US3783201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature hearing aid structure
Assignee: Beltone Electronics Corp
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Filing: 1970-12-02
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1990-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A hearing aid structure is provided in which all of the components of the hearing aid may be fitted within a person''s ear. The structure includes a main housing for a power source and an amplifier and a microphone housing isolated from the main housing and connected to it by a deformable, flexible, skeletal structure. A receiver is compliantly connected to the main housing and an ear seal is rigidly coupled to the receiver and adapted to fit snuggly into the ear canal of a person''s ear.
Inventors
- 👤 E Weiss
- 👤 R Brander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/60; H04R25/604; H04R25/65; H04R25/652; H04R25/656; H04R2225/00; H04R2225/025; H04R2225/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A miniature hearing aid structure comprising, in combination: a main housing including a power source and an amplifier, said main housing adapted to rest in the concha of a user''s ear; means remote from said main housing for housing a microphone, said microphone housing means adapted to fit behind the upper, frontal portion of the helix of the user''s ear; means for coupling said microphone housing means to said main housing comprising a deformable, malleable structure containing electrical conductive means and support means; a flexible ear seal having a sound outlet at one end thereof, said flexible ear seal fitting within and substantially filling the ear canal of the user; a receiver, said receiver being rigidly coupled to said flexible ear seal; and means for compliantly coupling said receiver to said main housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A miniature hearing aid structure comprising, in combination: a main housing including a power source and an amplifier, said main housing adapted to rest in the concha of a user''s ear; means remote from said main housing for housing a microphone, said microphone housing means adapted to fit behind the upper, frontal portion of the helix of the user''s ear; means for coupling said microphone housing means to said main housing comprising a deformable, malleable structure containing electrical conductive means and support means; a flexible ear seal having a sound outlet at one end thereof, said flexible ear seal fitting within and substantially filling the ear canal of the user; a receiver, said receiver being rigidly coupled to said flexible ear seal; and means for compliantly coupling said receiver to said main housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The miniature hearing aid structure of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of metal wires, said metal wires being interstitially wound with said electrical conductive means,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The miniature hearing aid structure of claim 1 wherein said deformable, malleable structure includes a compliant tube for encapsulating said electrical conductive means and said support means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The miniature hearing aid structure of claim 1 wherein said flexible ear seal comprises, in combination: a receiver section having a cavity contoured to conform to the shape of said receiver; a curved section conforming to the bend in the ear canal of the user''s ear; a tapered section; and an acoustic channel defined within said curved section and said tapered section between said receiver cavity and said sound outlet such that said receiver cavity is acoustically coupled with the user''s ear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The miniature hearing aid structure of claim 1 including a plurality of saw-toothed serrations defined along said flexible ear seal and angled away from said sound outlet whereby said flexible ear seal is securely retained within the ear canal of the user''s ear.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |