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:
Dec. 11, 2007
Filed:
Feb. 13, 2004
Thomas W. Fleming, San Diego, CA (US);
Thomas W. Fleming, San Diego, CA (US);
Howard Leight Industries, LLC, San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
An earplug of the type that has a stem () and a plurality of flanges (), is constructed to be stiff enough to be easily inserted into the ear canal, and to thereafter press with minimal force against the walls of the ear canal for comfort. The earplug is molded of an elastomeric material whose stiffness decreases considerably, such as at least 4%, when it is warmed from room temperature (about 72° F.) to ear canal temperature (about 100° F.). Each flange has a radially inner portion () that extends straight at an angle (B) that is within 15° of a radial direction () (a direction perpendicular to the stem axis), and has a radially outer portion () that extends straight and at an angle (C) that is within 20° of an axial direction ().