, the junction between said chamber and vent providing a sufficiently abrupt reduction in said passage and said predetermined length being sufficiently long to cause an increase in pressure in said chamber for sounds above a predetermined level to cause said sounds to become dissipated within said chamber while said vent passes sounds below said level into said canal substantially free of deleterious reduction in the level thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An acoustic device comprising a support body of resilient material shaped and adapted to be inserted into the outer ear canal of the human ear to be worn therein, an acoustic filter passage defined within the body for open communication between the outside surroundings and said ear canal, said acoustic passage being formed to include an open end for collecting and receiving substantially all ambient sound substantially undiminished in energy from the outside surroundings, said filter passage comprising a resonant chamber of predetermined length open to receive substantially all said sound, and a vent of a reduced diameter relative to the diameter of said chamber and forming a junction therewith, said vent leading from said chamber to transmit sound to said canal, the junction between said chamber and vent providing a sufficiently abrupt reduction in said passage and said predetermined length being sufficiently long to cause an increase in pressure in said chamber for sounds above a predetermined level to cause said sounds to become dissipated within said chamber while said vent passes sounds below said level into said canal substantially free of deleterious reduction in the level thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An acoustic device according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of the respective diameters of said chamber and vent lies substantially within a range of between seven and three to one.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
An acoustical filter device comprising a filter element having an open acoustical filter passage therein, said acoustical passage being formed to include an open end for collecting and receiving sound, an L-shaped tube having one end communicating with the source of sound entering said passage, said tube serving to partially dissipate the sound prior to receipt by said filter passage, a resonant chamber of predetermined length open to receive the sound collected, and a vent of reduced diameter relative to the diameter of said chamber, the junction between said chamber and vent providing an abrupt reduction in said passage to cause sounds of a predetermined level to resonate and become dissipated within said chamber while said vent passes sounds below said level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
An acoustical filter device comprising a filter element having an open acoustical filter passage therein, said acoustical passage being formed to include an open end for collecting and receiving sound, an L-shaped tube having one end communicating with the source of sound entering said passage, said tube serving to partially dissipate the sound prior to receipt by said filter passage, a resonant chamber of predetermined length open to receive the sound collected, and a vent of reduced diameter relative to the diameter of said chamber, the junction between said chamber and vent providing an abrupt reduction in said passage to cause sounds of a predetermined level to resonate and become dissipated within said chamber while said vent passes sounds below said level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
An acoustical filter device to be worn in the ear comprising a form-fitted support body forming an acoustically sealed interface with the ear canal surfaces of the wearer, filter means carried by said body and forming an acoustic passageway in continuously open communication between the ear canal and the outside surrounding, the outer portion of the passageway being formed to define an elongated chamber open at its outer end for receiving all ambient sounds therein at a substantially undiminished energy level and formed at its outer end to include an abruptly diminished vent opening, said acoustic passageway at the junction between said chamber and vent opening being sufficiently abruptly diminished to cause the sound waves entering said chamber to develop an increase in pressure in said chamber and to dissipate energy therein for those sounds above a predetermined level while passing sounds below said level via said vent opening directly into the ear canal of the wearer substantially undiminished relative to those sounds above said level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
An acoustical filter device to be worn in the ear comprising a form-fitted support body forming an acoustically sealed interface with the ear canal surfaces of the wearer, filter means carried by said body and forming an acoustic passageway in continuously open communication between the ear canal and the outside surrounding, the outer portion of the passageway being formed to define an elongated chamber open at its outer end for receiving all ambient sounds therein at a substantially undiminished energy level and formed at its outer end to include an abruptly diminished vent opening, said acoustic passageway at the junction between said chamber and vent opening being sufficiently abruptly diminished to cause the sound waves entering said chamber to develop an increase in pressure in said chamber and to dissipate energy therein for those sounds above a predetermined level while passing sounds below said level via said vent opening directly into the ear canal of the wearer substantially undiminished relative to those sounds above said level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |