Audio-bypass, safety earbud apparatus and method

摘要

A fitting provided for earbud-type personal audio speakers may be formed as a homogeneous, integral component molded from an elastomeric polymer, such as silicone, urethane, or other elastomeric resins. A sleeve fitted to the speaker engages the fitting to the speaker, while ribs extending from the sleeve terminate in flutes conformal to an ear canal of a user. Axial insertion of the fitting and speaker into an ear of a user results in localized deflection of flutes and ribs in order to accommodate size and shape of an ear canal, resulting in transmission of sound from the speaker directly through the sleeve into an ear canal of a user, while also permitting environmental sounds to pass along a parallel path over the outside of the sleeve, between the ribs.

主权项

1. A method of audio sound propagation, the method comprising:
providing a speaker; providing a fitting comprising a sleeve having flutes extending therefrom and spaced from the sleeve, the flutes providing channels therebetween passing environmental sound waves through the fitting parallel to sound from the speaker; the providing a fitting, wherein the flutes each form a combination by continuous and contiguous contact with a corresponding rib, each rib forming a continuous and contiguous contact with the sleeve, wherein the individual combinations are otherwise independent from one another except for their mutual connection to the sleeve; fitting the sleeve around the shank; and inserting the fitting into an outer ear channel.