Ear Protection Device
An apparatus comprising a first curved band portion and a second curved band portion. The first curved band portion has a first end, a second end, an inner curved side and an outer curved side. The first curved band portion defines a passageway between the first end and the second end of the first curved band portion. The passageway has a first opening. The second curved band portion has a first end, a second end, an inner curved side and an outer curved side. A motion-restraint portion is proximate to the first end of the second curved band portion. The first end of the second curved band portion is insertable into the first opening of the passageway of the first curved band portion. The first curved band portion has a range of motion within the passageway of the second curved band portion.
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The present application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/024,523, entitled “Ear Protection Device,” filed Dec. 21, 2001, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein, which claims priority to and is related to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/259,114, entitled “Ear Covering,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present application is also related to U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/521,241 and 09/978,591, both of which are entitled “Apparatus and Method for Making an Ear Warmer Having Interior Seams,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention in general relates to an ear protection device. More specifically, the invention relates to an ear protection device with adjustable bands.
Ear muffs that are worn over the top or around the back of a user's head are generally known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,628,483 to Wiegand discloses an ear protector. The ear protector includes a pair of oval-shaped plates, each plate being formed with an inwardly extending continuous flaring flange. The flange provides a conical profile. The plates are connected together via slidably connected resilient arms. The ear protector includes a hold fast device or rivet for coupling each of the resilient arms to a respective oval plate. The resilient arms each include a band for slidably receiving the other overlapping resilient arm. The bands hold the resilient arms together and allow for the sliding movement between the two resilient arms to allow the ear protector to be adjusted for a specific user. The ear protector can be worn with the resilient arms extending around the back of the head.
This known ear muff, however, does not effectively maintain its position on a user's head. In addition, this ear muff does not allow a fabric member to cover entirely the frame structure of the ear muff.
Thus, a need exists for frames for ear protection devices that maintain their position on a user's head. In addition, a need exists for a shell (e.g., made of fabric) that entirely covers the ear-protection-device frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn apparatus comprising a first curved band portion and a second curved band portion. The first curved band portion has a first end, a second end, an inner curved side and an outer curved side. The first curved band portion defines a passageway between the first end and the second end of the first curved band portion. The passageway has a first opening. The second curved band portion has a first end, a second end, an inner curved side and an outer curved side. A motion-restraint portion is proximate to the first end of the second curved band portion. The first end of the second curved band portion is insertable into the first opening of the passageway of the first curved band portion. The first curved band portion has a range of motion within the passageway of the second curved band portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The base member 211, side members 212 and upper members 50 define a passageway 215 along the band portion 210, lengthwise. In other words, the base member 211, side members 212 and upper members 50 bound a channel on various sides into which the band portion 200 can be slideably engaged. Thus, as the band portion 200 is moved through the passageway 215, the movement of band portion 200 is limited by the base member 211, side members 212 and upper members 50. The passageway 215 includes an opening 216 into which the band portion 200 can be initially inserted.
In an alternative embodiment, the motion-restrain portion can removably engage the passageway of the other embodiment. For example, the motion-restraint portion can be a detent integrally formed with the band portion along only a single side of the detent while the remaining sides of the detent are separated (or cut out) from the band portion. This allows the band portion to be removably inserted into the passageway of the other band portion. In other words, the detent can be depressed to disengage from the opening of the passageway thereby allowing the one band portion to be removed from the other band portion.
In another alternative embodiment, the motion-restraint portion of one band portion can at least partially engage other openings within the passageway of the other band portion. For example, the motion-restraint portion can be a detent and the upper members of the band portion that defines the passageway can extend so that they overlap slightly with the detent. This allows the detent to engage partially the openings defined by the upper members thereby causing a slight hesitation due to friction when the band portions are moved within the range of motion. Once this partial engagement is overcome, the band portions can move within the range of motion.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the upper members that define the passageway of one band portion can further extend so that the detent of the other band portion removably engages the openings defined by the upper members. In such an embodiment, the two band portions will have a range of motion that includes one or more positions where the detent removably engages the openings in the passageway. This removable engagement allows the position of the band portion to be temporarily locked within the passageway of the other band portion.
In yet another alternative embodiment, detent-engageable openings of the passageway of one band portion and the detent of the other band portion can be located on any of their respective sides. For example, the detent can be located on either side or both sides of the band portion where the detent-engagable openings of the passageway are disposed at corresponding locations on the other band portion (i.e., on the matching side or on both sides of the passageway). Alternatively, the detent can be located on the inner side the band portion where the detent-engagable openings of the passageway are disposed at corresponding location(s) on the inner side of the other band portion. In yet another embodiment, multiple detents can be located at different locations (i.e., one detent on the outer side and another detent on the inner side) of the band portion where the detent-engagable openings of the passageway are disposed at a corresponding locations on the other band portion.
Although motion-restraint portion 40 of band portion 200 is shown in
Two ear cup portions 54 can each be attached to an end of the band portions 200 and 210. In other words, one ear cup portion 54 can be attached to the raised mounting surface 38 of band portion 200 and another ear cup portion 54 can be attached to the raised mounting surface 46 of band portion 210. Ear cup portions 54 can be attached to band portions 200 and 210 by a fastener, such as for example, rivet 64. In an alternative embodiment, either the ear cup portion or the raised mounted surface of the band portions can include an integrally formed rivet for snap-action engagement with a hole in the corresponding mating structure. Note that band portions 200 and/or 210, and/or ear cup portions 54 collectively are sometimes referred to herein as a “frame”.
After being inserted into shell 300, the band portions 200 and 210 can have an adjustable length to accommodate the use of the ear protection device 10 by users having different size heads or by the same user while extending over the top or around the band of that user's head. In other words, once the band portions 200 and 210 are inserted into and assembled within the shell 300, the length of the band portions 200 and 210 can be adjusted by moving band portion 200 within the passageway 215 of band portion 210.
In some embodiments, the band portions can be separated from each other while disposed within shell 300. For example, where the motion-restraint portion of one band portion is a disengageable detent, the detent can be disengaged from an opening of the passageway of the other band portion, and the band portion can be removed from the passageway of the other band portion. Then, the band portion with the attached ear cup portion 54 can be removed from shell 300 through opening 350, and the other band portion with the attached ear cup portion 54 can be removed from shell 300 through opening 360.
This allows the ear protection device 10 to have interchangeable shells. In other words, different shells can be used to cover the same frame because the band portions can be separated from each other while disposed within one shell and reassembled in another shell. Such interchangeable shells, for example, can have different colors or logos for use with a single frame.
Shell 700 can be assembled by attaching the edge portions 721 and 731 of ear membranes 720 and 730, respectively, to portions 711 and 712 of outer membrane 710. The middle portion 715 of outer membrane 710 can be folded over and attached to the portion 716 of the outer membrane 710. This is shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the ear membranes need not be attached to portions of the outer membrane. Rather, the middle portion of the outer membrane can be folded over and attached. Then, the frame can be inserted into the interior formed by the outer membrane and the middle portion of the outer membrane. Finally, the ear membranes can be disposed and maintained over the ear cup portions of the frame by the elastic membranes attached to the ear membranes and the outer membrane.
In addition, the ear portions 822 and 823 of inner membrane 820 can have lengths along direction 824 greater than the corresponding ear cup portions of the frame. An elastic membrane, while stretched, can be attached to the perimeter of ear portions 822 and 823. This extra size of ear portions 822 and 823 along direction 824 and the stretched elastic membrane allows the ear portions 822 and 823 to draw inwardly.
Band portion 1010 includes a first end 1011 and a second end 1012. Band portion 1010 also includes a motion-restraint portion 1013 (shown as a detent in phantom) on the outer side of the first end 1011 of band portion 1010. Band portion 1010 also includes a mounting portion 1015 on the second end 1012.
Band portion 1010 can be slidably engaged into the passageway of band portion 1000. The motion-restraint portion 1013 of band portion 1010 can be engaged through opening 1009 of the passageway. Note that the band portion 1000 can easily flex either inwardly or outwardly because both the base member 1006 and the upper member 1008 have openings. In other words, as the band portions 1000 and 1010 are adjusted (e.g., while band portion 1010 is slidably engaged within the passageway of band portion 1000), these band portions can easily flex inwardly or outwardly due to the openings in the base member 1006 and the upper member 1008 of band portion 1000. In an alternative embodiment, the motion-restraint portion can be integrally formed with the band portion along only a single side of the detent while the remaining sides of the detent are separated (or cut out) from the band portion. Such an embodiment allows the one band portion to be removably and slideably engaged into the passageway of the other band portion.
In another alternative embodiment, the motion-restraint portion can be a disengageable detent. The detent can be removably engageable with any of the openings of the passageway of the other band portion. Thus, the detent can be removably engageable into the openings of the upper member of the other band portion. This allows the band portions to be temporarily locked in multiple possible positions within the range of motion for the one band portion within the passageway of the other band portion. Note also that although the detent can be on the outer side of the band portion thereby corresponding to detent-engageable openings on the upper member of the other band portion, other arrangements are possible. For example, a detent can be located on any of the four sides of the band portion (either alone or in combination with detents on other sides) because the band portion includes openings on its four sides: the base member, the side members and the upper member.
Ear cup portion 1120 includes attachment portions 1121 and 1122, ear cup 1124 and cushion insert 1126. Cushion insert 1126 can be mace of, for example, urethane foam. The cushion insert 1126 can be attached to ear cup 1124 by, for example, glue. Cushion insert 1126 can provide cushioning between the ear cup 1124 and the user's head.
Attachment portions 1121 and 1122 of ear cup portion 1120 are proximal and distal, respectively, to the band 1110. The end of the band 1110 can be inserted into the attachment portions 1121 and 1122 so that band 1110 is attached to ear cup portion 1120 by, for example, a friction fit. Such a friction fit allows the band 1110 to be removed from and reattached to ear cup portion.
Ear cup portions 1230 and 1240 can be made of, for example, a semi-rigid material such as foam. Protrusion-locking portions 1211 and 1212 can be inserted into ear cup portions 1230 and 1240, respectively. Note that protrusion-locking portion 1211 is shown in phantom within ear cup portion 1230 for illustrative purposes. The barbed shape of protrusion-locking portions 1211 and 1212 allows the protrusion-locking portions 1211 and 1212 to be retained within the ear cup portions 1230 and 1240. In one embodiment, protrusion-locking portions 1211 and 1212 can be inserted into ear cup portions 1230 and 1240, respectively, with glue to provide additional retention.
The ear cup membranes 1250 and 1260 each can be made of, for example, a fabric material on both sides thereby forming an interior into which ear cup portions 1230 and 1240, respectively, can be inserted. In other words, ear cup membranes 1250 and 1260 can be covers into which ear cup portions 1230 and 1240, respectively, can be inserted.
Ear cup portions 1330 and 1340 can be made of, for example, molded plastic. Ear cup portions 1330 and 1340 each can include a joint portion of a ball joint connection that is configured to connect with protrusion-locking portions 1311 and 1312. The joint portion of each ear cup portions 1330 and 1340 can be disposed at an end proximal to protrusion-locking portions 1311 and 1312. Thus, protrusion-locking portions 1311 and 1312 can be removably connected to ear cup portions 1330 and 1340, respectively.
The ear cup membranes 1350 and 1360 each can be made of, for example, a fabric material on both sides thereby forming an interior into which ear cup portions 1330 and 1340, respectively, can be inserted. In other words, ear cup membranes 1350 and 1360 can be covers into which ear cup portions 1330 and 1340, respectively, can be inserted.
Ear cup portions 1430 and 1440 can be made of, for example, molded plastic. Protrusion-locking portions 1411 and 1412 can be removably connected to ear cup portions 1430 and 1440, respectively.
The ear cup membrane 1450 can be made of, for example, a fabric material on both sides thereby forming an interior into which ear cup portion 1430 can be inserted. In other words, ear cup membrane 1450 can be a cover into which ear cup portion 1430 can be inserted. Note that although not shown in
Ear cup portions 1530 and 1540 can be made of, for example, molded plastic. The ear cup membranes 1550 and 1560 each can be made of, for example, a fabric material on both sides thereby forming an interior into which ear cup portions 1530 and 1540 can be inserted. In other words, ear cup membranes 1550 and 1560 can be a cover into which ear cup portions 1530 and 1540 can be inserted.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
The previous description of the embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, although certain frame embodiments are described as being inserted into certain shell embodiments, other arrangements are possible. Any of the frame embodiments described above can be inserted into other shell configurations disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,609, and pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/521,241 and 09/978,591, both of which are entitled “Apparatus and Method for Making an Ear Warmer Having Interior Seams.” In addition, any of the shell embodiments described above can be used in combination with the frames described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,609. The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,609 and pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 09/521,241 and 09/978,591, are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. An adjustable band comprising:
- a first band portion, said first band portion including a first end, a second end, a base member, an upper member, a first side member and a second side member, each of said first side member and said second side member being coupled to said base member and said upper member, said base member, said upper member, said first side member and said second side member collectively defining therebetween a passageway along said first band portion, said base member defining a base member opening in communication with said passageway, said upper member defining an upper member opening in communication with said passageway, and said first side member defining an opening of the first side member in communication with said passageway; and
- a second band portion, said second band portion being configured to be inserted into said passageway of said first band portion, said second band portion including a motion-restraint portion coupled thereto, said motion-restraint portion being disposed so that said motion restraint portion engages one of said base member, said upper member, said first side member and said second side member.
13. The adjustable band of claim 12, wherein said upper member opening is formed with said first side member opening.
14. The adjustable band of claim 12, wherein said opening of said first side member is a first opening, said first side member including a second opening spaced apart from said first opening, said first opening being formed with said upper member opening, said second opening being formed with said base member opening.
15. The adjustable band of claim 12, wherein said second side member defines its own opening, said second side member opening being aligned with said first side member opening.
16-28. (canceled)
29. A method of assembling an ear warmer frame, the frame including a band, the band having a first end and a second end, the band including a first protrusion locking portion coupled to the band first end and a second protrusion locking portion coupled to the band second end, the method comprising:
- coupling the first protrusion locking portion to a first ear cup portion, the first protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the first ear cup portion, the first ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the first protrusion locking portion; and
- coupling the second protrusion locking portion to a second ear cup portion, the second protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the second ear cup portion, the second ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the second protrusion locking portion.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first ear cup portion includes a post, the first protrusion locking portion including a connector configured to be coupled to the post, said coupling the first protrusion locking portion including coupling the connector to the post.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first ear cup portion includes a portion defining an opening, the first protrusion locking portion including a knob, said coupling the first protrusion locking portion including engaging the opening with the knob.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the first protrusion locking portion is removably coupled to the band first end.
33. An ear warmer comprising:
- a frame, the frame including: a band, the band having a first end and a second end, the band including a first protrusion locking portion coupled to the band first end and a second protrusion locking portion coupled to the band second end; a first ear cup portion, the first protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the first ear cup portion, the first ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the first protrusion locking portion; and a second ear cup portion, the second protrusion locking portion being coupled to a location proximate the center of the second ear cup portion, the second ear cup portion being configured to rotate about the second protrusion locking portion.
34. The ear warmer of claim 33, wherein the first protrusion locking portion is formed separate from the band first end and is configured to be coupled to the band first end, and the second protrusion locking portion is formed separate from the band second end and is configured to be coupled to the band second end.
35. The ear warmer of claim 34, wherein the band first end includes a clip and the first protrusion locking portion is configured to engage the clip of the band first end, and the band second end includes its own clip and the second protrusion locking portion is configured to engage the clip of the band second end.
36. The ear warmer of claim 33, wherein the first ear cup portion is removably coupleable with the first protrusion locking portion, and the second ear cup portion is removably coupleable with the second protrusion locking portion.
37. The ear warmer of claim 33, further comprising:
- a first ear cup membrane, the first ear cup membrane being configured to cover the first ear cup portion; and
- a second ear cup membrane, the second ear cup membrane being configured to cover the second ear cup portion.
38. The ear warmer of claim 37, further comprising:
- a band membrane, the band membrane being configured to cover the band, each of the band membrane, the first ear cup membrane and the second ear cup membrane being formed separate from the other membranes.
39. The ear warmer of claim 38, wherein the band membrane includes a first end and a second end, each of the ends of the band membrane comprising an elastic material.
40. The ear warmer of claim 33, wherein the first ear cup portion includes a hole and the second ear cup portion includes its own hole, the first protrusion locking portion being configured to engage the first ear cup portion hole, and the second protrusion locking portion being configured to engage the second ear cup portion hole.
41. The ear warmer of claim 33, wherein the band is an adjustable spring-like band.
42. The ear warmer of claim 33, wherein the band first end includes a curved portion that is configured to engage the first protrusion locking member, and the band second end includes a curved portion that is configured to engage the second protrusion locking member.
43. The ear warmer of claim 42, wherein the first protrusion locking member includes a post and the second protrusion locking member includes its own post, the post of the first protrusion locking member being configured to be received in the curved portion of the band first end, and the post of the second protrusion locking member being configured to be received in the curved portion of the band second end.
44. The ear warmer of claim 42, wherein the curved portion of the band first end forms a clip that is configured to receive a portion of the first protrusion locking member, and the curved portion of the band second end forms a clip that is configured to receive a portion of the second protrusion locking member.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 30, 2007
Applicant: 180s, Inc. (Baltimore, MD)
Inventors: Dean Bavetta (Philadelphia, MS), Paul Kay (Libertyville, IL), Brian Le Gette (Baltimore, MD), Gary Prokop (Wheaton, IL), Steve Remy (Chicago, IL)
Application Number: 11/742,181
International Classification: A41D 27/00 (20060101);