Patent ID: 6094494
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
An ear-piece assembly for transmitting sound to a user's ear canal that provides an improved fit within the walls of the user's ear canal and reduces feedback, the assembly comprising:an ear-piece component comprising a housing for containing sound transmission components, having a face surface and an oppositely-disposed stem portion for projecting into the user's ear canal, a speaker tube connected to the sound transmission components and extending to the exterior of the housing at the stem portion for radiating sound into the user's ear canal, an air channel extending through the component from the face surface to the stem portion, and a ridge disposed on the exterior of the housing at the stem portion; andan inflatable, resilient fitting balloon having a mouth, a closed end, and a sound transmission duct therein extending from the mouth to the closed end, wherein the sound transmission duct couples to the speaker tube adjacent the mouth and opens at the closed end, so that the fitting balloon may be removably fitted over the speaker tube at the stem portion of the housing and extend into the ear canal and inflated with air passed through the air channel such that the balloon will engage against the walls of the user's ear canal with the duct providing a continuous path for the passage of sound from the sound transmission components, through the speaker tube, through the duct, and into the user's ear canal.