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US 5,288,953 AGranted
Compressible stethoscope ear tip
AssigneeWelch Allyn, Inc.
InventorEdward L. Peart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ear tip for use on stethoscopes, audio head sets and similar apparatus is shown having a relatively rigid inner body and an outer flexible soft body that can compress to accommodate outer ear canal configurations in comfort and efficient sealing contact without hinging or folding over so as to restrict sound transmission therethrough. A tubular guiding ferrule configuration insures proper alignment and maintenance of sound transmission efficiency with user comfort.
Claims12
An ear tip for use with a headset type device which comprises:
- a generally tubular inner body member having a receptacle portion at a first end for receiving therein the end of an ear tube and an extended open ferrule at a second end, wherein said inner body member receptacle portion is threaded to screw onto a similarly threaded ear tube;
- an outer body member having a sleeve portion and an enlarged ear contacting portion, wherein said sleeve portion is formed to engage about said inner body member receptacle portion;
- said outer body ear contacting portion extending outwardly beyond the open ferrule end of said inner body member;
- said inner body member being formed of a generally rigid material and said outer body being formed of a resilient material;
- and
- said ear contacting portion of said outer body member comprising:
- a convex outer wall forming a hollow chamber about the open end of said inner body ferrule;
- said convex outer wall being turned inwardly to form a tubular ferrule slidably engaging said open ferrule of said inner body;
- said convex outer wall having a thickness and flexibility so as to permit a cushioning deformation about the ear canal opening of a user when installed on the ear tube of a headset type device positioned in the ear of a user;
- and
- a tubular inner ferrule portion is formed to slidably engage with the inside of said open ferrule end of said inner body.
8 more elements
An ear tip for use with a headset type device which comprises:
- a generally tubular inner body member having a receptacle portion at one end for receiving therein the end of an ear tube and an extended open ferrule at the other end;
- an outer body member having a sleeve portion and an enlarged ear contacting portion;
- said outer body ear contacting portion extending outwardly beyond the open ferrule end of said inner body member;
- said inner body member being formed of a generally rigid material and said outer body being formed of a resilient material;
- and
- said ear contacting portion of said outer body member having a convex outer surface and a tubular inner ferrule portion;
- wherein said outer body tubular inner ferrule portion is formed by turning back into itself said outer convex surface at the ear contacting end of said outer body member to form said tubular ferrule inside a convex cylindrical chamber and said tubular ferrule is formed to slidably engage with the inside of said open ferrule end of said inner body to provide lateral support of said ear contacting portion while allowing axial movement thereof.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.