Hearing protection device

• US 6,678,897 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2002
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ab Kompositprodukter Vikmanshyttan
• Original Assignee: Ab Kompositprodukter Vikmanshyttan
• Inventors: Lindgren, Mats
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US10/203,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 220/9, 242/3, 181/129, 128/866, 381/383, 381/379, 381/370, 381/378, 381/374, 381/FOR.149, 379/430
• US Class Current: 2/209
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/14 external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs

Abstract

Ear defenders comprising an elastic headband (1) and an ear muff (4) arranged on the inside of each leg (2) of the headband. The ear muffs (4) are arranged displaceably along the insides of the legs (2) from the end positions of the legs and so far along the legs that the free ends (7) of the latter can be bent towards and connected to one another, so that the legs completely surround the ear muffs (4). This means that the ear defenders can be compressed before storage in, for example, a pocket.

Claims

1. Ear defenders comprising an elastic headband (1) and an ear muff (4) arranged on the inside of each leg (2) of the headband, characterized in that the ear muffs (4) are arranged displaceably along the insides of the legs (2) from the end portions of the legs and so far along the legs that the free ends (7) of the latter can be bent towards and connected to one another, so that the legs completely surround the ear muffs (4).

2. Ear defenders according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs (2) are made with longitudinal slots (3) and in that the ear muffs (4) have guide elements (10) running in the slots.

3. Ear defenders according to claim 2, characterized in that the muffs (4) are rotatable with their guide elements (10) in the slots (3).

4. Ear defenders according to claim 2, characterized in that the free end (7) of one leg (2) is shaped in such a manner that it can be inserted into and locked in an opening (3) in the other leg (2).

5. Ear defenders according to claim 4, characterized in that the free ends (7) of both the legs (2) are made with hook-shaped portions which can be inserted into and locked in the slot (3) of the opposite leg.

6. Ear defenders according to claim 5, characterized in that the headband (1) is made in one piece in the form of a curved band made of an elastic plastic material and in that the hook-shaped end portions (7) are located in the plane of the band.

7. Ear defenders according to claim 2, characterized in that the slots (3) are made with adjustment notches (6) for fixing said guide elements (10) projecting from the ear muffs (4).

8. Ear defenders according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide elements (10) running in the slots (3) of the legs (2) each have an essentially square cross section and an enlarged end portion (5).

9. Ear defenders according to claim 1, characterized in that the headband (1) is made in one piece in the form of a curved band made of an elastic plastic material and in that the band is made with integral hanging means (9).

10. Ear defenders according to claim 9, characterized in that said hanging means (9) are in the form of hooks formed in the plane of the band and along the outer edges of the latter.