GB2465429A - Mini ear defender with closure pad for auditory meatus and held by ear grip. - Google Patents

Abstract

A mini ear defender consisting of a grip device 3 made of non-reactive material and to which is attached, a rounded ear hole closure pad 4, the attachment enabling by means of a hinge (7 fig 6), and also constituting a slot in the device (8 fig 7) whereby the pad may be exchanged for another of the same size or of a different size, the pad being primarily positioned in the entrance to the auditory meatus by means of the grip device 2,3 gripping any part of the front 3 or back 4 of the ear, said closure pad being of such material that it prevents sound, dust or water from entering the auditory meatus, and of such width that acts as a warmer if required, said grip 2,3, device being either positioned by means of its own dimensions, or by means of a small clip 5, which may be opened by the finger and thumb.

Description

Mini Ear Defenders This invention relates to excluding unwanted noise, dust and water from the auditory meatus and is especially appropriate for people who cannot tolerate materials in their ears or do not like wearing headbands over their heads.

Ear defenders are commonplace and, because the noise problem is on the increase, greater attention is required to their design dimensions and applications so that people everywhere have an opportunity to choose a design which suits them best.

Most existing ear defenders have hidden side effects: the most intrusive increase the probability of infection and the headband varieties are often irritating, if worn for any length of time. Many people find them unsightly and, depending on when they are worn, in the way.

The challenge then is to create the smallest and least intrusive ear defender and one which is non irritating to its wearers.

Description.

The invention consists of a small grip device one end of which supports a closure pad which fits snugly over the ear hole, and the other of which grips any region at the back of the ear or any lobe at the front of the ear, which can sustain it, including the tragus.

The grip device is constituted of a non reactive material, capable of maintaining the required pressure to hold the design in place, and which is also either flexible enough to be easily put on and off, or capable of being incorporated into a clip, which may be opened by an easy finger and thumb movement.

The ear hole closure pad is designed to fit the contours of the external part of the auditory meatus, that is to be extended sufficiently into the meatus to keep the design in place, but not so intrusive as to cause infections or other distress.

The shape of the grip device is also modeled to the ear's front and back dimensions so it is capable of gripping any region of these surfaces, and, where necessary, one terminal may be extended to ensure the closure pad fits the ear hole.

In the case of its gripping the tragus, both ends are shaped as required by a specific pincher like mechanism, with the closure pad attached to the clip's internal end..

The closure pads may be temporarily opened at a hinge mechanism adjacent to their junction with the clip, and exchanged by means of a slot-on device. There is a larger closure pad version to act as a warmer. The designs may also be disguised as earrings.

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

Fig I shows the simplest form of the invention, a grip with a dosure pad at one end, Fig 2 shows the same form of the invention incorporating a dip device, Fig 3 shows the invention as it relates to gripping the back of the ear, Fig 4 shows the invention as it relates to gripping the tragus, Fig 5 shows the invention as it relates to the front and back of the ear, Fig 6 shows the position of the hinge at the junction of the attachment and the grip end, Fig 7 shows the attachment's slot in device allowing the closure pads to be exchanged, Fig 8 shows the enlarged closure pad ensuring the ear hole is kept warm.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is comprised of a grip device 1, with a rear end 2, and a front end 3, and to which is attached an ear closure pad 4, said device being further enabled by a dip 5, the attachment 6, being appropriate to the ear's spatial dimensions, and sometimes hinged as at 7, and also constituted of a slot-in device 8, to enable the pads to be exchanged, said pads being sometimes enlarged 9, to keep the ear hole warm.