Sound emitting device with an expandable earpiece

• US 20070116319A1
• Filed: 11/21/2005
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hagberg, Patrik
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/380
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1058 Manufacture or assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A sound emitting device (1;20;40) of the kind which is arrangeable at the ear of a user and which comprises an earpiece portion (4;23;42) which fits inside the ear canal of the user. The earpiece portion comprises an expandable portion (5;24;43) which upon expanding expands against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user. The sound emitting device further comprises a compressible element (7;25;45) which is filled with a fluid and which is connected to said expandable portion whereby fluid is transferred to said expandable portion causing it to expand upon compression of said compressible element. The sound emitting device further comprises a compression mechanism (6;26,27;46,49,50) for compressing the compressible element and which is adjustable by the user to adjust the amount which the compressible element is compressed. In this way, a simple and robust device is provided which is easy for the user to adjust. It is also easy to manufacture.

Claims

1. A sound emitting device (1;

20;

40) of the kind which is arrangeable at the ear of a user, said sound emitting device comprising an earpiece portion (4;

23;

42) which fits inside the ear canal of the user, said earpiece portion comprising an expandable portion (5;

24;

43) which upon expanding expands against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user, and said sound emitting device further comprising a compressible element (7;

25;

45) which is filled with a fluid and which is connected to said expandable portion whereby fluid is transferred to said expandable portion causing it to expand upon compression of said compressible element, characterized in that said sound emitting device further comprises a compression mechanism (6;

26,27;

46,49,50) for compressing the compressible element and in that said compression mechanism is adjustable by the user to adjust the amount which the compressible element is compressed.

2. A sound emitting device (1;

20;

40) according to claim 1, characterized in that said compression mechanism (6;

26,27,28;

46,49,50) comprises a displaceable element (10;

27;

50) which when displaced in a first direction compresses said compressible element (7;

25;

45).

3. A sound emitting device (1;

20;

40) according to claim 2, characterized in that said displaceable element (10;

27;

50) is held in position between adjustments via friction.

4. A sound emitting device (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that said compression mechanism (26,27) comprises a ratchet mechanism for holding said displaceable element (27) in position between adjustments.

5. A sound emitting device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said compression mechanism (26,27) further comprises a quick release mechanism whereby said compression mechanism can quickly release the pressure on the compressible element (25).

6. A sound emitting device (40) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that said compression mechanism (46,49,50) comprises a wedge mechanism (46,49).

7. A sound emitting device (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that said compression mechanism (6) comprises a screw mechanism (10,11,12).

8. A sound emitting device (20) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that said compression mechanism (26,27,28) comprises a pivoting element (27).

9. A sound emitting device (1;

20;

40) according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that said expandable portion (5;

24;

43) and said compressible element (7;

25;

45) are parts of a sealed system which is filled with a fluid.

10. A sound emitting device (1;

20;

40) according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that said sound emitting device comprises means for communicating with a mobile radio terminal.