Ear Strap Cushion Assembly

Abstract

An ear strap cushion assembly for enhancing comfort of ear straps of a face mask includes a panel that is comprised of a flexible material such that the panel is rollable into a tube which can be positioned around an ear strap of a face mask. A cushion is bonded to the panel and the cushion is comprised of a resiliently compressible material enhance comfort for a user's ear when the panel is positioned around the ear strap and the ear strap is worn around the user's ear. A set of first fasteners is each is coupled to the panel. A set of second fasteners is each coupled to the panel. Each of the second fasteners releasably engages a respective one of the first fasteners when the panel is rolled into the tube. In this way each of the first fasteners and the second fasteners retain the panel around the ear strap.

Description

(b) CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

(C) STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

(D) THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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(E) INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

(F) STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

(G) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to cushion devices and more particularly pertains to a new cushion device for enhancing comfort of ear straps of a face mask. The device includes a panel that is rollable into a tube for surrounding an ear strap of a face mask. A plurality of fasteners is integrated into the panel and the fasteners engage each other when the panel is rolled into the tube. The device includes a cushion that is coupled to the magnet which cushions a user's ear when the face mask is worn to enhance comfort for the user.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to cushion devices including a head strap for a scuba mask which includes ear flaps for covering a user's ears. The prior art discloses a variety of face mask devices that can be worn on a user's face for a variety of reasons. The prior art discloses a strap tensioner for tightening a head strap on a scuba mask. The prior art discloses a face mask which includes a head strap that encircles a user's head when the face mask is worn.

(H) BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a panel that is comprised of a flexible material such that the panel is rollable into a tube which can be positioned around an ear strap of a face mask. A cushion is bonded to the panel and the cushion is comprised of a resiliently compressible material enhance comfort for a user's ear when the panel is positioned around the ear strap and the ear strap is worn around the user's ear. A set of first fasteners is each is coupled to the panel. A set of second fasteners is each coupled to the panel. Each of the second fasteners releasably engages a respective one of the first fasteners when the panel is rolled into the tube. In this way each of the first fasteners and the second fasteners retain the panel around the ear strap.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

(i) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an ear strap cushion assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a panel being rolled into a tube.

FIG. 6 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a panel being formed into a tube.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure showing a panel being rolled into a tube.

FIG. 8 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.

(J) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new cushion device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the ear strap cushion assembly 10 generally comprises a panel 12 that is comprised of a flexible material such that the panel 12 is rollable into a tube 13. In this way the panel 12 can be positioned around an ear strap 14 of a face mask 16. The face mask 16 may be any type of face mask that is worn to protect a user from airborne infectious diseases, for example. The panel 12 has a first surface 18, a second surface 20 and a perimeter edge 22 extending between the first surface 18 and the second surface 20. The perimeter edge 22 has a front side 24, a back side 26, a first lateral side 28 and a second lateral side 30, and the panel 12 is elongated between the front side 24 and the back side 26. Furthermore, the first surface 18 defines an outer side of the tube 13 when the panel 12 is rolled into the tube 13.

A cushion 32 is bonded to the panel 12 and the cushion 32 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material, including but not being limited to, foam rubber. In this way the cushion 32 enhances comfort for a user's ear 34 when the panel 12 is positioned around the ear strap 14 and the ear strap 14 is worn around the user's ear 34. The cushion 32 extends along a full length of the panel 12. The cushion 32 has a top surface 36 and a bottom surface 38, and the bottom surface 38 is bonded to the first surface 18 of the panel 12. The cushion 32 extends between the front side 24 and the back side 26 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. Additionally, the cushion 32 is centrally positioned on the panel 12 such that the cushion 32 is spaced from the first lateral side 28 and the second lateral side 30 of the perimeter edge 22.

A set of first fasteners 40 is provided and each of the first fasteners 40 is coupled to the panel 12. Each of the first fasteners 40 extends through the first surface 18 and the second surface 20. The set of first fasteners 40 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed along the first lateral side 28 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. A set of second fasteners 42 is provided and each of the second fasteners 42 is coupled to the panel 12. Each of the second fasteners 42 releasably engages a respective one of the first fasteners 40 when the panel 12 is rolled into the tube 13. In this way each of the first fasteners 40 and the second fasteners 42 retain the panel 12 around the ear strap 14. Each of the second fasteners 42 extends through the first surface 18 and the second surface 20 and each of the set of second fasteners 42 is spaced apart from each other and is distributed along the second lateral side 30 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. Additionally, each of the second fasteners 42 is aligned with a respective one of the first fasteners 40. Each of the first fasteners 40 and the second fasteners 42 may comprise magnet, snaps or any other type of multiple use, releasable fastener.

In an alternative embodiment 44 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 10, a first mating member 46 is coupled to the first surface 18 of the panel 12. The first mating member 46 is coextensive with the first lateral side 28 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. A second mating member 48 is coupled to the first surface 18 of the panel 12 and the second mating member 48 is coextensive with the second lateral side 30 of the perimeter edge 22 of the panel 12. The second mating member 48 is releasably matable to the first mating member 46 when the panel 12 is rolled into the tube 13 for retaining the panel 12 in the form of the tube 13. Each of the first mating member 46 and the second mating member 48 may comprise complementary portions of a hook and loop fastener or the like.

In use, the panel 12 is wrapped around the ear strap 14 of the face mask 16 such that the cushion 32 is exposed. Each of the first fasteners 40 engages a respective one of the second fasteners 42 to retain the panel 12 around the ear strap 14. In this way the cushion 32 abuts the user's ear 34 when the ear strap 14 is positioned around the user's ear 34 when the face mask 16 is worn. Thus, the cushion 32 enhances comfort for the user and reduces irritation that is commonly experienced when the ear strap 14 presses against the user's ear 34 for an extended period of time.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. An ear strap cushion assembly for enhancing comfort of ear straps on a face mask, said assembly comprising:

a panel being comprised of a flexible material such that said panel is rollable into a tube wherein said panel is configured to be positioned around an ear strap of a face mask;

a cushion being bonded to said panel, said cushion being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said cushion is configured to enhance comfort for a user's ear when said panel is positioned around the ear strap and the ear strap is worn around the user's ear, said cushion extending along a full length of said panel;

a set of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled to said panel; and

a set of second fasteners, each of said second fasteners being coupled to said panel, each of said second fasteners releasably engaging a respective one of said first fasteners when said panel is rolled into said tube wherein each of said first fasteners and said second fasteners are configured to retain said panel around the ear strap.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said panel having a first surface, a second surface and a perimeter edge extending between said first surface and said second surface, said perimeter edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said panel being elongated between said front side and said back side, said first surface defining an outer side of said tube.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cushion has a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface being bonded to said first surface of said panel, said cushion extending between said front side and said back side of said perimeter edge of said panel, said cushion being centrally positioned on said panel such that said cushion is spaced from said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said perimeter edge.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said first fasteners extends through said first surface and said second surface, said set of first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed along said first lateral side of said perimeter edge of said panel.

5. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein each of said second fasteners extends through said first surface and said second surface, each of said set of second fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed along said second lateral side of said perimeter edge of said panel, each of said second fasteners being aligned with a respective one of said first fasteners.

6. An ear strap cushion assembly for enhancing comfort of ear straps on a face mask, said assembly comprising:

a panel being comprised of a flexible material such that said panel is rollable into a tube wherein said panel is configured to be positioned around an ear strap of a face mask, said panel having a first surface, a second surface and a perimeter edge extending between said first surface and said second surface, said perimeter edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, said panel being elongated between said front side and said back side, said first surface defining an outer side of said tube;

a cushion being bonded to said panel, said cushion being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said cushion is configured to enhance comfort for a user's ear when said panel is positioned around the ear strap and the ear strap is worn around the user's ear, said cushion extending along a full length of said panel, said cushion having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface being bonded to said first surface of said panel, said cushion extending between said front side and said back side of said perimeter edge of said panel, said cushion being centrally positioned on said panel such that said cushion is spaced from said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said perimeter edge;

a set of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled to said panel, each of said first fasteners extending through said first surface and said second surface, said set of first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed along said first lateral side of said perimeter edge of said panel; and

a set of second fasteners, each of said second fasteners being coupled to said panel, each of said second fasteners releasably engaging a respective one of said first fasteners when said panel is rolled into said tube wherein each of said first fasteners and said second fasteners are configured to retain said panel around the ear strap, each of said second fasteners extending through said first surface and said second surface, each of said set of second fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed along said second lateral side of said perimeter edge of said panel, each of said second fasteners being aligned with a respective one of said first fasteners.

7. The assembly according to claim x, further comprising:

a first mating member being coupled to said first surface of said panel, said first mating member being coextensive with said first lateral side of said perimeter edge of said panel; and

a second mating member being coupled to said first surface of said panel, said second mating member being coextensive with said second lateral side of said perimeter edge of said panel, said second mating member being releasably matable to said first mating member when said panel is rolled into said tube for retaining said panel in said tube.

8. An ear strap cushion system for enhancing comfort of ear straps on a face mask, said system comprising:

a face mask having a pair of ear straps;

a pair of panels, each of said panels being comprised of a flexible material such that each of said panels is rollable into a tube thereby facilitating each of said panels to be positioned around a respective ear strap of said face mask, each of said panels having a first surface, a second surface and a perimeter edge extending between said first surface and said second surface, said perimeter edge having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side, each of said panels being elongated between said front side and said back side, said first surface defining an outer side of said tube;

a pair of cushions, each of said cushions being bonded to a respective one of said panels, each of said cushions being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein each of said cushions is configured to enhance comfort for a user's ear when said panels are positioned around said ear straps and said ear straps are worn around the user's ears, each of said cushions extending along a full length of said respective panel, each of said cushions having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of each of said cushions being bonded to said first surface of said respective panel, each of said cushions extending between said front side and said back side of said perimeter edge of said respective panel, each of said cushions being centrally positioned on said respective panel such that each of said cushions is spaced from said first lateral side and said second lateral side of said perimeter edge of said respective panel;

a set of first fasteners, each of said first fasteners being coupled to a respective one of said panels, each of said first fasteners extending through said first surface and said second surface of said respective panel, said set of first fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed along said first lateral side of said perimeter edge of said respective panel; and

a set of second fasteners, each of said second fasteners being coupled to a respective one of said panels, each of said second fasteners releasably engaging a respective one of said first fasteners when said panels are rolled into said tube to retain said panels around said respective ear strap, each of said second fasteners extending through said first surface and said second surface of said respective panel, each of said set of second fasteners being spaced apart from each other and being distributed along said second lateral side of said perimeter edge of said respective panel, each of said second fasteners being aligned with a respective one of said first fasteners.