US4223189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound dampening earplug mounting device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-11-30
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Granted: 1980-09-16
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Expires: 1998-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An earplug mounting device individually molded to the shape of a user's ear is adapted to fit tightly therein and support a forwardly extending boom from which can be suspended audio or visual aids of various types and configurations. The earplug mounting device may be further adapted to conduct sound from audio communication devices to the inner ear while being of such construction as to dampen outside ambient noise.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Warren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/06; A61F11/08; A61F11/12; H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/10; H04R1/1016; H04R1/1083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An earplug mounting device for insertion into the human ear, wherein the human ear includes an outer ear and an auditory canal leading to the inner ear, comprising: a resilient semi-rigid main body conformably fitting within the outer ear and extending into the auditory canal; and a boom rigidly affixed to said main body and extending away therefrom, said boom being made of a light weight plastic material of key shaped configuration having an enlarged rounded end and a generally rectangular portion extending away from said enlarged rounded end, said enlarged rounded end having a relatively narrow thickness as compared to the generally rectangular portion of said boom, and a curved ridge on either side of said boom separating said rounded end from said generally rectangular portion, said ridge extending above said generally rectangular portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An earplug mounting device for insertion into the human ear, wherein the human ear includes an outer ear and an auditory canal leading to the inner ear, comprising: a resilient semi-rigid main body conformably fitting within the outer ear and extending into the auditory canal; and a boom rigidly affixed to said main body and extending away therefrom, said boom being made of a light weight plastic material of key shaped configuration having an enlarged rounded end and a generally rectangular portion extending away from said enlarged rounded end, said enlarged rounded end having a relatively narrow thickness as compared to the generally rectangular portion of said boom, and a curved ridge on either side of said boom separating said rounded end from said generally rectangular portion, said ridge extending above said generally rectangular portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The earplug mounting device of claim 1 wherein the main body is made of a silicone putty which is formed in such a manner as to be flush with the top edge of the curved ridge of said boom, and overlie the enlarged rounded end of the boom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The earplug mounting device of claim 2 wherein a second ridge, of height equal to the thickness of the forward portion of the boom, surrounds the periphery of the enlarged rounded end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
An earplug mounting device for insertion into the human ear, wherein the human ear includes an outer ear and an auditory canal leading to the inner ear, comprising: a main body made of a silicone putty conformably fitting within the outer ear and extending into the auditory canal of the inner ear, said main body being formed by custom fitting said silicone putty to an individual user's ear, and a boom having an enlarged rounded end, a generally rectangular portion extending away from said rounded end, and a curved ridge on both sides of said boom, separating said rounded end and generally rectangular portion, said ridge extending above said generally rectangular portion and being flush with said main body so that said main body overlies the rounded end of the boom, said boom and main body further having a passageway therethrough and a hollow tube seated in the passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
An earplug mounting device for insertion into the human ear, wherein the human ear includes an outer ear and an auditory canal leading to the inner ear, comprising: a main body made of a silicone putty conformably fitting within the outer ear and extending into the auditory canal of the inner ear, said main body being formed by custom fitting said silicone putty to an individual user's ear, and a boom having an enlarged rounded end, a generally rectangular portion extending away from said rounded end, and a curved ridge on both sides of said boom, separating said rounded end and generally rectangular portion, said ridge extending above said generally rectangular portion and being flush with said main body so that said main body overlies the rounded end of the boom, said boom and main body further having a passageway therethrough and a hollow tube seated in the passageway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The earplug mounting device of claim 4 wherein a second ridge, of height equal to the thickness of the forward portion of the boom, surrounds the periphery of the enlarged rounded end.
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) | 1983-09-16 | 1984-03-17 | 1984-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-16 | 1988-03-17 | 1988-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-16 | 1992-03-17 | 1992-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |