Patent Grant
12250523
This application is a national-stage filing of, and claims priority benefit of, international Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/025793, filed Apr. 21, 2022 by David M. Chenal and titled “Apparatus and method for an earpiece,” which claims priority benefit of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/780,178, filed on Apr. 22, 2021 by David M. Chenal and titled “Earpiece apparatus,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
This application is related to:
The present invention relates to devices and methods for earpiece systems, and in particular to a pliable stem for an earpiece and an earpiece incorporating the stem, wherein the stem includes a convex curved sound-attenuating distal flange and an attachment portion configured to receive and retain a foam sound-attenuating element in a spaced-apart relation interior to the inner surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange, the attachment portion extending substantially along an attachment axis, and a handle portion extending from the attachment portion substantially along a handle axis, wherein the sound-attenuating stem and the foam sound-attenuating element together are configured to fit into, and conform to the inner surface of, the user's ear canal with improved comfort and flexibility and with improved sound-attenuation properties. Some embodiments include a sound-conducting stem channel extending lengthwise through the stem. Some embodiments further include a coverable sound filter configured to insert into the sound-conducting channel in the handle portion, the sound filter including a lengthwise filter channel open to the stem channel, and a cover that is selectably movable to either occlude the filter channel or to open the filter channel to external sounds.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,236,605 by Robert J. Oliveira et al. issued on Jun. 26, 2007 with the title “User disposable sleeve for use within the ear canal”, and is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,771 by Robert N. Falco issued on Jun. 29, 2010 with the title “Earplug with articulating stem and locking features”, and is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,161,975 by Crest Turdijian issued on Apr. 24, 2012 with the title “Dual mode impulse noise protecting earplug (D-182)”, and is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,327,973 by William Parish et al. issued on Dec. 11, 2012 with the title “Foam compositions with enhanced sound attenuation”, and is incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,279 by Robert N. Falco issued on Dec. 3, 2013 with the title “Offset stem for earplug and earplug formed therewith”, and is incorporated herein by reference. This patent describes a stem for an earplug and an earplug incorporating the stem where the stem includes an attachment portion configured to receive and retain a sound attenuating element, the attachment portion extending substantially along an attachment axis, and a handle portion extending from the attachment portion substantially along a handle axis, where at least part of the handle axis is non-collinear with respect to the attachment axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,440,459 by Richard C. Smith et al. issued on Oct. 8, 2019 with the title “Ergonomic earpiece”, and is incorporated herein by reference.
There remains a need for an improved earpiece system.
As used herein, “proximal” means an end or surface closest to an exterior end of a device or element or earpiece, while “distal” means an end or surface closest to the end of a device or element that will be located furthest into a user's car canal and closest to the user's eardrum.
In some embodiments (as described below), the present invention provides an apparatus that includes a single-piece pliable earpiece stem having: a handle portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal flange located at the distal end of the handle portion, wherein the proximal flange has an outward-facing proximal surface and an inward-facing distal surface; an attachment portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a tapered stop located at the distal end of the handle portion, the tapered stop having a proximal surface extending radially outward at a proximal end of the tapered stop, a maximum diameter near the proximal end of the tapered stop and a minimum diameter near a distal end of the tapered stop; and a curved distal flange located at the distal end of the tapered stop, wherein the curved distal flange has a convex external surface and a concave internal surface, and wherein the tapered stop is located completely within the curved distal flange.
In some embodiments (as described below), the present invention provides a method that includes: forming a single-piece pliable earpiece stem that includes: a handle portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal flange located at the distal end of the handle portion, wherein the proximal flange has an outer-facing proximal surface and an inner-facing distal surface; an attachment portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a tapered stop located at the distal end of the handle portion, the tapered stop having a proximal surface extending radially outward at a proximal end of the tapered stop, a maximum diameter near the proximal end of the tapered stop and a minimum diameter near a distal end of the tapered stop; and a curved distal flange located at the distal end of the tapered stop, wherein the curved distal flange has a convex external surface and a concave internal surface, and wherein the tapered stop is located completely within the curved distal flange. Some embodiments of the apparatus further include: a single-piece visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element positioned on the earpiece stem to surround the attachment portion between the proximal flange and the proximal surface of the tapered stop, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element has a proximal flange having a flange diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the proximal flange, a middle portion having a middle-portion diameter that is smaller than the flange diameter of the tapered stop, and a distal portion having a distal-portion diameter of the tapered stop that is smaller than the middle-portion diameter and sized to be in a spaced-apart relation to the concave internal surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element has a length between a flat proximal surface of the proximal flange and a distal end surface of the distal portion, wherein the length of the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is longer than a spacing between the outer proximal surface and the inner distal surface of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least thirty (30) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape, and wherein the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is affixed to the attachment portion of the earpiece stem with an adhesive. In other embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is temporarily stretched, slid over an end of the pliable earpiece stem, and then released to its desired position on the attachment portion of the earpiece stem.
In some embodiments (as described below), the present invention provides a sound-attenuation system that includes: a visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element having an interior channel; and a single-piece pliable earpiece stem that includes: a curved sound-attenuating distal flange, a tapered stop portion that is connected to the distal flange, an attachment portion that is attached to the tapered stop portion, a proximal flange that is attached to the attachment portion, and a handle portion that is attached to the proximal flange, wherein the distal flange has a convex external surface and a concave interior surface, wherein the tapered stop portion has an exterior surface located within, and spaced apart from, the concave interior surface of the distal flange, wherein the attachment portion has an exterior surface having a maximum diameter, wherein the interior channel of the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element has a default interior channel diameter that is smaller than the exterior diameter of the attachment portion, wherein the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element is stretched and placed on the single-piece pliable stem such that the interior channel of the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element conforms to the exterior surface of the attachment portion, wherein the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least five (5) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape, and wherein sound-attenuating stem and the foam sound-attenuating element together are configured to fit into a human user's car.
In some embodiments (as described below), the present invention provides a sound-attenuation system that includes a stem having a curved distal flange at a sound-emission end, a first channel portion that extends through the sound-emission end of the stem and a second channel portion through a handle at a sound receiver end of the stem, wherein the first channel portion has a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second channel portion has a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal axis is at a first angle to the second longitudinal axis (in some embodiments, the first angle is 180 degrees (straight through colinear axes), while in other embodiments, the first angle is between 100 degrees and 170 degrees; for example, about 135 degrees); a visco-clastic foam sound-attenuation plug positioned on the stem between the sound-emission end and the sound-receiver end; and an optional receiver-end component (such as a filter insert or a sound-communications device) configured to insert into the second channel portion of the stem. In some embodiments, a capped filter insert in the stem provides the user with a device that the user can use to push the assembled earpiece to a fully inserted position within the user's car canal.
In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is configured to be easily rolled between the user's thumb and finger(s) to a compressed shape (for example, in some embodiments, to a diameter that is less than 50% of the non-compressed shape) for easier insertion and positioning in the user's car canal, and the visco-clastic foam remains in to compressed shape for plenty of time to insert and position in the car canal and then the visco-clastic foam slowly and gently expands to conform the inner surface of the user's car canal. In addition, the visco-elastic foam is useful for absorbing and attenuating sound transmission through the foam portion as well as absorbing and attenuating sound transmission through the stem within the foam portion. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least sixty (60) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least forty-five (45) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least thirty (30) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least fifteen (15) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape.
Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Specific examples are used to illustrate particular embodiments; however, the invention described in the claims is not intended to be limited to only these examples, but rather includes the full scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon the claimed invention. Further, in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It is specifically contemplated that the present invention includes embodiments having combinations and subcombinations of the various embodiments and features that are individually described herein (i.e., rather than listing every combinatorial of the elements, this specification includes descriptions of representative embodiments and contemplates embodiments that include some of the features from one embodiment combined with some of the features of another embodiment, including embodiments that include some of the features from one embodiment combined with some of the features of embodiments described in the patents and application publications incorporated by reference in the present application). Further, some embodiments include fewer than all the components described as part of any one of the embodiments described herein.
The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the Figures generally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component is first introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughout to refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures. Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference number or label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in the context of the description.
Certain marks referenced herein may be common-law or registered trademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with the applicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is for providing an enabling disclosure by way of example and shall not be construed to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter to material associated with such marks.
In some embodiments, handle portion 1530 includes a handle channel 1539 that extends lengthwise and is continuous with, and open to, stem interior channel 1549 that extends lengthwise through attachment portion 1540, tapered portion 1550 and pliable distal flange 1520. In some embodiments (not in the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, attachment portion 1540 has a constant outer diameter along its length such that proximal external diameter 1541 is equal to distal external diameter 1542. In some such embodiments, interior channel 1549 has a constant interior diameter, while other such embodiments, which are more preferred for some uses, include a tapered (horn-shaped) interior channel 1549 that is wider at its distal end (inside-the-car end) than at its proximal end (outside-the-car end). In still other embodiments, interior channels 1539 and 1549 together form an overall channel that tapers from a largest diameter at its proximal end (outside-the-car end) and smallest near its distal end (inside-the-car end).
In other embodiments, attachment portion 1540 has a tapered outer diameter along its length such that proximal external diameter 1541 is larger than distal external diameter 1542. In some such embodiments, where attachment portion 1540 is tapered along its length such that proximal external diameter 1541 is larger than distal external diameter 1542, and wherein the opposite taper direction of the interior channel 1549, the resulting stem is more flexible at its distal end than at its proximal end.
In some embodiments, pliable earpiece sound-attenuating stem 1501 is very soft and flexible (for example, in some embodiments, stem 1501 has a durometer of 35 Shore A, and in other embodiments, of between about 30 Shore A and about 30 Shore A, inclusive, or of between about 25 Shore A and about 45 Shore A, inclusive, or of between about 30 Shore A and about 50 Shore A, inclusive, or of between about 30 Shore A and about 60 Shore A, inclusive) such that it will easily bend in order to avoid user discomfort when the earpiece system 1501 is in place in the car and the user wears a helmet or other head covering that covers the user's car. In some embodiments, foam sound-attenuating element 1601 (described below) provides both support (to keep attachment portion 1540 of stem 1501 from buckling) and, in some embodiments, is made of a visco-elastic material to provide a sound-dampening function along the length of attachment portion 1540 of stem 1501.
In other embodiments (not shown), there are no air channels through pliable stem 1501 (e.g., in some such embodiments, pliable stem 1501 and assembled earpiece 1701 (described below) provide a full block against sound and against changes in air pressure).
In some embodiments, handle portion 3530 has a top surface 3536, which in some embodiments, is flat and perpendicular to handle axis 3502. In some embodiments, handle portion 3530 includes a handle channel 3539 that extends lengthwise and is continuous with, and open to, stem interior channel 3549 that extends lengthwise through attachment portion 3540, tapered portion 3550 and pliable distal flange 3520. In some embodiments, stem interior channel 3549 has a central axis 3503, and is not tapered, while in other embodiments (not shown here), channel 3539 and/or channel 3549 are tapered from a larger interior diameter 3545 at a distal end to a smaller in-between diameter 3546 located closer to where stem interior channel 3549 joins to angled-handle channel 3539. In some such embodiments, handle channel 3539 has a proximal diameter 3531 that is smaller than in-between diameter 3546. In this way, some embodiments provide a horn-shaped or continuously tapered interior channel that includes angled-handle channel 3539 and stem interior channel 3549 that join at an angle 3509 to one another (e.g., in some embodiments, angle 3509 is about 135 degrees, while in other embodiments, angle 3509 is an angle between about 100 degrees and about 170 degrees, for example, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 160 degrees, or about 170 degrees, or in a range between any pair of the above-listed single angles), and whose continuously tapered interior diameter is largest near the distal end (inside-the-car end) of interior channel 3549 and smallest near the proximal end (outside-the-car end) of handle channel 3539, and wherein the angled-handle-channel axis 3502 is at an obtuse angle to stem interior-channel axis 3503, in order to make easier the positioning of the car plug inside the car canals of different users having different car-canal geometries.
In some embodiments, attachment portion 3540 has a constant outer diameter along its length such that proximal external diameter 3541 is equal to distal external diameter 3542. In some such embodiments, interior channel 3549 has a constant interior diameter, while other such embodiments, which are more preferred for some uses, include a tapered (horn-shaped) interior channel 3549 that is wider at its distal end (inside-the-car end) than at its proximal end (outside-the-car end). In still other embodiments, interior channels 3539 and 3549 together form an overall channel that tapers from a largest diameter at its proximal end (outside-the-car end) and smallest near its distal end (inside-the-car end).
In other embodiments, attachment portion 3540 has a tapered outer diameter along its length such that proximal external diameter 3541 is larger than distal external diameter 3542. In some such embodiments, where attachment portion 3540 is tapered along its length such that proximal external diameter 3541 is larger than distal external diameter 3542, and where the interior channel 3549 is tapered in the opposite direction, the resulting stem is more flexible at its distal end than at its proximal end.
In other embodiments (not shown), there are no air channels through pliable stem 3501 (e.g., in some such embodiments, pliable stem 3501 and assembled earpiece 3701 (described below) provide a full block against sound and against changes in air pressure between the external environment and the user's eardrum).
The inventor has discovered that assembled earpiece 1701 and assembled earpiece 3701, as well as earpiece systems that further include optional capped filter inserts (such as filter-with-openable-cap insert 7601 shown in
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a first sound-attenuation system for placement at least partially in an car canal of a person. This first sound-attenuation system includes: a pliable base (also called a stem) having an emitter end and a receiver end, wherein the base/stem includes: a first flange at the emitter end of the base/stem, wherein the first flange has a cup-like shape having a convex external surface generally facing the emitter end of the base/stem and configured to engage the car canal to create a seal in the car canal, and wherein the first flange has a concave inner surface generally facing the receiver end of the base/stem; a stop section having a proximal top surface located within the cup-like shape of the first flange, wherein the stop section has an emitter end and a receiver end; a sound-attenuation plug having an emitter end and a receiver end, wherein the sound-attenuation plug includes a first channel that passes through an entire length of the sound-attenuation plug, wherein the sound-attenuation plug is configured to couple over the base/stem such that the emitter end of the sound-attenuation plug is held in place by the receiver end of the stop section and at least a portion of the sound-attenuation plug extends within the cup-like shape of the first flange.
In some embodiments of the first sound-attenuation system, the base/stem includes a second channel that passes through an entire length of the base/stem.
In some embodiments of the first sound-attenuation system, an outer diameter of the base/stem decreases from the receiver end of the base/stem to the emitter end of the base/stem.
In some embodiments of the first sound-attenuation system, the sound-attenuation plug includes a foam body.
In some embodiments of the first sound-attenuation system, the stop has a conical frustum shape having a first diameter at the receiver end of the stop and a second diameter at the emitter end of the stop, and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.
In some embodiments of the first sound-attenuation system, the base/stem further includes a second flange configured to hold the receiver end of the sound-attenuation plug in place.
In some embodiments of the first sound-attenuation system, the base/stem has a longitudinal axis that passes through an entire length of the base/stem.
In some embodiments of the first sound-attenuation system, the receiver end of the base/stem has a first longitudinal axis, wherein the emitter end of the base/stem has a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal axis is at a first angle relative to the second longitudinal axis.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a first method for making a sound-attenuation car piece. The first method includes: forming a pliable base/stem having an emitter end and a receiver end, wherein the base/stem includes: a first flange at the emitter end of the base/stem, wherein the first flange has a cup-like shape having a convex external surface facing the emitter end of the base/stem and configured to engage the car canal to create a seal in the car canal, wherein the first flange has a concave inner surface facing the receiver end of the base/stem, a stop located within the cup-like shape of the first flange, wherein the stop has an emitter end and a receiver end; forming a sound-attenuation plug having an emitter end and a receiver end, wherein the sound-attenuation plug includes a first channel that passes through an entire length of the sound-attenuation plug; and coupling the sound-attenuation plug to the base/stem such that at least a portion of the sound-attenuation plug is contained within the cup-like shape of the first flange; and holding the emitter end of the sound-attenuation plug in place using the receiver end of the stop.
In some embodiments of the first method, the forming of the base/stem includes creating a second channel that passes through an entire length of the base/stem.
In some embodiments of the first method, the forming of the base/stem includes decreasing an outer diameter of the base/stem from the receiver end of the base/stem to the emitter end of the base/stem.
In some embodiments of the first method, the sound-attenuation plug includes a foam body.
In some embodiments of the first method, the stop has a conical frustum shape having a first diameter at the receiver end of the stop and a second diameter at the emitter end of the stop, and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.
In some embodiments of the first method, the base/stem further includes a second flange, the method further comprising holding the receiver end of the sound-attenuation plug in place using the second flange.
In some embodiments of the first method, the base/stem has a longitudinal axis that passes through an entire length of the base/stem.
In some embodiments of the first method, the receiver end of the base/stem forms a handle that has a first interior through channel having a first longitudinal axis, wherein the emitter end of the base/stem has a second interior through channel, connected to the first interior through channel, and having a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal axis is at a first angle relative to the second longitudinal axis. In some such embodiments, the first angle is about 135 degrees, while in other embodiments, the first angle, while in other embodiments, the first angle is an angle between about 100 degrees and about 170 degrees, for example, about 100 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 160 degrees, or about 170 degrees, or in a range between any pair of the above-listed single angles). In some embodiments, the second interior through channel and the first interior through channel together have a continuously tapered interior diameter that is largest near the distal end (inside-the-car end) of the second interior channel and smallest near the proximal end (outside-the-car end) of first interior channel, and wherein the first longitudinal axis is at an obtuse angle to the second longitudinal axis, in order to make easier the positioning and rotation of the ear plug inside the car canals of different users having different car-canal geometries.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus that includes a single-piece pliable earpiece stem having: a handle portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal flange located at the distal end of the handle portion, wherein the proximal flange has an outward-facing proximal surface and an inward-facing distal surface; an attachment portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a tapered stop located at the distal end of the handle portion, the tapered stop having a proximal surface extending radially outward at a proximal end of the tapered stop, a maximum diameter near the proximal end of the tapered stop and a minimum diameter near a distal end of the tapered stop; and a curved distal flange located at the distal end of the tapered stop, wherein the curved distal flange has a convex external surface and a concave internal surface, and wherein the tapered stop is located completely within the curved distal flange.
Some embodiments of the apparatus further include: a single-piece visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element positioned on the earpiece stem to surround the attachment portion between the proximal flange and the proximal surface of the tapered stop, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element has a proximal flange having a flange diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the proximal flange, a middle portion having a middle-portion diameter that is smaller than the flange diameter, and a distal portion having a distal-portion diameter that is smaller than the middle-portion diameter and sized to be in a spaced-apart relation to the concave internal surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element has a length between a flat proximal surface of the proximal flange and a distal end surface of the distal portion, wherein the length of the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is longer than a spacing between the outer proximal surface and the inner distal surface of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least thirty (30) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape, and wherein the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A. In some embodiments of the apparatus, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is affixed to the attachment portion of the earpiece stem with an adhesive. In other embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is temporarily stretched, slid over an end of the pliable earpiece stem, and then released to its desired position on the attachment portion of the earpiece stem.
Some embodiments of the apparatus further include: a single-piece visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element positioned on the earpiece stem to surround the attachment portion between the proximal flange and the proximal surface of the tapered stop, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element has a proximal flange having a flange diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the proximal flange, a middle portion having a middle-portion diameter that is smaller than the flange diameter, and a distal portion having a distal-portion diameter that is smaller than the middle-portion diameter and sized to be in a spaced-apart relation to the concave internal surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least five (5) seconds to return to a default uncompressed shape after being released from a compressed shape, and wherein the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of between about 30 Shore A and about 40 Shore A, inclusive. In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A. In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A (i.e., 32 to 38 Shore A). In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 30 Shore A (i.e., 27 to 33 Shore A). In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 40 Shore A (i.e., 37 to 43 Shore A). In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 45 Shore A (i.e., 42 to 48 Shore A).
In some embodiments of the pliable earpiece stem, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A.
In some embodiments of the pliable earpiece stem, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of between about 30 Shore A and about 40 Shore A, inclusive.
In some embodiments of the pliable earpiece stem, the pliable earpiece stem has a continuous channel extending through the pliable earpiece stem from the proximal end of the handle portion through the distal surface of the curved distal flange.
In some embodiments of the pliable earpiece stem, an interior of the pliable earpiece stem is solid with no through channel.
In some embodiments of the pliable earpiece stem, the pliable earpiece stem has a continuous channel extending through the pliable earpiece stem from the proximal end of the handle portion through the distal surface of the curved distal flange, and wherein the channel has a first axis within the handle portion and a second axis within the attachment portion, the tapered portion and the distal flange, and wherein an angle between the first axis and the second axis is, or is about, 135 degrees.
Some embodiments of the apparatus further include: a foam sound-attenuating element positioned on the earpiece stem to surround the attachment portion between the proximal flange and the proximal surface of the tapered stop, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element has a proximal flange having a flange diameter, a middle portion having a middle-portion diameter that is smaller than the flange diameter, and a distal portion having a distal-portion diameter that is smaller than the middle-portion diameter and sized to be in a spaced-apart relation to the concave internal surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange of the pliable earpiece stem.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a second method that includes: forming a single-piece pliable earpiece stem that includes: a handle portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a proximal flange located at the distal end of the handle portion, wherein the proximal flange has an outer-facing proximal surface and an inner-facing distal surface; an attachment portion having an exterior shape with a maximum diameter, a length, a proximal end and a distal end; a tapered stop located at the distal end of the handle portion, the tapered stop having a proximal surface extending radially outward at a proximal end of the tapered stop, a maximum diameter near the proximal end of the tapered stop and a minimum diameter near a distal end of the tapered stop; and a curved distal flange located at the distal end of the tapered stop, wherein the curved distal flange has a convex external surface and a concave internal surface, and wherein the tapered stop is located completely within the curved distal flange.
Some embodiments of the second method further include: providing a single-piece visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element has a proximal flange having a flange diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the proximal flange, a middle portion having a middle-portion diameter that is smaller than the flange diameter, and a distal portion having a distal-portion diameter that is smaller than the middle-portion diameter and sized to be in a spaced-apart relation to the concave internal surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element has a length between a flat proximal surface of the proximal flange and a distal end surface of the distal portion, wherein the length of the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element is longer than a spacing between the outer proximal surface and the inner distal surface of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least thirty (30) seconds to return to a default uncompressed shape after being released from a compressed shape, and wherein the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A; and positioning the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element on the earpiece stem to surround the attachment portion between the proximal flange and the proximal surface of the tapered stop.
Some embodiments of the second method further include: affixing the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element to the attachment portion of the earpiece stem with an adhesive.
Some embodiments of the second method further include: providing a single-piece visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element positioned on the earpiece stem to surround the attachment portion between the proximal flange and the proximal surface of the tapered stop, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element has a proximal flange having a flange diameter that is larger than a largest diameter of the proximal flange, a middle portion having a middle-portion diameter that is smaller than the flange diameter, and a distal portion having a distal-portion diameter that is smaller than the middle-portion diameter and sized to be in a spaced-apart relation to the concave internal surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange of the pliable earpiece stem, wherein the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least five (5) seconds to return to a default uncompressed shape after being released from a compressed shape, and wherein the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of between about 30 Shore A and about 40 Shore A, inclusive.
Some embodiments of the second method further include: forming the pliable earpiece stem of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A.
Some embodiments of the second method further include: forming the pliable earpiece stem of a material having a durometer of between about 30 Shore A and about 40 Shore A, inclusive.
In some embodiments of the second method, the forming of the single-piece pliable earpiece stem further includes forming a continuous channel extending through the pliable earpiece stem from the proximal end of the handle portion through the distal surface of the curved distal flange.
In some embodiments of the second method, the forming of the single-piece pliable earpiece stem further includes forming an interior of the pliable earpiece stem as solid with no through channel.
In some embodiments of the second method, the forming of the single-piece pliable earpiece stem further includes forming a continuous channel extending through the pliable earpiece stem from the proximal end of the handle portion through the distal surface of the curved distal flange, and wherein the channel has a first axis within the handle portion and a second axis within the attachment portion, the tapered portion and the distal flange, and wherein an angle between the first axis and the second axis is, or is about, 135 degrees.
In some embodiments of the second method, the forming of the single-piece pliable earpiece stem further includes forming a continuous channel extending through the pliable earpiece stem from the proximal end of the handle portion through the distal surface of the curved distal flange, and wherein the channel has a first axis within the handle portion and a second axis within the attachment portion, the tapered portion and the distal flange, and the first axis and the second axis are colinear.
Some embodiments of the second method further include: providing a single-piece foam sound-attenuating element positioned on the earpiece stem to surround the attachment portion between the proximal flange and the proximal surface of the tapered stop, wherein the foam sound-attenuating element has a proximal flange having a flange diameter, a middle portion having a middle-portion diameter that is smaller than the flange diameter, and a distal portion having a distal-portion diameter that is smaller than the middle-portion diameter and sized to be in a spaced-apart relation to the concave internal surface of the curved sound-attenuating distal flange of the pliable earpiece stem.
In some embodiments, the present invention provides a sound-attenuation system that includes: a visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element having an interior channel; and a single-piece pliable earpiece stem that includes: a curved sound-attenuating distal flange, a tapered stop portion that is connected to the distal flange, an attachment portion that is attached to the tapered stop portion, a proximal flange that is attached to the attachment portion, and a handle portion that is attached to the proximal flange, wherein the distal flange has a convex external surface and a concave interior surface, wherein the tapered stop portion has an exterior surface located within, and spaced apart from, the concave interior surface of the distal flange, wherein the attachment portion has an exterior surface having a maximum diameter, wherein the interior channel of the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element has a default interior channel diameter that is smaller than the exterior diameter of the attachment portion, wherein the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element is stretched and placed on the single-piece pliable stem such that the interior channel of the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element conforms to the exterior surface of the attachment portion, wherein the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least five (5) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape, and wherein sound-attenuating stem and the foam sound-attenuating element together are configured to fit into a human user's car. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least sixty (60) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least forty-five (45) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape. In some embodiments, the visco-clastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least thirty (30) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least fifteen (15) seconds to return to a default uncompressed exterior shape after being released from a compressed shape.
In some embodiments of the sound-attenuation system, the handle portion has a proximal end, and wherein the pliable earpiece stem has a continuous sound-conducting stem channel extending through the pliable earpiece stem from the proximal end of the handle portion through the distal external surface of the curved distal flange.
Some embodiments of the sound-attenuation system further include, a sound filter configured to insert into the sound-conducting channel in the handle portion, the sound filter including lengthwise filter channel open to the stem channel, and a cover that is selectably movable to either occlude the filter channel or to open the filter channel to pass external sounds and air pressure.
In some embodiments of the sound-attenuation system, an interior of the pliable earpiece stem is solid with no through channel.
In some embodiments of the sound-attenuation system, the visco-elastic foam sound-attenuating element takes at least five (5) seconds to return to a default uncompressed shape after being released from a compressed shape.
In some embodiments of the sound-attenuation system, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of between about 30 Shore A and about 40 Shore A, inclusive. In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A. In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 35 Shore A (i.e., 32 to 38 Shore A). In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 30 Shore A (i.e., 27 to 33 Shore A). In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 40 Shore A (i.e., 37 to 43 Shore A). In some embodiments, the pliable earpiece stem is made of a material having a durometer of about 45 Shore A (i.e., 42 to 48 Shore A).
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments as described herein have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, many other embodiments and changes to details will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should be, therefore, determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2022/025793 | 4/21/2022 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022/226213 | 10/27/2022 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3783864 | Moller | Jan 1974 | A |
| 4498469 | Csiki | Feb 1985 | A |
| 5113967 | Killion et al. | May 1992 | A |
| 5488205 | Major | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5631965 | Chang | May 1997 | A |
| 5957136 | Magidson | Sep 1999 | A |
| 6148821 | Falco | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6938622 | Huang | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| D523845 | Smith et al. | Jun 2006 | S |
| 7236605 | Oliviera et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
| 7394910 | Smith et al. | Jul 2008 | B2 |
| 7512243 | Haussmann | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 7600604 | Babcock et al. | Oct 2009 | B2 |
| 7743771 | Falco | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7778435 | Smith et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 7837005 | Killion | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 7934916 | Smith et al. | May 2011 | B2 |
| 7967015 | Jenkins | Jun 2011 | B2 |
| 8101103 | Tiemens et al. | Jan 2012 | B2 |
| 8113207 | Gehling et al. | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8161975 | Turdjian | Apr 2012 | B2 |
| 8224005 | Smith | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8327973 | Parish et al. | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8596279 | Falco | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8611969 | Smith et al. | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8625834 | Smith et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8679607 | Hamer et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8820470 | Brown | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8879769 | Smith et al. | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| D727301 | Smith et al. | Apr 2015 | S |
| 9042947 | Smith et al. | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9088847 | Young-Mun | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| D771599 | Kim | Nov 2016 | S |
| 9603746 | Chenal | Mar 2017 | B2 |
| 9737439 | Endle et al. | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9814625 | Ely | Nov 2017 | B2 |
| D815619 | Moudgill et al. | Apr 2018 | S |
| D819594 | Hosoda et al. | Jun 2018 | S |
| 10231048 | Smith et al. | Mar 2019 | B2 |
| 10440459 | Smith et al. | Oct 2019 | B2 |
| 11229552 | Chenal | Jan 2022 | B1 |
| 20020096391 | Smith et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020181729 | Smith | Dec 2002 | A1 |
| 20030029460 | Tiemens | Feb 2003 | A1 |
| 20030116165 | Huang | Jun 2003 | A1 |
| 20030159878 | Hakansson et al. | Aug 2003 | A1 |
| 20070221232 | Jenkins | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20080181441 | Smith | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080245372 | Smith | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20080247561 | Smith | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20080253605 | Smith | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20090141923 | Smith | Jun 2009 | A1 |
| 20100195860 | Becker | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20110303227 | Pick | Dec 2011 | A1 |
| 20140105442 | Smith et al. | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140254842 | Smith et al. | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20150043767 | Smith | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150047651 | Haapapuro et al. | Feb 2015 | A1 |
| 20150335489 | Hamer et al. | Nov 2015 | A1 |
| 20200252711 | Smith et al. | Aug 2020 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| _4217043 | Nov 1992 | DE |
| _2028711 | Jul 1992 | ES |
| _2407274 | Apr 2005 | GB |
| WO_2009081067 | Jul 2009 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Surefire, LLC, Fountain Valley, California, “EP8 Sonic Defenders”, “downloaded from: https://web.archive.org/web/20130524145837/http://www.surefire.com/ep8-sonic-defenders-cobalt.html”, May 24, 2013. |
| “PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability for parent PCT/US2022/025793 application, mailed Nov. 6, 2023, 20 pages.”. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20240205622 A1 | Jun 2024 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29780178 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Child | 18287863 | US |
