Abstract: The present invention provides an earplug formed of a body and a stem member. The body has an insertion end and an opposing second end and further includes a stem channel formed therein. The stem member is disposed within the stem channel of the body so, as to securely couple the stem member to the body for easy insertion of the earplug into an ear of the wearer. According to the present invention, the stem member is formed of a material such that insertion of the earplug into the ear results in the stiffness of the stem member decreasing such that the stem member becomes less stiff upon being inserted and positioned within the ear. Advantageously, the design and/or material of the stem member permits the earplug to be stiff for insertion thereof into the ear; however, the preferred material used to form the stem member exhibits a softening characteristic such that upon insertion into the ear, the stem member softens.

Abstract: Safety eyewear is presented which is provided with particulate and liquid sealing around a frame containing lens/lenses and having temples that provide adjustment of the eyewear to a pantoscopic angle. The eyewear is provided with an adjustable strap assembly for better fit to the wearer's head. The eyewear lens/frame includes a plurality of projections that define various pantoscopic angles. The temple end piece includes a set of recesses that engage the projections formed on the lens/frame which temple end piece is rotated relative to the lens/frame to set the pantoscopic angle. The adjustable strap assembly further adjust the fit of the eyewear and can be unbuckled for snaplocked attachment of the eyewear directly to other safety equipment such as noise suppression ear muffs, communication head phones, breathing masks and the like. A plurality of ventilation channels is disposed on the frame to provide indirect ventilation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an earmuff device comprising an earmuff cup having at least a window portion which is formed of an optical material which transmits light rays in such a way that the human eye can see through the material to a degree that an earplug or other object inserted within the ear is visually perceivable to the human eye. In other words, the earmuff cup is formed of a transparent material or a translucent material so long as the earplug inserted within the wearer's ear is visually perceivable through the translucent portion of the earmuff cup. Because the earmuff cup is formed of a material that permits an individual, such as a supervisor or hearing conservationist, to perceive whether an earplug is inserted within the wearer's ear, the earmuff device of the present invention is particularly well suited for use in a dual hearing protection environment in which the previous method of compliance monitoring was time consuming and difficult.

Abstract: The present invention provides an earplug having a plurality of visual zones. In one embodiment, the earplug includes a first visual zone, a second visual zone, and a third visual zone. The first, second, and third visual zones each comprise continuous longitudinal color bands each of which extends completely around the circumference of the earplug. In one embodiment, at least the second visual zone intermediate the first and third visual zones is formed of a color which is distinctly different from the colors of the other visual zones. In another embodiment, the first, second, and third visual zones each have one color which is distinctly different than the other colors. Accordingly, the first, second, and third visual zones comprise visual zones which permit an observer or the wearer to immediately ascertain the depth of insertion of the earplug by simply viewing the earplug.

Abstract: Hearing protective devices having glow-in-the-dark properties are presented in the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the hearing protective device comprises a semi-aural device, an earplug, or an earmuff device. In all embodiments, a glow-in-the-dark material is incorporated into at least a part of the hearing protective device so that the glow-in-the-dark material continues to emit light for an extended period of time in a dark environment after the material has been excited by irradiation. Preferred and exemplary glow-in-the-dark materials comprise phosphorescent materials. The glow-in-the-dark materials may be disposed on a surface of the hearing protective part or dispersed throughout the material which forms this part.