High attenuating earmuff device

Abstract

An earmuff device is provided, including a connecting band having opposing first and second ends, a pair of earmuff cup assemblies connected to the opposing first and second ends of the connecting band, a first foam disposed at the earmuff cup assemblies, and a second foam disposed at the earmuff cup assemblies, where the first foam comprises a moderately high density foam having highly engineered polymer transition properties with precise loss factor values, modulus values, and polymer transition values and maximum damping at prescribed temperature and frequency conditions, and where the second foam comprises a moderately high density hydrophilic foam particularly employed for optimal property convergence in cell size, air flow, density, and static stiffness. An earmuff cup, an earmuff cushion, and an earmuff liner including the respective first and / or second foams, are also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 538,612 filed on Jan. 23, 2004, which said application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to acoustic hearing protective devices and, more particularly, to an earmuff device comprising foam materials for providing a wearer with a high sound attenuation. [0004] 2. Brief Discussion of the Prior Art: [0005] Earmuff devices are commonly used to protect against hearing damage in environments where noise levels are not able to be controlled within safe limits. Such devices generally include a pair of rigid cups connected by a head band, each cup having an interior lined with an acoustical material and a cushion extending from the cup toward the head of a wearer to seal the respective cup to the wearer's head around the ear. ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] An earmuff device is provided, including a connecting band having opposing first and second ends, a pair of earmuff cup assemblies connected to the opposing first and second ends of the connecting band, a first foam disposed at the earmuff cup assemblies, and a second foam disposed at the earmuff cup assemblies, where the first foam comprises a moderately high density foam having highly engineered polymer transition properties with precise loss factor values, modulus values, and polymer transition values and maximum damping at prescribed temperature and frequency conditions, and where the second foam comprises a moderately high density hydrophilic foam particularly employed for optimal property convergence in cell size, air flow, density, and static stiffness. An earmuff cup, an earmuff cushion, and an earmuff liner including the respective first and / or second foams, are also provided.

Problems solved by technology

For example, earmuffs are preferred for intermittent use where continuous insertion and removal of earplugs would be annoying or impractical.

Thus far, however, an earmuff has not been achieved which can provided a suitably high sound attenuation while still providing the comfort and practicability features so desired by the wearer.

While these attempts may have resulted in increases in attenuation, the resulting earmuff is often found to be bulkier, heavier, more difficult to put on, and generally less comfortable than typical earmuff assemblies.

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