Earplug Having A Resilient Core Structure
First Claim
1. An earplug for insertion into an ear canal of a user, the earplug comprising:
- a front, a back, a side extending between the front and the back, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis,a core structure being selectively moveable from an un-deformed position to a deformed, insertable position suitable for insertion of the earplug into the ear canal of the user;
a cover for covering at least a portion of the core structure, the cover being adapted for contact with the ear canal of the user; and
an actuator extending outward from the back and operatively connected to the core structure for moving the core structure from the un-deformed position to the deformed, insertable position upon application of a force to the actuator generally along the longitudinal axis.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An earplug for insertion into an ear canal of a user has a front, a back, a side extending between the front and the back, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis. A core structure is selectively moveable from an un-deformed position to a deformed, insertable position suitable for insertion of the earplug into the ear canal of the user. A cover covers at least a portion of the core structure and is adapted for contact with the ear canal of the user. An actuator is operatively connected to the core structure for moving the core structure from the un-deformed position to the deformed, insertable position upon application of a force to the actuator.
4 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An earplug for insertion into an ear canal of a user, the earplug comprising:
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a front, a back, a side extending between the front and the back, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, a core structure being selectively moveable from an un-deformed position to a deformed, insertable position suitable for insertion of the earplug into the ear canal of the user; a cover for covering at least a portion of the core structure, the cover being adapted for contact with the ear canal of the user; and an actuator extending outward from the back and operatively connected to the core structure for moving the core structure from the un-deformed position to the deformed, insertable position upon application of a force to the actuator generally along the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An earplug for insertion into an ear canal of a user, the earplug comprising:
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a front, a back, a side extending between the front and the back, a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis, a core structure being selectively moveable from an un-deformed position to a deformed, insertable position suitable for insertion of the earplug into the ear canal of the user, the core structure being resilient such that the core structure is biased toward the un-deformed position when in the deformed, insertable position; a cover for covering at least a portion of the core structure, the cover being adapted for contact with the ear canal of the user; and an actuator operatively connected to the core structure for moving the core structure from the un-deformed position to the deformed, insertable position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of inserting an earplug into an ear canal of an ear, the method comprising:
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applying a force to an actuator of the earplug to move a core structure of the earplug from an un-deformed position to a deformed, insertable position wherein the core structure collapses to reduce a width of the earplug, the core structure being resiliently biased from the deformed, insertable portion toward the un-deformed position; inserting the earplug into the ear canal while the earplug is in the deformed, insertable position; releasing the actuator thereby allowing the bias of the core structure to move the core structure from the deformed, insertable position to a partially deformed, inserted position wherein the earplug engages the user'"'"'s ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification