Low sound attenuating hearing protection device

• US 7,697,706 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Doty, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin; Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Monikang; George C
• Application Number:
  US10/700,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20050094835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,353 Days
• Field of Search: 381/72, 381/312, 381/322, 381/328, 128/864
• US Class Current: 381/328
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/08 internal, e.g. earplugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/085 including an inner channel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/12 External mounting means

Abstract

A hearing protection device and a method of manufacturing thereof is provided. The device includes a sound attenuating portion for being disposed within an ear canal of a user to obstruct the passage of sound and a channel formed through the sound attenuating portion for allowing sound to pass through the sound attenuating portion.

Claims

1. A hearing protection device, comprising:

a sound attenuating portion for being disposed within an ear canal of a user to attenuate a passage of sound; and

a channel formed through the sound attenuating portion for allowing sound to pass through the sound attenuating portion, wherein at least a portion of the channel is disposable in the ear canal of the user, wherein at least a portion of the channel has a cross-sectional area and an attenuating diameter or width that is less than a diameter or width in a remainder of the channel, the cross-sectional area and the attenuating diameter or width being configured to attenuate a portion of the sound passing through the channel, wherein the portion of the channel has a distinct first end and a distinct second end, the first end and the second end each being located at a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width begins, a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width terminates, or at a terminating end of the device itself, the cross-sectional area of the portion being generally consistent across an entirety of the portion from the first end to the second end, wherein the cross-sectional area is also at least partially unobstructed.

2. The hearing protection device of claim 1, wherein the channel extends from a first end of the sound attenuating element to an opposite second end of the sound attenuating element and wherein the channel is substantially unobstructed.

3. The hearing protection device of claim 2, wherein the channel is substantially cylindrical and includes a diameter of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.050 inch and a length of approximately 0.100 inch to 1.000 inch.

4. The hearing protection device of claim 3, wherein the diameter is approximately 0.030 inch and the length is approximately 0.256 inch.

5. The hearing protection device of claim 3, wherein the diameter is approximately 0.020 inch and the length is approximately 0.500 inch.

6. The hearing protection device of claim 2, wherein the channel extends linearly though the sound attenuating element along a longitudinal axis of the hearing protection device or at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

7. The hearing protection device of claim 2, wherein the channel extends non-linearly through the sound attenuating element.

8. The hearing protection device of claim 2, wherein the first end is disposed in the ear canal and the second end extends from the ear canal when the hearing protection device is worn by the user.

9. The hearing protection device of claim 2, further comprising a rigid or semi-rigid stem portion disposed at the second end of the sound attenuating element wherein the channel extends into and through at least a part of the stem portion.

10. The hearing protection device of claim 9, wherein the channel extends linearly though the sound attenuating element and linearly through the stem along a longitudinal axis of the hearing protection device.

11. The hearing protection device of claim 2, wherein the sound attenuating portion is a tube disposed in the channel, the tube including attenuating diameter that is consistent from the first end of the tube to the second end of the tube.

12. The hearing protection device of claim 11, wherein the tube includes a circular cross-section and extends through the channel from an interior the sound attenuating element where the attenuating diameter or width begins to the terminating end of the device.

13. The hearing protection device of claim 12, wherein the tube includes an inner diameter of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.050 inch and a length of approximately 0.100 inch to 1.000 inch.

14. The hearing protection device of claim 13, wherein the inner diameter is approximately 0.030 inch and the length is approximately 0.256 inch.

15. The hearing protection device of claim 13, wherein the inner diameter is approximately 0.020 inch and the length is approximately 0.500 inch.

16. The hearing protection device of claim 11, wherein the tube is fixed to the device at the channel by a bonding agent and/or by a friction fit.

17. The hearing protection device of claim 11, wherein a width of the tube is larger than a width of the channel such that the tube is fixed within the channel by the friction fit.

18. The hearing protection device of claim 9, further comprising a tube disposed in the channel and extending through the sound attenuating and through the stem to an opening at a surface of the stem opposite the sound attenuating element.

19. The hearing protection device of claim 1, further comprising a reinforcement portion disposed in the sound attenuating element proximate the channel to reinforce and maintain a size and shape of the channel during a use of the device.

20. The hearing protection device of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuating element comprises an elongate stalk member and a plurality of hollow, rearwardly facing flanges of substantially hemispherical shape, the flanges extending generally radially from the stalk member.

21. The hearing protection device of claim 20, wherein the stalk member comprises a nose end and an opposing distal end, and wherein the plurality of flanges comprises at least three flanges of serially increasing diameters disposed at spaced intervals along the stalk member, the flange having a smallest diameter being disposed at the nose end.

22. The hearing protection device of claim 20, wherein the channel is formed through the stalk member, from a nose end to an opposite distal end, along a longitudinal axis of the device, and wherein the channel is cylindrical in shape and includes openings at the nose end of the stalk member and at the distal end.

23. The hearing protection device of claim 22, wherein the channel includes a diameter of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.050 inch and a length of approximately 0.100 inch to 1.000 inch.

24. The hearing protection device of claim 23, wherein the diameter is approximately 0.030 inch and the length is approximately 0.256 inch.

25. The hearing protection device of claim 23, wherein the inner diameter is approximately 0.020 inch and the length is approximately 0.500 inch.

26. The hearing protection device of claim 22, further comprising a tube disposed in the channel and extending through the stalk member from the nose end to the distal end.

27. The hearing protection device of claim 26, wherein the tube includes an inner diameter of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.050 inch and a length of approximately 0.100 inch to 1.000 inch.

28. The hearing protection device of claim 27, wherein the inner diameter is approximately 0.030 inch and the length is approximately 0.256 inch.

29. The hearing protection device of claim 27, wherein the inner diameter is approximately 0.020 inch and the length is approximately 0.500 inch.

30. The hearing protection device of claim 27, wherein the tube is fixed to the device at the channel by a bonding agent and/or wherein a width of the tube is larger than a width of the channel such that the tube is fixed within the channel by the friction fit.

31. The hearing protection device of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuating element is a compressible resilient foam member including an insertion end and an opposite distal end, the device further comprising a stem member fixed at a first end to the distal end of the foam member and extending therefrom to a second end.

32. The hearing protection device of claim 31, wherein the channel extends linearly along a longitudinal axis of the hearing protection device from the insertion end of the foam member, through the foam member to the distal end, and through the stem member to an opening at the second end of the stem member.

33. The hearing protection device of claim 32, wherein the channel is substantially cylindrical, the device flirt her comprising a cylindrical tube disposed in the channel extending from the insertion end of the foam member to the second end of the stem member.

34. The hearing protection device of claim 33, wherein the channel includes an outer diameter larger than a diameter of the channel such that the tube is fixed in the channel by a friction fit and wherein the tube includes an inner diameter of approximately 0.050 inch to 0.050 inch and a length of approximately 0.100 inch to 1.000 inch.

35. The hearing protection device of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuating element comprises a compressible resilient member having a substantially cylindrical shape and opposing first and second ends.

36. The hearing protection device of claim 35, wherein the channel extends through the compressible resilient member from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal axis of the hearing protection device.

37. The hearing protection device of claim 36, wherein the channel is substantially cylindrical, the device further comprising a cylindrical tube disposed in the channel extending from the first end to the second end.

38. The hearing protection device of claim 37, wherein the channel includes an outer diameter larger than a diameter of the channel such that the tube is fixed in the channel by a friction fit and wherein the tube includes an inner diameter of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.050 inch and a length of approximately 0.100 inch to 1.000 inch.

39. The hearing protection device of claim 1, further comprising a cord connecting the sound attenuating element to a second sound attenuating element.

40. The hearing protection device of claim 1, further comprising a substantially U-shaped band connecting the sound attenuating element to a second sound attenuating element.

41. The hearing protection device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first tube disposed in the channel; and

a second tube disposed in the channel,

wherein the first tube is disposed at least partially within the second tube.

42. The hearing protection device of claim 41, wherein the second tube includes a length less than a length of the channel and the first tube includes a length less than the length of the first tube, the first tube being contained entirely within the second tube, the second tube extending within the channel beyond the first tube.

43. The hearing protection device of claim 42, wherein an inner diameter of the first tube is about 0.030 inch and an inner diameter of the second tube is about 0.060 inch.

44. The hearing protection device of claim 41, wherein the sound attenuating portion is a foam and the channel extends along a longitudinal axis of the foam.

45. The hearing protection device of claim 1, wherein the channel is cylindrical in cross-section having a plurality of diameters over a length of the channel.

46. The hearing protection device of claim 45, wherein the plurality of diameters are formed by a corresponding plurality of differently sized tubes disposed within the channel.

47. The hearing protection device of claim 1, wherein the channel is generally cylindrical in cross-section.

48. A hearing protection device, comprising:

an elongated stalk member having opposing first and second ends;

a plurality of hollow, rearwardly extending flange elements of substantially circular cross-sections and of serially increasing diameters disposed along the stalk member, a smallest of said flange elements being disposed proximate said first end; and

a channel formed along a longitudinal axis of the hearing protection device from a first opening at the first end of the stalk member to a second opening at the second end of the stalk member;

wherein the flanges compress upon the stalk member when the hearing protection device is insertable into an ear canal of a user to attenuate a passage of sound through the ear canal; and

wherein the channel allows sound to pass through the hearing protection device, wherein at least a portion of the channel is disposable in the ear canal of the user, wherein at least a portion of the channel has a cross-sectional area and an attenuating diameter or width that is less than a diameter or width in a remainder of the channel, the cross-sectional area and the attenuating diameter or width being configured to attenuate a portion of the sound passing through the channel, wherein the portion of the channel has a distinct first end and a distinct second end, the first end and the second end each being located at a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width begins, a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width terminates, or at a terminating end of the device itself, the cross-sectional area of the portion being generally consistent across an entirety of the portion from the first end to the second end, wherein the cross-sectional area is also at least partially unobstructed.

49. The hearing protection device of claim 48, further comprising a tube extending through the device disposed at the channel, wherein the tube includes an inner diameter of approximately 0.005 inch to 0.050 inch and a length of approximately 0.100 inch to 1.000 inch.

50. The hearing protection device of claim 49, wherein the inner diameter is approximately 0.030 inch and the length is approximately 0.256 inch or the inner diameter is approximately 0.020 inch and the length is approximately 0.500 inch.

51. A method of manufacturing a hearing protection device, comprising:

forming a sound attenuating element of a compressible resilient material, the element having opposing first and second ends; and

forming a channel through the sound attenuating element from the first end to the second end, wherein at least a portion of the channel is disposable in the ear canal of the user, wherein at least a portion of the channel has a cross-sectional area and an attenuating diameter or width that is less than a diameter or width in a remainder of the channel, the cross-sectional area and the attenuating diameter or width being configured to attenuate a portion of sound that passes through the channel, wherein the portion of the channel has a distinct first end and a distinct second end, the first end and the second end each being located at a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width begins, a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width terminates, or at a terminating end of the device itself, the cross-sectional area of the portion being generally consistent across an entirety of the portion from the first end to the second end, wherein the cross-sectional area is also at least partially unobstructed; and

inserting a tube into the channel.

52. The method of manufacturing of claim 51, further comprising:

sizing the tube to include a diameter greater than a diameter of the channel such that said inserting establishes a friction fit of the tube within the channel.

53. The method of claim 51, further comprising inserting a second tube into the channel such that the first tube is disposed within the second tube and the second tube includes a length greater than a length of the first tube.

54. A hearing protection device, comprising:

a sound attenuating portion for being disposed within an ear canal of a user to attenuate a passage of sound; and

a channel formed through the sound attenuating portion for allowing sound to pass through the sound attenuating portion, wherein at least a portion of the channel is disposable in the ear canal of the user, and wherein the channel is formed of a substantially non-compressible material, such that the channel remains open during normal use of the device, and wherein at least a portion of the channel has a cross-sectional area and an attenuating diameter or width that is less than a diameter or width in a remainder of the channel, the cross-sectional area and the attenuating diameter or width being configured to attenuate a portion of sound that passes through the channel, wherein the portion of the channel has a distinct first end and a distinct second end, the first end and the second end each being located at a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width begins, a point in the channel where the attenuating diameter or width terminates, or at a terminating end of the device itself, the cross-sectional area of the portion being generally consistent across an entirety of the portion from the first end to the second end.