CONNECTING MEANS FOR HOUSINGS OF HEARING DEVICES

Abstract

The present invention provides a connecting means for hearing devices having a housing, said housing comprising at least two shells (1;2) to be connected to each other, said connecting means comprising a single-piece pin (6), extending straight along its longitudinal axis (L) and having retaining surfaces (9) arranged at the region of both ends of said pin and being tapered outwardly towards the outside of both ends of said pin (6). Said pin (6) may thus be inserted into two proximately adjacent arranged openings or bores (7) of the shells (1;2) serving as connecting means.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For purpose of facilitating and understanding of the invention, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings to be considered in connection with the following description. Thus the invention may be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is the view onto an open hearing device comprising of two shells with connecting means;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through the hearing device of FIG. 1 in its assembled state in the area of a connecting means; and

FIG. 3 is the view of an inventive connecting means.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFFERED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the upper shell 1 and the lower shell 2 of a hearing aid of the type of BTE (Behind-the-ear) hearing aid is shown in its open state.

The shells 1, 2 have common apertures 3 on its outside and recesses 4 and bars 5 on its inner side for receiving the electrical or mechanical components of the hearing device (not shown in FIG. 1).

Three pin-formed connecting means 6 are provided for the connection of the two shells 1 and 2, each insertable into openings 7 arranged at the inside of the shells 1 and 2.

FIG. 2 depicts the cross sectional view of the assembled hearing device according FIG. 1 in the area of a connecting means 6. Hence the relative small amount of space needed on one hand and the high load capacity or strength respectively due to the high amount of connecting surface on the other hand is revealed.

FIG. 3 depicts in more details the view of an inventive connecting means 6, showing the cylindrical mid-part 8, which outer diameter is slightly greater than the greatest diameter of the conical formed retaining surfaces 9. Three circumferential conical surfaces 9 are arranged on each side of the mid-part 8. The outermost conical surface 9′ is slightly longer than the rest of the conical surfaces and has a slightly minor inclination with respect to the longitudinal axis L. This facilitates the insertion of the connection means 6 into the appropriate opening 7.

Claims

1. Connecting means for hearing devices having a housing, said housing comprising at least two shells (1;2) to be connected to each other, said connecting means comprising a single-piece pin (6), extending straight along its longitudinal axis (L) and having retaining surfaces (9) arranged at the region of both ends of said pin (6) and being tapered outwardly towards the outside of both ends of said pin (6).

2. Connecting means according to claim 1 wherein said pin (6) is provided with a mid-part with a cylindrical surface (8).

3. Connecting means according to claim 1 wherein said pin (6) having at least two retaining surfaces (9;9′) arranged at intervals along the longitudinal axis (L) at the region of each end of said pin (6).

4. Connecting means according to claim 3 wherein said pin (6) having three retaining surfaces (9;9′) arranged at intervals along the longitudinal axis (L) at the region of each end of said pin (6).

5. Connecting means according to claim 1 wherein said retaining surface (9) is provided by a conical or coil shaped surface circumferentially arranged at said pin (6).

6. Connecting means according to claim 1 wherein the end portion of said retaining surface (9) directed towards the mid-part of said pin (6) has a sharp edge.

7. Connecting means according to claim 6 wherein said sharp edge is arranged essentially rectangular with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of said pin (6).

8. Connecting means according to one of claims 1 to 7 being composed of plastic.

9. Hearing device having a housing, said housing comprising at least two shells (1;2) to be connected to each other by connecting means, said connecting means comprising a single-piece pin (6), extending straight along its longitudinal axis (L) and having retaining surfaces (9) arranged at the region of both ends of said pin (6) and being tapered outwardly towards the outside of both ends of said pin (6), said shells (1;2) comprising a plurality of openings (7), arranged transversally with respect to the connecting flange of said shells (1;2) and provided pairwise opposite to each other along one axis for receiving a dedicated pin (6).

10. Hearing device according to claim 9 wherein the openings (7) have circular or polygonal cross-sections, each having at least two different cross section dimensions along its depth, wherein the first cross section dimension near the aperture is greater then the following second cross section dimension.

11. Hearing device according to claim 10 wherein the first cross section dimension is equivalent to the diameter of the mid-section of said pin (6) and the second cross section dimension is smaller than the greatest diameter of said retaining surfaces (9;9′) of said pin (6).