The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 20, 1999
Fredrik Lindgren, Spencer, MA (US);
Brian Myers, Indianapolis, IN (US);
James Hall, Lincoln, RI (US);
Aearo Company, Southbridge, MA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides an earmuff device comprising an earmuff cup having at least a window portion which is formed of an optical material which transmits light rays in such a way that the human eye can see through the material to a degree that an earplug or other object inserted within the ear is visually perceivable to the human eye. In other words, the earmuff cup is formed of a transparent material or a translucent material so long as the earplug inserted within the wearer's ear is visually perceivable through the translucent portion of the earmuff cup. Because the earmuff cup is formed of a material that permits an individual, such as a supervisor or hearing conservationist, to perceive whether an earplug is inserted within the wearer's ear, the earmuff device of the present invention is particularly well suited for use in a dual hearing protection environment in which the previous method of compliance monitoring was time consuming and difficult.