An ear unit for stably fitting in an ear includes a first surface facing inwardly toward the ear, a second, opposite surface facing outwardly from the ear and an outer circumferential surface formed between the first and second surfaces. The outer circumferential surface is shaped as a decremental curve. The distance between the ends of the decremental curve is approximately equal to the distance between a first cavity formed under the tragus of the ear and second cavity covered by the lower node of the antihelix of the ear. The first surface is provided with a curvature that provides a contact surface that substantially conforms to the concha, providing an improved attachment, thereby enabling the ear unit to fit closely against the concha when the ear unit is positioned into the ear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Filed of the Invention

The present invention regards a device for removable attachment to the ear.

2. Background Information

Microphone/earpiece combinations, wireless or attached by wire, to telephones, music systems, switchboards etc. are well known. Such known devices, however, frequently use a bow for the earpieces and a microphone attached to said bow. Such devices are not well suited for use with mobile apparatuses since the device should have a form that makes it easy to stow it in a pocket, bag or the like when not in use.

From the prior art one should refer to U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,388 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,156. These are earmold devices where a plug is brought into the ear canal and are typically used in hearing devices. These are not suited for mass production since each has to be adapted to each user for the stable positioning and comfortable use. This is particularly due to the opening in the ear that the ear plug is brought into differs from person to person. The outer part of the ear also differs from person to person yet these differences are not so great. Thus, using the outer shape of the ear for attachment of an ear unit only 2 or 3 different sizes will accomplish said differences.

Also an ear plug will block the ear canal and appear uncomfortable to a user. Moreover the natural production of ear wax will not escape, thus necessitating flushing of the ear at regular intervals.

References should also be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,627 regarding an ear piece with built in microphone. Ear pieces for walkmen and the like are known, using the outer part of the ear for attachment, yet these have a circular shape and exploit only the lower part of the outer cavity of an ear for attachment and small differences in the size of the ear will cause said ear pieces not to fit particularly well.

References should also be made to a German utility patent DE 29718483 U1 where an inner clamp forces hoops outwardly towards the inner parts of the ear cavity in order to secure an attachment. The disadvantage is the constant outward pressure being exerted which over time can lead to discomfort.

Finally, references should also be made to the Norwegian patent NO 312 909 belonging to the applicant where a comfortable attachment is achieved by a combination of an ear unit formed as a large C placed under the tragus of the ear while further stability is assured by one part extending from the ear unit in the intertragic notch.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

Based on the prior art the object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages and limitation and simultaneously provide a further improvement in stability and comfortable attachment of an ear unit with the possibility of further functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This is provided by a device according to the present invention. Further features of the invention are disclosed by the remaining dependent claims.

The shape of the ear unit keeps the ear canal to a certain degree open towards the outer environment for improved comfort when compared to a unit that closes or blocks the ear canal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows schematically an ear with a decremental curve1inserted. As shown by the figure, the ear has an antihelix13, a crus of helix18, a tragus4, an antitragus3, an intertragic notch14and a concha22surrounded by the antihelix13. The outer periphery of the ear unit is held in the ear by the outer parts of the ear such that the lower part of the antihelix13, antitragus3and tragus4of the ear and part extending downwards7, but intertragic notch14. Parts of the curve is positioned inside the antihelix13when viewed from the outside of the ear where said parts therefore are not visible.

By the present invention, a larger part of the outer ear is utilized, thus achieving high stability while providing more comfort to the user than the previously known solutions. The present invention also utilizes the upper part of the antihelix13and the cavity covered by the lower node15of the antihelix and the flap2covering said cavity by the outer part of the ear adjacent to the head.

The ear unit10according to the present invention is shown schematically inFIG. 2, with a microphone6and optionally a microphone rod12connected to the ear unit10at the junction point11. Said microphone rod comprises the connection between the microphone6and the transmitter/receiver arranged in the ear unit10. The power supply for the transmitter/receiver can optionally be arranged in the ear unit, for instance in the lower part7of the ear unit10for instance in the form of a rechargeable battery, for instance a miniature penlight cell that by virtue of its shape and weight leads to a low centre of gravity relative to the rotational axis formed at the landing point in a lower part of the ear cavity (by the intertragic notch14). This helps increase the dynamic stability of ear unit10when the user is in motion. If the centre of gravity is too high and any centripetal forces caused by quick movements on the users behalf, it would cause the ear unit10to be pulled out of position from above. The antenna of the wireless part may be positioned for instance in the microphone rod. In addition, the ear unit10can be operated together with at least a second ear device to form a stereo effect.

Ear unit10comprises a decremental curve9of the outer part of the ear unit corresponding to the antihelix13with a surface shaped in such a way that the curve falls along the inner part of the antihelix13and is partly positioned under antitragus3of the ear. The optional lower part7extends from the curve while providing a guide and a weight for the correct positioning of the ear unit10by more or less lying in the intertragic notch14of the ear. The upper part of the curve projects into the cavity covered by the lower node15of the antihelix and underneath the flap2covering the lower part of said cavity. Investigations show that a contiguous line in the form of a decremental curve will fit in to the ear of nearly everyone.

By use of the ear unit10, an opening is formed between the outer periphery16and the wall of the ear. This means that the ends5and8of the curve project out from the casing of the ear unit10. Likewise, the part of the ear unit10comprising the hearing element is retracted slightly relative to the curve, ensuring that the hearing element does not abut the auditory canal directly, allowing the formation of an opening between the auditory canal and the surroundings.

The ear unit10is formed with a first surface25facing inwardly toward the concha22of the ear, a second, opposite surface23facing outwardly from the concha22of the ear, and an inner circumferential surface26, opposite to the decremental curve9formed between the first surface25and the second surface23. The first surface25has a curvature21in such a way that it follows along the inner surface of ear mussel or concha22when the ear unit10is positioned into the ear. This contact surface provides further stability since a larger area is placed against the ear mussel or concha, and thereby increased comfort.

The ear unit10is optionally arranged with an incision20so that it positions itself into the intertragic notch14when the ear unit10is positioned in the ear. This incision provides further stability and increased comfort.

FIG. 2shows a typical embodiment of the invention with a part extending down7together with an incision20which ensures that said downward projecting part aligns with the intertragic notch14when the ear unit10is positioned into the ear.

FIG. 3shows the ear piece10from the outside in such a way that the curvature21is clearly shown.

FIGS. 4 and 5show the ear piece from two different angles in such a way that the incision20is clearly shown.