US4552137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Earplugs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-08-16
•
Granted: 1985-11-12
•
Expires: 2003-08-16
Abstract
Abstract An earplug in the form of a preformed self-supporting body of malleable plastic material which is deformable under slight pressure, the body having a front face and a rear face, the front face having a generally convex surface adapted to conform to and cover the opening of the ear canal and the body having a size such that it is adapted to reside within the external ear when the generally convex surface is positioned over the opening of the ear canal, and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive so located on the convex surface as to releasably adhere the surface to the periphery of the ear canal opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Strauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F11/00; A61F11/06; A61F11/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An earplug comprised of a preformed self-supporting body of resilient elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of foamed and unfoamed rubber and foamed and unfoamed synthetic plastics material, said body having a front face and a rear face, said front face having a generally convex forward surface adapted to conform to and cover the opening of the ear canal and a rearward surface and said body having a size such that it is adapted to reside within the external ear when said generally convex surface is positioned over the opening of the ear canal, and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on said generally convex surface for releasably adhering the body to the periphery of the ear canal opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An earplug comprised of a preformed self-supporting body of resilient elastomeric material selected from the group consisting of foamed and unfoamed rubber and foamed and unfoamed synthetic plastics material, said body having a front face and a rear face, said front face having a generally convex forward surface adapted to conform to and cover the opening of the ear canal and a rearward surface and said body having a size such that it is adapted to reside within the external ear when said generally convex surface is positioned over the opening of the ear canal, and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on said generally convex surface for releasably adhering the body to the periphery of the ear canal opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An earplug as in claim 1 wherein said rearward surface of said front face of said body is conical or frusto-conically shaped and continuous with said generally convex surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An earplug as in claim 1 wherein said generally convex surface is generally spherical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An earplug as in claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is in the form of a ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An earplug as in claim 1 wherein said rearward surface of said front face of said body is frusto-conically shaped and continuous with said generally convex surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
An earplug comprised of a preformed self-supporting body of malleable plastic material which is deformable under slight pressure, said body having a front face and a rear face, said front face exhibiting a generally convex surface adapted to conform to and cover the opening of the ear canal and said body having a size such that it is adapted to reside within the external ear when said generally convex surface is positioned over the opening of the ear canal, and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive so located on said generally convex surface as to releasably adhere said surface to the periphery of the ear canal opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
An earplug comprised of a preformed self-supporting body of malleable plastic material which is deformable under slight pressure, said body having a front face and a rear face, said front face exhibiting a generally convex surface adapted to conform to and cover the opening of the ear canal and said body having a size such that it is adapted to reside within the external ear when said generally convex surface is positioned over the opening of the ear canal, and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive so located on said generally convex surface as to releasably adhere said surface to the periphery of the ear canal opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2716625A
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US3487832A
Cited
US3771521A
Cited
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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) | 1988-11-11 | 1989-05-13 | 1989-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-11 | 1993-05-13 | 1993-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-11 | 1997-05-13 | 1997-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |