Abstract:
A sound emitting device ( 1;20;40 ) of the kind which is arrangeable at the ear of a user and which comprises an earpiece portion ( 4;23;42 ) which fits inside the ear canal of the user. The earpiece portion comprises an expandable portion ( 5;24;43 ) which upon expanding expands against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user. The sound emitting device further comprises a compressible element ( 7;25;45 ) which is filled with a fluid and which is connected to said expandable portion whereby fluid is transferred to said expandable portion causing it to expand upon compression of said compressible element. The sound emitting device further comprises a compression mechanism ( 6;26,27;46,49,50 ) for compressing the compressible element and which is adjustable by the user to adjust the amount which the compressible element is compressed. In this way, a simple and robust device is provided which is easy for the user to adjust. It is also easy to manufacture.

Description:
[0001]     The current invention relates to a sound emitting device of the kind which is arrangeable at the ear of a user. The sound emitting device comprises an earpiece portion which fits inside the ear canal of the user and which comprises an expandable portion which upon expanding expands against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user. This holds the device securely in the ear of the user and increases the amount of sound that reaches the ear drum of the user. The sound emitting device further comprises a compressible element which is filled with a fluid and which is connected to the expandable portion. When the compressible element is compressed, fluid is transferred from the compressible element to the expandable portion causing the expandable portion to expand.  
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
       [0002]     Sound emitting devices of the kind referred to above have been disclosed in the patent literature, but are not commonly available in the market. The devices of this type can be used for many different purposes. One example of such a sound emitting device is a hearing aid. Another example is an earphone for a portable music player. Another example is a headset for a mobile phone.  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,984 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,211 disclose two different examples of sound emitting devices as mentioned in the opening paragraph. Both documents primarily disclose hearing aids, but U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,984 also discloses the use of the sound emitting device as a headphone for an electronic device.  
         [0004]     The prior art discloses a number of different inflation mechanisms for inflating the expandable portion of the earpiece. However, the disclosed mechanisms rely on complicated hydraulic or pneumatic systems with integrated check valves, bladders, on/off valves, etc. These mechanisms are therefore rather expensive and complicated to manufacture resulting in high costs. In addition, they are rather difficult for the user to operate since the user needs to manipulate small parts. Other systems rely on external inflating aids which the user is required to carry around.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     A first aspect of the current invention is therefore to provide a sound emitting device as mentioned in the opening paragraph which is easy to operate.  
         [0006]     A second aspect of the current invention is to provide a sound emitting device as mentioned in the opening paragraph which is simple to manufacture.  
         [0007]     A third aspect of the current invention is to provide a sound emitting device as mentioned in the opening paragraph which is robust.  
         [0008]     The above mentioned aspects are solved in part in that said sound emitting device further comprises a compression mechanism for compressing the compressible element and in that said compression mechanism is adjustable by the user to adjust the amount which the compressible element is compressed. Since in this case, it is a mechanical compression mechanism which compresses the compressible element, the compressible element and expandable element can be made very simple. There is no need for check valves, on/off valves, etc . . . In addition, since the user interacts with a mechanical compression mechanism, it is easy for the user to adjust the device. Furthermore, since the mechanism is comprised of simple mass produced components which are easily and quickly assembled, the resulting device is robust and simple to manufacture.  
         [0009]     In a preferred embodiment, the compression mechanism could comprise a displaceable element which when displaced in a first direction compresses the compressible element. In this way, the compression mechanism and the compressible element are two distinct entities where the displaceable element of the compression mechanism is the interface between the two.  
         [0010]     In a preferred embodiment, the compressions mechanism can be designed in such a way that when the user has finished adjusting the compression mechanism, the displaceable element can be held in position via friction. In another embodiment, the displaceable element can be held in place by a ratchet mechanism.  
         [0011]     In order to make removal of the earpiece easier, the compression mechanism could further comprise a quick release mechanism whereby the pressure applied by the compression mechanism on the compressible element is quickly releasable. In this way, the expandable element can quickly be changed from its expanded state to its retracted state.  
         [0012]     In a preferred embodiment of the compression mechanism, it could comprise a wedge mechanism. This allows the force applied by the user to be increased. Another way of amplifying the force applied by the user is when the compression mechanism comprises a screw mechanism. In another embodiment, the compression mechanism could comprise a pivoting element. With the use of a pivoting element, the lever effect can be used to amplify the force applied by the user. The compression mechanism could also comprise a gear assembly. In this way, the force or the displacement can be multiplied.  
         [0013]     In a preferred embodiment, the expandable portion and the compressible element could be parts of a sealed system which is filled with a fluid. Due to the sealed nature of the system, a simple and leak-proof system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is a liquid. In this way, the amount of compression of the compressible element necessary is reduced since a liquid is not compressible.  
         [0014]     As mentioned in the introduction, the sound emitting device according to the current invention can be used for many purposes. One of those purposes is as a headset for use with a mobile radio terminal, such as a mobile phone. In one particular embodiment of such a device, the device could comprise means for communicating with a mobile radio terminal. Such means could for example be a wireless system such as Blue-Tooth.  
         [0015]     It should be emphasised that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.  
         [0016]     It should also be emphasised that the term “means for” when used in this specification should be taken to include all the embodiments of means which would be suitable for performing the specified function. This includes all the embodiments described in this application, as well as those embodiments which would be obvious to the person skilled in the art. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the figures.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a sound emitting device according to the current invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the first embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a cross section view of the first embodiment, said cross section view defined by the line IV-IV shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sound emitting device according to the current invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of the second embodiment.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a section view of the second embodiment, said section view being defined by the line VIII-VIII shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a sound emitting device according to the current invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of the third embodiment.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a cross section view of the third embodiment, said cross section view being defined by the line XI-XI shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
       [0029]     It should be noted that the embodiments shown in the figures are used as examples only and should not limit the scope of the current invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments are shown schematically in order to simplify the description. Details of the electronics have been neglected as the person skilled in the art of mobile headsets will be able to fill in the missing details. Furthermore, the mechanical details of the embodiments have also been simplified, since a person skilled in the art of mechanisms, will be able to fill in the missing details.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]      FIGS. 1-4  show four different views of a first embodiment 1 of a sound emitting device according to the current invention. The first embodiment 1 is used as a wireless headset for use with a mobile telephone. The headset  1  comprises a housing  2 , 3  made up of an outer half  2  and an inner half  3 . The inner half of the housing  3  comprises an earpiece portion  4  which can be placed inside the ear canal of a user (not shown). The earpiece portion  4  is covered by an expandable element  5  which in this particular example is a hollow sleeve made from an elastic material such as rubber. When fluid is pumped into the hollow sleeve  5 , it expands. When the earpiece is placed in the ear canal of the user and the hollow sleeve is expanded, the material of the hollow sleeve presses against the inside surface of the ear canal of the user. In this way, the earpiece is held firmly in the ear of the user. Furthermore, the expandable element adapts itself to the current user&#39;s ear canal. When the user wishes to remove the headset from his or her ear, he or she removes fluid from the hollow sleeve  5  causing the hollow sleeve to retract. Once the hollow sleeve is retracted, the user can easily remove the headset from his or her ear.  
         [0031]     In order to pump fluid into the expandable element  5 , the headset  1  comprises a compressible element  7  and a compression mechanism  6  for compressing the compressible element  7 . In this particular case, the compressible element  7  is comprised of a cylinder  8  and a piston  9 . The compression mechanism  6  comprises a displaceable element  10  with an internal thread  11 , a threaded rod  12 , a first gearwheel  13 , a second gearwheel  14 , a shaft  15 , and a disc  16 . The shaft  15  is rotatably fixed in the housing  2 , 3 . The disc  16  and the second gear wheel  14  are rigidly and coaxially attached to the shaft  15 . The first gear wheel  13  is coaxially fixed to one end of the threaded rod  12 . The shaft  15  and the threaded rod  12  are arranged in the housing such that the second gear wheel  12  engages with the first gear wheel  13 . Therefore, when the disc  16  is rotated by the user, the shaft and the second gear wheel  14  also rotate, which in turn causes the threaded rod  12  to rotate.  
         [0032]     The internal thread  11  of the displaceable element  10  is engaged coaxially with the threaded rod  12 . The displaceable element  10  is also rigidly connected to the piston  9  of the compressible element  7  and the piston  9  is prevented from rotating in the cylinder  8 . In this way, when the user rotates the disc  16 , the rotation of the threaded rod  12  causes the displaceable element  10  and the piston  9  to be displaced a linear distance within the cylinder  8 . This linear displacement causes the compressible element  7  to be compressed.  
         [0033]     The compressible element  7  is connected to the hollow sleeve  5  via a channel  17  in the cylinder wall  8 . The compressible element  7  and the hollow sleeve  5  are furthermore filled with a fluid. The fluid could be of many different types. One example is water. Another example is oil. The fluid could also be a gas, for example air.  
         [0034]     Due to the above described arrangement, when the disc  16  is rotated by the user in a first direction, the compressible element  7  is compressed and fluid is forced from the compressible element  7  to the hollow sleeve  5 , thereby causing the hollow sleeve  5  to expand. When the disc  16  is rotated by the user in the opposite direction, the compressible element  7  is caused to expand and fluid is sucked from the hollow sleeve  5  back into the compressible element  7 , thereby causing the hollow sleeve to contract.  
         [0035]     The outer half of the housing  2  is furthermore formed with a slot  18  through which a portion of the disc  16  protrudes. The user can therefore very easily manipulate the amount which the compressible element  7  is compressed, and therefore the amount which the expandable element  5  is expanded, just by rotating the disc  16 . Furthermore, when the user stops activating the disc, the displaceable element  10  maintains its position due to the friction in the screw mechanism.  
         [0036]     Please note, that in the current embodiment, the fluid is arranged directly in the cylinder  8 . In another embodiment (not shown), a compressible bladder filled with a fluid and connected to the hollow sleeve via a hose could be arranged in the cylinder. When the piston is displaced towards the end of the cylinder, the bladder is compressed. In this way, the risk of leaks is minimized. This also reduces the need for an effective seal between the piston  9  and the cylinder  8 .  
         [0037]     It should also be noted that in the current embodiment, the first gear  13  is larger than the second gear  14 . This allows the force applied by the user to be multiplied. However, in case that it is desired to decrease the amount of rotation necessary to expand the expandable element, the first gear  13  could be made smaller than the second gear  14 . This will however increase the force necessary to rotate the disc.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 5-8  show a second embodiment  20  of a sound emitting device according to the current invention. As the first embodiment 1, the second embodiment is also a headset  20  for a mobile telephone.  
         [0039]     The headset  20  comprises a housing  21 , 22  made up of an inner half  21  and an outer half  22 . The inner half  21  comprises an earpiece portion  23  which fits inside the ear canal of a user. The earpiece portion  23  is covered by a hollow expandable sleeve  24 . Inside the housing  21 , 22 , a compressible bladder  25  is arranged between a first surface  26  fixed to the outer half  22  of the housing and a surface of a pivotable element  27 . A handle  28  on the pivotable element  27  extends through a slot  29  in the outer half  22  of the housing. The compressible bladder  25  is connected to the expandable sleeve  24  via a tube  30 . The compressible bladder  25 , the tube  30 , and the expandable sleeve  24  form a sealed system filled with a fluid. Since the system is sealed, the risk of leaks is significantly reduced.  
         [0040]     When the handle  28  is displaced counter-clockwise (according to the orientation shown in the figures), the bladder  25  is compressed by the pivotable element  27  and fluid is forced into the expandable sleeve  24  causing it to expand. In this way the pivotable element  27  and the first surface  26  form a sort of compression mechanism for compressing the compressible element  25 .  
         [0041]     The pivotable element  27  is held in position by a ratchet mechanism (not shown). The ratchet mechanism permits counter-clockwise motion but prevents clockwise motion. When the user desires to release the pressure on the compressible bladder  25 , the user activates a quick release mechanism (not shown) which disengages the ratchet mechanism and permits the pivotable element  26  to pivot clockwise.  
         [0042]     The expandable sleeve  24  and the compressible bladder  25  are formed of an elastic material such as rubber. When the expandable sleeve  24  is expanded, the material of the sleeve  24  stretches. When the pressure applied to the compressible bladder  25  by the pivotable element  27  is released, the material of the sleeve  24  retracts, forcing fluid from the expandable sleeve  24  back into the compressible bladder  25 .  
         [0043]      FIGS. 9-11  show a third embodiment 40 of a sound emitting device according to the current invention. As was the case with the first two embodiments 1, 20, the third embodiment 40 is also a headset  40  for use with a mobile telephone.  
         [0044]     The headset  40  comprises a housing  41  with an earpiece  42  which fits inside the ear canal of a user. The earpiece  42  is covered by an expandable sleeve  43 . The expandable sleeve  43  is connected via a hose  44  to a compressible bladder  45 . The expandable sleeve  43 , hose  44 , and compressible bladder  45  form a closed system which is filled with a fluid. As with the previous embodiment, when the compressible bladder  45  is compressed, the expandable sleeve  43  is expanded.  
         [0045]     The housing  41  further comprises a slot  46  which is arranged on a surface  47  of the housing  41  which is arranged at an angle to the inside surface  48  of the housing. A slider  49  is arranged in the slot  46 . When the slider  49  is slid along the slot  46 , the slider also slides along a plate element  50  which is arranged in the housing such that it can displace in a direction which is perpendicular to the inside surface  48 . Due to the slope of the angled surface  47 , when the slider  49  slides along the slot  46 , the plate element  50  is displaced towards the inside surface  48  of the housing. The compressible bladder  45  is arranged between the plate element  50  and the inside surface  48  of the housing. Therefore, when the slider  49  is displaced along the slot  46  in the direction towards the tip  51  of the housing, the compressible bladder  45  is compressed. The slider  49  and the slot  46  can be thought of as a sort of wedge mechanism which acts as a compression mechanism to compress the compressible element  45 .  
         [0046]     The amount that the expandable element is expanded can therefore easily be adjusted by the user, just by sliding the slider  49  back and forth along the slot  46 . The position of the slider  49  between adjustments by the user will be held in position by the friction between the slider  49 , the slot  46 , and the plate element  50 .  
         [0047]     Please note that the above described embodiments have all made use of a hollow sleeve which surrounds the entire earpiece portion. However, the expandable portion could be formed in many different ways. For example, the expandable portion could be formed as a number of expandable elements placed at different locations around the outer surface of the earpiece.  
         [0048]     Furthermore, the sound emitting devices as described above have been headsets which are used together with a mobile radio terminal, such as a mobile telephone. However, it should be obvious to the person skilled in the art that the current invention could be applied to many other types of sound emitting devices for use with many other types of electronic equipment. For example, portable music playing devices, such as an MP3 player could be imagined.