Patents by Inventor Thomas Spaulding

Thomas Spaulding 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: 10257624
    Abstract: A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing or shell. The hearing aid shell may constructed by forming an inner shell portion, disposing an antenna on an outer surface of the inner shell portion, and forming an outer shell portion around the inner shell portion. In various embodiments, the hearing aid shell may be constructed using an injection molding process or a 3D printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Rabel, Thomas Spaulding, Thomas Blaise Bergner
  • Publication number: 20170055088
    Abstract: A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing or shell. The hearing aid shell may constructed by forming an inner shell portion, disposing an antenna on an outer surface of the inner shell portion, and forming an outer shell portion around the inner shell portion. In various embodiments, the hearing aid shell may be constructed using an injection molding process or a 3D printing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jay Rabel, Thomas Spaulding, Thomas Blaise Bergner
  • Patent number: 9363613
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing an environmentally sealed hearing assistance device that is easy to manufacture. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. A hearing assistance device electrical component is placed into a mold and a liquid polymer resin is inserted into the mold. The polymer resin is cured into a solid state to encase the electrical component. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device is assembled using the encased electrical component. The polymer resin is adapted to resist moisture ingress and to protect the electrical component from corrosion, shock and vibration, in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Blaise Bergner, Thomas Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20140044292
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing an environmentally sealed hearing assistance device that is easy to manufacture. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. A hearing assistance device electrical component is placed into a mold and a liquid polymer resin is inserted into the mold. The polymer resin is cured into a solid state to encase the electrical component. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device is assembled using the encased electrical component. The polymer resin is adapted to resist moisture ingress and to protect the electrical component from corrosion, shock and vibration, in various embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Blaise Bergner, Thomas Spaulding
  • Patent number: 8638965
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, including, but not limited to connections for receiver-in-canal hearing devices. In various embodiments, a hearing device includes a hearing device component adapted to rest on or behind the ear and hearing assistance electronics disposed in the component. A first connector portion is disposed in the component, the first connector portion electrically connected to the hearing assistance electronics. A second connector portion is adapted to conform to a portion of the component and to electrically and physically connect a cable to the first connector portion. In various embodiments, at least one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion employ scratch pads for contacts. The first connector portion is top loading, in an embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Curt Johnson, Thomas Spaulding, Thomas Blaise Bergner
  • Patent number: 8315402
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for real ear measurement using a hearing assistance device fitted with a cover to provide real ear sounds to a microphone of the device. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device cover for use in measuring coupler response and real ear coupler difference for improved real ear measurement and fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Thomas Spaulding
  • Patent number: 8116495
    Abstract: Various earbud embodiments comprise a sleeve portion, a base portion, a bell portion, and reinforcement members. The sleeve portion defines a central void extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the earbud. The base portion encircles the sleeve portion. The bell portion connects the sleeve portion to the base portion. The bell portion defines at least one aperture, and includes at least one web portion connected to the base portion at a connection point. At least one reinforcement member at each connection point extends from the base portion to the web portion to strengthen the structure at the connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20120014549
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, including, but not limited to connections for receiver-in-canal hearing devices. In various embodiments, a hearing device includes a hearing device component adapted to rest on or behind the ear and hearing assistance electronics disposed in the component. A first connector portion is disposed in the component, the first connector portion electrically connected to the hearing assistance electronics. A second connector portion is adapted to conform to a portion of the component and to electrically and physically connect a cable to the first connector portion. In various embodiments, at least one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion employ scratch pads for contacts. The first connector portion is top loading, in an embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Curt Johnson, Thomas Spaulding, Thomas Blaise Bergner
  • Publication number: 20090245558
    Abstract: Various earbud embodiments comprise a sleeve portion, a base portion, a bell portion, and reinforcement members. The sleeve portion defines a central void extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the earbud. The base portion encircles the sleeve portion. The bell portion connects the sleeve portion to the base portion. The bell portion defines at least one aperture, and includes at least one web portion connected to the base portion at a connection point. At least one reinforcement member at each connection point extends from the base portion to the web portion to strengthen the structure at the connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Spaulding
  • Publication number: 20090245525
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for real ear measurement using a hearing assistance device fitted with a cover to provide real ear sounds to a microphone of the device. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device cover for use in measuring coupler response and real ear coupler difference for improved real ear measurement and fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Thomas Spaulding