CIRCUMAURAL EAR CUSHION/SEAL
A helmet includes a shell configured to extend over ears of a user with integrated acoustic ear cups having a polygonal cushion/seal formed by an upper hexagonal portion connected to a lower inverted triangular portion with a wedge-shaped profile/thickness thinner in the upper portion than at least some of the lower portion to provide non-uniform side loading that improves wearer comfort and reduces acoustic leak paths for passive or active noise reduction (ANR). A headband, headset, or earmuffs for hearing protection include a polygonal cushion/seal with a wedge-shaped profile/thickness to facilitate acoustic sealing and user comfort.
1 . A helmet, comprising:
a shell configured to extend over ears of a user;
an ear cup disposed within the shell; and
a polygonal cushion having a hexagonal upper portion coupled to an inverted triangular lower portion, the polygonal cushion secured to the ear cup.
2 . The helmet of claim 1 wherein the polygonal cushion comprises a wedge-shaped profile being thinner in the hexagonal upper portion than at least some of the inverted triangular lower portion.
3 . The helmet of claim 2 further comprising active noise reduction (ANR) circuitry disposed within the ear cup.
4 . The helmet of claim 3 wherein the ANR circuitry comprises a speaker/driver and a microphone in communication with a programmed microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to generate a speaker/driver signal in response to a signal from the microphone.
5 . The helmet of claim 2 wherein the polygonal cushion cooperates with the ear cup to form a slot pocket configured to receive a portion of the pinna of an ear of a user donning the helmet.
6 . The helmet of claim 1 wherein the polygonal cushion comprises rounded vertices.
7 . A wearable device, comprising:
a headband configured to extend around the head of a user;
ear cups connected to each end portion of the headband and configured for positioning over ears of the user; and
a polygonal cushion having a hexagonal upper portion coupled to an inverted triangular lower portion secured to each of the ear cups.
8 . The wearable device of claim 7 wherein the polygonal cushion comprises a wedge-shaped profile being thinner in the hexagonal upper portion than at least some of the inverted triangular lower portion.