Patent ID: 6256396
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: A61F,H04R

Abstract:
A self-fitting hearing protection earplug comprised of:a) an earplug body with an attached expansion bulb; and,b) an expansion bulb extension mechanism comprised of a bifurcated shaft pivotably attached at the ends of each leg of said bifurcated shaft to the ends of extensor wings, said extensor wings being centrally pivotably attached, with the distal end of said bifurcated shaft disposed at or near the internal surface of said earplug expansion bulb and the proximal end of said extensor wing central pivotable attachment disposed at or near the internal surface of the proximal end of said earplug body;whereby rotating said extensor wing mechanisms about said central pivotable attachment causes the ends of each leg of said bifurcated shaft to close together and extend the distal end of said bifurcated shaft against the internal surface of said earplug expansion bulb, and to press against the internal surface of the earplug body at the proximal end of said central pivotable attachment, and lengthwise extension of said expansion bulb by the operation of said extension mechanism causes radial contraction of said expansion bulb, thereby allowing said expansion bulb of said self-fitting hearing protection earplug to be easily inserted or removed within an external auditory meatus, and return of said extension mechanism to a non-extended position allows said expansion bulb to expand and self-fit within an external auditory meatus when said expansion bulb of said self-fitting hearing protection earplug is disposed therein.