Anchoring element for in-the-ear devices
First Claim
1. An anchoring element for a device for use in an ear canal of a wearer, comprising:
- a body, defining a cavity for transmission of sound to the wearer from a source external of the ear canal,said body having a portion sized and constructed to fit easily within the ear canal of the wearer,a replaceable, inflatable bladder removably disposed about said portion of said body and adapted for inflation by air delivered into a chamber defined at least in part by said bladder and in part by said body, by way of a conduit defined by said body, so as to resiliently and dynamically engage and conform to irregularities and changes of shape of surrounding walls of the ear canal of the wearer, so as to uniformly seal against the surrounding walls, such that said device is firmly and securely held in position in the ear canal, andpressure relief means associated with said bladder for venting excess air from said chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An anchoring element for a device for use in the ear canal of a wearer includes a body defining a cavity for transmission of external sound through the ear canal to the wearer and having a first portion sized and constructed to fit easily within the ear canal, an inflatable bladder removably disposed about the body and adapted for inflation by air delivered into a chamber defined by the body, to cause the bladder to inflate to resiliently engage and conform to irregularities and changes of shape of the surrounding wall of the ear canal of the wearer, e.g., during chewing. The bladder inflates in a manner to seal uniformly with the ear canal wall about the device, to hold the device firmly and securely in position in the ear canal. Pressure relief means associated with the bladder provide for venting excess air of inflation from the chamber.
110 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An anchoring element for a device for use in an ear canal of a wearer, comprising:
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a body, defining a cavity for transmission of sound to the wearer from a source external of the ear canal, said body having a portion sized and constructed to fit easily within the ear canal of the wearer, a replaceable, inflatable bladder removably disposed about said portion of said body and adapted for inflation by air delivered into a chamber defined at least in part by said bladder and in part by said body, by way of a conduit defined by said body, so as to resiliently and dynamically engage and conform to irregularities and changes of shape of surrounding walls of the ear canal of the wearer, so as to uniformly seal against the surrounding walls, such that said device is firmly and securely held in position in the ear canal, and pressure relief means associated with said bladder for venting excess air from said chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification