GB2375967A

GB2375967A - Noise reducing external ear clip

Info

Publication number: GB2375967A
Application number: GB0113259A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rosemary Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-06-01
Publication date: 2002-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-01
Also published as: GB0113259D0; GB2375967B

Abstract

An external ear clip comprising a metal band 1 covered in non reactive plastic extending from a flat plate 2 which presses the upper lobule to cover the entrance to the auditory meatus. The metal band extends to the back of the auricle. The clip is pliable to fit different ear dimensions, with enough rigidity to exert pressure on the external ear. The ear clip may also have an additional upturned clip. The additional clip may attach to the flat plate of the first clip with a small stud. It may have a further attachment behind the ear comprising a slot, into which the end of the metal band on the first clip may be slotted. When used together the ear clips may encircle the entire ear. The ear clip may be used to reduce excess noise by pressing on the tragus.

Description

Personal Noise Reducer.

This invention relates to reducing the amount of extraneous noise reaching the ear's acoustic meatus.

Noise eliminators are well known, either fitting into the entrance to the ear or covering the auricle. However there is also a need to reduce, but not entirely eliminate, incoming sound, particularly for people living in urban areas, or those at work, or when travelling.

According to the present invention, there is a reduction but not total elimination of noise, and this is achieved by putting a small amount of pressure on to the upper lobule so that it closes the entrance to the auditory meatus.

The design consists of a metal band, covered by non reactive plastic, curved round the back of the auricle and ending in a flat plate holding the upper lobule to cover the ear's entrance. The metal is intended to be sufficiently flexible to be shaped to fit individual ear dimensions and also sufficiently rigid to ensure the upper lobule is pressed inwards. The design also consists of an upside down clip, made of the same materials as the metal band, which adds further pressure to the upper lobule, and which is held in place by a stud device on the flat plate and by a slot device to the metal band at the back of the ear.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure I shows in perspective a side view of the invention and as it functions in relation to the auricle, holding the upper lobule over the entrance to the auditory meatus.

Figure 2 shows how the invention is held in place by the contours of the auricle and the back of the upper neck.

Figure 3 shows the clip device, ensuring greater pressure on the upper lobule, Figure 4 shows how the clip is attached to the flat plate.

Figure 5 shows how the clip device is attached to the metal band at the back of the auricle.

Referring to the drawings, the personal noise reducer comprises a curved band of metal 1, in a non reactive plastic surround, extending from a flat plate 2, holding the upper lobule to cover the entrance to the auditory meatus, to the back of the auricle 3. The noise reducer may also be made further efficient by the addition of an upside down clip 4, which is attached to the flat plate by a stud 5, and to the metal band at the back of the auricle by a slot in device 6.

Claims

Claims.

1. A personal noise reducer, comprising of a metal band, covered in non reactive plastic, extending from a flat plate holding the upper lobule to cover the entrance to the auditory meatus, to the back of the auricle, and being sufficiently pliant to be adapted to individual ear dimensions and sufficiently rigid to exert enough pressure to reduce the amount of noise entering the ear.

2. A personal noise reducer as in Claim 1, with an additional clip mechanism able to further reduce incoming noise by putting further pressure on the upper lobule to cover the entrance to the auditory meatus, and being attached at the front by a stud set in the flat plate, and at the back by a slot-in device, articulating with the end of the metal band.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A personal noise reducer, comprising of a plastic clip-on mechanism, which ensures reduction of incoming noise by putting pressure on a plastic plate holding the tragus to cover the entrance to the auditory meatus, the clip being attached to this plate by a stud, and being also held in place by a slot-in device at the back.