US3732382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hearing aid ear piece
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-01
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A relatively light weight plastic ear piece having a spherical configuration as positioned in the interior portion of the concha behind the tragus over the auditory canal orifice. The diameter of the ear piece is large enough to permit snug engagement between the tragus and concha while preventing it from wedging in the auditory canal, so that a clearance exists between the canal and the atmosphere to prevent pressure differentials therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 W Dewitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/65; H04R25/652; H04R25/656
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
In a hearing aid device having means for receiving and amplifying sound external to the ear for transmission through a sound tube connected at one end to said means and at the other end to an ear piece, the improvement comprising: a hollow spherical ball shaped ear piece having a pair of aligned openings, one of which is connected to said sound tube; said ear piece having a diameter of sufficient magnitude to prevent said ear piece from being wedged into a normal auditory canal, but receivable within the inner portion of the concha with portions of the ear piece positioned behind and engaged snugly with the tragus so that said ear piece is positionable to fit snugly between the walls of the concha and tragus across the auditory canal orifice with said other of said openings positioned at the outer orifice of the auditory canal; said spherical ball-shaped ear piece being non-complementary with the outer orifice of a normal auditory canal whereby means defining a passageway exists at some point along the periphery of said orifice when said ear piece is positioned between the concha and tragus to prevent the build-up of pressure differentials between the atmosphere and the inner portions of said auditory canal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a hearing aid device having means for receiving and amplifying sound external to the ear for transmission through a sound tube connected at one end to said means and at the other end to an ear piece, the improvement comprising: a hollow spherical ball shaped ear piece having a pair of aligned openings, one of which is connected to said sound tube; said ear piece having a diameter of sufficient magnitude to prevent said ear piece from being wedged into a normal auditory canal, but receivable within the inner portion of the concha with portions of the ear piece positioned behind and engaged snugly with the tragus so that said ear piece is positionable to fit snugly between the walls of the concha and tragus across the auditory canal orifice with said other of said openings positioned at the outer orifice of the auditory canal; said spherical ball-shaped ear piece being non-complementary with the outer orifice of a normal auditory canal whereby means defining a passageway exists at some point along the periphery of said orifice when said ear piece is positioned between the concha and tragus to prevent the build-up of pressure differentials between the atmosphere and the inner portions of said auditory canal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improved hearing aid device according to claim 1 wherein the ouTer surface of said ear piece includes one or more depressions, said depressions defining at least a part of said clearance between said auditory canal and the atmosphere when said ear piece is positioned over the outer orifice of the auditory canal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improved hearing aid device according to claim 1 wherein said hollow ear piece includes a sound chamber having a maximum cross-sectional dimension greater than that of said other opening, the contour of said chamber acting to concentrate the sounds received therein from said one opening to said other opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improved hearing aid device according to claim 3 wherein the cross-sectional diameter of said sound chamber increases rapidly from said one opening to said maximum dimension, thereafter decreasing less rapidly to said other opening, said sound chamber terminating in said other opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improved hearing aid device according to claim 3 wherein said ear piece also includes a portion defining a passageway from said one opening to said sound chamber, said passageway having a diameter less than the outer diameter of said sound tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The improved hearing aid device according to claim 5, further including a coupling means for connecting said ear piece to said tube, said means having a tubular configuration, the outer surface of which includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced projecting ribs, a portion of said coupling means being positioned in said ear piece passageway and another portion thereof being positioned in the end of said sound tube to provide a positive connection between said tube and ear piece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved hearing aid device according to claim 1 wherein said hollow spherical configuration has an outer diameter between one quarter (0.25) and one half (0.50) of an inch inclusive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved hearing aid device according to claim 1 wherein said ear piece is comprised of a light-weight plastic material, whereby the same is conducive to the transmission of natural sounds from the atmosphere into the auditory canal when positioned thereover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
An ear piece for use with a hearing aid device, comprising a generally hollow spherical ball-shaped element having a pair of aligned openings, means at one of said openings for connecting the ear piece to said hearing device, said ear piece having a diameter of sufficient magnitude to prevent the ear piece from being wedged into a normal auditory canal but of small enough magnitude to be receivable snugly within the inner portion of the concha and positioned at least partially behind and in contact with the tragus with said other of said openings positioned at the outer orifice of the auditory canal, said ball-shaped element being non-complementary with the outer orifice of a normal auditory canal whereby means defining a passageway exists at some point along the periphery of said orifice when said ear piece is positioned between the concha and tragus to prevent the build-up of pressure differentials between the atmosphere and the inner portions of the auditory canal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
An ear piece for use with a hearing aid device, comprising a generally hollow spherical ball-shaped element having a pair of aligned openings, means at one of said openings for connecting the ear piece to said hearing device, said ear piece having a diameter of sufficient magnitude to prevent the ear piece from being wedged into a normal auditory canal but of small enough magnitude to be receivable snugly within the inner portion of the concha and positioned at least partially behind and in contact with the tragus with said other of said openings positioned at the outer orifice of the auditory canal, said ball-shaped element being non-complementary with the outer orifice of a normal auditory canal whereby means defining a passageway exists at some point along the periphery of said orifice when said ear piece is positioned between the concha and tragus to prevent the build-up of pressure differentials between the atmosphere and the inner portions of the auditory canal.
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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) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |