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US4878560A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Earmold

Assignee: DOC'S PROPLUGS Inc
•
Filing: 1989-03-16
•
Granted: 1989-11-07
•
Expires: 2009-03-16
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Abstract

Abstract An integrally formed earmold is provided which supports a headset or stethoscope, for example, without requiring either a headband or arms extending into the ear canal. The earmold is formed from a soft, flexible elastic plastic and has an inwardly extending conical portion adapted to fit into the concha and outer portion of the auditory canal, terminating in a rectangular knob with a small flange thereon, the knob sealing off the meatus of the external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal. A hollow cylinder extends laterally from the knob a sufficient distance to form a support for a headset or the like. The earmold is sufficiently flexible that standard sizes will fit the general population, without requiring molds formed for particular users.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert T. Scott

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 08:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/10; H04R1/1016; H04R25/00; H04R25/65; H04R25/652; H04R25/656; H04R2460/00; H04R2460/11; H04R25/658

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 99 words
An integrally formed earmold having thin walls and having an inwardly extending conical portion adapted to fit into a concha and outer portion of an auditory canal, terminating in a rectangular knob with a small flange thereon, said knob sealing off a meatus of an external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal, said flange anchoring an earmold at the entrance of the external ear canal, and a hollow cylinder extending laterally from said knob a sufficient distance to form a support for a headset, said integrally formed earmold being made of a soft, flexible, elastic plastic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 99 words
An integrally formed earmold having thin walls and having an inwardly extending conical portion adapted to fit into a concha and outer portion of an auditory canal, terminating in a rectangular knob with a small flange thereon, said knob sealing off a meatus of an external ear canal without substantially penetrating the external ear canal, said flange anchoring an earmold at the entrance of the external ear canal, and a hollow cylinder extending laterally from said knob a sufficient distance to form a support for a headset, said integrally formed earmold being made of a soft, flexible, elastic plastic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 46 words
The integrally formed earmold of claim 1 wherein a radius of curvature of said inwardly extending conical portion exceeds a radius of curvature of the concha of a user by approximately 2-5%, whereby the earmold tends to extend against the concha of the user in use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The integrally formed earmold of claim 1 made of a styrene-rubber copolymer having a durometer softness of about 42A.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The integrally formed earmold of claim 1 further comprising an external flange adapted to engage a crus helix of an ear of a user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The integrally formed earmold of claim 1 wherein said hollow cylinder has an internal diameter of at least 0.060 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
The integrally formed earmold of claim 1 further comprising a vent passageway extending through said knob.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3131241A Cited
US3702123A Cited
US3763334A Cited
US4223189A Cited
US4537187A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-11-06 1993-05-08 1993-11-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-11-06 1997-05-08 1997-11-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-11-06 2001-05-08 2001-11-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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