US2206807A

US2206807A - Hearing device

Info

Publication number: US2206807A
Application number: US300088A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter E Christe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-10-18
Filing date: 1939-10-18
Publication date: 1940-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1957-07-02

Description

July 2, 1940.

E. CHRISTE HEARING DEVICE Filed Oct. 18, 1939 gwwm MzzzrE 671M529 Patented July 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a hearing device designed primarily as a hearing aid for deaf persons who have lost their ear drums, but it is to to be understood, that a device, in accordance with this invention is for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to for attachment to the ear to facilitate hearing.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to for attachment to and for correlation with the interior of the ear to constitute a hearing aid.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to for correlation with the ear bone from the interior of the ear as to relay vibrations in the same manner as the sensory ear nerve would in a normal persons ear thereby acting as a hearing aid.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to which is simple in its structure and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily installed in the ear, thoroughly efiicient in its use and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation, looking towardsone side of a hearing device in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a view thereof in lengthwise section,

Figure 3 is a top plan view,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a modified form of hearing device in accordance with this invention,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the modified form, and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 of the said modified form.

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the hearing device shown thereby is generally indicated at 7, and it includes an annulus 8 having integral with the inner end portion of its inner periphery or face an inwardly directed flange 9 having its side 9 of greater width than its side 9 The body of the flange 9 gradually increases in width in opposite directions from the transverse median of its side9 to the transverse median of itsside 9 The transverse medians of the sides 9 9 of flange 9 align with the horizontal diametric center of the annulus 8. The free or inner edge ID of the flange 9 forms a circular opening H which is disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of annulus 8.

Formed integral with the inner marginal portion of the outer face of flange 9 and having its inner face flush with the edge or wall I! of the opening i0 is a cylinder l2 or tube disposed at an outward inclination throughout with respect to the flange 9 and which has its axis disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of annulus 8. The outer portion of the cylinder l2 at one side thereof extends laterally with respect to the corresponding side of the annulus 8. The outer or free end terminal of the cylinder 12 is inturned and rounded to form an inwardly extending flat annular flange, as at 13. The cylinder I2 is open at each end. The flange 9 not only constitutes a coupling between annulus 8 and cylinder 12, but also provides a seat M for a circular mica diaphragm [5 which is mounted in and corresponds in diameter to the inner diameter of the annulus 8. The inner face of the latter in proximity to the flange 9 is formed with an endless groove 16 of semi-circular cross section. When the diaphragm I5 is arranged on seat l4 it is positioned inwardly of the groove IS. The diaphragm I5 is secured in the annulus 8 and against seat It by a split resilient ring I! which engages in the groove l6 and bears against the marginal portion of the outer face of diaphragm l5.

Extending from the diaphragm l5 at a point of the latter in alignment with the axis of the cylinder H, as well as extending lengthwise and projecting from the free end of said cylinder is a horse hair la. The latter extends through the diaphragm l5 and is secured to the latter, as at 19. The non-secured end of the horse hair l8 has attached thereto a small body of wax as indicated at 20.

The annulus, flange and cylinder is a one-piece body and the latter may be formed of gold or hard rubber. The material from which said body is formed preferably will be thin. It is to be understood that the diaphragm 15 may be secured to the flange and annulus by other means than that as shown. Preferably the annulus 8 Will be of five-eighths of an inch in outer diameter and inner diameter slightly less than its outer diameter. Preferably the cylinder will be of seveneighths of an inch in length, of an outer diameter of three-eighths of an inch and. with its inner diameter slightly less than its outer diameter. The diameter of the lower portion of the edge or wall I! of the opening ill will correspond to the inner diameter of the cylinder l2. Preferably the length of the horse hair 18 will be one inch. It is to be understood that the dimensions of the elements referred to may be as desired. If desired the edge ll of opening l may be rounded. When the device is inserted into the ear, the body of wax 28 is brought into contact with the tympanic membrane, or used in place thereof When said membrane is destroyed. By means of the horse hair, in connection with the body of Wax the sound vibrations from the diaphragm is: are communicated to the tympanum or to the conducting apparatus of the organs of hearing.

With reference to Figures 4:, and 6, they illustrate a modified form of hearing device generally indicated at 2 i, and it includes a cylinder or tube 22 open at each end, having one of its end edges slightly inturned and rounded, as at 23, its other end edge squared, as at 25 and its outer periphery bordering said squared edge 23 formed with threads, as at 25. The device 2! includes a mica diaphragm 26 in the form of a disc seated on said edge 2 and corresponding in diameter to the outer diameter of cylinder 22. Passing through the diaphragm 26, axially of the latter is a horse hair 2? of a length to project from that end of the cylinder 22 formed with the edge 23. One end of the horse hair 2? is secured to the diaphragm 26, as at 28 and its other end has attached thereto a small body of wax as indicated at 29.

The diaphragm 26 is secured to the cylinder 22 by an inwardly extending flanged interiorly threaded collar 3E] which coacts With the threads The dimensions of the cylinder 22 and length of the horse hair 27 will correspond to that of the cylinder l2 and horse hair M respectively. The cylinder 22 and collar 39 may be formed from gold or hard rubber.

The device 2! functions in the same manner as the device l.

The horse hair It or 2'! constitutes a transmit- ,ter for the vibrations of a diaphragm to the wax body and which in turn are applied to the nerve or bone of the ear by the body of wax. The horse hair also provides a holder for the Wax body, the latter is termed a protecting member, as it is employed to protect the bone or nerve of the ear from the sharp end of the horse hair. The suspension is of sufiicient rigidity to maintain itself permanently clear or free of contact with the cylinder or tube through which it extends, but at the same time is capable of flexing to the desired extent so as not to interfere with its conduction of the sound vibrations from the diaphragm to the ear. The annulus 8 and cylinder i2 protect the diaphragm l5 and horsehair 58 from any interference or from anything which may touch diaphragm E5 or horse hair-before a sound wave makes contact to bone or nerve. The cylinder 22 and the cap 30 also act to protect the diaphragm 26 and horse hair 2'! for the same purpose as the annulus 8 and cylinder l2 with respect to the diaphragm l5 and horse hair l8.

The form indicated at 1 includes a diaphragm l 5 of a size for longer and louder range than the form indicated at 2| and under such conditions the cylinder I2 is disposed ofiset and at an indirection with respect to annulus 8 and the diaphragm I5 to provide for a proper fitting of the device when it is inserted in the ear. The cylinder l2 enters the ear at an angle.

The form indicated at 2| is to be of a size smaller than the form I, to be more invisible than the latter when it is inserted into: the ear. The form 2! will includes a diaphragm 26 of less diameter than the diaphragm l5 whereby it will have less distance range of sound than the de- Vice '7.

The transmitter formed by the horse hair is of such flexibility that it causes the wax to touch the bone or nerve of the ear lightly and with very little pressure and further it possesses a characteristic to carry the sound clearly.

The opening 10 in the form 1 is disposed eccentrically with respect to the annulus for the reason that the cylinder l2 may be disposed at the desired inclination with respect to the annulus, such as shown by Figures 1 and 2 to obtain proper fitting of the annulus 8 and the cylinder [2 to the interior of the ear When a form for longer and louder range is used, such as disclosed by form I.

What I claim is:

1. A hearing device comprising a rigid cylinder, a diaphragm connected with the cylinder at the outer end of the latter, and a'transmitter including a straight bristle and a body of wax carried by the inner terminus of the bristle for contact with the inner ear, the outer terminus of said bristle being fixedly secured directly to said diaphragm and aligned with the axis of said cylinder, said transmitter capable of being flexed. extending lengthwise of, permanently free of contact with and projecting from the inner end or" the cylinder and providing for transmitting sound vibrations to the inner ear from said diaphragm.

2. In a hearing device, a mica diaphragm, a transmitter consisting of a straight horse hair and a body of wax for contact with the inner ear, said horse hair being fixedly secured at its outer terminus to said diaphragm, said body of wax fixedly secured to the inner terminus of said horse hair, and a rigid tubular carrier for the diaphragm, said carrier being disposed about and of less length than said transmitter, and said transmitter being permanently free of contact with the carrier, extended from the latter and providing for transmitting sound vibrations to the inner ear from the diaphragm.

3. In a hearing device, a rigid annulus formed at one end with an inwardly extending right angular disposed endless flange having its body gradually increasing in width in opposite directions from the transverse median of one side to the transverse median of the opposite side thereof thereby providing a circular opening having its axis disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of the annulus, a rigid cylinder disposed at an inclination with respect to the axis of said annulus, said cylinder having its axis aligned with the axis of said opening, integral at one end with said flange and having its inner face aligned with the edge of said opening, a diaphragm secured within the annulus and extending across said opening, and a straight transmitter for contact with the inner ear connected at one end to said diaphragm at a point in alignment with the axis of said opening and cylinder, said transmitter disposed lengthwise of. projecting from the other end of and being permanently free of contact with the cylinder, said transmitter possessing a degree of rigidity to permanently maintain it free of contact with said cylinder and a degree of flexibility to relay sound vibrations from the diaphragm to the inner ear.

4. The invention as set forth by claim 3 having said diaphragm formed of a mica disc and said transmitter formed of a straight horse hair having that end thereof opposite its end attached to the diaphragm provided with a body of wax.

5. In a hearing device, a rigid cylinder open at each end, a diaphragm mounted against and extending across one end of the cylinder, an inwardly flanged collar connected with said cylinder at the said one end of the latter and having its flange bearing against the diaphragm for securing it to said cylinder, and a straight transmitter having one of its ends secured to the diaphragm axially of the latter and the other of its ends for contact with the inner ear, said transmitter disposed lengthwise of, projecting from the other end of and being permanently free of contact with the cylinder, said transmitter possessing a degree of rigidity topermanently maintain it free of contact with said cylinder and a degree of flexibility to relay sound vibrations from the diaphragm to the inner ear.

6. The invention as. set forth by claim 5 having said diaphragm formed of a mica disc and the said transmitter formed of a straight horse hair connected at one end to said diaphragm and a body of wax on its other end.

WALTER E. CHRISTE.