# US 9,521,480 B2 · Variable noise attenuator with adjustable attenuation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,521,480 B2 - Document ID: US9521480B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/448,732 - Filed: 2014-07-31 - Published: 2015-02-05 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-31 - Applicants: Natan Bauman; Ralph T. Campagna - Inventors: Natan Bauman; Ralph T. Campagna - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9521480B2 ## CPC - H04R 1/1083: {Reduction of ambient noise (active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06)} - A61F 11/14: external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs - H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)} - H04R 5/033: Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)} - H04R 25/43: {Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics (H04R25/407 takes precedence)} - H04R 2410/05: Noise reduction with a separate noise microphone - H04R 2460/15: Determination of the acoustic seal of ear moulds or ear tips of hearing devices - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An ear attenuator headset that allows a user to adjust the amount of attenuation in a variable, continuous fashion from zero attenuation to maximum attenuation without removing the device from a user's head. The ear attenuator headset includes a passageway, the passageway allowing for sound to pass through the headset and a control element, the control element able to control the amount of sound that passes through the passageway of the ear attenuator headset. The ear attenuator can be used in headsets, headphones, and earbuds where electronic sounds are transmitted and added variable attenuation is also available for the consumer to take advantage of for reduction of the external environmental sounds. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ear attenuator headset comprising: at least one earcup, the at least one earcup having a passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through; and a control element, the control element able to control the amount of sound that passes through the at least one earcup; wherein the control element includes a blocking member, the blocking member configured to move across the passageway to change an amount of sound that passes through the passageway of the at least one earcup; wherein when the blocking member is in a closed position the blocking member is aligned with the passageway in the at least one earcup, and when the blocking member is in an open position, the blocking member is not aligned with the passageway in the at least one earcup. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The attenuator headset of claim 1, further comprising a headstrap, the head strap connecting a first earcup to a second earcup. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The attenuator headset of claim 2, wherein the blocking member slides across the passageway in a straight path to change the amount of sound that passes through the passageway of the at least one earcup. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The attenuator headset of claim 3, wherein the at least one earcup includes an audio source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The attenuator headset of claim 4, further comprising a knob connected to the blocking member and having a position indicator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The attenuator headset of claim 3, wherein the blocking member is made of foam attenuating material and/or rubber and/or any other sound blocking material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The attenuator headset of claim 3, wherein the blocking member is connected to a knob. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The attenuator headset of claim 1, wherein the blocking member moves along a path transverse to the passageway to control the amount of sound that passes through the passageway. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The attenuator headset of claim 1, wherein the at least one earcup includes a plate and wherein when the blocking member is in a closed position, the blocking member engages the plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The attenuator headset of claim 1, wherein the at least one earcup includes a plate and wherein when the knob is slid to a closed position, the blocking member is aligned with the passageway in the at least one earcup and closes the passageway in the at least one earcup. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The attenuator headset of claim 1, wherein the blocking member partially blocks the passageway in the at least one earcup. ### Claim 12 An ear attenuator headset comprising: at least one earcup, the at least one earcup having a passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through; and a control element, the control element able to control the amount of sound that passes through the at least one earcup; wherein the control element includes a blocking member, the blocking member configured to move across the passageway to change an amount of sound that passes through the passageway of the at least one earcup; wherein the control element is controlled by a remote control which closes or opens the passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through; wherein the remote control is located remote from the at least one earcup or is attached to or linked via an electronic cable to the at least one earcup and is actuated by a detected amount of sound in the environment. ### Claim 13 An ear attenuator headset comprising: at least one earcup, the at least one earcup having a passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through; and a control element, the control element able to control the amount of sound that passes through the at least one earcup; wherein the control element is controlled by a remote control which closes or opens the passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through; wherein the remote control changes the size of the passageway based upon the detected amount of sound in the environment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The attenuator headset of claim 13, wherein a width, length and/or depth of the passageway is changed by the remote control. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The attenuator headset of claim 13, wherein the attenuator headset includes a sensor or noise detector to detect the amount of external sound that is present in the environment. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The attenuator headset of claim 13, further comprising a sensor or a noise detector which automatically adjusts an amount of attenuation through the at least one earcup based upon an amount of external sound that is present in the environment. ### Claim 17 An ear attenuator headset comprising: at least one earcup, the at least one earcup having a passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through; and a control element, the control element able to control the amount of sound that passes through the at least one earcup; wherein the control element includes a blocking member, the blocking member configured to move across the passageway to change an amount of sound that passes through the passageway of the at least one earcup; wherein the attenuator headset is able to play music or any sound, while providing control of the amount of sound that passes through the at least one earcup. ### Claim 18 An ear attenuator headset comprising: at least one earcup, the at least one earcup having a passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through; a control element, the control element able to control the amount of sound that passes through the at least one earcup; and a plurality of attenuator discs, wherein as the control element is adjusted, one of the plurality of discs is inserted into the passageway through the earcup to control the amount sound that passes through the at least one earcup. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The attenuator headset of claim 18 wherein as the control element is adjusted to move from an open towards a closed position, the plurality of attenuator discs are progressively inserted into the passageway. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The attenuator headset of claim 19, wherein when the knob is rotated, the screw tightens and the blocking member is brought closer to the knob to cover a portion of the passageway. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The attenuator headset of claim 18, wherein the blocking member is connected to a knob via a screw. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The attenuator headset of claim 18, wherein the control element is controlled by a remote control which closes or opens the passageway through the at least one earcup allowing for sound to pass through. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The attenuator headset of claim 22, wherein the remote control is located remote from the at least one earcup or is attached to or linked via an electronic cable to the at least one earcup. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The attenuator headset of claim 18 further comprising a sensor or a noise detector which automatically adjusts an amount of attenuation through the at least one earcup based upon an amount of external sound that is present in the environment.