Abstract: An earplug in the form of a preformed self-supporting body of malleable plastic material which is deformable under slight pressure, the body having a front face and a rear face, the front face having a generally convex surface adapted to conform to and cover the opening of the ear canal and the body having a size such that it is adapted to reside within the external ear when the generally convex surface is positioned over the opening of the ear canal, and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive so located on the convex surface as to releasably adhere the surface to the periphery of the ear canal opening.

Abstract: A protective plug for sealing the ear canal has a tacky adhesive surface which when pressed against the skin attaches the plug temporarily in place. Retention of the plug does not rely on friction developed by compression of the body of the plug as it is inserted in the ear canal, and therefore the plug need not fit tightly into the ear canal and in some cases the plug may merely overlie the mouth of the canal. The adhesive surface may be a layer of adhesive applied to a substrate or it may be the surface of a body of plug material which is inherently tacky. The plug can be modified to transmit sound well while excluding water or to minimize sound transmission.

Abstract: A lifting device having radially disposed arms each provided with a lift pad assembly pivotally mounted at the outer arm ends. The arms are pivotally attached at their inner ends to a central post structure. An arm locking assembly includes a sleeve on the post structure having pivoted links coupled to each of the arms to assure uniform locking and unlocking of the arms.