US3637040A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ear defenders
Assignee: Amplivox Ltd
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Filing: 1969-07-22
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1989-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An ear defender in which acoustic elements are added which in conjunction with the shunt capacitance provided by the volume enclosed by the shell thereof and the wearer''s head constitute a low-pass or band-pass filter.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Graham Gorman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/06; A61F11/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
Ear defender apparatus for protecting the ear of a user against undesirable sound, comprising a shell (1) adapted to enclose a first volume of air (20) about the user''s ear, said shell containing passage means (3) for conducting sound waves to said volume of air; a layer of acoustic absorbent material (12) lining the interior surface of said shell to reduce unwarranted resonance in said volume of air; an acoustic impedance element (7, 14) connected with the exteRnal surface of said shell across the orifice of said passage means for controlling the transmission of sound to said volume of air through said passage means, said impedance element cooperating with said first volume of air to define an acoustic filter that attenuates at least the higher frequency components of sound that would otherwise pass to the user''s ear; and acoustic valve means (4) arranged between said shell and said impedance element for operation between open and closed positions relative to said passage means, said acoustic valve means including a disc (4) connected for coplanar movement relative to said shell, said disc containing at least one aperture (5) arranged for selective alignment with the orifice of said passage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
Ear defender apparatus for protecting the ear of a user against undesirable sound, comprising a shell (1) adapted to enclose a first volume of air (20) about the user''s ear, said shell containing passage means (3) for conducting sound waves to said volume of air; a layer of acoustic absorbent material (12) lining the interior surface of said shell to reduce unwarranted resonance in said volume of air; an acoustic impedance element (7, 14) connected with the exteRnal surface of said shell across the orifice of said passage means for controlling the transmission of sound to said volume of air through said passage means, said impedance element cooperating with said first volume of air to define an acoustic filter that attenuates at least the higher frequency components of sound that would otherwise pass to the user''s ear; and acoustic valve means (4) arranged between said shell and said impedance element for operation between open and closed positions relative to said passage means, said acoustic valve means including a disc (4) connected for coplanar movement relative to said shell, said disc containing at least one aperture (5) arranged for selective alignment with the orifice of said passage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including spring means (10) biasing said disc in the direction of sealed engagement with said shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
means mounting said diaphragm in an initial nontaut condition to enclose a second volume of air (13) in communication with the end of said passage means remote from said first volume of air, said diaphragm being operable to a taut condition by the increased air pressure produced by explosive noises, thereby increasing the attenuation afforded by said acoustic impedance element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
means mounting said diaphragm in an initial nontaut condition to enclose a second volume of air (13) in communication with the end of said passage means remote from said first volume of air, said diaphragm being operable to a taut condition by the increased air pressure produced by explosive noises, thereby increasing the attenuation afforded by said acoustic impedance element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
means mounting said diaphragm in an initial nontaut condition to enclose a second volume of air (13) in communication with the end of said passage means remote from said first volume of air, said diaphragm being operable to a taut condition by the increased air pressure produced by explosive noises, thereby increasing the attenuation afforded by said acoustic impedance element; and c. acoustic valve means (4) arranged between said shell and said impedance element for operation between open and closed positions relative to said passage means, said acoustic valve means including a disc (4) connected for coplanar movement relative to said shell, said disc containing at least one aperture (5) arranged for selective alignment with the orifice of said passage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
means mounting said diaphragm in an initial nontaut condition to enclose a second volume of air (13) in communication with the end of said passage means remote from said first volume of air, said diaphragm being operable to a taut condition by the increased air pressure produced by explosive noises, thereby increasing the attenuation afforded by said acoustic impedance element; and c. acoustic valve means (4) arranged between said shell and said impedance element for operation between open and closed positions relative to said passage means, said acoustic valve means including a disc (4) connected for coplanar movement relative to said shell, said disc containing at least one aperture (5) arranged for selective alignment with the orifice of said passage means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said acoustic impedance element comprises a diaphragm (14) connected in spaced relation with said shell to define a second volume of air (13) on the opposite side of said passage means from said first volume of air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, and further including valve-operating means connected at one end with said disc, said valve-operating means (15) extending through said second volume of air and through an opening contained in said diaphragm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said acoustic impedance element comprises a porous pad (7).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
Ear defender means for protecting the ear of a user against undesirable sound, comprising a. a shell (1) adapted to enclose a first volume of air (20) about the user''s ear, said shell containing passage means (3) for conducting sound waves to said volume of air; and b. an acoustic impedance element connected with the external surface of said shell across the orifice of said passage means for controlling the transmission of sound to said volume of air through said passage means, said impedance element cooperating with said first volume of air to define an acoustic filter that attenuates at least the higher frequency components of sound that would otherwise pass to the user''s ear, said acoustic impedance element comprising
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
Ear defender means for protecting the ear of a user against undesirable sound, comprising a. a shell (1) adapted to enclose a first volume of air (20) about the user''s ear, said shell containing passage means (3) for conducting sound waves to said volume of air; and b. an acoustic impedance element connected with the external surface of said shell across the orifice of said passage means for controlling the transmission of sound to said volume of air through said passage means, said impedance element cooperating with said first volume of air to define an acoustic filter that attenuates at least the higher frequency components of sound that would otherwise pass to the user''s ear, said acoustic impedance element comprising
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, and further including a sealing annulus of flexible material connected with the peripheral edge portion of said shell for sealing said shell to the wearer''s head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, and further including a layer of acoustic absorbent material lining the interior surface of said shell to reduce unwanted resonance in said first volume of air.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, and further including acoustic valve means (4) arranged between said shell and said impedance element for operation between open and closed positions relative to said passage means, said acoustic valve means including a disc (4) connected for coplanar movement relative to said shell, said disc containing at least one aperture (5) arranged for selective alignment with the orifice of said passage means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
Ear defender means for protecting the ear of a user against undesirable sound, comprising a. a shell (1) adapted to enclose a first volume of air (20) about the user''s ear, said shell containing passage means (3) for conducting sound waves to said volume of air; b. an acoustic impedance element connected with the external surface of said shell across the orifice of said passage means for controlling the transmiSsion of sound to said volume of air through said passage means, said acoustic impedance element including
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
Ear defender means for protecting the ear of a user against undesirable sound, comprising a. a shell (1) adapted to enclose a first volume of air (20) about the user''s ear, said shell containing passage means (3) for conducting sound waves to said volume of air; b. an acoustic impedance element connected with the external surface of said shell across the orifice of said passage means for controlling the transmiSsion of sound to said volume of air through said passage means, said acoustic impedance element including
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |