Patent Description:
Some IEMs are custom fit for a user and adapted to the user's unique ear canal size and shape. However, custom IEMs are expensive and only adapted for a single user. Other IEMs are generic and include a single ear plug (or resilient membrane tip) size and shape that is intended to substantially resiliently deform and subsequently expand to fit multiple ear canal sizes and shapes. However, the lack of adjustability of these generic IEMs prevent their performance from being adequate for all users in all situations.

Other generic IEMs include an array of removable resilient ear plugs (or resilient membrane tips) to adapt the generic IEMs for multiple ear canal sizes and shapes. For these types of IEMs, the user chooses the resilient ear plugs that best match the user's ear canal by trying different ear plugs and selecting the one that provide the best perceived seal, level of comfort, and/or secure fitment. These sorts of generic IEMs may suffer from a limited range of resilient ear plugs that may not adequately fit each user, and the user may prefer different ear plugs for different purposes (e.g., the user's interest in secure fitment may be higher when exercising and lower when relaxing).

The <CIT> discloses an earphone having an insertion part which is inserted into external auditory meatus, the insertion part including a body part which is extended in a longitudinal direction and includes a preset circuit device, a voice output device and a shell which surrounds the outer edge of the body part and touches the external auditory meatus. The outer diameter of the insertion part can be partly changed.

Furthermore, the <CIT> discloses an ear canal adaptive type earphone capable of adjusting a size according to the ear canal of a user who uses the earphone. It comprises an external housing including a speaker module for an audio output; a unit for speaker of a cylindrical shape; a moving decoration unit which is formed in a structure of a cylindrical shape surrounding the circumference of the unit for speaker, which includes a grip part of a ring shape in the outer circumference surface, and is formed to be rotatable on the spot along the circumference of the unit for speaker; and an ear tip which is combined with an end of one side of the moving decoration unit while surrounding the circumference of one direction of the unit for speaker and moves along the circumference of the longitudinal direction of the unit for speaker when the moving decoration unit rotates on the spot along the circumference of the unit for speaker.

Additionally, the <CIT> discloses an adjustable ear insert, such as an earbud style earphone, that may be inserted in a user's ear canal in a compact configuration and adjusted by a user to expand and fit snugly against the ear canal.

Moreover, the <CIT> discloses an apparatus for delivering sound to an ear includes a flexible material shaped to fit within an outer ear. The apparatus includes a movable member in contact with an inner surface of the flexible material, the flexible material configured to expand or retract responsive to movement of the member.

The present invention provides an adjustable in-ear plug according to claim <NUM> and a method of using an adjustable in-ear plug according to claim <NUM>. Implementations described and claimed herein provide an adjustable in-ear plug comprising an adjustment mechanism including a center post and an adjustment collar concentric with the center post. The adjustable in-ear plug further comprises a resilient membrane tip also concentric with the center post and covering a portion of the adjustment mechanism. Rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post changes an outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

Implementations described and claimed herein further provide a method of using an adjustable in-ear plug comprising grasping in a user's first hand a main housing of the adjustable in-ear plug, the main housing in fixed relation to a center post; grasping in a user's second hand a resilient membrane tip of the adjustable in-ear plug, the resilient membrane tip in fixed relation to an adjustment collar concentric with the center post, the resilient membrane tip covering a portion of an adjustment mechanism that includes the center post and the adjustment collar; and rotating the resilient membrane tip with reference to the main housing, which in turn rotates the adjustment collar with reference to the center post thereby changing an outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

Implementations described and claimed herein still further provide an adjustable in-ear monitor comprising a sound tube having a threaded distal end; an adjustment tube having a threaded proximal end, the adjustment tube concentric with the sound tube, and the proximal end of the adjustment tube screwed onto the distal end of the sound tube; a resilient membrane tip concentric with the sound tube and covering the adjustment tube, the resilient membrane tip having a first end fixed to the adjustment tube; and an adjustment ring concentrically oriented around the sound tube, rotatable with reference to the base sound tube, and fixed linearly along the sound tube. A second end of the resilient membrane tip is attached to the adjustment ring and rotation of the adjustment tube with reference to the base sound tube changes an outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Descriptions.

The presently disclosed technology is directed to adjustable in-ear monitors (IEMs) that permit a user to adjust the IEMs without removing and replacing an associated ear plug (or resilient membrane tip). Instead, the ear plug is adjustable by the user to achieve a desired fit and may be adjusted repeatedly for different desired fits and/or different users. The disclosed adjustable IEMs are intended to address some or all of the foregoing problems with prior IEMs, as well as additional problems with prior IEMs not specifically identified herein.

<FIG> illustrates an example adjustable in-ear plug <NUM> to be secured within a user's ear <NUM>. The ear <NUM> is responsible for the user's sense of hearing and is composed of an outer ear (shown), a middle ear (not shown), and an inner ear (also not shown). The user's outer ear includes a pinna <NUM>, an ear canal <NUM>, and an eardrum (or tympanic membrane) <NUM>. The pinna <NUM> is external to the user's head <NUM> and is primarily composed of elastic cartilage that aids the user's localization of sound. The pinna <NUM> is connected to the ear canal <NUM>, which extends into the user's head <NUM>. From the pinna <NUM>, sound waves move into the ear canal <NUM>, which is a sound tube running from the pinna <NUM> to the eardrum <NUM>, and beyond to the middle ear and inner ear. The eardrum <NUM> is a thin, generally conical membrane that separates the depicted outer ear from the middle ear. The eardrum <NUM> transmits incoming sounds from the ear canal <NUM> to the middle ear and inner ear, where the sounds are converted into a nervous signal interpreted by the user's brain.

The in-ear plug <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> and a resilient membrane tip <NUM>. In various implementations, the main housing <NUM> may secure and enclose various internal components of the in-ear plug <NUM> (e.g., an adjustment mechanism, not shown) and serves as a physical interface of the user to insert the in-ear plug <NUM> into the user's ear canal <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow <NUM>, and remove the in-ear plug <NUM> from the user's ear canal <NUM>.

The resilient membrane tip <NUM> is intended to resiliently conform to the user's ear canal <NUM> when inserted into the user's ear <NUM>. As the size and shape of the ear canal <NUM> may vary greatly between multiple users, and each user have individual preferences regarding fit that may change over time, the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is physically adjustable by the user to aid in achieving a desired fit. For example, the in-ear plug <NUM> may be adjusted independently from a second in-ear plug for a user with substantially different ear canals in each ear. For further example, the user may prefer different seal conditions between the adjustable in-ear plug <NUM> and the user's ear canal <NUM> based on a variety of factors (e.g., the user's activity level, a desired sound quality, the duration the user intends to use the adjustable in-ear plug <NUM>, and so on). At least an overall diameter of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is adjustable by the user, as illustrated by arrow <NUM>. In various implementations, the resilient membrane tip <NUM> may be adjustable up to a <NUM> or a <NUM> change in diameter.

In various implementations, other qualities of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> may also be adjustable, including but not limited to length, characteristic exterior shape, and resistance to compression (firmness). For example, the resilient membrane tip <NUM> may have a conical, bulbous, or spherical characteristic shape, which may be adjustable or user-selectable. The resilient membrane tip <NUM> may also be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to rubber, silicone, silicone rubber, and other elastomers.

In various implementations, the in-ear plug <NUM> may be an in-ear monitor (for converting an electrical signal into sound to be played for the user via a small loudspeaker), an earplug (intended to block incoming sound), or a hearing aid (intended to amplify incoming sounds for a user with hearing loss). In-ear monitors, earplugs, and hearing aids are collectively referred to herein as in-ear plugs. While in-ear monitors, earplugs, and hearing aids may include a variety of additional features, each may include adjustment mechanisms as described and illustrated in detail herein.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>. The in-ear monitor <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> that secures and encloses various internal components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. More specifically, the main housing <NUM> encloses an internal housing <NUM> that secures a magnetic driver <NUM> and defines a back cavity (not shown) behind the magnetic driver <NUM>. A voice coil <NUM> is installed over the magnetic driver <NUM> and the magnetic driver <NUM> and the voice coil <NUM> are sealed within the internal housing <NUM> by a flexible membrane <NUM>. In combination, the magnetic driver <NUM> and the voice coil <NUM> (collectively, a speaker or electroacoustic transducer) convert an input electrical signal into a corresponding sound that is transmitted through the flexible membrane <NUM> and a threaded center post <NUM>, which may be a sound tube.

When assembled, the threaded center post <NUM> is locked rotationally with respect to the internal housing <NUM> via protrusion <NUM> and the internal housing <NUM> is locked rotationally with respect to the main housing <NUM> due to matching interlocking features of the internal housing <NUM> and the main housing <NUM>. A threaded adjustment collar <NUM> is screwed concentrically onto the center post <NUM>. A position of the adjustment collar <NUM> on the center post <NUM> defines a size and shape profile of resilient membrane tip <NUM>, as described in further detail below.

When assembled, a first internal surface of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is attached concentrically to a seat <NUM> on the adjustment collar <NUM>, while a second internal surface of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is attached to adjustment ring <NUM>. The adjustment ring <NUM> is secured linearly against a stop <NUM> on the center post <NUM>, while being permitted to rotate with reference to the center post <NUM>. In combination, the center post <NUM>, the adjustment collar <NUM>, and the adjustment ring <NUM> form an adjustment mechanism <NUM> for the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>. The resilient membrane tip <NUM> is installed over and covers a portion of the adjustment mechanism <NUM> for the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>. In various implementations, the resilience of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> resists the threaded adjustment collar <NUM> being screwed onto the center post <NUM>. The resulting tensile force between the adjustment collar <NUM> and the center post <NUM> may cause a locking effect within the screwed connection.

For the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>, the center post <NUM> and the adjustment collar <NUM> are each a hollow sound tube to permit sound to travel from the voice coil <NUM> and the magnetic driver <NUM> through the center post <NUM> and the adjustment collar <NUM> and out of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. In implementations that include a similar adjustment mechanism for an earplug, the center post <NUM> and the adjustment collar <NUM> may lack a pass through to prevent sound from traveling through the earplug.

In some implementations, one or more components of the adjustment mechanism <NUM> include protrusions and matching recesses that bias the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM> to one of several predefined positions. For example, the user may need to slide the resilient membrane tip <NUM> away from the main housing <NUM> to unseat the protrusions from the matching recesses and enable the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM> to be adjusted. The user may then slide the resilient membrane tip <NUM> back toward the main housing <NUM> to lock the protrusions back into the matching recesses.

In other implementations, the in-ear monitor <NUM> may incorporate a dial or knob (not shown) that a user manipulates to rotate the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the center post <NUM>. In still other implementations, the in-ear monitor <NUM> includes a motor (not shown) that selectively drives rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the center post <NUM>. For example, a user may activate the motor and/or choose a direction of the motor rotation to increase or decrease the outside diameter and/or change the shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> as desired. In further implementations, the in-ear monitor <NUM> also includes a pressure sensor that drives the motor. For example, a user may indicate that the in-ear monitor <NUM> has been placed in the user's ear canal, which triggers the motor to rotate the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the center post <NUM>, increasing or decreasing the outside diameter and/or changing the shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, and achieving a desired pressure against the user's ear canal walls. The desired pressure may be preset or set by the user.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of the example adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM> of <FIG> in an extended orientation. In-ear monitor <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> that secures and encloses various internal components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. More specifically, the main housing <NUM> encloses an internal housing <NUM> that secures a magnetic driver <NUM> and defines a back cavity <NUM> behind the magnetic driver <NUM>. A voice coil <NUM> is installed over the magnetic driver <NUM>. The magnetic driver <NUM> and the voice coil <NUM> are sealed within the internal housing <NUM> by a flexible membrane <NUM>. In combination, the magnetic driver <NUM> and the voice coil <NUM> (collectively, a speaker or electroacoustic transducer) converts an input electrical signal into a corresponding sound that is transmitted through the flexible membrane <NUM> and a threaded center post <NUM>, which may be a sound tube.

A threaded adjustment collar <NUM> is screwed concentrically onto the center post <NUM>. A position of the adjustment collar <NUM> on the center post <NUM> defines a size and shape profile of resilient membrane tip <NUM>, as described in further detail below. When assembled, a portion of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is attached concentrically to a seat <NUM> on the adjustment collar <NUM>, while another portion <NUM> of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is attached to adjustment ring <NUM>. The adjustment ring <NUM> is secured linearly against a stop <NUM> on the center post <NUM>, while being permitted to rotate with reference to the center post <NUM>. In combination, the center post <NUM>, the adjustment collar <NUM>, and the adjustment ring <NUM> form an adjustment mechanism for the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>. The resilient membrane tip <NUM> is installed over and covers a portion of the adjustment mechanism for the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>.

The adjustment collar <NUM> is illustrated in an extended orientation, which minimizes diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> and yields a characteristically bullet shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>. To adjust the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, a user may grasp the main housing <NUM> and the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, each in a different hand and screw the adjustment collar <NUM> further onto the center post <NUM> by twisting the resilient membrane tip <NUM> with reference to the main housing <NUM>. Screwing the adjustment collar <NUM> onto the center post <NUM> pulls a center portion of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> inward, which influences the diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, as well as its characteristic shape, as described further with reference to <FIG> below.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of the example adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM> of <FIG> in a retracted orientation. In-ear monitor <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> that secures and encloses various internal components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. More specifically, the main housing <NUM> encloses an internal housing <NUM> that secures a magnetic driver <NUM> and defines a back cavity <NUM> behind the magnetic driver <NUM>. A voice coil <NUM> is installed over the magnetic driver <NUM>. The magnetic driver <NUM> and the voice coil <NUM> are sealed within the internal housing <NUM> by a flexible membrane <NUM>. In combination, the magnetic driver <NUM> and the voice coil <NUM> (collectively, a speaker or electroacoustic transducer) convert an input electrical signal into a corresponding sound that is transmitted through the flexible membrane <NUM> and a threaded center post <NUM>, which may be a sound tube.

The adjustment collar <NUM> is illustrated in a retracted orientation, which maximizes diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> and yields a generally bulbous shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>. To adjust the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, a user may grasp the main housing <NUM> and the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, each in a different hand and screw the adjustment collar <NUM> away from the center post <NUM> by twisting the resilient membrane tip <NUM> with reference to the main housing <NUM>. Screwing the adjustment collar <NUM> away from the center post <NUM> pushes a center portion of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> outward, which influences the diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, as well as its characteristic shape and overall length, returning the resilient membrane tip <NUM> gradually to a shape that may be similar to that depicted and described in detail with reference to <FIG>. In some implementations, the cross-sectional profile of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is pre-defined to achieve a desired shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> in the retracted orientation.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded perspective view of another example adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>. The in-ear monitor <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> that secures and encloses various internal components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. More specifically, the main housing <NUM> may enclose an internal housing that secures a magnetic driver and defines a back cavity behind the magnetic driver. A voice coil may be installed over the magnetic driver and the magnetic driver and the voice coil may be sealed within the internal housing by a flexible membrane. In combination, the magnetic driver and the voice coil (collectively, a speaker or electroacoustic transducer) may convert an input electrical signal into a corresponding sound that is transmitted through the flexible membrane and adjustment mechanism <NUM>, which may form a sound tube. While not depicted in <FIG>, the internal housing, magnetic driver, voice coil, and flexible membrane, for the in-ear monitor <NUM> may be as shown and described in detail above with regard to <FIG>.

The adjustment mechanism <NUM> includes a center post <NUM>, which is interfaced with and rotationally locked to lock collar <NUM>. The lock collar <NUM> is in turn interfaced with adjustment collar <NUM>. A pair of lobes (e.g., lobe <NUM>) on the lock collar <NUM> interface with associated recesses (not shown) in the adjustment collar <NUM> to permit the adjustment collar <NUM> to rotate up to approximately <NUM> degrees with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>). In other implementations, the adjustment collar <NUM> may be permitted to rotate up to greater than or less than <NUM> degrees. A cap <NUM> is interfaced with the adjustment collar <NUM> and a screw (not shown) may extend through each of the cap <NUM>, the adjustment collar <NUM>, the lock collar <NUM>, and the center post <NUM> to hold the adjustment mechanism <NUM> together while permitting rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>).

A first end <NUM> of radial expander <NUM> is fixedly attached to seat <NUM> on the center post <NUM>. A second end <NUM> of the radial expander <NUM> is fixedly attached to the adjustment collar <NUM> by interfacing protrusions (e.g., protrusion <NUM>) on the adjustment collar <NUM> with matching recesses (e.g., recess <NUM>) on the radial expander <NUM>. In the resulting assembled adjustment mechanism <NUM>, rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> in a first direction with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>) causes the radial expander <NUM> to expand outward, as described in detail with regard to <FIG> below. Similarly, rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> in a second opposite direction causes the radial expander <NUM> to retract inward.

The position of the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the lock collar <NUM> and the center post <NUM> defines a size and shape profile of the radial expander <NUM>, which in turn defines a size and shape profile of resilient membrane tip <NUM>, which is stretched over the radial expander <NUM> and readily conforms to the shape of the radial expander <NUM>. The resilient membrane tip <NUM> is attached to the first end <NUM> of the radial expander <NUM> or the seat <NUM> on the center post <NUM>. This permits the resilient membrane tip <NUM> to remain in place over the radial expander <NUM>, while permitting the resilient membrane tip <NUM> to change size and shape according to corresponding changes in size and shape of the radial expander <NUM>.

For the adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM>, at least the center post <NUM> and in some implementations, the cap <NUM>, the adjustment collar <NUM>, and the lock collar <NUM> create a hollow sound tube to permit sound to travel from the voice coil and magnetic driver through the sound tube and out of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. In implementations that include a similar adjustment mechanism for an earplug, at least the center post <NUM> and in some implementations, the cap <NUM>, the adjustment collar <NUM>, and the lock collar <NUM> may lack a pass through to prevent sound from traveling through the earplug.

In other implementations, the in-ear monitor <NUM> may incorporate a dial or knob (not shown) that a user manipulates to rotate the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the center post <NUM>. In still other implementations, the in-ear monitor <NUM> includes a motor (not shown) that selectively drives rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the center post <NUM>. For example, a user may activate the motor and/or choose a direction of the motor rotation to increase or decrease the outside diameter and/or change the shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> as desired. In further implementations, the in-ear monitor <NUM> also includes a pressure sensor that drives the motor. For example, a user may indicate that the in-ear monitor <NUM> has been placed in the user's ear canal, which triggers the motor to rotate the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the center post <NUM>, increase or decrease the outside diameter and/or change the shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, and achieve a desired pressure against the user's ear canal walls. The desired pressure may be preset or user-adjustable.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of the example adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM> of <FIG> in a retracted orientation. In-ear monitor <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> that secures and encloses various internal components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. More specifically, the main housing <NUM> may enclose an internal housing that secures a magnetic driver and defines a back cavity behind the magnetic driver. A voice coil may be installed over the magnetic driver and the magnetic driver and the voice coil may be sealed within the internal housing by a flexible membrane. In combination, the magnetic driver and the voice coil (collectively, a speaker or electroacoustic transducer) may convert an input electrical signal into a corresponding sound that is transmitted through the flexible membrane and other components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>, which may form a sound tube. While not depicted in <FIG>, the internal housing, magnetic driver, voice coil, and flexible membrane for the in-ear monitor <NUM> may be as shown and described in detail above with regard to <FIG>.

An adjustment mechanism for the in-ear monitor <NUM> includes a center post <NUM>, which is interfaced with and rotationally locked to lock collar <NUM>. The lock collar <NUM> is in turn interfaced with adjustment collar <NUM>. A pair of lobes on the lock collar <NUM> interface with associated recesses in the adjustment collar <NUM> to permit the adjustment collar <NUM> to rotate up to approximately <NUM> degrees with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>). A cap <NUM> is interfaced with the adjustment collar <NUM> and a screw may extend through each of the cap <NUM>, the adjustment collar <NUM>, the lock collar <NUM>, and the center post <NUM> to hold the adjustment mechanism together while permitting rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>).

A first end of radial expander <NUM> is fixedly attached to a seat on the center post <NUM>. A second end of the radial expander <NUM> is fixedly attached to the adjustment collar <NUM> by interfacing protrusions on the adjustment collar <NUM> with matching recesses on the radial expander <NUM>. In the resulting assembled adjustment mechanism, rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> in a first direction with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>) causes the radial expander <NUM> to expand outward, as described in detail with regard to <FIG> below. Similarly, rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> in a second opposite direction with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>) causes the radial expander <NUM> to retract inward.

The position of the adjustment collar <NUM> with reference to the lock collar <NUM> and the center post <NUM> defines a size and shape profile of the radial expander <NUM>, which in turn defines a size and shape profile of resilient membrane tip <NUM>, which is stretched over the radial expander <NUM> and readily conforms to the shape of the radial expander <NUM>. The resilient membrane tip <NUM> is attached to the radial expander <NUM> or the center post <NUM> to permit the resilient membrane tip <NUM> to remain in place over the radial expander <NUM>, while permitting the resilient membrane tip <NUM> to change size and shape according to corresponding changes in size and shape of the radial expander <NUM>.

The radial expander <NUM> is illustrated in a retracted orientation, which minimizes diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> and yields a characteristically bullet shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>. To adjust the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, a user may grasp the main housing <NUM> and the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, each in a different hand and twist the resilient membrane tip <NUM> with reference to the main housing <NUM>. The twisting action forces the radial expander <NUM> outward, which influences the diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, as well as its characteristic shape, as described further with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> below.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view of the example adjustable in-ear monitor <NUM> of <FIG> in an expanded orientation. In-ear monitor <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> that secures and encloses various internal components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>. More specifically, the main housing <NUM> may enclose an internal housing that secures a magnetic driver and defines a back cavity behind the magnetic driver. A voice coil may be installed over the magnetic driver and the magnetic driver and the voice coil may be sealed within the internal housing by a flexible membrane. In combination, the magnetic driver and the voice coil (collectively, a speaker or electroacoustic transducer) may convert an input electrical signal into a corresponding sound that is transmitted through the flexible membrane and other components of the in-ear monitor <NUM>, which may form a sound tube. While not depicted in <FIG>, the internal housing, magnetic driver, voice coil, and flexible membrane for the in-ear monitor <NUM> may be as shown and described in detail above with regard to <FIG>.

A first end of radial expander <NUM> is fixedly attached to a seat on the center post <NUM>. A second end of the radial expander <NUM> is fixedly attached to the adjustment collar <NUM> by interfacing protrusions on the adjustment collar <NUM> with matching recesses on the radial expander <NUM>. In the resulting assembled adjustment mechanism, rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> in a first direction with reference to the lock collar <NUM> (and the center post <NUM>) causes the radial expander <NUM> to expand outward, as described in detail with regard to <FIG> below. Similarly, rotation of the adjustment collar <NUM> in a second opposite direction causes the radial expander <NUM> to retract inward.

The radial expander <NUM> is illustrated in an expanded orientation, which maximizes diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> and yields a characteristically rounded or bulbous shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>. To adjust the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, a user may grasp the main housing <NUM> and the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, each in a different hand and twist the resilient membrane tip <NUM> with reference to the main housing <NUM>. The twisting action forces the radial expander <NUM> inward, which influences the diameter (d) of the resilient membrane tip <NUM>, as well as its characteristic shape, returning the resilient membrane tip <NUM> gradually to a shape that may be similar to that depicted and described in detail with reference to <FIG> above. In some implementations, the cross-sectional profile of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> is pre-defined to achieve a desired shape of the resilient membrane tip <NUM> in the expanded orientation.

<FIG> illustrates an example radial expander <NUM> for an adjustable in-ear monitor in a retracted orientation and an expanded orientation. The radial expander <NUM> is a component of some adjustment mechanisms for adjustable in-ear monitors disclosed herein. The radial expander <NUM> functions by selectively expanding and retracting in response to twisting a first end <NUM> with reference to a second end <NUM> of the radial expander <NUM>.

Specifically, the first end <NUM> of the radial expander <NUM> may be fixedly attached to a seat on a center post (not shown) within an adjustment mechanism. The second end <NUM> of the radial expander <NUM> may be fixedly attached to an adjustment collar (not shown) within the adjustment mechanism by interfacing protrusions on the adjustment collar with matching recesses (e.g., recess <NUM>) on the radial expander <NUM>. In the resulting assembled adjustment mechanism, rotation of the adjustment collar in a first direction, as illustrated by arrow <NUM> causes each of an array of blades (e.g., blade <NUM>) that are arranged in a stacked spiral formation to unwind and expand outward. Rotation of the adjustment collar in an opposite second direction causes the array of blades to return to the stacked spiral formation. As the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the radial expander <NUM> remain a fixed distance from one another, the blades are forced outward when unwound.

The progression of the radial expander <NUM> from a fully retracted orientation to a fully expanded orientation is illustrated by the two images of the radial expander <NUM> in <FIG> with arrow <NUM> illustrating the change over time. A similar progression from a fully expanded orientation to a fully retracted orientation may be illustrated by the two images of the radial expander <NUM> in <FIG> with a reverse arrow illustrating the change over time.

The radial expander <NUM> may include any number of blades (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) with variations in their size and shape from that depicted in <FIG>. Further, the radial expander <NUM> may be designed to produce a full stroke from a fully retracted orientation to a fully expanded orientation within a variety of angular rotations. In some implementations, a full stroke occurs within a <NUM>-degree rotation of the first end <NUM> with reference to the second end <NUM>. In other implementations, the full stroke may occur in as little as <NUM>-degrees or as many as multiple <NUM>-degree rotations of the first end <NUM> with reference to the second end <NUM>. Still further, the radial expander <NUM> may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to metal wires, rubber, silicone, silicone rubber, other elastomers, and composites thereof. In implementations where the radial expander <NUM> is made of a resiliently deflectable material, it may be constructed with a bias to return to either the fully retracted orientation, the fully expanded orientation, or a predefined orientation therebetween.

<FIG> illustrates example operations <NUM> for using an adjustable in-ear plug. In a first grasping operation <NUM>, a user grasps a main housing of an adjustable in-ear plug with the user's first hand. Due to the small size, the first grasping operation <NUM> may often be performed by two or three of the user's fingers on the user's first hand. In a second grasping operation <NUM>, the user grasps a resilient membrane tip of the adjustable in-ear plug with the user's second hand. Similar to first grasping operation <NUM>, the second grasping operation <NUM> may often be performed by two or three of the user's fingers on the user's second hand. In implementations where the adjustable in-ear plug is being adjusted while placed within the user's ear canal, the second grasping operation <NUM> is achieved by the user's ear canal gripping the resilient membrane tip rather than the user's second hand.

In a rotation operation <NUM>, the user rotates the resilient membrane tip with reference to the main housing to achieve a desired diameter of the resilient membrane tip. The adjustable in-ear plug includes an adjustment mechanism, which in turn includes a center post and an adjustment collar concentric with the center post. The main housing is fixed to the center post while the resilient membrane tip is fixed to the adjustment collar. As a result, the user's rotation of the resilient membrane tip with reference to the main housing causes the adjustment collar to rotate with reference to the center post within the adjustment mechanism. In various implementations, the adjustment mechanism may include additional components (e.g., a radial expander).

In implementations where the adjustment collar is threaded onto the center post, such rotation either pulls a central portion of the resilient membrane tip inward, forcing the resilient membrane tip outward, thereby increasing its outside diameter and changing its overall shape (see e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>, described in detail above). In implementations that include a radial expander between the adjustment collar and the center post, such rotation forces an array of blades on the radial expander outward, which in turn forces the resilient membrane tip outward as well (see e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>, described in detail above). Other implementations may have different or additional components within the adjustment mechanism to selectively change the size and shape of the resilient membrane tip in response to the user's rotation of the resilient membrane tip with reference to the main housing.

While the rotation operation <NUM> is described in detail above in the context of increasing the diameter of the resilient membrane tip, rotation of the resilient membrane tip with reference to the main housing in an opposite direction generally decreases the diameter of the resilient membrane tip. As a result, the user performing the rotation operation <NUM> may increase and decrease the diameter (and change the characteristic shape) of the resilient membrane tip iteratively to achieve the exact desired size and shape of the resilient membrane tip.

In a locking operation <NUM>, the user locks the adjustment collar with reference to the center post thereby fixing the desired diameter and shape of the resilient membrane tip in place. By locking the desired diameter and shape of the resilient membrane tip, the user may handle the adjustable in-ear plug without risking an inadvertent change to the desired diameter and shape, for example, when the user places the adjustable in-ear plug within the user's ear canal (see placing operation <NUM> below). In some implementations, one or more components of the adjustment mechanism include protrusions and matching recesses that bias the adjustable in-ear plug to one of several predefined positions. For example, the user may need to slide the resilient membrane tip away from the main housing to unseat the protrusions from the matching recesses and enable the adjustable in-ear plug to be adjusted per the rotating operation <NUM>. The user may then slide the resilient membrane tip back toward the main housing to lock the protrusions back into the matching recesses.

In a placing operation <NUM>, the user places the adjustable in-ear plug into the user's ear canal. In various implementations, the user may iteratively repeat operations <NUM> to adjust the resilient membrane tip, test fitment within the user's ear canal, and then readjust resilient membrane tip to achieve the user's desired fitment.

The operations making up the embodiments of the invention described herein may be referred to variously as operations, steps, objects, or modules. Furthermore, the operations may be performed in any order, adding or omitting operations as desired, unless explicitly claimed otherwise or a specific order is inherently necessitated by the claim language.

An example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology comprises an adjustment mechanism including a center post and an adjustment collar concentric with the center post and a resilient membrane tip also concentric with the center post and covering a portion of the adjustment mechanism. Rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post changes an outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, the adjustment collar has a first end threaded onto the center post and a second end attached to a first end of the resilient membrane tip. The adjustment mechanism further includes an adjustment ring concentrically oriented around the center post, rotatable with reference to the center post, and fixed linearly along the center post. A second end of the resilient membrane tip is attached to the adjustment ring.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, rotation of the adjustment collar in a first direction causes an overall length of the adjustable in-ear plug to decrease and the resilient membrane tip to compress and increase in diameter. Rotation of the adjustment collar in an opposite direction causes the overall length of the adjustable in-ear plug to increase and the resilient membrane tip to stretch and decrease in diameter.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, the adjustment mechanism further includes a radial expander concentric with the center post having a first end fixed to the adjustment collar and a second end fixed to a distal end of the center post. The resilient membrane tip is also fixed to the distal end of the center post.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, rotation of the adjustment collar in a first direction causes the radial expander to expand outward against the resilient membrane tip thereby increasing the outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip. Rotation of the adjustment collar in an opposite direction causes the radial expander to retract inward thereby decreasing the outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, a full stroke of the adjustment mechanism occurs in multiple <NUM>-degree rotations of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, a full stroke of the adjustment mechanism occurs in less than a <NUM>-degree rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post.

Another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology further comprises a speaker. The center post and the adjustment collar are each hollow sound tubes to transmit sound from the speaker to a user's ear drum.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post in a first direction increases the outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip. Rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post in an opposite direction decreases the outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, one or both of the center post and the adjustment collar includes a locking mechanism to selectively secure a radial position of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post further changes a characteristic shape of the resilient membrane tip.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post is driven manually by a user.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post is driven by a motor.

In another example adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, the adjustable in-ear plug is one of an earplug, in-ear monitor, and a hearing aid.

An example method of using an adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology comprises grasping in a user's first hand a main housing of the adjustable in-ear plug, the main housing in fixed relation to a center post. The method further comprises grasping in the user's second hand a resilient membrane tip of the adjustable in-ear plug, the resilient membrane tip in fixed relation to an adjustment collar concentric with the center post, the resilient membrane tip covering a portion of an adjustment mechanism that includes the center post and the adjustment collar. The method still further comprises rotating the resilient membrane tip with reference to the main housing, which in turn rotates the adjustment collar with reference to the center post thereby changing an outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

Another example method of using an adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology further comprises locking the adjustment collar with reference to the center post thereby fixing the outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

Another example method of using an adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology further comprises placing the adjustable in-ear plug into the user's ear canal after rotating the resilient membrane tip with reference to the main housing.

In another example method of using an adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, rotation of the adjustment collar with reference to the center post further changes a characteristic shape of the resilient membrane tip.

In another example method of using an adjustable in-ear plug according to the presently disclosed technology, the adjustable in-ear plug is one of an earplug, in-ear monitor, and a hearing aid.

An example adjustable in-ear monitor according to the presently disclosed technology comprises a sound tube having a threaded end, an adjustment tube having a threaded end, the adjustment tube concentric with the sound tube, and the threaded end of the adjustment tube screwed onto the threaded end of the sound tube, a resilient membrane tip concentric with the sound tube and covering the adjustment tube, the resilient membrane tip having a first end fixed to the adjustment tube, and an adjustment ring concentrically oriented around the sound tube, rotatable with reference to the sound tube, and fixed linearly along the sound tube. A second end of the resilient membrane tip is attached to the adjustment ring, and rotation of the adjustment tube with reference to the sound tube changes an outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip.

Claim 1:
An adjustable in-ear plug (<NUM>) comprising:
an adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) including:
a threaded center post (<NUM>);
a threaded adjustment collar (<NUM>) concentric with and screwed onto the center post (<NUM>); and
an adjustment ring (<NUM>) concentrically oriented around the center post (<NUM>), rotatable with reference to the center post (<NUM>) and secured linearly against the center post (<NUM>); and
a resilient membrane tip (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the resilient membrane tip (<NUM>) has a first end fixedly attached to the adjustment collar (<NUM>) and a second end fixedly attached to the adjustment ring (<NUM>), the resilient membrane tip (<NUM>) also being concentric with the center post (<NUM>) and covering a portion of the adjustment mechanism (<NUM>), wherein rotation of the adjustment ring (<NUM>), resilient member tip (<NUM>) and adjustment collar (<NUM>) with reference to the center post (<NUM>) pulls a center portion of the resilient membrane tip (<NUM>) inward, thus changing an outside diameter of the resilient membrane tip (<NUM>) as well as its characteristic shape.