Hearing protection device

• US 5,809,574 A
• Filed: 08/15/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Cabot Safety Intermediate Corporation et al
• Inventors: Falco, Robert N., Doty, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): OLEKSA, DIANA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US08/698,367
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 2/209, 2/DIG. 11, 2/171, 2/423, 128/864, 128/865, 128/866, 128/867
• US Class Current: 2/209
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/12 External mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1066 Constructional aspects of the interconnection between earpiece and earpiece support earpiece support for monophonic headphones H04R1/105; earpiece support for stereophonic headphones H04R5/0335
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/0335 Earpiece support, e.g. headbands or neckrests for monophonic headphones H04R1/105
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 2/11 Headband

Abstract

A hearing protection device. The hearing protection device includes a band and legs that are rotatable relative to the band. Each leg includes a first leg end and a second leg end. The first leg end is rotatably coupled to the band to allow the leg to rotate relative to the band. The second leg end includes a hole for receiving a stem of a hearing protector. Alternatively, the second leg end includes a socket for receiving a ball formed on a hearing protector shaft. The hearing protection device can accommodate head sizes ranging from the 5th percentile of women to the 95th percentile of men.

Claims

1. A frame for a hearing protection device, said frame comprising:

a band having a pair of ends; and

a pair of legs, each of said legs having a first end rotatably coupled to one of said band ends and a second end for receiving a hearing protector, said legs being rotatable with respect to said band while said hearing protection device is worn;

wherein said band ends each includes a first hole formed therein and each of said first ends includes a post for engaging said first hole to rotatably couple said first end to said band end; and

wherein said post comprises a neck having a diameter less than the diameter at a tip of said post, and said first hole includes a ridge having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said first hole, wherein said ridge engages said neck when said post is placed within said first hole.

2. A frame for a hearing protection device, said frame comprising:

a band having a pair of ends; and

a pair of legs, each of said legs having a first end rotatable coupled to one of said band ends and a second end for receiving a hearing protector, said legs being rotatable with respect to said band while said hearing protection device is worn;

wherein each of said legs further comprises a leg body connecting said first end and said second end, said first end further comprising a planar surface at an oblique angle relative to said leg body.

3. The frame of claim 2 wherein each of said band ends comprises a first hole formed therein and each of said first ends includes a post for engaging said first hole, said post extending away from and perpendicular to said planar surface.

4. The frame of claim 3 wherein said post comprises a neck having a diameter less than the diameter at a tip of said post, and said first hole comprises a ridge having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said first hole, wherein said ridge engages said neck when said post is placed within said first hole.

5. The frame of claim 2 wherein each said second end has a hole formed therein.

6. The frame of claim 2 wherein each said second end has a socket formed therein.

7. A hearing protection device comprising:

a band having a pair of ends; and

a pair of legs, each of said legs having a first end rotatable coupled to one of said band ends and a second end for receiving a hearing protector, said legs being rotatable with respect to said band while said hearing protection device is worn;

wherein the hearing protector includes a stem and said second end has a second hole formed therein for receiving the stem.

8. The frame of claim 7 wherein said second hole is formed completely through said second end.

9. A hearing protection device comprising:

a band having a pair of ends;

a pair of legs, each of said legs having a first end rotatably coupled to one of said band ends and a second end for receiving a hearing protector, said legs being rotatable with respect to said band while said hearing protection device is worn; and

a hearing protector coupled to the second end of each leg

wherein said hearing protector includes a stem and each of said second ends includes a hole for receiving said stem.

10. A hearing protection device comprising:

a frame having a pair of distal ends, each of said ends having an opening formed therein; and

a hearing protector mounted to each of said ends, said hearing protector including a stem for insertion in said opening.

11. The hearing protection device of claim 10, wherein said hearing protector is an ear cap.

12. The hearing protection device of claim 10, wherein said hearing protector is a semi-insert device.

13. The hearing protection device of claim 10, wherein said hearing protector is an ear plug.

14. The hearing protection device of claim 10, wherein said hearing protector includes a foam portion connected to said stem.

15. The hearing protection device of claim 14, wherein said stem is made from a porous material.

16. The hearing protection device of claim 15, wherein said stem includes pores and said foam portion interpenetrates said pores to mechanically bond the foam portion to said stem.

17. The hearing protection device of claim 10 wherein each of said ends has an outer dimension substantially equal to an average concha bowl opening.

18. The hearing protection device of claim 10 wherein said opening is formed completely through said end.