Patents by Inventor Diann Y. Smith
Diann Y. Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 8879769Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. The earpiece has a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A generally vertical rib extends substantially between the upper and lower ends of the generally arcuate rib. A lobe is formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is similarly formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Publication number: 20140106825Abstract: A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Publication number: 20140105442Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: 8625834Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: 8611969Abstract: A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Publication number: 20120064845Abstract: A cable assembly for electronic devices such as cellular telephones and music devices is disclosed. The cable assembly can comprise either one or two earpieces, each of which is configured to be received into the concha of a user's ear. The earpiece(s) can be configured so as to be held in place by at least one anatomical structure of the concha. A speaker can be in acoustic communication with each earpiece. A cable can be configured to communicate a signal representative of sound from the electronic device to each earpiece. A microphone can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the cable to facilitate use with a cellular telephone. The cable assembly can facilitate hands free operation of a cellular telephone and can facilitate listening to a music device. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Publication number: 20120057739Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: 7934916Abstract: A system for making custom earpieces is disclosed. The system can include a two-component dispensing container such as a two-component syringe or a two-component squeeze bulb. The two components stored in the two-component dispensing container are kept separate until they are dispensed. The two components can be dispensed into a balloon disposed within the ear canal of a user. The two components can define an earpiece after they are dispensed into the balloon. A mixer mixes the two components as they are dispensed. The balloon can be attached to the two-component dispensing container such that two components enter the balloon after the two components are mixed. In this manner, a more comfortable and effective custom earpiece can be made more safely and more conveniently.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Publication number: 20100326764Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. The earpiece has a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A generally vertical rib extends substantially between the upper and lower ends of the generally arcuate rib. A lobe is formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is similarly formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: SUREFIRE, LLC.Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: 7778435Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. The earpiece has a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A generally vertical rib extends substantially between the upper and lower ends of the generally arcuate rib. A lobe is formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is similarly formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Publication number: 20090095767Abstract: A system for making custom earpieces is disclosed. The system can include a two-component dispensing container such as a two-component syringe or a two-component squeeze bulb. The two components stored in the two-component dispensing container are kept separate until they are dispensed. The two components can be dispensed into a balloon disposed within the ear canal of a user. The two components can define an earpiece after they are dispensed into the balloon. A mixer mixes the two components as they are dispensed. The balloon can be attached to the two-component dispensing container such that two components enter the balloon after the two components are mixed. In this manner, a more comfortable and effective custom earpiece can be made more safely and more conveniently.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: 7394910Abstract: An earpiece suitable for use with two-way radios is configured to be captured at least partially within the conchae of an ear. The earpiece is configured for use in either ear. The earpiece is particularly suited for use by police and security personnel because it reduces costs associated with the manufacture, purchase, and inventory thereof, while allowing both the radio and ambient sound to be readily heard through both ears.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Surefire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Publication number: 20020096391Abstract: A flexible ear insert to be comfortably and inconspicuously carried in the ear of a wearer, particularly law enforcement and security personnel. The flexible ear insert has a central air space surrounded by an arcuate band and a linear bridge. A canal tube having a sound channel running therethrough projects outwardly from the bridge of the ear insert to deliver audio messages from an audio source to the ear canal of the wearer. By virtue of the central air space, the arcuate band can be collapsed inwardly to cause the ear insert to conform to the shape of the wearer's ear and thereby create a reliable fit. The central air space also enables nearby sounds from the wearer's surroundings to be delivered to the wearer's ear drum at the same time that the audio messages are being delivered thereto from the audio source via the sound channel through the canal tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: D449295Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2001Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Inventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: D523845Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: SureFire LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: D664124Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Diann Y. Smith
-
Patent number: D720730Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: SureFire, LLCInventors: Richard C. Smith, Alfredo Soria, Diann Y. Smith