Hearing protection device

• US 5,983,399 A
• Filed: 12/10/1997
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• 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:
  US08/988,625
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 2/171, 2/209, 2/DIG. 11, 128/864, 128/866, 128/867, 128/868, 181/129
• 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;

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, said second end including a socket; and

a ball mounted in said socket, said ball having an opening therein.

2. The frame of claim 1 wherein said opening is formed through said ball.

3. The frame of claim 1 wherein said ball includes a slot formed therein extending through the ball and entering said opening.

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

a band having a pair of band ends, each of said band ends having a first surface, 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 first end having a second surface positioned adjacent said first surface;

wherein one of said first surface and said second surface includes a plurality of depressions and the other of said first surface and said second surface includes a plurality of protrusions for engaging said depressions.

5. The frame of claim 4 wherein said legs are positioned outside of said band.

6. The frame of claim 4 wherein said legs are positioned inside of said band.

7. The frame of claim 4 wherein said second surface includes a post and said band end includes an opening for receiving said post.

8. The frame of claim 4 wherein said first said surface includes a post and said first end includes an opening for receiving said post.

9. The frame of claim 4 further comprising a pin and wherein said band end includes an opening for receiving a portion of said pin and said first end includes an opening for receiving a portion of said pin.

10. The frame of claim 9 wherein said pin has an hourglass shape.