US3777077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hearing aid having recessed microphone
Assignee: AUDIVOX Inc
•
Filing: 1972-09-18
•
Granted: 1973-12-04
•
Expires: 1992-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A body type hearing aid in which the microphone port is recessed from both the front and top surfaces of the hearing aid housing to substantially minimize clothing noise and to shield the microphone from contamination. The upper portion of the housing is of a multi-facetted configuration for disposition of the microphone port therein in a position removed from the front and top surfaces of the housing while still maintaining a sufficient sound aperture for receipt of sounds emanating from points to the front and sides of a user.
Inventors
- 👤 D Johanson
- 👤 R Stutz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A body type hearing aid comprising: a housing adapted to be worn on the clothing of a user; a microphone contained within said housing; electronic circuitry contained within said housing for amplifying and processing sound information received by said microphone; a sound receiving port provided in the upper portion of said housing disposed generally parallel to the front surface of said housing and recessed from said front surface; a flared aperture provided in said upper housing portion having a smaller end terminating at said sound receiving port and a wider end terminating at the front surface of said housing and operative to provide a sound receiving horn for receipt of sounds emanating from points forward and to the sides of said housing; at least one sound transmitting passage coupling said port to said microphone; and an earpiece adapted to be attached to the ear of a user and coupled to said circuitry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A body type hearing aid comprising: a housing adapted to be worn on the clothing of a user; a microphone contained within said housing; electronic circuitry contained within said housing for amplifying and processing sound information received by said microphone; a sound receiving port provided in the upper portion of said housing disposed generally parallel to the front surface of said housing and recessed from said front surface; a flared aperture provided in said upper housing portion having a smaller end terminating at said sound receiving port and a wider end terminating at the front surface of said housing and operative to provide a sound receiving horn for receipt of sounds emanating from points forward and to the sides of said housing; at least one sound transmitting passage coupling said port to said microphone; and an earpiece adapted to be attached to the ear of a user and coupled to said circuitry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said flared aperture includes a bottom surface which slops downwardly from said sound receiving port to direct contaminants which may fall on said bottom surface away from said port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said housing further includes a top surface below which said sound receiving port is disposed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein the upper portion of said housing includes an inclined surface in which said flared aperture is provided, said flared aperture having a bottom surface of lower slope than that of said inclined surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a body type hearing aid adapted to be worn on the clothing of a user, means for reducing clothing noise and for minimizing the opportunity for microphone contamination while providing proper sound reception, said means comprising: a housing adapted for generally vertical disposition and having a truncated pyramidal top portion which includes: a front surface which extends rearward and upward from the front surface of said housing; a sound receiving port in said front surface and disposed parallel to and recessed from said front surface; and a flared aperture within said front surface which extends from the front surface of said housing inwardly and upwardly to said sound receiving port to provide a horn for receipt of sounds from points forward and to the sides of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a body type hearing aid adapted to be worn on the clothing of a user, means for reducing clothing noise and for minimizing the opportunity for microphone contamination while providing proper sound reception, said means comprising: a housing adapted for generally vertical disposition and having a truncated pyramidal top portion which includes: a front surface which extends rearward and upward from the front surface of said housing; a sound receiving port in said front surface and disposed parallel to and recessed from said front surface; and a flared aperture within said front surface which extends from the front surface of said housing inwardly and upwardly to said sound receiving port to provide a horn for receipt of sounds from points forward and to the sides of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said flared aperture includes a bottom surface having a lower slope than that of the front surface of said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein the top portion of said housing includes a top surface at which said front surface terminates; and inclined rear and side surfaces, each of which extends toward and terminates at said top surface.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |