GB2130470A

GB2130470A - Ear-protection device

Info

Publication number: GB2130470A
Application number: GB08323925A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans-Rudolf Schiess
Original assignee: MINISONIC AG
Current assignee: MINISONIC AG
Priority date: 1982-09-15
Filing date: 1983-09-07
Publication date: 1984-06-06
Also published as: FR2532838A1; DK419483A; GB8323925D0; DE3332294A1; GB2130470B; DK419483D0

Abstract

An ear-protection device intended tended to be worn like a pair of headphones comprises ear covering members (4) having annular cushions (11) to engage the wearer's head around the ears. The cushions (11) are carried by separate ring members (6) which are rotatably mounted on the ear covering members (4) to enable the headband (1) to be swung back. The ring members (6) and cushions (11) are oval in shape. The ear covering members are pivotally mounted on pins (5) in stirrup-pieces (2) adjustable up and down in relation to the headband (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ear-protection device The present invention relates to an ear protection-device intended to be worn like a pair of headphones.

The prerequisite for such ear-protection devices, to make them fully effective, is that each ear covering member, which may contain sound-insulating material, should cover the ear well and the bearing cushion, which engages the head of the wearer around the ear, should seal off the inside of the ear covering member from the outside without leaving any gaps. In addition, it is often necessary to swing the headband towards the front or towards the back of the head if the ear-protection device is to be worn with a protective helmet or a respirator for example.

Known ear-protection devices of the type mentioned at the beginning admittedly permit the headband to be swung back because the headband is pivotally secured to the ear covering members but precise fitting of the ear covering members to the ears of an individual wearer is not possible.

In other known ear-protection devices of the type referred to at the beginning each ear covering member is pivotally mounted in a stirrup-piece. These ear-protection devices enable the ear covering members to be positioned to suit the shape of the head of the wearer but they cannot be worn with a helmet or a respirator because the headband cannot be swung back.

According to the present invention, an earprotection device intended to be worn like a pair of headphones comprises a headband carrying at each end an ear covering member having an annular cushion to engage the head around the ear, the cushion being carried by a ring member of oval shape adjustably supported on the ear covering member so as to be rotatable about an axis which extends substantially at right angles to the plane of the cushion.

The ring member may be rotatably and detachably secured to an edge region of the ear covering member. Thus, the ring member and the ear covering member may have interfitting circumferential formations snap-fitted together.

The present invention provides an ear-protection device intended to be worn like a pair of headphones which permits an adjustment of the ear covering members to the shape of the head and to the ears of the wearer and at the same time can be worn with a helmet or a respirator because the headband can be readily swung back without affecting the position of the ear covering members.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:~ Figure 1 is a front view of an ear-protection device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a detail view of area A of Fig. 1 in section and to a larger size; Figure 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow B in Fig. 1; and Figure 4 shows the ear-protection device in a folded position.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the ear-protection device which is intended to be worn like a pair of headphones, comprises a resiliently expansible supporting band 1 which has a telescopically displaceable holder 2 at each end, each of which holders 2 is connected to a yoke-shaped support 3.

Mounted in each yoke-shaped support 3, for pivoting on pins 5, is an ear covering member in the form of a dish 4. The pivoting of the dish 4 can be effected about an axis formed by the pins 5 (perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1).

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the substantially plate-shaped or cap-shaped dish 4 is lined with a sound-insulating material 9. The edge region of the dish 4 is provided with a ring member 6 which is mounted for rotation and is removable from the dish 4, the rotation being effected in a plane extending substantially parallel to the plane of the edge of the dish 4. For this purpose, the dish 4 is provided, in its outside edge region, with an annular circumferential groove 7 in which a likewise annular retaining rib 8 of the ring member 6 engages. In this manner, a snap connection is formed which renders the rotation of the ring member 6 on the dish 4 possible and also the easy removal and refitting of the ring member from and to the dish.

A A further inner annular rib 10 of the ring member 6 engages round the edge of the sound-insulating material 9. 11 designates a bearing cushion which is mounted on the ring member 6 at the inside and is made oval in shape, corresponding approximately to the outline of the human ear.

In the manner described, the supporting band 1 can be pivoted, with respect to the bearing cushing 11, about an axis 12 which extends substantially perpendicular to the plane 13 defined by the bearing cushion 11.

In addition, the dishes 4 can be adjusted in position by pivoting about the pins 5 and also up and down relative to the supporting band 1, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 1 where the left-hand and right-hand halves of the Figure show the dishes 4 in different positions with the holders 2 respectively retracted and extended.

Finally, the holders 2 are hinged to the supporting band 1 by means of loops 14 to permit the folding of the ear-protection device into the position shown in Fig. 4 for storage when not in use.

The ear-protection device described can be used under a protective helmet or together with a respirator.

It may also be mentioned that, according to a modification, the separate ring member may be secured not for rotation but for adjustment into at least two different swivel positions in relation to the dish 4. In the one swivel position, the supporting band 1 is in the usual position in which the band is taken over the head of the wearer while in the other swivel position of the ring member 6, the supporting band is folded down and rests over the neck of the wearer.

Claims

1. An ear-protection device intended to be worn like a pair of headphones comprising a headband carrying at each end an ear covering member having an annular cushion to engage the head around the ear, the cushion being carried by a ring member of oval shape adjustably supported on the ear covering member so as to be rotatable about an axis which extends substantially at right angles to the plane of the cushion.

2. An ear-protection device as claimed in claim 1, in which the ring member is rotatably and detachably secured to an edge region of the ear covering member.

3. An ear-protection device as claimed in claim 2 in which the ring member and the ear covering member have interfitting circumferential formations snap-fitted together.

4. An ear-protection device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.