IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,264,792
Granted Patent B2
US 9,264,792 · App. 14/181,519 · Granted Feb 16, 2016

Ear tip with stabilizer

Inventors: Matthew J Mainini (Santa Cruz, CA); Jacob T Meyberg (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
H04R1/105H04R1/1016H04R1/1066H04R25/658H04R2201/107H04R2225/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,264,792
App. No.
14/181,519
Granted
Feb 16, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for delivering sound to a user ear are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for delivering sound to an ear canal includes a body dimensioned to fit in a cavum concha area of a user ear, and a stabilizer member extending from the body arranged to bypass contact with a crus helix and contact a concha area of the user ear.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for delivering sound to an ear canal comprising:

a body dimensioned to fit in a cavum concha area of a user ear, the body having a first surface to attach to a headset receiver and a second surface to contact a user ear; and

a stabilizer member irremovably attached to the body at a location closer to the first surface than the second surface, the stabilizer member having at least a portion formed from a material having a lower hardness than a body material, the stabilizer member arranged to extend from the body to bypass contact with a crus helix and contact a concha area of the user ear.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body has a diameter of approximately 11-17 mm and a height of approximately 6-8 mm.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an aperture.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the stabilizer member comprises an elastomer material having a hardness of approximately 30-40 shore-A durometers and the body material comprises a hardness of approximately 60-90 shore-A durometers.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the concha area comprises a cymba concha.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is attached to the body at a location between the first surface and a plane parallel to the first surface, the plane located at a midpoint between the first surface and the second surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer member comprises an elliptical loop.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer member has a curvature.

9. A method comprising:

inserting an ear tip body into a user ear, the ear tip body having a first surface to attach to a headset receiver and a second surface to contact a user ear, the second surface contacting the user ear following insertion; and

inserting an ear tip stabilizer member into the user ear comprising bypassing contact with a crus helix and contacting a cymba concha area of the user ear, the ear tip stabilizer member irremovably attached to the ear tip body at a location closer to the first surface than the second surface and having at least a portion formed from a material having a lower hardness than an ear tip body material.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the ear tip body comprises a first surface to attach to the headset receiver and a second surface to contact a user ear, wherein the ear tip stabilizer member is attached to the ear tip body at a location between the first surface and a plane parallel to the first surface, the plane located at a midpoint between the first surface and the second surface.

Assignments (4)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2023
From: PLANTRONICS, INC.
To: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Reel/Frame 065549/0065 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Aug 30, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: PLANTRONICS, INC.; POLYCOM, INC.
Reel/Frame 061356/0366 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: PLANTRONICS, INC.; POLYCOM, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 046491/0915 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2014
From: MAININI, MATTHEW J; MEYBERG, JACOB T
To: PLANTRONICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032258/0479 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 29466393 · Sep 6, 2013
Related Publication 20150071477A1 · Mar 12, 2015