Plug-type hearing device

• US 4,133,984 A
• Filed: 08/03/1977
• Issued: 01/09/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Koken Limited
• Original Assignee: Koken Limited
• Inventors: Akiyama, Taichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Stellar, George G.
• Application Number:
  US05/821,547
• Time in Patent Office: 524 Days
• Field of Search: 179/107 E, 179/182 R, 179/182 A, 181/130, 181/131, 181/132, 181/133, 181/134, 181/135
• US Class Current: 381/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/456 mechanically
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/656 Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal

Abstract

A plug-type hearing device comprising a sound-leading portion being inserted into the auditory miatus, a first envelope attached around the sound-leading portion, a second envelope being positioned at the outside of the auditory miatus and being communicated with the first envelope through a pipe, and a holding means for holding an expanded state of the first envelope when the volume of the latter is increased, wherein the volume of the second envelope is decreased to increase the volume of the first envelope by the pressure of a fluid contained inside, and the expanded first envelope is closely contacted with the wall surface of the auditory miatus.

Claims

1. In a plug-type hearing device including a sound-conducting portion for insertion into the auditory miatus and for introducing a sound thereinto, a first envelope of elastic material formed around said sound-conducting portion, a fluid, and a passage for said fluid connected at one end to said first envelope for supplying said fluid to the first envelope from a source connected to the other end of the passage, expanding means for expanding said first envelope within the miatus by supplying said fluid thereinto, and holding means for maintaining the expanded state of said first envelope, said expanded first envelope being closely contacted with a wall surface forming said auditory miatus, the improvement in said expanding and holding means comprising a resiliently deformable valve disposed in said passage for said fluid, and means for applying pressure to said fluid comprising a second envelope communicating with said first envelope through said passage and disposed outside of said auditory miatus, the volume of said second envelope being decreased to increase the volume of said first envelope through the pressure of said fluid, said second envelope being made of an elastic material and being attached to a main body of an earphone having said sound-conducting portion, said valve being resiliently deformable by the pressure of said fluid whereby the fluid can pass through said valve into said first envelope, and said valve being resiliently returned to a state closing said passage when said pressure is relieved whereby said first envelope is held in the expanded state, said valve comprising a check valve, and including means for opening said valve to return said fluid into said second envelope, said opening means comprising a pipe attached to the inner wall of said second envelope, said pipe being adapted to be forced into engagement with said check valve to open the check valve.

2. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 1 including at least one aperture in said pipe through which said fluid passes when returning to said second envelope.

3. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 1 wherein said sound-conducting portion comprises a hard pipe functioning as a core when inserted into said auditory miatus.

4. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 1 wherein said fluid comprises a material selected from the group consisting of air and ethylene glycol.

5. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 1 wherein the device is adapted to be hung on the ear and comprises a transducer, an amplifier, and an earphone, and wherein said sound-leading portion is connected to said earphone which is contained in the main body portion of the device.

6. In a plug-type hearing device including a sound-conducting portion for insertion into the auditory miatus and for introducing a sound thereinto, a first envelope of elastic material formed around said sound-conducting portion, a fluid, and a passage for said fluid connected at one end to said first envelope for supplying said fluid to the first envelope from a source connected to the other end of the passage, expanding means for expanding said first envelope within the miatus by supplying said fluid thereinto, and holding means for maintaining the expanded state of said first envelope, said expanded first envelope being closely contacted with a wall surface forming said auditory miatus, the improvement in said expanding and holding means comprising a resiliently deformable valve disposed in said passage for said fluid, and means for applying pressure to said fluid said valve being resiliently deformable by the pressure of said fluid whereby the fluid can pass through said valve into said first envelope, and said valve being resiliently returned to a state closing said passage when said pressure is relieved whereby said first envelope is held in the expanded state, comprising a second envelope communicating with said first envelope through said passage and disposed outside of said auditory miatus, the volume of said second envelope being decreased to increase the volume of said first envelope through the pressure of said fluid, said second envelope being made of an elastic material and being attached to a main body of an earphone having said sound-conducting portion, and wherein said passage includes a pipe section, and including a second valve comprising a roller valve attached to the outer surface of said pipe section, and an opening defined by said pipe section adapted to be exposed by said roller valve whereby said fluid is adapted to be discharged from said first envelope.

7. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 6 wherein said sound-conducting portion comprises a hard pipe functioning as a core when inserted into said auditory miatus.

8. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 6 wherein said fluid comprises a material selected from the group consisting of air and ethylene glycol.

9. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 6 wherein the device is adapted to be hung on the ear and comprises a transducer, an amplifier, and an earphone, and wherein said sound-leading portion is connected to said earphone which is contained in the main body portion of the device.

10. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 6 wherein said roller valve is attached in surrounding relationship to said pipe section in such a manner that said opening is normally closed by said roller valve, said roller valve being adapted to be rolled up on itself along said outer surface into a ring-shaped configuration whereby said opening is exposed to permit discharge of said fluid, said roller valve being formed of an elastic material whereby said roller valve normally resists being rolled up on itself and is elastically restored by its elastic force to its original state to close said opening when rolling force is removed.

11. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 10 wherein said check valve comprises a cylindrical member positioned within said pipe section, said cylindrical member being forcibly opened by fluid pressure resulting from said second envelope being contracted, and said cylindrical member being closed by its own elastic force.

12. In a plug-type hearing device including a sound-conducting portion for insertion into the auditory miatus and for introducing a sound thereinto, a first envelope formed around said sound-conducting portion, a fluid, and a passage for said fluid connected at one end to said first envelope for supplying said fluid to the first envelope from a source comprising a second envelope which is connected to the other end of the passage, said second envelope being deformable whereby said fluid is forced through said passage and into said first envelope for expanding said first envelope within the miatus, and holding means for maintaining the expanded state of said first envelope, said expanded first envelope being closely contacted with a wall surface forming said auditory miatus, the improvement in said expanding and holding means wherein said second envelope includes actuating members formed of elastic material whereby facing wall surfaces thereof are normally held in spaced-apart relationship, locking means for placing said second envelope in a deformed state, said locking means comprising cooperating locking devices disposed on the respective facing wall surfaces of said actuating members whereby forcing of said actuating members together operates to unite the locking devices and to thereby lock the actuating members together, said locking means being automatically operable upon application of deforming pressure to said second envelope whereby the first envelope is held in the expanded state and means for releasing said locking means by subsequent application of deforming pressure to the second envelope whereby said fluid returns through said passage to the second envelope and the first envelope is restored to an unexpanded state.

13. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 12 wherein said locking devices comprise a truncated-cone shaped recess positioned on one wall surface and a truncated-cone projection positioned on the opposite wall surface, said projection being receivable within said recess to achieve the locking function.

14. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 12 wherein said actuating members include means for attachment of the actuating members to said other end of said passage, the actuating members being pivotable about said connection with said passage.

15. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 12 wherein said sound-conducting portion comprises a hard pipe functioning as a core when inserted into said auditory miatus.

16. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 12 wherein said first and second envelopes are formed of elastic material, and wherein said second envelope is attached to the main body of an earphone.

17. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 12 wherein the device is adapted to be hung on the ear and comprises a transducer, an amplifier, and an earphone, and wherein said sound-leading portion is connected to said earphone which is contained in the main body portion of the device.

18. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 12 wherein said fluid comprises a material selected from the group consisting of air and ethylene glycol.

19. In a plug-type hearing device including a sound-conducting portion for insertion into the auditory miatus and for introducing a sound thereinto, a first envelope formed around said sound-conducting portion, a fluid, and a passage for said fluid connected at one end to said first envelope for supplying said fluid to the first envelope from a source comprising a second envelope which is connected to the other end of the passage, said second envelope being deformable whereby said fluid is forced through said passage and into said first envelope for expanding said first envelope within the miatus, and holding means for maintaining the expanded state of said first envelope, said expanded first envelope being closely contacted with a wall surface forming said auditory miatus, the improvement in said expanding and holding means comprising locking means for placing said second envelope in a deformed state, said locking means being automatically operable upon application of deforming pressure to said second envelope whereby the first envelope is held in the expanded state and means for releasing said locking means by subsequent application of deforming pressure to the second envelope whereby said fluid returns through said passage to the second envelope and the first envelope is restored to an unexpanded state, and wherein said locking means comprise a knob formed on the exterior of said second envelope, the application of pressure to said knob driving the knob inwardly whereby folds formed by the walls of the second envelope are positioned around the knob to hold the knob in the inward position, and wherein the knob is adapted to be released from the inward position by moving the knob outwardly, and including a guide rod extending inwardly from said knob within said second envelope, said passage including a tubular member receiving said guide rod whereby the inward and outward movements of said knob are controlled by said guide rod.

20. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 19 wherein the device is adapted to be hung on the ear and comprises a transducer, an amplifier, and an earphone, and wherein said sound-leading portion is connected to said earphone which is contained in the main body portion of the device.

21. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 19 wherein said first and second envelopes are formed of elastic material, and wherein said second envelope is attached to the main body of an earphone.

22. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 19 wherein said fluid comprises a material selected from the group consisting of air and ethylene glycol.

23. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 19 wherein said sound-conducting portion comprises a hard pipe functioning as a core when inserted into said auditory miatus.

24. In a plug-type hearing device including a sound-conducting portion for insertion into the auditory miatus and for introducing a sound thereinto, a first envelope formed around said sound-conducting portion, a fluid, and a passage for said fluid connected at one end to said first envelope for supplying said fluid to the first envelope from a source comprising a second envelope which is connected to the other end of the passage, said second envelope being deformable whereby said fluid is forced through said passage and into said first envelope for expanding said first envelope within the miatus, and holding means for maintaining the expanded state of said first envelope, said expanded first envelope being closely contacted with a wall surface forming said auditory miatus, the improvement in said expanding and holding means comprising locking means for placing said second envelope in a deformed state, said locking means being automatically operable upon application of deforming pressure to said second envelope whereby the first envelope is held in the expanded state and means for releasing said locking means by subsequent application of deforming pressure to the second envelope whereby said fluid returns through said passage to the second envelope and the first envelope is restored to an unexpanded state, said locking means comprising a spring plate located in the wall of said second envelope, said spring plate defining a first position prior to deformation of said second envelope whereby said fluid is substantially maintained in said second envelope, said spring plate being deformable upon application of pressure to said second envelope to a second position whereby the fluid is forced into said first envelope, said spring plate being adapted to maintain said second position until said subsequent application of deforming pressure.

25. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 24 wherein said sound-conducting portion comprises a hard pipe functioning as a core when inserted into said auditory miatus.

26. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 24 wherein said first and second envelopes are formed of elastic material, and wherein said second envelope is attached to the main body of an earphone.

27. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 24 wherein said fluid comprises a meterial selected from the group consisting of air and ethylene glycol.

28. A plug-type hearing device according to claim 24 wherein the device is adapted to be hung on the ear and comprises a transducer, an amplifier, and an earphone, and wherein said sound-leading portion is connected to said earphone which is contained in the main body portion of the device.