GB2560036A

GB2560036A - E-ear trumpet

Info

Publication number: GB2560036A
Application number: GB1703203.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lear Andy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-28
Filing date: 2017-02-28
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-28
Also published as: GB201703203D0; GB2560036B

Abstract

An ear trumpet which channels sound from a rigid funnel through two flexible tubes, which are inserted into a users ears. The ear trumpet may be worn on the head and held in place using chin straps and forehead straps. Preferably the funnel is mounted on a rotating platform which is turned by a handle connected to bevel gearing. The flexible tubes are preferably screwed into the base of the funnel, which allow the tubes to be interchangeable. The tubes can have a length which allow the funnel to be able to rotate 180 degrees in either direction from the forward position. There may be a phone chamber with a third tube connecting this chamber with the base of the funnel, so sound from a phone placed in this chamber can be conveyed through the third tube into the chamber and then through the flexible tubes to the ears of the user. A battery is also provided to charge the phone or music playing device. The phone chamber and battery are also worn on the head.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Andy Lear

The Roundway, Claygate, Surrey, ΚΤ10 0DW, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:

WO 2010/103511 A1 US 9578409 B1 US 1296891 A US 0438369 A US 20140150163 A1 US 20060212994 A1

SU 001710050 A1 US 5696356 A US 0900097 A US 20150289048 A1 US 20070226876 A1 (72) Inventor(s):

Andy Lear (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Andy Lear

The Roundway, Claygate, Surrey, ΚΤ10 0DW, United Kingdom (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA42B, A61F, G10K

Other: EPODOC, WPI, Patent Fulltext (54) Title of the Invention: E-ear trumpet Abstract Title: Ear trumpet (57) An ear trumpet which channels sound from a rigid funnel through two flexible tubes, which are inserted into a user’s ears. The ear trumpet may be worn on the head and held in place using chin straps and forehead straps. Preferably the funnel is mounted on a rotating platform which is turned by a handle connected to bevel gearing. The flexible tubes are preferably screwed into the base of the funnel, which allow the tubes to be interchangeable. The tubes can have a length which allow the funnel to be able to rotate 180 degrees in either direction from the forward position. There may be a phone chamber with a third tube connecting this chamber with the base of the funnel, so sound from a phone placed in this chamber can be conveyed through the third tube into the chamber and then through the flexible tubes to the ears of the user. A battery is also provided to charge the phone or music playing device. The phone chamber and battery are also worn on the head.

Figure 1

1/1

Figure 1 (to accompany E-ear trumpet patent application)

E-ear trumpet

Description

Figure 1 in drawings to accompany description (as well as accompanying abstract)

This invention relates to a device to enhance the hearing ability anyone, particularly (but not exclusively) those that are hard of hearing. It is almost entirely mechanical and the only power involved in the device is used to charge mobile phones and is unnecessary if this function is not required. The device can be constructed out of any material but preferably one of light weight.

The traditional ear trumpet has been available as far back as the 17^th century but had two main limitations. The first limitation was that It could only be used in one ear (at a time). The second limitation was the inconvenience of having one hand permanently occupied in holding and directing the device. The E-ear trumpet has no such limitations. Furthermore, unlike the modern hearing aid, it is not reliant on batteries making it perfect for developing countries. It allows the user to have both hands free at all times and the rotating mechanism permits them to listen to a conversation they are pointing towards. Finally as a piece of apparel the E-ear trumpet is highly customisable allowing the owner to use the E-ear trumpet as a sartorial statement.

The foundation upon which the device rests is an adjustable forehead strap to keep the device secure and an adjustable chin strap to prevent slippage (both forward and back and sideways). The chin strap (which is in two parts, held together with a buckle below the chine) is directly connected to the forehead strap. Also attached to the forehead strap (but above it) is a rigid skull cap on which is mounted a level base. On the side of this base is a bevel gear, held in place with a bearing, with a handle attached to it. Interlocking with the handle bevel gear is a larger one that is part of the main platform. As the handle is turned the platform rotates left or right depending on the direction in which the handle is turned. Rigidly attached to the platform is the main horn or trumpet which flares down to a chamber. Into this chamber are screwed two flexible pieces of tubing which end either in flexible ear pieces that comfortably fit into the ear or ear pieces that go over the ear for greater comfort. These ear pieces are attached to the (non-rotating) cap with a semi-rigid attachment to keep them in place.

The tubes need to have sufficient length to allow the horn one hundred and eighty degrees in either direction. The fact that they are removable (and therefore easily replaceable) means that the main device can be shared without risk of spreading ear infections if the people involved each had their own personal ear tubes.

In these lax post-war years almost everyone (particularly the youth) has a smartphone from which they can not be separated. The Έ (which stands for electronic) element of the device accommodates this and permits these smart phone users to listen to music or whatever on their phones via the E-ear trumpet. In this configuration device will channel both music and conversations into the ears of the wearer. Should the user which to listen solely to music this can be achieved by the simple expedient of blocking the horn using something like a pair of socks although it is hard to imagine why they would not simply use a pair of conventional headphones for this task.

The phone chamber is a rectangular box somewhat larger than most popular smartphones. There are small beams going across the bottom holding the phone a small distance above the bottom of the chamber in order to avoid blocking the sound from those phones who's loud speakers are situated at the bottom of the phone. The phones are held in place by two semi-rigid curtains cut into many slits so that it will go some way to making a seal around the phone to prevent the sound escaping from the top of the chamber as in figure two.

Claims

1. A mechanical device for enhancing the audibility of sound, coming from any direction, by channelling the sound through a funnel into the ears via flexible tubing.

2. A mechanical device according to claim 1 that can be worn on the head.

3. A piece of headwear according to claim 2 that can channel the sound from a smartphone into the ear of the wearer.

4. A wearable smartphone sound channelling device according to claim 3 that can also charge the aforementioned phone via a suitable cable connected to a battery or 'power bank'.

AMENDMENTS TO CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS

Claim: A device for enhancing the audibility of sound by channelling the sound into the ears, via flexible tubes, from a funnel mounted on a rotating platform operated via a hand crank connected to a set of bevel gears, the entire device to be worn on the head.

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CM

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched:

GB 1703203.8 1-4