Ear Protection Device and Assembly Method

• US 20150328052A1
• Filed: 05/31/2013
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: A.J. Kalden Beheer En Management B.V.
• Original Assignee: A.J. Kalden Beheer En Management B.V.
• Inventors: Kalden, Arnoud Jan
• Application Number:
  US14/404,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20150328052A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/08 internal, e.g. earplugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/085 including an inner channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/006 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0075 Sound-damping or noise-reducing means

Abstract

A hearing protective device placeable in an auditory canal of an ear, includes: a first outer end extending during use into the auditory canal, a second outer end remote from the first outer end and configured for gripping during arranging and/or removing of the hearing protective device respectively into and/or out of the auditory canal, a body extending between the first and the second outer end and provided with a channel for the passage of sound, a filter space arranged in the body for placing of a sound damping filter, and at least one sealing member which is connected by means of a base to the body for the purpose of blocking sound in the auditory canal during use. The filter space is arranged in the body such that, as seen in side view in the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the channel, it at least overlaps at least a part of the sealing member.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A hearing protective device placeable in an auditory canal of an ear, the device comprising:

a first outer end extending during use into the auditory canal,

a second outer end remote from the first outer end and configured for gripping during arranging and/or removing of the hearing protective device respectively into and/or out of the auditory canal,

a body extending between the first and the second outer end and provided with a channel for the passage of sound,

a filter space arranged in the body for placing of a sound damping filter, and

at least one sealing member which is connected by means of a base to the body for the purpose of blocking sound in the auditory canal during use, wherein the filter space is arranged in the body such that, as seen in side view in the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the channel, it at least overlaps at least a part of the sealing member.

25. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the filter space is arranged in the body such that, as seen in side view in the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the channel, it at least overlaps the base.

26. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the base is situated between a first filter space end facing toward the first outer end and a second filter space end facing toward the second outer end.

27. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the sealing member comprises a first lamella, and wherein the filter space is arranged in the body such that, as seen in side view in the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the channel, it at least overlaps at least a part of the first lamella.

28. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first lamella extends in the direction toward the second outer end to a position beyond the second filter space end.

29. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the sealing member comprises at least a second lamella, and wherein the second lamella extending between the first lamella and the first outer end is connected to the body.

30. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the filter space is arranged in the body such that, as seen in side view in the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the channel, it at least overlaps at least a part of the second lamella.

31. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the sealing member comprises a further lamella, and wherein the further lamella extending between the second lamella and the first outer end is connected to the body.

32. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the sealing member comprises a third lamella, and wherein the third lamella extending between the second lamella and the first outer end is connected to the body.

33. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the sealing member comprises a further lamella, and wherein the further lamella extending between the first lamella and the second outer end is connected to the body.

34. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the sealing member has substantially a flange shape.

35. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the sealing member extends outwardly out of the body from the base.

36. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the channel extends through the filter space.

37. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein a sound damping filter is placed in the filter space.

38. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the filter space is situated at a second distance from the second outer end.

39. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the second distance is substantially equal to, or wherein the second distance is at least greater than, a distance between the second outer end and a part of the sealing member facing toward the second outer end.

40. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the filter space has a first diameter which is preferably substantially constant as seen in the longitudinal direction.

41. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 40, wherein the body comprises a part facing toward the second outer end, and wherein the channel has close to the filter space a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter of the filter volume.

42. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the part of the channel facing toward the second outer end has close to the second outer end a third diameter which is greater than the second diameter for the purpose of guiding a filter during displacement from the second outer end to the filter space.

43. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein a first filter space end facing toward the first outer end has a stop for receiving and/or holding the filter in a direction and/or position directed furthest toward the first outer end relative to the body.

44. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 43, wherein the stop comprises a surface which extends substantially transversely of the central axis of the channel.

45. The hearing protective device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the body and the sealing member are manufactured from a material in a single piece, and/or wherein the material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

46. A method for placing a sound damping filter in a filter space of a hearing protective device, comprising the steps of:

inserting the sound damping filter into a channel via a second outer end of the hearing protective device, and

displacing the sound damping filter through the channel toward the filter space until the sound damping filter is located in the filter space.