| Hearing protective earmuff device having frictionally engageable ear cups -> Monitor Keywords |
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Hearing protective earmuff device having frictionally engageable ear cupsRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Head Coverings, Muffs, EarHearing protective earmuff device having frictionally engageable ear cups description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070044206, Hearing protective earmuff device having frictionally engageable ear cups. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to maintaining ear cups in a headband through a frictional engagement. [0002] Hearing protective devices in the form of earmuffs are widely used in industry to protect workers against environmental noise. Traditional hearing protective earmuffs include a pair of cup-shaped rigid shells that are attached to a headband. The headband is commonly designed for permanent attachment to the ear cups. For these constructions, an attempt to remove the ear cup from the headband can damage or destroy the ear cup, the headband or both. [0003] Some hearing protective earmuff configurations are designed to allow the ear cup to be removed from the headband. In these constructions, mechanical mechanisms such as male-female connectors, prongs, screws, nuts, and bolts can be used to secure and separate the headband and ear cups. These mechanisms often involve relatively difficult manipulations of the connection mechanism or may require additional tools to separate the ear cup from the headband. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] This invention features a hearing protective earmuff device that includes a first ear cup, a second ear cup, and a headpiece. The headpiece has first and second ends extending therefrom. The first ear cup is maintained in a fixed position in the first end through a frictional engagement. The second ear cup is also maintained in a fixed position in the second end through a frictional engagement [0005] The invention features a hearing protective device in which the headband terminates in ends that are capable of maintaining ear cups therein through a frictional engagement between the ear cup and the end. In some embodiments, the nature of the ends of the headband permits the headband to be worn in multiple positions on the head including, e.g., behind the neck, while maintaining the earmuffs in proper position on the ears. [0006] The invention also features a hearing protective device in which the frictional engagement that exists between the ear cup and the headband allows a user to insert and remove the ear cup from the headband as desired without damaging the ear cups or the headband. The ability of the headband to releasably retain the ear cups facilitates ear cup removal and replacement for a variety of situations including, e.g., when the earmuffs have become damaged or soiled or when a level of sound attenuation is not appropriate for the environment in which the hearing protection device will be used. The earmuffs can be replaced with a second set of earmuffs that provide the requisite sound attenuation. [0007] The invention is also beneficial in that the ear cups can be retained on the headband without the use of additional affixing mechanisms such as adhesives, screws, bolts, and snaps, although such mechanisms can optionally be included. [0008] Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the drawings, the preferred embodiments, and from the claims. GLOSSARY [0009] The term "frictional engagement" means that resistance to movement exists and that the resistance is such that an external force is required to achieve movement. [0010] The term "headband" means a device constructed to retain an earmuff and assist in compressing an earmuff against the head of a user. [0011] The term "ear cup" means a component that is dimensioned to receive an ear of a user and that is constructed to provide sound attenuation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a headband that includes ends that terminate in a C-shaped hook. [0013] FIG. 2 is a plan side view of an end of a headband in the form of a curved hook. [0014] FIG. 3 is a plan side view of an end of a headband in the form of a square hook. [0015] FIG. 4 is a plan side view of an end of a headband in the form of a rectangular hook. [0016] FIG. 5 is plan side view of an end of a headband in the form of a hexagonal hook. [0017] FIG. 6 is plan side view of an end of a headband in the form two parallel tines. [0018] FIG. 7 is plan side view of an end of a headband in the form of a rectangular hook and a portion of an ear cup positioned in the opening defined by the hook. [0019] FIG. 8 is plan side view of an end of a headband in the form of a square hook and a portion of an ear cup positioned in the opening defined by the hook. [0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of a hook-shaped end of a headband and a circular portion of an ear cup positioned in the opening defined by the hook. 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