초록 ▼

An earplug is provided, of a type that includes a soft shell (12) and an insertion stem (16), which facilitates pullout of the earplug from the ear canal and which has an increased ability to block noise. The earplug includes a body or shell of soft elastomeric material with a forward portion (20) c

An earplug is provided, of a type that includes a soft shell (12) and an insertion stem (16), which facilitates pullout of the earplug from the ear canal and which has an increased ability to block noise. The earplug includes a body or shell of soft elastomeric material with a forward portion (20) constructed to enter the ear canal and a rearward portion (22) which flares in a rearward direction. A stem (16) of more rigid material than the shell, extends along most of the length of a passage (14) formed within the shell. The shell passage has a neck part (42) at the rear of the shell forward portion. The stem has a forward flange (32) lying in interference fit within the passage at a location forward of the passage neck part, and the stem has a rearward flange (34) that lies in interference fit with the flared rear portion of the shell.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An earplug comprising:a body of soft resilient material in the form of a shell having a shell forward portion that has a closed front end and that is constructed to enter the ear canal of a person, and having a shell rear portion for lying at least partially outside the e

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An earplug comprising:a body of soft resilient material in the form of a shell having a shell forward portion that has a closed front end and that is constructed to enter the ear canal of a person, and having a shell rear portion for lying at least partially outside the ear canal, said shell having a shell passage extending in lengthwise forward and rearward directions through said shell rear portion and along most of the length of said shell forward portion;a stem extending along most of the length of said passage and having a stem front end, said stem lying in an initial position wherein said stem front end lies substantially against said shell closed front end, with said shell front end being forwardly elongatable and with said stem being forwardly slidable in said shell from said initial position so when said stem is pushed forward, said stem front end forwardly elongates said shell front end;said shell passage having a neck part at a rear of said shell forward portion, with said neck part forming an opening of a first diameter and with said shell passage having a diameter greater than said first diameter immediately forward of said opening, and said stem having a forward flange lying at a forward flange-engaging location along said shell passage which is forward of said neck part, with said forward flange having a greater diameter than said first diameter of said opening of said neck part.