Ear protection device

Abstract

Various embodiments of ear protection devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ear protection device can include a frame. The frame can include several components, some of which are configured to move relative to each other.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an ear protection device having:
 a first band member; 
 a second band member; 
 a coupler coupled to the first band member and the second band member, the coupler defining a first channel and a second channel, a length of at least one of the first channel or the second channel entirely internal to the coupler, a portion of the first band member slideably disposed within the first channel, a portion of the second band member disposed within the second channel, a portion of the coupler configured to prevent the first band member from contacting the second band member within the coupler. 
   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first band member includes a projection, the coupler defining a recess within the first channel configured to accept the projection. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first band member, the second band member, and the coupler are each devoid of projections and recesses, the portion of the first band having a frictional fit within the first channel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first ear portion coupled to the first band member; and   a second ear portion coupled to the second band member.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a first end portion of the coupler defines an opening to the first channel,   a second end portion of the coupler opposite the first end portion of the coupler defines an opening to the second channel,   the coupler has a centerline defined between the first end portion and the second portion,   a plane normal to the centerline includes a portion of the first channel and a portion of the second channel.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first band member and the second band member collectively define a band, a length of the band configured to change when at least one of the first band member or the second band member moves relative to the coupler. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the coupler has a first end portion and a second opposite end portion, the first end portion and the second end portion each defining both an opening to the first channel and an opening to the second channel. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a length of the first channel and a length of a second channel are each entirely internal to the coupler. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an ear protection device having:
 a first band member having a projection; 
 a second band member, the first band member and the second band member collectively defining a band; and 
 a coupler coupled to the first band member and the second band member, the first band member and the second band member each configured to slide relative to the coupler, the coupler defining a channel and a recess within the channel,
 the channel configured to accept a portion of the first band member, 
 the recess configured to accept the projection, the band having a first length when the projection is disposed within the recess and a second length different from the first length when the projection is not disposed within the recess. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the channel is a first channel, the coupler defining a second channel configured to accept a portion of the second band member. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the coupler has a first end portion and a second opposite end portion, a centerline of the coupler defined between the first end portion and the second end portion, the portion of the first band member and a portion of the second band member are each configured to be disposed within a plane normal to the centerline. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the projection is a first projection, a second projection of the first band portion configured to be disposed within the recess when the band has the second length. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the projection is included within plurality of projections of the first band member, the recess is included within a plurality of recesses within the channel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first ear member coupled to the first band member; and   a second ear member coupled to the second band member.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the channel is a first channel, the coupler defining a second channel,   a length of the first channel and a length of the second channel are entirely internal to the coupler,   a portion of the coupler is configured to prevent the first band member from contacting the second band member within the coupler.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an ear protection device having:
 a first band member; 
 a second band member; and 
 a coupler defining a first channel and a second channel, a portion of the first band member configured to be disposed within the first channel and a portion of the second band member configured to be disposed within the second channel, the coupler having a first end portion and a second opposite end portion, a centerline of the coupler defined between first end portion and the second end portion, the portion of the first band member and the portion of the second band member each configured to be disposed within a plane normal to the centerline. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first band member includes a projection, the coupler defines a recess within the first channel configured to accept the projection. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first band member and the second band member are each configured to slide relative to the coupler. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the coupler is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a length of at least one of the first channel or the second channel is entirely internal to the coupler, a portion of the coupler is configured to prevent the first band member from contacting the second band member within the coupler.