Patent US4338488A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4338488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic artificial larynx
Assignee: LUMINAUD Co
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Filing: 1979-08-29
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Granted: 1982-07-06
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Expires: 1999-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An electronic artificial larynx supported and operated without the use of an operator's hands. The electronic larynx includes a headband which fits securely around the operator's head. A switch is attached to the headband for opening and closing an electrical circuit that includes a signal generator and a tone generator. The switch has a displaceable actuator extending beyond the headband and adherable to the operator's forehead for movement with the forehead relative to the headband. A hollow, non-toxic plastic tube has one end rotatably connected to a stem of the tone generator and another end for placement in the operator's mouth. A linkage assembly connects the tone generator to the headband for permitting universal adjustment of positioning of the tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M. Lennox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
In an electronic artificial larynx having a tone generator and a signal generator, the improvement comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for opening and closing an electrical circuit that includes the signal generator and tone generator; (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband and movable transversely of the headband to actuate the switch, means forming a part of the actuator extending from the headband adherable to the forehead for movement therewith relative to the headband; (d) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end rotatably connected to a stem of the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of the head; (e) linkage means carrying the tone generator and the tube for permitting universal adjustment for positioning of the tube, the linkage means including: (i) a ball connected in stationary relationship to the headband; (ii) a rotatable socket assembly having an arm with two sockets, one at each end of the arm; (iii) one of the sockets surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the headband; (iv) a boom having two ends; (v) a ball connected in stationary relationship to one end of the boom; (vi) the other socket surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the boom; and, (vii) the other end of the boom adapted to support the tone generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
In an electronic artificial larynx having a tone generator and a signal generator, the improvement comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for opening and closing an electrical circuit that includes the signal generator and tone generator; (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband and movable transversely of the headband to actuate the switch, means forming a part of the actuator extending from the headband adherable to the forehead for movement therewith relative to the headband; (d) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end rotatably connected to a stem of the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of the head; (e) linkage means carrying the tone generator and the tube for permitting universal adjustment for positioning of the tube, the linkage means including: (i) a ball connected in stationary relationship to the headband; (ii) a rotatable socket assembly having an arm with two sockets, one at each end of the arm; (iii) one of the sockets surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the headband; (iv) a boom having two ends; (v) a ball connected in stationary relationship to one end of the boom; (vi) the other socket surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the boom; and, (vii) the other end of the boom adapted to support the tone generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
232 words
In an electronic artificial larynx having a tone generator and a signal generator, the improvement comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for opening and closing an electrical circuit that includes the signal generator and tone generator; (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband and movable transversely of the headband to actuate the switch, the actuator including paddle means attachable to the forehead and being operable by movement of the forehead relative to the headband; (d) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end connected to the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of the head; (e) linkage means carrying the tone generator and the tube for permitting universal adjustment for positioning of the tube, the linkage means including: (i) a ball connected in stationary relationship to the headband; (ii) a rotatable socket assembly having an arm with two sockets, one at each end of the arm; (iii) one of the sockets surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the headband; (iv) a boom having two ends; (v) a ball connected in stationary relationship to one end of the boom; (vi) the other socket surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the boom; and, (vii) the other end of the boom adapted to support the tone generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
232 words
In an electronic artificial larynx having a tone generator and a signal generator, the improvement comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for opening and closing an electrical circuit that includes the signal generator and tone generator; (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband and movable transversely of the headband to actuate the switch, the actuator including paddle means attachable to the forehead and being operable by movement of the forehead relative to the headband; (d) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end connected to the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of the head; (e) linkage means carrying the tone generator and the tube for permitting universal adjustment for positioning of the tube, the linkage means including: (i) a ball connected in stationary relationship to the headband; (ii) a rotatable socket assembly having an arm with two sockets, one at each end of the arm; (iii) one of the sockets surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the headband; (iv) a boom having two ends; (v) a ball connected in stationary relationship to one end of the boom; (vi) the other socket surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the boom; and, (vii) the other end of the boom adapted to support the tone generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an electronic artificial larynx having a tone generator and a signal generator, the improvement comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for opening and closing an electrical circuit that includes the signal generator and tone generator; (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband and movable transversely of the headband to actuate the switch, means forming a part of the actuator extending from the headband adherable to the forehead for movement therewith relative to the headband; (d) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end connected to the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of the head; and, (e) linkage means connecting the tone generator and the tube to the headband for permitting universal adjustment of positioning of the tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an electronic artificial larynx having a tone generator and a signal generator, the improvement comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for opening and closing an electrical circuit that includes the signal generator and tone generator; (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband and movable transversely of the headband to actuate the switch, means forming a part of the actuator extending from the headband adherable to the forehead for movement therewith relative to the headband; (d) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end connected to the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of the head; and, (e) linkage means connecting the tone generator and the tube to the headband for permitting universal adjustment of positioning of the tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The artificial larynx of claim 3 wherein the tube end connected to the tone generator is rotatably connected to a stem of the tone generator.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for supporting a tone generator of an electronic artificial larynx, comprising: (a) said tone generator; (b) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end connected to the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of a user's head; (c) a headband for secure fitting around said user's head; (d) linkage means carrying the tone generator and the tube for permitting universal adjustment for positioning of the tube, the linkage means including: (i) a ball connected in stationary relationship to the headband; (ii) a rotatable socket assembly having an arm with two sockets, one at each end of the arm; (iii) one of the sockets surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the headband; (iv) a boom having two ends; (v) a ball connected in stationary relationship to one end of the boom; (vi) the other socket surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the boom; and, (vii) the other end of the boom adapted to support the tone generator.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for supporting a tone generator of an electronic artificial larynx, comprising: (a) said tone generator; (b) a hollow, non-toxic plastic tube having an end connected to the tone generator and an end for placement in the mouth of a user's head; (c) a headband for secure fitting around said user's head; (d) linkage means carrying the tone generator and the tube for permitting universal adjustment for positioning of the tube, the linkage means including: (i) a ball connected in stationary relationship to the headband; (ii) a rotatable socket assembly having an arm with two sockets, one at each end of the arm; (iii) one of the sockets surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the headband; (iv) a boom having two ends; (v) a ball connected in stationary relationship to one end of the boom; (vi) the other socket surrounding a portion of the ball that is connected to the boom; and, (vii) the other end of the boom adapted to support the tone generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tube end connected to the tone generator is rotatably connected to a stem of the tone generator.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for operating a tone generator of an electronic artificial larynx, comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for operating the tone generator; and, (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband, movable relative to the headband to actuate the switch, and including paddle means adherable to the forehead for movement therewith relative to the headband for actuating said switch and said tone generator.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for operating a tone generator of an electronic artificial larynx, comprising: (a) a headband for secure fitting around a human head adjacent the forehead; (b) a switch attached to the headband for operating the tone generator; and, (c) a switch actuator extending beyond the headband, movable relative to the headband to actuate the switch, and including paddle means adherable to the forehead for movement therewith relative to the headband for actuating said switch and said tone generator.
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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) | 1985-07-05 | 1986-01-04 | 1986-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-05 | 1990-01-04 | 1990-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-05 | 1994-01-04 | 1994-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |