US3872559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ear plug
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-11
•
Granted: 1975-03-25
•
Expires: 1993-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A sound attentuating ear plug molded of a single piece of material intended to fit into the ear canal and be held there without external means. The plug is made of a material having special sound attentuating qualities and is provided with a vent that permits the equalization of pressure within the ear canal and the surrounding atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Leight
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/06; A61F11/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A unitary, resilient ear plug which includes: a cylindrical body portion; a generally conical end portion connected to a first end of said body portion coaxially therewith and forming an extension thereof; a hollow flared portion comprising a wall connected to a second end of said body portion and forming an extension thereof, said flared portion opening in a direction away from said body portion and defining a recess coaxial with said body portion and adapted to receive the tip of a finger whereby said body and end portions of said plug may be urged into position in an ear canal, said flared portion being so sized and positioned that a single thickness thereof may be grasped for removal of said plug from an ear canal; said body, end, and flared portions comprising a single, unitary structure formed of a self-skinning, resilient, open cell, sponge material having a skin covering the surface thereof; and a first vent opening in said skin covering on said conical end portion and a second vent opening in said skin covering on said second end of said body portion, said first and second vent openings permitting venting of an ear canal through said open cell foam material when said plug is positioned in the canal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A unitary, resilient ear plug which includes: a cylindrical body portion; a generally conical end portion connected to a first end of said body portion coaxially therewith and forming an extension thereof; a hollow flared portion comprising a wall connected to a second end of said body portion and forming an extension thereof, said flared portion opening in a direction away from said body portion and defining a recess coaxial with said body portion and adapted to receive the tip of a finger whereby said body and end portions of said plug may be urged into position in an ear canal, said flared portion being so sized and positioned that a single thickness thereof may be grasped for removal of said plug from an ear canal; said body, end, and flared portions comprising a single, unitary structure formed of a self-skinning, resilient, open cell, sponge material having a skin covering the surface thereof; and a first vent opening in said skin covering on said conical end portion and a second vent opening in said skin covering on said second end of said body portion, said first and second vent openings permitting venting of an ear canal through said open cell foam material when said plug is positioned in the canal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The ear plug of claim 1, wherein the wall of said hollow flared portion extends outwardly from said body portion, whereby the diameter of said flared portion is at least equal to the diameter of said body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ear plug as defined in claim 1 in which said skin covers all of said structure except for two small areas on opposite ends of said plug to provide for pressure equalization when said plug is in use.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An ear plug as defined in claim 1 in which said conical end has a maximum diameter less than that of said cylindrical body, said end and said body being joined by an angularly positioned shoulder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ear plug as Defined in claim 4 in which said skin covers all of said structure except for two small areas on opposite ends of said plug to provide for pressure equalization when said plug is in use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
An ear plug as defined in claim 4 in which said conical end is of a size to fit within the ear canal and said shoulder is of a size to bear against the portion of the ear surronding said canal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |