Abstract: Human ear hiders are designed to be comfortably worn and will enhance the appearance of a wearer, where each ear hider includes a pair of wire frames coupled together and having finger grip portions for spreading apart a bead and seat member of an assembly. The bead and seat member serve to engage and support the ear hiders on the ears. The frames are secured to a face of a plate that is also secured to a simulated bird wing of bright colors, and a spring is provided in the assembly for retaining the ear hider in a clamped position.

Abstract: A visor adapted for use with a headset worn on a person's head having a brim portion formed to wrap around the front of said person's head providing shielding from visually adverse conditions. The brim portion is formed with rearwardly extending portions which terminate in clips used to mount the visor to the headset. The visor is integrally formed of a suitable plastic providing necessary rigidity and flexibility characteristics. The design of the clips exploit the flexibility characteristics of the plastic to removably retain the visor on the headset without any additional fasteners or adhesives. The clip is formed of two generally parallelly aligned flanges with a headband receiving gap therebetween, one flange formed with a heel portion and a gap and the other flange formed with a stabilizing flange. A portion of the headset fits into the gap and is retained in the gap by the stabilizing flange on the opposing flange.

Abstract: An ear covering apparatus for improving the hearing of a person in a rearward direction is disclosed. The apparatus is shaped so as to have a front, a first side, a top, and a bottom and to be open at the opposite side and the rear. The apparatus is worn over the ear such that a concavity is formed between the ear and the apparatus. The opening at the rear is located behind the ear. Further, the apparatus is shaped so as to reflect sound from a rearward direction to the ear. The apparatus also employs a slot in the side for reducing air pressure within the apparatus and thus increasing the level of sound reaching the ear.

Abstract: A headband with earmuffs where, in preferred form, the headband is fabricated from a stretchable material configured to incorporate a generally flat insulative pad interiorly of that band for each of the wearer's ears. Preferably the headband is fabricated from a one piece fabric blank folded upon itself to establish a generally tubular cross-sectional configuration with the insulative pads stitched to that blank interiorly of the tubular headband.

Abstract: An inflight headset includes a headband, a pair of shanks coupled to the ends of the headband, and a pair of earpieces adapted to be disposed over the ears of a user. A stub is provided on a lower end of each shank. A casing with an open end is formed on a housing which is adapted for receiving the earpiece. A cap is provided for enclosing the open end of the casing. The stub is rotatably and frictionally coupled to the casing when the cap encloses the open end of the casing so that the earpieces can be easily adjusted to different rotational directions.

Abstract: A sound-attenuating impact-absorbing earcup comprises a shell having a plurality of generally circular recesses adjacent to the periphery of the cup which function as stiffening contours. The stiffening contours increase the effective stiffness of the earcup shell, improving its sound attenuating capability, and also concentrate applied stress onto those portions of the stiffening contours nearest the point of applied stress. Sufficient applied force causes the shell to fracture in the areas of the stress concentrators, thereby to absorb impact energy in a controlled manner without transmitting it to the head of the wearer. To further enhance its sound-attenuating and impact-absorbing capabilities, the earcup is formed of a low-tensile-strength, high-elongation, high-loss-factor material such as polyvinyl chloride or similar polymer.

Abstract: A forehead, temple, ear, and neck protector (11) to simultaneously protect the skin areas of the forehead, temples, ears, and neck from the irritation or burn that can be caused by overexposure to the high temperatures of heat generated by heat based hair styling devices such as curling irons, waving irons, hot combs, blow dryers, and the like. This device is constructed of a single piece of flexible material, includes detachable ear protectors which can withstand momentary contact with heated hair styling devices and is also durable enough to withstand the laundering process. The protector (11) includes a forehead protector (12) that extends from the edge of the hairline to the lower portion of the forehead, just above the eyebrows to completely cover and protect the forehead. The forehead protector (12) extends to a left side temple protector (14) and a right side temple protector (16) on the left and right side temples, respectively.

Abstract: A resilient annular earseal for sealing the region between an earcup shell and a wearer's head is formed with an aperture for receiving the wearer's ear and has an outer peripheral portion projecting a predetermined first distance toward the wearer's head and an inner peripheral portion projecting a predetermined second distance toward the wearer's head that is appreciably greater than the first distance. Since the inner peripheral portion contacts the wearer's head along a strip that is closer to the ear, and hence more predictable in its three-dimensional contour, it forms an effective seal around the entire periphery of the ear.

Abstract: An improved cushion for use on a heater has a thin front skin formed with a circumferential groove. A thin flexible ring is attached to the circumferential groove. A flexible rear skin supports a foam ring and is sealed to the front skin so as to form a gel space. Structure, such as a retaining ring and mating holes and pins, attaches the cushion to the headset.

Abstract: An acoustic ear muff includes a pad or cup (2) which is made of rigid material and incorporates an opening for receiving one ear of the wearer, and a resilient sealing annulus (10) intended for abutment with the head of the wearer, and also resilient pressure-exerting means (5) connected to the shell of a protective helmet (1), a head strap or like head gear. The ear muff provides good acoustic damping and a high degree of comfort, owing to the fact that the resilient pressure-exerting means is configured to produce a low pressing force substantially independently of head sizes which vary within given limits. The pressure-exerting means includes, to this end, a spring element in the form of a combined torsion and bending spring.

Abstract: The ear muff according to the present invention is a water-repellent material lined with thin insulation sewn into the form of a pocket which fits around the ear of the wearer to protect the ear against cold, wind, snow, or the like without substantially impairing hearing. The ear muff is kept engaged to the ear by means of an elastic loop residing in the hem of the opening of the pocket which contracts around the base of the ear, and in addition, adjacent to the elastic within the hem, a malleable earlobe clasp which the wearer clamps around the earlobe, so that the ear muff can be used by people with attached earlobes as well as by people with unattached earlobes. The lined water-repellent material comprising the pocket plays no part in keeping the ear muff engaged to the ear, and thus is made of flexible material so that it can conform to various shapes of ears.

Abstract: There is disclosed a full ear protector for beautician use during applications of liquid treatments which may irritate or otherwise cause discomfort to the ear flesh or outer ear canal, wherein the ear canal is protected by a plug while a full ear cover surrounds the ear proper. Absorbent materials on the inside of the ear cover and associated in and with the plug ensure that no unwanted liquids may contact the ear to any significant extent.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing sound-attenuating earcup comprises a rigid shell of an ABS terpolymer that is about 0.090 inch thick so as to crush upon impact at an applied force less than that required to crush the skull of the wearer. The shell has an inner coating of a sound-deadening rubber material to compensate for the reduced sound-attenuating capability of the thinner-than-normal shell. Spaced flanges defining a peripheral channel for receiving a cord of a helmet suspension are formed as staggered series of tabs rather than as circumferentially continuous members to facilitate crushing of the shell upon impact. Resilient earseals disposed between the shells and the wearer's ears comprise first thicknesses of standard polyurethane foam and second thicknesses of slow-recovery polyurethane foam to provide additional impact absorption while permitting the earseals to conform to the wearer's head in cold weather when the helmet is first put on.

Abstract: A self-supporting ear protector includes a unitary flexible core member formed from a flat, elongated rectangular sheet of a resilient, flexible plastic material substantially impervious to cold weather conditions, the sheet being molded and cut to form a ring shape of substantially constant thickness having a general configuration of the ear to be protected. The ring shape defines a first central opening therein; an outer protective exposed layer of material secured to one side of the sheet of plastic material in covering relation to the first central opening, the outer layer having an outer surface which can be imprinted and an inner layer secured to the opposite side of the sheet of plastic material and having a second central opening in substantial alignment with the first central opening.

Abstract: A headphone cushion comprises two concentric rings of nonliquid gelatin-like silicone on a layer of soft, slow recovery foam enclosed in a thin stretchable layer of polyurethane skin.

Abstract: The ear covering and eye covering assembly comprises an elongate curved band, first and second ear coverings mounted, respectively, to each end of the band, a molded plastic piece on the band, and an eye covering mounted to the plastic piece. If desired, a removable visor may be pivotably mounted on the plastic piece and radio speakers may be mounted within the ear coverings.

Abstract: An ear muff has a spring biased butterfly clip with a bonnet fitting over each leaf or wing of the clip. The bonnet may be made of any suitable soft and cushioning material such as plush, fur, wool, or the like. The softness of this material pads the ear so that the butterfly clip does not cut off circulation or pinch the ear. Each leaf of the clip has a plurality of teeth which are padded by the bonnet and which insure contact between the leaves at a plurality of points.

Abstract: A pressure ring for an earmuff, an earphone, or the like, wherein the earmuff, or the like, includes a sealing ring which is applied against the head of the wearer around the ears and the pressure ring is behind and applies pressure to the sealing ring at the top, contact surface of the pressure ring. The contact surface is taller above the base surface of the pressure ring at the peripheral outer edge of the pressure ring than at the peripheral inner edge of the pressure ring so that the sealing ring is concave and the surface of the ear cover over the ear is concave. At least the peripheral outer edge of the contact surface varies in height between the taller upper and lower ends of the pressure ring, on the one hand, and the central region of the pressure ring, on the other hand. At least one groove channel wraps at least partially around the pressure ring and extends into the pressure ring from the contact surface.

Abstract: An improved ear guard assembly, particularly for amateur wrestlers. The ear guard includes a reinforcing plate member having head strap engaging slots with inner and outer sheet foam energy absorbing layers. The assembly is enclosed by a molded plastic skin cover having strap engaging apertures in registry with the strap engaging slots of the reinforcing plate which are reinforced to prevent tearing of the ear guards. The cover further has an inside peripheral surface which has ribs engaging the outer edge of the reinforcing plate to reduce the tendency for tearing of the cover by the plate edge. The outer cover preferably has a glossy outer surface, present a low coefficient of friction and a matte inner surface thereby aiding in retaining the ear guards in position on the wearer's head.

Abstract: This combination article is designed to be worn by toddlers to protect their knees and when desired they can also effectively function as ear muffs. Primarily, the article consists of an oval shaped pad with attached straps having mating hook and loop pile fasteners attached for adjustably securing the article to a toddler's knees or around the toddler's head. When secured to a toddler's head, a pair of the articles are secured together by the fasteners.

Abstract: An ear protection device made of a molded band of rubber or other elastomeric material which is formed with a cup-like member to cover the ear and seal against the head. The band is shaped to run across the user's forehead in the front, stepping down over the ears and continuing at ear level around the back of the user's head. The inside of the cup-like member may be filled with an absorbent material, to capture any water which may leak in; when used by skiers, such material, if used, provides an extra measure of insulation. The profile of the protector may be kept relatively thin by using a cup-like member contoured to mate readily with the bony regions surrounding the ear.

Abstract: An ear protector for protecting the ear against impact from a ball during the playing of racquet and handball sports, the protector including a ventilated cup-like cap member carried by a suspension means for adjustable engagement over the ear, and a clip for detachably securing the cap member to a headband.

Abstract: An ear held earmuff is provided and consists of an inner securement member placed over helix of outer ear of a person and an outer muff member sized to cover the outer ear of the person which is removably attached to the inner securement member to protect the outer ear of the person against the cold weather.

Abstract: A hat is described having a set of audio earphones releasably mounted in earflaps that cover the user's ears. The earphones are disc shaped mini-speakers having a thin profile that are insertable in a pocket between an inner wall and outer wall of each flap. Each earphone is releasably held in place by a hook-loop connection. Preferably a loop fabric is formed as the inner lining of the inner wall and a hook patch is secured onto the grill face of the earphone. The user may adjust the position of the earphone with the pocket to individually fit the earphones in relation to his ears. The hook-loop connection prevents the earphones from moving within the pocket when the user is subjected to acceleration forces that are typical in vigorous activity such as skiing.

Abstract: An adjustable connector for connecting cups of a sound reduction headset to a headband. The connector includes an elastomeric slide that frictionally is held to the inner of two parallel end panels forming the terminal end portions of the headband. The outer panel shields the inner panel from the wearer's hair and thus serves to prevent the hair from catching in the slide's operation.

Abstract: A protector which may be readily mounted on a temple of glasses. The protector will extend from the front of the glasses to and beyond the ear piece of the temple so that there will be protection against wind and sun for one's eyes, the side of the face and one's ears. Preferably the protector is formed of a cloth having insulating characteristics and may include an inner rear panel which together with a rear portion of an outer panel defines an ear receiving pocket into which the rear and top portion of one's ear may be tucked for protection. The outer panel is provided with a sleeve arrangement for receiving the temple and this sleeve arrangement may be in the form of spaced short sleeves or elongated sleeves.

Abstract: An improved binaural earcup assembly for use with a protective helmet in which the earphone of each of the left and right sound attenuating subassemblies is supported by a relatively rigid member in the hard outer shell of the subassembly at a location adjacent to the wearer's ear and in which the subassemblies are urged firmly into sealing engagement with the wearer's head in the region surrounding his ears by a resilient wire form having a pair of loops detachably connected to the earcup assemblies and biasing portion extending between the loops around the nape portion of the helmet.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjustably varying the tension intermediate the downwardly depending ends of a spring headband in a headset includes a longitudinally extending spring member having an arcuate shape and radius less than the intermediate portion of the headband, that is disposed on the top of the intermediate portion of the headband and stationarily connected to the headband at one end, a tension adjusting slider is disposed around the headband and the spring member for longitudinal movement so that the tension intermediate the lower ends of the headband is varied as the slider is repositioned.

Abstract: A self-supporting ear protector includes a flexible core member formed from a flat, elongated rectangular sheet of a resilient, flexible plastic material substantially impervious to cold weather conditions, the sheet having opposite edges and the opposite edges abutting each other in a non-overlapping relation and heat sealed to each other to form the sheet into a continuous loop of substantially constant thickness having a general configuration of the ear to be protected, the continuous loop defining a first central opening therein; an outer protective exposed layer of material secured to one side of the sheet of plastic material in covering relation to the first central opening, the outer layer having an outer surface which can be imprinted; and an inner layer secured to the opposite side of the sheet of plastic material and having a second central opening in substantial alignment with the first central opening.

Abstract: A protective helmet assembly in which a manually operable pump carried by the helmet outer shell is accessible from outside the shell to inflate two inflatable bodies disposed between the shell and respective sound-attenuating earcup subassemblies suspended from the shell adjacent to the wearer's ears. An element accessible from outside the shell can be actuated to deflate the inflatable bodies when the helmet assembly is doffed.

Abstract: A protective ear covering has a self-fastening strap to fasten to the goggle strap of ski goggles or to a fabric headband. The ear protector's outer edge includes wedge-shaped riser to accommodate an ear's outward projection, while the inside rim of the protector, circumscribed by a deformable gasket, rests flat against a wearer's head. There is preferably an inner liner for warmth and comfort, and vents for ventilation and sound penetration are provided.

Abstract: An earmuff (10) has a sealing ring (20) with an outer liquid layer (38) and a foamed plastics layer (36) thereinunder. The liquid layer is arranged as a separate, annular, sheath-equipped liquid ring (38) the sheath (40) of which can move freely relative the sheath (30,32) of the sealing ring (20).

Abstract: An earplug device includes a headband with earplugs attached to the ends thereof. The earplugs have a head portion and a shank portion, the latter with its rear end joined to the associated headband end. The shank portion has a stiffened middle section and is articulately connected on either side thereof respectively to the head portion and headband end to form a doubly articulated shank configuration. The head portion is thus given the opportunity of coacting in the best possible way with the auditory canal of an ear, and to a substantial degree independently of the attitude of the headband.

Abstract: An ear protection device for attachment to support structure for eyeware such as ski goggles or glasses and being useful to keep ears warm and protected from adverse weather conditions. The ear protection device comprises a support member which includes an opening positioned within the support member for placement at the ear and a covering member which is attachable to the support member and includes a shell which provides an exterior enclosure for the ear when in a folded and closed configuration with the support member.

Abstract: An earmuff assembly releaseably attached to a headset commonly used with radio and audio playback units in order to protect the user's ears in inclement weather. The assembly includes a muff body formed by a thermal covering, surrounding a core element, and the muff body has a soft front face positionable against the ear. The muff body has a central opening to telescopically receive an earphone to orient the earphone at a location adjacent the ear. The muff body is secured to the headset, for example, by a cover plate defined by a disc covered with fabric that extends over the opening, with the muff body and the cover plate connected together by a mating hook and loop fastening strip. Alternatively, attachment may be by means of an elastic panel. The core element may, if desired, be stiffened by an annular plate.

Abstract: A water-tight ear enclosure having a water-impervious membrane secured to a flexible, inelastic strip about a portion of an opening in the membrane and an elastic strip secured to opposite ends of the flexible, inelastic strip and to the remaining portions of the opening in the membrane. The strip is formed of a thin, polymeric material in a J shape which is adapted to be received in front of the tragus of the ear and below and behind the lobule of the ear. The elastic strip is adapted to extend around the back of the external ear and in one embodiment includes an extension extending below the ear to form a secondary seal. The flexible, inelastic strip includes an adhesive for attaching the strip to the skin of a person adjacent the ear. The membrane is a flexible plastic film. The seal is established by the combination of the adhesively secured plastic strip and the inward biasing force of the elastic strip bearing upon the back of the external ear.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to ear muffs and in particular to an ear muff for headphones for portable radios and cassette players and the like, which may be easily removed or exchanged. The ear muff is constructed with a support cup that is covered by fabric, wool or other material which engages, and at least partially surrounds the ear of the wearer to keep it warm in cold weather. The band or strap for the headphone speaker is captured by two overlapping flaps that extend over the band or strap which are preferably locked together by mating plastic loop and hook type fasteners.

Abstract: A tongue or other insert part of a securing member for accessories such as ear muffs, is held in place in an attachment slit at the rim of a protective helmet by a substantially wedge-shaped locking adapter provided with barbs or saw-teeth engaging in recesses in the tongue of the securing member. The locking adaptor, together with tongue of the securing member, substantially fills the attachment slit, thus wedging the securing member in position. The barbs or saw-teeth may be formed on the tongue of the securing member and complementary recesses formed in the wedge-shaped adaptor.

Abstract: A communications headset has two earpieces mounted on a headband, one at each end. The earpieces are mounted on the headband by arcuate members or stirrups which provide for pivoting of the earpieces about an axis in the plane of the headband, or parallel thereto. A boom attachment member is rotatably mounted on the back of one of the earpieces and the boom is mounted on the attachment member for pivotal and swinging movement. A receiver can be in both earpieces or only in the earpiece carrying the boom. The boom carries an electret microphone and associated amplifier.

Abstract: There is disclosed a protective device having a conventional hard hat and a pair of ear warmer pads. The pads are connected together above the top of the head of a wearer of the hard hat by a strap and are detachably attached together below the chin of the wearer. The hard hat comprises an outer protective shell, a support webbing and a support band. The webbing supports the shell on the head of the wearer to define a space between the shell and the head. By passing the strap through the space, and attaching the pads together beneath the chin, the pads are held against the ears and the hard hat is held on the head of the wearer. The pads are of a thickness such that they can be stored in the space between the shell and the head of the wearer, thus eliminating the necessity of having to remove the pads from the hard hat when the pads are not in use.

Abstract: A disposable ear protecting device which comprises a cap, an absorbent pad having an intensive water-absorbing portion in the cap and a aperture having an adhesive portion having a masking cover, whereby the ear protecting device is utilized to the ear for precluding entry of the foreign matter including moisture. The ear protector is inexpensive, simplicity of manufacture and complete seal.

Abstract: A stirrup-shaped support for supporting ear protectors for example has two end parts, between which there is located an intermediate part incorporating an inner section and an outer section. When the end parts are moved away from one another, the inner section is arranged to be subjected to a tensile force while the outer section is arranged to buckle, at the same time, towards the inner section. The rigidity of the outer section is such that the force required to move the end parts away from each other is substantially constant within a predetermined range of distances between the end parts.

Abstract: A band comprising many beam portions and arcuate hinge portions formed integrally so as to be alternately arranged, a fitting force being obtained at least due to the returning force of the hinge portion so that the band can be expanded even with a small force and, in spite of the repeated use over a long period, the fitting force and winding action will not deteriorate and the band will not crack. The bands are connected symmetrically to both ends of a top band and are utilized as head bands for headphones.

Abstract: This invention is a novelty ski cap that includes a novelty ski pole pierced horizontally through a cap and including an upwardly bent central portion fitting between an underside of the cap and a top of the wearer's head.

Abstract: A headphone structure comprises a pair of headband arms, a pair of phone units having joint arms, a first joint member for pivotally connecting the pair of headband arms, and a pair of second joint members for pivotally connecting the pair of phone units through their joint arms to the pair of headband arms, respectively. The headband arms and the phone units are collapsible via the first joint member and the second joint members. Rotational paths of the second joint members are included in a single plane. On the other hand, a rotational path of the first joint member is perpendicular to the single plane.

Abstract: A headband comprises first and second headbands having their one ends pivotally interconnected and being foldable about their pivotal interconnection inwardly and outwardly in a single plane and having opposite ends with an earpiece carried thereby. Each of the headbands include at least three separate parts telescopically interengageable and which are of substantially equal lengths. Advantageously the central part may be made of plastic and includes a tubular portion into which the next adjacent part is telescopical. The tubular portions are advantageously provided at each end of the central part to permit a telescopic movement of each of the other parts into the middle part.

Abstract: A hearing protecting device comprises a shell defining a hollow enclosure, which may be provided with sound absorbing material, with an open mouth, which is, in use, placed over the ear. A resiliently deformable seal of sound absorbing material is provided along the periphery of the open mouth to seal against the shell and the wearer, and is releasably retained in place by releasable retaining means which cooperate with an inner portion of the sealing means and with an inner edge portion of the mouth of the enclosure. The retaining means may comprise an annular member made integral with the sealing means and which extends round the inner edge of the mouth to overlie and engage an inner surface of the shell, or a member separate from the sealing means which retains an inner portion of the sealing means relative to the inner edge of the mouth of the shell.

Abstract: An ear pad for fastening within the ear protective guard of a helmet is formed of a thick, resilient, rubber-like sheet material that is molded with a central ear receiving pocket surrounded by bulged, cushion-forming strips which engage the wearer's head around the ear. The strips bulge away from, that is, they open towards, the helmet guard and the edges of the strips engage the helmet guard surface to thereby form resilient, compression chambers that absorb and redistribute impact shocks. A portion of the sheet surface at the pocket and adjacent the guard wall is depressed away from the guard wall to form a shallow, relatively wide, hollow chamber between the pocket and the guard wall to provide a compression chamber overlying the ear.

Abstract: An earphone set is provided with a temple pad above each of its earphone units, whereby the pressure against the ear is relieved by an additional holding pressure against the temple region. In order to be self adjustable for an optimal pressure distribution the earphone unit and the temple pad are mounted, in each side, on a common carrier member, which is pivoted to the end of the resilient headband about a pivot axis located between the earphone unit and the temple pad.

Abstract: A detachable earmuff has an entrance separation which is normally biased closed and which is resiliently flexibly openable for receiving a headband of a headset for retaining the earmuff in covering relation to a users ear and an earphone held to the users ear by means of the headband. For biasing the entrance separation, overlapping parts of a frame structure extend inwardly from the outer end of the entrance separation. In one embodiment the earmuff frame may comprise a generally flat split plastic ring. In another embodiment the earmuff frame may comprise a resilient wireform which may be constructed in one piece.