Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting the external ear from the elements, heat, cold, wind, rain and/or snow. In some embodiments, an ear protector comprises a conforming anchor with an opening through which the external ear may be passed. The ear protector further comprises an insulating outer covering that, in combination with the anchor, forms the ear protector with a chamber positioned between the outer covering and the anchor. During use, the chamber is configured to receive the external ear, with the anchor's opening conformably positioned in proximity to at least a portion of the ear's root. The perimeter of the conforming anchor's opening resiliently deforms during passage of the external ear through the opening and into the chamber, and then conforms to the geometry of at least a portion of the ear root in order to securely and comfortably maintain the ear protector in position over the external ear without additional external support.

Abstract: A protective headgear combination has a helmet and at least one ear defender secured on the helmet rotational position of the at least one ear defender relative to the helmet is adjustable about a first axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is positioned relative to the vertical at an angle of less than 45° for an upright head position of a user of the protective headgear combination.

Abstract: A cold weather accessory that protects a wearer's ears and face from cold weather includes a pair of ear covers connected to a band at opposite distal ends of the band. Each of the pair of ear covers further includes a deployable cheek cover. The deployable cheek cover is moveable from a retracted position, over a respective ear cover, to a deployed position, offset from the respective ear cover, to provide facial protection from cold weather.

Abstract: A respirator mask has a removably mounted support frame that adjustably and removably mounts a corrective lens frame. The corrective lens frame further has a molded bridge with a biasing member embedded therein. A pivotal tab on the support frame is received in one of a plurality of detents on the lens frame for releasably securing the lens frame in the desired position on the support frame. Laterally disposed mounting lugs on the support frame are received in integrally molded pockets in the respirator mask.

Abstract: An ear protector 100 provides a means for covering an ear 10, manipulating ear 10, and protecting ear 10 from rubbing, chemicals, and heat. The ear protector comprises: an inner wall 110, an outer wall 120, and a curved joining wall 130. The ear protector further comprises: an upper helix cover 140, a middle tragus cover 150, and a lower lobule cover 160. The ear protector is manufactured with a material this is flexible, able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed, light weight and low density, has a high compression set, is has insulation properties and chemical resistance properties, easy to manufacture easily colored and processed. The ear protector includes notch 170 with thin membrane 176 for stretch and retraction, ear cavity button 154 for securing with ear, and thicker bridges 172 for strength and comfort, and installing and removing ear protector with ear.

Abstract: A combination hearing protector and illumination provider, including a right cup, a left cup, a band, a first light source, and a second light source. The right cup covers the right ear of a user. The left cup covers the left ear of the user. The band connects the right cup to the left cup and is worn over the top of the head of the user. The first light source is operatively connected to one of the right cup and the left cup and faces in a direction that is one of forward of the user and rearward of the user. The second light source is operatively connected to one of the right cup and the left cup and faces in a direction that is the other of forward of the user and rearward of the user. The first light source and the second light source illuminate in opposite directions to each other so as to illuminate forward of the user and rearward of the user.

Abstract: The headgear has right and left symmetrical earguard assemblies with an earguard pad and protective shell that are detachable from each other. A plurality of detachable head straps join each earguard assembly to prevent separation of the pad and shell of each earguard assembly. The periphery of each protective shell is surrounded and embraced by peripheral wall portions on the pads to align the respective shells on the respective earguard pads in an alignment position. Corresponding engageable protrusions and recesses on the pads and shells also help maintain the alignment position.

Abstract: A low profile protective helmet having an interior surface that is immediately adjacent the top of the wearer's head when the helmet is being worn. The interior surface defines a distal point which represents the furthest distance between the top of the wearer's head and the interior surface when the helmet is being worn. The height of the low profile helmet is approximately 4.7 inches and the distal point is approximately 1.3 inches to the top of the wearer's head which is at least 1 inch closer to the top of the wearer's head than with prior art hard hats. The close fit minimizes the weight of the helmet itself, and provides stability of the helmet on the head. The helmet includes shock absorbing means integral to the outer shell that defines a first extension and a second extension in perpendicular relationship with the first extension such that the outer shell is of a relatively greater depth along the defined extensions.

Abstract: An ear muff style ear protector device having a body for permitting positioning on a wearer's head, and two ear muff ear protectors connected with the body, so the ear protectors can be operatively held relative to a wearer's ears. At least one ear protector can be adapted to selectively enable the wearer to temporarily reduce the level of sound protection to the respective ear to enable external sounds to be heard more clearly. In an embodiment the body is an eye protector assembly, which is connected to the two ear muff ear protectors.

Abstract: A winter liner system, including a hunter knit liner for wear underneath a protective helmet. The hunter knit liner fully encircles, and partially covers, the head of the wearer and includes a decorative exterior layer, an interior layer, and an interior foam layer sandwiched therebetween. The liner has two ear flaps extending downwardly to cover ears, and a looping band on each ear flap for holding the chinstrap of the helmet. At least one ear flap includes a side pocket integrated therein. The liner includes an elongated bill extending downwardly and horizontally across the front portion. The bill has an exterior surface which adheres directly to the front of the helmet. A plurality of snapping mechanisms, which include male snap heads embedded within the helmet and cooperating female snap receptacles integrated into the liner, removably securing the liner into the helmet.

Abstract: A welder protection mask, containing a basic support element with a viewing opening for receiving a filter element as a dazzle protection device. The welder protection mask includes at least one pliable mask region which connects to the basic support element, and the pliable mask region contains a sheet-like, wall-like mask element or consists thereof, which is characterised by a characteristic that it is manually deformable and may be bent into different positions or three-dimensional shapes.

Abstract: Earmuffs for use with protective headgear, primarily helmets for use in outside sports such as bicycling, skiing and the like, wherein the earmuffs are in the form a sleeves with flaps that overlap the edges of the sleeves, include a base element that spans a wearer's head and couples left and right sleeves, and include a chin cover that receives the portion of a chin strap that extends beyond the sleeve.

Abstract: A multifunction safety mask with earmuffs clip is composed of a front hoop ring equipped with connection portion including brim hinge joint part, back hoop ring hinge joint part, and top belt hinge joint hole, wherein an earmuffs clamp groove is placed at top side of the connection portion; a brim body hinged on the brim hinge joint part of the front hoop ring; a back hoop ring, in which the two ends of the back hoop ring are buckled in a front hoop ring back hoop ring pivot hole; a top belt buckled, in which the two ends of the top belt are buckled in top belt hinge joint hole placed at the two sides of the front hoop ring; and earmuffs including two earmuffs bodies with a link plate between them, in which the two sides of the link plate enter and buckle in the earmuffs clamp groove; thus the musk of the present invention not only is stably weared on an user's head, but also prevents the user from noise damage with the earmuffs stably buckled on the musk.

Abstract: A cap having ear pieces and an eyepiece. The ear pieces are preferably connected to an audio device that can play stored audio and/or rebroadcast ambient sounds at a reduced audio level. The ear pieces preferable provide sound attenuation of at least 20 dB. The stored audio may include sounds that simulate sounds heard by a fetus while in the womb. The eye piece is preferably removable.

Abstract: A headgear-earwear assembly and a method of assembling the same. The headgear-earwear assembly can include an earwear and a headgear adapted to be coupled together. The earwear can include an elongated member, such as a cord, and an earpiece coupled to the elongated member. The headgear can include a major surface and a channel oriented substantially along the major surface of the headgear. The channel can be configured to removably house at least a portion of the length of the elongated member. The headgear can further include an aperture positioned adjacent the channel and open to the channel. The aperture can include an undulating shape along at least a portion of its length. The method can include positioning at least a portion of the elongated member in the channel, such that at least a portion of the length of the elongated member is removably housed in the channel.

Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell.

Abstract: A device for facilitating eye and ear protection. The device includes an eyeglass frame having left and right temple pieces, a lens support member and lenses appended to the lens support member. Left and right ear plug housings are supported by each of the left and right temple pieces and ear plugs being removably retained within the ear plug housings. Umbilicals connect the ear plugs to the eyeglass frame which are of a length to enable a user to remove the ear plugs from their housings and to insert the ear plugs within ear canals of the user whenever the eyeglass frame is worn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap (11) intended for use as hearing protection and adapted to enclosed the external ear of a user, characterized by at least one vibration-damping weight element (18, 38a-b) of the cap (11), which weight element is arranged so as to at least partly block an audio mode of vibration that would have existed in the cap in the absence of said weight element (18, 38a-b). The invention also relates to a method of producing such a cap, and use of the same.

Abstract: Protective eyeglasses provide hearing protection from elevated noise levels. The protective eyeglasses have safety lenses for protection of each of the eyes. Support members extend from the lenses of the eyeglasses to the ears, and have earplugs or protectors thereon which are inserted into the ears. The side support members are spring biased towards each other so that the side members provide pressure to hold the plugs in the ears of the wearer. Ear plugs are mounted so as to swivel relative to the side support members. The side support members are telescoping and are adjustable in length.

Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell. The two sealing rings are interconnected through a thin skin layer of soft compliant materials, which acts as a vibration isolating/decoupling means between the outer shell and the inner shell.

Abstract: When a person is riding an open-top vehicle with his ears exposed, he hears the whistling sounds of the apparent headwind produced as the wind dashes against his earlobes. According to the present invention, windshields A (1) are disposed forward of the rider's ears and sound insulating plates (2) are disposed between the windshields A (1) and the ear holes (5). Blocked by the windshields A (1), the apparent headwind does not strike the earlobes (4), thereby eliminating the whistling sounds from winds. As an adverse effect, the wind strikes and vibrates the windshields A (1), thus producing different noise. This noise does not reach the ear holes (5) of the rider as it is blocked by the sound insulating plates (2). As such, all the noise caused by the wind is reduced. Since the ears are mostly exposed to the open air, sufficient heat dissipation can be obtained without attenuating the surrounding sounds. Windshields B (25) are disposed forward of the windshields A (1) as required.

Abstract: A cap having ear pieces and an eyepiece. The ear pieces are preferably connected to an audio device that can play stored audio and/or rebroadcast ambient sounds at a reduced audio level. The ear pieces preferable provide sound attenuation of at least 20 dB. The stored audio may include sounds that simulate sounds heard by a fetus while in the womb. The eye piece is preferably removable.

Abstract: A protective headgear combination has a helmet and at least one ear defender secured on the helmet rotational position of the at least one ear defender relative to the helmet is adjustable about a first axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is positioned relative to the vertical at an angle of less than 45° for an upright head position of a user of the protective headgear combination.

Abstract: A low profile protective helmet having an interior surface that is immediately adjacent the top of the wearer's head when the helmet is being worn. The interior surface defines a distal point which represents the furthest distance between the top of the wearer's head and the interior surface when the helmet is being worn. The height of the low profile helmet is approximately 4.7 inches and the distal point is approximately 1.3 inches to the top of the wearer's head which is at least 1 inch closer to the top of the wearer's head than with prior art hard hats. The close fit minimizes the weight of the helmet itself, and provides stability of the helmet on the head. The helmet includes shock absorbing means integral to the outer shell that defines a first extension and a second extension in perpendicular relationship with the first extension such that the outer shell is of a relatively greater depth along the defined extensions.

Abstract: A retractable earplug assembly is provided that is configured to retrofit to a hardhat that includes a protective housing removably mountable to the hardhat. The earplug assembly further includes a guide base slideably cooperating with a guide portion of the housing for movement thereof along a fixed path. The earplug assembly includes an elongated flexible tether having a distal portion thereof mounted to an earplug device, and a proximal portion thereof mounted to the guide base. When the guide base is selectively moved along the fixed path, the tether and the earplug device move between a retracted condition and an extended condition, enabling usable access to the earplug device.

Abstract: A holding device for a respiratory mask, especially for use in the field of sleep medicine, includes a headband which, in an application position, extends from the forehead area of the patient to behind the ear area of the patient, whereby the headband is provided with a flexible reinforcing insert for reinforcing the headband in a lateral direction. This makes it advantageously possible to provide the mask retention forces, which are necessary for reliably applying a respiratory mask, in a manner that is very compatible with regard to ergonomics.

Abstract: A protective head-gear apparatus and a method for making the same is disclosed. The protective head-gear apparatus is buoyant and includes a cap and ear-guard that covers a user's ears while wearing the cap. The ear-guards include pads of cushions that are formed from a buoyant material and which are vented to allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements and allow the user to hear wearing the protective head-gear apparatus. In further embodiments of the invention, the ear-guards include outer shells or covers that are also vented. The ear-guard elements are permanently attached to the cap or alternatively are configured to detachably couple to the cap through an attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A safety helmet (1) has ear protectors (2) which arc disposed so as to be vertically adjustable on the helmet and configured to be sound-permeable in the middle area.

Abstract: Methods for generating a directional sound environment include providing a headgear unit having a plurality of microphones thereon. A sound signal is detected from the plurality of microphones. A transfer function is applied to the sound signal to provide a transformed sound signal, and the transformed sound signal provides an approximation of free field hearing sound at a subject's ear inside the headgear unit.

Abstract: A helmet having an outer shell formed to substantially enclose the head of a wearer and an inner liner disposed within the outer shell and conforming in shape substantially to the outer shell. An aperture is disposed at a front portion of the inner liner. A first exit port is disposed at a first rear portion of the outer shell, with the first exit port being substantially larger than the aperture. A first acoustic chamber is disposed between the inner liner and the outer shell and extends in a curved fashion from the aperture to the first exit port along a first side of the helmet. As a result, a wearer of the helmet is able to speak into the aperture of the helmet and have his voice carried through the first acoustic chamber and exit via the exit port to be heard by a person behind the wearer. Optionally, a second acoustic chamber is similarly disposed on the opposite side of the first acoustic chamber.

Abstract: A protective cap and earmuff assembly is disclosed to include a headband having radial teeth at two sides, a protective cap, which has two sets of radial teeth angularly adjustably meshed with the radial teeth of the headband and locked with retaining split bolts, two support bars respectively detachably fastened to the headband at two sides, a head strip adjustably coupled between the support bars, two forks respectively pivoted to the support bars, and two ear cushions respectively supported on the forks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a helmet, in particular a protective helmet for emergency services or intervention forces. Said helmet comprises a dome (1), which is provided with internal padding and lateral convex sections (1a) in the ear regions for accommodating ear defender capsules (5). The dome (1) and the lateral convex sections (1a) in the ear regions consist preferably of a single deep-drawn titanium sheet.

Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell. The two sealing rings are interconnected through a thin skin layer of soft compliant materials, which acts as a vibration isolating/decoupling means between the outer shell and the inner shell.

Abstract: A portion of a mask or helmet covering a user's ear has an aperture covered by a sound-collecting and sound-transmissive protector swivelingly mounted thereon. The protector has a substantially parabolic reflector surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the protector's axis of rotation which magnifies sounds arriving from a particular angular direction and directs the sound through a plurality of holes axially penetrating through the protector from an outer to an inner surface. A user manipulable actuator nib extends axially outwardly from a peripheral portion of the outer surface of the protector allowing user control of swiveling movement.

Abstract: A helmet for protecting the head having a rigid shell that includes a body, made of an expanded polystyrene type of material, for example, molded over an outer skin, the shell further including a rigid arch device, the arch device includes a headband applied to the shell, each of the ends of the headband being equipped with an ear-covering part. The ear-covering parts can include a foam cushion covered by fabric. The arch device can have two wings which cover the ear-covering parts and which extend the headband and which can also be provided with a chin guard joining the two wings together. The arch device can be either glued or releasably attached to the shell.

Abstract: An earmuff having anatomically correct ear cups, which are axially rotatable to ensure a proper fit over a person's ears and laterally rotatable when the earmuff is disposed in a storage position around the person's neck.

Abstract: A method of using a face protector includes providing a face protector including a lens and a face plate configured to protect the forehead, eyes, cheeks, jaw, chin, mouth, ears, and nose of a user without protecting substantially the remainder of the user's head; applying the face protector to the user's head; wearing the face protector during an activity; and removing the face protector after the activity.

Abstract: An enhanced mask system including a mask portion, for covering the nose, mouth and lower face of a wearer. The mask portion has an inner surface for being closer to the wearer and an outer surface for being further from the wearer. A head covering or balaclava is secured to the mask portion and a pocket secured to the inner surface of the mask portion removably contains the head covering or balaclava when in its secured position. The mask can be worn by the wearer either with the head covering or balaclava on the wearer's head in a deployed position or without the head covering or balaclava on the wearer's head and stowed in the pocket in the secured position.

Abstract: A device for protecting an ear of a subject from auricular haematoma, characterized in that the device comprises an inner member for inserting behind the ear and between the ear and skull of the subject, and a first outer member for placing over the ear of the subject, and for securing to the skull of the subject, the inner member being of a resilient shock absorbing material for acting as a shock absorber between the ear and skull and for cushioning the ear against the skull in the event of a blow, or other force, to the ear.

Abstract: An ear covering is produced by sewing first and second cloth layers together along a first closed loop seam, and forming a hole inside the loop and extending through both layers; turning the sewn first and second layers inside out by passing one layer through the opening; then passing one of the layers through a passage in a flexible insert in the form of a distorted, truncated cone; placing a third cloth layer over one of the first and second layers and sewing the first second and third cloth layers along a second closed-loop seam, thereby enclosing the insert within a toroidal enclosure formed by portions of the first and second layers. Afterwards, the assembly is turned inside out to form a cup-shaped receptacle for receiving an external ear, with the second seam in the interior of the receptacle, and with the first seam within the toroidal enclosure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of producing a hood for a hearing protector by injection moulding of plastic material. The hood is injection moulded to a single contiguous piece employing at least two plastic materials possessing different properties in at least one respect. The plastic materials may be both homogeneous and in porous or foamed form. A hood for a hearing protector is produced from plastic by injection moulding. The hood includes at least two portions or layers which are united to one another. The portions or layers consist of plastic materials with different properties in at least one respect.

Abstract: A protective headgear device comprises a circumferential member composed of a foam material, having an interior that generally conforms to the shape of one's head. The circumferential member has a first opening for viewing and a second open through which the neck of the user extends. A plurality of internal pads is secured to an interior surface of the circumferential member, and the pads are spaced apart from one another, to protect predetermined sensitive areas of the head. Impact plates are affixed to the interior surface of circumferential member, and each impact plate is disposed between the circumferential member and a corresponding internal pad. The impact plates supplement the protection of the internal pads and the circumferential member for absorbing trauma forces applied to the headgear.

Abstract: A protective ear shield releasably mounted over the top and the rear saddleback portion of an ear suitable for releasing discomfort due to compression pressure of the shield and the weight of the added body accessory. The protective ear shield comprises at least two curved sections joined with an adjustable connecting member for adjusting and fixing the distance between these two sections. The ear shield is configured to fit the contours of the top and the rear saddleback portion of the ear so as to minimize the discomfort feeling. The ear shield may comprise a hook element at each end of the two sections configured for securing the eyeglasses or sunglasses.

Abstract: A modular helmet system having a helmet base to protect from impacts the crown of a wearer's head and terminating basally in a rear rim and side rims; a C-shaped extension detachably connected to said rims to protect from impacts, when fitted to the helmet base, the base of a wearer's skull; and a crown comb detachably connected centrally over the crown of the helmet base. The helmet base is provided with ventilation windows centrally located over its crown. The comb covers and seals said ventilation windows. The comb is also employed to secure the extension in place, when fitted on the helmet base.

Abstract: A combination wrap-around mask and goggle is made from a single transparent and flexible plastic material monolithically formed in a single cavity mold. The structure is devoid of any cavities or protrusions that could interfere with the easy withdrawal of the device from the mold. Front to back oriented ribs, gussets and fins are used to impart rigidity to various areas of the structure.

Abstract: A portion of a mask or helmet covering a user's ear has an aperture covered by a sound-collecting and sound-transmissive protector swivelingly mounted thereon. The protector has a substantially parabolic reflector surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the protector's axis of rotation which magnifies sounds arriving from a particular angular direction and directs the sound through a plurality of holes axially penetrating through the protector from an outer to an inner surface. A user manipulable actuator nib extends axially outwardly from a peripheral portion of the outer surface of the protector allowing user control of swiveling movement.

Abstract: A wind and noise reducer for eyeglasses includes a panel that has a top edge, a bottom edge, a forward edge and a rear edge. The forward edge is generally vertically orientated. The panel has an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface is concave and the outside surface is convex. An elongated arm has first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the top edge such that the arm is generally horizontally orientated. The arm extends rearward from the panel. A coupler is removably positionable on the temple of the eyeglasses for selectively coupling the arm to the temple such that the arm is orientated parallel to the temple and the forward edge is directed forward of the eyeglasses. The panel may be moved along the temple such that wind is directed around the ears of the wearer of the eyeglasses.

Abstract: A pair of ear retaining members designed to hold the ears of an animal in a substantially forward position to control undesired behavior. A Strap attaches both ear retaining members together and further holds the ears in the ear retaining members. The ear retaining members are held in place by straps which go thru slots in the ear retaining members and proceed under the throatlatch of the animal and attaches to its own end. Ear retaining members are made from semi-flexible material.

Abstract: A disposable shield for use on the upper portion of the external human ear, including the helix, antihelix, and portions of the tragus and antitragus, comprising a sheet of non-foramenis, foldable paper having a narrow strip of adhesive located adjacent the border, and foldable about the periphery of the ear to affix a portion of the sheet about the rear of the surface of the ear, the front of the surface of the ear, and the peripheral area of the ear between the rear of the surface of the ear and the front of the surface of the ear.

Abstract: An earmuff having anatomically correct ear cups, which are axially rotatable to ensure a proper fit over a person's ears and laterally rotatable when the earmuff is disposed in a storage position around the person's neck.