US3798390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hearing aid with valved dual ports
Assignee: Gould Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-24
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A hearing aid casing having a plurality of sound conducting passages, preferably a forwardly directed passage and a rearwardly directed passage, each communicating through a ''''mixer'''' valve to a microphone interiorly of said casing; the valve may be operated to close either passage leaving the other open or to reduce the effective cross-sectional input of one passage while leaving the other open. The valve may support a sound filter in the sound path to the microphone; the passages may each be provided with filter plugs.
Inventors
- 👤 F Gage
- 👤 R Muttick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/40; H04R25/402; H04R1/00; H04R1/20; H04R1/32; H04R1/34; H04R1/342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A hearing aid having a casing, a microphone in said casing; a plurality of passages in said casing each communicating with said microphone and each communicating with the exterior of said casing; and valve means between said passages and said microphone; said valve means comprising a stationary valve body having a port for each passage, and a movable valve rotor having a plurality of ports, said valve rotor being movable to a plurality of selected positions between opening of all ports of said valve body and closing of at least one port of said valve body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A hearing aid having a casing, a microphone in said casing; a plurality of passages in said casing each communicating with said microphone and each communicating with the exterior of said casing; and valve means between said passages and said microphone; said valve means comprising a stationary valve body having a port for each passage, and a movable valve rotor having a plurality of ports, said valve rotor being movable to a plurality of selected positions between opening of all ports of said valve body and closing of at least one port of said valve body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which said passages are substantially aligned with each other and directed to and open in opposite directions; having an additional passage between the valve and the microphone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hearing aid of claim 2 in which one of the said passages is directed to and open in a forward direction; the other of said passages is directed to and open in a rearward direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hearing aid of claim 3 in which said valve body is circular in cross-section with valve body ports individual to and communicating with each passage; said valve rotor being rotatable in said valve body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The hearing aid of claim 4 in which each valve rotor port rotates with said valve rotor, one of said valve rotor ports having a greater radial extent than the other; the said valve rotor ports being selectively alignable with selected valve body ports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hearing aid of claim 5 in which the valve rotor ports are spaced radially so that one of the valve body ports may be partially closed while another valve body port is fully open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which said valve rotor includes a hollow section in the path from said passages to said microphone; a filter member in said hollow section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The hearing aid of claim 6 in which said valve member is cylindrical and includes a hollow section in the path from said passages to said microphone; a filter in said hollow section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which at least one of the passages is provided with a filter member inserted therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hearing aid of claim 1 in which the valve rotor is also positionable to have one of said ports partially open while another port is fully open.
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) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |