Abstract:
An in-ear device comprises a main body for placement in the outer ear of a wearer and has at least two derivative canals each containing a filtering medium differing from one another in terms of their frequency suppression capabilities, and a preferably rotatable knob enabling selection of the respective filtering canal without the need for removal of the device from the ear.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 61/282,176 filed on Dec. 24, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to in-ear devices, such as intra-aural hearing protectors (earplugs), earphones, or hearing-aide devices, and more specifically to an in-ear device which has a selectable frequency response with pre-determined values, the selection being made with the device being properly positioned inside the wearer&#39;s ear. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     High-level sounds, and particularly the recurrence thereof, are known to cause hearing impairment, and in extreme cases, the loss of hearing. In order to avoid the hearing impairments, numerous types of hearing protectors for noise reduction has been proposed to be used in different fields and uses such as military, industrial applications and music. 
     One of the most common hearing protectors is a foam earplug. Foam earplugs are rolled-down and inserted into the ear canal. When the rolling pressure is interrupted, the plug expands to fit the inner morphology of the ear. One of the limitations of foam earplugs is that they are intended to filter a broad range of sound frequencies. If the wearer needs protection for a specific range of sound frequencies—or when the user needs a less attenuating product in order to hear voice or warning signals—he will have to completely remove the earplugs and take a new pair of plugs made of different material, or filter with passive or active acoustical means. This procedure represents a disadvantage, since it renders the user unprotected during the transition. 
     There is in the market an ear protective device that can be adjusted according to two different frequency response operating modes. This device has the possibility to switch between two different levels of sound attenuation. However, the device requires that it be removed from the ear before changing from one operating mode to the other because of the rotating knob that rotates within a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the entrance of the ear canal (or about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane of the outer ear). Again, this procedure renders the user unprotected during the transition. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved in-ear device that enables the wearer to switch between different levels of attenuation protection, without compromising his auditory protection. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the limitations and problems discussed above, the main objective of the present invention is to provide for an improved in-ear device that enables the wearer to switch between different levels of sound protection, without compromising his auditory protection. 
     An advantage of the present invention is to provide an in-ear device that can be selectively adjusted for filtering a specific range or level of sound frequencies. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an in-ear device that will allow the wearer to select the degree of attenuation or frequency range protection according to the acoustic conditions of the environment, via a rotating button, a push toggle button or the like, or even a combination thereof. 
     Another advantage of the invention is to provide an in-ear device that can easily be adjusted without removing the same from the wearer&#39;s ear. 
     Yet another advantage of the invention is to provide an in-ear device that can be adjusted in such a way that it helps to keep the device in the wearer&#39;s ear, by applying positive pressure thereon, and optionally with a rotational motion towards natural insertion of the device inside the wearer&#39;s ear, especially when the protrusion is pre-shaped to fit the ear canal. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-ear device for selectively adjusting the range or level of sound frequencies reaching the inner ear of a wearer&#39;s ear, therefore having a selectable frequency response, said device comprising a main body having an innermost face and an outermost face, a canal inside the main body and extending from an inner end of the innermost face to an outer end of the outermost face of the main body and splitting into at least two derivative canals adjacent the outermost face within a generally annular zone defined thereon, each said canals being at least partially filled with a respective filling material, a knob, preferably rotatably attached to the outermost face of the main body and defining a peripheral edge thereof extending beyond the inner zone so as to cover the inner zone, said knob having a channel formed within an inner surface thereof, said channel extending generally radially from the knob periphery to an inner end thereof adjacent the annular zone whereby the channel being selectively in fluid communication with a respective said derivative canal upon rotation thereof. 
     Conveniently, the knob rotates about a knob axis generally coaxial with an axis of the annular zone. 
     Additionally, the knob is mounted in the main body in such a way that it can be easily rotated from one of the positions to the other without compromising the filtering capabilities of the device. In general, the device of the invention has three different positions, each position representing a filtering mode for a specific range or level of sound frequencies, or type of sound. The knob can be easily rotated from one position to the other, without the need to remove the device from the ear. Additionally, the knob of the invention comprises means that will indicate to the wearer the appropriate position of the knob in one of the positions. 
     Typically, the main body has at least three sides, a first side of said at least three sides being shaped to fit the tragus of a wearer&#39;s ear, and a second side of said at least three sides being shaped to fit an antitragus of a wearer&#39;s ear. 
     In one embodiment, the knob is a push toggle button movably mounted on the outermost face of the main body. 
     These and other advantages and objects will be apparent in view of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following figures, in which similar references used in different figures denote similar components, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment for the main body according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment for the main body according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a device in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  where the knob has been omitted to facilitate visualising the elements inside the main body; 
         FIG. 4   b  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4   a;    
         FIG. 5  is a side sectional view on the line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3  depicting the surroundings of the knob when operating on filtering mode I; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the main body has only two derivative canals; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6   a;    
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 1  in the final position inside the left-hand-side ear of a wearer; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side view similar to  FIG. 5  of another embodiment for the main body according to the present invention, showing a push toggle button. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is depicted the device  1  of the invention comprising a main body  2 . In general, the main body  2  can be designed and shaped so as to be safely placed in the outer ear of a specific wearer&#39;s ear. In  FIGS. 1 and 2  are depicted two possible embodiments for the main body  2  according to the present invention.  FIG. 1  represents the more general shape of main body  2 ;  FIG. 2  represents an embodiment including a protrusion  20 ′ intended to be inserted inside of a wearer&#39;s ear canal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a specific embodiment of the invention comprising a main body  2  having three sides  4 ,  6  and  8 . The sides of the main body  2  are generally equal to one another, forming a main body  2  quasi-triangular in shape. By way of example, and not a limitation, the three sides  4 ,  6  and  8  of the main body  2  are convex; however, they might be shaped to resemble other geometrical forms. The device  1  might have at least three sides provided that at least two of the sides are designed and shaped in a way that a first side  6  fits the tragus A of a wearer&#39;s ear, and the second side  4  fits the antitragus B of a wearer&#39;s ear (see  FIG. 7 ). The main body  2  also includes at least three tips. As shown in  FIG. 3 , two adjacent sides are united by one of the tips  10 ,  12  or  14 . Tips  10 ,  12  and  14  might have any geometrical form; preferably tips  10 ,  12  and  14  are rounded. As viewed in  FIG. 3  the main body  2  includes an outermost face  16  and an innermost face  18 . The outermost face  16  might include markings representing the applicable filtering modes on the device  1 . The main body  2  might have at least two filtering modes; as reference, in  FIG. 3  the device  1  includes the filtering modes I, II and III. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4   a , it shows the canal  24  inside the main body  2 . The canal  24  extends from an inner end of the innermost face  18  to an outer end of the outermost face  16 . Before reaching the outer end of the outermost face  16 , the canal  24  splits into at least two derivative canals adjacent to the outermost face within a generally annular zone  50  defined thereon. In general, the number of derivative canals depends on the number of filtering modes applicable on the device  1 ; in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  there is shown a device  1  including three filtering modes I, II and, III and, consequently, three derivative canals  24 ′,  24 ″ and  24 ′″ associated to the filtering modes I, II and III, respectively. The interior of each derivative canals  24 ′,  24 ″ and  24 ′″ is at least partially filled with a respective filtering material  25 ′,  25 ″ and  25 ′″ specially manufactured to filter a specific range or level of sound frequencies, such as a foam plug of a predetermined density for a corresponding desired frequency response; the material composition is such as to let through only a specific range or level of sound frequencies. The derivative canals  24 ′,  24 ″ and  24 ′″might be entirely filled with the filtering materials; more preferably the derivative canals  24 ′,  24 ″ and  24 ′″ are partially filled. In general, each derivative canal  24 ′,  24 ″ and  24 ′″ is filled with a different material. The filtering capability associated to the modes I, II and III depends on the respective filling material  25 ′,  25 ″ and  25 ′″. By way of example, and not a limitation, the filling material  25 ′,  25 ″ and  25 ′″ can be selected as to filter all the frequencies, but the frequencies of the human voice, or to filter the frequencies associated with impulse noises. The filling material  25 ′,  25 ″ and  25 ′″ can be selected from various materials such as, but not limited to, solids or porous solids (metal or plastic foams), layers of plastic or metallic meshes (Knowles electronics dampers), and properly designed filters (as custom ISL filters designed by Institut Saint-Louis from France—expansion chamber or the like), and any combination thereof. The extreme positioning of the derivative canals  24 ′,  24 ″ and  24 ′″ on the outermost face  16  is so that they are equidistant to the center of the generally annular zone  50 . The annular zone  50  defines an inner zone for the rotation of the knob  22  as explained below. 
     The device  1  also comprises a knob  22 . In  FIG. 3 , the knob  22  is shown on the outermost face  16  of the main body  2 . The knob  22  is rotatably attached to the outermost face of the main body  2  so as to easily allow a wearer to turn the knob  22  towards the desired filtering mode I, II or III. The direction of rotation of the knob  22  depends on the ear in which the device  1  is intended to be used. If the device  1  is inside the wearer&#39;s right ear, the rotation will be allowed in counterclockwise direction; conversely, if the device  1  is inside the wearer&#39;s left ear, the rotation will be allowed in clockwise direction. By limiting the rotational movement as just disclosed, the knob  22  helps to keep the device  1  in proper position inside a wearer&#39;s ear by applying positive pressure thereon, towards natural insertion of the device inside the wearer&#39;s ear, especially when the protrusion  20 ′ is pre-shaped to fit the ear canal. In order to switch from filtering position I towards filtering mode II, and from filtering mode II towards filtering mode III, the knob  22  could have an indexing system (not shown) based on a releasable spring, or another releasable friction device (not shown). When the wearer wants to change the filtering mode, he just has to exert some pressure on the knob  22  against the body  2  and the inward movement of the knob  22  leads it to the released position; the wearer is able to rotate the knob  22  to the desired filtering mode as described above. Once the knob is in the proper position, the user stops exerting pressure on the knob  22 , to allow it to return to the operational position. The knob  22  rotates about a knob axis  40  generally coaxial with an axis of the annular zone  50  (or rotates within a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the entrance of the ear canal, or about an axis substantially parallel to a plane of the outer ear). The knob  22  defines a peripheral edge extending beyond the outer zone of the annular zone  50  so as to cover the outer zone. By way of example, and not of limitation, the knob  22  of  FIG. 3  includes three recesses  22   a ,  22   b  and  22   c ; however, the recesses  22   a ,  22   b  and  22   c  might be replaced by a protrusion or any other geometrical form without affecting the functionality of the device  1 . The device  1  might have at least two recesses. Each recess faces a corresponding one of the filtering modes when the device  1  is filtering the sound according to the wearer&#39;s needs. The recess  22   a  might include a marking  26  intended to indicate on what filtering mode the device  1  is operating. In  FIG. 3  the marking  26  is shaped to resemble an arrow&#39;s tip indicating the device  1  is filtering sound according to the properties of the filtering material  25 ′ inside canal  24 ′. More preferably, the marking  26  is a protrusion that will allow the wearer to determine, just by sensing with the tip of his fingers, on what filtering mode the device  1  is operating. The thickness of the surroundings of the recesses  22   a —the one indicating the operating filtering mode—is always smaller than the rest of the body of the knob  22 , thus defining an open end  28 . In  FIG. 5  the knob  22  is depicted in the filtering mode I, and the open end  28  at the knob periphery is formed due to the differences in thickness in the surroundings of the recess  22   a . In order to let the sound enter inside the open end  28  and, consequently, inside the inner ear of the wearer, there is a channel  30  between the knob  22  and the outermost face  16  of the main body  2 . The channel  30  is formed within an inner surface of the knob  22 , and extends generally radially from the knob periphery at the open end  28  thereof to an inner end thereof adjacent to the annular zone  50  whereby the channel  30  is selectively in fluid communication with a respective said derivative canal upon rotation of the knob  22 . The thickness or depth of the channel  30  is from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm while the width of the channel is typically about twice the thickness. The channel  30  is in direct communication with one of the derivative canals  24 ′,  24 ″ and  24 ′″, and their respective filtering materials  25 ′,  25 ″,  25 ′″, depending on the filtering mode I, II and III selected by the wearer. In  FIG. 5 , the channel  30  is in fluid communication with derivative canal  24 ′. As the sound travels from the open end  28  to the inner ear of the wearer—first through the corresponding derivative canal  24 ′ and then through the canal  24 —it passes through the filtering material  25 ′ wherein only a specific range or level of sound frequencies is allowed to continue. The device  1  might include appropriate means to indicate the wearer that he has reached the desired position—filtering mode. The device  1  might have an indentation associated to each recess  22   a , and three correspondent counterparts in the main body  2 , in the surrounding of the marks indicating the filtering modes I, II or III. When the recess  22   a  is about to reach the desired position, the indentation and its counterpart will make a sound indicating the proximity of the right position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , there is an additional embodiment of the invention depicting the device  100  wherein one of the filtering positions is designed to substantially block all sound frequencies. The result will be a device  100  with a filtering position substantially hindering the entrance of sound into the inner ear of the wearer according to the inherent attenuation characteristics of the in-ear device  100 . In this embodiment, the device  100  only has two derivative canals,  24 ″ and  24 ′″. The derivative canals  24 ′ is omitted and its corresponding space is occupied by the material of the main body  2 , creating a barrier to the entrance of the sound from open end  28  with the knob  22  in the corresponding position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown another embodiment  1 ′ in accordance with the present invention, in which the knob  22 ′ is a push toggle button movably mounted on the outermost face  16  of the main body  2 , to switch between the available filtering modes, under the positive pressure applied by an external force as represented by a wearer&#39;s finger F in stippled lines. 
     Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.