# US 5,345,509 A · Transducer with ear canal pickup

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- Number: US 5,345,509 A
- Document ID: US5345509A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/924,893
- Filed: 1992-08-04
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1992-08-04
- Assignees: Stanton Magnetics, Inc.
- Inventors: Alan Hofer; Peter Untersander
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5345509A

## CPC

- H04R 25/556: {External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules (H04R25/607 takes precedence)}
- H04R 25/652: {Ear tips; Ear moulds (hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659)}
- H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K)

## Abstract

A transducer assembly includes a bi-directional transducer coupled to an ear mold for transmitting and receiving sounds from a remote location. A by-pass channel is provided in the ear mold for ambient sounds which by-pass the transducer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A transducer assembly comprising:
a bi-directional transducer;
ear mold means constructed and arranged to fit into a person's ear, said ear mold means cooperating with said bi-directional transducer to propagate sound waves between said bi-directional transducer and said ear, said ear mold means further including bypass path means for defining a path for ambient sounds bypassing said bi-directional transducer; and
coupling means for coupling said bi-directional transducer to said ear mold means.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said bi-directional transducer is mounted on said ear mold means.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises a contacting member and a biasing member for biasing said contacting member between said ear mold means and said transducer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The transducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said bi-directional transducer is an inertial transducer.

### Claim 5

A transducer assembly for converting electrical signals onto sound and sounds into electrical signals, said transducer assembly comprising:
a bi-directional transducer;
a transducer housing for holding said bi-directional transducer;
ear mold means arranged and constructed for insertion into a person's ear in contact with a mastoid bone for exchanging sound waves between said bi-directional transducer and said mastoid bone;
a by-pass channel for directing ambient sounds to said ear bypassing said bi-directional transducer; and
coupling means for coupling said ear mold means and said transducer housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The transducer assembly of claim 5 wherein said coupling means includes a first coupling member mounted on said transducer housing and a second coupling mounted on said ear mold said first and second coupling members cooperating for mounting said transducer housing on said ear mold.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The transducer assembly of claim 6 wherein said ear mold includes a first channel leading to said bi-directional transducer for directing sounds from said bi-directional transducer to said ear.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The transducer assembly of claim 5 wherein said transducer housing includes mounting means for mounting said bi-directional transducer separately from said ear mold.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The transducer assembly of claim 8 further comprising a contact means and biasing means for biasing said contact means between said ear mold and said bi-directional transducer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The transducer of claim 9 wherein said contact means includes a plate mounted on said ear mold, and a contact member in contact with said plate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The transducer of claim 10 wherein said biasing means includes a spring extending outwardly of said transducer housing for biasing said contact member against said plate.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The transducer of claim 10 wherein at least one of said contact plate and contact member are made of a magnetic material.