US 11,729,561 B2
Hearing device incorporating conformal folded antenna
Zhenchao Yang, Eden Prairie, MN (US); Deepak Hosadurga, Bloomington, MN (US); Karl Hilde, St. Paul, MN (US); and Beau Jay Polinske, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to Starkey Laboratories, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed by Starkey Laboratories, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/137,809.
Application 17/137,809 is a continuation of application No. 16/750,871, filed on Jan. 23, 2020, granted, now 10,886,603.
Application 16/750,871 is a continuation of application No. 16/249,421, filed on Jan. 16, 2019, granted, now 10,581,144, issued on Mar. 20, 2020.
Application 16/249,421 is a continuation of application No. 15/351,643, filed on Nov. 15, 2016, granted, now 10,256,529, issued on Apr. 9, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0126352 A1, Apr. 29, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01Q 1/22 (2006.01); H01Q 1/27 (2006.01); H01Q 1/38 (2006.01); H01Q 1/40 (2006.01); H01Q 5/335 (2015.01); H01Q 9/04 (2006.01); H04R 25/00 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 25/609 (2019.05) [H01Q 1/2291 (2013.01); H01Q 1/273 (2013.01); H01Q 1/38 (2013.01); H01Q 1/40 (2013.01); H01Q 5/335 (2015.01); H01Q 9/0414 (2013.01); H04R 25/554 (2013.01); H04R 25/60 (2013.01); H04R 2225/51 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer, comprising:
a shell configured for placement at, on or about an ear of the wearer, the shell comprising opposing sides and an axial length;
circuitry disposed within the shell and comprising at least signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, a power source, and an acoustic transducer component; and
a folded antenna encompassing at least some of the circuitry, the folded antenna coupled to the radio circuitry via first and second feeds and comprising:
opposing first and second sides extending along the opposing sides of the shell, the first and second feeds respectively attached to the opposing first and second sides;
at least one electrically conductive element connected to and extending between the opposing first and second sides, the at least one electrically conductive element having an axial length that is shorter than an axial length of the opposing first and second sides;
an elongated gap opposite the at least one electrically conductive element and extending continuously between the opposing first and second sides; and
one or more apertures in one or both of the opposing first and second sides.