IP Library Granted Patent US 9,930,459
Granted Patent B2
US 9,930,459 · App. 14/339,701 · Granted Mar 27, 2018

Hearing aid with detachable battery compartment

Inventors: Miguel Cano (Chicago, IL); Greg Olsen (Glenview, IL); Shira Hahn (Glenview, IL); Alex Kuvshinkov (Glenview, IL)
Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
H04R25/602
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,930,459
App. No.
14/339,701
Granted
Mar 27, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A kit-of-parts includes: a hearing aid having a first attachment member; a first device comprising a second attachment member that is configured to mate with the first attachment member of the hearing aid; and a second device comprising a third attachment member that is configured to mate with the first attachment member of the hearing aid; wherein the second attachment member and the third attachment are alternatively attachable to the first attachment member of the hearing aid; and wherein the first device comprises a first electrical power source that is rechargeable, and the second device comprises an accessible compartment configured for holding a second electrical power source.

Claims (38)

1. A kit-of-parts comprising:

a first attachment member of a hearing aid;

a first device comprising a second attachment member that is configured to mate with the first attachment member of the hearing aid; and

a second device comprising a third attachment member that is configured to mate with the first attachment member of the hearing aid;

wherein the second attachment member and the third attachment are alternatively attachable to the first attachment member of the hearing aid;

wherein the first device comprises a first electrical power source (1) that is rechargeable when the first device is detached from the hearing aid, and (2) that is configured to power the hearing aid when the first device is attached to the hearing aid, and the second device comprises an accessible compartment configured for holding a second electrical power source that is configured to power the hearing aid; and

wherein the second attachment member comprises an electrical contact configured (1) to engage with a first electrical terminal at the hearing aid, and (2) also to alternatively engage with a second terminal at a charging device when the electrical contact is not engaged with the first electrical terminal at the hearing aid.

2. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the first attachment member is configured to make an electrical connection with the first device via the second attachment member.

3. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the first attachment member is configured to make an electrical connection with the second device via the third attachment member.

4. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the hearing aid is powered by the first electrical power source when the first device is attached to the hearing aid.

5. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the hearing aid is powered by the second electrical power source when the second device is attached to the hearing aid.

6. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the first attachment member of the hearing aid comprises a female bayonet plug.

7. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein:

the second attachment member is configured for interlocking connection with the first attachment member of the hearing aid; and

the third attachment member is configured for interlocking connection with the first attachment member of the hearing aid.

8. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrical power source of the first device comprises a rechargeable battery.

9. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrical power source of the first device comprises a solar battery.

10. The kit-of-parts according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrical power source comprises an exchangeable battery, and the accessible compartment of the second device is configured for holding the exchangeable battery.

11. The kit-of-parts according to claim 10 , wherein the exchangeable battery comprises a disposable zinc-air battery.

12. The kit-of-parts according to claim 10 , wherein the exchangeable battery comprises a fuel cell.

13. The kit-of-parts of claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a housing for accommodating the first electrical power source, and wherein a majority of the housing is external to the hearing aid when the first device is coupled with the hearing aid.

14. The kit-of parts-of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical power source is outside a housing of the hearing aid.

15. A kit-of-parts comprising:

a first attachment member of a hearing aid;

a first device comprising a second attachment member that is configured to mate with the first attachment member of the hearing aid; and

a second device comprising a third attachment member that is configured to mate with the first attachment member of the hearing aid;

wherein the second attachment member and the third attachment are alternatively attachable to the first attachment member of the hearing aid;

wherein the first device comprises a first electrical power source that is rechargeable, and the second device comprises an accessible compartment configured for holding a second electrical power source;

wherein the first device comprises a housing for accommodating the first electrical power source; and

wherein the second attachment member comprises an electrical contact configured (1) to engage with a first electrical terminal at the hearing aid, and (2) also to alternatively engage with a second terminal at a charging device when the electrical contact is not engaged with the first electrical terminal at the hearing aid.

16. The kit-of-parts of claim 15 , wherein the first attachment member of the hearing aid comprises a female bayonet plug;

wherein the second attachment member comprises a first male bayonet plug configured to connect with the female bayonet plug when the second attachment member is attached to the first attachment member; and

wherein the third attachment member comprises a second male bayonet plug configured to connect with the female bayonet plug when the third attachment member is attached to the first attachment member.

17. The kit-of-parts according to claim 15 , wherein the first electrical power source of the first device comprises a rechargeable battery.

18. The kit-of-parts according to claim 15 , wherein the first electrical power source of the first device comprises a solar battery.

19. The kit-of-parts according to claim 15 , wherein the second electrical power source comprises an exchangeable battery, and the accessible compartment of the second device is configured for holding the exchangeable battery.

20. The kit-of-parts according to claim 19 , wherein the exchangeable battery comprises a disposable zinc-air battery.

21. The kit-of-parts according to claim 19 , wherein the exchangeable battery comprises a fuel cell.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2017
From: CANO, MIGUEL; OLSEN, GREG; HAHN, SHIRA; KUVSHINKOV, ALEX
To: GN RESOUND A/S
Reel/Frame 041238/0706 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 13, 2017
From: GN RESOUND A/S
To: GN HEARING A/S
Reel/Frame 041694/0088 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160029133A1 · Jan 28, 2016