Back to results
US 12,245,917 B2Granted
Earplug
AssigneeTriton Systems, Inc.
InventorTyson Lawrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices, apparatus, systems and methods to regulate pressure in earplug are disclosed. Some embodiments provide auditory attenuation and others may further include communications capability. The devices and apparatus are well-suited for use by divers and pilots in particular.
Claims17
A pressure-regulating earplug comprising:
- an earplug body having an external surface adapted for sealingly engaging an ear canal, the earplug body comprising a conduit configured to provide fluid communication with an external atmosphere and the ear canal;
- and
- a pressure regulator affixed to the earplug body in-line with the conduit, configured to be normally closed, preventing fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, and selectively open, comprises:
- a first normally-closed passive valve configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when pressure within the ear canal exceeds pressure within the external atmosphere by a first opening threshold;
- and
- a second normally-closed passive valve disposed substantially concentric to the first passive valve and configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when the pressure within the external atmosphere exceeds the pressure within the ear canal by a second opening threshold;
- and wherein:
- the first and second normally-closed passive valves form a valve assembly that comprises:
- a conically shaped body;
- and
- a valve conduit located within the conically shaped body having an opening on a first side of the conically shaped body and a reversibly sealable opening on a second side of the conically shaped body;
- and
- at least an orifice parallel with the valve conduit;
- and
- an umbrella around the opening on the first side of the valve conduit and configured to reversibly seal the at least an orifice.
12 more elements
A pressure-regulating earplug comprising:
- an earplug body having an external surface adapted for sealingly engaging an ear canal, the earplug body comprising a conduit configured to provide fluid communication with an external atmosphere and the ear canal, and further comprising at least one additional conduit;
- and
- a pressure regulator affixed to the earplug body in-line with the conduit, configured to be normally closed, preventing fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, and selectively open, wherein the pressure regulator comprises:
- a first normally-closed passive valve configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when pressure within the ear canal exceeds pressure within the external atmosphere by a first opening threshold;
- and
- a second normally-closed passive valve disposed substantially concentric to the first passive valve and configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when the pressure within the external atmosphere exceeds the pressure within the ear canal by a second opening threshold;
- and
- wherein the at least one additional conduit is configured to house additional components;
- and wherein:
- the first and second normally-closed passive valves form a valve assembly that comprises:
- a conically shaped body;
- and
- a valve conduit located within the conically shaped body having an opening on a first side of the conically shaped body and a reversibly sealable opening on a second side of the conically shaped body;
- and
- at least an orifice parallel with the valve conduit;
- and
- an umbrella around the opening on the first side of the valve conduit and configured to reversibly seal the at least an orifice.
14 more elements
A pressure-regulating earplug system comprising:
- a diver's helmet configured to seal an external atmosphere within the diver's helmet from water outside of the diver's helmet, wherein the diver's helmet comprises:
- a backup speaker configured to be disposed proximal a diver's ear;
- and
- an earcup configured to be disposed about the diver's ear;
- and
- a pressure-regulating earplug comprising:
- an earplug body having an external surface adapted for sealingly engaging an ear canal, the earplug body comprising a conduit configured to provide fluid communication with the external atmosphere and the ear canal;
- and
- a pressure regulator affixed to the earplug body in-line with the conduit, configured to be normally closed, preventing fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, and selectively opening, comprises:
- a first normally-closed passive valve configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when pressure within the ear canal exceeds pressure within the external atmosphere by a first opening threshold;
- and
- a second normally-closed passive valve disposed substantially concentric to the first passive valve and configured to automatically open, permitting fluid communication between the external atmosphere and the ear canal, when the pressure within the external atmosphere exceeds the pressure within the ear canal by a second opening threshold;
- and wherein:
- the first and second normally-closed passive valves form a valve assembly that comprises:
- a conically shaped body;
- and
- a valve conduit located within the conically shaped body having an opening on a first side of the conically shaped body and a reversibly sealable opening on a second side of the conically shaped body;
- and
- at least an orifice parallel with the valve conduit;
- and
- an umbrella around the opening on the first side of the valve conduit and configured to reversibly seal the at least an orifice.
18 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.