Abstract: An expandable joint for use in, for example, a headband, includes elastic material, a low-friction sleeve, and a tube. The low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the low-friction sleeve at a first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The length of elastic material extends beyond a second end of the low-friction sleeve opposite the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The tube substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve. The low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube at the first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve, and the length of elastic material extends beyond a first end of the tube.

Abstract: An expandable joint for use in, for example, a headband, includes elastic material, a low-friction sleeve, and a tube. The low-friction sleeve covers at least two opposing sides of a portion of the length of elastic material. The length of elastic material is affixed to the low-friction sleeve at a first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The length of elastic material extends beyond a second end of the low-friction sleeve opposite the first end of the low-friction sleeve. The tube substantially encloses the low-friction sleeve. The low-friction sleeve is affixed to the tube at the first end of the low-friction sleeve or a point adjacent to the first end of the low-friction sleeve, and the length of elastic material extends beyond a first end of the tube.

Abstract: A headband that includes a connecting material and a headband body connected to each other at their respective opposing ends. The headband body has an inner and outer edge, which may be curved. The distance between the inner and outer edge generally becomes shorter nearer the ends of the headband body. If curved, the inner and outer edges may have different radii, such that the tube is generally crescent shaped. The general crescent shape creates a more comfortable fit and results from the ratio of the radius of the inner edge curve to the radius of the outer edge curve being greater than about 1 and less than about 6. A more comfortable fit can also result from a particular ratio wherein the width at the center of the headband body is greater than the width at the ends of the headband body.