Modular hearing aid with lid hinged to faceplate
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hearing aid comprising:
- (a) a shell adapted to fit within a user'"'"'s ear and having an outer rim,(b) a faceplate fixed to said outer rim and having an opening therein,(c) an electronic module comprising a microphone, an amplifier connected to said microphone to amplify sound therefrom, a receiver connected to said amplifier to produce sound for said user, and a battery compartment to house a battery for said amplifier, said module being fitted within said opening of said faceplate and being removably attached to said faceplate,(d) said battery compartment having an open outer end,(e) a lid for said faceplate, said lid being adapted substantially to cover said module, there being no other lid to cover said module, said lid having an inside surface, said inside surface defining a closure for said open outer end of said battery compartment,(f) hinge means connected between said lid and said faceplate for said lid to be opened and closed, said lid when closed substantially covering said module, and said lid when closed being aligned for said closure for said battery compartment to close said battery compartment, said lid when open uncovering said battery compartment for removal of said battery and also uncovering said module so that said module can be removed from said faceplate,(g) and detent means for retaining said lid in a closed position.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular hearing aid to fit in the user'"'"'s ear, having a shell, a faceplate fixed to the shell, and an electronic module removably snapped into the faceplate. The module includes an open-topped battery compartment which is closed by a lid hinged to the faceplate rather than to the module. This eliminates a bulky hinge on the module and allows a smaller snap fastener between the module and faceplate. The volume control on the module projects through an opening in the closed lid.
189 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A hearing aid comprising:
-
(a) a shell adapted to fit within a user'"'"'s ear and having an outer rim, (b) a faceplate fixed to said outer rim and having an opening therein, (c) an electronic module comprising a microphone, an amplifier connected to said microphone to amplify sound therefrom, a receiver connected to said amplifier to produce sound for said user, and a battery compartment to house a battery for said amplifier, said module being fitted within said opening of said faceplate and being removably attached to said faceplate, (d) said battery compartment having an open outer end, (e) a lid for said faceplate, said lid being adapted substantially to cover said module, there being no other lid to cover said module, said lid having an inside surface, said inside surface defining a closure for said open outer end of said battery compartment, (f) hinge means connected between said lid and said faceplate for said lid to be opened and closed, said lid when closed substantially covering said module, and said lid when closed being aligned for said closure for said battery compartment to close said battery compartment, said lid when open uncovering said battery compartment for removal of said battery and also uncovering said module so that said module can be removed from said faceplate, (g) and detent means for retaining said lid in a closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A hearing aid comprising:
- a shell adapted to be fitted within a user'"'"'s ear, an electronic module containing electronic components and also containing a battery compartment, a faceplate connected to said shell, said faceplate comprising a plastic plate having an upwardly extending annular rim, said rim defining and encircling an opening through said faceplate, said module being received in said opening, said rim having an upper edge, a first hinge portion located on said upper edge of said rim, said first hinge portion not extending laterally outwardly beyond said rim and also not extending laterally inwardly into said opening, a cover for said module, said cover having a second hinge portion connected to said first hinge portion to hingedly attach said cover to said rim, said faceplate including retaining means separate from said first and second hinge portions for releasably retaining said module within said opening, said retaining means being substantially the sole means connecting said module to said faceplate.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
Specification