Patent ID: 7171698
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An earmuff having anatomically correct ear cups, comprising: a head band having a right end portion, a medial portion and a left end portion, the head band curved to generally conform to a crown of a person's head; a first end mount connected to the right end portion of the head band such that the first end mount is adjustable relative to the head band, a distal end portion of the first end mount defining a yoke; a second end mount connected to the left end portion of the head band such that the second end mount is adjustable relative to the head band, a distal end of the second end mount defining a yoke; a right ear cup; a left ear cup; a first connector assembly for connecting the right ear cup to the yoke of the first end mount such that the right ear cup is axially rotatable for providing proper covering alignment with the person's right ear when the earmuff is disposed on the person in an operative, protective position, while permitting the right ear cup to be laterally moved to a position away from the person's body when the head band of the ear muff is disposed in a storage position about the person's neck; and a second connector assembly for connecting the left ear cup to the yoke of the second end mount such that the left ear cup is axially rotatable for providing proper covering alignment with the person's left ear when the earmuff is disposed on the person in an operative, protective position, while permitting lateral movement of the left ear cup away from the person's body when the head band of the earmuff is disposed in a storage position about the person's neck, wherein the right ear cup and the left ear cup are each provided with a back side portion and a front side portion, the front side portion of each of the right ear cup and the left ear cup having a chamber formed therein, and wherein the yoke defined by the distal end portion of the first end mount comprising a pair of oppositely disposed, aligned lugs extending inwardly a distance into an opening of the yoke, the opening in the yoke sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first connector assembly for connecting the right ear cup to the yoke of the first end mount, and the yoke defined by the distal end portion of the second end mount comprising a pair of oppositely disposed, aligned lugs extending inwardly a distance into an opening of the yoke, the opening in the yoke sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second connector assembly for connecting the left ear cup to the yoke of the second end mount and wherein the first connector assembly comprises: a right ear cup connector disposed on the back side portion of the right ear cup; and a first end mount connector pivotally connected to the yoke defined in the distal end portion of the first end mount such that, upon connecting the right ear cup connector to the first end mount connector, the right ear cup is axially and laterally rotatable relative to the first end mount; and wherein the second connector assembly comprises: a left ear cup connector disposed on the back side portion of the left ear cup; and a second end mount connector pivotally connected to the yoke defined in the distal end portion of the second end mount such that, upon connecting the left ear cup connector to the second end mount connector, the left ear cup is axially and laterally rotatable relative to the second end mount.