Hearing aid retention tether

Abstract

The retention tether for the pair of in-ear devices comprises a flexible tether having at least one central fixed weight secured thereto and a plurality of sliding weights thereon, the tether including fixed or adjustable end loops for securing the in-ear devices.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] 2. Background of the Invention Technical Field The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for retaining and securing to a user a pair of ear devices, such as hearing aids or similar ear audio devices such as "ear buds." Various embodiments described herein relate to a weighted and balanced retention tether that engages and secures the ear devices to a user in the event of inadvertent release of the ear devices or intentional removal by the user.

[0002] Related Technology With the development of electronic technology, small and lightweight personal audio devices have become widespread. In-ear audio devices (commonly called "earphones") with excellent sound quality, as well as high-quality hearing aids, are now readily available to meet the sound needs of a wide range of users. These audio devices, especially hearing aids and high-quality earphones, are naturally very expensive. Low-end hearing aids can cost as much as $600, while high-end devices can cost up to ten times that amount.

[0003] The miniaturization of these ear devices is extremely beneficial since they can be easily inserted into the ear and, in the case of hearing aids, easily hidden if the user so desires. Unfortunately, this inherent advantage comes at the expense of these small in-ear devices being easily lost or misplaced. In fact, it is very common for users to inadvertently drop or lose their earphones or hearing aids because they are so light and unobtrusive that the user often does not realize that they have been dropped. Furthermore, because these devices are so small, it is very easy to inadvertently misplace one or both.

[0004] Apart from the obvious financial hardship of having to replace a lost hearing aid or earphones, losing a hearing aid can be extremely traumatic for a hearing aid user, as it makes it difficult to communicate effectively with their hearing loss. Obtaining a suitable replacement hearing aid can take weeks or even months, further increasing the user's distress. Furthermore, losing a hearing aid or earphones and then finding or replacing it forces the user to constantly check that the hearing aid or earphones are fitting properly, creating a sense of slight anxiety whenever the device is worn.

[0005] Additionally, if an earphone or hearing aid is dropped in a public place, even if it is quickly retrieved, it must be thoroughly disinfected before being replaced in the user's ear, as the ear canal is directly connected to the nasal cavity and respiratory system, and placing a dirty device in the ear can pose serious health risks.

[0006] Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus to secure and protect ear devices from loss, thereby reducing the financial loss, hygiene risks, inconvenience, and emotional distress that can result from losing or misplacing these devices.

[0007] Summary of the Invention The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for engaging a pair of in-ear devices and securing the devices to a user. The apparatus described herein provides a tether with a loop of a given size at each end. Each loop is sized to engage an ear device such that the ear device is secured to the tether. The tether is lightly weighted in specific locations to provide tension to the ear device as the user moves or turns. Additionally, the flexible tether may be provided in multiple lengths to accommodate users of different sizes.

[0008] In various embodiments, the systems described herein provide a central weight that is attached or secured near the middle of the flexible tether to lightly weight the tether and thus the ear device around the user's neck. In some embodiments, a sliding weight or multiple sliding weights with an internal opening are threaded along a portion of the flexible tether to tension selected portions of the tether as the user moves or turns.

[0009] In some embodiments, both the fixed weight and the sliding weight are selected to provide a specific weight on the flexible tether that is optimized to provide enough force to hold the ear device in place as the user moves, but without being intrusive to the user.

[0010] In some embodiments, the weight may be constructed from natural materials such as stone, glass, or wood, and may be spherical in shape.

[0011] In some embodiments and aspects, the flexible tether may be formed of an elastic, transparent material such as jewelry cord to keep the device as unobtrusive as possible. Additionally, the loops on either end of the tether may be adjustable to accommodate ear devices of different sizes and shapes, thereby providing a customizable tether.

[0012] As used herein, the term "ear device" includes any type of device worn on or used in connection with the ear, whether inserted into the ear or secured to the ear in any manner. Additionally, as used herein, "ear device" may encompass other items that can be secured by the devices described herein.

[0013] It is to be understood that all combinations of the above concepts and additional concepts described in more detail below (unless such concepts are mutually inconsistent) are part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter described at the end of this disclosure are considered to be part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that terms explicitly used in this specification may also be described in the disclosures incorporated by reference and should be given the meaning most consistent with the specific concepts disclosed herein.

[0014] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retaining tether according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a retention tether in use with a hearing aid according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a retention tether around a user's neck in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a retention tether around a user's neck in accordance with one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a retention tether around a user's neck in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a retention tether around a user's neck in accordance with one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a retention tether in use with an earbud. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a retention tether in use with a hearing aid according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a retention tether in use with a hearing aid according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments 1 and 2, according to various embodiments and aspects, the systems and apparatus described herein overcome the aforementioned problems in the prior art by providing a retention tether 10 for a pair of ear devices 1, which, when used properly, prevents the ear devices 1 from being accidentally lost or dropped without disturbing the user. It should be noted that throughout this specification, the term "ear device" should be construed as synonymous with "hearing aid," "earphone," "audio equipment," or other relatively small objects that a user may wish to secure to themselves without departing from the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hearing aid 1 may include a battery compartment and amplifier located behind the ear, generally designated by reference numeral 1, and a cone 2 that engages and covers the hearing aid speaker 3 prior to placement in the ear.

[0018] In some exemplary aspects and embodiments, the retention tether 10 comprises a flexible, length tether 20 having a first end 22 and a second end 24. Each end 22, 24 terminates in a loop 40 sized to accommodate the ear device 1. As best shown in FIG. 2, the loop 40 is sized to receive the hearing aid 3 with the cone 2 removed, and then place the cone 2 over the hearing aid 3 so that the hearing aid 3 does not slip through the loop 40. In some embodiments, the flexible tether 20 may be constructed of a stretchy and flexible material, such as jewelry cord. In further embodiments, clear or transparent jewelry cord, such as elastic stretch cord, may be used as the material for the tether 20, although a wide variety of flexible cord materials may be used as the material for the flexible tether 20. In some embodiments, the flexible tether 20 of various lengths is constructed of transparent jewelry cord with a diameter of 1 mm to accommodate users of various sizes. In some exemplary embodiments, the overall length between crimp members 50 of loops 40 in flexible tether 20 may be between 11 and 13.5 inches, although lesser or more flexible tethers 20 may be used.

[0019] In various embodiments, the loop 40 may be constructed by doubling the first and second ends 22, 24 of the flexible tether 20 and crimping them with a crimping member 50, such as a jewelry crimping member, similar plastic crimping member, or a metal crimping member. In some embodiments, silver jewelry crimping members 50, such as silver crimping members, may be used, with each crimping member 50 weighing approximately 0.0635 grams. Additionally, by moving the point at which the ends 22, 24 are crimped, the loop 40 may be sized to accommodate a variety of ear devices. For example, the loop 40 may be constructed of a material of the tether 20 that has a flexibility of approximately 0.781 inches. However, a wide variety of loop 40 sizes may be used in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0020] In some exemplary aspects and embodiments, the retention tether 10 further includes a plurality of weights 60 disposed at a plurality of locations along the flexible tether 20. For example, the central weight 62 may be attached or secured to the flexible tether 20 at a point near the middle 26 thereof by attaching a crimping member to the tether 20 at either end of the central weight 62. Of course, the central weight 62 may be secured to the flexible tether 20 using a wide variety of methods and fasteners without departing from the scope of the various embodiments. In some embodiments, the weight 60 may include an opening 66 in the center to allow the flexible tether 20 to pass through the weight 60.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment, the retention tether 10 includes a plurality of sliding weights 64 disposed along a portion of the flexible tether 20 by threading the tether 20 through openings 66. As shown in Figures 1 and 3-8, at least one sliding weight 64 is disposed on each end of the central weight 62. As the user moves, the sliding weights 64 are free to move along the flexible tether 20 from the central weight 62 to the loops 40, as described in more detail below.

[0022] In some exemplary embodiments, the weight 60 is a bead having an opening 66 therein. In some embodiments, the weight 60 is constructed of natural materials such as stone, glass, wood, or metal and may be decorative in nature or may be clear and unobtrusive. In some embodiments, the weight 60 is generally spherical, while in other embodiments, it may be generally cylindrical. The surface area of ​​a spherical weight that is in contact with the user's skin at any one time is much smaller, so the spherical weight 60 is more easily movable relative to the user's neck. The weight 60 may be constructed of a wide variety of materials without departing from the scope of the embodiments detailed herein. The weights 60, 62, 64 are specially selected and sized to be approximately 0.84 grams each, adding a small but necessary amount of weight to the retention tether 20, thereby effectively locking the ear device 1 in place as the user moves. Due to the relatively light weight of the weight 60 and crimping member 50, the embodiments detailed herein provide sufficient force to hold the ear device 1 in place while the retention tether 10 is worn, but not so heavy that the tether 10 becomes unsightly or uncomfortable during daily use.

[0023] 3-6 and 8 illustrate the movement and operation of the retention tether 10 as the user moves naturally throughout the day. Referring to FIG. 3, the user's head is essentially upright and the sliding weight 64 moves along the retention tether 20 until it abuts the central weight 62. Thus, the three weights 62, 64 exert a slight force along the retention tether 20, which is of course connected to the loop 40 and thus to the audio device 1 in the user's ear. This slight force serves to retain the device 1 in the ear.

[0024] Figure 4 shows the user leaning slightly to the right, causing the right side sliding weight 64 to move away from the center weight 62 to its lowest elevation point along the flexible tether 20, thereby weighting the right ear device 1 and inhibiting it from falling off the ear. Figure 5 shows the same operation of the retention tether 10 as the user leans to the left, causing the sliding weight 64 to move away from the center weight 62 to its lowest elevation point along the flexible tether 20, thereby weighting the left ear device 1 and inhibiting it from falling off the left ear.

[0025] 7 illustrates the use of the retention tether 10 with a pair of ear devices stored in a case or similar portable device. The small diameter of the flexible tether 20 allows a user to store the ear devices in a carrying case without removing them from the retention tether 10.

[0026] 8, when the user wishes to remove the ear device 1, the sliding weight 64 moves along the flexible tether 20 until it contacts the loop 40, allowing the retention tether 10 to be easily draped around the neck or shoulder, lightly weighting the ear device 1 and preventing it from falling to the ground or falling away from the user's body. Additionally, when the ear device 1 is to be completely removed from the user, the retention tether 10 can be wrapped around a doorknob, bedpost, or lamp finial, etc., providing an easy way to store or retain the device.

[0027] As best shown in FIG. 9, in some aspects and embodiments, the retention tether 10 may include a sliding grommet 70 that is used to form the loop 40 in place of the crimping member 50. The diameter of the sliding grommet 70 may be small enough that the end 22 can be secured to the flexible tether 20 to form the loop 40. By providing the ability to slide the grommet 70 back and forth along the flexible tether 20 in the direction of arrow 5, a user may adjust the size of the loop 40 to fit a wide variety of ear devices 1. According to this embodiment, the retention tether 10 may be used with many different ear devices 1, such as hearing aids, earphones, or other devices worn over the ear, such as eyeglasses.

[0028] While the present invention has been shown and described herein in what are considered to be its preferred embodiments, illustrating the results and advantages obtained by the present invention over the prior art, the present invention is not limited to those particular embodiments. Therefore, the forms of the invention shown and described herein should be construed as exemplary only, and other embodiments may be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A retention tether for securing a pair of ear devices, comprising: a flexible tether having a length and first and second sides terminating in first and second ends, each of the first and second ends terminating in a loop that engages one of the ear devices; a central weight fixed to a point near the midpoint of the length of the tether; a first sliding weight having an opening for receiving the first side of the tether and movable between the first end and the central weight; a second sliding weight having an opening for receiving the second side of the tether and movable between the second end and the central weight.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises a jewelry cord.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the tether is transparent.

4. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the jewelry cord has a diameter of 1 mm.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the center weight, the first sliding weight, and the second sliding weight are substantially spherical.

6. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second loops are sized to pass through a portion of the ear device to secure the ear device to the retention tether.

7. a central weight having an opening through which the tether passes and a pair of crimping members; The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a pair of the crimp members are secured to the tether at either end of the central weight such that the central weight is secured at a point near the middle of the length of the tether.

8. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the center weight, the first sliding weight, and the second sliding weight each weigh approximately 0.84 grams.

9. A plurality of crimping members are provided, The device of claim 1 , wherein the loop is formed by crimping the first and second ends of a flexible tether together with the crimping member.

10. a plurality of sliding grommets disposed along the first and second ends of the flexible tether; The device of claim 1 , wherein the loop is formed by securing the first and second ends of the tether to themselves using the grommet.

11. A retention tether for securing a pair of ear devices, comprising: a flexible tether having a length and first and second sides terminating in first and second ends, each of the first and second ends terminating in a loop that engages one of the ear devices; a plurality of weights disposed along the flexible tether, including a central weight fixed at a point near the midpoint of the length of the tether.

12. a first sliding weight having an opening for receiving the tether and movable between the first end and the central weight; 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a second sliding weight having an opening for receiving the tether and movable between the second end and the central weight.

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