US4315111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hearing aid with remote momentary shut off switch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-05-29
•
Granted: 1982-02-09
•
Expires: 2000-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A battery powered hearing aid has a remote, momentary shut off switch comprised of two leaf plates mounted in a spaced apart relationship, with each leaf plate having an electrical contact extending inwardly and aligned so that pressure against either leaf plate separates the contacts to open an electrical circuit. When the switch is opened, power from the battery is disconnected from the hearing aid, rendering it non-operational while the leaf plates are under pressure. The remote momentary shut off switch is particularly adapted for mounting in the shoulder area of a hunting vest or the like to permit improved hearing while stalking a quarry without amplifying the firing noise from a shotgun or rifle.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/14; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/50; H04R25/502; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A battery powered hearing aid with a momentary contact shutoff switch in circuit with said hearing aid, said switch being adapted for mounting to the shoulder area of a hunting vest or the like, said switch having means to interrupt the electrical circuit of said hearing aid as pressure is applied thereto to thereby turn said hearing aid off.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A battery powered hearing aid with a momentary contact shutoff switch in circuit with said hearing aid, said switch being adapted for mounting to the shoulder area of a hunting vest or the like, said switch having means to interrupt the electrical circuit of said hearing aid as pressure is applied thereto to thereby turn said hearing aid off.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The hearing aid device of claim 1 wherein said switch has means to automatically reconnect the electrical circuit of said hearing aid as pressure is removed therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hearing aid device of claim 1 wherein said switch includes two leaf plates mounted in a spaced apart relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hearing air device of claim 3 further comprising an electrical contact extending inwardly from each of said leaf plates, said contacts aligned with each other so that pressure against either leaf plate separates said contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A battery powered hearing aid with a momentary shutoff switch in circuit with said hearing aid, said switch including two leaf plates mounted in a spaced apart relationship, each leaf plate having an electrical contact extending inwardly therefrom, said contacts aligned with each other so that pressure against either leaf plate separates said contacts and thereby turns off said hearing aid, said momentary shutoff switch adapted for mounting to the shoulder area of a vest or the like.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
A battery powered hearing aid with a momentary shutoff switch in circuit with said hearing aid, said switch including two leaf plates mounted in a spaced apart relationship, each leaf plate having an electrical contact extending inwardly therefrom, said contacts aligned with each other so that pressure against either leaf plate separates said contacts and thereby turns off said hearing aid, said momentary shutoff switch adapted for mounting to the shoulder area of a vest or the like.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The hearing aid device of claim 5 wherein the shutoff switch further comprises electrical insulating material lining the inner surfaces of said leaf plates, said leaf plates being made of material having a relatively high electrical conductivity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The hearing aid device of claim 6 wherein said leaf plates are mounted to each other with at least one electrically insulated fastener.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hearing aid device of claim 5 wherein each contact has a flattened head, said heads being interlocked so that pressure against the leaf plates separates said heads and thereby breaks the electrical circuit therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The hearing aid device of claim 8 wherein the portions of said flattened heads which contact each other are made of silver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hearing aid device of claim 5 wherein said leaf plates are substantially rectangular with electrically insulated fasteners securing their ends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said shutoff switch has a patch of sticky fabric secured thereto, said sticky fabric adapted to engage and hold said switch in contact with a matching pair of sticky fabric in the shoulder area of a vest or the like.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said shutoff switch is connected in circuit to electrically disconnect the battery from the rest of the hearing aid when said switch is opened.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device of claim 8 further comprising electrical insulating material lining at least a portion of the inner surface of each leaf plate and aligned with said flattened heads so that excess pressure against the leaf plates will not complete an electrical path between a leaf plate and an opposing flattened head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 8 wherein excess pressure against the leaf plates brings at least one flattened head into contact with an opposing leaf plate to thereby resist further compression of the leaf plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
A hearing aid with momentary automatic shutoff comprising a receiver for insertion in the ear, a battery powered pocket amplifier in circuit with said receiver, and a momentary shutoff switch in circuit with said amplifier including two leaf plates mounted in opposition to each other, each leaf plate having an electrical contact extending inwardly therefrom, said contacts aligned with each other so that pressure against either leaf plate separates said contacts and thereby turns off said amplifier, said momentary shutoff switch adapted for mounting to the shoulder area of a vest or the like.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
A hearing aid with momentary automatic shutoff comprising a receiver for insertion in the ear, a battery powered pocket amplifier in circuit with said receiver, and a momentary shutoff switch in circuit with said amplifier including two leaf plates mounted in opposition to each other, each leaf plate having an electrical contact extending inwardly therefrom, said contacts aligned with each other so that pressure against either leaf plate separates said contacts and thereby turns off said amplifier, said momentary shutoff switch adapted for mounting to the shoulder area of a vest or the like.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-02-08 | 1985-08-10 | 1986-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-08 | 1989-08-10 | 1990-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-08 | 1993-08-10 | 1994-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |