Bone conduction microphone mount

• US 5,282,253 A
• Filed: 02/26/1991
• Issued: 01/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pan Communications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pan Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Konomi, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Jason
• Application Number:
  US07/660,815
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 381/151, 381/68.3, 381/68.6, 381/69, 181/135, 181/130
• US Class Current: 381/151
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/46 Special adaptations for use as contact microphones, e.g. on musical instrument, on stethoscope throat mountings H04R1/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Abstract

A bone conduction microphone which fits into the ear of the user and which has means which abuts against the pinna of the ear causing a counteracting force to resiliently push the device against a wall of the ear canal nearest the back of the head, where bone conducted vibrations are detected most efficiently.

Claims

1. A bone conduction microphone, for use in an ear, comprising:

an inside portion, with a vibration sensor located therein, for insertion in the ear canal; and

an outside portion, attached to the inside portion, including means, adapted to abut the pinna of the ear, for resiliently pushing the inside portion against a wall of the ear canal nearest the back of the head when inserted in the ear, wherein

the means is integral with the outside portion and comprises;

a spring, releasably mounted in a bore in the outside portion; and

a pad, coupled to the spring, which abuts and exerts a force against the pinna when the spring is released.

2. A bone conduction microphone, for use in an ear, comprising:

an inside portion, with a vibration sensor located therein, for insertion in the ear canal; and

an outside portion, attached to the inside portion, including means, adapted to abut the pinna of the ear, for resiliently pushing the inside portion against a wall of the ear canal nearest the back of the head when inserted in the ear, wherein

the means is separable from the outside portion and comprises;

an arm, separate from and contacting the outside portion;

a spring attached to the arm;

a pinna fitting, attached to the spring, for attaching the bone conduction microphone to a rim of the pinna; and

a release causes the spring to push the arm.

3. The bone conduction microphone as recited in claim 2, wherein the pinna fitting comprises a rim holder and a center piece which releasably attach to the rim of the pinna.