US3676611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Earpiece for hearing aid having sound inlet for high frequencies
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-13
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A hearing aid includes an earpiece worn in the ear and a sound amplifier worn externally of the ear. Sound waves impinging on the ear are transmitted through an opening in the outer surface of the earpiece to an inner chamber thereof and thence through a conduit to the sound input of the amplifier. The amplified sounds are fed from the output of the amplifier through a further opening extending through a portion of the earpiece positioned in the external meatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Erwin E Stephens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 01:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/65; H04R25/652; H04R25/48; H04R2460/00; H04R2460/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A hearing aid comprising in combination: a. an earpiece configured to be worn in the ear of the user, said earpiece including a concave outer surface overlying an open bottom chamber and an opening through said concave surface into said chamber, said earpiece also including an elongated portion which is received in the external auditory meatus while said open bottom chamber overlies a portion of the concha, said elongated portion having a central longitudinal opening to transmit sound waves to the inner ear; b. an electronic sound amplifier adapted to be worn externally of the ear; c. first conduit means connected between said chamber and the sound input of said amplifier; and d. second conduit means connected between the sound output of said amplifier and said central opening in said elongated portion of said earpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A hearing aid comprising in combination: a. an earpiece configured to be worn in the ear of the user, said earpiece including a concave outer surface overlying an open bottom chamber and an opening through said concave surface into said chamber, said earpiece also including an elongated portion which is received in the external auditory meatus while said open bottom chamber overlies a portion of the concha, said elongated portion having a central longitudinal opening to transmit sound waves to the inner ear; b. an electronic sound amplifier adapted to be worn externally of the ear; c. first conduit means connected between said chamber and the sound input of said amplifier; and d. second conduit means connected between the sound output of said amplifier and said central opening in said elongated portion of said earpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination defined by claim 1 in which said first conduit is connected to said chamber through said opening and in which a second opening is formed between said chamber and the outer surface of said earpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination defined by claim 2 including a further opening in the said chamber, said further opening being a channel formed in the outer surface of said earpiece in the area adjacent the tragus and a conduit formed through a portion of said earpiece between one end of said channel and opening into said chamber, so that the tragus may be pressed over said channel under conditions of objectionaBly high intensity noise.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination defined by claim 1 in which said open bottom chamber is substantially frusto conical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
An earpiece mold for use in conjunction with an electronic amplifier to form a hearing aid comprising: a. a first elongated portion which in use is received within the internal meatus, said portion having a passageway therethrough for transmission of amplified sound waves from the amplifier to the internal ear; and b. an integral second portion which in use overlies the concha, said second portion having a concave outer surface overlying an inner chamber which through a substantially pinhole sized aperture opens into said concave surface, said second portion including a passageway leading from said chamber and opening externally of said mold, said second portion cooperating with the external ear to converge high frequency sounds into said chamber for transmission to the input of the amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
An earpiece mold for use in conjunction with an electronic amplifier to form a hearing aid comprising: a. a first elongated portion which in use is received within the internal meatus, said portion having a passageway therethrough for transmission of amplified sound waves from the amplifier to the internal ear; and b. an integral second portion which in use overlies the concha, said second portion having a concave outer surface overlying an inner chamber which through a substantially pinhole sized aperture opens into said concave surface, said second portion including a passageway leading from said chamber and opening externally of said mold, said second portion cooperating with the external ear to converge high frequency sounds into said chamber for transmission to the input of the amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An earpiece mold as defined by claim 5 and further including a channel formed in the outer surface of the mold and located adjacent the tragus when the mold is positioned in the ear, and a further passageway connecting said chamber with one end of said channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |