Hearing aid drying device

• US 6,625,900 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2002
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stewart W. Tobias
• Original Assignee: Stewart W. Tobias
• Inventors: Tobias, Stewart W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CAMTU TRAN
• Application Number:
  US10/047,652
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 342/18, 342/19, 342/20, 342/45, 219/383, 219/385, 219/386, 219/400, 219/392, 219/521, 362/226, 362/249, 362/251, 362/253
• US Class Current: 34/218
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/283 in combination with convection
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/003 Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable

Abstract

A hearing aid drying device for receiving and heat-drying one or more hearing aids. The device includes an electrical outlet-supported and electrically actuated wall light having a base with electrical contacts for operative engagement into an electrical outlet and an electric light bulb operatively supported in the base. A support member is connected to the base and a container is connected to the support member in a position directly above and in close proximity to the light bulb. The container preferably includes a closeable lid and defines an interior volume adapted to receive at least one hearing aid placed therein whereby moisture in the hearing aid accumulated. during use thereof is heated sufficiently by the light bulb to cause the moisture to evaporate. Apertures formed through the lid and bottom of the container facilitate circulation of heated air through the interior volume.

Claims

1. A hearing aid drying device comprising:

an electrical outlet-supported and electrically actuated wall light including a base with electrical contacts for direct supportive engagement into an electrical outlet and an electric light bulb operatively supported in said base;

a decorative support panel connected to and upwardly extending from said base;

a container having an openable lid connected to an inwardly facing surface of said support member in a position directly above said light bulb, said container and said lid defining a closable interior volume sized to receive a hearing aid placed therein whereby said interior volume is heated sufficiently by the light bulb to substantially demoisturize the hearing aid;

said lid including a plurality of apertures formed therethrough whereby heated airflow for demoistuzing the hearing aid is enhanced.

2. A hearing aid drying device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

tape means for closing at lest one of said apertures in said lid whereby the temperature within said interior volume may be selectively regulated.

3. A hearing aid drying device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said container has a bottom positioned in close proximity to said light bulb, said bottom having at least one aperture formed therethrough whereby more of the heat produced by and rising from said light bulb reaches said interior volume for demoisturizing the hearing aid.

4. A hearing aid drying device comprising:

an electrical outlet-supported and electrically actuated wall light of the type used as a night light including a base with electrical contacts for supportive operative engagement directly into an electrical outlet and a lower power electric light bulb operatively supported in said base;

a support member connected or connectable to said base and having a decorative surface facing away from said base;

a cup-shaped and sized container attached to a rear surface of said support member in a position above said light bulb, said container including a closeable lid defining an interior volume sized to receive one or a pair of hearing aids placed therein whereby moisture in the hearing aid and earwax accumulated during use thereof is heated sufficiently by the light bulb to cause the moisture to evaporate and for the wax to dry for easy removal;

said lid including a plurality of apertures formed therethrough whereby heated airflow for demoisturizing the hearing aid is enhanced.

5. A hearing aid drying device as set forth in claim 4, wherein:

said container has a bottom positioned in close proximity to said light bulb, said bottom having at least one aperture formed therethrough whereby more of the heat produced by and rising from said light bulb reaches said interior volume for demoistuizing the hearing aid.

6. A hearing aid drying device as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

tape means for closing at lest one of said apertures in said lid whereby the temperature within said interior volume may be selectively regulated.

7. For drying accumulated moisture from a hearing aid, a hearing aid drying device comprising:

an electrical wall outlet-supported and electrically actuated wall light having spaced electrical contacts operably connectable directly into, and receiving full support from, a wall-mounted electrical outlet and inducing a base with electrical contacts for operative engagement into the electrical outlet and an electric light bulb operatively supported in said base;

a support member connected to said base;

a cup-shaped container connected to said support member in a position above said light bulb, said container defining an interior volume closely sized to receive one or a pair of hearing aids placed therein whereby moisture in the hearing aid accumulated during use thereof is heated sufficiently by the light bulb to cause the moisture to evaporate.

8. In an electrical wall outlet-supported and electrically actuated wall light of the type used as a night light including a base with electrical contacts for operative engagement directly into a wall-mounted electrical outlet and a lower power electric light bulb operatively supported in said base and having a support member connected or connectable to said base having a decorative surface facing away from said base, the improvement comprising:

a cup-shaped container attached to a rear surface of said support member in a position above said light bulb, said container including a closeable lid defining an interior volume closely sized to receive one or a pair of hearing aids placed therein whereby, when said light bulb is operated, moisture in the hearing aid and earwax accumulated during use thereof is heated sufficiently by the light bulb to cause the moisture to evaporate and for the wax to dry for easy removal.