WO2006055723A9

WO2006055723A9 - Hearing protection and earphone device

Info

Publication number: WO2006055723A9
Application number: PCT/US2005/041704
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michele Cimino
Original assignee: Cabot Safety Intermediate Corp; Michele Cimino
Priority date: 2004-11-16
Filing date: 2005-11-16
Publication date: 2006-08-24
Also published as: WO2006055723A1

Abstract

An aural device to be worn proximate to an ear of a user, the device including an attenuation device for impeding the passage of sound from an outer environment into an ear canal of the user, and a sound emitter for providing a desired sound to the ear canal, where the sound emitter automatically controls a volume level of the desired sound.

Description

HEARING PROTECTION AND EARPHONE DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to hearing protection devices and aural communication devices and, more specifically, to a combined hearing protector and earphone device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Hearing protection devices, such as earplugs and ear muffs are well known and are widely used to attenuate the passage of sound into a user's ear canal to thus protect the user against exposure to harmful sound levels emanating from the surrounding environment.

[0003] Headphone and earphone devices are widely used in conjunction with radio devices, music players, etc., to provide desired sound directly to the ear of a user. Such devices can emit sound at a volume level which is harmful to the inner ear of a user. A volume control is often found on the radio device, music player, etc., or directly on the headphone or earphone, or in a peripheral device. The volume control allows the user to self-regulate the volume level of sound emitted by the device. However, there are many instances where it is inconvenient or impractical for the user to manually adjust the volume level, for example, while driving or operating machinery, when carrier items or otherwise using the hands, etc. Also, a user may not be aware that a certain volume level provided by the headphone/earphone unit may be harmful to the ear. Additionally, a user may desire to hear sound through the headphone/earphone but also receive attenuation of noise from the surrounding environment.

[0004] Thus, a device is desirable which provides sound attenuation with respect to noise of the outer environment while still allowing desired sound (music, communications, etc.) to pass through the device and to be heard by the user where the device ensures that this sound intended to be heard is kept below a predetermined sound level (dB) to thus protect the user against potentially harmful sound levels emitted by the device. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one embodiment, the invention provides an aural device to be worn proximate to an ear of a user. The aural device includes an attenuation device for impeding the passage of sound from an outer environment into an ear canal of the user and a sound emitter for providing a desired sound to the ear canal, where the sound emitter automatically controls a volume level of the desired sound.

[0006] In another embodiment, the invention provides an earphone device including an earplug disposed so as to be at least partially inserted in an ear canal of a user, an ear loop assembly for fixing the earphone device about the ear of the user, the earplug being fixed to the ear loop, a speaker assembly disposed in at least one of the earplug and ear loop for providing sound to the ear canal, and a volume regulator for maintaining a volume of the sound emitted from the speaker assembly below a predetermined maximum.

[0007] Still further, the invention provides an earphone device including a speaker assembly for providing sound, and a volume regulator for maintaining a volume of the sound emitted from the speaker assembly below a predetermined maximum.

[0008] The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the apparatus and method will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Hearing Protection and Earphone Device in one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the Device in another exemplary embodiment of the invention; [0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the Device in another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the Device in another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device 10 in one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The device 10 includes an ear loop 12 generally having a C-shape and, more particularly, being shaped to wrap around the ear of a user and to conform to the contours of the head to thus facilitate retention of the device 10 about the ear. The device 10 further includes an earplug tip 14 oriented to at least partially enter the ear canal. The earplug tip 14 is disposed at one end of an arm 16, the other end of which is connected an upper end of the ear loop 12. The arm 16 may be generally L-shaped as shown, or any suitable shape, and may be formed integrally with the ear loop 12 or may be attached thereto via bonding, welding, etc.

[0014] Lti the embodiment of Figure 1, the device includes a member 18 disposed substantially parallel to one leg of the L-shaped arm 16. The member 18 is fixed at top and bottom ends to the arm 16. The ear loop 12 is attached to the member 18 by way of a fixation portion 20. The fixation portion 20 is a generally cylindrical piece which surrounds and attaches to the member 18. The fixation portion 20 may be fixed to the member 18 or, alternatively, the fixation portion 20 may be pivo tally mounted on the member 18 such that the ear loop 12 is capable of rotational movement relative to the member 18.

[0015] The ear loop 12 is made of a material which provides sufficient rigidity to maintain its form during use and to facilitate retention of the device 10 on and around the ear of a user. Additionally, the material which composes the ear loop 12 is of a sufficient softness and pliability to provide comfort to the user. For example, the ear loop 12 may be composed of a rubber, etc. [0016] The arm 16 may be formed of a more ductile material than the ear loop. For example, the arm 16 may be formed of a rubber, a plastic, etc. As mentioned the arm 18 is generally L- shaped, i.e., having two substantially perpendicular legs. These legs may be fixed relative to one another or pivotal or hinged, etc.

[0017] The earplug tip 14 comprises at least a portion of an earplug mounted on the arm 18. More specifically, the earplug tip 14 includes a stem portion 22 extending from the arm 18 and at least one substantially hemispherical flange 24 disposed on the stem 22 distally with respect to the arm 16. The earplug tip 14 is preferably composed of a material which possesses a softness sufficient to provide comfort to a user but yet is stiff, especially in the stem portion 22, to allow at least partial insertion of the earplug tip 14 into the ear canal.

[0018] The earplug tip 14 is designed to enter the opening of the ear canal and to occlude the ear canal thus preventing the passage of sound and providing the user with a degree of sound protection. In addition, the earplug tip 14 includes a feature which allows for the passage of certain sounds through the earplug tip 14 to be heard by the user. Particularly, the earplug tip 14 includes a passageway which extends through the earplug tip 14 and opens at the distal end of the earplug tip 14 at an opening 26 (as shown in the embodiment of Figure 2). Sound passes through the passageway, to the opening 26, and into the ear canal to be heard by the user. The passageway may simply be a hole bored through the earplug tip 14, or a tube which extends through the earplug tip 14, or any other suitable configuration.

[0019] The arm 16 includes a speaker assembly (not shown) disposed at an interior thereof which projects sound into the passageway of the earplug tip 14. As mentioned, such sound passes through the passageway of the earplug tip 14 to the opening 26 and into the ear canal of a user. The speaker is any device suitable for receiving a signal and converting the signal into sound and transmitting the sound though the passageway. The speaker may be disposed in the arm 16 proximate to the earplug tip 14 or may be disposed away from the earplug tip 14 in which case the arm 16 may include a channel or similar means to allow passage of the sound from the speaker through the arm 16 and to the passageway of the earplug tip 14. [0020] The speaker assembly is connected to a wire 28 through which the speaker assembly receives signals which it then converts to sound and projects to the passageway of the earplug tip 14. The wire 28 passes partially through the arm 16 and exits at a top thereof. The wire 28 then passes through at least a portion of the ear loop 12 and extends downwardly therefrom. The wire 28 is adapted to be attached to any desired device such as, for example, a compact disk player, a cassette player, an mp3 player, a cellular telephone, a radio receiver, or any type of device capable of sending signals through the wire 28 to be received and made audible by the speaker assembly.

[0021] The speaker assembly of the arm 16 further includes an automatic sound level regulator which automatically prevents the speaker assembly from outputting sound beyond a certain threshold decibel level. That is, once the sound amplified by the speaker assembly reaches such predetermined threshold decibel level, the regulator interrupts the sound emission and stops the speaker assembly from further outputting any sound. Alternatively, upon the speaker assembly reaching the predetermined threshold level, the regulator automatically reduces the sound output to below such predetermined level. Further alternatively, the regulator simply does not allow the volume level to rise beyond the prescribed decibel level, that is, the regulator establishes a maximum volume output at the predetermined threshold level.

[0022] The predetermined decibel level is established to be at least beneath a sound level which can damage the ear of a user. Beneath this threshold level, the predetermined decibel level may be further set based upon a user preference, or based upon a particular application, etc. The predetermined decibel level may be fixed or may be adjustable beneath the threshold level by controls on the device 10 or on the device to which the wire 28 is connected.

[0023] Thus, in use, the device 10 fits comfortably and inconspicuously on and around the ear of a user. The earplug tip 14 is at least partially inserted into the opening of the ear canal to occlude the ear canal and to thus generally prevent the passage of sound therethrough. That is, the earplug tip 14 attenuates noise from surrounding environment. While, at the same time, the speaker assembly of the arm 16 passes selective sounds through the passageway of the earplug tip 14 to the ear canal so as to be heard by the user. These selective sounds can comprise music from some type of a player, communications, etc. The sound level regulator of the speaker assembly essentially monitors the sound level outputted by the speaker assembly and automatically silences the speaker assembly, or reduces the volume thereof, or holds the volume at a maximum level, when the sound emitted from the speaker assembly reaches a certain predetermined threshold decibel level. Thus, the device provides hear protection via the earplug tip 14 from noise present in the surrounding environment, while allowing the user to hear desired sound via the speaker assembly at an automatically regulated predetermined safe sound level.

[0024] A single device 10, as shown in Figure 1, may be employed by a user. Alternatively, a device 10 may be worn in both ears of a user, as desired.

[0025] The configuration of the device 10 as shown in Figure 1 is merely exemplary. The device 10 may include any desired modification or variation within the scope of the invention. For example, the earplug tip 14 may include multiple flanges 24, the earplug tip 14 may be of a different shape such as cylindrical or of a different material such a foam, the ear loop 12 and the arm 16 maybe an integral unit, the device 10 may include a microphone for receiving voice communications from the user and a transmitter for converting such communications into signals and transmitting such signals, the device 10 may include some type of a receiver to facilitate one or two-way communications, the speaker assembly may be at least partially disposed within the earplug tip 14, the speaker assembly and/or the automatic sound level regulator may be wireless, etc., etc.

[0026] Figure 2 shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention. Similar parts and features are indicated throughout the drawings with consistent references numerals and will not be re-introduced for sake of brevity.

[0027] Here, the device 100 includes the ear loop 12 connected to the arm 16, as discussed above. However, the earplug tip 14 of the device 100 is a cylindrical shaped earplug preferably formed of a compressible, resilient slow recovery foam material. The earplug tip 14 may include a rigid or semi-rigid core section to facilitate insertion of the earplug tip 14 into the ear canal. Alternatively and/or additionally, the earplug tip 14 may include a rigid or semi-rigid stem portion disposed at an interior of the cylindrical body of the earplug and extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. The opening 26 of the passageway through the earplug tip 14 is evident in Figure 2. As with the device 10, the passageway here may be simply bored through the earplug tip 14 or there may be a tube, etc., disposed within the earplug tip 14 in order to delimit the passageway. The speaker assembly and the automatic sound level regulator are again disposed, as desired, in the arm 16 and/or in the earplug tip 14.

[0028] The device 100 includes a boom 102 extending from the arm 16 and a microphone 104 disposed at a distal end of the boom 102. The boom 102 and the microphone 104 are configured and oriented to be disposed proximate to the mouth of the user so that voice communications may be effectively received by the microphone 104. A wire or wires (not shown) are connected to the microphone and traverse through the boom to receiving and/or transmitting equipment disposed in the arm 16 or elsewhere in the device 100 or in a peripheral device. Alternatively, the microphone 104 may function wirelessly.

[0029] In use the device 100 fits comfortably on the head of a user, the cylindrical earplug tip 14 attenuates sound emanating from the surrounding environment, while the speaker assembly and automatic sound level regulator provide desired sound to the ear canal of the user at or beneath a predetermined sound level. The microphone 104 facilitates one or two-way communication by receiving voice communications from the user, converting the communications to signals which are then transmitted for communication purposes. The device 100 may optionally include a receiver for receiving communication signals which are converted to audible sounds and outputted to the ear canal via the speaker assembly to thus facilitate said two-way communication.

[0030] The boom 102 may be rigid or pliable, fixed or adjustable, as desired. For example, the boom 102 may pivot or swivel about its longitudinal axis or the boom 102 may bend along its length or be hinged relative to the arm 16, etc. Alternatively, the microphone 104 may be disposed on a lower portion of the wire 28 or on the ear loop 12 or arm 16 or elsewhere on the device 100 or on a peripheral device.

[0031] The device 100 may be worn singularly by the user or may be worn in tandem with a second device 100 or device 10 or any variation or combination thereof.

[0032] The configuration of the device 100 as shown in Figure 2 is merely exemplary. The device 100 may include any desired modification or variation within the scope of the invention as, for example, discussed above with respect to the device 10.

[0033] Figure 3 shows an alternate exemplary embodiment of a device 200 in accordance with the invention. The device 200 is substantially a combination of the devices 10 and 100 discussed hereinabove. More particularly, the device 200 includes the hemispherical flanged earplug tip 14 of the device 10 and the boom 102 and microphone 104 of the device 100. The device 200 includes the speaker assembly and the automatic sound level regulator disclosed above. Thus the device 200 functions similarly to the devices 10 and 100 by providing protection to the user from noise in the surrounding environment while still permitting desired sound at a desired sound level to reach the ear canal of the user and facilitating one or two-way communication via the boom microphone.

[0034] Figure 4 shows another alternate embodiment of a device 300 in accordance with the invention. The device 300 includes an ear loop 302 shaped similarly to a question mark, "?", so as to wrap behind, over, and partially in front of an ear of a user. Whereas the devices 10, 100, and 200 included a separate ear loop 12 and arm 16, the present device 300 is one integral unit as shown in the drawings. The ear loop 302 includes a rear portion 304 which extends behind the ear when the device 300 is worn. The ear loop 302 further includes a front portion 306 which extends in front of the ear and wraps around and over the pinna to align the earplug tip 14 with the ear canal of the user. The front portion 306 includes an opening 308 which aligns with the passageway in the earplug tip 14 when the tip is mounted on the ear loop 302. The ear loop 302 includes the speaker assembly and the automatic sound level regulator disposed at an interior thereof. The speaker assembly is disposed so as to project outputted sound through the opening 308, though the passageway of the earplug tip 14, and through the opening 26 of the earplug tip 14 into the ear canal of the user. The wire 28 extends from a lower end of the rear portion 304 of the ear loop 302. In this way, the wire 28 is concealed as it traverses from the speaker assembly and sound regulator, through the ear loop 302 to the point of exit.

[0035] In use, the device 300 performs similarly to the device 10 described above. That is, the device 300 fits comfortably and inconspicuously on and around the ear of a user. The earplug tip 14 is at least partially inserted into the opening of the ear canal to occlude the ear canal and to thus attenuate noise emanating from the surrounding environment. The speaker assembly within the ear loop 302 passes selective sounds through the opening 308 through the earplug tip 14 to the ear canal so as to be heard by the user. These selective sounds can comprise music from some type of a player, communications, etc. The sound level regulator of the speaker assembly monitors the sound level outputted by the speaker assembly and automatically silences the speaker assembly, or reduces the volume thereof, or maintains the volume at a maximum, when the sound emitted from the speaker assembly reaches a certain predetermined decibel level. Thus, the device provides hear protection via the earplug tip 14 from noise present in the surrounding environment, while allowing the user to hear desired sound via the speaker assembly at an automatically regulated predetermined safe sound level.

[0036] The sleek design of the device 300 ensures a comfortable fit on the user and obscures the device 300 from view.

[0037] The device 300 may be worn singularly by the user or may be worn in tandem with a second device 300 or device 10, 100, 200, or any variation or combination thereof.

[0038] The device 300 may be outfitted with a boom 102 and microphone 104, as disclosed above, or a microphone may be disposed elsewhere on or about the device 300, for example, a microphone may be disposed on the wire 28 or on the ear loop 302, etc. [0039] The configuration of the device 300 as shown in Figure 4 is merely exemplary. The device 300 may include any desired modification or variation within the scope of the invention as, for example, discussed above with respect to the device 10.

[0040] While the devices 10, 100, 200, and 300 have been described herein as including an earplug to provide sound attenuation, it is well within the scope of the invention to utilize any suitable hearing protection device For example, a device in accordance with the invention may comprise an earmuff assembly to provide the desired attenuation and having the speaker assembly described herein above disposed within the earmuff to provide the desired music, communications, etc. to the user. In such embodiment, the sound level regulator may be disposed within the earmuff to thus control the volume of sound outputted by the speaker assembly.

[0041] The ear loop arrangement has been discussed herein at length substantially as a means to affix the hearing protector and speaker assembly on the head of a user. Of course, the invention is by no means limited to this configuration. For example, a band such as a head band, neck band, etc., may be used facilitate wearing the hearing protector and speaker assembly. The hearing protector and speaker assembly may be formed integrally into or as a component of a helmet, respirator, or eyewear device, etc. The speaker assembly may be miniaturized and disposed within, for example, an earplug such that the device of the invention may simply be inserted into the ear canal without need for an addition retention means. These and other possible means of facilitating the wearing of the device are contemplated by the invention.

[0042] The speaker assembly and sound level regulator of the invention have thus far been described as being disposed within the ear loop portion of the disclosed device. Of course, the assembly and regulator could be disposed at any convenient position. For example, at least one of the speaker assembly and sound level regulator may be disposed at least partially within the earplug/sound attenuator portion of the device.

[0043] Thus, the device of the invention, in its many embodiments, provides sound attenuation with respect to environmental noise while still allowing desired sound (communications, etc.) to pass through the device and to be heard by the user, the device ensuring that this sound intended to be heard is below a predetermined sound level (dB) to thus protect the user against potentially harmful sound levels.

[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and variations can be made to the present apparatus and method disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the various embodiments have been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

[0045] What is claimed is:

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An aural device to be worn proximate to an ear of a user, comprising: an attenuation device for impeding the passage of sound from an outer environment into an ear canal of the user; and a sound emitter for providing a desired sound to the ear canal; wherein the sound emitter automatically controls a volume level of the desired sound.

2. The aural device of claim 1, further comprising a retention device to which the attenuation device is attached and for affixing the aural device proximate to the ear.

3. The aural device of claim 2, wherein the retention device comprises a pliable substantially C- shaped element configured to wrap at least partially around the ear to affix the aural device thereto.

4. The aural device of claim 2, wherein the sound emitter comprises a speaker assembly and a sound level regulator, the sound emitter being disposed in at least one of the attenuation device and the retention device.

5. The aural device of claim 4, wherein the speaker assembly directs the desired sound to the ear canal and the sound level regulator monitors the volume of the desired sound and said controls the volume level.

6. The aural device of claim 5, wherein the sound level regulator stops the desired sound from being emitted when the volume of the sound reaches a predetermined level.

7. The aural device of claim 5, wherein the sound level regulator does not allow an increase in the volume of the desired sound beyond a predetermined decibel limit.

8. The aural device of claim I₅ wherein the attenuation device comprises an earplug.

9. The aural device of claim 1, wherein the attenuation device comprises an earmuff.

10. An earphone device, comprising: an earplug disposed so as to be at least partially inserted in an ear canal of a user; an ear loop for fixing the earphone device about the ear of the user, the earplug being fixed to the ear loop; a speaker assembly disposed in at least one of the earplug and ear loop for providing sound to the ear canal; and a volume regulator for maintaining a volume of the sound emitted from the speaker assembly below a predetermined maximum.

11. An earphone device, comprising: a speaker assembly for providing sound; and a volume regulator for maintaining a volume of the sound emitted from the speaker assembly below a predetermined maximum.