Dual position hearing protection device

• US 7,182,087 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert E. Marsh
• Original Assignee: Robert E. Marsh
• Inventors: Marsh, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin; Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): KURR, JASON RICHARD
• Application Number:
  US10/273,498
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 128/864, 128/865, 128/867, 381/328, 181/134, 181/135
• US Class Current: 128/867
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/08 internal, e.g. earplugs

Abstract

The present invention is a dual position hearing protection device. In one position, the device provides substantial sound attenuation and hearing protection. In the second position, an opening in the device permits sounds to enter the ear of the user relatively unobstructed. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the position of the device is changed simply by compressing the exposed end of the earplug.

Claims

1. An ear plug comprising:

A base plug having two ends;

said base plug having at least one open channel passing through the base plug;

a second plug; and

switching means for moveably supporting said second plug in positions adjacent to one end of said base plug and permitting movement of said second plug between a first fixed position in contact with the adjacent end of said base plug and blocking said open channel through said base plug and a second fixed position not in contact with said adjacent end of said base plug.

2. The ear plug of claim 1 wherein said open channel in said base plug is open at each of said ends of said base plug.

3. The ear plug of claim 1 wherein said base plug is comprised of resilient foam.

4. The ear plug of claim 1 wherein said base plug is substantially cylindrical.

5. The ear plug of claim 3 wherein said second plug is comprised of resilient foam.

6. The ear plug of claim 5 wherein said base plug and second plug are substantially cylindrical.

7. The ear plug of claim 1 further comprising biasing means between said base plug and said second plug tending to force said second plug to said second position not in contact with said adjacent end of said base plug.

8. The ear plug of claim 7 wherein said open channel in said base plug is open at each of said ends of said base plug.

9. The ear plug of claim 7 wherein said base plug is comprised of resilient foam.

10. The ear plug of claim 7 wherein said base plug is substantially cylindrical.

11. The ear plug of claim 9 wherein said second plug is comprised of resilient foam.

12. The ear plug of claim 11 wherein said base plug and second plug are substantially cylindrical.

13. The ear plug of claim 7 wherein said biasing means is disposed primarily within said base plug.

14. The ear plug of claim 7 wherein said biasing means is disposed primarily within said second plug.