DE102005039613A1 - Ear protection for protecting ear from e.g. noise, has ring channel formed on mantle surface of elongated body, and circulating seal ring made of plastic ductile material applied in channel, where material line is provided as seal ring - Google Patents

Abstract

The protection has a flexible elongated body (2) made of soft plastic such as silicone. A ring channel (5) is formed on a mantle surface of the elongated body, and a circulating seal ring (6) made of plastic ductile material e.g. ear wax, is applied in the ring channel. A ring material radially and slightly protrudes over ring channel side walls, and a separate material line is provided as seal ring.

Description

The The invention relates to a hearing protection according to the preamble of the claim 1, in particular as noise, Sound, wind and / or water protection is used.

• – Kugeln aus sogenanntem Ohrenwachs oder sehr weichem Silikon, die in den Gehörgang appliziert werden,
• – walzenförmige oder anders (z. B. einseitig konisch oder tronkonisch) geformte Schaumstoffmaterialien, die vor dem Applizieren zusammengedrückt werden und sich im Gehörgang wieder ausdehnen;
• – aus Silikon oder anderen Materialien bestehende Formstücke mit umlaufenden Lamellen.

As hearing protection, there are currently essentially three different systems available on the market:

• - balls of so-called ear wax or very soft silicone, which are applied in the ear canal,
• - roll-shaped or otherwise (eg unilaterally conical or tronic) molded foam materials which are compressed prior to application and re-expand in the ear canal;
• - Made of silicone or other materials existing fittings with circumferential lamellae.

The currently the most common on the market Hearing protection devices are also z. As the "hearing protection guide" SonicShop GmbH, D-71254 Ditzingen, which is also available at www.SonicShop.info is visible.

• – Badewolle von Ohropax, die vorzüglich gegen Eindringen von Wasser schützen soll, aber als Lärmschutz nicht ausreichend ist;
• – Ohrenwachs-Kugeln, ebenfalls von Ohropax, die durch Rollen zwischen den Fingern weich und verformbar werden, bestehend aus Wachsmaterial mit integrierten Textil- bzw. Watte-Fasern, die zwar keinen unangenehmen elastischen Druck ausüben, aber deren Re-Applikation unter Umständen problematisch ist, da diese Wachsstücke nicht mit Griffteilen versehen sind;
• – Schaumstoff-Gehörschutz mit oder ohne Rillenprofil auf der Mantelfläche oder mit Schaumstoffschirm, wie auch in der DE 697 32 021 T2 beschrieben, die aber ein unangenehmes Tragegefühl vermitteln können, wegen des elastischen Druckes, den sie im Gehörgang ausüben;
• – Ohrenstecker mit einem flexiblen zentrischen Stick, an dessen einem Einsteck-Ende dünne, pilzförmig sich entgegen der Einsteckrichtung erstreckenden Membran-Lamellen aus sehr flexiblen Material vorgesehen sind wie z. B. auch in den DE 699 18 490 T2 und DE 100 40 766 A1 beschrieben;
• – Ohrenstecker mit Filtersystem (mit „earPlanes" bezeichnet), bestehend aus einem flexiblen gestreckten Körper, auf dessen Mantelfläche mehrere Radial-Flansche bzw. weich-flexible, im wesentlichen radial weisende Lamellen vorgesehen sind, die in axialer Beabstandung zueinander angeordnet sind, wie auch z. B. in der DE 42 17 043 A1 beschrieben.

So there are described among other things:

• - bathing roll from Ohropax, which is intended to protect against ingress of water, but is not sufficient as noise protection;
• - Ear wax balls, also of earplugs, which become soft and deformable by rolling between the fingers, consisting of wax material with integrated textile or cotton fibers, which do not exert any unpleasant elastic pressure, but their re-application may be problematic because these wax pieces are not provided with handle parts;
• - Foam ear protection with or without grooved profile on the outer surface or with foam shield, as well as in the DE 697 32 021 T2 described, but which can give an uncomfortable wearing feeling, because of the elastic pressure they exert in the ear canal;
• - Ear plug with a flexible centric stick, at one end of the plug-in thin, mushroom-shaped opposite to the direction of insertion extending membrane slats are provided from very flexible material such. B. also in the DE 699 18 490 T2 and DE 100 40 766 A1 described;
• - Ear plug with filter system (called "earplanes"), consisting of a flexible elongated body, on the lateral surface of which a plurality of radial flanges or soft-flexible, substantially radially-facing fins are provided, which are arranged in axial spacing to each other, as well eg in the DE 42 17 043 A1 described.

Though let the last two ears plug through the very soft lamellae easily insert into the ear canal, however, can the soft but in the form fixed slats the very different individual ear canal shapes and cross sections not optimally adapt, so that these unpleasant pressure sensations cause in the ear and / or a complete seal of the ear canal (as required, for example, to protect against the ingress of water) ensure sufficient.

task The invention is therefore an ear protection of the above genus on the one hand offers a very good hearing protection, with good grip both during insertion and during execution, and optimally adapted to the circumference of the ear canal and causes only a very low foreign body sensation; this with a simple structure and handling.

These The task is done by hearing protection solved with the feature of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments The invention are characterized in the subclaims.

the according to is in at least one of the ring channels of the hearing protection body circumferential sealing ring made of wax or other soft plastic moldable Material used or used, wherein the ring material radially over the Annulus side surfaces at least slightly protrudes, preferably correspondingly curved. Preferably while using the so-called ear wax, as z. Belly in the wax balls of the company Ohropax GmbH is present and the from a special wax mixture with embedded fine cotton wool or cotton threads be, which prevent a breakup of the wax mass (see also under www.ohropax.de). When applying this new ear or hearing protection The soft deformable sealing ring adapts to wax or other moldable materials (in the form of plasticine) the individually shaped ear canal optimal. The deformable sealing ring mass fits the auditory canal shape even if it is irregular, by being pressed against the auditory canal wall in a plastically inelastic manner. Because no elastic restoring forces for In addition, no pressure is exerted on the auditory canal walls, especially after prolonged Wearing a hearing protection could make it uncomfortable.

The ear protection body may have a substantially cylindrical shape, with in the insertion cambered or rounded pointed tapered headboard in hat or mushroom shape and with a handle portion, vorgese between these two parts of the annular channel with a smaller diameter hen, in which then inserted the earwax ring or cast and axially supported on the annular channel walls.

When Hearing protection body can but also a normal market above-described ear plug serving on the lateral surface at least two soft-flexible, radially facing slats are provided, the form an annular channel between them. The best known of these hearing protectors usually has four lamellae, so with three ring channels between this, where it makes sense the ear wax ring in the middle Provide annular channel. It is also advantageous if about a third the ring height over the channel height or the slat walls outstanding protrudes, which then also sufficient wax is available, too extreme deformations to withstand.

to better handling is the handle part of the hearing protection body with Profiling, such as grooves, waves, notches, flats, various depressions or coarsely porous consistency of the outer skin, to ensure a very good grip during insertion and removal, as this Ear plugs during his Proper handling, respectively axially inserted or pushed out or pressed and at the same time is subjected to an at least slight rotational movement.

Also in the ear canal sealing ear wax ring may be different in combination with the body or plug part be provided.

So can make the ear wax as a ring with circular, oval or square Be cast cross section manufacturer in the body-annular groove.

Of the Earwax ring can also be used as a separate earwax strand corresponding cross-section produced, for. B. be extruded and on corresponding circumferential length cut off and then inserted into the annular groove and the strand sides sticking together pressed together become.

It But it can also because the ear wax depending on the duration of use and / or Input and output frequency worn and / or unattractive, will be beneficial if one Hearing protection body not only a wax ring is assigned but whose several are present then z. B. in each case a body at least two, but advantageously several, earwax strands corresponding Length as replacement parts are assigned. Is an ear wax ring that has been used several times already unsightly or otherwise damaged, then this wax material is easily removed from the annular channel and a new ear wax strand in these appeal. It can of course instead of single strand pieces certain length also a longer one Ear wax strand associated with a plug body be and you can then cut off from this long strand as needed correspondingly shorter pieces and the plug body with to be refitted.

Around when storing the hearing protection z. B. in a jar or in a box a "lie" of the relatively soft-deformable Wax ring, z. B. a one-sided flattening on the support side, is to be avoided in the storage part, z. B. the box bottom, a corresponding insert with correspondingly shaped recess provide that with the outside dimensions of hearing protection. It makes sense, although the corresponding cover part in the same Way has a profiled insert, so that the hearing protection according to the invention in practice is completely enclosed, and the wax or sealing ring no Undergoes deformations. On the contrary, by appropriate formations in the box can wax rings deformed by previous use in the ear in a concentric uniform ring shape reshaped become. Of course is that in these storage containers, so box or Can, at least one hearing protector either parallel or vertically inserted recording takes place. at parallel or horizontal recording of Wachsring earplugs is the box dividing plane in the axis plane of the hearing protection, while for vertical insertion or insertion of the hearing protection in the lower box part, the parting plane or surface and at the same time the insertion depth of the hearing protection, the radial center plane of the sealing or wax ring or of this bearing ring groove.

following The invention will be described with reference to several embodiments with reference to the drawing closer explained.

It demonstrate:

1 : A top view of a hearing protector in the first embodiment with a cylindrical body, an annular groove, a sealing ring inserted in the latter and a mushroom-shaped insertion head,

2 : A top view of a hearing protector in the second embodiment, with cylindrical body, conical insertion head, radial lamellae and a sealing ring between them,

3 : A top view of a hearing protector in a third embodiment with a lamellar body with a plurality of annular channels and inserted in the central channel sealing ring,

4 : a hearing protection inserted vertically in a storage box,

5 a hearing protection horizontally received in a storage box, and

6 : A plan view of the lower part of an open storage box with a hearing protection with sealing ring, several sealing strand parts and a long, spirally folded sealing strand.

How out 1 can be seen, there is the hearing protection according to the invention 1 from an elongated, rotationally symmetrical body 2 , its introductory part 3 is a rounded insertion cup 4 formed, which has the form of a hat or mushroom and a ring channel 5 assigned. In this ring channel 5 is a sealing ring 6 inserted or cast in, the plastically deformable material, such. B. ear wax, known also from the wax balls of the company Ohropax GmbH exists. The body 2 points adjacent to the annular channel 5 a support shoulder 7 and axially following this a slimmer cylindrical or slightly conical handle portion 8th on.

The in 2 illustrated hearing protection 10 shows a second embodiment according to the invention, in which the body 2 at the introductory 3 a conical insertion head 4 owns and over the ring channel 5 spaced a radially facing, insertion slightly bevelled blade 11 owns, followed by a slender cylindrical handle part 8th , Again, in the ring channel 5 a sealing ring 6 Made of soft elastic deformable plastic material, such as earwax, molded.

3 shows a third embodiment of the invention, in which a hearing protection 13 from a commercially available lamellar body 14 consists, at the insertion side slightly conically tapered insertion part soft elastic lamellae radially, while insertion slightly beveled protrude, wherein between the slats in each case an annular channel 5 is formed. The narrow insertion head 4 is introductory dome-shaped rounded protrudes radially lamellar, while the axially opposite handle part 8th slightly conically tapered is formed. In the middle ring channel here is a sealing ring 6 intended.

In 4 is shown as a hearing protection 1 in vertical orientation, with the insertion head 4 down into the lower part of the box 16 a receiving box is inserted and that in a provided in this recording profile 17 , Here is the recording profile 17 designed so that it is the upper box part surface 18 towards a ring part 19 possesses, in the inserted state of hearing protection 1 its sealing ring 6 surrounds to its radial center plane. The upper box lid 20 is at the same time designed so that it over the lower part of the box 16 in the adjusted state protruding part of the hearing protection 1 takes shape, wherein the molded in the cover part receiving profile 21 a similar ring part 19 As the lower part of the box has, so that when vertically nesting the two box parts 16 and 20 the plastically deformable sealing ring 6 , which has been sensibly already pushed radially by hand, is deformed back to an optimal ring shape.

In 5 is shown as in a lower box part 16 an ear protection 1 is horizontally inserted and that in a recording profile 22 in that the outer profile corresponds to the axial half of the hearing protection. Thus lies the axis 23 of hearing protection in the plane of the upper surface 18 of the lower part of the box 16 , An identical profile 22 is also in the upper part of the box 20 provided, so that in the closed state of the box, so in full succession resting the two box parts 16 and 20 , the ring parts 19 the two box parts the plastically deformable sealing ring 6 wrap around and thereby deform accordingly or deform back into the desired shape.

In 6 is finally shown as in a lower box part 16 on the one hand, hearing protection 1 is inserted and right of it sealing ring strand pieces 24 , These are inserted here in a curly form. But they can also be inserted as straight strand pieces or in any form in the box, preferably in corresponding recesses. Furthermore, in the box on the left is a long sealant strand 25 to recognize, which is folded together to save space in the form of a spiral. Of course, the relatively long strand in meandering form or around the center here arranged hearing protection 1 be provided laid. Of course, any further, space-saving and / or useful arrangement of the strand 25 possible, depending on the space and size relationships.

1

Ear protection, first execution

2

body

3

introductory

4

insertion head

5

annular channel

6

seal

7

support shoulder

8th

handle part

9

10

Ear protection, second embodiment

11

lamella

12

13

Ear protection, third execution

14

lamellar bodies

15

16

lower box part

17

Up profile

18

area

19

ring part

20

Oberer box part

21

Up profile

22

Up profile

23

axis

24

strand pieces

25

Longer strand

Claims (10)

Hearing protection, consisting of a flexible elongated body made of soft plastic such as silicone, on the lateral surface of which at least one annular channel is formed, characterized in that in one of the annular channels ( 5 ) a circumferential sealing ring ( 6 ) is used from plastic moldable material, wherein the ring material protrudes radially over the annular channel side walls at least slightly. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing ring ( 6 ) consists of so-called ear wax, so from a wax material or other soft plastic material with embedded fibers, eg. B. cotton fibers and approx.

up to approximately ¾ of its diameter radially across the side walls of the annular channel ( 5 ) stands out. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that as a sealing ring ( 6 ) a separate strand of material is provided, if necessary, in the annular channel ( 5 ) of the hearing protection body ( 2 ) is inserted by hand and squeezed into a ring or zusammenkoppelbar. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing ring ( 6 ) already in the manufacturer's side in the annular channel ( 5 ) is inserted or cast. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that the hearing protection body ( 2 ) a commercially available stud lamellar body ( 14 ), on whose body lateral surface at least two soft-flexible, radially-facing lamellae are provided which between themselves each have an annular channel ( 5 ) form. Hearing protection according to claim 1, characterized in that the body ( 2 ) only one, near the insertion end ( 3 ) arranged annular channel ( 5 ) has, to the insertion end through a plug-in ( 4 ) z. B. in the form of a hat or mushroom head, is delimited and the handle end through the handle part ( 8th ) or a slightly raised support shoulder ( 7 ) of the handle part ( 8th ) is axially limited. ear protection according to claim 6, characterized in that the handle part on its peripheral surface is profiled, against slipping, in particular grooves, corrugations, cusp o. Ä. Are provided. Hearing protection according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a storage box is provided, in which in the insides of the at least two box parts ( 16 . 20 ), ie the lower box body ( 16 ) and the upper box lid ( 20 ), in each case the outer profile of the ear plug ( 1 ), with molded or molded plastic sealing ring ( 6 ), is formed. Hearing protection according to claim 8, characterized in that in the respective box part ( 16 . 20 ) about half a longitudinal side of the hearing protection ( 1 . 10 . 13 ) is receivable, in a corresponding profile recess ( 22 ) of the box bottom ( 16 ), where z. B. a after use of the almost ideal ring shape deviating deformed sealing ring of the inserted hearing protection by pressing into the lower half of the box and then pressing the upper half of the box ( 20 ) Is deformable again in substantially concentric ring shape. Hearing protection according to claim 8, characterized in that in the respective box part a profile cavity ( 17 respectively. 21 ) Is formed coaxially with the outer profile of an axial length of the Gehöhrschutzes to the radial seal ring center, wherein z. B. a after use of the nearly ideal ring shape deviating deformed sealing ring of the vertically standing inserted hearing protection by pressing the ring material in the lower half of the box ( 16 ) and then pressing on the upper half of the box ( 20 ), the ring material can be brought back into a substantially concentric ring shape.