Long-wearing deep-insertion ear tip
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorDavid B. Mulvey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments typically relate to ear tips for sound transmission devices, designed to fit snuggly in the user's ear canal and block external noise from the environment while being sufficiently comfortable for long-wearing and/or deep insertion. Embodiments may comprise a stem and a foam body, with the hollow stem lying on the centerline of the foam body. The foam body may comprise a concave opening in its nose, a rear extension flange projecting rearward to extend its length without significantly impacting perceived comfort, and/or a plurality of indentations about the periphery of the nose of the foam body. The foam body may be formed of polyurethane foam, and the stem may be formed of elastomeric polyurethane.
Claims19
An ear tip comprising:
- a foam body;
- and
- a stem comprising one or more sound tubes therethrough;
- wherein:
- the foam body comprises a front portion having a front and a rear portion having a rear;
- the front portion of the foam body comprises a nose angled to improve insertion;
- the foam body comprises a centerline and a through passage located on the centerline;
- the stem is located along the centerline in the passage;
- at least a portion of the passage is approximately the same width as the stem;
- a front portion of the passage forms a concave opening in the nose of the foam body;
- the stem extends from the concave opening rearward along the centerline of the foam body past the rear end of the foam body;
- a rear portion of the passage widens to form a hollowed-out annular space about the stem so that the rear portion of the foam body comprises an integrated unsupported rear extension flange consisting of foam encompassing the annular space and the stem, such that the stem is inset radially inward from the rear extension flange so that no portion of the stem contacts the rear extension flange and the annular space encircles the stem and provides for inward deflection of the rear extension flange during insertion of the ear tip into a user's ear canal;
- a plurality of semi-spherical scalloping indentations are located on a periphery of the nose of the foam body and are evenly space about the periphery;
- the stem is in contact with at least a portion of the front portion of the foam body and is directly attached to the foam body;
- the foam body is made of polyurethane foam;
- and
- the stem is made of elastomeric polyurethane.
An ear tip comprising:
- a foam body;
- and
- a stem comprising one or more sound tubes therethrough;
- wherein:
- the foam body comprises a front portion having a front and a rear portion having a rear;
- the front portion of the foam body comprises a nose angled to improve insertion;
- the foam body comprises a centerline and a through passage located on the centerline;
- the stem is located along the centerline in the passage;
- at least a portion of the passage is approximately the same width as the stem;
- a front portion of the passage forms a concave opening in the nose of the foam body;
- the stem extends from the concave opening rearward along the centerline of the foam body past the rear end of the foam body;
- a rear portion of the passage widens to form a hollowed-out annular space about the stem so that the rear portion of the foam body comprises an integrated rear extension flange encompassing the annular space and the stem, with the stem inset radially inward from the flange so that the rear extension flange is spaced away from the stem and the annular space encircles the stem;
- and
- the stem is in contact with at least a portion of the front, portion of the foam body and is attached to the foam body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.